Fantasy Football Player's Edge

October 9, 2008


Thursday: (Recap)

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 6 News: (Daily Updates)

Donovan McNabb held a player's only meeting in an
effort to right the ship. He has a good matchup vs.
the 49ers so he'll have a chance to lead by example.

Bye Week: Bills, Titans, Chiefs, Steelers


The Walking Wounded:

Matt Hasselbeck had an MRI on his knee reveal that
there is no structural damage and he will play against
the Packers.

Aaron Rodgers is likely to skip all or most of practice
this week to rest a sore shoulder. He's expected to
start vs. the Seahawks.

Carson Palmer is limited once again in practice due to
an inflamed elbow. He should play against the Jets.

Jon Kitna was unable to practice due to back spasms.
Look for Dan Orlovsky or Drew Stanton to get the
start vs. the Vikings for the hapless Lions.

Brian Westbrook has 2 fractured ribs and expressed
doubt on his ability to play this week. It might be wise
to add a free agent or offer a trade today that might
help to fill the void rather than waiting until game time.

Justin Fargas has returned to practice and could be
a free agent add against the Saints this week especially
with McFadden limited by a turf toe injury.

Maurice Morris is expected to return this week from
a knee injury. He's likely to caddy for Julius Jones.

Selvin Young strained a groin against the Bucs and is
out putting Michael Pittman in play vs. the Jaguars.

LaDainian Tomlinson is still being affected by a sore
toe but intends to play with the pain. Sproles is a good
idea if you have a roster spot.

LaMont Jordan is expected to return quickly from a
leg injury adding more confusion for fantasy owners of
Laurence Maroney. It's prudent to view Maroney
as an early round bust.

Willis McGahee was limited in practice with an ankle
problem. He should be ready for a great matchup vs.
the Colts.

Anthony Gonzalez has a concussion and is likely to
play on Sunday. He is a risky start vs. the Ravens.

Steve Smith bruised his shoulder vs. Atlanta. He's
a gamer and there's no reason to doubt his availability
at this point.

Anquan Boldin is likely to miss the tilt vs. Dallas
after having surgery to repair a facial fracture.

Eddie Royal had an MRI on his ankle. The results
have not been revealed but the anecdotal rhetoric is
that Royal will play this week. Brandon Stokely
should be upgraded as a bye week replacement with
a soft Jags secondary paying a visit to Mile High and
Royal nursing an injury. Darrell Jackson returned
to practice as well.

Derrick Mason has proclaimed that he's good to go
vs. the Colts. He had a knee issue.

Donte Stallworth is expected to play which is good
news for Braylon Edwards. The bad news is that
the Browns face a strong Giants pass defense.

Chris Chambers is already being scratched from the
Patriots game elevating Vincent Jackson. Gates
owners are likely to see a bump in targets. Buster
Davis is a sleeper in this contest.

Mike Walker, a nice surprise for Garrard owners as
a reliable target, had an MRI on his knee which showed
a sprained MCL. He's questionable for the Broncos.

Kevin Curtis is increasing his workload and could see
some action vs. the 49ers. Give him at least one start
before inserting him as a weekly #3.

D.J. Hackett will miss the Bucs game on Sunday with
a knee injury.

Deion Branch sat out as he deals with an injured heel.

Roy Williams was limited because of a hip problem.

Roddy White had to take it easy yesterday due to an
undisclosed head injury.

Bernard Berrian still has a nagging knee injury which
limits his practice repetitions.

Reggie Brown suffered a groin injury and took it slow
at practice yesterday.

Brandon Lloyd is still unable to practice due to a knee
injury.

Tony Scheffler is out this week with a strained groin.

Jeremy Shockey practiced but is questionable for the
game vs. the Raiders.

Randy McMichael is out for the season with a serious
knee injury and ligament problems.

Martin Gramatica is done for the season and has been
placed on the IR with a groin injury. Taylor Mehlhaff
will kick for the high scoring Saints and could be a nice
add kicking in a dome especially later in the season.

Shawn Springs is apt to return this week to bolster an
already stout Redskins pass defense much to the chagrin
of Bulger, Holt and company.

