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.
In a recent article in the Chicago Sun-Times, Bears General Manager Phil Emery said he does not want to use the franchise tag on Jay Cutler. The franchise tag number for quarterbacks is expected to be approximately $16 million. The article indicates that Emery would prefer to sign Cutler to a long-term contract. However, the rub will be when Cutler wants at least this amount annually, which is less than recent quarterback contracts for Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan. Add this to Mike Silver's report a few weeks ago that indicated that the Bears may let Cutler depart in free agency and just go into next year with Josh McCown and a rookie at the quarterback position. The Bears defense is horrible this season and needs an upgrade at several positions. If coach Trestman thinks McCown can deliver equivalent results, then a change could be in the works. Trestman is confident in his ability to make lemonade at the quarterback position.
Jaguars tailback Maurice Jones-Drew left the Thursday night game against the Texans in the fourth quarter. He injured his hamstring after a nice reception and run. Even though the stout back has stated he will be fine, this is still an injury to monitor this week. If Jones-Drew missed game action, Jordan Todman would see the bulk of the touches for Jacksonville. Let's remember that Jones-Drew is a free agent after the season and is looking to score a big payday.
After he was inactive for last week's game, many expected New England Patriots back Stevan Ridley to be back in his lead back role going forward. But, ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss stated last week that his gut feeling is that Ridley's time as the Patriots' lead back is likely over. The New England offense is at its best with the hard-running Ridley lined up behind quarterback Tom Brady. Blount and Bolden are not the same threat. This will be an interesting saga to watch play out. Coach Belichick is losing patience with the turnovers and is making a statement to Ridley … and the rest of the team. At this point, Ridley could see his role diminish. If so, he will be a great “buy low” this offseason. Ridley could be playing elsewhere in 2014.
Injured Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden is costing himself money with the injuries and lacking performance. He has missed action every season of his career, and the an earlier injury opened the door for Rashad Jennings to play … and play well. Jennings has easily outplayed McFadden in 2013. Even Marcel Reece had a huge game against the Jets Sunday with Jennings and McFadden out. Given this, beat writer Steve Corkran of the Contra Costa Times said he does not foresee Oakland even extending an offer to McFadden after the season when his contract expires. When both were healthy, McFadden played as Jennings' backup. With his paltry yards per carry average the past few seasons, McFadden has little chance of a big payday and might be forced to sign a one-year “prove it” deal.
One of the more curious dynasty situations is the play of Indianapolis running back Trent Richardson since his trade from Cleveland. Richardson ran well as a member of the Browns, but has been nothing short of atrocious as a Colt. He has since been passed on the depth chart by Donald Brown and all are left wondering why. Coach Chuck Pagano had this to say, "Wait until he has the rest of this season, wait until he has an off-season with us, goes through a training camp with us … We've just got to keep it real. He won't make any excuses. And we won't make any excuses for him. But reality is reality. It's not an easy thing." If you still are a believer in Richardson's talent, he could be a great “buy low” this offseason as many owners have given up on the still-young ball carrier.
The San Francisco 49ers placed rookie running back Marcus Lattimore on injured reserve, after the rookie practiced for the past three weeks without a setback. Lattimore is still trying to get back his form after the multiple knee injuries. He was not expected to play this season, anyway, even though some were hopeful after the practices. It is still unknown whether Lattimore can return to his once-dominant college form.
The Green Bay Packers have missed the big-play ability of Randall Cobb. His leg injury has cost the playmaker most of the season. Cobb still has not been cleared to practice and could go on season-ending injured reserve soon if progress is not made soon. He is eligible to return from the short-term injured reserve list this coming week, but that will not happen. Missing Cobb and quarterback Aaron Rodgers has limited the offensive output for the Packers.
Rob Gronkowski hurt his knee in the come-from-behind victory over the Cleveland Browns Sunday. He is feared to be out the remainder of the season.
After a monster week one against the porous Arizona Cardinals defense, St. Louis Rams tight end Jared Cook has disappointed. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch ran an article last week where Cook expressed disappointment in his season. The tight end said, "Some games you feel like you could've played better … I just have to improve in the areas of my play because I feel like I can help this team some more." Cook is very athletic, yet has not been able to get open with regularity. In fairness, the poor quarterback play has not helped matters.
Hopes were high coming into the season for Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph. However, the combination of poor play quarterback carousel and a foot injury have derailed his season. Last Thursday, head coach Leslie Frazier said Rudolph "hasn't made as much progress as originally (thought)." His dynasty value was sky high last offseason, and now the former Notre Dame tight end is almost universally ranked outside the top ten at his position for dynasty.
Now healthy, ex-Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Moeaki signed a two-year deal with the Buffalo Bills last week. The contract is prorated for 2013 and should allow the team to get an extended look at the young tight end over the Spring and Summer. The oft-injured Moeaki has a shot to start for Buffalo next season. He is preferable to Scott Chandler and rookie Chris Gragg still needs seasoning. The Bills are adding talented, athletic players at the skill positions and are building a big play offense.
With the impending retirement of tight end Tony Gonzalez after this season, the Atlanta Falcons want to see what they have in rookie Levine Toilolo. Toilolo is a big, red zone target and can develop his receiving skills this offseason. Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said of the youngster, "At the end of the year here, we know Levine’s a player that we’re trying to ... Tony [Gonzalez] is not going to be here next year … We know we’re going to try and get Levine some work." With one of the worst records in the entire NFL, it is time for Atlanta to look at giving the younger players more practice and playing time.
Injuries to monitor this week:
Michael Vick: Hamstring
Jay Cutler: Ankle
Aaron Rodgers: Collarbone
EJ Manuel: Knee
Darren McFadden: Hamstring
Michael Crabtree: Achilles
Randall Cobb: Leg
Percy Harvin: Hip
Wes Welker: Concussion
Jordan Reed: Concussion
Dennis Pitta: Hip
Kyle Rudolph: Foot
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.