By Chris Hansen

It wasn’t pretty, but the Raiders got a win to improve to 1-1. 

Studs

Tommy Kelly and John Henderson

Stopping the run was the goal and these two guys were the biggest reason. Henderson’s efforts were almost entirely stopping the run, while Kelly also was getting to the passer. Kelly did have two penalties, but on this day he was dominant despite them.

Darren McFadden

A recipe for success is stopping the run and running it well. The Raiders were able to do this Sunday. Tom Cable has been impressed with McFadden “running behind his pads.” Indeed that could have been part of his issues in the past, lower his head and basically losing balance too often. McFadden is also pumping his legs after contact. This is newly learned skill for McFadden and it is benefiting him greatly with yards after he is first hit. Certainly his health and Hue Jackson’s scheme are helping him. He even had a couple nice blitz pickups.

Bruce Gradkowski

He came in and ignited the offense. He got the ball out quick, was very accurate and got his team a win. A lot of what Bruce was able to do was just having confidence his receivers would get to the open spot. Throwing to spots was allowing for a better rhythm and tempo. The quick designed plays were helping out the offensive line. The offense changed in the second half with shorter timing routes and Gradkowski executed perfectly almost the entire time he played.

Duds

Jason Campbell

He didn’t have many opportunities to make plays with the defensive line in his face. When he did he couldn’t manage to make the play. He had a couple of overthrows of wide-open receivers and just missed on a couple others. He was never able to get his timing down. The offensive line woes appear to be getting into his head. He looks scared out there behind this porous line. In contrast, Gradkowski is fearless. Given time, Campbell is still the superior quarterback, but if the Raiders can’t block for him he won’t produce.

Langston Walker

Worst player on the field on Sunday. His run blocking and pass blocking were terrible. Lineman routinely dominate him physically and speed rushers just go around him. He makes poor decisions on who to block on running plays. The second straight terrible performance from him. If he isn’t benched soon he better improve, because he could be on this list all season.

Rolando McClain

He graded him out basically neutral, but he should be the one making plays in the middle of the defense. McClain struggled in the first half, particularly in the first quarter. It is no surprise his play coincided with the defense as a whole. He had an above average second half. No better test for a rookie than Chris Johnson and Steven Jackson, so he had a steep learning curve. McClain can only get better from here, but he still needs to get better. He makes too many mistakes in coverage and arm tackles aren’t going to get the job done.

http://www.raiders-blog.com/ 

 

By Chris Hansen

Studs 

Richard Seymour (+8/-1)

His hamstring didn’t seem to bother his play. He was applying pressure consistently and was a force stopping the run. The Raiders are paying Seymour elite money this season and can’t be disappointed with his play. Seymour and Henderson have both missed a game this season and have really stepped up in each others absence against the run. Seymour missed practice Wednesday, but if he can stay healthy he will have a chance to make this list weekly.

Marcel Reece (+8/-0)

It isn’t often a fullback will make a list of studs, but Reece had an amazing game last Sunday in Phoenix. He did an excellent job picking up blitzes and finding players to block in the run game. He became a receiver on multiple occasions and looked more like a running back catching the ball and running with it. He has come a long way and deserves some recognition for his efforts.

Rolando McClain (+7/-1)

McPain has game. He still learning things in coverage, but is beginning to trust his instincts more and play faster. We know he has a mean streak after body slamming Danny Amendola in week two. He tipped a pass, was in position and is showing up around the ball. McClain’s efforts may have gone unnoticed during the game, but watching film it was clear McClain had a game worthy of this list.

Lamarr Houtson (+5/-1)

Another good game by a rookie. Houston repeatedly sealed the edge in the run game and was applying pressure repeatedly in the first half. He didn’t have as strong of a second half. Chalk this up to endurance. The Raiders only have three true defensive ends and Houston wasn’t getting many plays off.

Nnamdi Asomugha (+4/-3) and Stanford Routt (+5/-1)

Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston can be formidable pair of receivers that are difficult for opposing cornerbacks. Both receivers scored a touchdown on the day and it is no coincidence the touchdowns were not scored on the Raiders starting cornerbacks. The Raiders starting duo was so good the Cardinals were running plays to specifically target the safeties and linebackers in coverage. This was a wise strategy as the Cardinals were able to score two touchdowns.

