Fantasy Football Player's Edge

September 30, 2008


Tuesday: (Recap)

Steelers 23/Ravens 20- Roethlisberger (10) had a
modest performance. Holmes (12) scored while Ward
(5) had only 2 catches. Mendenhall (3) is out for the
season with a broken shoulder. McGahee (5) was carted
off the field with a chest injury opening a door for Le'Ron
McClain (14) to claim the starting job over Ray Rice (0).
Mason (13) caught 8 balls from Flacco (9). Heap (0) &
Heath Miller (0) were disappointments. The Steelers
(14) scored well while the Ravens (6) underperformed.


Notes from the Edge:

Derek Anderson was a stalled 4th quarter drive from
being replaced by Brady Quinn. It's essential that you
have a plan B ready to deal with Anderson's inevitable
demotion. Grab Jason Campbell today.

Braylon Edwards will continue to struggle in Crennel's
conservative offense as the Browns are committed to a
run first offense to keep Anderson from imploding. Hold
on to the talented wideout as the promotion of Quinn
and the return of Donte Stallworth will benefit Edwards.
With that said, try to buy him low this week while he's
on a bye week.

Carson Palmer may return next week vs. the Cowboys.
Houshmanzadeh and Johnson's value are pegged to
Palmer.

Chris Perry's stock is plummeting like the Dow and will
erode further once Kenny Watson returns.

David Garrard showed that he's playable if the matchup
is favorable. Unfortunately he faces the Steelers this
week.

Jerry Porter's debut for the Jaguars was uneventful.
He's a good receiver who seems to be chronically injured.
Stash him for a few weeks if you have roster room.

Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor are being slowed
by defensive schemes designed to force Garrard to throw.
Taylor had 10 carries with Jones-Drew/Garrard getting
only 7 apiece in a close game. They face the Steelers so
you can anticipate more of the same this week.

Matt Schaub seems to have righted the ship and should be
a solid bye week replacement through week 10.

It won't be this easy for Kevin Walter every week. The Jags
decided to take away Andre Johnson at all costs and Walter
made them pay. The Colts are likely to pay attention to him
this week.

Steve Slaton continues to exhibit Westbrook type skills and
could be a valuable spot play this week vs. the Colts for Lewis
and Steven Jackson owners.

Muhsin Muhammed established that he should be considered
as a #3 during bye weeks. He's likely to be inconsistent but has
a nice matchup vs. the Chiefs this week. D.J Hackett is not
fantasy relevant at this point.

Jonathan Stewart should start to see his workload increase at
the expense of D'Angelo Williams.

Jake Delhomme has all of his weapons and could be a pleasant
surprise for bye week owners this week vs. Kansas City.

Michael Turner will be marked until the Falcons adjust. The
Bucs and the Panthers took him away with overloads and both
beat Atlanta easily. Roddy White and Matt Ryan are going to
have to keep defenses honest for Turner to succeed consistently.

Larry Johnson can still control a game and make big plays. It
seems that Herm Edwards has seen the light. Amen.

Damon Huard makes Dwayne Bowe and Tony Gonzalez
solid plays every week. Look for Croyle to reclaim the job in
week 7. Week 6 would be a good time to field offers for either.

Tony Scheffler has been non-existent in 3 of the 4 Broncos
games. With Marshall and Royal running free Jay Cutler is
taking the easy yards downfield. Sooner or later teams are going
to double the wideouts and big Tony will prosper. However he's
not likely to breakout this week vs. the Bucs athletic linebackers
and safeties.

Selvin Young is not getting enough touches to be effective. He
plays in a system that is currently geared to the pass.

Deuce McAllister had 21 touches and will be an integral part of
the high powered Saints offense. He's great add if still available.
He'll struggle this week vs. the Vikings but will be a great spot
play when the matchup is favorable. Reggie Bush owners need
to pay close attention as he had only 15 touches on Sunday. If
these splits continue it'll be time to offer Reggie for a #2 WR
before other owners catch on to what's happening.

Lance Moore's performance was predictable against the 49ers.
Brees found him early and often. He'll struggle when teams game
plan him. With that said, he's a better than average #3 this week
vs.the Vikings. Robert Meachem's speed will be utilized more
each week especially after Colston returns. He's a worth a flier if
you have roster space and patience.

J.T O'Sullivan is going to get better as the season progresses.
He's scoring double digits weekly even when he plays mediocre.
If he's a free agent grab him in case your #1 QB goes down.

Vernon Davis is clearly in the Nolan/Martz doghouse. He's
losing snaps to Delanie Walker. You might be wise to cut your
losses and grab a TE from free agency each week that has the
best matchup.

Arnaz Battle finally emerged this week and might ascend to a
spot play #3 status. Keep an eye on this receiver.

Laveranues Coles has developed rapport with Favre. He and
Cotchery are reminiscent of Driver/Jennings in the roles that
they play in Favre's progressions.

Thomas Jones is strictly a bye week replacement and only when
matchups are favorable.

Boldin owners should add Steve Breaston as insurance in the
likely event that Boldin is not ready to play this week.

Earnest Graham has benefited from long runs near the end of
the past 2 games. His numbers are skewed to the upside but he
has a terrific matchup this week vs. the Broncos.

Ryan Grant has been the fantasy bust of the season thus far.
He faces a soft run defense in Atlanta and his QB has a sore
shoulder. It's now or never for Grant to step up.

