SeattleCard
Back in Arizona!!!
This is kind of funny I must admit. I think I've heard it all now.
Arizona Cardinals
Correspondent - Tom Williams
Posted: September 4
Bye Week: 7
Cardinals Hire Law Firm For Maurice Clarett
I am sure that headline got most of your attention right? Obviously, I made that up but it pretty much sums up the outlook I have for the Cardinals this year. 3-13 would be a success with this group so they might as well start fighting the legal battle against the NFL for Clarett so they can draft him next year. I apologize for the late column but I was named the correspondent for the Cardinals today. I have included my week 1 predictions and a preview of the 2003 Cardinals for those of you still drafting or hitting the waiver wire. Good luck!
Week 1 Predictions
The Cardinals have a chance to win this one since the Lions are in the rebuilding stage as well. Here is what I see happening statistical for the Cardinals on offense: Blake - 210 passing yards, 1 TD, 2 Int. Smith - 72 yards rushing and 1 TD. Freddie Jones - 3 receptions for 42 yards and 1 TD. The Lions defense is weak but the signing of Dre Bly improves their defense. However, Bly is a riverboat gambler so he can be beat deep on the double move. Can the Cardinals offensive line give Blake enough time to test Bly? I'd feel safer hiding behind an actual Cardinal bird then this offensive line. Lions 27, Cardinals 17.
Quarterback
Jeff Blake is currently on 1.5% of the ESPN rosters out there and I am surprised he is on that many. Good to know Blake's family is playing in a few ESPN leagues so he actually gets drafted. Blake threw for over 2,000 yards and 13 TDs in 11 appearances with the Ravens last year. Despite all of the quotes I've read about Blake wanting to prove a point he simply does not have the horses around him to do anything. If you have Blake on your team I hope he is no higher then your 4th QB. Blake suffered a concussion during the pre-season but should be good to go Sunday.
Running Back
The fact Emmitt Smith is the only Cardinal with any fantasy value to your team speaks to the lack of talent on the offensive side of the ball. The NFL's all-time leading rusher is nearing the end of the road and Arizona is his last exit. Smith's rushing yards have declined the last four years from 1,397 yards in 1999 to only 975 yards last year. You should not draft Emmitt any higher then the 9th round and he should be no higher then the #3 RB on your team. If you can find a taker for Emmitt I'd say trade him because his value will not get any higher as the season continues.
Wide Receiver
With David Boston, Frank Sanders, and MarTay Jenkins gone this unit is young and inexperienced. Jeff Blake has a history of receivers putting up big numbers with him as their QB such as Carl Pickens, Joe Horn, and Todd Heap last year. Bryan Gilmore is the fastest guy on the roster but I don't think he has any fantasy value. Larry Foster rode the bench in Detroit last year and I think that speaks volumes about his "ability". The player to keep an eye on is rookie Anquan Boldin out of Florida State. A former quarterback in high school he has had a good camp and I think he'll be starting by November.
Tight End / Kicker / Defense
Freddie Jones had a horrible season last year for the Cardinals and should post better numbers this year. I would expect him to improve on the 358 receiving yards and 1 TD last year to something in the range of 600 receiving yards and 5 TDs. Not great numbers but if your tight end is on a bye Freddie might be a good replacement for that week. Bill Gramatica is a good kicker but he plays for a horrible offense so let him jump up and down and tear his knee for another team in your league. The Cardinals defense should be avoided as well unless you are rewarded for how many points your defense gives up.
