January 27, 2010
While working on the Dynasty ranks, there were four viable fantasy assets that jumped out as tight ends who could be on the move this offseason. With prospects Jermaine Gresham, Rob Gronkowski, and Aaron Hernandez also available, it's going to be a buyer's market this offseason. Let's take a look at the veterans:
1. Chris Cooley - The new regime will want to stockpile as many draft picks as possible, all the better to turn over the Jim Zorn/Vinny Cerrato roster. Fred Davis' second-half emergence makes it easier to trade veteran Cooley. In a buyer's market, it's hard to picture a team spending a second-rounder as the Falcons and Saints did to land Tony Gonzalez and Jeremy Shockey.
2. Tony Scheffler - Criminally underutilized in Josh McDaniels' offense, Scheffler is one of the top dozen pass-catching tight ends in the NFL. The Broncos won't get full price for their restricted free agent because the whole league knows McDaniels is desperate to deal him along with Brandon Marshall.
Continue reading "Buyer's market on tight ends?" »
July 15, 2009
Matt Cassel's o-line might be better than he, or anyone else thinks
One of the most disturbing stats from Matt Cassel's mostly awesome starting debut was his league-high 47 sacks taken. The Patriots' offensive line is widely regarded as among the best in the league (although it's really closer to above average), so Cassel gets knocked as a sack waiting to happen. That, perhaps, could further the idea that Cassel was a one-year wonder -- a product of Randy Moss and the Patriots' quarterback-friendly system -- and that he'll struggle in his new digs.
The good news is Chiefs coach Todd Haley's system is also passer-friendly, and like New England's, very shotgun-happy. The Chiefs' offensive line is also apparently on the rise.
I'm not saying the Chiefs' line is better than New England's, but the Football Outsiders reveal that Kansas City held up better than one would've guessed during a miserable 2008 season. The unit is broken down in the Kansas City Star's Chiefs blog.
Theoretically, the Chiefs would've given up more sacks in '08 because they attempted 541 passes, their second most since the Dick Vermeil era and the ninth most in the NFL. But they cut their sacks allowed at every position save center and only left guard (Brian Waters) committed more penalties (1 in '07, 2 in '08). Their directional rushing rank also improved significantly at left tackle (Branden Albert), left guard, and right tackle (Damion McIntosh). They were a little worse at center and stayed the same at right guard.
Continue reading "Chiefs Offensive Line: Underrated?" »
June 09, 2009
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" »
June 08, 2009
The player pictured above is Chiefs wideout Mark Bradley. After being released by Chicago, Bradley was acquired via a two-year deal for the minimum on October 1. He easily passed Devard Darling and Jeff Webb on the depth chart despite barely knowing the offense. Picking up eight starts down the stretch, Bradley finished with 30 receptions for 380 yards (12.7 YPC) and three scores.
Here is a look at the Chiefs' current receiver depth chart:
X (split end) - Dwayne Bowe / Terrance Copper / Quinten Lawrence* / Taurus Johnson*
Z (flanker) - Mark Bradley / Devard Darling / Jeff Webb / C.J. Jones / Rodney Wright
Y (slot) - Bobby Engram
* = rookie
Continue reading "Chiefs receiver depth chart rundown" »
April 23, 2009
Mr. Silva is on the news, and here is his blurb on the move:
KC got its asking price, just not this year. Gonzo is 33, but coming off a 96-catch, 1,058-yard, 10-touchdown season. He obviously has a lot left, and going to a dome can't hurt. Atlanta relies on the run more than the '08 Chiefs did, though, and while Matt Ryan can only get better, Gonzo's numbers will likely dip some. He'll steer attention away from Roddy White, but could also cut into possession receiver Michael Jenkins' targets.
I'm in agreement here. I think you could expect some decline from Gonzalez, regardless of what team he was on. He was coming off the first back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons of his career.
Continue reading "Gonzo dealt to the Falcons" »
As we wait ... and wait for someone to step up and pick for Buffalo, a few stray thoughts.
I was amazed to see Tyson Jackson as the third pick in Peter King's Sports Illustrated mock. King is covering the Chiefs and Rams this week, so let's give him the benefit of the doubt and think that he's at least getting plausible information. (Although it's certainly not from Scott Pioli.) I'm rooting for him to be right, if only because it will destroy all the Mocks and show how in the dark we are about the draft process.
I don't want to hear any more about players rising and falling up draft boards. Teams began to set the boards in the last week or two and they are just finishing now. It's more like the draftniks slowly understanding, late in the process, how the NFL sees these players.
Continue reading "Jackson to the Chiefs and other draft rants" »
April 13, 2009
The ubiquitous commenter known 'round these parts as The Dude Abides turns in the Chiefs' pick at No. 3. This pick may be seen as a bit of a surprise, but The Dude has obviously thought it through.
The Chiefs selection comes down to the two highest rated athletes in the draft: Aaron Curry and Crabtree. Curry would help a young, shaky defense but if the Chiefs saw him as a real possibility here, they probably wouldn't have given Zach Thomas starter money, even if only for a year.
The NFL stat with the highest correlation to winning is first half passing offense. The Chiefs had a fun passing offense a year ago and moved the ball with the Pistol Spread, but were inefficient all over the field and especially in the Red Zone. Dwayne Bowe is currently a player in the Brandon Marshall/Chris Chambers mode.
Continue reading "Pancake Blocks Mock: Pick No. 3" »
April 08, 2009
We’ve already covered the fallout from the Larry Johnson grievance ruling. He carries no trade value at this point, but the Chiefs can now safely dump him without swallowing a chunk of guaranteed money. So if LJ is currently persona non grata in K.C., where is he most likely to resurface?
Saints – Michael Lombardi believes the Saints should be all over LJ should the Chiefs release him, and Sean Payton is dying to add a power back to his offense.
Seahawks – If Seattle uses the No. 4 pick on Mark Sanchez, they still have to upgrade offensive tackle and linebacker early in the draft. Running back would be left unaddressed, with Julius Jones as one of the few starters around the league who would take an immediate backseat to LJ.
Continue reading "Who wants Larry Johnson?" »
April 06, 2009
"Special Master" Stephen Burbank ruled Monday that the Chiefs are no longer on the hook for any guaranteed money to Larry Johnson over the next two years.
Would the Chiefs have gone through the trouble of filing the grievance if they wanted to keep LJ around in 2009? The Kansas City Star doesn’t think so.
Johnson has spent the past five months griping about everything from his diminished role in the spread offense to his discomfort with living in Kansas City. Throw in the risk of suspension to open the season, and the new regime figures to wash their hands of the malcontent while they have the chance.
Continue reading "Larry Johnson not long for K.C." »
March 26, 2009
Last week, I applauded the Chiefs for their sensible signing of Bobby Engram. What I didn't consider is how well Engram's signing bodes for incumbent starter Mark Bradley.
