Online Gambling, Online Sportsbooks at Eye on Gambling provides Live Odds Sports News Free Picks Sports Betting and Gambling Odds Online at eog.com - View Single Post

Hache Man · 12-07-06, 08:19 PM

Bucs Not Looking to Future

With the season lost and Michael Clayton on I.R., the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are turning to usual slot receiver Ike Hilliard as their starting flanker. First-day rookie Maurice Stovall and '05 seventh-rounder Paris Warren are scheduled to share time as the third receiver. That means when the Bucs go a three-receiver set, either Stovall or Warren will play opposite Joey Galloway, with Hilliard presumably moving back inside. But since Tampa Bay frequently uses either a fullback (Mike Alstott) or two tight ends, the opportunities for Stovall and Warren will be scarce.

The question here is why would Stovall not get a chance for substantial playing time? At 3-9, Tampa has nothing to lose. Hilliard is no more than a slot receiver; he proved in his days as a Giant that he's a marginal outside wideout. Stovall is a thoroughbred, a 6-4 Notre Dame alum with a good head on his shoulders and 4.5-4.55 speed. He can't be much worse than Clayton (33-356-1, 51 catch percentage) was this season. Stovall benefited from the tutelage of Charlie Weis. He knows how to play the game.

Jon Gruden was looking like the most brilliant offensive mind of our generation until this season. But Carnell Williams is not getting an opportunity to play on third downs or near the goal line. Gruden was first living and dying with Chris Simms. He's now doing it with Bruce Gradkowski. Despite dropping passes all year, Clayton's starting job was never in doubt. Even on defense, middle linebacker of the future Barrett Ruud barely got a chance to take his lumps. Now 35-year-old Shelton Quarles is back in the lineup. While 32-year-old Juran Bolden is playing hurt and getting torched at corner, rookie Alan Zemaitis has been inactive every week.

Elsewhere, teams are getting a good look at their future. Tarvaris Jackson probably won't start this weekend, but at least the Vikings have an excuse: they're in the NFC playoff hunt at 5-7. Brad Johnson is all but certain to take the reigns at Detroit, but Jackson is sharing first-team reps in practice and will likely be "the man" down the stretch if Johnson's performance is poor once again.

34-year-old Chris Weinke isn't the future in Carolina, but the Panthers will likely get a chance to see if someone else can fare better than Jake Delhomme (thumb) with Steve Smith, Keyshawn Johnson, and DeAngelo Williams as his weapons. Weinke is expected to start against the Giants.

Similarly, Derek Anderson is all but certain to start tonight. Anderson is not an intriguing fantasy play in the snow at Blitzburgh, but Cleveland will see if he can continue to do just as much, if not more, than Charlie Frye (wrist) with former top-ten picks Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow in his arsenal.

Whether or not Chester Taylor (doubtful, ribs) plays, Minnesota will most likely get another long look at Ciatrick Fason against the Lions. Taylor has been a little banged up all year and the Vikes could use a strong, durable backup, so Fason could emerge as more than an interesting third-string athlete. Even if Taylor is upgraded and does play, Fason remains a decent fantasy flex because he'll see quality carries against Detroit, quite possibly in short yardage.

Terrance Cooper and Devery Henderson didn't produce last week, but could both be starting this Sunday. Joe Horn and Marques Colston are shaping up as game-time decisions. If Henderson or Copper is able to excel in an extremely difficult matchup at Dallas, the Saints' depth at receiver can be considered gold.

Chris Taylor was called up from the Texans' practice squad and will most likely be up versus Tennessee. His signing comes at the expense of Samkon Gado, who is likely to be inactive on Sunday. With Ron Dayne and Wali Lundy set in their roles as second-half specialist and starter, respectively, Taylor's will be limited in Week 14. But Houston has made no bones about switching up the depth chart Sunday to Sunday.

