Fantasy Sports Review

-LaDanian Tomlinson returned to Chargers practiceon Thursday, but neither Phillip Rivers or Antonio Gates participated. Still, because of the importance of Sunday’s game with the Patriots you would expect everyone to play. This is not confirmed, but Rotoworld is reporting that Rivers has a partially torn ACL.

-If you had Linas Kleiza in your lineup last night, congratulations. The Nuggets forward poured in 41 points against the Jazz, though no one is sure yet how he got to take 21 shots with Carmelo and AI on the floor with him. For fantasy owners, Kleiza is kind of a poor man’s Andres Nocioni, he’s very effective but just doesn’t get enough playing time to really be valuable to your team. Of course, if he starts averaging anywhere near the 42 minutes he played last night, he’s a must start.

-A couple of notes from last night’s Lakers v Suns game, Boris Diaw had his second very productive game in the past three, scoring 19 points and adding 6 rebounds and 5 assists. I’ve been down on Diaw, but you have to consider picking him up because of his center eligibility. Still, don’t expect consistency. Also, Kwame Brown is not the answer Andrew Bynum owners. He had 7 turnovers, missed a number of point-blank shots and was booed by the home crowd every time he touched the ball. You would think the Lakers will have to give him another chance, but he looked awful last night.

-Agent Zero is coming back according to the All-Star guard. It appeared Arenas might miss the whole season, but he’s know saying he hopes to return shortly after the All-Star break. Realistically, we don’t know what to expect from him when he does get back, but he’s absolutely worth the risk if he’s a free agent in your league.

-Shaq practiced Sunday after missing eight games. Heat coach Pat Riley said he’ll be ready for Wednesday’s game with the Bulls.

-The Charlotte Observer says the Bobcats are “optimistic” guard Raymond Felton will play tonight against the Nuggets, and when the Charlotte Observer says something you better listen.

-Hard to believe the Chargers won yesterday with just about every one of their stars getting hurt. Antonio Gates played through a toe injury, but only had two catches, while Phillip Rivers and LDT both left the game early with injuries. Obviously we’ll keep a close eye on if any of the three will be limited this weekend against the Pats, but as of now you’d have to assume they’re all playing.

-A couple of college juniors look like they’re headed to the NFL, West Virginia’s Steve Slaton and Arkansas’ Felix Jones. Both could be first-round picks and both could have fantasy impacts next year, but the really exciting news is that Noel Devine will likely start for West Virginia next year, and he’s super hero fast.

-Kevin Martin is awesome. The Kings guard played for the first time in more than a month last night and scored 25 points in 28 minutes. John Salmons and Francisco Garcia’s fantasy value will continue to drop, see if you can’t trade them before Ron Artest returns sometime next month.

-Luol Deng owners can remove the noose from their collective necks. The guy the Bulls allegedly wouldn’t trade for Kevin Garnett or Kobe Bryant will return on Sunday and will likely continue to be outplayed by his backup, Andres Nocioni.

-Apparently Anthony Carter responds well to my praise. Presumably after seeing himself on FSR’s potential pickup list, the Nuggets guard had 21 points (career-high), 11 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals last night.

-Antonio Gates will play today against the Colts. As much as anything, this is a huge boost for wideouts Vincent Jackson and Chris Chambers.

-Looks like the Atlanta Braves have found a replacement for Andruw Jones, the A’s Mark Kotsay. Like Jones, Kotsay was bad last year (.214, 1 HR, 20 RBI), but his career numbers (.282 average, .415 slugging) suggest the 32-year-old may still have a couple viable fantasy years left.

-Despite a slow start to the season, Rasheed Wallace is quickly becoming a top fantasy player after a disappointing December. Through five games this month, he’s averaging 16.8 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 2.2 blocks per game and 2.4 3’s per game. If he puts up numbers anywhere near that for the rest of the season, he may be the most versatile center available.

-In case you missed the Suns vs. Jazz game last night, Phoenix is a complete mess. Amare Stoudemire and Leandro Barbosa are fantasy studs, but the rest of the team is completely reliant on having Steve Nash in the lineup to be successful. Fortunately, Nash and injured forward Shawn Marion should return to the lineup soon, and the Suns we’ve grown to know should return.

-Speaking of the Suns vs. Jazz game, it was nice to see Mehmet Okur show up. The center’s points and rebounds have decreased every year since he joined the Jazz in 2005, bottoming out at 12.3 ppg and 5.4 rbg this year. His fantasy value is so low that all owners can do is hold onto him and hope he can turn it around.

-Shocking injury news! Tracy McGrady won’t be returning until next week at the earliest. Okay, that wasn’t that shocking.

-In NFL injury news, T.O. looks like he’s going to play, while Antonio Gates will be a game-time decision.

-Tracy McGrady may be back for the Rockets game on Thursday, but head coach Rick Adelman warns that even after T-Mac returns, “He’s not going to be able to play a full quarter in a row or anything like that.” When McGrady comes back, it will be interesting to see how Bonzi Wells and Luther Head respond, both of whom saw a big boost in minutes and scoring during the star’s absence.

-In more injury news, Ray Allen is doubtful for tonights game with the Bobcats because of a pinched nerve in his neck, Dwyane Wade has nerve damage in his left shoulder from this play last year (is it okay he cried now?) but will still play, and Kevin Durant left the Sonics game with the Cavaliers early because of a sprained ankle. Durant should not miss any games.

-Via Rotoworld, Brandon Roy says he should be able to play tonight.