Bradley emerged last season as one of the best waiver pickups in the NFL, by none other than deposed King Carl Peterson. There was a risk that the talented former Bear would get lost in the shuffle as the Chiefs changed coaches, but now that doesn't appear to be the case. The Chiefs like Bradley, and appear to have faith in him as a starter.
If they felt like they needed an outside receiver to replace Bradley, they would have looked at Torry Holt or another veteran available. Instead, Bradley will get the chance to keep improving in a pass-first offense under a receiver-friendly coach. Bradley will always be a huge injury risk, but he's shaping up to be a nice late-round flier in fantasy leagues.
March 24, 2009
A coaching change usually means major personnel upheaval. Chiefs GM Scott Pioli has trimmed some fat off the Kansas City roster, but there are still big names in town with big questions about their future.
Chiefs chairmen Clark Hunt answered one of those questions Tuesday, saying Tony Gonzalez is not going anywhere. The future for Larry Johnson and guard Brian Waters is not so certain.
For Gonzo, the change to an offensive-minded coach with Matt Cassel at quarterback should extend his insanely productive late-career peak. I have expected Gonzalez's fantasy numbers to decline for years, but he's only got better in his 30's. He should continue to be an upper tier fantasy starter. A safe mid-round pick.
Continue reading "Gonzalez isn't going anywhere" »
February 24, 2009
I posted my free agency primer on quarterbacks today, which came on the heels on Messrs. Silva and Wesseling breaking down linebackers and receivers. The quick conclusion to make after examining the quarterback position: there are no easy solutions available on the market, and there are fewer teams than you think that are desperate for a quarterback.
Byron Leftwich is my favorite player available, and he’ll need a perfect situation to succeed. That’s why he looked good off the bench for the Steelers and not so good for the Vick-less Falcons the year before. With the Vikings going for Sage Rosenfels, the biggest wild cards in free agency are the Bears and Chiefs. Both should be looking for someone to compete to start with their incumbent quarterback.
Other teams, like the Jets and Lions, should be looking for that kind of player, but they could be willing to wait the market out. Not a bad decision.
This is a fluid market, with Matt Cassel, Derek Anderson, and possibly Matt Leinart and Vince Young becoming available near the draft. If you can’t acquire one of those quarterbacks, I suspect there will be serviceable backup-types like Rex Grossman, J.P. Losman, Patrick Ramsey, and Kyle Boller just sitting out there, hoping to get a job. There will be a lot of former first-round picks looking for work this off-season, and not all of them will find it.
February 20, 2009
Marshawn Lynch was charged with three misdemeanors after getting arrested last week. They are all gun-related, and he won’t be charged with marijuana possession. (Officers originally looked at Lynch's car because they smelled marijuana.) Unlike Plaxico Burress, Lynch has already got some “good” news in his difficulties. This may be because of different gun laws in California or because his firearm didn't go off. A NFL suspension seems inevitable, but this seemingly will make jail much easier to avoid and possible limit the suspension. Long way to go still of course.
Great reminder from Mike Lombardi: "From this day forward, never — and I strongly mean never — believe that a player and a team cannot make up. Never believe that there is finality in anything as long as great money is involved."
Lombardi is using Shane Lechler as an example, but the same holds true for all the stories you read about Anquan Boldin, Julius Peppers, and other disgruntled stars over the next few months. Most of it is noise except for money-related issues.
The uncapped 2010 league year could make it harder for the Chargers to keep LaDainian Tomlinson. Anyone reading the article linked would also conclude that a long-term deal with Darren Sproles sounds unlikely.
Jim Caldwell is sending verbal warm and fuzzies to Marvin Harrison, but he’s not making any final decisions. It would be shocking if Harrison is on the 2009 roster. (I'm essentially in the 27th round of a dynasty draft now where we start 10 IDPs. Harrison is still on the board. Harry Douglas and Devery Henderson were the last two wideouts taken.)
The Chiefs offense will change under Todd Haley, but the return of offensive coordinator Chan Gailey has to be good news for Tyler Thigpen’s chances for continued relevance.
The Saints are "dying for a power back." That can’t be good news for Pierre Thomas.
January 26, 2009
There is some thought that perhaps Edgerrin James won't get cut after all. He's been a nice story and all this post-season, but he's still a below average starting running back. Barring a 200-yard game in the Super Bowl, I don't think there is much chance he's back in 2009 at $5 million. A ring would bolster his Hall of Fame credentials, though
Ken Whisenhunt learned something about having a consistent message from Dick Lebeau. Expect me to talk about Dick Lebeau way too much this week as I join the Steelers players in trying to get this man into the Hall of Fame discussion next year.
Continue reading "Skinny Posts: Will Edge stay" »
January 15, 2009
While T.O. could get cut, and it would make sense on some levels, there still isn't a lot of proof behind it. Stephen Jones is reportedly is in the camp of people who think it would be good to cut him for team chemistry. It sounds like offensive coordinator Jason Garrett doesn't want him around. Matt Mosley thinks Owens is "probably" gone, which is surprising.
Cutting Owens, however, will actually cost Dallas a bit of money against the cap. his roster bonus isn't due until June, so there isn't much Getting rid of aging high priced talent for chemistry reasons makes sense to me, but it goes against everything we know about Jerry Jones. It still sounds like a longshot.
***
Brandon Jones, once a favorite in these parts, played just well enough to get another chance to start in Tennessee. He led the wideouts in catches and has to be favored over Justin McCareins after the latter's embarrasing performance against the Ravens. Bo Scaife should also be back.
Continue reading "Skinny Posts: Could T.O. really get cut?" »
December 31, 2008
One of my favorite annual columns of the year: Jason Whitlock's grades. If every team had a writer I trusted this much giving grades on each player, the start of my off-season preparation would be a lot easier. Whitlock manages to slam Gonzo's selfishness despite a high grade. The young Kansas City cornerbacks and T Branden Albert look like the bright spots of a dismal year. Mark Bradley could be a keeper. Tyler Thigpen is a nice find, but I agree with Whitlock that he's not a franchise quarterback. Glenn Dorsey, Tank Tyler, and Turk McBride were disasters on the defensive line. Larry Johnson? Fail.
A nice look at the Patriots roster for now and the future. They need youth everywhere on their defense, but the offense should be stable heading into next season.
The natives are restless in Buffalo. 90% wanted Dick Jauron out? Jauron will be the first Bills coach of their last three to make it to his fourth year. Continuity isn't a bad thing with a young team.
Antonio Gates says he didn't recover from his foot injury until last week. Now he's hurt again, but the ankle problem is minor. Something to keep in mind when evaluation his season.
Keith Bulluck, like Jay Cutler, doesn't believe in the Chargers.
