RSP Writers Project: CBS Sportsline Analyst Dave Richard’s Team
Can you name this Redskins running back? I appreciate the CBS fantasy football analyst Dave Richard has this hard-running rookie from Florida Atlantic on his RSP Writers team. Based on his depth chart, it makes a lot of sense. Photo by Keith Allison.
Dave Richard is a diehard football fan and lives the dream as one of the few full-time fantasy writers in the business. Richard handles sports news and analysis for Fantasy Football at CBSSports.com and is one of many members of Pro Football Writers of America who I imagine will take cookies and pizza as bribes. The Florida native’s team takes some departures from the trends I’ve seen with most of the RSP Writers’ Teams I’ve seen thus far.
Richard invested in an upper echelon left tackle, took an unusual combination of tight ends, and invested in many rookies that I think will develop into underrated role players within the next few years. Two that come to mind immediately are Redskins ‘tweener Alfred Morris and Browns receiver Travis Benjamin – both players from Florida colleges. Stay tuned tomorrow for Richard’s Q&A where he discusses his team.
Dave Richard’s Depth Chart
Luck better be good, because at least 40 percent of these RSP teams have him as its franchise quarterback. Good thing Dave Richard picked a quality veteran as Luck’s backup. Photo by Angie Six
Quarterback Depth Chart
Starting Position
Role (optional)
Name
Value
Commentary (Why you picked the player: specific skills and talents you like, potential upside, and/or fit within the system)
QB1
Andrew Luck
12.5
Going young with the best quarterback prospect since Manning. Arm speaks for itself, football smarts are off the charts and he’s healthy. A no-brainer.
QB2
Matt Hasselbeck
5.5
Important to have quality backup. This one comes with lots of experience to aid Luck in his early development. Worth the money.
QB3
0
No third quarterback. We’ll carry someone on our practice-squad.
Note: Teams were asked to carry three quarterbacks, but due to a miscommunication with an email, I let this slide with a few writers. Three quarterbacks are preferred.
Running Back Depth Chart
Starting Position
Role (optional)
Name
Value
Commentary (Why you picked the player: specific skills and talents you like, potential upside, and fit within the system)
RB1
Trent Richardson
7.5
Fresh legs, dynamic skill set, forces opponents to pay attention to him, can play 40-plus snaps per game no problem.
RB2
Chris Ivory
2
Physical backup to spell Richardson, also has young legs.
RB3
Alfred Morris
1
Needed a third back, found one with excellent college experience and is in the mold of our first two physical running backs.
Wide Receiver Depth Chart
Hurricane Warning: Get the ball in Travis Benjamin’s hands and conditions will be hazardous for opposing defenders. Photo by Erik Daniel Drost.
Starting Position
Role (optional)
Name
Value
Commentary (Why you picked the player: specific skills and talents you like, potential upside, and fit within the system)
WR1
Tori Gurley
0.5
Fifth receiver with some upside.
WR2
Travis Benjamin
2.5
Deep-ball receiver and return-man extraordinaire. Might be closer to Devin Hester than Roscoe Parrish.
WR3
Demaryius Thomas
6
Star receiver. Unreal skills. Will take the chance he won’t get hurt.
WR4
Golden Tate
1.5
Should battle for No. 2 job.
WR5
Brandon LaFell
3
Should battle for No. 2 job.
Fullback and Tight End Depth Chart
Another writer with appreciation for the underrated Delanie Walker. As for Michael Egnew? I don’t get it the love, but I’ve been slow on the uptake before. Photo by 49ersparadise.
Starting Position
Role (optional)
Name
Value
Commentary (Why you picked the player: specific skills and talents you like, potential upside, and fit within the system)
TE1
WR
Coby Fleener
2.5
Had to get Luck’s top target, but he’ll be flexed out in this offense more often than not. Don’t see him as an in-line blocker.
TE2
Delanie Walker
2
Versatile, underrated monster tight end. Very good blocker, deceptive receiving target in the red zone.
Michael Egnew
0.5
Backup for Fleener. Liked his game a lot in college, has the measurables to be a headache for defenses.
Tackle Depth Chart
Quit looking at Tebow and focus on No.78 Ryan Clady, the most expensive selection at left tackle that I’ve seen by a writer. Good pick. Photo by Jeffery Beall.
Starting Position
Role (optional)
Name
Value
Commentary (Why you picked the player: specific skills and talents you like, potential upside, and fit within the system)
LT1
Ryan Clady
10
Must protect Luck. Strong, affordable choice.
RT1
Jonathan Martin
5
Familiar with scheme, young.
RT2
Bobby Massie
3
Swing tackle
Guard Depth Chart
Starting Position
Role (optional)
Name
Value
Commentary (Why you picked the player: specific skills and talents you like, potential upside, and fit within the system)
RG1
David DeCastro
7
Will work on teaching him left guard but for now he’ll mow people down from right guard.
