Hache Man
"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"
Re: Fantasy Football News 2008
Re: Fantasy Football News 2008
Minicamp Matters
There is no hitting at minicamps, or any offseason activities prior to training camp for that matter. We can take only a few things from these workouts: preliminary depth chart news, which is only somewhat helpful because players aren't necessarily "competing" yet, and how receiver-to-quarterback combinations "look." Passing is featured in June workouts. All linemen do is hand fight. There are no tackles for running backs to break.
Here are seven topics we can reasonably keep track of during the upcoming month. Don't use this to draft your fantasy team, but how these situations develop will help us know what to expect come training camp, which begins the last week of July. I promise not to make one mention of Jason Taylor, Brian Urlacher, or Cowboys SS [URL="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=35"]Roy Williams[/URL]. Enough is enough already.
Broncos RB Pecking Order with Travis Henry Sidelined
With Henry out all next week and possibly until the end of the month, it will be interesting to see how practice carries are divvied up. Selvin Young is first in line, but rookie Ryan Torain is fully recovered from his senior-year Lisfranc injury and in the thick of it. Will Torain go second behind Young or third behind Young and Andre Hall? And where will newly signed Michael Pittman fit in? The Broncos are unlikely to carry more than four tailbacks into the season. One of the above must go.
I personally do not believe Henry will be a Bronco in Week 1. He's one missed/failed drug test from a year-long suspension, unreliable physically, and the only running back on Denver's current roster that doesn't contribute on special teams. If Henry fails to clearly separate himself from the pack, which he obviously cannot due while nursing a hamstring strain, he's not going to help Mike Shanahan's club.
And as for the notion that the Broncos' zone-blocking scheme "just isn't that effective anymore" or "has been figured out" and should be avoided by fantasy owners, that's simply false. Though the last two years have been unpredictable due to rotating Bells and Henry's suspension situation, Denver finished in the top eight in yards-per-carry both seasons. Last year, the Broncos ranked third overall.
Seahawks Wideout Clutter
Coach Mike Holmgren consistently transforms mediocre wideouts into big-time producers in his pass-friendly West Coast offense. This year should be no different. Holmgren needs three (flanker, split end, slot) starters to emerge from a cast of Nate Burleson, Bobby Engram, Chas Gessner, Jordan Kent, Ben Obomanu, Logan Payne, and Courtney Taylor.
Since wide receiver is the position we can get the best feel for during the minicamp process, expect some interesting Seahawks posts on the Rotoworld news page. These seven competitors are definitely worth getting to know. Engram and Burleson are the biggest names of the group, but don't discount Payne, Taylor, Obomanu, or Kent. For now, Engram is penciled in at flanker with Burleson at the X. Payne is getting an early look in the slot.
The Ronnie Vs. Ricky Split
miamidolphins.com
[URL="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=1312"]Ricky Williams[/URL] came out of his first face-to-face meeting with new Dolphins VP of football operations Bill Parcells feeling like a committee member. Parcells and head coach Tony Sparano have a history of using RBBCs. It's early, but looks like that trend will continue in Miami. And it's probably a good idea considering Ronnie Brown is coming off a torn ACL and Williams a torn pectorals. Both are healthy now, so keep an eye on how practice carries are split. If Ricky and Ronnie are sharing work with the first team at minicamps, it'll be an indication of the Dolphins' plans for training camp and the season.
Also keep track of gifted Toledo product Jalen Parmele, one of the first draft picks to sign a rookie contract. At 6'0/221 with plenty of speed, Parmele has the skill set to be a factor if Brown or Williams experiences a setback. Williams has just six NFL carries since 2005 and two season-ending injuries over that span (including his broken arm in the CFL), so he's no sure bet to last long.
Reggie Williams Rising
jacksonvillejaguars.com
Williams topped our preliminary fantasy busts list because his ten touchdowns in 2007 were fluky. The 2004 first-round pick started only six games and was buried at 65th in the league in red-zone targets. Williams converted five of those nine targets for scores, but caught more than two passes in just six contests. He has yet to top 650 receiving yards in a season.
We're a bit more optimistic now that Williams is running as the starting flanker in coordinator Dirk Koetter's vertical attack. With a 16.6 yards-per-catch average and 13 plays of 20 yards or more in 2007, Williams showed surprising downfield ability and may be coming into his own in that area. While Koetter's offense should remain run-heavy because that's where the Jags' best talent is, Williams' outlook would be much brighter with a set role. See if there are more reports on how the Jags plan to rotate their wideouts and if '07 third-rounder Mike Walker can ever return from his chronic knee condition.
Does it Matter that Cedric Benson has <A href="http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4718"">Slimmed Down?
Benson claims he changed his offseason diet and naturally lost weight. He's roughly 10 pounds lighter and reportedly looking quicker than ever. This may be typical summer fluff, especially with ultra promising second-round pick <A href="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=4685">Matt Forte added to Chicago's backfield. Still, Benson desperately needed another step and perhaps he's added one by shedding the lbs.
