Category: Fantasy Football (Page 290 of 324)

I thought I had a couple of sure Headliners after the first set of games. A grizzled vet quieted retirement talk with a second straight great game, leading his team to a win over the Lions, while a Redskin with a bum shoulder ran wild against the Texans. But then, in the late games, a Seahawk sliced and diced the Giants and a little guy who hadn’t practiced all week exploded for three touchdowns. Practice? Who needs practice?

Here are this week’s Headliners and Flatliners:

HEADLINERS

Matt Hasselbeck (227 yards, 5 TD, 3 INT)
After a couple of so-so games, Hass threw four TDs to four different receivers in the first half against the Giants. He did throw three picks in the game, but connected a second time with Darrell Jackson to finish with five scores on the day.

Honorable Mention: Brett Favre (340 yards, 3 TD), Jon Kitna (342 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT), J.P. Losman (328 yards, 1 pass TD, 1 INT, 1 rush TD), Carson Palmer (193 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT), Eli Manning (275 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT), Donovan McNabb (296 yards, 2 TD), Charlie Frye (298 yards, 1 pass TD, 1 INT, 1 rush TD)

Brian Westbrook (12 touches, 164 yards, 3 TD)
Westy was questionable all week, then went apeshit in the first half against the 49ers, scoring two TDs – one on a brilliant 71-yard scamper where he stiff-armed a defender to hit paydirt. When San Francisco crept back into the game in the second half, he scored from the 8-yard line to seal the victory. For the game, he averaged an incredible 13.7 yards and .25 TD per touch.

Honorable Mention: Clinton Portis (18 touches, 164 yards, 2 TD), Willie Parker (32 touches, 146 yards, 2 TD), Ladell Betts (19 touches, 151 yards, 1 TD), Maurice Jones-Drew (17 touches, 135 yards, 1 TD), Ahman Green (30 touches, 131 yards, 1 TD), Willis McGahee (28 touches, 153 yards), Kevin Jones (22 touches, 125 yards, 1 TD)

T.J. Houshmandzadeh (9 rec, 94 yards, 2 TD)
If you took my advice, you probably sat Housh today. He was supposed to play third fiddle behind Chad Johnson and Chris Henry. If it’s any consolation, I sat him as well and watched as he and Carson Palmer played pitch and catch against a normally stout Pittsburgh defense. The bad news is he went off on most owners’ benches. The good news is that he went off, and the heel looks fine. If he practices this week, he should be a great start next week and for the rest of the year.

Honorable Mention: Keyshawn Johnson (7 rec, 97 yards, 1 TD, 1 rush TD), Roy Williams (7 rec, 138 yards, 1 TD), Andre Johnson (11 rec, 152 yards), Chris Henry (5 rec, 69 yards, 2 TD), Darrell Jackson (7 rec, 57 yards, 2 TD), Torry Holt (8 rec, 120 yards, 1 TD), Braylon Edwards (5 rec, 116 yards, 1 TD), Roscoe Parrish (4 rec, 104 yards, 1 TD), Greg Jennings (3 rec, 101 yards, 1 TD), Anquan Boldin (10 rec, 129 yards), Derrick Mason (7 rec, 132 yards)

Special Honorable Mention: Lee Evans (8 rec, 107 yards)

Last week in The Postgame, I wrote:

Other than Steve Smith, has there been a bigger disappointment in the world of wideouts than Lee Evans? In the first two games, Evans has four catches for 44 yards. Of course, J.P. Losman is at least partly to blame, and it’s hard to expect anything from Evans if the Buffalo passing game continues to put up numbers like these. But you know – as soon as you bench him – he’ll have a 130-yard day. So somebody bench him…please!

I benched him. Moving on…

Eric Johnson (7 rec, 87 yards, 1 TD)
Vernon Davis injured his calf in the game, and EJ stepped in without a hitch, providing Alex Smith with a big, sure-handed threat over the middle. If Davis is out for an extended amount of time Johnson will be a nice option at TE.

Honorable Mention: Kellen Winslow (7 rec, 92 yards), Todd Heap (5 rec, 31 yards, 1 TD)

FLATLINERS

Ben Roethlisberger (208 yards, 0 TD, 3 INT)
I wonder how many more awful games it will take before the announcers stop stroking Big Ben and start laying some blame. His QB rating on the season is a dismal 34.3 and it makes one wonder if the Steelers would be better off with Charlie Batch leading the team, at least until Roethlisberger is all the way back.

Dishonorable Mention: Brad Johnson (194 yards, 0 TD), Kurt Warner (256 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT, 1 fumble that cost his team the game)

Rudi Johnson (21 touches, 57 yards, 0 TD)
Fantasy owners didn’t expect a big game from RJ going up against a good Steelers defense, but they expected more than 57 total yards and zero TDs. Still, it’s hard to fault Rudi after the show he put on in the first two weeks of the season. He’ll bounce back next week against the Patriots.

Dishonorable Mention: Thomas Jones (21 touches, 65 yards), Frank Gore (22 touches, 74 yards), Tiki Barber (18 touches, 78 yards)

Hines Ward (2 rec, 17 yards, 0 TD)
Plaxico Burress’ benching aside, Ward had the worst day comparing expectations to execution. He seems oddly out of synch with Roethlisberger and doesn’t seem to be very involved in the offense.

