Faceoff - WR Joey Galloway, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Posted 6/15, exclusive to Footballguys.com

Upside - by Andy Hicks

For some reason Joey Galloway seems to have disappeared from the fantasy radar this offseason. He is being taken as a WR3 in 12-team leagues and is being drafted somewhere in the eighth or ninth rounds. I find this unbelievable.

• He is clearly the No.1 receiver at Tampa
• There is no threat to his playing time
• At 35 he still has another quality year or two left in him
• He is still fast
• His quarterback situation should be improved
• He has discarded his injury prone label

For the last two years Joey Galloway has ranked in the top 16 fantasy receivers, including finishing fifth in 2005. His position at Tampa Bay as the No.1 receiver cannot be disputed. No.2 Michael Clayton has been a massive disappointment, Ike Hilliard will be lucky to make the cut, and Maurice Stovall is another year from a starting role. Even then he is more suited to a No.2 role. Does anybody seriously expect anything from David Boston? If the Bucs had taken Calvin Johnson in the draft, then I could understand the ranking, but they haven't added anyone would can challenge or threaten Galloway.

As for the age factor, there are many receivers who have been productive at the age of 35, so basing a low ranking on just that is folly. The circumstances indicate he should be just as productive this season, if not more so than last year. Think Joey Galloway has lost a yard or two, think again. He recorded a staggering 17 yards per catch and managed over 1000 yards and seven TDs in 2006 despite having a sixth round rookie QB for most of the season. The play of Chris Simms before his injury was appalling; Tim Rattay rounded out the season and now contemplates a roster battle at Tennessee. How could the Tampa passing game possibly be worse this year? To address the situation, veteran Jeff Garcia was signed. Simms and Gradkowski return, but they'd have to play really bad to sink below last years depths. Massive improvements were also made in the offensive line, which should give Galloway ample opportunity to stretch the field. Any improvement from the abysmal 2006 running game can also only benefit Galloway.

Once Injury prone, always injury prone? Not on your life. Galloway hasn't missed a game in the last 2 seasons and should have put that story to bed. In his 12 year career to date he has played 15 games or more in 9 of them. The missed games in the 1999 season were a result of a holdout, not injury.

If you want to dismiss Joey Galloway, do not do it lightly. There aren't going to be too many No.1 receivers available in the eighth round with the ability to crash through 1000 yards and get their fair share of touchdowns. Experience is often overlooked in the hunt for the next boom receiver. Grab Galloway at value and don't look back.

Downside - by Jeff Pasquino

Joey Galloway led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in receiving once again last year, collecting over 1,057 yards along with seven touchdowns, which placed him as the #15 WR in FBG scoring last season.

So why do I expect a decline for Galloway in 2007?

Part of the reason lies with his quarterback situation. Between Jeff Garcia and Chris Simms, the Bucs may have an identity crisis as some point this season. If they are not competitive, Garcia may lose the starting job and either Simms or Bruce Gradkowski may be back under center. Even if Garcia starts all year, he has never been known to go deep that often, which will hurt a speed receiver like Galloway.

Another issue is that head coach Jon Gruden has stated that getting Cadillac Williams more receptions this coming season is a priority. Should Caddy get the 60 catches that Gruden wants him to get there will be fewer opportunities for the receiving corps, especially Galloway.

The biggest issue that may arise for Galloway's production this season is that the rest of the team may be improving, especially at WR2 and TE. Michael Clayton should be back as the starter after injury issues, and Alex Smith will be one year better than last year, where he finished with just 35 catches, 250 yards and three touchdowns. Jerramy Stevens also joins the mix as a second TE, which will take away more targets to Galloway.

Finally, the major issue with Galloway is himself. Galloway was 12th in targets in 2006, yet finished 28th in receptions. Of the Top 20 WRs from last season, only Galloway and Chris Chambers caught fewer than 50% of their targets (Galloway had 43.7%, Chambers 38.3%). Galloway also has concerns entering 2007 -- he has a checkered injury history, missing six games in 2004, eight in 1999 and played in just one game in the 2000 season. Considering that he is one of the oldest WRs in the NFL at age 35 (turning 36 in November), you would have to be concerned that there is a very realistic possibility of an injury, a decline in performance, or both.

Tampa Bay finished last year near the bottom of the NFL last season in team passing with just 2,798 yards, and Galloway had 37.8% of those. Only three other WRs had a bigger percentage of their team's receiving yards (Javon Walker -- 38.7%, Andre Johnson -- 41.3%, Lee Evans -- 47.5%), which should be a concern for anyone targeting Galloway. Even if you suspect that the Bucs improve their passing game this season, it would most likely have to come from other players and not Galloway, who is already producing a large percentage of the offense.