Yardbarker: Billy Volek

Ranking each team's No. 2 QBs

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:19:58 -0500

1. Washington: Todd Collins -- The unspoken truth in D.C. is that the veteran would run Jim Zorn's offense better today than starter Jason Campbell, who I still think might struggle in his transition to the West Coast style attack. It was Collins, not Campbell, who orchestrated the Redskins' four-game late season winning streak and wild-card playoff berth last year. 2. Tampa Bay: Brian Griese -- Put Griese in another offense and he'd take a tumble down the list. But he's a perfect intellectual match for Jon Gruden's complicated attack, and except for Jeff Garcia's edge in mobility, the Bucs don't miss a beat with the experienced Griese in the game. 3. Houston: Sage Rosenfels -- He may not be a guy who can play at a high level for more than four or five games in a row, but let's not forget that Rosenfels went 4-1 as a starter for the Texans last year, with a four-touchdown relief performance in a loss to Tennessee. Houston starter Matt Schaub, by comparison, was 4-7. 4. San Diego: Billy Volek -- When a team can insert its backup into a road playoff game and have him mount a fourth-quarter comeback for the win -- in the Colts' raucous RCA Dome no less -- that's all you could ever ask of a No. 2. How much is that worth? 5. Tennessee: Kerry Collins -- With starter Vince Young struggling in his transition to Mike Heimerdinger's offense this preseason, Collins is the most efficient quarterback on the Titans roster at the moment. Backups with Super Bowl starts on their resumes aren't a dime a dozen. 6. Seattle: Seneca Wallace -- This is probably higher than most would have Wallace, but I'm fairly sold on the ex-Iowa State star, who threw for three touchdowns a couple weeks back against Minnesota. I know this much: After his preseason showing this year, Charlie Frye isn't beating out Wallace for the Seahawks No. 2 job. 7. St. Louis: Trent Green -- Green's days atop a depth chart are over after his previous two injury-filled seasons in Kansas City and Miami. But he's an experienced hand who, in his second stint with the Rams, provides the St. Louis with a capable replacement in the likely event of Marc Bulger not making it through all 16 games. 8. Cleveland: Brady Quinn -- Quinn didn't get much done the other night in a loss to Detroit, but he's got talent and just needs the playing time to show it. Browns sources tell me he has done everything in his power to prepare well and play well when called upon. For a guy drafted to be the Browns' savior but stuck behind Derek Anderson, that's laudable. 9. Buffalo: J.P. Losman -- The ex-Bills starter isn't thrilled with his task of serving as Trent Edwards' understudy this year, but with the free agency market awaiting next offseason, he has to make the best of it and hope he can resurrect his starting career elsewhere in 2009. Losman did some of his better work last year coming off the bench in relief of Edwards. 10. Chicago: Rex Grossman -- Now that he's officially the Bears backup, Grossman at least jumps to the top third in the league in terms of No. 2's. He's the second quarterback on the list with a Super Bowl start to his credit, and he's a guy who seems to perform better when the expectations are lowered. 11. Dallas: Brad Johnson -- Johnson is the only quarterback on the list who won a Super Bowl as a starter. The Cowboys offense wouldn't be as potent vertically if he were to take over for Tony Romo, but few passers have been more accurate or adept at knowing where to go with the football. 12. Arizona: Matt Leinart -- This isn't the flow chart that the Cardinals had in mind for Leinart's career, but with Kurt Warner clearly out-playing the 2006 first-round pick this preseason, Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt knows what he must do to keep the faith within his locker room. Leinart's inconsistency and inaccuracy are beyond troubling for the Cardinals. 13. Atlanta: Chris Redman -- For a QB who was long gone and forgotten after a three-year NFL hiatus, Redman played pretty darn well for the Falcons in 2007. His re-emergence might have been the only good thing to happen to Atlanta in the Year of Vick. Redman threw 10 touchdown passes and had a 90.4 passer rating in seven games, four of them starts. 14. Miami: Chad Henne -- The Dolphins have the double-Chad attack this season, with Chad Pennington starting and the rookie Henne in reserve. Though he might have to sit and wait his turn all year behind the veteran Pennington, Henne will be the guy in Miami before long. 15. Carolina: Matt Moore -- The Panthers believe they're fine with only the second-year Moore behind Jake Delhomme, and I second that emotion. Moore showed flashes of play-making in his limited action last season, and that made ex-Panthers David Carr and Vinny Testaverde both unnecessary. 16. Minnesota: Gus Frerotte -- Frerotte has been a backup for nine of the past 10 seasons, but he still keeps finding somebody's clipboard to hold. He's in his second go-round with Minnesota, and has worn seven different uniforms. I've always thought of him as the type of quarterback who looks worse the more he plays, but for short stretches, you can still win some games with him. 17. Pittsburgh: Byron Leftwich -- The Steelers' situation is fluid, but with Charlie Batch sidelined by a broken collarbone and rookie Dennis Dixon perhaps too green to serve as Ben Roethlisberger's backup, the newly signed Leftwich would likely get the first shot off the bench. His game has regressed, but he's still young enough for his career to have a successful second act. 18. New Orleans: Mark Brunell -- The former Jaguars and Redskins starter looked done to me two years ago, but he's had a strong training camp with the Saints and they're happy to have his veteran presence behind Drew Brees, instead of their usual array of younger, less proven quarterbacks. 