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02/20/2012 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Teams are running out of time, and more to the point, chances. And as we well know, tournament resumes are built on impressive performances, and more importantly W's, when those chances arise.
ESPN has accomplished so much -- national television coverage first and foremost, but also its association with the V Foundation and other efforts aligned with the NCAA's core mission -- but one of its greatest ideas came 10 years ago when a powerful sports entity decided to explore a national showcase of the nation's mid-major programs.
It was a novel concept met with some skepticism. This was before the days of George Mason, VCU and Butler. The power programs' iron fists ruled college basketball; they controlled the money (to a larger degree than today), the television exposure and the NCAA championship tournament. Many wondered if an event promoting smaller schools would reap any financial benefit and prove a worthwhile use of television time and advertising spots.
Ten years later, it has proved genius. Mid-major programs have gained greater respect with greater success in March, starting with George Mason's shocking run to the Final Four and followed by Butler's back-to-back Final Fours and VCU's sprint to the national semifinals from the initial First Four. These programs have gained exposure (a nationally televised game on ESPN does wonders for recruiting if nothing else). Yet, the most important benefit is a mid-to-late February chance -- removed from the RPI killers of conference play, rather a handpicked opportunity to state tournament worth against a like-minded foe.
Which brings us to the 2012 BracketBusters, a three-day event that gave the likes of Wichita State, Creighton, VCU, Drexel, Saint Mary's and Murray State chances to improve their NCAA Tournament resumes. Assessing the bubble- worthy's March hopes is an exercise for Friday (From the End of the Bench runs both Monday and Friday through the first Monday night in April), but below is a quick synopsis of the teams that did themselves favors and those that didn't during this made-for-TV event.
Winners
Murray State: To hoops loyalists, Isaiah Canaan is already a household name, but for those casual viewers just tuning in, what a methodically efficient show they witnessed Saturday night. Canaan scored 23 points on just 13 shots, playing through the offense instead of clogging it with isolation attempts. He and the Racers played perhaps their most complete game of the season with the world watching and Dickie V in the house. Three main thoughts from Saturday's 65-51 demolition of a very good Saint Mary's team: Murray State has someone the VCUs or George Masons didn't have -- a first-team All-American candidate. Yes, Canaan is that good. The Racers have three RPI Top 25 victories, which to me weigh more heavily than a gaudy one-loss record in the Ohio Valley Conference, the 21st-rated conference by the RPI. Finally, Ivan Aska may be Murray State's most important player down the stretch because he provides a perimeter-oriented team with some toughness and interior scoring. The Racers are a more dangerous, well-rounded outfit with Aska on the floor, and his eight-point, four-rebound line from Saturday doesn't do justice to the difference he made.
Drexel: I discussed the Dragons' at-large profile on Twitter yesterday before their rout of short-handed Cleveland State and will again in the Friday column, but for now, who can't be impressed with Bruiser Flint's outfit over the last two months? The Dragons haven't lost since January 2 (a bad loss at that, though, 58-44, to Georgia State), rolling off 15 straight wins in relative obscurity until the 69-49 victory over the Vikings on Saturday. Freshman Damion Lee scored 18 points to pace the Dragons, who are tied with George Mason atop the Colonial Athletic Association standings (the Dragons won the only meeting, 60-53).
Creighton and Long Beach State: Both members of Saturday's instant classic make this list for their effort and for passing the tournament benchmark dubbed as the "eye test." The 49ers took it to the Bluejays for a good portion of the game, but give Creighton credit, it took a punch and used its offensive firepower to fight back into the game. Antoine Young's left-handed floater just before the buzzer proved to be the game-winner, but this slugfest didn't produce a loser. Creighton's Doug McDermott, stuck in a funk of sorts that aligned with the Bluejays' recent tailspin, exploded for 36 points and 11 rebounds, almost single-handedly destroying the 49ers with jump shots, dribble-drives and one acrobatic, over-the-head tip-in that is sure to be on Top 10 lists for some time. Yet, Long Beach State did little to hurt its at- large chances with its road performance. Yes, a win would have been a nice buffer, but the 49ers are blitzing through the Big West in a such a dominant fashion that an auto bid seems like a mere formality. But if it isn't? Well, there is always this battle in Omaha, but also a large inspection of a non- league schedule that was the toughest in the nation. More on that Friday.
Losers
Saint Mary's: The Gaels are in the NCAA field, but the last two games have lowered the roar around this team to a murmur. Saint Mary's has lived all season off its WCC-best offensive efficiency (1.17 points per possession adjusted), but Matthew Dellavedova's ankle injury has significantly hampered the Gaels' ability to score easy baskets and even work their way into basic sets. The loss to the Racers was a perfect storm, yes, but it also was the third defeat in four contests and points to an alarming trend: Saint Mary's is having trouble scoring, and its defense is not stingy enough to make up for the sudden offensive inefficiency.
Davidson: It was a long shot, but a victory over Wichita State, coupled with the December victory at Kansas and a close loss in the Southern Conference championship game may have made an intriguing case. Instead, the Wildcats never found answers for the Shockers' Joe Ragland, who poured in 30 points during the 91-74 victory. Davidson now must travel the auto bid route.
Elsewhere last week, other programs took advantage of their chances, while others fell short. From the End of the Bench cherry-picks North Carolina State and Kansas State for polar-opposite results.
It was a week of opportunity for the resurgent Wolfpack, who stared at resume- building games at Duke and versus Florida State. The week started splendidly, as North Carolina State looked the tournament-worthy part, jumping out to a 16-point lead in Durham and holding a 20-point edge early in the second half. Then, the attacking mentality crawled into a not-to-lose shell, possessions were wasted through stagnation and turnovers, and foul trouble mounted. Duke took advantage from the charity stripe and with a pressure defense that made the ticking seconds seem longer. The result was a complete collapse and a missed opportunity that ended with a 78-73 loss. The weekend ended with a much weaker effort in a 78-62 loss to Florida State, which was marred by two Wolfpack legends -- Tom Gugliotta and Chris Corchiani -- ejected from the stands for apparently berating the officials.
Kansas State's week began with a narrow 59-53 loss to Kansas, not a harmful defeat but definitely one Frank Martin would have liked to squeeze out as a prized profile enhancer. It got the quality W five days later, a road victory, 57-56, at Baylor. Jordan Henriquez-Roberts' bucket in the closing seconds gave the Wildcats the lead, and they held their collective breath when Quincy Miller's jumper just before the horn drew only iron. "When a team punches us, we have to punch them back," said Henriquez-Roberts. That mindset makes the Wildcats a dangerous club come March; the grind-it-out bunch that could cause undisciplined teams fits. The Wildcats' bubble standing will also be discussed on Friday.
FINE 15
1. Kentucky (26-1): The Wildcats showcased their depth in a 77-62 victory over Ole Miss. Terrence Jones led one of five Wildcats in double figures. Up next: Mississippi State, which is on a three-game skid and moving precariously close to the bubble.
