Guest of the League
TBL2 Est. 2008
FFL: Week 2 | NFL: Week 2

Monte Kiffin, architect of ‘Tampa 2’ Super Bowl-winning defense, dies at 84

Thu Jul 11 8:51pm ET
Field Level Media

Super Bowl champion Monte Kiffin, 84, has died, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Ole Miss Football announced on Thursday.

He passed in Oxford, Miss., surrounded by family and friends.

Kiffin was the defensive coordinator and architect of the Buccaneers' famed "Tampa 2" defense that gained popularity at all levels of football following its success in Tampa over a 13-year run under head coaches Tony Dungy and Jon Gruden that resulted in the franchise's first NFL championship in Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003.

He coordinated Hall of Fame defenders Warren Sapp, Darrick Brooks, John Lynch and Ronde Barber over that run.

Kiffin was inducted into the Buccaneers' Ring of Honor in 2021.

In a statement issued by the Buccaneers, team ownership said:

"Monte Kiffin was a beloved and iconic member of the Buccaneers family, and our entire organization mourns his loss today. As a coach, Monte was a true innovator who got the best out of his players and helped create one of the signature defenses of the early 2000s. His passionate and energetic leadership style resonated with all his players, and he was instrumental in our first Super Bowl win and the success of Hall of Famers such as Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, John Lynch and Ronde Barber. Off the field, Monte was kind, genuine, gracious and always had a positive attitude. He was very special to the Buccaneers organization and our family. We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Robin, son, Lane, daughter, Heidi, and the entire Kiffin family."

Kiffin's tenure in Tampa Bay ended when he departed to coach under his son, Lane, at the University of Tennessee in 2009. The pair moved to the University of Southern California the following year.

The elder Kiffin eventually returned to the NFL for stints with the Cowboys and Jaguars before once again joining his son at Florida Atlantic and Ole Miss in assistant/analyst roles.

A Nebraska collegian and professional football player for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Toronto Rifles, Kiffin quickly transitioned to coaching, taking a grad assistant job with his alma mater in 1966. He was eventually elevated to defensive coordinator and then left for the same job at Arkansas before being hired as the head coach at North Carolina State in 1980.

That position lasted just three years. He caught on with the Green Bay Packers as an assistant in 1983 and his career took off from there.

Stints with the Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets and New Orleans Saints led him to Tampa Bay, where he would enjoy his greatest successes.

"I love that man and am so indebted to him," Lynch told the Tampa Bay Times. "Monte had a unique enthusiasm for life, football and family. He also had a passion for coaching -- and helping people like myself become the best version of themselves."

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

Fantasy Preview: Week 2

Player Notes
Dalton Schultz Sep 13 5:20pm ET
Dalton Schultz

Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (ankle) fully practiced on Friday and doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday Night Football's showdown against the Chicago Bears. He has been dealing with an ankle injury this week but is all systems go for Sunday night. The 28-year-old played nearly 80 percent of Houston's snaps last week, an encouraging sign for someone in the low-end TE1 range. However, with just three targets, he was tied for fourth on the team with running back Joe Mixon. The former Dallas Cowboy was behind receivers Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs, and Tank Dell in the pecking order in Week 1. Schultz has three red flags two red-zone targets in his past eight games, heavy competition for targets, and an injury that should have fantasy managers exploring other options for a tight end streamer.

From RotoBaller

Travis Kelce Sep 13 5:10pm ET
Travis Kelce

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will face the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2 at Arrowhead Stadium. Kelce is coming off a mediocre game against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. The Ravens held Kelce to three catches for 34 yards in the season opener. Many middle-of-the-field passes went toward Rashee Rice instead of Kelce against the tough Baltimore defense. The Ravens likely planned to limit Kelce's impact on the Week 1 contest, considering he torched them for 116 yards and a touchdown in their last matchup. The Chiefs tight end will have a much easier opponent in Week 2. The Bengals gave up the most receptions and second-most receiving yards to tight ends in 2023. Kelce should be a focal point of the offense in Week 2, especially considering his pedestrian stat line in Week 1. Mahomes will look to connect with the All-Pro tight end often in this contest. Kelce is still a top-tier TE1 every week, regardless of the matchup.

