Monday Morning Rehab

Oh boy.

The change from summer to fall—which officially happens tomorrow—also usually signals the beginning of flu season for much of the nation. Flu shots have been advertised heavily at my office the last week or so.

Similarly, the switch from preseason football to regular season football ushers in the injury bug in a big way.

Big fantasy football names went down this week across the league, regardless of position. One first-rounder did not even suit up to play in week two. Another former first rounder could not get off the ground in week two and eventually succumbed to an injury of his own.

Tis’ the season, the season for football injuries.

 

Marion Barber [RB, Cowboys]

From ProFootballTalk:

Barber was seen sitting on the sideline sitting on his helmet while the Giants drove down the field for the game-winning field goal.  Seemed encouraging.

Barber pulled up lame on this way to the end zone last night and did not return to the game. Felix Jones punched in what would have been a touchdown for Barber.

This could give Jones a chance to start next week, depending on the severity of the injury. Expect more news of Barber’s condition sometime later today.

 

LaDainian Tomlinson [RB, Chargers]

From RotoWorld:

Tomlinson (ankle) was declared out on Friday. Darren Sproles will get the bulk of the work, with Michael Bennett sprinkled in.

Perhaps the Chargers could have used Tomlinson for at least one play.

Late in the game with San Diego driving in Baltimore territory, Darren Sproles was stuffed by Ray Lewis on a 4th-and-2 to end the game. You know the ball would have been in LT2’s hands had he played. And I like Tomlinson’s chances at short-yardage situations much more than Sproles’.

Expect Tomlinson to return next week if he can get some practice in this week.

 

Frank Gore [RB, 49ers]

From ProFootballTalk:

Unfortunately, the inconvenient truth for Gore is that he usually doesn’t hold up for an entire season.  Gore sprained his ankle during Sunday’s game, but it doesn’t sound serious.

Gore said he was “fine” after the game, the injury isn’t expected to threaten his status for next week.

Gore had a monster day, but it would not have been complete without some kind of injury. His fantasy owners have come to expect that at this point.

The good news is this does not sound serious. He should be good-to-go for practice by the end of the week and ready for fantasy lineups next weekend.

By the way, the 49ers look for real in the NFC West.

 

Brian Westbrook [RB, Eagles]

From RotoWorld:

Westbrook came off the field in the fourth quarter, got the ankle looked at and went back on the field. But after one catch, he left again. The severity is unknown, but this is the same ankle that he had surgery on in June.

For the second week in a row, the Saints’ defense rendered an opposing running back virtually ineffective.

Last weekend it was Kevin Smith, this weekend it was Westbrook. Trend?

Not only did the Saints keep Westbrook in check most of the day, he also injured his ankle at some point during the contest. There naturally is some concern here being that (A) it is the same ankle he had surgery on this offseason and (B) he is Brian Westbrook.

I would not be surprised to see a “Q” next to his name when injury reports come out later this week.

 

Mike Bell [RB, Saints]

From ProFootballTalk:

But their euphoria will be tempered by news that their newfound workhorse tailback, Mike Bell, is believed to have an MCL sprain, per Adam Caplan of Scout.com.

Caplan says an MRI is coming tomorrow.

This could end Bell’s run as the starter in New Orleans, at least for a few weeks.

Pierre Thomas played in limited action yesterday but Bell again did most of the work. Reggie Bush and Thomas would fill in during Bell’s absence, which was the original plan for the Saints’ backfield to begin with.

 

Matt Hasselbeck [QB, Seahawks]

From ProFootballTalk:

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Seattle’s quarterback is out of a San Francisco area hospital.  Testing indicated that he suffered no internal damage to his kidneys, liver, or lungs.  Hasselbeck suffered no internal bleeding.  That’s the good news.

The biggest question mark surrounding the Seahawks’ offense this offseason was whether or not Hasselbeck would be able to stay healthy this season.

The question has been answered just two weeks into the season.

There is a good chance Hasselbeck misses next weekend’s game. Seneca Wallace would be in line to start at quarterback and is capable of some nice fantasy stat lines. Those in deeper leagues with Hasselbeck on the roster should consider Wallace.

 

Lance Moore [WR, Saints]

From RotoWorld:

Lance Moore left Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury and will not return.

I watched the entirety of the Saints-Eagles game (Who dat?!?) and do not even remember seeing Moore on the field. Apparently, however, he played long enough to get hurt.

No matter for the Saints’ offense. Fantasy owners likely used a WR3 spot on Moore during drafts, so there could be some frustration there. However, the good thing is most owners are not relying on Moore for production at this point.

 

Anthony Gonzalez [WR, Colts]

From ProFootballTalk:

Colts receiver Anthony Gonzalez is reportedly targeting a Week Seven return to the lineup from a knee injury.  Colts coach Jim Caldwell said the injury could force Gonzalez out of the lineup for up to eight weeks, but Gonzalez is hoping to return sooner.

