Fantasy Football News 2007

[Hache Man]

Collateral Benefits
The third law of free agency movement: For every NFL player transaction, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Or something like that.

When Thomas Jones jumps from the Bears to the Jets, it doesn't only affect our projection for Jones. It creates collateral damage for players like Leon Washington and Cedric Houston. It also boosts the outlooks for Cedric Benson and Adrian Peterson.

This week I'll take a look at players like Benson on the fantasy radar who saw their stock rise without going anywhere. Next week, I'll look at those players who suffered collateral damage. www.eog.com

Laurence Maroney, Patriots
www.fantasysportspicks.com
While Corey Dillon was expected to get cut, it should still come as a huge relief for Maroney owners. So should Sammy Morris' signing. Morris is a classically versatile Patriots reserve, but not a true threat to Maroney's touches. With Kevin Faulk and Bill Belichick's playbook around, Maroney may get fewer touches and even touchdowns than the average "workhorse" back. But his yardage can be elite because of his big-play ability. He looks like a borderline first-round pick next season.

DeDe Dorsey, Colts
www.sportspickwinners.com
Congratulations if you already knew the current backup running back of the world champion Colts. Indianapolis should bolster the position in the draft, but there are some indications that the organization believes Dorsey is up for the task. I don't know much about Dorsey, but I happily picked him up for cheap in my deep dynasty league.

LenDale White, Titans

The plan all along was to let Lendale White take over the starting running back job this season. Travis Henry's surprising campaign and White's struggles adjusting to pro life didn't change the mind of Jeff Fisher or Norm Chow.

With both Henry and Chris Brown off the roster, White is the only option Fisher has. If White gets his head screwed on straight, he's bound to be an undervalued top-50 pick in fantasy leagues next season. He looked good when he was on the field in 2006 – he just wasn't there enough.

Derek Hagan, Dolphins

Wes Welker's departure opens a role for Hagan in Cam Cameron's offense. Hagan struggled with drops as a rookie, but also showed surprising toughness. He came through with 11 catches and 119 yards in two starts with Marty Booker out during the middle of last season. Like every other player in the NFL, he has a better catch percentage than Chris Chambers.

I thought Booker may get cut this off-season, but that appears less likely now. Hagan should still have a sizeable role increase.

Sage Rosenfels, Texans

Jeff Garcia is in Tampa. Patrick Ramsey went to Denver. Jake Plummer is in the Colorado State Handball Championships. Since David Carr is reportedly the quarterback non grata in Houston, Rosenfels will probably be the favorite to start in Houston in 2007.

Cedric Benson & Adrian Peterson, Bears

Benson, Lendale White, Brandon Jacobs, and Laurence Maroney make up a crucial subsection of young running backs to evaluate before draft season. They have achieved varying levels of success as backups, but now will get the chance to be The Man. Benson can run well enough inside and out. Consistency and durability are the two big questions, but he'll rack up numbers if he's on the field.

Peterson is one of the more underrated backups in the league. He can be a quality third-down back who becomes valuable in fantasy leagues if Benson gets hurt. He'll be high on our handcuffs list and should be owned in most dynasty leagues.

Troy Williamson, Vikings

I don't understand why the Vikings didn't aggressively court Donte' Stallworth, Drew Bennett and every other receiver on the market. They went after Kevin Curtis, but not hard enough. Instead, they signed Viscanthe Shiancoe and Bobby Wade to big money. You don't want free agency to solve all of your roster problems, but it's worth overpaying when you have a Billy McMullen-sized hole on the roster. The cap space has to be used somehow.

Minnesota's inactivity will give Troy Williamson another chance to start. He's been working on ways to improve his hand-eye coordination, which one would think is important to an NFL receiver.

Vincent Jackson, Chargers

San Diego was rumored to be looking at wideouts in free agency, but didn't sign anyone. They released Keenan McCardell to clear the way for Jackson to be the number one option outside for Philip Rivers next season.

It wouldn't be a big surprise if the Chargers drafted a wideout in the first round, but any rookie will likely be part of a rotation behind Jackson. Jackson will be a fantasy WR3 at worst during draft season.

