Mike Shanahan, head coach of the Denver Broncos brought a new style of offense to the rocky-mountain region when he signed with the team in 1995. Along with a very effective zone-blocking scheme, Shanahan implemented a new NFL strategy where the star of the offense isn’t playing running back. For years, NFL teams scouted, drafted, traded, and signed for players who were sincerely skilled at reading defenses, making swift cuts, and hitting holes quickly (not to mention breaking tackles).

In Shanahan’s offense, though, it doesn’t matter who carries the ball. Since Terrell Davis’ run as champion Bronco back ended after the 1998 season, six different guys have led the Broncos in rushing yards. In the last nine seasons, only Mike Anderson in 2000 and Clinton Portis in ‘02 and ‘03 have led Denver in rushing yards AND accounted for at least 60 percent of the team’s rushing touchdowns. Read more »

As the season progresses and players begin to feel the wear and tear of a 16-game schedule, fantasy owners face a problem they didn’t face in the first few weeks. The NFL injury report lengthens each week, which forces owners to make hair-pulling decisions in their lineups. Problems cannot be solved on the waiver wire, so roster depth and viable bench options become the key to victory.

As Week 5 approaches, many guys may see little to no action due to lingering injuries that limited their practice time. Philadelphia’s Brian Westbrook is nursing a sprained ankle from two weeks ago. Cincinnati’s Carson Palmer has a sore throwing elbow. Baltimore’s Willis McGahee has rib problems, and Big Ben has a whole slew of battle wounds in Pittsburgh. Read more »

The ebb and flow of the waiver wire always leaves viable options for managers in need of bye week help, but this is a week where no players will act as saviors for your floundering playoff hopes. Three distinct concepts can summarize the quarterback, running back and wide receiver positions, as owners must ponder the good and bad in potential bye-week fill-ins.

For the quarterbacks, “young vs. old” can sum up your available options. Brady Quinn, JaMarcus Russell and Joe Flacco all present some sort of upside, but their merits must be weighed against veterans lower-ceiling, more reliable veterans Brian Griese, Kerry Collins and Gus Frerotte. Chicago’s Kyle Orton falls right in the middle of the age spectrum and may just be the best, most trustworthy signal caller available after throwing three touchdown passes in Week 4. Read more »

Who says a game without high-flying offenses can’t be exciting?

It took more than four quarters Monday night to settle a defensive brawl between Baltimore and Pittsburgh, one that ended on the leg of Jeff Reed to give the Steelers a 23-20 overtime win.

After a brutal offensive showing in the first half, the Steelers turned the tables on the Ravens with two touchdowns in 15 seconds during the third quarter. With a rejuvenated Heinz Field crowd, Pittsburgh played efficiently for the remainder of the half, and played Baltimore into overtime before sending the fans home happy. Read more »

Plaxico Burress is a bad dude, in more ways than one. We’ve known for a while, dating back to his days with the Steelers and at Michigan State, that Burress has his share of shortcomings as a human being. Unfortunately for the rest of the National Football League, we’ve also known just how big a force he is on the football field.

Lots of dirt is being dug up on Burress after the Giants announced a two-week suspension for him Wednesday. The first week is a bye for the Giants, but the second is a road contest Burress will miss at Seattle. All told, the suspension will cost Burress $230,000 in salary, the New York Post reported.

The suspension came down after Burress failed to report for Monday and Tuesday team meetings and workouts, according to the Post. Read more »

Let the bye weeks begin! Now, more than ever, fantasy owners will be scrambling to the waiver wire to find help in keeping their teams together for the next six weeks. And while there are no fantasy saviors available in most leagues, help can still be had in the form of “upside-challenged” veterans and young, emerging talent.
 
More change could be in the air in coming weeks, especially at the quarterback position, but for now, Brian Griese, Kerry Collins and Gus Frerotte can keep teams afloat. Youngsters Brady Quinn and Drew Stanton could be getting their shots in Cleveland and Detroit, respectively, any day now, but aren’t worthy of full endorsements just yet. Read more »