2. Syracuse (27-1): Two tough road wins at Louisville and Rutgers bring the Orange's mettle to the forefront. C.J. Fair scored a career-best 21 points in the 74-64 win over the Scarlet Knights. Fair's offensive outburst again demonstrates Syracuse's offensive depth ahead of a visit from suddenly-surging South Florida, winners of four straight and 10-4 in conference play.
3. Missouri (25-2): The Tigers' seventh straight victory was bolstered by Kim English's 21 points at Texas A&M. Matt Pressey, a valuable bench presence, sprained his left ankle ahead of a big week that starts Tuesday against Kansas State and finishes Saturday in a battle royal at Allen Fieldhouse.
4. Kansas (22-5): After outlasting the Wildcats, Kansas thumped Texas Tech, 83-50, ahead of a trap game at Texas A&M. Thomas Robinson and company can't look ahead to its Saturday date with Missouri.
5. North Carolina (23-4): North Carolina continued its mastery at home against Clemson, winning for the 56th straight time in Chapel Hill against the Tigers. Harrison Barnes scored 24 points and Tyler Zeller added 14 in the victory. North Carolina's road week ahead includes tough tests at desperate North Carolina State and Virginia.
6. Michigan State (22-5): I think "we" as hoops fans undersell Draymond Green's skill set. We wax poetic about his leadership and his intangibles, but the senior forward is having an All-America season. He scored 20 points with 10 rebounds and seven assists in a 76-62 victory at Purdue. The Spartans' week ahead includes a trip to Minnesota (a game the Golden Gophers need) and a home date with Nebraska.
7. Duke (23-4): The big reason for Duke's ferocious rally against the Wolfpack? Not Austin Rivers but Seth Curry, who attacked the rim with a controllable aggression I haven't seen from the guard this season. If he becomes another dribble-drive scorer, it could really open shooting lanes for a player you haven't heard much from lately: Andre Dawkins. Duke has a dangerous Thursday night date with Florida State (the Seminoles already won in Cameron) before hosting Virginia Tech two days later.
8. Georgetown (20-5): There is much talk, and rightfully so, about the Hoyas' Princeton offense, but they defend with just as much precision. The Hoyas held Providence, a team that went for 90 against Louisville earlier this season, to 25 percent shooting in the 63-53 victory. The Hoyas head to Seton Hall early in the week before hosting Villanova on Saturday.
9. Ohio State (22-5): The Buckeyes' main problem? Jared Sullinger has the team's best three-point percentage. David Lighty is long gone, and William Buford and DeShaun Thomas struggle when teams don't double-team Sullinger in the post. Buford is shooting just 36 percent from long range and Thomas only 32.6 percent. Ohio State needs one of the two to shoot more consistently to take some of the pressure and focus off Sullinger. Up next for the Buckeyes is Illinois, which is laboring and checking out by the game with embattled head coach Bruce Weber frustrated and out of answers.
10. Marquette (22-5): The Golden Eagles' 79-64 beatdown of UConn was a simple case of disciplined vs. undisciplined. Marquette plays within and embraces a system, while the Huskies freelance and go into 1-on-1 isolation far too often. Marquette is a two-man offense with Jae Crowder (20) and Darius Johnson-Odom (24), but the Golden Eagles play such suffocating defense, the two-man sets (they took 31 of the team's 54 shots) may not be an issue. Rutgers heads to Milwaukee early in the week before the Golden Eagles take the show on the road to West Virginia.
11. Florida (21-6): Tough to figure out the Gators, who looked lost a week ago then responded in impressive fashion with consecutive road wins at Alabama and Arkansas, the latter a 30-point waxing where they finished two points short of the century mark. With no more talk about the Gators' at-large viability, we can look ahead to a week that includes a home date with Auburn and a road game at Georgia.
12. Baylor (22-5): The Bears will never reach their potential this season if Perry Jones III doesn't start playing like the NBA lottery pick many scouts assume he is. Look, I've chastised Jones' up-and-down play all season, but truth be told, sometimes it takes a freshman a while to adjust. Well, it's been more than enough time, and the four-point, four-rebound outing against Kansas State will not cut it. Baylor travels to Texas and hosts Oklahoma on Saturday.
13. Murray State (26-1): The Racers can book their tickets for the big dance after the thorough smack-down of Saint Mary's, now the only question is seeding. Murray State's seed ceiling will be an interesting case study if the Racers win out and claim the Ohio Valley's automatic bid. The Racers' season ends this week with two tough conference games. They try to avenge their only loss with a game at Tennessee State on Thursday and travel to Tennessee Tech on Saturday.
14. Michigan (20-7): Believe it or not, the Wolverines can win the Big Ten title, and the schedule sets up for them. Winnable road games at Northwestern, Illinois and Penn State surround a home date with Purdue. Four straight W's may give the Wolverines a surprising conference crown.
15. New Mexico (22-4): From out of nowhere, the Lobos have stormed into the Fine 15 and the national spotlight with the most impressive week in some time. A 10-point win at San Diego State was eye opening in itself, but a 20-point walloping of UNLV at The Pit puts the Aggies in position to win an upper-tier conference this season and perhaps vault into protected seed territory (top 4 seeding). There can be no let up with a road week on the way. First, a tough trip to Fort Collins to face bubble-sitter Colorado State followed by a weekend visit to TCU.
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The San Francisco 49ers (5-11 SU, 5-10-1 ATS in 2007; 1-1 SU & ATS in pre-season) found some offensive life last week, and they will try to build some momentum on Thursday night as they travel to the Windy City to take on the Chicago Bears (7-9 SU & ATS in 2007; 0-2 SU, 0-1-1 ATS in pre-season) in an NFL matchup that is set to get underway at 8 PM ET at Soldier Field (natural turf) in Chicago.
Thursday, August 21
NFL betting odds: CHICAGO -3 (-120), Total 37
NOTABLE STAT: San Francisco was last in points, last in total offense in 2007
KEY NFL BETTING TREND: SF has lost its last seven SU on pre-season road
In the BetUS NFL pre-season football betting odds, the Bears are listed as a three-point favorite (laying -120), with the total posted at 37 points.
Here are some NFL football betting trends as they relate to this matchup (reflecting numbers going into the 2008 season):
* SF has lost 11 of its last 14 games SU
* SF has covered three of its last 11 games
* SF has lost six of its last seven road games SU
* SF has covered one of its last seven road games
* CHI has covered five of its last eight games
* CHI has played five of its last seven games OVER the total
* CHI has covered four of its last 13 home games
* SF has lost its last seven pre-season road games SU
* CHI has covered two of its last seven home pre-season games
Well, I guess we should congratulate the Bears on making their quarterback choice for the season's opening game, as they have designated Kyle Orton the starter against Indianapolis. The Bears obviously have lost patience with Rex Grossman, and what they do with him at this point is anybody's guess. But suffice it to say that there isn't a quarterback competition anymore, at least in training camp.
