Z - From The Sidelines...

Locker Room Buzz - Week 8

October 26, 2007
16:48:07

We decided to poll our Hot off the Wire network contributors this week with a question about the New England Patriots. Our network consists of beat reporters who have access to the teams like any other individuals in the media. We asked them if they felt the New England Patriots could go undefeated. Final tally: 77 percent said yes, and 23 percent said no.

It was interesting because even some of the yes votes said injuries could change the landscape. It's too long a season, and parity could rear its head one week if the Patriots underestimate a team. However, if they wrap up their division and home-field advantage with something like three games to go, what do they do? Do management, the coaching staff and the players want it, or do they rest their players? Some wonder if they may lock it up by Thanksgiving.

Only time will tell, but some believe the Indianapolis Colts are the only team that can beat them. The consensus was that it will be a high-scoring affair.

Another question: What about the New York Giants? What if it's Week 17 and the Giants need that win badly for a playoff spot?

One believed the Pittsburgh Steelers could do it, but another stated he didn't think the Steelers could play with them.

Someone else stated the only way someone beats the Patriots is if quarterback Tom Brady gets hurt.

One interesting comment: "It's the Colts and Patriots' world... Everyone else is living in it." We kind of like that one, and it does look like it, too!

AFC East

Buffalo Bills

After a big win against the Baltimore Ravens, the Bills may be rallying around rookie quarterback Trent Edwards, if only because they are actually winning. He's still a rookie with only three starts under his belt, so it's a little early to tell whether they believe in him or not. The staff has shown a tremendous amount of confidence in Edwards, though. This week look for him to throw a lot against the New York Jets, much like he did the first time around.

Running back Marshawn Lynch has seemingly been more productive than departed running back Willis McGahee (Baltimore Ravens), given the defenses Lynch has faced. One observer notes that there seems to be little difference between the two, except that Lynch is a little shiftier. Don't look for Lynch to hit the rookie wall because they have not expanded his workoad. Maybe it will become a concern, but not until December.

As for backup passer J.P. Losman, some of the players on the team feel sorry for him. He has handled the demotion as well as can be expected, though, and he's ready if called upon.
One reason the Bills have been somewhat successful recently despite a brutal schedule is the play of their offensive line. In particular, their pass protection has been notably better. It should only get better with an easier schedule coming up.
Despite numerous losses, a source says that Buffalo's defense has pulled together recently because of good coaching and improved play from the defensive tackles. Continuity is a plus, too.

Miami Dolphins

With running back Ronnie Brown (knee) done for the year, we're told that running back Jesse Chatman should get about 20 touches per game, barring some other development. The Dolphins don't appear to have a quality backup, and head coach Cam Cameron is pretty high on Chatman. They want to see if he can handle Brown's workload before they do anything else.

Miami picked up running back Samkon Gado off waivers from the Houston Texans, but he's a long way from contributing. The Dolphins have to see what they have in rookie back Lorenzo Booker first, so that they can show that using a third-round pick on him wasn't a poor decision. It's not even certain that Booker is active this week, so who knows how close Gado is to seeing the field.

As for Cameron, he could already be on the hot seat. Owner H. Wayne Huizenga said that there will be a thorough analysis of the organization after the team's Week 9 bye. He expected to see signs of improvement, and it seems that he hasn't. General manager Randy Meuller appears to making moves like a man whose job is on the line, too, so he could very well be on the way out.

We may see rookie passer John Beck after the Bye, or not long afterward. Beck will have the chance to work exclusively with the second team in practice, and the Dolphins want to see what they have before they head into the offseason.
It seems that the Dolphins are hoping that suspended running back Ricky Williams isn't reinstated until after the season ends. Despite commissioner Roger Goodell's statements, the league doesn't appear to be in any rush to allow him to return. Does he even want to play football anymore? Recently, no one has seen or talked to him - not even his agent.
Wideout Ted Ginn Jr. made an impression in his first game with an increased role. He adjusted to the ball well, and he created separation twice. Both plays could have gone for scores; one, he was overthrown, and the other, he wasn't able to keep his feet inbounds.
Brown was receiving approximately two-thirds of the touches, so with him out, the team may finally look to target the tight end, as had been expected.
Linebacker Zach Thomas (neck) may be slowing down, but he was quoted as saying that the one thing no one would be able to call him was a quitter. If healthy, he's still effective as the brains in the middle of that defense.

New England Patriots

After he returned from a groin injury last week, running back Laurence Maroney should see more work this week, but he'll still split carries with running backs Kevin Faulk and Heath Evans. Maroney remains the team's between-the-20s threat. More and more, though, it looks like he'll never be a featured back in the true sense. The Pats may not view him as that of player. Fantasy owners, at this point, are better off owning both Maroney and injured back Sammy Morris (chest) just to be safe.

