Eddie Royal has been the NFL's top rookie receiver in the first half of the season. The former Virginia Tech Hokie and current Broncos flanker leads all first-year wideouts with 39 catches for 392 yards (10.1 YPC) and two touchdowns in six games.
DeSean Jackson has been second best and
Donnie Avery is coming on. These players were second-round picks in April. A fifth-round rookie has a chance to emerge with a better second half than all three.
Josh Morgan, who played with Royal in college, has overtaken
Bryant Johnson as the 49ers' No. 1 split end. His early-season development delayed by a staph infection, Morgan got healthy and drew the start in Week 7, busting out with five catches for 86 yards and a 30-yard touchdown against a strong Giants secondary. In the game, Morgan exhibited big-play ability and a knack for using his size (6'1/220) to box defenders out. He moved and caught confidently in traffic and made a heads-up play by kicking a
J.T. O'Sullivan fumble out of the end zone to prevent a would-be Giants defensive touchdown.
You know the coaches loved that.
Morgan plays in a Mike Martz offense that typically gets more pass heavy as the season progresses, particularly when his team's defense isn't doing well. San Francisco's isn't, ranking 23rd in average yards allowed per game. A throw-first attack will get Morgan more targets.
With Mike Nolan fired, new coach Mike Singletary has given Martz a vote of confidence and is unlikely to tinker with the side of the ball he knows little of. Singletary is a former linebacker whose background is strictly defense. Martz is a former Super Bowl head coach who understands offense and is being paid well to teach it. His philosophy will remain unchanged.
This week, Morgan faces a Seattle defense that is struggling to regain an identity after a strong 2007 campaign. A sizable portion of the team's problems stem from extremely shaky play at right cornerback, where opening-day starter
Kelly Jennings has been benched for
Josh Wilson, then Wilson for
Jordan Babineaux. In the 49ers' base set that's who Morgan will be mostly covered by Sunday. San Francisco will likely avoid testing Seahawks left corner
Marcus Trufant, who's played fantastically this season. Trufant will be assigned to
Isaac Bruce.
Babineaux is a trusty special teamer/nickel defender who's dabbled at both corner and safety. But there's a reason "Big Play Babs" went undrafted in 2004 and hasn't stuck at cornerback -- the more valuable position -- and that's because he doesn't run all that well. Babineaux was frequently abused in man coverage last year and
Antonio Bryant hung six grabs, 115 yards, and a touchdown on the Seahawks' RCBs last week.
Morgan, who ran 4.45 at February's NFL Combine, should be able to beat Babineaux deep on Sunday. Morgan will also have an inch and 20 pounds on his defender. If Seattle substitutes for Babineaux in-game with Jennings (5'11/180) or, better yet Wilson (5'9/192), the size differential will be even more substantial.
Obviously, it will take more than one week to put Morgan in Royal's class in terms of fantasy value, but this is definitely a good week to use him as a WR3. And a big game against Seattle could give Morgan the confidence he needs to exploit favorable upcoming matchups (@ ARZ, vs. STL, @ DAL, and @ BUF) on the 49ers' schedule. It would also give fantasy owners the confidence we need to know Morgan is "for real" and playable on a weekly basis.
Important Game-Time Decisions for Week 8ArmsNone of significant note.
WidesPlaxico Burress - Game changing receiver will start against old team.
Anquan Boldin - Expected to be out there for 30-35 snaps at Carolina.
Jerricho Cotchery - Full blown game-time call; we'll find out at noon.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh - Avg'ing 8 REC a game since Week 3, will start.
Laveranues Coles - Upgrade to probable means he'll play against KC.
Josh Morgan - Will start in beautiful matchup outlined previously.
Justin McCareins,
Justin Gage - Gage slated to start, McCareins not.
Derrick Mason,
Mark Clayton - Both will probably play vs. the Raiders.
Chris Chambers - Guessing Chambers won't be active against Saints.
Joey Galloway - To be a third receiver is his upside against Cowboys.
Reggie Brown - Shouldn't be played anyways after losing starting job.
Ike Hilliard - Even if he plays Sunday, Hilliard won't be in starting l/u.
Laurent Robinson - He'll resume fourth receiver duty Sunday at Philly.
