For years the Arizona Cardinals have been good for one thing—taking up space. Their best season came back in 2001 when they won seven games. Last season they were a paltry 5-11. Could this season really be any different? Since the Arizona Cardinals had money to spend this off-season, they went out and picked up running back Edgerrin James. Will this move be enough to propel the hapless Arizona Cardinals into a possible playoff scenario?
Quarterback
It’s hard to believe that Kurt Warner is still around. He had some great years, but he’s highly injury prone. When Warner is healthy and on his game he can toss 300 yard games with the best of them. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen very often. If Warner goes down, the Arizona Cardinals have no viable replacement. It’s really going to come down to the offense line protecting their quarterback. Perhaps the addition of a superstar running back will help some.
Running Back
Anyone that’s been watching the NFL for a least one year knows the name Edgerrin James. He’s a former cog in the wheel of the Indianapolis Colts high-powered offense. Now he comes to the desert hoping to revive a struggling offense. The Arizona Cardinals had been lacking a good rushing attack. Now that James is in camp, that problem looks to be solved. Practically overnight the Arizona Cardinals go from having a nonexistent running game to being one of the best in the NFC.
Receivers
There’s little to argue about when it comes to the receiving unit for the Arizona Cardinals. First, you have Larry Fitzgerald who’s a big-play receiver. He made the Pro Bowl last season, and he should play very well again. Next, there’s Anquan Boldin. While he’s not going to burn cornerbacks down the field, he’s a solid possession receiver. Finally, there’s Leonard Pope. He’s a rookie out of Georgia who’s fast and athletic. He could be the next good tight end in the NFL. All of these guys have one thing in common—they’re young.
Defense and Special Teams
The defense of the Arizona Cardinals is lacking. It’s a mix of aging veterans, inexperienced starters and injury prone players. The defensive unit really needs the offense to step it up, because they’re not going to stop anyone. The secondary of the Arizona Cardinals is pretty bad and the team didn’t draft anyone to help fill the gaps. The Cardinals have a pretty decent special teams unit, which is anchored by a Pro Bowl kicker Neil Rackers and former Pro Bowl punter Scott player. During the preseason, the Arizona Cardinals will be looking for a solid return man.
2006 Prediction
While Arizona Cardinals fans are extremely optimistic thanks partly to the addition of Edgerrin James, they should temper their hope a bit. It’s been quite a while since the Arizona Cardinals have won over seven games and this doesn’t seem to be the year they will do it. Their schedule is fairly meaty with a healthy dose of better teams. If the Cardinals can beat the weaker teams, like San Francisco, Oakland and Detroit, they might get to six or seven wins this season. In the end, it should be another losing season.
Posts Tagged ‘Preview’
Arizona Cardinals Preview 2006
Thursday, January 14th, 2010Dwayne Bryant’s 2006 Afc East Preview
Friday, January 1st, 2010Bullseye-Sports. com’s Dwayne Bryant gives his thoughts and predictions on the AFC East for the upcoming season. Teams are listed in their predicted order of finish.
1. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Offense: QB Tom Brady is without a doubt one of the best QBs in the game. With a nearly non-existent running game in 2005, Brady was called on to carry the load - and he responded with a big year. Brady threw for 4,110 yards and 26 TDs with a 92. 3 QB rating. The Pats drafted RB Laurence Maroney as insurance for the aging Dillon. The receiving corps is suspect except for former Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch. David Givens left for Tennessee, leaving the Pats without a solid #2 WR. They drafted Chad Jackson to compete with Reche Caldwell. Look for more production from the TE position, where Ben Watson is poised for a breakout season. Daniel Graham is another viable option from the TE position. Brady spreads the ball around very well and makes his teammates better. As long as he stays healthy, the offense will continue to produce.
Defense: This isn’t the same defense that led the Pats to three Super Bowl titles, but it also isn’t the same unit that looked awful at times last season. This defense is aging and lacks the depth at LB it once had. But Bill Belichick is a defensive guru who won’t allow this unit to slip too far, injuries not withstanding. DE Richard Seymour leads a solid d-line. Rosevelt Colvin is a quality substitute for the departed Willie McGinest. Tedy Bruschi returned from a stroke to lead the LB corps. The front seven is sound, but the secondary needs to stay healthy in 2006. Rodney Harrison returns from injury and veterans SS Tebucky Jones and CB Eric Warfield were brought in. This defense will return to elite status as long as the injury bug doesn’t pay another visit.
Special Teams: Kicker Adam Vinatieri left for Indianapolis and the Pats may regret letting him test the free-agent market. They signed former Bucs kicker Martin Gramatica, but you can expect to see other kickers competing for the job. This will almost certainly come back to haunt them in close games.
Prediction: If Brady and the secondary stay healthy, New England will once again win the AFC East. But they better look over their shoulders because Miami is closing the gap.
2. MIAMI DOLPHINS
Offense: The arrival of QB Daunte Culpepper has fueled optimism in Miami. Joey Harrington has also been brought in just in case Culpepper isn’t ready for Week One. If Daunte can return to prior form, this offense will be a force to reckon with. Ricky Williams’ suspension paves the way for RB Ronnie Brown to carry the load. But can he carry that load? He shared carries at Auburn with Cadillac Williams and shared carries here last season with Ricky Williams. WR Chris Chambers erupted for 82 catches, 1,118 yards and 11 TDs in 2005. He should easily match those numbers this season. Culpepper threw to the TE a lot in Minny, so expect Randy McMichael to have a productive season as well. Miami added LT L. J. Shelton to bolster an up-and-coming offensive line.
Defense: Miami was second in the NFL last season and tied a franchise record by tallying 49 sacks, led by 12 from Jason Taylor. This group is aging and lacks quality depth. Taylor wreaked havoc in 2005, moving all over the front line and sometimes dropping into coverage. LB Zach Thomas is great at reading plays and getting to the ball, but he’s 32 and missed a ton of time in 2005. Youngsters such as LB Channing Crowder, DEs Rodrique and Manuel Wright must step up. The secondary needs first-round draft pick Jason Allen to make an immediate impact. This defense still appears to be in a state of transition. Lucky for them, they have the offensively inept Bills and Jets in their division.
Special Teams: Wes Welker is a fairly productive kickoff returner. Kicker Olindo Mare connected on 83. 3% of his FG tries last season.
Prediction: Miami will definitely finish no worse than second in this division. If the defense plays well, the Dolphins could overtake the Patriots and win the AFC East. Expect at least a Wildcard playoff berth for Miami.
3. BUFFALO BILLS
Offense: Buffalo’s problems start at QB. J. P. Losman was shaky at best in 2005 and needs more time to develop. Kelly Holcomb is only marginally better and I can’t see Craig Nall being any more than a third-stringer. Maybe even more of a problem is the lack of talent and depth along the offensive line. This unit couldn’t protect the QB or open running lanes for Willis McGahee last season. It’s a real testament to his ability that McGahee was able to rush for 1,247 yards with no blocking and no help from the passing game. Lee Evans is the go-to WR with Eric Moulds in Houston. Peerless Price returns to compete with Andre Davis for the #2 WR spot. No protection and not enough weapons means this group will struggle in a major way.