19. Baltimore: Kyle Boller -- Barring some unforeseen event, I'm still giving the Ravens' starting job to Troy Smith, with rookie Joe Flacco likely to begin the season in the No. 3 emergency role. That leaves backup duty for Boller, who owns 41 career starts in his first five seasons. He has never lived up to his first-round billing, but he makes for a solid, middle-of-the pack No. 2. 20. Denver: Patrick Ramsey -- Once thought of as the franchise quarterback in Washington, Ramsey has comfortably settled into his backup niche in Denver. He seems to know Mike Shanahan's offense well enough to have the full confidence of the Broncos head coach, and is serviceable when his playing time comes in small doses. 21. Jacksonville: Cleo Lemon -- The Jaguars had one of the best backups in the league when David Garrard was behind Byron Leftwich. But with Leftwich gone and Garrard now Jacksonville's starter, Lemon has relocated up Florida's east coast from Miami to give the Jags an athletic, albeit lightly experienced, No. 2. 22. New York Jets: Brett Ratliff -- The "other'' Brett on the Jets' roster has clearly out-performed Kellen Clemens this preseason, throwing for 451 yards in his three preseason games while getting lots of snaps with the second-team offense. But there's still some question whether New York head coach Eric Mangini will relegate Clemens, a 2006 second-round pick, to the No. 3 role? It could be that Clemens would get the first call if the Jets just need a game or two of relief in place of Brett Favre. Anything longer and New York would turn to Ratliff. 23. Indianapolis: Jim Sorgi -- Playing behind the indestructible Peyton Manning has rendered Sorgi the Maytag repair man of the NFL (a dated pop culture reference potentially lost on younger generations), but he got a larger than usual dose of preseason work thanks to No. 18's knee surgery. That could benefit the Colts in the long run should Sorgi ever be needed to win a regular-season game. 24. Philadelphia: Kevin Kolb -- The Eagles list Kolb at backup and the veteran A.J. Feeley at No. 3, so we'll take their word for it that the second-year veteran would be in the game if anything happened to starter Donovan McNabb. We don't have much of a body of work to judge Kolb on, but he looks more comfortable running Philly's offense this year than he did as a rookie. 25. New York Giants: David Carr -- We're not so sure Carr is going to be successful in his preseason battle with Anthony Wright for the No. 2 job behind Eli Manning, but Wright's recent back strain resulted in him not playing in New York's third preseason game and that might be enough to decide the outcome. More likely the competition will come down to how both of them play in the Giants' final preseason game. 26. Oakland: Andrew Walter -- Every time the Raiders have given Walter a chance to inject himself into the starting situation in recent years, he has gone out and proven himself backup worthy. With the No. 1 job now belonging to JaMarcus Russell, it's Walter and then veteran Marques Tuiasosopo at No. 3. 27. San Francisco: Alex Smith -- With journeyman J.T. O'Sullivan having beaten out Smith and Shaun Hill, it's an easy assumption to make that Smith's tenure with the 49ers has effectively ended and by 2009 he'll be wearing a different uniform. But let's first see if fate delivers any playing time to the former No. 1 overall pick this season, and if he can overcome what has to be a humbling turn of events in San Francisco. 28. Cincinnati: Ryan Fitzpatrick -- If anything happens to Carson Palmer, they'd toss the keys to Fitzpatrick, the lightly experienced former Ram who hasn't done much of anything since throwing for 310 yards and three touchdowns at Houston in his debut as a 2005 rookie. 29. Kansas City: Tyler Thigpen -- The Chiefs have Thigpen in the No. 2 spot behind Brodie Croyle, but that doesn't mean it wouldn't be veteran Damon Huard off the bench first if Kansas City had a short-term need at No. 1 QB. Thigpen behind Croyle gives Kansas City one of the least experienced 1-2 tandems in the NFL, but there's a chance the Chiefs could still make a move for another veteran option (Daunte Culpepper anyone?) before their opener at New England. 30. New England: Matt Gutierrez -- Our sense is that Matt Cassel has played his way off the roster with his dreadful preseason, and that Gutierrez would be the Patriots backup if the season opened today. But don't discount the possibility that a late-August trade or signing could bring a Damon Huard (or someone of his type) into the fold, giving New England a little more of a comfort zone should Brady's sore foot continue to be an issue. 31. Detroit: Dan Orlovsky -- The Lions expect 2007 second-round pick Drew Stanton to eventually replace Orlovsky in the No. 2 role behind Jon Kitna (and then hopefully replace Kitna), but the ex-Michigan State star will miss about a month with a sprained right thumb. That leaves the backup job to Orlovsky, a fourth-year veteran who hasn't thrown a regular-season pass since his rookie year of 2005. 32. Green Bay: Brian Brohm -- You know the story here. No quarterback on the Packers roster has ever started a game in the NFL. Not fourth-year man Aaron Rodgers, and not rookies Brohm and Matt Flynn. Some personnel men believe Brohm could develop into a quality starter, but for now the Packers have the thinnest QB depth chart in the league.

