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What is going on in Carolina? A former Superbowl team, the last year was a confusing mess. John Fox is a great coach, especially defensive. His stamp on containment and control angered many a fantasy owner who bought into the hype a few years ago and found a capable team that simply shut people down but didnıt score! Then there was the offense. Delhomme scored in the top five fantasy quarterbacks for three years running. First Muhsin Muhammad, then the emerging Steve Smith opposite the quintessential possession receiver, the perfect foil, Keyshawn Johnson rocked the top of the fantasy charts. It seemed like this pairing was destined for greatness and Smith was snapped up early in every draft last year. By the end of the season, everyone was saying: "Wha, wha, what happened?" Now, this year, he tops most pundits' lists. Why? What happened? Keyshawn will be talking conspiratorially to us from the analyst booth and hopefully will cause Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders to retire. (A guy can dream, canıt he?) Delhomme will be tutoring his replacement, or at least someone who could, and Smith; probably thinking about where he should go next for top dollars and Superbowl glory. This team is done. Maybe itıs the curse of the expansion. Theyıve drafted some good defensive players and have actually been resurrected on the fantasy defense charts. But, who thinks the line or the quarterback will be better? And, without Keyshawn, replaced by a rookie, how is Smith not going to be double and triple teamed? What running game? Check out this line: 9th receiver, 86th overall 75: 2,7,1,11,2,7,B,8,9,6,7,1,1,0,13 First, this is why you draft receivers later. Thereıs too many that score the same points and the total is just too ordinary. One game is the difference between 9 and 17. Second: though thereıs a decent line, there is a tough disappearance to finish the season. I wonder how many got the 13 points in their Superbowl. This might simply be picky as Smith does not have a pattern. And Third: Smith does not have a pattern. Harrison performs every season reliably. Smith was hurt and allowed Muhammadıs breakout, had his great season comeback then settled into more ordinary numbers. What makes everyone think this year will be so great? Heıs deceptively quick, runs great routes and has the experience, strength and tenacity to beat most cornerbacks to the ball. He is one of the best, but, at a possible 75 points there isnıt any reason to draft him with your first three picks; and he will be gone by your fourth. However, he is an excellent fourth pick. The real concern is a lack of balance on the team. Fox has always had a solid running game. Last year this broke down. DeAngelo Williams had numerous physical troubles. This has been a plague for this team. Sticking with Deshaun Foster has been a mistake, so far. The only hope is that it can get back on track. This will give Delhomme time to find his receivers and draw some of the pressure off Smith. I hope that Smith is the highest scoring receiver this year after all he is a keeper of mine. |
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