Brodie Croyle & Jeff Webb, Chiefs

Herm Edwards is trying to start a youth movement. Bringing back Damon Huard will allow Croyle to compete for snaps sooner than later. Failing to sign any aging wideouts may allow Webb to compete for a starting job with Samie Parker.

Vernand Morency, Packers

It looks like the Packers won the Vernand Morency-for-Samkon Gado blockbuster of a year ago. Morency is set to share running back duties with a rookie to be named later. Gado looks like a longshot to make the Texans with Ahman Green and Ron Dayne on board.

David Thomas, Patriots

The Patriots didn't have to get in a bidding war for Daniel Graham because they know Thomas is starting-caliber. He has similar big-play ability to Graham, better hands, and is a solid blocker.

In a deep field at tight end, Thomas may not get drafted in fantasy leagues. But he'll improve and make enough noise to be a bye-week option.

Steve Heiden, Browns

This isn't a true collateral benefit from free agency, but instead from an injury. Profootballtalk.com reported Monday that Kellen Winslow's status for the 2007 is in doubt because of his recent microfracture surgery. Heiden caught 36 passes last season as a backup, with a microscopic 6.9 yards-per-catch average.

Willie Parker, Steelers
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The Steelers were one of the few teams with serious cap problems this off-season. They couldn't afford to upgrade from Najeh Davenport as their backup running back even if they wanted to. While it's possible Pittsburgh could draft a pounder, FWP is in line to receive another 350 touches.

Devery Henderson, Saints

Henderson is a prototypical number three receiver, but he could get his chance to start with Joe Horn off the roster. The Saints need to add a receiver, but Henderson will be the favorite to start in Sean Payton's explosive attack.

Vernon Davis, 49ers
www.greenbaypackers.ws
Quality backup Eric Johnson is gone. So is Antonio Bryant. Despite still being raw, Vernon Davis enters 2007 as Alex Smith's top option in the passing game. At tight end, only Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez can say the same thing.

Marc Bulger, Rams
www.therx.info
Scott Linehan historically loves to throw inside the red zone. When drawing up plays for 2007, Linehan and Bulger will have the following options to throw to: Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, Drew Bennett, Steven Jackson, Randy McMichael, and Joe Klopfenstein.

They won't all be on the field at the same time, but the Rams threaten to have the best offense in the NFC if the offensive line holds up. 30 TDs and 4,000 yards are within reach for Bulger.

[Hache Man]

	Broncos sign WR Stokley to one-year deal
	Brandon Stokley - WR - DEN - Mar. 20 - 2:04 p.m. ET
	Broncos signed WR Brandon Stokley to a one-year contract. New Orleans had also been in the mix for Stokley after he was released by the Colts in late February. Stokley, 30, is coming off a torn Achilles' tendon and is a bit of a wild card pickup. He'll battle David Kircus for a roster spot initially, but could have a bigger role if he can stay healthy.

[Hache Man]

David Carr - QB - Texans
The Dolphins have reportedly not expressed interest in David Carr.
NFL Network called Minnesota the most likely landing spot for Carr, but we doubt the Vikes have any interest after coach Brad Childress trashed him on the radio Thursday. At this point, Carr looks likely to be released. Mar. 22 - 8:46 p.m. ET
Source: Palm Beach Post

[Hache Man]

Calvin Johnson - WR - Player
The Atlanta Journal-Consitution reports the Falcons are unlikely to use the picks they acquired for Matt Schaub to trade up for Calvin Johnson.
According to the NFL's draft board, the Falcons acquired the equivalent of a No. 13-19 pick in the first round. Atlanta could package its No. 8 pick and two second-rounders to get in good position for Johnson, but fantasy leaguers should probably be rooting for this not to happen. Mar. 22 - 8:00 p.m. ET
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

[Hache Man]

Brady Quinn - QB - Player
Brady Quinn ran forties of 4.82 and 4.73 at his second Pro Day.
Quinn shuttled 20 yards in 4.22, .36 seconds faster than Marshawn Lynch at the Combine. He had a 36-inch vertical and broad jumped nine feet, seven inches. We have a hard time seeing Quinn fall out of the top three. Mar. 22 - 7:16 p.m. ET
Source: nfl.com

[Hache Man]

Wired: Playoff Planning
Somewhere, Mike Mayock is smiling. The NFL Network draft analyst made his name by boldly ranking Jay Cutler ahead of Matt Leinart and Vince Young last January when most "Draftniks" thought the Vanderbilt product was a second or third round pick. Mayock was quickly vindicated when the preeminant quarterback coach in the NFL traded up to make Cutler the franchise. The kid never led the Commodores to a winning record in college, but now he's starting for an NFL team in the playoff race. If Cutler looks half as good as he did in the preseason, he's worth owning in all leagues.

