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Here’s some more items we found this week working the horn.
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We’ve heard the Broncos are very happy with rookie TE Tony Scheffler. They like his hands and speed in open space. His blocking skills might be the only thing holding him back right now, but word is he’s going to be very active and might leave the box as a third receiver from time to time -- all good news for Fantasy managers.
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With Kevan Barlow in New York, Maurice Hicks steps up to become the handcuff to
Frank Gore. Gore has a history of knee problems so grabbing Hicks late in deep drafts certainly makes some sense. Keep in mind Hicks averaged over 5/yds per carry last year even in the 49ers hapless offense. Word is he’s much more powerful running inside than most fans might realize and he’s more than capable of taking it the distance in open space.
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Word is the Lions want Kevin Jones much more active in the passing game this year. Thanks to OC
Mike Martz, Jones will get snaps in more 3rd and long situations and will be used as a fourth receiver, ala
Marshall Faulk in the Rams glory days. The key here is how much attention Roy Williams and #2 WR
Corey Bradford generate on deep routes. If the line holds and they go deep with plenty of defensive attention, Jones benefits as a receiver.
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From Washington, Mark Brunell (groin) remains day to day. Same with backup WR
David Patten (leg).
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Willis McGahee's fantasy handcuff? It’s still not clear, but word is Lionel Gates is now the front-runner. Gates has hit the hole hard, done some nice dives over the top in short yardage and been the Bills most powerful runner between the tackles.
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As many of you know, 4for4.com has been high on rookie RB Jerious Norwood for weeks now, long before the Duckett trade. With
T.J. Duckett in Washington, Norwood is one injury away from being the feature back in Atlanta’s very effective zone-blocking scheme. Word is Norwood has shown he’s very capable of hitting the hole quickly and that’s exactly what the Falcons run-scheme calls for.
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This is a key week for the Jaguars K Josh Scobee (sore leg). He’s the team’s #1 PK, but has done little all camp and
Seth Marler has filled in nicely. The Jags prefer Scobee so as long as he is able to get the work done this week, he’s going to hold onto his job.
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Based on what we have, Antowain Smith remains a main backup to
Domanick Davis in Houston. Still, Vernand Morency has flashed his superior burst and speed and remains the team’s best big-play RB threat.
The upshot? If the season started today, Morency might still be behind Smith, but in 3-4 weeks, from a Fantasy Value standpoint, the situation could very likely flip, assuming Davis is still hurting.
For his part, rookie Wali Lundy has shown good body lean and he’s actually a nice fit in Houston’s new “one cut and move” system; almost as good as Smith. All this suggests taking a flyer on Lundy late is a decent move considering the risk-reward ratio.
Bottom Line: Consider Lundy and Morency in the starting rotation with Smith
still very much in the mix.
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The Carolina inside-buzz on TE Michael Gaines remains positive. He’s seeing more work with Delhomme and the first unit and he’s always had good hands and speed for a big TE. While he’s still off most FF radar screens, keep him in mind if you are in a big league (16+ teams); especially if TEs earn decent points in your system. Gaines could be a nice last round flyer come mid-season.
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From Miami, our source says Daunte Culpepper is ready and TE Randy McMichael and
Chris Chambers will benefit the most. Culpepper remains an excellent fantasy value in most leagues.
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It could change in a heartbeat, but word is Thomas Jones is now clearly ahead of
Cedric Benson as the Bears starter for NFL Week #1. Benson continues to miss practice reps.
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