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Detroit has had a rough offseason already, with arrests and Jahvid Best's concussion issues hurting the prospects of a young team on the rise. So when both Matthew Stafford and Kevin Smith left last night's exhibition with injuries, it was reasonable to fear the worst.
Early indications, though, are positive. Stafford banged his non-throwing hand, but after the game said he could have gone back in if it were the regular season. The bigger worry is Kevin Smith, who sprained his ankle in the game. Smith says X-rays were negative and it's not the dreaded high ankle sprain -- which kept him out of action for a while last season -- so it sounds like he, too, might be OK for the season-opener.
Detroit has some problems. The secondary is going to be poor, and starting cornerback Chris Houston was also hurt last night; Detroit can't afford to lose anyone else back there. They won't have Mikel Leshoure (suspension) early on, and don't know if Best will ever be available.
But they're going to have an elite passing game, and should have a functional running back with Smith back there. Things could be worse; for the Lions in recent years, they certainly have been.
--Andy Richardson
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Posted by MARK CLURE | Aug. 26 at 06:06 AM
Hi Andy. I'm drafting today and think I willgo after K Smith if he falls to the 6th or later-they don't have much else. I had heard they were going to try S Logan in a Sproles type of role-but he's hurt, too. I am making my final adjustment from Thursdays cheat sheet. It seems safe to move Ridley up to around RB 11 and Julio looks like a steal in round 2. But where would you slot Bensen, Doug Martin, Morris and the 2 Wilsons-NYG and Seattle?
Posted by ANDY RICHARDSON | Aug. 26 at 07:14 AM
Hey Mark - I'd be careful about drafting Smith. It sounds like he avoided major injury last night, but we only have his word for how healthy he is. Risky pick to me, although I drafted him at the end of 7th round myself recently. I know that Ian has moved all those guys up this week, although I don't know exactly where he slots them. In most drafts I've participated in Martin is a late third, early fourth-rounder, which seems about right. Ridley, 6th or 7th. We're impressed by Benson but he doesn't catch passes and might not carry near the goal line, so we're only so high on a Green Bay tailback. I don't know where Ian has Russell Wilson; I like selecting Luck or maybe Wilson as a No. 2 with upside but wouldn't want to count on either as a starter. David Wilson looked great the other night, but he is still no better than the No. 2 for the Giants. I'm sure he'll end up starting a game or two this year, but he's not ahead of Bradshaw. I just selected Morris in the 12th round of a draft. I think he's a guy you can probably get in the 9th or 10th round today, but it's hard to say; only takes one owner to like him. I do not have enough trust in Shanahan to use a premium pick on any of his backs, but there's considerable upside there. Good luck.
Posted by MARK CLURE | Aug. 26 at 07:21 AM
Thanks Andy. Last question, I promise. Any still hidden jewels out there? Your thoughts on Pitts RB, Hilton, RB Rodgers passing Turner or at least getting significantly more action?
Posted by ANDY RICHARDSON | Aug. 26 at 07:42 AM
Dwyer is the only Pitt back I would draft, and it would be late. Rodgers will get more work but won't pass Turner. I have been beating the drum for Oakland WR Rod Streater as a late-round WR flier for a while, he looks like a natural out there. Haven't seen Indy's game from yesterday but not sure Hilton is past Avery. Just a couple of last-round flier types.
Posted by Darren Wolfe | Aug. 26 at 09:36 AM
Hey Andy...do you guys have any projections for RB attempts? For some reason, the new league that I'm in scores .25 points per rushing attempt.
Posted by ANDY RICHARDSON | Aug. 26 at 09:51 AM
Darren - I think Ian's standard answer for this question is to download the Excel file with the stats projections, then divide the projected rushing yardage by 4. So if we project Arian Foster to rush for 1200 yards, you can figure he'll get around 300 attempts.
Posted by Darren Wolfe | Aug. 26 at 10:21 AM
Make sense.....should get me relatively close.....although I'm going to try to get this scoring aspect eliminated if possible.....does not make sense to me!
Posted by brendon hutchins | Aug. 26 at 03:04 PM
Andy please help. In league where QB gets 6 PTs for td's and TEs get 9. Also bonus for length of TD. Can you give me your top 10...customized scoring won't allow for TE points. Wondering where to draft gronk and graham. Thanks...loyal subscriber for 10+ years