What Went Right

It was one if by land, two if by land for Tennessee last season. The passing game managed to be one of the league’s worst; while the Titans ranked fifth in the league by averaging 131 yards per game on the ground. LenDale White led the charge on the ground with 1,110 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. Rob Bironas proved to be one of the most dangerous Titans. Unfortunately, he’s the kicker, which doesn’t speak highly of the Titan offense. Bironas drained 35 of 39 field goals including a record-breaking eight in one game against the Texans.

What Went Wrong

If the Titans have aspirations of going deep into the playoffs they must throw the football effectively. In 15 games, Vince Young threw just nine touchdown passes while sprinkling in 17 interceptions. That’s not acceptable regardless of the receivers. Speaking of the wideouts, no receiver topped 1,000 yards or 60 receptions. After jettisoning Drew Bennett during the previous offseason, no receiver filled his shoes in 2007.

Off-season Outlook

The Titans needed to address an offense that looked anemic at times. While the defense proved to be one of the league’s best units, the offense nearly kept the Titans out of the postseason. However, they made minimal additions on offense. Their most notable acquisition came with the arrival of former Pro Bowl tight end Alge Crumpler. Keep an eye on receiver Justin McCareins, who returns to the Titans and has experience working with offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger.

Draft Recap

Tom Cruise and Anthony Edwards discussed their need for speed in Top Gun. Well, the Titans fulfilled their own need for speed by drafting running back Chris Johnson. He has a chance to make some big plays when in the open field. The Titans went on the defensive for much of the draft, however, receiver Lavelle Hawkins has a chance to contribute to a less than stellar receiving corps. Meanwhile, tight end Craig Stephens is primarily seen as a blocking threat.

State of the Team

Quarterbacks – Young’s second year did not show rapid improvement, but he can’t shoulder all of the blame. For the second consecutive offseason, he saw Tennessee’s front office shun the offense in some regard and not bring in multiple difference makers on offense. A sidebar if I may. Tennessee reminds me a great deal of the late ’80s to early’90s Philadelphia Eagles, led by quarterback Randall Cunningham (ironically, head coach Jeff Fisher served as defensive coordinator for those teams from ’88 to ’90). The Eagles leadership neglected to get Cunningham enough help to win playoff games. Whether it was receiver, offensive line or running backs, the skill positions were mostly ignored throughout the Cunningham regime; only bringing in players that were troubled at the time (Cris Carter) or past their prime (Herschel Walker). Regardless, the Birds always had that bruising defense to lean on — much like the Titans. In the end, the Eagles failed to make it to a Super Bowl due to a lack of offense. It’s a fate that will find Young unless the Titans brass wakes up, but I digress. Young is not a weekly starter because of the passing game’s ineptitude, but he remains a threat because of his legs. The arrival of Heimerdinger should help, but ultimately Young needs better skill players. Kerry Collins returns as his backup and can succeed in small doses if given the chance.

Running Backs – Tennessee’s rush game isn’t about one guy; instead a group of talented rushers attacked the defense last season. White returns and the team is hoping he continues to mature into a solid runner. Johnson should help in his first year, while Chris Henry has a ways to go before he will be looked at as a force. Also, Young is an obvious threat on the move. Tennessee is another team that will rely on more than one guy to carry the mail on Sundays.

Wide Receivers – The power does not lie here. Justin Gage and Roydell Williams are respectable receivers, but only combined for six touchdown catches in ’07. For Young to sink or swim, he has to receive a chance to swim. His career will sink to the ocean’s floor unless he gets some help. McCareins returns and may provide some relief, but stay away from this mediocre bunch.

Tight Ends – Alge Crumpler arrives and should help Young, especially in the red zone. While Crumpler isn’t quite the same player as his peak days in Atlanta, he is still better than what the Titans offered a season ago. Expect Bo Scaife to be a factor again which should also aid Tennessee’s third year quarterback.

