Empty the Bench

- The Tampa Bay Bucs have been one of the big surprises in the NFL thus far, dashing out to a somewhat improbable 3-1 record behind the equally improbable performances by new QB Jeff Garcia and a defense many had written off as aging and irrelevant. So it’s no surprise that after starting RB Carnell Williams ripped up the patella tendon in his knee last week that the team is scrambling for more help in the backfield to help ensure there’s no significant drop-off in production.

The team has apparently been reaching out to the Minnesota Vikings all week, first inquiring about veteran Chester Taylor–that possibility was quickly nixed–and now showing some interest in scatback Mewelde Moore, who’s buried on the depth chart behind Taylor and stud rookie Adrian Peterson. We actually read one writer predict that if Moore joined the Bucs he’d become a very strong RB2 for your fantasy roster. Um, no. Whether or not Moore moves South, the Bucs have a very capable back in veteran Michael Pittman who’ll likely assume the lion’s share of carries out of the backfield. Remember, in ’04 the ten-year vet recorded 1,317 combined yards and 10 TDs; the year before, he caught 75 passes. Earnest Graham will also see an uptick in production. Both are unlikely still available on waivers, but if somehow both are, and you only had room for one, we recommend Pittman.

- Because of lingering health issues and a backup more than capable of carrying the load, we listed Washington Redskins RB Clinton Portis as a hallmark member of our Preseason Fantasy Football Pariahs. Until now, he’s mostly proven us wrong, staying on the field and staying fresh because of the 60/40 split on touches with Ladell Betts. Reports surfaced earlier this week, however, that the tendinitis in his knee is back and he’s experiencing some discomfort there. Apparently Portis is practicing and should be ready to go on Sunday in a favorable matchup against the Lions, but this situation bears watching. We still don’t feel like he’ll make it through the season unscathed and on his feet. So far, Portis has 227 rushing yards, 44 yards receiving, and 3 TDs.

- The Grim Reaper of the sports surgical world, Dr. James Andrews, confirmed today that San Francisco 49ers QB Alex Smith will not require surgery on his separated right shoulder. While this is good long-term news for Smith and the ‘Niners, he’s a long way from returning to the field, and with the way this season is quickly spiraling down the toilet, counter-clock wise, we wouldn’t be surprised if the team keeps him on the shelf for ’07 and looks towards next year.

Returning from an offseason foray into the Competitive Eating circuit, the impressively rotund Trent Dilfer steps in and has firmly replaced Rex Grossman as ETB’s Whipping Boy of the Moment. He’s not worth a look in 10, 12, or 40-team fantasy leagues, and those counting on Darrell Jackson and Vernon Davis should expect diminishing returns on those investments. Frank Gore is also going to find it more difficult with opponents likely stacking eight guys in the box.

- It just keeps getting worse for Laurence Maroney owners. Unless you handcuffed him to Sammy Morris, you’re likely extremely pissed off at Bill Belichick. He’s been nearly splitting carries between Morris and Maroney, with Morris getting all of the money touches inside the 5-yard line. Then he waited until just before kickoff on Monday night to declare Maroney inactive, making it almost impossible for you to plan accordingly. What’s worse, Morris had played extremely well so far and then he carved up the porous Bengals defense to the tune of 117 yards rushing and a TD on 21 carries. They get the Browns this week, so you obviously want to have the starter active, but Morris is a great play either way and is looking more and more like a legitimate weekly flex play in this offensive juggernaut.

- The Cincinnati Bungles just can’t seem to get their act together. Toyed with and blown out by the Patriots on Monday night, and repeatedly displaying the lack of focus and attention to detail that has characterized them in recent seasons, HC Marvin Lewis reached the boiling point and ripped his team a new poop shoot before meeting with the press. Here’s what he had to say:

“I’m tired of fighting it,” said Lewis. “You don’t call the offense, you don’t call the defense, you just play. All week long people tell you how good you are. We ain’t (nothing). We won’t play together. We need to figure it out. Nowhere in the National Football League do guys act like this. If you don’t want to be on this team, please don’t show up.

The team’s offensive leaders, Chad Johnson and Carson Palmer, were seen arguing on the sidelines after Palmer threw an interception at the end of the first half (for his part, though, Johnson dropped a few passes himself). T.J. Houshmandzadeh was also seen yelling at Lewis on the sidelines. Guard Willie Anderson said: “This is about as embarrassing as it gets. We have to look at ourselves as a team. Those guys (the Patriots) are a bunch of grown men. They are a mature football team, and we have to figure out how to get to that level. We are constantly trying to figure out how to play like that. They are a good team year in and year out. They are a mature bunch of guys, an older team.”

