|
Alexander |
Caesar |
Hannibal |
|
Phantom Hitmen (4) |
Big Pimpin’ (1) |
|
|
Toledo Storm (6) |
FW/D Definition (8) |
|
|
Retribution (10) |
Rex Raiders (10) |
|
|
Norsemen (7) |
SD Sad Sacks (12) |
Wild Cards: K-Lords, Dhervishes, Definition
This team backslides from the y2k Championship appearance. He made some good moves, like trading a stiff qb like Chris Chandler, but traded other players whose perceived values had found the nadirs (Marcus Robinson, Charlie Garner). Chandler is a mutt and could have just been dropped, yet some of these other players could have been traded for higher value with a little extra patience.
The Kurt Warner deal is weighted in the Cajuns’ favor. The Rams qb is the second best qb at the very worst. The Colonel gave up Jamal Anderson, whose knee should be in good shape, but whose team will prevent him from returning to the form of a first round pick.
Brunell will be firing a pop gun as he plays on a team with a
defensive minded coach with OL’s going downhill. He will make an excellent, backup, though.
Bennett has shown some running ability in the fake games,
but his deficits in other parts of the game will assure a committee approach in
MIN. Priest Holmes is the putative
starter, but Vermeil may already regret giving him a big contract. The other Chief, Tony Richardson is a
jackhammer: he can pound through concrete, but can’t move very fast. Huntley had the opportunity to supplant Bettis in Pittsburgh and
failed. Now Huntley may have a
hamstring problem to nag him all season.
Derrick Alexander and James McKnight should be inferior to
Ed McCaffrey and Muhsin Muhammed. (Or
just about any other permutation of former Cajuns receivers.)
The only position of comparative advantage for the Cajuns will
be QB and PK with weaknesses at RB and WR.
Rank: Ninth
|
QB: |
WARNER, KURT |
STL |
|
|
BRUNELL,MARK |
JAX |
|
RB: |
HOLMES, PRIEST |
KC |
|
|
BENNETT,MICHAEL |
MIN |
|
|
HUNTLEY,RICHARD |
--- |
|
|
RICHARDSON,TONY |
KC |
|
WR: |
ALEXANDER,DERRICK |
KC |
|
|
LOCKETT, KEVIN |
WAS |
|
|
MCKNIGHT,JAMES |
DAL |
|
|
STOKES,J.J. CONWAY, CURTIS |
SF SD |
|
TE:
|
RIEMERSMA,JAY |
BUF |
|
|
WYCHECK,FRANK |
TEN |
|
K : |
LINDELL,RIAN |
SEA |
|
|
MARE,OLINDO |
MIA |
|
TU: |
SEATTLE TEAM UNIT |
SEA |
What a difficult challenge to rebuild from a team that
scored 39/game! Mike started by trading
the top pick of the draft for Keyshawn Johnson and a few other picks. I’m not the biggest Keyshawn Johnson fan,
but he came to Retribution at minimal cost.
RET started the draft with Cade McNothing and Jake the
Plummer. Three factors - an improved
OL, a reunion with Geep Chryst, and a divorce from Marc Trestman – could propel
Jake back to snakiness. Rob Johnson, a
5th round pick, has better prospects than either of the holdovers.
A position of strength is RB, where Ricky Williams returns
from injury. Stephen Davis has been a
solid performer for the past two years, including last year when the rest of
the WAS offense struggled. Last year
Thomas Jones was a cannonball speeding toward the line of scrimmage. Too bad there were double-thick walls
playing defense. TJ received little
decent blocking and demonstrated no finesse approaching the hole. This is reminiscent of another highly-touted
Card running back, Garrison Hearst.
They could use another backup, however.
Keyshawn Johnson found his way to Retribution, and could be
teamed with a Jackson, another Johnson, or his nemesis, the Green Lantern. I give Kevin Johnson a better chance for a
breakout, though Chrebet seems to be a sure thing to be a decent weekly
play. Jackson has little help and a new
qb – a good candidate for a sophomore slump.