Koren Robinson - Probable; a starter but doesn't do much in box score.
D.J. Hackett - Backup wideout not expected to return from knee injury.
Demetrius Williams - Status uncertain after doing very little in practice.
Jerome Simpson - Unimpressive second-round rookie off to very slow start.
BacksClinton Portis - The game's hottest back very likely to face Detroit.
Steven Jackson - He'll likely start in revealing game at New England.
Brian Westbrook - Has recovered from rib injury; will start vs. ATL.
LaDainian Tomlinson - Should see 25+ carries in bad weather game.
Joseph Addai - Won't play on MNF, but a good buy-low if you can.
Willie Parker - He's virtually certain to sit after missing Friday work.
Willis McGahee - Willis will start and is rock solid RB2 vs. Oakland.
Sammy Morris,
LaMont Jordan - Look for
Kevin Faulk to start vs. STL.
Darren McFadden - Slated to play, but not a fantasy option @ BAL.
Warrick Dunn - Likely to play Sunday, but could see "limited" work.
EndsJeremy Shockey - He'll play Sunday, but don't expect 5+ receptions.
Chris Baker - Baker likely to face Chiefs, but not a strong TE1 play.
Steve Heiden - Will replace
Kellen Winslow as starting TE @ Jags.
Ben Utecht - Has been a disappointment during first year in Cincy.
Leonard Pope - Very unlikely to be available after sitting all week.
LegsShayne Graham - Will resume starting Sunday after 2-game layoff.
Matt Bryant - Bryant is certain to kick Sunday against the Cowboys.
Already Ruled Out for Week 8ArmsTony Romo - Romo not due back until after Cowboys' Week 10 bye.
Carson Palmer - According to ESPN, he's unlikely to return this year.
Matt Hasselbeck - Seahawks aren't sure he'll play again in 2008.
Jon Kitna -
Dan Orlovsky a starter until he plays his way out of it.
Brodie Croyle - Torn MCL and ACL has put him out for the season.
Patrick Ramsey - Former first-round pick placed on injured reserve.
Damon Huard - Could've returned from thumb injury, but shut down.
WidesSantonio Holmes - Deactivated after arrest;
Nate Washington starts.
Deion Branch - Listed as questionable, but the coach ruled him out.
Mike Walker - One time sleeper won't be again until he is healthy.
Joe Jurevicius - On PUP currently, but destined for IR in short order.
Craig Davis - "Buster" living up to it since going in '07 first round.
Drew Bennett - He's droppable in every fantasy format imaginable.
Malcolm Kelly - He's probably headed for IR during Redskins' bye.
Andre' Davis - Probably will miss three weeks after hand surgery.
BacksReggie Bush - Bush will miss first of three games Sunday in London.
Larry Johnson - Might not help your fantasy team for a long while.
Laurence Maroney - Has been lost for season with shoulder injury.
Ladell Betts - Needs another few weeks to get knee back healthy.
Felix Jones - Rookie could be back after the Cowboys' Week 10 bye.
Rashard Mendenhall -
Willie Parker injuries give him dynasty hope.
Carnell Williams - Cadillac is practicing again, but not on roster yet.
EndsKellen Winslow - Team deactivated him, but he'll return in Week 9.
Ben Troupe - On Raiders' IR list; Troupe has regressed as a player.
LegsMike Nugent -
Jay Feely will continue operating as Jets placekicker.
Eddie Royal has been the NFL's top rookie receiver in the first half of the season. The former Virginia Tech Hokie and current Broncos flanker leads all first-year wideouts with 39 catches for 392 yards (10.1 YPC) and two touchdowns in six games.
DeSean Jackson has been second best and
Donnie Avery is coming on. These players were second-round picks in April. A fifth-round rookie has a chance to emerge with a better second half than all three.
Josh Morgan, who played with Royal in college, has overtaken
Bryant Johnson as the 49ers' No. 1 split end. His early-season development delayed by a staph infection, Morgan got healthy and drew the start in Week 7, busting out with five catches for 86 yards and a 30-yard touchdown against a strong Giants secondary. In the game, Morgan exhibited big-play ability and a knack for using his size (6'1/220) to box defenders out. He moved and caught confidently in traffic and made a heads-up play by kicking a
J.T. O'Sullivan fumble out of the end zone to prevent a would-be Giants defensive touchdown.