This news is no consolation to Gonzalez’s owners, but at least he avoided a season-ending injury.

Pay close attention to the battle between Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie tonight for the WR2 duties vacated by AGonzo. Either or both of those guys could be worthwhile adds in deeper fantasy leagues if they establish a connection with Peyton Manning

 

Donovan McNabb [QB, Eagles]

From RotoWorld:

According to FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer, Donovan McNabb is aiming to return from his cracked rib in Week 3.

McNabb could potentially return for the Eagles week three game but Philly may opt to start Kevin Kolb again.

With a bye in week four, another week off would give McNabb three weeks of rest following the week one injury.

Kolb threw effectively for much of the day against New Orleans in week two and Michael Vick is due to be eligible next weekend. That should give Philadelphia enough muscle at the quarterback position to win a game in McNabb’s absence.

 

Wes Welker [WR, Patriots]

From ProFootballTalk:

Via the team’s twitter feed comes news that wide receiver Wes Welker is on the inactive list for the game. The move is a big surprise because the team left three other players who were listed as questionable in New England, as reported by Tom Curran, before heading to New Jersey on Saturday night. That indicated Welker would play, but now the Patriots will likely have to lean more heavily on Joey Galloway.

Julian Edelman stepped into Welker’s role seamlessly in the loss to the Jets. It appears the Patriots have struck gold on another previously relatively-unknown football talent.

Welker owners may be slightly discouraged to start the year. He was basically a game-time decision in week one and now misses the second game of the season. The Pats had him sit out most of the preseason slate due to a mysterious injury and now Edelman steps in and performs just as well as Welker.

That could prompt the Pats to keep Welker on the shelf until he is fully healthy from whatever injury it is that ails him.

 

Jerious Norwood [RB, Falcons]

From RotoWorld:

Jerious Norwood left Sunday’s game in the second quarter with a head injury.

Little has been said about Norwood following the head injury, but he was ruled out shortly after leaving the game.

Head injuries can be pretty serious. Expect some type of update today on Norwood’s condition, which likely was a concussion although it has not been deemed that as of yet.

 

Willie Parker [RB, Steelers]

From ProFootballTalk:

At a time when Steelers tailback Willie Parker is catching a lot of criticism for a subpar performance during the regular-season opener, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Parker injured his hamstring during pregame warmups, and that he was operating at only 85 percent against the Titans.

So at what point does Fast Willie Parker lose that very nickname?

I would say it has already happened.

Sure he probably is pretty fast all alone in space. But he has been unable to get to space during the first two weeks of the season and could be little more than a service-able, veteran running back. The breakaway speed certainly would be hampered by a hamstring issue.

 

The MMR will continue to run every Monday morning as scheduled during the regular season. If you have an injury update or want an update on a certain player, please leave a note in the comments.

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Week Two Waiver Wire Adds

Depending on your league’s competitiveness and format, there usually are a few enticing waiver wire options available after each NFL Sunday. Last week there seemed to be a few more—typical for the first week—than after week two, but still some valuable commodities are floating on waivers this morning.

In dynasty leagues, consider the following: Laurent Robinson (WR, Rams), Mike Sims-Walker (WR, Jaguars), and Justin Forsett (RB, Seahawks). All could be valuable adds as they established themselves offensively in week two. Julian Edelman (WR, Patriots) also is an interesting option, though I am not sure there is room for him on the field when Wes Welker returns.

Yesterday was an exciting day of football, but then again any Sunday during the fall is exciting…because of football.

The top three players likely on waivers in your league(s) are shown below. If you have a high waiver priority, consider using it on one of these guys.

 

Mario Manningham (WR, New York Giants)

Mario Manningham was a fantasy stud last night against the Dallas Cowboys, reeling in 10 catches for 150 yards and a score. This performance makes two weeks in a row that Manningham has broken into double-digit fantasy scoring. He is a must add in all scoring formats.

 

Willis McGahee (RB, Baltimore Ravens)

All of the hype leading into the season was on Ray Rice, but Willis McGahee has not so silently ran his way to the top of Baltimore’s running back by committee (RBBC). The Ravens will more than likely employ a RBBC for each week and try to ride the hot hand. So far McGahee has been their workhorse.

 

LeSean McCoy (RB, Philadelphia Eagles)

The Philadelphia Eagles’ offense is being decimated with injuries…and it’s only week two! This time Brian Westbrook falls victim to an ankle sprain. Much like last season, Westbrook will probably spend much of the year on the team’s injury report. 

Although the sprain is said to be not serious, any set back could keep him off of the field, which would allow McCoy to get the lion’s share of the snaps.

 

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Sleeper Watch: Week 2 Surprises

Let’s take a look at those players that have good matchups and could perform well for your fantasy football teams in Week 2.

These are players you wouldn’t normally start, but might be worth a second look this weekend. This is especially for those owners dealing with injuries to fantasy starters like Donovan McNabb, Anthony Gonzalez—both on my team—or LaDainian Tomlinson.

