FFToolbox - Jets backfield to run by committee plus 9 more

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Jets backfield to run by committee
Browns S Donte Whitner: don't cut WR Josh Gordon
Resolving Unresolved Tight End Depth Charts
Steelers hopeful WR Martavis Bryant becomes red zone threat
Bills QB E.J. Manuel at full health
2014 Team Outlook: New York Jets
Cowboys RB Lance Dunbar healthy after knee injury
Giants QB Eli Manning says he feels 'reenergized' in new offense
Browns QB Brian Hoyer 'not really focused' on Johnny Manziel controversy
Colts RB Trent Richardson to have first shot at starting job

Posted: 14 Jul 2014 07:28 AM PDT

ESPN New York's Rich Cimini expects the Jets to employ a quot;running back by committee" approach in the backfield this year, splitting time between RBs Chris Johnson, Chris Ivory, and Bilal Powell. Cimini expects Johnson to start, with Ivory taking the short-yardage and red zone work. Former Rams RB Daryl Richardson is also seeking to earn a spot on the Jets roster. FANTASY ANALYSIS: While RBBC certainly isn't exciting to fantasy owners, it seems to be the reality of the NFL today. Every-down workhorse backs have become extremely rare (and accordingly, much more valuable). As for the options out of the Jets backfield, none of these backs look too promising. Johnson is probably the top choice here, but coming off of knee surgery and a very mediocre past few seasons, expectations for the former No. 1 rusher should be limited.

Browns S Donte Whitner: don't cut WR Josh Gordon

Posted: 14 Jul 2014 06:53 AM PDT

Browns S Donte Whitner believes the team should not cut WR Gordon following his Fourth of July arrest and second failed drug test in two years. quot;We have to rally around him," Whitner said. "We have to help him, and that's the bottom line." Whitner's statement follows Hall of Fame WR Cris Carter's comments on ESPN's Mike and Mike show last week that the Browns should part ways with Gordon. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Gordon's continued trouble with substance abuse was one of the most devastating offseason developments in the NFL. Gordon was the top fantasy WR in 2013, going for 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns - and that's after he missed the first two games of the season due to suspension. Gordon now seems extremely unlikely to play in 2014. Still, fantasy owners in keeper and dynasty leagues cannot afford to ignore his talent. When he's on the field, Gordon is a top 5 WR. In a keeper league, consider drafting him in the later rounds, then placing a keeper tag on him for the 2015 season.

Resolving Unresolved Tight End Depth Charts

Posted: 14 Jul 2014 06:28 AM PDT

Sifting through depth charts in order to find the true starting TE where there currently is none.

Steelers hopeful WR Martavis Bryant becomes red zone threat

Posted: 14 Jul 2014 06:27 AM PDT

Steelers WR coach Richard Mann believes the rookie Bryant can help the team with red zone scores and big plays. quot;He's a big guy, different from what we've had, as far as his length. We feel like we can utilize his talents in the red zone," Mann said. "He's also a deep threat. He does have the speed." Bryant, the Steelers fourth-round pick, joins a WR corps that includes Antonio Brown and second-year man Markus Wheaton. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Bryant's physical gifts are enough to make you salivate - 6'4" size combined with 4.4 speed. And he should see some opportunity in his first year, given the departure of WR Emmanuel Sanders to the Broncos. The former Clemson standout has been knocked by some for shaky hands and rough route-running skills, but fantasy owners would do well to remember this name, especially those playing in dynasty leagues.

Bills QB E.J. Manuel at full health

Posted: 13 Jul 2014 06:17 PM PDT

Manuel is returning from a rookie season in which he missed six games due to injury, but says he is now back and fully healthy. He also believes he's learned a bit more about how to stay healthy. quot;I think that's one thing I had to learn, to be smart when I take off with the football. Instead of trying to get an extra three yards, either step out-of-bounds or slide," Manuel said. FANTASY ANALYSIS: It's good to hear from Manuel that he is at full strength. However, the physical tools have never really been the area of concern for him. Decision-making and throwing accuracy continue to be his primary question marks. He needs to improve in both of those areas before fantasy owners give him any serious consideration. It will be exciting to see how he develops with new Bills' WRs Sammy Watkins and Mike Williams, but as it stands, Manuel is a QB3 in fantasy.