Meanwhile, the quarterback competition may also be settled in San Francisco, where the Niners bounced back from a lackluster 18-6 loss to the Raiders, in which they turned the ball over four times, to execute a 34-6 rout of the Packers last Saturday. However, coach Mike Nolan has stopped short of saying that, insisting that the job is still open. But J.T. O'Sullivan, the longshot of the trio of Niner signal-callers who opened camp, will start his third straight pre-season game here. Against Green Bay, O'Sullivan was only 8-for-17, and was intercepted, but he also threw for 9.1 yards an attempt, which included a 59-yard TD pass to Josh Morgan. The others struggled.
Some offensive cohesion is badly needed, in light of the Niners' dismal 2007 campaign, in which they were dead last in the NFL in scoring, with just 13.7 points a game. And O'Sullivan is the guy who is most familiar with offensive coordinator Mike Martz's exacting system, because he learned it last year in Detroit. O'Sullivan will go at least the entire first half and may even last longer. He'll be relieved by Alex Smith, with Shawn Hill doing the mop-up work. Three receivers who were out last week - Bryant Johnson, Ashley Lelie and Arnaz Battle - will miss this game too.
That may hurt a little here, especially since the Bears will be using a lot of their defensive starters. And it's the defense that has been keeping the Bears in games thus far. In fact, the defense and special teams were responsible for the first 19 points Chicago scored against Seattle last time out, as the offense really struggled with Grossman at the controls. But maybe the first-team offense has a chance to settle a little bit as it works more with Orton at the helm.
Certainly we have concerns about the Bears' offensive line, but we like the scenario for them here, especially if O'Sullivan doesn't make some bis plays. The Niners may have nowhere else to turn right now, and they have lost seven straight road games in the pre-season. Let's take Chicago, the three-point favorite in the NFL football betting odds.
CHICAGO -3 (-120) **
(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)
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New York, NY - Fantasy football players ranked by position with age, 2008 statistics, comments.
QUARTERBACKS
1. Tom Brady, New England, age 32: 76 yards. Sure, he only threw 11 passes last year before a season-ending injury, but he's also the same guy who threw an NFL-record 50 touchdowns in 2007 and has even more weapons to work with.
2. Drew Brees, New Orleans, 30: 5,069 yards, 34 touchdowns, 17 interceptions, eight 300-yard games, two 400-yard games, 11 multiple-TD games, 1 dud game (defined as game without a TD or under 200 yards with 1 TD). Hopefully Saints won't figure out they haven't been so good while Brees throws every down.
3. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis, 33: 4,002 yards, 28 TDs (1 rushing), 12 INTs, 4 300-yard games, 9 multiple-TD games, 3 duds. He's a little older, but things probably won't change all that much without Marvin Harrison and with the offensive brain trust sporting slightly different titles.
TDs, 11 INTs, 5 300-yard games, 12 multiple-TD games, 4 duds. May be team's biggest threat now that LaDainian Tomlinson's starting to sputter. Or maybe he just hands off to two guys all the time.
5. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay, 25: 4,038 yards, 32 TDs (4 rushing), 13 INTs, 4 300-yard games, 10 multiple-TD games, 4 duds. Amid the usual preseason Brett Favre talk, Rodgers returns to powerful offense that's basically unchanged from his breakout year.
6. Tony Romo, Dallas, 29: 3,448 yards, 26 TDs, 14 INTs, 6 300-yard games, 8 multiple-TD games, 4 duds (including 3 games missed to injury). Says he's really getting serious about football. Plus, offense is supposed to be more "Romo-friendly" without all Terrell Owens' touchdowns.
7. Kurt Warner, Arizona, 38: 4,583 yards, 30 TDs, 14 INTs, 6 300-yard games, 1 400-yard game, 10 multiple-TD games, 2 duds. He's thrown 57 touchdown passes the past two years, but it's always scary drafting an injury-prone 38-year-old who just lost his offensive coordinator.
8. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia, 32: 3,916 yards, 25 TDs (2 rushing), 11 INTs, 3 300-yard games, 7 multiple-TD games, 6 duds. He's often an injury concern but put in 16 games last year for the first time since 2003.
y on every first down.
10. Matt Cassel, Kansas City, 27: 3,693 yards, 23 TDs (2 rushing), 11 INTs, 1 300-yard game, 2 400-yard games, 5 multiple-TD games, 8 duds. Without Randy Moss (or even Tony Gonzalez) may be more Tyler Thigpen than Tom Brady. Worth a shot, though.
11. Jay Cutler, Chicago, 26: 4,526 yards, 27 TDs (2 rushing), 18 INTs, 7 300-yard games, 1 400-yard game, 8 multiple-TD games, 4 duds. Major drop-off seems inevitable since his trade-inducing tantrum landed him with a team that doesn't employ receivers.
12. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh: 27: 3,301 yards, 19 TDs (2 rushing), 15 INTs, 3 300-yard games, 5 multiple-TD games, 7 duds. That 32-TD season a few years ago starting to look a bit fluky, but he's always good for about 20 scores.
13. Matt Schaub, Houston, 28: 3,043 yards, 17 TDS (2 rushing), 10 INTs, 3 300-yard games, 1 400-yard game, 5 multiple-TD games (8 duds, including 5 games missed to injury). Injury-prone Schaub would be awesome in college fantasy league, having played in 11 games in each of his two years as Houston's starter.
14. Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle, 33: 1,216 yards, 5 TDs, 10 INTs, 1 multiple-TD game, 15 duds (including 9 games missed to injury). His spine apparently is no longer the consistency of Silly Putty, he gets a great new receiver and tackle Walter Jones set to return. Had 28 TD passes two years ago and has shaky run game.
o, 25: 2,699 yards, 14 TDs (3 rushing), 10 INTs, 2 multiple-TD games, 9 duds (including 2 games missed to injury). Showed real signs of being kind of OK last year, and that was before he got Terrell Owens and the return of the Buffalo no-huddle offense.
16. David Garrard, Jacksonville, 31: 3,620 yards, 17 TDs (2 rushing), 13 INTs, 2 300-yard games, 3 multiple-TD games, 6 duds. Torry Holt addition could be huge, or could just be footnote to season when Maurice Jones-Drew rushes for 30 TDs.
17. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati, 29: 731 yards, 3 TDs, 4 INTs, 14 duds (including 12 games missed to injury). Like Brady and Hasselbeck, attempting to return to big stats after a big injury. Unlike them, he doesn't have a lot to work with and his team wants to run a lot more.
18. Kyle Orton, Denver, 26: 2,972 yards, 21 TDS (3 rushing), 12 INTs, 1 300-yard game, 7 multiple-TD games, 8 duds (including 1 game missed to injury). Had a spurt of decent fantasy games last year and could get a lot better with all Denver's weapons.