"(The Colts and Ravens) are the strongest ones. San Diego, they have been playing great football of late, but watching them (beat Denver on Sunday night) I saw some things that we as a team could expose.
Cedric Benson is the long-term answer at running back in Cincy? That sounds like a dangerous assessment. We'll see what Marvin Lewis thinks.
The Colts allowed fewer passing touchdowns than any defense in NFL history. Tony Dungy's system doesn't get enough credit for their consistently great pass defense, no matter who is playing.
A look at Oakland needs. Tackle and wideout top the list. Sounds familiar.
Shanahan's son doesn't totally disagree with Denver's decision that it was time for both sides to move on. He thinks it might prove to be a good move for both sides.
Shanahan's drafts from 2001-2005 did him in. The last few have been solid. The only decent player from the previous four is D.J. Williams, and it looks like they overpaid him to stay around.
Jay Cutler, always willing to be honest, isn't happy about the move. But there seems to be a decent chance that some of the offensive staff, like his QB coach Jeremy Bates, will stay in place. That would indicate that a defensive head coach would be a target. That would help smooth the transition.
December 17, 2008
Anquan Boldin, who knows how to play through injuries, missed practice Wednesday because of a shoulder injury. The Cardinals are hopeful he'll be ready for Sunday, and some am I as a Boldin owner in two finals. But this bothers me more than a usual Wednesday practice. The Cardinals have nothing to play for in Foxborough and it makes a lot of sense to rest Boldin if he's not 100%. With the conditions expected to be below freezing with some snow flurries, Arizona may be even more cautious.
Incidentally, I'm not too worried about the snow forecast yet. If it's light, it hurts the pass rush more than anything. And the New England defense does not have the bodies to hang with Arizona, whether Boldin is available or not.
Matt Bowen wrote an enlightening piece about how players really vote for the Pro Bowl. They never vote for rivals (Bills don't for Patriots) and they stack the ballot with reserves to help the starters on their own teams.
It didn't make huge national news, but King Carl Peterson's dethroning this week shook up the football world. I've watched Peterson closely during his last, worst days. Joe Posnanski, as always, provides some reasoned perspective.
November 12, 2008
Each week, I write up some borderline plays for a NBC press release. When I remember, I post them here.
Tyler Thigpen vs. Saints: Kansas City’s new spread attack has turned around a dead offense in a hurry. Thigpen is a factor in November! (And the Saints best cornerback Mike McKenzie is now out for the season). Mark Bradley, also a sneaky play last week, still qualifies.
Matt Ryan vs. Broncos: The best rookie quarterback since Dan Marino is ahead in his development compared to Brady Quinn. And the Broncos made Quinn look like a Pro Bowler.
Jerious Norwood, Falcons: Quietly leading the NFL in yards-per-carry again and has topped 50 total yards in three straight
Marvin Harrison vs. Texans: Everyone else has given up on Harrison except Peyton Manning. He’s still getting targets and favorable matchups, especially in the red zone. The matchup is right for a rebound.
Bobby Engram vs. Cardinals: Matt Hasselbeck wakes up the human third down conversion.
October 21, 2008
As speculation swirls of a possible divorce between Kellen Winslow and the Browns, I couldn't help but think that another newsmaker of recent days is headed for a breakup. Larry Johnson has worn out his welcome in Kansas City; in the locker room, on the field, and apparently in the clubs.
It sounds like L.J. will be on the bench this weekend if he's not suspended by the league. My guess is we won't see him for a few weeks, but that's just irresponsible speculation.
I was asked today if I thought Johnson would even put on a Chiefs uniform again, which is a fair question. I fully expect him to be back at some point in November and fantasy owners should hang on, but the Chiefs will have to explore options next off-season to get rid of him. Unfortunately for them, his $4.55 salary in 2009 is guaranteed. That will make any trade impossible, and that's a lot of money for the Chiefs to swallow. GM Carl Peterson has made a lot of similarly costly decisions with the Hunt family's money, and he's testing their unbending loyalty. My guess is that L.J. will become another administration's problem.
September 15, 2008
It's a lot more fascinating to read about dysfunction than it is to read about mediocrity. Give hme a 3-13 implosion to follow anytime over a 7-9 team. That's why I was eager to check out the articles in Kansas City and Oakland today. They didn't disappoint.
Jerry McDonald, one of the absolute best, shows how Lane Kiffin simply doesn't care what anyone thinks about him. A true maverick!
Nancy Gay of the Chronicle believes that Rob Ryan is the next Raiders head coach, and details the deep divide in the locker room and how Al Davis ordered Ryan's tirade last week.
And the Raiders actually won Sunday! Dueling Kansas City columnists Whitlock and Posnanski are fittingly apoplectic about the Chiefs. 90% of Kansas City readers believe they are the worst team in football. Larry Johnson wants out. Carl Peterson could finally be at the end of the road.
August 07, 2008
Check around your favorite team's official website this week and you'll see a new page up: Depth Charts! Teams are required to give their first depth charts of the season before their first preseason game - this week. These are fun to look at, but the coaches plead with us not to take them seriously. Sometimes, they are ridiculous. Like the Falcons putting Matt Ryan fourth at quarterback. Sometimes, coaches use them as motivational tools.
Whatever the reason, there are always a few eye openers. Here were the ones that caught my eye this week:
Continue reading "Depth Chart Shenanigans" »
June 12, 2008
New Marshawn Lynch developments, including a dancing pedestrian and Lynch's previous interactions with the police. Apparently Lynch has been tossed from a few local bars for ordering soda, then pouring ihis own liquor into the glass. Thrifty.
The Arizona quarterback rotation could be coming back. (Although I doubt it). The Cardinals are yet another team done with OTAs this week.
Continue reading "Skinny Posts: BYOL" »
June 11, 2008
Mandatory minicamp is often the final place to take stock of what, if anything, has changed before training camp. I'll occasionally take a look at the main points fantasy leaguers learned from finished minicamps.
1. Larry Johnson is healthy enough to practice every day
It's practically the only information we need to know about this Chiefs offseason. Contact work, of course, is a whole different matter. But L.J. has recovered as well as can be expected. That doesn't mean we are taking him in the top-20 picks.
Continue reading "What we learned: Chiefs minicamp" »
April 22, 2008
When quarterback is listed behind at least five other needs on the team. I don't buy it. They need to get an alternative Brodie Croyle before moving forward.
April 04, 2008
Our last pick showed that if you are going to be a GM, you better be ready to take some heat for your pick. I'll say this: coming out of college, Darren McFadden and Adrian Peterson's profiles weren't so different. McFadden could be the best playmaker in this draft, and the Chiefs sure need playmakers. I'm not saying the Chiefs would make the move, but that's not what this draft is about. Anyhow, let's move on to the Jets, surprised to be drafting so high in year two of the Tangini era. The writing is courtesy of John B.