Defense/Special Teams – Tennessee is among the best defenses in the NFL. Led by defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, it is are arguably the most physical group in the league. However, that doesn’t necessarily equate to fantasy success. The Titan defense will be formidable again slowing down foes. The key figure on special teams will be free agent pickup, defensive back Chris Carr, who may be a prime threat returning kicks and punts.

June 25th, 2008
Categories: Derek Jones, FOOTBALL, Team report . Author: Derek Jones . Comments: 10 Comments

What Went Right

The Steelers had plenty of mystery with Mike Tomlin taking over for longtime head coach Bill Cowher. Early on, Tomlin stayed conservative and threatened to run Willie Parker every play. That probably wouldn’t have worked out, and Ben Roethlisberger used Santonio Holmes, Hines Ward, and Heath Miller equally well to finish in the top eight of any scoring system. Parker, meanwhile, did account for 1,300 rushing yards, which is great for yardage-heavy leagues.

What Went Wrong

While Parker’s yardage totals were spot on, the touchdowns weren’t. He managed just two trips into the endzone, which is really quite an astonishing feat. Najeh Davenport stole five touchdowns, but Parker might have been dealing with an injury as well. Ward was definitely dealing with nagging injuries, but his production decline was still troubling. His yards per reception of 10.3 was the lowest of his career and almost a full three yards behind his 2006 number.

Off-season Outlook

The Steelers didn’t make too much of a splash in free agency, as signing running back Mewelde Moore was the biggest offensive acquisition. In other words, there’s nothing to see here.

Draft Recap

Fantasy owners have plenty to applaud or decry (depending on your situation) with the Steeler draft. In the first round, they took arguably the best back not named Darren in Rashard Mendenhall. For those of us that have Parker in dynasty leagues, we’re less than thrilled. Mendenhall, at the least, will be a more talented touchdown hawk than Davenport was last year. If he gets a shot at double-digit carries per game, he could steal the starting gig. In redraft leagues, he’s one of the most important handcuffs. Pittsburgh also took a top college producer at wide out. Limas Sweed flashed great talent at Texas when he was healthy. Unfortunately, he didn’t spend a lot of time being healthy. If he did, he probably would have been a first round selection. In this offense, he’ll have time to grow as a professional.

State of the Team

Quarterbacks - Some of us had Roethlisberger pegged as a fantasy starter quite a while ago. Ahem. If the Steeler defense just let opposing teams score some points, Roethlisberger could probably be a top performer. Unfortunately, he will have only one half to throw the ball consistently in some games.

Running Backs - Your guess is as good as ours. Parker spent the offseason recovering from his injuries and even if he does maintain the starting gig, Mendenhall will cut into his carries. Right now, you have to draft both just in case one emerges as the clear cut starter. If you could only take one, you still have to lean to Parker. That being said, dynasty leaguers shouldn’t wait long to scoop up Mendenhall. In fact, he is probably second on our rookie board right now. His long-term value in the running heaven that is Pittsburgh is off the charts.

Wide Receivers - Despite only playing 13 games, Holmes managed almost 950 yards on a measly 52 receptions. He is undoubtedly one of the best deep threats the NFL has right now. If he plays 16 games, he’s a lock for over 1,100 yards and should approach ten scores. That being said, because he’s a home run hitter, he will have some worthless games for you. In fact, five of his 13 games fell into the worthless category (under 60 yards and no scores) for us. On the other side of the field, the second spot is something of a question mark. Ward is still there and will certainly retain the “starter” moniker. That being said, his production dipped alarmingly, and others will have a chance to get more looks. Sweed might get there eventually, but Nate Washington played well in stretches last season and might repeat some of that success early in 2008.

Tight Ends - Heath Miller should always do a little better than he does. His 566 yards and seven scores last year were pretty good, but he had seven games with two or fewer receptions. That shouldn’t happen.

