The EndZoneView

Predicting the Outcomes of the RB Battles

2008-07-06T22:07:00.000-07:00

With training camp fast approaching, let's breakdown the biggest questions facing the running back position around the league:

Cincinatti Bengals

Rudi Johnson vs. Kenny Watson - Rudi will start the season, but Kenny Watson will be the most valuable of the two over the course of the year. And will obviously come alot cheaper in drafts.

Carolina Panthers
DeAngelo Williams vs. Jonathan Stewart - Although Stewart has yet to practice due to rehabbing his toe injury, there's no way he doesn't become the primary back in Carolina on opening day. Expect JStew to put up similar rookie numbers as Marshawn Lynch did last season. You should expect his ADP to jump considerably once the pre-season starts so if you have early drafts, jump on him now.

Oakland Raiders
Justin Fargas vs. Darren McFadden vs. Michael Bush - Fargas should start games and dominate 1st and 2nd down while McFadden will be the 3rd down back/decoy split out wide guy. Expect Michael Bush and Justin Fargas to split goal line/short yardage. It will be just a big cluster you know what here in Oakland especially if you factor in the lack of red zone opportunities with an offense being led by a first time starter at the quarterback position.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Earnest Graham vs. Warrick Dunn vs. Cadillac Williams - Earnest Graham will be the guy to own here obviously despite Jon Gruden trying his best to ruin his value. It will probably take Gruden a couple weeks to figure out that he should be leaning on Graham instead of trying to work in Dunn and Bennett. I still have a feeling Carnell will start the year on PUP and if Kevin Jones is signed, he could easily be shelved the entire year.

Seattle Seahawks
Julius Jones vs. Maurice Morris vs. TJ Duckett - Julius Jones could be the steal of the draft if he plays consistently enough for Holmgren to leave him out there. Maurice Morris is no better than a backup despite Holmgren's promise of a RBBC, he'd be the obvious weak link. TJ Duckett doesn't even figure to be activated much this year unless both Julius Jones and Maurice Morris prove ineffective at the goal line.

New Orleans Saints
Reggie Bush vs. Deuce McAllister vs. Pierre Thomas - Expect Sean Payton to use Reggie Bush like he did his rookie year, so that should be Bush's projection for this season. I doubt McAllister makes the roster out of camp which would mean sleeper favorite Pierre Thomas would be the starter. Sean Payton will probably look at that and say "Holy crap, give me Shaun Alexander's phone number" thus ruining Pierre's sleeper status.

Denver Broncos
Selvin Young vs. Ryan Torain vs. Michael Pittman vs. (insert name here) - Selvin Young will have the first crack to be the primary back to start the year, then he'll give way to Ryan Torian who will give way to......drum roll please....MIKE BELL for an awesome two game stretch, before Shanny decides to bench him after a costly fumble and then will give the starting job back to Selvin Young who plays ok, but what the heck, let's see what Andre Hall can give us, and....he's hurt. Back to Ryan Torain. Oh the fun!

Don't Call It A Comeback, Favre Eyes Return

2008-07-02T14:46:00.000-07:00

It's not a "comeback" because he never really left, did he?

Well, it was only truly a matter of time. The Legend is laying the groundwork to return to football not even one off-season away from retiring. Despite ESPN’s uncanny way to swoop in and "report" the news, we’ll give credit to former NFL Executive Mike Lombardi (which we found via rotoworld.com) for kick starting the fracas that will soon ensnare every NFL Live and Total Access show for the coming weeks. http://www.lombardionfootball.com/2008/07/favre-is-thinking.html . As if that's not enough, the Wisconsin State journal is reporting that Favre even asked for his out right release a few weeks ago. http://www.madison.com/wsj/blogs/Packers/294432

This had been an extremely slow pre-training camp month, so this development will no doubt give everyone something to talk about. Unless Brett Favre gives an honest rebuttal to this rumor soon, things will undoubtedly heat up and every Packers player will field a Favre related question until the season starts. The news also obviously disrupts Aaron Rodgers concentration level as he will now have to deal with the possibility of a Favre comeback every where he goes. Favre loves Green Bay, there’s no doubt about that, but he reportedly loves football enough to have to play in another city and in another uniform if it comes down to it.

If Brett Favre plans on showing up for training camp, Ted Thompson and the Packers will be put in the most awkward of situations. Give Favre back his old job after the entire team seems to have move forward, or trade the legend to another team and feel the wrath of a fanatic fan base. Packer’s fans were already planning on cheering Favre opening day when the organization planned on retiring his number, but now they may be cheering him on opening day when he gets under center.

Views From the Endzone

2008-06-27T14:27:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick roundup of this week's big stories:

Horny in Dallas
No, this isn’t a Jessica Simpson/Tony Romo story. ZING! But 36 year old Joe Horn is trying his best to expedite his eventual release from Atlanta. Adam Scheftler of nfl.com reports that none other than Jerry Jones is keeping tabs on the situation. If there’s one more thing Tony Romo needs, it’s another temperamental wide receiver harping for the ball. Horn would give the Cowboys depth behind Terry Glenn who still hasn’t signed an injury waiver to work out with the team. If Horn does get released from the Falcons and signs with the Cowboys, the combined age of the three top receivers would be 103.
http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story?id=09000d5d809069d9&template=with-video&confirm=true

Dookie Dumped
Per profootballtalk.com, Najeh “Dookie” Davenport has been flushed by the Steelers hours after the Steelers made it known he was available via trade. So that sound you here isn’t just the toilet, it’s a rocket attached to Rashard Mendenhall’s draft value. Davenport has been plagued with legal issues, recently being accused of domestic battery, and now enters a free agency pool filled with veteran running backs. Mendenhall on the other hand looks to be a lock to be the goal line back this year and should even cut into Willie Parker’s workload as the year goes on. http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/06/27/steelers-dump-davenport/

Lynch “Hits” the holes “and Runs” fast
No, it wasn’t a “hit and run” charge or even a “fleeing the scene of an accident” charge. It was a “failure to exercise due care” charge that landed Marshawn Lynch in the hot seat. Or the warm seat. Or the comfortable chair with a cup holder. Either way, Lynch gets a slap on the wrist and doesn’t figure to be fined or suspended by the Bills or the league. Just remember, if you get into trouble, make sure it’s in Buffalo.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3463965&campaign=rss&source=NFLHeadlines

Mike Furrey is Furious
Well, he hasn’t really commented yet, I can only imagine. Mlive.com is reporting that Shaun McDonald will man the slot for a Lions team that is expected to rarely lineup with three wide receivers this season. Which means starters Roy Williams or Calvin Johnson would have to suffer an injury for one time fantasy star Mike Furrey to become relevant again. Sure CJ had a tricky back last year, so he has that going for him. Perhaps if Roy gets traded or leaves next season, Furrey can dive for Drew Stanton skip passes.
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2008/06/scouting_report_shaun_mcdonald.html

Random Thought of the Day
Does anyone else get the feeling that Kurt Warner will be the starting QB for the Buccaneers in 2009?
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/119440

This Just In
Football players make too much money.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80909cc9&template=with-video&confirm=true