The Roman Empire (3-7)
Rome continues to be a site of struggle … the worst overall offense in the league coupled with a bottom half defense.
A huge amount of the blame goes to the QB, where the Empire have the league worst overall rating at just under 67. But the challenge is that the offensive performance under Andrew Luck has been OK for the passing game. So perhaps the area of overall greatest need is elsewhere.
#Bottom Line
Draft Needs. LB, DT, DB, TE.
Week Four Draftee Update: Reggie Williams, played well for a couple games, but hasn’t seen much time since.
#QB
What to do, what to do. Peyton Manning once again failed miserably in a WFL trial, essentially handing the ball back to Andrew Luck. The issue is that, unlike last year, Luck has only been alright, with a QBR of 78 (Manning’s was a woeful 56).
The Empire was on the verge of giving Earl Morrall a go when he got injured; now it looks like the job is Luck’s for the rest of the season.
#RB
Edgerrin James has 190 carries on the season. All other RBs on the roster have 4. James has been good, rushing for over 800 yards and adding another 285 yards (and 5 TDs) receiving.
But he needs some help.
James Brooks has been injured, and Ryan Mathews looks the most likely to see time in the backfield.
#WR & TE
A.J. Green and Marvin Harrison have combined for 85 catches and just under 1,000 yards, making them an effective tandem. Reggie Wayne is better than most #3 options, making this a strong group.
Hakeem Nicks has been solid as a reserve as well.
The Empire rely on a blocking TE, with Dwayne Allen catching 15 passes as an H Back, but no real offensive threat from this position.
#OL
Anthony Munoz is the best of this bunch, by quite a bit. Max Montoya has spent most of the year injured, and both Andrew Whitworth and Kevin Zeitler have outperformed Willie Colon at T. Ray Donaldson has been excellent at C.
Injuries have hit this group quite hard all year.
#DL
With 15 sacks, this group has done well in terms of pressuring the QB, led by Dwight Freeney, who leads the group in tackles (43) and stuffs (9). Carlos Dunlap and Freeney each have 4 sacks, and Dunlap, Freeney, and Domata Peko have 7 hurries each.
Geno Atkins and Peko could each be doing more, and this may result in more time spent in a 3-4; however, see below.
#LB
Vontaze Burfict leads the way with 66 tackles, but none of the Empire LBs have a sack, and only D’Qwell Jackson and Shaun Phillips have hurries. Phillips, however, is out for another 2 months.
The LB group have been unspectacular, but nobody has been downright bad.
#DB
Pressed into action because of a long series of injuries, Larry Anderson is a great example of why tackle statistics can be misleading: yes, he leads the Roman secondary with 51 tackles, but he can’t stop anything thrown his way, and has been picked apart by opposing QBs.
Ken Riley has been the best CB for Rome, with 46 tackles, 6 deflections, and 3 interceptions, and Mike Adams has added 2 picks from S. Other than that, it’s been rough: Bert Rechichar showed great promise before being injured, and Chris Dishman, picked up just a few weeks ago, has immediately stepped into the front of the rotation.
Jason Belser has probably been the best of the other S, and it’s possible that, if Terence Newman and Reggie Nelson both returned from injury, this could turn into an area of strength for the Empire.
#P & K
Mike Nugent was erratic before his injury, but Ben Agajanian has been mediocre at best as his replacement.
Pat McAfee is averaging just under 48 yards a punt, with almost 2000 yards so far.
#Returns
Anderson has been fantastic on kickoffs, averaging over 34 yards per return with 3 TDs. Rechichar was alright on punts, but with his injury, Rome is searching for a replacement.
#Awards
Special Teams Player of the Week: Anderson (x2)
Teams of the Week: Anderson (2), Burfict (1), Dishman (1), James (2), Luck (1), McAfee (1), Munoz (1), Peko (1).