Chris Johnson has established that he is a must play #2 RB
in week 7. He has the Ravens this week and a bye the next.

Bernard Berrian is a serviceable #3 especially this week vs.
the Saints. Pick him up on the cheap if possible.

Justin Fargas is expected to return this week which makes
the Raiders running back pool unplayable. McFadden will
eventually emerge as the #1 but is likely to share carries with
Fargas and lose goal line touches to Michael Bush, now.

Javon Walker, for the 2nd consecutive week, had a good 1st
drive only to disappear for the rest of the game. He has a good
risk/reward ratio if you have roster room.

Trent Edwards remains a solid bye week substitute. He has
a potential shootout this week in the desert vs. Arizona.

Marc Bulger is likely to be reinstated as the Rams QB. Holt
should be the beneficiary.

Jason Campbell has moved briskly into the 2nd tier of NFL
QB's which has elevated Santana Moss to a must start every
week regardless of the opponent.

Miles Austin has scored in double digits over the last 2 games.
This is more likely an anomaly than a consistent reality.

Matt Forte continues to be the best rookie RB this season. He's
a safe start every week.

The Eagles are likely to have WR sets that includes Jackson,
Brown and Curtis. This is good for McNabb supporters but
not so much for owners of this trio.

Ben Roethlisberger in not an automatic start every week,
however, he should fare well against Jacksonville this week.

Rashard Mendenhall is done for the season. If Parker can't
go Mewelde Moore will get the start vs. the Jaguars. Slaton
scored well against the Jags as a receiver out of the backfield,
a role that Moore would be able to replicate.

Derrick Mason seems to be Flacco's only target. Look for the
Titans to take away this option next week.

Todd Heap has been completely minimized in the Ravens game
plan. He's likely to get more looks this week but is still a tough
play vs. Tennessee.

Willis McGahee looked terrible being carried off the field after
sustaining a chest injury. On appearances alone Le'Ron McClain
will get the start against Haynesworth and company this week.
Ray Rice has been a non-factor in the Ravens running game but
would spell McClain this week. He's not fantasy relevant.


Quick Picks: (free agents to acquire)
Jason Campbell
Deuce McAllister
Le'Ron McClain
Lance Moore
Kevin Walter
Matt Jones
Robert Meachem
Muhsin Muhammed
Justin Gage
Matt Prater
Tampa Bay

Castaways: (waiver candidates)
Chris Perry
D'Angelo Williams
Selvin Young
D.J. Hackett
David Patten
Todd Heap

Hard Knocks: (injury notes)
A. Rodgers- shoulder
G. Frerotte- hand
W. McGahee- chest
R. Mendenhall- shoulder
A. Boldin- neck
D. Patten- groin
Brandon Lloyd- knee
R.McMichael- leg


Start/Sit: Report Card- (Week 4)

1. QB's: Matchups

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

Favorable:

Trent Edwards- C/12

Carson Palmer- DNP

David Garrard- A/23

Damon Huard- C/10

Matt Schaub- A+/26

Aaron Rodgers- C/11


Unfavorable:

Ben Roethlisberger- C/10

Gus Frerotte- D/7

Derek Anderson- C-/9

Brian Griese- D-/6

Trent Green- C/8

Jake Delhomme- A/19


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

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

Favorable:

Jamal Lewis- B+/14

Earnest Graham- A/17

Selvin Young- D/4

Maurice Jones-Drew- D/4

Jonathan Stewart- B/11

Darren McFadden- D-/3


Unfavorable: (sitting a #2)

Edgerrin James- A/19

Chris Johnson- A/19

Rashard Mendenhall- D/3

Matt Forte- C/8


3. WR's: Matchups

The Standard: 80 yards, 1 TD = 14 points

Favorable: (starting a #3)

Lee Evans- B+/16

Chad Johnson- B-/8

Kevin Walter- A/19

Jerry Porter- F/0

Dwayne Bowe- B-/8

Donald Driver- F/0


Unfavorable: (sitting a #3)

Santonio Holmes- B/12

Bernard Berrian- C/7

D.J. Hackett- F/2

Devery Henderson- B-/8

Hines Ward- C/5


4. TE's: Matchups

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

Favorable:

Robert Royal- F/0

Owen Daniels- A/8

Bo Scaife- D-/1

Tony Gonzalez- A/10

Tony Scheffler- D/2


Unfavorable:

Heath Miller- F/0

Randy McMichael- D/2

Todd Heap- F/0

L. J. Smith- DNP


5. K's: Matchups

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

Favorable:

Matt Prater- A+/17

Shayne Graham- B/8

Rian Lindell- A/13

Josh Scobee- A/14


Unfavorable:

Ryan Longwell- C/6

Matt Stover- B/8

Jason Elam- A/11

Jeff Reed- A/13


6. DEF's: Matchups

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

Favorable:

Tennessee- A/13

Carolina- C/6

Philadelphia- A/12

Pittsburgh- A/14

Baltimore- C+/6


Unfavorable:

N.Y. Jets- A+/23

San Francisco- D-/3

Washington- F/2

Tampa Bay- A+/17


Van Winkles:

Kerry Collins- B-/9

Le'Ron McClain- A/14

Pierre Thomas- F/0

Ike Hilliard- D/2

James Hardy- F/0


All Done!

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