JUST SAYIN’
By John Cooney
March 23, 2018
Rebounding bad boy QB Johnny Manziel had a darn good showing knocking it around at the San Diego State Pro Day workouts, according to eyes-on there. Just call it a comeback?
Eagles have done a lot this off-season even though they had their backs against the Salary cap wall. Mike Wallace is the latest sneaky solid move made by Howie “Wowie” Roseman! Most of Roseman’s inking has come on the defensive side, however. The D-line is bolstered by the additions Michael Bennett, Haloti Ngata and the retention of Chris Long via restructured contract. LB Nigel Bradham was also kept in the championship nest in Philly.
So, all signs point to the Browns taking USC QB Sam Darnold first overall. Mr. Haslam, owner of the Browns, and Darnold’s folks sat together at the Trojans’ Pro Day festivities.
The Giants, owning the next pick, were set up to snare the best RB prospect to come around in years; Saquon Barkley. Buuuut, they just shipped long-time star DE Jason Pierre-Paul to the Buccos, leaving a naked edge opposite Olivier Vernon. Nix the Barkley gift as Big Blue now turns attentions, intentions to DE Bradley Chubb, North Carolina State.
The G-men took vet RB Jonathan Stewart off the free agent market recently to fill the backfield and have 2nd year tailback Wayne Gallman as well as Paul Perkins entering his 3rd season. I would still take Barkley at 2 if the Browns were silly enough to pass... and they are.
Why do I see the Cowboys ending up with Johnny Manziel backing up Dak Prescott?
Speaking of Dallas; the ‘Boys were hot after WR Allen Hurns, let go by the Jags. Hurns, as expected, was a hot commodity on the open market, pursued by about a dozen teams.
Cowboys won the Hurns bidding battle. So who goes? Terrance Williams? Cole Beasley? Hurns has lined up in slot and Beasley, a slotter, had a poor 2017 campaign. Williams is strictly an outside router. Looks like Beasley may be a goner in Big D.
And nix the Noah Brown breakout watch, gang!
What a pleasant surprise Texas Tech RB Justin Stockton is! Scouting out this draft, I dug into 4 games of Texas Tech to break down Stockton’s game... and let me tell you, HE HAS GAME! Those who read me at PASS know I was HOT on now-Saints’ RB Alvin Kamara before last year’s draft. Well, Justin Stockton has Kamara-like skills! Hope NFL folks are digging in as much as I did on Stockton... the guy is GOOD!
You can get my Flash Reports on 2018 draft prospects here at PASS, and over at FANTASY FOOTBALL MASTERMIND. Legend Mike Nazarek is as good as it gets for fantasy football expert info. And now Mike brings subscribers the best of all things football. Want to win? Join up with Mike Nazarek at FANTASY FOOTBALL MASTERMIND; https://www.ffmastermind.com/
Winners subscribe and subscribers WIN!
Is it me or does it seem Philly’s Nelson Agholor is situated to bust it open in 2018? Alshon Jeffery may start the season either less than 100% or on the shelf, Torrey Smith is out and Mack Hollins, though talented and tough, is a special-teams ace and may not get a full shot as an offensive weapon. Yes, Mike Wallace is now in the fold, but he slides into the situational Smith role. Me thinks Coach Pederson has big plans for Agholor in 2018.
And, injured QB Carson Wentz has been throwing for a good while and should be ready to go week-1.
How ‘bout them Bears? The wideout stable has been revamped in a big way, led by the BIG addition of Allen Robinson. Bet the house A-Rob comes into 2018 with a huge chip on his shoulder. Chicago also brought in shifty slotter Taylor Gabriel, formerly of the Falcons and “Philly Special” TE Trey Burton.
Injured 2017 starting wideouts for the Bears, Kevin White and Cameron Meredith, may not be long for Chitown, even in their reportedly positive comeback efforts.
Smoke out of Chicago is the club explored trading offensive anchor RB Jordan Howard. Howard’s ground-pounding style may not be a fit for new head coach Matt Nagy. Nagy has cut his offensive play-calling teeth with RBs such as Jamaal Charles, Kareem Hunt, Charcandrick West... versatile pass-catchers out of the backfield who can also tote the rock.