Charles Woodson continues to improve weekly from a
fractured toe. He'll give Engram fits this week.

Shaun Andrews is still unable to play due to back pain.
He's a large void to fill on the Eagles O-line and is part of
McNabb's problems of late as he tries to get the offense
untracked.


Start/Sit: (Week 6)

1. QB's: Matchups

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

Favorable:

David Garrard- has quietly been effective the past 2
weeks scoring 23 and 13 points respectively. He has a
favorable matchup this week vs. the Broncos defense
which has yielded 7.4 ypa and 8 scores. He should get
more out of Jerry Porter and his running game will set
up the pass vs. Denver's front 7 which allows an NFL
high 5.2 ypc. It's the perfect storm.

Jason Campbell- a coaching change in St. Louis will
help to stabilize the offense but the Rams still have the
same old porous defense. Campbell faces a unit that
has allowed 8.7 ypa and 8 scores in 4 games. He has a
chance for a career game.

Matt Schaub- assuming he starts he will face a Miami
team coming off a big win over the Chargers and due for
a possible letdown. The Dolphins secondary can be had
as is evidenced by a 7.4 ypa. Schaub was scratched last
week vs. the Colts due to an illness but had a big game
against the Jaguars in week 4 amassing 26 points. He's
a solid play.

Good Bet: Cutler vs. Jaguars, Palmer vs. Jets
E. Manning vs. Browns, Rivers vs. Patriots.

Unfavorable:

Derek Anderson- it's very likely that Brady Quinn will
relieve Anderson in this game if he gets off to a slow start.
The Giants have a solid pass defense allowing a scant 4.9
ypa and feature a ferocious pass rush.

Marc Bulger- returns to action after a bye week with a
renewed confidence and a tough opponent. The Redskins
secondary has been solid allowing 6.2 ypa after facing the
likes of Romo, McNabb, Brees and Warner.

Brett Favre- the Bengals have been surprisingly good in
the secondary allowing 6.0 ypa with only 4 touchdowns in 5
games. They "held" Romo to 176 yards last week although
he did throw for 3 scores.

Bad Bet: Hasselbeck vs. Packers, Warner vs. Cowboys
P. Manning vs. Ravens, Garcia vs. Panthers


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

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

Favorable:

Maurice Jones-Drew- similar to the Colts game where
he and Fred Taylor ran wild the Broncos will offer little
resistance for the Jaguars up front. Denver allows 5.2
ypc. This is the unit that allowed Larry Johnson to roll
up 198 yards behind a substandard offensive line.

Le'Ron McClain- has been impressive and faces a Colts
front 7 which yields a generous 4.9 ypc. The Ravens will
shorten the game with the run to keep Manning off the
field so they'll be plenty of carries to go around. McClain
will also get the goal line work.

Julius Jones- even with Morris returning Jones has done
enough to be the featured back. The Packers have been
soft in run defense allowing 5.1 ypc. The Seahawks were
humiliated last week and will need to control the ball to
have a chance vs. Green Bay.

Good Bet: Forte vs. Falcons, Fargas vs. Saints,
R. Brown vs. Texans

Unfavorable: (sitting a #2)

D'Angelo Williams- he'll be a popular add and bye week
play for Lynch or the Johnson's, Larry and Chris. The
Bucs allow only 3.7 ypc and have yet to yield a rushing TD.
He returns to the waiver wire after this week

Michael Turner- has struggled against tier 1 run defenses.
The Bucs and Panthers limited the Burner to 4 & 5 points
respectively. The Bears, already stout up front, bring back
Tommie Harris to a unit that gives 3.7 ypc and are certain
to stuff the run and force Ryan to beat them.

Steve Slaton- had a huge day against the Colts that will
not translate into success this week vs. the Dolphins. The
front 7 for Miami has been solid offering only 3.3 ypc and
2 TD's on the season. They shutdown Tomlinson at the
point of attack giving him only 57 total yards on the day.

