Player Spotlight: Marc Bulger (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

2008 Player Spotlight Series

One of Footballguys best assets is our message board community. The Shark Pool is, in our view, the best place on the internet to discuss, debate and analyze all things fantasy football. In what's become an annual tradition, the Player Spotlight series is a key part of the preseason efforts. As many of you know, we consider the Player Spotlight threads the permanent record for analyzing the fantasy prospects of the player in question. Last year, we published more than 140 offensive spotlights covering the vast majority of expected skill position starters. This year will be no different.

Each week we will post a list of players to be discussed. Those threads will remain open for the entire preseason, and should be a central point to discussion expectations for the player in question. Importantly, analysis done in the first week of posting will be part of the permanent record in two ways. 1) At the end of the week, we will tally the projections into a consensus. 2) We will select a number of pull quotes from forum contributors who make a compelling statement or observation. Both the projections and pull quotes will be part of a published article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Marc Bulger, QB, St. Louis Rams

Player Page Link: Marc Bulger 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 maximum 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 TDsNow let's get on with the conversation! We look forward to your contributions and let me offer a personal thanks in anticipation of the great debate and analysis.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

I just can't believe that offensive line can be as decimated/bad as it was a year ago. Plus, Saunders comes to town this season.

3,600-3800 yards, 22-24 TDs, 12-15 picks. Negligible rushing.

In my mind, he's a sort of low hanging fruit that will make an excellent part of a QBBC if you can get him at/later than his current projected ADP. With the added "bonus" that he may just wind up being worth starting over the rest of your committee if he remains upright.

Obviously, he has valid concerns attached to him. But if you can get him as QB10....

 

[rzrback77]

I don't like to project injuries in the spotlight threads, but a review of Marc Bulger's recent stats reveals that he has played in 16 games only once in his six season NFL career. But, if you draft Bulger you will not likely be going solo, so if you can get him later than his ADP and make sure you have another capable guy, you could have success.

Over the years, Bulger has been accurate completing just under 65% of his passes. He has also averaged 7.5 ypa, even including last season's 6.3. In years when he has played almost all the games, he has had over twenty TDs each year. If you believe that Saunders will give him a little bump, those sound like solid numbers for a lead QB in a QBBC.

Marc Bulger 338 comp in 520 att 65% for 4,004 yds 7.7 ypa 22 TDs 16 ints & 40 rush 0 TDs

 

[Phlash]

I don't like to project injuries in the spotlight threads, but a review of Marc Bulger's recent stats reveals that he has played in 16 games only once in his six season NFL career. But, if you draft Bulger you will not likely be going solo, so if you can get him later than his ADP and make sure you have another capable guy, you could have success.Over the years, Bulger has been accurate completing just under 65% of his passes. He has also averaged 7.5 ypa, even including last season's 6.3. In years when he has played almost all the games, he has had over twenty TDs each year. If you believe that Saunders will give him a little bump, those sound like solid numbers for a lead QB in a QBBC.Marc Bulger 338 comp in 520 att 65% for 4,004 yds 7.7 ypa 22 TDs 16 ints & 40 rush 0 TDs

He will represent great value in redrafts this season, imo. I expect a good bounceback effort from him, his offensive line, and Scott Linehan.

 

[a_troll00]

In the shark pool during this non playing season, I'm seeing lots of doom and gloom concerning Marc Bulger.

DOOOOM AND GLOOOOM DOOOOM AND GLOOOOM

He's injured all the time, he'll certainly miss half of this next season!

\



The soon to be 36 year old WR Isaac Bruce has moved on. The situation for Bulger is hopeless, just hopeless!

\



Looking at Marc Bulger, he has been an absolute QB stud throughout his career. Let's take a look at his previous season and his passing averages:

2003: 256 PYD/game

2004: 283 PYD/game

2005: 287 PYD/game

2006: 268 PYD/game

2007: an absolutely abysmal season for the entire Rams team

The fact is, Bulger is an absolute production machine. When both he and the Rams are healthy, you can expect him to average 250 yds per game. Yes, the Rams were mauled by the injury bug last year. No, it will not be nearly as bad this year.

Isaac Bruce is gone, but lets face it, the guy is past his prime. There are still many weapons for Bulger to work with: Holt, Jackson, McMichael. Also, Bennett is no slouch. He can definitely be productive at the WR position.

Marc Bulger is simply a stud QB that you can get very cheap this season. So then, what's in the cards for this year?

3700-3900 PYDs 24 TDs 13 Ints

 

[Chairshot]

Up until last year, Marc Bulger had a career average of 20 fantasy points per game. Last year, it was just 12 per game.

Even if you factor in last year, since 2002 (Bulger's first year), he is tied for 5th among all QBs in fantasy points per game with 18.8 points per game.

I think there will probably be a regression back to the mean for him. That team almost has to be better by default this year.

