Beijing Red Stars (3-7)
Arguably the worst team in the league, But one without really glaring draft needs, so that’s weird.
The 2nd worst passing attack combines with the worst running game in the league to create only 323 yards per game offensively–dead last in the WFL. The pass defense has been decent; the run defense second worst in the league. Overall, not a pretty picture.
#Bottom Line
Roster Moves. Move Runyan up as backup.
Draft Needs. OL/C-G, WR.
Week Four Draftee Update: Jon Runyan. Stuck behind the best OL players.
#QB
Welcome to the enigmatic conundrum known as Mike Glennon. He’s been replaced twice, but he keeps coming back, and keeps performing solidly enough to keep the job: only 10 TDs, but only 3 interceptions, and a QB rating of 88.7. It’s not all star level, but it’s perfect for the manage the game type QB.
Both Sammy Baugh and Eddie LeBaron had a chance to seize the job. Both failed.
#RB
Warrick Dunn has been good, but his performance really took off once Beijing began to mix Cliff Battles and Alfred Morris into the running game with more frequency. Battles has scored 7 TDs on 69 carries (Dunn has 6 in about twice the number). Dunn has about 800 total yards (500+ rushing, 270 receiving), and remains the key cog in the offense.
#WR & TE
This shouldn’t be an area of need, but it is. Pierre Garcon has 36 catches and Art Monk has 35 for a team-high 451 yards. They could do more, and while Bobby Mitchell and Santana Moss have also been solid, there really isn’t anyone here that scares the opposing defense. It’s the same story at TE, where Logan Paulsen has been fine and Jordan Reed may return from injury soon.
There is, of course, an open question as to whether the issue is the receivers or Glennon.
#OL
Nobody has been spectacular, but Chris Samuels and Demar Dotson have been good at T, and Chris Chester and Patrick Omameh good enough. Evan Dietrich-Smith has suffered a bit.
#DL
Lee Roy Selmon, Warren Sapp, Adrian Clayborn, and Gerald McCoy have been a solid quartet up front, combining for 13 sacks and 19 hurries. There is talent behind them as well (Michael Johnson has made the most of his opportunities, others have shown promise): this is a good unit that is performing well.
#LB
Perry Riley, Jr has 7 stuffs and leads the team in tackles with 50 while forcing 2 fumbles. More is expected of Derrick Brooks, who is doing well, but needs to really lead the defense. The same could be said of Wilbur Marshall. But, those 3 are well entrenched as the starters in the 4-3.
#DB
Darrell Green has 2 interceptions to lead the team, but the star in back has probably been Alterraun Verner, who has 40 tackles and 12 deflections to go with 1 pick. More impressively, Verner has the best record in the league in defending balls sent his way, preventing 31 of 51 attempts.
Ronde Barber and Brandon Meriweather have been strong contriburs as well–overall, the secondary has been quite good, and should be improved further when Ken Houston returns from injury.
#P & K
Kai Forbath has done very well, missing only 3 FGs while showing good range as well.
Tress Way has been solid.
#Returns
It’s been an approach by committee, but it’s worked well. Battles and Mitchell have handled most of the KOs and Moss and Battles have done the punts. Moss has the only TD of the group, but the performances overall have been solid.