Beijing Red Stars (4-6)
Beijing is better than their record, but not much. They are, basically, the definition of league average, and need more oomph on both sides of the ball to get where they want to go.
The jury is still out on the 2 big questions coming into the season: is Ben Roethlisberger their true solve long-term at QB and can the 3 RB backfield be effective in the WFL?
#Bottom Line
Draft Needs. OL/G, WR, S.
Week Four Draftee Update: Travis Kelce. An immediate impact, and a potential superstar.
#QB
Roethlisberger is doing … okay. 16 TDs and only 3 interceptions is quite solid, but only 1900 yards is a little disappointing. Still, it’s good enough to keep him in the starter’s position, with Sammy Baugh waiting in reserve, but yet to be needed.
#RB
Warrick Dunn remains the primary back, and has produced almost 800 yards from scrimmage (628 rushing, another 144 on 20 receptions). Alfred Morris and Cliff Battles have about the same number of carries combined as Dunn has, and have produced at an even higher level, averaging over 5 yards per carry. Battles has half of the trio’s 12 TDs.
Roy Helu, Jr. was predicted to be a force this year, but he was injured in the 1st game of the season, and is unlikely to return.
#WR & TE
Only Art Monk (46 catches for 620 yards and 7 TDs) is really producing here. To wit: Bobby Mitchell has 35 catches for 315 yards in 9 games. Kelce has 31 for 345 in only 6. Santana Moss has done fine as a 4th receiver, while Pierre Garcon has shown almost nothing behind them.
#OL
Chris Samuels has been great at T, and Corey Linsley quite solid in the middle. Jon Runyan has shown well replacing the injured Demar Dotson, and Mark May has performed well despite being shuttled between G and T. However, Patrick Omameh has been mediocre, and Chris Chester hasn’t shown much as his injury replacement.
#DL
Warren Sapp is out injured, which is a big blow, as he has been the dominant force on the defensive line with 3 sacks, 9 stuffs, and 13 hurries. Michael Bennett has been great from the end, with 49 tackles, 7 stuffs, and 8 hurries, and Adrian Clayborn has added 3 sacks as well. 1 of those 2 will see their playing time diminish with the return of Lee Roy Selmon, probably Clayborn.
Gerald McCoy will need to step up in Sapp’s offense, and Willie Wilkin will get a chance to show what he can do as well. It’s a rough situation: Beijing’s DT’s were supposed to be Sapp, McCoy, and Dave Butz; now they are looking at McCoy, Chris Hovan, and Cornelius Griffin.
#LB
Perry Riley, Jr continues to be a tackling machine at ILB, and Derrick Brooks and Wilber Marshall are more than solid on the outside. A shift to a 3-4 would give Richard Wood more playing time, but is unlikely to happen.
#DB
The foursome of Ronde Barber, Alterraun Verner, Brandon Meriweather, and Darrell Green has been solid if not spectacular. Barber leads the team in tackles, Meriweather has 10 deflections, and Verner, Green, and Barber have 2 interceptions each. Everyone else has just been injured, although that has allowed Dick Anderson, Bob Sanders, and Rahim Moore to show some skills in limited opportunities.
#P & K
Mark Moseley won’t survive the bye week, as 11 of 25 for FGs just won’t cut it.
Tress Way has been solid.
#Returns
Battles has taken over the return duties for the most part, and he’s doing well. No TDs, but almost 30 yards on KO returns and over 9 for punts.
#Awards
Offensive Player of the Week: Battles (1)
Teams of the Week: Barber (1), Battles (1), Bennett (1), Kelce (2), Linsley (1), Monk (1), Riley, Jr. (2), Roethlisberger (2), Way (1).