Childress wants team not to face as many third-down situations - 09/20/2006
Source: Star Tribune Only one NFL team has put itself in more third-down situations than the Vikings, a dubious ranking that coach Brad Childress plans to address in time for Sunday's game against Chicago.
The Vikings have faced 32 third-down plays, one behind league leader Indianapolis. The situation was manageable in the season-opening victory at Washington, when the Vikings converted nine of 17 third-down attempts. But in their overtime victory over Carolina, the Vikings converted only two of 15 attempts.
Speaking on his KFAN-1130 show Monday night, Childress said he favors using one feature back so that the runner can get "lathered up" as the game wears on. If so, Chester Taylor could be set up for a season of historic proportions.
Through two games, Taylor leads the NFL with 55 carries and 61 total offensive touches -- one more in each category than San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson. If Childress keeps him on the same pace, Taylor would finish the 16-game season with 440 carries and 488 offensive touches. |
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Bam! Just like that, he’s gone: Childress cut for castoff - 09/04/2006
Source: BostonHerald.com, ESPN.com, FoxSports.com The Patriots yesterday released scrappy wide receiver Bam Childress and claimed wideout Jonathan Smith, who was released by the Buffalo Bills. Unless he’s claimed by another team, Childress will certainly be signed to the practice squad. Smith, 24, is entering his third NFL season. The 5-foot-10, 194-pounder has played in 16 games since being selected in the seventh round of the 2004 draft by Buffalo. He has eight catches for 77 yards. His career highlight came on Nov. 14, 2004, when he returned a punt 70 yards against the Pats at Gillette Stadium in a 29-6 loss. Fantasy Impact: Considering the limited experience possessed by both Childress and Smith, the switch would appear to be a wash. However, considering the thin Patriots' receiver corps there is a good chance that the newly acquired wide out will have an impact, though not worthy of a spot on a fantasy roster. |
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Some Pats make impression in loss to Giants - 09/01/2006
Source: Projo.com, Boston.com, ESPN.com But we did learn a few things in New England's 31-23 loss to the Giants: Matt Cassel has made significant strides from his first year to his second; Stephen Gostkowski is not only accurate, but has some distance in his right leg; beloved veteran Troy Brown may end up as the emergency quarterback for the Pats; Bam Childress has a flair for the dramatic, and Corey Bramlet is not just a name on the roster. Fantasy Impact: The only weakness demonstrated in last night's game appeared to be a defense that could not stop the Giants' ground game, but the Patriots did not demonstrate much in the way of their regular season personnel or strategy. Cassel is promising as Brady's primary backup, but he has no value due to Brady's stellar injury record. One intrigue from the game is Bam Childress, a player in the mold of Troy Brown or Deion Branch that could see time if either of those two misses any significant time. |
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Opportunity comes knocking, and Childress answers - 08/21/2006
Source: BostonHerald.com, unionleader.com In the first quarter of Saturday night’s 30-3 Patriots win over the Arizona Cardinals at Gillette Stadium, Bam Childress beat the press and broke upfield on a fade route. The problem was he didn’t know when the ball was coming. When it was thrown in his direction, the crowd erupted. Childress noticed, turned and, in the nick of time, reached out and claimed a spectacular 29-yard catch over his outside shoulder. A highlight, yes. But just the start. By the time he was done, the 2005 practice-squad receiver had three catches for 75 yards in his first start since his junior year at Ohio State. Fantasy Impact: A small speedy receiver unafraid of going across the middle to make catches is bound to draw comparisons between Childress and Deion Branch. Childress does not possess the same skills of Branch, but filling in for the held out receiver could help him make a surprise impact early in the season. |
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Short of targets, Brady still hits his marks - 08/20/2006
Source: projo.com Playing 36 of the Patriots 39 first-half plays last night, quarterback Tom Brady responded to the increased workload, going 15-for-20 for 149 yards in the first half and leading three scoring drives. The greatest cause for concern? It's clearly missing its outside weapons. Receivers aren't getting any separation. Just four of Brady's 15 completions went to wideouts -- two to Bam Childress (including a 29-yarder down the right sideline) and one each to Reche Caldwell and Kelvin Kight. Brady went to his wide receivers just seven times in the first half. Fantasy Impact: This game is a good demonstration of why the Patriots disappoint fantasy owners, except for those who possess Brady. No matter the situation, Brady will always generate solid production and spread the ball around. However, Deion Branch's holdout has left New England without a solid receiving corps, except for TE Ben Watson, and the offense does not generate good individual receiver numbers. |
