Posted 04 September 2003 - 07:17 PM
Welcome back, Sports Fans. Now let's delve into the rest of the Fantasy Falcons' offense. Staring with it's receiver corps.
"I think we have a strong lineup when it comes to our wide receivers, and their reputations speak for themselves." True words from the Falcons' coach, as they have some promising talent in their lineup. Peerless Price showed tremendous improvement over last year in receiving yards for the Buffalo Bills, and he seems to show no signs of slowing down, even with backup quarterback Doug Johnson. Some people are even saying he's developing more of a 1-2 combination than he and Vick had.
Keyshawn Johnson has put up impressive numbers each year for the Buccaneers, and will be an asset for the Fantasy Falcons. "I think he may struggle a bit in the beginning of the season, but as things go along he'll be putting up bigger numbers. It's just what happens with some receivers, and he just happens to be one of them."
Hines Ward was one of the main reasons, along with Tommy Maddox, that the Pittsburgh Steelers got as far as they did last year, making it all the way to the AFC Divisional Playoffs. Going for 1329 receiving yards for 12 touchdowns, 2002 was by far the best year in his short career. "I was happy when I got Hines. I had contemplated trading him a couple of times, but I finally saw the potential in him, and I think that he's going to do really well this season. If he can produce as well as he did last year, there's no telling what he can do. And Randle El, who is also on the same team, may put up some big numbers for me as well. He's an awesome kick returner. One of the few guys last year who got a 99 yd run. I gotta have that guy on my team."
While the Receiver corps is impressive, it's the Falcons' running game that raises question this year. Can they produce the numbers that RommieSG wants? "I'm still skeptical about my running game. I know it's not good when a coach says that, but due to some management that's beyond my control, the line isn't going to do as well as I thought it would."
Indeed it's not. Warrick Dunn is a top running back in the NFC, but with Michael Vick having to turn the reigns over to Doug Johnson, the Falcon's are going to have to go with the run more than they had anticipated this year, and defenses are going to be looking for it, most likely stacking the line against the run. Also, the Pittsburgh Steelers have placed veteran halfback Jerome Bettis on the bench, in favor of Amos Zeroue.
"I waited a long time for my waivers to go through for 'The Bus'. Giving up Michael Pittman for him. I could have strangled Bill Cowher when I heard that he was benching him. But I still have Antowain Smith, so maybe we can get a few points here and there."
Not to be left out, the Tight End position got perked up a bit today at the last minute. "The Patriots are gonna be throwing to Graham, their draft pick this year, which means that Christian Fauria ain't gonna be getting the yards that he had last year. The man had seven touchdowns, which is pretty good for a TE, if you're not Jeremy Shockey." The Fantasy Falcons' decided to pick up Wesley Walls from the Green Bay Packers, opting for some hopeful numbers from Favre to Walls in a 1-2 punch. Alge Crumpler on the other end is a high hopeful for the Falcons this year. While he may not get much in the initial weeks due to Vick being out, he may jump in the numbers when he returns.
That's it for the offensive end of the ball. When we return, we'll discuss how the Falcons' Defense and Special Teams are stacking up this year, and get some closing thoughts from Coach RommieSG. But first, a word from the makers of Clam Pudding.