Hakim has never put up great numbers, which could continue as a fourth
option behind Bruce, Holt and Faulk.
The Bucs defense should be no worse than top five, and the
Giants could be in the top twelve.
Hollis is one of most accurate kickers in NFL history, but Peterson will
likely be following Del Greco to the golf course.
Rank: Tenth
|
QB: |
JOHNSON,ROB |
BUF |
|
|
MCNOWN,CADE |
CHI |
|
|
PLUMMER,JAKE |
ARI |
|
RB: |
DAVIS,STEPHEN |
WAS |
|
|
JONES,THOMAS |
ARI |
|
|
WILLIAMS,RICKY |
NO |
|
WR: |
CHREBET,WAYNE |
NYJ |
|
|
HAKIM,AZ-ZAHIR |
STL |
|
|
JACKSON,DARRELL |
SEA |
|
|
JOHNSON,KEVIN |
CLE |
|
|
JOHNSON,KEYSHAWN |
TB |
|
TE:
|
MILI,ITULA |
SEA |
|
K : |
HOLLIS,MIKE |
JAX |
|
|
PETERSON,TODD |
KC |
|
TU: |
NY GIANTS TEAM UNIT |
NYG |
|
|
TAMPA BAY TEAM UNIT |
TB |
Storm should be a slightly stronger team this year, but a few other teams improved enough to leap frog. They sacrificed Curtis Martin for Culpepper, who might have been the league MVP if he had spent more time in the starting lineup when he was playing with Big Pimpin’. Late in the season Daunte and Eddie were piling up fantasy points, only it was not enough to prevent a late season slump.
I was one of the people who openly questioned the sanity of Dennis Green after he let go of gunslinger Jeff George and two All-Pro OL, Randall McDaniel and Jeff Christy. He hands the reigns to a rookie qb without two of the Vikings’ best linemen? I had seen Daunte play during the previous preseason and he looked like Akili Smith. Credit to Daunte for working on his game and to anybody who had scouted him carefully enough to truly predict his breakout. How good was Culpepper last season? TS has another qb from the same NFL draft, Tim Couch, who has made the best of a bad situation: no pass protection, no running game, and an offensive scheme poorly suited to his abilities. The newly installed WCO will allow Couch to dink and dunk.
Newly acquired Tiki Barber will be the primary ball carrier and third option in the Giant passing game, thus will make a decent #2 rb. Eddie George is coming off toe surgery, so he may have a slow start, but this hardly takes him out of studly status. CLE H-Back Aaron Shea starts out as the starting TE after Storm traded Kyle Brady to add backfield depth in the form of Garrison Hearst.
Janikowski could be a frustrating kicker. He has a powerful leg, but struggled with his accuracy for most of the year. How much confidence will Gruden show in his young kicker this year? The Saints defense should pile up some sacks and interceptions, so this is a point of advantage for the Storm.
Rank: Sixth
|
QB: |
COUCH,TIM |
CLE |
|
|
CULPEPPER,DAUNTE |
MIN |
|
RB: |
ANDERSON,RICHIE |
NYJ |
|
|
BARBER,TIKI |
NYG |
|
|
GEORGE,EDDIE |
TEN |
|
|
HEARST, GARRISON |
SF |
|
|
THOMAS,ANTHONY |
CHI |
|
WR: |
CROWELL,GERMANE |
DET |
|
|
LEWIS,JERMAINE |
BAL |
|
|
WARD,DEDRIC |
NYJ |
|
|
WESTBROOK,MICHAEL |
WAS |
|
TE: |
SHEA,AARON |
CLE |
|
K : |
JANIKOWSKI,SEBASTIAN |
OAK |
|
TU: |
NEW ORLEANS TEAM UNIT |
NO |
|
QB |
Drew Brees |
SD |
The Hitmen were the favorites to win the IYDFFL title going into last year’s playoffs. They blasted through the first round before ending the season a few Chicken Tenders short of the title game.
The big loss is the sudden
retirement of Robert Smith. Assuming
control of running back duties are Emmitt Smith and Ricky Watters. Despite being close to pension checks, they
should combine for 14 td.