19. Brett Favre, Minnesota, 55 (OK, so he's really 39 but seems a lot older): 3,472 yards, 23 TDs (1 rushing), 22 INTs, 6 multiple-TD games, 8 duds. Let's just go ahead and assume Favre says yes to the Vikings on July 30. Even his tired old arm can float more than a few TDs against schemes stacked up to stop Adrian Peterson.
Ts, 1 300-yard game, 5 multiple-TD games, 8 duds. Run-first (and second and third) approach led to Manning's failure to reach 200 yards in 10 of final 12 games last year. No reliable receivers, either.
21. Jake Delhomme, Carolina, 34: 3,288 yards, 17 TDs (2 rushing), 12 INTs, 5 multiple-TD games, 8 duds. When he's terrible, he's Grossman-caliber terrible. May throw a lot less if he has two healthy RBs, but there will be those days when he goes crazy with Steve Smith.
22. Shaun Hill, San Francisco, 29: 2,046 yards, 15 TDs (2 rushing), 8 INTs, 6 multiple-TD games in 8 starts. Get the feeling 49ers coaches allowing a QB competition with Alex Smith as favor to front-office types who drafted Smith. Whoever wins gets seventh offensive coordinator in seven years.
23. Jason Campbell, Washington, 27: 3,245 yards, 14 TDs (1 rushing), 6 INTs, 2 300-yard games, 2 multiple-TD games, 9 duds. Made strides in first year with coach Jim Zorn, but Redskins were awfully busy trying to snag another QB in offseason.
24. Chad Pennington, Miami, 33: 3,653 yards, 20 TDs (1 rushing), 7 INTs, 2 300-yard games, 6 multiple-TD games, 6 duds. Was comeback player of the year in 2006, then stunk it up the next year. Was again comeback player last year, too, so another flop is pretty much guaranteed.
nsidered a potential fantasy star? Now he's that guy who hands off to Steven Jackson.
26. JaMarcus Russell, Oakland, 24: 2,423 yards, 14 TDs (1 rushing), 8 INTs, 5 multiple-TD games, 7 duds. Mostly looked horrible along with the rest of the Raiders, but did throw two TDs in each of his final three games.
27. Whoever emerges as the least harmful choice to start in Cleveland. Surely 2007's big stats weren't entirely fluky for Derek Anderson (26: 1,615 yards, 9 TDs, 8 INTs, 1 300-yard game, 2 multiple-TD games, 9 duds, 1 benching, 1 injury last year). And maybe that one time Brady Quinn had a pretty good game wasn't fluky either.
28. Somebody in Detroit. Rookie Matt Stafford could be a pretty good gamble. Or Daunte Culpepper (32: 786 yards, 5 TDs, 6 INTS, 1 midseason unretirement, 1 multiple-TD game, 6 duds) could recapture some of his old magic with a much-improved supporting cast.
29. Joe Flacco, Baltimore, 24: 2,971 yards, 16 TDs (2 rushing), 12 INTs, 5 multiple-TD games, 10 duds. Should improve after nice rookie season, but Ravens still want to run first. (He should also quit shaving, eat more, scowl more, or do something so he doesn't look like he's 12.)
30. Whoever emerges out of the Tampa Bay gaggle could post good numbers with Antonio Bryant, Kellen Winslow and decent options out of the backfield.
uds. Not a lot going for him fantasy-wise, but at this point on the list he's a starter on a good team so what the heck.
32. Whoever wins the New York Jets competition. Fourth-year player Kellen Clemens and rookie Mark Sanchez combined for 0 NFL touchdowns last year.
RUNNING BACKS
1. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota, 24: 1,760 yards and 10 TDs rushing (4.8 yards per carry), 21 catches for 125 yards, 10 100-yard games, 2 multiple-TD games, 3 duds (defined as games under 80 yards and no scores). Everyone picking first in every draft in America is required to take him.
2. Michael Turner, Atlanta, 27: 1,699 yards and 17 TDs rushing (4.5 yards per carry), 6 catches for 41 yards, 6 100-yard games, 2 200-yard games, 4 multiple-TD games, 4 duds. Most every back who carries as many times as Turner did last year flops in a big way the next year. But Turner's legs are awfully fresh from all those years on San Diego's bench.
3. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville, 24: 824 yards and 12 TDs rushing (4.2 yards per carry), 62 catches for 565 yards and 2 TDs, 3 100-yard games (1 receiving), 4 multiple-TD games, 6 duds. He's scored 38 times from scrimmage in three seasons - all before he was the featured back.
s stock up.
5. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina, 26: 1,515 yards and 18 TDs rushing (5.5 yards per carry), 22 catches for 121 yards and 2 TDs, 8 100-yard games, 5 multiple-TD games, 4 duds. Can he do it again if Jonathan Stewart's completely healthy? (Here's a hint: Stewart's already been hurt twice in the offseason.)
6. Chris Johnson, Tennessee, 24: 1,228 yards and 9 TDs (4.9 yards per carry), 43 catches for 260 yards and 1 TD, 4 100-yard games, 2 multiple-TD games, 6 duds. Technically he shares time with LenDale White, but he still averaged 20 touches a game. (Beware, though, if your league penalizes for ridiculous TD celebrations.)
7. Steve Slaton, Houston, 23: 1,282 yards and 9 TDs (4.8 yards per carry), 50 catches for 377 yards and 1 TDS, 5 100-yard games, 1 multiple-TD game. Was a monster once the Texans figured out what they had, with 4 100-yard games and 4 scores in his final 7 games.
8. Clinton Portis, Washington, 28: 1,487 yards and 9 TDs (4.3 yards per carry), 28 catches for 218 yards, 6 100-yard games, 2 multiple-TD games, 4 duds. A little older, but should again be pretty much every option for the offense.
ool highlights flattening little defensive backs).
10. Steven Jackson, St. Louis, 26: 1,042 yards and 7 TDs (4.1 yards per carry), 40 catches for 379 yards and 1 TD, 4 100-yard games, 2 multiple-TD games, 9 duds (including 4 games missed to injury). So good but so fragile. Before he gets hurt, will get plenty of touches behind an improved line.
11. Marion Barber, Dallas, 26: 885 yards and 7 TDs (3.7 yards per carry), 52 catches for 417 yards and 2 TDs, 4 100-yard games (1 receiving), 2 multiple-TD games, 7 duds (including 1 game missed to injury). First go as every-down back didn't really pan out, online football betting so expect fewer carries. But he's always going to be the guy on the goal line.
12. Frank Gore, San Francisco, 26: 1,036 yards and 6 TDs (4.3 yards per carry), 43 catches for 373 yards and 2 TDs, 3 100-yard games, 1 multiple-TD game, 5 duds (including 2 games missed to injury). Lone bright spot in pathetic offense. (How many years have we been saying that?) Maybe the latest 49ers coordinator will realize he should have the ball.
13. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego, 30: 1,110 yards and 10 TDs (3.8 yards per carry), 52 catches for 426 yards and 1 TD, 2 100-yard games, 3 multiple-TD games, 5 duds. Sorry, LaDainian, but your first-round fantasy draft days are over. High-mileage back has hit the dreaded 30, and little Darren Sproles should swipe many carries.
nd 9 TDs (4.0 yards per carry), 54 catches for 402 yards and 5 TDs, 3 100-yard games, 5 multiple-TD games, 9 duds (including 2 games missed to injury). Shockingly low ranking due to big red flags: He's 30, had 2 offseason surgeries, has never played a full 16 games, and the Eagles drafted a back with their second pick. (Take his backup, too.)
15. Ryan Grant, Green Bay, 26: 1,203 yards and 4 TDs (3.9 yards per carry), 18 catches for 116 yards and 1 TD, 4 100-yard games, 6 duds. Recovered from early season injury woes. Surely he'll score more than 4 times this year.
16. Ronnie Brown, Miami, 27: 916 yards and 10 TDs rushing (4.3 yards per carry), 1 TD pass, 33 catches for 254 yards, 3 100-yard games, 1 multiple-TD game, 8 duds. Vanished at the end of the season, going scoreless in 6 of his final 7 games.
17. Kevin Smith, Detroit, 22: 976 yards and 8 TDs rushing (4.1 yards per carry), 39 catches for 286 yards, 2 100-yard games, 6 duds. It took the Lions about half the season to realize they should give the ball to a good running back. Had 100 yards or a score in 4 of 6 games when he got 20 carries.
njury.
19. Willie Parker, Pittsburgh, 28: 791 yards and 5 TDs (3.8 yards per carry), 3 catches for 13 yards, 4 100-yard games, 1 multiple-TD game, 9 duds (including 5 games missed to injury). Yards per carry have dropped for four straight years, but a featured back for the Steelers is always money. (Just make sure you get his backup, too.)
20. Larry Johnson, Kansas City, 29: 874 yards and 5 TDs (4.5 yards per carry), 12 catches for 74 yards, 3 100-yard games, 1 multiple-TD games 11 duds, including 4 games lost to injury. Despite health problems, high mileage, legal woes and general surliness, should get plenty of touches. (Until he gets really mad about something.)
21. Thomas Jones, NY Jets, 31: 1,312 yards and 13 TDS (4.8 yards per carry), 36 catches for 207 yards and 2 TDs, 5 100-yard games, 3 multiple-TD games, 5 duds. Defied NFL history by being a good 30-year-old, and I'm too much of a believer in the 30-year-old-dropoff rule to believe he'll repeat at 31.
22. Reggie Bush, New Orleans, 24: 404 yards and 2 TDs (3.8 yards per carry), 52 catches for 440 yards and 4 TDs, 1 100-yard receiving game, 2 multiple-TD games, 11 duds (including 6 games missed to injury). Emergence of Thomas as inside runner could mean fewer touches but bigger payoff as Bush gets more passes and chances to work in open space.
0 yards and 1 TD, 3 100-yard games, 1 multiple-TD game, 6 duds (including 1 game lost to injury). Don't forget he won't be joining us until the fourth game, thanks to gun-related suspension. And he shares with Fred Jackson a bit too much.
24. Cedric Benson, Cincinnati, 26: 747 yards and 2 TDs (3.5 yards per carry), 20 catches for 185 yards, 3 100-yard games, 9 duds in 12 games played. Came on strong late and is now center of run-based offense, factors that would make for a higher ranking if he weren't Cedric Benson and his team weren't the Bengals.
25. Joseph Addai, Indianapolis, 26: 544 yards and 5 TDs (3.5 yards per carry), 25 catches for 206 yards and 2 TDs, 1 100-yard game, 2 multiple-TD games, 11 duds (including 4 games missed to injury). Can be a TD machine when healthy, it's just that he's never healthy. Will be sharing carries with rookie Donald Brown.
26. LenDale White, Tennessee, 24: 773 yards and 15 TDs rushing (3.9 yards per carry), 5 catches for 16 yards, 2 100-yard games, 4 multiple-TD games, 6 duds. He gave way to Johnson as the season wore on, but he'll still barrel into the end zone plenty.
27. Jonathan Stewart, Carolina, 22: 836 yards and 10 TDs (4.5 yards per carry), 8 catches for 47 yards, 2 100-yard games, 2 multiple-TD games, 8 duds. He scores a lot for a guy who never starts, and plays a lot for a guy who seems to be injured a lot.
rds and 1 TD (5.4 yards per carry), 29 catches for 342 yards and 5 TDs, 1 100-yard game, 2 multiple-TD games, 12 duds. Explosiveness, big-money contract and slowing LT could spell surprisingly big numbers.
29. Knowshon Moreno, Denver, 22: Rookie. Broncos took a break from signing journeyman backs in the offseason long enough to spend a first-round pick on Moreno. Not the official starter yet, but could be soon. (Wasn't the Denver RB confusion supposed to leave with Mike Shanahan?)
30. Darren McFadden, Oakland, 22: 499 yards and 4 TDs (4.4 yards per carry), 29 catches for 285 yards, 1 100-yard game, 1 multiple-TD game, 13 duds (including 3 games missed to injury). Sorry for last year's suggestion that he'd be good simply because the first back drafted each year usually is. Maybe now?
31. Tim Hightower, Arizona, 23: 399 yards and 10 TDs (2.8 yards per carry), 34 catches for 237 yards, 1 100-yard game, 2 multiple-TD games, 8 duds. All those scores are great, but a run or two over 5 yards would be nice, too. Move him way up if he wins the camp battle with rookie Chris Wells, down if he doesn't.
32. Donald Brown, Indianapolis, 22: Rookie. Last year at Connecticut led the nation in rushing with 2,083 yards and scored 18 times. Set to share time with Addai.
Left the Giants' crowded backfield for ... the Bucs' crowded backfield. He's expected to share carries with Earnest Graham.
34. Julius Jones, Seattle, 28: 698 yards and 2 TDs (4.4 yards per carry), 14 catches for 66 yards, 2 100-yard games, 14 duds. Could wind up as a solid pick because the Seahawks want to run more. Seahawks may still have rule that only T.J. Duckett gets to score touchdowns, though.
35. Jamal Lewis, Cleveland, 30: 1,002 yards and 4 TDs (3.6 yards per carry), 23 catches for 178 yards, 10 duds. He kind of looked like he'd had it last year, team's rotten and now he's 30.
36. Ahmad Bradshaw, NY Giants, 23: 355 yards and 1 TD (5.3 yards per carry), 5 catches for 42 yards and 1 TD, 13 duds. Moves into the No. 2 RB spot, which occasionally becomes the No. 1 spot when you play behind Jacobs.
37. Chris Wells, Arizona, 20: Rookie. Move him way up if he wins the starting job. Also let's hope he finally shakes the "Beanie" nickname.
38. LaMont Jordan, Denver, 30: 363 yards and 4 TDs (4.5 yards per carry), 1 multiple-TD game, 13 duds. Starts atop the giant stack of Denver running backs, though it's a little unclear how long he'll remain there. Scored four times in final three games with Patriots last year.
