Wednesday, October 1, 2008

WEEK 4 FANTASY FOOTBALL RECAP, LOOK AHEAD TO WEEK 5

A couple of high-profile players finally woke up from their funk in Week 4 to post some impressive numbers for the team owners who showed patience with them.
Quarterback Brett Favre threw for 289 yards and an impressive six touchdowns while Chiefs back Larry Johnson rushed for 198 yards and two touchdowns. I've got both those players in my Register media fantasy football league and it was a relief to see them post those kind of stats.
Other players who posted rare solid numbers were Rams back Steven Jackson who had 110 yards and a touchdown and Redskins receiver Santana Moss who had eight receptions for 145 yards against Dallas.
All four of these players should be back on track now and post solid numbers on a consistent basis. However, note that Favre won't be available this weekend with the Jets on the bye along with the Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders and St. Louis Rams.

Injuries also continue to mount up with Anquan Boldin's status uncertain after being injured in the Jets game, Bears No. receiver Brandon Lloyd out with a knee injury and Steelers back Rashard Mendenhall on injured reserve after suffering a shoulder injury on Monday night. Mendenhall started for the injured Willie Parker who could miss another week. Mewelde Moore will fill in as well as back Najeh Davenport who was re-signed by the Steelers on Tuesday.

If you need a receiver for this coming weekend, consider Arizona's Steve Breaston who should step in for Boldin, Miles Austin who seems to be becoming popular in Dallas, Carolina's Muhsin Muhammad and San Francisco 49ers' Arnaz Battle. Also consider Seattle Seahawks receivers Bobby Engram and Deion Branch who have been injured all season but could return this weekend.

A back to consider who is still on several waiver wires is New Orleans Saints back Deuce McAllistar. After no contributions the first three weeks he had 73 yards and a touchdown last weekend.

Also note the Northeast Fantasy Football Radio Show returns this Thursday night (Oct. 2) from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. on WICC-600. Get some of the best fantasy football advice for this coming weekend and breaking news on one of the hottest fantasy football shows in the industry.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

WEEK 4 PRE-GAME PLANNER....11:50 a.m.

Fantasy football experts on other sites are telling you to play it cautious with Jaguars receiver Jerry Porter and Saints quarterback Drew Brees today.

Don't buy into that nonsense.

Porter has missed the first three weeks recovering from a hamstring injury. He practiced last week and is ready to step in as the Jags' No. 1 receiver. It couldn't come at a better time with the Jags' offense struggling on the offensive line and in the secondary. Porter wasn't given a big contract to provide minimal production. He will be targeted often and early today and his presence will make the Texans' defense ease up on pressuring the Jags' O-line.

You can never sit Brees down in that high-powered offense he plays in. Yes, the Seahawks' receiver injury bug has hit the Saints with the likes of Marques Colston (out at least three more weeks), Jeremy Shockey (sports hernia) and David Patten hurting. But enter backup receiver Robert Meachem with an opportunity to showcase his speed and deep-threat ability. All Meachem has been asking for is a chance to play and here it is. Lance Moore might take some receptions away, but Meachem represents a home run and I would start him if you're in tough shape when it comes to receivers (I'm starting him in three of my eight leagues). Meachem is still available on many waivver wires. My prediction: If Meachem catches just four balls he'll end up with a 100 yards and a touchdown. If he catches 10 balls, he'll have nearly 150-200 yards and two touchdowns.

Everyone is predicting huge numbers for LaDainian Tomlinson against the Raiders. But don't forget his backup Darren Sproles if you're looking for some running back help. Tomlinson still has some slight pain left over from his turf toe. If he can run, Tomlinson will get his yardage and TDs through two and a half quarters. If San Diego is well ahead, they will rest Tomlinson and Sproles will finish up the day. If Tomlinson struggles, Sproles will be used a lot more earlier in the game. Either way, Sproles should produce his own decent numbers, at least for this week.

Despite all that ruckus going on with the St. Louis Rams, I'm still leaning toward a big day from Rams back Steven Jackson, QB Trent Green and receiver Torry Holt. Jackson is finally losing the rust of his preseason holdout and the Rams, with nothing to lose at this point, will air it out.

Also...Derek Anderson, Jamal Lewis and Braylon Edwards should have a big day; the Chiefs offense will wake up a bit and receivers Isaac Bruce (49ers) and Antonio Bryant (Bucs) should post good numbers.

Good luck!

WEEK 4 BREAKING NEWS! CARSON PALMER OUT!...11:35 a.m.

BREAKING NEWS:
Cincinnati's team web site is reporting quarterback Carson Palmer is out today with an elbow injury and backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will start. Palmer appearedon Friday's injury report with a sore elbow, didn't practice, and was listed as questionable. Fitzpatrick will make his fourth NFL start and first since his rookie year of 2005. Palmer is being listed as the Bengals' third QB today.