Stay tuned on draft day with Howard’s situation.
USC LB Uchenna Nwosu... a whirlwind of play-wrecking energy. IDPers, focus your sites on this guy in 2018.
Terrelle Pryor is now a Jet. Yay! He now also cut into, or shares, snaps and targets with Robby Anderson as the deep threats for gang green. Yeah, I just don’t get how some teams think. What’s the plan? There’s no evidence of one here.
2nd year WRs are a hot priority for me in my annual fantasy drafts. Some that I am going to take hard looks at this pre-season are the JAX super sophs Dede Westbrook and Keelan Cole, of course Pitt’s Juju Smith-Schuster, Rams’ savvy Cooper Kupp, Buccos’ Chris Godwin, Chargers’ bolter Mike Williams and Philly’s Mack Hollins.
Zay Jones? Uuuummmm... NO!
Some depth charting for team QBs in 2018, with iffy security as it currently stands:
Miami: Ryan Tannehill, backed up by David Fales and Brandon Doughty
Baltimore: Joe Flacco, in the wings is just Josh Woodrum (Ravens need that addressed before kickoff)
Houston: Deshaun Watson currently has just Taylor Heinicke as his stand-in.
Jacksonville: Right now it is Blake Bortles and... and... that’s it.
Tennessee: Marcus Mariota is backed by Youtube QB Alex Tanney and Tyler Ferguson
Denver: Case Keenum starts, with Paxton Lynch and Chad Kelly for support
Dallas: Dak Prescott gives way to Cooper Rush in a pinch, and no one else
NYG: Eli and Davis Webb are the only QBs in Big Blue. Webb deserves some respect
Detroit: Matt Stafford, stay healthy. Jake Rudock and Alek Torgersen back you up
Green Bay: Aaron Rodgers, backed by Brett Hundley (ugh!) DeShone Kizer (ugh?) and Joe Callahan (?)
Carolina: Cm Newton doesn’t have Derek Anderson to lean on, but there is Garrett Gilbert
New Orleans: Drew Brees never left; that’s good. Tom Savage (nooo!) and Taysom Hill (exciting) clipboard it
Rams: Jared Goff, with Sean Mannion and Brandon Allen in the wings
Seattle: Russell Wilson is a missed block away from handing the ball over to Trevone Boykin
San Francisco: Jimmy Garoppolo has CJ Beathard and Nick Mullins as his understudies
How many of those backups would you want directing your fantasy squad in 2018, if disaster struck the starting passer?
First time starting QBs to open a pro season are:
Buffalo: AJ McCarron, and he’ll have Mr. Pickoff, Nathan Peterman, as his reserve
Kansas City: Pat Mahomes and his rocket right arm gets the 2018 nod, with savvy Chad Henne ready in-case
New 2018 starters in new digs include:
Arizona: Sam Bradford backed by Mike Glennon; not bad
Minnesota: Kirk Cousins has a title-level offense to lead and a seasoned back-up in Trevor Siemian
Washington: Alex Smith starts for a new tribe in 2018; He’s got a classy good fill-in, Colt McCoy
Denver: Case Keenum gets a shot to open 2018 as a lead passer in Denver, with failing Paxton Lynch watching
Cleveland: Tyrod Taylor now starts on another Great Lake shore, and Cody Kessler backs up
Jets: Josh McCown is back but may give way to Teddy Bridgewater. Yeah, Hackenberg is still around
Right about this time is when I get crackin’ on the preliminary SOS previews. The pre-schedule SOS is not exact fantasy football science (what is?), but it does present an early indication of which players may already be set up for good things ahead in the 2018 campaign.
While I’m digging in on the opening SOS looks, I’ll continue my film-room vigil and keep on delivering player Flash Reports. Keep checking in on PASS each day for something new (OK, most days for something new... that works!).
I’m thinkin’ Alex Smith and Josh Doctson make a perfect pitch-catch tandem. Smith is accurate and likes those slants; Doctson is a slant-routing demon. All Doctson needs to do is stay on the WASHINGTON field.
I’m... JUST SAYIN'!
By John Cooney
March 23, 2018
Rebounding bad boy QB Johnny Manziel had a darn good showing knocking it around at the San Diego State Pro Day workouts, according to eyes-on there. Just call it a comeback?