Wow. This already sounds like a defeated team, and we’re only four weeks into the season. Lewis has clearly failed to a) build a respectable defense in the mold of his Ravens, and b) instill a team-wide sense of discipline since his arrival four years ago. If the Bengals fail to right the ship and turn this campaign into a miserable failure, don’t be surprised if Lewis is shown the door. Either way, the Bungles are alive and well.

- It seems we weren’t the only ones worried last week about Detroit Lions WR Roy Williams and his proclivity for not tipping pizza delivery boys. After catching a ton of flack from friends and teammates, Williams said a Pizza Hut employee had a sitdown with him and that “now it’s $3 to $5. I’m going to start tipping the pizza guy.” It’s a good move, Roy–you don’t want spit (or anything else) mixed in with your pepperoni grease.

- The Arizona Cardinals QB of the future, Matt Leinart, sure hasn’t looked the part. He’s played himself into a full-fledged committee with the 52-year-old Kurt Warner due to poor decision making, lack of poise, and an inability to play from behind or out of the no-huddle. He’s looked bad. So you’d think he’d be sheepish or apologetic, tell the fans he’s committed to winning and improving. Uh uh. That doesn’t appear to be the case. Leinart told Yahoo.com columnist Michael Silver on Sunday:

“I just want them to ride or die with me. If I’m the franchise quarterback, play me and let me stumble, because I’ll fight through it, and that will help me and our team in the long run. I know coaches want to win now, and I guess they have their reasons. But I don’t understand it, and this switching back and forth is almost worse than getting benched.”

Wrong answer. Coaches want to win now, and I guess they have their reasons? Yeah, it’s their job to win football games. And they don’t exactly have the job security of a tenured school teacher, either. Leinart backed off the comments when he got heat for it, but it’s an incredibly immature attitude for a guy who’s struggling to prove he’s the leader of that team. And the bottom line is Leinart was completely in control of the situation. If he didn’t play like horseshit, none of this would have happened. And if he goes out there and starts to play like he’s capable of, it’ll all go away.

- LaMont Jordan was on his way to another massive game Sunday before coming out with what appeared to be a serious back injury. He was carted off the field and seen in crutches after the game, leading many to fear the worst. Suddenly Jordan’s history of minor back problems were raising major concerns about the rest of his fantasy season. Fortunately, Jordan has the bye week to heal and X-rays on the injured back came back negative Monday. It’s likely not going to be a huge deal, but it’s still terrible news with Dominic Rhodes coming off of suspension and backup Justin Fargas coming off of a career game. Monitor the situation closely. For those who need another RB, now might be an excellent time to float some extremely low-ball offers for him– especially if his owner is struggling with byes this week. Casually mention the situation, let that simmer for a day or so, and make an offer.

- In other injury news, the fantasy world is anxiously awaiting word from Bengals camp on the aforementioned Chad Johnson and his sprained ankle. Ocho Cinco is still fifth in the NFL in receptions and second in receiving yards, but he left late in Monday’s game against the Pats with just 3 receptions, 53 yards and 1 sprained ankle. It’s reason for concern for Johnson owners of course, but also for those who have Carson Palmer and Houshmandzadeh. He’s been seen this week wearing a walking boot, which is rarely a good sign but likely just a precautionary measure. He has the bye week to rest up, but keep an eye on this situation.

- The Bears defense just cannot catch a break… unless it’s a bone break. Safety Kevin Payne suffered a fractured arm in Week Four against the Lions, ending his season. He was only a fifth-round pick out of a small school, but Payne was a starter on Sunday and Chicago will now be forced to dip into their practice squad in order to field a starting defense. Owners of opposing WRs and QBs have to start licking their chops at a matchup with the Bears, a situation that seemed totally implausible coming into the season.

- The hits also keep a-comin’ for the St. Louis Rams. Franchise LT Orlando Pace is done, franchise RB Steven Jackson has been out with a torn groin, franchise WR Torry Holt is struggling, and now franchise QB Marc Bulger will sit for at least a few weeks due to a combination of nagging injuries and poor play. Gus Frerotte–last seen at a St. Louis-area AARP office–will take over in the meantime. He’ll likely get creamed at least three times per start, check down a lot, and has little fantasy value unless you’re wildly strapped for bye-week options. HC Scott Linehan doesn’t have much of a choice but to make this move. Bulger is under contract for some time, this team isn’t going anywhere at the moment, and there’s no use in risking serious injury. Still, Rams fans probably aren’t keen on the team essentially waving the white flag this early in the season.

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