Best of the Blogs: Gates' injury, McAllister's role
I slept all day Sunday … did I miss anything?
Of course I didn't sleep all day Sunday. I was riveted to the TV set just like you were, with a smile on my face the whole way -- I'm not a Tom Brady owner -- enjoying meaningful football, big hits, great catches and watching a player score a touchdown and then bouncing and bobbing my head to see the number on the guy's jersey (as if it helps). But if I had slept, ESPN would have been a good place to catch up.
Not just Matthew Berry's TRUM, or Eric Karabell's Instant Replay, or the scoreboard, or player news. Instead, as we slide from game day into preparation for next week, all the action is on the keyboards of the writers close to the teams. And that's why it's time to tune in to ESPN.com's Blog Network.
The new NFL Blog Network features a team of writers covering each of the eight divisions. If our NFC South writer, Pat Yasinskas, has important news surface, why should he wait until tomorrow? He jumps right on it, and it goes to that page. If something else happens, same thing … even if it's 10 minutes after the first post. There are no limits here, so the page is packed with information and in a timely manner.
And so each Wednesday I will scan the NFL blogs, looking for news -- injury updates, position battles, team strategy changes -- that is relevant to us. I'll find 'em and post 'em, with the biggest news first, and then offer my own fantasy-centric perspective on the situation. And away we go!
VY talking about giving up football
"On Monday, Vince Young told those close to him he didn't want to play football anymore and his mom says he's 'hurting inside and out,' reports Jim Wyatt. Young's crazy day included a talk with a psychologist. ... David Climer says, 'We have a real problem in the works here -- something that might be fixable or something that might not.' He's on target. ... 'Vince Young is either a spoiled brat, a troubled young man or some combination of the two,' writes Richard Justice. Wow, you know things are bad when you find something critical of Young from Texas. ... Wyatt blogs that Young could be out longer than the knee injury takes to heal." -- Paul Kuharsky
Fantasy spin: Things don't sound so good with Young and the Titans right now. We hope for the best for Young, and we'd love to see the kid play more football. But it sounds as if his heart just isn't in it, given that we've heard rumblings in years past regarding his lack of love for NFL football and the distractions/media attention that come with it. Kerry Collins is your new starter, and he could be the Titans' starter for the next several games (or more) rather than just the next few (Young's MCL sprain is expected to keep him out a few weeks, although the Titans offered no official timetable). If the team had a receiving corps worth writing home about, Collins would be intriguing. As it is, the Titans don't, and he's not.
Grant has "very sore" hamstring
"Packers running back Ryan Grant played with a 'very sore' hamstring Monday night. The game represented Grant's first extended playing time since the NFC Championship Game in January. He didn't play after a 57-yard run in the fourth quarter, but coach Mike McCarthy said the team was just being cautious." -- Kevin Seifert
Fantasy spin: This is still something to watch. Grant did OK against a stout Vikings run defense, so keep him in the lineup, especially this week in Detroit. But if his carries aren't quite what you'd expect, that's an indication the hammy is still bothering him.
McAllister still part of the game plan
"[Deuce] McAllister didn't play a down against the Bucs. In fact, he never even put his helmet on as he stood on the sidelines. Not exactly a stellar day for one of the best players in franchise history. But coach Sean Payton [said] McAllister still factors into the team's plans and the Saints are going to need him. Payton is being cautious with McAllister, who is coming off the second major knee injury of his career. The Saints believe McAllister is making progress, but he still isn't back to 100 percent. With Reggie Bush, who was spectacular Sunday, and Pierre Thomas, who was solid, there's no need to rush McAllister. The veteran McAllister said he understood Payton's logic. It's a long season and before it's said and done, McAllister will play a big role for the Saints." -- Pat Yasinskas
Fantasy spin: So in other words, fantasy owners in all but shallow leagues should keep Deuce around to see how this plays out. If he weren't such a great short-yardage/goal-line back and Bush weren't prone to nicks, maybe not. But it's a near certainty that McAllister becomes a factor in this offense soon enough; it's just a matter of whether he can become enough of one to deem him startable in fantasy.
"Shawne Merriman's decision to change course and listen to the four knee specialists and have season-ending reconstructive surgery is not surprising. Merriman gave it his best effort and it didn't work. Merriman needed to prove to himself he couldn't play with the injury. Apparently, it took one game to acquire proof." -- Bill Williamson
Fantasy spin: Prepare those "get well soon" cards. We can only hope Merriman returns as the same player he was after such a major knee reconstruction, but I have my doubts as to whether that'll happen (mostly considering he was arguably the best defensive player in football for a time there). On a related note, the Chargers' defense doesn't look near as dominant without their best player in it. They were our top-ranked defense heading into the season, and I hate to overrate one player, but as I now look at their schedule and personnel (and Week 1 performance), I'm not sure I put them inside the top five heading forward. Just sayin'.