Eagles have done a lot this off-season even though they had their backs against the Salary cap wall. Mike Wallace is the latest sneaky solid move made by Howie “Wowie” Roseman! Most of Roseman’s inking has come on the defensive side, however. The D-line is bolstered by the additions Michael Bennett, Haloti Ngata and the retention of Chris Long via restructured contract. LB Nigel Bradham was also kept in the championship nest in Philly.
So, all signs point to the Browns taking USC QB Sam Darnold first overall. Mr. Haslam, owner of the Browns, and Darnold’s folks sat together at the Trojans’ Pro Day festivities.
The Giants, owning the next pick, were set up to snare the best RB prospect to come around in years; Saquon Barkley. Buuuut, they just shipped long-time star DE Jason Pierre-Paul to the Buccos, leaving a naked edge opposite Olivier Vernon. Nix the Barkley gift as Big Blue now turns attentions, intentions to DE Bradley Chubb, North Carolina State.
The G-men took vet RB Jonathan Stewart off the free agent market recently to fill the backfield and have 2nd year tailback Wayne Gallman as well as Paul Perkins entering his 3rd season. I would still take Barkley at 2 if the Browns were silly enough to pass... and they are.
Why do I see the Cowboys ending up with Johnny Manziel backing up Dak Prescott?
Speaking of Dallas; the ‘Boys were hot after WR Allen Hurns, let go by the Jags. Hurns, as expected, was a hot commodity on the open market, pursued by about a dozen teams.
Cowboys won the Hurns bidding battle. So who goes? Terrance Williams? Cole Beasley? Hurns has lined up in slot and Beasley, a slotter, had a poor 2017 campaign. Williams is strictly an outside router. Looks like Beasley may be a goner in Big D.
And nix the Noah Brown breakout watch, gang!
What a pleasant surprise Texas Tech RB Justin Stockton is! Scouting out this draft, I dug into 4 games of Texas Tech to break down Stockton’s game... and let me tell you, HE HAS GAME! Those who read me at PASS know I was HOT on now-Saints’ RB Alvin Kamara before last year’s draft. Well, Justin Stockton has Kamara-like skills! Hope NFL folks are digging in as much as I did on Stockton... the guy is GOOD!
You can get my Flash Reports on 2018 draft prospects here at PASS, and over at FANTASY FOOTBALL MASTERMIND. Legend Mike Nazarek is as good as it gets for fantasy football expert info. And now Mike brings subscribers the best of all things football. Want to win? Join up with Mike Nazarek at FANTASY FOOTBALL MASTERMIND; https://www.ffmastermind.com/
Winners subscribe and subscribers WIN!
Is it me or does it seem Philly’s Nelson Agholor is situated to bust it open in 2018? Alshon Jeffery may start the season either less than 100% or on the shelf, Torrey Smith is out and Mack Hollins, though talented and tough, is a special-teams ace and may not get a full shot as an offensive weapon. Yes, Mike Wallace is now in the fold, but he slides into the situational Smith role. Me thinks Coach Pederson has big plans for Agholor in 2018.
And, injured QB Carson Wentz has been throwing for a good while and should be ready to go week-1.
How ‘bout them Bears? The wideout stable has been revamped in a big way, led by the BIG addition of Allen Robinson. Bet the house A-Rob comes into 2018 with a huge chip on his shoulder. Chicago also brought in shifty slotter Taylor Gabriel, formerly of the Falcons and “Philly Special” TE Trey Burton.
Injured 2017 starting wideouts for the Bears, Kevin White and Cameron Meredith, may not be long for Chitown, even in their reportedly positive comeback efforts.
Smoke out of Chicago is the club explored trading offensive anchor RB Jordan Howard. Howard’s ground-pounding style may not be a fit for new head coach Matt Nagy. Nagy has cut his offensive play-calling teeth with RBs such as Jamaal Charles, Kareem Hunt, Charcandrick West... versatile pass-catchers out of the backfield who can also tote the rock.
Stay tuned on draft day with Howard’s situation.
USC LB Uchenna Nwosu... a whirlwind of play-wrecking energy. IDPers, focus your sites on this guy in 2018.
