FS Mike Doss - Torn shoulder - Out for season- Excruciating -It's like I'm seeing double, for this is the Panthers safety injury all over again. There are some slight differences however, and we shall soon discuss them, but first, let's look at the similarities. First is that neither team has(or rather had) a backup that's worth starting. The FA talent is pretty limited, but there are still a handful of players that are better than any other option for the Saints. I expect them to go the same route as the Panthers and pick one up for next week.
If not, then it might get... rough for the backfield. Currently they have the choice between a FS with 43 awareness, and SS with 55 awareness and 81 speed. Both would make for some glaring weaknesses for the opponent to exploit.
Now, the thing that makes this injury a bit unique is where Mike Doss is in his career. The 23-year-old was taken in the first round last season but put up some pretty lackluster numbers(not even 1 interception). Safeties always take some time to progress however, and Mike Doss is no different. He's got as much god-given-talent as you could ask, he just needs some time to learn the position. That's where this situation hurts the Saints the most. Free Safety is probably the worst position to lose a year of progression at as I believe they progress the slowest(even slower than SS's) and need as much help as they can get on that front.
This is nothing short of a tragedy for the Saints, who have finally been getting some traction after a really close game in St. Louis.
HB Ahman Green - Torn pectoral - 7 weeks- Distressing - Packers Ahman Green was on at least one man's list last season for MVP, though he didn't get much support from the rest of the league. He put up 2124 yards and 13 touchdowns, but was simply out shined by Chiefs Priest Holmes that one upped him in every single category. Unfortunately, this season takes away his hopes for a repeat of an amazing season.
If Brett Favre can remain healthy, then I don't expect that Ahman Green's departure is going to be a huge loss. With Favre's return, the Packers did not hesitate to return to the pass, and so far Green has been pretty underwhelming in this new game plan, only averaging 3.94 yards per carry with 54 carries.
This injury is still a loss however, and the Packers only have mediocre replacements for their starting back.
The 3-0 Packers have a tough division fight ahead of them, but thankfully have the easy part of their schedule coming up. Ahman Green coming back to finish the season keeps this from becoming too severe. However, if Brett Favre gets injured again and Ahman Green isn't there to save the day, then my whole diagnosis goes out the window.
For now I'll be a bit conservative on this one and go with a Distressing rating, though future injuries to the Packers may make me change this one quickly.
QB Drew Bledsoe - Sprained elbow - 3 weeks- Uncomfortable -GM Tom Riddell has been looking for an excuse to start QB Jim Sorgi from the moment he was drafted, and this is probably the only occasion where I find it acceptable. I think after these three weeks the Broncos will be satisfied with their Sorgi experiment and move back to Drew Bledsoe. The Broncos could potentially be 3-0 right now if Bledsoe was available to finish out the game against the Chargers.
The Broncos have the Buccaneers, Panthers, and Raiders all coming up in schedule with Sorgi at the helm. This injury alone may make the 2-0 Broncos turn into the 2-4 Broncos.
We'll see how much love remains for Jim Sorgi after that.
I'm going with Uncomfortable with this one because although it might cost the Broncos 4 games this season, I feel like the Jim Sorsgi experiment was bound to happen eventually, and at least the Broncos now have an excuse to do so.