Several Chargers hurting, including Gates
"While [Shawne] Merriman seemed ready, it was Antonio Gates who appeared unsure he could play the entire season. Gates just finished his first game since having surgery to repair his left big toe. Gates said there may be a point in the season when he'll have to decide whether his presence on the field is helping the team. There was serious doubt there. Gates talked like a man who may have to eventually miss some time. It was a nasty sidebar to the Chargers' defeat. ... The Chargers are 0-1 and the injuries are piling up. The team played against Carolina without standout offensive linemen Nick Hardwick and Marcus McNeill. The two offensive linemen will be back shortly and San Diego will need them. Now, the team has to worry about Gates. These are real issues." -- Bill Williamson
Fantasy spin: Just when we thought Gates was close to getting out of the woods, it appears there's still some concern regarding his toe. Let's hope he can work through it, even at less than 100 percent. But Williamson is right. At least one week into the season, this mighty Chargers offense doesn't look quite so mighty given the team's injuries. Let's hope those two linemen make it back OK, and everything else falls into place after that.
Jags already decimated on offensive line
"As feared, the Jaguars got bad news on the offensive line as a result of injuries suffered in Sunday's loss in Tennessee. Starting left guard Vince Manuwai suffered a torn ACL and is out for the season and starting right guard Maurice Williams (biceps) [joined him] on IR. The Jaguars have pieced together some new depth for their offensive line by signing two veterans, Milford Brown and Chad Slaughter. Going with three reserve interior offensive linemen was clearly not the plan for games against Tennessee and Buffalo, which will bring former Jaguars defensive tackle Marcus Stroud back to town." -- Paul Kuharsky
Fantasy spin: There's trouble ahead for the Jags' offense. Normally we don't overrate the loss of offensive linemen, but when it's two good ones ... And as coach Jack Del Rio puts it: "There aren't any future Hall of Famers sitting around on the street right now." I'm prepared to downgrade the Jags' offense as a whole, especially David Garrard and the passing game.
"Cornerback Terence Newman gave a strong indication that he plans to be in the lineup against the Eagles on Monday. But even if he plays, I'm told he probably won't start. Adam Jones replaced him against the Browns and did an adequate job. ... Marion Barber should be ready to go Monday against the Eagles, according to 'Dr. Wade Phillips.' ... The Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Mac Engel also reports that Sam Hurd is no longer wearing a protective boot over his injured ankle. ... Romo took a massive shot to the chin in the second half (perhaps the only time he was touched), but he jumped up and fired a 19-yard bullet on the next play to tight end Jason Witten." -- Matt Mosley
Fantasy spin: Looking at the personnel in the Cowboys' defensive backfield, I could see them being a very dominant unit, assuming everyone is healthy. I mean, Newman is a solid NFL cornerback, and to think he might be No. 3 on the team's depth chart right now. Be prepared to downgrade your receivers against the 'Boys. As for Romo and Barber, we never had any doubt. Romo did need 13 stitches to close the cut on his chin, but he obviously stayed in the game, and as fullback Deon Anderson said about Barber: "Barbarians don't get hurt, they get bruised."
Schaub gets vote of confidence, Ahman gets ankle checked out
"After a horrible opening day, Matt Schaub gets a vote of confidence from Gary Kubiak, writes Megan Manfull. Ahman Green has an ankle issue the Texans are trying to resolve and it could mean adding a running back, says Manfull." -- Paul Kuharsky
Fantasy spin: Schaub will remain the starter, and he should. The Texans gave him good money to come in and save the team, and a start in Pittsburgh is not exactly a romp through strawberry fields. Then again, he faces the Ravens (at home) this week, which might not be much easier. A few members of the Texans' media are already calling for Sage Rosenfels, but I think it'd take several weeks of bad play for the Texans to go that route. Meanwhile, Green is hurting -- big shocker. It's sounding as if he might not play this week, and Steve Slaton's value jumps whether Green can or can't play. However, considering the matchup, it's probably best to leave him benched for this week. At least it became obvious Sunday that Slaton is the guy.
McKinnie suspension hurting Vikes
"Starter Bryant McKinnie is suspended for the next four games after violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. Replacement Artis Hicksleft in the third quarter because of an elbow injury. That left Marcus Johnson playing left tackle for the first time in his career. Johnson has alternated between right guard and right tackle during his career. ... Vikings coach Brad Childress expressed hope Tuesday that short-term starter Hicks will recover quickly from the injury that sidelined him in the second half. ... McKinnie picked a tough month to get suspended. The Vikings face three Pro Bowl right defensive ends in the next three weeks: Indianapolis' Dwight Freeney, Carolina's Julius Peppers and Tennessee's Kyle Vanden Bosch." -- Kevin Seifert
Fantasy spin: Gulp! A first-timer ... at left tackle. That's a pretty important spot to have a first-time starter. Johnson held his own Monday, but clearly the Vikes are hoping Hicks can return. My guess is that the fantasy owners of players in the Vikings' passing game -- it shouldn't affect Adrian Peterson too much -- will be counting down the days until McKinnie returns.