Terrelle Pryor is now a Jet. Yay! He now also cut into, or shares, snaps and targets with Robby Anderson as the deep threats for gang green. Yeah, I just don’t get how some teams think. What’s the plan? There’s no evidence of one here.
2nd year WRs are a hot priority for me in my annual fantasy drafts. Some that I am going to take hard looks at this pre-season are the JAX super sophs Dede Westbrook and Keelan Cole, of course Pitt’s Juju Smith-Schuster, Rams’ savvy Cooper Kupp, Buccos’ Chris Godwin, Chargers’ bolter Mike Williams and Philly’s Mack Hollins.
Zay Jones? Uuuummmm... NO!
Some depth charting for team QBs in 2018, with iffy security as it currently stands:
Miami: Ryan Tannehill, backed up by David Fales and Brandon Doughty
Baltimore: Joe Flacco, in the wings is just Josh Woodrum (Ravens need that addressed before kickoff)
Houston: Deshaun Watson currently has just Taylor Heinicke as his stand-in.
Jacksonville: Right now it is Blake Bortles and... and... that’s it.
Tennessee: Marcus Mariota is backed by Youtube QB Alex Tanney and Tyler Ferguson
Denver: Case Keenum starts, with Paxton Lynch and Chad Kelly for support
Dallas: Dak Prescott gives way to Cooper Rush in a pinch, and no one else
NYG: Eli and Davis Webb are the only QBs in Big Blue. Webb deserves some respect
Detroit: Matt Stafford, stay healthy. Jake Rudock and Alek Torgersen back you up
Green Bay: Aaron Rodgers, backed by Brett Hundley (ugh!) DeShone Kizer (ugh?) and Joe Callahan (?)
Carolina: Cm Newton doesn’t have Derek Anderson to lean on, but there is Garrett Gilbert
New Orleans: Drew Brees never left; that’s good. Tom Savage (nooo!) and Taysom Hill (exciting) clipboard it
Rams: Jared Goff, with Sean Mannion and Brandon Allen in the wings
Seattle: Russell Wilson is a missed block away from handing the ball over to Trevone Boykin
San Francisco: Jimmy Garoppolo has CJ Beathard and Nick Mullins as his understudies
How many of those backups would you want directing your fantasy squad in 2018, if disaster struck the starting passer?
First time starting QBs to open a pro season are:
Buffalo: AJ McCarron, and he’ll have Mr. Pickoff, Nathan Peterman, as his reserve
Kansas City: Pat Mahomes and his rocket right arm gets the 2018 nod, with savvy Chad Henne ready in-case
New 2018 starters in new digs include:
Arizona: Sam Bradford backed by Mike Glennon; not bad
Minnesota: Kirk Cousins has a title-level offense to lead and a seasoned back-up in Trevor Siemian
Washington: Alex Smith starts for a new tribe in 2018; He’s got a classy good fill-in, Colt McCoy
Denver: Case Keenum gets a shot to open 2018 as a lead passer in Denver, with failing Paxton Lynch watching
Cleveland: Tyrod Taylor now starts on another Great Lake shore, and Cody Kessler backs up
Jets: Josh McCown is back but may give way to Teddy Bridgewater. Yeah, Hackenberg is still around
Right about this time is when I get crackin’ on the preliminary SOS previews. The pre-schedule SOS is not exact fantasy football science (what is?), but it does present an early indication of which players may already be set up for good things ahead in the 2018 campaign.
While I’m digging in on the opening SOS looks, I’ll continue my film-room vigil and keep on delivering player Flash Reports. Keep checking in on PASS each day for something new (OK, most days for something new... that works!).
I’m thinkin’ Alex Smith and Josh Doctson make a perfect pitch-catch tandem. Smith is accurate and likes those slants; Doctson is a slant-routing demon. All Doctson needs to do is stay on the WASHINGTON field.
I’m... JUST SAYIN'!
Please support my work here at Player Analysis & Scouting Service by becoming a patron. Visit my Patreon page to see how easy it is to become a PASS Patron, starting at just $1 a month. Every patron is most cherished. Thank you for your patronage and support. Click on the PATREON logo to learn more, no strings attached.
ideWeb Hosting by iPage