Continue reading "Pancake Blocks Mock Draft: Pick No. 6" »
April 03, 2008
The fifth pick of our Mock draft creates the first shocker. It wouldn't be the first time the Chiefs surprised many with a first-round running back pick.
The Chiefs were hoping the Jake Long would fall to 5 but with the Raiders selecting him just ahead the Chiefs would try and trade out. Without a trade the Chiefs pull off the first shock of the draft and take Darren McFadden...
Continue reading "Pancake Blocks Mock Draft: Pick No. 5" »
March 12, 2008
The blog has been quiet lately as I've helped out on our baseball video previews and started to get ready for a Japan trip to see the in-laws and watch some Red Sox International. Then this place will really get quiet, although the timing feels right as we head into the Donnie Nickey/Dan Klecko/Danny Clark phase of free agency. Here are a couple loose thoughts on the events of the past few days ...
The Texans could be posturing or they could really be hesitant to draft a first-round running back. Considering their system, I'm betting the latter. Chris Taylor sounds like a nice deep dynasty league pickup.
Continue reading "Skinny Posts: Hackett, Boldin, and Darling" »
March 10, 2008
Mock Drafts aren't usually built on original thought. They primarily look at other Mock Drafts, switch some names, teams, and needs around, and go from there. Even draftniks who spend the college season following the players tend to have similar rankings because they read each other, but don't know what NFL scouts are seeing or saying.
I've been sold on Mike Mayock's mock drafts since 2005, when he had Aaron Rodgers falling all the way to number 25 to the Packers. It's not just that he nailed a pick absolutely no one saw coming, it's that he had the confidence and research to make his own decision instead of following the masses. His pipeline to NFL teams probably doesn't hurt. He revealed his first top-ten Mock picks last week and there were a few stunners that should be taken seriously. Let's take a look ...
Continue reading "Mayock's Top Ten" »
February 08, 2008
The Pro Bowl means very little to the general public, but it means a lot to the players. Take Kellen Winslow, who is participating in the game despite impending knee surgery.
At the time I interviewed Winslow last week, his camp was very upset because he still wasn't on the roster. Antonio Gates was supposed to bow out, but said he would play despite his toe injury. Winslow's camp was convinced that Gates was going to play just to block Winslow's appearance. It seemed like there was some bad blood there.
Continue reading "Pro Bowl drama! (sort of)" »
January 17, 2008
Hiring Chan Gailey as offensive coordiantor was a classic Herm Edwards move. He was the safe pick - probably too safe.
Gailey's tack record meshes perfectly with Herm's love of ball control football. I checked Gailey's eight seasons in the NFL when he was either a coordinator or head coach, and his teams had one defining characteristic; They ran like crazy.
On average, Gailey's teams have finished sixth in the league in rushing attempts, while finishing only 25th in pass attempts. Gailey isn't opposed to vertical strikes when he does throw, finishing tenth on average in yards-per-passing attempt. Gailey's NFL offenses have been mostly successful. On average, they have finished tenth in points and eleventh in giveaways.
Continue reading "Herm plays it safe" »
January 03, 2008
If I was a smart blog writer, I’d break up this top-ten busts of the year into ten posts, increase the amount of hits, set up some content in a slow time of year, and everyone would be happy. But I’m too impatient. Let's break it into two more posts, all in one day.
10. Cedric Benson, Bears - It’s never a good sign when fantasy owners are relieved by season-ending injuries. The Bears stayed faithful as long as possible, but it’s hard to imagine Benson being handed the unquestioned starting job next year, no matter what he says.
9. Travis Henry, Broncos - Like Benson, injuries were a factor. But the reality is that Henry suited up 12 times, and he didn’t top 51 rushing yards in his last seven games. What looked like a great marriage for Henry in Denver could end after one season.
8. Mark Clayton, Ravens - No one gave fantasy owners less on this list than Clayton. He was drafted as a solid WR3 (Average Draft Position among top 30 wideouts), and never showed up for his third season. The Baltimore offense doesn’t fully explain his struggles because Derrick Mason has a similar style game.
7. Vince Young, Titans - Statistically, it was hard to argue against Young going into the season. He was a top-five fantasy QB when he played as a rookie. Fantasy Nation’s gut didn’t love him, though. His ADP was eighth, we ranked him ninth. He finished 17th and only 26th in per-game average. Trust the gut.
6. Larry Johnson, Chiefs - Don’t let LJ’s solid three-game finish before his foot injury cloud his season. He was held to five fantasy points or less in half his games, and didn’t score until Week 5. He put his owners in a huge hole, he got hurt, and then he gave out false hope that he might help them in the fantasy playoffs.
We'll finish off the busts in the morning, along with the second half of the Top 30 keepers. Thanks for the patience. In the meantime, check out today's supersized Playoff prop bet edition of the Fantasy Fix, which unfortunately includes an Omar Epps impression. If that doesn't keep you from clicking, I don't know what will.
January 02, 2008
The last of the Dick Vermeil coaches in Kansas City are gone, which isn't a big surprise. Someone has to pay for that miserable of an offense, and it wasn't going to be GM Carl Peterson unfortunately.
Former Jets and Chiefs coordinator Paul Hackett sounds like the leading candidate to take over, but that doesn't jibe with an interesting throw-away line in Jason Whitlock's annual must-read Chiefs grades.
Continue reading "A ray of hope for L.J.?" »
December 31, 2007
This is one the key news weeks of the offseason, as we comb through the papers to get indications of where teams will head this offseason before everyone leaves this building. Here are some of interesting nuggets I saw this morning.
* From the Miami Herald, some of the thinking behind Cam Cameron's impending firing:
Continue reading "Offseason starts for 20 teams" »
December 20, 2007
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" »
November 27, 2007
Herm Edwards can be criticicized for a lot of things, time management being first among them. But those who picked on him for running Kolby Smith on fourth-and-one in the fourth quarter instead of attempting a field goal weren't watching the game.
Smith was the entire Kansas City offense, and he had converted three out of four short-yardage opportunities on the day. Dave Rayner, the Kansas City kicker, missed a 33-yard field goal in the fourth quarter by as much as you can possibly miss an unblocked field goal. And the Kansas City defense had no answer for Justin Fargas in the second half; they couldn't even stop him when they knew the Raiders were running out the clock.
Taking all those factors into account, Herm made the right decision. It just didn't work.
***
New Fixes are up - talking waiver picks and 100K playoffs.
November 21, 2007
Herm has no choice but to play Smith now
I had very high hopes for Kolby Smith heading into the season, drafting him onto my one dynasty league team. I liked what I saw from Smith in college, but it was mostly a pick because of opportunity. Any young backup to an injury risk like Larry Johnson figured to be valuable.
He's disappointed so far. He was lost in preseason action, and an aging Priest Holmes passed him on the depth chart quickly after getting off the PUP list. With Holmes now out for the year, Smith will get every chance to prove he belongs.
