Week 2 Target Report Highlights
Football is about the scheme more than any other sport and this week’s target report is a perfect example. Julian Edelman had 16 passes come his way while Brandon Marshall saw six looks. Brent Celek had 11 targets while Zach Miller had three.
So we’re going to stay on top of the target report every Tuesday in this space.
Here are five pass-catching situations that caught our eye in Week 2:
For a complete target report, plus all the tools you need for Week 3, check out the Season Pass.
BEARS
Johnny Knox: 9
Devin Hester:7
Greg Olsen: 6
Kellen Davis: 6
Earl Bennett: 2
Obviously, Knox being on top this list is pretty interesting. He took over for Bennett in the second half at the split end spot and will reportedly push for that job full-time soon. Olsen getting the same number of targets as Davis is nothing to worry about. We still like Olsen as a buy-low.
JAGUARS
Torry Holt: 11
Mike Sims-Walker: 9
Nate Hughes: 6
Mercedes Lewis: 5
Troy Williamson: 2
Greg Estandia: 1
Ernest Wilford: 1
Nate Hughes has since been cut and Troy Williamson (shoulder) is out for the year. Sims-Walker is in for a ton more targets going forward as the No. 2 receiver. Jarrett Dillard and Mike Thomas are expected to be active as the third and fourth receivers.
PACKERS
Donald Driver: 9
Jermichael Finley: 7
Donald Lee: 6
Greg Jennings: 5
James Jones: 4
Jordy Nelson: 1
Spencer Havner: 1
The Packers had no good explanation for why Jennings took a big fat bagel on Sunday. Chalk it up as a stone fluke and move on. Finley had just one target in Week 1 so he’s on the right track. If Green Bay’s offensive line continues to struggle, Finley and Lee will be the safety valves.
BUCS
Kellen Winslow: 10
Jerramy Stevens: 9
Maurice Stovall: 6
Michael Clayton: 4
Brian Clark: 4
Sammie Stroughter: 3
Antonio Bryant’s knee problem isn’t going away, so it’s time to see how Byron Leftwich will deal with it. Winslow had nine targets in Week 1 and is the top option. Maurice Stovall is ahead of Sammie Stroughter to take Bryant’s spot.
RAMS
Laurent Robinson: 9
Donnie Avery: 6
Randy McMichael: 5
Kennan Burton: 2
Avery has lived a nightmare in the first two weeks. He’s had two critical fumbles and been outplayed by Robinson. In shallower leagues you can probably find a better option than Avery right now.
TARGET REPORT QUICK HITTERS:
Julian Edelman, Andre Johnson and Ted Ginn Jr. led the way with 16 targets each in Week 2. … We don’t want to go overboard on Mario Manningham, but he had 13 targets. He’s the pickup of the week. … Josh Morgan had zero passes come his way. This offense just isn’t built for him. … We detailed the Brandon Marshall situation in Monday’s Dose, but his six targets prove he’s in a rotation. … Chris Chambers led the Chargers with 10 targets but came up with just two catches. … Dwayne Bowe has caught nine of the ten passes that have come his way this season. … Brent Celek’s 11 targets from best friend Kevin Kolb make him a must-start as long as Donovan McNabb is out. … Chansi Stuckey led the Jets in targets for the second straight week with seven.
Comments
Jennings took a bagel because he has a serious wrist injury. Did you see how badly he dropped the first pass thrown to him? The Packers won't admit it because they probably think he's more valuable to their offense as a decoy drawing double-teams than a healthy backup (although the Packers backup WRs are above average). That and Rodgers' O-line isn't giving him time to get it to his deep threat. These reasons suggest that it may not be a fluke. Also consider that the Bengals are not exactly a feared pass rush. And finally consider that Jennings had a near-bagel Week 1 until the last play of the game.
Posted by: Ocean Man | September 22, 2009 07:49 PM
Your staff writers really should do their research before doing player updates. They said Ted ginn jr looked crappy because he dropped two would-be touchdowns Monday night. Actually, both passes were thrown badly and weren't really catchable. These guys don't know what they're writing they just act like it.
Posted by: Cat | September 23, 2009 12:43 AM
Any conclusions about McGahee? I could trade him straight up for Santonio Holmes in one league where my WRs are a little shaky and I'm deep at RB.
Holmes looked like he was on the verge of a breakout even before the Steelers discovered they can't run the ball.
On the other hand, McGahee is my second leading scorer right now even though he's been sitting on my bench. My starters are MJD and Gore and I've also got Ray Rice and Felix Jones, so McGahee will be on my bench most weeks anyway. I'm convinced that the week I start him, he'll get stuffed in the red zone and Rice will pile on the yards and make me feel stupid.
A day ago I thought I'd be fleecing the guy, but the more I look at Baltimore's schedule and the way they've used Willis so far, I'm not sure.
Posted by: Fredex | September 23, 2009 01:03 AM
PS. Ginn's dropping a game-winning touchdown pass on which he had both hands is embarrassing. Totally catchable.
I guess I'd have to agree with the Rotoworld guys... not so sure I'd feel like he's a guy I want to build my franchise around or count on with the game on the line, but Pennington threw to him an awful lot.
Posted by: Fredex | September 23, 2009 01:06 AM
At least one of the two drops in question was not underthrown and Ginn has to make if he wants to be the first option in an offense. Ginn has the size and speed, but he has a lot to prove he has the hands to be anything more than a deep threat.
Posted by: YouthofToday | September 23, 2009 02:52 AM
ive been with Silva on Ginn for some time now... hes an upside player whos been improving each year in the league. some may argue this was his best game. if he made one of those two td catches it obviously would have been. he has the talent to dominate at times but due to his NFL draft position (9 overall) he will always be looked at as a falure for some unfair reason. Silva recommended getting him in every league and just watch his value grow. penningtons ability to get him the ball was the main concern for him. now that doesnt look like an issue. Ginn has real potential to be a legit WR2 all season, maybe even WR1. I dont think its a far thought to put him in the same class as R.White of 2008 breakout ability.
Posted by: scott c | September 23, 2009 09:46 AM
If you guys really think those balls were catchable then you have no idea what it takes to be a professional in sports. The bomb near the end of the game wasn't catchable for Randy moss let alone Ted ginn but I digress.
Posted by: Cat | September 23, 2009 10:10 AM