News

Eagles’ DeSean Jackson admits to not giving 100% last season

stevenlourie Eagles, News

DeSean Jackson had a down season last year, catching just 58 passes for 961 yards and 4 touchdowns, his lowest yardage total since his rookie year in 2008, on an overall disappointing Eagles team. Many theorized that Jackson was dogging it because he was unhappy with his contract situation and Jackson essentially admitted as much earlier this week, saying “I let it get to me, even though I tried not to let it. I was trying to protect myself from getting hurt; now I’m just giving it all.”

While it’s definitely concerning that Jackson would give less than 100% over a whole season, it’s a testament to his talent that he was able to produce numbers better than most receivers even when he wasn’t giving it his all. Now that he has his contract situation under control, after the Eagles gave him a 5 year, 47 million dollar deal earlier this offseason, Jackson should be back to his 2009-2010 form. During those two seasons, he posted lines of 62/1156/9 and 47/1056/6. Though he has Jeremy Maclin to steal plenty of targets opposite him, Jackson is not exactly a volume receiver with a career 17.8 YPC.

If you’re interested in doing a fantasy football league with me, here’s the link (no draft date set yet, currently standard, with the option to become PPR with group vote). http://msn.foxsports.com/fantasy/football/commissioner/Registration/Private.aspx?league=55086&password=FanSpot2

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Lions keeping an eye on free agent running backs

stevenlourie Lions, News

The Lions have a talented trio of backs in Jahvid Best, Mikel Leshoure, and Kevin Smith, but that trio also happens to be incredibly injury prone. Best is expected to start the season on the PUP and miss at least 6 games as he recovers from concussions suffered last season. He might not be able to play at all this season. Leshoure, meanwhile, is coming off a torn Achilles and has yet to play in a preseason game. Smith has suffered several injuries in his career as well, which have limited him to 106 carries in the last 2 seasons.

Behind them on the depth chart, all the Lions have is Keiland Williams, a mediocre 2010 undrafted free agent who has a career average of 3.7 YPC on 123 career carries. For this reason, it’s no surprise that the Lions are keeping an eye on free agent running backs. They were tied to Cedric Benson before he signed with division rival Green Bay earlier this month.

After him, the most obvious veteran running back left on the market for them would be Ryan Grant, but it’s telling that the Packers decided to sign Benson rather than resigning Grant, who was familiar with the team and the system. As he heads into his age 30 season, he might be done. While no deal seems imminent, the Lions have brought in several backs for visits and could sign one of them during the season if Leshoure or Smith gets hurt again.

If you’re interested in doing a fantasy football league with me, here’s the link (no draft date set yet, currently standard, with the option to become PPR with group vote). http://msn.foxsports.com/fantasy/football/commissioner/Registration/Private.aspx?league=55086&password=FanSpot2

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Chargers lose Vincent Brown for at least 8 weeks with a broken ankle

stevenlourie Chargers, News

A popular fantasy sleeper for the 2012 NFL season, Vincent Brown, may have had his season end before it even started as Brown broke his ankle in last week’s preseason game. The Chargers are optimistic that he can play this season and will not put him on IR, but an 8 week prognosis (which would have him return around week 5 or 6) seems awfully optimistic for such a major injury. If he’s still unable to go by midseason, the Chargers may just cut their losses and put him on IR to free up the roster spot.

This leaves the Chargers with Malcom Floyd, Robert Meachem, and Eddie Royal at wide receiver. Floyd, now heading into his age 31 season, has missed 9 games in the last 2 seasons and in the 23 games he has played, he’s been very inconsistent, catching 3 or fewer passes in 14 of them. He’s totaled 80 catches for 1573 yards and 11 touchdowns in the last 2 seasons, but he’s failed to establish himself as a #1 receiver in the past, when given the opportunity.

Meachem, meanwhile, has struggled in the preseason and training camp and did not deserve the 4 year, 25.9 million dollar deal he was given this offseason. The 2007 1st round pick never exceeded 45 catches in a season, despite having Drew Brees throwing him the football. It’s possible the Saints were underutilizing and or incorrectly utilizing him, but it’s really not like the Saints to do something like that.

