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Snap, Crackle and Pop
Dunn is Atlanta's real deal; A-Train may be headed for derailment
Posted: Monday August 11, 2003 4:31 PM
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Adrian Peterson rushed for 36 yards on just six carries in Saturday's game against the Colts. AP |
By Greg Kellogg, Special to SI.com
Snap, Crackle and Pop is a weekly column that reviews the major injuries (Snap) and then projects both busts (Crackle) and sleepers (Pop) for the coming week.
Week One of the preseason is in the books and what was unknown remains a mystery. But then training camp battles are rarely decided in the first week -- barring injury, of course.
What is apparent is that the Raiders, Chiefs and Broncos are going to make the AFC West the most fantasy-friendly conference unless they are overtaken by the Seahawks, 49ers and Rams. The way the Rams looked Saturday, that would seem to be a long shot at best.
Snap
The Green Bay Packers lost depth in their defensive backfield when CB/S Bryant Westbrook went down for the season to a blown Achilles’ tendon. But the bigger loss was NT Gilbert Brown, who tore his biceps muscle and probably will spend the 2003 season on injured reserve. This loss is huge for a couple of reasons. One, EA Sports will have to find someone else to do the TD Dance and, two, Brown takes up so much space that he frees up the Packer linebackers to flow unobstructed to the ball. Look for the Packers to look to the free-agent market (Dan Wilkinson comes to mind) for a replacement.
The entire Indianapolis Colts backfield, less Edgerrin James, is hurting. Dominic Rhodes continues to miss time with injuries to his shoulder and knee. In Saturday's preseason game, backups James Mungro and Ricky Williams also went down with a rib injury and MCL sprain, respectively. Both Mungro and Williams are expected to miss at least three weeks, leaving James as the only healthy tailback. Because of the amount of work that would require, look for the Colts to sign a couple of street free agents for camp fodder until they can get these guys back on the practice field.
Missing preseason games for a veteran is not normally a big deal. But when you miss them because of a groin injury and you make your living by kicking the ball, it becomes something to watch. Tampa Bay's Martin Gramatica is expected to miss his second game Thursday.
"He's got a sore groin and we're going to let him rehab with the trainers," Gruden said. "He's suffering from some groin pain. We've looked at it carefully and we expect it to subside and have him ready to go full-bore here for the final two preseason games. Are we concerned? Obviously, yes. But at the same time, we're very confident that our training staff and Martin are on top of this and we expect him to return for the final two preseason games bigger, stronger and better than ever." For now, you might want to drop him a spot or two in your PK rankings.
Crackle
The Redskins ran into a buzzsaw this past weekend, one that exposed them for what they are -- frauds. Everyone likes to talk about how Laveranues Coles is going to light it up now that he is in the Fun & Gun, and he did make a 48-yard reception. But he has two things going against him right now. First, Patrick Ramsey is not an accurate passer, going just 2-of-6 against a good but vanilla Panthers defense.
Making matters worse, starting RB Trung Canidate managed just four yards on three carries. Now, three carries do not a game make, but when backup Kenny Watson ekes out a mere three yards on three carries, one has to worry. The other thing that could force the Redskins into a one-dimensional attack is the apparent fact that their defense cannot stop the run. Stephen Davis and backup Dee Brown torched the 'Skins defense for 99 yards on just 13 carries. Teams that can't run and can't stop the run are doomed to failure.
Buffalo surprised the world and starting RB Travis Henry when it took Willis McGahee in the first round of this year's draft. Every season approximately four of the top 10 RBs from the previous season drops out. Henry is primed to be that guy this year. Many pundits are high on Henry, perceiving him as having something to prove. But the signing of Olandis Gary, the continued development of Sammy Morris and the future plans that the Bills may have for McGahee scream to me to stay away from this situation. Henry had terrible fumbling problems last year, and no matter how he is running, if he repeats that this year, he will probably not stay on the field as much as he would like.
In Cleveland, the Browns continue to point to Tim Couch as their starter. Unless that changes soon, start moving RB William Green down your draft lists. I like Green, but unless there is a credible passing threat, he will continue to be shut down. In last week's scrimmage and this past weekend's exhibition game, the Browns have struggled on the ground. It used to be a truism that teams would establish the run to kick-start their passing game -- that is no longer the case. Teams must show they can throw the ball or defenses will concentrate on shutting down the run. Kelly Holcomb appears to be better suited to this offense than Tim Couch and unless the Browns' management acknowledges that, Green will continue to struggle in the running game.
Pop
Stephen Davis may just have had a chip on his shoulder because he was playing the team that let him go. Or he may be a perfect fit for the Panthers' offense. I tend toward the latter explanation. Davis remains a very good back and the Panthers want him to get about 25 touches per game. That type of workload will ensure he is a top 10 back by year's end. In fantasy circles, finding a top 10 back with your second or third pick is golden and Davis represents that exact value right now.
In the Windy City, incumbent starting RB Anthony Thomas is missing time, giving second-year back Adrian Peterson the opportunity to display his abilities. And Peterson is making the most of these chances. Against the Colts' starters, Peterson reeled off 36 yards on just six carries and showed a burst that is definitely lacking in Thomas' game. Look for Saturday's performance by his backup to do wonders for Thomas' health. The problem is that it may already be too late for him.
Most pundits are much higher on QB Michael Vick than I am. My fear is not one of lack of talent -- rather, I worry about injury because of his style of play. However, as long as Vick is on the field, he will make all the players around him better.
One such player, who seems to be lacking in respect, is Warrick Dunn. Everyone knows how explosive Dunn is in the passing game. But this past weekend he showed what he could do on short-yardage, inside-the-tackles plays by exploding on a 3-yard TD run that gave a glimpse of what his followers have known for years -- Dunn plays much larger than his body size.
Also working in Dunn's favor is that he stayed in Atlanta to work out with the Falcons all offseason, while fellow RB TJ Duckett was nowhere to be found. Dunn gained an impressive 32 yards on four carries, while Duckett was held to 20 yards on nine carries. This indicates that, though they will split carries, Dunn, not Duckett, will be the main man in Hotlanta this season.
Famous Quotes
"One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than 50 preaching it."
-- Knute Rockne
Greg Kellogg, current owner of the fantasy Asylum is a member of the Professional Football Writer's Association and has been writing about fantasy Football on a national stage since 1996.
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