Sydney Great White (3-7)
Sydney is struggling: one of the league’s best offenses balanced out by a defense that is mediocre against the pass and absolutely miserable against the run–to the tune of an average of almost 180 yards rushing given up per game.
At least the points of improvement are obvious …
#Bottom Line
Draft Needs. DT, LB, DB.
Week Four Draftee Update: Neil Smith. Performed well in the one game he saw significant time.
#QB
Perhaps this is just who Dan Marino is: 4 games with a QBR of 109 or higher, 6 below 80. The highs are great, of course, but Sydney would prefer a steadier presence, as the poor performances are, in general, too much for the Great White to overcome.
#RB
The thunder and lightning approach continues to pay off for Sydney, with Larry Csonka rushing 97 times for 353 yards and 7 TDs. Wilbert Montgomery–the lightning–missed about a month through injury, but has still gained over 500 yards. LeSean McCoy filled in well for Montgomery, gaining over 200 yards on 31 carries.
Darren Sproles continues to be a good change of pace, with 17 catches and over 100 yards rushing on the season.
#WR & TE
Both Harold Carmichael and Jeremy Maclin have over 600 yards receiving on the season with 80 catches and 9 TDs between them. Dwight Clark has added 464 yards as a solid 3rd option.
Zach Ertz is excellent at TE, with 5 TDs and 27 catches.
#OL
Evan Mathis and Larry Little have been great, and Bob Brown almost as dominant at T. But there is a drop off after those 3: Dwight Stephenson is very good at C, but both Lane Johnson and Todd Herremans look average at best. At best.
#DL
The good news is limited to Reggie White and Jason Taylor, who have combined for 69 tackles, 5 sacks, 23 hurries, and 4 fumbles. It goes downhill quick after that, with the next leading tackler being Deandre Coleman. With 8.
Keith Traylor was supposed to clog the middle, but he was ineffective, and is now out injured, as is his backup, Randy Starks. That leaves Coleman, Brian Young, and Darrell Palmer: something must be done.
#LB
Zach Thomas and Connor Barwin have been excellent, Mychal Kendricks solid. And that’s about it: Cameron Wake has had his moments, and injuries have kept Chuck Bednarik off the field for all but 3 games.
#DB
Eric Allen has 4 interceptions, and Reshad Jones leads their secondary with 44 tackles … but there are issues. Only Troy Vincent has held receivers below a 50% completion rate, and he’s injured for another 6 weeks.
#P & K
Cody Parkey has been mediocre, and Ryan Succop filled in for him for a game, performing well. Still, it’s Parkey’s job for the time being.
Matt Darr has been quite good as a punter.
#Returns
Sproles is averaging 23 yards on kickoffs, which is fine, and over 8 on punts: also fine. He does have one punt return for a TD.
#Awards
Defensive Player of the Week: Taylor (1)
Special Teams Player of the Week: Sproles (1)
Team of the Week: Brown (2), Carmichael (1), Little (1), Marino (1), Sproles (1), Taylor (1), Thomas (1).