Richard Seymour Dealt to Raiders, Wants New Deal
In an effort to bring aid to their ineffective run defense, the Raiders dealt with the devil (Bill Belichick) and acquired 30-year old defensive end, Seymour, for a 2011 first round pick.
Seymour is in his prime and arguably one of the better 3-4 ends in the league, but he is also in a contract year, and the Patriots didn’t want to pay him.
Seymour is reportedly “okay” with joining the Raiders, but is also apparently ready to sit-out games until a long-term contract can be worked out.
If everything goes according to plan, the Raiders defense could suddenly be a lot better with Seymour anchoring their line.
Matthew Stafford Named Starter for Lions
The rookie Stafford “won” the quarterback job after posting under-whelming stats, but still performed better than Daunte Culpepper.
The coaching staff made it known that they stand behind Stafford, and that he was given the job more due to his positive play, rather than a lack of effort on Culpepper’s behalf.
Look for the Lions to give Stafford a long leash this year.
Carnell Williams Listed Atop Buccaneers’ Depth Chart
The off-season started with newly signed free agent Derrick Ward as the starter, and then the pre-season depth chart anointed Earnest Graham as the “top guy”.
Williams is healthy and played well in the pre-season, however, and is now slated to start the season as the Bucs’ go-to back. There still figures to be a heavy RBBC approach in Raheem Morris’ ground-based offense.
Saints’ Pierre Thomas Unlikely For Opener
Calling all Reggie Bush owners: Thomas is “unlikely” to play in week one, and even more unlikely to start. Thomas is dealing with an MCL sprain, as well as an apparent laceration, and is “iffy” for the opener.
This lifts Bush’s value tremendously, as his stock was already fairly hot with a monster match-up against the new-look Detroit Lions.
Back-up Mike Bell could prove to be a decent week one fill-in for Thomas owners.
Willie Parker to Keep Goal-line Carries
Rashard Mendenhall was less than impressive in pre-season action, which prompted the Steelers to keep things “as is”, allowing the possibility of Parker’s three-touchdown performance in week one of 2008 to creep back into fantasy owner’s minds.
With a date against the Tennessee Titans on Thursday night, don’t bet on it.
Still, this news means Parker should have a decent season at the goal-line, and the overall ineffectiveness of Mendenhall projects for less of a committee system than previously thought.
Jonathan Stewart to be Ready For Opener?
As previously reported, it’s beginning to look even more likely that Stewart will finally be healthy and ready to play in week one.
Still, after missing all of camp with an Achilles injury, it’s unrealistic to expect a huge impact against a solid Philadelphia Eagles defense.
The claiming of Tyrell Sutton off of waivers isn’t a sign that Stewart won’t get carries, but it isn’t necessarily positive news in regards to his heath, either.
If you can afford to, sit Stewart for week one.
Tampa Bay’s Sammie Stroughter Gets Third Receiver Job
The seventh round pick didn’t have much competition, but the job is still his. With Byron Leftwich under center, all of Tampa Bay’s receivers’ values are limited, but Stroughter is still a solid talent that could offer some interesting potential down the road.
Keep him on your radar, but let it be known: Antonio Bryant is the only Bucs receiver worth owning.
