Rio de Janeiro Carnival (7-3)
At this point, we all know Rio can run the ball: 200 yards per game will attest to that. Their passing offense is mediocre at best (they are the only team in the league to average more rushing yards than passing yards per game), and the defense is quite good. Put it all together, and the Carnival should challenge in the Southish.
The question is health, and with Len Dawson already out, the team feels a little fragile as it tries to cope with defense increasingly focused solely on slowing down Jim Brown.
#Bottom Line
Draft Needs. WR, TE, DL.
Week Four Draftee Update: Shane Conlan. Has done OK in a reserve role.
#QB
Len Dawson has been doing his thing, completing 55% of his passes and maintaining a QBR over 90. The problem is he was injured after 7 games, and is likely out another 2 months. In his absence, the Carnival have turned to Otto Graham, who has been erratic at best. Still, Graham offers a stronger arm than Dawson, and as long as Rio doesn’t fall behind by too much, won’t be asked to do too much.
#RB
Jim Brown continues to be the Platonic ideal of a RB, rushing for over 1300 yards and 15 TDs in 10 games, with only 1 game under 100 yards. If you squint there may be some signs of worry: 4 of Brown’s last 5 games have been under 120 yards, and more and more teams seem to be committed to stopping him above all else when they play the Carnival.
While Jamaal Charles was amazing in Year I, he’s been merely solid in Year II, rushing 91 times for over 400 yards. Abner Haynes and Doc Elliott have also showed some promise, with 2 TDs each.
#WR & TE
Tony Gonzalez was doing his usual thing through 5 games. But he’s been injured since then, and is out for at least a couple more months. Here’s how important Gonzalez is to Rio de Janeiro: he was injured with 27 catches and 438 yards, which led the team.
We’re 5 games down the road from Gonzalez’ injury, and Michael Crabtree and Paul Warfield still trail Gonzalez in catches and Warfield leads the team in receiving yards with only slightly more (467 yards to Gonzalez’ 438).
Warfield and Crabtree are decent receivers for this league, but Rio needs more, whether through a draft addition or a healthy Josh Gordon (Andrew Hawkins and Eddie Kennison have both had some opportunities, and while Kennison has some potential as a deep threat, neither have really taken advantage of the opportunities).
Jordan Cameron has done well as a reserve TE, with 2 TDs in 7 catches.
#OL
The offensive line continues to dominate, although Lou Groza‘s absence through injury has hurt, as the drop off between him and Jeff Allen is notable. But that’s just 1 of 5: Joe Thomas, Will Shields, Joel Bitonio, and Frank Gatski have been dominant–although Shields and Gatski have been beatable at times.
Here’s the clincher: none of the lineman have allowed a sack. All year.
#DL
Jabaal Sheard has been dominant up front, with 58 tackles, 4 sacks, 20 stuffs/hurries, and 7 forced fumbles and is contending for defensive MVP. The rest of the defensive line, however, has been a little less than engaged, with Len Ford and Dontari Poe tied behind Sheard with 14 tackles. Poe has added 3 sacks as well.
Tamba Hali and John Randle have impressed as reserves and Jamie Meder has been acceptable as well.
#LB
The LB group has been decimated by injuries: only Craig Robertson has played in every game. Derrick Thomas has been great, with 29 tackles and 7 sacks, but he is now out for about 2 months. Both Bobby Bell and Clay Matthews should return soon, and at that point the group looks quite strong, with Shane Conlan, Donnie Edwards, and Justin Houston all looking promising as reserves.
#DB
Hanford Dixon and Joe Haden have been good at CB, combining for over 80 tackles, 17 deflections, and 2 picks (both by Dixon). Buster Skrine has been solid as a nickle back. Johnny Robinson and Jim Leonhard have been solid at S, but the real story back there has been Eric Berry and his 21 deflections.
#P & K
Cairo Santos will miss another month, but Don Cockroft has been a very solid fill in, making 14 of 17 FGs and converting on 19 of 22 XPs.
Chris Gardocki has been highly mediocre on punts, but he’ll do until Lee Johnson returns from injury in about a month.
#Returns
Dante Hall has this covered: 26 yards on kickoffs and 10 on punts, and 2 TDs so far.
#Awards
Offensive Player of the Week: Brown (3)
Special Teams Player of the Week: Hall (2)
Team of the Week: Bitonio (1), Brown (3), Dawson (1), Gatski (1), Gonzalez (3), Haden (1), Hall (2), Sheard (4), Shields (3), D. Thomas (1), J. Thomas (2).