Asomugha proved why many consider him the best corner in the league. Fitzgerald was physically frustrated with the match up. Asomugha had two negative plays in run support, with a habit of lowering his head and lunging for the tackle becoming a reoccurring theme. Routt has turned in a few solid games in a row and could be finally turning the corner. You haven’t seen many people calling for Chris Johnson and that’s a testament to Routt’s solid play.

Duds

Cooper Carlisle (-6/+1)

What can you say when one lineman keeps showing up on a duds list and yet there has been no discussion of replacing him? He is better in the running game, but hardly special. He was tossed aside like a rag doll by Darnell Dockett on multiple occasions including what could have been touchdown pass if Gradkowski was given enough time to find the open receiver. His play makes me cringe just thinking about it.

Khalif Barnes (-3/+0)

He comes in for a few plays and looks horrible. So much for the theory that Barnes was a better option than Walker. Last season he was going to press for the left tackle position, this season he is the backup right tackle, that should tell you everything you need to know.

Langston Walker (-3/+0)

Oh, a third offensive lineman makes the duds list? Walker was injured and out of the game and still couldn’t keep from making a handful of bad plays. His pass protection is embarrassing, but he can be a decent run blocker on occasion, so I guess he has that going for him.

Johnnie Lee-Higgins (-3/+0)

How did he even make the list having played so few snaps on offense? Horrible punt returning, that’s how. Just catching the ball and running straight forward was better than what Higgins was doing out there. It seems Nick Miller or Jacoby Ford could be given the shot to return punts sooner rather than later.

Sebastian Janikowski (-3)

He missed three kicks including the game winner, but he is still a weapon. He will bounce back as he has before and I’m predicting a game winner this week for redemption.

Notables:

Bruce Gradkowski (-11/+9)

It would be interesting to see what a Raiders quarterback could do with a little pass protection. Gradkowski had at least three passes go off the hands of defenders that are normally easy interceptions. He made some plays, but missed far too many open throws. One thing is clear, the Raiders quarterbacks can only go as far as the protection goes.

Quentin Groves (-7/+6)

He is always around the ball and seems to be making plays every couple minutes. His problem is mostly in coverage, but will also miss the occasional tackle. If he can eliminate the poor plays he would be a pretty good linebacker. The Raiders are clearly hoping addition playing time at linebacker will help him. He is certainly making an impact, I graded him on 13 plays second only to Gradkowski’s 20.

http://www.raiders-blog.com/ 

 

 

By Chris Hansen 

The dog ate my homework. Yes, even the grown adult can have his homework eaten and shredded apart like confetti.

I figured I’d finish watching the game for a second time and write my weekly game review on Wednesday night.

As I settled into my spot on the sofa and fell asleep, tired from an exhausting day, my four-month-old Border Collie Maximus decided my notes looked like a good jaw workout.

Thirty minutes later the notepad was barely intact and the first two few pages were missing.

I finished watching the game, so I submit to you the studs and duds from week four, without the added benefit of grades for good and bad plays.

STUDS

Darren McFadden

Before he pulled up lame with another hamstring injury, he was the only offensive player producing for the Raiders. McFadden had more yards himself than the rest of the offense and the Texans were having fits trying to stop him.

When healthy, Darren McFadden is exactly what the Raiders hoped he would be when they drafted him. The only challenge is keeping him healthy. Perhaps it would be wise for the Raiders to spell McFadden with Michael Bush to reduce his load.

Zach Miller

He nearly tied a Raiders record for receptions and the Texans were powerless to stop him. Once McFadden exited the game Gradkowski kept finding Zach Miller open on five to ten yard out routes. Linebackers couldn’t cover him and neither could the cornerbacks.

He’s a stud and the Raiders need to keep using him like they did. Either he will kill defenses or they will have to adjust to him, which will hopefully free up the young receivers and lead to a more productive passing game.

Nnamdi Asomugha

Not difficult to call Asomugha a stud on any given Sunday. Last Sunday he allowed one reception, although he was blatantly picked. He recovered to make the tackle.

Even Matt Schaub doesn’t attack Asomugha and Andre Johnson is probably glad he didn’t have to deal with this guy and his team still got the win.