Royal, meanwhile, also has an injury history and hasn’t done anything of note since 2008, his rookie year. In the last 3 seasons, he’s caught just 115 passes for 1127 yards and 4 touchdowns and is currently sidelined with a groin injury. Last year, he missed 4 games and was limited in countless others with injuries and managed to catch just 19 passes for 155 yards and a score. Brown, a 2011 3rd round pick, who was pushing Meachem for a starting job and Royal for the slot job, will definitely be missed.

As for Philip Rivers, he should be fine. Elite quarterbacks find a way to succeed in spite of poor supporting casts. Rivers threw for 4710 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2010 despite guys like Patrick Crayton, Legedu Naanee, Seyi Ajirotutu, Craig Davis, and Randy McMichael all seeing significant action in place of Floyd, Vincent Jackson, and Antonio Gates. Gates is healthier than he’s been in 2 years and should have one last great season in him and should lead the team in receiving.

As for Rivers’ down year in 2011, I’m not too worried. He was much better in the 2nd half, with 16 touchdowns to 6 interception, as opposed to 11 touchdowns to 14 interceptions in the 1st half of the season, and his interception total of 20 should prove to be a fluke. Eli Manning threw 25 interceptions in 2010. He wasn’t too bad in 2011 from what I hear.

If you’re interested in doing a fantasy football league with me, here’s the link (no draft date set yet, currently standard, with the option to become PPR with group vote). http://msn.foxsports.com/fantasy/football/commissioner/Registration/Private.aspx?league=55086&password=FanSpot2

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Cardinals’ Levi Brown could be done for the year

stevenlourie Cardinals, News

The Cardinals allowed the 2nd most sacks in the league last year, allowing 54, and now they have been dealt a huge blow to their offensive line as Levi Brown could be out for the year after tearing his triceps. Brown has been described as “right on the margin” to return this season after undergoing surgery and if the Cardinals are out of the playoff race late in the season, very possible, they won’t bring him back. With no guaranteed money left on his recently restructured 5 year, 30 million dollar contract after the season, it’s very likely that the 2007 5th overall pick has played his last snap for the Cardinals.

However, this may end up being a blessing in disguise for the Cardinals. Their backup offensive tackles might not be any better, but it would be hard for them to be worse. Brown has been horrendous since taking over a full time starter in 2008, allowing 41 sacks, 45 quarterback hits, and 150 quarterback pressures in 4 seasons. A solid run blocker yes, but this is a passing league and Brown has the league’s 2nd worst pass blocking efficiency over the last 3 seasons (sacks allowed + .75 hits allowed + .75 pressures allowed/passing snaps played).

In his absence, the Cardinals will either play DJ Young, a 2011 undrafted free agent who has never played a snap, or Jeremy Bridges, who recently lost the right tackle battle to 4th round rookie Bobby Massie. Bridges, the veteran, has allowed 8 sacks, 13 quarterback hits, and 26 quarterback pressures in 17 regular and postseason starts over the last 3 starts, both on the right side and the left side, as the Cardinals’ primary swing tackle. Massie, who has won the right tackle job, could also be a candidate to move to the left side this season as he’s probably their most talented offensive tackle. Even though he was a 4th round rookie, he was widely regarded as a steal. Their offensive tackle play probably won’t be quite as bad it was last season.

Another thing that will help out the Cardinals’ offensive line is the presumed decision to start John Skelton over Kevin Kolb. Kolb’s awful pocket presence was part of the reason why the Cardinals allowed so many sacks last season as Kolb took a sack on 26.1% of pressured snaps last season, tied for 2nd worst in the league. Skelton, meanwhile, took a sack on 19.2% of pressured snaps last season. While Kolb took 30 sacks, Skelton took “only” 23 in roughly as many pressured dropbacks. The Cardinals’ offensive line should be one of the worst in the league again this year, but they probably won’t be as bad as they were last year and Brown’s injury is not that serious because he’s atrocious in pass protection.

If you’re interested in doing a fantasy football league with me, here’s the link (no draft date set yet, currently standard, with the option to become PPR with group vote). http://msn.foxsports.com/fantasy/football/commissioner/Registration/Private.aspx?league=55086&password=FanSpot2

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Steelers activate Rashard Mendenhall off PUP

stevenlourie News, Steelers

In a surprising move, the Steelers have activated Rashard Mendenhall off the PUP list. This move is surprising because everyone, including Steelers GM Kevin Colbert himself, believed that Mendenhall would begin the season on the PUP and have to miss at least 6 games after tearing his ACL last December.

