Fantasy Football Player's Edge

September 23, 2008


Tuesday: (Recap)

Chargers 48/Jets 29- LaDainian Tomlinson (20)
had 29 touches last night. So much for being limited.
Rivers (21) was outstanding again while Gates (8),
Chambers (8), Jackson (7) and Sproles (6) made
decent contributions. Farve (20) was fantasy fantastic
with WR's Coles (13), Stuckey (10) and Cotchery (7)
leading the way. Thomas Jones (2) was invisible. The
Chargers (17) defense stepped up while the Jets (4)
stalled.


Notes from the Edge:

LaDainian Tomlinson scored well last night
but averaged only 2.6 ypc vs. a good Jets front
7. The 29 touches indicate that he's a tough out
but he pretty much ran straight ahead all night.
If he comes out of this game no worse for wear
L.T. should regain his cutting ability next week
vs. the Raiders.

Philip Rivers is leading QB's in fantasy points.
He's a must start.

Brett Farve is likely to be inconsistent all year
but still remains a good bye week replacement.

Chansi Stuckey is getting more with less. He's
averaging 2.4 points per catch which compares
favorably with studs Wayne (2.0), Marshall
(1.8) and Fitzgerald (2.5). He's useful as a bye
week player when the matchup is favorable.

Larry Johnson still has the ability to post solid
fantasy numbers. The problem is Edwards and
his arcane approach to the Chiefs future. It's like
he's already given up on the season.

Dwayne Bowe owners need Damon Huard to
start this week.

Roddy White is thriving in an offense designed
around the run. He's a solid #3 and should have
better games later in the season as Ryan matures.

Marshawn Lynch is a #1 back and will go near
the top of all drafts next season.

Darren McFadden may be affected by his toe
injury for a few weeks. Keep an eye on this.

Kevin Boss was finally part of the Giants game
plan. Keep him in mind for week 5 when he's back
from a bye week.

Carson Palmer needed and had a solid game last
week and looks good this week vs. the Browns.

Chad Johnson is not this bad and should be a good
play vs. Cleveland. If he breaks out this week you
might consider selling high while he has some value.
He's likely to be a #3 all season.

Ronnie Brown is a must start the rest of the season.
Ricky Williams will still get 8-10 touches per game
but has little value unless Brown goes down.

Randy Moss has a history of underperforming with
back up QB's. Shop him around to see if last year's
stats still can influence certain owners. Hang on to
Welker as he builds chemistry with Cassel.

Avoid all Patriots running backs. If you can get a
sandwich for Maroney, take it.

Ben Watson was only in on 11 plays. Hopefully his
workload will increase this week.

Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter
are better than their early season stats. The Texans
faced 2 of the best pass defenses in football on the
road in the Steelers and Titans. They'll all perform
better this week on the road again vs. the Jaguars.

Tennessee's defense is the best in fantasy land.

Chris Johnson will continue to yield points to White.
On most days he'll have to have 100+ yards to score
in double digits.

Bo Scaife, not Alge Crumpler, is the TE of choice
for Collins.

Brian Griese has secured the Bucs QB job with his
407 yards against the Bears. He can be used if the
opponent is favorable.

Earnest Graham has been negatively impacted by
Warrick Dunn. Stash Graham away for later in the
season when grinders are a premium.

Antonio Bryant is being touted by Gruden as a #1.
He's good enough to be a bye week replacement.

Matt Forte may very well be the best of this year's
rookie RB's. He's a must start #2.

Jason Campbell is quietly establishing his fantasy
credentials. He's 10th in QB scoring so far this year.
He's a nice add as bench strength.

Edgerrin James has value only during bye weeks.

Bernard Berrian should be added if he's on the
free agent list in your league. He will benefit from
Frerotte.

Keep an eye on Robert Meachem as he's gaining
Brees trust a little more each week.

Reggie Bush has become a must start as he's 3rd
in scoring among RB's.

Jeremy Shockey finally came to life only to miss
the next 3 to 6 weeks with a sports hernia. He's
worth stashing but not at the expense of a starter.

J.T. O'Sullivan had a nice game but should not be
counted on to lead your team all season. He will,
however, score well vs. soft pass defenses like the
Saints this week.

Rudi Johnson has earned the Lions starting job.
Kevin Smith's value plummets if Rudi is named
the starter this week.

Roy Williams is basically calling for the return of
the Martz offense. Williams is perennially the best
receiver to disappoint fantasy owners with his game
to game inconsistency.

Matt Hasselbeck should get Branch, Engram &
Morris back after the bye week. His points will rise
in week 5.

Julius Jones has been solid but will be adversely
impacted by the return of Maurice Morris. He's
a good gamble if available and could provide bye
week upside at RB.

Marc Bulger has been awful and has taken Holt
with him. You may want to move on from Bulger
but Holt should be, at the minimum, retained on
your bench for a few more weeks. The Rams are
awful on both sides of the ball but are likely to get
somewhat better on offense as the season wears
on. The Bills stout secondary will challenge them
this week.

