Random FF Thoughts

[SteelersPride]

If his bell wasn't rung yesterday then I agree.

I know.... ughhh

 

[averagejoe]

Venting.
After having the draft date set for about 2 weeks now in one of my leagues, an owner asks me today if we can move it because he has a conflict. I'm trying to be accommodating but why does this always happen? Why?
Sometimes I hate being a Commish.

 

[TREFF]

Venting.
After having the draft date set for about 2 weeks now in one of my leagues, an owner asks me today if we can move it because he has a conflict. I'm trying to be accommodating but why does this always happen? Why?
Sometimes I hate being a Commish.

I HATE that, last time it happened we ended up finding a new owner at the last minute. And glad we did, the new owner has been a helluvalot better

 

[TREFF]

So, didn't get to watch more than a quarter of football all weekend, BUT, I did get the NFL network relay marathon DVR'ed, and am going through those. .
First game up, Denver vs SF, my observations-
Trevor Semien will be the Broncos week one QB, book it.
The Denver defense should easily lead the league in fewest yards and points allowed, and sacks..if they could only find a return man to round out the picture
SF NEEDS Kaepernick to come back and reclaim his job, Gabbert is a slight step above horrible, but still worse than bad
Hyde runs hard, still, and if there's any help from the line, he'll have some huge games.
CJ Anderson is still CJ Anderson, still an average back who runs average. If the Red Sea parts in front of him, he looks great, if it doesn't, he T struggles to get more than 3 yards.
Devontae Booker however, routinely snuck 5, 6, 7, 9 yard gains out if those very same small openings that CJ turns into 2 and 3 yard gains, and made it look routine to boot. Only a matter of time before that job changes hands.

Regardless of how the QB battle turns out, DT and Sanders aren't returning the value they did last year, but Virgil Green will push TE1 status

 

[TREFF]

Vikes and Seahawks next up. .
Bummer, no AP, no TeddyB, very hard to get any real view of anyone on Minnesota or the Seahawks D.

Not ready to buy C MIKE yet. He's looked great in preseason multiple times before.
Also not buying the coachspeak out of Seattle about running the ball either. I think they're slow playing us all and Wilson gets his 500 attempt season. .easily. biggest benefactor, Tyler Lockett

 

[averagejoe]

Also not buying the coachspeak out of Seattle about running the ball either.

I have two thoughts on that.
1) Running the ball and solid D got Seattle to 2 Super Bowls. Why change philosophies when this old school formula works.
2) For #1 to work, Rawls and the other RB have to be as effective as Marshawn was. If not, then I could see them passing more too.

 

[TREFF]

I have two thoughts on that.
1) Running the ball and solid D got Seattle to 2 Super Bowls. Why change philosophies when this old school formula works.
2) For #1 to work, Rawls and the other RB have to be as effective as Marshawn was. If not, then I could see them passing more too.

They got to one and won it 3 years ago, they got to one and lost it, 2 years so, they lost the NFC title game last year. .that's a downward trend..smart coaches notice and make changes before the bottom falls out, not after.

 

[TREFF]

Raiders and Packers...geesh
Derek Carr still needs to improve, not bad, but he's gotta get better
This top ranked oline (pass blocking top ranked), needs some serious improvement in the run game, that or they need to stop the outside toss plays with pulling linemen, and straight up power block, cuz the pulling linemen appear to be clueless.
Lat ran tough, but there was nothing to be had.
This Oakland defense is much improved on paper. But when a Packer offense without Rodgers, Jordy and Cobb can drive 14 plays for 7+ minutes, you're not there yet.
Adams looks better than I remember from last year, maybe he can actually hold that #3 job and be worth an emergency hail mary play at some point.
Lacy might not be all the way back, but looked good to me.

 

[Barilko]

Keep em coming. Your fave Canadian along with TKO of course needs the insight and if you ever need glorified figure skaters info well.

 

[TREFF]

Keep em coming. Your fave Canadian along with TKO of course needs the insight and if you ever need glorified figure skaters info well.

If I ever buy a retro copy of NHL face off, I'll get in touch with ya!

But this was my last game if the night. ..Bungals and Lions research will have to wait till tomorrow

 

[Barilko]

Seriously
I love your insight Treff

 

[HaroldSeattle]

I have two thoughts on that.
1) Running the ball and solid D got Seattle to 2 Super Bowls. Why change philosophies when this old school formula works.
2) For #1 to work, Rawls and the other RB have to be as effective as Marshawn was. If not, then I could see them passing more too.

That is how I see it also Joe. I believe they are going to at least try to be a run offense, but if it fails, then they will turn to the pass.

 

[TREFF]

That is how I see it also Joe. I believe they are going to at least try to be a run offense, but if it fails, then they will turn to the pass.

Harold, something I forgot to mention, and that I know you'll appreciate. Don't know if you noticed it or not, but I caught a grand total of 2 plays where Lockett was asked to set the edge on a running play, and he absolutely zeroed his guy.