Mendenhall is doubtful for week 1 and, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, “could miss most” of September. The Steelers play 3 times in September before a week 4 bye. GM Kevin Colbert also seconds this report by saying that Mendenhall should be ready by “week 5 or week 6.” Obviously, they think he can go in the first 6 weeks of the season or they wouldn’t have made this move. Schefter also said that they made this move to “get him back into football shape” for October.

This obviously puts a damper on Isaac Redman’s fantasy value as he’ll have half, at most, of the games he would have originally had to prove he is in the superior back, which his play last season suggests he is. He’ll be the lead back for about 3 weeks and then will probably split carries, at most, with Mendenhall, even though he is more talented and Mendenhall is in a contract year coming off a torn ACL.

Expect about 15 carries per game for 3-4 games and then 8-10 carries per game for 12-13, which puts him right at about 160-180 carries. Mendenhall, meanwhile, will probably carry the ball 120-140 times and is now back on the fantasy radar. Unless someone gets hurt or a clear starter emerges, Pittsburgh’s backfield will be one to avoid in fantasy circles after the first few weeks of the season. Redman is being overdrafted with a 7th round ADP, while Mendenhall is being overdrafted with a 10th round ADP.

If you’re interested in doing a fantasy football league with me, here’s the link (no draft date set yet, currently standard, with the option to become PPR with group vote). http://msn.foxsports.com/fantasy/football/commissioner/Registration/Private.aspx?league=55086&password=FanSpot2

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Steelers’ Mike Wallace expected to report this weekend

stevenlourie News, Steelers

On a day where one high profile holdout got worse, with Maurice Jones-Drew expressing his anger with Jaguars ownership and saying he’d be open to a trade, the other remaining high profile holdout seemingly got better. According to separate reports by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Wallace is expected to join the Steelers this weekend, after their preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday.

The Steelers refusal to move Wallace in a trade appears to have paid off as Wallace will be a big contributor for a team built to win now. His long term future with the team remains murky as they would appear to lack the cap space needed to give Wallace the type of money he wants and deserves, especially after extending Antonio Brown.

They had to restructure several contracts this offseason just to get under the cap and next offseason they figure to be very backed up against the cap, if not over it, as all of the recently restructured deals will hurt them more next offseason and because Brown’s extension will kick in. However, for a team built to win now, 1 year of Wallace was probably worth more to them than any type of 2013 draft pick (or picks) they could have gotten in a trade for him.

Wallace should still have a down year statistically after his extended holdout. By holding out, he risked getting out of shape. It’s very tough to stay in top football shape on your own. Even more likely, he also missed valuable Training Camp and preseason time with a new offensive coordinator, Todd Haley, coming in. Antonio Brown likely has a much stronger grasp of the playbook than Wallace and he should lead the team in receiving this year. Wallace caught 72 passes for 1193 yards and 8 touchdowns last season, while Brown caught 69 passes for 1108 yards and 2 touchdowns.

If you’re interested in doing a fantasy football league with me, here’s the link (no draft date set yet, currently standard, with the option to become PPR with group vote). http://msn.foxsports.com/fantasy/football/commissioner/Registration/Private.aspx?league=55086&password=FanSpot2

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Terrell Owens no lock to make Seahawks’ roster

stevenlourie News, Seahawks

When the Seahawks signed Terrell Owens, it was certainly a very high profile signing. However, seemingly contrary to popular belief, TO is no lock to make the Seahawks’ roster, especially after a terrible showing in his 1st preseason game, where he didn’t catch a ball on 5 targets and dropped a sure 46 yard touchdown. Sidney Rice has begun doing contact drills and seems like he’ll be ready to go week 1, while ESPN’s Mike Sando is reporting that Owens and Braylon Edwards are competing for one roster spot. NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora seconds this report by saying that Owens is “hardly assured” of a roster spot, according to team sources.