Defense: The Bills defense couldn’t stop the run or the pass last season. Their yards-allowed-per-carry went from 3. 6 in 2004 to 4. 5 last season. Why? Well, I’d say DT Pat Williams going to Minnesota had a lot to do with it. While the Bills allowed almost a full yard per carry more without him, the Vikings trimmed their yards-allowed-per-carry from 4. 6 down to 4. 0 with Williams anchoring the middle. Coincidence? I don’t think so. LB Takeo Spikes returns from an Achilles injury. Buffalo needs him to return to his playmaking ways. London Fletcher is also a talent at LB. They still have solid CBs Nate Clements and Terrence McGee in the secondary and draft picks Donte Whitner and Ko Simpson should help this unit improve over its 2005 performance. They’ll need a few of their rookies to make an immediate impact if this defense expects to even get close to its 2004 productivity.
Special Teams: Terrence McGee led the NFL in 2005 with a 30. 2-yard kickoff-return average. Kicker Rian Lindell nailed 29 of his 35 FG tries.
Prediction: Too many holes in too many places and too many question marks on both sides of the ball. Buffalo is destined for a top-ten draft pick in 2007.
4. NEW YORK JETS
Offense: Two shoulder surgeries have left everyone wondering whether or not Chad Pennington is the man for the Jets. They brought in Patrick Ramsey from the Redskins as insurance, but his ability is questionable as well. They might be inclined to throw rookie Kellen Clemens into the fire. That’d be a huge mistake, in my opinion, behind this Swiss cheese of an offensive line. Curtis Martin’s string of 1,000-yard seasons came to an end last season thanks to injuries. At age 33, Martin will see his role reduced in order to keep him healthy longer. Cedric Houston, Derrick Blaylock and rookie Leon Washington will all see carries. WRs Laveranues Coles and Justin McCareins are big-play guys, but the QB situation keeps them from producing. Either Doug Jolley or Chris Baker will have to step up at TE. Drafting D’Brickashaw Ferguson was a huge step in repairing the o-line. The o-line of 2006 will have a whole new look at that means it’ll take some time to gel.
Defense: The Jets are transitioning into a 3-4 defensive scheme. New coach Eric Mangini used the 3-4 in New England and hopes to make it work here. However, switches such as this usually take some time to yield positive results. It doesn’t appear to me that the Jets have the right pieces for this puzzle. They lack a mammoth nose tackle to gobble up blockers and free up the LBs to make plays. DT Dewayne Robertson is the closest thing they have, but he suffers from chronic knee ailments. The run D will struggle once again. LB Jonathan Vilma is very talented, but the 3-4 requires him to take on blocks and he’s just too small for that role. Ty Law was released and picked up by the Chiefs, leaving the secondary with questions as well. Too many holes and too many changes equal another long season for the Jets D.
Special Teams: Justin Miller led the NFL in kickoff return yards with 1,577. He also had one TD. Rookie kicker Mike Nugent made 22 of 28 FG attempts, including 17 of his last 19 tries.
Prediction: Like the Bills, the Jets appear to be headed toward a top-ten pick in the 2007 draft.
FINAL THOUGHTS: This division is clearly split in half. The Patriots and Dolphins will battle for the division crown while the Bills and Jets fight to stay out of the basement. The Dolphins could very well win the division this year. Both New England and Miami should see playoff action.
AFC West preview: San Diego Chargers backed to win for the 4th time
Sunday, December 13th, 2009The San Diego Chargers compete in the Western Division of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). So far the Chargers have won the AFC West championship 10 times in 979, 1980, 1981, 1992, 1994, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008. The team is backed to win the AFC West title for the fourth consecutive time this year. Die hard fans of the San Diego Chargers should be ready to cheer the team and help them win the title. Buy exciting San Diego Chargers merchandise and make sure everyone around you knows that you support the great Chargers. San Diego Chargers - Working towards their AFC West title The San Diego Chargers are in great form at the moment as they hope to win the AFC West title for the 4th consecutive time. Fans believe that anything short of a Super Bowl will be a letdown. The team has talented and experienced players which makes them a superior team in the AFC West. Hence winning the AFC West title should still be a given in 2009. Â The San Diego Chargers have a strong offence. With Darren Sproles and Tomlinson, who’s expected to return to his old form, the Chargers offense should be tough to stop. The Chargers will appear strong in defense with the addition of first-round pick Larry English. Last year, Merriman’s absence made the Chargers appear weak on the defense side but this year they are sure to get back to being a mean, feisty squad. New additions to the San Diego Chargers merchandise range will also be unveiled to coincide with their winning form. Overall the Chargers appear to be a strong team. If they are able to use their talent they are sure to win AFC West title and also the Super Bowl title. Log on to a San Diego Chargers merchandise outlet and grab as much San Diego Chargers merchandise as you can. Let everyone know of your passion for the team by owning San Diego Chargers merchandise. Others teams in the AFC West Division Oakland Raiders The Oakland Raiders have not won an AFC West Division title since 2002 and experts expect the losing trend to continue for the Raiders in 2009. Their preseason performance was rated as awful by the critics. In fact, it was said to be worse than any other team in the league. It therefore appears that the team is going to maintain its losing record. In 2008, the Raiders became the first team in NFL history to lose at least 11 games in 6 straight seasons. The team’s defense has major issues. However, the inclusion of Seymour in the team may prove to be of a help. Kansas City Chiefs The Kansas City Chiefs have won an AFC West Division title just 5 times in 1971, 1993, 1995, 1997 and 2003. Over the years, performance of the Chiefs has gone down, with last season being particularly bad for the team. In the 2008 season, the Chiefs ended with a franchise worst 2-14 record. They lost 2 games by 24 point margins against the Falcons and Titans and a 34-0 shut-out to the Carolina Panthers and allowed a franchise-high 54 points against the Buffalo Bills. The Kansas City Chiefs ranked 4th in the AFC West Division last year and they have not shown any significant reason for us to assume that they will win the title in 2009. Denver Broncos Prospects for Denver Broncos to win the AFC West title are not strong. Even though the team has hired new head coach, Josh McDaniels who has made some roster overhauls, the position of the team has still not improved. The team’s defense was bad last season and the current roaster was not upgraded. With the position of the other teams being not so great or to be more precisely worse, the San Diego Chargers are expected to win the AFC West title very easily. Fans have all the reasons to indulge themselves with exciting San Diego Chargers merchandise and let the whole world know that they support the Chargers.
Dwayne Bryant’s 2006 Afc East Preview
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009Bullseye-Sports. com’s Dwayne Bryant gives his thoughts and predictions on the AFC East for the upcoming season. Teams are listed in their predicted order of finish.
1. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Offense: QB Tom Brady is without a doubt one of the best QBs in the game. With a nearly non-existent running game in 2005, Brady was called on to carry the load - and he responded with a big year. Brady threw for 4,110 yards and 26 TDs with a 92. 3 QB rating. The Pats drafted RB Laurence Maroney as insurance for the aging Dillon. The receiving corps is suspect except for former Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch. David Givens left for Tennessee, leaving the Pats without a solid #2 WR. They drafted Chad Jackson to compete with Reche Caldwell. Look for more production from the TE position, where Ben Watson is poised for a breakout season. Daniel Graham is another viable option from the TE position. Brady spreads the ball around very well and makes his teammates better. As long as he stays healthy, the offense will continue to produce.