39. Fred Jackson, Buffalo, 28: 571 yards and 3 TDs (4.4 yards per carry), 37 catches for 317 yards, 1 100-yard game, 12 duds. He's a starter for at least the first three games.
40. Earnest Graham, Tampa Bay, 29: 563 yards and 4 TDs (4.3 yards per carry), 23 catches for 174 yards, 2 100-yard games, 10 duds (including 6 games lost to injury). Returns from ankle injury to find himself sharing job with Ward.
41. Tashard Choice, Dallas, 24: 472 yards and 2 TDs (5.1 yards per carry), 21 catches for 185 yards, 13 duds. Hard to figure out exactly how Cowboys will spread carries. But Choice should be a prominent player, especially when the other two break down.
42. Felix Jones, Dallas, 22: 266 yards and 3 TDs (8.9 yards per carry), 2 catches for 10 yards, 14 duds (including 10 games lost to injury.) Speedy, but brittle.
43. Willis McGahee, Baltimore, 27: 671 yards and 7 TDs (3.9 yards per carry), 24 catches for 173 yards, 3 100-yard games, 1 multiple-TD game, 10 duds, including 3 games lost to injury. Best to avoid Ravens backs until late in the draft. McGahee may be the best bet, but has injury problems and may lose job to Ray Rice. Whoever wins sits down near the goal line anyhow.
44. Laurence Maroney, New England, 24: 93 yards rushing, 13 games missed to injury. Could be huge in the very unlikely perfect storm in which he starts and stays healthy and doesn't lose too many carries to Fred Taylor and the Patriots run more.
l keep getting the 1-yarders at the goal line.
46. Le'Ron McClain, Baltimore, 24: 902 yards and 10 yards rushing (3.9 yards per carry), 19 catches for 123 yards and 1 TD, 1 100-yard game, 2 multiple-TD games, 5 duds. Think Maurice Jones-Drew, only rounder. Or Duckett, only smaller. Great in TD-only leagues, but should be moving back to fullback with Lorenzo Neal gone.
47. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City, 22: 357 yards (5.3 yards per carry), 27 catches for 272 yards and 1 TD, 1 100-yard game, 13 duds. Move him way up if L.J. gets the boot.
48. Shonn Greene, NY Jets, 23: Rookie. Could be goal-line back and pick up tons of carries when Thomas Jones' old parts creak to a halt.
49. Chester Taylor, Minnesota, turns 30 Sept. 22: 399 yards and 4 TDs (4.0 yards per carry), 45 catches for 399 yards and 2 TDs, 10 duds. A must-have for Peterson owners.
50. Jerious Norwood, Atlanta, 26: 489 yards and 4 TDs (5.1 yards per carry), 36 catches for 338 yards and 2 TDs, 1 multiple-TD game, 10 duds. A must-have for Turner owners.
WIDE RECEIVERS
1. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona, 26: 96 catches for 1,431 yards and 12 touchdowns, 7 100-yard games, 3 multiple-TD games, 1 10-catch game, 2 duds (defined as any game under 80 yards with no TD). No reason to think he won't have similar numbers.
D game, 5 duds. Texans only seem to have passing plays designed for Johnson, who had 10 or more catches seven times last year. And he stayed healthy.
3. Randy Moss, New England, 32: 69 catches for 1,008 yards and 11 TDs, 4 100-yard games, 3 multiple-TD games, 8 duds. Brady's back, so Moss is back to unstoppable.
4. Steve Smith, Carolina, 30: 78 catches for 1,421 yards and 6 TDs, 8 100-yard games, 1 multiple-TD game, 6 duds (including 2 games missed to suspension). Imagine his numbers if he hadn't been missed those 2 games. (Move him down some if he randomly punches another teammate in camp.)
5. Calvin Johnson, Detroit, 23: 78 catches for 1,331 yards and 12 TDs, 5 100-yard games, 2 multiple-TD games, 4 duds. Couldn't be stopped even when the Lions only had all those backups named Drew throwing to him. Should benefit from overall offensive improvement in Detroit.
6. Greg Jennings, Green Bay, 25: 80 catches for 1,292 yards and 9 TDs, 5 100-yard games, 1 multiple-TD game, 4 duds. Rodgers' favorite target should have another big year, as long as he doesn't get fat and happy with rich new deal.
7. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis, 30: 82 catches for 1,145 yards and 6 TDs, 4 100-yard games, 8 duds. No more Marvin Harrison should spell 100-catch year.
issed to injury). This ranking assumes he's still a Cardinal, which he would prefer not to be.
9. Roddy White, Atlanta, 27: 88 catches for 1,382 yards and 7 TDs, 7 100-yard games, 1 multiple-TD game, 1 10-catch game, 6 duds. Tony Gonzalez may help him get open, but he'll also steal some catches.
10. Marques Colston, New Orleans, 26: 47 catches for 760 yards and 5 TDs, 3 100-yard games, 1 multiple-TD game, 11 duds (including 5 games missed to injury). Hard to stop when he's upright. Once he got healthy last year, had a TD or 100 yards in five of last six games.
11. Terrell Owens, Buffalo, 35: 69 catches for 1,052 yards and 10 TDs, 1 200-yard game, 1 100-yard game, 1 multiple-TD game, 6 duds. Always does well in honeymoon period with new QB. He'll surely blame lower fantasy rankings on Tony Romo, Donovan McNabb, Jeff Garcia and perhaps Nicolette Sheridan.
12. Brandon Marshall, Denver, 25: 104 catches for 1,265 yards, 6 TDs, 3 100-yard games, 1 multiple-TD game, 3 10-catch games. If his trade request doesn't go through, expect a scene like this when camp opens: "Very funny, guys. Great Kyle Orton joke. ... Now where's Cutler?"
13. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Seattle, 32: 92 catches for 904 yards, 4 TDs, 2 100-yard games, 1 multiple-TD game, 2 10-catch games, 13 duds (including 1 game missed to injury). Numbers should return with a healthy Hasselbeck and no OchoCinco lobbying for more balls.
s Welker, New England, 28: 111 catches for 1,165 yards and 3 TDs, 4 100-yard games, 1 10-catch game, 9 duds. Surely he'll top 3 TDs with Brady back. And how amazing is 223 catches the past two years?
15. Antonio Bryant, Tampa Bay, 28: 83 catches for 1,248 yards and 7 TDs, 5 100-yard games, 1 200-yard game, 1 multiple-TD game, 9 duds. Averaged 128 yards and a score in final 4 games. Still no real QB on the roster, but there wasn't last year, either.
16. Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City, 24: 86 catches for 1,022 and 7 TDs, 2 100-yard games, 1 multiple-TD game, 4 duds. QB situation got a lot better, but with no Tony Gonzalez around he's going to see far fewer open spaces.