DUDS

Langston Walker

It is amazing how long the Raiders have stuck with the current offensive line given its struggles. Obviously the other options are no better. Walker had to deal with Mario Williams most of the day and was playing so bad I wanted to close my eyes. Didn’t I tell you? You probably already knew.

Trevor Scott

He is providing little pass rush from the defensive end position and is getting pushed around in the run game. He will likely start at weak-side linebacker this week with Quentin Groves and Thomas Howard hurt. It’s there he should remain.

He may be a liability in pass coverage, but he had more impact on the game last season as a rush linebacker and did pretty well against the run. He’s versatile, but the Raiders need to put him in a position where he can impact games.

Louis Murphy

The receivers were horrible last Sunday. If Murphy and Darrius Heyward-Bey can’t get open against the Texans secondary they have serious issues. The pass rush obviously limited what the Raiders could do in the passing game, but when given opportunities the receivers need to make the play.

Murphy dropped and tipped a pass as the Raiders were attempting to march down the field to tie the game. Not only must he catch catchable balls, but he can’t be hanging the quarterback out to dry by tipping it in the air.

Michael Huff

Huff makes this list because of the impact of his mistakes. He made a few plays, but the missed tackles and poor angles are killing him. Last season he played relatively well, like his partner in crime Tyvon Branch, but has been so bad this season fans are clamoring for rookie Stevie Brown or even Hiram Eugene.

The Raiders are carrying five safeties and the time is now, the Raiders can’t afford to go 1-4. Cable insisted the right players were on the field last week, but perhaps a symbolic benching would kick Huff and Branch into gear. 

http://www.raiders-blog.com/

By Chris Hansen

Watching the game a second time and grading players is quite a task. It also set my readers up for a disappointment this week. I didn’t watch the game a second time.

There I said it and it was like ripping off a bandage. The good news is I played closer attention to certain things during the game this week. I guess after four weeks of watching the game a second time for analysis I had a hard time turning off that part of my brain.

STUDS

Michael Huff, Tyvon Branch & Chris Johnson

Huff was the AFC Defensive Player of the Week. Doesn’t that say it all? Not quite. In fact, Huff was headed for the duds list until he forced the Philip Rivers fumble to seal the win. Tyvon Branch returned the fumble for a touchdown. Chris Johnson was being used like a cheap hooker in the passing game, until he crushed an offensive lineman attempting to recover the game-deciding fumble. His play was what enabled Branch to scoop and score. Three duds became studs on one play. Amazing.

John Fassel, Rock Cartwright & Brandon Myers

For all the abuse Fassel has taken for his special teams units, he found something in the Chargers punt protection. Cartwright blocked the first punt and it went out of the endzone for a safety. Myers blocked the second punt and Hiram Eugene was able to pick it up and score a touchdown. Fassel may be figuring out was he has in his returners. Nick Miller had a long return and there was nothing Sunday to detract from an amazing performance from the special teams units.

Jason Campbell

Coming in for the injured Bruce Gradkowski, who was 1 of 7 passing, Campbell completed 13 of 18 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown. His quarterback rating was 117.6. He was sacked three times and fumbled once. If the offensive line can give Campbell enough time, this is the type of damage he can do. He will likely get the start this Sunday in San Francisco.

Michael Bush

I’d say Darren McFadden has competition for touches. Hue Jackson must get both involved when they are healthy. Bush ran for 104 yards on 26 carries and added 31 yards in the passing game. He scored one touchdown and had 4.0 yards per carry average. Bush is averaging 4.4 ypc this season to McFadden’s 4.6 ypc. For all the offensive line’s problems in pass protection they are going a good job run blocking.

DUDS

Nnamdi Asomugha

Yes, even the mighty Asomugha can make the duds list. Someone had to make the list. He allowed more catches than I can ever remember him giving up in a single game. The Raiders were playing more zone on Sunday and that could have been part of it, but better for a bad game to happen in a win than a loss. There is little doubt he will rebound or lose any respect around the league. It actually could be a positive if teams try to attack him more in the passing game.

John Marshall

Marshall finally figured out how to get his players to stop the run at the expense of good coverage. He used much more zone coverage than usual and was blitzing with regularity. Blitzing a good quarterback is rarely a good idea. It worked against Donovan McNabb in 2009 with a terrible offensive line, it backfired against Philip Rivers. Rivers just tossed passes to his backs if he got in trouble and threw deep passes in between the zones to his tall receivers. McNabb didn’t have these options in 2009.

