By the by, this is your last NFL-less Thursday night until January the 8th. It may seem like a long time but it’ll probably go by quite fast. Credit what’s left of money hungry NCAA/the nascent sports monolith ESPN/the money hungry Mountain West Conference and the money hungry American Conference for providing us with some helmet-to-helmet action from the younger-ish pros.

Looking over the two team previews I’m on the hook for, I noticed that there are some individual position rooms that are in woeful shape and teams and coaches/fans are hoping desperately they can be at average, maybe the squadoos stand a chance. Let’s visit a few, shall we?

Panthers WR’s:

Believe it or not, trading away 35 year-old Adam Thielen made this room even weaker. You’ve got rook Tet McMillan, unproven Xavier Legette and (who?) Jalen Coker. That’s Tepper-rific!

Giants CB’s:

The often-injured Paulson Adebo was signed in the offseason to be the #1 corner because current #2 corner Deonte Banks proved week after week that his “Turkey” nickname (he was roasted every Sunday) was on the money. If there’s an injury to either of these guys there’s Art Green, an UDFA and Cor’dale Flott (all of 2! passes defensed last season) that will be thrown into the breach.

Fins RB’s:

Achane is always injured and is already listed as questionable. His backup Jaylen Wright is listed as doubtful. That means that Ollie Gordon should be getting touches next week.

Jets TE’s:

Second round pick Mason Taylor won the starter job by default because his competition was Jeremy Ruckert, Stone Smartt and Jelani Woods.

Browns QB:

Joe Flacco-the owner of 9(!) turnovers in his last four games as a Colt last year-was brought in to hold the fort until one of two rookies (Gabriel and Sanders) is deemed to be ready to start. Behind them is the pariah Watson. So much positive karma going on in Cleveland as per the usual.

Texans RB’s:

“Mysterious Injury” Joe Mixon won’t be making an appearance until at least week 5 so the starter is…Nick Chubb? With Dameon Pierce as backup? Houston’s running game looks to be dead in the water to start the season.

Boise State vs USF incoming!