17. Roy Williams, Dallas, 27: 36 catches for 430 yards and 2 TDs, 12 duds. Managed to underwhelm for two teams last year, but now takes over for T.O. as the No. 1 receiver. Still, really may be the third option behind Jason Witten and whoever's taking handoffs at the time.
18. Anthony Gonzalez, Indianapolis, 25: 57 catches for 664 yards and 4 TDs, 1 100-yard game, 1 multiple-TD game, 12 duds. Should slide right in to that No. 2 receiver spot.
19. Lance Moore, New Orleans, 26: 79 catches for 928 yards and 10 TDs, 3 100-yard games, 2 multiple-TD games, 8 duds. The clear No. 2 opposite Colston. And being the No. 2 receiver in this offense is not a bad thing (especially when the No. 1 gets carted off the field so frequently).
t Jackson, San Diego, 26: 59 catches for 1,008 yards and 7 TDs, 3 100-yard games, 7 duds. Was huge at the end of the year, and could be ready to be break out in a big way. (Though it seems we've been predicting his big breakout for a while now.)
21. Torry Holt, Jacksonville, 33: 64 catches for 796 yards and 3 TDs, 11 duds. Really not as old as he seemed in St. Louis. Averaged nearly 1,400 yards and eight TDs in the eight seasons before last year's disaster. Might rebound with a QB who can throw.
22. Hines Ward, Pittsburgh, 33: 81 catches for 1,043 yards and 7 TDs, 4 100-yard games, 1 multiple-TD game, 7 duds. Old guy known most for his fierce blocks on a run-first team, but he always comes through.
23. Braylon Edwards, Cleveland, 26: 55 catches for 873 yards and 3 TDs, 3 100-yard games, 10 duds, 1 billion drops. Maybe he's done a lot of finger exercises or gone to an opposable-thumb-usage clinic or something.
24. Santana Moss, Washington, 30: 79 catches for 1,044 yards and 6 TDs, 3 100-yard games, 9 duds. Stats suffered late, with one TD and no 100-yarders in his final eight games.
25. Eddie Royal, Denver, 23: 91 catches for 980 yards and 5 TDs, 3 100-yard games, 10 duds (including 1 game missed to injury). Vanished at end of season, and may vanish altogether without Cutler.
d 4 TDs, 1 multiple-TD game, 13 duds. Never even hit 80 yards last year. Could be better with the return of Palmer. Could be worse as Bengals try to become more run-oriented.
27. Bernard Berrian, Minnesota, 28: 48 catches for 964 yards and 7 TDs, 4 100-yard games, 9 duds. Numbers could really jump if Favre stays upright and explosive rookie Percy Harvin stays healthy.
28. DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia, 22: 62 catches for 912 yards and 2 TDs, 2 100-yard games, 10 duds. Exploded onto the scene as a rookie, with 100-yard games in his first two games, but didn't have any after that.
30. Jerricho Cotchery, NY Jets, 27: 71 catches for 858 yards and 5 TDs, 1 100-yard game, 1 multiple-TD game, 9 duds. Finally gets to be No. 1 receiver, but for a team that doesn't have a QB.
31. Lee Evans, Buffalo, 28: 63 catches for 1,017 and 3 TDs, 4 100-yard games, 8 duds. Deep threat should be able to stretch the field even more with T.O. in the lineup.
32. Steve Breaston, Arizona, 26: 77 catches for 1,006 yards and 3 TDs, 3 100-yard games, 8 duds. Move him way up if Boldin actually winds up somewhere else, and move him down a bit if Boldin sticks around Arizona.
33. Donald Driver, Green Bay, 34: 74 catches for 1,012 yards and 5 TDs, 2 100-yard games, 11 duds. A decent bye-week fill-in, but you just can't count on him every week like you used to.
s and 5 TDs, 7 duds (including 1 missed game). Should be solid again, and no worries on the legal front now that marijuana charges against him have been dropped.
35. Laveranues Coles, Cincinnati, 31: 70 catches for 850 yards and 7 TDs, 1 100-yard game, 1 multiple-TD game, 10 duds. You have to wonder about a guy who goes to Cincinnati on purpose.
36. Devin Hester, Chicago, 26: 51 catches for 665 yards and 3 TDs, 9 duds. Cutler's used to big, sure-handed Denver receivers, but a tiny former defensive back's about as good as it gets in Chicago.
37. Domenik Hixon, NY Giants, 24: 43 catches for 596 yards and 2 TDs, 1 100-yard game, 14 duds. Briefly looked like a poor man's Plaxico Burress last year, then reverted to random tall and skinny guy. (Also keep an eye on the camp battles to see if Steve Smith and Sinorice Moss are worth drafting.)
38. Ted Ginn Jr., Miami, 24: 56 catches for 790 yards and 4 TDs (2 rushing), 1 100-yard game, 10 duds. Fast and dangerous, just doesn't get many touches.
39. Donnie Avery, St. Louis, 25: 53 catches for 674 yards and 3 TDs, 1 100-yard game, 11 duds. He's the only Rams receiver I can name, so he made the list.
40. Mark Clayton, Baltimore, 27: 41 catches for 695 yards and 3 TDs. Derrick Mason's retirement promotes him to kind of mediocre Ravens starter.
on offense doesn't get hurt again.
42. Devery Henderson, New Orleans, 27: 32 catches for 793 yards and 3 TDs, 1 100-yard game, 10 duds. Not a bad guy to have on the bench since he seems to catch an 80-yarder every few weeks. He averaged about 25 yards a catch last year, but doesn't get many touches.
43. Patrick Crayton, Dallas, 30: 39 catches for 550 yards and 4 TDs, 10 duds. If Williams isn't so great and none of the backs stay healthy and Crayton can hold on to the ball with regularity ... he's a steal here.
44. Kevin Walter, Houston, 28: 60 catches for 899 yards and 8 TDs, 1 100-yard game, 2 multiple-TD games, 9 duds. Always wide open for those rare occasions when Johnson doesn't get the ball.
45. Kevin Curtis, Philadelphia, 31: 33 catches for 390 yards and 2 touchdowns, 13 duds (including 7 games lost to injury). Retains shred of fantasy value based on memories of his 221-yard, 3-TD game against the Lions in 2007.
46. Chris Chambers, San Diego, 31: 33 catches for 462 yards and 5 TDs, 1 multiple-TD game, 12 duds. Had 5 scores in first 5 games last year, but really wasn't heard from again. It's been an awful long time since his only 1,000-yard season (2005).
47. Percy Harvin, Vikings, 21: Rookie. Has the speed to turn short passes into big plays.
veterans.
49. Michael Crabtree, San Francisco, Rookie: Guy from fluky college offense that throws every down joins quarterbackless team. But at this stage in the draft ... why not?
50. Plaxico Burress, Unemployed, 32: 35 catches for 454 yards and 4 TDs, 1 100-yard game, 12 duds (including 6 games missed for a wide variety of reasons). Surely somebody will take a shot - er, gamble - because he's still tall and good. Move him way up if he gets a job.