 

Jason Campbell, QB, Redskins

Jason Campbell didn’t perform all that bad against the vaunted New York Giants’ defense in Week 1. He did, however, throw an interception and lose a fumble. This week he faces the St. Louis “Pee-Wee Football” Rams.

The Rams’ offense looks so bad that the Redskins’ offense might stay on the field the entire game due to a multitude of three-and-outs. Take advantage of this matchup and any team that plays the Rams, until they prove they can play NFL-caliber football again.

 

Laurence Maroney, RB, Patriots

I liked what I saw out of Laurence Maroney during the Monday Night Football game against Buffalo. Maroney was hitting the hole hard and with purpose (that’s what she said!).

Fred Taylor did get the only rushing touchdown, but I believe Maroney is going to be the main guy in New England. They are playing a New York Jets’ defense that shut down the Houston Texans, so this could be a tough matchup.

On the other hand, Mark Sanchez will be facing his first real defensive test, masterminded by Bill Belichick. The Patriots could be put into some good offensive spots due to rookie quarterback mistakes. This is a rivalry game and the Patriots will need to run the ball with some success to perform at a high level offensively.

 

Percy Harvin, WR, Vikings

Did you see the love Brett Favre showed Percy Harvin when he caught his first career touchdown in the NFL? Favre is already making Harvin his new favorite target. Oh, and the Minnesota Vikings are facing a Detroit Lions team that gave up six touchdown passes to Drew Brees last weekend.

Don’t be surprised to see the Vikings open up their offense this week, allowing Harvin to see more passes thrown his way.

 

Robert Royal, TE, Browns

Robert Royal seems to be the most sure-handed receiver on the Cleveland Browns. Maturing starting quarterback Brady Quinn will probably rely heavily on his tight end until he becomes more comfortable in his own shoes.

Take advantage of Royal while Quinn is still leaning on the veteran tight end and he could reward you with some solid production.

 

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Daily Haze: Thoughts on Jason Campbell

Hopefully, most of the Donovan McNabb fantasy owners out there drafted a backup plan. If not, you could find yourself behind the eight ball this weekend.

Unless you consider Jason Campbell.

Not owned in a fair amount of leagues, Campbell has an interesting appeal early in the season. He looked decent against a great Giants’ defense in Week One, holding his own for most of the game.

Check his upcoming schedule: vs. St. Louis Rams, at Detroit Lions, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, at Carolina Panthers, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, vs. Philadelphia Eagles.

Defensively, these teams are inferior to the Giants. All of those opponents come before Washington’s week eight bye, and the only scary matchup of the bunch is the tilt against Philadelphia.

So, if you are a McNabb owner in search of a stop-gap for a few weeks, consider acquiring Campbell on the cheap to keep the ship afloat.

Here are today’s great reads:

• Week Two waiver wire advice for those of you playing in individual defensive player leagues this year. [Kilroyz Krystal Ball]
• After his two-touchdown performance against the Lions in Week One, some are wondering if Jeremy Shockey is ready to re-emerge as a fantasy stud. [Sports Data Hub]
• So what exactly does a Week One fantasy win—or loss—mean in the grand scheme of things? [Ultimate Fantasy Football Strategy]
• The top-10 matchups every fantasy football owner should keep a close eye on this weekend. [National Football Post]
• Team-by-team targets from the first weekend of fantasy football. OK, Earl Bennett! [Pancake Blocks]

Got a pressing fantasy football question and need an answer now? Or just want to chat about all the recent developments in the sports’ world? Head over to The Hazean’s fantasy football forums for all of that and more. Also, remember to check out The Hazean’s fantasy rankings and mock draft database.

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Early Risers and Fallers Of the 2009 NFL Draft Class

After week one, there is not much to be said about this year’s crop of rookies.

Sad, but true.

There were a few who took advantage of their opportunities while others did not play up to their abilities. Instead of a top-5 list this week, I will list my top two rookies and top two disappointments.

 

Risers

Mark Sanchez, QB, Jets

Not enough can be said about this guy. He has the ability to win now. He led the Jets to a dominating performance over a team in Houston some were picking to make the playoffs this season.

Sanchez threw for a touchdown with only one interception. The Jets did not baby the rookie QB. Sanchez threw the ball 31 times for 272 yards. Sanchez is off to a good start in the NFL and a huge lead in The Hazean’s Fantasy Football Rookie of the Year contest.

Louis Murphy, WR, Raiders

Murphy caught four passes for 87 yards and one touchdown. If it was not for the referees’ questionable overturn of a touchdown in the second quarter, Murphy would have finished with two touchdowns.

Murphy was drafted out of Florida where he was used to catching passes, but he was not the wide receiver expected to spark the Raiders offense. Murphy seems to be a favorite target at wide receiver for quarterback JaMarcus Russell.

