London Fog (6-4)
The challenge for London is whether they can become more than a slightly better than .500 side. Impressive victories over San Francisco and Boston would say yes, losses to Boston and Lomé would lean the other way.
The key seems to be resolving the issue at QB where Tony Romo started the year, but Russell Wilson has performed at a phenomenal level as his backup.
While decent against the run, London has the 3rd worst passing defense in the league.
#Bottom Line
Roster Moves. None. Romo gets another half-game to show something.
Draft Needs. LB to shore up the run defense, but this team has no real weaknesses right now.
Week Four Draftee Update: Darren Woodson, who has done well in contributing to the secondary.
#QB
Romo has been weird, even without missing 3 weeks due to injury: 2 of his 3 worse performances came in the season opening victories, 2 of his 4 best in losses. He followed a great game against Lomé with a horrible one against Boston, and has just never settled in. He has completed about 60% of his passes, but with only 6 TDs against 3 interceptions for a rating around 80. That’s pure mediocrity, through and through.
Wilson, on the other hand, has a completion rate of 69%, 12 TDs in only 80 throws, and only 1 interception, which all combines for a QB rating of 139. Unsustainable, certainly, but the gap is striking.
#RB
Emmitt Smith has been one of the better backs in the WFL so far, with over 800 yards through 10 games with 10 TDs. He has slowed slightly, not topping 100 yards in 6 weeks, and is likely to miss next week’s game through injury. Both DeMarco Murray (290 yards) and Marshawn Lynch (3 TDs) have been solid in supporting roles, but the rushing attack remains centered around Smith, with good reason.
The only downside for Smith has been 5 fumbles, but there’s plenty of performance plenty of depth here.
#WR & TE
The 3 Amigos have been fantastic: Dez Bryant has the most catches (43), Steve Largent the most yards (617). Add in Michael Irvin, and the trio have combined for 119 catches and almost 1700 yards. Massively impressive.
Jason Witten and Zach Miller have been solid at TE as well.
#OL
Probably the best (or, second best behind Rio) in the league so far, led by the dominant Walter Jones and Zack Martin, who have opened up 39 big holes between them. Nobody has really struggled, although Travis Frederick (filling in for the injured Dan Rafferty) and J.R. Sweezy have been less than stellar.
Russell Okung is due back after missing 7 weeks, which should only add to the strength up front.
#DL
Too Tall Jones has been the clear star of an excellent line. The pass rush has been good all year with Jones recording 4 sacks and Cliff Avril 3 (in only 45 plays). Jones and Cortez Kennedy have 9 and 8 hurries respectively, so the pressure on opposing QBs has been pretty constant.
Jones has added 10 run stuffs as well, and has led the line with 43 tackles.
Jacob Green–who started the year in fantastic form–is working his way back into the rotation after injury.
#LB
Bobby Wagner has been one of the best in the league with 93 tackles and 5 stuffs so far, despite missing 1 game. That includes a WFL record 20 tackles in 1 game, and 2 others with 16 each. DeMarcus Ware has 4 sacks and has forced 3 fumbles, but after that, the LB performance falls off, and this is likely the area London will address in the draft.
#DB
Earl Thomas (47 tackles. 3 interceptions, 8 deflections) and Mel Renfro (53 tackles) have led the way and Richard Sherman, Brandon Carr, and Darren Woodson have chipped in with 2 interceptions each. Carr is over the vaunted 50% line in defending balls thrown his way.
#P & K
Dan Bailey has been quite good, not missing on 34 XPs and converting 18 of 20 FGs (including a long of 54) for 88 points on the season so far.
Jon Ryan has been fine, nothing good, nothing bad.
#Returns
Dwayne Harris has been one of the better return men in the league, averaging nearly 30 yards on kickoffs and just over 8 on punts.