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Triage Time: Kicking Things Off
By Will Carroll | July 28, 2008
The same advantages you get by understanding injuries in the NFL are available now here at FCB. In fact, there could be more of an advantage since the gap from starter to replacement is often huge at even the biggest, deepest programs. Experience counts as well, so knowing who could play, who will play at less that full-go, and who’s skills will be affected can help you win your league or at the very least, give you a good excuse. (”Sure, you won, but if Johnson hadn’t had that high ankle sprain, it would have been different!”)
We’ll take some ‘Triage Time’ all season long to let you know what players — and teams — will be held back by injuries. As fall practice gets ready to open, let’s take a look around at some names that will be most affected by their injury status …
ARTRELL WOODS (OKLAHOMA STATE)
Kevin Everett might be a great story, but Artrell Woods might have him beat. Unlike Everett, Woods is going to play again, though admittedly no one has any idea how well he’ll be able to come back. He’s been cleared to play despite having had a devastating spinal injury just under two years ago that left him using a walker at this time last year. Woods was, at one time, the #2 WR in the Cowboys depth chart and that’s his upside now. He’s more likely to be a spot player and full-time inspiration.
PERCY HARVIN (FLORIDA)
Harvin is a speedster that stands to gain a lot of the yards that Tim Tebow throws for as the latter goes for a second Heisman. Nagging heel problems should be corrected by minor surgery with his recovery coming in enough time to participate in Urban Meyer’s fall camp. He probably won’t be full-go until the Gators are closing in on the kickoff, but he’ll get better as the season goes on. The biggest question is not how he’ll be affected — he’s a straight line speedster — but whether his conditioning will be up to Meyer’s standards.
IAN JOHNSON (BOISE STATE)
Ian Johnson went from being a Cinderella story to being a cautionary tale in a hurry. He suffered through a collapsed lung and bruised kidney last season and just on the odds shouldn’t have the same sort of quirky injuries. That said, his “physical nature” could be translated into “takes big hits,” something that isn’t likely to change. The WAC’s best back doesn’t have as tough a schedule, but he remains the biggest weapon and the focus of most opposing defenses. If he’s going to go to the next level, he’s going to have to prove that those traumatic injuries were luck and not pattern.
KEVIN OGLETREE (UVA)
Ogletree was expected to be a big part of the Cavs offense in ‘07, but he left an ACL on the turf in spring practice and never suited up for Al Groh. He’s back in 08, better than a year after surgery, and is showing no deficits in workouts. He’s a big play receiver with a big, projectable body, but with a new QB, his stats might be down anyway. Look for Ogletree to be used as a possession receiver more than he was in ‘06 to play up his pro potential.
DANARIO ALEXANDER (MIZZOU)
If you’re noticing a theme here, it’s that WRs get hurt a lot. With Chase Daniel ready for a big campaign, he won’t have all his weapons at the start of the season. Alexander isn’t expected back until October and even then, he’s a “dart and dash” receiver that needs his knees to be at 100% to be effective. He won’t be after ACL surgery, leaving him as a secondary weapon that could have some big games. For fantasy players, he’s someone to keep on your radar as an injury replacement if you lose someone in the first half or a late round dream-on pick.
KEVIN GRADY (MICHIGAN)
Grady not only has to rehab from a surgically-repaired knee, he has to adjust to a new coach and his system. Doing that while trying to explain why he blew a .28 on the breathalyzer is tougher. Grady could be this year’s version of Steve Slaton if Rich Rodriguez installs his spread system intact. There’s no reason to think that the repaired knee will keep him from being a bowling ball-style power back. (Late word comes in that Grady has been indefinitely suspended from the team.)
JAHVID BEST (CAL)
The sophomore slump is real, but Best had such a frosh campaign that the Bears have to hope that he can stay healthy enough to put up the same kind of highlight plays he did last season. The team collapsed late last year, coinciding with Best’s hip injury. He was held out of spring practice in hopes of getting and keeping him healthy, but undersized RBs that can’t make the quick transition to the college game tend not to suddenly adjust. Either you can take the beating or you can’t and no amount of coaching can give you that skill.
MATT ASIATA (UTAH)
Utah? I’ve got to make calls to Utah? Huss, I think you forgot to mention that I’d be looking up the Utah and Idaho area codes when I took this gig! Matt Asiata went down in the first game of last year and the Utes seemed to fall with him. This year, he’s back from the broken leg and looking to get his starting job back. Problem is, while he is expected to be fully recovered, he’s found Darrell Mack holding down the starting role. Both are solid feature backs and are similar enough that swapping them doesn’t do much aside from keeping them fresh and costing them carries. If you’re a Utes fan, the tandem should be very productive. If you’re looking for a big-numbers RB, two is not better than one.
COURTNEY TENNIAL (TULSA)
The NCAA doesn’t make much sense when it gives out sixth years to athletes. The inconsistencies are as maddening as the organization itself. Tulsa, at least, is happy to have Courtney Tennial back. The back’s ankle injury cost him 2007 and allowed Tarrion Adams to establish himself at tailback. Tennial will play fullback and will be the go-to guy when the Golden Hurricane blows up to the goal line. Don’t expect big rushing numbers, but in fantasy, “6″ is as nice a number as there is.
FRANK EDMONDS (BALL STATE)
It’s nice to think that a little guy from a mid-sized school could end up as the next big thing. It doesn’t often happen. Little guys getting hit by big guys tend to suffer the same fate a Prius would if it got T-boned by a Suburban. Things break and break down. Edmonds did the same thing under the stress, breaking a wrist and suffering a high ankle sprain. He’ll be productive as Ball State tries to return to MAC prominence, but his durability will keep him from being anything more than a late-round reach.
Topics: College Football, Triage Time, Will Carroll |
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