Rookie Slaton Looks To Start For Texans

Houston running back Steve Slaton still remains behind Ahman Green and Chris Brown on the depth chart, but the 2nd-round-pick out of rushed for 1836 yds and 25 TDs as a Junior for West Virginia. In 2006 he finished 4th in the 2006 Heisman Trophy race after rushing for 1,744 yards on 248 carries with 16 touchdowns.
You know what you get with Brown and Green and it is a game or two of value and not much else, while Slaton could be the next 1,000 yard every down back NFL back. Take the chance on him but he is going earlier and earlier. He should still be around in the 10th-11th rounds.
Sin City Scout

WR Dilemma: Housh vs. Colston

Marques Colston and T.J. Houshmandzedeh are currently being picked as the 7th and 8th receivers according to certain ADP lists. When deciding between the two, here are some things you should consider:

T.J. Houshmandzedeh - T.J. finally broke out from behind Ocho Cinco's shadow last season, cracking 1100 yards and 10 TDs for the first time in his career. With Chad Johnson back at his side for this season, (trust me...he will come to play this year), Housh will still see a lot of single coverage again this season, but expect a small step back. Since Chad could easily snatch back the #1 TD scoring role for the Bengals, Project Housh to get about 1100 yards and 10 TDs.

Marques Colston - Colston did not disappoint in his sophomore season, racking up 1200 yards and 11 TDs. With Brees still behind center and the Saints prepared to go "bombs away" on offense, we should expect to see the same from Colston. Colston will get even better this year, but will take a small hit due to the Shockey acquisition. That being said, Colston will see less double teams, which should still allow him to reach the same numbers as last year. There have been some reports out of Saints camp that Colston's knee that received arthroscopic surgery has been swelling, but the third year receiver has youth on his side. If Colston is ready for opening day, project 1200 yards and 10 TDs.

Basically, as the true #1 WR on his team, Colston should be the WR you side with during your draft. However, in PPR leagues, you should consider taking Housh if Colston's knee concerns you.


-Scout Widget Spindle

Seattle's Morris Starting Over Jones?

In the Seahawks 34-17 win over Minnesota it showed us several things, including a new running back controversy that is brewing in Seattle and some interesting quarterback tidbits.
First and foremost is Maurice Morris getting the start and then outplaying Julius Jones, gaining 62 yards on 6 carries while Jones carried 4 times for 14 yards. Not much to dog Jones about, but the fact is he didn't start and Morris played well says a lot. This may turn into another 2-back attack, which is bad news for fantasy owners. Morris is no fluke either. The former 2nd-round pick has rushed for 2038 yards and 5 TD's in his first 3 seasons adding 55 receptions for 417 yards & 2 TD's. Bottom line is Jones' stock falls dramatically and Morris' rises, but it is best to stay away from either until the later rounds.
Some other notes include an excellent debut for Minnesota QB Tarvaris Jackson. He went 8-11 118 yards & 1TD . Once again, it is only preseason, but this bodes well for fantasy receivers Sidney Rice & Bernard Berrian. Speaking of QB's, Seattle back-up, Seneca Wallace went 15-20 for 165 yards & 3 TD's.

-Sin City Scout

The Farve Effect

It finally happened.

After having a few days to digest the Jets' acquisition of Farve, here is what should happen to the values of players on "The Legend's" new team:

WR Jericho Cotchery - The Jets #1 WR will love having the gunslinger in New York. Projections should increase 100 to 200 yards and a TD, taking him from a bottom end #2/top end #3 to a solid #2 WR.

WR Lavernaeus Coles - Projections will not increase as much as Cotchery, but should increase 50 to 150 yards and maybe a TD, taking him from a bottom end #3/top end #4 to a solid #3 WR.

RB Thomas Jones - Could be the most positively affected by the Farve trade. Now that teams must respect the pass, expect a 150 to 250 total yard increase plus 2 TDs, taking him from a bottom end #3 to a solid to bottom end #2, making him a decent start in two back fantasy leagues.

QB Chad Pennington - If he manages to end as as the starting QB for Minnesota, he could be as good as a solid #2 QB if he ends up being a good game manager for the Vikes.

TE Dustin Heller - Still a sleeper, but his chances to make an impact increase dramatically with an experienced QB at the helm. Drafting him late as a #2 TE is the best way to go, but he could end up being a very strong bye week replacement if Farve uses him around the endzone like he has other TEs.

So what about Farve? Farve doesn't have the weapons he did in Green Bay, so the ceiling is a bottom end #1 if everything comes together perfetly, but draft Farve as a mid to top end #2, as he will need time to adjust to the playbook and new targets he has acquired. An 11th round pick seems about the right value for Farve.


-Scout Widget Spindle

Jason Witten: Top choice tight end. Live Report from Cowboys Camp

First team offense takes a break, second team offense takes the field. And there’s Jason Witten on the sideline, working one on one with a coach, practicing his first move at the snap. Then they’re discussing footwork on blocking. Then pivots on the short route. All this time, most of his teammates stand around, get a drink or lean on their helmets. No Witten. He’s too busy preparing.

Jason Witten is one of the best tight ends in the league because he’s focused, he’s intense and he works harder than anyone else on the field.

At the end of practice, he’s the last one to the locker room. Why? He’s back out there with the coach again, one on one, going over a few more points.

Clearly, Witten’s head is in the game, he’s in tremendous shape, he catches everything in a three-county area, and he’s ready to play.

If you’re hunting for a solid, consistent tight end, look no further than Jason Witten, and look for him to have another great year. After all, he’s prepared.

Reporting live from Cowboys Training Camp, Oxnard, CA., Scout Tex

Slackman dogs it at Cowboys practice--Live Report

Adam “Pacman” Jones reportedly wants to drop the “Pacman” moniker. OK, here’s a new one: Slackman. As in slacker. Working on kick returns at Cowboys camp, Jones looked like he was above all this silly practice stuff. While Felix Jones worked hard on his kick returns--running tough, knees high, good cuts, impressive bursts of speed—Slackman jogged through his efforts, challenging neither himself nor his teammates. Not a good sign as far as his focus and determination are concerned. He seemed to have that “I can wait and turn it on in a game” attitude, which, if history tells us anything, amounts to famous last words.

If you’re shopping for defensive backs, or expect Slackman to be the next Devin Hester and get some points on kick returns, he looked like a long shot at best on this practice day.

Reporting live from Cowboys Training Camp, Scout Tex

T.O. still rules--live report from Cowboys Camp

From Cowboys Training Camp in Oxnard, CA.

Terrell Owens continues to be the fan favorite on the team. From the looks of it, he won’t disappoint again this year. Nary a ball thrown his way hit the ground in practice today. Physically, he’s his usual stunning self. And the wit remains in high gear: Owens wouldn’t directly respond to the hundreds of fans lining the chain link fence around the practice field Wednesday morning, most of them mooing “T.O.! Teee—oooo!,” but he did inquire of no one in particular, “Where’s my Starbucks?” And later, when one fan shouted, “T.O., I got my popcorn ready!” Owens nodded his helmted head knowingly.

Owens is ready to play, and he’s a smart first pick at wide receiver.

Reporting live from Cowboys Training Camp, Scout Tex