I tried to write the epitaph to Jake Plummer's season a month ago in this very spot, saying it was time for a change. Plummer rebounded to play his best two games of the season before sliding back into sub-mediocrity. Now he's on the trading block. Shanahan was forced to make the move. The Broncos were not going to win multiple games in the playoffs with Plummer. They probably won't with Cutler either, but Shanny will gets to test-drive his fancy new toy before Christmas.

Like any rookie, Cutler will be inconsistent. The comparisons to Tony Romo don't fly because Romo is a fourth-year veteran with superior options around him. Denver's receiver group and running talent are below average. The biggest advantage working in Cutler's favor is a gorgeous schedule. His first two opponents, the Seahawks and Chargers, aren't particularly good against the pass. His final three opponents (Arizona, Cincinnati, and San Francisco) are sieves. Plummer probably could have put up top-15 stats against those teams and I suspect Cutler could do even better. Consider the rookie an average QB2 the next two weeks, then a possible starter during the final three weeks of the season.

Note: We'll have a fantasy playoffs schedule preview later this week.

Running Backs

Sammy Morris, Dolphins - Without a lot of injuries or job changes this week, Waiver Wired's running back list will have a lot of repeat customers. But Sammy Morris is fresh meat! Well, sort of fresh.

Suspended earlier this season for violating the league's steroid policy, Morris has fashioned an impressive career as a starter/fullback/special teamer/backup/emergency starter. He once started at running back for the Bills under … Wade Phillips! Fantasy heads may remember Morris as Dave Wannstedt's last starting running back during Ricky Williams' first excellent adventure, beating out luminaries like Brock Forsey and Leonard Henry. Morris did a capable, rugged job on a poor team when called upon, just like he did in place of Ronnie Brown on Thanksgiving day.

Morris is a versatile player who can stay on the field during third downs and near the goal line. He doesn't have exceptional skills, but is capable enough to perform what's asked. Brown is expected to miss at least one game and possibly more, so Morris is worth picking up. Unfortunately, he faces Jacksonville and New England in successive weeks. With such difficult matchups, Morris is a nice bench player or a flex option for the needy.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues

Cedric Benson, Bears- Benson's best two games as a pro are his last two. He's still limited on passing downs, but Benson is starting to run with more aggression between the tackles. Thomas Jones is on pace for over 340 carries and the Bears would be wise to ease off their starter down the stretch. With matchups against the Rams, Bucs, Lions, and Packers coming up, I can see a scenario where Benson splits carries with Jones because Chicago is winning easily. Benson could put up sneaky Maurice Jones-Drew like flex position numbers in December.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues

Cedric Houston, Jets - Less people own Cedric Houston now than they did in Week 1. He's available in 80% of fantasy leagues! I can't imagine using Houston as a fantasy starter , but he led the Jets in carries against the Texans and earned goal-line carries. Kevan Barlow and Leon Washington are likely to stay in the mix, but any short-yardage back getting 10-15 touches a week is worth owning. Houston strikes me as one of those players who may come out of "nowhere" to put up solid numbers in the fantasy playoffs.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Jason Wright, Browns - Among healthy options, it would be hard to find a more disappointing player in fantasy leaguers than Reuben Droughns. At least Edgerrin James won't get benched. Droughns was a consensus late second round pick before the season (although Rotoworld did include him in our preseason busts article), but he was quietly supplanted by Jason Wright as the team's primary carrier last week.

Droughns was healthy enough to start and play special teams, but Jerome Harrison and Wright were at tailback far more. It's possible Droughns will get more work down the stretch, but what's the point? He's averaging 3.1 yards-per-carry this season and is wearing down physically for the third straight season. Droughns is a gutsy player, but he was a backup fullback for two NFL teams for a reason. His skills are average and he's often playing hurt.