Owens is one of the greatest receivers of all time, but future time is undefeated. Of the top 30 leading receivers of all time, only 3 others have played into their age 39 season or later: Jerry Rice, Charlie Joiner, Joey Galloway. Only Rice (83/1139/9) was productive in his age 39 season. Joiner caught 34 passes for 440 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Galloway caught 12 passes for 173 yards and didn’t score. Owens is heading into his age 39 season this year.

He was done in 2010. Though he did catch 72 passes for 983 yards and 9 touchdowns, but he did that on 132 targets (54.5%) and 10 balls targeted for him ended up getting intercepted. Carson Palmer was just forcing him the football, which is why he led the league in interceptions that year and the Bengals went 4-12. He also dropped 8 passes. 2 years and one torn ACL later, he’s certainly not any better and didn’t look it in their first preseason game. My money is on Edwards winning that battle and Owens, who is owed no guaranteed money, being a final cut and eventually retiring.

If you’re interested in doing a fantasy football league with me, here’s the link (no draft date set yet, currently standard, with the option to become PPR with group vote). http://msn.foxsports.com/fantasy/football/commissioner/Registration/Private.aspx?league=55086&password=FanSpot2

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Many different receivers competing for spots in Rams’ receiving corps

stevenlourie News, Rams

The Rams are known for having one of the thinnest receiving corps in the NFL. While they lack obvious #1 and #2 receivers, one thing they don’t lack is depth, as you would expect from a team that has used 5 picks in rounds 2-4 on receivers in the last 3 seasons. The Rams are hoping that their quantity over quality approach produces two legitimate starters on what has been one of the weakest receiving corps in the league really since the days of Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce.

They essentially have 8 wide receivers competing for positioning on the depth chart. Brandon Gibson and Danario Alexander are their leading returning receivers, producing mediocre lines of 36/431/1 and 26/431/2 respectively. Gibson, a 2009 6th round pick acquired in a trade from the Eagles, has caught 123 passes for 1399 yards and 4 touchdowns in 3 seasons. Alexander, meanwhile, was an undrafted free agent in 2010. He’s dealt with several injuries so far in his career, catching 46 passes for 737 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2 seasons. He’s currently battling a hamstring problem which has cost him all of Training Camp, which will definitely hurt him as he tries to make the roster in a crowded receiving corps.

Austin Pettis and Greg Salas were 3rd and 4th round picks in the 2011 NFL Draft. Neither really did much as rookies, as Salas caught 27 passes for 264 yards and 0 touchdowns, while Pettis caught 27 passes for 256 yards and 0 touchdowns. While Pettis was the higher draft pick, Salas has been the more impressive receiver this offseason. Pettis is also suspended for the first 2 games of the season for violating the league’s performance enhancing drugs policy.

Brian Quick and Chris Givens were 2nd and 4th round picks in the 2012 NFL Draft. Givens was never expected to make much of an impact as a rookie, but Quick was expected to be a starter and possibly the #1 receiver, even if only by default. However, he hasn’t quite lived up to his billing yet and has yet to beat out Brandon Gibson for a starting job. Several reports actually say that Givens is impressing more than Quick this offseason, no surprise to me since I had Givens rated higher on my wide receiver board this draft season than Quick.

Danny Amendola was their leading receiver in 2010, catching 85 passes for 689 yards and 3 touchdowns, but missed most of last season with injury. He’s had a strong offseason in his return and has been Bradford’s favorite target once again in the preseason. Bradford’s favorite security blanket, Amendola is the only receiver whose role is pretty much locked in at this point, as he will continue to serve as the slot receiver, as he did in 2010.

Another player coming off injury is Steve Smith. Steve Smith caught 107 passes for 1220 yards and 7 touchdowns with the Giants in 2009, but knee problems have limited him to 59 catches for 655 yards and 4 touchdowns over the last 2 seasons with the Giants and Eagles. Now as healthy as he’s been since 2009, Smith is impressing in Training Camp and the preseason and looks to be locked in as a starter. He won’t find his old 100 catch form or anything, but he’ll probably be the Rams’ #1 receiver, assuming he can stay healthy.

Either Gibson or Quick will likely start opposite him, depending almost solely on whether or not Quick can step up his game and beat out the veteran in the next few weeks. Amendola will remain the slot receiver, while Salas and Givens probably won’t have much impact this season as purely depth receivers. Alexander, unable to shake the injury bug, will probably be a final cut, while Pettis will miss the first 2 games of the season with suspension.

