Week 1 Target Report Highlights

Sometimes a target report can be misleading. For example, Antwaan Randle El was thrown to nine times on Sunday to lead the Redskins. That won’t last.
On the other hand, Matthew Stafford targeted Calvin Johnson 13 times and that number could even rise.
But in general, the target report is a good way to get a feel for the chemistry between a quarterback and certain receivers. Here’s a look at how the ball was spread around in five of the more interesting pass-catching situations around the league.
For a complete target report, plus all the tools you need for Week 2, check out the Season Pass.
DOLPHINS
Davone Bess: 7
Ten Ginn Jr.: 5
Anthony Fasano: 3
Brian Hartline: 2
Greg Camarillo: 2
Joey Haynos: 1
Camarillo started as the No. 2 receiver, but Bess saw the most action underneath. As we expected all summer, Pennington trusts Bess and will continue to dink and dunk to him. I know we’ve used this stat a million times, but it’s worth repeating that Bess caught 35 passes in the final six games of last season.
BEARS
Earl Bennett: 13
Greg Olsen: 6
Desmond Clark: 4
Devin Hester: 4
Johnny Knox: 4
Speaking of chemistry, everyone knows that Jay Cutler and Bennett went to Vanderbilt together, so the 13 targets aren’t a huge surprise. Bennett should be owned in most leagues. The most surprising number is that Olsen only had one catch on his six targets. Devin Hester looked improved as a route-runner and he should get some more targets in the weeks ahead.
BRONCOS
Brandon Marshall: 7
Jabar Gaffney: 4
Brandon Stokley: 4
Eddie Royal: 4
Daniel Graham: 3
Tony Scheffler: 2
This looks kind of like a Josh McDaniels Patriots target report minus the volume. Everyone got a few looks and no one was the clear go-to-guy. The number that stands out is Royal’s low workload. It’s probably a fluke, but is something worth monitoring.
COWBOYS
Jason Witten: 7
Roy Williams: 7
Patrick Crayton: 6
Miles Austin: 2
Martellus Bennett: 2
If the target report was this balanced last year, Terrell Owens would have thrown a fit. Despite all the talk that Cowboys would get Bennett more involved this year, they didn’t on Sunday.
GIANTS
Steve Smith: 8
Hakeem Nicks: 4
Mario Manningham: 4
Kevin Boss: 3
Domenik Hixon: 3
As expected, Smith was the No. 1 and worked over the middle while no one else really distinguished themselves. With Nicks now out for a couple weeks, Manningham and Hixon will split up the snaps. Manningham has much more upside.
TARGET QUICK HITTERS:
Devery Henderson led the Saints with eight targets. … Louis Murphy had nine targets while Darrius Heyward-Bey had four. … Among tight ends, Robert Royal, Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates and Kellen Winslow led the way with nine targets. Which one doesn’t fit? ... Chansi Stuckey (9) was Mark Sanchez’s favorite target, but Jerricho Cotchery and Dustin Keller each had eight passes come their way. … Pierre Garcon had five targets while Austin Collie had three. Expect both those numbers, along with Dallas Clark’s, to rise with Anthony Gonzalez out.





Comments
This is great info. Who looks like the better play in Week 2, Louis Murphy vs. the Chiefs' leaky D or Santana Moss vs. the Rams' leaky D?
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Posted by: Anonymous | September 16, 2009 06:02 PM