-The San Diego Union Tribune is saying that Chargers tight end Antonio Gates will almost certainly miss this Sunday’s game with Indianapolis because of the toe injury he suffered during last weeks game. Chris Chambers and Vincent Jackson each had 100-plus yards against Tennessee and will likely each get a chance to shine this week again.

This post is for you, the fantasy football die hard. While 75% of the fantasy footballers out there have been eliminated or have just lost interest and given up, you are still hanging tough. I applaud you.

Welcome to week 17. One of the most difficult weeks to predict because of all the the players resting for playoff games and/or young players getting looks. But, if you closely and do your homework there is some great value out there.

Lets take a look at some of the players on my radar screen this week.

Start’em if you got’em
Kenny Watson RB (CIN) - He looked great last week and I think you can plug him in again this week against one of the NFL’s worst rushing defenses. De De Dorsey won’t be around to steal carries since he is done for the season and the odds are very good that Rudi Johnson won’t be either. Look for 125 and a touchdown or two.

Final stats: 69 yards and a TD.
Final thoughts: Looks like the Bengals just wanted to throw the ball around.

Washington defense - The redskins defense is a very solid start this weekend when you consider the fact that the chances are very good that they could be playing against Brad Johnson. Brad doesn’t have a very strong arm, holds the ball too long and is about as mobile as a rock. To me that screams sacks and interceptions especially when you consider how motivated the Skins will be to secure a playhoffs spot in front of their own fans. Look for 4 sacks, 14 points allowed, two picks, a fumble and a score.

Final stats: 6 points allowed, 2 sacks, 1 turnover.
Final thoughts: Romo played longer than I expected and the Skins crushed the Cowboys in time of possession 37:08 to 22:52 so the D didn’t have many opportunities.

LaDainian Tomlinson RB (SD) - This may seem like a no-brainer to some but I bet some of you are a little worried about how much he’ll play. Don’t be. He made in clear in a press conference that he has every intention of winning the rushing title this year. Also, the Chargers still need to win to hold onto the higher seed and avoid a hot Jacksonville team. All that and he gets a horrible Raiders rushing defense. Put him in and put him down for 125 and 2 touchdowns.

Final stats: 16 for 56 yards rushing, 1 catch for 7 yards and a TD.
Final thoughts: Half hearted play perhaps?

Sit’em if you’ve got em
Antonio Gates TE (SD) - As I said above, I think that the Chargers will be playing to win, but, I don’t think you can trust Antonio this week. He hasn’t been playing the greatest lately and his back is giving him problems. I can see the Chargers using him sparingly just to make sure he is good to go next week in the playoffs. I’m thinking 2 catches 25 yards.

Final stats: 6 for 62.
Final thoughts: Who knew?

Reggie Bush RB (NO) - Even if he does play I’m not so sure you should trust him in your line-up. Not only would he be susceptible to re-injuring his knee out in the cold and besides the Saints are just to inconsistent this year anyway. Oh and lets not forget about the Bears. They have been playing iffy against the run this year but they are pretty jacked up after last weeks lopsided win against Green Bay. What else could be better than smashing the Saints playoff hopes. If he plays 35 yards rushing 0 touchdowns, 5 catches 45 yards and 0 touchdowns.

Final stats: DNP
Final thoughts: How about Pierre Thomas? Damn!

Sleepers: don’t be surprised if…
…Michael Pittman RB (TB) plays a majority of the game - while Chucky rests Graham - and has a solid day against the Panthers this Sunday. Carolina gives up 110 a week versus the run. I say he goes for 90 and a touchdown.

Final stats: 12 yards.
Final thoughts: Oh yeah, Michael Bennett is on the team too.

…Cleo Lemon QB (MIA) is able to put up some decent numbers against a Bengals team that is allowing has allowed 27 touchdowns through the air this year. Looking for someone to plug in this week he’s your man. If figure 250 passing with at least two touchdowns.

Final stats: 123 yards and 1 TD.
Final thoughts: Looks like Beck half the snaps. He had 135, a TD throw and a TD run. Add that to Lemons stats and I am pretty close. Too bad it doesn’t work that way. I just love week seventeen.

…Darrell Jackson WR (SF) has a decent game versus a Cleveland defense that is has allows 240 yards per game and has given up a whopping 28 touchdowns through the air. Since Shaun Hill has taken over, Darrell has had a game with 8 catches for 86 yards and another game with a touchdown. Look for him to accomplish both this weekend if the weather holds up.

Final stats: 3 catches for 28 yards and a TD.
Final thoughts: I would have changed my mind had I known Weinke would be starting but he did get the TD.

Also, if you are participating in any post season fantasy football, be sure to stop back early next week. I will be putting together some rankings and analysis to help you better your chances for success. I love playing post season fantasy football so it will be fun.

Here’s your last chance, if you haven’t already, to check out RotoHog.com because it is not too late to sign up, pick a great team for this week and win some of the great prizes (like 30 gig iPods). Best of all you get to see how fun it is to play, so when next year starts, you can hit the ground running and go for the big prize (this year it is $100,000…I’m 69 overall).

I just figured you might want to use your fantasy skills to win a little more before the season is over. See if you can outscore me this week. Sign up for RotoHog now!

As always, that is not all my friend. There are a few other stops you should make before finalizing your starting lineup.

First, make sure you stop by and see how the Fantasy Football Librarian can help you. Every week she posts all of the start’em sit’em articles, player ranking posts and waiver wire lists that she can find so that you don’t have to hunt for them yourself. Check her out and tell her the Goat says hi.

Second, you can get more in-depth NFL player projections throughout the week by checking out the Bruno Boys website over on MVN.com.

Third, be on the lookout for the weekly fantasy football start’em sit’em podcast I co-host with Marc Caviglia.