Category: Fantasy Football (Page 317 of 324)

It’s official – Deuce McAllister is out for the season with a torn ACL. The Saints will hand the ball off to Antowain Smith and throw it to Aaron Stecker, limiting both players’ fantasy value. But keep an eye on Jesse Chatman – New Orleans acquired him from the Chargers to provide depth at RB.

Just when you think it couldn’t get any worse for the Saints, it got worse for the Saints.

A ton of players got injured Sunday – this means changes are in store for your roster & starting lineup. Post all of your fantasy football questions here.

In last week’s waiver watch, I mentioned Mark Brunell (322 yds, 2 TDs), Josh McCown (394 yds, 2 TDs) and Kelly Holcomb (169 yds, 1 TD). Okay, so maybe Holcomb’s numbers aren’t going to set the world on fire, but he did revive a comatose Buffalo passing attack and, in the process, made Lee Evans (3 catches, 65 yards) and Eric Moulds (7 catches, 59 yards, TD) relevant again in the world of fantasy football.

Who should you pick up this week?

QUARTERBACKS

Matt Schaub, ATL – Michael Vick was a scratch late Sunday morning and I’m sure more than a few owners didn’t bench him in time. In one league, I managed to take him out of the lineup and even picked up Schaub, but I started Drew Brees instead and lost by 14. Had I started Schaub, I would have won by five. But the past is in the past, and it’s time to look forward. Schaub looked very solid on Sunday (298 yards, 3 TDs) and is a must-have if you already own the oft-injured Vick, even if this is the only game he starts all season.

RUNNING BACKS

Tony Fisher, GB – Ahman Green should be back after the bye week, but Fisher is now his backup and holds decent value in leagues that reward one point per reception. He caught six passes for 40 yards on Sunday and figures to get a lot of action if Green misses any more time.

Antowain Smith, NO – Deuce McAllister is out for the year with a knee injury and Smith is his primary backup. The problem is he’ll be splitting time with Aaron Stecker, who is the better receiver and figures to get a lot of action with the Saints being behind every week. Proceed with caution.

Cedric Benson, CHI – Thomas Jones rumbled for 137 yards before leaving the game with what he called a “bone bruise” in his knee. He has vowed to be back next week, but if he isn’t able to go, Benson figures to get a lot more work. I think Jones is the best back in Chicago right now, but if his injury lingers, it could be the opportunity the rookie is looking for.

Patrick Pass, NE – Pass filled in for Corey Dillon when he left Sunday with a leg injury, rushing for 34 yards and a touchdown in limited action. His value is entirely dependent on Dillon’s availability, and the Patriots are notoriously secretive about their injuries.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Joe Jurevicius, SEA – Darrell Jackson’s status wasn’t revealed until after press time last week, but had I known he (and Bobby Engram) would miss the game against the Rams, I would have listed Jurevicius as a sure pickup. I did mention him in my Week 5 preview as a player to start and he didn’t disappoint, catching nine passes for 137 yards and a score. Jurevicius should be a solid play as long as Jackson is out.

Antonio Bryant, CLE – Bryant was probably drafted in most leagues, but found his way to many waiver wires after a lackluster start. With Braylon Edwards missing some time to an injury, Bryant caught six passes for 83 yards and 2 TDs on Sunday. Bryant has all the physical tools to be a solid #2 WR in most fantasy leagues, but whether or not he’ll get the opportunity to shine in Cleveland is up for debate.

Three teams rolled out new quarterbacks this week, with some very mixed results. Some would say that Vinny Testaverde led the Jets to a 14-12 win over the Buccaneers, but it’d be more accurate to give the entire Jets roster credit for this tough win. Vinny was efficient, completing 13 of his 19 attempts for 163 yards, but he failed to reach the end zone and threw what could’ve been a very costly fourth-quarter interception. Vinny should have some more prolific days ahead of him, but you shouldn’t be expecting any miracles here. The fact that Laveranues Coles delivered his best game of the season (6 catches for 89 yards) is promising, though.