Ultimately, all Gruden wants to do is win and no one can knock him for that. Presumably he believes that Hilliard gives him the best chance to do it. While we ponder whether winning with a 3-9 record is as important as seeing whether young players are ready for major future roles, let's take a look at some other notes from around the NFL…

Two-Minute Drill: Willis McGahee sat out Wednesday's workout with an ankle sprain but is fully expected to play at the Jets…Ronnie Brown (out, hand) is shooting for a Week 15 return in which he'd have a favorable matchup at Buffalo…Bobby Engram (thyroid) has been cleared to play by doctors but remains questionable for Sunday…Kellen Winslow (knee) will start tonight…Musa Smith (neck) is doubtful this week, meaning Jamal Lewis will play on all downs vs. Kansas City…LenDale White is questionable with an injured hip and the flu…T.J. Houshmandzadeh (back) is considered virtually certain to play in Week 14 despite missing practice Wednesday…Tatum Bell's toes appear to have healed, as he is not on the Week 14 injury report…Greg Jennings' ankle is still causing him trouble despite also not being listed on the injury report…emerging goal-line star Marcel Shipp is fully expected to play Sunday despite missing Wednesday's practice session. Bad news for Edgerrin James…Laurence Maroney (back) is far from a lock to play this week. Upgrade Corey Dillon…pick up another kicker if you were counting on Jason Elam (questionable, hamstring). Ryan Longwell is a fine substitute.

Red Zone: DeShaun Foster will start for the Panthers, and probably split touches with DeAngelo Williams right down the middle…Brandon Lloyd thinks he'll play Sunday, but as usual is not a good fantasy play…Drew Henson is getting a second look on Minnesota's practice squad. His stay figures to last as long as Brooks Bollinger (doubtful, shoulder) is hurt…Brett Favre will undergo arthroscopic ankle surgery at the end of the season…Cedric Benson won't overtake Thomas Jones but expect the second-year pro to play a larger role down the stretch in an effort to keep Jones fresh…Brandon Stokley's role might increase this week and he could be useful when Indianapolis clinches the AFC…The Jets are expected to attack Buffalo's smallish down linemen with Cedric Houston their primary ball carrier…Heath Miller, one of the bigger disappointments in fantasy football this season, might have increased responsibilities in the passing game tonight…At least one person close to the situation believes Brandon Marshall will be a starter in 2007…The Redskins are serious about extending Ladell Betts' contract, which could be bad news for Clinton Portis owners next season