 

Fallers

Chris ‘Beanie’ Wells, RB, Cardinals

I thought coming into the season Wells would be a top candidate for rookie of the year even with his injury-prone reputation. He was given the opportunity to score in the redzone last Sunday and he was stuffed.

And with fellow tailback Tim Hightower failing to find any running room, Wells was given a chance to shine, and he did not.

If Wells continues to get stuffed in his goal line opportunities he will struggle to find playing time. The Cards seem to be a throw-first team and Hightower is an excellent receiving back, evident by his 12-catches-for-121-yards performance.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Raiders

Two Raiders are mentioned in this week’s Rookie Report. Too bad one of the mentions is not a good one.

Heyward-Bey was drafted in the top 10 of the 2009 NFL Draft to spark the Raiders’ offense. He was advertised as the fastest player in the draft. Instead of showing the Chargers what he can do, however, he let a fellow rookie wide receiver—and teammate—outshine him.

Heyward-Bey caught zero passes for zero yards and, obviously, zero touchdowns. Zero is not a number a top-10 draft pick should be posting. Luckily for Heyward-Bey he is still the second best wide receiver on the team and will get plenty of opportunities to redeem himself in the coming weeks.

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Fast-Starting Fantasy Players To Monitor

It happens every year.

Some fantasy player blows up during week one, most of the time unowned in a majority of leagues, and every owner (and his/her mother) rushes to the waiver wire to place a claim.

You know you tried to get Frisman Jackson a few years ago after his now-infamous week one aberration (eight catches, 128 yards, one touchdown). Those numbers were sick!

By the end of the season, he only doubled his reception total from week one and never found pay dirt again.

But not all fast-starting fantasy football players are created equal. Some are household names. Others—like Jackson—are but skeletons in a walk-in closet of fantasy football failures.

These players do have use to fantasy owners in one way or another. Had Jackson continued to put up sick stat lines, which happens every year off the waiver wire, he would have been a fantasy football Hall-of-Famer. As it were, a savvy owner could have parlayed his week one performance into a trade of some sort for a more stable prospect.

Injuries, break-out performances, and depth chart changes happen every week in the NFL. If you happen to own a fast-starting fantasy player, the pre-bye week period of the regular season schedule may be the best time to assess values and find trade partners.

As trade values go, fast-starting players only can go down.

 

Buyer Beware

Several fantasy players have either (A) been down this road before or (B) have week one fraud written all over them. The following nine stick out like a sore thumb in either or both of those categories.

 

Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys

Week One: 353 passing yards, three touchdowns.

Few players in recent memory have been as highly criticized and scrutinized as Tony Romo. I guess that comes with the territory when you are the quarterback of “America’s Team” and when you fizzle down the stretch of a regular season—more than once.

Romo got off to another hot start in week one against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with 353 passing yards and three touchdowns. But it’s pretty easy when you play against a team in rebuilding mode with a new head coach and the pressure of winning and losing is not so great as, say, when your team needs to win to get into the playoffs.

If Romo can (finally) deliver down the stretch, fantasy owners might be happy to take him among the likes of Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Drew Brees in the future.

Fantasy Spin: Fantasy owners are not trading Romo after week one. More than likely, if you own Romo you are in it for the long haul. Buckle up and try to enjoy the ride.

 

Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles

Week One: 79 passing yards, two touchdowns, one interception; 27 rushing yards, one touchdown.

Remember when Donovan McNabb got benched last year during the second half of the season? His fantasy owners sure do.

D-Nice was not benched for the heck of it. He was playing poorly and the fans were calling for his head. It took that benching to re-motivate the man, which led to a resurgent McNabb and the Eagles’ offense in general.

Perhaps McNabb will continue the hot hand through the course of the regular season. Or maybe not. A cracked rib in week one figures to derail his chances of doing so in the early going.

Despite the good start for McNabb at Carolina, there always is some concern in the back of fantasy owners’ minds about his ability to hold up over the course of a season.

Fantasy Spin: McNabb cannot be traded right now for fair value. Hold onto him and hope he gets back on the field soon.

 

Julius Jones, RB, Seahawks

Week One: 117 rushing yards, one touchdown; two catches for 19 yards.

At this point of his career, I would lump Julius Jones into the fraud category. Every offseason, the JJ hype machine rolls out in full force pumping up Jones’ fantasy value.

So what happens when they start playing real football?

Usually, great disappointment. There is no denying Jones’ talent. But the ability to consistently perform as a fantasy running back? That can be refuted without much of a counter-argument.

Sure, it has not always been his fault. A poor surrounding cast, an offense decimated by injuries and relative ineptitude grounded most of the Seattle Seahawks’ offense last year.

Fantasy Spin: Now is a great time to start shopping Jones. See if you can get a higher-ranked running back or wide receiver who performed below par during week one. If nothing great comes along, try again after his next decent fantasy performance or target an owner with a struggling backfield.