2014 Team Outlook: New York Jets

Posted: 13 Jul 2014 02:36 PM PDT

A fantasy football preview of the New York Jets this season. Profiled players include Michael Vick, Geno Smith, Tajh Boyd, Chris Johnson, and Chris Ivory.

Cowboys RB Lance Dunbar healthy after knee injury

Posted: 13 Jul 2014 12:31 PM PDT

Todd Archer of ESPNDallas is reporting Lance Dunbar is healthy after his Thanksgiving Day knee injury and hasn't missed any time in minicamps or OTA's. Archer expects him to carry third-down duties with starter DeMarco Murray being the workhorse. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Dunbar holds flex appeal at best. Archer notes that if Murray misses time, Dunbar would see increased touches but would still be in RBBC with Joseph Randle and Ryan Williams. The true winner here is Murray as he won't take as much of a pounding and thus, is less likely to get injured.

Giants QB Eli Manning says he feels 'reenergized' in new offense

Posted: 13 Jul 2014 12:18 PM PDT

For the second time in three weeks, it's been conveyed how Giants quarterback Eli Manning feels like a new QB in the team's new offense. The only difference is the term used. In June, it was quot;rejuvenated." Last week, Manning told the New York Daily News that he feels "reenergized" in the scheme orchestrated by first-year offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo. Although, it has been a challenge for Manning to learn, understand, and execute everything McAdoo wants. "I'm trying to speed up the process of getting comfortable in the new system," Manning said. "I don't have 10 years. I have a few months." Kevin Gilbride had been Manning's OC since 2007 before he retired earlier this year. A change was needed after Manning experienced his worst season as a pro and the Giants ranked 28th in total offense in 2013. In comes McAdoo, a 37-year-old coach who spent the eight previous seasons with the Packers and is entering his first year as a coordinator. His system revolves around quick-hitting passes and timing routes. When the Daily News caught up with Manning, he was throwing passes to rookie wide receiver Odell Beckham. They also brushed up on some of the unique concepts and signals in the offense. FANTASY ANALYSIS: I'm expecting a bounce-back year from Manning. I'm not betting that he will be a top-10 fantasy QB, but his stat line at the end of this year should be far removed from his 2013 line, when he threw just 18 touchdowns and 27 interceptions. I think a return to 4,000 yards with a higher completion percentage and a TD total in the mid-20s is very reasonable. He should be a valuable QB2. The Giants report to training camp on July 21, the earliest date of any NFC team.

Browns QB Brian Hoyer 'not really focused' on Johnny Manziel controversy

Posted: 13 Jul 2014 11:43 AM PDT

Browns QB Brian Hoyer said Saturday that he's not concerned by what Johnny Manziel is doing off the field. quot;I'm not really focused on my teammates, what they do in their off life. They can make those decisions on their own. What matters is that we come back ready to go for the season," Hoyer told reporters. FANTASY ANALYSIS: It's clear from his comments that Brian Hoyer wants nothing to do with the media circus surrounding Johnny Manziel's transition to the NFL's Cleveland Browns. Instead, Hoyer is focused on winnning the starting job. The Hoyer-Manziel competition promises to be one of the most closely-followed preseason stories, as the two quarterbacks battle for the starting role in Cleveland. Manziel's certainly the more exciting prospect from a fantasy perspective, but for now, Hoyer holds the top spot on the depth chart. The Browns report to training camp on July 26.

Colts RB Trent Richardson to have first shot at starting job

Posted: 13 Jul 2014 11:09 AM PDT

ESPN's Mike Wells reports that Colts RB Trent Richardson is first in line to win the starting RB job in Indianapolis. Richardson will compete against fellow RBs Ahmad Bradshaw and Vick Ballard for the top roster spot. According to Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton, quot;(Richardson's) one of those guys that has benefitted tremendously from the extra classroom time." FANTASY ANALYSIS: Richardson had an extremely tough first year in Indianapolis, averaging just 2.9 yards per carry. The former No. 3 pick joined the Colts in the middle of the 2013 season, putting him behind the curve in learning the team's playbook. He also saw more than his share of stacked defensive boxes, and ran behind a below-average offensive line. Richardson will look to turn things around when the Colts head to training camp on July 23.