Fantasy Football Player's Edge

September 26, 2008

The key to winning your league revolves around
matchups and the injury status of key players.
The Player's Edge is the best source for timely
and comprehensive information and advice on
who to start, who to sit and why.


Week 4 News: (Daily Updates)

Brett Favre practiced fully and will play against the
Cardinals on Sunday.

Donovan McNabb sat out again with a chest bruise.
He's expected to play against the Bears.

Derek Anderson is a worrisome start this week with
Brady Quinn waiting in the wings. Play Anderson
at the risk of him being pulled early for a slow start.

LaDainian Tomlinson practiced fully yesterday.

Adrian Peterson says his hamstring is fine and he
will play against the Titans.

Brian Westbrook is still not able to practice due to
a sprained ankle. He's going to be a game time call.

Steven Jackson said that his groin is not a problem.
He'll start vs. the Bills.

Frank Gore returned from a vacation day to rejoin
his 49ers teammates at practice.

Ryan Grant practiced fully for the 2nd consecutive
day. He's appears to be 100% healthy.

LenDale White was limited yesterday because of a
sore shoulder.

Jonathan Stewart has turned up on the Panthers
injury report with a sore toe. He had surgery to help
heal a turf toe in March so this is a cause for concern.

Ahman Green was limited once again in practice.
He has a nagging ankle injury and should not be on
anyone's roster until he proves that he can shoulder
the load.

Darren McFadden has been slowed in practice this
week by a turf toe. He'll split carries vs. the Chargers
with Michael Bush.

Justin Gage was back at practice and should play
on Sunday vs. the Vikings. He's a solid #3 this week.

Devin Hester worked out with the Bears and may
be getting closer to returning to active duty.

Joey Galloway is not practicing and is doubtful for
the Packers game.

Bye Week: Lions, Colts, Dolphins, Patriots, Giants,
Seahawks.


Van Winkles:

Kerry Collins- was at best mediocre last week but
still managed to put up 13 points. He faces a Vikings
team that will be dedicated to stopping the run and
will force Collins to throw. Minnesota allows a tepid
6.8 ypa primarily because they make opposing offenses
one dimensional. He should have another double digit
scoring afternoon.

Le'Ron McClain- Parker owners who missed out
on Mendenhall may want to start the burly Ravens
fullback. He had 18 points and 18 touches last week vs.
the Browns.

Pierre Thomas- is likely to get 12-15 touches and is
in line for the goal line activity. The 49ers defense has
been better against the pass than the run. Thomas
will be used to keep the 49ers defense from deploying
nickel packages on 1st/2nd downs. He could have a nice
day.

Ike Hilliard- will be single covered and targeted often.
Cover corner Al Harris is out for the game leaving shut
down corner Woodson to harass Antonio Bryant. Ike
is averaging 5 catches and 50 ypg this season with 2 TD's.
He plays extremely well in the heat and this game is at
1pm on Sunday in Tampa.

James Hardy- will be a popular sleeper this week with
Roscoe Parrish out. The Rams are awful allowing a
league worst 9.3 ypa. They've fired a starting corner and
have turned back to Tye "Toast" Hill. Hardy is a giant
receiver and this game should showcase his skills.


The Walking Wounded: (September 25th)

Donovan McNabb was held out of practice with a sore
chest. All indications are that he will play vs. the Bears
on Sunday.

Brett Favre was limited in practice because of an ankle
sprain. Pencil him in on Sunday vs. Arizona.

Willie Parker is out this week with a sprained knee.
He could miss more than one game. Rookie Rashard
Mendenhall will get the start vs. the Ravens.

Brian Westbrook missed practice due to a sore right
ankle. He's making progress but there is no certainty
at this point that he'll be ready by Sunday. Stay tuned.

LaDainian Tomlinson sat out practice to nurse his
sore turf toe.

Laurence Maroney practiced in pads and should play
in week 5. The Patriots have a bye this week.

Steven Jackson was limited yesterday due to a sore
groin.

Willis McGahee took it easy yesterday after being
poked in the eye last Sunday. There's talk that he'll
sit on Monday if the eye remains swollen shut but the
extra day should help. The situation bears watching.

Adrian Peterson practiced for the most part as he
readies for the Titans. He's nursing a sore hamstring.

Ryan Grant is not on the Packers injury report. His
owners are hoping that he returns to 2007 form this
week against the Bucs.

Justin Fargas is out for week 4 with a groin injury.
Darren McFadden sat out with an ailing toe while
Michael Bush practiced fully. Stay tuned if you're
thinking of using a Raiders RB against the Chargers.

Frank Gore was held out of practice strictly to keep
him fresh for the track meet vs the Saints.