Random Thoughts
Tommy Maddox went in the first round of my fantasy football draft today? Either that is the worst first round pick I have ever seen or I missed the news about all of the Pro-Bowl players from last year's AFC team being traded to the Steelers to play with Maddox. Ashley Lelie will be the breakout player of the year with the Broncos. Harley-Davidson recently celebrated their 100th year anniversary in Milwaukee with Elton John as the surprise headliner? The speed the Harley fans left the concert with should give the Cardinals fan a run for their money when they are leaving at halftime this season. Any questions or comments please email at [email protected]
Arizona Cardinals
Correspondent - Tom Williams
Posted: September 4
Bye Week: 7
Cardinals Hire Law Firm For Maurice Clarett
I am sure that headline got most of your attention right? Obviously, I made that up but it pretty much sums up the outlook I have for the Cardinals this year. 3-13 would be a success with this group so they might as well start fighting the legal battle against the NFL for Clarett so they can draft him next year. I apologize for the late column but I was named the correspondent for the Cardinals today. I have included my week 1 predictions and a preview of the 2003 Cardinals for those of you still drafting or hitting the waiver wire. Good luck!
Week 1 Predictions
The Cardinals have a chance to win this one since the Lions are in the rebuilding stage as well. Here is what I see happening statistical for the Cardinals on offense: Blake - 210 passing yards, 1 TD, 2 Int. Smith - 72 yards rushing and 1 TD. Freddie Jones - 3 receptions for 42 yards and 1 TD. The Lions defense is weak but the signing of Dre Bly improves their defense. However, Bly is a riverboat gambler so he can be beat deep on the double move. Can the Cardinals offensive line give Blake enough time to test Bly? I'd feel safer hiding behind an actual Cardinal bird then this offensive line. Lions 27, Cardinals 17.
Quarterback
Jeff Blake is currently on 1.5% of the ESPN rosters out there and I am surprised he is on that many. Good to know Blake's family is playing in a few ESPN leagues so he actually gets drafted. Blake threw for over 2,000 yards and 13 TDs in 11 appearances with the Ravens last year. Despite all of the quotes I've read about Blake wanting to prove a point he simply does not have the horses around him to do anything. If you have Blake on your team I hope he is no higher then your 4th QB. Blake suffered a concussion during the pre-season but should be good to go Sunday.
Running Back
The fact Emmitt Smith is the only Cardinal with any fantasy value to your team speaks to the lack of talent on the offensive side of the ball. The NFL's all-time leading rusher is nearing the end of the road and Arizona is his last exit. Smith's rushing yards have declined the last four years from 1,397 yards in 1999 to only 975 yards last year. You should not draft Emmitt any higher then the 9th round and he should be no higher then the #3 RB on your team. If you can find a taker for Emmitt I'd say trade him because his value will not get any higher as the season continues.
Wide Receiver
With David Boston, Frank Sanders, and MarTay Jenkins gone this unit is young and inexperienced. Jeff Blake has a history of receivers putting up big numbers with him as their QB such as Carl Pickens, Joe Horn, and Todd Heap last year. Bryan Gilmore is the fastest guy on the roster but I don't think he has any fantasy value. Larry Foster rode the bench in Detroit last year and I think that speaks volumes about his "ability". The player to keep an eye on is rookie Anquan Boldin out of Florida State. A former quarterback in high school he has had a good camp and I think he'll be starting by November.
Tight End / Kicker / Defense
Freddie Jones had a horrible season last year for the Cardinals and should post better numbers this year. I would expect him to improve on the 358 receiving yards and 1 TD last year to something in the range of 600 receiving yards and 5 TDs. Not great numbers but if your tight end is on a bye Freddie might be a good replacement for that week. Bill Gramatica is a good kicker but he plays for a horrible offense so let him jump up and down and tear his knee for another team in your league. The Cardinals defense should be avoided as well unless you are rewarded for how many points your defense gives up.
Random Thoughts
Tommy Maddox went in the first round of my fantasy football draft today? Either that is the worst first round pick I have ever seen or I missed the news about all of the Pro-Bowl players from last year's AFC team being traded to the Steelers to play with Maddox. Ashley Lelie will be the breakout player of the year with the Broncos. Harley-Davidson recently celebrated their 100th year anniversary in Milwaukee with Elton John as the surprise headliner? The speed the Harley fans left the concert with should give the Cardinals fan a run for their money when they are leaving at halftime this season. Any questions or comments please email at [email protected]