Continue reading "Kolby Smith faces easy schedule" »
It turned out the believers and the cynics were both right. Priest Holmes did make it all the way back, even starting a pair of games. It's hard to call his entire comeback a publicity stunt when he went through half a season on PUP-list exile. He worked hard to get back on the field.
But the skeptics, Jason Whitlock primarily among them, will raise their eyebrows at the way he's suddenly leaving the game again with a mysterious injury after a mostly unproductive return.
And while Holmes earned this final chance with the Chiefs because of his history with the team, the entire process has largely been pointless for Kansas City. They have less depth at running back than any team in the NFL, they have upset their star runner, and they now have an untested fifth-round rookie and no one else to man the position. That's not Priest's fault; it's Carl Peterson's.
Continue reading "Priest goes out his way" »
November 19, 2007
We're not usually in the business of breaking news at Rotoworld. Our goal is to have every scrap of NFL news posted to our site second, to aggregate everything faster than the competition so you don't have to.
This Larry Johnson post is an exception. Here's what we wrote:
Continue reading "On the Larry Johnson post" »
November 07, 2007
Wednesday is Shortcuts-watching morning at Chez Rosenthal. I took at peak at Chiefs-Packers to get a preview of Priest Holmes heading into his starting role, and wasn't overly encouraged from what I saw, albeit from a small sample.
Tony Gonzalez stole the show in this game. In a constantly changing fantasy landscape, Gonzo never disappoints. He's currently the TE3 this season and is gaining fast on Antonio Gates. If he keeps it up, it will mark the eighth time in nine years Gonzalez has finished as a top-three tight end.
Despite a terrible offense around him, Gonzo has a shot to break some personal records. He's on pace for 104 catches, 1,230 yards, and eight scores. Fantasy Nation began to give up on Gonzalez after his two-score season in 2005, but that was largely a fluke. The receptions never left.
The Chiefs may have erred rewarding Larry Johnson with a big extension, but Gonzalez is living up to his. As always.
October 22, 2007
I'm not sure what to make of Chris Mortensen's report that Holmes could eventually get 15 touches a game, but I'd rather own Holmes than Kolby Smith as a LJ handcuff. Here's the play-by-play of Holmes' first game back.
First Quarter
1-10-KC-30 Huard pass to Holmes for a loss of 6 yards
Third Quarter
1-10-OAK-11 Holmes run for no gain
Fourth Quarter
1-10-KC-31 Holmes runs for three yards
2-7-KC-34 Holmes runs for eight yards
1-10-KC-43 Holmes runs for a loss of 2 yards
Continue reading "Catching up with Priest" »
October 16, 2007
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 10, 2007
I'm still not sure what to think about LaDainian Tomlinson this season. On one hand, he's resourceful. He's turned 3.4 yards-per-carry into a top-three fantasy scorer through the passing game (throwing and receiving), and the lack of quality competition at running back this year.
Another part of me wonders why Tomlinson couldn't crack 70 yards on 21 carries against one of the worst rush defenses in the league last week. We can talk about defenses loading up to stop LT2, but something isn't right when he's only cracked one run over 11 yards all season.
Tomlinson gets another chance to make his rushing numbers look healthy this week against Oakland. They have the 26th-ranked rushing defense and he has a great history against them. If Tomlinson remains stymied on the ground, I'd grow a little concerned.
Continue reading "Good matchups for Tomlinson, LJ" »
September 13, 2007
Welcome to the first ever fantasy football blog written from the back of a speeding cab. In a move that will sound all too familiar to those who know me, I'm running into some issues on the way to the airport today. On the train back to New York City from Connecticut (where we tape the Fantasy Fix), I left a suitcase on the train while spacily departing (I had been editing some Rotoworld stuff. All for the people!).
Continue reading "Defense pickups" »
September 06, 2007
The Colts knew what they were doing when they let Jason David go. Just like Nick Harper. Sure, Reggie Wayne (who just burned David for a score) and Marvin Harrison are going to make most cornerbacks look bad. But teams just don't let good players walk, especially moderately priced cornerbacks like David who sign offer sheets as a restricted free agent.
There has been a lot of talk about the defensive players Indy lost, from their cornerbacks to Cato June, but a lot of them were a big part of a bad defense. The Colts will find out if their young starters Freddie Keiahoe, Marlin Jackson, and Kelvin Hayden are quality options. It's worth finding out because the old guys weren't that great.
September 05, 2007
Kansas City heads to Houston in Week 1, which would normally be a cause of celebration for all Larry Johnson owners. But Herm Edwards made some telling comments Tuesday about limiting LJ's workload early in the year. And then continuing to limit it throughout the year. Here's Herm:
Continue reading "Is LJ a shaky play this week?" »
August 25, 2007
My first reaction upon hearing that Damon Huard will start for the Chiefs in Week 1: Good for Herm Edwards.
My second reaction: Good for the rest of the Kansas City offensive players.
I understand Herm's desire to get ready for "the future," but you can't sell your other players out when Brodie Croyle hasn't shown he's ready.
Croyle is going to get his chance to start, probably halfway through this year, but his 5-for-17 effort the other night did him in. Including 2006's preseason, Croyle is now 25-for-59 as a pro, with 258 yards, one touchdown and six interceptions. His confidence can't be too high, and his teammates must have doubts.
Continue reading "Croyle collapse helps LJ, Gonzo" »
August 24, 2007
Let's look back at my questions regarding last night's game and see what we learned.
Jacksonville vs. Green Bay
* The Jacksonville wide receiver rotation. If Jack Del Rio is going to make a change, it's now or never.
Dennis Northcutt and Ernest Wilford remain the starters. Matt Jones remains in the slot. Reggie Williams played earlier than usual, but only gained nine yards on his two catches. He's probably going to get cut. I drafted Wilford with my final WR slot in a 14-team league last night.
Continue reading "Northcutt and Wilford Stick" »
Let's look back at the things I wanted to watch in last night's games.
New Orleans vs. Kansas City
* Can Brodie Croyle play smart football? He would have to implode tonight to lose the starting job.
He basically imploded. The protection, running backs, and the receivers reportedly didn't help, but you aren't going to do much worse than one first down in two quarters after the first drive. This offense really could be ugly. Damon Huard has a chance to be the Week 1 starter now or the veterans might revolt.
*Can Kolby Smith turn around a slow preseason?
Nope - three carries for six yards. Michael Bennett is Larry Johnson's handcuff.
Continue reading "Croyle Implodes" »
August 23, 2007
Two games tonight. Here's what I'd look for, whether on television or in the game stories.
Jacksonville vs. Green Bay
* Can the James Jones magic continue?
* The Jacksonville wide receiver rotation. If Jack Del Rio was going to make a change, it's now or never.