Defense: This isn’t the same defense that led the Pats to three Super Bowl titles, but it also isn’t the same unit that looked awful at times last season. This defense is aging and lacks the depth at LB it once had. But Bill Belichick is a defensive guru who won’t allow this unit to slip too far, injuries not withstanding. DE Richard Seymour leads a solid d-line. Rosevelt Colvin is a quality substitute for the departed Willie McGinest. Tedy Bruschi returned from a stroke to lead the LB corps. The front seven is sound, but the secondary needs to stay healthy in 2006. Rodney Harrison returns from injury and veterans SS Tebucky Jones and CB Eric Warfield were brought in. This defense will return to elite status as long as the injury bug doesn’t pay another visit.
Special Teams: Kicker Adam Vinatieri left for Indianapolis and the Pats may regret letting him test the free-agent market. They signed former Bucs kicker Martin Gramatica, but you can expect to see other kickers competing for the job. This will almost certainly come back to haunt them in close games.
Prediction: If Brady and the secondary stay healthy, New England will once again win the AFC East. But they better look over their shoulders because Miami is closing the gap.
2. MIAMI DOLPHINS
Offense: The arrival of QB Daunte Culpepper has fueled optimism in Miami. Joey Harrington has also been brought in just in case Culpepper isn’t ready for Week One. If Daunte can return to prior form, this offense will be a force to reckon with. Ricky Williams’ suspension paves the way for RB Ronnie Brown to carry the load. But can he carry that load? He shared carries at Auburn with Cadillac Williams and shared carries here last season with Ricky Williams. WR Chris Chambers erupted for 82 catches, 1,118 yards and 11 TDs in 2005. He should easily match those numbers this season. Culpepper threw to the TE a lot in Minny, so expect Randy McMichael to have a productive season as well. Miami added LT L. J. Shelton to bolster an up-and-coming offensive line.
Defense: Miami was second in the NFL last season and tied a franchise record by tallying 49 sacks, led by 12 from Jason Taylor. This group is aging and lacks quality depth. Taylor wreaked havoc in 2005, moving all over the front line and sometimes dropping into coverage. LB Zach Thomas is great at reading plays and getting to the ball, but he’s 32 and missed a ton of time in 2005. Youngsters such as LB Channing Crowder, DEs Rodrique and Manuel Wright must step up. The secondary needs first-round draft pick Jason Allen to make an immediate impact. This defense still appears to be in a state of transition. Lucky for them, they have the offensively inept Bills and Jets in their division.
Special Teams: Wes Welker is a fairly productive kickoff returner. Kicker Olindo Mare connected on 83. 3% of his FG tries last season.
Prediction: Miami will definitely finish no worse than second in this division. If the defense plays well, the Dolphins could overtake the Patriots and win the AFC East. Expect at least a Wildcard playoff berth for Miami.
3. BUFFALO BILLS
Offense: Buffalo’s problems start at QB. J. P. Losman was shaky at best in 2005 and needs more time to develop. Kelly Holcomb is only marginally better and I can’t see Craig Nall being any more than a third-stringer. Maybe even more of a problem is the lack of talent and depth along the offensive line. This unit couldn’t protect the QB or open running lanes for Willis McGahee last season. It’s a real testament to his ability that McGahee was able to rush for 1,247 yards with no blocking and no help from the passing game. Lee Evans is the go-to WR with Eric Moulds in Houston. Peerless Price returns to compete with Andre Davis for the #2 WR spot. No protection and not enough weapons means this group will struggle in a major way.
Defense: The Bills defense couldn’t stop the run or the pass last season. Their yards-allowed-per-carry went from 3. 6 in 2004 to 4. 5 last season. Why? Well, I’d say DT Pat Williams going to Minnesota had a lot to do with it. While the Bills allowed almost a full yard per carry more without him, the Vikings trimmed their yards-allowed-per-carry from 4. 6 down to 4. 0 with Williams anchoring the middle. Coincidence? I don’t think so. LB Takeo Spikes returns from an Achilles injury. Buffalo needs him to return to his playmaking ways. London Fletcher is also a talent at LB. They still have solid CBs Nate Clements and Terrence McGee in the secondary and draft picks Donte Whitner and Ko Simpson should help this unit improve over its 2005 performance. They’ll need a few of their rookies to make an immediate impact if this defense expects to even get close to its 2004 productivity.
Special Teams: Terrence McGee led the NFL in 2005 with a 30. 2-yard kickoff-return average. Kicker Rian Lindell nailed 29 of his 35 FG tries.
Prediction: Too many holes in too many places and too many question marks on both sides of the ball. Buffalo is destined for a top-ten draft pick in 2007.
4. NEW YORK JETS
Offense: Two shoulder surgeries have left everyone wondering whether or not Chad Pennington is the man for the Jets. They brought in Patrick Ramsey from the Redskins as insurance, but his ability is questionable as well. They might be inclined to throw rookie Kellen Clemens into the fire. That’d be a huge mistake, in my opinion, behind this Swiss cheese of an offensive line. Curtis Martin’s string of 1,000-yard seasons came to an end last season thanks to injuries. At age 33, Martin will see his role reduced in order to keep him healthy longer. Cedric Houston, Derrick Blaylock and rookie Leon Washington will all see carries. WRs Laveranues Coles and Justin McCareins are big-play guys, but the QB situation keeps them from producing. Either Doug Jolley or Chris Baker will have to step up at TE. Drafting D’Brickashaw Ferguson was a huge step in repairing the o-line. The o-line of 2006 will have a whole new look at that means it’ll take some time to gel.
Defense: The Jets are transitioning into a 3-4 defensive scheme. New coach Eric Mangini used the 3-4 in New England and hopes to make it work here. However, switches such as this usually take some time to yield positive results. It doesn’t appear to me that the Jets have the right pieces for this puzzle. They lack a mammoth nose tackle to gobble up blockers and free up the LBs to make plays. DT Dewayne Robertson is the closest thing they have, but he suffers from chronic knee ailments. The run D will struggle once again. LB Jonathan Vilma is very talented, but the 3-4 requires him to take on blocks and he’s just too small for that role. Ty Law was released and picked up by the Chiefs, leaving the secondary with questions as well. Too many holes and too many changes equal another long season for the Jets D.
Special Teams: Justin Miller led the NFL in kickoff return yards with 1,577. He also had one TD. Rookie kicker Mike Nugent made 22 of 28 FG attempts, including 17 of his last 19 tries.
Prediction: Like the Bills, the Jets appear to be headed toward a top-ten pick in the 2007 draft.
FINAL THOUGHTS: This division is clearly split in half. The Patriots and Dolphins will battle for the division crown while the Bills and Jets fight to stay out of the basement. The Dolphins could very well win the division this year. Both New England and Miami should see playoff action.