Some extra points will surely come
from either Jeff Garcia or Brett Favre.
Many writers have commented about the loss of Charlie Garner and Jerry
Rice. These are some important skill
players, but the key to the 49ers passing game last year was the improvement in
the play of the OL. As long as the OL
can do the same job they did last year, the 49ers will be able to find the
skill players on their bench. Garcia
should still be a top qb. Having Favre
as his backup is a great luxury.
Marvin Harrison posted 14 td and
1413 yds last year. There is reason to
believe he will not repeat these numbers.
First, his 1413 yards were produced on 102 catches for a pedestrian 13.9
ypc.
Here is a list of players with at
least 50 receptions who surpassed Harrison in ypc: Owens, Moss, Rod Smith, Alexander, Bruce, Tim Brown, Holt, Horn,
Toomer, Freeman, Hilliard, Boston, Moulds, Mason, Graham, Rice, Gadsden,
Schroeder, and Willie Williams.
Tim Brown had a career year. He and Gannon had great chemistry, and the
addition of Jerry Rice should reduce some of the heat from the defense. There could be another double-digit td year
left for the old man. The rest of the
receivers fall to strike fear, though.
TD-challenged Troy Brown, gimp Kevin Dyson, and rookie Reggie Wayne won’t
be much help.
The Chargers have brought in some
new players, so it will be interesting to see the results. The kickers, Conway and Anderson, might be
adequate. Conway is very erratic, and
he might be carrying a suitcase before the end of the season. Gary Anderson has lost a lot of leg
strength, which should induce Dennis Green to use all four downs on most
occasions.
Rank: Fourth
|
QB: |
FAVRE,BRETT |
GB |
|
|
GARCIA,JEFF |
SF |
|
RB: |
ALLEN,JAMES |
CHI |
|
|
BRYSON,SHAWN |
BUF |
|
|
PITTMAN,MICHAEL |
ARI |
|
|
SMITH,EMMITT |
DAL |
|
|
WATTERS,RICKY |
SEA |
|
WR: |
BROWN,TIM |
OAK |
|
|
BROWN,TROY |
NE |
|
|
DYSON,KEVIN |
TEN |
|
|
HARRISON,MARVIN |
IND |
|
|
WAYNE,REGGIE |
IND |
|
TE:
|
CLARK,GREG |
SF |
|
|
GONZALEZ,TONY |
KC |
|
K : |
ANDERSON,GARY |
MIN |
|
TU:
|
SAN DIEGO TEAM UNIT |
SD |
After ending the draft as the favorite to win the IYDFFL
title, presumptive starting rb, Jamal Lewis, injures both knees, ending his
season before a chance to start. Does
this dampen the Pimpin’ chances for the Dare Ya Cup?
Edgerrin James and Terrell Owens come over in exchange for
Peyton Manning and Curtis Martin. This
deal did the most to buttress playoff ambitions. James would be my top pick.
He is a double-threat on a powerful offense, in addition to being a goal
line beast. Jerome Bettis, then new
rb2, should be good for eight scores.
The best two wr’s in the league will be in the BP
lineup. Randy Moss, now locked to the
Vikings, is paired with Terrell Owens.
If they combine for 25 td’s, it would be considered a
disappointment. First off the bench
will be David Boston, who should be starting on just about any other team as he
is poised to vault himself into stud wr status this year. Hayes is strictly am emergency fill-in, and
Santana Moss is already injured, though his value seemed dubious in the first
place.
McNabb and Johnson should be a decent qb combo. McNabb should get the be the starter based
on the potential for rushing td’s, and Johnson should be a solid replacement
should McNabb go down.
Rounding out the squad, BP starts with three TE, with Bubba
Franks as the obvious starter. Big
Bubba should be at least adequate in an offense that makes heavy use of the
TE. Some project him to become a stud,
though I believe it when I see it.
Cleeland, coming back from an Achilles tendon rupture, and Desmond
Clark, who project to be the DEN starter, are both very talented. Out of these three, there could be one might
break out. The defense is an area of
weakness, and Akers, who was a top kicker last year, did not address the ball
with the authority which would leave me with enough confidence to believe he
can do it again this year. He has the
leg, but will he be the next Brett Conway?
