| by: Scott Sommers Now that mini-camps have been completed and the June
1 frenzy ended like a whisper, it is time to take a look to see how some of
the bigger free agents might fare with their new teams for this upcoming
season.
Quarterbacks
Jake Plummer (Denver): Yes, I know that everyone in Denver had
couldn’t stand Griese, but is the Snake really the answer? I don’t think he
is as good as a fit everyone wants it to be. Plummer has been, at best, an
average NFL quarterback. He had a stud receiver in David Boston, but still
threw more picks than touchdowns. Some believe that with Shanahan coaching
him, he will be the next coming of John Elway. Seeing is believing. Portis
will take a ton of pressure off of him, but receivers Rod Smith and Easy Ed
McCaffrey aren’t exactly getting any younger. Let’s see if Ashley Lelie
overtakes the second spot, then I will feel a tad better but not much. Watch
to him closely in the preseason, especially game three. It will give a much
better picture of how the regular season will be.
Jeff Blake (Arizona): It can’t get any worst for Blake, who played
poker with the Ravens and lost big ending up in the land football has
forgotten. He has no experienced receivers to speak off and an aging running
back (I will get to him in a moment). Blake has a nice deep ball and if a
receiver or two can be the guy, Blake might be worthy of holding down a
backup spot on your roster at best.
Kordell Stewart (Chicago): If there was ever a guy that needed a
change of scenery, it was Kordell Stewart. He fell completely out of
Cowher’s favor when Maddox came in and took the football world by storm.
Stewart heads up an offense that desperately needs a quarterback to remain
upright for most of the season. Stewart should be able to do that, but he
has to be already looking over his shoulder with Rex Grossman being drafted
by the Bears. He has the motivation factor of proving the Steelers wrong and
also has some decent wide receivers (especially Booker). If Booker and
Stewart get locked in, it could be a nice season for both of them. Stewart
could be a nice back-up and spot starter. How he plays in December might be
a different story.
Brian Griese (Miami): Griese comes in as the backup to Jay Fiedler
and no pressure on him to perform...right away. That will not last long,
especially if Fiedler falters. Griese could put up some decent numbers in
the Dolphins offense. He has a great running back in Ricky Williams and some
good young wide-outs. You should handcuff him to Fiedler, if possible, that
way you are protected.
Jake Delhomme (Carolina): Delhomme has a chance to be a starter,
but don’t expect a ton out of him. The Panthers are going to play
smash-mouth football this year leaving little downfield opportunities. When
Delhomme stepped in a few times in New Orleans he played pretty well and had
some nice medium-deep passes. But, he doesn’t have the arm to throw deep,
which isn’t a bad thing since the Panthers offense doesn’t feature that
anyway. He could be worthy of a third quarterback spot if he emerges as the
starter.
Running Backs
Stephen Davis (Carolina): After getting misused last year, Davis
has to be coming in with a vengeance to the Panthers. He is the perfect
running back for what the Panthers are going to do this year. Davis will be
used heavily which should be a bit of a concern to fantasy owners. Davis has
only once gone through an entire year without injury. That was also his best
year as a pro under Marty-ball. DeShaun Foster may come back and bite into
his caries a bit, but see it first, before you believe it. This could be a
classic, ride-him-for-eight-weeks-and-trade-away scenario.
Stacey Mack (Houston): Mack comes in Houston with the hopes of
being the feature back. This may or may not happen because Jonathon Wells is
still there along with James Allen. Mack knows how to get into the end zone
as evidence when he played for an injured Fred Taylor, rushing for nine
scores. He needs to win the starting job if he is going to be on a fantasy
roster. The most likely scenario is Mack and Wells splitting carries, giving
us the wonderful RBBC.
Trung Candiate (Washington): This could be Trung’s last chance to
stick in the NFL. With all of his speed, he fits perfect into the Redskins’
offense. He has decent hands, but they will need to get better if he is
going to start. He has an uphill battle with Ladell Betts and Kenny Watson
already there and established. With the way Spurrier moved around his
starting lineups, don’t be surprised if the running backs end up this way.
Trung is a buyer-beware, draft at your own risk.
Thomas Jones (Tampa Bay): If you are Thomas Jones, you have to
feel like the Beverly Hillbillies after Uncle Jed struck oil. Jones goes
from the outhouse to the penthouse of the NFL landing with the Buccaneers.