Besides quarterback Tom Brady, who can the Pats least afford to lose? One voice says that it's wideout Randy Moss. That might be the 'no duh' response, but he changes so many things when he's on the field that it's hard to argue. He opens up everything for the other receivers. Even when he's on the field for obvious running plays, the defense has to mind him.

New York Jets

As head coach Eric Mangini has acknowledged, the Jets' struggles go way beyond the play of quarterback Chad Pennington. The possibility that Mangini goes to backup quarterback Kellen Clemens is there every week, though, and it all depends on their record.

Despite the turmoil and plethora of criticism from fans, Mangini is not in danger of losing his job after the season. Defensive coordinator Bob Sutton, on the other hand, probably won't be back. A big problem, however, is that the Jets lack the personnel to run their 3-4 defense. Someone has to take the fall for that eventually.

Who's at fault for the green and white's poor record? Some on the team feel that it's both the players and the coaches. A few of the players have bickered with the coaches, but none with each other. Tight end Chris Baker has questioned the play calling. The Jets obviously lack talent, too.
If the offensive line continues to play poorly, the Jets could look to shake things up during their Week 10 Bye.

AFC North

Cincinnati Bengals

Running back Kenny Watson is starring as the successful understudy to fellow tailback Rudi Johnson. Watson ran for 130 yards with three touchdowns against the New York Jets in Week 7. He has also caught eight total passes over the last three weeks. Watson has shown quickness at the position that Johnson hasn't provided in over two years, and he has shown to be a mature back when it comes to finding holes. This week, Watson will most likely see over 20 carries, and running back DeDe Dorsey should receive between five and 10. At the same time, he reportedly has shown a childlike giddiness over the opportunity, and that's something refreshing for a Bengals team that has been through some locker room tension this season.

The above fairy tale may become complicated when Johnson returns from injury, and the Bengals are reportedly considering using Johnson and Watson in a running-back-by-committee system. They would want to combine Watson's speed with Johnson's power running and experience. Even if Watson continues his torrid pace, Johnson is assured to be a part of their plans going forward.

Wide receiver Chad Johnson has earned some negative attention, and sources say that he has irritated some of the veterans on the team. Johnson has been noticeably quiet and has worked hard enough that his team knows how serious he is about helping the team win. It seems Johnson will let his play do the talking for him. Fellow wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh has been supporting him since their first year with the team. Rumor has it Housh has been cheering Johnson up by wearing his "H.O.F. 20??" jacket while singing the "Fat Guy in a Little Coat" song from the movie Tommy Boy.

Contrary to popular belief, head coach Marvin Lewis is reportedly not on the hot seat as the head coach. The Bengals franchise continues to receive support in both money and fans, and owner Mike Brown continues to support him. However, the defense continues to haunt him, as Lewis is expected to excel at something he once dominated as defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens.

The California wildfires touched the Cincinnati Bengals, but the California properties of linebacker Dhani Jones and quarterback Carson Palmer located in San Diego County remain intact.

Cleveland Browns

Running back Jamal Lewis is still splitting carries with running back Jason Wright. A good estimate for carry splits this weekend shows a healthy Lewis with 18 and Wright with 12. Wright could see more touches because they're playing on turf. Lewis has been effective when healthy, averaging 5.0 yards per carry.

Quarterback Derek Anderson seems to have won the team over by playing above and beyond expectations. There have been no reports of lobbying for 2007 first-round quarterback Brady Quinn to take over the job.
A win against the 0-7 St. Louis Rams would be the Browns' first back-to-back wins since the 2003 season and would bring them to a 4-3 record. After facing the Seattle Seahawks, a win against either the Pittsburgh Steelers or Baltimore Ravens could make them a playoff team.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger won Super Bowl XL two years ago, and this season he is showing signs of his performance from that campaign. An efficient quarterback that doesn't garner outstanding numbers, Roethlisberger hasn't had much help from spotty offensive line play this season. Tackles Marvel Smith (back) and Willie Colon have been disappointing, and center Sean Mahan's big offseason contract hasn't made fans forget about retired center Jeff Hartings. Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca and right guard Kendall Simmons remain rocks in the blocking scheme, but Roethlisberger could use a little more protection so he can decrease the rate at which he bails outside the pocket. If Smith can't go this week, there would be another hole in Roethlisberger's wall.

The elite class of tight ends might have its latest member. Tight end Heath Miller has been the most important cog in the Steelers' passing game, being on the end of 16 looks over the past four weeks while being sought five times in the red zone and twice inside the 5-yard line. He has three touchdowns in his last two games, including a two-touchdown performance last week against the Denver Broncos. He has 22 catches for 291 yards and four touchdowns this season, and offensive coordinator Bruce Arians has stressed Miller's hands and red zone abilities. Miller is seemingly being used offensively more than any Steelers tight end in recent years. The fundamental changes in the passing game under new head coach Mike Tomlin seem to have brought the talented Miller to the next level.