You know the coaches loved that.
Morgan plays in a Mike Martz offense that typically gets more pass heavy as the season progresses, particularly when his team's defense isn't doing well. San Francisco's isn't, ranking 23rd in average yards allowed per game. A throw-first attack will get Morgan more targets.
With Mike Nolan fired, new coach Mike Singletary has given Martz a vote of confidence and is unlikely to tinker with the side of the ball he knows little of. Singletary is a former linebacker whose background is strictly defense. Martz is a former Super Bowl head coach who understands offense and is being paid well to teach it. His philosophy will remain unchanged.
This week, Morgan faces a Seattle defense that is struggling to regain an identity after a strong 2007 campaign. A sizable portion of the team's problems stem from extremely shaky play at right cornerback, where opening-day starter
Kelly Jennings has been benched for
Josh Wilson, then Wilson for
Jordan Babineaux. In the 49ers' base set that's who Morgan will be mostly covered by Sunday. San Francisco will likely avoid testing Seahawks left corner
Marcus Trufant, who's played fantastically this season. Trufant will be assigned to
Isaac Bruce.
Babineaux is a trusty special teamer/nickel defender who's dabbled at both corner and safety. But there's a reason "Big Play Babs" went undrafted in 2004 and hasn't stuck at cornerback -- the more valuable position -- and that's because he doesn't run all that well. Babineaux was frequently abused in man coverage last year and
Antonio Bryant hung six grabs, 115 yards, and a touchdown on the Seahawks' RCBs last week.
Morgan, who ran 4.45 at February's NFL Combine, should be able to beat Babineaux deep on Sunday. Morgan will also have an inch and 20 pounds on his defender. If Seattle substitutes for Babineaux in-game with Jennings (5'11/180) or, better yet Wilson (5'9/192), the size differential will be even more substantial.
Obviously, it will take more than one week to put Morgan in Royal's class in terms of fantasy value, but this is definitely a good week to use him as a WR3. And a big game against Seattle could give Morgan the confidence he needs to exploit favorable upcoming matchups (@ ARZ, vs. STL, @ DAL, and @ BUF) on the 49ers' schedule. It would also give fantasy owners the confidence we need to know Morgan is "for real" and playable on a weekly basis.
Important Game-Time Decisions for Week 8ArmsNone of significant note.
WidesPlaxico Burress - Game changing receiver will start against old team.
Anquan Boldin - Expected to be out there for 30-35 snaps at Carolina.
Jerricho Cotchery - Full blown game-time call; we'll find out at noon.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh - Avg'ing 8 REC a game since Week 3, will start.
Laveranues Coles - Upgrade to probable means he'll play against KC.
Josh Morgan - Will start in beautiful matchup outlined previously.
Justin McCareins,
Justin Gage - Gage slated to start, McCareins not.
Derrick Mason,
Mark Clayton - Both will probably play vs. the Raiders.
Chris Chambers - Guessing Chambers won't be active against Saints.
Joey Galloway - To be a third receiver is his upside against Cowboys.
Reggie Brown - Shouldn't be played anyways after losing starting job.
Ike Hilliard - Even if he plays Sunday, Hilliard won't be in starting l/u.
Laurent Robinson - He'll resume fourth receiver duty Sunday at Philly.
Koren Robinson - Probable; a starter but doesn't do much in box score.
D.J. Hackett - Backup wideout not expected to return from knee injury.
Demetrius Williams - Status uncertain after doing very little in practice.
Jerome Simpson - Unimpressive second-round rookie off to very slow start.
BacksClinton Portis - The game's hottest back very likely to face Detroit.
Steven Jackson - He'll likely start in revealing game at New England.
Brian Westbrook - Has recovered from rib injury; will start vs. ATL.
LaDainian Tomlinson - Should see 25+ carries in bad weather game.
Joseph Addai - Won't play on MNF, but a good buy-low if you can.
Willie Parker - He's virtually certain to sit after missing Friday work.
Willis McGahee - Willis will start and is rock solid RB2 vs. Oakland.
Sammy Morris,
LaMont Jordan - Look for
Kevin Faulk to start vs. STL.