Dwayne Bryant’s 2006 Afc East Preview
Tuesday, December 1st, 2009Bullseye-Sports. com’s Dwayne Bryant gives his thoughts and predictions on the AFC East for the upcoming season. Teams are listed in their predicted order of finish.
1. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Offense: QB Tom Brady is without a doubt one of the best QBs in the game. With a nearly non-existent running game in 2005, Brady was called on to carry the load - and he responded with a big year. Brady threw for 4,110 yards and 26 TDs with a 92. 3 QB rating. The Pats drafted RB Laurence Maroney as insurance for the aging Dillon. The receiving corps is suspect except for former Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch. David Givens left for Tennessee, leaving the Pats without a solid #2 WR. They drafted Chad Jackson to compete with Reche Caldwell. Look for more production from the TE position, where Ben Watson is poised for a breakout season. Daniel Graham is another viable option from the TE position. Brady spreads the ball around very well and makes his teammates better. As long as he stays healthy, the offense will continue to produce.
Defense: This isn’t the same defense that led the Pats to three Super Bowl titles, but it also isn’t the same unit that looked awful at times last season. This defense is aging and lacks the depth at LB it once had. But Bill Belichick is a defensive guru who won’t allow this unit to slip too far, injuries not withstanding. DE Richard Seymour leads a solid d-line. Rosevelt Colvin is a quality substitute for the departed Willie McGinest. Tedy Bruschi returned from a stroke to lead the LB corps. The front seven is sound, but the secondary needs to stay healthy in 2006. Rodney Harrison returns from injury and veterans SS Tebucky Jones and CB Eric Warfield were brought in. This defense will return to elite status as long as the injury bug doesn’t pay another visit.
Special Teams: Kicker Adam Vinatieri left for Indianapolis and the Pats may regret letting him test the free-agent market. They signed former Bucs kicker Martin Gramatica, but you can expect to see other kickers competing for the job. This will almost certainly come back to haunt them in close games.
Prediction: If Brady and the secondary stay healthy, New England will once again win the AFC East. But they better look over their shoulders because Miami is closing the gap.
2. MIAMI DOLPHINS
Offense: The arrival of QB Daunte Culpepper has fueled optimism in Miami. Joey Harrington has also been brought in just in case Culpepper isn’t ready for Week One. If Daunte can return to prior form, this offense will be a force to reckon with. Ricky Williams’ suspension paves the way for RB Ronnie Brown to carry the load. But can he carry that load? He shared carries at Auburn with Cadillac Williams and shared carries here last season with Ricky Williams. WR Chris Chambers erupted for 82 catches, 1,118 yards and 11 TDs in 2005. He should easily match those numbers this season. Culpepper threw to the TE a lot in Minny, so expect Randy McMichael to have a productive season as well. Miami added LT L. J. Shelton to bolster an up-and-coming offensive line.
Defense: Miami was second in the NFL last season and tied a franchise record by tallying 49 sacks, led by 12 from Jason Taylor. This group is aging and lacks quality depth. Taylor wreaked havoc in 2005, moving all over the front line and sometimes dropping into coverage. LB Zach Thomas is great at reading plays and getting to the ball, but he’s 32 and missed a ton of time in 2005. Youngsters such as LB Channing Crowder, DEs Rodrique and Manuel Wright must step up. The secondary needs first-round draft pick Jason Allen to make an immediate impact. This defense still appears to be in a state of transition. Lucky for them, they have the offensively inept Bills and Jets in their division.
Special Teams: Wes Welker is a fairly productive kickoff returner. Kicker Olindo Mare connected on 83. 3% of his FG tries last season.
Prediction: Miami will definitely finish no worse than second in this division. If the defense plays well, the Dolphins could overtake the Patriots and win the AFC East. Expect at least a Wildcard playoff berth for Miami.
3. BUFFALO BILLS
Offense: Buffalo’s problems start at QB. J. P. Losman was shaky at best in 2005 and needs more time to develop. Kelly Holcomb is only marginally better and I can’t see Craig Nall being any more than a third-stringer. Maybe even more of a problem is the lack of talent and depth along the offensive line. This unit couldn’t protect the QB or open running lanes for Willis McGahee last season. It’s a real testament to his ability that McGahee was able to rush for 1,247 yards with no blocking and no help from the passing game. Lee Evans is the go-to WR with Eric Moulds in Houston. Peerless Price returns to compete with Andre Davis for the #2 WR spot. No protection and not enough weapons means this group will struggle in a major way.
Defense: The Bills defense couldn’t stop the run or the pass last season. Their yards-allowed-per-carry went from 3. 6 in 2004 to 4. 5 last season. Why? Well, I’d say DT Pat Williams going to Minnesota had a lot to do with it. While the Bills allowed almost a full yard per carry more without him, the Vikings trimmed their yards-allowed-per-carry from 4. 6 down to 4. 0 with Williams anchoring the middle. Coincidence? I don’t think so. LB Takeo Spikes returns from an Achilles injury. Buffalo needs him to return to his playmaking ways. London Fletcher is also a talent at LB. They still have solid CBs Nate Clements and Terrence McGee in the secondary and draft picks Donte Whitner and Ko Simpson should help this unit improve over its 2005 performance. They’ll need a few of their rookies to make an immediate impact if this defense expects to even get close to its 2004 productivity.
Special Teams: Terrence McGee led the NFL in 2005 with a 30. 2-yard kickoff-return average. Kicker Rian Lindell nailed 29 of his 35 FG tries.
Prediction: Too many holes in too many places and too many question marks on both sides of the ball. Buffalo is destined for a top-ten draft pick in 2007.
4. NEW YORK JETS
Offense: Two shoulder surgeries have left everyone wondering whether or not Chad Pennington is the man for the Jets. They brought in Patrick Ramsey from the Redskins as insurance, but his ability is questionable as well. They might be inclined to throw rookie Kellen Clemens into the fire. That’d be a huge mistake, in my opinion, behind this Swiss cheese of an offensive line. Curtis Martin’s string of 1,000-yard seasons came to an end last season thanks to injuries. At age 33, Martin will see his role reduced in order to keep him healthy longer. Cedric Houston, Derrick Blaylock and rookie Leon Washington will all see carries. WRs Laveranues Coles and Justin McCareins are big-play guys, but the QB situation keeps them from producing. Either Doug Jolley or Chris Baker will have to step up at TE. Drafting D’Brickashaw Ferguson was a huge step in repairing the o-line. The o-line of 2006 will have a whole new look at that means it’ll take some time to gel.
Defense: The Jets are transitioning into a 3-4 defensive scheme. New coach Eric Mangini used the 3-4 in New England and hopes to make it work here. However, switches such as this usually take some time to yield positive results. It doesn’t appear to me that the Jets have the right pieces for this puzzle. They lack a mammoth nose tackle to gobble up blockers and free up the LBs to make plays. DT Dewayne Robertson is the closest thing they have, but he suffers from chronic knee ailments. The run D will struggle once again. LB Jonathan Vilma is very talented, but the 3-4 requires him to take on blocks and he’s just too small for that role. Ty Law was released and picked up by the Chiefs, leaving the secondary with questions as well. Too many holes and too many changes equal another long season for the Jets D.
