Boston Bulldogs (5-5)
An 0-2 start was not what was expected in Boston; the 5-3 record since then feels much more in line. However, Boston needs to turn it up to either catch London or fend off the charge from below them in the standings.
Middling offensively, Boston has one of the best defenses in the league, top 4 against both the run and the pass.
#Bottom Line
Roster Moves. Armstrong to starting T, Solder to taxi. Nudge Chung up depth chart if possible.
Draft Needs. An impact offensive player at RB, WR, or TE. WR preferred. Followed by LB.
Week Four Draftee Update: Bruce Armstrong, will finally see the field this week.
#QB
Tom Brady has carried the offense, maintaining high levels of performance despite a constant stream of injuries all around the squad, and really only turning in a single poor performance (in a loss to San Francisco). Brady has 18 TDs against 7 interceptions, and a QB rating over 95. That’s not MVP level for the WFL, but it is very, very strong.
#RB
Despite missing 3 weeks and managing only 11 carries combined in the opening 2 games, Curtis Martin remains the Bulldogs’ leading rusher with just under 497 yards and 5 TDs. Chris Johnson, the original starter, has been injured since week 2. Bruce Harper and Chris Ivory have each been given a chance to become the featured back, but neither have really grabbed the opportunity.
Both Johnson and Martin will miss another month.
#WR & TE
At the start of the year, Don Maynard looked to be the best in the league, with 25 catches and well over 400 yards in 3 games. Injuries have slowed him dramatically, but he still has 50 catches and 815 yards receiving and 5 TDs. The breakout player–especially after Rob Gronkowski went down with a devastating injury–has been Tim Wright, who has 30 catches and 3 TDs (roughly half his production came in one great 15 catch game against Dublin, but still).
The problem is nobody else has both stepped up and stayed healthy: Wesley Walker looks good as a deep threat, but will miss the next month or so, and Eric Decker has been competent, nothing more.
#OL
Logan Mankins, Nick Mangold, and John Hannah have been fantastic; beyond that there has not been much, with Sebastian Vollmer and Willie Colon being particularly disappointing (Vollmer only played 4 games before being hurt, and is out for another 3 weeks).
#DL
Mark Gastineau has 5 sacks and is second on the team in tackles with 52 while leading the team with 7 stuffs. That’s top-drawer stuff, and when you add in Jason Babin‘s 4 sacks and Richard Seymour‘s consistent run defense (and 2 forced fumbles), the defensive line has been strong all year.
#LB
It’s hard to know who to focus on: Nick Buoniconti has been all over the place, leading the team with 72 tackles. Andre Tippett was the first WFL player to double digits in sacks, with 10 (including 3 multi-sack games), and has added 35 tackles as well.
The Bulldogs could use some depth behind those two, however.
#DB
The trio of Mike Haynes, Darrelle Revis, and Devin McCourty has been very strong, combining for over 120 tackles (led by Haynes’ 49) and 25 deflections (McCourty has 12). Revis has 4 interceptions and has successfully defended over 50% of passes thrown his way. Patrick Chung has added 8 deflections and 2 interceptions as well, and both Darrin Walls and Calvin Pryor have played well–a strong unit.
#P & K
Nick Folk has been perfect on XPs and only missed 2 FGs all year on his way to 80 points. Solid.
Ryan Allen has done well, closing in on 40 yards net on his punts and putting 14 inside the opposition 20.
#Returns
In limited action, Chung and Shane Vereen have done quite well on returns, while Harper has been solid. Irving Fryar is averaging nearly 13 yards on punt returns, which is very strong.