THE JERSEY DINER MORNING NEWS

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:12:36 -0500

1. FROM THE DENVER POST... Eddie Royal, the rookie was moved ahead of veteran Darrell Jackson this week and will start Saturday night opposite Brandon Marshall at receiver in the Broncos' preseason opener against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. "He's earned the chance to start," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "He's practiced at a high level and done all the things you need to do to play with the first team."

This must mean that Darrell Jackson has the drops. Jackson might be the most inconsistent catcher in the NFL. He can have great moments and then look below average at times. Jackson and Kerry Colbert, the FA signing from the Panthers, have failed to impress.

2. FROM THE ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION... "There are a lot of young players that I think are going to have a really fun time in Jacksonville, having their first professional action," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. On offense, left tackle Sam Baker (Quinn Ojinnaka started the season finale), center Alex Stepanovich (Todd McClure), right guard Harvey Dahl (Kynan Forney), tight end Ben Hartsock (Alge Crumpler), wide receiver Michael Jenkins or Laurent Robinson (Joe Horn) and running back Michael Turner (Warrick Dunn) are new projected starters."We've got a bunch of young guys," second-year lineman Justin Blalock said. "We are excited to get out there and see how we play together when it's a live game."

This is a great deal of change for the Falcons. Don't expect all of these guys to eventually become starters. Needless to say, how Atlanta handles their evaluations is critical. It's one thing to be a starter for the Falcons, but the question that has to be asked is, "Can this player start for the Patriots?" It's how the evaluations match to the rest of the NFL that counts most.

3. FROM THE CHICAGO DAILY HERALD... "So much for first-round draft choice Chris Williams winning the starting left tackle job in time for the season opener. Williams underwent surgery for a herniated disc in his lower back early Thursday morning and will be out indefinitely. Bears spokesman Scott Hagel said the team plans to keep Williams on the final 53-man roster but had no timetable for his return."

This is a horrible break for the Bears. Offensive linemen with this type of injury have a difficult time coming back in the same year. It takes an off-season and extensive weight training to get back to playing strength. Back injuries for offensive linemen are very worrisome for those in the front office. You keep asking yourself questions like, "Can his body hold up?" and "Does his frame have the ability to gain mass?" Tough tough break for the Bears.

4. FROM THE JACKSONVILLE TIMES UNION... [Mike Peterson] "I was taught if you didn't have to work for it, it wasn't worth it," he said. "I'm always a fighter. It's another step in my life. I've got to put some work in and accomplish what I want. I'm always thinking positive. Even with everything is going bad, I'm going to think positive. I just pray something gets done. If not, I'm man enough to handle it. "Somebody is going to get a great ballplayer. I just hope it's here."