Buoniconti on Ginn: "He's lost"
"Ted Ginn, the ninth selection of last year's NFL draft, was a chic fantasy football sleeper pick this year. The slippery sprinter from Ohio State already had proved to be a dangerous punt returner and emerged from training camp as the Miami Dolphins' No. 1 receiver. But legendary Dolphins linebacker Nick Buoniconti hasn't been impressed, especially after Ginn's performance in Sunday's loss to the Jets. Buoniconti was a guest Tuesday night on ESPN Radio 760 in Palm Beach, Fla., and had this to say: 'You get a guy like Ted Ginn, who's now in his second year, and the kid looks like he's lost on I-95. The guy can't find his way out of the huddle. Here's a guy who's finally got to step up and start performing.'" -- Tim Graham
Fantasy spin: Sounds like a disgruntled fan/ex-Dolphin, but ol' Nick has been right so far. I for one am no fan of Ginn. Sure, he'll bust the occasional long pass, but consistency and a high-catch total will never be a part of his game. There's still time for improvement, but you'd think we would have seen something by now, and we haven't.
Jason Taylor hurting, not playing well
"Not only was Taylor a no-show at the line of scrimmage, but he was manhandled by Giants tight end Kevin Boss, a man who's not known for his blocking skills. Taylor also shared the sobering news that his right knee is 'hurt' and that he doesn't expect to see significant improvement. That's bad news for a player who prides himself on using his quickness to make plays. If teams decide they can block Taylor one-on-one, it frees them up to attack in other areas." -- Matt Mosley
Fantasy spin: Not good, but let's keep in mind that when Taylor originally hurt his knee during the preseason, the injury was expected to keep him out into the regular season anyway. Not only did Taylor play in Week 1, but he started his season early on a Thursday. My guess is he struggles and deals with pain the next three to four weeks, then slowly rounds into his dominant form. Prepare accordingly, IDP owners and those who have players set to face the Skins' defense the next couple weeks.
"Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says 35-year-old Eddie Kennison can still run a 40-yard dash in the 4.4-second range. Kennison, re-signed by the Rams, could play for them against the Giants in Week 2. Also from Thomas: Torry Holt expects continued double coverage. The Eagles shut him down in the opener. Steve Korte of the Belleville News-Democrat says Kennison's only 1,000-yard seasons came with Al Saunders calling the plays in 2004 and 2005." -- Mike Sando
Fantasy spin: Obviously the Rams saw enough in Kennison to give him a chance, and are you ready for this? You might want to consider picking him up if you have a decent-sized bench. Sure, he's very much an unknown given his age and his recent inactivity, but receiving is almost as much about opportunity as it is about talent. The Rams lack quality receivers, and Kennison could work himself into the mix pretty quickly. And considering St. Louis figures to be trailing early in a lot of games, getting a Rams receiver who might get plenty of targets is not such a bad thing. One thing is for sure: Holt owners actually want there to be more options, or else it's going to be a long season.
McMullen a "good fit" for Seahawks
"Billy McMullen has spent his entire NFL career working in West Coast offenses, one reason the Seahawks apparently think he can help them in the short term. McMullen, who agreed to terms with Seattle, fills the roster spot vacated when Seattle waived receiver Jordan Kent. McMullen spent three seasons with Andy Reid in Philadelphia, one season with Brad Childress in Minnesota and the most recent training camp with Jim Zorn in Washington. Reid began his NFL coaching career under Mike Holmgren in Green Bay. Childress worked for Reid in Philadelphia. Zorn spent seven seasons with Holmgren in Seattle before taking the Redskins' job this year. The other receivers Seattle brought in for tryouts could not compete with McMullen's experience." -- Mike Sando
Fantasy spin: Of course. Right after talking about opportunities, something McMullen might get a few of in the decimated Hawks receiving corps, I'm still not sold on McMullen being worth a pickup. I'm taking the wait-and-see approach, and so should you. Even if he eventually becomes a factor, it'll take a few weeks to happen.
"It looks like we have a quarterback controversy in Tampa Bay. The media has been told quarterback Jeff Garcia won't be talking at the podium, like he usually does, today. Not sure if that means Garcia will talk in the locker room or not. Coach Jon Gruden said Monday that Garcia is questionable because of an ankle injury. Gruden also said he hoped to decide on a starting quarterback by today. It's looking like that could be backup Brian Griese." -- Pat Yasinskas
Fantasy spin: Brian Griese? Ugh. And I thought Jeff Garcia didn't throw it downfield enough (Joey Galloway's longest catch Sunday went for 13 yards).
"Chad Pennington had been thrown to the ground four times officially and absorbed a half-dozen hits on top of that. His mouth was bloodied. His face still was flush from competition." -- Tim Graham
Fantasy spin: I threw Pennington onto one of my teams because I figured he'd make for a nice spot start in the second half should one of my quarterbacks get hurt. If the Dolphins' line blocks like it did Sunday -- and it just lost starting guard Donald Thomas to injured reserve -- Pennington won't make it to the second half.
Brendan Roberts is a contributing writer/editor for ESPN Fantasy.
