Meet the new Patriots, same as the old Patriots. And when we say old, we mean 2001, not 2007. The unveiling of the Matt Cassel era was encouraging for Patriots fans, and discouraging for fantasy heads. Randy Moss owners do not want their first-round pick on a ball control offense.
Moss' first target of the game came just before halftime. He finished with three in all, one on a deep ball where Moss changed his route during the play, throwing up his arm in a sign that he was going deep. Cassel recognized the sight adjustment, heaved the ball, and watch it flutter high into the Meadowland breeze like a Pennington knuckleball. Moss stopped, came back for the underthrown pass, dropped it, and stared blankly, dreaming of Tom.
The Jets often slow down the Patriots, so let's not overreact. Wes Welker had a Welker-like seven catches for 72 yards. Kevin Faulk did his usual third-down thing. But a backfield that was full of questions before Sunday is a total mystery. New England's leading rusher by a large margin was LaMont Jordan! Laurence Maroney missed three quarters with a shoulder injury, but oddly returned for one play late. Sammy Morris scored a touchdown, but rushed for 0.00 yards. The Patriots may still win as a team, but the Greatest Offense Ever is slowly receding from the fantasy spotlight. Just like it's 2001.
Don't Panic1. LaDainian Tomlinson has started slow before, but 40 total yards was his worst effort since Week 7 of 2005. He's had an injured toe before . but he played well through that one. This certainly feels different because of the injury, but we've doubted LT2 before at our own peril. Tomlinson says he felt better after Sunday's game than he did after Week 1. He says he won't go see a doctor again.
That sounds great, but turf toes can be very tricky for running backs. They can linger, they can frustrate, they can result in games like the one Tomlinson had Sunday.
U.S. & World
LT2's run has to end eventually, and those who invested their top pick on him are praying this isn't the year. But let's wait more than two weeks before shoveling dirt on his grave, shall we? Stay patient. And pick up Darren Sproles!
2. At 3PM ET Sunday, the Big Story looked like it was going to be the continued struggles of the Colts and Bengals offenses. These two AFC fantasy pillars were crumbling. While the Bengals didn't turn it around in the wind against Tennessee, Peyton Manning somehow rallied to respectability against a strong Vikings defense.
Manning is right; the team doesn't have a running game. But Manning had thrown for over 300 yards by the end of Sunday. Despite all the scuffling, he's third in the league in yards through two games. An injury to left tackle Tony Ugoh is a big concern, but the passing game is surviving despite two tough matchups.
3. Nothing explains Ryan Grant rushing for 20 yards in 15 carries against the hapless Lions, especially when the final score is 48-25. So don't try to explain it.
Possibly Overrated Summer Storylines1. The Ricky vs. Ronnie battle
2. Marshawn' Lynch's improving third down skills. Fred Jackson had seven catches Sunday, Lynch had one.
3. Who will play wide receiver at Seattle. How many guys have to get hurt for Courtney Taylor to catch more than two passes?
4. Tarvaris Jackson's development and new receivers.
5. Deuce McAllister's return
1. The aforementioned Bengals aren't right. Their offense has faced the toughest schedule in the league with the Ravens and the Titans. And we can't exactly fault Carson Palmer for struggling in 50 MPH winds, the worst I've ever seen for an NFL game. But that doesn't change the fact that Kerry Collins' Titans looked better passing the ball Sunday. The Bengals' formerly strong line is getting pushed around. The Bengals would probably be in the "Don't Panic" column, but two of their next three games are at the Giants and Cowboys. It's reasonable to think about benching Palmer for those matchups.
2. You can't run if you don't lead. Kevin Smith has 26 carries in two weeks for the Lions.
3. The Raiders called 47 runs to 17 passes Sunday. JaMarcus Russell is a long way from productive, which is going to drag down Zach Miller, Ronald Curry, and Ashley Lelie. It also won't help their third receiver Javon Walker get involved. And yes, you can safely drop Walker, who played intermittently Sunday.
4. I had Derek Anderson on our "Busts" list, but I still believe he will turn his stats around. Their schedule has been brutal and the offensive line will key efforts against easier competition. The problem for Anderson owners is that the Browns need to start winning fast, and the Browns defense may not allow it. The team heads to Baltimore next week. If they go to 0-3, the chances of seeing Brady Quinn this season rises. My guess is Cleveland needs to be 4-4 after eight games or D.A. is in big trouble.
5. Rashard Mendenhall didn't have an offensive snap Sunday against Cleveland, but Mewelde Moore did. Any hopes of Mendenhall having a MJD-like rookie season is slipping away.
6. The Jaguars running game misses their linemen. David Garrard has more rushing yards than MJD through two weeks.
7. Larry Johnson is panicking, so his owners may as well too. L.J. needs to calm down and realize he wasn't playing late in Sunday's game because he doesn't take snaps on passing downs often anymore. His owners need to worry that he's turning into Shaun Alexander, patiently waiting and waiting for a hole to develop as he's tackled at the line of scrimmage.
Injury WardSome of the injuries mentioned on our Injury Crunch column on Season Pass:
LaDainian Tomlinson
Laurence Maroney
Joey Galloway
Sidney Rice
Devin Hester
Damon Huard
Ben Utecht
Logan Payne/Seneca Wallace
Head over to Rotoworld for Part II of the Morning After, and check out Pancake Blocks in the afternoon for more goodies and waiver pickups.