I wonder how much of Marshall’s plan was dictated by his linebackers. Without Groves and Howard, his only option at linebacker with solid coverage skills was Mike Mitchell, who he went to late in the game to cover Antonio Gates. Without linebackers who can man cover, he can’t run the man-to-man scheme. Pressuring Rivers is required if you want to limit him, but with any great quarterback you must get pressure with four or disguise your blitzes. Raiders did neither on Sunday.

Darrius Heyward-Bey

Zero catches. He was wide open for a touchdown and Jason Campbell didn’t have the confidence to throw it to him. The only Raiders receiver to catch a pass was Louis Murphy who caught two passes for 61 yards. That can’t happen. For all the talk about how hard he worked he’s been basically invisible. He goes head-to-head with Michael Crabtree and has the opportunity to prove to the NFL he was the better draft selection.

http://www.raiders-blog.com/

By Chris Hansen 

The Raiders scored nine points on offense and gave up 196 yards passing to Alex Smith and 149 yards rushing to Frank Gore. Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis caught touchdown passes.

I’d call that a complete failure to execute any goals.

I’m sure every single game plan against the 49ers consists of scoring a couple touchdowns, forcing Alex Smith to make a mistake and stopping Gore, Davis and Crabtree.

The Raiders only managed to get two sacks of Smith and there was never enough pressure to force a turnover. Despite Smith’s terrible days early, he easily carved up the Raiders defense.

STUDS

Matt Shaughnessy

Why did Trevor Scott start in front of him at defensive end again? He either never regressed or he’s turned it back around. He applied the most consistent pressure on Alex Smith, working against their best offensive lineman, Joe Staley. He also forced Staley to commit a couple of penalties. He also did a good job stopping the run.

Former Raiders defensive end Jay Richardson called him “ShaughNASTY.” That might be the best nickname I’ve heard for a Raider in years.

Nnamdi Asomugha & Richard Seymour

They aren’t the problem with this defense. Both played well.

Shane Lechler

Sad day when your only offense is the kicker and your punter is getting plenty of room to punt the ball. Lechler had a 53.5 average and a 47.3 net. He’s ridiculous. He’s good. He’s a stud.

DUDS

Jason Campbell

Finished the game with a 10.7 passer rating. Went 8/21 for 83 yards and two interceptions and a fumble that was not lost. Not much more needs to be said. He got the best protection you can ask out of this offensive line and couldn’t produce. Were the receivers not getting open? Why can’t he rally the troops like Bruce Gradkowski can when things are going poorly? Pathetic display.

Kyle Boller may start this week for Campbell, who hurt his knee. I don’t know why Campbell continues to struggle so much, but Boller couldn’t be worse. Even JaMarcus wasn’t worse and that’s saying something.

Chris Johnson

Zone coverage or man coverage? He stinks at both. He completely missed his zone coverage assignment on Crabtree’s TD catch as the Raiders were about to gain some momentum from the self-destructing 49ers offense. Johnson’s head isn’t in the game. The only thing he should be covering is the bench. It shouldn’t be hard as the bench doesn’t move, but knowing your assignment in zone coverage isn’t much harder and he managed to not know it.

Jeremy Ware makes some rookie mistakes, but at least he doesn’t completely blow an assignment every week. Johnson also is making his teammates look bad, as Tyvon Branch hustles over to help people think he somehow made a mistake.

http://www.raiders-blog.com/

 

Hello I am Vince Vitale, Lead blogger for the St. Louis Rams team page on Football Fan Spot. I am also the Owner, Webmaster and sole blogger on Stlouisramfan.com. You can follow me on Twitter @Stlvinnie, or email me at stlvinnie@yahoo.com. I live in St. Louis, my nickname is Vinnie and my internet tag is Stlvinnie.

I have been working on my Stlouisramfan.com site since 2005 and I have been featured in ESPN magazine, The New York Times, Yardbarker, Digg and other internet publications. I am neither a writer nor journalist just a sports fan. I never played football at any level, again just a fan.