* Can Brandon Jackson keep up his momentum from last week?
Continue reading "What to Watch Tonight" »
August 21, 2007
Two quarterback battles we've been tracking all offseason appear to be winding up. This article sure makes it sound like Brodie Croyle is the man in Kansas City, barring a complete collapse this weekend. Which I wouldn't totally discount.
Charlie Frye, meanwhile, is closing in on the Browns job. In yet another odd presser, Romeo Crennel said the quarterback battle was between Frye and, well, a mystery man. While Crennel said Monday that Derek Anderson would play second in the game, it appears that Brady Quinn is going to get his shot. And logically, Quinn is the unnamed quarterback, even if Frye is the heavy favorite.
Continue reading "QB Decisions in Cleveland, Kansas City?" »
August 20, 2007
I kept the Priest Holmes saga out of the Daily Dose, because he's not going to help your fantasy team this season. But the latest in As the Priest Turns is worth noting for Hard Knocks fans and fantasy football historians.
* Holmes skipped Kansas City’s preseason game on Thursday to visit his family. Herm Edwards thought he was at the game.
* On Saturday, Holmes declared himself ready to fully practice.
Continue reading "Priest story getting stranger" »
August 17, 2007
I looked at the Kansas City quarterback battle already, but here are some other notes from the Chiefs/Dolphins game. Since Rotoworld loves branding, the game notes will forever more be called "Skinny Posts."
* Trent Green had a better effort and moved the ball. But the Dolphins really focused on short drops and throws to make up for their offensive line. When Green tried to set up deep, he still didn't have much time. You wonder if that will affect Chris Chambers' ability to go deep.
* Cleo Lemon (8/11-52-0-0) also moved the offense early and finds open receivers underneath. But the Dolphins look like they are settling on Green. I have a feeling Miami will need multiple starting quarterbacks this year because of their line.
Continue reading "Skinny Posts: Chiefs/Dolphins" »
I thought it would be interesting to add up Brodie Croyle's combined numbers as a pro, adding up this year's preaseason snaps with last year's regular season and preseason.
CP-ATT-YD-TD-INT
20-42-213-1-5
Admittedly, it's a small sample size, mostly in games that don't count. But don't the Chiefs have to see something from Croyle in game action before making him a starter?
Continue reading "Chiefs solve nothing" »
August 16, 2007
Very interesting game from a fantasy perspective on ESPN tonight. Two teams, Miami and Kansas City, that have as many questions on offense as anyone. Both quarterback jobs are up for grabs, plus rookies like Dwayne Bowe, Ted Ginn, and Kolby Smith can help their chances for playing time with positive outings.
* The Chiefs game and the practices between the Bengals and Saints remind me that "camp" is already ending for some teams. Many of the squads like Kansas City, Tampa, New Orleans, and Cincy that travel away from home will now return for regular practice at their home practice field. I personally applaud this passage of time. I'm already forgetting what the "offseason" was like, and by next week will be more than ready to get the real stuff going.
August 15, 2007
Croyle losing starting job?
It's a quiet news day, so let's empty out the notebook before the second week of the preseason starts. I was looking forward to this game because these teams have true quarterback battles. It's mid-August, and it's legitimately a 50-50 call for both teams. This game didn't help.
Chiefs vs. Browns
* This game was Charlie Frye in a nutshell. He played better than Derek Anderson, but made two crushing mental errors that erased his progress. A poor pass he threw to Jerome Harrison was actually a lateral and returned for a touchdown. He tried to run for a touchdown at the end of the first half and time ran out, costing his team three points.
He made some nice scrambles and throws, but he makes a lot of errors for a quarterback once compared to Bernie Kosar, the king of managing the game.
* Anderson was hurt by a key drop, but he made a couple of ugly throws. He's had a big opportunity this month, and hasn't grabbed it. Big game for him this weekend.
Continue reading "Chiefs-Browns Notes" »
August 09, 2007
There are so daily injuries training camp, and most of them only last a few days. We attempt to sift through the noise in our player news by only highlighting major players or major injuries, but the amount of information is still overwhelming. Here's my quick take on what injuries matter thus far during camp, and which ones don't.
LaMont Jordan (back) - Becoming an issue, but not a big one yet. He's about a week away from getting a downgrade.
Clinton Portis (knee) - Just don't know at this point, but it's hard to imagine him starting the year getting 20 carries a game. He hasn't eased any concerns.
Vernand Morency (knee) - A serious problem. Morency is going to struggle to be ready for Week 1, and a committee seems inevitable.
Continue reading "What Injuries Matter" »
August 01, 2007
Remember when Priest Holmes signed last week? That was fun.
One week later, though, Priest Holmes still hasn't practiced with his new team. He says he might not for another few weeks. Could the Chiefs really put him on the Week 1 roster without seeing him play in the exhibition season?
I don't feel quite as strongly about this issue as Jason Whitlock, who believes Holmes' neck was never that hurt in the first place. But I have my doubts whether he'll play a snap for Kansas City this year.
July 25, 2007
LJ may have some familiar competition
Training camp has thrown its first curveball. Despite every indication that his career was over, Priest Holmes is expected to show up to Chiefs camp this week. The whole thing is curious, especially after reports this summer that Holmes was out of shape. NFL Network's Adam Shefter says he has medical clearance to play.
So what does this mean for fantasy leaguers?
First of all, this gives the Chiefs a bit of leverage in contract talks with Larry Johnson - but not that much. They certainly don't want to hand the starting job over to Holmes, who is turning 34 years old and hasn't played football in nearly two years.
Herm Edwards has also made it clear that he is favoring a youth movement at all positions, including running back. Kolby Smith and possibly undrafted rookie Marcus O'Keith were expected to have big roles. Will playing Holmes for one more year help Kansas City's future? GM Carl Peterson is loyal enough to invite Holmes to camp, but he's going to have to earn a role. Holmes is not guaranteed to make the team.
Continue reading "Priest Holmes Lives!" »
July 24, 2007
Herm is presiding over a youth movement
#21. Chiefs backup running backs – Michael Bennett vs. Kolby Smith vs. Marcus O’Keith vs. Derrick Ross
Tie goes to the young-uns, which means Smith could wind up being Larry Johnson’s backup. Even if Michael Bennett wins the job, he can't handle a full load. It wouldn't shock me if Herm Edwards decided to go really young and put Bennett on the waiver wire, along with Ross, who isn’t likely to make an impact after playing in NFL Europe.
Kolby Smith may prove to be a bust like another old Louisville bruser - Eric Shelton. But he's not going to cost as much in fantasy leagues, if anything, and has the opportunity to be a major force sooner than later. Watch this battle closely and pick up Smith in your dynasty league.