Special Teams: Justin Miller led the NFL in kickoff return yards with 1,577. He also had one TD. Rookie kicker Mike Nugent made 22 of 28 FG attempts, including 17 of his last 19 tries.
Prediction: Like the Bills, the Jets appear to be headed toward a top-ten pick in the 2007 draft.
FINAL THOUGHTS: This division is clearly split in half. The Patriots and Dolphins will battle for the division crown while the Bills and Jets fight to stay out of the basement. The Dolphins could very well win the division this year. Both New England and Miami should see playoff action.
Dwayne Bryant’s 2006 Afc East Preview
Friday, November 27th, 2009Bullseye-Sports. com’s Dwayne Bryant gives his thoughts and predictions on the AFC East for the upcoming season. Teams are listed in their predicted order of finish.
1. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Offense: QB Tom Brady is without a doubt one of the best QBs in the game. With a nearly non-existent running game in 2005, Brady was called on to carry the load - and he responded with a big year. Brady threw for 4,110 yards and 26 TDs with a 92. 3 QB rating. The Pats drafted RB Laurence Maroney as insurance for the aging Dillon. The receiving corps is suspect except for former Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch. David Givens left for Tennessee, leaving the Pats without a solid #2 WR. They drafted Chad Jackson to compete with Reche Caldwell. Look for more production from the TE position, where Ben Watson is poised for a breakout season. Daniel Graham is another viable option from the TE position. Brady spreads the ball around very well and makes his teammates better. As long as he stays healthy, the offense will continue to produce.
Defense: This isn’t the same defense that led the Pats to three Super Bowl titles, but it also isn’t the same unit that looked awful at times last season. This defense is aging and lacks the depth at LB it once had. But Bill Belichick is a defensive guru who won’t allow this unit to slip too far, injuries not withstanding. DE Richard Seymour leads a solid d-line. Rosevelt Colvin is a quality substitute for the departed Willie McGinest. Tedy Bruschi returned from a stroke to lead the LB corps. The front seven is sound, but the secondary needs to stay healthy in 2006. Rodney Harrison returns from injury and veterans SS Tebucky Jones and CB Eric Warfield were brought in. This defense will return to elite status as long as the injury bug doesn’t pay another visit.
Special Teams: Kicker Adam Vinatieri left for Indianapolis and the Pats may regret letting him test the free-agent market. They signed former Bucs kicker Martin Gramatica, but you can expect to see other kickers competing for the job. This will almost certainly come back to haunt them in close games.
Prediction: If Brady and the secondary stay healthy, New England will once again win the AFC East. But they better look over their shoulders because Miami is closing the gap.
2. MIAMI DOLPHINS
Offense: The arrival of QB Daunte Culpepper has fueled optimism in Miami. Joey Harrington has also been brought in just in case Culpepper isn’t ready for Week One. If Daunte can return to prior form, this offense will be a force to reckon with. Ricky Williams’ suspension paves the way for RB Ronnie Brown to carry the load. But can he carry that load? He shared carries at Auburn with Cadillac Williams and shared carries here last season with Ricky Williams. WR Chris Chambers erupted for 82 catches, 1,118 yards and 11 TDs in 2005. He should easily match those numbers this season. Culpepper threw to the TE a lot in Minny, so expect Randy McMichael to have a productive season as well. Miami added LT L. J. Shelton to bolster an up-and-coming offensive line.
Defense: Miami was second in the NFL last season and tied a franchise record by tallying 49 sacks, led by 12 from Jason Taylor. This group is aging and lacks quality depth. Taylor wreaked havoc in 2005, moving all over the front line and sometimes dropping into coverage. LB Zach Thomas is great at reading plays and getting to the ball, but he’s 32 and missed a ton of time in 2005. Youngsters such as LB Channing Crowder, DEs Rodrique and Manuel Wright must step up. The secondary needs first-round draft pick Jason Allen to make an immediate impact. This defense still appears to be in a state of transition. Lucky for them, they have the offensively inept Bills and Jets in their division.
Special Teams: Wes Welker is a fairly productive kickoff returner. Kicker Olindo Mare connected on 83. 3% of his FG tries last season.
Prediction: Miami will definitely finish no worse than second in this division. If the defense plays well, the Dolphins could overtake the Patriots and win the AFC East. Expect at least a Wildcard playoff berth for Miami.
3. BUFFALO BILLS
Offense: Buffalo’s problems start at QB. J. P. Losman was shaky at best in 2005 and needs more time to develop. Kelly Holcomb is only marginally better and I can’t see Craig Nall being any more than a third-stringer. Maybe even more of a problem is the lack of talent and depth along the offensive line. This unit couldn’t protect the QB or open running lanes for Willis McGahee last season. It’s a real testament to his ability that McGahee was able to rush for 1,247 yards with no blocking and no help from the passing game. Lee Evans is the go-to WR with Eric Moulds in Houston. Peerless Price returns to compete with Andre Davis for the #2 WR spot. No protection and not enough weapons means this group will struggle in a major way.
Defense: The Bills defense couldn’t stop the run or the pass last season. Their yards-allowed-per-carry went from 3. 6 in 2004 to 4. 5 last season. Why? Well, I’d say DT Pat Williams going to Minnesota had a lot to do with it. While the Bills allowed almost a full yard per carry more without him, the Vikings trimmed their yards-allowed-per-carry from 4. 6 down to 4. 0 with Williams anchoring the middle. Coincidence? I don’t think so. LB Takeo Spikes returns from an Achilles injury. Buffalo needs him to return to his playmaking ways. London Fletcher is also a talent at LB. They still have solid CBs Nate Clements and Terrence McGee in the secondary and draft picks Donte Whitner and Ko Simpson should help this unit improve over its 2005 performance. They’ll need a few of their rookies to make an immediate impact if this defense expects to even get close to its 2004 productivity.
Special Teams: Terrence McGee led the NFL in 2005 with a 30. 2-yard kickoff-return average. Kicker Rian Lindell nailed 29 of his 35 FG tries.
Prediction: Too many holes in too many places and too many question marks on both sides of the ball. Buffalo is destined for a top-ten draft pick in 2007.
4. NEW YORK JETS
Offense: Two shoulder surgeries have left everyone wondering whether or not Chad Pennington is the man for the Jets. They brought in Patrick Ramsey from the Redskins as insurance, but his ability is questionable as well. They might be inclined to throw rookie Kellen Clemens into the fire. That’d be a huge mistake, in my opinion, behind this Swiss cheese of an offensive line. Curtis Martin’s string of 1,000-yard seasons came to an end last season thanks to injuries. At age 33, Martin will see his role reduced in order to keep him healthy longer. Cedric Houston, Derrick Blaylock and rookie Leon Washington will all see carries. WRs Laveranues Coles and Justin McCareins are big-play guys, but the QB situation keeps them from producing. Either Doug Jolley or Chris Baker will have to step up at TE. Drafting D’Brickashaw Ferguson was a huge step in repairing the o-line. The o-line of 2006 will have a whole new look at that means it’ll take some time to gel.
