Collateral damage and benefits

[Randall]

From rotoworld

 

Collateral Damage

 

Mewelde Moore & Ciatrick Fason, MIN RB - Mewelde Moore has consistently produced when called upon, but the new coaching staff in Minnesota views him as a backup. That’s probably the role he’s best suited for. Chester Taylor’s skills on passing downs really limit Moore’s potential. Fason will battle Moore for scraps behind Taylor.

 

Tatum Bell, Broncos RB Maybe the Mastermind is just trying to piss Tatum Bell off. Ron Dayne is considered the favorite to start over him and Bell has been mentioned in trade rumors. The speedster has averaged 5.3 yards-per-carry for his career, but his chance to be the man in Denver could run out soon.

 

Charles Rogers, DET WR - Corey Bradford’s signing in Detroit was one of the strangest of the past week. Perhaps it means Charles Rogers is on the way out. If not, Bradford represents a player with a similar skill set to steal snaps from Rogers.

 

Joey Harrington, DET QB - Jon Kitna was signed to challenge for Harrington’s job and the former No. 4 pick has had enough. Harrington has reportedly asked to be traded or released. The Lions haven’t commented on the story, although they are still believed to be interested in Josh McCown. So much for Mike Martz reviving Harrington’s career.

 

Antonio Gates & Keenan McCardell, Chargers- As if Marty Schottenheimer needed another excuse to run the ball, now he’s working with a first-time starter in Phillip Rivers. Perhaps Rivers will play well, but he’s an unknown quantity. Expect a step back for the San Diego passing game.

 

Drew Bennett, Titans WR- Bennett will now share top billing with David Givens as Steve McNair’s primary receiver. While it will take some pressure off, Bennett is likely to lose catches. Tennessee can’t be confident in Bennett staying healthy.

 

Michael Bennett, FA RB - Remember him? Bennett’s best chance for carries was re-uniting with Dennis Green in Minnesota. Now that avenue is closed and it wouldn’t be shocked if the former Viking fell right out of the league.

 

J.J. Arrington & Marcel Shipp, Cardinals RB - I had the sixth pick in a dynasty league rookie draft last season and was sorely disappointed not to have a chance at one of the big four running backs. The big four: Ronnie Brown, Carnell Williams, Cedric Benson, and Arrington. With Edgerrin James in town, Arrington will settle into a role as a career backup.

 

Chris Brown, Titans RB - One of the quietest moves of the last two weeks was Tennessee’s re-signing of Travis Henry. Brown is going to have to battle for carries again.

 

Eric Shelton, Panthers RB - Still a decent sleeper, Shelton’s 2006 value took a major hit when the Panthers signed DeShaun Foster long-term. At best, Shelton will be used as a short-yardage back – at least until Foster breaks something.

 

Nate Burleson, Vikings WR - Losing Daunte Culpepper and watching Koren Robinson get re-signed was a double whammy for Burleson. The restricted free agent visited the Seahawks, which could save him.

 

Maurice Morris, FA RB- Shaun Alexander’s re-signing eliminated any small chance of Morris taking over in Seattle. Chester Taylor’s signing in Minnesota closed another possible door. Morris is looking for a third-down job at best.

 

Najeh Davenport, FA RB - Any major running back jobs still available are likely to be filled through the Draft. A best-case scenario for Davenport would be a backup job somewhere like Miami.

 

Collateral Benefits

 

Brad Johnson, Vikings QB- For now, Johnson is the unquestioned starter in Minnesota. He has experience in the West Coast offense from his days in Tampa. That said, it’s hard to imagine the Vikings not finding competent competition for him. Brian Griese and Aaron Brooks are two names that make sense.

 

Chris Chambers, Dolphins WR Chambers doesn’t have great hands and his effort has occasionally been questioned. One thing he does exceedingly well is catch the deep pass. One thing Daunte Culpepper does exceedingly well is throw the deep pass, sometimes just up for grabs. It’s a beautiful match.

 

Joe Horn, Donte Stallworth, & Deuce McAllister, Saints - Playing with a rookie quarterback is a massive drain on stats for an entire offense. Not only will the Saints skill players avoid playing with a rookie, they get an upgrade from Aaron Brooks. Drew Brees should especially help Horn, who can work underneath routes. Horn and McAllister could be interesting picks depending on how far their fantasy stock has fallen.

 

Deion Branch, Patriots WR - At least Tom Brady can admit who his favorite receiver is now. Hell, Branch is his only receiver unless you count Bethel Johnson, which the Patriots don’t. All that spread-the-ball around stuff is great, but Branch has a chance to dominate the stats in 2006.

 

Steve McNair, Titans QB - David Givens offers much-needed stability to the Titans wideout corps. Drew Bennett is always banged-up, and all of McNair’s secondary receivers last season were rookies. Now if only the whole team could only figure out Norm Chow’s system.

 

D.J. Hackett, Seahawks WR - With Joe Jurevicius gone, Hackett is the early 9:5 favorite to win Seattle’s No. 3 receiver job. Place your bets!

 

Patrick Crayton, Cowboys WR - Somehow we don’t think Crayton will enter the season as a starter for the Cowboys. That said, Keyshawn Johnson and Terrell Owens are probably the only two available players who would definitely start over him. Look for the Cowboys to sign one of them.

 

Reggie Brown, Eagles WR - Philadelphia didn’t speak with any of the top free agent wideouts, which was surprising. Signing Jabar Gaffney showed they have confidence in Brown as a starter. We believe the Eagles finally drafted a good one.