Time to Panic?: Dwayne Bowe Edition (1 Viewer)

[davearm]

Dwayne Bowe is obviously off to a very slow start, but IMO the most troubling thing is, where'd the targets go?

Last year the guy was near the top of the league with ~10 targets per game (fourth amongst WRs actually); now this year he's seeing less than half of that. Wasn't Cassel supposed to make Bowe better?

It occurs to me that perhaps Tony Gonzalez has singlehandedly wrecked the value of the WR1 on his old team *and* his new team (Roddy White).

In KC, defenses can now afford to gameplan around Bowe exclusively, effectively taking him out of the game.

And of course in ATL, Ryan has another great option to throw to instead of White.

I've been figuring that with patience, Bowe is bound to revert to his career averages, but after considering the Gonzalez angle, now I'm not so sure.

 

[omally]

Bowe has been injured. He didn't play in game 3, and was played a little in game 4. Once his hamstring is back to 100% he should be productive.

 

[Banger]

Dwayne Bowe is obviously off to a very slow start, but IMO the most troubling thing is, where'd the targets go?Last year the guy was near the top of the league with ~10 targets per game (fourth amongst WRs actually); now this year he's seeing less than half of that. Wasn't Cassel supposed to make Bowe better?It occurs to me that perhaps Tony Gonzalez has singlehandedly wrecked the value of the WR1 on his old team *and* his new team (Roddy White).In KC, defenses can now afford to gameplan around Bowe exclusively, effectively taking him out of the game.And of course in ATL, Ryan has another great option to throw to instead of White.I've been figuring that with patience, Bowe is bound to revert to his career averages, but after considering the Gonzalez angle, now I'm not so sure.

Cassell was out week 1 and played injured week 2, week 3 Bowe was out and week 4 Bowe played with an injured hammy. It's hard to tell what will happen when both he and Cassell are healthy but he's certainly the best option on the team.

 

[davearm]

Bowe has been injured. He didn't play in game 3, and was played a little in game 4. Once his hamstring is back to 100% he should be productive.

I know about the hamstring, but I'm uncertain when that injury occurred. Has he been dealing with it all year, or was that suffered in week 2?

 

[NoCheese]

So your argument is that with Gonzalez, Bowe was great because he took pressure off DBowe; but with Gonzalez, Roddy White is no good because Gonzalez steals his catches?

I'm not sure I see the connection there. The presence of Gonzo should either help or hurt the WR's on each team equally. Plus, Bowe has been injured (Cassell too) so I'm not prepared to write off Bowe just yet.

Since KC will have to throw more than Atlanta by a wide margin, I think Bowe will definitely get his targets. Assuming he is healthy, he will be a decent low WR2 from here on out.

 

[sparkky]

too early to think about writing him off IMO.

new coach, new system, new qb, injuries, killer schedule.

 

[davearm]

So your argument is that with Gonzalez, Bowe was great because he took pressure off DBowe; but with Gonzalez, Roddy White is no good because Gonzalez steals his catches?I'm not sure I see the connection there. The presence of Gonzo should either help or hurt the WR's on each team equally. Plus, Bowe has been injured (Cassell too) so I'm not prepared to write off Bowe just yet.Since KC will have to throw more than Atlanta by a wide margin, I think Bowe will definitely get his targets. Assuming he is healthy, he will be a decent low WR2 from here on out.

I'm just trying to understand why Bowe seems to have gotten worse without Gonzalez, and White worse with him.Clearly there can be other explanations, including that both results have very little to do with Gonzalez, or that both results are anomalous.

 

[omally]

Bowe has been injured. He didn't play in game 3, and was played a little in game 4. Once his hamstring is back to 100% he should be productive.

I know about the hamstring, but I'm uncertain when that injury occurred. Has he been dealing with it all year, or was that suffered in week 2?

He pulled it in practice before game 3.

