Note: This is a team-by-team look previewing the 2007 season. These are my official thoughts on how I think things will play out.
Last year: 6-10 (fourth in AFC South)
Best addition: Matt Schaub (QB, Falcons)
Key personnel loss: Antwan Peek (LB, Browns)
2007 outlook: Still in shambles after all these years, Houston made wholesale changes - including letting the team's first ever No. 1 overall draft pick David Carr find new employment - and the hope is the team is getting better under 2nd year coach Gary Kubiak. Highly regarded Schaub will replace Carr this season and Ahman Green will take over as the No. 1 RB. The best weapon on offense remains WR Andre Johnson, but after the Eric Moulds experiment didn't work out last year, Johnson finds himself the only target defenses will respect.
Mario Williams will forever be linked to Reggie Bush because he was drafted ahead of him when Houston was desperate for - and still is - a RB. However, the defense may actually be improved this year with the addition of 1st round pick Amobi Okoye. The LB corp looks to be the strength of this unit, especially with its depth, while the secondary is thin and could pose problems if any injuries occur.
Key to success: In all reality, Houston probably has no real shot at making the playoffs, no matter how much the team overachieves. With a (still) patchwork line that proved to be the downfall of Carr and no running game to speak, the offense will have a hard time moving the ball. The Texans could have a chance of being respectable, but they will go only as far as the defense can carry them.
Against Washington: The Skins beat the Texans 31-15 in week 3 for their first win of the season. In that game Ladell Betts ran for 124 yards. The teams will not face each other this year.
Fantasy sleeper: Matt Schaub. The only real weapon on this team is Johnson and the guy who will benefit most from his playmaking abilities will be Schaub. Because Johnson is one of the top WR's in fantasy football, Schaub should put up good enough numbers to be considered a spot starter while his mobility boosts his value because he will be able to pick up points on the ground. He may not rack up the points on the ground like his former teammate Michael Vick, but Schaub is more mobile than Carr, which could also give him a better shot at staying upright more than Carr too.
Showing posts with label Matt Schaub. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matt Schaub. Show all posts
Friday, July 20, 2007
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
2007 Previews: Atlanta Falcons
Note: This is a team-by-team look previewing the 2007 season. These are my official thoughts on how I think things will play out.
Last year: 7-9 (third in NFC South)
Best addition: Joe Horn (WR, Saints)
Key personnel loss: Matt Schaub (QB, Texans)
2007 outlook: Things would look a lot better if Michael Vick wasn't in the potential trouble he could be in. Already hearing the negativity because he hasn't quite become the QB people expected him too, Vick would really hurt the Falcons if he were to be suspended for part of the year. And with the NFL's recent crackdown on conduct, how do you trade away Schaub and enter the season with Joey Harrington as your No. 2 guy. No offense to Harrington - I was probably one of the few guys that wanted to see him succeed in the NFL - but he is not a good option to be a long term starter.
On the other hand, after trying to upgrade the receiver position with guys like Peerless Price, Ashley Lelie and Michael Jenkins, the Falcons may have finally picked up a winning receiver in Horn, who will only be more fueled by the fact New Orleans didn't want him back. And as long as the offense can find some way to jell and get past offseason distractions, the defense will be there to stop people.
Key to success: If Atlanta wants avoid the stigma of being a team in constant turmoil, the players will need to find a way to rally around each other and quickly learn new coach Bobby Petrino's system. It was obvious a change needed to be made with all of the negative publicity being caused by former coach Jim Mora Jr. (must be a family trait), but anytime you have to change systems it takes time. So even if the Falcons don't make the playoffs this season, fans should get excited even if the team just comes off as a cohesive group.
Against Washington: The Falcons beat the Skins 24-14 in Washington last year and are not on the team's schedule this season.
Fantasy sleeper: Michael Jenkins. Missing out on what should have been his breakout year last year (it seems most receivers break out in year three) Jenkins finally has a veteran to learn from that is not a complete mess. And with Horn lining up opposite him, he will have a No. 1 receiver teams will actually respect. This should create some opportunities for Jenkins and if he wants to remain gainfully employed, he will need to make the most of them. Look for Jenkins to finally become a solid fantasy option. Take a flier on him in the late rounds once you have most of your team set.
Last year: 7-9 (third in NFC South)
Best addition: Joe Horn (WR, Saints)
Key personnel loss: Matt Schaub (QB, Texans)
2007 outlook: Things would look a lot better if Michael Vick wasn't in the potential trouble he could be in. Already hearing the negativity because he hasn't quite become the QB people expected him too, Vick would really hurt the Falcons if he were to be suspended for part of the year. And with the NFL's recent crackdown on conduct, how do you trade away Schaub and enter the season with Joey Harrington as your No. 2 guy. No offense to Harrington - I was probably one of the few guys that wanted to see him succeed in the NFL - but he is not a good option to be a long term starter.
On the other hand, after trying to upgrade the receiver position with guys like Peerless Price, Ashley Lelie and Michael Jenkins, the Falcons may have finally picked up a winning receiver in Horn, who will only be more fueled by the fact New Orleans didn't want him back. And as long as the offense can find some way to jell and get past offseason distractions, the defense will be there to stop people.
Key to success: If Atlanta wants avoid the stigma of being a team in constant turmoil, the players will need to find a way to rally around each other and quickly learn new coach Bobby Petrino's system. It was obvious a change needed to be made with all of the negative publicity being caused by former coach Jim Mora Jr. (must be a family trait), but anytime you have to change systems it takes time. So even if the Falcons don't make the playoffs this season, fans should get excited even if the team just comes off as a cohesive group.
Against Washington: The Falcons beat the Skins 24-14 in Washington last year and are not on the team's schedule this season.
Fantasy sleeper: Michael Jenkins. Missing out on what should have been his breakout year last year (it seems most receivers break out in year three) Jenkins finally has a veteran to learn from that is not a complete mess. And with Horn lining up opposite him, he will have a No. 1 receiver teams will actually respect. This should create some opportunities for Jenkins and if he wants to remain gainfully employed, he will need to make the most of them. Look for Jenkins to finally become a solid fantasy option. Take a flier on him in the late rounds once you have most of your team set.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