Coach Lovie Smith says Benson remains the Bears' starter, if only because he's the incumbent. But many coaches will say this time of the year that all positions are up for competition. Lovie didn't and that at least means something. Smith could be trying to build up Ced-B en's confidence or is just being his loyal self. This battle won't play out until August, but more positive reports about Benson's fitness and speed would be welcomed by his many destitute dynasty owners.
<A href="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=3653">Brandon Marshall's Due Date
The AFC's best run-after-the-catch receiver appears to be recovering ahead of schedule from offseason arm surgery. Marshall's cast was removed in early April and he ran routes during mid-May voluntary workouts, defying original projections. But Marshall suffered nerve damage in the arm, isn't catching passes yet, and his legs weren't the problem anyway.
Coach Mike Shanahan expects Marshall to be cleared for receiving drills by June 22. There was initial concern about Marshall's status for Week 1, but the 22nd would be over a month before the start of training camp. If he participates to the extent Shanahan anticipates, Marshall's recovery will be well ahead of schedule. Also monitor reports of how Marshall looks. If he hasn't lost feeling in the arm and avoids drops, Marshall can safely be considered among the top ten fantasy picks at his position.
Ravens Receiver Shakedown
<A href="http://www.baltimoreravens.ws">baltimoreravens.com
<A href="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=3621">Demetrius Williams has been the Ravens' most intriguing receiver since he was drafted in the 2006 fourth round. He's a deep threat with good size (6'2/197), but has struggled to stay consistent as a pro. Williams has to intrigue new Baltimore offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, who like mentor Norv Turner loves bigguns at wideout. However, an Achilles' tendon injury has limited Williams early on. Healthy incumbent <A href="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=3150">Mark Clayton, who goes 5'10/195 and isn't too dissimilar from former Cameron disciple <A href="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=607">Eric Parker, appears the favorite to start opposite <A href="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=222">Derrick Mason as it stands. But Cameron wants to use three receivers in his base set this year, and ideally the three-wide look will consist of Williams, Mason, and Clayton.
The sleeper in all this is 6'2/212-pound rookie <A href="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=4873"><A href="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=4771">Marcus Smith, a fourth-round pick from New Mexico. Williams has Smith to worry about just for the third receiver position. It's hard to imagine much production coming out of Baltimore's passing game in Cameron's debut season, but the one-time Dolphins head coach has been known to quickly develop players before. This is a situation to monitor in deep leagues.
Re: Fantasy Football News 2008
Minicamp Matters
There is no hitting at minicamps, or any offseason activities prior to training camp for that matter. We can take only a few things from these workouts: preliminary depth chart news, which is only somewhat helpful because players aren't necessarily "competing" yet, and how receiver-to-quarterback combinations "look." Passing is featured in June workouts. All linemen do is hand fight. There are no tackles for running backs to break.
Here are seven topics we can reasonably keep track of during the upcoming month. Don't use this to draft your fantasy team, but how these situations develop will help us know what to expect come training camp, which begins the last week of July. I promise not to make one mention of Jason Taylor, Brian Urlacher, or Cowboys SS [URL="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=35"]Roy Williams[/URL]. Enough is enough already.
Broncos RB Pecking Order with Travis Henry Sidelined
With Henry out all next week and possibly until the end of the month, it will be interesting to see how practice carries are divvied up. Selvin Young is first in line, but rookie Ryan Torain is fully recovered from his senior-year Lisfranc injury and in the thick of it. Will Torain go second behind Young or third behind Young and Andre Hall? And where will newly signed Michael Pittman fit in? The Broncos are unlikely to carry more than four tailbacks into the season. One of the above must go.
I personally do not believe Henry will be a Bronco in Week 1. He's one missed/failed drug test from a year-long suspension, unreliable physically, and the only running back on Denver's current roster that doesn't contribute on special teams. If Henry fails to clearly separate himself from the pack, which he obviously cannot due while nursing a hamstring strain, he's not going to help Mike Shanahan's club.
And as for the notion that the Broncos' zone-blocking scheme "just isn't that effective anymore" or "has been figured out" and should be avoided by fantasy owners, that's simply false. Though the last two years have been unpredictable due to rotating Bells and Henry's suspension situation, Denver finished in the top eight in yards-per-carry both seasons. Last year, the Broncos ranked third overall.
Seahawks Wideout Clutter
Coach Mike Holmgren consistently transforms mediocre wideouts into big-time producers in his pass-friendly West Coast offense. This year should be no different. Holmgren needs three (flanker, split end, slot) starters to emerge from a cast of Nate Burleson, Bobby Engram, Chas Gessner, Jordan Kent, Ben Obomanu, Logan Payne, and Courtney Taylor.