In San Francisco, Alex Smith looked like a rookie in his debut, throwing four interceptions and losing a fumble in a 28-3 loss to the Colts. He made some poor throws, terrible reads and even worse decisions while completing just nine of his 23 attempts for 74 yards. Vinny’s arrival may prove to be good news for Laveranues Coles owners, but Smith’s promotion may be death for Brandon Lloyd’s fantasy value. Coming off two-straight 100-yard performances, Lloyd was held without a catch in Smith’s debut. Kevan Barlow, meanwhile, who’s been practically worthless for fantasy purposes this year, delivered his best game of the season (128 total yards, 99 rushing) against a very good Colts’ defense. Go figure.

Then, there’s Kelly Holcomb. If you own Lee Evans or Eric Moulds, this is the move you’ve been waiting for all year. True, Holcomb didn’t set the world on fire in his first start since replacing J.P. Losman (20-26, 169 yards, 1 TD), but he was able to get Evans (65 receiving yards) and Moulds (59 yards, 1 TD) involved in the offense while leading the Bills to a much-needed win. In fact, Evans and Holcomb got off to a quick start on Buffalo’s first possession, hooking up for a 49-yard strike that nearly resulted in six points. At best, Holcomb would be a solid backup fantasy QB, but as long as Buffalo continues to start him over Losman, Evans and Moulds should once again be decent options as #3 receivers.

SUNDAY HEADLINERS

Tom Brady: 350 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Coming into this week’s match-up against Atlanta, Brady had thrown two touchdowns and three interceptions in his last three games, numbers that had many owners understandably worried. After this performance against the Falcons, though, Brady once again looks like one of the steadier fantasy QBs around, especially with how much the struggling Pats have been relying on the pass this season.
ALSO: Matt Hasselbeck (316 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT), Matt Schaub (298 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT), Drew Bledsoe (289 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT), Josh McCown (394 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT)

Tatum Bell: 12 carries, 127 yards, 2 TD
Sure, he only got 12 carries, but Bell certainly made the most of them, ripping off TD runs of 34 and 55 yards. Mike Anderson, meanwhile, totaled just 34 yards on his 11 carries. Anderson owners should be looking to pawn him off onto an unsuspecting owner ASAP because the explosive Bell, who looked to have the inside track on the Denver featured back role heading into the season, should continue to cut into Anderson’s production. Meanwhile, if Bell is somehow available on your waiver wire, it’s time to pounce.
ALSO: Shaun Alexander (25 carries, 119 yards, 2 TD; 3 catches, 16 yards), Thomas Jones (24 carries, 137 yards, 0 TD), Domanick Davis (19 carries, 130 yards, 0 TD; 8 catches, 43 yards), Edgerrin James (21 carries, 105 yards, 1 TD; 4 catches, 42 yards)

Anquan Boldin (10 catches, 158 yards, 1 TD) & Larry Fitzgerald (9 catches, 136 yards, 1 TD)
These guys are unreal. Despite some shaky QB play from both Kurt Warner and Josh McCown, Boldin and Fitzgerald are each on pace for more than 100 catches and 1,500 yards. Fitzgerald has a slight edge in touchdowns (3 vs. 2), but at this point both receivers are must-starts for fantasy owners, no matter who’s throwing them the ball.
ALSO: Steve Smith (8 catches, 119 yards, 2 TD), Terry Glenn (7 catches, 118 yards, 2 TD), Joe Jurevicius (9 catches, 137 yards, 1 TD), Torry Holt (8 catches, 126 yards, 1 TD)

SUNDAY FLATLINERS

Aaron Brooks: 146 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT
Heading into the season, Brooks was known as an inconsistent fantasy QB who would take you on a roller-coaster ride during the course of the season but, by the end of the year, would deliver solid totals. At this point, Brooks looks like waiver-wire fodder, with two TDs and seven INTs on the season. The fact that he couldn’t deliver against a vulnerable Green Bay defense makes this performance even more alarming.
ALSO: Joey Harrington (97 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT), Jake Plummer (92 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT), Donovan McNabb (131 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT), David Carr (131 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT)

