It was not by mistake that my first ever post for Profootballtalk.com this morning was about Pierre Thomas. Like the first snap of training camp, you want to make a statement. (My statement, apparently, is that I like Pierre Thomas. But you knew that.)
In case you missed the news this week, PFT joined NBCSports.com this week as part of a wide-ranging partnership. It will officially make the jump in July.
I was hired by Rotoworld during the 2003 season, and quickly realized Mike Florio's website was one of the best tools to help me do my job, plus it motivated me to never stop working because he didn't. (The site looked like this back then.) I've read it every day since, and eventually we started providing their Fantasy Mill sometime after NBC purchased our site. Pancake Blocks essentially is their Fantasy Mill, with some bells and whistles attached.
Now I'll get the chance to contribute to the main site, which is a thrill. (I would say honor, but somehow the word doesn't seem right next to Turd Watch.)
A lot of you have emailed wondering if this will change Rotoworld's coverage. The answer is no, although it will bring some of Florio's rabid readers through the doors of NBCSports.com and by extension, Rotoworld. That's good for everyone, except for the people who still try to keep Rotoworld a secret.
Our coverage won't be any different, and I'll still be contributing the same columns, videos, and rankings to Rotoworld and Pancake Blocks. Back in a few minutes with something you actually care about - football.
Last week I attempted to break down the Ravens backfield situation and came to the conclusion that folks may be going overboard on Ray Rice's redraft value. The local rags have been pumping Rice relentlessly, but the team never figured to abandon its multi-pronged attack.
In a revealing interview with CBSSports.com offensive coordinator Cam Cameron removed all suspense, declaring his backfield a true committee attack.
Continue reading "Baltimore backfield breakdown, the sequel" »
June 16, 2009
While we all enjoy the fallout over Artie Lange's show-stealing performance on Joe Buck Live, let's turn our attention back to Lange's opening act: Brett Favre. (I’d love to write 1,000 words on Lange, but I’m almost as ill-suited to do so as Joe Buck is to host a comedy-tinged program.)
I blogged on NBCSports.com last night summarizing the Favre appearance. The short version: he’s all but a Viking now.
Continue reading "Will Brett Favre help Adrian Peterson?" »
June 13, 2009
When Brandon Marshall showed up to Denver's minicamp late Friday afternoon, albeit half a day late, it looked like we were going to avoid any major drama between him and the team. No such luck. Marshall showed up to camp, met with owner Pat Bowlen, left the facility carrying some boxes, and did not show up to camp Saturday.
And ... we have a potentially big problem on our hands. Marshall doesn't trust the Broncos training staff to heal his hip, and he thinks he's underpaid. I'm not going to opine how this will play out after the Jay Cutler fiasco, but a prolonged training camp holdout would be not be advantageous for Marshall. He seems very unlikely to get a new contract. We'll see if the Broncos have any interest dealing him.
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Tom Curran and I taped a few Three and Out's this week. In this one, we talk about Ocho Cinco's possible rebound, struggling young quarterbacks, and reveal our team of the decade rankings.
June 12, 2009
Following Donovan McNabb's new deal, Kevin Kolb is left to twist in the wind. His contract, like McNabb's, expires after the 2010 season, which means he's bench-bound for the duration -- barring injury to #5.
I was giving some thought to possible landing spots for Kolb when Gregg pointed out the unlikeliness of a trade happening at this point in the offseason. With the Eagles in win-now mode, what's the point of dealing Kolb when they could probably get the same draft pick for him next offseason?
The motivation would have to come from another team, one willing to surrender at least a second-round pick for the No. 36 overall pick in the 2007 draft. In which case, Philly may be willing to go with A.J. Feely as McNabb's backup for 2009.
Continue reading "A perfect fit for Kevin Kolb?" »
June 11, 2009
Brandon Jacobs has averaged an outstanding 95.6 rushing yards per start over the last two seasons. His YPC over that span is a robust 4.98 and he's scored 21 touchdowns in 24 games.
The Giants let Derrick Ward walk in free agency and will likely turn to Ahmad Bradshaw as their No. 2 back. Rookie Andre Brown and holdover Danny Ware are competing for the third tailback role.
GM Jerry Reese anticipates Jacobs' workload increasing, and Jacobs envisions seeing five or so more carries per game with Ward gone. Because of Jacobs' injury history (he's missed eight games since '06 and pulled out of countless others due to nagging "nicks"), we still found it difficult to project a major workload increase. Gregg Rosenthal gives Jacobs 225 carries. Jacobs set a career high with 219 in 2008.
Reese wasn't so specific about a carry projection for Jacobs, so let's take a look at The Train's personal goal and see if it's in the Giants' best interest.
Continue reading "Projecting The Train's Carry Total" »
What has changed about the Baltimore running back situation since the 2008 season ended?
Ray Rice
Running with the first-team offense this offseason.
Has put on several pounds of good weight to handle a heavier workload.
Coach Harbaugh: "No question he can be an every-down back".
Willis McGahee
Underwent offseason surgery on both his ankle and his always-troublesome knee.
By many accounts, the prohibitive cap hit is the only reason he's still on the roster.
Work ethic questioned and hasn't been winning favors with the Harbaugh/Cameron staff since last summer.
Continue reading "Baltimore backfield breakdown" »
June 10, 2009
Jason Witten finished as the TE1 overall in 2007 and the TE2 in 2008. He is established as an elite fantasy commodity. Witten is the most complete tight end in the league, and with Terrell Owens gone, will be Tony Romo's go-to weapon in crucial situations.
The only hole in Witten's game -- and this, admittedly, is being overly picky -- is his touchdown production. He's never scored more than seven TDs in a season, and found the end zone just four times in 2008.
This is where the loss of Owens projects to benefit Witten the most.
Continue reading "Hard Hitten' Witten can be a TD Maker" »
June 09, 2009
I always have a real hard time betting on rebounds from players coming off lost or terrible seasons. Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson's 53-catch, 540-yard, four-touchdown 2008 campaign was very troubling, even if it can partially be blamed on Ryan Fitzpatrick's noodle arm.
Entering last year, Chad had not produced fewer than 87 catches, 1,274 yards, or seven touchdowns in a season since 2002. A model of year-to-year consistency, "85" never finished lower than the fantasy WR9 overall between 2003-2007. He fell to the WR50 in 2008.
Late June ankle surgery and a shoulder injury may have contributed, but Ochocinco's admission that he didn't "lift one weight" or "run one route" during the offseason certainly takes the cake. He wasn't prepared to play.
Continue reading "Arrow is Pointing Up for Ochocinco" »
Gregg raised a good point about job security with his Shaun Hill post earlier today. Which other quarterbacks will have to win early in the season in order to keep their jobs?
No-Brainers:
Kyle Orton, Broncos – Far from a lock to be a long-term answer in Denver, Orton’s contract is up after the season and Josh McDaniels could go in another direction.
Chad Pennington, Dolphins – The Miami papers have been all over this one. Chad Henne is ready, Penny is a poor bet to stay healthy and his contract is up after the season.
Jason Campbell, Redkins – The Redskins refuse to commit to Campbell beyond ’09. Another stretch of games like the second half of last season will land him on the bench.
JaMarcus Russell, Raiders – Russell will start Week 1 regardless of preseason performance, but Jeff Garcia is looming if the offense stumbles out of the gate.
Shaun Hill – When you look at his performance and won-loss record, Hill has earned a long look. Alex Smith, though, has better tools and is the apple of the GM’s eye.
Continue reading "Short leash signal callers" »
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