Sydney Great White (5-5)
Ending Addis Ababa’s undefeated season brings Sydney to .500. More importantly, it showed glimpses of the offensive juggernaut that lurks in this squad.
However, until the worst defense in the league, giving up an average of 433 yards per game (and 7 per play), steps up, it won’t matter much.
#Bottom Line
Roster Moves. Move Clark up the depth chart. Make McNabb the #2 QB. Move Herremans up. Juggle DL to be Curry-White-Taylor.
Draft Needs. ILB, OL/T, OLB
Week Four Draftee Update: Dwight Clark. Solid when given the opportunity.
#QB
This is Dan Marino‘s job, but which one will show up? Even with the 5TD game against Addis Ababa, he has more interceptions (10) than TDs (9). His job is not totally secure: Marino has been solid in 2 games, poor in 4, and spectacular in 1.
Ryan Tannehill was mediocre as his backup, and if Marino is injured or benched again, look for Donovan McNabb to get a look.
#RB
Wilbert Montgomery has been one of the best in the league, rushing for 968 yards and 8 TDs while averaging over 5 yards per carry. Especially when the partnership with Larry Csonka (356 yards and 5 TDs) is clicking, this is a frightening team running the ball. Montgomery has 5 games over 100 yards rushing and Csonka has 1.
Darren Sproles adds a change of pace, with 132 yards rushing and 20 catches.
#WR & TE
Harold Carmichael leads the way with 862 yards on only 48 catches (that’s 18 yards a catch–and he hasn’t dropped a pass all year) and 4 TDs, but Jeremy Maclin (36 catches, 482 yards) has emerged as a solid complimentary receiver.
Charles Clay and Zach Ertz have done well as possession receivers, but neither had set the league on fire before Clay’s 14 catch, 101 yard performance in week 11.
#OL
Evan Mathis and Dwight Stephenson have been absolutely dominant, and Todd Herremans has more than held his own up front. But Larry Little (lost to injury early on) and Lane Johnson have been average and Branden Albert has been worse than that. Some support could be useful.
#DL
The line has been good, but not up to expectations, especially for Reggie White: only 1 sack, but 6 hurries and 8 stuffs to go along with 34 tackles. Vinny Curry has 5 sacks and Jason Taylor has been solid against the run.
#LB
Zach Thomas has been solid with 55 tackles, but nobody else has stepped up at ILB after DeMeco Ryans went down early in the season. Connor Barwin has added 3 sacks as well. An area of need.
#DB
Another secondary where the numbers can be misleading: Eric Allen leads the team with 56 tackles, Brandon Boykin has added 44 and 2 interceptions, and Cortland Finnegan has 9 deflections. All that is great, but too many plays are occurring in the secondary.
#P & K
Cody Parkey lacks the big leg, but he’s been accurate, converting all 26 XPs and 19 of 22 FGs, but none from over 50.
Donnie Jones is over the vaunted 40 yard mark in net punts, and should reclaim the job from Brandon Fields once he is healthy (probably in 2 weeks).
#Returns
Sproles is averaging 22 yards on kickoffs, which isn’t that good, and over 13 on punts (with a TD), which is.