Once upon a time, the NFL was awash in Tulane quarterbacks (my alma matter). Shaun King led the Bucs to the NFC Championship, while Patrick Ramsey and J.P. Losman arrived as first-round picks set to be "franchise" quarterbacks.
Now Ramsey is a backup in Denver, King is on ESPN, and Losman has been displaced in Buffalo.
The Bills are saying the move isn't permanent, and have alluded to Losman not being 100% (although he's healthy enough to play). I suspect they are covering their bases. Losman had quite a reputation for being a locker room divider in college, and perhaps they are trying to prevent him from going in the tank. That is irresponsible speculation, but I still suspect that Edwards will have to struggle badly to lose the starting gig. And that Losman won't be a Buffalo Bill in 2008.
While Edwards has great long-term potential, I don't think this moves bodes well for a full Lee Evans recovery in 2007.
Sammy Morris has been among the most pleasant surprises of the fantasy season, but his usefulness may already be up for some owners.
The Boston Herald writes that Morris may miss a month. The Boston Globe sees Ben Watson missing at least two weeks, and Morris longer than that.
Continue reading "Drop Sammy Morris?" »
October 16, 2007
I imagine Chris Chambers owners were relatively happy with him so far this season. He was drafted as a WR3 and has performed like one. A year after gaining only 677 yards all season, he was on pace to top 1,100 for only the second time in his career. He hasn't scored, but surely that was coming. The status quo was going fine.
Following today's trade to the Chargers, owners are probably wondering what exactly they have. Instead of a target-hogging number one receiver, I see Chambers as a co-number two in San Diego alongside Vincent Jackson, but behind Antonio Gates. The Chargers throw less than the Dolphins, so Chambers will see a smaller share of a smaller pie.
Continue reading "Trade: Good for Bolts, bad for Chambers" »
I include injured players in Bust Watch, but frankly I'd rather have a player that missed some games than one who played and was terrible. While Steven Jackson has been out, at least you can still use the spot to score points. Most of the injured players were struggling before they got hurt, which is a double whammy.
1. Marc Bulger: 764 yards, two touchdowns, four interceptions, two missed games
2. Lee Evans: 113 yards
3. Rudi Johnson: 277 total yards, 1 TD, one missed game
4. Drew Brees: 1,175 yards, three touchdowns, nine interceptions
5. Steven Jackson: 290 total yards, three missed games
6. Vince Young: 703 passing yards, 3 TD, 6 INT, 129 rushing yards, 1 TD
7. Reggie Brown: 170 yards
8. Brandon Jackson: 178 total yards
9. Matt Jones: 74 yards
10. Hines Ward: 101 yards, 1 TD, two missed games
One of our commenters Tony started a $100,000 Challenge league for readers of Pancake Blocks to join. I just signed up and suggest you do the same if you have a team. You can be in multiple groups, and it's easy to jump into a new one.
The group number is 404 and the password: Tomlinson. And the competition is fierce. I'm in the 1,800s overall, which is good for first place in our ten-man Rotoworld league. I'm practically in last place in the one (although it all starts over if you can get to the playoffs). Stop on by and make me look stupid.
Michael Bennett is headed to the Bucs. He was good once, right?
Well, it's been a while. Bennett hasn't topped 500 rushing yards in a season since 2002 because of injuries and ineffectiveness. He's a one dimensional boom-or-bust runner who can't stay healthy. That's why three teams (Minnesota, New Orleans, and Kansas City) have given up on him in the span of two years. In Tampa, he gets his best opportunity for relevance because Earnest Graham doesn't provide much competition. And Jon Gruden has been known to revive veteran careers. Don't forget, though, that Michael Pittman could be back in the mix by the time Bennett knows the offense.
So Is Bennett worth owning in most leagues?
Continue reading "Trade Deadline Excitement!" »
October 15, 2007
LaMont Jordan's surprise start in Oakland didn't get much attention because it happened opposite the Patriots-Dallas game and most fantasy lineups were set. Plus Jordan didn't make owners pay for benching him with 86 total yards on 24 touches, including six catches.
It was surprising that Jordan played despite being listed as doubtful, but it's shocking he had 24 touches, while Justin Fargas had three, and Dominic Rhodes had zero.
Jordan owners should be very encouraged. The Raiders showed a lot of faith in Jordan by refusing to go to a committee despite a serious injury. This was a huge game for them, and they clearly believe Jordan is their best option on the field.
Rhodes owners have to be concerned they have a lemon. He's halfway decent insurance, but it looks like Fargas is ahead of him on the depth chart. And third place on the Oakland depth chart is not exactly a road to fantasy stardom.
1. Tom Brady: 1,771 yards, 21 TD, 2 INT
2. Randy Moss: 610 yards, 8 TD
3. Ronnie Brown: 882 total yards, 5 TD
4. Adrian Peterson: 782 total yards, 5 TD
5. Plaxico Burress, 410 yards, 7 TD
6. Brian Westbrook: 670 total yards, 5 TD, one missed game
7. Joseph Addai: 467 total yards, 5 TDs, one missed game
8. Braylon Edwards: 552 yards, 7 TD
9. T.J. Houshmandzadeh: 47 catches, 505 yards, 7 TD
10. Tony Romo: 1,707 yards, 15 TDs, 9 INTs, 77 rushing yards, two rushing TDs
Don't anger Steve Smith by benching him
The worst advice I have given all year on Fantasy Fix Live was telling a caller to consider benching Steve Smith Sunday with Vinny Testaverde likely to start.
I had visions of the last Vinny's last sudden relief start, his first outing for the Jets in 2005. He could barely handle the center-snap exchange. He didn't throw a touchdown in his first five appearances that year.
But Vinny looked solid and Smith was enjoying a fine day even before his 65-yard score to cap the afternoon. Smith has been feast or famine this year, but he's on pace for over 1,300 yards and 16 scores.
As you could probably tell from Morning After, I watched the strange Packers-Redskins game Sunday. Here's the only recap you need to know from that game. If nothing else, we know the Redskins defense is for real. Again.
I also enjoyed the epic Hashmarks breakdown of the Patriots-Cowboys bonanza. One final note just heard from NFLN's Rich Eisen before I move on. The Patriots have outscored their opponents by 138 points this season. Only four other teams have even scored 138 points this season. I'll shut up now.
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