Keeping Up With The Bobcats

In this week's special feature, we take a look at the moves made by the Bobcats so far this season.

After the unorthodox strategy of drafting non-starting Detroit QB, Josh McCown, in Round 4, the guffaws started--and then came "Big Ben," and Aaron Brooks, and Laveranues Coles. And the guffaws grew louder. Pretty soon, Thirsty Savages could be heard to cry in derision: "What, the Bobcats have any chance? Why, you sir, must be a Crackpot!"

And then, out of that quiet corner in Crackpot Highlands came three straight victories. How could such a thing be explained?

Week 1. Brooks--as anticipated--craps out. But Frank Gore, Tomli, Laveranues and the Ravens chip in about 20 points each. A few more points here, a few there, and pretty soon, it's 90+ for the 'Cats.

Week 2. Gore, Tomli, Coles and the Ravens come through again. BUT, not content to rest on their laurels, the Bobcats go out and acquire QB Alex Smith, benching the predictably crappy Brooks (who got -4 that week), and instead rack up an additional 12 points from the new QB in town. Bobcats: 107. Opponents: wishing they had played someone else.

Week 3. Tomli on a bye. Problem? No sir. Insert Brian Westbrook, who had quietly been having decent outings in Weeks 1 and 2 while on the Bobcat bench. Result? A stunning 34 point performance, with help from QB Alex Smith, Coles, the Ravens and even the kicker, Kasay. And another Bobcat victory.

With all this going on, you might think the Bobcats front office might be content to let things ride. But are they? No sir. Locker room favorite Josh McCown is told to hit the bricks. TE Chris Cooley? Thanks for trying, now have a seat. In Week 4, we will see Houston TE Owen Daniels starting for the 'Cats.

WHO???

Owen Daniels. CBSSportsline has this to say:

Daniels is an intriguing player at this juncture. The rookie is slowly getting more and more looks (he had a few incompletes go his way Week 3) from QB David Carr and could emerge as the top TE in Houston. Don't go inserting him in your starting lineup just yet, but he has had a touchdown in two consecutive weeks and more could be on the way. Monitor his progress a little longer before making a move.

Most owners wouldn't go with--ummm--what was his name? But the savvy 'Cats management recognized Cooley isn't getting it done, so they went out and took a chance on a No-Name TE who had a mere 11 pts in Week 2 and 7 pts in Week 3--which certainly beats Cooley's 2, 1 and 4 pt performances this year.

And finally, still not content, and with room on the roster to grow, the 'Cats gave Brooks his well-deserved walking papers and brought in WR Chris Henry. If Henry can stay out of jail, there's no telling how much punch the 'Cats receiving corps will pack.

How will this all pan out? Will the 'Cats opponents continue to be Nameless Fodder for the 'Cats Superbowl run? Time will tell.