Ahman Green returned to practice on a limited basis.
Steve Slaton will get the start vs. the Jaguars.

Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor sat out with
nagging injuries. Both backs should play vs. the Texans.

David Patten missed practice and Lance Moore took
his place with the 1st team. Moore had 7 catches for 78
yards last week vs. Denver. The 49ers secondary has
been solid allowing only 5.0 ypa. Moore can be used as
a #3 but Kevin Walter is a better sleeper this week,
if he plays, as Walter sat out practice with a sore toe.

Jerry Porter, another solid #3 this week, was all in at
practice.

Devin Hester is still troubled by a painful rib injury.
He has not practiced since week 2.

Joey Galloway missed practice again with a sore foot.

Hines Ward sat out practice, most likely as a precaution.

Braylon Edwards is limited because of a sore shoulder.

Donte Stallworth did some work yesterday as he tries
to return from a sore quad. His return would be a big
boost for Braylon Edwards.

Justin Gage is questionable for this week's fracas vs.
the Vikings with a sore groin.

Kevin Curtis is working out but like Reggie Brown
will be eased back into the lineup. He'll probably be a
full go in week 6.

Bryant Johnson missed practice due to a hamstring.

Roscoe Parrish will miss 4-6 weeks with a thumb
injury. James Hardy is likely to get more snaps at
WR with Josh Reed running out of the slot in 3 and
4 WR sets.

Jeremy Shockey will miss 4-6 weeks with a hernia.

L. J. Smith missed practice while nursing a sore back.

All Pro C Nick Hardwick may return to the Chargers
this week further enhancing Tomlinson's value.

Shaun Andrews, a McNabb bodyguard, is still having
problems with his back.

G Davin Joseph has returned to practice for the Bucs
and will help Earnest Graham get back on track.

All Pro G Eric Steinbach is still not at work. Jamal
Lewis would be a huge beneficiary if he returns this
week.

LT Orlando Pace is not practicing as a result of a groin
strain. Trent Green may not survive the Bills game if
Pace is a scratch.

Shaun Rogers was rested because of a sore shoulder.
Chris Perry would move up the RB rankings this week
if Rogers can't go. He is expected to play.

Steelers run stopper Casey Hampton is out this week
making Willis McGahee's job a lot easier.

S Troy Polamalu sat out practice with a quad strain.
Todd Heap would be upgraded this week if Polamalu
is sidelined.

Al Harris is out for the Packers with a torn spleen. Ike
Hilliard could have a nice game for the Buccaneers as
Charles Woodson is likely to be locked on Antonio
Bryant.


Start/Sit: (Week 4)

1. QB's: Matchups

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

Favorable:

Trent Edwards- faces the Rams who yield a league high
9.3 ypa. Edwards is averaging 7.8 ypa and has a 96.6 QB
rating on the season. Both of these metrics will rise after
Sunday's game. The Rams allow 18 points per game (ppg)
to QB's.

Carson Palmer- got back on track last week against a good
Giants defense and faces a Browns secondary this week
that allows 8.5 ypa. Palmer has a lifetime passer rating of
90.3 and 20 TD's vs. Cleveland. The Browns yield 20 ppg
to signal callers.

David Garrard- faces a Texans secondary that has allowed
7.1 ypa attempt even though they've played running offenses
in the Steelers and the Titans. Jerry Porter is due back this
week giving Garrard a much needed primary option. QB's
are averaging 18 ppg vs. the Texans.

Good Bet: Huard vs. Broncos, Schaub vs. Jaguars
Rodgers vs. Bucs.

Unfavorable:

Ben Roethlisberger- faces the stingiest pass defense in the
NFL in the Ravens who allow only 3.0 ypa. He'll be without
Willie Parker which will allow Baltimore to play the pass
even more aggressively. Throw in a bruised hand and you
have a formula for disaster.

Gus Frerotte- brings a questionable passing team in to face
a stout defensive team. The Titans yield 4.6 ypa and have
allowed only 1 TD pass so far this year.

Derek Anderson- could be yanked this week if he gets off
to a poor start. He faces a Bengals secondary that has been
surprisingly good giving opposing QB's only 5.8 ypa and 2
scores.

Bad Bet: Griese vs. Packers, Green vs. Bills,
Delhomme vs. Panthers


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

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

Favorable:

Jamal Lewis- has a solid matchup vs the Bengals
front 7 which has allowed 4.9 ypc with 4 rushing TD's
year to date. Lewis has averaged 5.5 ypc and has 10
scores in 13 games against Cincinnati.

Earnest Graham- should be a big part of the Bucs
game plan this week in an effort to control the ball and
keep the Packers offense on the sidelines. Green Bay
is yielding a league worse 5.7 ypc.

