Believe It Or Not - Rashard Is Ready
September 26, 2008 at 7:50 am | Article by Paul Hickey |
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Steelers rookie RB Rashard Mendenhall, who only has 10 carries in the first three games of his NFL career, has been thrust into a starting role for the next two weeks against Baltimore and on the road at Jacksonville. Critics may say he faces two tough defenses and can’t hang onto the football, but our sources believe he’s ready to shine in his two-game audition as Pittsburgh’s starting RB.
Remember folks, when the Steelers selected the versatile Mendenhall with the 23rd overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, they did it thinking he’d become their starter sooner rather than later. Willie Parker had a broken leg at the time, and will turn 28 this season. As good as he’s been, he’s not their RB of the future, and they felt Mendenhall was too good to pass up.
Rashard gained a solid amount of yardage in the preseason (34 yards on seven carries in Week 1, 11 carries for 30 yards and a TD in Week 2, 15 carries for 79 yards in Week 3 and 21 carries for 79 yards in Week 4), but hasn’t been given the opportunity to shine like other rookie RBs thus far. Our sources tell us, however, that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has nothing but confidence in Mendenhall and believes that he will give him no option but to split the load between the two backs when Parker returns after the Steelers’ Week 6 bye. This is great news for Mendenhall’s dynasty owners, as his value is sure to go up, but bad news for Parker’s seasonal owners.
Bills Secondary Pass Catchers Becoming Primary - Through three games, the Bills’ passing attack looks very good, and our sources think one of the main reasons is offensive coordinator Turk Schonert’s influence on QB Trent Edwards specifically in the area of spreading the ball around to various pass catchers. Lee Evans leads the team with 244 receiving yards, but Josh Reed leads with 13 receptions - one more than Evans. Secret weapon Roscoe Parrish also has seven catches for 60 yards and a TD, and rookie James Hardy has a TD catch. TE Robert Royal has gotten in on the action, hauling in 10 passes for 86 yards and a TD. What does this mean moving forward? Good things for everyone. Not only is Edwards becoming a legit fantasy threat, but Evans’ opportunities for making plays should increase as other pass catchers garner defensive attention. Reed is becoming a solid fantasy option is PPR leagues as the team’s number two WR. Parrish is likely only valuable in leagues that award individual points for return yardage, but his presence is invaluable to the fantasy value of others. Perhaps the greatest beneficiary of all of this though is second year RB Marshawn Lynch, who is the catalyst in terms of moving the chains. The better the Bills’ offense, the more TD opportunities come for him. His fantasy value in dynasty leagues may never be lower than it is right now.
Big Ben Is Just Fine - While fifth year signal caller Ben Roethlisberger hasn’t really had a great fantasy outing this season, and has been really beat up over the last few contests - injuring his shoulder in Week 1 and his hand in Week 3 - our sources tell us that there really is nothing for fantasy owners to worry about in terms of his health. He will continue to play through injuries, and even though he has two tough match-ups prior to the bye week - vs. Baltimore in Week 4 and at Jacksonville in Week 5 - Big Ben plans on playing well and recuperating only during the bye week. Don’t expect him to miss any more snaps, and keep him in your starting line-ups despite the whispers.
Sleeper Saints - Marques Colston went down in Week 1 with a broken finger, Jeremy Shockey went down in Week 3 with a sports hernia, and now veteran David Patten is also nursing a tweaked groin. Our sources tell us to look for second year speedster Lance Moore to step in and play a prominent role on offense, along with second year man Robert Meachem. With match-ups coming up at home against the 49ers, Vikings and Raiders, we expect Moore and Meachem to produce solid digits.
Curtis Almost Ready - By now you may have heard that Eagles WR Kevin Curtis may be able to return a little bit early from a sports hernia that was supposed to keep him out for the first six weeks of the NFL season. Our sources tell us that Curtis is a fast healer, and may not only be ready to play this Sunday against the Bears, but that he should be ready to take over as the team’s top pass catching target as early as Week 5 against Washington. Seasonal owners in deep leagues may want to look at snatching him off the waiver wire a week early.
“The Other” Steve Smith Ready To Step Up - The man who wears number 12 for the New York Giants - aka - the other Steve Smith is ready to step in and play a large role for the New York Giants in Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks with Plaxico Burress suspended. Our sources tell us that Smith will remain valuable to owners even when Plax returns do to the undeniable chemistry he’s developed with Eli Manning. Smith may not be very valuable in non-PPR leagues, due to the fact that he doesn’t sniff the end zone often, but he’s a reception hog who owners in PPR leagues should seriously consider adding to their squads now. Smith hauled in seven passes for 60 in Week 3 against Cincy and has favorable match-ups in Weeks 6 (Browns), 7 (49ers) and 8 (Steelers).
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