Peterson is in a fantastic spot right now. If he can assume both the leadership and the play-caller roles for Greg Williams, and also play well, he will get his new contract. All Peterson has to do is play well, there is plenty of money in the open market and he has the right mindset to achieve his goals.

5. FROM BALTIMORE RAVENS WEB SITE... They came up here to compete, and be physical, and be disciplined, and play hard, and run, and do all the things we want to do as a football team," John Harbaugh said. "That's probably more gratifying than the victory."

It did not surprise me that the Ravens returned a punt for a touchdown and played hard. They are going to be a tough team to beat because they can win two of the three phases of the game: special teams and defense. They will play with intensity and will be competitive in every game. Harbaugh is changing the dynamics of how they play and practice in Baltimore and it appears to me that the players are buying in.

6. FROM THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS... Negotiations continued late into the night, aimed at wrapping up details on a new contract for Brian Westbrook, sources close to the situation indicated. The Eagles are expected to announce the deal today, before their preseason opener in Pittsburgh.

Westbrook is so much a part of the offense for the Eagles they had to do something to make him feel secure and comfortable. This restructuring of his contract deal will make all the other players feel they deserve a new one, too. The reality, however, is when you study game tape and compare the numbers, Westbrook did need an adjustment. There can only be one golden rule for all restructured deals -- just play well!

7. FROM THE MINNESOTA STAR TRIBUNE... Vikings owner and Chairman Zygi Wilf have been very impressed with what he has seen in training camp in Mankato, and he said he anticipates a highly successful season. "We're going into our fourth year [of ownership], but certainly I think everybody on our team expects great things this year," Wilf said. "We're certainly going to be fighting for the division, and I think we have the team and the confidence to do it. I know that we have the potential to be the best, but we'll wait for the season to unfold to show our true colors."

Minnesota has put together a very fine team. I am a firm believer that teams who make it to the Final Four (the conference championship game) have 7 out of the 10 offensive and defensive lineman (4 down guys and one nickel rusher) graded RED or above. Minnesota fits that profile. I've said it before, and I will keep on saying it, "This game is all about the offensive and defensive lines."

8. FROM THE NORTH COUNTY TIMES... San Diego WR Vincent Jackson (hamstring) is hoping to return to practice next week and won't play in Saturday's game. Rookie RB Jacob Hester was excused from the afternoon practice to deal with a personal matter. Coach Norv Turner said he anticipates QB Philip Rivers getting the first 15-20 snaps before giving way to Billy Volek and Charlie Whitehurst.

All that talk this off-season that Rivers might not be able to come back has been set aside now that he is healthy enough to play in the first preseason game. San Diego has some very talented players and it will be interesting to watch how Jacob Hester plays in the NFL. He may not test very well, but he was one of those players in college that just made plays. His versatile style will fit well with the Chargers offensive scheme.

9. FROM THE GREEN BAY PRESS GAZETTE... This is a high-risk business," Ted Thompson said. "This is the National Football League. We understand that when we sign on. Yeah, does that put us at risk? But there are all kinds of risks in the NFL, there are all kinds of risks in life. You make the best decisions you can based on what you believe is in the best interests of the Green Bay Packers."

I still believe that this whole mess would never have occurred had Favre not played well in 07. Interestingly, it was his performance last year that helped get Thompson and McCarthy their new contracts. Ironic, isn't it? The newfound security that accompanied those new contracts is what allowed Thompson to make this power move.

10. FROM THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE... Isaac Bruce might not play tonight against the Raiders because the 49ers want the wide receiver rested for the regular season. Having seen him play for 14 years with the Rams, they know what he can do.

I always worry about 14-year vets that don't go out and play, regardless of the time of year. One of my favorite Bill Belichick lines that I recall from our days together in Cleveland is, "What is he saving it for?" Any vet can play in August, but where will their legs be in November when you really need them to play well? If you allow yourself to get fooled in August, your team will suffer later in the season. You have to know that how the veterans look today won't be how they look in November. You must be able to answer the question, "Is that going to be good enough?"

Chargers Camp Report - LT already rolling

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:49:25 -0500

Foxsports Fantasy visits the Chargers to provide this fantasy report. L.T. is already in mid-season form while Chris Chambers showed good rapport with Philip Rivers. Vincent Jackson also moves up draft list and Darren Sproles could be a sleeper in the late rounds.

