Stiller Players Grades -- 2007 Season

 

Foreword: These grades are based on a player's play during the entire season, as I personally watched and re-watched (via videotape) each and every play of the season.  In fact, being that no analyst covering the Stillers has watched as much tape as this one has, these are the most accurate, comprehensive grades you'll see issued anywhere, because the rigor and study put into these grades far outnumbers anything done from any other source.  (Coaches' grades will be issued in the near future.)  

 

Bear in mind that a player's grade is based not only on what he did, but also his years of experience in the league, his salary, and any expectations of him (to include the round he was drafted in, if applicable). In other words, more is expected from, say, a seasoned 6-year veteran making $4 million per year, than of an undrafted rookie free agent making the league minimum. Every year, I hear various gripes and yelps about some of the grades, so to reiterate -- the grades are very dependent upon experience and the amount of money the player is consuming relative to his teammates.  Furthermore, gripes should be limited to only from those who have actually watched as much tape as this particular analyst.  If you haven’t done the requisite homework, studying, and analysis, then don’t waste anybody’s time with pathetic whining, bitching, and rationalization. 

 

Note: players not playing enough get an incomplete grade ("inc").    R = Reg season; P = Playoffs

 

In last-name alpha order, here are the final grades:

 

Baker, Dallas:  Selected in the 7th round, the rookie from Florida served on the prac squad the entire season.  With Willie Reid looking at a trip to the unemployment line, the door is open for Baker to gain a roster spot in ’08.  He has the size that the rest of the WR coprs lacks.   He’ll need to catch everything throw his way, and be a demon on spec teams in the preseason in order to make the club.     Inc

 

Batch: Except for a few kneeldowns in garbage time, Batch sat the entire season, until getting the nod in the season finale at Balt.  He obviously was rusty and it showed in that game.  Overall, though, I have solid confidence in Batch’s ability to come in off the bench or get a spot start if Benji gets nicked up.  Looking around the league, he’s one of the better backups.    R = Inc     P = Inc.  

 

Carter:  The hard-hitting safety got a lot more PT than I’m sure even he expected, what with the depth chart taking a hit with Clark’s spleen and then Troy’s occasional knee woes.  Carter chipped in with some decent play, and even won the Hard Hat award once and shared the honor once (with Essex), one of only 3 defensive players to win the coveted award this season.  Carter had his struggles, especially out in space (ie, open area) where he was often at a total loss for words or action.  This came home to roost in the playoffs, when he failed to knock Drew OOB on the TD catch n’ run, and then was timid and meek in tackling Garrard on the ill-fated 4th down run, when really, in that situation, you go for broke with a good stick in hopes of keeping the FG attempt to a mid-ranger instead of a chippie.   Had Garrard somehow juked and then scored, that actually would have been better for the offense, which would have then had eons of time, and 2 TO’s, to march for a TD.   For veteran depth, I’d be willing to have this hard hitter back for ’08.     R = B.   P = C-

 

Capizzi:   The huge, rookie undrafted FA from IUP gives the Stillers something to mull over as they do the inevitable overhaul over much of the OL this spring/summer.  He should be given a long look at camp to see what he can do.    Inc. 

 

Clark:  Emerged from camp as the starting FS and played okay, although hardly great.  Injured his spleen in the Denver game and was placed on IR.  He could stick on the ’08 roster as a backup.      Inc. 

 

Colon:  For unknown reasons, The Colon won the battle over Starks for the starting RT job.  He had his share of struggles early in the season, but he settled into the job and did adequately for a guy with little experience, no pedigree, and the NFL-minimum salary.   He was far from dominant, but down the stretch of the season, there were at least 3 other starting linemen that were committing far more blunders and boners than The Colon was.   At 6-3” tall, he’s an extremely rare breed in the NFL, as there is at most 1 other starting OT in the league that short.  With Faneca moving on and Mahan struggling at center, Colon really needs to be given a long look, starting in mini camp and then training camp, at guard.    R = B    P = B+

 

Cooper, Marquis:  The Chicken Coop played some on spec teams and did little.   He was among the sloppers that allowed the long KO return by Drew in the wildcard game, with a bad whiff that could have stopped Drew after a modest return.  At only 225 and possessing only average speed, this guy appears to be a hum-drum stop-gap career backup.    R = B-    P =  C-

 

Davenport:  The DumpTruck was the primary “speller” of Parker, as well as the chief 3D back.  When Parker went down in the Ram game late in the season, Daven became the starter.  He did okay, but his limits were exposed and he’s not a starting-caliber NFL RB.   In the playoffs, he was a bit stiff and wooden at times, and misread a few holes.    R = B    P = C-

 

Davis:  The young RB/FB, who’d been bounced around a few teams before landing in Pgh, won the starting FB job out of camp over veteran thumper Dan Kreider.  Davis showed some promise, especially with pass catching, and at times his blocking as okay, although never in the same stratosphere as Kreider.  He saw a lot more work toting the ball after Parker’s season-ending injury.   Hopefully he can improve his strength a bit more in order to win more battles at the point of attack.    R = B    P = B

 

Dekker:  Spent the ’06 season on the practice squad and then got a berth on the Stiller roster when injuries took out Tuman and Kreider.  Has the size and intelligence; with a strong camp he could stick on the roster next August./September      Inc.

 

Eason:  Signed as FA back in April for depth, he ended up seeing far more PT than anyone would have liked after Aaron Smith was lost for the season.  Dick is basically a run o’ the mill, Bill Johnson type of backup interior lineman.  I could live with him attending camp next summer, but clearly, better depth would be preferable and by no means should this guy be handed a roster spot on a silver platter.     R = B-    P = C

 

Essex:  The backup tackle rotted last season, and was in the midst of some extensive rot when Stark followed Smith to the IR late in the season.  Essex stepped in and started the season finale, playing very acceptably, and he started the wildcard game as well.   Fans will long remember him taking far too wide a pull on the “Arians Abortion” QB keeper, but given this man’s bench rot and very limited practice time, he can be absolved.   With Marvel Smith fighting back problems and Starks possibly departing as a FA, Essex could get a long look at more work next season.   I expect him to be retained as a RFA.   R = Inc    P = B+ 

 

Faneca:  Crybaby Alan spent the offseason pissing, moaning, and bawling about not getting a contract extension from the Stillers.  He then went out and had an absolutely wretched season, continually making one weak-assed gaffe after another.  We here at Stillers.com continually provided SPECIFIC plays throughout the season where The Crybaby played like a pile o’ bile.   You can now see what a farce the Blow Bowl and “All Pro” is, after the joke of a season Crybaby Alan had.  His also was as weak as shit in the playoff loss to Jax, going so far as to TURN HIS BACK to a rusher like a complete pansie.    So long, Crybaby Alan !!   Have fu