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Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell once sang of “looking California” and “feeling Minnesota” in a stone-cold diss of the state from which I hail.
No problem, as Cornell is a vocal and lyrical beast and he can sing about whatever the hell he wants. These days, however, if you’re feeling Minnesota in fantasy leagues, you’re looking like a California hard body.
After taking off two games, plus the bye week, to rest his broken back, Daunte Culpepper was pronounced good to go after Monday’s full-contact practice.
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“I think he's good to go,” offensive coordinator Scott Linehan told
the Star Tribune. “We're not going to run 10 quarterback draws [Sunday
vs. Denver], but if we want to do some things with him, I don't have any problem
with it. I don't think there's any reason to be really concerned about. We'll
evaluate [mobility] with the trainers, but he looks fine to me.”
When asked by head coach Mike Tice how he felt on a scale of 1-10, Culpepper responded: “I’m a dime.” NFL Tickets
Speaking of dimes, the Broncos may need lots and lots of dime coverage to hang with Culpepper and his receivers at the Dome on Sunday.
Monday’s practice was Daunte’s second full session with the team since fracturing three transverse process bones in his back and partially fracturing a fourth on Sept. 21. However, he had not taken hits until Monday. Not surprisingly, the 260-pound quarterback emerged unscathed.
Daunte was joined Monday by a rejuvenated Randy Moss, whose back is reportedly 100 percent after a week of rest.
“They both looked great. We’re back to normal,” said Tice, who added that Randy’s performance at Monday’s practice was “obnoxious.”
“Normal” in Tice’s world means abnormally awesome in fantasy leagues.
Before Lions’ linebacker Wali Rainer broke his back, Daunte was the highest rated passer in the NFL and had seven total touchdowns in 2.5 games. And get this, Daunte made it through 10 quarters without throwing a pick, posting a 5-0 TD-INT ratio. NFL Tickets
Ironically, Moss’ numbers picked up when Daunte went down and his back injury really flared up.
In two games with backup Gus Frerotte, Randy caught 13 passes for 253 yards and five touchdowns despite a back he estimated to be only “70 percent” healthy. Falcons’ cornerback Kevin Mathis, whom Randy terrorized in week five, is still trying to piece together his shattered self-esteem.
This week Daunte and Randy host the Broncos, who have been surprisingly solid against the pass. Defensive coordinator Larry Coyer has gotten fine play from his defensive backs, but the NFL’s third-best pass rush has been the biggest reason why the Broncos have allowed the sixth fewest passing yards per game (163).
The Broncos have the second most sacks (17) and the fourth most sack yardage (113) because they currently have three of the top-15 sackers. Bert Berry ranks fourth with 5.5, Reggie Hayward ranks 10th with 4.5, and Trevor Pryce is tied for 11th with 4.
It’s a good thing the Vikings have the biggest and one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. They have allowed 11 sacks in five games, which is middle of the pack, so I’d be lying if I didn’t say Daunte will take his share of whacks on Sunday.
In the end, however, fantasy owners shall once again be feeling Minnesota thanks to the healthy returns of Culpepper and Moss.
Bet on Ladell Those of you who monopolized Washington’s running backs may be in luck, as Trung Canidate is very questionable for this week’s game against the Bills thanks to an ankle injury. If Trung is unable to play, Ladell Betts would start and get the majority of carries—even if Rock Cartwright is the goal-line back.
With his sprained ankle in a boot and a bye following this week’s game against the Bills, even Canidate is acknowledging the fact that a week off might do him a world of good.
“I'm wanting to play [against the Bills], but I'm not in the position I want to be in,” Canidate told the Washington Post. “I'm just going to come in and treat it and let the chips fall where they may.”
Betts also suffered a twisted ankle against the Buccaneers, but his injury isn’t as bad as Canidate’s. Betts told the Post earlier this week that he would be ready to start against the Bills—if needed.
Going with one back could be a fantasy boon for fantasy owners, as Canidate and Betts have basically split carries to this point. Through six games, Canidate leads the Redskins with 295 yards on 62 carries and Betts isn’t far behind with 233 yards on 66 carries. NFL Tickets
This week presents Betts with a golden opportunity to show he can carry the load, as the Bills are allowing 123 rushing yards per game—bad enough for 23rd in the NFL.
I’m betting on Ladell to rush for 90 yards and a touchdown, giving head coach Steve Spurrier a tough decision to make when Trung is ready to return.
Short-Verbiage Situations Now that Sean Payton is assisting Cowboys’ head coach Bill Parcells down in Dallas, Giants’ head coach Jim Fassel needs to find a new scapegoat for his team’s offensive woes. How about Kerry Collins, who has a 0-7 TD-INT ratio over the last two games? What about Tiki Barber, who has lost three fumbles in the last five games? Or how about scapegoating general manager Ernie Accorsi for letting the entire right side of his o-line defect in the offseason? Fassel saved the Giants’ season a year ago when he took over play-calling duties from Payton. One wonders what he’s going to do for an encore. … Do I hear Brad Johnson for MVP? Hey, if Jon Gruden turned Rich Gannon into an MVP, why not BJ? After throwing for 1,355 yards and 12 touchdowns through five games, Johnson is on pace for 4,336 yards and 38 touchdowns. In case you’re wondering, no one—not even Steve McNair—! is setting a better pace. Johnson has been a stud (65.8 completion percentage & 101.1 passer rating), Gruden has done a masterful job despite myriad injuries, and Tampa Bay’s receivers have been making circus catches all year. But give most of the credit to the Bucs’ offensive line, which has allowed the fewest sacks (2) through six weeks. Tampa Bay’s front five will be challenged by a San Francisco pass rush that is tied for third in the NFL with 17 sacks. Should be a great game by the Bay.