I am a St. Louis Rams season ticket holder and a huge football fan. I also try to attend some local college and High School games as well. I do not consider myself an expert on football but I do watch as many games as possible. The theory behind my website work is to bring football fans a fans perspective of what I see. I am not a homer nor do I sugar coat my opinions. I have always wanted to watch a football game in a crowded Boston, Philly or New York bar. I want my writing style to be a reflection of that atmosphere. I want to put on the paper what we would be talking about over a beer at the bar.

I am in my 40s and I still have memories of games as far back as 1971. I am old school and still get upset when I see things like Art Shell coaching the Chiefs or Isaac Bruce on the San Francisco 49ers. The NFL needs a rookie salary cap and a way for teams to economically keep their veteran stars for life. I look forward in providing you with St. Louis Rams information and topics that we can discuss throughout the year.

Welcome to Football Fan Spot – St. Louis Rams Team Page

Stlvinnie

http://www.stlouisramfan.com 

Twitter @Stlvinnie

 

Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Round 7 Round 8 Round 9 Round 10

 

Round 6 Pick 1

Justin Mertes-Mistretta- The Sports Bank

Pick: WR Hines Ward PIT

Consistency is king here. He may not have the highest ceiling, but I can bank on 8-9 TDs and around 1,000 yards. I had to take a safe WR here after gambling on VJax.

Round 6 Pick 2

Walter Cherepinsky- Walter Football

Pick: TE Antonio Gates SD

I really don’t like taking tight ends early, but Antonio Gates provides way too much value at the beginning of Round 6.

Round 6 Pick 3

Paul Greco- Fantasy Pros 911

Pick: TE Jermichael Finley GB

This kid is getting all the hype this preseason and deservingly so. He’s a huge target inside the red zone and I’m looking for him to top last years numbers.

Round 6 Pick 4

Steve Adler- Fantasy Daddy

Pick: TE Jason Witten DAL

Waited for a TE to come back my way and it paid off. Witten did catch less than four passes in any game during 2009, that is amazing consistency week to week. I realize his touchdowns are what drag him down, but I expect those to at least double this season with more attention being paid to Miles Austin.

Round 6 Pick 5

Scott Carasik- Scardraft

Pick: RB Ben Tate HOU

I’m going to take Houston’s new starting back here. While it may seem like a bit of a reach, I truly believe he could be a big sleeper this year.

Round 6 Pick 6

Eric Stashin- Rotoprofessor

Pick: QB Joe Flacco BAL

I’ve considered him with each of my last two picks and at this point, don’t want to risk him coming off the board before I pick again. With the addition of Anquan Boldin, along with the presence of Ray Rice keeping defenses honest, he has the potential to develop into one of the elite QB in the league this season.

 

Round 6 Pick 7

Sam Arker- Rothstein Sports

Pick: TE Vernon Davis

I really need Davis here to perform as well as he did in 09. I have had to settle for players in recent picks that I felt were a reach, but based on my draft position, it was necessary.

Round 6 Pick 8

Hunter Ansley- Draft Zoo

Pick: WR Johnny Knox CHI

Word out of Bears camp is that Knox is the guy that Mike Martz wants to feature this season. He’s holding off Devin Aromashodu pretty easily right now, and if he’s really going to be the No. 1 in that offense, then I’ll take him as my WR3. It’s risky picking two second year guys in two of my WR slots, but I like both Nicks and Knox a lot this season.

Round 6 Pick 9

Steven Lourie- Football Fan Spot

Pick: WR Malcom Floyd SD

After the Chargers cut Chris Chambers, Floyd had 34 catches for 525 yards in 8 games. Stretch that across 16 games and that’s 68 catches for 1050 yards. Add in the fact that Vincent Jackson is suspended for 3 weeks and could hold out until week 7 making Floyd the #1 option in the Chargers’ explosive offense for 3 weeks, and possibly 6 weeks or longer and Floyd might as well have the words “Fantasy Sleeper” stamped across his forehead. At 6-5, he’ll also be one of Philip Rivers’ favorite goal line threats. His ADP is significantly lower than this spot, but in an experts league, I’m not taking any chances with a guy who is a legitimate WR2 and, in my opinion, a lock for 1000 yards.

