Fantasy Sports Review

From injured to suspended to subpar performances, the following five guys offer you a high-risk, high-reward scenario for the upcoming 2008 NFL Fantasy Football Season. These guys will all come with discounted values and there will be safer picks available in the early to middle rounds when you’d likely need to snag one of these guys. If you dare to take a chance, the rewards can be great. Young quarterbacks Matt Leinart of Arizona and Jason Campbell of Washington were briefly considered for this list as each is coming off an injury, though neither has really fully proven himself in the league to be considered a Comeback Kid. The following five veterans are poised for a rebound year.

Donovan McNabb, QB, Philadelphia
McNabb actually put up respectable numbers in 2007 coming off injury as he threw for 3,324 yards and 19 TDs against only seven INTs with a completion percentage of 61.5 in 14 games. But consider he had 18 touchdowns in only 10 games in 2006 before his injury, and it’s clear he was a bit off his game as the Eagles stumbled to an 8-8 mark. The Birds did win their last three games as McNabb became healthy and regained a bit of his mobility. With a speedy new weapon in rookie wide receiver DeSean Jackson and a clean bill of health for McNabb in 2008, expect numbers just behind Tom Brady and Peyton Manning without having to draft him quite so early.

Jake Delhomme, QB, Carolina
It took McNabb and Cincinnati’s Carson Palmer a year to get their feet back underneath when returning from knee injuries, so based on that information Delhomme could struggle. The difference is Delhomme is coming off an arm injury (Tommy John surgery), so his feet won’t be a problem. If he’s lost arm strength expect dynamic wide receiver Steve Smith to minimize that with his feet. Delhomme throw for eight touchdowns in only three starts in 2007, and in a four-year span from 2003 to 2006 he averaged 3,332 passing yards and 22 TD passes. Expect numbers well above average as Delhomme is a great late round QB pick up.

Deuce McAllister, RB, New Orleans
On only 24 attempts in 2007, McAllister managed a 3.8 yards-per-carry average in that limited time for 92 yards. Those would be strong numbers if they were in one game, but they were spread out over parts of three games before his season-ending injury. In 2006, McAllister surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the fourth time when he carried the rock for 1,057 yards and 10 touchdowns. Even though he’ll be splitting time with Reggie Bush, expect good numbers from this proven back.

Lee Evans, WR, Buffalo
To say the Bills are offensively challenged is an understatement, but Evans is definitely primed for a big year. He is entering a contract year and has yet to sign a new deal with Buffalo. And after suffering through a quarterback carousel the last few seasons, the Bills may have finally found a replacement for Jim Kelly in second-year man Trent Edwards, not to mention the addition of rookie wide receiver James Hardy to complement Evans and draw coverage away from the former Wisconsin speedster. After a breakout 1,292-yard season in 2006, Evans racked up only 849 yards last season. Expect numbers closer to 2006.

Adam “Pacman” Jones, CB, Dallas
This is a bit of a wild card pick in more ways than one. First he has to be reinstated by the league and then stay out of trouble. And second, you have to have kick return yardage counted in your fantasy league. If Jones is able to stay out of trouble and he fits for your league, you can expect a few punt returns and/or interceptions go for touchdowns from this explosive talent in 2008.

With the 2008 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, it’s an exciting time for rookies who were lucky enough to land a job. On the flip side, it can be a nervous time for veterans, even established ones. Just last summer, Donovan McNabb dodged reports that his days were numbered after quarterback Kevin Kolb was drafted by the Eagles. McNabb, who was coming off an injury but yet was a proven performer, was all but run out of town by the media as trade rumors swirled. McNabb went on to put those doubters to rest as each week his performance improved along with his health. Moral to the story – if McNabb’s not safe after all he’s done for Philadelphia, than no one is sacred. The following players will be hearing footsteps this summer.

Willie Parker, Pittsburgh
The Steelers clearly missed The Bus last season, so even if Parker returns fully recovered from his leg injury, top pick Rashard Mendenhall should see plenty of action. The rookie clearly fits the Steelers smash-mouth approach to the game, as he should become more of the workhorse in this offense. Parker will get demoted to a situational, change-of-pace assignment. Fantasy impact: 5 (on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest)

Marion Barber, Dallas
You don’t take a running back with your top pick if you don’t think it’s a position need. Felix Jones is more than an ample replacement for the departed Julius Jones. His breakaway speed, as compared to Barber’s gritty, grind-out-the-yards style, should earn him lots of carries. If he becomes a home run threat, than there will be less goal line carries for the hard-chargin’ Barber. And with only one ball to go around, expect the fresh-legged Jones to get the bulk of the carries. Fastasy impact: 4

Justin Fargas, Oakland
Darren McFadden is a fast, powerful and exciting option that the Raiders haven’t had in quite some time in their backfield. Much like Jones in Dallas, McFadden offers too much potential to be brought along slowly. Expect to see Fargas in more obvious passing situations for his ability to pick up the blitz. Otherwise it should be McFadden left, McFadden right and McFadden up the middle. Fantasy impact: 4