That will allow the Rams to carry just 6 receivers into the season despite making just 1 cut, but when he returns, they’ll have a decision to make, unless injuries strike. Pettis could find himself the odd man out, as could Salas, even though they were mid round picks just over a year ago. Givens, being a rookie, will probably be safe for this season, especially after an impressive offseason. 2nd year tight end Lance Kendricks, a 2011 2nd round pick, has also been having a strong offseason and could be a big part of the offense as well. This receiving corps might end up being passable.

If you’re interested in doing a fantasy football league with me, here’s the link (no draft date set yet, currently standard, with the option to become PPR with group vote). http://msn.foxsports.com/fantasy/football/commissioner/Registration/Private.aspx?league=55086&password=FanSpot2

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Rams’ Sam Bradford could need surgery on his ankle after season

stevenlourie News, Rams

Sam Bradford missed 6 games and was limited in several other games with a high ankle sprain last season and now, almost a year after the initial injury, it is still giving him problems. According to NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora, Bradford could need surgery on the ankle after the season. Bradford, however, doesn’t seem too worried calling it a “non-issue.” He also said “I think it’s as good as it’s going to feel. It’s something that we’re managing right now. I’ve been able to take every snap so far without any setbacks and I think that’s a positive sign.”

Guys get routine surgeries in the offseason all the time and it sounds like this will be the kind of surgery that Bradford would require, if he does in fact need surgery. He’s not a mobile quarterback to begin with so this won’t be a huge issue. He’s walking without a limp and has had a solid preseason, completing 13 of 18 for 159 yards and 2 touchdowns. He won’t be running for his life as much this season in the Rams’ new quick throw west coast offense, which he excelled in as a rookie, leading this team to 7-9. Right tackle and left guard are weak points for the Rams up front, but other than that, they should have an overall decent line, certainly upgraded over the one that allowed 55 sacks last season.

If you’re interested in doing a fantasy football league with me, here’s the link (no draft date set yet, currently standard, with the option to become PPR with group vote). http://msn.foxsports.com/fantasy/football/commissioner/Registration/Private.aspx?league=55086&password=FanSpot2

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Rams bench Jason Smith for Barry Richardson

stevenlourie News, Rams

The Rams allowed the most sacks in the league last year, 55, in large part because of injuries to both of their starting tackles, Rodger Saffold and Jason Smith. The Rams didn’t add another starter in the offseason because they were hoping that Smith and Saffold, both young, would bounce back. However, the Rams may be regretting that as Smith has struggled this offseason.

Smith has been benched for Barry Richardson, an offseason acquisition. Richardson was only signed to be a backup, however, after he struggled mightily with the Chiefs as their starting right tackle last season. He graded out as ProFootballFocus’ 2nd worst rated offensive tackle, allowing 8 sacks, 6 quarterback hits, and 36 quarterback pressures, while committing 9 penalties. He also was ProFootballFocus’ worst rated offensive tackle in run blocking, as the Chiefs averaged just 2.6 YPC running off right tackle last season.

Even if Richardson wins the starting job, the 2009 2nd overall pick won’t be cut because he’s owed a guaranteed 4 million dollars this season, after restructuring his contract down from 10 million earlier this offseason. Either way, right tackle figures to be a liability for the Rams. Rodger Saffold should be able to bounce back on the left side because, before his injury plagued 2011 season, he allowed just 3 sacks, 10 quarterback hits, and 27 quarterback pressures as a mere 2nd round rookie in 2010, when they ranked 18th in pass blocking efficiency as a team.

They also have proven veterans at right guard and center in Harvey Dahl and Scott Wells. Left guard and right tackle will be liabilities, but with a new quicker throw offense being implemented, the Rams should give up significantly fewer sacks than they did last season. They actually ranked 24th in pass blocking efficiency, which takes into account quarterback hits and quarterback pressures, last season, so they weren’t quite as bad as their 55 sacks would have suggested.

If you’re interested in doing a fantasy football league with me, here’s the link (no draft date set yet, currently standard, with the option to become PPR with group vote). http://msn.foxsports.com/fantasy/football/commissioner/Registration/Private.aspx?league=55086&password=FanSpot2

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