Defense/Special Teams - We’re really not experts on defense. In fact, we can’t even name more than a few Steeler defenders without checking the web. That being said, we’re confident this group will be one of the top fantasy performers this season. They always are. And we hate them for it, unless we happen to have a Pittsburgh back running well. Other than that, fantasy football would be better off without the Steeler defense.

June 23rd, 2008
Categories: Andy Goldstein, FOOTBALL, Team report . Author: Andy Goldstein . Comments: 3 Comments

What Went Right

Oh, it was mostly good for the Browns in 2007. The passing offense, with Derek Anderson, Kellen Winslow, and Braylon Edwards, went absolutely bananas. Anderson was the most surprising top performer since he wasn’t a starter until Week Two. In fact, his taking the reigns from Charlie Frye was about the most frightening prospect for fantasy owners. Okay, Frye maintaining the starting gig would have been scarier. Still, Anderson came out of nowhere to lead Edwards and Winslow to more than 1,100 receiving yards each. Oh, and Jamal Lewis ran for 1,300 yards and nine scores. We have no idea how that happened. Perhaps he was trying to outrun the law again.

What Went Wrong

Really, trying to find a negative aspect to the Browns’ fantasy performers is tough, and anything said will sound nitpicky. Obviously, the defense was, well, crappy. But that’s good for the offense. Anderson got 527 attempts and most of those came with the Browns needing to put up huge point totals. Also, we’re talking about defense? Please. The Browns were a fantasy goldmine in 2007. Hell, even Phil Dawson was a beast. Phil Dawson!

Off-Season Outlook

The Browns’ front office didn’t do too much to the offense, which is a good thing, we guess. The brass did bring in wide out Dónte Stallworth to compliment Edwards on the other side. Stallworth was his usual inconsistent self, and his injury prone label didn’t really change at all. Still, having another weapon that defenses have to at least pay attention to can’t hurt. Other than that, the only other big offensive news was the cutting of LeCharles Bentley. If Bentley played at all with the team, it might have been a more worrisome issue.

Draft Recap

Umm, since the Browns didn’t even have a first-day selection, we can just bypass this section, right? No? You want a random, yet hysterical video? Okay, try this.

State of the Team

Quarterbacks - Anderson was lights-out for fantasy owners last year, except for a couple points. First of all, he struggled over the last part of the season. This isn’t a deal-breaker exactly, but his last three games featured more interceptions than touchdowns. Maybe this because of the fault of cold-weather games, or maybe the league started to figure him out a bit. It’s probably one of those glass-half-empty things. The other red flag was his completion percentage. It wasn’t good. In fact, Tavaris Jackson beat him in this category. Ultimately, it was Anderson’s first season as a starter, and if a highly-touted first year guy (say, Brady Quinn) had that kind of year, we’d be calling him the next Manning.

Running Backs - Lewis was re-signed and he will get the carries as long as he’s healthy. Unfortunately, we refuse to believe whatever happened last season was true. It had to be a mirage. The Lewis we remember was slower than Eddie George and had fewer moves than Ron Dayne. Sorry, Dawg Pound, we don’t see nine scores for Lewis this season.

Wide Receivers - Edwards was possessed last season. Normally, 16 receiving touchdowns would be good enough to lead the league. Unfortunately, a certain wide out in New England was doing a little better. Still, Edwards should be a top three receiver in every scoring system. Stallworth is an okay second backup, as he will have a couple big games during the right matchup.

Tight Ends - Winslow, perhaps against the odds, has been one of the more consistent elite tight ends for the last couple seasons. He seems to be a lock for over 1,000 yards and five or six scores if healthy.

Defense/Special Teams - One of the reasons the Browns didn’t have any real draft picks this season is because they brought in Shaun Rogers, who will be expected to make a big splash on the defensive line. That would be great, as long as he doesn’t do too much to keep Cleveland in low-scoring games. Also, Josh Cribbs — try no returning kicks for scores this season! You are a fantasy thief, and no one likes you!