Round 6 Pick 10

Jeff Malloy- Beast or Bust

Pick: WR Santonio Holmes NYJ

A 6th-Round run on Tight Ends, or an impending 4 game suspension doesn’t phase BeastOrBust.com as we select Santonio Holmes at this spot. At this point in the draft it’s all about finding the right value, and landing one of only 8 players to top 1,200 receiving yards in 2009 does just that. Reports from Jets camp have him already labeled as Mark Sanchez’s favorite and most reliable target. Upon his return from suspension he will be playing for a contract in 2011 and should easily exceed the WR3 numbers we drafted him for. We expect he could even move into our WR2 position by seasons end. Say No To Drugs.

Round 6 Pick 11

Vin Sadicario- FF Toolbox

Pick: WR Mike Wallace PIT

Mike Wallace is a high upside wide receiver entering the 2010 season. Wallace led the NFL in yards per catch in 2009, and should see increased targets in 2010 following the departure on Santonio Holmes and the increased age of Hines Ward. Wallace is primed for a breakout season in 2010.

Round 6 Pick 12

Ryan Lester- Lester’s Legends

Pick: QB Brett Favre MIN

I am not from the camp that believes that Favre’s retirement is for real. With all the weapons he has at his disposal in Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin, Bernard Berrian, Visanthe Shiancoe, and Adrian Peterson, Favre should turn in another big year.

 

 

Quarterbacks Updated 4/12/11

Running Backs Updated 4/12/11

Fullbacks Updated 4/9/11

Wide Receivers Updated 4/12/11

Tight Ends Updated 4/11/11

Offensive Tackles Updated 4/11/11

Guards Updated 4/11/11

Centers Updated 4/12/11

 

Defensive Ends Updated 4/11/11

Rush Linebackers Updated 4/9/11

Defensive Tackles Updated 4/12/11

3-4 Defensive Ends Updated 4/11/11

Nose Tackles Updated 3/5/11

Middle Linebackers Updated 4/9/11

Outside Linebackers Updated 4/9/11

Cornerbacks Updated 4/12/11 

Safeties Updated 4/12/11 

Kickers Updated 4/9/11

Punters Updated 4/9/11 

 

 

Updated 4/26/11

QB RB FB WR TE OT G C DE RLB DT 3-4 DE NT MLB OLB CB S K P

Scoring System 

100 Once in a decade prospect 
95-99 Elite talent 
90-95 Solid top 10 pick 
85-90 Solid first round pick 
80-85 Late 1st-early 2nd 
75-80 Solid 2nd round pick 
70-75 Solid 3rd round pick 
65-70 3rd-4th round pick 
60-65 4th-5th round pick 
55-60 5th round pick 
50-55 6th round pick 
45-50 7th round pick 
40-45 Undrafted, invite to training camp 
30-40 Career practice squader 
20-30 No NFL future 
0-20 No football future 

 

1. Robert Quinn 95 (North Carolina)

2. Cameron Jordan 90 (California)

3. Ryan Kerrigan 90 (Purdue)

4. Justin Houston 88 (Georgia)

5. JJ Watt 87 (Wisconsin)

6. Aldon Smith 87 (Missouri)

7. Brooks Reed 80 (Arizona)

8. Cameron Heyward 80 (Ohio State)

9. Adrian Clayborn 78 (Iowa)

10. Sam Acho 77 (Texas)

11. Da’Quan Bowers 77 (Clemson)

12. Allen Bailey 76 (Miami)

13. Ricky Elmore 74 (Arizona) 

14. Christian Ballard 72 (Iowa)

15. Jabaal Sheard 71 (Pittsburgh)

16. Jeremy Beal 67 (Oklahoma)

17. Thomas Keiser 64 (Stanford)

18. Greg Romeus 63 (Pittsburgh)

19. Pernell McPhee 63 (Mississippi State)

20. Cliff Matthews 53 (South Carolina)

21. Rodney Gnat 52 (Louisville)

22. Ugo Chinasa 51 (Oklahoma State)

23. Karl Klug 51 (Iowa)

24. Eddie Jones 49 (Texas)

25. Pierre Allen 46 (Nebraska)

26. Ryan Winterswyk 44 (Boise State)

 

 

 

Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Round 7 Round 8 Round 9 Round 10

 

Round 7 Pick 1

Ryan Lester- Lester’s Legends

Pick: TE Brent Celek PHI

With essentially a rookie QB under center, Celek is going to be a security blanket for Kolb. I expect a lot of receptions and looks in the red zone.