Wide receiver Hines Ward (knee) returned with a bang last week with seven catches for 78 yards in Pittsburgh's 31-28 loss to Denver. Ward was bothered by his injury again this week, as he sat out Wednesday's practice before returning to workouts Thursday, Oct. 25. He avoided a setback this week and is expected to play. The Cincinnati Bengals could provide Ward with a big fantasy week.

"It's not Hedy, it's Hedley!" he shouted after bringing down another quarterback. All Blazing Saddles jokes aside, rookie linebacker LaMarr Woodley now has three sacks on the season after registering one in three of his last five games. He could soon move into a more frequent role on the pass rush, but outside linebackers Clark Haggans and James Harrison aren't giving him many opportunities just yet. Tomlin loves his speed, and Woodley could be a frequent situational player this year. However, sources say that he probably won't start until next year. In a starting role, his explosiveness could eventually make him a steady earner in leagues with IDPs (individual defensive players).

AFC South

Houston Texans

Here's a doozy of a name to get to know: Adimchinobe Echemandu. Echemandu, the fourth-year running back from the University of California, may play this week. Starting running back Ahman Green (knee) seems to have taken a step back as he continues to deal with a bone bruise in his knee. The team wants to use Green because the running game has absolutely stunk. However, we may see a lot of Echemandu and running back Ron Dayne.

Echemandu has a good burst, catches passes and knows the system. He had a great practice Thursday, and the team likes what they see. However, behind their offensive line, he may not have much of a chance.
The team cut running back Samkon Gado because he wasn't getting any better. The running game has been awful, and they needed a change. He was more expendable than Dayne.
Quarterback Matt Schaub (ankle, hip) is set to work out Saturday to see if he can start in Week 8. However, it's unlikely he will.
Quarterback Sage Rosenfels would fill in for Schaub again, but he has no chance of stealing the starting job, obviously.
Wondering whatever happened to running back Domanick Williams (formerly Domanick Davis)? Our sources close to the Texans, his former team, said they haven't heard from him since he was released. It appears his knee will never be good enough to play again.

Wide receiver Kevin Walter has busted out in a big way the last two weeks. The team says they aren't surprised. Walter showed he can be a good downfield threat and has been consistent. The team has so many options now that tight end Owen Daniels was non-existent last week. This could be an issue for Daniels.

Indianapolis Colts

Quarterback Peyton Manning was sacked twice last week for only the second time this season. Right tackle Ryan Diem didn't play well, and Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Paul Spicer beat left tackle Charlie Johnson on one of the sacks.

Listen up owners of running back Joseph Addai. So you thought he was going to shoulder the load all season when you drafted him? Your worst nightmare is here. Addai and tailback Kenton Keith are expected to have nearly even carries over the next few weeks. There isn't a timeframe as to how long it will last, but it should be the case for the foreseeable future. Addai was clearly winded at times and should have ceded more carries than he did.

Wide receiver Marvin Harrison had an off game last week. Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis held him twice and neither was called. If Mathis has to hold Harrison, this clearly goes to show that Harrison hasn't lost a step. In fact, Harrison dunked a football through the goalpost during warm-ups. We weren't even sure he could jump that high! Harrison (knee) hasn't practiced all week with no explanation why.

It appears receiver Reggie Wayne is more important to the team than Harrison now. He has put up numbers without Harrison, he's younger, has a bigger wingspan and made a few catches last week that he had no business making. Wayne is almost always double-teamed.
Our sources say there's no chance the team takes the Carolina Panthers lightly despite their upcoming matchup against the New England Patriots in Week 9. The team won't even answer questions about the Patriots right now.
The Jaguars knew what Manning checked down into on his first audible. It was a strongside run into a defensive adjustment that inside linebacker Mike Peterson called as Manning switched the play.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Quarterback David Garrard (ankle) is in a walking boot and is out at least two weeks, but it could be closer to four weeks. Quarterback Quinn Gray is set to make his first career start. Gray says he feels comfortable and isn't nervous. He has a ways to go. The feeling is the team will use short passes and won't be throwing downfield much. Gray is very athletic. He's a player that can get hit and not go down easily because he's sturdy. He has some scrambling ability, not as much as Garrard, but definitely more than former quarterback Byron Leftwich (Atlanta Falcons). Gray has a strong arm when needed, but he probably won't be asked to use it.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense will probably load up the box to stop running backs Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew. Speaking of Drew (knee), he practiced Friday and should be good to go this week. Whether or not he is limited is to be determined, though.

