Wednesday Training Camp Notes

By Dalton Del Don

Despite rumors to the contrary, Thomas Jones is not being shopped by the Jets – With what appears to be a strong defense, a rookie QB and a terrific offensive line, the Jets’ running game should be extremely productive this season. However, it also looks like a three-headed monster. As a 31-year-old unhappy with his contract coming off a career-year, Jones is likely to be overdrafted, but as long as he remains in New York, he’s still the favorite to lead the team in carries, limiting the upside of Shonn Greene, who has continued to impress the coaching staff throughout camp. And then there’s Leon Washington, who Peter King claims will get 300 touches this year. Washington is not ideally suited for a full workload, but there’s no doubt he was underused with the previous regime. Last year alone Washington totaled 803 yards with eight touchdowns on just 123 touches, so it’s safe to say he’d be a top-10 fantasy RB if he really were given 300 touches. Again, this looks like a true committee, so fantasy owners should be hoping for a Jones trade.

Greg Olsen had another great practice, capping it off with an acrobatic, one-handed catch in the end zone during the two-minute drill – The hype machine is in full effect when it comes to Olsen, so don’t go expecting to get him as a bargain. Devin Hester will be heavily involved, but Olsen is likely to lead the Bears in targets this season, and since Jay Cutler will be making the throws, it really wouldn’t be a shock if Olsen were the TE1 in fantasy football this year. Jason Witten and Antonio Gates should still go before him, but the gap is close. He’s not just a practice wonder, remember Olsen was a 2007 first round pick, so he’ll be a difference maker in 2009.

Marc Bulger says his arm feels strong heading into the first preseason game – That’s all well and good, but who is he going to throw to? The Rams are learning a new offense, lost Torry Holt to the Jags and Donnie Avery to a foot injury that will probably linger into the season. Over the last two seasons, Bulger has gotten 6.2 YPA with a 22:28 TD:INT ratio. The Rams play in an easy division defensively, but there’s no longer any upside here.

Darrius Heyward-Bey is listed as one of the Raiders’ starting wideouts – Depth charts at this time of year don’t really mean a thing, but this one in particular speaks volumes about Oakland’s lack of depth, as DHB is hardly getting the rookie treatment, especially with all of his problems with drops in practice. He has gotten more positive reports of late, but he’s still a long shot, especially for 2009. With Michael Crabtree’s outrageous contract demands, maybe Al Davis isn’t so crazy after all? Hardly, as the team inexplicably gave Heyward-Bey a contract about 20% more than what his draft spot got last year, which has directly influenced Crabtree’s silly contract demands. And to think, da Raiders passed on both Jay Cutler and Calvin Johnson in recent drafts.


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2 responses to “Wednesday Training Camp Notes”

  1. I am Jack's fantasy baseball team Avatar
    I am Jack’s fantasy baseball team

    DDD — what do you make of the Laurence Maroney talk in NE? Been hearing he will be the guy in the back-field and that Fred Taylor was brought in to mentor him. You buying this at all?

    In a competitive league I can keep one and my only choices are Chad Johnson or Maroney. Would you even consider keeping Maroney? A week ago I would not even think about it, but, I admit, the idea is now creeping into my big ol’ brain.

  2. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    I like Maroney as a late-round flier, and he’d certainly be the RB to own in New England, but I still assume it will be a committee based on weekly matchups. There’s still some decent upside, but there’s no way I’d keep him over Chad Johnson.

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