I'm not too worried about the loss of Isaac Bruce. Not because I think Bruce is done, but just because he didn't put up these crazy numbers last year for the Rams. As a former 1200 yard receiver, it really shouldn't be too hard for Drew Bennett to replace the 55 catches, 700 yards and 4 TDs that Bruce put up last year (he has produced similar or better numbers at least 3 times with worse QBs). Plus, the Rams took Donnie Avery as the first WR off the board in the draft, he should be able to contribute something his first year out, so I'm thinking the loss of Bruce won't really be that big an impact.

Bulger is currently coming off draft boards in the 7th round which makes him about the 10th or 11th QB taken. It seems to me that if you can grab him around that spot he is a good bet to out distance his draft position. Even though it's virtually impossible to project injuries, Bulger does have a history of missing games. But on a points per game level, you could do far worse. If I grabbed him in the 7th or 8th round and then nabbed a capable back up for any games he might miss, I think I'd be pretty happy with that.

I'll project: 14 games, 3900 passing yards, 20 TDs, 10 INTs

 

[burd]

I couldn't help but notice that the FBG staff project around 3200-3300 yards passing, 17-20 TDs and around 15 INTs this year.

Are these projectioins based on an assumption that Bulger will miss some playing time this year or is it more a statement saying that Bulger and/or the Rams are on the decline, because these numbers (especially TDs) seem kind of low.

Im guessing 3500 yards, 26 TDs, 15 Ints.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

Marc Bulger, once the QB of the Greatest Show on Turf was the QB of an offense that leaked holes all over the place. The main problem the Rams had last year is their offensive line. Marc Bulger has had incredible timing with his receivers in the past and allowing defenders to drape themselves on him as he's trying to throw disrupted the offense completely.

I think the offensive line to start the season will be slightly improved. Yes, the Rams have lost Isaac Bruce but his skills have deteriorated and won't be hard pressed to fill his shoes as far as overall numbers are concerned.

The bottom line is I wouldn't feel comfortable drafting Marc Bulger as your QB1 without having a backup on your roster who you feel like you could also go with. I think Bulger is a good QB to insert during positive matchups and goes well with a QB by committee approach for your team in 08.

3400 yards, 21 td's and 19 int's

 

[5Rings]

Rams OL is amongst the worst in the NFL. I don't see any major improvements over last year.

The WR corps is Holt...and......uh.....ummm.....yeah.

The run D is awful and can't keep other teams off the field.

I see a team where the D is on the field all the time, limiting Bulger's opportunities....I see an old QB who has never been an iron man behind a porous OL with a subpar receiving corps.

I can't see QB1 #s this year. I'd take him around QB18 and try and get a few matchup starts (like vs SF :( ) out of him, but thats all I expect.

2200--14td--9int

 

[Jon_Moore]

It baffles me that people are so down on him, he's going to represent insane value this year.

A year ago, much of the offensive line was injured, including Pace which probably had the biggest impact on him. A franchise calliber tackle going down causes all kinds of problems for the offense.

Steven Jackson, one of the best skill position players in the league missed the first 4 games,Torry Holt was dinged up a good chunk of the season, Bruce didn't really do his thing, and Bennett was just never that good.

This season, he should enter with a healthy offensive line, including Pace, Jackson and Holt should be 100%, and they brought in Donny Avery in the VERY early 2nd round. They should be able to get back to being one of the top offenses in the NFL. The defense should continue to stink, so he'll be playing shootout quite often.

For his career, he's averaged over 250 Yards a game and nearly 1.5 TDs a game with a 63.5% completion rate. I think last year will prove to be a very down year and he'll be an absolute STEAL in the 7th round.

He usually misses a game or 2, these numbers will assume a 16 game season, adjust per game missed.

360/572

4160 Yards

23 TDs

16 Ints

11 Rushes

33 Yards

0 TDs

 

[The Man with the Plan]

Every other season except for last (when the Rams were admittedly horrible) Marc Bulger has been a very good fantasy qb. He's not that old (31) to be finished so more likely than not if things go back to status quo he will be a good pick once again. The reward is worth the risk in drafting Marc Bulger.

 

[joffer]

The WR corps is Holt...and......uh.....ummm.....yeah.

is everyone really that down on Drew Bennett? i don't think the guy is a stiff. he seems underrated this year

 

[mlball77]

The WR corps is Holt...and......uh.....ummm.....yeah.

is everyone really that down on Drew Bennett? i don't think the guy is a stiff. he seems underrated this year

I think Bennett and McMichael both have a great opportunity this year. That's not to say that either player will have a great season, but both could offer solid value in FF.

 

[BigRed]

To me he isn't trustable enough as QB1 due to injury concerns (regarding him and others) even if you wait on QB, but I would love him as QB2, if I can afford him. Kind of a tweener in that way IMO.