 

[flranger]

B U Y L O W

 

[Phurfur]

Dwayne Bowe is obviously off to a very slow start, but IMO the most troubling thing is, where'd the targets go?Last year the guy was near the top of the league with ~10 targets per game (fourth amongst WRs actually); now this year he's seeing less than half of that. Wasn't Cassel supposed to make Bowe better?It occurs to me that perhaps Tony Gonzalez has singlehandedly wrecked the value of the WR1 on his old team *and* his new team (Roddy White).In KC, defenses can now afford to gameplan around Bowe exclusively, effectively taking him out of the game.And of course in ATL, Ryan has another great option to throw to instead of White.I've been figuring that with patience, Bowe is bound to revert to his career averages, but after considering the Gonzalez angle, now I'm not so sure.

You forgot the most important difference - a new coaching staff.

 

[treat88]

It's not too complicated.

I'll take his production in games 1 and 2 without complaint.

He got hurt before week 3's game and sat then faced a very tough corner and Giants D generally in week 4 while being listed as a GTD.

I see zero reason to panic. He's a talented and featured WR with upside. He'll have more good games than bad as long as he's on the field. Very solid WR2 IMO.

 

[gdg76]

One look at this playoff schedule should show you that patience is the prudent course here.

He should be huge in the stretch once he gets his rhythm with Cassel.ll

 

[SigEp316]

One look at this playoff schedule should show you that patience is the prudent course here.He should be huge in the stretch once he gets his rhythm with Cassel.ll

if you make the playoffs.

 

[Fat Nick]

I bought low yesterday. I had an abundance of RB's with LT2, Slaton, Rice, P. Thomas, M. Lynch, and J. Jones. I traded J. Jones for Bowe yesterday.

I agree the schedule is tough, but as mentioned, as long as he can get/stay healthy, he's the only option on that team. I don't think it's an issue of a QB who can't throw, a WR who is bad, or a bad system so much as it is that the pieces of the puzzle have not yet been on the field at the same time. My hopes for Bowe are a solid #2/3 WR after a week or two.

 

[Resident A]

If you really expected anything from Bowe in the Giants game, you were fooling yourself.

Week 1: Bowe played against the Ravens D with a non-NFL caliber QB & still had a good game.

Week 2: Bowe was covered by Nnamdi & had a decent game, the only decent game vs Nnamdi this season I might add.

Week 3: Out, injured in practice duing the week

Week 4: Limited by injury & played the Top D line in the NFL. Cassell had NO time to even read the Defense, let alone find Bowe.

Anybody who drafted a KC player knew the early schedule was brutal. I'd say Bowe did pretty darn well considering all these factors. Now the sched eases up & the targets will increase. Bowe will be solid.

 

[davearm]

Dwayne Bowe is obviously off to a very slow start, but IMO the most troubling thing is, where'd the targets go?Last year the guy was near the top of the league with ~10 targets per game (fourth amongst WRs actually); now this year he's seeing less than half of that. Wasn't Cassel supposed to make Bowe better?It occurs to me that perhaps Tony Gonzalez has singlehandedly wrecked the value of the WR1 on his old team *and* his new team (Roddy White).In KC, defenses can now afford to gameplan around Bowe exclusively, effectively taking him out of the game.And of course in ATL, Ryan has another great option to throw to instead of White.I've been figuring that with patience, Bowe is bound to revert to his career averages, but after considering the Gonzalez angle, now I'm not so sure.

You forgot the most important difference - a new coaching staff.

Care to elaborate? The implication seems to be that the new coaching staff has been a bad thing for Bowe.Preseason conventional wisdom was that Haley and his system would be a positive.

 

[jwb]

If you really expected anything from Bowe in the Giants game, you were fooling yourself.Week 1: Bowe played against the Ravens D with a non-NFL caliber QB & still had a good game. Week 2: Bowe was covered by Nnamdi & had a decent game, the only decent game vs Nnamdi this season I might add.Week 3: Out, injured in practice duing the weekWeek 4: Limited by injury & played the Top D line in the NFL. Cassell had NO time to even read the Defense, let alone find Bowe.Anybody who drafted a KC player knew the early schedule was brutal. I'd say Bowe did pretty darn well considering all these factors. Now the sched eases up & the targets will increase. Bowe will be solid.

