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Lions Bring Maurice Morris to Motown

Posted: Feb 27th 2009 5:15PM by Chris Burke (author feed)
Filed under: Lions, Seahawks, NFL Free Agency

Detroit's slow, slow, slow crawl back to respectability took a step in the right direction on Thursday, as the Lions signed running back Maurice Morris to a three-year, $7 million deal.

Morris rushed for 574 yards in 13 games with the Seahawks last season. He's been in Seattle since being drafted out of Oregon in 2002 (fun Lions fact: Morris was the Ducks running back when Joey Harrington was their quarterback), and has proven to be a valuable backup behind guys like Shaun Alexander and Julius Jones.

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Detroit Lions: Well, They Have to Improve

Posted: Feb 20th 2009 5:30PM by Bruce Ciskie (author feed)
Filed under: Lions, NFC North

1 COMMENT

Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.

I'm going to do my best to avoid use of the phrase "Well, things can't get any worse," or anything like that. Really, I am. But it's worth pointing out that this is a true statement. Things are looking up for the Detroit Lions because they absolutely can't get any worse.

With two first-round picks and a ton of available cap space, a well-managed organization could make a significant dent in one year.

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Some Accountability Along With Horn Tooting for This Past Fantasy Football Season

Posted: Jan 2nd 2009 3:30PM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: Fantasy Football

4 COMMENTS

As I said in the last Zebra Report, I'm a guy who believes deeply in accountability, plus, it seems as though many fans were pleasantly surprised at the fact that Mantz posted our preseason NFL predictions. First and foremost, I just wanted to thank Drew Brees. I'm not linking everything, but I told everyone who would listen that he would be a monster this year.

With this in mind, I delved back into my preseason posts to see how I did. I planned on posting all the good and bad things, but the list would be way too long -- and frankly, not very entertaining. I'll just go through and pick out the five most glaring calls on each side, especially if they drew the ire of commenters at the time.

I'll start by first calling myself out for the poor advice, because no one likes arrogance.

I'm an idiot because ...

- I thought Jeremy Shockey and Marvin Harrison would be quality fantasy players this season.

- I was scared of drafting the Giants D/ST.

- I loved Selvin Young. Of course, I should also point out I loved Philip Rivers on that same list.

- I loved the Raiders offense. This piece seriously makes me cringe.

- Rudi Johnson was undervalued? Sigh. Bad, bad fantasy analyst!

Continue Reading Some Accountability Along With Horn Tooting for This Past Fantasy Football Season

Studs and Duds Week 8: Who, Exactly, Is Roddy White?

Posted: Oct 27th 2008 12:00PM by Shane Bacon (author feed)
Filed under: NFL Fans

2 COMMENTS

Each week in the NFL, there are players that impress and players that distress. One week a certain quarterback might toss four touchdowns and run around with his finger in the air while the next he's laying on his back, holding his facemask as the other team returns one of his three interceptions for the game-winning score. With that in mind, here's Studs and Duds.

Here's Week 8 at a glance, where we point out the horses destined for the Kentucky Derby and jeer those headed to the glue factory.

Studs

Roddy White, WR Atlanta (8 catches, 113 yards, 2 TDs) -- I think it's worth noting that this is the second straight game I've played against Roddy White in fantasy and the second straight game I found myself asking a friend "Is his first name really Roddy?" Quickly becoming Matt Ryan's -- My New Favorite Player (MNFP) -- favorite target has the Falcons offense looking better than most would have guessed. While I try to avoid adding a losing player to the Studs, this guy deserves it. Sad news though Roddy, you had to play against ....

Continue Reading Studs and Duds Week 8: Who, Exactly, Is Roddy White?

Sink or Swim: Rudi, Ray and Julius

Posted: Oct 23rd 2008 10:08PM by Sean Lalley (author feed)
Filed under: Fantasy Football

1 COMMENT

It's almost Sunday and by now you already should know who you needed to scoop off the wire. However, I'm the beacon of light when it comes to letting you know which players are simply dead space. Yes, it's a tough task, but somebody's gotta do it. Besides, it's easier telling you who to add to a roster, but the hard part is telling you who to cut.

Let's face it, roster space is limited and now you've gotta prepare for the remaining bye weeks, get your roster aligned for the playoffs or make one last surge towards the playoffs. Well, let's not sugarcoat this anymore. It's another run of "sink or swim." On the hot seat today are a few RB's that started off with promise, but have since hit a a wall...so to speak.

Give a warm welcome to Rudi Johnson, Ray Rice and Julius Jones. And now let's decide if you should sink these guys or save them for a later date. Follow along...

Continue Reading Sink or Swim: Rudi, Ray and Julius

The Roy Williams Trade: Spiking Fantasy Values Across the Board

Posted: Oct 14th 2008 8:18PM by Sean Lalley (author feed)
Filed under: Fantasy Football

1 COMMENT

By now you've heard the news that Roy Williams was dealt to the Dallas Cowboys -- not that Roy Williams, but this Roy Williams (see image). Yes sir, the Lions opted to throw in the towel on their debacle of a ~~half-century~~ season and part ways with the former first-rounder. Meanwhile, Jerry Jones and the Cowboys swooped into to grab some more big-name talent under the same business model as the New York Yankees.

