This is a Daily Dose about position battles, but I wanted to start off by pointing out how smoking hot Calvin Johnson is through two preseason weeks. We already know last year's No. 2 overall pick possesses the tools necessary to dominate. Now, he's doing it.
Johnson's rookie year was slightly disappointing. He battled a season-long back injury and there were rumblings his grasp of then-coordinator Mike Martz's playbook was incomplete. But despite playing at significantly less than 100 percent, Johnson averaged 15.4 yards per catch, good for eighth in the NFL among receivers who caught 40 or more balls.
Johnson has played a total of four preseason series, all in the first quarter against starting secondaries. Detroit faced fundamentally sound Giants CBs Aaron Ross and Corey Webster in the exhibition opener and up-and-coming Bengals duo Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph in Sunday night's contest. In those four series, Johnson is averaging 22.0 YPC on seven grabs, including Sunday's 27-yard touchdown. That came after Joseph smacked Johnson in the face at the line of scrimmage to draw an illegal contact flag. The penalty was declined.
Besides his return to health and eye-popping early preseason performance, there is much to like about Johnson's situation this year.
1. The Lions traded away their best defender in the offseason, dealing NT Shaun Rogers for a draft pick and inconsistent cornerback Leigh Bodden. Bodden hasn't even cracked the starting lineup yet. Rogers has looked unstoppable in Cleveland. The Lions replaced him with 33-year-old journeyman Chartric Darby, who's 6'0/297 to Rogers' 6'4/370. Darby is also coming off a torn patellar tendon. Ranked dead last in the NFL last year and now even worse on paper, the Lions' defense is going to be dreadful again. No matter what new offensive boss Jim Colletto promises, this team will have to throw to stay in games.
2. Detroit's running game is struggling badly in its conversion to a zone-blocking system. As a team, the Lions are averaging 3.0 yards per carry, which ranks second worst in the league through two preseason weeks. And while preseason stats are often meaningless, there's little room for optimism considering their lack of backfield talent. The Lions' offensive strengths are their wideouts and capable quarterback.
3. Playbook concerns are a thing of the past with Martz's intricacies gone to San Francisco and Colletto's more basic version of the same scheme installed. The Lions will go heavy on two-receiver sets and Johnson's targets will skyrocket.
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4. Johnson is locked in as a starter.Shaun McDonald, who's still rehabbing after offseason knee surgery, started opposite Roy Williams throughout last season. A "Martz guy," McDonald is now strictly a slot receiver playing in an offense that won't go three wide. Johnson will be an every-down player.
5. Calvin Johnson is a physical freak, lest we not forget. His hands are the size of Babe Ruth-era baseball gloves, he is ideally built at 6'5/237, can jump through the roof, and runs like a deer (4.35 forty at the 2007 Combine). Good luck to any cornerbacks trying to jam this guy. Johnathan Joseph won't make that mistake again.
While you consider pre-draft ranking Johnson among your top 15 receivers after reading this intro and envision young Calvin erupting like Mount Vesuvius on a weekly basis, here are some updates on position battles around the league...
Saints No. 2 Receiver
Competitors: David Patten/Robert Meachem/Devery Henderson
Meachem started the preseason opener in place of Marques Colston and went off, grabbing four balls for 129 yards, including a diving 49-yard bomb and a 60-yard catch and run for a score that involved three broken tackles. The latter play in particular proved Meachem is 100% recovered from the lingering effects of knee surgery that washed out his rookie season. He played behind Devery Henderson in New Orleans' second exhibition and caught only one ball for a gain of 11, but the Saints appear to be clearing a path for Meachem to start. According to their latest depth chart, Meachem is on the same side as Henderson and incumbent David Patten has been moved behind Colston. Henderson is squarely on the roster bubble and battled a bad hamstring all summer. The only reason he's ahead of Meachem now is because of experience. The Saints' third preseason game will be telling, but Meachem looks headed for a first-string role by Week 1.
Current Leader: None
Projected Week 1 Winner:Robert Meachem
Bengals No. 1 Tailback
Competitors: Rudi Johnson/Chris Perry/Kenny Watson
Rudi's previously pulled hamstring tightened up yet again before the Bengals' second exhibition game Sunday night. Perry got the start and had what looked like a golden opportunity to seize the starting job against a beatable Lions rush defense and behind a healthy Bengals offensive line. He was only mediocre. Perry has looked powerful so far, but not especially quick or explosive. That could bode badly for Johnson, however, because Rudi is a grinder at this stage who doesn't offer anything on passing downs. Watson and Perry both excel in the receiving game. I'm not suggesting it's likely, but Johnson's roster spot could be in doubt depending on what happens against the Saints on Saturday night. Rudi is unreliable and the Bengals don't need him.