It's nowhere near panic time.

 

[AtomicDogg97]

Is he worth starting this week?

 

[mattsam]

Is he worth starting this week?

He is home against Dallas, I'm playing him. I had him on the trading block and no one wanted him. I totally forgot how easy his schedule gets, thanks for reminding me.I drafted best player available and got Bowe as WR3 to add with Moss, and Boldin. My team is looking to break out this week. I need to stick to my game plan and play receiver heavy this year.Matt

 

[Multiple Scores]

Dwayne Bowe is obviously off to a very slow start, but IMO the most troubling thing is, where'd the targets go?Last year the guy was near the top of the league with ~10 targets per game (fourth amongst WRs actually); now this year he's seeing less than half of that. Wasn't Cassel supposed to make Bowe better?It occurs to me that perhaps Tony Gonzalez has singlehandedly wrecked the value of the WR1 on his old team *and* his new team (Roddy White).In KC, defenses can now afford to gameplan around Bowe exclusively, effectively taking him out of the game.And of course in ATL, Ryan has another great option to throw to instead of White.I've been figuring that with patience, Bowe is bound to revert to his career averages, but after considering the Gonzalez angle, now I'm not so sure.

The fact that you don't even realize that Bowe has been hurt is troubling to me and makes this whole topic invalid. Try watching the games and hearing the news that he is missing games and has been injured and not just reading the box score, the stat line of 0-0-0 in week 3 was not because he wasn't targeted, it was because he was in street clothes. Clutter.

 

[xenith]

Chiefs fan here. Still believe in Cassel and Bowe this season, but you MUST be patient. Anyone else, including LJ, is going to dissappoint. Succup perhaps might be exception, but will be inconsistent.

 

[AB in DC]

Is he expected to be near 100% health for this week?

 

[Fat Nick]

Is he expected to be near 100% health for this week?

Last I read he made it through last week without reinjuring it, so it will most likely get another week of rest, and he might be a little more involved in the week's drills. Hammy injuries worry me because one wrong step and you're back to square 1, but I think it's a good sign that he played on it and it was OK, and now will get another week to let it further heal.

 

[Multiple Scores]

When will we be getting the Time to panic - Marvin Harrison edition.

 

[Hoart Petterson]

Breakout week. Dallas secondary blows.

 

[gdg76]

One look at this playoff schedule should show you that patience is the prudent course here.He should be huge in the stretch once he gets his rhythm with Cassel.ll

if you make the playoffs.

If Bowe's wk 1-4 performance is the difference between making the playoffs and not, you're in trouble anyway...For what you can get for him now, it's not worth it. He should be huge wks 14 and 15.

 

[warren663]

It's not too complicated.I'll take his production in games 1 and 2 without complaint.He got hurt before week 3's game and sat then faced a very tough corner and Giants D generally in week 4 while being listed as a GTD.I see zero reason to panic. He's a talented and featured WR with upside. He'll have more good games than bad as long as he's on the field. Very solid WR2 IMO.

I'm a Bowe owner and I wholeheartedly agree.

 

[footballnerd]

Is he worth starting this week?

DAL is the 4th worst passing D.DAL offense should get up early meaning plenty in the air for KC.

 

[davearm]

Dwayne Bowe is obviously off to a very slow start, but IMO the most troubling thing is, where'd the targets go?Last year the guy was near the top of the league with ~10 targets per game (fourth amongst WRs actually); now this year he's seeing less than half of that. Wasn't Cassel supposed to make Bowe better?It occurs to me that perhaps Tony Gonzalez has singlehandedly wrecked the value of the WR1 on his old team *and* his new team (Roddy White).In KC, defenses can now afford to gameplan around Bowe exclusively, effectively taking him out of the game.And of course in ATL, Ryan has another great option to throw to instead of White.I've been figuring that with patience, Bowe is bound to revert to his career averages, but after considering the Gonzalez angle, now I'm not so sure.

The fact that you don't even realize that Bowe has been hurt is troubling to me and makes this whole topic invalid. Try watching the games and hearing the news that he is missing games and has been injured and not just reading the box score, the stat line of 0-0-0 in week 3 was not because he wasn't targeted, it was because he was in street clothes. Clutter.

