Fantasy Football News (10/24/06)

[Hache Man]

Bledsoe Benched
Coach Bill Parcells' patience with Drew Bledsoe finally came to an end Monday night, with Tony Romo taking over as the Cowboys' starter after halftime. Bledsoe was 7-of-12 for 111 yards in the first half, but earned his demotion with yet another ill-timed interception at the goal line. Romo wasn't much better, getting picked off three times, including on his first throw, but at least moved the offense with 227 yards and two touchdowns.

Parcells declined to name a Week 8 starter after the game, saying instead that he'll "have to think about that one." However, he had harsh words for the team's performance and the decision to remove Bledsoe has certainly been a long time coming. Toss in Bledsoe telling reporters afterward that it was a "very bad decision" to replace him at halftime and it seems unlikely that he'll start another game in Dallas.

In fact, Bledsoe's days as an NFL starter may be over, period. If that's the case, it'll be interesting to see how he handles any potential backup offers given how negatively he reacted to Tom Brady taking over for him in New England and Parcells benching him Monday night. Given that the Cowboys have clearly identified Romo as their quarterback of the future, they probably don't care what Bledsoe thinks at this point.

With three straight road games against Carolina, Washington, and Arizona up next on the schedule, whoever starts for the Cowboys is not a good fantasy option. With that said, Romo should be picked up in re-draft leagues as the best available quarterback on the waiver wire and his solid keeper-league stock has been set in motion. With Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn, and Jason Witten, he certainly has the necessary weapons to put up numbers.

While Cowboys fans ponder what they'll do without Bledsoe to kick around, here are some other notes from around football …

* Seattle received some good news Monday after an MRI showed that Matt Hasselbeck's knee sprain will keep him out for "only" 2-4 weeks. It could have been much worse, but even this best-case scenario will sideline Hasselbeck until at least November 19. That gives Seneca Wallace a minimum of 2-3 starts in his absence, with matchups against Kansas City, Oakland, St. Louis, and San Francisco up next on the schedule.

That's a relatively favorable stretch of games and makes Wallace worth grabbing if you need quarterback help in deep leagues, but he's no more than a mediocre QB2 option on a week-to-week basis. Meanwhile, Hasselbeck should not be dropped in re-draft leagues, as he's expected to be back in time for your fantasy playoff run.

While Shaun Alexander is set to return well before Hasselbeck, it probably won't be this week. As he almost always does, Alexander told reporters that he expects to play Sunday. And as he almost always is, he appears to be wrong. Coach Mike Holmgren didn't rule Alexander out for Week 8, but said it's much more likely that he'll return next week against Oakland. In other words, be prepared for a Wallace-Maurice Morris backfield.

* Despite Wali Lundy rushing for 93 yards on 19 carries against Jacksonville Sunday, coach Gary Kubiak declined to name him Houston's starting running back. However, Kubiak gave plenty of indication that Lundy's status as the team's primary ball-carrier is safe heading into the Week 8 matchup with Tennessee.

"I don't get too caught up in the starter thing," Kubiak said. "But he's definitely going to play [more]. He stepped up and played well." If Lundy plays any "more" this week, he'll end up with 25 touches. Whatever the case, it's clear that the job is once again Lundy's to lose after he missed the short window of opportunity given to him early in the season.

* Coach Jack Del Rio told reporters Monday that he gave consideration to pulling Byron Leftwich from Sunday's loss to Houston, but said he expects Leftwich to start this week. Del Rio explained that he initially thought Leftwich's ankle injury was behind his poor performance, but realized that wasn't the case after watching film afterward.

"Watching the film, you just don't see anything in his movement that you would say … he can't play and he can't set up," Del Rio said. "He just didn't play well, and he knows that." I'll leave it up to you to determine whether or not it's better for Leftwich's poor outing to be attributed to an injury or simply not playing well, but in either case he's not a good fantasy option on the road against Philadelphia this week.