Continue reading "Top 50 Position Battles: Chiefs WR, backup RB" »
June 22, 2007
The second part of Jason Whitlock's interview with Larry Johnson is an interesting read. Johnson has been a pain for some coaches, but it's clear he's a bright guy.
Whitlock writes about Kansas City's decision to dangle Johnson on the trade market and reveals something I don't remember seeing before. The Packers had the greatest interest in Johnson (which we knew), but weren't willing to give up Kansas City's asking price. The price? Their first-, second-, and third-round picks in April.
Well, of course a rebuilding team like the Packers aren't going to trade their entire first day of the draft for one running back. I doubt any NFL team would in these enlightened times, where draft picks are appropriately treated as gold. Thomas Jones was traded simply for a move up in the second round. The Ravens gave up two thirds and a seventh for Willis McGahee. (And I didn't even think that was a good deal for Baltimore.)
Carl Peterson knows the Packers weren't going to make that trade. And there's certainly no team out there right now who could make such an offer. I think he dangled Johnson to let him know that no one is irreplaceable. It was a negotiating move, and a fine one. But it also indicates that the Chiefs aren't that interested in losing Johnson. They want to make a deal, just their deal. The Kansas City Star says as much Friday. And that's why I think the Chiefs and Johnson will come to an agreement, whether it's in late July or late August. Both sides have too much to lose for any other outcome.
* Tom Curran and I talked about LJ and more in this week's Fantasy Fix.
June 21, 2007
Veteran holdouts are overrated. They get maximum media coverage and rarely affect what happens on Sundays. That probably won’t stop fantasy owners from freaking out Thursday following Larry Johnson’s statements that he’s prepared to hold out of training camp.
So does this impact L.J.’s fantasy value?
The short answer: Not yet. If Vegas were setting odds on Kansas City’s Week 1 starter at running back, Johnson would still be a 1:5 favorite. (Don't ask how I came up with that). He could skip the entire training camp and preseason, and it still probably wouldn’t affect his output. After 416 carries last season, any extra rest might be a plus. There’s a reason LaDainian Tomlinson practically sits out of football activities until September.
There is a slight risk that Johnson could sit out regular season games, and that’s because the Chiefs may be unwilling to give him big dollars. Johnson is known as a mercurial sort in the locker room, and Kansas City dangled him in trade talks before the NFL Draft. He is scheduled to make “only” $1.8 million in 2007 and smartly realizes this is the time to cash in. Before he breaks down.
Johnson has touched the ball 655 times in his last 25 games and he will be lucky to survive this season without getting hurt. The Chiefs’ overuse of Johnson is one of the factors that will be used against him in contract negotiations. It would hurt him on the open market. His poor blocking skills won’t do him any favors either.
The key for Johnson will be accepting that he’s not going to make LaDainian Tomlinson money. He will be lucky to get more than Frank Gore’s four-year, $28 million extension signed earlier this summer. There is also the possibility of a trade and signing like Deion Branch last year, but that shouldn't be a concern for fantasy leaguers. Almost any destination would probably help Johnson’s fantasy value, not hurt it.
The Chiefs hold almost all the cards here, and that’s why Johnson practically has to hold out as a negotiating ploy. Chiefs GM Carl Peterson is notoriously stingy. Surely he will point out that the Chiefs could easily retain Johnson’s services for the next 2-3 years by letting his contract play out and using the franchise tag. By 2009, the Chiefs will probably have used up the peak of Johnson’s career. Johnson is in a tough spot, and a “below-market” deal might still be his best chance to maximize dollars.
How does this affect the rest of the Chiefs?
One of our frequent commenters' “Dibble” asked Thursday whether this news raises rookie Kolby Smith’s value. As a dynasty league owner of Smith, I’d like to think so. But any bump is marginal. A holdout will give Smith extra time in training camp to prove that life after LJ in Kansas City will be fine. Perhaps a great month could help push the Chiefs to a trade, but I don’t see a match outside of Green Bay right now. And I don't see the Chiefs giving up on their best player so fast.
Smith still has to worry about beating out veteran Michael Bennett for the backup job. Both K.C. backups are squarely on the fantasy radar as fun late-round picks and possible handcuffs for Larry Johnson owners. But Herm Edwards does not want to go into Week 1 with a Smith/Bennett committee. And he probably won’t. Larry Johnson is the Kansas City offense presently and any missed time could grind the team to a halt.
There are a lot of reasons to be wary of Johnson as a top-five pick this season. His overuse last season was historical and he’s at risk of breaking down. His offensive line is a shell of what it used to be. Brodie Croyle will likely be starting his first NFL games. For Johnson’s fantasy owners, this holdout should be the least of their concerns.
June 20, 2007
You know the news cycle is slowing down when I feel it necessary to include an NFL Europa update in the morning news. The time of year is one reason why I've always thought the upcoming supplemental draft is a great deal for the players in it.
If Georgia CB Paul Oliver came out for the April draft, he'd just be another guy. Now I'm reading a feature-length column about him every day. Same thing happened with Ahmad Brooks, Manny Wright, Tony Hollings, and all the other recent supplemental picks.
The Boston Herald thinks the Patriots could be a fit because they have an extra third-round pick. I agree. New England only used one first-day pick this year and are not afraid to develop a guy. They don't usually go for big cornerbacks like Oliver, but someone will in the first three rounds. Oliver runs his forty today and practically every NFL team will be watching.
* The most interesting article from a fantasy football perspective today was the Kansas City Star article on Brodie Croyle. I wrote in our magazine that it's only a matter of time until Broyle takes over. It looks like the time will start in training camp.
As someone who thought Damon Huard was headed for the Pro Bowl last year, it's hard to accept that Croyle is a better choice to win games in the short-term. But Herm Edwards is clearly thinking about the future with a suddenly young roster. I've written about the subject quite a bit this offseason. Larry Johnson and Tony Gonzalez owners can't be excited about this development.
No more handoffs for Huard?
I still wouldn't assume Croyle will be the guy just yet. He has to look competent in the preseason. It's hard to forget his ugly performances during game action last year. He was 6-of-18 for 59 yards and a pick in the preseason. He was 3-of-7 with two interceptions in his brief regular season effort. Huard threw eleven touchdowns and one interception in eight starts.
How can the Chiefs feel completely comfortable with Croyle taking over until he shows something when the bullets are live? He's one of the key players to watch in August.
* Training camp reporting dates are rolling in. July 27th is roughly when my wife will start disliking my job this year.
* I always thought the complaints about Dan Henning's predictability were over-the-top. Perhaps the fans were right on this one. Or perhaps everyone is just bitching about the old coach when the new coach shows up, as usual.
* Sobering days for dynasty league owners like myself who have hung on to Chris Simms. He's behind Bruce Gradkowski now. I suspect Simms will get at least one more chance to win a starting job in his career, but it probably won't be in Tampa.