Ranking: First
|
QB: |
JOHNSON,BRAD |
TB |
|
|
MCNABB,DONOVAN |
PHI |
|
RB: |
BARLOW,KEVAN |
SF |
|
|
BETTIS,JEROME |
PIT |
|
|
JAMES,EDGERRIN |
IND |
|
|
LEWIS,JAMAL |
BAL |
|
WR: |
BOSTON,DAVID |
ARI |
|
|
HAYES,DONALD |
CAR |
|
|
MOSS,RANDY |
MIN |
|
|
MOSS,SANTANA |
NYJ |
|
|
OWENS,TERRELL |
SF |
|
TE: |
CLARK,DESMOND |
DEN |
|
|
CLEELAND,CAMERON |
NO |
|
|
FRANKS,BUBBA |
GB |
|
K : |
AKERS,DAVID |
PHI |
|
TU: |
NY JETS TEAM UNIT |
NYJ |
|
QB: |
MANNING,PEYTON |
IND |
|
|
TESTAVERDE,VINNY |
NYJ |
|
RB: |
ALSTOTT,MIKE |
TB |
|
|
BIAKABUTUKA,TIM |
CAR |
|
|
MARTIN,CURTIS |
NYJ |
|
|
MCALLISTER,DEUCE |
NO |
|
WR: |
BURRESS,PLAXICO |
PIT |
|
|
CARTER,CRIS |
MIN |
|
|
JEFFERS,PATRICK |
CAR |
|
|
TOOMER,AMANI |
NYG |
|
TE: |
DUDLEY,RICKEY |
CLE |
|
|
WALLS,WESLEY |
CAR |
|
K : |
CHRISTIE,STEVE |
BUF |
|
|
LONGWELL,RYAN |
GB |
|
TU: |
PHILADELPHIA TEAM UNIT |
PHI |
|
|
PITTSBURGH TEAM UNIT |
PIT |
Perhaps not the best playoff team last year, the Dhervishes were able to pull off a dramatic win in Week 13 to take the Caesar Division and secure a first round bye. Favorable seeding and a bit of luck paved the way to the IYDFFL Championship. The Dhervishes worked in the off-season to trade away strength at wr in exchange for a starting rb. Some shrewd draft moves should pay off, too, as Michael Anderson and Garrison Hearst both project to be starters this year.
WD took a big leap by trading away Elvis Grbac and assigning control to one of the Saints qb’s, Aaron Brooks or Jeff Blake. If the Saints turn out to be a fantasy dream, the Dhervishes will be dancing. Kitna is only other backup, which is to say there is no help for the Saints pair.
The big overhaul came at rb, where the team started out last year with mutts like Enis, Antowain Smith, and Richard Huntley. Bettis was the lone back worthy of a start until the trade for Lamar Smith. With Taylor and Lamar Smith as starters and Mike Anderson first off of the bench, this is a position of strength. Antowain has a chance to become the feature back in New England, which might make him an adequate back up on the WD fantasy roster.
The starting WR are dangerous, even after losing Randy Moss. Isaac Bruce plays at the TWA Pinball Machine, so the points should pour in unless someone gets hurt. Changes in the Buffalo offense should help them rebound from a pitiful season, which should mean better td numbers for Eric Moulds. The gimp squad includes Robinson and Galloway. Robinson is still sitting out of camp after back surgery and won’t be a factor until several weeks into the season, at best. It would be a mistake to discount Galloway, however, who will probably have some big games this year. The Cowboys has a really bad defense, especially against the run. The Cowboys will be in catch up mode for most of the season, implying some interesting possibility for the passing game. Even Quincy Carter should be able to find Joey G for a few big plays this year.
Freddie Jones, is out after hernia surgery, so don’t expect anything until he gets into football shape. I had originally thought this might be around week 5, but it appears he is already practicing. Kyle Brady should be a top TE. He is a great blocker, so his presence in the game does not tip off the pass. He is excellent at using his wide body to shield defenders from the ball, and he has developed some soft hands.
