Which Back Up Will Stack Up?

[cctekguy]

Michael Turner stepped out of LT's shadow and made a name for himself with the Atlanta Falcons. Becoming a huge success with another team after spending your career keeping kerosene in the hand warmer is the exception rather than the rule, but there are a few players this year that have been given the same golden opportunity.

Which of these perennial waiver wire regulars stands the best chance to launch their career to the next level?

7 Matt Cassel, QB

Matt had an incredible year in '08 filling in for Tom Brady. He passed for 3,693 yds and 21 TDs while guiding the talented Pats to the play-offs. He's now at the helm of the less talented Kansas City Chiefs.

Will he make a name for himself in KC or will he go the way of Brodie Croyle?


85 Nate Washington, WR

Nate has been the #3 in Pittsburgh the last 3 years posting decent #3 numbers. He's averaged 35 receptions, 568 yds and 4 TD's. He now finds himself starting opposite Justin Gage with the run oriented Tennessee Titans.

Is he now a viable fantasy option or just another blocker for Johnson and White?

10 Jabar Gaffney, WR

Gaffney has posted numbers similar to Washington's over the past 3 years with the Pats. He's been dealt to the Bronco's as THEIR #3 but with Marshall's fall from grace he could be playing from the #2 spot more than expected.

Does Gaffney have what it takes to become Orton's favorite target?


87 Brad Cottam, TE

Cottam doesn't really fit the theme of this topic, but he IS stepping out of a huge shadow. After years of dominating the Chiefs passing game, Gonzalez has moved on to Atlanta and left Cottam some huge shoes to fill.

Will the Chiefs continue to spotlight their TE or will Cassel be looking for other targets?

 

[Sgt John]

First off, fabulous post and a great topic.

That said, Cassel has the most attention focused on him, but Nate Washington might have the best chance to shine. Solid vet QB, great line, great backs. I think he has the chance to put up around 50 catches for 800 yds and 8 scores. I think he will work pretty well out there as the number two with Chris Johnson an underneath threat every time he takes off streaking down the field.

 

[Miller]

great topic, unfortunately I have to go off the board and say none of the above. I just don't buy into Cassel all the way and I don't see any of the other three as anything special.

The guy who I think will make that transition is a guy who really wasn't a back-up, but in a RBBC.....Derrick Ward. He'll end up being the man in TB IMO and have a great season.

 

[Deacon]

great topic, unfortunately I have to go off the board and say none of the above. I just don't buy into Cassel all the way and I don't see any of the other three as anything special.

The guy who I think will make that transition is a guy who really wasn't a back-up, but in a RBBC.....Derrick Ward. He'll end up being the man in TB IMO and have a great season.

I feel the same way about 'none of the above' but if I had to take a chance on one it would be Washington.

He could be in a similar situation as Steve Smith. A run oriented offense where he is the dominant choice in the passing game. Its a stretch and I don't foresee anything close to Steve Smith numbers but he could be a value steal if he puts up WR2 type numbers.

 

[Coachnorm]

I like Brad Cottam the best in this bunch.

You have to look where he is starting from.

Is the next great KC TE? maybe not, but he is the next KC TE.

Last year he scored 13 fantasy points. This year he will probably get 113 fantasy points. That will be the biggest leap in this bunch.

 

[Sgt John]

Nice post Coach.

 

[cctekguy]

The guy who I think will make that transition is a guy who really wasn't a back-up, but in a RBBC.....Derrick Ward.

I thought about including Ward but he would have tipped the poll and taken the fun out of it. :grin:

 

[Coachnorm]

Cassel after the big trade with picks and a huge contract is coming under a lot of fire due to great expectations generated by all that hype. This has nothing to due with playing football. While QB semi-god Tom Brady went down last year the Pats were written off. Yet Cassell came in and lead the to the brink of success just missing the playoffs with some teams even getting in with a worse record. And this was regarded as a Cassell miracle.

Now wait just a minute!!! This was not the miracle of Cassel. This was a former SuperBowl team with all it's pieces in place except Brady. Cassel was a miracle worker, Uh No, he was a 21TD guy with very nice yardage.

My feeling on Cassell this year is very solid. Approching 20 TDs again. Very nice yardage, I am thinking very Trent Greenish, great yardage QB a little light on the TDS for fantasy purposes in most leagues.

In bigger leagues he be a solid QB. For KC as a player he will be a solid performer as a real life QB. Capable of leting you done now and then and equally capable of giving you a great game now and then. I got to watch him alot seeing a lot of AFC games. What he did show in spades was poise, patience, a good view of the field. It takes a QB with smarts and poise to run the New England offense. I consider him a nice lockdown on the QB position for KC long term and this is a good thing as they have a lot of areas under construction.

 

[bodey24]

I like Cassell the best out of everyone. Although I am not a huge fan of Cassell I think he will have a decent season and his season will be better than the others mentioned on the list.

 

[Mike]

I'm going to go off the list, go completely homer, and say Tashard Choice, and while staying on the homer side and looking at defense, throw out Anthony Spencer on defense.

Choice got behind and injured offensive line that was missing starters on one side of the line, and did what the starting running back couldn't do behind this line. He played well and won't be ignored by the coaching staff this year.

Spencer comes into a great situation in a very good 3-4 defense. He takes over the starting spot (Greg Ellis departed) opposite Demarcus Ware and will have lots of opportunity for sacks and tackles because offenses are going to avoid Ware as much as possible.

Another guy not mentioned is Ahmad Bradshaw, who benefits from the departing of Ward. Having Bradshaw on the roster made it much easier for the Giants to lose Ward.

 

[Phicinfan]

I like Washington of all the above. He has decent skills, and no one really in front of him to take it away from him.

I am not down as much as some on Cassell. But the loss of Gonzo, and no real reciever opposit of bowe worries me. Yes they signed Engram.....just not sure how much he has left.

Ward to me is promising...but I think Graham RBBCs more than most think. Caddy is stil there as well...so I don't know if there will be enough carries for all.

Gaffney is a non-entity. He always has been, and always will be. He is a one or two game flash. He equals a guy like Avant or Baskett in Philly.

Cottam....confuses me. He obviously has the teams faith...as they were willing to finally deal Gonzo....but all reports in camp so far say he hasn't really stepped up.

As for Mike...>I am as high on Choice as he is...but I temper it as he won't take over until Barber gets hurt. So that won't be till week 4 - 6 IMO.

So I will go Washington.

 

[Mike]

As for Mike...>I am as high on Choice as he is...but I temper it as he won't take over until Barber gets hurt. So that won't be till week 4 - 6 IMO.

I don't have any solid info to go on here, but from trying to catch as much local news as possible (and not being local anymore makes that tougher), it sounds more and more like the sentiment is to move Barber back into more of a shared role like he had when Julius Jones was here, only this time, without him getting all the goalline work.

The coaching staff really liked what they seen in Choice last year, and with the owner on record as wanting Felix to start, all bets are off on who will excel from this RBBC mess. The team will truly benefit from it, but this is a fantasy nightmare.