IN THIS ISSUE 1. Stephen Davis likely game time decision on Sunday 2. Gruden hopes to assemble a "Robo Back" 3. Browns' Davis vows to fix running game 4. Zereoue back to backup role when Bettis returns 5. Next for the Colts at RB, Autry Denson 6. Dale Carter reinstated, ready to go for Saints 7. Cart ride for Tiki only a scare 8. Patriots' Smith is finding groove 9. Pennington proving Testaverde is in the right place 10. Ahman Green taking it up a notch 11. McNair has turf toe 12. Fred Taylor's injury concerns Coughlin 13. Travis Taylor in sync with new QB Blake 14. Mungro prepares for his 1st NFL start /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ 1. Stephen Davis likely game time decision on Sunday Clipped 11/5/02 from the Rick Snider article on washtimes.com Injured running back Stephen Davis is not sure whether he will return to the lineup for the Washington Redskins' game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Davis sprained a knee against the Indianapolis Colts on Oct.27, and did not play in the Redskins' 14-3 victory Sunday in Seattle. He said yesterday the condition of the knee has improved but it would need continued improvement this week to make even a "game-time decision" possible for Sunday. "I feel if I can get better every day, it might be a game-time decision," Davis said, "but the training staff is doing a good job, so I'll get ready like I will play." Davis, who missed workouts last week, is not sure whether he will practice this week. However, he has played in past games though missing practice the week before. "If it's getting better like it has been for the last few days, I'll try to do something [during the week]," Davis said. "It's a lot better than it was last week." [[[[[[[[[[ DODSON'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]] Davis' chances of playing just don't sound too good to me. I would most likely predict Kenny Watson to play again this weekend. At best, expect Davis to split time with Watson and not play at all at worst. If you are in need of a running back, Watson proved to be a viable option this past week and should be worthy of starting again if it's announced early that Davis won't play. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ 2. Gruden hopes to assemble a "Robo Back" Clipped 11/5/02 from the Rick Stroud article on sptimes.com The Bucs plan to take a running back by committee approach in the second half. All that remains is to see which player serves as chairman. Mike Alstott started at tailback in Sunday's 38-24 win over Minnesota. Michael Pittman took the first handoff in eight previous games. And Aaron Stecker has earned more carries. "Create the Robo Back, that's what we're trying to do," coach Jon Gruden said. "The perfect back. "The size and the inside power of an Alstott. The pattern running and I think the explosive in-the-hole running of a Pittman. The lateral quickness of a Travis Stephens. And I don't want to forget about our rookie. We want to get him on the field. For crying out loud, this might be as thick and quick a back as we have. "Our backs are kind of like a committee. We're going to utilize the whole committee throughout the season." "Although the running game didn't net a lot of yardage, particularly with our big back combination, it did add a lot of sting to the play-action passing game. The film proves that." Gruden also came to another conclusion after analyzing the film Monday: Stecker needs to be more involved in the offense. The third-year pro from Wisconsin ripped off a 59-yard run on his only carry Sunday. His 17 rushing attempts have produced 122 yards, a team-high 7.2-yard average. "All he does is make plays. Why he's not carrying the ball more is a great question," Gruden said. "It's been hard. Mike and Mike, in fairness to them, they're good players. They practice well. We think if given some real good consistent looks, they're going to be playmakers for us. Before you discriminate and say let's go to this guy or that guy, we want to stay with our man. That's the big reason why. But you can't deny the fact this Stecker, he just makes plays. We've got to be more creative, maybe more willing to get to him early and see what he does. ... I'll be the first to say that we've got to do a better job of creatively getting Aaron Stecker involved with this football team." [[[[[[[[[[ DODSON'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]] Sad to say, but I'll downgrade the entire Tampa Bay "Robo-backfield." Alstott may have just been the "flavor of the week" last week. Who knows who will get the majority of the touches this week? Pittman is a major disappointment to those that drafted him high in this year's fantasy drafts. My advice would be to keep him on your roster if you have room. He flat out isn't going to get you the points you hoped for when you selected him, but he's worth very little on the market now so I wouldn't try to trade him at this point. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ 3. Browns' Davis vows to fix running game Clipped 11/5/02 from the Mary Kay Cabot article posted on plaindealer.com Browns coach Butch Davis will dispatch his assistant coaches to colleges all over the country this week to scout about 71 players, and you can bet a large chunk of them will be offensive linemen. Davis is fed up with his last-ranked running game and he's determined to do something about it. In fact, he said yesterday that establishing the run will be the No. 1 priority in the second half of the season. The Browns are 32nd in the NFL with an average of 72.3 yards a game, 28th in yards per carry at 3.5, last in rushing attempts with 185, 31st with three rushing TDs and tied for 29th with only two runs longer than 20 yards. It doesn't help that their starting back, Jamel White, suffered a mildly separated shoulder during Sunday's 23-20 loss to Pittsburgh. So, what can be done about the running game midway through the season? "Somehow, some way, we're going to get some things done," said Davis. But does he have the run blockers to do it? "We've got some of them and we're going to find out if we've got the rest of them," he said. It sounded like Davis will make some personnel changes if he has to during the break. [[[[[[[[[[ DODSON'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]] Another major disappointment this season has been William Green. I am convinced that his confidence is so bruised that it will most likely kill his chances at breaking out of his "slump" this season. Green needs to mentally just start over and approach playing running back with a fresh attitude. That opportunity would best present itself next training camp, but with White out what looks to be 1-2 games (from the early info that I am hearing), Green may get plenty of work whether he is mentally ready or not. If Green fails to produce in the next few weeks, I would cut my losses in redraft leagues. With Davis heavily scouting lineman for next season, all may not be lost for those that have Green in keeper style leagues however. A fresh start with an improved line may break Green out of his shell, making him a coveted fantasy back again next preseason. Of course, that may be a fantasy in itself. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ 4. Zereoue back to backup role when Bettis returns Clipped 11/5/02 from the Alan Robinson article posted on sports.yahoo.com Most NFL coaches wouldn't think of sitting down a running back who had just rushed for 111 yards and caught passes for 62 yards in an important victory. Steelers coach Bill Cowher might do exactly that Sunday against Atlanta. Amos Zereoue ran for 164 yards and two touchdowns in the last two weeks as the Steelers (5-3) extended their winning streak to four, yet he may go back to the bench Sunday if Jerome Bettis is healthy. Bettis, the NFL's 11th-leading career rusher, has missed two games with a strained knee. Bettis expects to be ready to play against the Atlanta Falcons (5-3), and the Steelers aren't likely to keep him on the sidelines if he is healthy. Zereoue's production in his first two NFL starts may not have secured him a full-time job, but it showed why the Steelers signed the backup to a $8.8 million contract extension during the offseason. "I know I can do it," Zereoue said. "I just had to prove it. I know my team knew I could do it. Hopefully, the coaches know. But all I can do is go out there and play ball." Earlier in the season, Bettis would play two series before Zereoue would come on. But Zereoue sometimes stayed on for more than a series at a time, something he might do again if he keeps running the way he did in his last two games. [[[[[[[[[[ DODSON'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]] Too bad for Zereoue owners but it was fun while it lasted. Bettis is such a spiritual leader for this Steeler team, I just can't see him not playing if he's healthy. Zereoue may be the answer for next season, but for the rest of this year, I believe that Bettis will get the bulk of the carries as long as he is healthy. Look for that to start this Sunday against Atlanta. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ 5. Next for the Colts at RB, Autry Denson Clipped 11/5/02 from the Mike Chappel article posted on indystar.com Next up: Autry Denson. With injuries wreaking havoc with their running back situation, the Indianapolis Colts have looked to the former Notre Dame standout for immediate assistance. "It's a perfect offense for Autry," said Lawlor. "I think he will do some good things in Indianapolis." Denson is a 5-10, 193-pounder who brings running and receiving skills to the roster. More important, he brings health. With James and Williams hobbled and on the sideline in Sunday's loss to Tennessee, the only healthy running back was rookie James Mungro. Jim Finn, who temporarily was knocked from the Titans game with a mild concussion, and Detron Smith are fullbacks. Coach Tony Dungy said James and Williams likely will be listed as "doubtful" on the mid-week injury report. "Both of them have hamstring injuries and you just never know how that's going to go," Dungy said. Each player was examined by head trainer Hunter Smith on Monday. "If we had to play early in the week," Dungy said, "(they) wouldn't play." Denson was a seventh-round draft pick of Tampa Bay in 1999 whose brief NFL career has consisted of regular-season stints with Miami and Chicago. Denson has carried the ball 60 times for 210 yards and caught 18 passes for 133 yards. He had one carry for 4 yards last year with the Bears. [[[[[[[[[[ DODSON'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]] It's really tough to say what will happen at running back this week in Indy. It was clear that if Edge was out, Ricky Williams was in. Clear as mud we later found out. Now Edge is apparently out, Ricky is most likely out, Mungro could be in but so could Autry. My best guess is that Mungro gets the bulk of the work unless Autry does something special that puts Mungro on the bench (recall the Mealy-Davenport situation). After Sunday, the first running back to return healthy, either Williams or James becomes the feature back, so Autry and Mungro are at best one week fixes. At this point, I would expect Williams to return first with James returning possibly against the Broncos week 12. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ 6. Dale Carter reinstated, ready to go for Saints Clipped 11/5/02 from an associated press article posted on espn.com The NFL on Monday ended the suspension of New Orleans Saints cornerback Dale Carter, who had been prohibited from playing for violating the league's substance abuse policy. "We got a little better today," Saints coach Jim Haslett said. "I'm really happy to have him back." Carter, a four-time Pro Bowl selection who had to sit out the 2000 season for substance abuse, failed another test and was suspended indefinitely in July, only months after signing a seven-year, $28 million contract with the Saints. The Saints said Carter was eligible to begin participating in team activities immediately. "I expect him to be on the practice field tomorrow," Haslett said. The Saints are coming off their bye week. Haslett gave his players and coaches the week off. They were scheduled to return to work on Tuesday. New Orleans (6-2) plays at Carolina on Sunday. Carter should be in playing shape when he returns and is expected to bolster the Saints secondary, which has been hit with injuries. "We expect Dale to be a productive player for us this season," Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said. "Dale made a promise to me and to Mickey that he will not violate anything," Haslett said. "He wants to play and end his career with the Saints." Carter also filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on Feb. 15, listing his debts to more than 20 creditors as $4.9 million, his assets as more than $1 million. [[[[[[[[[[ DODSON'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]] I guess when you are ranked 29th in the NFL as the Saints are for total defense, you get pretty excited to get a guy like Dale Carter for your team. I am not sure why Haslett is so excited given the fact that Carter has failed to intercept a pass since 1999 and has only played in 9 games since the start of the 2000 season. At the very least, I guess Carter should be well rested. Frankly, my prediction is that Carter gets burned as often as or more so than he did when Shanahan signed him away from the Chiefs in 1999 when he was in prime. I flat out wouldn't grab him for your league if you start IDP's. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ 7. Cart ride for Tiki only a scare Clipped 11/5/02 from the Neil Best article posted on newsday.com The Giants' celebration after beating the Jaguars Sunday night initially was tempered by the sight of Tiki Barber being carted to the X-ray room as time expired. After the game and again yesterday, though, Barber and coach Jim Fassel described the injury as only a "scare." Barber said X-rays of his left leg were negative but that he has some soreness in his ankle and quadriceps. He was hurt on a 5-yard loss as the Giants tried to run out the clock. "It doesn't really hurt," said Barber, who demonstrated a clicking noise in his ankle that he said is the result of years of wear and tear. [[[[[[[[[[ DODSON'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]] At 5'-10" and 200 pounds, Tiki is going to get a little nicked nearly every game. Watching him being carted off would have to lead one to believe that he was more than nicked this time around, but things fortunately turned out for the best. Something that many Tiki owners may not know is that he has never started more than 12 games in a season, with 9 starts being his second highest total. Because of this, Tiki has only managed to crack the 1,000 yard rushing mark once in his career. The point is, Tiki is an effective back when he plays, just don't count on him being a workhorse for your fantasy squad week in and week out. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ 8. Patriots' Smith is finding groove Clipped 11/5/02 from the Tom Curran article posted on projo.com They threw it 27 times. They ran it 35 times. They won. Is everybody happy now? After weeks of imbalance -- real and perceived -- the Patriots put their fortunes in the hands of running back Antowain Smith more than they had at any other time this season. Smith responded with 111 yards on 29 carries and a touchdown. He also caught five passes for 31 yards and two scores. It looked a lot like last season. "Look back at last year and (Smith) was a difference-maker down the stretch," said left tackle Matt Light. "He was getting the ball and making big plays and we were able to control the game a lot better. You could just look at him all week and tell he was up for this one, that this was his game." Smith had 10 carries for 51 yards in the first half. The Patriots relied on him even more heavily in the second half when they had the lead and he did what he does best, churning for positive yards. [[[[[[[[[[ DODSON'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]] Anyone care to guess which week Antowain Smith's first 100 yard rushing performance came in last season? It was week 8 against Atlanta. I think it's safe to assume that he's a bit of a slow starter. If you own Antowain Smith and are considering trading him while his value is high after a good game, do not do it! Here are the Patriots remaining games in order: @Buffalo, @Chicago, @Oakland, Minnesota, @Detroit, Buffalo, @Tennessee, N.Y. Jets, and Miami. That means that between now and week 16, Smith will not face a team currently ranked higher than 21st in total defense (Det 21, Buff 22, Oak 24, Tenn 26, Chi 27, Minn 30, NYJ 31). I think all Patriots skill position players should get a nice bump from here on out. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ 9. Pennington proving Testaverde is in the right place Clipped 11/5/02 from the Paul Needell article posted on nj.com Going into last night's Dolphins-Packers game, Jets QB Chad Pennington (96.6) was the NFL's third-rated passer, behind Green Bay's Brett Favre (102.0) and the Raiders' Rich Gannon (96.7). Pennington has completed an astounding 70.8 percent of his passes, tops in the league, and is No. 1 in yards per attempt (8.03). None of this makes coach Herman Edwards wish he had benched Vinny Testaverde earlier. "No, no," Edwards said. "The right guy was in there (for the first four games) and the right guy is in there now. That's my opinion. But guess what? My opinion counts, because I'm the head coach." Pennington is 2-2 as the team's starter and is coming off a splendid game against the Chargers (28-of-37, 283 yards, one TD passing, another rushing). He completed passes to eight different receivers and is showing the Jets they indeed have their QB of the future in place. Check that. He's a valid QB of the present, too. "It's fun to watch him play," Edwards said. Edwards would like to see Pennington be a little less macho when he scrambles out of the pocket, though. Nothing makes defenders drool more than the sight of a not particularly fleet QB daring them to take a free shot at him downfield. Tagliabue sent to coaches last Friday about cracking down on helmet-to-helmet hits included a threat to fine or suspend head coaches, too. "No, I didn't take it that way at all," he said. [[[[[[[[[[ DODSON'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]] Pennington is really playing well for the Jets. I wouldn't hesitate to pick him up if you are a little light at quarterback. I am not ready to call him an every week starter for your fantasy squad, but he's should make a good spot player for you if you manage his match ups carefully. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ 10. Ahman Green taking it up a notch Clipped 11/5/02 from the Eric Goska article posted on packersnews.com Ahman Green has been a big part of the Green Bay Packers' offense since becoming a full-time starter in the second half of the 2000 season. He's taken his participation to a higher level in the last four games. Green rushed 19 times for 72 yards against the Miami Dolphins on Monday night. That brings the number of carries he's had in the last four games to 101. Only two other Packers have amassed 100 or more carries in four consecutive games: Jim Taylor and Dorsey Levens. In his three previous outings, Green logged 27, 31 and 24 rushes. On Monday, Green was the Packers' leading receiver as well, catching six passes for 71 yards. As busy as he's been, Green hasn't overlooked the end zone. The running back scored twice on the Dolphins and has notched seven touchdowns in the last three games. [[[[[[[[[[ DODSON'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]] I said a few weeks back that if you were down on Ahman, don't give up on him. Now I will say, if you are high on Ahman, don't give him up! Green Bay's remaining schedule is very favorable for Ahman and his chances for making those who drafted him in the top 5 happy. Games against Detroit, @Minnesota, @Tampa Bay, Chicago, Minnesota, @San Francisco, Buffalo, and @N.Y. Jets should provide Green and the Packers with ample opportunities to put up a lot of points. Other than a potential low scoring affair against Tampa, I would expect more big things from the entire Packer offense for the rest of the season. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ 11. McNair has turf toe Clipped 11/5/02 from the Jeff Legwold article posted tennessean.com Steve McNair has turf toe and will miss some practice work this week, but Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said he hopes the quarterback will be able to play this weekend against the Texans. McNair's right big toe is so swollen that "he can't get his shoe on right now," Fisher said yesterday. Turf toe is technically a sprain of the big toe. McNair led the Titans to a 23-15 victory over the Colts on Sunday, a game played on artificial turf in Indianapolis. McNair awoke yesterday morning with significant swelling in the toe and his right foot was later placed in a protective boot. McNair is familiar with the injury. He battled it for the better part of three seasons on his left foot and had surgery on his left big toe in February 2000 to remove a bone spur and a cyst. Sunday's game was Tennessee's second and last on artificial turf this season. Titans officials said after the game that McNair had also suffered a slight groin strain. [[[[[[[[[[ DODSON'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]] Not a good sign for McNair. He's obviously a tough player, but a pulled groin and badly sprained toe makes walking pretty tough let alone playing football. Given the fact that he can't even get his shoe on his foot right now, I would give him a big bump down this week. Even with Houston on the schedule, McNair still needs his mobility to be effective. Consider Neil O'Donnell this week if you are in need of a QB. He should have a nice game against Houston if McNair can't go. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ 12. Fred Taylor's injury concerns Coughlin Clipped 11/5/02 from the Bart Hubbach article posted on jacksonville.com The Jaguars are holding their breath with Fred Taylor after the oft-injured running back left Sunday's loss to the Giants with a sore back. Taylor underwent an MRI exam and a CT scan yesterday after taking a knee to his lower back in the second half. He went to the locker room and did not play the entire fourth quarter, finishing with just 9 yards in six carries. Coach Tom Coughlin said the Jaguars won't have a prognosis for Taylor until after the test results come back. "Am I concerned? I'm very concerned," Coughlin said. Coughlin is worried because of Taylor's history of health-related absences. Taylor has started every game this season but has missed 24 of a possible 72 contests in his five-year NFL career, including the final 14 games last season because of a torn groin muscle. Taylor is upbeat about his latest setback. "I'm going to be fine," he said. "I'm stiff right now, a little sore. I'm just hoping it's a bad bruise. I've got my fingers crossed." [[[[[[[[[[ DODSON'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]] I can't figure out what is taking so long to get these results back personally. Not to read more into this than what we know, but it just seems a bit strange. Take the fact that Coughlin is, "very concerned" and Taylor has, "got (his) fingers crossed," I would take this is an indication that something much more serious than a bruise is possible. Although it's highly likely that this will simply blow over, given Taylor's history I would hold off on trading for him now until the smoke clears. I am all for buying low, but I'd hate to see this end up being a buy low sell lower situation. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ 13. Travis Taylor in sync with Blake Clipped 11/5/02 from the Brent Jones article posted on sunspot.net After his most dynamic game in three years as a Raven, receiver Travis Taylor was as adamant as ever in declaring how statistics don't define him. Taylor caught four passes for a career-high 127 yards and a touchdown from backup quarterback Jeff Blake in the Ravens' 20-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome yesterday. It was the second straight impressive performance for Blake and Taylor, who had a career-high seven receptions a week ago against Pittsburgh. "The media is going to say what they want to say, that I had a good game, the best game of my career," Taylor said. "But I don't think so, because it really is not about the personal attributes. It's all about winning and losing. If I'm doing my job blocking downfield and we get the win, then I can say it's one of my best games. But in a loss, I really can't say that." [[[[[[[[[[ DODSON'S VIEW ]]]]]]]]]] If you are in need of a WR for the next few weeks, Taylor is a feasible option as long as Blake is in the lineup. Blake throws bombs that are easily as high as they are long, and Taylor has been managing to reel them in with some frequency. If defenses continue to focus on stopping Jamal Lewis as they have in recent weeks, Taylor and Blake should continue to have success. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ 14. Mungro prepares for his 1st NFL start Clipped from the 11/6 article from Indianapolis Star: The Colts, ravaged by running back injuries, visit The Vet on Sunday. Mungro emerged from last week's 23-15 loss to Tennessee as the team's only healthy back. The Colts signed free agent Autry Denson to fortify the position, but Mungro knows the offense and will get more practice snaps with the first team this week. "I'm going to be the same person I was last week," he said. Nothing is different? "Well," he said, "I'll focus a little bit more." Colts coach Tony Dungy said running backs Edgerrin James and Ricky Williams are doubtful for Philadelphia with hamstring injuries. When they couldn't play against the Titans and fullback Jim Finn suffered a concussion in the opening quarter, Mungro entered. He ran 16 times for 60 yards and caught six passes for 33 yards in his NFL debut. Diligence defines the 5-9, 214-pound Mungro. At Pennsylvania's East Stroudsburg High School, he set state records with 8,432 rushing yards and 9,513 all-purpose yards. But in college at Syracuse, he didn't become a full-time starter until his junior season. [[[[[[[[[[ OUR VIEW ]]]]]]]]]] If he could run effectively without knowing what to do, we think he should be able to run after being told what to do. Unfortunately Mungro must try and do this against the Eagles who are among the toughest defenses to run against in the league. Add the fact that Mungro is not very fast and it probably spells doom this week. Look for the Colts to go three wide a lot during the game and play to the personeel that are healthy. Additionally, rumors are circulating that Rickey Watters could be brought in for a tryout. More as we hear it. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/ Feedback is always welcome. If you want to ask me a question or have a comment, feel free to e-mail me at [email protected] Good luck next week! Dave Dodson