Fantasy Football Player's Edge

October 7, 2008


Tuesday: (Recap)

Vikings 30/Saints 27- Bernard Berrian's (17) late
score helped Gus Frerotte (12) to have a decent game.
Adrian Peterson (3) was completely stymied as was
McAllister (1). Bush (18) had 2 punt return TD's while
Brees (13) and Henderson (16) made the most of an
inconsistent offensive performance by the Saints. The
Vikings (17) turned New Orleans over 4 times and
scored on a blocked FG finally living up to their billing
as fantasy's preseason most sought after defense.


Notes from the Edge:

Chris Johnson ran into a Baltimore buzzsaw. He has
the Chiefs after the bye week to soothe his bruised
bones and ego.

Le'Ron McClain continues to impress and belongs on
fantasy rosters especially during bye weeks.

Todd Heap is better left on the free agents list. He's
lost a great deal. Bo Scaife would be a more reliable
play week in week out. Scaife has a bye this week.

D'Angelo Williams, a Van Winkle play, will come
back to earth vs. the Bucs this week.

Muhsin Muhammed is a solid bye week play as a
#3.

Carolina's defense is a good add but the shutout vs.
the Chiefs should be viewed in context of the inept
nature of the Herm Edwards offense. If you stop
the Chiefs running game they have no answers.

Larry Johnson, Dwayne Bowe & Tony Gonzalez
reside in fantasy prison a.k.a. the Chiefs offense.

Kyle Orton posted solid numbers against the Lions.
This week it's Frerotte's turn.

Matt Forte continues to play like a 2009 1st rounder.

Devin Hester has not earned his way on to fantasy
rosters and he's not worth stashing.

Rudy Johnson and Kevin Smith are unplayable and
should be avoided.

Roddy White has been unstoppable. If he excels vs.
the Bears this week he'll be elevated to must start
status.

Michael Turner is likely to remain inconsistent this
season and has a real test upcoming against Chicago.

Ryan Grant is showing signs of regaining last season's
form.

Aaron Rodgers has done enough to be a must start
regardless of the opponent.

Peyton Manning is still struggling to ignite the Colts
offense. If Rosenfels is careful with the ball Manning
only has a 10 point game vs. a weak pass defense.

Marvin Harrison has become an afterthought in the
Colts offensive progressions.

Joseph Addai is due for a breakout but it's not likely
to happen this week with the Ravens coming to town.

Matt Schaub should reclaim the starting gig this week.
He has a nice matchup vs. Miami at home.

Steve Slaton was brilliant vs. Indianapolis but faces
a stout Dolphins front 7 this week which stonewalled
the Chargers and Tomlinson.

Ronnie Brown is a top 5 running back in the NFL and
is going to get better, even when defenses take away
the "Wildcat".

Vincent Jackson is not targeted enough in Turner's
offense. That may change if Chambers misses time.

Antonio Gates is a tough guy but only a shadow of
himself. The sore ribs are impacting his performance.

The Chargers defense misses Merriman but should
improve as Cooper gets assimilated after returning
from suspension.

Eli Manning has become the picture of consistency
as he operates the Giants offense. He's a serviceable
play.

The Seahawks defense is in disarray and should not
be owned.

Matt Hasselbeck looks physically and mentally spent.
He can be stashed but not started until he plays better.

Deion Branch is down again this time with a heel injury.

Bobby Engram returned and can be used as a spot play
when matchups are favorable.

John Carlson disappeared from Seattle's offense after
the Giants scored early and often. He's a risky start but
should get some looks in close games.

Julius Jones is running well but lost all chance for a good
game when the Giants ran up the score.

Santana Moss had his 1st clunker of the season. Start
him as you normally would unless this becomes a trend.

Brian Westbrook has 2 fractured ribs so grab Correll
Buckhalter until more details become available.

DeSean Jackson had 3 touches vs the Redskins and if
not for a punt return touchdown would have been a total
bust. With Brown coming on and Curtis almost ready
to return Jackson may be relegated to 3rd option status.
Stay tuned.

Brandon Marshall is human after all. Tampa Bay had
the personnel to limit him, most teams do not.

Tony Scheffler finally got back in gear only to injure a
groin. He's likely to be out this week.

Earnest Graham and Warrick Dunn continue to dilute
each other's performances. Unless one of them gets dinged
they will continue to be iffy starts.

Jeff Garcia will probably start this week vs. the Panthers
but should not start for you.

Kurt Warner was absolutely flawless against the Bills. This
coming one week after having 6 turnovers vs. the Jets. He
has always been the ultimate Jekyll & Hyde NFL QB even
when scoring profusely for his fantasy owners.

Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower. See Graham/Dunn
above.

Steve Breaston has become a solid #3, at least, until Boldin
returns.

Trent Edwards has a bye week to recover from a concussion.

Lee Evans continues to find a way to score even though he's
being doubled every week.

The Bills lack depth on defense and unless all of their starters
are healthy they are not a reliable unit.

Felix Jones is starting to get more touches which will cut into
Marion Barber's share of the action.

Carson Palmer seems to be back on point and is playable again.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh has joined Palmer on the same page.

Chad Johnson continues to disappoint and can only be viewed
as a bye week replacement.

Chris Perry should be cut but not replaced by Cedric Benson.
Just move on from the Bengals backfield.

Matt Cassel's fireside chats with Randy Moss during the bye
week paid off.

Kevin Faulk got the goal line touches while Sammy Morris
got the carries. Maroney has been minimized in Belichick's
game plan. Belichick may decide to give him 20+ carries vs.
the Chargers or 8 and therein lies the problem. It's unlikely
that we fantasy mortals will be able to decipher what Bill the
"genius" will do next so it's better to just avoid the Patriots
RB's completely.

