ENDZONE ALLEYs' Offseason Notes Continued
Ray Rice - Ray Rice is in the middle of a holdout and as Chris Johnson displayed to perfection last season, runningbacks who hold out under perform and are more susceptible to injury. His workload since 09 is 332, 371 and 367 touches (not including playoffs). Perhaps those high touch totals played a part in the Ravens trading up to land Bernard Pierce in the 3rd round. The Ray Rice hold out is definitely a situation to monitor as the longer his holdout lasts the stronger the chances are of, if nothing more, a sluggish start (which is the norm for holdouts).
Maurice Jones-Drew - MJDs' touch total the last 3 seasons looks like 365, 333, 386 respectively. An obvious heavy workload. It was noted earlier this month that he had lost a step and now he's in the middle of whats shaping up to be "a lengthy holdout" according to Adam Schefter. MJD is built like a human bowling ball yes, but eventually the wheels will fall off. At the very least his production should take a significant dip this season as its very doubtfull hes able to exceed 1600 rushing yards back to back seasons.
Demarco Murray - Murray has been cleared to play and dazzled thus far in camp. According to Fox Sports SouthWest, "it's obvious that DeMarco Murray is going to be the featured back". It appears Murray is ready to step in and pick up right where he left off last season before going down with injury. Dallas also passed the ball in the redzone at a rate of 87% last season. One that is highly unlikely to be repeated and give Murray many more scoring opportunities.
Darren McFadden - McFadden possesses the highest upside of any RB in the NFL. Unfortunately he hasn't been able to reach his full potential due to injury history. His latest injury will likely draw enough of a red flag to fantasy owners to slide him outside the top 12 picks. If you fortunate enough to have DMac fall to your 2nd pick you simply snatch him without hesitation. Yes, it hurts to "whiff"
on an early pick and his injury risk certainly warrants ample "whiff" potential, but you can't play not to lose. As Herm Edwards would say, "You play to win the game".
Matt Forte - Forte is a no show thus far and as that along with the signing of Michael Bush and his prior injury could all add up to one big red flag I still sit optimisticly on the issue. Forte has never totaled under 1400 scrimage yards in a season in his career. He's comming off a career high in ypc at 4.9 and if you had the pleasure of watching him last season you will remember how his play was without question elite. Forte will continue to run with great motivation and possibly more than ever with Michael Bush on his heels. Forte wants to get paid and get paid generously. Jay Cutler was quoted to say "He was huge, all ripped up," "I was like, 'What do you do?' (Forte replied) 'All I do is go to the weight room. I've got nothing else to do.'" As long as Forte signs be ready to pay for his consistant top end numbers he produces week to week.
Kenny Britt - Due to a recent set back Britt was forced to under go yet another knee surgery this offseason to clean up his torn ACL. Although it was minor he should be dropped in early rankings until further notice. Britt has mamouth upside when healthy but as a player who relys heavily on explosiveness he may end up being a player to avoid this season if hes not 100%.
Greg Little - Little only played one year of college at the WR position. He came into the NFL as a very raw talent which lead to expected rookie "growing pains". Despite his lack of polish and being on one of the leagues most stagnant offenses Little still posted a respectable 61 catch 709 yard season. His open field moves resemble those of Brandon Marshalls. Little lacks the same explosiveness, but hes doing his best to change that. He's lost 11lbs due to "working out and good nutrition". With a full season under his belt and a full offseason of work Little could be primed for a 1000 yard campaign. In fact The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot believes WR Greg Little is capable of "maybe even a Pro Bowl-type of year if Brandon Weeden wins the starting quarterback job." Sure, that may be a little ambitious, but Weeden does appear to be in the driver seat for the starting job, he is a QB upgrade and Little looks to have more polish to go with his after the catch skills.
Lestar Jean - His camp play thus far earned him the nickname "big play". He's been said to have learned all 3 WR positions and thus shouldn't have a problem finding ways on the field. Kevin Walter is all that stands in his way from making some serious noise in fantasy circles. At 6'3" 215 lbs with sub 4.5 speed to his credit a potential starting gig opposite Andre Johnson would put him in consistant mismatches. As a possible "camp sensation" Jean is most certainly a player for all to monitor.
~Joseph Turnbull~
No comments:
Post a Comment