According to ESPN, Billy Volek has been traded to the Chargers for a late-round draft pick, and will serve as the backup to Phillip Rivers. Considering how badly the Tennessee offense is looking, I’m not sure why they wouldn’t want to keep Volek around as an option, but it appears that if they grow tired of Kerry Collins, they’re ready to move forward with Vince Young…Steve Smith reportedly flew to Alabama to seek a second opinion on his hamstring. This is very bad news for Smith owners as it appears that the hammy is not healing as expected. Don’t be surprised if he misses more time. That sound you’re hearing is Drew Carter‘s stock slowly rising…T.J. Houshmandzadeh should be ready to go in Week 3. It’s time for Housh to strap ’em up.
Month: September 2006 (Page 10 of 30)
So what did we all learn from week two in the NFL?
Indianapolis is still scoring on Houston…
Nobody has scored a touchdown against the Ravens and Falcons…
Chris Simms is really that bad…
Jacksonville’s defense is really that good…
And former Chiefs coordinator Al Saunders has successfully ruined two offenses so far with his move to Washington…
Nothing too crazy with these new rankings:
1. Indianapolis Colts (2-0)
Previous Rank: 2
I guess we’ll find out what the Colts are made out of when they face Jacksonville this Sunday at the RCA Dome. Rookie Joseph Addai got the running game going a little bit for Indy last week (16 carries for 82 yards), but in evidence of Monday night, the Jaguars don’t like running backs gaining more than a foot and a half so Indy better pack a lunch.
2. Cincinnati Bengals (2-0)
Previous Rank: 3
Much like the Colts, we might not see the Bengals this high next week as they travel to Pittsburgh to face a pissed off Steelers team. Cincinnati might be catching the Steelers offense at a right time, however, because Ben Roethlisberger isn’t seeing the field too well at this very moment. The Bengals are banged up on both sides of the ball, but the offense got back on track last week against Cleveland. MVP so far for the Bengals offense isn’t Carson Palmer or Chad Johnson though, it’s RB Rudi Johnson.
3. Baltimore Ravens (2-0)
Previous Rank: 5
Last week it was Michael Pittman getting blasted by MLB Ray Lewis. This week it was Alvis Whitted who lost his helmet on a hit from safety Dawan Landry. This defense is just plain nasty and if the offense can hang tough like it has for the first two weeks, Baltimore might actually turn out to be the team to beat in the tight AFC North.
4. Seattle Seahawks (2-0)
Previous Rank: 4
Remember when the Giants blew a game last year against the Seahawks in overtime, because kicker Jay Feely missed 40.5 field goals? Well, the rematch is set in Seattle for this Sunday. Beating Arizona last weekend isn’t overly impressive, but holding the Cardinals passing attack to under 200 yards certainly is.
5. Chicago Bears (2-0)
Previous Rank: Not Ranked.
Man, there are some tough teams to leave out of this spot – San Diego, Jacksonville, Atlanta, but you have to give it up for the Bears. For once, lets talk about their offensive production with QB Rex Grossman throwing five touchdowns and only one pick so far. He looks confident and head coach Lovie Smith is doing the right thing in giving the majority of the carries to the better running back – Thomas Jones.
28. Green Bay Packers (0-2)
Previous Week: 31
I thought strongly about putting the Buccaneers here, but I’ll wait to see which team is 0-3 between them and the Panthers after next week and reserve this spot for them. Green Bay played hard – they just didn’t play a full four quarters.
29. Cleveland Browns (0-2)
Previous Rank: 28
It’s tough to look good against the Bengals offense. The good news for the Brownies is that they don’t play that explosive of an offense this Sunday. No, they just face the Ravens…
30. Houston Texans (0-2)
Previous Rank: 30
Last week I gave Houston a positive – they were up 7-0 on the Eagles before getting laid out. This week’s positive note: David Carr threw three touchdown passes against the Colts and no interceptions. Oh yeah, and DE Mario Williams has yet to lay a finger on a quarterback so far. Okay, so that wasn’t a positive.
