Deeper & Down Oct 31, 2009 | More

Brian Hartline (MIA, WR) 1%

Oh Teddy, Teddy, Teddy ... which pass do you think it was that brought it all to this? Was it the one that went straight through your hands? Or maybe it was the one that hit you and bounced square of your shoulder to Darren Sharper to return for a momentum-changing touchdown? So many to choose from, Ted Ginn Jr.? Welcome to heartbreak hotel. It’s done wonders for Rashard Mendenhall this season, but it’s not like Miami doesn’t have other productive wide receivers. Greg Camarillo has been points-per-receptions gold in seasons past and Davone Bess is no slouch either given half a chance.

Ginn hasn’t been taking first-team reps this week and thus far has been refusing to talk to the media since his deflected catch was returned for that touchdown. Coach Tony Sparano has reiterated that he has promised Hartline will be more involved and will see more action. So far? He’s been true to his word, having Hartline pick up the slack in training this week. Ginn cannot say this hasn’t been a long time coming. Miami fans have had to endure his poor production and play for a number of seasons now.

A former Buckeye product - ironically - that has sometimes been eclipsed by Ginn, Anthony Gonzalez and Brian Robiskie, Hartline is a steady and productive WR that could produce dividends. He was taken ahead of Austin Collie, Johhny Knox and Sammie Stroughter in this year’s draft. Chad Henne definitely has the arm - and as posted here some weeks back - has all the potential to be the franchise QB in Miami for years to come, especially if he can build that rapport and chemistry with Hartline that is so essential to all successful franchises. Then the yards and the touchdowns will come. Actually, talking of Henne, who went to Michigan …

Mike Hart (IND, RB), 0%

Another Michigan product (like Henne), Mike Hart is a back that puts me in mind of the guy he will be replacing - Donald Brown. The Indianapolis running back situation is a well established running-back-by-committee. It’s been that way for a few seasons - apart from the ill-advised experiment to see if Joseph Addai could handle the featured back role (short version? He can’t). Both Hart and Brown are featured-workhorse backs that have proven they can make the mileage. At Connecticut, Brown rushed for 3,800 yards and 20 touchdowns over three seasons, their all-time leading rusher. At Michigan, Hart rushed for 5,400 yards and 41 touchdowns on over four seasons.

Hart has been in the running for numerous awards over his collegiate career - Heisman, Doak Walker and Maxwell, as well as being only the fourth rusher in Big 10 history to exceed the 5,000-yard threshold.

He missed most of his rookie season and preseason with a knee and ankle injury. There has been a lot of mileage on that young body already, so a few nicks are to be expected along the way. With Brown set to miss 3-4 weeks(according to Bill Polian)with a shoulder injury and not yet having even seen the practice field so far this week, Hart has now become the RB2 in one of the most prolific offenses in NFL history. Indianapolis plays their next three games at home and have matches against Houston (twice), Tennessee, Jacksonville and Buffalo. There is NO way this guy should not be owned. Not in ANY format. 0 percent owned? Shame on you!

Matthew Stafford (DET, QB) 10% and Dennis Northcutt (DET, WR) 3%

He’s (Stafford)been practicing for three consecutive days, so if Detroits want to play him, they could. He’s facing St. Louis, currently averaging 30+ points to opposing quarterbacks. Calvin Johnson is 50:50 to play right now, but it wouldn’t dissuade me from suggesting you take a look at Stafford as worse wide receivers have had better days than Johnson is averaging currently. Should Megatron not be good to go - Northcutt is the add against a repugnant Rams secondary that are allowing 223 yards per game through the air and have gifted 24 plays of 20+ yards whilst managing only 5 interceptions all season.

There really isn’t much to say here, sometimes it really is just that simple - just make the add, watch the injury report. Job done.

Vince Young (TEN, QB) 7%

By the way - does anyone remember his Rookieof the Year campaign? Yeah, it’s a bit of a stretch forany of us to remember - but he DID have one and that is what we need to cling onto. The guy can play. No one flukes turning in a campaign of that caliber. His problems since then are more nebulous, however, and definitely more well documented. But look at it this way - if an experienced veteran like Kerry Collins isn’t getting it done with pretty much the same talent around him (even an upgrade at receiving corps. - Nate Washington, Kenny Britt), then maybe Vince wasn’t all that bad? Maybe. Perhaps.Actually he was pretty bad - Collins miasma of myopia when it comes to reading the defenses and making the play is to blame for this rose-tinted nostalgia.