Round 7 Pick 2

Vin Sadicario- FF Toolbox

Pick: QB Jay Cutler CHI

For as bad as Jay Culter performed for the Bears last season, he still turned in a pretty good fantasy season. Mike Martz should be able to turn the Bears offense up another notch, and with Johnny Knox developing into a go to wide receiver, Cutler should be a top ten quarterback once again in 2010. I expect big things from Jay Cutler this season.

Round 7 Pick 3

Jeff Malloy- Beast or Bust

Pick: TE Zach Miller OAK

At only 24 years old, Zach Miller is primed for a breakout. In each of his three NFL seasons, his catches and yards have increased. He only has 7 career TD’s and was trying to catch passes from Jamarcus Russel, so he has been somewhat of an unreliable fantasy player. That will change this year. Jason Campbell will help the entire Raiders offense and he should look to the 6’5″ Miller often, especially in the redzone. There are a few very solid TE options still on the board and we could wait another round to grab one, but Miller’s upside has us not wanting to chance it.

Round 7 Pick 4

Steven Lourie- Football Fan Spot

Pick: RB Michael Bush OAK

Bush looks like the favorite to win the lead back job in Oakland. He has a career YPC of 4.6 despite running behind a horrible line and playing alongside a horrible quarterback. The Raiders have improved both of those areas this offseason.

Round 7 Pick 5

Hunter Ansley- Draft Zoo

Pick: WR Dez Bryant DAL

I should probably go running back here considering Frank Gore always has a risky feel to him and Jamaal Charles might have to watch Thomas Jones score his touchdowns, but I can’t pass on the potential. If I’m going young at WR, I might as well go all out with it. Despite his injury, Dez Bryant is dying to prove his worth and will work like crazy to make it back and make an impact. The Cowboys’ offense provides plenty of opportunity for him to rack up yards, and I think he’ll be a more prominent red zone option than Jason Witten. With Miles Austin garnering most of the attention from defenses, Bryant should find plenty of beatable coverage after he knocks Roy Williams out of a starting role. Plus, and I don’t know if anyone else heard ESPN ramble on about it, he was playing catch in a walking boot at the Hall of Fame game. I’ll take any receiver that can still use his hands while suffering from an ankle injury.

Round 7 Pick 6

Sam Arker- Rothstein Sports

Pick: WR Santana Moss WAS

I wish I could see the McNabb/Moss duo in at least one pre season game before making this pick, but Moss is most likely the guy in Washington.

Round 7 Pick 7

Eric Stashin- Rotoprofessor

Pick: WR Terrell Owens CIN

It’s a huge gamble, but with big potential rewards. As my third WR, it’s the perfect place to take the risk. He found a place in an offensive with the potential to put up a lot of points, meaning if he can keep himself in line, he could put up big numbers.

Round 7 Pick 8

Scott Carasik- Scardraft

Pick: RB Laurence Maroney NE

Getting a starting RB in the 7th round is a steal. Moroney may not have the best seasons every year, but he has been my solid bye week back for years now.

Round 7 Pick 9

Steve Adler- Fantasy Daddy

Pick: WR TJ Houshmandzadeh SEA

Although I was tempted to select a defense, I felt it was best that I select a solid performer with this pick. I do not have grand expectations for TJ, but I know he will be serviceable and who doesn’t love yelling “Who’s Your Mama” on Sunday afternoons?

Round 7 Pick 10

Paul Greco- Fantasy Pros 911

Pick: RB Justin Forsett SEA

New Seattle Seahawks head coach, Pete Carroll, has fallin in love with RB Justin Forsett. Although he might be the No.1 RB for Seattle, he’ll play flex and spot starter for my team.

Round 7 Pick 11

Walter Cherepinsky- Walter Football

Pick: RB Arian Foster HOU

Ben Tate is out for the year and Steve Slaton keeps fumbling, so Arian Foster will get all of the carries for the Texans.

Round 7 Pick 12

Justin Mertes-Mistretta- The Sports Bank

Pick: RB CJ Spiller BUF

Fred Jackson is out 4-6 weeks with a hand injury and Marshawn Lynch hurt his ankle during the preseason game. This leaves C.J. Spiller as a steal in the 7th round, as I am getting a starting RB with HUGE upside.