The defense could be the top producer since a premium is placed on sacks and interceptions. The Titans have bookend pass rushers, Jevon Kearse and Kevin Carter, they are solid up the middle, and they have playmaking CB, Samari Rolle. PK Jason Hanson is merely adequate.
Rank: Second
|
QB: |
BLAKE,JEFF |
NO |
|
|
BROOKS,AARON |
NO |
|
|
KITNA,JON |
CIN |
|
RB: |
ANDERSON,MIKE |
DEN |
|
|
SMITH,ANTOWAIN |
BUF |
|
|
SMITH,LAMAR |
MIA |
|
|
TAYLOR,FRED |
JAX |
|
WR: |
BRUCE,ISAAC |
STL |
|
|
GALLOWAY,JOEY |
DAL |
|
|
MAYES,DERRICK |
--- |
|
|
MOULDS,ERIC |
BUF |
|
|
ROBINSON,MARCUS |
CHI |
|
TE:
|
JONES,FREDDIE BRADY, KYLE |
SD JAX |
|
K : |
HANSON,JASON |
DET |
|
TU: |
TENNESSEE TEAM UNIT |
TEN |
The K-Lords have shaken up the team since their first round playoff loss last year. What would have happened if they had been able to hold onto the Caesar Division lead and the first round bye? Faulk looked pretty good in week 15. This is another case where the difference between a first round loss and the IYDFFL title was razor thin.
Trent Green is trying to import the Rams’ magic to Kansas City. Derrick Alexander and Derrick Mayes are no equals to Isaac Bruce and Tory Holt. Then again, Ernie Conwell is no equal to Tony Gonzales. The prospects for Green are excellent. Kerry Collins is an adequate fantasy starter should Green go down.
The best rb trio will play in Kuala Lumpur this year. Marshall Faulk still has tendonitis. He should have no problem returning to form early in the season. Even achieving 75% of last year’s numbers would probably make him the top rb in 2002. How good was Faulk last season? Watch out for Ahman Green lighting it up in Green Bay. Levens will never again be a workhorse back, and he will only be around to give AG a breather. If he can hold onto the football, he has the some bog play capability as Marshall Faulk, it’s just a matter of whether or not he can continue to improve on the intangibles which will inspire the coach to keep him in the game for all situations. Charlie Garner, though never a great scorer, will pile up all-purpose yards on the other side of the bay. Don’t mistake this as the reincarnation of Nap Kaufman.
The starting wide receivers are good. Torry Holt gives the Lords another serving of the Rams pie, which should make one of the better hedge plays that are available. Derrick Mason, a nice sleeper last year, should be able to make an encore performance. The bench is a cemetery. Terry Glenn might not play this year, though I don’t see that much upside even when he plays. Koren Robinson yanked a hammy before the combine, which is still giving him problems. Hatchette is the last guy standing. The Vikings could not find enough passes for this guy. Now consider the Jets are making a poor transition to the WCO. Maybe a late season flourish will emerge after his cousin Vinnie and the New Jersey boys get used to the new offense.
One sleeper for this year is the Colts’ TE, Marcus Pollard. Newly inked to a big contract, he and Ken Dilger represent the highest paid TE combo in the NFL. Given the failures at cultivating a WR counterpoint to Marvin Harrison, Dilger and Pathon may be the next options (after Edge). More important, the IND were not successful passing in the red zone, and one solution could be play action passing to the TE.
Of the two kickers, Nedney is the most intriguing. Last year was a breakout in terms of field goal accuracy, so the question remains if that was merely an aberration. He has the leg, so if can aim straight, he could be on of the top kickers. The Rams are an overlooked defense. They will get burned, yet they should make some big plays, too.