From RotoBaller

Christian McCaffrey Sep 13 5:10pm ET
Christian McCaffrey

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles/calf) was ruled out for Sunday's game, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The star running back logged two limited practice sessions earlier this week but was not spotted at Friday's practice. The 28-year-old will need at least another week to recover from the injury he suffered during camp. However, head coach Kyle Shanahan told the media on Friday that the team is considering placing McCaffrey on the injured reserve, which could keep him sidelined for at least the next four games. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Jordan Mason to serve as the primary running back this weekend. Mason looked quite comfortable serving as the lead runner in the season opener as he logged 28 carries for 147 yards and a score. He should be viewed as a high-end RB2 going forward.

From RotoBaller

Dameon Pierce Sep 13 5:00pm ET
Dameon Pierce

Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) was listed as questionable on Friday's injury report with a hamstring injury, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of NFL.com. The 24-year-old hit the injury report on Thursday after logging a limited practice. He was kept entirely sidelined on Friday, which does not bode well for his status over the weekend. In Week 1, Pierce saw just three rushing attempts on nine snaps while Joe Mixon held the lion's share of work. If Pierce were to sit out on Sunday night, Cam Akers or Dare Ogunbowale should compete for the No. 2 role behind Mixon but should not be relied upon in any fantasy setting.

From RotoBaller

Isiah Pacheco Sep 13 5:00pm ET
Isiah Pacheco

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco will face the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season. Last week, Pacheco ran against one of the most formidable defenses in the league, the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens held Pacheco to just 45 rushing yards on 15 carries, but he did manage to find the endzone. The Chiefs starting running back will face an easier test this week against the Bengals, who allowed the seventh-most rushing yards in 2023. The Bengals also allowed the second-most runs of 20 or more yards in 2023. Pacheco had six runs of 20 or more yards in 2023, so he could be in for a few explosive plays in this week's contest. The 25-year-old dominated the backfield carries and was involved in the receiving game in Week 1, which should continue to be the case moving forward. Pacheco is attached to one of the best offenses in the NFL and should be considered a strong start every week he is active.

From RotoBaller

Jake Ferguson Sep 13 4:50pm ET
Jake Ferguson

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (knee) was listed as doubtful for Sunday's game on Friday's injury report, according to Bobby Belt of 1053 The Fan. The tight end suffered an MCL sprain in the season opener but fortunately avoided a significant injury. The Dallas coaching staff expressed optimism throughout the week regarding the 25-year-old's status for their Week 2 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. However, seeing him listed as doubtful does not bode well for his chance of suiting up. Fantasy managers should expect Luke Schoonmaker to serve as the lead tight end for Dallas on Sunday. Schoonmaker caught just eight passes in his rookie season last year. However, two of them were in the end zone.

From RotoBaller

Patrick Mahomes Sep 13 4:50pm ET
Patrick Mahomes

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2 at Arrowhead Stadium this Sunday. Mahomes took home last week's victory against the Baltimore Ravens in the season opener. The Chiefs quarterback passed for 291 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the 27-20 win. Mahomes was incredibly efficient, completing 71% of his pass attempts against a stout Baltimore defense. Mahomes will look to continue his success against the Bengals, who allowed the sixth-most passing yards per game in 2023. The Bengals are also coming off a game where they lost to the New England Patriots, so Mahomes and the Chiefs should have no issues handling the Bengals in this contest. The Chiefs also have one of the highest implied team totals of the week at 27 points, so Mahomes should produce this week. Mahomes is a strong QB1 again this week against the Cincinnati Bengals.

From RotoBaller

Kenneth Walker III Sep 13 4:40pm ET
Kenneth Walker III

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (oblique) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the New England Patriots, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. The Michigan State product was held out of practice all week and will now enter the weekend with an outside chance of suiting up. Walker enjoyed a nice season opener as he ran for 103 yards and a score on 20 carries against the Denver Broncos. He added two catches and six yards through the air. With his current status, fantasy managers should expect Zach Charbonnet to serve as the lead runner on Sunday afternoon. Charbonnet saw eight attempts in Week 1 and scored a touchdown through the air. If Walker sits out entirely, Charbonnet is a solid RB2 option this weekend. If Walker participates in a limited capacity, Charbonnet should be considered a flex option.