Darren McFadden - Slated to play, but not a fantasy option @ BAL.
Warrick Dunn - Likely to play Sunday, but could see "limited" work.
EndsJeremy Shockey - He'll play Sunday, but don't expect 5+ receptions.
Chris Baker - Baker likely to face Chiefs, but not a strong TE1 play.
Steve Heiden - Will replace
Kellen Winslow as starting TE @ Jags.
Ben Utecht - Has been a disappointment during first year in Cincy.
Leonard Pope - Very unlikely to be available after sitting all week.
LegsShayne Graham - Will resume starting Sunday after 2-game layoff.
Matt Bryant - Bryant is certain to kick Sunday against the Cowboys.
Already Ruled Out for Week 8ArmsTony Romo - Romo not due back until after Cowboys' Week 10 bye.
Carson Palmer - According to ESPN, he's unlikely to return this year.
Matt Hasselbeck - Seahawks aren't sure he'll play again in 2008.
Jon Kitna -
Dan Orlovsky a starter until he plays his way out of it.
Brodie Croyle - Torn MCL and ACL has put him out for the season.
Patrick Ramsey - Former first-round pick placed on injured reserve.
Damon Huard - Could've returned from thumb injury, but shut down.
WidesSantonio Holmes - Deactivated after arrest;
Nate Washington starts.
Deion Branch - Listed as questionable, but the coach ruled him out.
Mike Walker - One time sleeper won't be again until he is healthy.
Joe Jurevicius - On PUP currently, but destined for IR in short order.
Craig Davis - "Buster" living up to it since going in '07 first round.
Drew Bennett - He's droppable in every fantasy format imaginable.
Malcolm Kelly - He's probably headed for IR during Redskins' bye.
Andre' Davis - Probably will miss three weeks after hand surgery.
BacksReggie Bush - Bush will miss first of three games Sunday in London.
Larry Johnson - Might not help your fantasy team for a long while.
Laurence Maroney - Has been lost for season with shoulder injury.
Ladell Betts - Needs another few weeks to get knee back healthy.
Felix Jones - Rookie could be back after the Cowboys' Week 10 bye.
Rashard Mendenhall -
Willie Parker injuries give him dynasty hope.
Carnell Williams - Cadillac is practicing again, but not on roster yet.
EndsKellen Winslow - Team deactivated him, but he'll return in Week 9.
Ben Troupe - On Raiders' IR list; Troupe has regressed as a player.
LegsMike Nugent -
Jay Feely will continue operating as Jets placekicker.
Week 8 Matchups to ExploitMarques Colston vs. Chargers
Time: 1:00PM ETColston busted in his first game back from injury, but like a cornerback that doesn't want to get toasted on successive plays fantasy owners must exercise short memory. He is an All-Pro caliber receiver and the additional practice time with
Drew Brees between now and then will help. Also, Colston is likely to be the most highly targeted Saint and New Orleans' best bet to score a touchdown in what projects to be a low-scoring game on the Wembley "pitch" in poor weather Sunday. Colston will be guarded by Chargers RCB
Antonio Cromartie, who had a setback with his hip injury and has not practiced this week. The last time Cromartie missed a big chunk of reps like this he was abused -- to put it mildly -- by
Brandon Marshall in Week 2. Marshall burnt him all over the field for 18 catches, 166 yards, and a TD en route to a 40-point fantasy game in PPR leagues.
Kevin Faulk vs. Rams
Time: 1:00PM ETBill Belichick loves playing the matchup game and there is no greater deficiency on the Rams' roster than lack of defensive back depth. St. Louis lost third safety
Todd Johnson for two weeks with a bruised kidney and has just six capable DBs available. And that includes second-year CB
Jonathan Wade and heavy-legged SS
Corey Chavous, for whom "capable" doesn't necessarily apply. With
Kelley Washington healthy again, the guess here is that Belichick floods the field with four and five wides to exploit this weakness. When the Patriots use their spread attack Faulk is the primary back and I'd expect him to lead the New England backfied in touches by a healthy margin Sunday. The sudden hype surrounding rookie free agent
Benjarvus Green-Ellis threatens to prove unwarranted despite
LaMont Jordan (calf) and
Sammy Morris' (knee) expected inactivity.