Gray threw a lot to receiver Ernest Wilford last week. They ran a lot of sideline routes, and Wilford's size bodes well for those types of routes. If anyone of the group steps up it could be him.
Wide receiver Matt Jones has a package of plays designed for him to be the quarterback. However, he hasn't practiced at quarterback lately because the team signed quarterback Todd Bouman.
Sources close to the team were surprised the team didn't place kicker Josh Scobee (groin) on Injured Reserve when they signed Bouman. This could mean they are counting on him to return.
Head coach Jack Del Rio is not on the hot seat. The team came out and said he isn't. However, if the team tanks down the stretch he could be, as would most coaches. If Garrard doesn't return, this team could be in serious trouble.

Tennessee Titans

Since his NFL Draft combine, quarterback Vince Young has been criticized for his, well, non-textbook throwing motion, and many critics think he will never be able to pass on an NFL level. However, his teammates are standing by him as a source said that the wide receivers feel they have a better chance to win with Young the helm.

Running back LenDale White has chomped off the majority share of the carries for the rest of the season, beating out teammates Chris Brown and Chris J. Henry. Expect White to hold the positive side of a 70-30 split on carries, especially in goal line situations. Henry had 11 carries last week, but that was mostly due to the Titans' early 32-7 lead over the Texans. Brown will resume his role as the No. 2 back as Henry hasn't yet fit into the pass protection unit.

Defensive tackle Corey Simon announced his retirement on Thursday after almost six seasons in the NFL. He missed the 2006 season while suffering from polyarthritis. Playing in four of the Titans' six games this season, he said it was hard for his body to handle the workload. The team is reportedly looking into defensive tackles Grady Jackson (Falcons) and Jesse Mahelona (Dolphins) to replace Simon.

AFC West

Denver Broncos

Even though most expect a suspension to be handed down at some point, running back Travis Henry appears to have a viable case and a legitimate shot to beat it. History is not in his favor, though, as the NFL rarely loses when it comes to these matters. However, the process could continue to be drawn out, and a resolution may not come for another month or more.

If Henry were suspended, running back Selvin Young would likely take over as the team's No. 1 back. But a name you may not be familiar with could slide in as the top backup with halfback Andre Hall potentially filling that role over running backs Mike Bell and Cecil Sapp. The team likes Hall as he reminds them of Henry.

Wide receiver Brandon Stokley had a good game as the No. 2 receiver last week after floundering in the role in a couple of other games. Look for that to continue as Stokley is better suited to the No. 3 role but has the smarts and talent to get open as a No. 2 against some teams.

Anyone hoping wide Rod Smith (hip) is going to come back as the same player is likely to be very disappointed. Smith is 37 now and is unlikely to rise any higher than fourth on the depth chart. He could still make a few receptions based on his smarts, but his days of consistently moving the chains are likely over.

Tight end Tony Scheffler had the best game of his young career last Sunday night, and the fact that it happened with wide receiver Javon Walker (knee) watching from the sidelines is not a coincidence. With Walker out they want to get Scheffler the ball in the open field. Now it is just a matter of keeping him healthy.

Last Sunday's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers definitely instilled some confidence in the Broncos. Their schedule looks to get easier following Monday night's tilt with the Green Bay Packers so don't count them out of the playoff hunt just yet.

Oakland Raiders

Quarterback Daunte Culpepper could be on borrowed time with quarterback Josh McCown (foot) getting healthier, but then again maybe not. Neither quarterback has done enough to seize the job so it appears that head coach Lane Kiffin will evaluate the position on a weekly basis. Were Culpepper to play well this Sunday he would almost certainly get another start in Week 9.

Speaking of quarterbacks, top overall pick JaMarcus Russell continues to work with the scout team, and Kiffin indicated this week he may look to get him involved in a series or two in the near future. Then, after working him in slowly, Russell could be in line for a start or two towards the end of the season. That is not a guarantee, though.

Running back Michael Bush (leg) remains inactive, but the team has indicated he looks good in practice. The team's three-week window is running out. They may end up putting him on Injured Reserve or they could keep him on the Physically Unable to Perform list. The big difference there is if Bush stays on the PUP he can attend meetings, whereas if he's on IR he cannot.

From a fantasy perspective it might be time to write off wide receiver Jerry Porter. Porter hasn't been thrown to in the first half of the last two games and simply doesn't get many chances to make plays. His yards-per-catch average is impressive, but without a steady producer under center there just hasn't been much chemistry developed.

Former second overall pick offensive lineman Robert Gallery has done a solid job in transitioning to left guard after washing out as a tackle. He gets a stiff this week as he should see plenty of Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. This could prove as a solid litmus test for his progress.

