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We scour the news around the NFL to bring you what matters most for you and your dynasty team: the most current news on players, both superstars and the relative unknowns, and analysis to decipher the respective situations. These are many of the major stories and not meant to be an exhaustive look at all of the recent happenings around the league.
The saga of Washington coach Jay Gruden and Robert Griffin III III is almost melodramatic by now. The coach wants to move on without Griffin while owner Daniel Snyder wants his investment to play. Snyder paid a ton for the gregarious Griffin. For Sunday's game, Gruden benched Griffin for Colt McCoy against the St. Louis Rams and were shut out. The Washington Post reported last week that the coach “was done” with the quarterback. Then, late in the week Adam Schefter reported that there is a “real chance” that Griffin starts again this season. If the former first round pick makes his way back into the starting lineup in 2014, it will be because Snyder wants either to see if his prized investment can turn things around (which is doubtful) or that he wants to profile Griffin for a possible trade. While this sounds all good, Griffin is regressing as a quarterback and his value is declining with every errant throw or poor read of the defense. The only positive of Griffin playing is to show he is healthy. The whole situation is a mess. Either Gruden or Griffin will be gone after the season, and it is likely the quarterback … not the coach. But, this would leave Washington looking for the answer at the position once again. The Washington Post reported Saturday that Gruden might not be back, even though he still has four full years left on his contract.
In a surprise move, it was reported Sunday that the Arizona Cardinals would place starting tailback Andre Ellington on injured reserve with a plethora of injuries, most notably a hip pointer and sports hernia. An offense already without starting quarterback Carson Palmer will great miss the play-maker carrying the football.
One young running back who burst onto the scene in 2015 is Jerick McKinnon of the Minnesota Vikings. He has only received substantive touches six times this season, but has shined. So, it was good to see ESPN Vikings reporter Ben Goessling state his belief that McKinnon can be Minnesota's primary running back in the future. It is almost a certainty that Adrian Peterson will not be back with his hefty salary. Matt Asiata is not the answer. McKinnon is a converted small-school quarterback who has the athleticism to be a starting tailback in the NFL. This past Saturday, the rookie was placed on injured reserve so dynasty owners will need to wait until the 2015 season to see McKinnon play again.
After losing a costly fumble in the Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland coach Mike Pettine voiced his displeasure with rookie Terrance West. Pettine said, "West lately has been very careless with the football," Pettine said. "Giving up the ball like that is inexcusable." In addition, Pettine indicated that third-string runner Glenn Winston may play over West in Week 14 versus the Indianapolis Colts. This did not happen as West started the contest. Let's remember that Pettine has done this sort of thing a few times this season. He is trying to teach West a lesson and motivate the rookie. Contrary to conventional thinking, we actually see the benching as positive for West. His coach is trying to break him of the fumbling early in his career.
The shot to the back Bears receiver Brandon Marshall took on Thursday evening was enough to fracture two ribs and collapse a lung, according to Adam Schefter. While doctors were able to treat the lung, Marshall will miss the remainder of the season. With Chicago out of the playoff chase, there is no reason to rush Marshall back to the field. It has been a rough season for the superstar pass catcher. He has suffered through two ankle injuries and now the ribs/lung injury.
It must have been tough for the Minnesota Vikings to formally admit that acknowledge that receiver Cordarrelle Patterson has been benched for Charles Johnson. Patterson is a former first round pick, but still frustrates the coaching staff. The coaches are making this change to be about Johnson playing well, but it is more about Patterson disappointing. On Johnson, offensive coordinator Norv Turner said, "But you know, C.J. is playing at a high level. C.J. is the starter at (the split end receiver position). That’s the position that Cordarrelle plays. We’ll give him some opportunities to play there, but C.J. is playing at a real high level right now." With a rookie (Teddy Bridgewater) under center, the team needs a receiver who can be relied up … and Patterson is far from that description. Johnson had a big outing in the win against the Jets Sunday. He is solidifying his position in the starting lineup.
Tennessee Titans receiver Justin Hunter has yet to come close to his potential. Hunter has all of the physical tools to succeed, but has not been able to put it all together. Last week, the Titans placed Hunter on injured reserve with a lacerated spleen. The good news is that the injury should not impact his 2015 season. No, the 23-year old has not played well. However, who knows if his productivity will improve as the quarterback position is upgraded. He is one player whose “potential” is much greater than his “production” and this much change in order for Hunter to get a valuable second contract.
One player we are rooting for to get his life together is wide receiver Justin Blackmon. It was good to read where beat writer John Oehser reported that there is a "good chance" Blackmon plays for the Jaguars next season. According to Oehser, who writes for jaguars.com, Blackmon is still in voluntary rehab and is doing well. He put up monster numbers in the four games played in 2013 and would be a welcome addition to the Jacksonville pass offense.
While we recently wrote how Colts receiver Reggie Wayne had “lost a step” or three, we expected the veteran to play in 2015. This past week, Wayne told reporters that he might retire after the season. Wayne said, "It’s tough, it really is … You have to decide if you want to make that sacrifice again. A lot goes into it." In the last year under contract with Indianapolis, the team may help Wayne with that decision by choosing not to renew his contract. In Wayne's defense, he has been playing with a torn biceps muscle, occurring earlier in the year against Cincinnati, according to coach Pagano. We suspect that the selection of Donte Moncrief in the 2014 NFL Draft was a signal that the team was selecting Wayne's replacement.
Another of the more disappointing young dynasty receivers is New England Patriots Aaron Dobson. Dobson has barely played, even when the team was desperate at the wide receiver position. This past week, the Patriots placed Dobson on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. While only 23 years of age, Dobson needs to work hard this offseason in order to have a shot at contributing in his third NFL season.
This past week, the Cleveland Browns placed wide receiver Miles Austin on injured reserve with a kidney injury. Austin spent several days in the hospital after last week's loss to the Buffalo Bills. While he was not putting up great numbers, like in his Dallas Cowboys days, Austin was a solid WR2 for the Browns. He will be a free agent after this season, but is likely to return to Cleveland on a cheap, incentive-laden deal.
In deeper dynasty leagues, one receiver to stash is Canadian football star Duron Carter, son of Cris Carter. Last week, Jason LaCanfora reported that the Colts, Seahawks, and 49ers were very interested Carter. Carter just finished his contract with the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL and can begin visiting teams this week. Carter is a physical receiver, much like his father. He has been very productive in the CFL. We expect Carter to hold a quasi-Pro Day January 6 or 7 to showcase his skills to interested teams.
Injuries to monitor
Nick Foles: Collarbone
Matt Cassel: Foot
Carson Palmer: Knee
Knowshon Moreno: Knee
Montee Ball: Groin
Ryan Mathews: Knee
Stevan Ridley: Knee
Ahmad Bradshaw: Fibula/Ankle
C.J. Spiller: Collarbone
Fred Jackson: Groin
Danny Woodhead: Ankle
Victor Cruz: Knee
Allen Robinson: Foot
Marvin Jones: Foot/Ankle
Jordan Cameron: Concussion
Tyler Eifert: Elbow
Feel free to email me (Tefertiller@Footballguys.com) with feedback. Also, I am on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/JeffTefertiller), LinkedIn, and Google+, so you can ask me questions on one of these as well. Subscribe to the Footballguys Dynasty-centered Google Hangouts.