2008 Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Projections - San Diego Chargers

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:14:55 -0500

2007 was supposed to be the year for the San Diego Chargers… supposed to be. Following a 1-3 start, many questioned the team, especially that first overall pick for many fantasy football owners, LaDanian Tomlinson. It's hard to believe, but Tomlinson had a whopping 130 rushing yards entering week 4. He proceeded to total 132 rushing yards in that game, leading many to believe he was back on top. Congratulations to those of you who bought low early, knowing that Tomlinson wouldn't stay quiet throughout the season. However, week 5, Tomlinson was back to his early season ways, rushing for only 67 yards against a Denver Broncos team the Chargers beat by 38 points. Again, congratulations to those of you who bought low. The reason why?... Tomlinson finished the season with 1474 yards, 19 total touchdowns (including the one he threw), 60 receptions, and 475 receiving yards. Further, the massive stretch run weeks 14-16, likely carried many of his owners to the fantasy football championship. I'm pretty sure Webster's Dictionary has placed a picture of LT next to the word "stud". As for the rest of the Chargers, quarterback Phillip Rivers was a bit of a...

Rivers Update... Does it Matter?

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 18:20:58 -0500

ESPN is reporting Philip Rivers expects to play in today's game against New England. We explain why it probably won't matter who the starting quarterback is for San Diego.