Selvin Young- every Broncos player is a decent start
vs. the Chiefs. Young averages 7.2 ypc against Kansas
City, who has been gouged for 5.5 ypc this season. The
Chiefs allow about 18 ppg to RB's.

Good Bet: Jones-Drew vs. Texans, J. Stewart vs.
Falcons, McFadden vs. Chargers.

Unfavorable: (sitting a #2)

Edgerrin James- faces a Jets defense that held L.T. to
under 3.0 ypc and all RB's this season to a cumulative 3.1
ypc. The Cards will throw often and James is said to be
losing carries to Hightower. Not a good play.

Chris Johnson- will get the worst of it in the middle of
the field vs. the Vikings who yield a paltry 3.2 ypc. This
one shapes up as a defensive battle of wills between the
Titans and Minnesota. Steer clear.

Rashard Mendenhall- popular add this week replaces
Parker and faces the Ravens who allow 3.7 ypc. This
will be an unpleasant debut for the heralded rookie from
Illinois.

Bad Bet: Forte vs. Eagles


3. WR's: Matchups

The Standard: 80 yards, 1 TD = 14 points

Favorable: (starting a #3)

Lee Evans- runs vs. the league's worst pass defense
in St. Louis on Sunday. The Rams allow 9.3 ypa and
have been beaten through the air 7 times for scores.

Chad Johnson- should see single coverage for most
of the day. The Browns secondary is porous allowing
8.5 ypa and Johnson's in need of a good game.

Kevin Walter-has been invisible this season. Faces a
secondary in Jacksonville that will focus on stopping
Andre Johnson. The Jags allow 7.6 ypa so Walter
should actually have his 1st solid game of the season.

Good Bet: Porter vs. Texans, Bowe vs. Broncos,
Driver vs. Bucs.

Unfavorable: (sitting a #3)

Santonio Holmes- the Ravens have been the
best team vs. the pass early in the season allowing
3.0 ypa and only 1 touchdown.

Bernard Berrian- he's going to be a solid #3 with
Frerotte just not this week. Tennessee yields a
skimpy 4.6 ypa.

D.J. Hackett- had a great matchup last week and
scored 3 points. Faces a Falcons secondary that
has played surprisingly well allowing only 5.1 ypa.

Bad Bet: Henderson vs. 49ers, Ward vs. Ravens


4. TE's: Matchups

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

Favorable:

Robert Royal- is another Bills player who will
score well vs. the Rams.

Owen Daniels- had a solid game last week and
faces a Jaguars defense that allows 7 ppg to TE's.

Bo Scaife- has good chemistry with Collins and
faces the Vikings who can be had over the middle.

Good Bet: Gonzalez vs. Broncos, Scheffler vs.
Chiefs

Unfavorable:

Heath Miller- will be a harassed all day by Reed
and his Ravens buddies.

Randy McMichael- the Bills have great safeties
and athletic linebackers. Trent Green will look
for Holt and Kennison first.

Todd Heap- will have Steelers active linebackers
and Polamalu draped over him all day.

Bad Bet: L. J. Smith vs. Bears


5. K's: Matchups

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

Favorable:

Matt Prater- will have to eke out a FG or 2 to go
with the 5 PAT's he'll kick for the Broncos vs. the
Chiefs.

Shayne Graham- the Bengals offense came to
life last week and should continue to score vs. the
Browns this week.

Rian Lindell- will be the beneficiary of several
drives into Rams territory by the Bills.

Good Bet: Scobee vs. Texans

Unfavorable:

Ryan Longwell- the Vikings and Titans will
stymie each other all day. This should be a very
low scoring game.

Matt Stover- Pittsburgh is going to dominate
the Ravens offense even with nose tackle Casey
Hampton sitting this one out.

Jason Elam- the Panthers will make it difficult
for young Ryan and the Falcons offense.

Bad Bet: Reed vs. Ravens


6. DEF's: Matchups

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

Favorable:

Tennessee- keep riding the Titans as they should
turnover the Vikings in a low scoring contest.

Carolina- will force Ryan to beat them over the top
by stacking the box vs. Turner. That should create
opportunities for the Panthers CB's to pick a few.

Philadelphia- will use a similar blueprint vs Orton
and the Bears as the Eagles allow an NFL best meager
2.4 ypc.

Good Bet: Steelers vs. Ravens, Ravens vs. Steelers


Unfavorable:

N.Y. Jets- Arizona's high powered passing attack
is going to give them fits.

San Francisco- the Saints are going to score 24+
leaving the 49ers searching for turnovers.

Washington- the Cowboys have a juggernaut on
offense. It's best to avoid them.

Bad Bet: Bucs vs. Packers


All Done!

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