Rank: Third
|
QB: |
COLLINS,KERRY |
NYG |
|
|
GREEN,TRENT |
KC |
|
RB: |
DAYNE,RON |
NYG |
|
|
FAULK,MARSHALL |
STL |
|
|
GARNER,CHARLIE |
OAK |
|
|
GREEN,AHMAN |
GB |
|
WR: |
GLENN,TERRY |
NE |
|
|
HATCHETTE,MATTHEW |
NYJ |
|
|
HOLT,TORRY |
STL |
|
|
MASON,DERRICK |
TEN |
|
|
ROBINSON,KOREN |
SEA |
|
TE:
|
BECHT,ANTHONY |
NYJ |
|
|
POLLARD,MARCUS |
IND |
|
K : |
BROWN,KRIS |
PIT |
|
|
NEDNEY,JOE |
TEN |
|
TU: |
ST. LOUIS TEAM UNIT |
STL |
The Sad Sacks look a little dreary. Despite the bleak outlook, it appears they will be anything but boring. They used an innovative Maximize Quantity of Draft Picks Strategy, yet the results have not been good so far. Chuck gets my nod for the best team logo, too.
What about fantasy success? Elvis Grbac is in Kansas City nevermore, nevermore; moving to his sepulchre by the sea, PSINet Stadium, he and his Annabel Lee. Let’s hope Elvis has better luck than Eddie Poe, who died destitute and penniless; PSINet, which is now a penny stock; and Annabel Lee who had Eddie Poe as her stalker-dude. Just a little further down I-95, you will find the other Sad Sack general, Jeff George. The man has a rocket arm, but that just isn’t cool anymore. Learning how to read a defense might help, Jeff.
Skip Hicks, just a few year ago the heir apparent to Terry Allen in Washington, will be fighting for carries with James Allen and Anthony Thomas. Hicks will be a vulture at best. A better prospect at running back is Travis Henry, who is the starter in Buffalo since Shawn Bryson and Sammy Morris have been merely adequate. James Jackson is the most over-hyped rookie rb this year. Trust me, next year he will be getting as much buzz as Travis Prentice. Jackson will be sharing carries with Prentice and Ben Gay. Redmond is an decent rb with an indecent OL. Until the Pats can get some better linemen, don’t expect a stud rb to surface. Paul Smith will get fewer touches than Hearst, Barlow, or even Fred Beasley.
The outlook for the wide receivers is much better, starting with 100-catch man, Moose Muhammed. If Weinke can get untracked, this Michigan-ex should be a good td guy. James Thrash could be the wr2 with a little help from McNabb. At the end of last year he was a Jeff George favorite, so we’ll see if he can improve on 50 catches from last year. Hardly a peep has been heard from Darnay Scott, Jajuan Dawson is hurt again, but Peerless Price might be an adequate backup.
Stephen Alexander is showing up on some sleeper lists, but he will put you to sleep. Last year he had a hard time getting off the line. Maybe he was banged up. Supposing he’s healthy, George has never been comfortable throwing the little seam routes, and will not fit in with Schottenheimer’s scheme. Banks might be a worse fit. Sage Rosenfels might be the best hope for the Redskins passing game.
The Sacks might stand for defense. The Broncos and the Redskins should both be good, so they can make some points on this part of the roster.
Ranking: Twelfth
|
QB: |
GRBAC, ELVIS |
BAL |
|
|
GEORGE, JEFF |
WAS |
|
RB: |
HENRY, TRAVIS |
BUF |
|
|
REDMOND, JR |
NE |
|
|
JACKSON, JAMES |
CLE |
|
|
SMITH, PAUL |
SF |
|
|
HICKS, SKIP |
CHI |
|
WR: |
MUHAMMED, MUHSIN |
CAR |
|
|
THRASH, JAMES |
PHI |
|
|
PRICE, PEERLESS |
BUF |
|
|
SCOTT, DARNAY |
CIN |
|
|
DAWSON, JUJUAN |
CLE |
|
TE: |
ALEXANDER, STEPHEN |
WAS |
|
K: |
GRAMMATICA, MARTIN |
TB |
|
TU: |
DENVER TEAM UNIT |
DEN |
|
|
WASHINGTON TEAM UNIT |
WAS |
Patrick Jeffers. Darnay Scott. Joey Galloway. Bobby Engram. Boy, can this guy pick some wide receivers! The Roughnecks have reloaded and should be firing with both barrels. The WR include the Smith brothers, Rod and Jimmy, and Joe Horn: three studs. RR used two draft picks to pick up David Terrell and Freddie Mitchell. How many of these rookies will pan out? The Roughnecks might have been the team to beat this year if they had drafted to solidify the back-up positions. Instead, several of these slots are occupied by players who will probably have very little fantasy value this year.
