Category: Fantasy Football (Page 310 of 324)

I’m not buying any of this Brett Favre retirement talk. No way.

After all these years, have we forgotten who Brett Favre is and what made him so great? He wants to win, more than anything else. And after winning so often, there’s no way he goes out like this. The Packers are 2-10 (heading into tonight’s game against the Lions) and Favre has more interceptions than touchdowns. Aaron Rodgers can wait another year. This is still Favre’s team and he’ll refuse to let it end like this.

It makes sense. Javon Walker should be back, nearly a full year after suffering a knee injury, and the Packers would likely address some offensive-line concerns in the offseason. But they’re also in the running for the Reggie Bush sweepstakes (the 49ers and Jets are also 2-10, the Texans are 1-11), who would be the dream replacement for Ahman Green. Of course, even if they miss out on Bush, the Packers will have a high draft choice, which could be used on an elite O-lineman or a top RB. With that kind of potential talent upgrade, Favre could lead the Pack to nine or 10 wins next year. Don’t think so?

Favre is a playmaker, and when playmakers don’t have other playmakers around them, they suffer. Running backs wait for holes that aren’t there and rarely find the end zone. Receivers gripe about not getting the ball. And quarterbacks throw interceptions. Granted, Favre has always thrown interceptions, but he’s always won doing it. Now he’s losing because his mistakes are more crippling than they were during the Super Bowl years. But that would change in 2006, and Favre recognizes that.

I could be wrong. But I doubt it. Favre won’t want this bitter taste in his mouth after having such a sweet career. Number 4’s got one more left in him. At least.

Every week, I submit six names our fantasy football owners – three marginal players to start and three to bench. Let’s see how I did last week:

START

Kurt Warner, ARI – 354 passing yards, 1 TD, 2 INT (HIT)

Carnell Williams, TB – 103 total yards, 0 TD (HIT)

Derrick Mason, BAL – 3 catches, 32 yards (MISS)

BENCH

Brett Favre, GB – 277 passing yards, 2 INT (HIT)

Julius Jones, DAL – 162 total yards, 0 TD (MISS)

Mushin Muhammad, CHI – 0 catches (HIT)

On to this week’s picks:

START

QB – Brad Johnson, MIN (vs. STL)
BJ has been playing pretty well of late and this week he has a very nice matchup against a Rams defense that can’t defend the pass.

RB – Samkon Gado, GB (vs. DET)
The Lions are one of the worst defenses in the league in giving up fantasy points to running backs. Assuming he doesn’t fumble and lose his job again, Gado should have a good day.

WR – Lee Evans, BUF (vs. NE)
Eric Moulds has been suspended for one game so Evans should have a big day against a Patriots defense that can’t really cover anyone.

BENCH

QB – Ben Roethlisberger, PIT (vs. CHI)
Big Ben should find the going tough against a stout Bears defense.

RB – Jamal Lewis, BAL (vs. DEN)
Denver is a lot better at defending the run than they are the pass and the Ravens will probably get behind early, so I don’t think Lewis will get a lot of opportunities.

WR – Roy Williams, DET (vs. GB)
The Packers are the opposite of the Broncos – teams run against them so well that there’s no need to pass, and when they do try to pass, the Pack defends it well. This all adds up to a subpar day for Williams.

NFL INJURIES

Most leagues are heading into the playoffs, so if you have any roster questions, post them here.

Assuming DeShaun Foster and Brad Johnson are no longer on your league’s waiver wire, here are some other options that might be of use to you.

QUARTERBACKS

Charlie Frye, CLE – Frye played quite well against a good Jacksonville defense, but keep in mind that he lost his favorite target, Braylon Edwards, for the rest of the year. Also, watch the status of Trent Dilfer, as he may be back next week.

Sage Rosenfels, MIA – Gus Frerotte left the game with a concussion and Rosenfels played well in his absence. If Frerotte can’t play, Rosenfels could help a fantasy team desperate at the QB position.

Marques Tuiasosopo, OAK – The rumor is that HC Norv Turner is going to bench Kerry Collins in favor of crowd-favorite Tuiasosopo, to increase mobility at the position. If he started, Tui would have loads of weapons at his disposal and could put up good numbers.

RUNNING BACKS

Michael Bennett, MIN – Mewelde Moore injured himself during a return, so Bennett got a vast majority of the carries and played well against the Lions. It’s impossible to rely on the Minnesota running game these days (where for art thou, Robert Smith?) but Bennett would definitely be worth a roster spot and maybe a start if Moore is out.

Artose Pinner, DET – Kevin Jones was out with a thigh injury, so Pinner and Shawn Bryson shared the work. Pinner contributed over 100 yards and also scored on a nice run. If KJ continues to miss time, Pinner could be a good fill in player down the stretch.

Ryan Moats, PHI – Keep an eye on Brian Westbrook’s status throughout the week. If he’s not able to go, Moats would get the start in his place.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Koren Robinson, MIN – Robinson finally had a breakout game catching four passes for 148 yards and a TD, and has been more and more involved starting in Nate Burleson’s place.