One last thing, a rumor making the rounds this week is that the team might cut running back Dominic Rhodes. The timing seems pretty strange considering he served as the No. 2 tailback last week behind running back LaMont Jordan. Still, it is something to keep your eye on.

San Diego Chargers

Could too much freedom be to blame for quarterback Philip Rivers' shaky start? It is certainly a possibility as head coach Norv Turner opened things up for Rivers early on before reining him in over their past two games (both wins) with a renewed focus on the running game. Add to that some improved play from the offensive line, and it's easy to see why the results have been markedly better.

The team has high hopes for wide receiver Chris Chambers as he is already familiar with their offense based on his experience working with Miami Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron, who was San Diego's offensive coordinator last season. Now it is simply a matter of getting on the same page with Rivers, and once that happens they expect big things. The move should also help take some pressure off of rookie receiver Craig Davis, who at times has looked in over his head.

Despite the likely absence of center Nick Hardwick (foot) the team feels confident it can continue their recent dominant play at the line of scrimmage with center Cory Withrow snapping the ball.

Another player that could be missing this week is defensive tackle Jamal Williams (knee), who is a key piece of their run defense as he almost always commands a double team. Still, the Houston Texans haven't had a 100-yard rusher this season, and even without Williams the Chargers should be able to hold up against Houston's ground game.

The San Diego wildfires have clearly been the biggest story around the nation this week, but the team appears focused in meetings and luckily none of the players lost their homes. As for where the game is going to be played, the Mayor of San Diego said the game will be played at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.

NFC East

New York Giants

This Sunday the Giants play the first ever NFL regular season game held outside of North America as they head to London's Wembley Stadium to play the Miami Dolphins. Talk about bloody jetlag. The Big Blue will visit Big Ben while trying to extend their winning streak to six games. Their plane landed at 6:15 a.m. London time Friday, Oct. 26, just in time for head coach Tom Coughlin to discipline the Buckingham Palace guards for being too relaxed. Linebacker Antonio Pierce will reportedly be having tea with Queen Elizabeth II. Insert joke here.

Running back Reuben Droughns has invaded the dynamic duo of halfbacks Brandon Jacobs (ankle) and Derrick Ward (ankle). Ward didn't help his cause much when he dropped what would have been an easy touchdown pass inside the 5-yard line, and Ward's production has been shrinking. He has proven to be the better receiving back than Jacobs, so the Giants aren't completely willing to give up on him yet. This could be a case of shrinking confidence now that Jacobs has returned to take his job back.

Wide receiver Steven Smith (shoulder) could take over as the No. 3 receiver once he works his way back to full strength. He was drafted specifically for that role to play alongside fellow wideouts Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer. Wide receiver Sinorice Moss hasn't done much to separate himself from the pack and has displayed uneasy hands. They haven't really utilized his downfield speed, and he seems to be floating in limbo. They won't just discard him since they drafted him in the second round. However, Smith easily surpassed him for the job earlier this year and figures to do so again in short order.

Tight end Jeremy Shockey has not shown the big-play ability this season that made him one of the elite tight ends over the last few years. He's still aggressive in running his routes, but he doesn't punch through with many yards after the catch. He's certainly more effective near the goal line, but Jacobs has claimed that as his territory. Ironically, Shockey is being used as a blocker in those situations.

Coughlin has seemingly been on the hot seat since his arrival at the Meadowlands in 2004. After a trouble-filled 0-2 start to this season, the Giants have won five straight contests and have become one of the elite teams in the NFC. The defense is sparkling right now, and quarterback Eli Manning has made fewer mistakes with the football. Credit could partially go to defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who turned to a defensive line with four ends. This balance could send the Giants to the playoffs, which would most likely keep Coughlin in his post. Maybe if he returns next year he'll let Giants players be only two minutes early to practice.

Philadelphia Eagles

Opinions continue to sway about the fate of quarterback Donovan McNabb after this season. He still has a few more years left on his contract, and nothing has been mentioned about any contract clauses that would force them to do anything. Maybe all the contract talk makes McNabb queasy.

Running back Brian Westbrook could be the victim of the Purple People Eater run defense this week, as the Minnesota Vikings boast an almost unbreakable wall along the defensive line. Since Westbrook was never really heralded as a rushing running back anyway, this doesn't affect much of the Eagles' game plan, which is of course to abuse the Vikings' Purple People Eaten pass defense.

Wide receiver Hank Baskett seems to have upended fellow wideout Jason Avant, who has apparently flown away from the Eagles' strategy. This wasn't an intentional condemnation of Avant. Baskett has been utilized in more of a tight end format since the injury to tight end L.J. Smith (groin). Smith looks to return this week, however, so Avant and Baskett could split time again.

