As always, I was too long-winded in my afternoon posts, and then got busy and didn't hit all the games like I wanted. But time stops for no blog, and it's suddenly Christmas Eve, or "Monday night" as Jews like myself call it. (Just kidding actually, we've always done gifts anyway on Christmas. Better format.)

I hope everyone enjoys a great holiday and we'll catch you on the other side. Or before that if time permits. Here's to a quiet night for Tomlinson.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 05:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Shaun Hill, "the anti-Alex Smith", may be playing well enough to save Mike Nolan's job. At least that's what Bay Area sage Tim Kawakami thinks.

Kawakami takes it a step further, wondering if Hills two victories could jeopardize Smith's place on the team. Vernon Davis, never one to keep his mouth shut, had this to say.

Continue reading "Could Shaun Hill save Mike Nolan's job?" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 02:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

14 months after the movement started, Musa Smith may finally be freed next weekend against the Steelers. At least if Mike Anderson can't get healthy.

Unfortunately, Musa will probably have to play with Troy Smith at quarterback. Smith only led the Ravens to 91 total yards of offense in the first half against Seattle. Before hitting a long garbage time touchdown, Smith hadn't led Baltimore past the Seattle 35-yard line. I don't care how many starters Pittsburgh rests, it's going to be tough to run against them with Smith at the helm. Just another case of keeping Smith down.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 02:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Kevin Jones' ACL tear puts the Detroit backfield right where they were at this point last season: in deep Millen. It's uncertain if Jones suffered a partial or full tear at this point, but any surgery would mean another lost offseason. Jones will have suffered two of the most devastating football injuries in successive seasons during the prime of his career. It's fair to wonder if Jones even will have a prime like many of us envisioned.

The Lions have no depth at running back. T.J. Duckett had a career-high 102 yards on Sunday against Kansas City, but he's about to be a free agent. He makes a decent spare part, but the Lions probably want a runner with more upside to challenge Jones next year or split carries. Tatum Bell has been a bust and will be lucky to be in the NFL next year. Former third-round pick Brian Calhoun can't stay healthy.

Like many Lions decisions on offense, their choices will depend on whether Mike Martz is back next season. It looks 50-50 right now. Kevin Jones dynasty league owners can only hope the odds are that good that their guy will ever develop into a true RB1.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 01:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Hoping on a train out of Penn Station today at 11:30 AM. Will be helping out on our news page and cramming as many blog posts as possible during the afternoon ride through New England, focusing on the late games yesterday. See you then.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 10:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

The next few report sregarding Willie Parker's broken leg will be key. Broken fibulas can vary widely in recovery time. For some players, it's a simple break and they are fine in six-to-eight weeks. Considering Parker's huge workload this year, getting 80 fewer carries this season might not be the worst thing in the world for him long term.

Some breaks, especially if they include the ankle, are much trickier. As a Parker owner in a dynasty league that was planning to build my offseason by dealing him when his value was still high, I am hoping for the best.

I don't think the Steelers should be overly concerned about the injury. With poor passing game skills and a 4.1 average on the ground, Parker is pretty easy to replace. We've seen all season that running backs are the most easily replaceable position in football. Pittsburgh's sagging defense looks a lot more vulnerable.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 09:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Roughly six weeks ago, Larry Johnson left Kansas City's game with what was originally reported as an ankle injury. The following week, reports leaked out that he had suffered a crack in his foot. Just over one month ago, Rotoworld reported that the Chiefs expected to shut Larry Johnson down for the season.

That didn't happen, Johnson continued to rehab, tepidly practicing on a very limited basis over the last few weeks. He never made it to a Friday practice.

Continue reading "L.J. Season Likely Over. Again" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 04:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Ravens fans want to see what Troy Smith can do. Even some of his own teammates seem tired of Kyle Boller. The one group of people who should be upset that Smith will start Sunday at Seattle? Willis McGahee owners. Not to mention Derrick Mason owners if they have hung on this long.

Smith moved the ball against the Dolphins some, but it was mostly check-down passes and the running game. I think the Ravens will have fewer chances to score with a rookie quarterback and the Seahawks will stack the box against McGahee.

McGahee has proven that he can beat eight man fronts this year, and Seattle's rush defense is average overall. That's why he'll stay in my top-15 this week, and in my championship week lineup as a RB2 over Kevin Jones and Selvin Young. I just don't feel very good about it.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 03:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One of our writers Chris Wesseling has started a dynasty rankings blog. He's just getting started, but I know it will be a great resource for people all offseason.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 03:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I am struggling with the notion that the regular season (and my weekly routine) is over in eleven days, and trying to keep my eye on the ball. This is the most important week of the season for many of us lucky enough to still be playing. With that said, it's hard not to peek ahead with posts like this one in our forums.

I am going to crank out a Top-50 for next season after the regular season concludes, but here's my quick and dirty early top-five.

Continue reading "Top Five in 2008" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 02:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)