Rich Gannon returns at QB, bringing a good balance of rushing/passing to the position. Adding Garner and Rice should take the Raiders offense to the next level. The backups look a little dicey. Hasselbeck has the starting job in Seattle, but he has played in only one NFL game. Also consider Darrell Jackson is the Hawks’ best receiver. Michael Vick will ride the pine while being ‘mentored’ by Chris Chandler. He will just have to wait until CC has his next injury, then Michael will need to display his running skills behind that terrible pass blocking line.
Shannon Sharpe, this year’s first round pick, will excel for the Ravens this year, and should be a top TE.
In the revamped defensive scoring, the Miami defense should be able to make interceptions and sacks. A stud kicker – yes, a stud kicker – rounds out the squad. Mike Vanderjagt is accurate, has a strong long, and will get many opportunities.
Rank: Fifth
|
QB: |
GANNON,RICH |
OAK |
|
|
HASSELBECK,MATT |
SEA |
|
|
VICK,MICHAEL |
ATL |
|
RB: |
CHAPMAN,DOUG |
MIN |
|
|
DAVIS,TERRELL |
DEN |
|
|
DUNN,WARRICK |
TB |
|
|
STALEY,DUCE |
PHI |
|
|
WHEATLEY,TYRONE |
OAK |
|
WR: |
HORN,JOE |
NO |
|
|
MITCHELL,FREDDIE |
PHI |
|
|
SMITH,JIMMY |
JAX |
|
|
SMITH,ROD |
DEN |
|
|
TERRELL,DAVID |
CHI |
|
TE: |
SHARPE,SHANNON |
BAL |
|
K : |
VANDERJAGT,MIKE |
IND |
|
TU: |
MIAMI TEAM UNIT |
MIA |
While it is difficult to dispute that having a good rb is generally better than having a good qb, there are certainly case where the inverse is true, which, of course, really depends on how good is good. I think Warner is good enough to be more valuable than Jamal Anderson. Did Definition get enough other compensation for dropping down in value from Warner?
Drew Bledsoe is a good enough qb, it’s too bad he won’t survive behind that awful OL. Until the Patriots can find enough cap room to bring in better protection for Bledsoe, he is no better than a late round pick up. Speaking of a bad OL, that brings us to the Falcons and their OLE! blocking scheme. The Chris Chandler Death Watch begins next Sunday. After that, we will see if Michael Vick will lead the Falcons in rushing. Last, but not least, there is the best qb of the bunch, Steve McNair. He is the inferior passer of the three, yet a superior supporting cast should make him the best choice to start over the long run.
James Stewart, a Cary Smith favorite, returns from last year. Expect his numbers to increase from last year. What about that second rb, Jamal Anderson? He is certainly an upgrade from Priest Holmes. Anderson and Holmes should have similar total yardage figures, though the difference will be td’s, where Anderson has the clear advantage. Travis Prentice and Larry Centers just take space on the bench.
Freeman had his second consecutive disappointing season and his market value has plummeted. I rate him as a hold or moderate buy. If you have him, it doesn’t make sense to trade him because you won’t get much in return. Favre should improve as he is healthy and the line has had some time to gel. Expect Freeman’s numbers to rebound. Steady Eddy is on the other side. McCardell should be a decent backup if healthy, though getting him in exchange for Curtis Conway was no coup. Qadry Ismail scares nobody.