Defense: The Jets are transitioning into a 3-4 defensive scheme. New coach Eric Mangini used the 3-4 in New England and hopes to make it work here. However, switches such as this usually take some time to yield positive results. It doesn’t appear to me that the Jets have the right pieces for this puzzle. They lack a mammoth nose tackle to gobble up blockers and free up the LBs to make plays. DT Dewayne Robertson is the closest thing they have, but he suffers from chronic knee ailments. The run D will struggle once again. LB Jonathan Vilma is very talented, but the 3-4 requires him to take on blocks and he’s just too small for that role. Ty Law was released and picked up by the Chiefs, leaving the secondary with questions as well. Too many holes and too many changes equal another long season for the Jets D.
Special Teams: Justin Miller led the NFL in kickoff return yards with 1,577. He also had one TD. Rookie kicker Mike Nugent made 22 of 28 FG attempts, including 17 of his last 19 tries.
Prediction: Like the Bills, the Jets appear to be headed toward a top-ten pick in the 2007 draft.
FINAL THOUGHTS: This division is clearly split in half. The Patriots and Dolphins will battle for the division crown while the Bills and Jets fight to stay out of the basement. The Dolphins could very well win the division this year. Both New England and Miami should see playoff action.
2009 NFL Season Preview
Tuesday, November 24th, 2009Believe it or not the hall of fame game is only a couple weeks away on Sunday August 9th, which kicks off the NFL pre-season and season for that matter. The Class of 2009 includes Bob Hayes, Randall McDaniel, Bruce Smith, Derrick Thomas, Ralph Wilson, Jr. , and Rod Woodson. I know everybody is stoked so here’s a look at some upcoming events leading to the start of the regular season and some news and notes about what will be different this year. 1. Hall of Fame game Sunday Aug. 9th, Bills vs. Titans about 3 weeks. 2. Bears at Broncos Sunday Aug 30th. Bronco fans won’t have to wait long to boo their former quarterback. This is the prime time game during the most important and last tune up for the regular season…should be a good one. 3. Your Fantasy Draft- you may have multiple drafts to look forward to but they should all occur on or after the 3rd preseason game. To have a fair draft the preseason preparations should be completely done so that nobody’s fantasy season will not be ruined by drafting a key player who gets seriously injured in preseason (i. e. Michael Vick 03’, Clinton Portis 06’). 4. Season opener, Tennessee at Pittsburgh Thursday Sept. 10…nuff said. 5. Monday night double-header season opener- Brady’s return Monday Sept. 14th Bills at Pats. Jon Gruden will be joining Tirico and “Jaws” this year, taking over for Tony Kornheiser. Of course there will be no more John Madden this year either, although his ever-famous Madden 2010 video game will be released August 14th. I’m just hoping that Frank Caliendo keeps doing imitations of him…the first time I heard it I was listening to him on a local sports radio station and had to pull over to the side of the road I was laughing so hard. He probably only retired because he finally thought Brett Favre was done, but he continues to make comebacks like nobody’s business. Which leads me to my Super Bowl predictions for 2009. I’m gonna go with Brett and the Vikings vs. the Patroits, with the Pats coming out on top. Good luck in all your fantasy leagues, don’t forget you can sign up with us for a free league at FantasyCrowd!
Dwayne Bryant’s 2006 Afc East Preview
Friday, November 6th, 2009Bullseye-Sports. com’s Dwayne Bryant gives his thoughts and predictions on the AFC East for the upcoming season. Teams are listed in their predicted order of finish.
1. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Offense: QB Tom Brady is without a doubt one of the best QBs in the game. With a nearly non-existent running game in 2005, Brady was called on to carry the load - and he responded with a big year. Brady threw for 4,110 yards and 26 TDs with a 92. 3 QB rating. The Pats drafted RB Laurence Maroney as insurance for the aging Dillon. The receiving corps is suspect except for former Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch. David Givens left for Tennessee, leaving the Pats without a solid #2 WR. They drafted Chad Jackson to compete with Reche Caldwell. Look for more production from the TE position, where Ben Watson is poised for a breakout season. Daniel Graham is another viable option from the TE position. Brady spreads the ball around very well and makes his teammates better. As long as he stays healthy, the offense will continue to produce.
Defense: This isn’t the same defense that led the Pats to three Super Bowl titles, but it also isn’t the same unit that looked awful at times last season. This defense is aging and lacks the depth at LB it once had. But Bill Belichick is a defensive guru who won’t allow this unit to slip too far, injuries not withstanding. DE Richard Seymour leads a solid d-line. Rosevelt Colvin is a quality substitute for the departed Willie McGinest. Tedy Bruschi returned from a stroke to lead the LB corps. The front seven is sound, but the secondary needs to stay healthy in 2006. Rodney Harrison returns from injury and veterans SS Tebucky Jones and CB Eric Warfield were brought in. This defense will return to elite status as long as the injury bug doesn’t pay another visit.
Special Teams: Kicker Adam Vinatieri left for Indianapolis and the Pats may regret letting him test the free-agent market. They signed former Bucs kicker Martin Gramatica, but you can expect to see other kickers competing for the job. This will almost certainly come back to haunt them in close games.
Prediction: If Brady and the secondary stay healthy, New England will once again win the AFC East. But they better look over their shoulders because Miami is closing the gap.
2. MIAMI DOLPHINS
Offense: The arrival of QB Daunte Culpepper has fueled optimism in Miami. Joey Harrington has also been brought in just in case Culpepper isn’t ready for Week One. If Daunte can return to prior form, this offense will be a force to reckon with. Ricky Williams’ suspension paves the way for RB Ronnie Brown to carry the load. But can he carry that load? He shared carries at Auburn with Cadillac Williams and shared carries here last season with Ricky Williams. WR Chris Chambers erupted for 82 catches, 1,118 yards and 11 TDs in 2005. He should easily match those numbers this season. Culpepper threw to the TE a lot in Minny, so expect Randy McMichael to have a productive season as well. Miami added LT L. J. Shelton to bolster an up-and-coming offensive line.
Defense: Miami was second in the NFL last season and tied a franchise record by tallying 49 sacks, led by 12 from Jason Taylor. This group is aging and lacks quality depth. Taylor wreaked havoc in 2005, moving all over the front line and sometimes dropping into coverage. LB Zach Thomas is great at reading plays and getting to the ball, but he’s 32 and missed a ton of time in 2005. Youngsters such as LB Channing Crowder, DEs Rodrique and Manuel Wright must step up. The secondary needs first-round draft pick Jason Allen to make an immediate impact. This defense still appears to be in a state of transition. Lucky for them, they have the offensively inept Bills and Jets in their division.
Special Teams: Wes Welker is a fairly productive kickoff returner. Kicker Olindo Mare connected on 83. 3% of his FG tries last season.
Prediction: Miami will definitely finish no worse than second in this division. If the defense plays well, the Dolphins could overtake the Patriots and win the AFC East. Expect at least a Wildcard playoff berth for Miami.