I'm fully aware of the hamstring issues. That also doesn't explain anything. The low targets were an issue in weeks 1 and 2, before the injury.

 

[Sabertooth]

So your argument is that with Gonzalez, Bowe was great because he took pressure off DBowe; but with Gonzalez, Roddy White is no good because Gonzalez steals his catches?I'm not sure I see the connection there. The presence of Gonzo should either help or hurt the WR's on each team equally. Plus, Bowe has been injured (Cassell too) so I'm not prepared to write off Bowe just yet.Since KC will have to throw more than Atlanta by a wide margin, I think Bowe will definitely get his targets. Assuming he is healthy, he will be a decent low WR2 from here on out.

Not necessarily. I mean, depending on scheme and playcalling, read progression, need for blocking, and so on I could see him having an negative impact in both directions. Not saying it is so, just stating that it is possible.

 

[Fat Nick]

Dwayne Bowe is obviously off to a very slow start, but IMO the most troubling thing is, where'd the targets go?Last year the guy was near the top of the league with ~10 targets per game (fourth amongst WRs actually); now this year he's seeing less than half of that. Wasn't Cassel supposed to make Bowe better?It occurs to me that perhaps Tony Gonzalez has singlehandedly wrecked the value of the WR1 on his old team *and* his new team (Roddy White).In KC, defenses can now afford to gameplan around Bowe exclusively, effectively taking him out of the game.And of course in ATL, Ryan has another great option to throw to instead of White.I've been figuring that with patience, Bowe is bound to revert to his career averages, but after considering the Gonzalez angle, now I'm not so sure.

The fact that you don't even realize that Bowe has been hurt is troubling to me and makes this whole topic invalid. Try watching the games and hearing the news that he is missing games and has been injured and not just reading the box score, the stat line of 0-0-0 in week 3 was not because he wasn't targeted, it was because he was in street clothes. Clutter.

I'm fully aware of the hamstring issues. That also doesn't explain anything. The low targets were an issue in weeks 1 and 2, before the injury.

Weeks 1 and 2 were the weeks Cassell was hurt. Back-up QB's practice with Back-up WR's...which leads to strange relationships with respect to targets. See Mo Mass and D. Anderson this past week. It's no different here.

 

[eaglezzz]

besides Dallas being a bad passing Defense, Dallas could get out to a big lead and KC might have to air it out. I think Bowe has a nice game Sunday, and predict a TD

 

[Sabertooth]

besides Dallas being a bad passing Defense, Dallas could get out to a big lead and KC might have to air it out. I think Bowe has a nice game Sunday, and predict a TD

I'm on board with that. If he's healthy. We should know more as the week wears on.

 

[Neo]

Why is Dallas going to get a big lead in this? Their offense isn't that great right now. I'm just hoping Bowe is healthy and gets more targets regardless of score.

 

[joetrow]

Own Bowe in one league, tried to trade for him in the other last night, got denied. I tried to trade Andre Johnson for P. Thomas and Bowe, needless to say I'm still high on Bowe and expect him to finish in the area where his ADP landed him.

 

[grouse]

I don't think it's time to panic on Dwayne Bowe. I actually believe he is a terrific 'buy low' candidate. Here's why:

a) Bowe has money on his mind - He's not in a contract year per se, but he is in year 3 of his 5-year rookie deal and has recently switched agents. Clearly he's angling for an extension, and that extension won't come unless he endears himself to the new regime through hard work and production.

b) Coming into this season Bowe was pretty much a consensus top-15 WR entering his magical '3rd year' breakout. It's been a mixed bag thus far. He started the year scoring in two straight and then got bit by a bad hamstring which sidelined him for week 3 and rendered him ineffective week 4 against the mighty Giants. All of this is to say that his perceived value is down. However, he practiced in full yesterday and is not on the Chiefs injury report which serves as a good sign he may be getting back to 100%.