 

Cadillac Williams, RB, Buccaneers

Week One: 97 rushing yards, one touchdown.

Sadly, fantasy owners have been down this road before and met the same grim result.

Carnell “Cadillac” Williams, always one of ultimate potential, has been snake-bitten by serious knee injuries during his young career. Most fantasy owners and experts agree that it only is a matter of time now—and not much of it—before Williams breaks down again.

You have to give Caddy credit, though, he fought back, twice, when the odds were against him. If fantasy football were all about who had the most heart, Williams would be the consensus No. 1 pick.

Fantasy Spin: Williams’ value is on the rise and will continue to as he stays on the field and puts up nice numbers. But it will be hard to deal him right now, especially with no serious running back injuries in week one. Stash him on the bench, pray for health and hope for a desperate owner in the coming weeks.

 

Willis McGahee, RB, Ravens

Week One: 44 rushing yards, one touchdown; four catches for 31 yards, one touchdown.

The writing has been on the wall for Willis McGahee for two seasons in a row—this should be his last in Baltimore.

He will not go quietly; however, after scoring two times in the Ravens’ season opener. His pesky presence—along with Le’Ron McClain’s—is a nuisance to Ray Rice owners, who expect the second year back to become the feature of the Baltimore offense.

The coaching staff seems ready to transition to Rice as the primary back, but all three of these players will continue to touch the ball. McGahee’s week one success might not translate consistently the rest of the season with a crowded backfield and limited opportunities as the backup to Rice.

Fantasy Spin: Another nice performance by McGahee—hopefully this weekend—could signal the right time to trade him away. Look for the nervous Rice or McClain owner in your league and try to strike a deal if McGahee has another solid effort.

 

Devery Henderson/Robert Meachem, WR’s, Saints

Week One (Henderson): Five catches, 103 yards, one touchdown.
Week One (Meachem): Two catches, 51 yards, one touchdown.

When you play wide receiver on a prolific passing offense, fantasy owners love you. Unfortunately for those fantasy owners, however, that love all too often goes unrequited.

Devery Henderson has always been a tease to fantasy owners and now Robert Meachem is becoming the same. Loads of potential and speed to burn, Henderson and Meachem also have the luxury of playing with the hottest quarterback in the NFL, Drew Brees.

That works against both players, as well, because Brees likes to spread the ball around. And these two generally are used solely in the vertical passing game. Sure, you will get a huge week now and then, but the fantasy scorecard for these two often features a number of bagels.

Fantasy Spin: Savvy fantasy owners will not be baited into trading for either of these guys at this point. Those who own Henderson and/or Meachem are better served holding onto both for now to see how the Saints’ receiving hierarchy shakes out.

 

Patrick Crayton, WR, Cowboys

Week One: Four catches, 135 yards, one touchdown.

After Crayton took the No. 2 job from Terry Glenn he became an instant fantasy sleeper.

Apparently, his alarm clock is broken.

Crayton never became the receiver fantasy owners hoped he would become when he was named a starting receiver on a pass-happy offense. Drops and all-around inconsistency have limited his value and most fantasy owners have written him off at this point.

Fantasy Spin: Now is a great time to shop Crayton, whose value can only come down after such a performance.

 

Ben Watson, TE, Patriots

Week One: Six catches, 77 yards, two touchdowns.

It seems Watson has his best game of the season during week one every year. And he almost always comes into the season as one of the most highly coveted tight ends.

Fantasy Spin: If he is on your bench—likely—try and ship him out now. Watson is as inconsistent as they come and his value may never be higher. Watch Watson put it all together this season now that I have written him off; just don’t blame me if that happens after you trade him.

 

Those With Favorable Schedules During the Next Two Weeks

A handful of fantasy players have favorable matchups—at least based on the first weekend of real football—during the next two weeks before bye weeks set in across the league.

 

Jason Campbell, QB, Redskins

Week One: 211 passing yards, one touchdown, one interception; 16 rushing yards.
Week Two vs. Rams
Week Three at Lions

Fantasy Spin: Campbell has a chance to string three solid fantasy performances in a row together. If he is on your waiver wire, grab-and-stash immediately. Once the bye weeks roll in, look for a QB-needy fantasy owner and talk trade. You could get some nice value after fat stat lines against the Rams and Lions.

 

 

 

Ryan Grant, RB, Packers

Week One: 61 rushing yards, one touchdown; one catch, six yards.
Week Two vs. Bengals
Week Three at Rams

Fantasy Spin: Grant had a nice day against one of the better defenses in the league—at least by reputation—and the schedule gets a little lighter the next two weeks on paper. He should be able to rack up some yards and touchdowns, but I would not put him on the block anytime soon. He could end up being the steal of fantasy drafts considering his modest draft value this summer.