Jason Wright probably isn't any better. The second-year undrafted back out of Northwestern is averaging only three yards-per-carry. The Browns have a difficult schedule until Week 16, so it probably doesn't matter who is carrying the ball for Cleveland. Wright is worth owning in most leagues because he should get ten or more touches a week, but he won't be much of a flex option until Week 16 against Tampa.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Jerious Norwood, Falcons - I've beaten this issue to death, so I'll keep it brief. Warrick Dunn is averaging fewer than 3.2 yards-per-carry the last six weeks, while Norwood is still at 6.0 for the season. If Atlanta keeps sliding, Norwood put up a few 100-yard games after the Falcons get eliminated from playoff contention.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues, even eight-team ones with small rosters.

Wide Receivers

Marcus Robinson, Vikings - Play fantasy football long enough, and Marcus Robinson will burn you, probably twice. He's tall. He jumps. He scores. At every stop during his maddening eight-year career, Robinson has interrupted long stretches of inactivity with sudden, explosive production. There was the 131-yard, four touchdown game in 2003 after failing to top 15 yards in eleven games prior. There was his three touchdown game in Week 12 last season out of nowhere.

Now back in the starting lineup, veteran fantasy heads can smell a volcanic Robinson eruption simmering. He's back in the starting lineup and ostensibly Minnesota's top receiver. He faces Detroit (Week 14) and Green Bay (Week 16) during the fantasy playoffs. Choose the right week and Robinson will carry your entire team from the WR3 spot. Choose wrong and start planning for baseball.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Travis Taylor, Vikings - The anti-Marcus Robinson. There's almost no chance for a big game, but Taylor is usually good for 3-5 catches and 30-60 yards. If you are into that sort of thing.

Recommendation:Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Marty Booker, Dolphins - Booker has outscored Chris Chambers in fantasy leagues this season despite missing a game and having 44 less targets. The Dolphins passing game is likely to slow down the next few weeks against the Jaguars and Patriots, and it's difficult to predict which receiver of their three-headed monster will have a big game. Booker is worth owning, but not starting.

Recommendation:Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Patrick Crayton, Cowboys - The Tony Romo express shows no signs of slowing down. Dallas plays the Giants, Saints, and Falcons the next three weeks. None of them have the depth to cover an explosive third receiver like Crayton. He's worth owning as a fantasy reserve in most leagues.

Recommendation:Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Reche Caldwell, Patriots - Matchups with Detroit, Houston, and Tennessee still on the docket for New England's best wideout.

Recommendation:Should be owned in all leagues

Santonio Holmes, Steelers - Holmes is expected to replace Hines Ward in the starting lineup and should be a decent WR3 play until Ward is back. Holmes has done more with less playing time than Cedrick Wilson this season, who he will start across from.

Recommendation:Should be owned in all leagues

Vincent Jackson, Chargers - There is a small possibility that Jackson could supplant Keenan McCardell in the starting lineup. Risk-averse Marty Schottenheimer is unlikely to make that move, but McCardell is hurt and Jackson replaces him in the red zone anyhow. Jackson has led San Diego's wideouts in targets the last two weeks and has impressive physical skills.

Recommendation:Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Quarterbacks

Joey Harrington, Dolphins - One of my most frequent emailers has been dying to drop Jon Kitna and finally picked up Joey Harrington after his Thanksgiving Day outing. I like what Harrington has done in the Miami offense, but I wasn't wild about the move because of Miami's schedule. There isn't a good matchup on the docket. Jacksonville, New England, Buffalo, and the Jets are all playing improved pass defense. Harrington will be lucky to make it through that stretch without some "Same old Joey" articles surfacing.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 2 QB leagues

Josh McCown, Lions - Speaking of Kitna, questions about his job security are unlikely to quiet after the Patriots get through with him this week. Coach Rod Marinelli speaks so highly of Kitna, though, I doubt he will pull him to look at a candidate to play next year like McCown. Fantasy playoff matchups against Minnesota and Green Bay will make the Lions starter attractive, whoever it is.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 2 QB leagues or for Kitna owners

Brad Johnson, Vikings - Bear with me. One of the most important assets when searching for a waiver pickup, just like searching for a significant other, is availability. And Brad Johnson is very available. He's owned in less than 40% of fantasy leagues out there, which is amazing for a quarterback who has started every game this season.