c) The Chiefs are a bad football team. You won't hear me sing the praises of Matt Cassel. Like just about everybody not named Pioli or Haley, I didn't thiink Cassel was anything more than a backup QB, and nothing I've seen so far has changed that perception. However, fantasy history is littered with top-15 WRs who played on bad football teams with average or below-average QB play. We're all familiar with garbage-time production, and Dwayne Bowe should get plenty of that going forward. While Cassel is nothing special, his timing with Bowe should only get better not worse with time and experience. In addition, the Chiefs have virtually zero chance to win a football game without Dwayne Bowe scoring. It's that simple. He's their only playmaker.

d) The Chiefs arguably had one of the toughest schedules to start the season. @Baltimore, @Philadelphia, NYGiants and a date with Nnamdi Asomugha. It only gets better from here on out. And one nice fantasy schedule perk for Bowe is that he avoids playing @Denver as that game falls on Week 17. Bowe's fantasy playoff sched is also very solid playing BUF, CLE and @Cin (who actually gives up a lot of points to opposing WRs - Bowe played @Cin in Week 17 last year, and went off for 10-103).

So after reading the tea leaves on Bowe, instead of pushing the panic button, I'd be pressing the 'Buy Now' button.

 

[THE UNDERCOVER BROTHA]

Guess i hit the panic button.

Sold him on both ppr dynasty.

Got Ocho M.Bell and F.Jackson for him in one

and

Royal a 1st and a 3rd in another these past few weeks.

I still like Bowe but made those moves on those teams for several reasons.

 

[Banger]

The thing I'm worried about more than the situation or matchup is his injury status. Does anyone have an update on his status? Is he healed up or still hampered by the hammy?

 

[DarkManX]

As a Bowe owner, for what I have been offered for this guy in non-PPR id rather hold onto him and take my chances.

 

[LaneOfSteel™]

I have him in my auction league (got him his rook year for CHEAP), and just traded for him in my keeper league. I'd say this is the lowest value he will have for the rest of his career. Things should get alot better from here on out as he and Cassel get more familiar with each other, and Haley's offense takes form (hopefully).

 

[Keith1]

As a Bowe owner, for what I have been offered for this guy in non-PPR id rather hold onto him and take my chances.

I offered Burleson (my WR4) and the 49'ers defense (never going to be hotter than right now--and I already have the Eagles D) to the Bowe owner in my league. Awaiting a response.

 

[Phurfur]

Dwayne Bowe is obviously off to a very slow start, but IMO the most troubling thing is, where'd the targets go?

Last year the guy was near the top of the league with ~10 targets per game (fourth amongst WRs actually); now this year he's seeing less than half of that. Wasn't Cassel supposed to make Bowe better?

It occurs to me that perhaps Tony Gonzalez has singlehandedly wrecked the value of the WR1 on his old team *and* his new team (Roddy White).

In KC, defenses can now afford to gameplan around Bowe exclusively, effectively taking him out of the game.

And of course in ATL, Ryan has another great option to throw to instead of White.

I've been figuring that with patience, Bowe is bound to revert to his career averages, but after considering the Gonzalez angle, now I'm not so sure.

You forgot the most important difference - a new coaching staff.

Care to elaborate? The implication seems to be that the new coaching staff has been a bad thing for Bowe.Preseason conventional wisdom was that Haley and his system would be a positive.

When making comparisions to last year the coaching change must be mentioned too. HTH

 

[Big Score]

If you really expected anything from Bowe in the Giants game, you were fooling yourself.

Week 1: Bowe played against the Ravens D with a non-NFL caliber QB & still had a good game.

Week 2: Bowe was covered by Nnamdi & had a decent game, the only decent game vs Nnamdi this season I might add.

Just a small correction here. In the 2nd half of that game, Nnamdi suffered an injury & did not return to the field. It was only after Nnamdi had left the game, that Bowe registered his receptions. Coincidence? I think not.

Week 3: Out, injured in practice duing the week

Week 4: Limited by injury & played the Top D line in the NFL. Cassell had NO time to even read the Defense, let alone find Bowe.