June 21st, 2008
Categories: Andy Goldstein, Derek Jones, FOOTBALL, Team report . Author: Andy Goldstein . Comments: No Comments

What Went Right

Tampa’s rush game was amongst the most consistent in the NFL. The Bucs finished 11th in rushing yards per game, led by reserve Earnest Graham, who took over for the injured Cadillac Williams. Graham’s 898 yards rushing and ten scores provided improvement compared to Williams’ problems in his first four starts. Quarterback Jeff Garcia connected with leading receiver Joey Galloway, who yet again defied Father Time. Tampa’s defense returned as one of the league’s best units, limiting opponents to 16.9 points per game, good for third in the league.

What Went Wrong

When people look back on the 2007 season, the concept of rest versus playing hard should be remembered. The Giants chose to play hard down the stretch when they did not have to; that played a part in them winning the Super Bowl. Conversely, Tampa sat on its division lead, rested players and never got into a groove prior to the postseason. As a result, the Giants flattened the Bucs in the playoffs. Leading into the postseason, Tampa’s offense was hit or miss. While Graham ran well, ’05 first round pick Williams laboured to produce and suffered a season-ending torn patellar tendon injury after just four games. The passing game failed to pay to dividends as well, as Galloway had little help. While Ike Hilliard led the team with 62 receptions, the Bucs did not develop other solid pass catching options.

Off-season Outlook

The Bucs added depth to their lineup with the acquisition of ex-Falcon running back Warrick Dunn, who was a Tampa fixture for five years prior to playing in Atlanta. Quarterback Brian Griese also returned to the team via trade from Chicago. Tampa addressed its defense by adding end Marques Douglas and former Patriots cornerback Eugene Wilson.

Draft Recap

On the surface, a team that finished number one in pass defense last season selecting cornerback Aqib Talib seems a bit fishy. Yet, Ronde Barber is 33 and Phillip Buchanon is in the final year of his contract. Drafting an eventual predecessor is a wise move. The team used its second round pick on Appalachian State receiver Dexter Jackson, who should bring speed to a unit that desperately needs it. San Diego quarterback Josh Johnson, taken in the sixth round, will be hard pressed to make the team with all of the competition at that spot.

State of the Team

Quarterbacks – Garcia is in the middle of a contract dispute and wants an extension. For a 38-year-old quarterback, his bargaining power is nil. Considering Jon Gruden’s history of working with quarterbacks, if Garcia left, Gru-dog would get over it quickly. Picking up Griese, who knows Gruden well, would soften the blow if Garcia decides to retire. As for Chris Simms, his days in Tampa could be numbered. Bruce Gradkowski was released, alleviating some of the mess behind Garcia. After leading Tampa to the NFC South division crown, Garcia is still the man, but don’t trust him to lead fantasy teams to glory.

Running Backs – Graham should start the season because of Williams’ injury. The Cadillac may be in the shop for a large majority of the ’08 season due to the severity of his injury. Buyer beware! Graham is reportedly looking for a new contract and sometimes that leads to messy situations. Fantasy owners should monitor that situation. The Bucs have depth at back though with Michael Bennett and the returning Dunn to help Graham stay fresh in what is his first year as a starting back. The offensive line’s strength is run blocking so Graham should be in store for a good season.

Wide Receivers – Outside of Galloway, the receiving group is amongst the worst in the league. Galloway accounted for six of the eight touchdowns caught by Tampa receivers. Eventually though, he will slow down. He cannot do it forever and is coming off shoulder surgery, although he’ll be ready to go for training camp. Hilliard led the team in receptions, but the Bucs would like to see Maurice Stovall and Michael Clayton wake up. Jackson joins this group to provide speed, but this gang needs a Ty Pennington-esque extreme makeover.

Tight Ends – When Jerramy Stevens isn’t busy dropping balls, he’s a serviceable tight end, but not one to rely upon. His off the field activities make him a less than desirable option (Stevens will serve a two game suspension to begin the season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy) along with the rest of Tampa’s cornucopia of tight ends. Alex Smith, Ben Troupe and John Gilmore will also compete for time. For fantasy owners, the presence of all of these bodies is a clear sign to stay away from Bucs tight ends.