Johnson faces the Bears this week, but may have the best fantasy playoff schedule of any quarterback: @ Detroit, New York Jets, and @ Green Bay. Lets say you don't even consider Johnson against the Jets, who have been playing improved defense. The Lions and Packers give up an average of 21 fantasy points a game to quarterbacks this season! Johnson averages 14.5. If those two numbers meet in the middle, you have a decent quarterback option. That's all you can ask for from a waiver pickup.

Recommendation: Worth owning in 12-team leagues

Gus Frerotte, Rams- Marc Bulger has taken a lot of hits and is complaining of sore ribs. Bulger owners with an extra roster spot may want to consider backing up their injury-prone starter while they can.

Recommendation: Worth a look for Bulger owners

Chad Pennington, Jets - Yet another quarterback with a tasty December schedule. Pennington has limitations, but he will be useful in a Week 13 start against Green Bay and a fantasy playoff matchup against Minnesota in Week 15.

Recommendation: Worth owning in 12-team leagues

A.J. Feeley, Eagles - Jeff Garcia has a strained forearm and probably won't survive until Week 17 as Philadelphia's starter. Philadelphia's best remaining matchups are at the Giants and Redskins in Weeks 14-15.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 2QB leagues

Tight End

Ben Utecht, Colts - With Dallas Clark injured, Utecht's surprising season should continue to improve. Utecht has 17 catches over the last five weeks, good for tenth among tight ends. You could do worse.

Recommendation:Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Bryan Fletcher, Colts - Now starring in Ben Utecht's old role… Bryan Fletcher!

Recommendation:Worth a look in deep leagues

Randal Williams, Raiders - We're getting desperate when Randal Williams cracks the list two straight weeks. Oakland's starter has improved since Aaron Brooks took over and now has 12 catches for 111 yards. Is that something you might be interested in?

Recommendation: Worth a look in deep leagues

Bo Scaife, Titans - Still available in four out of five fantasy leagues, Scaife continues his march to being the No. 13 fantasy tight end of the season. Scaife will have the occasional whitewash because Vince Young is inconsistent, but he's now Tennessee's only real threat at tight end the rest of the season. Scaife has 12 catches for 152 yards and two touchdowns over the last four weeks. He's producing like a low-end TE1.

[Hache Man]

Collateral Damage
Last week, I took a look at what players have benefited in fantasy leagues by all the free agent movement without moving an inch. This time around, let's look at who suffered collateral damage this month.

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars
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Re-signing Fred Tayor was the type of move that makes perfect football sense but drives a fantasy owner crazy. Mo-Jo went from a potential top-five pick to some strange zone where we draft backup running backs ahead of starters.

I love Drew's game as much as anyone, but even Larry Johnson struggled to crack the top-25 ADP at running back when he was a backup two years ago. Readers aren't happy I ranked Mo-Jo outside the top 15 in my first running back rankings, but the conditions are such that his rookie season will be difficult to repeat.

The return of Greg Jones also is part of the collateral damage. He could steal some touchdowns. Fantasy Football 2007: Committees aplenty.

Reche Caldwell, Chad Jackson, & Jabar Gaffney, Patriots
www.fantasysportspicks.com
Caldwell must have watched the transaction wire with big eyes after the Patriots added receiver after receiver. Since Wes Welker is a natural in the slot, Caldwell still looks like the favorite to start opposite Donte' Stallworth. Nothing is guaranteed, though, and it will be tough to keep up his momentum from the second half.

It's amazing that Gaffney put up back-to-back 100-yard games in the playoffs and might not make the roster the next season. At this point, he and Kelley Washington could be battling for a roster spot. Gaffney better learn special teams.

Jackson, the team's disappointing second-round pick in 2006, will probably start the season on the PUP list after tearing his ACL in the AFC Championship.