From RotoBaller

Jameson Williams Sep 13 4:30pm ET
Jameson Williams

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (ankle) was listed as questionable for Sunday's game on Friday's injury report, according to Eric Woodyard of ESPN. The 23-year-old wideout was a limited participant throughout the week and will now enter the weekend with an uncertain status. The Alabama product had a slow start to his professional career but enjoyed a massive game in Week 1 as he led the way in the Detroit victory by catching five of his nine targets for 121 yards and a score. If the former first-round selection does not suit up on Sunday, fantasy managers should expect Kalif Raymond to line up as the No.2 wide receiver opposite of Amon-Ra St. Brown.

From RotoBaller

Roman Wilson Sep 13 4:30pm ET
Roman Wilson

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver Roman Wilson (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. The Michigan product was able to participate in a full practice session on Thursday and looked on track to make his professional debut, but reverted back to a limited session on Friday, according to Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live. The 23-year-old was held out of the season opener due to an ankle injury he suffered during camp. If the former third-round pick from this year's draft suits up on Sunday, he should operate as the No.3/No.4 option in the Pittsburgh passing attack. If he happens to sit out again, Calvin Austin should have a clear hold on the No.3 spot on Sunday afternoon.

From RotoBaller

MarShawn Lloyd Sep 13 4:20pm ET
MarShawn Lloyd

Green Bay Packers rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's match against the Indianapolis Colts. The rookie running back suffered a hamstring injury in August and was held out of the season opener out of precaution. Throughout the week, the USC product has logged three straight limited practice sessions, which is an improvement over the previous week, where he was only able to practice in a limited capacity twice. Lloyd could be setting himself up to make his professional debut this weekend. If he does, fantasy managers should expect him to serve as the No.2 running back behind Josh Jacobs. As the season progresses, he could eventually grow into a more prominent role and is worth stashing on your bench.

From RotoBaller

Jayden Reed Sep 13 4:10pm ET
Jayden Reed

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (calf/shin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Reed was not on the injury report earlier this week but logged a limited session on Friday due to calf and shin injuries. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the 24-year-old's status prior to Sunday's game. The Packers are entering this Week 2 matchups with several injuries to their offense, such as quarterback Jordan Love (knee) and No.2 running back MarShawn Lloyd are also listed as questionable. Reed enjoyed a big game in the opening week as he tallied 138 receiving yards and 33 rushing yards with two total scores. If Reed suits up, he will be a solid high-end WR2 in all formats, given his big-play ability.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Love Sep 13 4:00pm ET
Jordan Love

The Green Bay Packers are officially listing quarterback Jordan Love (knee) as questionable to play in Week 2 at Lambeau Field on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts despite suffering a knee injury in the Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil last Friday. Love didn't practice all week after suffering an MCL sprain in his knee in the season opener last week, so we'd be pretty surprised if the 25-year-old signal-caller actually suited up. However, the Packers continue to leave the door open for Love to return this week, which has all along seemed unlikely. The good news is he hasn't been placed on Injured Reserve, meaning the Packers think there's a good chance he won't miss more than four games. Malik Willis is the likely starter under center for the Packers on Sunday, which will be a big downgrade for all of Green Bay's offensive skills players.

From RotoBaller

Malik Nabers Sep 13 3:40pm ET
Malik Nabers

New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) was a full participant in Friday's practice and doesn't carry an injury designation into the Week 2 divisional matchup against the Washington Commanders on Sunday. Nabers popped up on the team's injury report this week after he was limited in Thursday's practice, but fantasy managers should have no worries now that he's in danger of playing this weekend. The 21-year-old is in a bad offense run by quarterback Daniel Jones, but did draw seven targets in his NFL debut, catching five of them for 66 yards in the Week 1 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Expect the LSU product to continue to have a big target share in an offense that will likely be playing catch-up more weeks than not. Against a shaky Washington secondary, Nabers should be in all starting fantasy lineups as a high-end WR2.