 

Knowshon Moreno, RB, Broncos

Week One: 19 rushing yards
Week Two vs. Browns
Week Three at Raiders

Fantasy Spin: If Moreno is going to wrestle the job away from Correll Buckhalter and Peyton Hillis, now is the time. You can buy cheap after week one, but be prepared to hold onto him for the long run if the next few weeks go poorly.

 

Percy Harvin, WR, Vikings

Week 1: Three catches for 36 yards and one touchdown; 22 rushing yards.
Week 2 at Lions
Week 3 v. 49ers

Fantasy Spin: Harvin had a solid opening day showing and draws a pair of favorable matchups before the start of bye weeks. The Vikings might be required to open up the passing game soon in preparation for the rest of the season, which makes Harvin an interesting play especially in flex formats. His value is too high to trade away right now, but if you can con an owner for cheap it is a great time to invest.

 

Terrell Owens, WR, Bills

Week One: Two catches, 46 yards
Week Two v. Buccaneers
Week Three vs. Saints

Fantasy Spin: Owens did not overly impress against the Pats in week one, making this a nice time to buy low. He actually may have been hurt this preseason, which means it could take a few weeks to get up to full speed. He is not a bad buy as a low-end WR2 right now and surely there are Owens’ owners in full panic mode after a two-catch performance on Monday Night Football.

 

Chris Cooley, TE, Redskins

Week One: Seven catches, 68 yards, one touchdown.
Week Two vs. Rams
Week Three at Lions

Fantasy Spin: As Campbell goes, so too does Cooley. He has become Campbell’s favorite target and should continue to be the primary beneficiary in the passing game. If you own him, you are not trading him. And if you do not, you will have to pay a hefty price to get him.

 

Zach Miller, TE, Raiders

Week One: Six catches, 96 receiving yards.
Week Two at Chiefs
Week Three v. Broncos

Fantasy Spin: The best receiver in the Raiders’ arsenal, Miller draws a pair of weak AFC West opponents in the next two weeks. If he puts together a string of solid stat lines, consider shopping him as a bye-week filler, injury replacement, or tight end upgrade by week four.

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Daily Haze: Week One in The Books

The first week of the 2009 fantasy football season is in the books. How are your fantasy teams doing?

Mine? Not so great. In five leagues, I won a grand total of one game. Ouch. The good sign is that a few of my teams were in high-scoring affairs but drew the short end of the stick. Another team went up against Drew Brees.

Hopefully, week two is more kind to yours truly.

Blaine may have a waiver wire feature later today, but I wanted to throw a few names out there for owners in need of help this morning. These guys probably should be owned after week one’s performances:

• Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens (307 yards, three touchdowns)
• Mark Clayton, WR, Ravens (Five catches, 77 yards, one touchdown)
• Mark Sanchez, QB, Jets (272 yards, one touchdown)
• Chansi Stuckey, WR, Jets (Four catches, 64 yards, one touchdown)
• Mike Bell, RB, Saints (143 rushing yards)
• Patrick Crayton, WR, Cowboys (Four catches, 135 yards, one touchdown)
• Cadillac Williams, RB, Buccaneers (97 rushing yards, one touchdown)

Here are today’s great reads:

• The Michael Crabtree-San Francisco 49ers standoff continues with Crabtree reportedly leaving town. [ProFootballTalk]
• Taking a look at some of the players who had an impact on all of week one’s fantasy football games. [National Football Post]
• Kyle Orton’s fantasy day looks pretty solid on paper, but dig deeper than the numbers: He had squat until that fluke touchdown pass to win the game. [FanHouse]
• A look at the studs of the week one fantasy football season in photographic form. [SI.com]
• If your favorite team—or fantasy team, for that matter—got off to a slow start, week one is not really the time to panic. [The Big Lead

Got a pressing fantasy football question and need an answer now? Or just want to chat about all the recent developments in the sports world? Head over to The Hazean’s fantasy football forums for all that and more. Also remember to check out The Hazean’s fantasy rankings and mock draft database.

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Monday Morning Rehab

Did you actually think any fantasy players would come away from week one unscathed?

Not going to happen.

Now, the good news for fantasy owners is that there has yet to be a Tom Brady circa 2008 season-ending injury during week one. Not only did Brady’s knee explode during the first week of the season, but so too did many fantasy owners’ playoff aspirations.

But there have been significant injuries to notable fantasy football contributors, of course.

Before we get to those injuries, though, I want to offer a brief apology for the tardiness of today’s Monday Morning Rehab. I am in the middle of the club men’s ultimate frisbee season (playing for the Cleveland men’s team, Lake Effect) and was out of town all weekend for a tournament in Chicago.

Until I grab a NetBook—something I hope to purchase soon—work on the road is hard to get done. Actually, it is pretty impossible.

OK, enough about that… Check this weekend’s significant injuries after the jump.

 

Matt Cassel [QB, Chiefs]

From ProFootballTalk:

Matt Cassel will not play against the Ravens today in Baltimore. Cassel tried to go before the game but was ruled out.