Leon Washington & Cedric Houston, Jets
www.eogcontests.com
Washington still has a chance to grow into a Brian Westbrook-like player, but it won't happen for a few years. Thomas Jones is such a good blocker and receiver that the Jets will have to be diligent in rotating Washington in for a series every once in a while to keep him active. Jones' acquisition makes Washington a RB4 type in fantasy leagues.

Houston is a replacement-level player who got replaced.

Wali Lundy, Samkon Gado, Chris Taylor, Texans
www.sportspickwinners.com
One of these players is getting cut in training camp, if not two. Ron Dayne is the heavy favorite to be Ahman Green's backup. After a promising start to their careers, Lundy and Gado need to show improvement this off-season.

Vince Young, Titans
www.spwsports.com
Vince Young magic is so powerful that the Titans believe he can make the offense work without any receivers. Brandon Jones is promising, but it's a mess after that. David Givens may not be healthy until 2008. Roydell Williams and Courtney Roby haven't shown much as pros.

With Tennessee's top two wideouts from last season moving on (Drew Bennett and Bobby Wade), Young will struggle to post 3,000 yards passing.

Ernest Wilford, Jaguars
www.therx.wswww.therx.info
12 months ago, Wilford looked like a better short-term bet in fantasy leagues than teammates Reggie Williams and Matt Jones. It became clear over the course of last summer that the organization still favored Williams, and then Wilford proceeded to have a disappointing 2007 season.

Now the Jaguars signed Dennis Northcutt to give them more speed out of the slot, so Wilford will backup Matt Jones and Williams on the outside. He's no longer draftable.

Kevin Jones, Lions

Detroit can talk all they want about Jones being ready for the season despite his foot surgery. The acquisitions of Tatum Bell and T.J. Duckett are more meaningful. It's probably a good idea for Jones' career that he takes it easy this season. But with fewer touches, especially near the goal-line, he's not going to be a true RB1 again in 2007.

Mike Bell, Broncos

Don't get up on Mike Bell just yet. Give up on him if the Broncos draft someone on the first day in April.

Bell showed plenty of toughness as a rookie and I'm not sure that Travis Henry is that superior of an option. But it's Henry's job barring disaster and Bell is now just an intriguing handcuff.

Isaac Bruce & Torry Holt, Rams

Bruce may have been the most surprising player I watched on tape after the season. He was the best receiver on the Rams down the stretch with Torry Holt struggling with a knee injury. If Bruce has lost quickness over the last few years, he's figured a way around it. He finished the year with five straight games over 55 yards and made a number of tough grabs.

It will be difficult to repeat that performance in 2007, though. Drew Bennett hits town and threatens to steal more targets than Kevin Curtis used to. Randy McMichael gives Marc Bulger another option in the red zone. Holt will be healthy again, but even he is likely to suffer statistically because of the additions in St. Louis.

Ronald Curry, Raiders

Jerry Porter's back, Randy Moss is still in town, and Calvin Johnson could be on the way. It's impossible to imagine a scenario where Johnson and Moss are on the roster, but Curry will probably be battling Porter for a starting gig either way.

Porter is a natural fit in the slot and Curry has the ability to be a WR3 in fantasy leagues this year, but they will be battling for targets on a moribound offense.

Hank Baskett, Eagles

The undrafted rookie that could nearly had a starting job on one of the best offenses in football. That's not going to happen, barring injury, for a long time now that Kevin Curtis is lining up across from Reggie Brown.

It's probably for the best. Baskett will be an intriguing slot receiver and should be a solid pro, but he isn't someone to look at for a major second-year leap.

Roddy White, Falcons

Coming off a serious sophomore slumber, White will now have to come off the bench in Atlanta. Joe Horn is an injury risk, so White may not stay there for long. White is still the fastest Falcons receiver and coach Bobby Petrino prizes speed in his vertical attack, so there is still some upside here.

Alex Smith, 49ers

Take the 29th-ranked passing attack in the league, subtract it's number one receiver (Antonio Bryant), leading tight end (Eric Johnson), and offensive coordinator/quarterback's best friend (Norv Turner). Add Ashley Lelie and a healthier Vernon Davis.

That's not a recipe for improvement from Alex Smith, who quietly wasn't playing very well in the second half of last season. I have a strong suspicion that the 49ers will make a play for Darrell Jackson, but the Seahawks may not want to trade him inside their division. Smith needs more help to make improve into a solid quarterback.

Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars

I wrote about Lewis at length in my blog, so I won't repeat myself here. He was facing a questionable second season as a fantasy asset and Jermaine Wiggins only adds to the confusion.

[Hache Man]

	Gruden: Plummer still considering playing
	Jake Plummer - QB - TB -
	Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden wants to set up a face-to-face meeting with Jake Plummer. Plummer still hasn't officially filed for retirement and Gruden said Monday that he's considering playing in 2007. The Bucs hope Plummer shows up to training camp to compete to start with Chris Simms and Jeff Garcia. Source: St. Petersburg Times

[Hache Man]

Randy Moss - WR - Raiders
Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin said Tuesday that he believes Randy Moss will be back with the team in 2007.
Moss has been a frequent subject of trade rumors this offseason. Kiffin's comments could be construed as posturing before the draft. Mar. 27 - 12:20 p.m. ET
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune

[Hache Man]

Jarrett Bounces Back

So Dwayne Jarrett had a solid Pro Day.
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A 10-foot-1 inch broad jump, 36.5-inch vertical, and two forties in the 4.6s.

On grass.

The forty times don't seem stellar, but they are what was originally expected before rumors began swirling. I'll admit I put too much credence in the NFL Network's report that Jarrett was running in the 4.7s before the Combine, so much so that I left Jarrett out of the first round in my much-belittled Mock Draft a few weeks back. Come time for Volume Two, I'll make sure to have Jarrett in Round One. I especially loved the 4.20 short shuttle. It's nearly four tenths of a second faster than Marshawn Lynch's time at the Combine.

But in general, I don't think Pro Day timing means much other than for players, like Jarrett, that completely skipped the Combine. These workouts are much more valuable to NFL officials in terms of getting to meet the players and see them up close. Rams coach Scott Linehan had about zero time to track college football last season as he prepared his team for Sundays. Granted, he has a scouting department to help out, but he's not going to take a player in the first round he isn't completely sold on, one that he hasn't met with personally. He probably could care less that Amobi Okoye ran a 4.88 on March 26 after posting a 5.0 at February's Combine. Okoye's stock didn't rise because of the Pro Day time.

But we can take a look at players that skipped all or some of the Combine drills, and see if they improved or injured their draft stocks by timing at their Pro Days this past month. Oh, and a special thanks to NFL.com's Gil Brandt for compiling the results and detailed information.

FALLING?

Notre Dame WR Rhema McKnight

Some Background: McKnight tore his ACL in Week 1 of 2005 against Michigan, took a medical redshirt, and returned to lead the Irish in receiving touchdowns as a senior. He jumped at the Combine but didn't run his forties.

What He Did: Ran a 4.56 and a 4.53.

Outcome: McKnight didn't break himself with the slow sprints but they aren't fast enough for a 6-1/210-pound receiver with injury baggage hoping to go in the top three rounds. He's staring at a middle-round grade.
eog.com
Miami (FL) DL Kareem Brown

Some Background: After a strong final campaign for the 'Canes, Brown was praised at the Senior Bowl for giving all-out effort. He drew interest from several teams in search of 3-4 defensive end prospects.

What He Did: Brown didn't lift, which isn't a good sign. His forties were in the 5.4 range, miserable for a 290-pound projected defensive end. Brown displayed weak athleticism with a 27-inch vertical and an 8-foot-5 inch broad jump.

Outcome: It's hard to see Brown going higher than the middle of the third round. Because of the high-effort reputation he's earned, he'll be on the minds of teams but Brown just isn't as athletic as we thought.

Penn State RB Tony Hunt

Some Background: Hunt was my third-rated running back last week.

What He Did: Ran his forties in 4.68 at 4.71. Hunt's short shuttle time of 4.72 was linemen-esque. His broad jump of nine-foot-two left much to be desired. Fantasy Sports - Fantasy Football* - Fantasy Sports News - Fantasy Football Mock Draft - Fantasy Basketball - Fantasy Football Advice

Outcome: I feel compelled to drop Hunt in my rankings because the long speed just isn't there like I thought it was. You don't see many starting tailbacks running 4.7s in the NFL.

