Fantasy News of the Week – 10/18

Fantasy Sharks October 18, 2008

The Texans are turning in to a big play offense?

Bad luck — the two words that best describes the Houston Texans season thus far. Big play— the two words that best depict what the Texans offense has become. According to the

Houston Chronicle, the Texans, who were once a team “squeezing out yards any way they could get them,” are now a team not afraid to take some chances. The Texans rank third in the NFL with 11 plays of 30 or more yards, which in a sense is remarkable, and great news for fantasy owners. “You have to make big plays in this business, because it’s so hard to score and the people are so good,” coach Gary Kubiak said. “We call a lot of big-play shots. And if we don’t have them, we have to check the ball down. But when your team knows they can get on and off the field with a couple of big plays, it’s a plus.” Fantasy owners should continue to reap the benefits of this new Texan look, but anyone who owns the Texans defense may be in for a long season, for the quicker the offense continues to score the more time the defense will be on the field, making them more susceptible to allowing more points. Oh, and by the way, go ahead and start any Texans player this week, including the defense.

‘Whisper’: They play the Lions!

Packers’ Rodgers is ready for big matchup with Colts’ Manning.

It’s the match-up that has the fantasy world buzzing this week — the unlikely fantasy star at the quarterback position this year against one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the game itself. Who will come out victorious? And more importantly, how’s Rodgers’ shoulder holding up? The victor will be whoever brings their A-game. As for the injured shoulder that has been bothering the Packers quarterback — according to

PackersReport.com, Rodgers threw with no limitations this week and should be ready to rock on Sunday.

“He threw the ball with velocity and anticipation, no different than he did on Sunday,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “It was good to have him out there throwing to get the timing down of some of the new wrinkles you put in on a weekly basis,” McCarthy said. In a nutshell it looks like Rodgers will have plenty of arm strength and weapons at his disposal on Sunday, so this game should definitely prove to be the game of the week. Let the aerial show begin!

Chargers receiver Floyd will get expanded role after impressive showing.

One of the surprise stories of the Sunday night game last week had to be the play of

San Diego wide receiver Malcolm Floyd. Floyd, who is said to have the best hands on the team, started for the injured Chris Chambers, starring in the Chargers’ 30-10 must win over the former AFC Champs. No, his three receptions for 75 yards didn’t look that impressive in the stat column, but his 49-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter did. Not only was it a good catch, but it set the tone for the rest of the game, and it allowed the Chargers to pick apart the Patriots secondary. So what will the Chargers do with Floyd when Chambers comes back? According to the

San Diego Union Tribune, Floyd will be utilized more. “Malcolm stepped up big, and we’re going to find a way to use him,” coach Norv Turner said. “We’re going to find a way to include him in the game with Chambers and with Vincent Jackson – the three of them in the game together.” Fantasy owners should not count on Floyd being more than a fill-in player for bye weeks, and there’s no better week to use him in this fashion than week seven as Mr. Chambers is listed as doubtful on the injury report and missed Friday’s practice session. Fantasy owners should be wary, though, of both Chambers’ and Vincent Jackson’s value when the former Badger does come back in light of Floyd’s recent rise again.

Alexander signing could pay dividends for Redskins.

With backup running back Ladell Betts out with a knee injury, and Clinton Portis nursing a hip injury that has him listed as questionable on this week’s injury report, the Redskins had to do something. That something was the signing of aging, former MVP running back Shaun Alexander, and according to the

Washington Post, the Redskins are going to need him to take the “pound” off Portis. “I think the body takes a pounding,” coach Jim Zorn said when asked to explain why premier backs don’t last as long as they once did in the NFL. “You have 270-pound linemen, 300-pound linemen and linebackers that are going fast, and the collisions are violent.” Alexander is believed to have been signed for veteran’s minimum, which for the talent he possesses is a bargain, or is it? Redskins fans and fantasy owners alike will soon find out if their beliefs that Alexander may be done for good are true, but wouldn’t it be something if the former Seahawk can resurrect his career in the same place where Todd Collins became a ‘Skins hero just one year ago after many thought he was no more than a lifetime backup?

Shark Attack:

Quick Bites

According to

The Times-Picayune, the Saints offense should be at full strength at

Carolina as their marquee weapons — Jeremy Shockey, Reggie Bush and Marques Colston are all listed as probable and all should play. This is great news for Drew Brees owners!

Titans quarterback Vince Young has been assigned the backup role for the time being, but has he been supportive of veteran Kerry Collins? According to the

Nashville Tennessean, he put the notion that he’s not to rest. “A lot of people were saying that I’m not supportive of Kerry and I’m not asking him for advice. I don’t know why that’s been going around, but that’s my man, that’s my guy,” Young said. “We have a lot of respect for each other and not just football. He helps me out with accounting and all that kind of things. I want to get that out there right now. …” As long as the Titans keep winning, Collins owners should have no fear of Young coming back. In fact, we may see the second coming of Kordell Stewart if the Titans truly believe Young isn’t cut out to be a quarterback anymore.

According to the

Atlanta Journal-Constitution, NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger made a comparison when talking about Matt Ryan. “He is so far advanced, the only guy I can compare him to in recent history is Peyton Manning,” Baldinger said. “I haven’t seen another quarterback come into the league with the confidence and the understanding of how to play this game outside of Peyton in the last 10 years.” I think it’s a little too soon for a comparison to Peyton Manning, but Ryan has looked good this season.

Injury News

Tony Romo:

According to the

Associated Press,

the Cowboys quarterback remains questionable for Sunday’s game against the lowly Rams. Owner Jerry Jones wants his star to play, but insists that it will depend on how he feels on Sunday. “It will be up to him. If he is feeling good and the pain is good, then it’s likely he’ll play,” Jones said. “It’s down to can he handle the pain?”

Kellen Winslow Jr.:

The Browns tight end practiced on Friday, but according to the

Cleveland Plain-Dealer, he still remains mum about playing on Sunday. “I feel OK, man, I feel alright. It’s good to be back,” he said. “I just have to get in the swing of things and get as ready as I can. I think [I’ll play]. I’ll see how it goes.” Winslow is listed as questionable on the injury report.

Willie Parker:

According to the

Pittsburgh

Post-Gazette, “Fast Willie” did not practice for a third straight day on Friday, and probably won’t be available until next week. He is listed as doubtful. Mewelde Moore is slated to start again.

Carson

Palmer: According to the

Cincinnati Enquirer,

the Bengals quarterback could miss the next two weeks. “It hasn’t changed with Carson,” coach Marvin Lewis said. “We’re going to let him rest this week and probably next week, and go from there.” Ryan Fitzpatrick is scheduled to start at least this week against the Steelers.

Matt Hasselbeck:

Hasselbeck is listed as out again this week, but who will replace him in the starting lineup? According to the

Seattle Post-Intelligence, it’s going to be Seneca Wallace. “It’s going to be his ballgame,” coach Mike Holmgren said Friday after practice. Wallace is coming back from a strained calf, so fantasy owners should probably try and stay away from all Seahawks offensive players except Julius Jones.

Other Injuries

Out

Questionable

Doubtful

Atari Bigby

Jonathan Stewart ( Ill )