Can Vince Young be a productive fantasy QB?
After he was forced into the lineup by Titans owner Bud Adams, the Tennessee quarterback was solid in a win over Jacksonville on Sunday. Young, who hadn’t started a game since Week 1 last season, threw for just 125 yards and a touchdown, but his 30 yards rushing is where fantasy owners can make hay. Running quarterbacks are always a bonus and can often make up for less than stellar passing numbers. Because Young had a positive impact on the club — Tennessee won its first game of the year in his first start — you can expect him to be behind center for the rest of the season. The problem is he’s just not very good. Young has proven in the past he’s a mediocre passer who is careless with the ball — he had 17 interceptions and 10 fumbles in 16 games in 2007-08. Plus the defense he performed against last Sunday is ranked 26th in the NFL, so unless you’re in a 16-team league and desperate, avoid Young.
Did Steve Slaton lose his job?
Like his many fumbles this season, Slaton may have coughed up his job. The Texans running back fumbled for the seventh time this season on his first carry Sunday and Houston coach Gary Kubiak ripped him out of the game. Slaton watched as Ryan Moats ran wild for 126 yards and three scores against the Bills. The question now is who gets the majority of the carries for Houston? It looks like Slaton will continue to get carries, but Moats and Chris Brown will be worked in. That’s right, the ol’ running-back-by-committee approach. And remember Kubiak is a disciple of Mike Shanahan, and every fantasy owner knows what that means.
Help! I had Owen Daniels on my team, what do I do now?
The Texans’ fourth-year player was quickly working his way into that upper echelon of tight ends — he was ranked No. 1 in standard scoring leagues with 40 catches, 519 yards and five TDs — before tearing his ACL in Sunday’s game. Daniels’ owners likely didn’t have a backup because of his must-start status, so there’s definitely a few guys pouring over the waiver wire for a tight end. Here’s my advice: First, look for the guy who owns Jason Witten and offer him a deal. As I wrote last week, the Cowboys TE should put up some decent numbers down the stretch and his owners might be willing to cut bait. If that doesn’t work, I’d pick up Kevin Boss. He’s heating up (six catches for 105 yards and a TD in his past two games) and he’s got the torchable Chargers defense coming to town. Going back to the void in Houston’s passing game, take a chance on Kevin Walter, who should get many of Daniels’ catches.
What’s wrong with Boldin?
Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin has been scuffling for the past few weeks, including three catches for 23 yards last week. The problem can be traced back to a sprained ankle he suffered on Oct. 11 against Houston and he’s been a shadow of himself since. In fact, Arizona Republic writer Kent Somers suggested in his recent column that the Cardinals should just bench Boldin and let him heal. I’d suggest fantasy owners do the same. All this should increase Steve Breaston’s value.
Is Larry Johnson done in K.C.?
Well he didn’t win any fans on the coaching staff with his rantings and ravings on Twitter last week. His play up to that point wasn’t winning him any fans in the fantasy world either. If you own Johnson watch the Chiefs’ game against the Jags this Sunday and see how Jamaal Charles does. My guess is Charles runs wild over Jacksonville — the same defense that Chris Johnson torched for 228 yards last Sunday — and Johnson is a bit player from here on out. The best thing Johnson owners can hope for is he gets released and a team like the Seahawks pick him up. Other than that, he’s uplayable.
For more on fantasy football, check out Aaron Swaney’s blog “Hot Off The Gridiron” at www.heraldnet.com
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