We scour the news around the NFL to bring you what matters most for you and your dynasty team: the most current news on players, both superstars and the relative unknowns, and analysis to decipher the respective situations. These are many of the major stories and not meant to be an exhaustive look at all of the recent happenings around the league.
Last week, the Boston Globe reported that there has been "increasing talk" that New England may keep only two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. Right after this report surfaced, rookie Jimmy Garoppolo played in front of Ryan Mallett. If adding this all up, we could conclude that the team will look to trade or release Mallett prior to the season kickoff. This is still a remote possibility. There's no doubt that the rookie has outplayed the incumbent to hold the clipboard on the sideline.
Even after the consecutive strong showings by rookie Teddy Bridgewater, veteran Matt Cassel is viewed as the heavy favorite to start in the week-one matchup against the Rams. The Vikings want to bring Bridgewater along slowly. However, there is no mistaking the fact that the rookie is the superior talent and will be on the field sooner rather than later. The issue is that Cassel has played well and it is always good to give a rookie quarterback a little time to transition to the NFL.
With the way Matt Schaub played in last Friday's preseason game, he could be passed on the depth chart by rookie Derek Carr very soon. In the game, Carr suffered a concussion and sore ribs injury. But, Carr's opportunity will arise from the horrendous play of Schaub. The ex-Texans quarterback has now completed 11 of 20 preseason passes for 108 yards through two games and could have had a large number of turnovers. Coach Dennis Allen will need wins in order to save his job and Carr gives him the better chance. Expect the rookie to start before week four if healthy.
LeSean McCoy was forced from Thursday's preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a right thumb injury. The x-rays were negative. This is in addition to the toe injury McCoy brought into the contest. While he is still nursing a hamstring strain, Chris Polk is a strong speculative play for dynasty owners. The Eagles traded away Bryce Brown to the Bills so Polk is the only viable back left. Yes, Philadelphia traded for Kenjon Barner. Barber is not a threat to the top two ball carriers when they are healthy. While not a threat for carries, Darren Sproles is expected to have a consistent role in the offense. Beat writer Dave Spadaro of the Philadelphia Eagles' team website envisions Sproles playing roughly twenty snaps per game on offense. This is roughly one-quarter of the team's expected plays per game.
This past Saturday, Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie tailback Charles Sims underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right ankle. He may be back on the field late in the season or just stay on injured reserve/designated for return. The injury requires a 12-14 week recovery. Sims is talented and was a third round pick in May's NFL Draft. He will be replaced by Mike James and Bobby Rainey. The only upside for fantasy owners is for Doug Martin owners. The Sims injury means James is the obvious handcuff while the rookie is out of action.
This may be the season to trade away Le'Veon Bell. The Steelers tailback was arrested this past week of marijuana possession and DUI. Making him less desirable was a coach Mike Tomlin quote where the coach suggested teammate LeGarrette Blount may be more than just a red-zone, goal-line back. Tomlin said of Bell, "They’re both going to get their share … We’ll deal with that on a game-by-game basis based on the plan." Blount is a player going under the radar but could have a sizable role this season. There is a reason Pittsburgh signed the journeyman back.
Even after the signing of Maurice Jones-Drew this offseason, Oakland Raiders tailback Latavius Murray is a player who could emerge into a starter. Murray fell under the radar after he required two surgeries on his foot/ankle last season. For a size/speed player, this is not good. According to CSN Bay Area, as a rookie last year, Murray needed surgery after one preseason game, which landed him on injured reserve. He required another procedure in December and get back up to speed until May. This is why the team felt compelled to bring in Jones-Drew. However, Murray has a chance to surprise some people playing behind the two veteran ball carriers.
The news on Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe keeps getting worse. In just week, Bowe gave the news agencies two negative reports to distribute. First was coach Andy Reid relaying that Bowe's finger is “shot”. Per Reid, "It's been thrown out of place about 15 times, and he's not catching the ball … But he's getting his work done." Many are blaming the finger for the abundance of dropped passes. Bowe will play through the finger injury … just like Torry Holt played through his nasty finger injury. In addition to the finger, the NFL suspended Bowe one game for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. This is the result of Bowe's arrest for possession of marijuana last November. He pleaded guilty to lesser charges and paid a fine. This was not enough punitive action for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. With Bowe's value circling the drain, he may be a decent player to buy on the cheap. He is still the only receiver worth owning in Kansas City.
Beat writer Jim Wyatt of the The Nashville Tennessean has constantly been effusive in his praise of wide receiver Justin Hunter. Wyatt has reported often that Hunter makes a terrific catch almost every practice. We hand it to receivers coach Shawn Jefferson who has been tough on hunter. He is getting results for his tough love on the talented pass receiver. With quality quarterback play, Hunter could burst into the Top 15 fantasy receivers this season.
Beat Writer Nick Wagoner reported last week that suspended receiver Stedman Bailey has been "the most consistent wideout in camp." According to Wagoner, Bailey is "poised for a much bigger role upon his return." Bailey is suspended the first four games for performance enhancing drugs. The emergence of Bailey will only help Sam Bradford and the St. Louis passing game. Now is the time to begin looking for Bailey on the waiver wire or trying to acquire on the cheap.
Early this week, the New York Jets placed rookie receiver Shaq Evans on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Thought to be raw out of college, Evans battled drops through much of training camp before injuring his shoulder. He needs surgery to repair a torn labrum. The receiver position is one the team needed production from even with the acquisition of Eric Decker.
After Marquess Wilson was injured, the Chicago Bears signed free agent Santonio Holmes for the veteran minimum. Holmes will be given every opportunity to start as the third receiver in the Chicago offense. Holmes is competing with journeyman Josh Morgan. If Holmes has anything left in the tank, he could add a spark to a pass-happy offense.
Last week, the New York Post reported second-round Jets rookie tight end Jace Amaro dropped passes in training camp "as if it was a job requirement." There have been few good reports on Amaro from New York training camp, yet this seems to be very telling. Yes, rookie tight ends need time to adjust from the college game, and Amaro played primarily in the slot at Texas Tech, but his game is based on receiving ability, not blocking. This is a situation to watch.
Green Bay Packers rookie undrafted free agent tight end Colt Lyerla was injured/waived this week and will hope to be placed on injured reserve with a torn MCL and PCL in his right knee. Lyerla is very talented but fell in the NFL Draft due to off the field concerns.
Injuries to monitor this week:
Tony Romo: Back
Arian Foster: Hamstring
Montee Ball: Appendectomy
Ahmad Bradshaw: Neck
Marcus Lattimore: Knee, Hamstring
Knowshon Moreno: Knee
Andre Johnson: Hamstring
Michael Crabtree: Hamstring
Allen Robinson: Hamstring
Cecil Shorts: Hamstring
Aaron Dobson: Foot
Odell Beckham Jr: Hamstring
Riley Cooper: Foot
Rob Gronkowski: Knee
Jordan Cameron: Shoulder
Charles Clay: Knee
Feel free to email me (Tefertiller@Footballguys.com) with feedback. Also, I am on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/JeffTefertiller), LinkedIn, and Google+, so you can ask me questions on one of these as well.