Some shrewd drafting netted a few promising te late in the draft. Roland Williams is the new starter in Oakland, where Dudley had clearly lost the confidence of Coach Gruden. This preseason, the Raiders have thrown a lot out of double-TE sets. Williams may take tds away from Wheatley. The Vikings are showing a lot of looks to Chamberlain as well. Moss and Carter put so much pressure on the corners
It forces the safeties to lean to the outside. Chamberlain will be running against LB with no help from the safeties. With Robert Smith gone, Chamberlain will be the obvious third option.
The kicking game will be a strength with Matt Stover, one of the most accurate kickers over the last decade, and Rams’ kicker Jeff Wilkins. The Raiders will contribute plenty of sacks and interceptions.
Eighth
|
QB: |
BLEDSOE DREW |
NE |
|
|
MCNAIR, STEVE |
TEN |
|
|
CHANDLER, CHRIS |
ATL |
|
RB: |
ANDERSON, JAMAL |
ATL |
|
|
STEWART, JAMES |
DET |
|
|
PRENTICE, TRAVIS |
CLE |
|
|
CENTERS, LARRY |
WAS |
|
WR: |
FREEMAN, ANTONIO |
GB |
|
|
MCCAFFREY, ED |
DEN |
|
|
ISMAIL, QADRY |
BAL |
|
|
MCCARDELL, KEENAN |
JAX |
|
TE: |
CHAMBERLAIN, BYRON |
MIN |
|
|
WILLIAMS, ROLAND |
OAK |
|
K: |
STOVER, MATT |
BAL |
|
K : |
WILKINS, JEFF |
STL |
|
TU: |
OAKLAND TEAM UNIT |
OAK |
The Raiders are still in the middle of a rebuilding effort. Brian Griese comes from an offseason trade to inject an offensive surge. Batch is the backup for now. Steve Beuerlein is doubtful to play this year, but having a Broncos backup qb is a pretty good idea.
Top draft pick LaDainian Tomlinson finally gets signed, so he will get a chance to show if he can run behind terrible blocking. The other starter is the rejuvenated Corey Dillon. The backup rb are merely pipe dreams. Lamont Jordan plays on the Jets with the firmly entrenched Curtis Martin, Shaun Alexander plays on the Seahawks with Ricky Watters, and Olandis Gary might be the third option in the Bronco backfield.
The receivers should be decent. Jerry Rice will be a welcome site on the other side of the Bay as Tim Brown can use some relief. No longer a superstar, 8 td’s should not be a surprise. Travis Taylor should do better after a second training camp, and he should be able to match Rice’s numbers. The X-factor here is Peter Warrick. The Bengals have had trouble at qb and with pass protection. Kitna is not a great solution, yet he is an improvement. Aging Richmond Webb will protect his blind side, which is an improvement over gimpy John Jackson. The prospects of Warrick improving a little are very good. Whether or not the Bengals are able to exploit his game breaking potential really depends on how much they can improve as a team. Connell and Hilliard are both hobbling. Watch out for Connell’s hamstring, though Hilliard should be in good shape at mid-season.
The Raiders can compensate for some deficits with the bottom half of the lineup. Chad Lewis is a top ranked TE, and the Eagles will sorely need yardage and scores from this position. Elam, the kicker, should be healthy, can hedge Griese while being a top five kicker. The Ravens defense are doubtless in the top five, if not better.
Tenth
|
QB: |
GRIESE, BRIAN |
DEN |
|
|
BATCH, CHARLIE |
DET |
|
|
BEUERLEIN, STEVE |
DEN |
|
RB: |
DILLON, COREY |
CIN |
|
|
TOMLINSON, LEDAINIAN |
SD |
|
|
GARY, OLANDIS |
DEN |
|
|
ALEXANDER, SHAUN |
SEA |
|
|
JORDAN, LAMONT |
NYJ |
|
WR: |
RICE, JERRY |
OAK |
|
|
WARRICK, PETER |
CIN |
|
|
TAYLOR, TRAVIS |
BAL |
|
|
CONNELL, ALBERT |
NO |
|
|
HILLIARD, IKE |
NYG |
|
TE: |
LEWIS, CHAD |
PHI |
|
K : |
ELAM, JASON |
DEN |
|
TU:
|
BALTIMORE TEAM UNIT |
BAL |