The Eagles will face their former offensive coordinator in Vikings head coach Brad Childress, who worked extensively with McNabb during his Philadelphia era. Former Eagles linebacker coach and current Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo certainly abused his inside information, as his defense sacked McNabb 12 times in Week 4. Childress could use his memory to try to gain a slight advantage this week, but he probably won't reinvent his game plan to do so.

The Bears pulled off a clutch victory in their game-winning drive last week, and the Eagles looked a bit harried as they tried to defend the two-minute drill. Cornerback Lito Sheppard was playing in his first game since Week 1 and whispers say he might have ran out of gas by the end of that drive. The Eagles defense also allowed receivers to get out of bounds, and they played a soft prevent defense to give Bears quarterback Brian Griese enough time to find his receivers. The Bears shouldn't be discounted, because Griese has done well since taking over that job. Most problems, however, stemmed from Philadelphia's struggles in the red zone earlier in the game.

Washington Redskins

Although he's had mild success in his first full campaign as a starter, quarterback Jason Campbell will likely face his biggest test of the season against the New England Patriots in Week 8. Washington is reportedly working on more max protection schemes to try to give Campbell more time to throw with less receiving options, since Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is almost guaranteed to test the youngster with a steady helping of blitzes. With running back Clinton Portis struggling to make a solid contribution to the offense, the Redskins could ask Campbell to attempt upwards of 40 passes to match – or play catch-up with – the Patriots offensive attack. Campbell has proven to be efficient when given the chance to take over and has been victimized by dropped balls over the past few weeks. An abundance of pass attempts could help Campbell's fantasy value; if the Patriots jump out to a massive lead, Campbell could rack up plenty of garbage-time points.

One option that hasn't been dependable is wide receiver Santana Moss, who has been hampered by a sore hamstring. After sitting out against the Detroit Lions in Week 4 he has looked uncomfortable on the field, and he removed himself from the game when the Green Bay Packers returned his fumble for the game-winning touchdown in Week 6. He has just two catches for eight yards in his last two games, and he has five dropped passes this season. Although he remains a frequent offensive target, Moss is a shaky option right now.

The Patriots will surely make the Redskins defense quiver a bit. Washington reportedly will post a three-man rush and won't blitz Brady "at all," a source says. Washington plans to have cornerback Shawn Springs cover Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker and assign double coverage to Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss.

Joe Gibbs is reportedly not on the hot seat despite critique over his conservative offensive theories. Offensive coordinator Al Saunders is calling the plays, but Gibbs still has a heavy influence on their direction. The next few weeks could determine whether Gibbs returns as head coach next season.

NFC North

Chicago Bears

Last week quarterback Brian Griese took another step toward locking up the starting job for this season. He slapped the exclamation point on a game-winning drive with a touchdown pass to wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad with nine seconds left in a 19-16 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. The Bears are now 2-2 with Griese under center, and he has thrown for at least 300 yards in each of his last two games. Griese's truly working toward helping fans forget quarterback Rex Grossman; a John Elway impersonation certainly heals many wounds. Has Griese earned himself the starting job through next season? Sources say it's too soon to tell, and that he will most likely have to perform at his current pace throughout the season to keep his spot next year. If not, the Bears might pursue either a quarterback with a high draft pick or the oft-rumored trade for Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. For now, Chicago's still enjoying the Griese ride, and another gem against the Detroit Lions this week would have the Bears growling again.

In the backfield, running back Adrian N. Peterson – no, not the Minnesota Vikings rookie juggernaut – has been infiltrating the turf of starting running back Cedric Benson. Peterson has been frequently stepped on the field in passing plays and in the third-down back role because the team values his blocking ability. Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner gave Benson a vote of confidence and said that he will try to insert Benson into those situations on a more frequent basis. Is Turner doing a public relations spin to appease the featured back? That's a very likely scenario, as Benson would surely be on the field in those moments if he could perform those tasks up to the team's standards. A continued reliance on Peterson could potentially hurt Benson's value in the long run, especially in points-per-reception leagues.

Detroit Lions

The offense hasn't been clicking as well as it was earlier in the season. A source believes that reason is because of injuries. The team went through a three-week stretch when they didn't have wide receiver Calvin Johnson, left tackle Jeff Backus and running back Kevin Jones, who was just getting back into the groove. The team didn't have many offensive plays last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to the defense not being able to get off the field.

Kevin Jones is as close to 100 percent as he's going to get. He's currently 80-90 percent healthy and he's probably going to stay that way for the rest of the year. A source states that Jones should see about 20-25 touches this week in Chicago. His performance last week against Tampa Bay proved that he can handle a full load. The team could have a big emphasis on running the ball this week.