From RotoBaller

Josh Downs Sep 13 3:20pm ET
Josh Downs

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) will be a game-time decision for the team's Week 2 contest at Lambeau Field on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. Downs suffered a left high-ankle sprain back in training camp in August and wasn't given the green light to suit up for the Week 1 loss to the division-rival Houston Texans. The 23-year-old was limited in practices this week, though, and has a shot to make his season debut in Green Bay this weekend. Downs is certainly worth a stash in 12-team fantasy leagues for wideout depth, but he's probably not a smart play in starting lineups if he's active on Sunday. However, it's worth noting that he was trending as the team's WR2 in camp behind Michael Pittman Jr. before injuring his ankle. The former third-rounder last year had a 68-771-2 line in 17 games in his rookie campaign in 2023.

From RotoBaller

Matt Gay Sep 13 3:20pm ET
Matt Gay

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said on Friday that kicker Matt Gay (hernia) will kick in the team's Week 2 contest on the road against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday. Gay underwent surgery for a sports hernia recently and was forced to sit out the Week 1 loss to the division-rival Houston Texans. Rookie Spencer Shrader made his NFL debut in that one and made all three of his extra-point attempts. The 30-year-old Gay has recovered quickly, though, practicing in full all week, and he will end up missing just one game to start the 2024 season. He made 80.5% of his 41 field-goal attempts in 2023 with the Colts and went 35-for-36 on extra points in 17 games. Gay isn't a terrible streaming option for fantasy managers, but it makes some sense to look for better options than relying on a kicker coming off a recent surgery.

From RotoBaller

Josh Palmer Sep 13 3:10pm ET
Josh Palmer

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer (knee) is listed as questionable ahead of the Week 2 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Palmer has been limited in practice all week due to a linger knee issue. Palmer is coming off a quiet season opener where he hauled in two of his four targets for 15 yards. The Chargers figure to be a run-heavy offense this season which doesn't bode well for any of the wideouts on this roster. Palmer should be in the WR4 conversation if he's able to suit up on Sunday. Otherwise, rookie wideout Ladd McConkey would see an uptick in value if Palmer is unable to play.

From RotoBaller

Joey Bosa Sep 13 3:10pm ET
Joey Bosa

Los Angeles Chargers pass-rusher Joey Bosa (back) is officially listed as questionable for the Week 2 contest versus the Carolina Panthers on the road this Sunday. Bosa was limited in practice on Wednesday before being downgraded to out on Thursday. Mid-week downgrades are usually never a good sign, especially for a player with a long injury history like Bosa. In addition to Bosa, the Chargers list safety Alohi Gilman (knee) as doubtful to play this weekend as the Chargers look to get off to a 2-0 start under new head coach Jim Harbaugh. The 29-year-old Bosa is a four-time Pro Bowler, but he hasn't played in more than nine games in the last two seasons. In the Week 1 win over the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders, he had seven tackles (six solo), a sack and a forced fumble. Even if Bosa sits, the Bolts' defense/special teams unit is a must-start against the lowly Panthers.

From RotoBaller

Rome Odunze Sep 13 3:00pm ET
Rome Odunze

Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze (knee) is listed as questionable ahead of the Week 2 matchup against the Houston Texans. The rookie wideout suffered a knee injury in Week 1 that was revealed to be a low-grade MCL sprain. He missed the first two days of practice this week before returning on Friday for a limited session. The fact that Odunze was able to suit up for practice on Friday is a good sign. However, he still remains questionable alongside fellow wideout Keenan Allen (heel) ahead of Sunday's game. The absence of both players should mean DJ Moore would see his usage skyrocket.

From RotoBaller

Keenan Allen Sep 13 2:50pm ET
Keenan Allen

Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (heel) is listed as questionable ahead of the Week 2 matchup against the Houston Texans on Sunday night. The veteran wideout hasn't practiced all week due to an ongoing heel issue. Head coach Matt Eberflus has downplayed the injury, but Allen still remains questionable for Sunday. His absence would be significant considering he saw 11 targets in the season opener. Fellow wideout Rome Odunze (knee) is also listed as questionable ahead of this game. The absence of both players would put DJ Moore in line for a huge workload. Moore is looking like a fantastic DFS option ahead of Week 2. There is still time for Allen to be cleared to play, but three straight DNPs doesn't give him a good look.

From RotoBaller