Posts Tagged ‘Larry Johnson’

NFL Trade Possibilities: Who Needs To Go

There is a lot of speculation surrounding several bottom-of-the-barrel teams, and for good reason.

The Buffalo Bills are reportedly at least discussing trading Terrell Owens, their one-year free agent splash, while the Browns have had to fight-off rumors about parting ways with former franchise quarterback Brady Quinn, and star return man, Josh Cribbs.

There are nine teams that currently only have one win in 2009, or are still searching for their win. Read more…

Fantasy Football: Don’t Kill The Messenger

(Sanchez was a good sleeper play on Sunday)

Forgive me for playing Nirvana’s “All Apologies” to the max level. But I can’t rid my shame. The guilt, dear God, the guilt.

Actually, that’s a lie, but it’s not for a lack of sorrow that some of my predicted “starts” didn’t pan out. After all, I tend to follow the advice that I give out. So, this week, fair friends, you were not alone.

Through those highs, and those terrible lows, I promise you that you were not alone.

While I may have led you (and you, and you) astray, if only a little bit, I still had enough tricks up my sleeve for the first week of fantasy action.

Enough to keep you listening to my fantasy advice, perhaps? Well, before I indulge myself and your fantasy hopes into another Fantasy Football: Start and Sit column, it’s only my duty to review my picks, and to fully explain why certain players failed to live up to my expectations, while also boosting my ego with my “correct” calls.

The Record: 9-5

The Duds

Okay, so Brett Favre didn’t throw for 200+ yards and two touchdowns. My bad. In fact, he barely cracked 100, and only threw 21 passes.

But no interceptions and a score doesn’t make playing him a total loss. Still, as far as “starts” go, he was a dud.

And I apologize for Willie Parker. Boy, was that a blown call.

I truly did not believe he was that washed up, or that Tennessee’s run defense would show-up like that. Both of those comments could be overblown, but considering Mewelde Moore did pretty well overall, I’m placing most of the blame on Parker no loner living up to his “Fast Willie” nick-name.

The Winners

If you followed my lead and played Greg Jennings (despite a nagging injury), Matt Hasselbeck, and Ray Rice, you were pleasantly surprised.

Rice topped 100 yards rushing, Hasselbeck threw three scores, and Jennings hauled in the game-winning touchdown and over 100 yards against the Bears on Sunday night.

You were probably feeling rather smart if you followed my “Sit” suggestions this week, as well.

Jay Cutler had a forgettable four-pick performance, Larry Johnson only managed 20 rushing yards against the Ravens, Kevin Curtis only had 26 yards against the Panthers, and sitting Pierre Thomas was a good choice.

If you went the extra mile and plugged Mike Bell into your line-up on a whim, kudos to you.

The Sleepers

Jeremy Shockey and Mark Sanchez made me look smart, while Peyton Hillis and David Clowney did nothing to warrant a spot on the “look out for me” list.

The jury is still out on Darren McFadden for tonight, while Carnell Williams (originally a sit candidate) had over 90 yards rushing and a score. Still, with Derrick Ward splitting carries, he will continue to be a risky play.

All in all, it’s only Week One, but with a 9-5 record on my start-and-sit calls, the fantasy gods may soon be shining on you to listen to this advice.

Look for this week’s Fantasy Football: Start and Sit column on B/R, or go straight to www.theredzonereport.com for all of your fantasy advice and NFL news.

2009 Kansas City Chiefs: Five Things to Watch For

 

See: Edgerrin James.

While Todd Haley isn’t a fool, he sure isn’t a fan of pounding the ball, either. He and the Chiefs will never be a smash-mouth, run-first offense, and the quicker everyone realizes it, the better.

Matt Cassel is on board to help make Dwayne Bowe a machine, and to take enough attention off the ground game to make Johnson appear less slow and banged up than he truly is.

He may not have a ton of tread left on his Herman Edwards-ran rampade tires, but he’s still an elite back if used correctly.

Does that mean a rushing crown and a happy camper hat for the entire season? Very unlikely, but if there’s consistent balance, Johnson will undoubtedly be a huge part of it.

But his attitude and work ethic have to change. Immediately.

Bowe has been consistent in his first two seasons, and with excellent build, solid speed, and great body control, he has the makings of an Anquan Boldin in Haley’s explosive air attack offense.

A few weeks being demoted to the third team unit should have him ready to prove himself in 2009.

That’s right, Brodie Croye. Sit back down, Tyler Thigpen.

Gone are the days of the spread offense. Gone are the predictable offensive sets, as fun as some of them were to watch.

With Matt Cassel (after week one, of course), the Chiefs finally have a passer that has the arm and legs to carry an offense, something they haven’t had since Steve Bono (forive me for saying so).

Cassel certainly is seeing a talent drop-off from his magical run in New England, but he still has enough talent and good coaching to win some games and help KC make some noise.

That, or this was the worst trade Scot Pioli has ever made, and the best one Bill Belichick has.

The offense will be more balanced and more efficient, but without Tony Gonzalez and another dependabe option across fro Bowe, it will be hard to top 4-5 wins.

On the bright side, however, the Chiefs aren’t exactly playing in a tough division, with only one team (San Diego) posing as sure-fire division contenders; a division returning zero teams with better than an 8-8 record in 2008.

But can Haley really be expected to take this tea to glory without Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, or a polished veteran like Kurt Warner at his disposal?

And woeful is putting it nicely.

Through three pre-season games this year, Kansas City has registered four sacks, which is only six shy of their league low total of 10 in 2008.

Are they getting better? Sure, but that really isn’t saying much, now is it?

Through three pre-season games, they’ve shown an ability to lock things up inside the 20, refusing to allow more than 17 points in a game.