LG2
Johnnie Troutman
1.5
Backup lineman
LG1
Backup T
Kevin Boothe
1
Experienced offensive lineman, will start at left guard and could play tackle in a pinch.
Center Depth Chart
Starting Position
Role (optional)
Name
Value
Commentary (Why you picked the player: specific skills and talents you like, potential upside, and fit within the system)
C1
JD Walton
1
“Good enough” center who can understand a defensive front.
C2
Backup G
Ben Jones
1
Physical backup with some versatility.
Cornerback and Safety Depth Chart
Here’s a guy that can lay the wood…and test the quality of knee braces. Bernard Pollard will be the strong safety in Ricard’s secondary. Photo by Christopher Frier Brown.
Starting Position
Role (optional)
Name
Value
Commentary (Why you picked the player: specific skills and talents you like, potential upside, and/or fit within the system)
FS1
Earl Thomas
6
Versatile free safety a MUST in our hybrid defense.
SS1
Bernard Pollard
4
Experienced strong safety is good enough to start.
SS2
George Iloka
1.5
Young talent with versatility and size. Might work as a dime back.
FS2
Chris Prosinski
1
Raw but fast
LCB2
Buster Skrine
1
Young backup learning from Jammer.
LCB1
Quentin Jammer
4.5
Starting left cornerback. Last year a mirage after off-field issues plagued his preparation. Should be improved.
RCB2
Nickel CB
Joselio Hanson
2.5
Pretty much a career nickelback, so I don’t mind him for that role with our team.
RCB2
Ras-I Dowling
1
Let’s see what he can do. Good backup, have to make sure he’s healthy. Like him better as a backup.
RCB1
Tracy Porter
3
Starting right cornerback, assuming he can hold off camp competition. Has come up big on the biggest stage.
DeMarcus Van Dyke
1
Satisfies my need for a young corner and a Miami Hurricane.
Linebacker Depth Chart
In addition to Richard, I know of another writer with some appreciation for rookie MLB Bobby Wagner that you’ll be reading about soon. Photo by Bernie Zimmerman.
Starting Position
Role (optional)
Name
Value
Commentary (Why you picked the player: specific skills and talents you like, potential upside, and fit within the system)
Von Miller
9.5
Jewel of our hybrid defense: Will never leave the field, will constantly pressure quarterback from all over the place.
James Anderson
3
Versatile linebacker who’s probably better versus. the run than the pass but can get after the quarterback.
Bobby Wagner
4.5
Loved him in college, and I see him as a capable run stuffer with some versatility.
Sean Spence
3
Loved him in college too. A bit undersized but plays with heart and has some smarts to him.
Antwan Barnes
3.5
Specifically a backup for Miller. Nowhere near as good but showed some explosion last year.
Chris Chamberlain
0.5
Special-teams contributor and very capable backup. Had 81 tackles, two sacks last year for woeful St. Louis.
Kirk Morrison
0.5
Veteran tackler won’t start for us but will participate and help the young players, specifically Wagner.
Philip Wheeler
1
Another veteran backup who can help vs. the run on the field and tutor young LBs off the field.
Defensive End and Tackle Depth Chart
No.95 Kamerion Wimbley will be coming off the edge for Dave Richard’s team. Photo by Jim Harper.
Starting Position
Role (optional)
Name
Value
Commentary (Why you picked the player: specific skills and talents you like, potential upside, and fit within the system)
Kamerion Wimbley
7
Needed a second pass rusher to go with Miller, especially when we’re in the 4-3. Wimbley can play anywhere, seems rejuvenated.
Jared Odrick
3
Versatile end probably better suited for 3-4 but will get work in our 4-3 front.
Isaac Sopoaga
5
Meat in the middle.
Terrence Cody
1
More meat in the middle.
Ziggy Hood
1
Even more meat on the D-line.
Corey Liuget
0.5
Big young 3-4 end.
Thomas Keiser
1
Special-teams contributor and defender in a pinch.
Jermaine Cunningham
0.5
Meat
Torell Troup
0.5
Meat
Final Special Teams Roster
Kicker and Punter Depth Chart
Starters
Name
Value
Commentary (Why did you choose the player for special teams and what Role (optional) will he play?)
K1
John Kasay
1.5
Made at least 81 pct. of kicks in each of last six seasons.
P1
Pat McAfee
1.5
Averaged a career-best 46.6 yards per punt in 2011.
Kick Coverage Team
Role (optional)
Name
Commentary (Why did you choose the player for special teams and what Role (optional) will he play?)
OU1
Demarcus Van Dyke
OU2
George Iloka
OU3
Sean Spence
OU4
Ras-I Dowling
OU5
Tori Gurley
OU6
Chris Prosinski
IN1
John Kasay
IN2
Kirk Morrison
IN3
Thomas Keisel
IN4
Phillip Wheeler
IN5
Chris Chamberlain
Punt Coverage Team
Role (optional)
Name
Commentary (Why did you choose the player for special teams and what Role (optional) will he play?)