* His teammate Barrett Ruud is someone to target in shallow IDP leagues. Middle linebacker in a Monte Kiffin defense is a nice place to be.
* The British irrationally root for David Martin as much as Rotoworld does.
June 08, 2007
Eric, "The Penguin", Mangini is not letting up in his second season as a coach. Mangini became well known for a grueling first training camp last season.
"If anything, he has put his foot more on the gas," Jets receiver Laveranues Coles said yesterday. "I look at the calendar every day, and I'm just dreading the fact that (training camp) has to come around."
I remember Jim Mora (Sr.) once saying that coaches should always err on the side of working their team too hard in their first training camp. You can always ease off the pedal. Looks like Mangini isn't ready for that.
Jerry Jones, promotion maven that he is, likes the fact that Tony Romo likes the fact that Tony Romo has a colorfull off-field life. That's great, but the implication in this story that Romo's star wattage and Hispanic Heritage somehow had something to do with his "franchise quarterback" status is either insulting or ridiculous if true.
Laurence Maroney is looking more like Manny Ramirez every day, which probably isn't a good thing.
The forgotten members of the New England receiver group are Jabar Gaffney and Reche Caldwell. Gaffney especially got a rough shake. He had the best stretch of his career in the playoffs last year, gaining 244 yards with two scores in three games. Now he has a serious uphill battle just to make the team.
I understand the Patriots needing to upgrade, but a lot of articles imply that the team came up one wide receiver short of the Super Bowl last year. To repeat: the Patriots averaged 32 points in the playoffs last year, including 34 in the AFC Championship. Their defense, especially at inside linebacker, was the problem.
Someone also needs to tell Kelley Washington that he's a roster cut walking if everyone stays healthy.
It's early, but the reports about Pittsburgh second-round LB LaMarr Woodley are outrageously positive. First-round pick Lawrence Timmons has barely seen the field, so Woodley looks more likely to start in Week 1 at this point.
A position coach on Woodley, "Compared to the other guys we've had here and trying to make the transition with them, he's further along than anybody we've had."
Could Dwayne Bowe take Eddie Kennison's starting spot? Admittedly, I assumed Bowe would play opposite Kennison, not replace him. Herm Edwards is all about the youth movement this season and it's not hard to imagine a scenario where Bowe is starting opposite Jeff Webb late in the year.
If you are looking for John Elway reality show racing updates, the Rocky Mountain News has intense coverage.
Ray Lewis recommends sleeping 12-14 hours a day for maximum health. Which would have made me NFL-ready when I was in college.
June 06, 2007
Miami’s Wideouts – Chris Chambers, Marty Booker, Ted Ginn, and Derek Hagan
Each player here will get a slight upgrade. The group is at risk of canceling each other out in fantasy leagues because they will split up Green’s attention. Green should provide better leadership than the Daunte Culpepper and Joey Harrington duo of 2006; just don’t expect the improvement to be dramatic.
I still wonder if Booker has a spot on this team if Ginn gets healthy in camp. His release or trade would clear up the picture.
Ronnie Brown
Brown may be the clearest winner in fantasy leagues. The prospect of Cleo Lemon and John Beck starting in Week 1 didn’t bode well for his running lanes. Green should make the Miami passing game respectable, which should take some pressure off Brown.
Chiefs Quarterbacks – Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard
This is what we expected all along, but at least Croyle and Huard will get a bigger share of practice snaps from now on. It’s clear that Herm Edwards wants Croyle to win the starting job, making him the favorite. Huard is coming off a career season and could delay the coronation with a big training camp. Kansas City’s skill players, including Tony Gonzalez, Larry Johnson, and Eddie Kennison, would probably perform better with a veteran at the helm.
Miami Quarterbacks – John Beck, Cleo Lemon, and Daunte Culpepper
Beck can now learn from one of the best as he prepares to take over the Miami job long-term. I expect him to be starting in December if the Dolphins fall out of playoff contention.
Lemon now looks slated to be a career backup. He showed last season that he’s a capable one.
Culpepper is the final part of this equation for fantasy leaguers. The former league MVP runner up is likely to get released or traded for a penny on the dollar in the next few days. Culpepper won’t like it, but he’ll spend his 2007 season rehabbing his image as someone’s backup. Atlanta makes a lot of sense on paper, although the Falcons may be leery of creating any controversy. Jacksonville has been mentioned, but that seems to be asking for trouble. I wouldn’t be shocked if Culpepper winds up on a championship-caliber team like Indianapolis as a true backup.
June 04, 2007
Trent Green doesn’t believe he has a “fair chance to compete” in Kansas City because Herm Edwards told him that someone would have to beat out Brodie Croyle by a wide margin to secure the starting job. That’s sobering news for the Damon Huard fan club, of which I’m a member. It should also be a warning to those still ranking Larry Johnson second in fantasy leagues. It’s hard to score touchdowns with a bottom-five passing game. I hope Croyle proves me wrong, but he’s fighting an uphill battle considering the re-made offensive line and young receiver group.
Edwards mentions Jeff Webb and Chris Hannon every chance he gets. First-round pick Dwayne Bowe may very well be the team’s Week One starter, but he may rotate snaps with the second-year players. If Croyle starts for most of the year, I doubt any receiver on the Chiefs will be consistent. Even Eddie Kennison may be an end-of-the-bench fantasy guy. ... With Larry Johnson a risk to break down, keep an eye on the battle for his backup spot. It wouldn't be a shock if rookie Kolby Smith got the nod due to Michael Bennett's durability issues.
May 23, 2007
General Manager Carl Peterson's handling of the Trent Green situation is hurting the Chiefs far more than the difference between a fourth-and-sixth round draft pick. It's causing resentment in the locker room towards the front office. It's creating a difficult situation for Herm Edwards. It's taking valuable snaps away from Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard. In a bottom-line business, it's fine for Peterson to unemotionally cut ties with his franchise leader. It's quite another to leave Green and the rest of the organization hanging for three months.
Green has had enough, getting surprisingly personal in challenging Herm Edwards' public statements and authority. Green is speaking the truth. Perhaps Peterson believed Green was such a good soldier that he'd keep his mouth shut. His teammates don't know what to think or how to treat Green. Who's the leader of this team?
Perhaps the team's best player other than Larry Johnson, G Brian Waters, believes he knows who the best quarterback is, "[Green] looked great. I think if you put him in position ... he's the better qualified quarterback on this roster right now."
Waters surely isn't alone thinking that, whether it's true or not.
Jason Whitlock is unsurprisingly all over this story. He has been calling for Carl Peterson's ouster for years, but that doesn't mean he's wrong. In Whitlock's view, Peterson's meddling has cursed every Chiefs coach since Marty Schottenheimer.
In a classic lede, Whitlock writes, "It’s going to be hard to build team chemistry with Trent Green hanging at one end of the locker room nailed to a cross."
I can't top that.
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