FFI: MNF GAME NOTES

FFI: MNF GAME NOTES
SEPTEMBER 26th, 2007



MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL WEEK 3

So what if the Saints, ain’t what everyone thought they were? So what do you say Denny Green, are they who you thought they were? So far this season, they have been anything, but what fantasy owners want them to be. On Monday Night the team out of New Orleans pulled another no show as they were upstaged by their counterparts from Tennessee.

Young the Passer

The game itself had very little storyline as the New Orleans Saints continued to struggle in 2007. What some people anticipated being a charged up night of excitement from the home team in front of a delirious crowd was far less. In fact the only player making noise in the early going was the Titans 2nd year quarterback Vince Young.

Young displayed the maturity of an age-old veteran, showing composure and assertive decision making in the early going. Young led the Titans to an early 10-0 lead in the first half on a 35 yard pass to his receiver Brandon Jones. The offense was supported with the tough rushing of Len Dale White, who carried the ball 17 times for 50 yards, including a one-yard run in the 3rd quarter.

On the evening Young finished with 14 of 22 passing for 164 yards and two scores to lead the Titans. Although Young did not pad the stat book, he continually made plays he had to throughout the evening to keep his team in position to win and that may have been the biggest difference between the two starting quarterbacks on Monday Night.

The Saints team leader and starting quarterback Drew Brees, just could not find his rhythm all evening. Brees fired 45 balls on the night completing 29, but most were to underneath routes for very short yardage. Brees passed for 225 yards in what looked like a repeat performance of NFL opening night to many that watched.


The Saints offense produced very little excitement and even less to cheer about. Limited to only 13 touches on the evening, running back Reggie Bush could only muster 35 yards of offense. Brees had all sorts of trouble connecting downfield and had just as much trouble turning the ball over. As a result Brees was pick-off four times, including three by Titan’s linebacker Keith Bulluck, the last of which came with :58 left on the clock, sealing New Orleans fate in a 31-14 loss.

Spin:
The Saints have to be one of the biggest surprises and disappointments in the 2007 season. Returning with virtually the same offensive talent as a year ago, the team is just unable to generate points (12.6 pts/game). Defenses seem to be scheming much better and are doing a solid job accounting for the elusive RB Reggie Bush. Brees appears to be in a funk and there’s not telling when he’ll snap out of it. As long as this trend continues many fantasy owners will have to endure the misery right along with the Saints.


MNF
Studs…
For the record, there were no real Studs last Monday, just a couple of honorable mentions. The Titans Vince Young threw two touchdowns on the night, but only passed for 164 yards. His passing numbers may never be Manning-like, but Young is a playmaker and finds ways to score. In most fantasy leagues touchdowns are big, so as long as Young finds the end-zone he will always have good value.

Just the name Brandon Jones is not going to scare anyone, but the capable receiver has potential to make more noise this season. As his quarterback grows and matures, so will Jones’ production. On Monday, the Titan’s wideout played well, catching 4 passes for 73 yards, including a 35 yard score.

Busts…
The is no question, thus far this season, there have been no bigger busts than running back Reggie Bush and quarterback Drew Brees. Bush has only reached the end-zone twice this season and is averaging a mediocre 2.8 yards per carry. His 16 catches put him on a pace to catch 80 balls this season, but he is only averaging 4.4 yards per reception. Brees, on the other hand is playing even more poorly since he is coming off a 4500 yard passing season. In his first three starts Brees has passed for a mere 677 yards, most coming in garbage time, while turning the ball over 9 times (7 ints, 2 fum) for a passer rating of 57.1. If you put that all together, Bush and Brees spell fantasy nightmare.

Montsers (IDP)…
Whenever a player comes up with three picks in one game, including the icer, he IS a monster! On the evening the Titans linebacker, Keith Bulluck finished with four tackles to go with his career high 3 interceptions. Another notable for the evening was Titans linebacker David Thorton, who finished with 13 tackles, including 10 solo.

One’s to watch…
The Titans tightend Bo Scaife, considered to be a very good pass receiving option, had 3 catches for 26 yards and a score. As Young continues to develop his passing legs, Scaife could see his numbers increase.

Sleepers…
The Saints did see a few good things in their loss to the Titans and that was the play of wide receiver Lance Moore. Moore was very active in the passing game with 6 catches for 54 yards. As the Saints go forward and look for ways to spark the offense, it would not surprise to see the team turn to some of its younger raw talent like Moore.

Don’t hold your breaths…
Many fantasy owners were getting very excited when Chris Brown broke loose for 175 yards in week one. Some could be anxiously awaiting for another explosive performance from the Titans running back, but now demoted to the back-up spot behind White, it could be a long wait.

~David G.Ortega
FFI