Tatum Bell, Detroit Lions (Corey’s two cents)
Look out Tatum hear comes Kevin Smith. Who is Kevin Smith you say? Only the holder of the second highest rushing total for a season in NCAA history (2567 yards in 2007). If you are into karma - or just like to know useless sports facts - get this, who holds the all time single season rushing record? None other than Mr. Barry Sanders. Anyway, Mel Kiper has already gone on record as saying he thinks Kevin will be starting opening day AND some think Kevin’s style is perfect for the Lions zone blocking scheme. Fantasy Impact: 3.5

DeAngelo Williams, Carolina
For a team with obvious needs on defense to take a running back with its first round pick, it tells you the Panthers are serious about making changes in the backfield. So expect to see lots of Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart. Fantasy impact: 3

Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes and Nate Washington, Pittsburgh
I’m not sure who, but Limas Sweed should easily become one of Ben Roethlisberger’s favorite targets as the year progresses. So whether he supplants Ward, who might have lost a step, or one or both of Pittsburgh’s other young wide receivers, expect Sweed to play as big as his 6-foot-4 frame. Fantasy impact: 3

Kyle Boller, Baltimore
For a split second following the retirement of Steve McNair, it looked like Boller was going to get one more chance to prove he’s the man. Then came Joe Flacco, who Baltimore traded back and then up to get late in the first round. And it’s not just the drafting of a quarterback, but it’s the way they did it. Clearly the Ravens feel Flacco is their guy, so why delay the inevitable? Flacco should get thrown to the wolves because a good defense and a running game can take a young QB a long way. Fantasy impact: 2

Chris Baker, New York Jets
The New York Jets dismal offense should get a shot in the arm from speedy tight end Dustin Keller. The Purdue product should give either mediocre Jets quarterback a reliable target over the middle, and that might do wonders for this offensively challenged team. Fantasy impact: 2

Well here you are, mere days from what you’ve been lusting over for months now. Your fantasy football championship isn’t far off now. You just have to make a few more good decision and its yours.

Well lets see if we can’t help you make a few of those decisions. Let’s get to it.

Start’em if you got’em
Jamal Lewis RB (CLE) - First time this year I picked a guy two weeks in a row. This guy is on a roll. Not only did he rush for over a hundred in a foot of snow last weekend but the last time he faced Cinci he lit them up for 212 yards. I don’t see another 200 but 125 and a touchdown seems like a very good bet.

Final stats: 92 yards rushing, 42 yards receiving and 0 touchdowns.
Final thoughts: Could’ve been a much better game for Lewis if Anderson didn’t throw 4 picks. They ended up playing catch up all game. Two of the picks were in the redzone.

Fred Taylor RB (JAC) - The man was left out of the Pro Bowl again and he gets to take it out on the Oakland Raiders who just happen to be one of the worst rushing defenses in the league. No further explanation needed. Look for 125+ easy and at least 1 trip to the endzone.

Final stats: 7 carries 111 yards and a TD.
Final thoughts: He ran for a 62 yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. After that the Jags just pulled away and didn’t really need to use Fred a whole lot.

Sit’em if you’ve got em
Jon Kitna QB (DET) - Not sure you can trust Jonny anymore. Five interceptions last week and he faces a Chiefs team that is top ten in both defending the pass and touchdowns allowed. Not only that but you have to think he is close to getting bench the way he has been performing. I’m thinking 225 yards and 1 touchdown and about 4 picks he makes it through the game.

Final stats: 9 of 16 for 115 yards, 0 touchdowns and a interception.
Final thoughts: The Lions went with the running game today and won the game.

Laveranues Coles WR (NYJ) - Even if he is active on Sunday I don’t think you can trust him to do anything. He would be a solid starter if you knew he wasn’t going to end up and the training table half way through the game (and thats not such a safe place for him either). Look somewhere else this week by keeping him on the bench. Either that or expect to be stressed out for three hours hoping for something out of him. 3 catches for 19 yards and 0 touchdowns.

Final stats: DNP
Final thoughts: Two days after posting this it was announced he would be out for the season.

Sleepers: don’t be surprised if…
…Laurence Maroney RB (NE) has another nice week. He hasn’t done much of anything all year but the weather is getting trickier. Last week Brady and Moss had a hard time hooking up due to the windy conditions. I would expect the Patriots to utilize their running game much more from here on out. Add to that the fact that Miami can’t stop anyone on the ground and you have a solid 100 and a touchdown this Sunday.

Final stats: 156 rushing and a TD.
Final thoughts: Two runs over 50 yards make up most of the 156.

…Donovan McNabb QB (PHI) resembles a fantasy worthy quarterback this weekend against the Saints. New Orleans is allowing 250 yards a game and has allowed 26 passing touchdowns this year. Both stats put them in the bottom three in the league. I don’t think its a stretch for McNabb to go for 275 and 2 touchdowns in the air mixed in with about 20 - 30 yards on the ground

Final stats: 263 passing with 3 touchdowns and 37 yards rushing.
Final thoughts: Nice day.

And don’t forget, 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.

Before we talk a little start’em sit’em I want to wish you a happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the food, the football and everything else you are thankful for.