DeSean Jackson vs. Falcons
Time: 1:00PM ETThe Eagles gave their impressive and fleet of foot rookie a big promotion this week by formally appointing him to the first-string lineup over seasoned
Reggie Brown. Brown has fallen to backup status and will play only when the Birds go three wide. Jackson plays flanker in Philadelphia's base set and he will be covered by Falcons LCB
Brent Grimes most of the game Sunday. Grimes, a former NFL Europe castoff, consistently has given up big weeks in man-to-man coverage this year and is battling a knee injury that will keep him at less than 100%. That will likely prevent Grimes from being able to run with Jackson, who was the fastest receiver drafted in April and runs his forty in the mid-4.3s. Jackson should lead the Eagles in targets Sunday with
Kevin Curtis probably not on the same page as
Donovan McNabb yet and post 5-6 catches for roughly 100 yards.
Nate Washington vs. Giants
Time: 4:15PM ETWith the Steelers deactivating
Santonio Holmes following his misdemeanor marijuana arrest Washington will make the start outside opposite
Hines Ward. In coverage, the Giants will assign LCB
Aaron Ross to Ward's side and
Corey Webster to Washington, who will start at split end. A deep threat with sometimes shaky hands, Washington will focus on running the vertical routes Holmes normally would. A former Nick Saban corner at LSU, Webster offers size and steadiness but speed receivers can get behind him. Pittsburgh is also without
Willie Parker and unlikely to be able to gain much yardage on the ground with usual third-down back
Mewelde Moore starting against the Giants. A pass-first game plan appears likely and Washington has 100-yard potential in the game.
Week 8 Matchups to AvoidDonnie Avery @ Patriots
Time: 1:00PM ETAvery has exploded on the scene since taking over as a starter three games ago and now is considered among Rams brass to be one of the team's building blocks of the future. He will have plays called for him regularly and continue to improve as a vertical route runner. However, this is not the week to expect a big game. Avery will square off with Patriots RCB
Ellis Hobbs, who offers similar speed and typically has success against smaller, faster receivers like the Rams' second-round pick. Hobbs has been
Lee Evans' kryptonite since 2006. Here are Evans' last four stat lines against Hobbs:
Week 1 2006: 2-25-0
Week 7 2006: 1-10-0
Week 9 2007: 1-7-0
Week 11 2007: 4-40-0
Not pretty. We can probably expect numbers not unlike the last Evans-Hobbs meeting on Sunday from Avery.
Devery Henderson vs. Chargers
Time: 1:00PM ETHenderson has retained his starting job over
Lance Moore with
Marques Colston back, but both Moore and Henderson will likely struggle to generate numbers Sunday. Not only will the muddy field offset Henderson's strength -- ability to get free deep - he will go against Chargers LCB
Quentin Jammer, who in Week 6 mugged
Randy Moss at the line of scrimmage and held him to a 3-26-0 line. Jammer will likely employ the same tactics on Henderson and the slimy turf will greatly work to the defender's advantage. As a third receiver again behind
Jeremy Shockey in the slot, Moore's fantasy value has taken a big hit and he can no longer be considered WR3 material as we move forward.
Isaac Bruce vs. Seahawks
Time: 4:15PM ETAs alluded to in this column's introduction, rookie split end
Josh Morgan is the best bet to pace San Francisco in receiving versus Seattle. In coverage Bruce will draw Seahawks LCB
Marcus Trufant, who's been a shutdown force for the majority of the season. 49ers coordinator Mike Martz is much more likely to call plays attempting to exploit Seattle's deficiencies at right and slot corner. Morgan is about as strong a WR3 bet as possible, while 49ers slot receiver
Arnaz Battle could resurface with a 5-6 catch game for 60-70 yards. Bruce will be lucky to get 50 yards on 4-5 receptions.
Reply Absolutely Not to the Following Questions> Should NFL coaches continue calling timeouts to "ice" the opposing team's kicker?
> Will Jimmy Clausen throw fewer than three touchdown passes against Washington on Saturday night?
> Does Noel Devine need a bigger helmet?
> Is the Oklahoma City Thunder a good name for an NBA franchise?
> Are the Browns handling
Kellen Winslow's situation with tact?
> Is
this guy OK?