By Tim Furious
Someone forgot to tell these guys that they are superstars. Or was it something else? Have we been misled as fans, and as writers, to believe that these guys are something that they aren’t? For those of you not keeping track at home, the leading rushers in the league are Travis Henry, Jamal Lewis, Willie Parker, LaMont Jordan and Edgerrin James. What is going on in the NFL? I’m here to sort out the mess.
Steve McNair (QB) – Baltimore Raves
The newswire just told me that McNair is coming back for week three of NFL betting. Who cares. This guy was supposed to be over the hill two years ago. Why exactly have we stopped addressing this? McNair relied on his ability to scamper for first downs and his strong arm to hit receivers on the edges.
But he’s old now and has hung his receivers out to dry while playing in cement shoes. And why exactly are the Ravens rushing a guy back after he was directly responsible for five turnovers in week one? Kyle Boller isn’t the answer, but he’s certainly a better option than this guy.
Next game: Arizona vs. Baltimore (-9)
Larry Johnson (RB) – Kansas City Chiefs
So far the Curse of 370 holds true. Johnson has dropped to a respectable 3.8 yards per carry, but only has 26 attempts and hasn’t even crested the 100 yard mark for the season yet. This guy was supposed to be a top-3 fantasy pick? He is tied with Julius Jones at 29th in the rushing rankings.
Is it Johnson, or his morbidly deficient offensive line? Or is it the Croyle-Huard tandem that is killing Johnson’s stock? He’s not running like the unrelenting bulldozer he was last year. As Travis Henry proves, a running back is only as good as his offensive line and, if that holds true, then Johnson will be mediocre at best this season.
Next game: Kansas City (-2) vs. Minnesota
Steven Jackson (RB) – St. Louis Rams
How important was Orlando Pace to Steven Jackson? If his 3.0 yards per carry, zero touchdowns and two fumbles are any indication, he was vital. With Pace gone for the year, Jackson can only do so much. Apparently he isn’t the one man wrecking crew he pretends to be in that awesome new Nike commercial (Did anyone else notice how nobody on the defense has dirty jerseys in that commercial? Really? I’m the only one?).
I’m not here to hang Jackson out to dry, because he is certainly a top-5 back when it comes to talent. But when it comes to producing wins and solid numbers, Jackson will stay in the cellar of the top-15 unless the Rams start using screens on every play. Those who bet on the Rams to upset in the NFC West are sourly pissy right now, but those that took Jackson number two overall in fantasy are probably giving Deshawn Wynn a serious gander.
Next game: St. Louis vs. Tampa Bay (-3.5)
Reggie Bush (RB) and Deuce McAllister (RB) – New Orleans Saints
Bush irritatingly runs like he’s trying to break off a touchdown every play. Willie Parker had the same problem, got rid of it, and is now the third best back in the league by yards. Until Bush rectifies this problem, he will be burdened by sub-par performances and continue to expose himself to lost yardage. Welcome to the Barry Sanders club, kid!
Deuce, for such a monster, really has trouble moving the pile. Coach Sean Payton wouldn’t hesitate to hand Deuce the ball and establish a power running game to suck defenders into the box, if Deuce could pound the rock. But he can’t, for some reason, and that is leaving Payton with fewer and fewer offensive options.
The lack of production out of these two is killing the Saints Superbowl chances, despite favorable odds in our sportsbook. New Orleans was only a 10-6 team last season. If they can’t get past the Titans in their own house, Bush and Deuce will be the ones to blame.
Next game: Tennessee vs. New Orleans (-5)
Alex Smith (QB) – San Francisco 49ers
Somewhere during the summer, everyone decided, “Hey, he’s in his third year! He’s gonna be awesome!” Sure, he showed some flashes of excitement at the end of last season, but what has he ever really done? I can’t tell you how many of my buddies told me, “He’s a smart guy! He finished a masters degree in three years!”
The former number one pick has a paltry quarterback rating of 69.1 and zero touchdowns this season. He has never seriously taken over a game in his career and the two 49ers wins have more to do with Arizona falling asleep on a defensive fourth down, and the Rams special teams wetting themselves in the clutch.
All the degrees in the world won’t save him on the football field. Until he shows more punch, defenses will continue to focus on Frank Gore and the most we’ll ever see from Vernon Davis is him schilling Under Armor products during commercial breaks. For all of those NFL betting investors who took stock in the 49ers at the onset of the season, you have to be worried about this anemic offense. Especially with those Cardinals gaining steam.
Next game: San Francisco vs. Pittsburgh (-8.5)