He told friends this week he had every intention of playing in this game so it’s likely he’s been ruled out by the medical staff thanks to the MCL he sprained in the preseason.

The Chiefs actually made a competitive game out of their week one match-up against the Ravens without Cassel’s services.

From all indications, Cassel is very close to returning and should be able to play next weekend. In his absence, the Chiefs’ passing game was pretty decent, a good sign for Cassel’s projections going forward.

 

James Davis [RB, Browns]

From RotoWorld:

Davis was active despite getting into a one-car accident Saturday, but played sparingly behind Jamal Lewis and was shaken up by a big Antoine Winfield hit late.

That Davis played at all against the Vikings is incredible in and of itself. His results, however, are probably typical of someone who was involved in a car accident the day prior to a game.

As he recovers, Davis should become more and more involved in the offense.

 

Kevin Walter [WR, Texans]

From FFToolBox:

Cassel still hasn’t fully recovered from his strained MCL, while Walter has been hampered by a hamstring injury.

The Houston offense was anemic on Sunday without Walter, though I doubt his presence would have had much of an impact on the Texans’ offensive output.

Hopefully he gets back on the field for week two to give Matt Schaub a full complement of weapons. Otherwise, the Houston fantasy bandwagon could stall very quickly.

 

Anquan Boldin [WR, Cardinals]

From RotoWorld:

He wasn’t noticeably limping, but he also never really had a chance to open up and sprint. With the Cardinals playing it cautiously, Boldin was targeted just four times compared to 13 for Larry Fitzgerald.

Boldin gave it a go but his presence was not enough to help the Cardinals overcome San Francisco in week one.

His health should continue to improve and he generally is a pretty tough football player who has been hampered by various ailments over the years. I expect Boldin to grit it out in the short term with the hamstring troubles.

 

Steve Breaston [WR, Cardinals]

From RotoWorld:

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt revealed Monday that Steve Breaston’s (knee) absence for Week 1 was unexpected.

Breaston could not go, so Jerheme Urban stepped into the Cardinals’ No. 3 wide receiver position and cleaned up with a decent stat line (5 catches for 74 yards). Those stats are Breaston’s to have upon his return.

However, that return is uncertain. Breaston may have re-aggravated a PCL sprain in his knee. Vikings’ wide receiver Sidney Rice dealt with a PCL injury all of last season that kept him on the sidelines or ineffective for most of the year. The same fate could await Breaston if the knee injury is more serious than has been let on by Cardinals.

 

Hakeem Nicks [WR, Giants]

From ProFootballTalk:

The Giants reportedly believe that rookie wideout Hakeem Nicks will only miss 2-3 weeks with his foot sprain, and that he’s likely avoided the dreaded “Lis Franc” sprain.

According to reports out of New York today, Nicks avoided the dreaded Lis Franc diagnosis and should return to game action in two-to-three weeks.

Not the best news for his fantasy value, which came into the season on the rise. Mario Manningham and Steve Smith starred for the Giants’ receiving corps in week one and could further cement their roles on the offense in the next few weeks.

 

Anthony Gonzalez [WR, Colts]

From FFToolBox:

Colts wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez will be out for at least two weeks (and maybe as many as six) with a strained right knee ligament. Gonzalez suffered the injury after taking just two steps after a snap in the first quarter.

This could end up being the most significant injury of the weekend. And it sounds like a freak one, at that.

AGonzo’s status is unknown at the moment. Presumably, the Colts are doing more tests on the knee. But that only means they fear the worst and perhaps fantasy owners should too. News on Gonzalez’s status should come quickly.

 

Donovan McNabb [QB, Eagles]

From FFToolBox:

There are some conflicting reports as to how much time McNabb is expected to miss due to this fracture. FOX’s Jay Glazer said on his Twitter account that McNabb is out for Week 2 and then “it’s up in air.” The Philadelphia Enquirer stated McNabb is going to be doubtful for Week 2 but that head coach Andy Reid wouldn’t rule him out for next week’s game against the New Orleans Saints

The Eagles signed Jeff Garcia to bolster the quarterback position this weekend. To me, that signifies Kevin Kolb will get the start against the Saints.

But nowadays, no assumption is safe especially when it comes to coaches and injury updates. Garcia is very familiar with the Eagles offense having led Philly to the playoffs a few years ago after a McNabb season-ending injury, so he may be in town for more than just a week. However, that is hard to imagine with Michael Vick set to come off suspension after week two.

Back to McNabb, however, Thursday and Friday will be the most telling days. If he gets on the practice field at all, he may have an outside shot to play this weekend. Stay tuned.

 

Tony Romo [QB, Cowboys]

From FFToolBox:

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo will undergo an MRI on Monday to see if there is any damage to his right ankle, which he injured during Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay. Romo was limping on the field and after the game, but didn’t miss any snaps and still put up tremendous numbers. Romo said after the game that he expects to be fine.

