The Panthers released DeShaun Foster. Here is what you need to know:
"Williams, Carolina's first-round pick in 2006, started getting more carries late last season. While Foster gained 876 yards to Williams' 717, Williams averaged 5 yards per carry to Foster's 3.5 and appeared to be much more explosive." (AP)
1600 yards of offense on the ground last year. DO NOT bank on Williams getting 1600 yards next year. I thought a handful of RBs would be the stud last year because they shared the roster with no one of note, only to find that more and more teams are committed to RBBC. I doubt Carolina is, but the trend is to not wear out one back, so odds are Williams will share with someone, although he should probably still get 1000 or more yards. Also, between Williams and Foster - the Panthers put up only 7 TDs last year on the ground.
Meh.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Jamal Lewis to stay a Brown
AP reports: "Running back Jamal Lewis has agreed to terms on a three-year contract to stay with the Cleveland Browns."
Jamal is someone I hope falls through the cracks next year. I'm pretty sure he will be a bit of a value because he just doesn't have the appeal as LT, Addai and Adrian Peterson. But he is a workhorse on an offense that remembers to run the ball.
Jamal is someone I hope falls through the cracks next year. I'm pretty sure he will be a bit of a value because he just doesn't have the appeal as LT, Addai and Adrian Peterson. But he is a workhorse on an offense that remembers to run the ball.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Free Agent Tracker
Here's a nifty tool. Not sure about all the rankings, but hey, it's a nifty tool... Here.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Ahhh.... Free Agency
This is the NFL, baby. There is no offseason - just a small lull between the draft and the preseason and we fill that lull with fantasy football research!
As for now - things are starting to get interesting in the free agency arena and there's already been a large shake up in coaching personnel, starting with Bobby Petrino bailing on pro ball with three weeks left in the regular season.
For this post, I'll highlight some interesting free agency moves that may affect fantasy football.
1) The Falcons. They were worse than I anticipated last year. Either Vick really did carry that team to .500 every year or Petrino was a far worse coach than I imagined. I am pretty sure the latter is true. I still believe a good coach could have got at least 6-8 wins out of the Falcons.
They start this year with a new, unheralded coach in Mike Smith, former DC of the Jags, and a new GM, Thomas Dimitroff, former, uh, head of college scouting I believe, for the Patriots. They have decided to make some cap room by releasing a few aging stalwarts of the old team - TE Alge Crumpler, DT Rod Coleman and OT Wayne Gandy, along with QB Byron Leftwich and a couple lesser knowns such as CB Lewis Sanders, LB Marcus Wilkins and WR Jamin Elliot.
Good riddance almost all. I'd like to see Gandy and maybe Coleman back at reduced salaries, but these are good moves. Crumpler is the type to say 'That's not how we do it' to a new coaching staff and was a hindrance to Petrino last year. I'd like to see Hall traded for the same reason. I'd also like to see some message that Dunn is officially a great guy, but not the starter anymore.
The Mustard: We'll see what the Falcons do with the cap space, Dunn and Hall. They have a lot of needs.
2) Broncos put Rod Smith on the reserve/retired list. I didn't know there was such a list, but at 38, this previously reliable WR is two seasons and two hip surgeries removed from 1000 yards.
The Mustard: With Javon Walker and Brandon Marshall, Jay Cutler will not miss Smith. This frees up $1.5 million for the Broncos.
3) KC is retooling their OL. It was necessary last year, but they held on one year too long to the old guard, so to speak. They released eleased offensive guard John Welbourn, Kyle Turley retired, they let Chris Terry go last year and may not resign center Casey Wiegmann.
The Mustard: Unless the Chiefs pull of some free agency and draft coups on the line, do not expect a resurgence from Larry Johnson or the rest of the offense this year. Even with some good moves, it might take until 2009 to see a productive KC offense again.
4) Miami Dolphins released LB Zach Thomas. Per the AP: "Miami trimmed about $9 million in 2008 base salary on Monday, when it parted ways with quarterback Trent Green, wide receiver Marty Booker and seven other players. Thomas was slated to make just over $5.6 million in base salary this coming season." To be clear, including Thomas, the Fins freed $14.6 million in cap room.
The Mustard: The Dolphins D wasn't the old D last year and it's time to rebuild.
5) Seattle signed pro-bowl guard Mike Wahl, beating out the Patriots and 'just about every team in the league' with a line opening, according to Wahl's agent.
The Mustard: Look for Seattle to improve the run game and remain very good to dominant in their division. This bodes well for the entire offense.