Current Leader: None
Projected Week 1 Winner:Chris Perry
Panthers No. 1 Tailback
Competitors: Jonathan Stewart/DeAngelo Williams
Williams' explosive (9-55-2) preseason debut and lasting concern about Stewart's recovery from toe surgery have the first-round pick's Average Draft Position falling rapidly. However, Williams did it against mostly Colts backups, wasn't as great in Thursday's game (8-32-0), and the Panthers were satisfied enough with Stewart's health to play him in Philadelphia. He's been medically cleared and will play more Saturday night against the Redskins. Stewart couldn't reasonably be expected to pass Williams as a "starter" because promoting rookies over vets just isn't John Fox's style, but the power back remains the best bet to lead Carolina in carries this season. Williams isn't a between-the-tackles runner and the Panthers beefed up their offensive line and signed run-blocking wideout Muhsin Muhammad because they want to gash defenses up the middle. We'd limit our expectations for Stewart early in the year, but Williams has very little chance to be more than a pace-changing committee piece by midseason.
Current Leader:DeAngelo Williams
Projected Week 1 Winner:DeAngelo Williams
Cardinals No. 1 Quarterback
Competitors: Matt Leinart/Kurt Warner
Warner didn't even get into the Cards' exhibition opener, watching as Brian St. Pierre and former Penn State star (if you can call him that) Anthony Morelli mopped up for Leinart. Coach Ken Whisenhunt let Warner play Saturday, but Leinart was better and the scale has been tipped in the southpaw QB's favor after Whiz called it an open competition at the outset of camp. Whisenhunt inserted Warner during red-zone situations last year, but intends to keep Leinart in when Arizona nears the goal line this season because his knowledge of the offense has improved. Though Warner might be the better option currently -- and a potential top-eight fantasy QB if he was the starter -- Leinart has the coaching staff's backing and would have to flounder badly in the last half of August to make it mildly interesting. Leinart's early-season schedule (@ SF, vs. MIA, @ WAS, @ NYJ, vs. BUF) is favorable, so expect him to stay on the safe end of a medium-length leash and be a worthwhile QB2 pick late in fantasy drafts.
Current Leader:Matt Leinart
Projected Week 1 Winner:Matt Leinart
Texans No. 1 Tailback
Competitors: Ahman Green/Chris Brown/Chris Taylor/Darius Walker
I didn't include Steve Slaton because he was drafted to add speed to the backfield and assist on third downs, not start, even if he will get first-team carries Friday in Dallas. Houston's ideal option for the lead role would be Green, if he could be effective or stay healthy. He can do neither, as evidenced by consistently poor-to-mediocre play over the last three years and a strained groin suffered on his first preseason touch. Brown can play, but is another pulled muscle waiting to happen. Taylor is coming off reconstructive knee surgery and hasn't moved the ball in the preseason (2.4 YPC on 22 carries). In the near future, I expect coach Gary Kubiak to hitch his wagon to the most reliable horse as he's had to at the end of the last two seasons because of injuries. Walker, who never missed a start at Notre Dame, lacks a true second gear but speed isn't a required quality in new line coach Alex Gibbs' zone-blocking scheme and Walker is a highly skilled receiver who excels on draws. The Texans can win ten games in 2008 if they stay healthy and play to their strength (the passing game) and Walker makes the most sense as the early-down portion of a committee with Slaton. It shouldn't be going out on a limb, either, because Walker's yards-per-carry average (4.6) led the team last year, he is experienced in the offense, and easily is the most durable back on the roster.
Current Leader:Ahman Green
Projected Week 1 Winner:Darius Walker
Seahawks No. 3 Receiver
Competitors: Courtney Taylor/Ben Obomanu/Logan Payne
Bobby Engram's cracked shoulder will sideline him until at least Week 5, and a return closer to midseason can't be ruled out due to his age (35) and previous battle with Graves disease, a condition that affects the immune system. While he is out, the winner between Taylor and Obomanu will see favorable starts @ BUF (29th in pass defense last year), vs. SF (22nd), and vs. STL (21st). The coaches are clearly in Taylor's corner and he's running with the first team opposite Nate Burleson. Obomanu started Seattle's first preseason game in the slot and could stay there if he doesn't pass Taylor, but still must fend off Payne, who's more of a field stretcher than any of Seattle's wideouts and impressed with four catches for 38 yards Saturday's exhibition. Taylor is the most physical and runs the best routes of the bunch, making him an ideal fit at flanker. His main obstacle has been nagging injuries, but if Taylor can stay healthy and excel while being peppered with Matt Hasselbeck targets in those first three games, a WR4-caliber season is well within reach. This position is fantasy sleeper central.
