Things to watch for during pre-season
Position Battles
One of the most important aspects of preparing for your season and the draft is to
pay attention during the pre-season. I'm not talking about the pre-season games that are
almost as worthless to you and me as a screen door on a submarine. No, I'm talking
about keeping up with current events and watching for other key elements that will effect
players on each team.
pay attention during the pre-season. I'm not talking about the pre-season games that are
almost as worthless to you and me as a screen door on a submarine. No, I'm talking
about keeping up with current events and watching for other key elements that will effect
players on each team.
This season, like most any season, has it's share of players battling against each
other for supremacy at their position. Some of these battles will result in an elected
starter, while others will end up in a platoon situation which lowers their fantasy value.
Here are some of the key competitions for this pre-season:
QB (Tampa Bay)- Chris Simms vs. Jeff Garcia vs. Jake Plummer vs. ???
Looks like Garcia has nailed this one down. He has convinced head coach Jon
Gruden to implement the shotgun and is more polished and experienced.
QB (Carolina)- Jake Delhomme vs. David Carr
It's Delhomme's job to lose. But, with the kind of $$$ the team spent to bring
Carr in, Delhomme's leash may be pretty short. Despite Carr's woes in Houston, he is
younger, more mobile and fairly accurate in his own right.
QB (Kansas City)- Damon Huard vs. Brodie Coyle
With Trent Green (finally) being given his walking papers, the Chiefs need to
choose between the "journeyman" or the "future". Head coach Herm Edwards openly
endorses Croyle and will be given every chance to win the job. But with Edwards'
conservative nature, the more likely candidate to start the season will be Huard.
RB (Carolina)- DeAngelo Williams vs. DeShaun Foster
Foster has been given chance after chance to take the job as his own, but has not
done so in season's past. He has shown no reason to convince me that he will be able to
this season, either. Williams is the more talented of the two and is a better receiver as
well as a better goal-line runner. But with the team's new, zone-blocking scheme,
Foster's running style may be better suited. Foster may start the season, but based on
fantasy value, Williams will be worth more points.
RB (Washington)- Clinton Portis vs. Ladell Betts
Portis is back and will start. But Betts will get his share of touches after such
huge production in Portis' stead last season while out after shoulder surgery. Portis is
no longer an elite back and with health issues (both shoulders and an iffy knee),
will not be able to carry a full workload.
RB (Detroit)- Kevin Jones vs. Tatum Bell vs. T.J. Duckett
Jones has the potential to be a big-time fantasy producer; especially in a Mike Martz
offense. He's a great receiver out of the backfield and has the most talent of the
three. But injuries are going to keep him from getting those numbers again this season.
Bell will steal some carries to ease the load until Jones is healthy (???) and Duckett
will get the goal-line opportunities.
RB (Buffalo)- Marshawn Lynch vs. Anthony Thomas
Look for Lynch to start, as the Bills are really high on this guy!! Dont expect Lynch
to get 20+ carries a game. Thomas will fill in as needed.
RB (New York Giants)- Brandon Jacobs vs. Reuben Droughns
Jacobs will get the majority of the touches, but Droughns will get his chances, too.
Jacobs will have to prove that he can carry the workload of a starter before he gets
sole custody of the ball. He should get most of the 6-point carries, as well.
WR (Detroit)- Calvin Johnson vs. Mike Furrey
I don't think there are any doubts that Johnson will get the no. 2 spot on this roster.
Despite Furrey's awesome season last year, he's no match for Johnson's combination
of speed, hands, and leagping ability. In this offense, though, Furrey will get plenty of
touches as a no. 3 receiver in the slot.
WR (Seattle)- Nate Burleson vs. D.J. Hackett
Burleson is another of those players that have been given the chance to take the
starting spot for his own, but has not even been close to being able to do so. With
Darrell Jackson gone and Deion Branch in his second year in this offense, the no. 2 spot
is up for grabs. The highly underrated Hackett has the speed and play-making ability to
be a great complement to Branch.
other for supremacy at their position. Some of these battles will result in an elected
starter, while others will end up in a platoon situation which lowers their fantasy value.
Here are some of the key competitions for this pre-season:
QB (Tampa Bay)- Chris Simms vs. Jeff Garcia vs. Jake Plummer vs. ???
Looks like Garcia has nailed this one down. He has convinced head coach Jon
Gruden to implement the shotgun and is more polished and experienced.
QB (Carolina)- Jake Delhomme vs. David Carr
It's Delhomme's job to lose. But, with the kind of $$$ the team spent to bring
Carr in, Delhomme's leash may be pretty short. Despite Carr's woes in Houston, he is
younger, more mobile and fairly accurate in his own right.
QB (Kansas City)- Damon Huard vs. Brodie Coyle
With Trent Green (finally) being given his walking papers, the Chiefs need to
choose between the "journeyman" or the "future". Head coach Herm Edwards openly
endorses Croyle and will be given every chance to win the job. But with Edwards'
conservative nature, the more likely candidate to start the season will be Huard.
RB (Carolina)- DeAngelo Williams vs. DeShaun Foster
Foster has been given chance after chance to take the job as his own, but has not
done so in season's past. He has shown no reason to convince me that he will be able to
this season, either. Williams is the more talented of the two and is a better receiver as
well as a better goal-line runner. But with the team's new, zone-blocking scheme,
Foster's running style may be better suited. Foster may start the season, but based on
fantasy value, Williams will be worth more points.
RB (Washington)- Clinton Portis vs. Ladell Betts
Portis is back and will start. But Betts will get his share of touches after such
huge production in Portis' stead last season while out after shoulder surgery. Portis is
no longer an elite back and with health issues (both shoulders and an iffy knee),
will not be able to carry a full workload.
RB (Detroit)- Kevin Jones vs. Tatum Bell vs. T.J. Duckett
Jones has the potential to be a big-time fantasy producer; especially in a Mike Martz
offense. He's a great receiver out of the backfield and has the most talent of the
three. But injuries are going to keep him from getting those numbers again this season.
Bell will steal some carries to ease the load until Jones is healthy (???) and Duckett
will get the goal-line opportunities.
RB (Buffalo)- Marshawn Lynch vs. Anthony Thomas
Look for Lynch to start, as the Bills are really high on this guy!! Dont expect Lynch
to get 20+ carries a game. Thomas will fill in as needed.
RB (New York Giants)- Brandon Jacobs vs. Reuben Droughns
Jacobs will get the majority of the touches, but Droughns will get his chances, too.
Jacobs will have to prove that he can carry the workload of a starter before he gets
sole custody of the ball. He should get most of the 6-point carries, as well.
WR (Detroit)- Calvin Johnson vs. Mike Furrey
I don't think there are any doubts that Johnson will get the no. 2 spot on this roster.
Despite Furrey's awesome season last year, he's no match for Johnson's combination
of speed, hands, and leagping ability. In this offense, though, Furrey will get plenty of
touches as a no. 3 receiver in the slot.
WR (Seattle)- Nate Burleson vs. D.J. Hackett
Burleson is another of those players that have been given the chance to take the
starting spot for his own, but has not even been close to being able to do so. With
Darrell Jackson gone and Deion Branch in his second year in this offense, the no. 2 spot
is up for grabs. The highly underrated Hackett has the speed and play-making ability to
be a great complement to Branch.
Inserted 08-o2-07