TIGHT ENDS
1. Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta, 33: 96 catches for 1,058 yards and 10 TDs, 3 100-yard games, 1 multiple-TD game, 4 duds (defined as game under 60 yards with no TDs). Imagine how open he'll be on an offense with other weapons.
2. Jason Witten, Dallas, 27: 81 catches for 952 yards and 4 TDs, 2 100-yard games, 8 duds. Should get more catches with T.O. gone.
3. Antonio Gates, San Diego, 29: 60 catches for 704 yards and 8 TDs, 1 multiple-TD game, 7 duds. Even with kind of an off 2008, averaging 10 scores over the past five seasons.
4. Dallas Clark, Indianapolis, 30: 77 catches for 848 yards and 6 TDs, 2 100-yard games, 1 multiple-TD game, 8 duds (including 1 missed game). Should get more catches with Harrison gone.
5. Greg Olsen, Chicago, 24: 54 catches for 574 and 5 TDs, 10 duds. May be Cutler's most reliable new target.
e'll score more than once this year.
7. Kellen Winslow, Tampa Bay: 43 catches for 428 yards and 3 TDs, 1 100-yard game, 1 multiple-TD game, 13 duds (including 6 missed games). He's used to producing with no real QB. He's also extremely awesome, he says.
8: Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans, 29: 50 catches for 483 yards and 0 TDs, 14 duds (including 4 games lost to injury). Brash prediction: He won't be held out of the end zone for two straight years.
9. Owen Daniels, Houston, 26: 70 catches for 862 yards and 2 TDs, 2 100-yard games, 1 multiple-TD game, 1 10-catch game, 9 duds. Always quietly solid.
10. Visanthe Shiancoe, Minnesota, 29: 42 catches for 596 yards and 7 TDs, 1 100-yard game, 1 multiple-TD game, 9 duds. Favre's known to look for a big man in the end zone.
11. Heath Miller, Pittsburgh, 26: 48 catches for 514 yards and 3 TDs, 10 duds (including 2 games missed). Had career low in TDs last year.
12. John Carlson, Seattle, 25: 55 catches for 627 yards and 5 TDs, 1 100-yard game, 7 duds. Hasselbeck's return helps.
13. Zach Miller, Oakland, 23: 56 catches for 778 yards and 1 TD, 10 duds. More than one score with an improved Russell?
14: Vernon Davis, San Francisco, 25: 31 for 358 yards and 2 TDs, 13 duds. Will the Niners ever figure out how to use musclebound TE?
s, but lots of scores.
16. Tony Scheffler, Denver, 26: 40 catches for 645 yards and 3 TDs, 1 multiple-TD game, 9 duds (including 3 games missed). Hard to figure his role in new offense.
17. Kevin Boss, NY Giants, 25: 33 catches for 384 yards and 6 TDs, 9 duds. Lots more blocking ahead, but did lead team in TD catches.
18. L.J. Smith, Baltimore, 29: 37 catches for 298 yards and 3 TDs, 13 duds (including 3 games lost to injury)
19. Bo Scaife, Tennessee, 28: 58 catches for 561 yards and 2 TDs, 1 100-yard game, 12 duds. Didn't score or surpass 40 yards in final 7 games.
20: Todd Heap, Baltimore, 29: 35 catches for 403 yards and 3 TDs, 1 multiple-TD game, 13 duds. What happened to this guy?
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS:
1. Pittsburgh, 20 INTs, 51 sacks, 1 safety, 9 fumble recoveries, 3 TDs.
2. Minnesota, 12 INTs, 3 safeties, 45 sacks, 13 fumble recoveries, 4 TDs.
3. Philadelphia, 15 INTs, 48 sacks, 1 safety, 14 fumble recoveries, 7 TDs.
4. NY Giants, 17 INTs, 3 safeties, 43 sacks, 5 fumble recoveries, 3 TDs.
5. Baltimore, 26 INTs, 35 sacks, 3 safeties, 9 fumble recoveries, 6 TDs.
6. Tennessee, 20 INTs, 44 sacks, 11 fumble recoveries, 4 TDs.
7. Dallas, 8 INTs, 1 safety, 59 sacks, 14 fumble recoveries, 2 TDs.
8. New England, 14 INTs, 30 sacks, 8 fumble recoveries, 1 TD.
9. NY Jets, 14 INTs, 40 sacks, 16 fumble recoveries, 6 TDs.
ay, 22 INTs, 27 sacks, 6 fumble recoveries, 9 TDs.
11. Tampa Bay, 22 INTs, 29 sacks, 8 fumble recoveries, 7 TDs.
12. Chicago, 22 INTs, 1 safety, 28 sacks, 10 fumble recoveries, 6 TDs.
13. Arizona, 13 INTs, 31 sacks, 17 fumble recoveries, 6 TDs.
14. San Diego, 15 INTs, 1 safety, 27 sacks, 9 fumble recoveries, 4 TDs.
15. Carolina, 12 INTs, 37 sacks, 13 fumble recoveries, 2 TDs.
16. Seattle, 9 INTs, 35 sacks, 11 fumble recoveries, 4 TDs.
17. Miami, 18 INTs, 1 safety, 41 sacks, 12 fumble recoveries, 2 TDs.
18. Indianapolis, 15 INTs, 31 sacks, 11 fumble recoveries, 4 TDs.
19. Buffalo, 10 INTs, 24 sacks, 13 fumble recoveries, 5 TDs.
20. Atlanta, 10 INTs, 1 safety, 34 sacks, 8 fumble recoveries, 3 TDs.
KICKERS:
1. Stephen Gostowski, New England, 148 points, 36 FGs.
2. David Akers, Philadelphia, 144 points, 33 FGs.
3. Matt Bryant, Tampa Bay, 131 points, 32 FGs.
4. John Kasay, Carolina, 130 points, 28 FGs.
5. Rob Bironas, Tennessee, 127 points, 29 FGs.
6. Jason Elam, Atlanta, 129 points, 29 FGs.
7. Ryan Longwell, Minnesota, 127 points, 29 FGs.
8. Mason Crosby, Green Bay, 127 points, 27 FGs.
9. Nate Keading, San Diego, 127 points, 27 FGs.
10. Nick Folk, Dallas, 102 points, 20 FGs.
11. Garrett Hartley, New Orleans 67 points, 13 FGs.
12. Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis, 103 points, 20 FGs
awrence Tynes, NY Giants, 4 points, 1 FG.
14. Rian Lindell, Buffalo, 124 points, 30 FGs.
15. Matt Prater, Denver, 114 points, 25 FGs.
16. Kris Brown, Houston, 124 points, 29 FGs.
17. Robbie Gould, Chicago, 119 points, 26 FGs.
18. Neil Rackers, Arizona, 119 points, 25 FGs.
19. Jeff Reed, Pittsburgh, 117 points, 27 FGs.
20. Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland, 97 points, 24 FGs.
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