Florida LB Earl Everett

Some Background: Everett was a highly productive outside linebacker for the Gators but we didn't realize how unathletic he was until he showed up at the Combine, where he ran a disastrous 4.88 forty.

What He Did: Not much changed on Everett's home turf. In front of an estimated 100 NFL personnel, he ran forties of 4.82 and 4.73. Everett didn't jump at the Combine or at his Pro Day.

Outcome: I loved Everett in college but he simply lacks speed and seems to be hiding that he's a sub par athlete. He'll likely have a career as a reserve and be a late fourth- or fifth-round pick in April.

Georgia OT Daniel Inman

Some Background: Inman was a highly touted recruit who appeared to be rising until his senior season. The 2005 All-SEC pick was suspended for Weeks 1 and 2 and struggled in pass protection in 2006. Inman wasn't invited to the Combine.

What He Did: Turned in an utterly despicable workout. Inman ran both his forties in the 5.8s, got 25 inches off the ground vertically, and benched 225 13 times.

Outcome: I believe there are people reading this that could've equaled or even bested what Inman did at his Pro Day. He could be overlooked completely in April. The Player's Paradise

LSU DE Chase Pittman

Some Background: Pittman (6-5/270) had 6.5 sacks as a senior with the Tigers. He's viewed as a high-motor prospect and took reps as an outside linebacker at the Senior Bowl.

What He Did: Pittman ran his forties in 5.03 and 5.09, terrible for a defensive end. He displayed couch potato-type athleticism with jumps of 27.5 inches (vertical) and eight-foot-six (broad).

Outcome: It doesn't say much about the Niners' people that they even considered Pittman worth trying at such a speed-needy position in February. He's a second-day pick at best.

Other Notes:

New Hampshire WR David Ball showed why he didn't run at the Combine by trudging forty yards in 4.73 and 4.70 seconds. Ball was recruited to run track and field, so there's no excuse for the slow times. He will be drafted late.
Auburn OG Tim Duckworth benched 225 fewer times (19) than he did at the Combine (20). He also shed weight to run unimpressive forties of 5.38 and 5.41. Duckworth is looking like a fifth- or sixth-round pick.
South Carolina ATHLETE Syvelle Newton has not shown enough speed to play wideout in the NFL this offseason. He ran his forty in 4.77 and may be better served trying out as a defensive back going forward.
West Virginia LB Kevin "Boo" McClee ran times of 4.97 and 4.99. The 6-2/244-pounder is currently looking like a one-dimensional 3-4 inside linebacker and a late-round pick.
Oklahoma OLB Rufus Alexander, one of the most praised players at his position for much of his college career, improved on his Combine forty by posting a 4.73 and a 4.69, but still wasn't scintillating. He'll have a tough time making it into Round Two.

RISING?

Ohio State WR Roy Hall

Some Background: The 6-3/240-pound Hall entered spring football in 2006 set to compete to start with Anthony Gonzalez outside. He fell out of the competition early, and eventually behind young Brians Hartline and Robiskie on the depth chart.

What He Did: Ran forties of 4.41 and 4.42. His short shuttle time was 4.13 and he continued to impress with his jumps, reaching 37.5 inches on the vertical and 10-foot-3 inches with his long leap.

Outcome: There will still likely be questions about his work ethic considering his depth-chart tumble in 2006, but this workout may have been just enough for someone to take a late flier. Hall could be viewed as a tight end in the Randy McMichael mold.

Nebraska S Andrew Shanle

Some Background: Scott's little brother took over a starting role for the first time in his college career as a five-year senior. He played safety, a position at which the 'Huskers have produced second-round picks the past two seasons (Josh and Daniel Bullocks). Shanle picked off four passes in 2006.

What He Did: Running of FieldTurf, a surface deemed legit for estimating long speed, Shanle clocked in at 4.4 flat twice. He ran a 4.09 short shuttle, which is near incredible for a 6-1/212-pound safety. Shanle's vertical was 38.5 inches, his broad jump 9-foot-11.

Outcome: Shanle is now firmly on the late-round radar. It's questionable whether he'll ever be more than a reserve or third safety in the league, but might be a Kevin Kaesviharn-type sleeper.

Notre Dame QB Bra