Johnson is set to start opposite wide receiver Roy Williams as the team's No. 2 receiver this week. The coaching staff feels that he has finally earned it and that is why he didn't get the job until now.

Green Bay Packers

Running back DeShawn Wynn could receive the majority of the carries this week. A source tells us that running back Brandon Jackson might not suit up. The team looks to be sincere about giving one back the chance at being their main guy. The Packers are expected to look to run the ball this week against the Denver Broncos, and Wynn might get most of the carries unless he gets hurt. Running back Vernand Morency should see time on third downs and passing downs.

Wide receiver Koren Robinson returned to the team this week after being reinstated by the NFL. There is a pretty good chance that he suits up, but mostly to return kicks this week. As the weeks go on, and if he keeps getting better, he should play more and more. The Packers are excited about what they've seen from him. Wide receiver Ruvell Martin could be replaced by Robinson as the No. 4 receiver, but a source states that they don't know if they would let him vie for the No. 3 receiver spot, and that they could do a rotation using more four-receiver sets.

Tight end Donald Lee should see more time this week due to the absence of Bubba Franks (knee). A source let us know that they are going to try to exploit Denver with their tight end. Lee's not bad, but he's no Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Heath Miller. The team's ultimate strength is at the wide receiver position.

Minnesota Vikings

Quarterback Kelly Holcomb takes over for the injured Tavaris Jackson (finger) this week against the Eagles. Holcomb isn't expected to exploit the Eagles and a source doesn't see any reason why the Vikings should have a breakout passing game. He was not great in his two previous appearances this season against Green Bay and the Kansas City Chiefs. The Vikings offense isn't the kind that is designed to allow the quarterback to go nuts.

If Holcomb can do anything this week they will likely keep him in for more weeks because Jackson was so bad against Dallas. The Vikings host the San Diego Chargers next week and don't want to get Jackson beat up. Jackson doesn't have a high pain tolerance. He should miss at least two games, and if Holcomb plays well, then he could miss more time.

Running back Adrian Peterson should probably receive around 25 carries this week. Running back Chester Taylor (groin) isn't expected to split carries this week, and depending on his groin, could see minimal carries. Running back Mewelde Moore might not dress and offensively, he is a non-factor at this point.

A source expects that the Vikings defense can shut down Eagles running back Brian Westbrook this week as a runner. They are curious to see him in the passing game, however. He shouldn't see a big day rushing and he could see a lot of the underneath passes that Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten got last week.

NFC South

Carolina Panthers

Quarterback Vinny Testaverde just keeps on chugging, as the 43-year-old is set to make another start this week against the Indianapolis Colts after leading the Panthers to a 25-10 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Testaverde went 20-for-33 with a touchdown in that contest. If he could somehow lead the Cats to the improbable upset this week, Carolina might bring in Fred Biletnikoff to play wide receiver.

The carry split between running backs DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams continues, and as long as both are healthy neither is likely to reach 25 carries per game anytime soon. The Panthers seem to enjoy running the dual package but could ride the hot hand if it seems to be working for a week.

Neither stud wide receiver Steve Smith nor the rest of the Panthers' receivers have spoken out yet as to which they prefer between Testaverde and quarterback David Carr.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints look to once again take advantage of a favorable schedule as they travel to face the San Francisco 49ers this week. A win this week would give them their first three-game win streak of the season and would actually move them back into the NFC playoff race. Their weaker slate couldn't have come at a better time.

Many critics thought running back Reggie Bush wouldn't be able to handle the load of a feature back when running back Deuce McAllister (knee) was lost for the season with a torn ACL. Bush hasn't exactly hushed those critics, but he hasn't proven them right either. In his three games as the one-man show, Bush has averaged slightly more than 110 yards per game while scoring one receiving touchdown. He should still be expected to have between 25 and 30 touches per game, and he has at least been consistent enough to help the Saints move the ball.

The race for Bush's spell back is still deadlocked between running backs Pierre Thomas and Aaron Stecker. Sources say there's no clear winner in the race as the team will continue to utilize both in order to find the right fit to complement Bush. Last week, Stecker was utilized three times while Thomas was used twice. In the two weeks prior to Week 7, Stecker had 19 utilizations while Thomas just barely made the stat sheet with one.

Wide receivers for the Saints will come marching in as the team will likely continue to utilize "as many as they can," a source said. Wide receiver Marques Colston and tight end Eric Johnson should continue to receive the most attention with wide receivers David Patten, Lance Moore and Devery Henderson splitting time and looks. The Saints have designed plays for all of these options.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Quarterback Jeff Garcia continues to effectively lead the Bucs offense by minimizing mistakes and playing smart football. He still hasn't thrown an interception this season, and is showing the same acumen with which he led the Philadelphia Eagles to the NFC East title last year.