Here’s the bottom line - Young still has a winning record. Good players don’t become bad players overnight, and that Rookie of the Year campaign? Of the games he started? He had four fourth-quarter comebacks, rushed for 552 yards and 7 touchdowns, and managed to orchestrate wins against both Indianapolis and the New York Giants. His biggest problem is making the defensive read and making decisions, all too often. As a rookie he had an INT:TD ration of 13:12, a figure that decreased to 17:9 in his sophomore season. I’ll give him a pass for his second season. A sophomore slump is not unknown, and considering he’d been on the cover of Madden, combined with the burden of expectation he was never going to live up to the hype.

Jeff Fisher did the right thing sitting him down in his third season after he injured his knee - it gave him the opportunity to watch Collins lead the Titans and do a great job. If he managed to pick up even a fraction of his patience and ability to make a read and recognize a defensive set, then he could be a nice surprise package down the stretch with Jacksonville, St. Louis, Seattle, Houston, Arizona and San Diego all on the slate. He has all the tools to succeed - stud running back, decent wide receivers and tight end options, if he can bring the mindset he had from his rookie campaign, that is. Tennessee has the worst pass defense in the league - he’ll have to open it up unlike Alex Smith below - so this is high-risk/reward country.

Alex Smith (SF, QB) 13%

Being a franchise QB isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be - just ask Matt Leinart. But Smith has had more than his fair share of problems, even a potential career ending injury. I say “career,” but it would be more accurate to say it was a potential “potential career” ending injury. Smith was taken with the first overall pick in the 2005 draft class. San Francisco could’ve gone with Aaron Rodgers or Jason Campbell - who knew, eh?

Smith has worked with four offensive coordinators in four seasons. If you want to know how that can affect a young quarterback, go andtake a good long look at how well Campbell is working out- another first-round draft pick (2005). It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that it’s a big enough leap from collegiate to NFL level football. With a lack of stability around him and an offense built on shifting sands,it’s no wonder that he has not fulfilled his potential thus far.

As silly as it sounds - the prolonged period Smith spent out with injury has probably done him the power of good. His dedication to the team is apparent with his willingness to restructure and reduce his contract in order to increase cap room. Truth be told, though? Given his injury and performances to date, it was a choice he made before it was forced upon him in all likelihood.

Has the guy got the talent to succeed? Yes, he has. Has he shown it? Only in frustratingly rare patches. Chris Collinsworth once said of Smith during a 2006 game against their rivals - the Seahawks - ”That drive is the best I ever saw.”

Its a run-first offense and he has - like another quarterback we discussed above - the tools around him. A patient coach, a decent running game and passing options (Michael Crabtree, Josh Morgan and Vernon Davis). So I expect interceptions to be kept to a minimum. They’ll happen, but this could be the comeback story of the season. Temper expectations and make the pickup in dynasty and 14-team leagues for now and don’t expect too much, too soon against Indianapolis.

Dishonurable Mentions:

Lynell Hamilton (NO, RB) 0% - No don’t add him! Just be advised all you Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell owners. Heath Evans is out, Hamilton is in at FB.

Jairus Byrd (BUF, FS) ?% - I wasn’t able to get into a decent IDP league this season - I’ll have to have a word with Swarm - but 12 tackles and three interceptions for a player that has undergone hernia surgery as recently as July and had to make a position change ANDall this in just his rookie season? Good job, Jairus - we salute you!

Shonn Greene (NYJ, RB) 48% - Just because we told you a while ago. Temper expectations somewhat against one of the premier rush defenses in the league this week (Miami) - but he is and shall always remain. Wishing a speedy recuperation for Leon Washington.

Beanie Wells (ARI, RB) 47% - The double stiff arm against the New York Giants defense was worth it alone - but ponder this … Brandon Jacobs or Wells? Check the statline for the Arizona/New York game. Compare and contrast - you’ll be surprised.In dynasty leagues you have to be enamored if you own him ... and envious if you’re the Tim Hightower owner that does not.

Accountability:

Justin Fargas (OAK, RB) - 67 yards rushing, 35 yards receiving; despite Michael Bush being around.

James Jones (GB, WR) - A reception and a touchdown.

Sammie Stroughter (TB, WR) - 63 yards. Led Tampa Bay in receptions.

Matt Stover (IND, K) - Six fantasy points.