First things first: Rex Grossman’s Monday night performance was only slightly less of a fluke than Mike Karney’s three touchdowns for the New Orleans Saints on Sunday night.
And here’s this week’s lesson on the difference between fantasy football and real football. Chicago head coach Lovie Smith can convince himself that he shouldn’t bench Grossman because of team chemistry and maintaining an aura of support around the kid. But fantasy players don’t have to worry about that. Any fantasy player who has relied on Grossman for the past several weeks likely doesn’t have to plan for a run at the title, but even if you have him on your roster, don’t go thinking that Monday night is going to repeat itself.
At this point, you’re still better off with Jeff Garcia or Vince Young running your show.
On to the real news.
The good news this season is that there isn’t an NFL team that’s so far ahead in the playoff race that fantasy football players need to worry about key players not starting.
The bad news, of course, is that quite a few names among the league leaders are showing up on injury reports.
The bad news, in this case, is much worse than the good news is good.
Of the top 15 quarterbacks in the league this season, one is Donovan McNabb (out for the year), one is Jake Delhomme (missed last week and is questionable this week) and one is Jon Kitna (he’s just Jon Kitna).
Among the year’s top running backs, Kevin Jones and Chester Taylor are messing up many fantasy playoff hopes. Jones is out for the year with a bum foot and Taylor is up in the air with bad ribs.
And Seattle’s own Darrell Jackson – a top five wide receiver this season – will miss tonight’s game because of a toe injury. Pittsburgh’s generally reliable Hines Ward is also questionable.
All the injuries lead players to seek the ever-elusive late-season savior and, while the pickings are slim, there could be some options.
At quarterback, Philadelphia’s Garcia should have been picked up by now, but if he’s still available in your league, grab him. He manages games well, he’s averaging two touchdowns a game since he came in four weeks ago, and has only turned the ball over once.
Running back is a different situation, where Taylor’s unclear situation not only throws his availability up in the air, but also his backup, Artose Pinner, who burst onto the scene last week with a bunch of yards and three touchdowns. Pinner won’t be playing the Lions every week, but if he’s in for Taylor, he’s not a bad substitute.
Whatever you do, stay away from the Lions’ replacement for Jones, whether it’s Arlen Harris or Aveion Cason. Jones is a special player who has worked some magic in offensive coordinator Mike Martz’s system. But Harris and Cason aren’t interchangeable and they’re playing at a cold Lambeau Field this week, and facing the Chicago Bears defense next week.
Finally, at receiver, if Jackson’s absence is leaving you in the lurch you can take a chance on Nate Burleson, who starts in Jackson’s place. Burleson has been making some big plays of late and will look to make the most of his starting opportunity.
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