12-07-06, 08:19 PM	#2
Hache Man Moderator "Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak" Join Date: Aug 19, 2005 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 62,336	Re: Fantasy Football News 12/07/06 Bucs Not Looking to Future With the season lost and Michael Clayton on I.R., the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are turning to usual slot receiver Ike Hilliard as their starting flanker. First-day rookie Maurice Stovall and '05 seventh-rounder Paris Warren are scheduled to share time as the third receiver. That means when the Bucs go a three-receiver set, either Stovall or Warren will play opposite Joey Galloway, with Hilliard presumably moving back inside. But since Tampa Bay frequently uses either a fullback (Mike Alstott) or two tight ends, the opportunities for Stovall and Warren will be scarce. The question here is why would Stovall not get a chance for substantial playing time? At 3-9, Tampa has nothing to lose. Hilliard is no more than a slot receiver; he proved in his days as a Giant that he's a marginal outside wideout. Stovall is a thoroughbred, a 6-4 Notre Dame alum with a good head on his shoulders and 4.5-4.55 speed. He can't be much worse than Clayton (33-356-1, 51 catch percentage) was this season. Stovall benefited from the tutelage of Charlie Weis. He knows how to play the game. Jon Gruden was looking like the most brilliant offensive mind of our generation until this season. But Carnell Williams is not getting an opportunity to play on third downs or near the goal line. Gruden was first living and dying with Chris Simms. He's now doing it with Bruce Gradkowski. Despite dropping passes all year, Clayton's starting job was never in doubt. Even on defense, middle linebacker of the future Barrett Ruud barely got a chance to take his lumps. Now 35-year-old Shelton Quarles is back in the lineup. While 32-year-old Juran Bolden is playing hurt and getting torched at corner, rookie Alan Zemaitis has been inactive every week. Elsewhere, teams are getting a good look at their future. Tarvaris Jackson probably won't start this weekend, but at least the Vikings have an excuse: they're in the NFC playoff hunt at 5-7. Brad Johnson is all but certain to take the reigns at Detroit, but Jackson is sharing first-team reps in practice and will likely be "the man" down the stretch if Johnson's performance is poor once again. 34-year-old Chris Weinke isn't the future in Carolina, but the Panthers will likely get a chance to see if someone else can fare better than Jake Delhomme (thumb) with Steve Smith, Keyshawn Johnson, and DeAngelo Williams as his weapons. Weinke is expected to start against the Giants. Similarly, Derek Anderson is all but certain to start tonight. Anderson is not an intriguing fantasy play in the snow at Blitzburgh, but Cleveland will see if he can continue to do just as much, if not more, than Charlie Frye (wrist) with former top-ten picks Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow in his arsenal. Whether or not Chester Taylor (doubtful, ribs) plays, Minnesota will most likely get another long look at Ciatrick Fason against the Lions. Taylor has been a little banged up all year and the Vikes could use a strong, durable backup, so Fason could emerge as more than an interesting third-string athlete. Even if Taylor is upgraded and does play, Fason remains a decent fantasy flex because he'll see quality carries against Detroit, quite possibly in short yardage. Terrance Cooper and Devery Henderson didn't produce last week, but could both be starting this Sunday. Joe Horn and Marques Colston are shaping up as game-time decisions. If Henderson or Copper is able to excel in an extremely difficult matchup at Dallas, the Saints' depth at receiver can be considered gold. Chris Taylor was called up from the Texans' practice squad and will most likely be up versus Tennessee. His signing comes at the expense of Samkon Gado, who is likely to be inactive on Sunday. With Ron Dayne and Wali Lundy set in their roles as second-half specialist and starter, respectively, Taylor's will be limited in Week 14. But Houston has made no bones about switching up the depth chart Sunday to Sunday. Ultimately, all Gruden wants to do is win and no one can knock him for that. Presumably he believes that Hilliard gives him the best chance to do it. While we ponder whether winning with a 3-9 record is as important as seeing whether young players are ready for major future roles, let's take a look at some other notes from around the NFL… Two-Minute Drill: Willis McGahee sat out Wednesday's workout with an ankle sprain but is fully expected to play at the Jets…Ronnie Brown (out, hand) is shooting for a Week 15 return in which he'd have a favorable matchup at Buffalo…Bobby Engram (thyroid) has been cleared to play by doctors but remains questionable for Sunday…Kellen Winslow (knee) will start tonight…Musa Smith (neck) is doubtful this week, meaning Jamal Lewis will play on all downs vs. Kansas City…LenDale White is questionable with an injured hip and the flu…T.J. Houshmandzadeh (back) is considered virtually certain to play in Week 14 despite missing practice Wednesday…Tatum Bell's toes appear to have healed, as he is not on the Week 14 injury report…Greg Jennings' ankle is still causing him trouble despite also not being listed on the injury report…emerging goal-line star Marcel Shipp is fully expected to play Sunday despite missing Wednesday's practice session. Bad news for Edgerrin James…Laurence Maroney (back) is far from a lock to play this week. Upgrade Corey Dillon…pick up another kicker if you were counting on Jason Elam (questionable, hamstring). Ryan Longwell is a fine substitute. Red Zone: DeShaun Foster will start for the Panthers, and probably split touches with DeAngelo Williams right down the middle…Brandon Lloyd thinks he'll play Sunday, but as usual is not a good fantasy play…Drew Henson is getting a second look on Minnesota's practice squad. His stay figures to last as long as Brooks Bollinger (doubtful, shoulder) is hurt…Brett Favre will undergo arthroscopic ankle surgery at the end of the season…Cedric Benson won't overtake Thomas Jones but expect the second-year pro to play a larger role down the stretch in an effort to keep Jones fresh…Brandon Stokley's role might increase this week and he could be useful when Indianapolis clinches the AFC…The Jets are expected to attack Buffalo's smallish down linemen with Cedric Houston their primary ball carrier…Heath Miller, one of the bigger disappointments in fantasy football this season, might have increased responsibilities in the passing game tonight…At least one person close to the situation believes Brandon Marshall will be a starter in 2007…The Redskins are serious about extending Ladell Betts' contract, which could be bad news for Clinton Portis owners next season