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The Fantasy Buzz
PFW takes a look at fantasy news and notes from around the NFL
By PFW staff
July 25, 2008
With training camps fast approaching and the 2008 season just around the corner, the PFW staff has been hard at work collecting the hottest fantasy-related rumors and player news from around the NFL.
Here, we present an excerpt from "The Fantasy Buzz," a regular print feature that was published in our current print edition (cover date: August 2008). If you want to read about the seven divisions other than the NFC North, you can find the print edition at newsstands and bookstores across the country, or you can purchase a copy (print or PDF) online at PFWstore.com.
 It didn’t take long for Bears insiders to start wondering whether newly acquired Kevin Jones, who scored a career-high eight touchdowns for the Lions last season before tearing his ACL in late December, will get a legitimate shot at challenging rookie Matt Forté for the team’s starting RB job. The way we hear it, the Bears could strongly consider a two-back system featuring Forté and Jones if Jones is fully healthy. But team sources cautioned that the ex-Lion’s physical condition remains a huge “if.” Although Jones says he is well ahead of schedule in his recovery from an injury that was supposed to take a year to completely heal, we hear it will probably be well into training camp, if even then, before he’s really ready to start strutting his stuff. Jones’ injury problems in each of the last three seasons could be a red flag worth noting.
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Vikings WR Sidney Rice
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Don’t be shocked if Packers WR James Jones, who displayed a few sparkling fantasy flashes last season, becomes more of a fantasy factor this season and shares a lot more of the TD load with fellow WR Greg Jennings and TE Donald Lee, who combined for 18 TDs in ’07. Daily team observers tell us Jones has had an excellent offseason up to now and is keeping sharp by working out in California with QB Aaron Rodgers and Packers rookie WR Brett Swain.
Tatum Bell will open Lions camp as the starting running back, and he had his moments in Denver running in a similar zone scheme. But we hear the Lions’ coaches believe what the Broncos’ coaches did: that Bell has to be put on a “pitch count,” or his productivity drops off precipitously. It might not be long before rookie Kevin Smith, a workhorse in college running both inside and outside zones, takes over.
Vikings WR Sidney Rice quietly has had a nice offseason in the coaches’ eyes and is expected to step up as the starting spilt end. Don’t be surprised if he doubles his rookie totals of 31 receptions and four TDs.
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