He will be given a chance to start, thanks to Michael Pittman’s legal
problems. Jones could be a big-time sleeper. He has the tools as evidenced
to his game against Seattle, rushing for 174 yards, but he also has been
known to disappear. Hence why Marcel Shipp became the starter. If he can get
his head-on straight, Jones could be worth a late-round flyer. He may not
see a ton of goal line carries because of Alstott, but he could end up the
featured back for the Bucs.
Emmitt Smith (Arizona): I am not a fan of this move. I didn’t have
a problem with Cards letting Plummer and Boston go, even though it didn’t
make any sense. So why let sense play a factor and sign a veteran to start
even though they had given Marcel Shipp a three-year deal. Well that’s the
Cards for you. Smith went from a real bad team to team that isn’t much
better. He is getting older, but can serve the right role, but I don’t think
it is that of a feature back. Smith maintains that he can still be one. The
offensive line is pretty good and he does have a solid fullback, but time
will see. Right now, I am not banking on it.
Wide Receivers
David Boston (San Diego): If he is healthy, Boston could be a stud
once again. However, before we get all giddy. Boston has a couple of things
to overcome: he has to get familiar with a new system and a new quarterback
and he is in a run-first offense, that features ball-control and a stingy
defense. After all, this is Marty-ball and he has killed more than one
receiver’s career. Boston will go high in a lot of drafts, but make sure
before you tab him as your number one wide-out that you know what the Bolts
are going this year. Boston will put up decent numbers, but closer to that
of a #2 than a #1.
Peerless Price (Atlanta): Talking with some friends of mine, most
believe that Price is going to turn the Falcons’ offense into a high-flying
scoring machine. They may be right, but I am not sold on it. Remember who
the coach is and what he likes to do best. Even when Reeves had Elway, the
ball was spread around, so teams couldn’t key on just one guy. I think that
is what is going to happen to Price. Vick still doesn’t have the ability to
throw the ball to both sides of the field and he certainly isn’t a pocket
passer like Bledsoe. Price will have the pressure of facing more
double-teams than last year. After all, Brian Finneran, Martay Jenkins and
Trevor Gaylor don’t exactly throw fear into opposing defenses, even though
they are solid. One last thing to note. Only four free agent wide receivers
that changed teams have caught more than 1200 yards in a season. Think about
that for a while.
J.J. Stokes (Jacksonville): The Jags hope that Stokes will be able
to take over the second WR spot that they have been trying to fill since
McKardell left. He has good size and decent speed, but his play has left a
lot to be desired. If he stays on the field and he can click with Brunell
quickly, Stokes could be worth a late-round gamble.
Laveranues Coles (Washington): This is the one that people should
keep an eye on. Coles goes into a pass-happy offense with a number one WR
already in place. This is a perfect for Coles, who has speed to burn. If
Coles and Ramsey can hit it off, Coles could be up some very good numbers.
He is certainly worth taking a look in the middle rounds if all the number
1’s are gone. His numbers may end up like a WR1.
Curtis Conway (NY Jets): Conway has put up solid numbers when he
stays on the field and that has been sporadic over the past couple of
seasons. He almost is always overlooked on draft day, but is still a viable
option. How good the chemistry is between him and Pennington is what will
make or break him.
Terry Glenn (Dallas): She, I mean, he is back with the Tuna, but
don’t expect a ton out of him. The Cowboys still don’t have a quarterback
and a very suspect running game. I know Parcells is a great coach, but he is
going to need time on this project. Best case for Glenn is that he ends up
as the WR3. After all, that is about what he should be after blowing it last
year in Green Bay.
Other Notables:
Lorzenzo Neal (San Diego): Neal is one of the best blocking
fullbacks in the game. Neal has paved the way for 1,000 yard rushers for the
past six years. This only spells good things for LaDainian Tomlinson.
Dorsey Levens (NY Giants): All this does is spell the end of Ron
Dayne. Levens may steal some goal line chances from Barber, so keep an eye
out for that.
Olandis Gary (Buffalo): Gary, who has been hurt the past two
years, will have a chance to back up Travis Henry. Gary is a solid runner,
who has a lot left in the tank. Albeit his time in Buffalo may be shortened
with the drafting of Willis McGahee.
Shawn Bryson (Detriot): Bryson is battling to back-up Stewart. If
he wins it, he will have a chance to show his wares since Stewart has been
nicked the past couple of years. Keep an eye as to who wins the battle, if
it is Bryson he could be worth a waiver move.
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