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JOEY GALLOWAY
WR - Bucs
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Comments from Shawn Griffin - 6/5
FANTASY UPSIDE
Heading into last season, 4for4.com was perhaps the only source on the planet to see even a glimmer of hope drafting Galloway. Still, maybe we all should have seen it coming – the renaissance of “Joey Galloway.” But really, how could anyone have known? Actually, a deeper dive of the statistics shows Galloway catching 22 passes for 305 yards and five touchdowns in the last five games of 2004. Galloway gained even more momentum in Jon Gruden’s offense while catching four or more passes in 14 of 16 games and never going more than three games without a touchdown catch. Galloway’s 83 catches ranked 12th last season while his 1,287 receiving yards ranked 7th. More remarkably, the former Ohio State Buckeye caught 10 touchdown passes, tying for 3rd in the league. This remarkable turnaround came at the ripe old age of 34 after Galloway had not had 1,000 yards receiving or 10 touchdown catches since 1998.
Tampa Bay expects to start young Chris Simms at quarterback this season and Galloway is the perfect veteran compliment on the outside for Simms to put his trust. Galloway matched his career average of 15.5 yards-per-catch last season showing that if he has slowed down at all, it hasn’t been much at all.
FANTASY DOWNSIDE
Jon Gruden has loaded up the offense with other wide receiver veterans, Ike Hilliard and David Boston, to help ensure a smooth transition for Simms. Michael Clayton, who enters his third season is also expected to have a bounce-back season especially considering his fantastic rookie campaign in which 80 passes for 1,193 yards and seven touchdowns. Gruden may look to share the ball in the air while he drives the ‘Cadillac’, Carnell Williams, on the ground.
MY BOTTOM LINE
Was last season a fluke? The statistics seem to say ‘yes’. If Galloway is your first wideout off the board, you'll have plenty of reasons to say up late at night watching Jon Stewart’s ‘Daily Show’ wondering how you can work a deal to shore up your wide receiver position.
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Comments from Scott Pagel - 6/5
FANTASY UPSIDE
For those owners who drafted Joey Galloway last year, you found yourself with some late-round fantasy gold – the dream of any GM. But, it’s probably safe bet to say Galloway didn’t get drafted in most leagues, thus making him one of the better waiver wire pickups of the season.
Galloway set career marks in catches (83), yards (1,287) and first downs (57). His 10 touchdowns tied for second best in his career. Perhaps most important, Galloway stayed the number-one target after Chris Simms took over at quarterback for the injured Brian Griese in week 8. While Galloway posted just one 100-plus-yard game under Griese, he had three under Simms (149 in week 8; 131 in week 10, 138 in week 12).
FANTASY DOWNSIDE
If you’re looking for bad news, five times Galloway had games where he didn’t crack 40 yards receiving, two of those were zero-catch games – Buffalo in week 2 and Atlanta in week 11. He had just 39 yards on four catches against Carolina in week 14 and 38 yards on four catches yards against New England in week 15. In week 17, he had 38 yards receiving on four catches, but two of those were touchdowns, against New Orleans.
MY BOTTOM LINE
Overall, Galloway’s numbers last year probably put him in the top-10 for wide receivers in most league point systems. Does that mean he should be drafted as a top-10 receiver this season – probably not. While Simms will be a year better, Galloway will turn 35 this season. The possible re-emergence of Michael Clayton could take some balls and yards away as well as losing a step. Some GM’s will base their picks on last year’s number and take Galloway sooner than he should. Don’t reach - landing Galloway in the 8th or 9th round looks more appropriate. Still, I don’t see Galloway as much more than a number-three WR for my fantasy team this season.
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What Next?
Be sure to check out the following...
a)
Full Impact Draft Simulator
b)
Full Impact Customized Cheat Sheets
c)
Ultimate Cheat Sheets
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