By Arlo @ September/15/2008 11:46 :: 628 Views :: 0 Comments :: Article Rating :: Player News & Updates

Tom Brady. Vince Young. Willis McGahee. Maurice Morris. Dallas Clark. Joey Galloway. Donte Stallworth. Ben Utecht. Approximately two dozen Seattle wide receivers. The 2008 season has just begun, and already the list of players bitten by the injury bug is long, leaving fantasy owners scrambling to find adequate fill-ins. Amid the big names that have littered post-game injury reports the past two weeks, it's easy to overlook less well-known players, particularly offensive linemen who often toil in anonymity. Yet while the warriors of the trenches may not have a spot in the headlines or on fantasy rosters, keeping tabs on their status is well worth your while. Here's a look several o-lines that may spell trouble for key fantasy performers.

 

Indianapolis Colts

With Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday already on the shelf for this week's tilt against the Vikings, the Colts also lost tackle Tony Ugoh in the second quarter. That's very bad news for Joseph Addai, who finished the day with just 20 yards on 15 carries. He did mollify his owners by finding the endzone on a one-yard plunge late in the third quarter, but there is certainly reason to be concerned here. Peyton Manning has also found himself with far less time to get rid of the ball than he's used to.

 

Jacksonville Jaguars

Being a Jaguars lineman appears to be nearly as dangerous as playing wide receiver for the Seahawks. Starting guards Maurice Williams and Vince Manuwai are both on injured reserve, starting center Brad Meester will miss several more weeks, recently signed tackle Todd Wade is dealing with an ankle injury, and backup tackle Richard Collier remains hospitalized after being shot last week. Is it any wonder that the Jaguars are averaging just 65.5 yards on the ground per game? Owners of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew aren't happy campers right now.

 

St. Louis Rams

The Rams' offensive line isn't banged up, it just isn't very good. Marc Bulger has been sacked ten times already this year, including six at the hands of the opportunistic Giants on Sunday. Steven Jackson has carried the ball just 27 times so far with the Rams frequently playing catch-up, and he hasn't found many holes when given the rock. This situation could turn very ugly.

 

Detroit Lions

Like the Rams, the Lions' line hasn't had to contend with major injuries, but hasn't gelled into a cohesive unit yet. Jon Kitna's fantasy line has been respectable despite poor protection (showing once again the difference between fantasy and reality), but Kevin Smith hasn't been able to showcase his skills as effectively as many had anticipated.

 

Kansas City Chiefs

Remember the days when the Chiefs' offensive line was among the league's elite, opening massive holes for Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson to waltz through? Those days are long gone. Johnson's yards per carry have declkined every year since his breakthrough 2005 campaign, dropping from 5.2 three years ago to a dismal 2.8 so far this season. The Chiefs have now lost eleven straight games, and things might not get better anytime soon. Having to plug third-stringer Tyler Thigpen in at QB doesn't help, but the root of the problem remains a woefully ineffective offensive line.