J.T. O'Sullivan scores well even in games when he's mediocre.
Martz equals points for QB's. Look what's happened to Kitna
without Martz.

Vernon Davis needs to say I'm sorry and beg forgiveness. He
is totally out of favor with the coaches. Until that happens use
another TE.

Ben Roethlisberger needed the Jaguars porous secondary to
jump start his season. He has a bye week to get healthy.

Mewelde Moore played very well and may vulture some touches
even after Willie Parker returns.

David Garrard is starting to come on and would be a good add
if you're thin at the position.

Maurice Jones-Drew has struggled most of the season. He now
has an ankle sprain to deal with and along with Fred Taylor long
for the return of the starters that are out on the offensive line.

Mike Walker is building a rapport with Garrard as Jerry Porter
continues to be missing in action. Matt Jones goes on trial Friday
for drug possession. His status for Sunday's game has not been
determined.

Deuce McAllister had 6 touches against the Vikings stonewall
run defense. He's likely to play a larger role this week against the
Raiders.

Devery Henderson had a nice game but still had only 4 catches.
Lance Moore was taken away by Minnesota and Meachem
was a disappointment.

Bernard Berrian is enigmatic in that he drops too many easy
passes but he came up big in the 4th quarter when the game
was on the line. He's a very solid #3, most weeks.

Adrian Peterson is going to take last night's poor performance
out on the hapless Lions. He might go for 300 yards!!


Quick Picks: (free agents to acquire)
Isaac Bruce
Reggie Brown
Greg Camarillo
Muhsin Muhammed
Mike Walker
Devery Henderson
Carolina Panthers

Castaways: (waiver candidates)
Jon Kitna
Rudy Johnson
Kevin Smith
Ray Rice
Chris Perry
Laurence Maroney
D.J. Hackett
John Carlson
Vernon Davis
Seattle Seahawks

Hard Knocks: (injury notes)
Trent Edwards- concussion
Jon Kitna- back spasms
Brian Griese- shoulder/elbow
Matt Hasselbeck- knee
Dan Orlovsky- knee
Brian Westbrook- ribs
LaMont Jordan- leg
Maurice Jones-Drew- ankle
Derrick Mason- thumb
Eddie Royal- ankle
Chris Chambers- knee
D.J. Hackett- knee
Deion Branch- foot
Domenik Hixon- concussion
Tony Scheffler- groin


Start/Sit: Report Card (Week 5)

1. QB's: Matchups

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

Favorable:

Philip Rivers- C+/10

Jake Delhomme- B/16

Ben Roethlisberger- A/23

Jay Cutler- B-/14

Brian Griese- F/3

J. T. O'Sullivan- B/16

E. Manning- B+/18


Unfavorable:

David Garrard- B-/13

Jon Kitna- F/0

Carson Palmer- B/15

Matt Hasselbeck- F/3

Matt Cassel- B-/12

Donovan McNabb- C/7

Aaron Rodgers- A/23


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

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

Favorable:

Michael Turner- A-/18

Steve Slaton- A/21

Ryan Grant- C/8

Matt Forte- A/17

Ronnie Brown- A/18

Jonathan Stewart- C-/5


Unfavorable: (sitting a #2)

Maurice Jones-Drew- C/8

Chris Johnson- D-/4

Deuce McAllister- F/1

Rudy Johnson- F/2

Clinton Portis- A/21

Le'Ron McClain- B/12

Selvin Young- F/3


3. WR's: Matchups

The Standard: 80 yards, 1 TD = 14 points

Favorable: (starting a #3)

Vincent Jackson- C/5

Devin Hester- B+/10

Antonio Bryant- C/5

Amani Toomer- C+/6

Hines Ward- A+/15

Eddie Royal- F/2

Muhsin Muhammed- A/13

Arnaz Battle- F/0

Marvin Harrison- D-/3


Unfavorable: (sitting a #3)

Roddy White- A/19

DeSean Jackson- C+/7

Dwayne Bowe- C/5

Steve Breaston- B/7

Patrick Crayton- B/7

Chad Johnson- C-/4

Roy Williams- B/9

Jerry Porter- F/0

Donald Driver- A/12

Justin Gage- DNP


4. TE's: Matchups

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

Favorable:

Heath Miller- A/10

Greg Olsen- A-/8

Jeremy Stevens- F/0

Robert Royal- F/0

Dallas Clark- A-/8


Unfavorable:

Bo Scaife- B+/7

John Carlson- F/0

Todd Heap- C/4

L. J. Smith- D/2

Tony Gonzalez- F/1

Donald Lee- A-/8


5. K's: Matchups

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

Favorable:

Matt Prater- A+/13

Kris Brown- A/10

Adam Vinatieri- B/8

Robby Gould- A/11

Jeff Reed- B/8


Unfavorable:

Shayne Graham- A/11

Matt Stover- D/4

Mason Crosby- B/8

Josh Scobee- D/4


6. DEF's: Matchups

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

Favorable:

Tennessee- B/8

Baltimore- B/8

Dallas- C/6

Buffalo- F/-4

Chicago- A+/18

Carolina- A+/19


Unfavorable:

Indianapolis- A/14

New York Giants- A-/11

Minnesota- A/17

Jacksonville- A-/11


Van Winkles: (deep sleepers)

Kyle Orton- A/22

Jerious Norwood- F/1

D'Angelo Williams- A++/32

Steve Smith (NYG)- D/2

Ike Hilliard- B+/8


No He Didn't:

Rashied Davis- B+/9


All Done!

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