Dishonorable Mention: Plaxico Burress (1 rec, 23 yards), Michael Clayton (1 rec, 14 yards), Antonio Bryant (4 rec, 36 yards), Chris Chambers (4 rec, 39 yards), Troy Williamson (4 rec 39 yards)

Randy McMichael (2 rec, 15 yards)
Daunte Culpepper used to throw to his TEs in Minnesota quite a bit, so I’m not sure what the problem is for McMichael. He’s a talented receiver on a team in need of good passing options, so he should be doing better. Of course, the Dolphins only put up 13 points against one of the worst defenses in the league, so the problems in Miami run deeper than play at the TE position.

Dishonorable Mention: Chris Cooley (4 rec, 18 yards), Desmond Clark (2 rec, 21 yards), Heath Miller (3 rec, 34 yards)

T.J. Houshmandzadeh is expected to play, but Chris Henry will probably start. Housh will play as much as his heel will allow, which doesn’t make him a very dependable fantasy start…After warming up his sore hammy, Ahman Green is expected to start today…Steve Smith bristled at the possibility that his hamstring injury was his way of looking for a new contract. He’s expected to start today, so let’s hope he’s not coming back to early…Matt Jones didn’t practice much this week but he is going to start today.

12:20 PM update: Laveranues Coles will start with his sore calf…Chris Brown is inactive today…T.J. Duckett is inactive, but Clinton Portis claims he’s 105% healthy.

Troy Williamson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh have been upgraded to probable and both players are expected to play on Sunday…Plaxico Burress is also listed as probable, but missed practice again on Friday, so be sure to pay attention to his status Sunday morning…Matt Jones missed practice on Friday and is still questionable to play on Sunday. It’s not looking good for Jones, so look elsewhere for WR help this week…Laveranues Coles is “all but certain” to play in Week 3, according to the New York Post…Chris Chambers has apparently been dealing with a sprained thumb but says it is almost healed. His production has been less than acceptable for fantasy owners drafting him in the third or fourth rounds…Reuben Droughns will give it a go on Sunday, but should be avoided at all costs. He faces a Ravens defense that is first in the league in rushing yards allowed.

Steve Smith is still listed as questionable, but he returned to field on Thursday and practiced again on Friday. This is a good sign that he’ll play against the Bucs, but be alert Sunday morning…Miami traded for Daunte Culpepper instead of signing free agent Drew Brees because Culpepper’s knee checked out better medically than Brees’ shoulder. Granted, the Saints have had an easier schedule than the Dolphins, but Brees has looked much better than Culpepper thus far…Laveranues Coles is questionable with a calf injury, but is expected to play according to the Newark Star-Ledger. If he is unable to go, the value of Jerricho Cotchery would jump, as he’d be the clear #1 option for Chad Pennington…It looks like the reign of Wali Lundy is coming to a close in Houston. Many thought that he might be this year’s Willie Parker, but HC Gary Kubiak said that “…what you’re going to see is Ronnie [Dayne] and Samkon [Gado]’s role get bigger and bigger as the weeks go on and on.” Ron Dayne has let down many a fantasy owner before, so it’s hard to get excited about his prospects in Houston. But Kubiak seems to really like what Dayne brings to the table. Samkon Gado has shown good production when he’s had the chance, so if Dayne blows another opportunity, Gado should pick up the ball and run with it, literally…Shaun Alexander missed practice this week, but is expected to practice today and is listed as probable. Alexander owners might want to add Maurice Morris to their roster if they haven’t already. This week isn’t a concern, but Alexander has had a good run the last few years without any major injuries, and it’s not smart to press your luck…Matt Jones missed practice yesterday with a groin injury and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Colts. If he’s unable to practice Friday, it will boost the values of Reggie Williams and Ernest Wilford, who will both have ample opportunity in Jones’ absence…Chris Brown was added to the injury report and is questionable with a toe injury. Expect Travis Henry and LenDale White to share the load if Brown can’t go…Clinton Portis is apparently ready to go against the Texans this week, and should not be limited…Brian Westbrook missed practice again on Thursday with soreness in his knee. I have a feeling that Westbrook owners will be waking up most Sundays wondering if he’s going to play. The key is for the Eagles to stay in the playoff hunt to keep the franchise from shutting him down for the rest of the season. I know it’s early, but it’s never too early to prepare a Plan B. Correll Buckhalter would carry most of the load if Westbrook is unable to go, and is a must-handcuff at this point…Trent Green hasn’t been given clearance to drive yet. Those expecting Green back anytime soon ought to readjust their expectations. It sounds like he’s still a ways away from hitting the field…T.J. Houshmandzadeh took part in individual drills (good sign) on Thursday, but did not practice with the team (bad sign). He suffered this knee injury in the preseason against the Packers, and hasn’t played since. He’s got a tough matchup against the Steelers this week, but the game is important, so don’t be surprised if he plays. It will likely be a Sunday morning decision…Troy Williamson is listed as questionable with a shoulder injury, but participated in back-to-back practices and should play Sunday. He faces the Bears, so avoid him if you can.