Introducing ‘Adio Royster’s Guys’ for the 2010 NFL Season
Every team in every sport has them — the guys that just seem to be simple missing pieces to a more complicated construct. These “role players” as it were have a special place on every team. “The Dude” may say that they just “bring the room together”.
As you might imagine, I have my own list of guys that I feel bring the room together. If I were a general manager, these are guys that I would have no problem signing/trading for/etc. if I’m trying to field a winning team.
In discussing this concept of mine, our friend Dr. Sports Fan has coined the following phrase: “Adio Royster Guys”. It’s true. Every year for just about every sport, there are some guys that just do it for me. Not in THAT way, of course — just in the sense that I wouldn’t mind having them on a starting squad.
Identifying these guys in the NFL has become increasingly difficult as of late with the move to the “running back by committee”, but I still somehow come up with a select few players who, while they aren’t the best in the league or anything, won’t be square pegs in round holes.
Jason Campbell, QB, Oakland Raiders
I have literally been screaming about this kid since the ’08-’09 season when he started all 16 games for Washington, threw for 3,200 yards and 13 TDs. Doesn’t sound like much, but he was at the very least consistent. Which is more than I can say for the Redskins coaching staff. Now he’s in Oakland, and while he may not be the next coming of Jim Plunkett that Al Davis said he is, he’s more than capable of being the guy that makes Oakland respectable.
Seriously, how much worse can he be than JaMarcus Russell?
Laurence Maroney, RB, New England Patriots
Don’t you just love a guy who can turn a potential second-and-long situation into a possible second-and-5 or 6? That’s what Maroney’s career 4.2 yards per carry average will do for you. Granted, most of New England’s second and mediums come from Mister Wes Welker, but Maroney always has the ability to break off the big one if the Pats commit to the run game — which is unfortunately pretty much only during garbage time.
Personally, I swear by Maroney until the day I die at this point. The Patriots have kept Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk, brought in 90-year old Fred Taylor and yet Maroney is still the Pats leading rusher at the end of the year. If the Patriots ran the ball with any kind of consistency, Maroney would’ve probably put up a few 1,000 yard seasons. You don’t think Maroney be the starter in say Seattle or Tampa Bay and rush for 1,000 plus yards?
Michael Bush, RB, Oakland Raiders
Yes, I realize this is my second Raider on this list. Yes, I realize the Raiders have been just as dysfunctional as Isiah Thomas’ New York Knicks. Here’s the thing: Jason Campbell makes the Raiders so much better that Bush and McFadden are going to benefit from a consistent passing attack. Bush gets the nod here in front of McFadden because if Tom Cable is smart he’ll give Bush the bulk of the carries and make McFadden the change of pace and third down back — because frankly, that’s all I think McFadden ever was.
Ted Ginn Jr., WR, San Francisco 49ers
One of the more famous (and annoying) Maddenisms is “speed kills”. Personally, I love a guy whose speed, agility and acceleration ratings in Madden is 99. Apparently Ginn’s reported 4.16 seconds 40-yard dash time had something to do with that.
It’s a shame Ginn had too much hype coming out of college. He would have been a great number two speed receiver instead of an underachieving and inconsistent no. 1. In San Francisco, that’s exactly what he is, with Crabtree the obvious number one receiver (or 1a if you count Vernon Davis as 1b). Someone has to stretch the field for the only Bay Area team that’s gonna be competitive.
Chris Chambers, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
I love a guy that just produces. You put him on the field, and you just know that he’s going to catch a couple balls for a good amount of yards as well as a touchdown. From ’03-’07, that was Chris Chambers in Miami — even with a rotating stable of quarterbacks, that included Jay Fiedler, A.J. Feeley and Gus Frerotte.
If you’re a Chiefs fan, you had to enjoy the little 36-reception, 608 yard outburst after he was claimed off waivers from San Diego. Sure, Chambers is far removed from his old number one receiver days, but he can win a few one-on-one match-ups against a team’s second cornerback.
Chris Cooley, TE, Washington Redskins
For the last decade, Philadelphia Eagles tight ends have amassed 485 catches for over 6,000 yards. Who was the quarterback? Current Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb — who not only inherits one of the best tight ends in football, but one of the worst offensive lines. I offer the following equation:
Crappy offensive line + All-Pro tight end = lots and lots of check down passes for Cooley
If you think 83 catches for 849 yards was something in 2008, you ain’t seen nothing yet, friends. With this equation, bank on anywhere between 80-90 catches and possibly 1,000 yards from Mr. Cooley.
Sometimes, you just have to face the facts. There are those guys that you don’t know why you like them so much. You just do. (See Sammi “Sweetheart” & her relationship with Ronnie). Unlike Ronnie, however, these guys aren’t going to let me down when I tell people, “Hey, this kid is good. Pay attention to him.” Unless you’re the Jack Bauer of All Sports who doesn’t play fantasy football.