Austin Collie and Anthony Gonzalez have been splitting time in the slot during training camp. Obviously this confirms what we all are expecting, Pierre Garcon will end up out wide opposite Reggie Wayne. But between Austin Collie and Anthony Gonzalez the concern is that the two will rotate as "inside" receivers, canceling each other out in fantasy leagues.
Yahoo's Jason Cole recently attended Bengals camp, and came away saying rookie Jermaine Gresham "looks lost right now." But let's be honest here... the Bengals aren't used to playing with a pass catching tight end. Plus Gresham is a rookie TE and in my experience rookie TE's rarely make a fantasy impact in their first season.
DeSean Jackson (back) returned to a full practice Friday afternoon. Nothing to worry about here, unless this becomes an issue throughout the preseason. Back problems usually are reoccurring and also require plenty of rest to keep flares down. Jackson needs to be on the field with his new QB as much as possible. I already had Jackson as a low risk high reward WR this season due to the new QB situation and this only adds a little more "low risk" into the equation.
Larry Johnson has "actually shown a burst at times" in training camp, according to ESPN's Matt Mosley. The Washington Redskins backfield is going to be a mess with Clinton Portis and LJ both drawing decent reviews in training camp. Obviously this will be a RBBC that I'd avoid.
Raiders coach Tom Cable remains noncommittal about how he intends to use Darren McFadden and Michael Bush this season. While you need to pay attention to the battle between Bush and McFadden if I was drafting right now I'd pull the trigger on Bush before McFadden. Bush will get the 1st and 2nd down carries as well as goal line work with McFadden working 3rd down duties occasionally stealing some work here and there.
Ahmad Bradshaw is taking the majority of first-team tailback reps at Giants camp, ahead of Brandon Jacobs. Both the NY Daily News and Newark Star-Ledger have observed Bradshaw getting the first crack in every drill. Though Jacobs has reportedly shown improved burst, he is clearly in danger of losing his "starting" job. Bradsaw is a steal in PPR leagues this year and with Jacobs injury record Bradsaw could really shine sooner than later.
According to the Chicago Tribune Johnny Knox has been targeted 55 times in team drills so far during camp, 16 more than anyone else on the roster. Devin Hester and Greg Olsen are tied for second with 39 targets apiece. Devin Aromashodu is fourth with 32, but he has the highest completion percentage. While we have Aromashodu as a sleeper, Knox seems to be fitting in better in the Martz offense. Olsen's target total is surprising, because Martz traditionally doesn't utilize his TE's. The Tribune also noted that Matt Forte and Chester Taylor are splitting work pretty evenly between them. Forte runs a TON better behind a lead blocker, something Martz's offense won't give him; avoid Forte in the drafts, you've been warned.
In Houston, coach Gary Kubiak reiterated that Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones are going "head-to-head" for the No. 2 starting job in camp. Last year Kevin Walter was a serviceable WR in PPR leagues so whoever wins this battle is worthy a low end draft slot. "Kevin's the starter; he's earned that right," said Kubiak. "we've got a heck of a player pushing to be a starter in this league. We're putting them right down the middle. It's very competitive." If Jones wins the spot, his speed and talent would push him into a WR2 Sleeper for sure.
The Seattle Seahawks, Leon Washington saw his first action in team drills Thursday. Julius Jones is dust and Justin Forsett has some real competition with Leon Washington in town. I love the news of Washington looking like a stud after his compound leg fracture. Keep your eye on Washington and if things continue to look on the up and up I'd draft him with confidence in PPR leagues.
On the lighter side
After spending the off season in the weight room, Ray Rice now bench presses 405 pounds and squats more than 500 pounds. LMAO, okay I know this isn't a camp battle but when I read this I had to share. If Ray Rice isn't your Number 1 Fantasy Running Back then I'd like to know, what are you smoking? CJ's wheels are worn down a bit from last year's carriers and AP's line is diminished ever so slightly. I have them ranked as follows:
- Ray Rice *Willis McGahee had 12 TD's - I see Rice picking up more of these in 2010*
- Chris Johnson *408 touches last year - could haunt him this year*
- Adrian Peterson *no Favre moves him down to 3*
- All three are studs no matter what but I do believe this is Rice's year for number 1