Bad Bet: R. Johnson vs. Vikings, Addai vs. Ravens,
Perry vs. Jets, Lewis vs. Giants, Graham vs. Panthers


3. WR's: Matchups

The Standard: 80 yards, 1 TD = 14 points

Favorable: (starting a #3)

Kevin Walter- faces a soft Miami secondary who will be
preoccupied with stopping Andre Johnson. He's likely to
see single coverage all afternoon.

Santana Moss- will make amends for being shutout by
the Eagles. The Rams secondary is awful and Moss will
likely shake free for a couple of big plays.

Bernard Berrian- should be heavily targeted against the
league's worst pass defense that allows an astronomical
9.2 ypa. The only caveat is that the Vikings may elect
to simply run the ball all afternoon.

Good Bet: Ch. Johnson vs. Jets, Driver vs. Seahawks,
Crayton vs. Cards, Toomer vs. Browns, Camarillo vs.
Texans, V. Jackson vs. Patriots

Unfavorable: (sitting a #3)

Marvin Harrison- has struggled all season to regain his
Hall of Fame form. The Ravens will blanket "marvelous"
all day.

Roddy White- has been fantastic but faces a formidable
Bears defense. The Falcons will stress the run and pass
out of necessity. Not a great success formula.

Antonio Bryant- will have his work cut out vs. a staunch
Panthers secondary. This game shapes up as a defensive
struggle. Look elsewhere for a #3.

Bad Bet: Coles vs. Bengals, Gonzalez vs. Ravens,
Stallworth vs. Giants, Engram vs. Packers


4. TE's: Matchups

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

Favorable:

Mercedes Lewis- faces a Broncos defense that allows
yards to TE's.

Donald Lee- had a score last week and may score again
vs. the Seahawks this week.

Owen Daniels- should have a free run down the middle
vs. the Dolphins.

Good Bet: Boss vs. Browns, Fasano vs. Texans
Utecht vs. Jets


Unfavorable:

Dallas Clark- will be a harassed all day by Reed and his
Ravens buddies.

John Carlson- the rookie from Notre Dame will be hard
pressed by a swarming Packers defense.

Kellen Winslow- the soldier is going to have to battle the
Giants linebackers and safeties for catches and yards.

Bad Bet: Stevens vs. Panthers, Baker vs. Bengals
Davis vs. Eagles


5. K's: Matchups

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

Favorable:

Matt Prater- possesses the strongest, most accurate
leg in football. A must start every week.

Shaun Suisham- will have plenty of chances as the
Redskins offense will consistently march against the
Rams.

Mason Crosby- if Rodgers can stay on the field the
Packers will steadily drive into Seattle territory.

Good Bet: Kaeding vs. Patriots, Longwell vs. Lions


Unfavorable:

Adam Vinatieri- the Ravens should suffocate the
Colts offense limiting his chances.

Josh Brown- the Redskins are likely to stifle the
Rams.

Matt Bryant- this tilt between the Panthers and
Bucs shapes up to be a low scoring affair.

Bad Bet: Kasay vs. Bucs


6. DEF's: Matchups

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

Favorable:

Carolina- will take away the Bucs ground game
forcing Garcia to make plays in the passing game.
The Panthers allow only 14 points and 255 ypg.

Tampa Bay- has the tools on defense to thwart
the Panthers ground game enabling the front 7
to tee off on Delhomme.

Chicago- the Falcons will be hard pressed to
move the ball vs. the Bears. They'll rattle young
QB Ryan into making mistakes.

Good Bet: Giants vs. Browns, Eagles vs. 49ers


Unfavorable:

Jacksonville- the Jags achilles heel, pass defense,
is the strength of the Broncos offense. Denver is
likely to score 30+ on Sunday.

New England- faces a Chargers offense that was
embarrassed in Miami. This is a bounce back game
for San Diego against a defense playing on the West
Coast for a 2nd consecutive week.

New York Jets- another case of a poor matchup for
a decent defense. The Jets have a deficiency in pass
defense and the Bengals potentially, have a dynamic
pass offense.

Bad Bet: Dolphins vs. Texans


All Done!

Site Updated by Noon EST Daily