Tuesday, Oct. 9 , 2001

Jaguars’ All-Pro OLT Tony Boselli may undergo season-ending shoulder surgery

PFW: How will Jacksonville’s offense be affected by Boselli’s absence?

Holbrook: This is a devastating loss for the Jaguars. Boselli is a five-time Pro Bowler and the leader of their offensive line. Boselli injured his shoulder earlier this season and sat out the Jaguars’ loss to Cleveland before returning to play the first three quarters of the Jaguars’ loss to Seattle Sunday. He went to the sideline for the fourth quarter Sunday in tremendous pain and is expected to elect to undergo season-ending surgery to repair the labrum in his right shoulder. Boselli’s absence will make QB Mark Brunell more vulnerable to big hits without an established talent to protect his blind side. For those of you impatiently waiting for RB Fred Taylor to return from a groin injury, this isn’t good news since Taylor frequently ran behind Boselli to gain big rushing yards.

Giants search for healthy running backs

PFW: Who will start in the backfield for the Giants vs. St. Louis?

Holbrook: That’s a great question and, as of Tuesday, even coach Jim Fassel didn’t know the answer. Tiki Barber hasn’t run full speed on his sore hamstring that he hurt vs. New Orleans on Sept. 30, Ron Dayne suffered a strained neck in Sunday’s win over Washington and Damon Washington sprained his left shoulder after gaining 90 yards on 25 carries vs. the Redskins in the first extensive action of his NFL career. Fassel hopes to have Dayne or Barber healthy enough for Sunday’s big matchup with St. Louis, but if none of the backs can go, he might have to pick up a free-agent running back. Either way, this news doesn’t bode well for the Giants’ passing game.

Lions’ offense gets shut out for first time since ’93

PFW: Is this cause for concern for fantasy owners who own Detroit players?

Holbrook: Cause for concern, yes, but don’t panic. The Lions have struggled mightily this season, but I’m not ready to write them off just yet. Keep in mind that Detroit has played three tough teams thus far with a combined record of 10-2. And all three teams — Green Bay, Cleveland and St. Louis — have strong defenses. So, while the Lions’ QB situation is a problem, once the Lions start playing some easier teams, I look for them to start producing some points. RB James Stewart has averaged an excellent 4.6 yards per carry, and WR Johnnie Morton has caught 15 passes for 251 yards. If coach Marty Mornhinweg goes to Charlie Batch at quarterback, that should be a positive since he’s got more of an upside than Ty Detmer. I wouldn’t start WRs Germaine Crowell and Herman Moore or TE David Sloan — who have looked bad early on — until they put together a couple of decent games.

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2001 - 2002 Season