The Eagles defense is very good and will be an
elite unit all season. They smothered the Steelers.

Reggie Brown will be better next week allowing
DeSean Jackson to get single coverage.

Ben Roethlisberger is hurting and it shows when
the Steelers are forced to pass. He's got another
tough opponent this week in the Ravens.

Derek Anderson may lose his job to Brady Quinn.
Crennel may give Anderson one more week but
he has to be on a short lease. Anderson owners need
to look in a different direction until this situation is
resolved.

Braylon Edwards is an elite receiver and should be
ready to prove it this week.

Willis McGahee was playing well until he got poked
in the eye. It should be noted that fullback Le'Ron
McClain is getting the goal line carries. Ray Rice
is the odd man out.

Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor abused
the Colts interior defense. They'll have more fun
this week against the Texans.

Contrary to popular pundit exhortations Marvin
Harrison still has game especially as a #3.

Peyton Manning's timing has been off. Look for
him to return to form after the bye week.

The Colts defense will not be playable until Bob
Sanders returns in 5 weeks.

Aaron Rodgers should be owned in all leagues and
starting for most fantasy teams.

Ryan Grant has been unable to get untracked due
a sore hamstring that has kept him off the practice
field. He needs a bye but gets the Buccaneers run
defense instead. If he practices this week he'll likely
play better.

Charles Woodson shut down Owens on Sunday
night. Teams will go away from him with Al Harris
likely done for the season. A good Packers defense
may be vulnerable against strong passing attacks.


Quick Picks: (free agents to acquire)
S. Slaton
Ju. Jones (bye)
B. Berrian
R. Meachem
An. Bryant
B. Scaife
J. Gage

Castaways: (waiver candidates)
Ri. Williams
Ja. Walker
K. Smith
M. Bulger
R. Rice
D. Williams

Hard Knocks: (injury notes)
B. Westbrook - ankle
B. Roethlisberger- hand
D. McNabb- chest
L. J. Smith- back
J. Kitna- knee
J. Stewart- undisclosed
D. Patten- groin
J. Shockey- hernia
W. McGahee- eye
A. Harris- spleen


Week 3 Report Card: (start/sit)

1. QB's: Matchups

The Standard: 300 yards, 2 TD, 0 Int = 20 points

Favorable:

Matt Cassel- D/6

J.T. O'Sullivan- A/18

Matt Hasselbeck- B-/11

Trent Edwards- B-/12

Marc Bulger- C/8

Jake Delhomme- F/3

Unfavorable:

Carson Palmer- A/17

Derek Anderson- D/6

Matt Schaub- D-/5

Kurt Warner- B/14

Donovan McNabb- B-/10


2. RB's: Matchups (starting a #2)

The Standard: 110 yards rush, 30 yards rec, 1 TD = 20 pts

Favorable:

Michael Turner- A+/28

Larry Johnson- A/18

Julius Jones- A/20

Maurice Jones-Drew- A/21

Chris Johnson- C/7

Thomas Jones- F/2

Unfavorable: (sitting a #2)

Willie Parker- F/2

Jamal Lewis- D-/5

Jonathan Stewart- C/7

Earnest Graham- F/1

Matt Forte- A/20

Chris Perry- A/14


3. WR's: Matchups

The Standard: 80 yards, 1 TD = 14 points

Favorable: (starting a #3)

Isaac Bruce- C/7

D. J. Hackett- D/3

Courtney Taylor- F/1

Lee Evans- D/4

Marvin Harrison- A/10

Unfavorable: (sitting a #3)

Chad Ocho Cinco- F/2

DeSean Jackson- D/4

Chris Chambers- B+/8

Kevin Walter- F/1

Hines Ward- D/3


4. TE's: Matchups

The Standard- 40 yards, .3 TD = 6 points

Favorable:

John Carlson- D/3

Vernon Davis- F/1

Todd Heap- D/3

Ben Watson- F/0

Robert Royal- D/3

Dante Rosario- F/1

Jeremy Shockey- A/7


Unfavorable:

Zach Miller- F/0

Donald Lee- C/4

L. J. Smith- F/0

Heath Miller- A/6


5. K's: Matchups

The Standard- 2 FG's, 1/40+, 3 Pat's = 10 points

Favorable:

Josh Brown- B/8

Joe Nedney- B-/7

Rob Bironas- B/8

Matt Stover- D/4

Nate Kaeding- A+/13

Unfavorable:

Shayne Graham- A/11

Matt Bryant- B+/9

Kris Brown- B-/7

Jeff Reed- B/8

David Akers- B-/7


6. DEF's: Matchups

The Standard- 13 points allowed, 3 turnovers, 2 sacks = 12 pts

Favorable:

Tennessee- A+/19

Buffalo- D/3

Chicago- B-/8

Tampa Bay- A/13

Seattle- B/9

New England- F/-4

New York Giants- C/6

Unfavorable:

Green Bay- C+/7

Dallas- B-/8

Denver- B+/10

New York Jets- D+/4


All Done!

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