Running back Earnest Graham caught an eye-catching 13 passes last week. Garcia is accustomed to running a West Coast offense, and when he was under a lot of pressure last week he would frequently dump the ball off to Graham. He should be deeply involved in the passing game once again this week, and the fact that he's fit in so well this quickly speaks volumes for his future this season. Invading Graham's space once again, however, is running back Michael Bennett. He figures to be counted on to receive anywhere from 10 to 12 carries this week. Running back Michael Pittman (ankle) is out for this week but has healed quicker than expected. Upon his return, Pittman could slide back into his familiar role of third-down back. However, the team isn't looking to rush him back with Graham's success in expanding the offense.

Wide receiver Michael Clayton (ankle) and tight end Alex Smith (ankle) are both doubtful for this week after missing practice. Clayton's absence could increase the playing time of wide receiver Maurice Stovall (ankle), who played for the first time this season in Week 7 and caught one pass for four yards. If healthy, he has the athleticism to make an impact and take some pressure off No. 1 wideout Joey Galloway. Meanwhile, Smith leaves the door open for backup tight ends Anthony Becht and Jerramy Stevens to take his place. Becht looks to have the inside track right now mainly because of his blocking. If the Bucs need offense, they could turn to Stevens.

NFC West

San Francisco 49ers

Quarterback Alex D. Smith (shoulder) is set to return from a shoulder injury that has kept him out for three weeks, but the question is will he be sharp this weekend? Smith seems healthy enough to make the throws but with a new emphasis on downfield passing it remains to be seen if rust will be a factor in trying to stretch the field this Sunday.

Were Smith to go down again this season the team could look to quarterback Shaun Hill over veteran quarterback Trent Dilfer. The team knows what they have in Dilfer, and they can trust he won't make rookie mistakes. However, he is getting older, and there is no guarantee he'll be back next season. Therefore the team might want a better picture of what they have in Hill.

Wide receiver Ashley Lelie showed he could be a deep threat last week against the New York Giants. Look for more of that of this Sunday with Lelie expected to start in place of wide receiver Darrell Jackson (quad).

As for Jackson, the team isn't likely to try and start forcing the ball to him to get him more involved. The player they really like is wide receiver Arnaz Battle, and both are similar in regards to route-running and being possession-type targets. Look for San Francisco to try to upgrade their receiving corps again this offseason, which could mean it's one and done for D-Jax and possibly Lelie as well.

With Jackson likely out this week, look for wide receivers Bryan Gilmore and Jason Hill to work as the No. 3 receiver. Jackson's absence could actually work to open up the offense as it gets the deep threat of Lelie on the field more often.

One of San Francisco's primary problems this season has been the play of their offensive line with tons of communication problems. They have been beaten as a unit and individually this season. They generally played better against the Giants last week, except for tackle Joe Staley, who got taken to school by defensive end Michael Strahan.

St. Louis Rams

Despite another poor outing by quarterback Marc Bulger there was no thought to giving quarterback Gus Frerotte another start. Frerotte was horrendous against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6 and only figures to get another start if Bulger once again succumbs to injury.

Bulger has clearly struggled this season and some of that has been on him for poor decision-making and forcing throws. However, his offensive line has done a dreadful job, which has not only allowed pressure on him but also prevented the team from getting any kind of consistent running game. The return of running back Steven Jackson (groin) should help as if he can get anything going it should keep the linebackers from dropping back and playing the pass all the time.

Look for Jackson to be heavily utilized this Sunday despite having not played a game in over a month. The Cleveland Browns have been torched on the ground in every game this season, and the Rams would love to get Jackson rolling as they head into their Bye. Running back Brian Leonard should slide over to fullback and continue to see occasional touches. Expect around 15 to 20 carries for Jackson this Sunday and maybe more.

Jackson isn't the only player expected to return this week as wide receiver Drew Bennett (hamstring) should be back after a one-game absence. However, Bennett and fellow free-agent addition tight end Randy McMichael have yet to really make their mark with the club. In fact, Jackson's return might be of more significance to the passing game as he caught 90 passes a season ago and is a favorite target of Bulger on check-downs.

The offensive line continues to face adversity with the release of guard Claude Terrell, which now leaves the team starting two players who weren't even with the team when training camp started. The lack of continuity with the line has caused the team to use simplistic blocking schemes for both running and passing, which could partially explain their struggles in both departments.

Head coach Scott Linehan may not be on the hot seat, yet, but unquestionably the last nine games of the year could determine what the team does after the season. The Rams are getting back most of their offensive playmakers, and the team really needs to start showing something. Team president John Shaw likes Linehan and could be interested in offering him an extension. However, if the team finishes with just a couple of wins he may have no choice but to make a change.