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Back Page Break out the 10-foot poles
Updated: Friday September 28, 2001 6:54 AM
By Bob Harris, Special to CNNSI.com Heading into Week 3 action, I'm going to give you five players who opened the season as top fantasy prospects only to wind up undeniable failures -- with just two games under their respective belts. The five star players you'd least want to rely on; five of the biggest busts of the young 2001 season. That's right. I'm talking about the five players I wouldn't touch with YOUR ten-foot pole:
1. Jeff George, QB, Free Agent The numbers tend to bear Marty out. George was scoreless in six and a half quarters of play; the Redskins have been outscored 67-3 in two losses, with Tony Banks leading the team to its lone field goal in the opener against San Diego. George's 34.6 quarterback rating ranks last in the NFL. In the two games, he was 23-of-42 for 168 yards and three interceptions. He was also sacked six times and the Redskins are without a touchdown two games into the season for the first time in their 69-year history, which includes three Super Bowl titles. George said he was shocked by the news, especially after working so hard during the summer to learn the new offense. "You do what you're told," George said. "I was only doing what I was asked to do." And the truth is, George has a point there. As easy as it might be to single out his poor play while analyzing the Redskins' offense this season, I still contend that offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye's tendency to send receivers on five-yard routes in third-and-eight situations has been as big -- if not bigger -- problem than any individual performances.
2. Tim Biakabutuka, RB, Carolina Panthers Biakabutuka said he wasn't surprised that his practice time was limited Wednesday, calling the situation "self-inflicted." He has fumbled in both of the Panthers' regular-season games and had two preseason fumbles. "[It's] consequences," said Biakabutuka. "If you don't hold onto the ball, you get demoted. I've just got to work my way back up." Biakabutuka said he doesn't think his Panthers' days are over and expects to eventually carry the ball again. "If there's not, there's not, but I'll be surprised if there's not a future," he said. "George is doing what he thinks is best for the team, but I don't think he's got me totally cancelled out as a runner. I can make plays, but I've just got to hold onto the ball." Yeah. ... If anybody is willing to give him another chance to fumble away a potential win any time soon.
3. Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle Seahawks With Hasselbeck at the helm, Seattle's offense has gone 122 plays and 24 series without getting the ball into the end zone. Last Sunday against the Eagles, they didn't even get close. In fact, Philadelphia wide receiver James Thrash had more receiving yards (165) than the Seahawks had total yards (147). And it doesn't get any easier this week with the Seahawks traveling to Oakland where they'll take on a Raiders defense that brutalized Jon Kitna and Brock Huard last year.
4. Rob Johnson, QB, Buffalo Bills According to those who follow the team closely, veteran players in Buffalo are becoming more convinced that the new West Coast-style offense isn't the answer for getting the ball out of Johnson's hands faster and avoiding sacks. Johnson, they contend, is a slow read who simply takes too long to find receivers. While it's true that Johnson tends to hold onto the ball -- FOREVER -- but watch him carefully and you quickly realize that holding onto the ball too long isn't his only problem. The sad fact is Johnson has no "feel" or "presence" in the pocket. That inability to "sense" oncoming pass rushers is the reason Johnson often "drifts" directly into their path. And I'm being kind; less sensitive -- and perhaps more accurate -- scribes might use a phrase like "running into" instead of "drifting." Coaches have reportedly been trying to teach Johnson where to move when he feels pressure from various spots, but so far, their efforts have gone for naught. Some of Johnson's sacks this year have been the result of confusion and indecision because the offense is new. However, that hardly explains why Johnson often fails to pull the trigger on even the easiest throws. Sheppard believes that's because Johnson is so intent on making his downfield reads. "He needs to look for the outlet," says one former Bills staff member. "For some reason, he barely goes to the outlet. He's so confident in his athletic ability that he takes off and forgets where some of his other options are." You know what? Johnson needs to get the job done. Period. And so far, he isn't.
5. Priest Holmes, RB, Kansas City Chiefs Holmes has fooled a lot of folks by posting huge totals against weak defenses -- like he did in 1998 when he racked up more than 400 yards in two appearances against the Bengals en route to his only 1,000-yard season as a pro. Sure, Holmes catches the ball well and is a solid team player. However, he just doesn't have the kind of size, speed or ability to be a true NFL "feature back," nor does he have the kind of play capable of carrying an offense on his back, which is what the Chiefs thought they were getting when they signed him to a five-year, $8 million deal, including a $2 million signing bonus, back in April. They were mistaken. Of course, it's still early in the season and there's always a chance these guys can turn things around. However, fantasy owners who wait for players to come around generally wind up watching others compete come playoff time. The bottom line is this: Don't hang on to dogs too long and don't be afraid to go after emerging talent no matter what you think your current underachiever might be capable of down the road. Bob Harris is Editor and Webmaster of the TFL Report and Senior Editor for Fantasy Sports Publications.
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