3. BUFFALO BILLS
Offense: Buffalo’s problems start at QB. J. P. Losman was shaky at best in 2005 and needs more time to develop. Kelly Holcomb is only marginally better and I can’t see Craig Nall being any more than a third-stringer. Maybe even more of a problem is the lack of talent and depth along the offensive line. This unit couldn’t protect the QB or open running lanes for Willis McGahee last season. It’s a real testament to his ability that McGahee was able to rush for 1,247 yards with no blocking and no help from the passing game. Lee Evans is the go-to WR with Eric Moulds in Houston. Peerless Price returns to compete with Andre Davis for the #2 WR spot. No protection and not enough weapons means this group will struggle in a major way.
Defense: The Bills defense couldn’t stop the run or the pass last season. Their yards-allowed-per-carry went from 3. 6 in 2004 to 4. 5 last season. Why? Well, I’d say DT Pat Williams going to Minnesota had a lot to do with it. While the Bills allowed almost a full yard per carry more without him, the Vikings trimmed their yards-allowed-per-carry from 4. 6 down to 4. 0 with Williams anchoring the middle. Coincidence? I don’t think so. LB Takeo Spikes returns from an Achilles injury. Buffalo needs him to return to his playmaking ways. London Fletcher is also a talent at LB. They still have solid CBs Nate Clements and Terrence McGee in the secondary and draft picks Donte Whitner and Ko Simpson should help this unit improve over its 2005 performance. They’ll need a few of their rookies to make an immediate impact if this defense expects to even get close to its 2004 productivity.
Special Teams: Terrence McGee led the NFL in 2005 with a 30. 2-yard kickoff-return average. Kicker Rian Lindell nailed 29 of his 35 FG tries.
Prediction: Too many holes in too many places and too many question marks on both sides of the ball. Buffalo is destined for a top-ten draft pick in 2007.
4. NEW YORK JETS
Offense: Two shoulder surgeries have left everyone wondering whether or not Chad Pennington is the man for the Jets. They brought in Patrick Ramsey from the Redskins as insurance, but his ability is questionable as well. They might be inclined to throw rookie Kellen Clemens into the fire. That’d be a huge mistake, in my opinion, behind this Swiss cheese of an offensive line. Curtis Martin’s string of 1,000-yard seasons came to an end last season thanks to injuries. At age 33, Martin will see his role reduced in order to keep him healthy longer. Cedric Houston, Derrick Blaylock and rookie Leon Washington will all see carries. WRs Laveranues Coles and Justin McCareins are big-play guys, but the QB situation keeps them from producing. Either Doug Jolley or Chris Baker will have to step up at TE. Drafting D’Brickashaw Ferguson was a huge step in repairing the o-line. The o-line of 2006 will have a whole new look at that means it’ll take some time to gel.
Defense: The Jets are transitioning into a 3-4 defensive scheme. New coach Eric Mangini used the 3-4 in New England and hopes to make it work here. However, switches such as this usually take some time to yield positive results. It doesn’t appear to me that the Jets have the right pieces for this puzzle. They lack a mammoth nose tackle to gobble up blockers and free up the LBs to make plays. DT Dewayne Robertson is the closest thing they have, but he suffers from chronic knee ailments. The run D will struggle once again. LB Jonathan Vilma is very talented, but the 3-4 requires him to take on blocks and he’s just too small for that role. Ty Law was released and picked up by the Chiefs, leaving the secondary with questions as well. Too many holes and too many changes equal another long season for the Jets D.
Special Teams: Justin Miller led the NFL in kickoff return yards with 1,577. He also had one TD. Rookie kicker Mike Nugent made 22 of 28 FG attempts, including 17 of his last 19 tries.
Prediction: Like the Bills, the Jets appear to be headed toward a top-ten pick in the 2007 draft.
FINAL THOUGHTS: This division is clearly split in half. The Patriots and Dolphins will battle for the division crown while the Bills and Jets fight to stay out of the basement. The Dolphins could very well win the division this year. Both New England and Miami should see playoff action.
2009 New England Patriots Fantasy Football Preview
Saturday, October 17th, 20092008 witnessed the worst possible nightmare for both fantasy owners and New England Patriots fans alike as QB Tom Brady went down with a torn ACL during the second series of the Patriots opener last year against the Kansas City Chiefs leaving everyone devastated and wondering what course of action to take next. I easily could have been one those owners because I would have selected Brady myself. I had the 5th pick in my draft and it was going to be either Brady or Peyton Manning with that pick (see my previous article ”Draft RB’s Early: Buyer Beware to see why I go with QB’s first) and the owner with the 2nd pick selected Brady leaving me with Manning at number 5. After Brady went down Matt Cassel filled in admirably after not having started a game since high school by leading the Patriots to an 11-5 record despite missing the playoffs. Moreover, Cassel helped countless fantasy owners sustain deep playoff runs on the basis of his back to back 400 yard passing performances during the stretch run. Well, 2008 is behind us kids and the 2009 season is rapidly approaching, Cassel has left to the aforementioned Chiefs, and Brady is expected to be back under center for New England when the Patriots open their season against Terrell Owens and the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. All reports out of New England indicate that Brady is progressing fine but any QB coming off major knee surgery is surely to be rusty as any fantasy owner who had the previously mentioned Manning last year can attest to. Last year I can assure you that I was getting quite frustrated with Manning’s lack of production as he worked the kinks out so to speak (thankfully I had Chris Johnson, Matt Forte, and Calvin Johnson to weather the storm while Manning re-discovered his groove). Moreover, Manning’s injury was not nearly as serious as Brady’s is hence the concern with Brady is even greater. On that note let’s analyze the Patriots fantasy prospects heading into the 2009 season. How effective will Brady be in 2009? Any fantasy owner who drafts Brady expecting him to duplicate his 50 TD season of 2007 is dreaming. Furthermore, like I indicated above Brady will be rusty and it will be a matter of how long it will take him to get back to game form. Do you really want to take Brady if it is going to take him 4-5 weeks to shake the cob webs out? That time length represents at least 1/3 of the fantasy season and if the rest of your roster is not able to properly hold the fort down your season might be over in the blink of an eye. To Brady’s defense he still has an amazing array of weapons to work with Randy Moss, and Wes Welker in the prime of their careers and performing at Pro Bowl levels. Moreover, the team also acquired free agent Joey Galloway from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who although old will provide Brady with another outlet when Welker and Moss receive double coverage. It will be a tough call regarding Brady on draft day depending on how far he falls. I am thinking in my draft Brady will be gone somewhere in the 3rd round. Personally, I am probably leaning towards passing on Brady on account of what I endured from Manning last year. It is tough to play without a QB for the first 4-5 weeks which is what I essentially had to do. In summary, Brady is obviously still an elite fantasy QB but if you take him be leery of the potential risks that you are assuming as he attempts to regain his Pro Bowl form. The Patriots running attack was much more relevant last year than in previous years due to Brady’s knee injury. The Pats as a team combined for 2278 yards the most since the Patriots Super Bowl season of 1985. To his credit former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels orchestrated an offense last year centered around the running game and short passing game to give Cassel the best chance for success. For the most part this philosophy worked as the Pats had a nice season considering the circumstances although just falling short of the playoffs on the last week of the season. In terms of fantasy potential the Patriots running game consists of a collection of players who will mostly serve as reserves for fantasy owners in 2009. Lawrence Maroney has been a huge disappointment since Coach Bill