Player Spotlight: Isaac Bruce & Drew Bennett (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

2007 Player Spotlight Series

Over the course of the offseason, we will be evaluating a multitude of players at every fantasy position. One such way we go about that is through the Player Spotlight series. Think of the Spotlights as a permanent record on some of the more intriguing players for the upcoming season. Each Spotlight will be featured in an article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Isaac Bruce & Drew Bennett, WRs, St. Louis Rams

Player Page Link: Isaac Bruce Player Page

Player Page Link: Drew Bennett Player Page

Each article will include:

Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member
Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads
FBG Projections
Consensus Member ProjectionsThe Rules

In order for this thread to provide sustainable value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

Focus commentary on the player in question, and your expectations for said player
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, you MUST provide projections for the playerProjections should include (at a minimum):

For QBs: Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Yards, Rush TDs
For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs
For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDsBest of Luck and ENJOY!

 

[Macdaddy_2004]

I still think Bruce will hold on to the #2 spot for the year

Bruce

70/1050/7

Bennett

55/755/4

 

[Two Deep]

Bruce 65-800-3tds

Bennett 45-650-7tds

 

[shadyridr]

This is a high powered offensive attack. I expect Bruce to be a solid contributor and put up WR3 numbers. Bennett on the other hand (while he is a good WR) may not get enough touches to be productive. There is simply not enough balls to go around. In my eyes he is the 4th or 5th option in this offense behind Holt, Jackson, Bruce, McMichael.

Bruce:

64 rec, 950 yds, 4 td

Bennett:

36 rec, 540 yds, 2 td

 

[salmonstud]

Bruce - 70/1020/5 TD's

Bennett - 40/410/5 TD's

I'm targeting both Isaac & Drew in many redraft leagues. Bruce is an excellent #3 and a decent #2 WR in PPR leagues. If Bruce is injured I believe Drew would put up similar type numbers if he moved into the #2 WR role. Drew can be had very late in drafts and makes a nice handcuff to Bruce.

 

[Jason Wood]

Barring an injury to Bruce that I don't know about, I'm having a hard time accepting that Drew Bennett is going to be more productive than Kevin Curtis was in a similar role. Yet it seems, judging from Bruce's ADP, many worry otherwise. Why? What, outside of that legendary 3-game stretch with Billy Volek throwing to him, has Bennett done to warrant such worries from Bruce evaluators?

 

[Blue-Kun]

Barring an injury to Bruce that I don't know about, I'm having a hard time accepting that Drew Bennett is going to be more productive than Kevin Curtis was in a similar role. Yet it seems, judging from Bruce's ADP, many worry otherwise. Why? What, outside of that legendary 3-game stretch with Billy Volek throwing to him, has Bennett done to warrant such worries from Bruce evaluators?

People tend to overrate and have huge optimism for guys who have done shown flashes of greatness (See David Boston every year) and then 'haven't had the chance' to show it again or haven't performed to expectations since a big year. In this case people are referencing like 3-4 games a year / the 3 game stretch with Volek. So they figure when he moves to a team like STL it's because Bennett is clearly amazing, he'll excel in such a great passing attack, blah blah. Bruce is old, every year you see a couple of older WR that get looked over because they believe that this is the year they fall off. Just look at Joey Galloway and Terry Glenn. Unless you really think Bruce is done, and there's no good reason to think that at the moment, there's absolutely no reason Bennett should be going near Bruce.Bruce: 72/1060/4Bennett: 37/490/3

 

[salmonstud]

Barring an injury to Bruce that I don't know about, I'm having a hard time accepting that Drew Bennett is going to be more productive than Kevin Curtis was in a similar role. Yet it seems, judging from Bruce's ADP, many worry otherwise. Why? What, outside of that legendary 3-game stretch with Billy Volek throwing to him, has Bennett done to warrant such worries from Bruce evaluators?

That is my line of thinking. I have Bennett projected very closely with Kevin C's numbers from last year. Curtis last year in the #3 WR role - 40/479/4 TD's. I have Bennett's yards slightly lower because he doesn't have Curti's big play potential. I feel he will grab 1-2 more TD's because they will utilize Bennett's size in the redzone.

 

[kensat30]

Isaac Bruce is going way too late in drafts this year. He is the definition of the "unsexy" pick. There is no stud upside there, but there is no "sleeper" downside either. This guy should just not be available as late as he is. Are people afraid of another Keenan McCardell or Joe Horn? I guess old WRs tend to score people off, but Bruce has already had one ressurgance in his career AND he is only as old as Marvin Harrison.. Just think back to a couple years ago when everyone had written off Rod Smith and were rewarded with an every week starter at WR#3 in a late round. Isaac Bruce is going to be the same age this year as Rod Smith was that year.

I personally think there is plenty left in the tank for Bruce and that Bennett is no real threat to become the starter as long as Bruce as healthy. Will Bruce stay healthy? Bust out that crystal ball, but personally I think it is well worth a late round pick.

Bruce - 75/1100/5

Bennett - 30/450/3

 

[Jeff Tefertiller]

Barring an injury to Bruce that I don't know about, I'm having a hard time accepting that Drew Bennett is going to be more productive than Kevin Curtis was in a similar role. Yet it seems, judging from Bruce's ADP, many worry otherwise. Why? What, outside of that legendary 3-game stretch with Billy Volek throwing to him, has Bennett done to warrant such worries from Bruce evaluators?

I agree with this. I still see Bennett as an injury-prone WR who has teased almost every year and we see "potential" from the Volek stretch

 

[Routilla]

I'd rather have McMichael than either of these guys. Unless I can get Holt, that is who I'm targeting.