My Predictions for Championship Sunday

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 16:39:25 -0500

Here we are football fans, Championship Sunday is fast approaching and we are all left wondering where did the 2007 NFL season go? With only four teams remaining, after this Sunday only two will live to go onto the Mecca of Sporting events – Super Bowl XLII in Arizona. National Football Conference - Championship Game – The New York Giants - vs. – The Green Bay Packers This NFC Championship game has meaning for every football fan out there. The Giants and the Packers are two of the oldest football organizations in the NFL. There is a bit of history between these two teams and the NFC Championship when it was called the NFL Championship and the fact that it is being held in title town (Lambeau Field) makes this game all the more historic. - The New York Giants – Back in the beginning of the 2007 NFL season the New York Giants welcomed the Green Bay Packers into there home (The Meadowlands). Where the Packers went onto humiliate and embarrass the Giants in front of the Big Blue faithful. Brett Favre threw for 286 yards and three touchdowns that day. The Packers running game at that time was lead by Deshawn Wynn who scored two Touchdowns' of his own. Both Favre and Wynn combined to destroy the Giants by a score of 35 to 13. After that Game the Giants went on a six game winning streak. But the scars from game have to still be felt by Eli Manning and Company. And as this game approaches near the Giants may be thinking payback time. Since this game is at Lambeau, they will get a chance to embarrass the Packers at their home. Not an easy task some might say, considering what transpired the last time these two teams faced one another. But these aren't the same Giants. After losing to the undefeated New England Patriots in a game many thought to be meaningless. These New York Giants seemed to gain some momentum. As they went on to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wildcard round at Tampa Bay. Then the next week they defeated their long hated rival the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium. The same Cowboys team that they were unable to defeat twice in the regular season. Just by that win against Dallas some say this Giants team has turned a new page, a page towards destiny perhaps? - The Green Bay Packers – After several NFL seasons where Brett Favre was unable to advance his team to the Playoffs. And after several seasons that the Media begged him to hang up his cleats. The Ageless Gunslinger from the South has brought his team back to the NFC Championship Game. With a little help from a revamped defense, a solid receiving core, and the best running game we've seen from the packers in years. This relatively young team, all with the exception of Brett. Is set to bring yet another NFC Championship home. The Packers hold the record for the most NFL/NFC titles in the history of the NFL. Last week we saw Brett making plays with the ball like he was 25. With Ryan Grant tearing the Seahawks defense to shreds. Now Ryan himself was at one time a Giant. Before he was traded to the Packers where he has more than made a name for himself. Ryan Grant has an opportunity to make the Giants regret trading him to the Packers. The Packers defense will look to rattle Eli in his first appearance in a Championship game. They did it the last time they faced Eli, and they are confident that they can do it again. You can see why Green Bay is so confident; they have one of the best duos for cornerbacks in the league. Much better than Tampa Bay's and Dallas'. - The Outcome – Many are calling for this "Hot" Giants team to continue their winning ways. This Giants team is not hot. Not at all, they have yet to play a tough team while on this "Hot Streak" of theirs. Now I know what you are all thinking. They played Dallas, the number one team in the NFC right? Wrong, they played a shell of the Dallas team you saw throughout the 2007 season. They got to Tony Romo, who let me remind you never had his head in that game at all. He was way too worried about what Jessica Simpson was doing. Were they tested against the Patriots? The same rundown team who nearly lost to Baltimore. The same Baltimore who allowed Miami their first victory all season. Now the Pats are the best team in the league, but they needed that bye week more than any team. The fact is the Giants Hot winning streak is luke warm at best. This weekend they are going into Lambeau, the Coldest place in the entire NFL right now. The conditions for Sunday will be snowy and around 2 degrees. Where they will be facing a QB who doesn't care about his name being in the spotlight. Brett Favre cares about winning another Championship. And he will take another step towards doing that this Sunday against the Giants. Never, ever bet against a legend. Green Bay 35 New York 24 American Football Conference -Championship Game – The San Diego Chargers -vs.- The New England Patriots - The San Diego Chargers - This Chargers team has had a rough year to say the least. They won games they weren't supposed to win and they lost games they weren't supposed to lose. LaDainian Tomlinson has had a mediocre year compared to his normal standards. While their Quarterback Phillip Rivers hasn't blossomed as well as they assumed he would. Last season this Chargers team had the best record in the league. And no one would have second-guessed them going to the AFC Championship game last season. But the fact that they are in the Championship this season it is simply a shocker. Why is it such a shocker? Well, both the QB and their All-World Running back were injured during last week's game. Now seriously, would you ever have thought that the Bolts would beat the Colts with Phillip Rivers and LaDainian Tomlinson both replaced by Billy Volek and Michael Turner? Not to mention their best receiver (Antonio Gates) out of the game entirely. - The New England Patriots – From Trashy to Classy. This Patriots team continues to win game after game. Many people felt that they were winding down at the end of the season. With those many close wins against the Eagles, Ravens and Giant, after all winning 16 games in a row is no walk in the park. But that Bye week turned out to do wonders for the best team in the history of football. As this Patriots team defeated the Jaguars, the team many thought had the best opportunity to defeat the Patriots. Now they have found themselves in their umpteenth AFC Championship appearance against a defense that has a knack for shutting down high-powered offenses, just ask the Colts. But this no ordinary high-powered offense this is the 2007 Patriots team, that shattered all offensive records this season. Now I could go on and on about this team. But you already know how good they are. So let us move on…. - The Outcome – Now the Chargers have been running their mouths earlier this week, and showing confident signs for a team who's offense is pretty much all injured. Their star running back has not one but two injured knees, their top receiver hasn't played in weeks and their dud of a QB hasn't really practiced all week due to his injury. Now they do have one of the best defenses in the playoffs but unless their defense can score twenty to thirty points this game, the Chargers are just talking out of their anal cavities. So while the Chargers might have knack for shutting down high-powered offenses, the Pats have a knack for scoring big on tough defenses. With the team of Moss, Stallworth, and Welker, led down the field by their fearless leader Tom Brady there is now way this Chargers defense can keep them contained for long. I say the Patriots win by at least ten points. Sure the Bolts may keep them tied up in the first half. But the Patriots are strongest after halftime. So I see the Patriots earning their destined spot at Super Bowl XLII. Patriots 28 Chargers 17 So that would make is a Green Bay Vs. New England Super Bowl.

To repeat or not to repeat? Patriots D an answer to the question.