Brian Westbrook: 6 carries, 12 yards, 0 TD; 3 catches, 24 yards
The entire Philly offense was shut down by the Cowboys today, but Westbrook’s numbers may be the worst of the bunch since, even on his down days, fantasy owners can usually count on the versatile back to deliver close to 100 total yards. Not today. Things won’t get much easier for Westbrook, with the Chargers and Broncos waiting following a week-six bye.
ALSO: Marcel Shipp (13 carries, 22 yards, 0 TD), Mike Anderson (11 carries, 34 yards, 0 TD), Stephen Davis (18 carries, 46 yards, 1 TD), Deuce McAllister (11 carries, 31 yards, 0 TD; 3 catches, 33 yards)

Michael Clayton: 0 catches
Those who don’t own Clayton may be willing to give the second-year receiver a pass on this donut since it was revealed this week that he’s been playing with a separated left shoulder since the preseason. Clayton owners, on the other hand, just wish he’d said something about the preseason injury before they spent a high draft pick on him. Depending on your situation, it may be time to cut Clayton and look for a healthy alternative (Joe Jurevicius?) in free agency.
ALSO: Donte Stallworth (1 catch, 6 yards), Marvin Harrison (2 catches, 17 yards), Rod Smith (2 catches, 23 yards), Terrell Owens (5 catches, 50 yards)

First, let’s see how I did with last week’s picks:

START

Jake Delhomme – 206 passing yards, 2 TDs
Kevan Barlow – 55 total yards, 0 TD
Kevin Curtis – 6 catches, 78 yards

BENCH

Jake Plummer – 136 passing yards, 2 TDs
Kevin Jones – 38 rushing yards, 1 TD
Derrick Mason – 5 catches, 54 yards

What we learned: Barlow should ride the pine unless you are desperate – or Alex Smith somehow helps the running game. Curtis will get a lot of looks with Bruce still ailing. Denver’s record is 8-1 when Plummer passes for less than 200 yards, so Shanahan will continue to feature the running game.

On to this week’s picks:

START

QB – David Carr, HOU
He’s got a new offensive coordinator and he’s thrilled about it. He’s facing a Titans pass defense that has allowed 227 yards per game along with ten touchdowns. I’m not saying start him over your stud, but if you have a middle of the road guy and Carr on your bench, give the kid a look.

RB – Thomas Jones, CHI
Cedric Benson, where are you? Most thought the rookie would be carrying the load by now. But Jones has been excellent so far (276 yards and 4 TDs over the first three games) and Chicago is facing a Cleveland defense that has given up an average of 127 yards on the ground. Start him while you can.

WR – Joe Jurevicius, SEA
You may be asking – the third WR for Seattle? Well, Darrell Jackson and Bobby Engram are doubtful this week and the Seahawks face the Rams, so it should be a high scoring affair. If Jurevicius is on your roster, this would be the week to play him.

BENCH

QB – Byron Leftwich, QB
The Jaguars face Cincinnati, who is surprising a lot of people with some very stout defense – (195 ypg and only 2 TDs over the first four games). Leftwich owners can only hope for a shootout.

RB – Curtis Martin, NYJ
Tampa Bay is coming to town, coming to town, coming to town. Tampa Bay is coming to town, be-ench Martin. (Sorry.) Bench all of the Jets this week.

WR – Michael Clayton, TB
I already told you to bench Laveranues Coles, so I’m going to go with an opposing WR. Clayton revealed this week that he’s been playing with a separated shoulder. That can’t be good. Throw in the fact that the Jets have only allowed an average of 168 yards a game through the air, and you have the makings of a bad game for Clayton.

KEY INJURIES

Ahman Green – Q
Bobby Engram – D
Bubba Franks – Q
Carnell Williams – Q
Chad Pennington – O
Curtis Martin – P
Darrell Jackson – D
David Akers – O
Donovan McNabb – P
Drew Bennett – Q
Erron Kinney – Q
Hines Ward – Q
Isaac Bruce – D
Jason Hanson – P
Joe Horn – Q
Justin McCareins – P
Kurt Warner – O
Michael Clayton – P
Michael Vick – P
Rudi Johnson – P
Stephen Davis – P
T.J. Houshmandzadeh – Q
Terrell Owens – P
Todd Heap – P
Tom Brady – P