This week, along with some added content, I am putting down a few names in places that may surprise you. Check them out:

Start’em if you got’em
Vince Young QB (TEN) - I think Vince is going to continue is hot streak against Cinci this week. Over the past two weeks he has thrown for 257 and 305 yards against much stronger defenses than the Bengals 30th ranked unit. He also has been racking up yards on the ground; 52 against Jacksonville and 74 plus a touchdown against Denver. He will deal with the sore quad to put up over 275 yards and 2 td’s passing and 50 yards and a td rushing.

Final stats: 246 passing, 0 touchdowns and 6 yards rushing, 0 touchdowns.
Final thoughts: He killed me in three leagues. Five trips to the redzone and only 6 points. How do you not get any touchdowns against a bad defense?

Chris Henry WR (CIN) - All he has done since returning from his suspension is put up numbers. In two weeks he has 12 catches for 180 and a TD. Also, this week he may be the number two if Housh isn’t able to go. All that and the Titans defense has been slipping the past few weeks since Haynesworth went down. I can easily see another 7 catches for 100+ and a touchdown.

Final stats: 3 catches for 41 yards.
Final thoughts: Housh played and pretty much everything else went to Chad Johnson who was able to break out a long drought.

Sit’em if you’ve got em
Daunte Culpepper QB (OAK) - If you are one of those people who is all jacked up on Daunte because he posted 300 yards on the Vikes, don’t be. This week he will have a much more difficult time against the Kansas City defense who has only allowed nine touchdowns through the air. The last time he played them he was only good for 228 and a touchdown. Jared Allen will be in his mug all day which will keep him under 228 yards again, prevent him from scoring any touchdowns and cause him to turn the ball over at least twice.

Final stats: 170 yards passing and 0 touchdowns. Oh and no turnovers.
Final thoughts: Pretty efficient performance. This game was all about the running game on both sides of the ball.

Frank Gore RB (SF) - My how the mighty have fallen. He has to be one of the biggest bust of this year and it is time to start sitting him down before he does anymore damage. This week he takes on an Arizona defense that held him to 55 yards and a touchdown in their first meeting. The touchdown Frank scored was kind of fluky since it was the result of a turnover by the Cards in San Fran territory. He won’t be that lucky this time with the improved Cards defense playing tough at home. I’ll be generous and give him 50 yards and 0 touchdowns.

Final stats: 116 yards rushing, 2 touchdowns and 11 catches for 98 yards.
Final thoughts: Wow, the guy stunk ALL YEAR and bam. I’ve been debating for a few weeks whether or not to put him on the sit’em list. Sure enough, the second I do, he goes off. Also, his first touchdown was scored off of a Cardinal turnover deep in Niners territory, just like the first game.

**Bonus Thought** Donovan McNabb QB (PHI) - If he plays you might want to put him down anyway against the Patriots. I have a feeling that he will be getting sacked a lot which will make him more likely to leave the game anyway. Less than 150 yards and no touchdowns.

Final stats: Did not play.
Final thoughts: We’ll never know if he could’ve hung with the Pats.

Sleepers: don’t be surprised if…
…Peyton Manning QB (IND) has another less than Peyton performance against Atlanta. He has been struggling as of late in part because his line and receiving corp are banged up. Add to that the fact that it is a road game on a short week and the Colts will be looking to gut it out with the run game. I know it hurts but if you have the balls to do it, and you have a decent alternative, you should put him down. Less then 200 yards and maybe 1 touchdown.

Final stats: 272 yards, 3 touchdowns and a interception.
Final thoughts: My prediction was looking pretty good… for about a quarter and a half.

…Kolby Smith RB (KC) is able to produce a solid game against the arch rival Raiders this week. Not to take anything away from Chester Taylor and the Vikes but they were able to easily blow huge holes through the Oakland 29th rank rush defense last week. The Chiefs aren’t on the same level but they should have some success too. If you want to roll the dice, this is as safe a bet as any if you need a mid to low end RB2 or RB3. Put him down to get 80 yards and a touchdown.

Final stats: 150 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Final thoughts: Great game out of the rookie. Too bad they lost.

…the Jets play the Cowboys tough. This isn’t really fantasy but what the hell. I watched the replay of Jets game against Pittsburgh last week and they played well. It looks like they may have worked on some things during the bye week. If Jones can run the ball like he did last week and the defense can put pressure on the QB like they did last week, Dallas needs to look out. While watching, keep an eye on Chris Baker the tight end, he was getting lots of looks from Clemens last week and good do well down the stretch with a few soft defenses on the schedule. The Jets will keep it close, I say 27-21 Cowboys.

Final score: 34-3 Dallas
Final thoughts: Boy I was sure close wasn’t I? Like I said, if they can run the ball and put pressure on Romo they can keep it close. They couldn’t run the ball - probably because Clemens doesn’t scare anyone - and the defense started breaking down little by little as they wore down. I was drunk on Jets karma after watching their game against the Steelers. I will watch myself in the future replay and just try to stick to fantasy picks from now on.

Be sure to check out my Fantasy Football Waiver Wire post because you may be able to pick out a sleeper or two on your own.

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.