The MRI seems precautionary but should be slightly worrisome to fantasy owners nonetheless.

Romo has had a string of bad luck in recent seasons, enough to keep his owners on edge with every game. He clearly is unaffected from a fantasy standpoint by the departure of Terrell Owens and should continue to be a solid QB1 going forward. That is, of course, if the ankle checks out.

 

Antonio Bryant [QB, Buccaneers]

From FFToolBox:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Bryant is still recovering from offseason knee surgery and until he is fully healthy, the team will continue to monitor Bryant’s knee on a weekly basis. Bryant is expected to play Sunday against Buffalo, but may be limited during the practice week.

Bryant was ineffective in his first action since returning from a knee injury suffered during the preseason. He has never been a consistent fantasy threat and should only be considered a WR3 at this point.

 

The MMR will continue to run every Monday morning as scheduled during the regular season. If you have an injury update or want an update on a certain player, please leave a note in the comments.

Thank you for reading the latest post from The Hazean. Please visit our website for more great fantasy content!

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Daily Haze: Reaction from Steelers-Titans

How are your fantasy teams this morning?

Chances are if you own either of the defenses, you are feeling pretty good about the first weekend on fantasy football. Both units got their fantasy owners off to good starts.

Ben Roethlisberger was more than serviceable as a QB1 last night. The interceptions were bad but the pass attempts and yardage were very nice. If Pittsburgh cannot run the ball this year, I would expect more results like last night.

Speaking of running games, neither teams’ shined last night. Chris Johnson was held in check and my advice to withhold LenDale White from fantasy lineups was well played. However, I also said to start Willie Parker (FAIL) and bench Heath Miller, who had a nice night if you play in a PPR league (eight catches for 64 yards).

Another observation: A pair of rookie receivers were highly involved in the offenses. Mike Wallace caught the pass in overtime which set up the game-winning field goal and was targeted a good number of times by Ben Roethlisberger. I think he is the clear-cut No. 3 wide receiver. Meanwhile, Kenny Britt continued to get open all night for Kerry Collins and looked very poised for a rookie. He caught three less passes than Justin Gage but appears to be a bigger threat downfield.

Here are today’s great reads:

• More thoughts from last night’s NFL regular season opener, including discourse on John Madden’s replacement in the booth. [The Big Lead]
• Justin Gage’s stat line (7-78-1) jumps off the page, but is he ready to become a regular fantasy football contributor? [RotoProfessor]
• Absolutely the last time the fantasy football mock draft market will be analyzed this summer. I think. [Mock Draft Central]
• 10 NFL linebackers that you love in an individual defensive player league or hate to face in standard leagues. [National Football Post]

Got a pressing fantasy football question and need an answer now? Or just want to chat about all the recent developments in the sports’ world? Head over to The Hazean’s fantasy football forums for all that and more. Also remember to check out The Hazean’s fantasy rankings and mock draft database.

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Thank you for reading the latest post from The Hazean. Please visit our website for more great fantasy content!

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Rookie Report: Five Ready-to-Go NFL Rookies

Many things have changed since I made my initial list of top rookies coming into the season.  Injuries have slowed some rookies down while others are proving their worth in the pros.

I still do not think this rookie class will have as big an impact as last seasons crop. But a worthy few could contribute greatly for their teams and fantasy owners this season.

There are plenty of rookies that will get opportunities to shine because of the success of last year’s rookies, but these five will get the most opportunities right now.

1.  Mark Sanchez, QB, Jets: Sanchez has done everything he needed to do in training camp and the preseason to earn a starting spot.  He impressed the coaching staff and most fans watching the NFL.  I am not ready to admit he is a sure thing, but it is impossible not to rank him as the top rookie going into the season.

2.  Matt Stafford, QB, Lions: Stafford has not matched the stats or impressive performances of Sanchez, but he nonetheless will start the season as the No. 1 quarterback in Detroit.  Stafford has a plethora of offensive weapons to ease into the NFL.  Calvin “Megatron” Johnson and Kevin Smith will be Stafford’s new BFFs.

3.  Knowshon Moreno, RB, Broncos: Moreno has not played or practiced much this preseason due to injuries, but the talent is still there.  He may struggle to start the season, but I believe he will be a late bloomer and make a strong push towards the later part of the season for fantasy football rookie of the year.

4.  Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, Cardinals: Wells, like Moreno, has been dealing with injuries this preseason.  Wells is a bruising running back that will complement the Cardinals passing game perfectly.  Once Wells fully recovers from his injuries, he will be a force in the Cardinals offense.

5.  Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Raiders: Heyward-Bey has enough trouble catching a cold, but he is going to get a lot of balls thrown his way.  Bey has the speed to burn any corner deep and his quarterback JaMarcus Russell can throw the ball as far as Heyward-Bey can run.

Thank you for reading the latest post from The Hazean. Please visit our website for more great fantasy content!

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