 

[TREFF]

Bungals and Lions-
J. Hill looked great, so did Gio, but Hill was betier
Brandon Tate is going to be the bane of every AJ Green and Boyd owner. Not enough to make himself worth a spot, but enough to make you sick of him being targeted instead of your guys.
The Bengals have to find a role for Burkhead, the guy is just tough as nails and too damned good to wither on the bench.
AJ McCarron is going to be an above average starting QB for someone, soon.

Starvin Marvin is the real deal, maybe not Calvin, but he'll do, and he'll do better than Golden Tate
Zac Zenner is not an NFL RB, the sooner they put him out of his misery, the sooner Riddick and Abdullah can be somewhat dependable.
It'll be nice to see what this group looks like with Abdullah and Ebron on the field, could be dangerous

 

[Chef99]

Zac Zenner is not an NFL RB, the sooner they put him out of his misery, the sooner Riddick and Abdullah can be somewhat dependable.

I don't totally agree with you about Zenner, but he certainly is a crapshoot. The Lions RB situation has to be one of the murkiest in the league. I get the Riddick attraction in ppr, but he does nada for me in standard. Looks like Abdullah will be doing double duty again this year...can he hold up? I think that's a legitimate question. He hasn't shown it so far. I think Ridley's done. He might have use for the Lions off the bench, but I don't see him having any fantasy value.

That leaves Washington. Having a good camp and opening up some eyes. I think he's already beaten out Ridley for the fourth spot with Zenner and Riddick next up in his sights.

Crapshoot? Sure. Out of the question that he can overtake these guys and at some point end up #2?

No...I don't think it is. The opportunity is there, and so far he is taking advantage of it. It is a situation worth watching.

 

[Chef99]

I suppose the coachspeak about Eli Rogers makes him worth keeping an eye on, but I ain't buyin' it.

 

[TREFF]

I don't totally agree with you about Zenner, but he certainly is a crapshoot. The Lions RB situation has to be one of the murkiest in the league. I get the Riddick attraction in ppr, but he does nada for me in standard. Looks like Abdullah will be doing double duty again this year...can he hold up? I think that's a legitimate question. He hasn't shown it so far. I think Ridley's done. He might have use for the Lions off the bench, but I don't see him having any fantasy value.

That leaves Washington. Having a good camp and opening up some eyes. I think he's already beaten out Ridley for the fourth spot with Zenner and Riddick next up in his sights.

Crapshoot? Sure. Out of the question that he can overtake these guys and at some point end up #2?

No...I don't think it is. The opportunity is there, and so far he is taking advantage of it. It is a situation worth watching.

I can only speak somewhat intelligently as to what I've actually seen. And from what I saw, Zenner, in that game. .was not the Zenner that got everyone to fall in love with him last season. Sluggish, slow, went down easily, it wasn't pretty. With preseason basically being a 4 week job interview, I wouldn't hire him based on what I've seen. Luckily for him, th interview process isn't over and there's plenty of stuff we don't get to see.

Haven't seen anything from Ridley, I shut it if once they got that far down the roster, but if Zenner is ahead of him, that cannot be good.

As for Abdullah, I'm not as worried about him holding up, as I am about his ball security costing him his job. He's a tough kid, played through a lot of injuries in college, sat out a few games, must if which were the creme puff, schedule fillers that all NCAA teams have, but did miss a few big ones, to his credit, it was a significant injury, and not just a sore muscle.

I think Washington definitely has a job sewn up, likely the top backup behind both Abdullah and Riddick, but definitely on the roster.

 

[Chef99]

I can only speak somewhat intelligently as to what I've actually seen. And from what I saw, Zenner, in that game. .was not the Zenner that got everyone to fall in love with him last season. Sluggish, slow, went down easily, it wasn't pretty. With preseason basically being a 4 week job interview, I wouldn't hire him based on what I've seen. Luckily for him, th interview process isn't over and there's plenty of stuff we don't get to see.

Haven't seen anything from Ridley, I shut it if once they got that far down the roster, but if Zenner is ahead of him, that cannot be good.

As for Abdullah, I'm not as worried about him holding up, as I am about his ball security costing him his job. He's a tough kid, played through a lot of injuries in college, sat out a few games, must if which were the creme puff, schedule fillers that all NCAA teams have, but did miss a few big ones, to his credit, it was a significant injury, and not just a sore muscle.

I think Washington definitely has a job sewn up, likely the top backup behind both Abdullah and Riddick, but definitely on the roster.

Lol, just like that, breaking news:

Lions release veteran RB Stevan Ridley

Lions released RB Stevan Ridley.


The writing was on the wall after Ridley played behind Zach Zenner, George Winn, and rookie Dwayne Washington this preseason. By releasing him now, the Lions have at least given Ridley a shot to latch on somewhere else -- and perhaps offset some of the $250,000 guaranteed they owe him -- but he has not proven to be an effective back since shredding his knee in 2014. The 27-year-old could be nearing the end. With Ridley gone, Zenner is now locked in as the big-back complement to Ameer Abdullah.

 

[Chef99]

Locked in? Little early for that.

 

[TREFF]

Yeah, from what I see, Washington is a better bet to be the next man up after Abdullah, but there's something to be said for being the incumbent i guess