Belichick drafted him 21st overall from the University of Minnesota in the 2006 draft. To start, Maroney similarly to Reggie Bush struggles to run between the tackles and is primarily a sideline to sideline runner. That is if he is healthy which has been a major crux with Maroney since his inception into the NFL. Maroney has never played a full 16 games in his career and has never rushed for 900 yards. Furthermore, he has shown a propensity to fumble which does not endear him to Coach Belichick. At times throughout his career Maroney has shown glimpses of his potential but all glimpses serve to accomplish are to provide a RB with a secondary role on the bench and fantasy owners with unfulfilled seasons. Until he steps up and proves he is a consistent threat on week to week basis I want nothing to do with Maroney unless he falls very deep in my draft. Trust me, you should want nothing to do with Maroney either. Treat Maroney at best a number 3 fantasy RB and more realistically speaking more like a number 4 or 5 RB used very sparingly only in emergency scenarios. The lack of confidence in Maroney led the Pats to sign former Jacksonville Jaguar RB Fred Taylor this off season. Taylor is a borderline Hall of Famer and is the Jag’s all time leader rusher who immediately provides the Patriots with depth at the position along with Sammy Morris. Morris finished the season with a career best 727 yards and 7 TD’s and proved to be a valuable asset down the stretch for fantasy owners with his strong play. However, the addition of Taylor will certainly cut into Morris’ carries so don’t be shocked if you see the former Texas Tech product statistics revert back to what they normally are. BenJarvus Green-Ellis also came out of nowhere to slightly factor into the Patriots running game last year but will be hard pressed to make the team in 2009 with the addition of Taylor. Lamont Jordan the final member of the Pats shuffled backfield committee from ’08 has left for Denver. In summary, the Patriots ball carriers will once again consist of a Motley Crue cast of characters who will combine to give the team a nice complement to Brady’s passing attack but none of whom you want starting on your fantasy team in any capacity. In contrast to their running game the Patriots receiving corps provide fantasy owners with some very solid options on a consistent basis. Moss is still a stud although he is getting older. In 2007 Moss posted his best numbers of his career by catching 98 balls for 1493 and a record setting 23 TD’s. Last year Moss’ numbers dipped but that can be 100% attributed to not having Brady around. With Brady back in the fold look for Moss’ numbers to climb once again and continue to treat him as a surefire number 1 fantasy wideout worthy of a pick in around the early to mid 3rd round. Welker is also a solid fantasy option and on the basis of his last 2 seasons has catapulted up to a borderline number 1 fantasy WR. Personally, I think Welker is just shy of that distinction and I have him rated a very solid number 2 wide out definitely worth the 4th-5th round pick that it will take to get him. As mentioned, the Patriots also have brought in Joey Galloway to add some more Jack Daniels to the punch so to speak. Galloway is no doubt well past his prime but all the NFL GM’s swear that he can still run and if true that will take some of the pressure off Moss and Welker who will now have a third receiver lined up with them that is more than capable of stretching the field. Is Galloway worth drafting at this point in his career? It all depends on what kind of league you are playing in, how many rounds are in your draft, and how many teams are in the league. In my 12 team CBS league which has 18 rounds Galloway will probably be drafted in the late rounds as a flier. In most 16 team leagues he will be drafted as well and probably a little earlier due to the extra teams involved. In short, take a chance on Galloway if you want as a reserve and when I mean reserve I mean that he is your 4th, 5th, or even 6th WR on your roster. He should not be starting under any circumstances not even as a number 3 WR or Flex player. No other receiver on the Pats roster including Sam Aiken, Greg Lewis, or anyone else warrant draft consideration as of this time. I would continue on that note when discussing the Pats TE situation. Benjamin Watson is useless as are both newly acquired Alex Smith (Tampa Bay) and Chris Baker (NYJ). In short, when contemplating possible starters for your fantasy team in the upcoming months focus on Brady his cast of wide outs rather than the TE’s and RB’s. Stephen Gostkowski has filled the large shoes left by Adam Vinatieri nicely and is a worthy fantasy kicker. With kicker’s you are looking for teams that move the ball and score a lot of points. The Patiots meet both criteria so seriously consider Gostkowski come draft day this August. The Patriots defense has been aging for years and Belichik knows it and thus took action during the draft a couple weeks ago by selecting CB Darius Butler out of Connecticut and SS Patrick Chung from Oregon. There is a good chance that both of these players will be starting in ‘09 and they will team with hard hitting S Brandon Meriweather to form a solid young secondary. The Patriots in my estimation are a middle of the road defense that you should be able to start occasionally depending on their opponent. They are not by any means an elite unit at this stage but you could do a lot worse as well. In summary, look for the Patriots star power to rebound with Brady back and to help countless fantasy owners much in the same way that they have for the previous 8-9 years. Just avoid their RB’s and you will be fine. Well, that is it for the AFC East. Next up in my series of 2009 fantasy previews is the AFC South and I will be starting with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Till next time. Have a Bud and a smile.
Florida Gators 2008 College Football Team Preview
Monday, September 28th, 2009The offense, it all starts with quarterback Tim Tebow. Tebow is the Heisman Trophy winner and reigning starts only his third year. Tebow will have a multitude of incredibly talented actors to get the ball, and therefore did not see the full extent of the incredible last season, 32 touchdowns and 23 affected by race.
The Gators are in the wide receiver position, with two tight ends a lot of great talent and experience along the offensive line. Florida is spreading the ball to receivers Percy Harvin, Louis Murphy and Riley Cooper and a deep body of brokers that are very complementary. Second running back Chris Rainey, who also will line up at receiver, was the star of the game this spring.
Florida led the SEC in offense last season and they have a lot of the voting unit. I do not expect the Gators have great difficulty in passing the ball or scoring points in bunches.
The defense of the Gators has appeared to improve as the season progressed. But Michigan completely humiliated with 524 yards of offense in the Capital One Bowl. Coach Urban Meyer responded by bringing two coaches on the defensive again. It also brought a lot of talent in their recruiting class is to improve the defensive aspect of the ball. Meyer also has focused on changes in certain defensive strategies. This season, Meyer plans to play more man coverage.
All-SEC linebacker Brandon Spikes is the cornerstone of the defense of Florida. The Gators will need the help of some of his freshmen, if your defense is improving. The freshmen include cornerback Janor Jenkins, safety Will Hill and defensive tackle Omar Hunter.
On special teams, Florida has a new kicker and probably the true freshman Jacob Sturgis. Sturgis has won the coaches in the game in the spring by the start of one of 60 yards. Sophomore Chas Henry is back as the team kicker. Punting Henry boom has been very difficult for opponents to return last season.
Last season was a rebuilding year for Florida. The Gators have lost a lot of talent in his national championship team of 2006. They have lost four games and not repeat as SEC champions. In my humble opinion, the pieces are in place in Florida for another national title run this season. However, no easy task.
The Gators are in the same division with Georgia, another preseason favorite. Florida also has a very difficult schedule, which consists of the non-conference games against Miami, Florida and Hawaii games away in Tennessee and Arkansas, a home game against LSU, the national champions.
It will not be easy, Florida certainly has the talent to be considered among the preseason favorites in the race for the national championship in 2008.