Since wide receiver is the position we can get the best feel for during the minicamp process, expect some interesting Seahawks posts on the Rotoworld news page. These seven competitors are definitely worth getting to know. Engram and Burleson are the biggest names of the group, but don't discount Payne, Taylor, Obomanu, or Kent. For now, Engram is penciled in at flanker with Burleson at the X. Payne is getting an early look in the slot.
The Ronnie Vs. Ricky Split
miamidolphins.com
[URL="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=1312"]Ricky Williams[/URL] came out of his first face-to-face meeting with new Dolphins VP of football operations Bill Parcells feeling like a committee member. Parcells and head coach Tony Sparano have a history of using RBBCs. It's early, but looks like that trend will continue in Miami. And it's probably a good idea considering Ronnie Brown is coming off a torn ACL and Williams a torn pectorals. Both are healthy now, so keep an eye on how practice carries are split. If Ricky and Ronnie are sharing work with the first team at minicamps, it'll be an indication of the Dolphins' plans for training camp and the season.
Also keep track of gifted Toledo product Jalen Parmele, one of the first draft picks to sign a rookie contract. At 6'0/221 with plenty of speed, Parmele has the skill set to be a factor if Brown or Williams experiences a setback. Williams has just six NFL carries since 2005 and two season-ending injuries over that span (including his broken arm in the CFL), so he's no sure bet to last long.
Reggie Williams Rising
jacksonvillejaguars.com
Williams topped our preliminary fantasy busts list because his ten touchdowns in 2007 were fluky. The 2004 first-round pick started only six games and was buried at 65th in the league in red-zone targets. Williams converted five of those nine targets for scores, but caught more than two passes in just six contests. He has yet to top 650 receiving yards in a season.
We're a bit more optimistic now that Williams is running as the starting flanker in coordinator Dirk Koetter's vertical attack. With a 16.6 yards-per-catch average and 13 plays of 20 yards or more in 2007, Williams showed surprising downfield ability and may be coming into his own in that area. While Koetter's offense should remain run-heavy because that's where the Jags' best talent is, Williams' outlook would be much brighter with a set role. See if there are more reports on how the Jags plan to rotate their wideouts and if '07 third-rounder Mike Walker can ever return from his chronic knee condition.
Does it Matter that Cedric Benson has <A href="http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4718"">Slimmed Down?
Benson claims he changed his offseason diet and naturally lost weight. He's roughly 10 pounds lighter and reportedly looking quicker than ever. This may be typical summer fluff, especially with ultra promising second-round pick <A href="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=4685">Matt Forte added to Chicago's backfield. Still, Benson desperately needed another step and perhaps he's added one by shedding the lbs.
Coach Lovie Smith says Benson remains the Bears' starter, if only because he's the incumbent. But many coaches will say this time of the year that all positions are up for competition. Lovie didn't and that at least means something. Smith could be trying to build up Ced-B en's confidence or is just being his loyal self. This battle won't play out until August, but more positive reports about Benson's fitness and speed would be welcomed by his many destitute dynasty owners.
<A href="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=3653">Brandon Marshall's Due Date
The AFC's best run-after-the-catch receiver appears to be recovering ahead of schedule from offseason arm surgery. Marshall's cast was removed in early April and he ran routes during mid-May voluntary workouts, defying original projections. But Marshall suffered nerve damage in the arm, isn't catching passes yet, and his legs weren't the problem anyway.
Coach Mike Shanahan expects Marshall to be cleared for receiving drills by June 22. There was initial concern about Marshall's status for Week 1, but the 22nd would be over a month before the start of training camp. If he participates to the extent Shanahan anticipates, Marshall's recovery will be well ahead of schedule. Also monitor reports of how Marshall looks. If he hasn't lost feeling in the arm and avoids drops, Marshall can safely be considered among the top ten fantasy picks at his position.
Ravens Receiver Shakedown
<A href="http://www.baltimoreravens.ws">baltimoreravens.com
<A href="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=3621">Demetrius Williams has been the Ravens' most intriguing receiver since he was drafted in the 2006 fourth round. He's a deep threat with good size (6'2/197), but has struggled to stay consistent as a pro. Williams has to intrigue new Baltimore offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, who like mentor Norv Turner loves bigguns at wideout. However, an Achilles' tendon injury has limited Williams early on. Healthy incumbent <A href="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=3150">Mark Clayton, who goes 5'10/195 and isn't too dissimilar from former Cameron disciple <A href="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=607">Eric Parker, appears the favorite to start opposite <A href="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=222">Derrick Mason as it stands. But Cameron wants to use three receivers in his base set this year, and ideally the three-wide look will consist of Williams, Mason, and Clayton.
The sleeper in all this is 6'2/212-pound rookie <A href="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=4873"><A href="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=4771">Marcus Smith, a fourth-round pick from New Mexico. Williams has Smith to worry about just for the third receiver position. It's hard to imagine much production coming out of Baltimore's passing game in Cameron's debut season, but the one-time Dolphins head coach has been known to quickly develop players before. This is a situation to monitor in deep leagues.