Defense/Special Teams – An aging, albeit effective defensive group returns in Tampa. The Bucs D should be solid again while the special teams did something for the first time in its history a season ago. Michael Spurlock returned a kick for a touchdown; however, don’t lean on this group for its special teams explosiveness. The power still lies with the defense.

June 10th, 2008
Categories: Derek Jones, FOOTBALL, Team report . Author: Derek Jones . Comments: 2 Comments

What Went Right

Washington’s offense provided a mix bag. Clinton Portis racked up another 1,200-yard season to go along with 11 scores and Chris Cooley gave the passing game a boost with eight touchdown receptions. Much to the chagrin of the Minnesota Vikings, Todd Collins provided the Redskins with a boost and propelled them into the playoffs. The defense played a role in the team’s late season success. Defensive end Andre Carter led the team with ten sacks. Former head coach Joe Gibbs also learned that two timeouts cannot be called on consecutive plays.

What Went Wrong

All of the struggles on the field paled in comparison to the loss of Sean Taylor. His presence was greatly missed by his Redskin teammates on and off the field. Offensively, while Portis paced the rush game, the passing game languished with Jason Campbell at the helm until his late-season knee injury. No receiver broke the 1,000-yard mark for the season which ultimately helped lead Washington to select a pair of receivers on the draft’s first day.

Off-season Outlook

Jim Zorn in, Joe Gibbs out as the head coach in Washington marked the team’s biggest off-season change. Washington’s salary cap abuse over the past seasons has caught up with the team. At the beginning of the offseason, the Redskins were $21 million over the cap. The cap issue left Washington in no position to go wild during the free agency period. Its two biggest moves in player personnel were re-signing back-up quarterback Todd Collins and grabbing returner Jerome Mathis.

Draft Recap

Washington addressed the skill positions the first three picks in the draft. Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly are likely to start out as reserves, while tight end Fred Davis will serve as a backup to Cooley and appear in multiple tight end sets. Zorn likes sixth round selection Colt Brennan, but he’ll be a project for now.

State of the Team

Quarterbacks – Campbell is still the man in Washington, but he shouldn’t be considered a go-to guy in fantasyland. Collins returns as his backup, but he is clearly not a reliable fantasy option either. Zorn’s appearance on the scene should help Campbell develop. Washington’s new head man was instrumental in the development of Seattle Pro Bowl signalcaller Matt Hasselbeck. However, the addition of a few new weapons will not help the Redskin passing game unless Campbell grows up.

Running Backs – Expect another solid year from Portis; his only significant drawback is that he gets banged up occasionally. Handcuffing him with his backup Ladell Betts is a very wise move. Zorn has promised to give the running backs a ton of work this season. Running behind a solid and experienced offensive line should yield positive gains for the Redskin rushing game again.

Wide Receivers – Veterans Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle-El return, but they need to produce more in 2008. Neither eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving and they combined for just four touchdown catches. Thomas and Kelly will not likely be major contributors in their first season, but should help move the sticks for Washington and provide more depth. Only Moss can be viewed as a legit fantasy option.

Tight Ends – Cooley, the King of all NFL bloggers, is the position’s mainstay and he’s among the league’s best at tight end. He’ll receive some help from rookie tight end Thomas. Cooley’s touches might dip a bit because of the rookie’s appearance, but he’ll still be Washington’s most reliable pass catching threat.

Defense/Special Teams – Washington’s defense is an aging gang that lacks punch. The return game may receive a boost from Mathis, who has returned three kicks for scores during his career, and the returning Rock Cartwright. However, don’t consider this Redskin bunch anything more than a mediocre group.

June 4th, 2008
Categories: Derek Jones, FOOTBALL, Team report . Author: Derek Jones . Comments: 6 Comments