 

[Two Deep]

Barring an injury to Bruce that I don't know about, I'm having a hard time accepting that Drew Bennett is going to be more productive than Kevin Curtis was in a similar role. Yet it seems, judging from Bruce's ADP, many worry otherwise. Why? What, outside of that legendary 3-game stretch with Billy Volek throwing to him, has Bennett done to warrant such worries from Bruce evaluators?

I agree with this. I still see Bennett as an injury-prone WR who has teased almost every year and we see "potential" from the Volek stretch

He will be Bulgers first WR with redzone size that is where I see him taking opprotunities away from Bruce.

 

[rzrback77]

First off, St. Louis lost their WR3 and WR4 in the off-season, so Bennett by default should get more looks than Curtis did, if the WR targets stay the same. Next, St. Louis has a history of using their WRs and ignoring their TEs. I think that folks will grab McMichael too early and he will disappoint. Last, I think that grabbing both Bruce and Bennett late is a great strategy. Bruce should hold off Bennett and be the obvious WR2 for the Rams.

But, if either Holt or Bruce get hurt then Bennett will have a huge opportunity and will vastly outproduce his ADP. I also think that Bennett will increase his production in a system that suits his abilities.

Isaac Bruce 110 targets 65 catches 875 yards (13.4 ypc) 4 TDs

Drew Bennett 95 targets 59 catches 885 yards (15.0 ypc) 3 TDs

 

[nygiants56]

First off, St. Louis lost their WR3 and WR4 in the off-season, so Bennett by default should get more looks than Curtis did, if the WR targets stay the same. Next, St. Louis has a history of using their WRs and ignoring their TEs. I think that folks will grab McMichael too early and he will disappoint. Last, I think that grabbing both Bruce and Bennett late is a great strategy. Bruce should hold off Bennett and be the obvious WR2 for the Rams.But, if either Holt or Bruce get hurt then Bennett will have a huge opportunity and will vastly outproduce his ADP. I also think that Bennett will increase his production in a system that suits his abilities.Isaac Bruce 110 targets 65 catches 875 yards (13.4 ypc) 4 TDsDrew Bennett 95 targets 59 catches 885 yards (15.0 ypc) 3 TDs

no way Bennett lasts long enough to catch 59 balls this season. he won't come close to 45 receptions. He's not better than Curtis was, he has health issues every season,and without Volek,well, he looks ordinary.Bennett is overrated and overpaid. I think this whole offense is due for a downturn in production. Bruce is clearly slipping, Bennett is a bust, Holt is aging and unless he plays against nfc west foes, he performs like Andre Johnson - 6-66, 7-75, with no tds, Sjax saw the highwater mark for his own production last season - there's only one way to go , and thats down.Bulger is threatening a holdout, the o-line is a mess when it comes to pass protection.Bulger got the snot knocked out of him last season..he's immobile; a statue. Like shooting fish in a barrel, its too easy to sack Bulger, so the question is , will he remain healthy...?obviously,without Bulger, this offense takes a big,big hit..

 

[shadyridr]

First off, St. Louis lost their WR3 and WR4 in the off-season, so Bennett by default should get more looks than Curtis did, if the WR targets stay the same. Next, St. Louis has a history of using their WRs and ignoring their TEs. I think that folks will grab McMichael too early and he will disappoint. Last, I think that grabbing both Bruce and Bennett late is a great strategy. Bruce should hold off Bennett and be the obvious WR2 for the Rams.

But, if either Holt or Bruce get hurt then Bennett will have a huge opportunity and will vastly outproduce his ADP. I also think that Bennett will increase his production in a system that suits his abilities.

Isaac Bruce 110 targets 65 catches 875 yards (13.4 ypc) 4 TDs

Drew Bennett 95 targets 59 catches 885 yards (15.0 ypc) 3 TDs

Umm new head coach down? The same head coach who used to be McMichael's offensive coordinator. The same head coach who drafted 2 TEs early last year.

 

[BigRed]

First off, St. Louis lost their WR3 and WR4 in the off-season, so Bennett by default should get more looks than Curtis did, if the WR targets stay the same. Next, St. Louis has a history of using their WRs and ignoring their TEs. I think that folks will grab McMichael too early and he will disappoint. Last, I think that grabbing both Bruce and Bennett late is a great strategy. Bruce should hold off Bennett and be the obvious WR2 for the Rams.But, if either Holt or Bruce get hurt then Bennett will have a huge opportunity and will vastly outproduce his ADP. I also think that Bennett will increase his production in a system that suits his abilities.Isaac Bruce 110 targets 65 catches 875 yards (13.4 ypc) 4 TDsDrew Bennett 95 targets 59 catches 885 yards (15.0 ypc) 3 TDs

no way Bennett lasts long enough to catch 59 balls this season. he won't come close to 45 receptions. He's not better than Curtis was, he has health issues every season,and without Volek,well, he looks ordinary.Bennett is overrated and overpaid. I think this whole offense is due for a downturn in production. Bruce is clearly slipping, Bennett is a bust, Holt is aging and unless he plays against nfc west foes, he performs like Andre Johnson - 6-66, 7-75, with no tds, Sjax saw the highwater mark for his own production last season - there's only one way to go , and thats down.Bulger is threatening a holdout, the o-line is a mess when it comes to pass protection.Bulger got the snot knocked out of him last season..he's immobile; a statue. Like shooting fish in a barrel, its too easy to sack Bulger, so the question is , will he remain healthy...?obviously,without Bulger, this offense takes a big,big hit..

Well Bulger signed and I'm not as down on STL, but IMO this was a good/valid case overall.

 

[Alluro]

Now that Holt's knee may be bothering him for the entire season, does anyone want to adjust their projections for Bruce/Bennett?