Current Leader:Courtney Taylor
Projected Week 1 Winner:Courtney Taylor
49ers No. 1 Quarterback
Competitors: Alex Smith/J.T. O'Sullivan/Shaun Hill
Mike Nolan says O'Sullivan is winning this battle despite no history of success in a seven-year career. Since O'Sullivan is coordinator Mike Martz's guy, it's clear that Nolan has ceded control of the offense for now. Martz kicked Hill to the curb, while Smith still lurks on the second team. Martz may think O'Sullivan has starting ability in his offense, but JTO can't continue to turn the ball over and keep the job. He lost a fumble, threw a pick, and directed the offense to zero points in over a quarter of the Niners' preseason opener. In Saturday's exhibition, O'Sullivan did a little better but threw another interception, completed fewer than 50% of his attempts, and made mental mistakes. Our money remains on Smith because he's the smartest quarterback on the roster and has the best arm and athleticism. Perhaps O'Sullivan will open as San Francisco's starter, but recall that Nolan has final say over game-day decisions and if JTO keeps up the sloppiness, Nolan can overrule Martz and make the switch. We'd guess it happens sooner than later, especially if O'Sullivan lays another egg Thursday at Chicago. It definitely doesn't hurt that Nolan is on one of the hotter seats in the league and a lot of his evaluation at season's end will be tied to Smith's development. Or lack thereof.
Current Leader:J.T. O'Sullivan
Projected Week 1 Winner:Alex Smith
Dolphins No. 2 Receiver
Competitors: Ernest Wilford/Derek Hagan/Davone Bess
Miami's preliminary camp depth chart had Wilford starting opposite Ted Ginn Jr., but Hagan's practice play has been too impressive for him to be a backup any longer and he's officially moved up. Hagan hasn't been as outstanding in preseason games, but neither has Wilford and Hagan offers more speed outside. Hagan may finally be coming into his own at age 23 after being a third-round pick in 2006. Wilford is what he is; a red-zone option with possession skills but shaky hands and little vertical ability. Bess, a pure slot guy who led Colt Brennan's Hawaii Rainbows in receiving the past two seasons, is running as a starter in three-receiver sets. That makes Wilford a fourth receiver in essence and undraftable even in the deepest of leagues. Don't look for much to change here in-season. Hagan is nearing the end of his rookie deal and the Dolphins need to find out if he's worth a long-term commitment. Wilford could still come in when Miami needs a blocker out wide.
Current Leader:Derek Hagan
Projected Week 1 Winner:Derek Hagan
Eagles No. 2 Tailback
Competitors: Correll Buckhalter/Tony Hunt/Lorenzo Booker/Ryan Moats
While Brian Westbrook rested during Philly's first exhibition, Buckhalter started and Booker ran extensively with the twos and threes. They're both ahead of Hunt and Moats on the depth chart, with the latter two in danger of being goners at final cuts. Hunt helped himself with a 51-yard touchdown in the Birds' second preseason game, but it came against Panthers backups (Carolina also apparently has the slowest third-stringers in the league). Buckhalter has the second spot on lock, although Booker could play more as long as Westbrook is healthy. If Westbrook gets hurt, Buckhalter would take the field first, operating on early downs and near the goal line. Booker would handle kickoff returns and third-down duty, thus leaving Westbrook without a clear fantasy handcuff. In a touchdown-heavy league, Buckhalter is the backup for Westbrook owners to target. In leagues awarding points for receptions or return yards, Booker is the safer choice.
Current Leader:Correll Buckhalter
Projected Week 1 Winner:Correll Buckhalter
Chiefs No. 2 Tailback
Competitors: Kolby Smith/Jamaal Charles/Jackie Battle/Dantrell Savage
Odd roster movement is all over the place at Chiefs camp. At linebacker, No. 2 receiver, offensive line, placekicker, and left corner players that wouldn't even make most teams are getting starting opportunities. Time will tell whether that's due to poor personnel evaluation (we're betting it is), but the weirdest of all is behind Larry Johnson. Battle, who went undrafted and was on the street for three months in 2007 before being snapped up by the then-tailback desperate Chiefs, was directly behind L.J. on the initial camp depth chart. Meanwhile, Charles is putting the ball on the ground like he did at Texas and not threatening for playing time. He did not receive one carry in Saturday's exhibition bout with Arizona. Smith should win this job because of his experience, reliability, and respectable skill level, but probably won't have any security despite his solid efforts in relief of Johnson last season. The easiest solution to all this is to not draft Kansas City's starter due to his lost step, embarrassing offensive line, and worse quarterback situation. Then you won't have to handcuff him.
Current Leader:Jackie Battle
Projected Week 1 Winner:Kolby Smith