31. Tennessee Titans (0-2)
Previous Rank: 29
At least the Houston Texans have been showing a fight in their games. What a pathetic performance by the Titans against the Chargers last Sunday. They can’t move the ball and Kerry Collins is atrocious. Quit the games Tennessee, the jig is up – just play Vince Young and allow him to gain some experience before this season heads anymore downhill.
32. Oakland Raiders (0-2)
Previous Rank: 32
The Raiders have been outscored 55-6 so far in two games. Oakland has yet to score a touchdown and there are rumors that Art Shell will actually dress and play o-line for the Raiders after their bye week.
The byes start this week, so be sure you don’t sleep on your starting lineup. Post your fantasy football questions here.
Two weeks ago, I discussed Bonzi Wells’ current situation in “Where’s Bonzi?” Well, he’s still a man without a team and he’s since fired his agent (William Phillips) and signed with Merle Scott, an indication that he’s not too happy with the way the summer has gone. There is still interest from several teams, and most recently he met with the Houston Rockets.
After earning $8 million last season, he turned down a five-year, $36 million offer from the Kings, a strong indication that an offer of a mid-level exception would not work. The Kings instead signed John Salmons, and the majority of teams over the cap spent their mid-level exceptions.
The Rockets have just $2.1 million of their mid-level exception remaining to offer unless they can work out a sign-and-trade deal with the Kings. The Rockets have a $4.2 million trade exception in which they could sign a free agent for as much as $4.2 million and send only a draft choice, but as with any sign-and-trade arrangement, that would require an agreement with the Kings.
It looks like Wells may have shot himself in the foot when he turned down the five-year/$36 M offer from the Kings. With so few teams under the salary cap, it’s unlikely that anyone is going to want to invest $8+ M a year for five years in a 30 year-old player with a history of being a malcontent. If he is able to get a contract greater than the mid-level exception (~$6M), some team is going to have to put a package together that the Kings will accept. Teams over the cap have to execute a sign-and-trade with Wells’ old team to get around the salary cap rules.
The Rockets seem like a strange fit. They’ve already got Tracy McGrady and Shane Battier on the perimeter, so Wells (or Battier) would have to come off the bench. That assumes that McGrady’s back is good to go, which is a big assumption.
The RB pickings continue to be pretty slim on the wire, but there are probably a few decent options at the other positions. This weekend, Jerricho Cotchery and Marques Colston proved that last week’s performances weren’t flukes, while Rex Grossman had a career day against the Lions. Here is a list of players that may be available on your league’s waiver wire.
QUARTERBACKS
Chad Pennington, NYJ
Pennington probably isn’t out there on too many waiver wires, but he’s a great option at QB for teams with a weakness in that area. In two games, he’s thrown for 625 yards and four touchdowns against only one interception. In Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery, he’s got two very good wideouts to work with (not to mention two of the more difficult names to spell). The Jets will be playing from behind much of the season, so most weeks you can expect 200+ yards and a TD or two from Pennington.
David Carr, HOU
Like Pennington, Carr is probably not on your waiver wire, but he’s worth a look if he is there. After a big game against the Colts last week, Carr is up to 427 yards and four TDs on the year and seems to be playing better. It’s not clear if he can keep it up, but like the Jets, the Texans will be behind a lot this year and Carr has two good receivers to throw to in Andre Johnson and Eric Moulds.
Jon Kitna, DET
Kitna is at the helm of a Mike Martz offense that should be productive. So far, he’s thrown for decent yardage (459) in two games, but hasn’t yet found the endzone. That said, he has faced two of the best defenses in the league in Seattle and Chicago, so an easier schedule in the upcoming weeks might provide better results.
Rex Grossman, CHI
Grossman followed up a pretty good showing against Green Bay with an excellent game against the Lions, throwing for 289 yards and four touchdowns in a 34-7 win. The Bears drafted Grossman to be their franchise quarterback and so far this season, he’s playing like one.
Alex Smith, SF
Over the last two weeks, Smith has thrown for 521 yards and two touchdowns, and looks light years ahead of where he was at this time last season. He has three pretty good weapons in Frank Gore, Vernon Davis and Antonio Bryant, and should provide decent backup numbers the rest of the season.