It all depends which side of the camp you're on when pegging one side the winner or the other the loser from a football perspective. However, there weren't just two teams affected by this deal. No sir, there were millions upon millions of teams affected by this deal. And that's where we come in with the fantasy spin. Yup, aside from just your fantasy team, there's a whole grocery list of players from both the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions that may have seen their fortunes change for the better or worse today.

Let's start with the Lions...

Continue Reading The Roy Williams Trade: Spiking Fantasy Values Across the Board

Making One Good Team Out of All the NFL's Winless Teams

Posted: Oct 10th 2008 10:35AM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Bengals, Lions, Rams, Texans, NFL Fans

3 COMMENTS

The Bengals, Lions, Texans and Rams are the NFL's winless teams. They are a combined 0-17 and all seem to be staring down another bad season. One team has already lost its GM while another has fired its coach.

But what if we brought the four teams together and picked off the best guys to form a new team? Maybe they could win a game or two this season. So here we go.

QB-Carson Palmer (Cin), Marc Bulger (StL).
RB-Steven Jackson (StL), Steve Slaton (Hou), Rudi Johnson (Det)
FB-Vonta Leach (Hou)
WR-Andre Johnson (Hou), T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Cin), Roy Williams (Det), Calvin Johnson (Det)
TE-Owen Daniels (Hou), Randy McMichael (StL)
OT-Orlando Pace (StL), Stacy Andrews (Cin), Alex Barron (StL), Eric Winston (Hou)
OG-Bobbie Williams (Cin), Jacob Bell (StL), Chester Pitts (Hou)
C-Dominic Raiola (Det), Chris Myers (Hou)

Continue Reading Making One Good Team Out of All the NFL's Winless Teams

Bengals Sign Cedric Benson, Season Saved

Posted: Sep 30th 2008 8:27PM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Bengals, AFC North, NFL Free Agency

7 COMMENTS

The Bengals are 0-4, which isn't totally shocking given how the organization has been slowly devolving into a caricature of itself in recent seasons. Some of that is head coach Marvin Lewis' doing, but there's enough blame to go around for owner Mike Brown to get a heaping serving.

Whatever, it is, as they say, what it is. And today, in an effort to help turn things around, the team signed Cedric Benson. Hip Hop Hurray.

Benson, the Bears former 2005 first-round pick, was cut during preseason for not being very good, and for various off-field legal entanglements. So with Chris Henry fully operational after serving a four-game suspension, this seemed like the perfect time to introduce Benson to the fold.

The club also placed running back DeDe Dorsey on injured reserved, which probably also had something to do with the timing of the move. Of course, the Bengals could've just kept Rudi Johnson and there wouldn't be a need for Benson, but, honestly, unless Johnson can pass block and stuff the run on defense, Cincy would still be 0-4.

I'm sorta surprised it took Benson this long to get an opportunity -- he's just 25 years old and has played in just 35 NFL games. But questionable work habits and doubts about his ability to play nice with others scared teams off, apparently. On the upside, at least he isn't a thief, so there's that.

Meanwhile, Shaun Alexander continues to wait.

Fantasy Reality Check: Ronnie's Back ... And He Can Throw

Posted: Sep 22nd 2008 2:15PM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: Sunday Wrap-Up, Fantasy Football

0 COMMENTS

Five touchdowns. Five (if you include the pass). We aren't gonna see that day again this season, not from Ronnie Brown or anyone else. Hopefully those who owned Ronnie in Fantasyland were fortunate enough to have him in their starting lineups. What can we expect moving forward, though?

Simply put, I believe we just saw proof that Ronnie's now fully healed from his knee injury. Before the injury in '07, Brown was one of the top fantasy RBs in the league. The Dolphins are going to keep him as the starter with Ricky Williams occasionally spelling him or joining him in the backfield -- which happened several times Sunday.

Brown and the Dolphins now have a bye week ... which will help just in case his knee really wasn't 100 percent yet, and will come back for week five against the Chargers at home. Though the matchup isn't overly easy, Ronnie just proved to each and every one of us that you can't take the chance of having him on your bench. He's a RB2 in most leagues, but may seep his way into RB1 territory by the end of the year -- especially with so many first round picks crapping out.

Continue Reading Fantasy Reality Check: Ronnie's Back ... And He Can Throw

Lions Reportedly Ready to Ink Benson

Posted: Sep 17th 2008 10:20AM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: Lions, NFC North, NFL Free Agency

7 COMMENTS

According to the Detroit Free Press, the Lions brought in a trio of running backs to meet with their staff on Tuesday. Of Shaun Alexander, Vernand Morency, and Cedric Benson ... it would appear the Lions have made their choice:

In a report by News 8 Austin, a 24-hour news channel in Texas, (city council member Mike) Martinez and Benson, a former Texas Longhorns back, were supposed to announce a program by Benson's charity to help children get winter coats, but Benson was not in Austin for the announcement.

"Unfortunately, but fortunately, Cedric Benson is not here today," he said. "He is actually signing a contract today to get back in the game with the Detroit Lions ... "

Also contained in the article was information that the Lions were not in a huge hurry to sign the back, because they are happy with their current backfield situation and this is merely injury insurance. If that is really true, the Lions front office is even dumber than we have thought all along.

Let's go at it logically ...

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