6) The Panthers released pro-bowl guard Mike Wahl to save cap space. The team managed about 100 yards per game with him.
The Mustard: Just looking at the team stats, I can't imagine they'll be better next year with or without him. I'd avoid both DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams.
7) The Bills released Peerless Price.
The Mustard Not really important news, but you recognize the name. The Bills are a young and talented team on offense. If their schedule, which was brutal in 2007, is more favorable in 2008, look for surprises from the offensive players. Early buzz is that the new OC in Buffalo wants to get the ball in Marshawn Lynch's hands more often in the passing game. That was supposed to happen last year, but this is new OC and Lynch isn't a rookie anymore. It could happen this year and probably should. Lynch may be the next RB in the mold of Westbrook, Gore and LT - a running and receiving threat with gamebreaking ability in either capacity.
As for now - things are starting to get interesting in the free agency arena and there's already been a large shake up in coaching personnel, starting with Bobby Petrino bailing on pro ball with three weeks left in the regular season.
For this post, I'll highlight some interesting free agency moves that may affect fantasy football.
1) The Falcons. They were worse than I anticipated last year. Either Vick really did carry that team to .500 every year or Petrino was a far worse coach than I imagined. I am pretty sure the latter is true. I still believe a good coach could have got at least 6-8 wins out of the Falcons.
They start this year with a new, unheralded coach in Mike Smith, former DC of the Jags, and a new GM, Thomas Dimitroff, former, uh, head of college scouting I believe, for the Patriots. They have decided to make some cap room by releasing a few aging stalwarts of the old team - TE Alge Crumpler, DT Rod Coleman and OT Wayne Gandy, along with QB Byron Leftwich and a couple lesser knowns such as CB Lewis Sanders, LB Marcus Wilkins and WR Jamin Elliot.
Good riddance almost all. I'd like to see Gandy and maybe Coleman back at reduced salaries, but these are good moves. Crumpler is the type to say 'That's not how we do it' to a new coaching staff and was a hindrance to Petrino last year. I'd like to see Hall traded for the same reason. I'd also like to see some message that Dunn is officially a great guy, but not the starter anymore.
The Mustard: We'll see what the Falcons do with the cap space, Dunn and Hall. They have a lot of needs.
2) Broncos put Rod Smith on the reserve/retired list. I didn't know there was such a list, but at 38, this previously reliable WR is two seasons and two hip surgeries removed from 1000 yards.
The Mustard: With Javon Walker and Brandon Marshall, Jay Cutler will not miss Smith. This frees up $1.5 million for the Broncos.
3) KC is retooling their OL. It was necessary last year, but they held on one year too long to the old guard, so to speak. They released eleased offensive guard John Welbourn, Kyle Turley retired, they let Chris Terry go last year and may not resign center Casey Wiegmann.
The Mustard: Unless the Chiefs pull of some free agency and draft coups on the line, do not expect a resurgence from Larry Johnson or the rest of the offense this year. Even with some good moves, it might take until 2009 to see a productive KC offense again.
4) Miami Dolphins released LB Zach Thomas. Per the AP: "Miami trimmed about $9 million in 2008 base salary on Monday, when it parted ways with quarterback Trent Green, wide receiver Marty Booker and seven other players. Thomas was slated to make just over $5.6 million in base salary this coming season." To be clear, including Thomas, the Fins freed $14.6 million in cap room.
The Mustard: The Dolphins D wasn't the old D last year and it's time to rebuild.
5) Seattle signed pro-bowl guard Mike Wahl, beating out the Patriots and 'just about every team in the league' with a line opening, according to Wahl's agent.
The Mustard: Look for Seattle to improve the run game and remain very good to dominant in their division. This bodes well for the entire offense.
6) The Panthers released pro-bowl guard Mike Wahl to save cap space. The team managed about 100 yards per game with him.
The Mustard: Just looking at the team stats, I can't imagine they'll be better next year with or without him. I'd avoid both DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams.
7) The Bills released Peerless Price.
The Mustard Not really important news, but you recognize the name. The Bills are a young and talented team on offense. If their schedule, which was brutal in 2007, is more favorable in 2008, look for surprises from the offensive players. Early buzz is that the new OC in Buffalo wants to get the ball in Marshawn Lynch's hands more often in the passing game. That was supposed to happen last year, but this is new OC and Lynch isn't a rookie anymore. It could happen this year and probably should. Lynch may be the next RB in the mold of Westbrook, Gore and LT - a running and receiving threat with gamebreaking ability in either capacity.
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