Charlie Frye, CLE
Frye didn’t exactly light it up against the Bengals. The young QB threw for 244 yards and two interceptions, but rushed four times for 10 yards and a score. The Browns are going to live and die with Frye, so expect him to put up some decent numbers in garbage time as the team will be constantly trying to catch up.
RUNNING BACKS
Ladell Betts, WAS
What’s going on with Clinton Portis’ shoulder? That’s the million-dollar question in Washington. Joe Gibbs said that Portis was experiencing pain in a different part of the shoulder, and maybe I’m jumping to conclusions, but that doesn’t sound very good. You should snatch Betts up if he’s available.
Samkon Gado, HOU
So much for all the Wali Lundy hype. After he acquired Gado and Ron Dayne, Gary Kubiak said they were going to use a RBBC, and they did, splitting 20 carries this way: 11 for Dayne, six for Lundy and three for Gado. Only Gado was actually productive, turning those three carries into 36 yards. I think he’s got the best chance of becoming the man, though the RBBC will probably continue for a few more games.
Ron Dayne, HOU
I don’t really recommend putting any faith in Dayne, who has seemingly squandered every opportunity he’s had over the past several years. But Kubiak acquired him for a reason, and was already familiar with the back from his years in Denver. He may develop into the starter, so he’s worth a roster spot if you have room.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ
Cotchery proved Sunday that last week was no fluke. He caught six passes for 121 yards, including a 71-yard TD catch. He has been targeted 17 times in the past two weeks and will continue to be a large part of the Jets’ offense. They’ll be behind quite a bit this season, so Cotchery will have a lot of balls thrown his way. If he’s still out there, be sure to add him to your roster.
Marques Colston, NO
Colston is another young receiver that is making the most of his opportunity. With Donte Stallworth gone, Colston has moved into the starting lineup opposite Joe Horn and has the confidence of Drew Brees, who has targeted him 17 times. Through two games, he has eight catches for 107 yards and two scores. Not bad for a rookie.
Reggie Williams, JAX
Williams followed up a 6-47-1 effort last week with an 8-95 performance against the Steelers on Monday night. The Jaguars are looking to get him the ball with the short stuff, which makes him especially valuable in PPR leagues. Williams might just be tapping into that potential that made him the ninth overall pick in 2004.
Bernard Berrian, CHI
Berrian hasn’t been targeted a ton (nine in two games), but he’s been productive, catching six balls for 138 yards and two scores. I’m not sure that the Bears will keep up this production through the air, but Berrian seems to be the second best WR on the roster after Muhsin Muhammad.
Patrick Crayton, DAL
Crayton hasn’t done much this season, but if Terrell Owens misses any games, he stands to benefit. The Cowboys’ bye is next week, so T.O. has two weeks before his next game. He’s expected to miss 2-4 weeks for recovery, so it’s unclear if he’ll really miss any time.
Chris Henry, CIN
After putting up dismal numbers in the first game (1 catch for –5 yards), Henry bounced back in a big way against the Browns, catching five passes for 113 yards. As long as T.J. Houshmandzadeh continues to miss time, Henry has decent WR2 value.
Drew Carter, CAR
Speaking of guys filling in for an injured starter, Carter has caught nine passes for 96 yards with Steve Smith out for the last two games. Once Smith comes back, Carter will have minimal value, but he’s a decent spot starter with Smith out.
Chad Jackson, NE
Jackson missed much of the preseason with a hamstring injury, but caught two passes for 42 yards and a score on Sunday. With the way that Tom Brady spreads the ball around, New England WRs are notoriously undependable, but Jackson is the most athletic of the group.
TIGHT ENDS
Desmond Clark, CHI
I mentioned Clark last week, and after Sunday’s nice game, he’s now caught 10 passes for 162 yards and a score. He obviously has the confidence of his QB, as he only trails Muhammad by one (14 to 13) in targets on the season. Anyone looking for TE production should add Clark immediately.
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