Five Fantasy Questions
Published 10:23 pm Thursday, September 30, 2010
What’s the fallout from all the QB moves?
There was benchings, injuries and even a trade that affected the quarterback position this past week. It’s not surprising, but most of those changes happened on teams that are terrible, so it’s effect on fantasy is minimal. The Bucs benched Byron Leftwich for Josh Johnson; the Browns have turned to Derek Anderson over Brady Quinn; and Rams QB Marc Bulger hurt his shoulder and gave way to Kyle Boller. There’s not a lot of fantasy players on those teams. The one piece of quarterback news that did affect fantasy was a non-benching. Jake Delhomme remanins the QB in Carolina and that is good news for Steve Smith owners. Delhomme may not be great, but if he’s benched, Smith’s value plummets.
Help! My RBs are all hurt, what should I do?
Injured running backs are starting to pile up, which means it’s time to start looking at backups. Three stand out this week: Cowboys RB Tashard Choice should run wild over the Broncos with Marion Barber and Felix Jones banged up; 49ers running back Glen Coffee will run all over St. Louis with Frank Gore out 2-3 weeks; and Rashard Mendenhall could have a nice game at home against San Diego with Willie Parker battling turf toe. In other injury news, Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson should be back on the field, but be wary, he’s facing an angry Steelers team. Also monitor Clinton Portis, who is battling calf and ankle injuries. If Portis can’t go, give Ladell Betts a chance against a porous Bucs defense.
Speaking of RBs, what’s your take on Buffalo’s pair?
Marshawn Lynch is back from his suspension, which means Fred Jackson goes from being a must-play to just a solid flex play. The Buffalo News is reporting that Lynch will be eased in and will likely split the carries equally this Sunday against Miami. Expect Jackson to play a role like the Jets’ Leon Washington or the Cowboys’ Felix Jones after that. In other words, he’ll see 6-7 carries and 3-4 receptions a game with Lynch getting the lion’s share of the carries. Don’t give up on Jackson entirely, though. Lynch has battled injuries in the past, so it could be only a matter of time before Jackson’s right back in there.
What’s wrong with T.O.?
Terrell Owens didn’t catch a pass for the first time in 185 games last Sunday. Don’t expect that to happen again this season, but Owens is definitely on the downside of his career. Don’t kid yourself, if Owens was still “T.O.”, the Cowboys never would have parted ways with him. He’ll still have a few strong games, but he’s a mediocre No. 2 WR play at this poing going forward. See if you can deal him based on his name.
Hey what’s the deal with Eddie Royal?
After a great rookie campaign, the Broncos WR has been more than a disappointment so far, he’s been an abomination. Royal caught three balls for 20 yards against the Browns in Week 2 — and that was his best game of the season. Last week he was held to one catch for four yards. A lot of fantasy experts, including your’s truly, thought Royal would blossom in a Wes Welker-like role in Josh McDaniels’ offense. Not so, and you can’t play him until he proves he can put up better numbers. Speaking of Welker, the Pats WR is back at practice after missing the past two games with a knee injury. Play him with confidence this weekend.
For more on fantasy football, check out Aaron Swaney’s blog “Hot Off The Gridiron” at cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/heraldnet