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 23:26:39 -0500

Every team in the NFL face the challenges of winning a championship. Each owner and coach are competitive in having the best team on the field and having the right game plan to win. The players are to keep themselves physically and mentally in shape to execute the myriad of plays to win offensively, defensively and through special teams. o repeat and win being 18-0 with a repeat win for another AFC Championship this decade will lead to the Patriots Super Bowl Champship. The Patriots have the talent and experience in place to maintain the status quo of winning the next game and not looking past the Chargers. Take into account the three previous Super Bowl wins and experience of the coaching staff (even with Romeo Crennel, Charlie Weis and Eric Manwini gone), and the leadership still in place with Tom Brady, Troy Brown, Matt Light, Ben Watson, Kevin Faulk, Mike Vrabel, Tedy Bruschi, Richard Seymour, Asante Samuel and Rodney Harrison. Most of the historical Patriot experience and leadership reside on the defensive side of the ball. Belichick is a defensive guru and his defensive design is based on linebackers. The aging linebackers which also includes Adaluis Thomas and 18-year veteran and former Charger Junior Seau, is a talented group that knows what Belichick expects and execute to plan. With Seau looking for his first Super Bowl win you know this game against his former team will be high energy and emotional. Although not an area that was perfect versus the Jaguars in last week's win, the Pats did a great job stopping the running tandem of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew. This is a good thing to see as we expect Tomlinson and the other Charger's RBs to be a big part of the game plan. With Rivers and Gates still questionable and Volek possibly finding himself in his biggest career opportunity in the world, the Chargers passing game will be suspect. Chambers and Jackson are quality receivers, but the Patriots defensive backs are able to cover and contain them. The Patriots defense understands the need to improve each week. So with the defense in focus, the key for the Patriots to win will be for the defense to limit the Chargers and for Tom Brady and the offense execute on offense without turnovers and special teams play to tackle well on punt and kick off coverages to limit the Charger's field position. Predictions: Pats 38 - Chargers 20 Tom Brady 383 yds, 4 TDs Maroney 123 yds, 1 TD Moss 5 catches, 112 yards, 1 TD Welker 8 catches, 86 yards, 2 TDs Stallworth 3 catches 37 yards Gostkowski goes 1 for 2 IN BILL WE TRUST!

Phillips Rivers might have torn ACL

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 14:42:44 -0500

"Specifically, the report says that Rivers suffered a partially torn ACL, the three letters that no player ever wants to hear when doctors are examining his knee. The initial report is not online, but a few web sites, including Roto World and Pro Football Talk, have picked up on it." Doesn't look good for Rivers... get ready Billy Volek

NFL Playoffs: Conference Championships Preview

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 05:03:46 -0500

FIO co-founder & editor Matt Hinzpeter previews this weekend's Conference Championship match-ups. Included, you can find: Weather Forecasts; '07 Regular Season Meetings; Team Summaries; Game Outlooks (including picks); and Key Injuries. Your comprehensive guide to this weekend's games!

Billy Volek...Frank Reich 2K8?!?!

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 01:00:41 -0500

Wait! Haven't we seen this act before?

Colts Get Voleked; Reality Imitates 2004 Fantasy

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 21:40:46 -0500

Billy Volek... In fantasy we've seen this before. Please feel free to share your story of being "Voleked".

Titans' coordinators considered for head coaching gigs

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 11:48:22 -0500

Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and offensive coordinator Norm Chow are being considered for the head coaching jobs with the Atlanta Falcons and the University of Hawaii, respectively... So what's the likely impact of the loss of either coordinator?...

Week 15 Gridiron Injury Report

Sat, 15 Dec 2007 21:52:58 -0500

Saturday's FIO weekly fantasy football column deals with the injury report for the coming weekend - co-founder & editor Matt Hinzpeter lists those players who may be in question for their respective games in Week 15. Check this article each and every week on Saturdays.

Volek traded to the Bolts

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 18:19:24 -0500

The Chargers agreed in principle to acquire quarterback Billy Volek from Tennessee on Tuesday, giving San Diego a veteran to back up first-year starter Philip Rivers. Volek's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told The Associated Press that Volek was in the process of signing the form to waive his no-trade clause. The Chargers are believed to be giving up a sixth-round draft pick that could escalate to a fifth-rounder, depending on Volek's playing time. Fantasy-wise, this doesn't change much at all. It would have been much more interesting to see Volek get traded to another California team in need of a quarterback, the Raiders.

Raiders Latest Team Added To List of Volek Suitors

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 17:46:04 -0500

The Tennessee Titans appear to be the only team in the NFL that has no interest in making Billy Volek their starting QB. The Oakland Raiders have now inquired about Volek, since their current combo of Aaron Brooks and Andrew Walter have yielded little or no offense (although Art Shell seems to be having a positive effect on Aaaron Brooks, as he is now throwing the ball forward, just like he was projected to, coming out of college.) Volek is currently (and curiously) the Titans' third string QB. Volek had been a more than serviceable backup during the McNair era, even putting up fairly prolific numbers while hooking up with Drew Bennett at the end of the 2004 season, but it looks as he'll never see the field as a Titan again, since Jeff Fisher is just about changing his QB's series by series, not once including Volek into the mix.