Anybody who drafted a KC player knew the early schedule was brutal. I'd say Bowe did pretty darn well considering all these factors. Now the sched eases up & the targets will increase. Bowe will be solid.

 

[davearm]

Dwayne Bowe is obviously off to a very slow start, but IMO the most troubling thing is, where'd the targets go?

Last year the guy was near the top of the league with ~10 targets per game (fourth amongst WRs actually); now this year he's seeing less than half of that. Wasn't Cassel supposed to make Bowe better?

It occurs to me that perhaps Tony Gonzalez has singlehandedly wrecked the value of the WR1 on his old team *and* his new team (Roddy White).

In KC, defenses can now afford to gameplan around Bowe exclusively, effectively taking him out of the game.

And of course in ATL, Ryan has another great option to throw to instead of White.

I've been figuring that with patience, Bowe is bound to revert to his career averages, but after considering the Gonzalez angle, now I'm not so sure.

You forgot the most important difference - a new coaching staff.

Care to elaborate? The implication seems to be that the new coaching staff has been a bad thing for Bowe.Preseason conventional wisdom was that Haley and his system would be a positive.

When making comparisions to last year the coaching change must be mentioned too. HTH

How do you think the coaching change has impacted Bowe? (And what will be the impact going forward?)Not trying to be a smartass here, it's just that noting the change without hypothesizing on the effect seems kinda pointless.

I (like most IIRC) figured it would help Bowe to have a guy like Haley take over, and bring the Arizona offensive scheme to KC.

 

[glock]

White/Bowe owner here.

Fingers crossed...

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Dwayne Bowe is obviously off to a very slow start, but IMO the most troubling thing is, where'd the targets go?

Last year the guy was near the top of the league with ~10 targets per game (fourth amongst WRs actually); now this year he's seeing less than half of that. Wasn't Cassel supposed to make Bowe better?

It occurs to me that perhaps Tony Gonzalez has singlehandedly wrecked the value of the WR1 on his old team *and* his new team (Roddy White).

In KC, defenses can now afford to gameplan around Bowe exclusively, effectively taking him out of the game.

And of course in ATL, Ryan has another great option to throw to instead of White.

I've been figuring that with patience, Bowe is bound to revert to his career averages, but after considering the Gonzalez angle, now I'm not so sure.

The fact that you don't even realize that Bowe has been hurt is troubling to me and makes this whole topic invalid. Try watching the games and hearing the news that he is missing games and has been injured and not just reading the box score, the stat line of 0-0-0 in week 3 was not because he wasn't targeted, it was because he was in street clothes. Clutter.

I'm fully aware of the hamstring issues. That also doesn't explain anything. The low targets were an issue in weeks 1 and 2, before the injury.

Weeks 1 and 2 were the weeks Cassell was hurt. Back-up QB's practice with Back-up WR's...which leads to strange relationships with respect to targets. See Mo Mass and D. Anderson this past week. It's no different here.

In week one, the Chiefs had the ball for about 12 seconds - well, about 20 minutes actually. They just didn't have the ball enough for anyone to have many targets.

 

[crowe1130]

I just traded for Bowe in a non-PPR redraft. Healing injuries + a much easier schedule coming bode well for him to put up at least respectable numbers.

 

[JD8p]

I pounced on Bowe a few days ago. Unfortunately the second half of the deal was Darren McFadden. But in my PPR league, Edwards and Burleson netted Bowe and McFadden to a WR desparate team.

Bowe can be had on the cheap right now, and much like everyone else, schedule, improved health, and more time with his QB should only help. I buy.

 

[Neo]

I just traded for Bowe in one of my leagues...a package that essentially was Terrell Owens for him. Can anyone tell me what the deal is with their offensive line? I've heard horror stories. Anyone see any progress with the pass protection in the near future?

 

[footballnerd]

I just traded for Bowe in one of my leagues...a package that essentially was Terrell Owens for him. Can anyone tell me what the deal is with their offensive line? I've heard horror stories. Anyone see any progress with the pass protection in the near future?

For BUF or KC?Nevermind. Miss read your post that you traded for Bowe.