Two-Minute Drill: Coach Mike Shanahan said Monday that Jake Plummer will remain the Broncos' starter this week, but didn't give any assurances beyond that … Meanwhile, coach Dick Jauron said J.P. Losman will remain the Bills' starter following their bye week … It sounds like Ashley Lelie has replaced Roddy White in the Falcons' starting lineup … Coach Mike McCarthy indicated Monday that Vernand Morency is ahead of Noah Herron as the all-important backup to Ahman Green … Despite rumors to the contrary, Cardinals ownership implied Monday that coach Dennis Green's job is safe for at least this week …

Red Zone: Coach Eric Mangini said Monday that the Jets will wait until after Sunday's game to further evaluate Curtis Martin's chances of returning this season … After taking the bye week to recovery from his hamstring injury, Deuce McAllister practiced Monday … Coach Brian Billick said Monday that Steve McNair (concussion, neck) is "on course" to start in Week 8 … LaVar Arrington is out for the season after rupturing his Achilles' tendon Monday night … Both Clinton Portis (ankle) and Santana Moss (hamstring) are expected to miss practice time this week, but the Redskins' bye should let them get healthy … With Greg Jennings (ankle) hurting and Robert Ferguson (foot) on injured reserve, Ruvell Martin might start alongside Donald Driver this week.

[Hache Man]

Time for a Change
Jake Plummer helped save Mike Shanahan's post-John Elway career. After missing the playoffs three times in four seasons, the Mastermind was desperate for a quarterback who he could win with. For all of Plummer's faults, winning in the regular season hasn't been a problem. The Broncos have made the playoffs all three seasons under Plummer, including an 18-4 mark since the start of 2005.

Shanahan partially owns his bullet-proof job security to Plummer, and that's why he's waited this long. That's why Plummer will get at least one more shot, against the Colts, to save his job.

Shanahan let it be known after Week 2 that Plummer would only be removed if he "implodes or gets hurt." After four more starts, Plummers' statistics look like an implosion. He's 32nd in the league in yards-per-attempt, barely ahead of rookies Vince Young, Bruce Gradkowski, and another veteran coach-killer, Steve McNair. The Broncos are 31st in the league in points scored. Mike Shanahan has never coached a team outside the top 18. By Monday's press conference, Shanahan would only say that Plummer was his quarterback – for this week.

It's pretty rare that a Super Bowl contender removes their starting quarterback for a rookie in the middle of a season. Perhaps Shanahan knows, better than anyone, his team has no chance to make the big game with Jake Plummer playing like this.

Quarterback

Jay Cutler, Broncos - The legend of Jay Cutler was created sometime between NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock's first fawning report and the widely circulated news that the Vanderbilt grad was the number one player on Denver's entire board. A boffo preseason did nothing to diminish Cutler's rising star. He is Denver's 2007 starting quarterback.

I think he'll be Denver's quarterback by Week 9 because Plummer has shown no ability to snap out of his 2006 funk. Shanahan can't tolerate a 52.1% completion percentage much longer. Denver wouldn't let any rookie throw wild, so Cutler's fantasy upside is limited to be QB2 status in 12-team leagues. He could be a solid QB2 at best this year, but he's an elite dynasty and keeper league prospect with major potential for a second-year leap. Stash him now if you can.

Recommendation:Worth a look in deep leagues

Tony Romo, Cowboys - Bill Parcells has played his hand. Drew Bledsoe is already complaining about the quarterback change and may go in the tank. Romo did some positive things Monday night, extending plays and showing good accuracy. He also had a tendency to lock into his primary receiver, regardless of whether a Giants player was covering him. The interception on an attempted screen to Julius Jones was terrible.

All that said, Parcells has to stick with Romo at this point. Bledsoe has taken the Cowboys as far as they can go. Romo, trying to bring the Cowboys from behind, did rack up huge fantasy numbers (227 yards, two tds, three picks) in 30 minutes of play. The offense moved in-between Romo's big mistakes. Dallas has three straight road games coming against, but the matchups over the next month are average (Carolina, Washington, Arizona, Indianapolis). Because of the offensive weapons in Dallas, Romo would be my top pickup at quarterback this week.

Recommendation: Worth owning in 12-team leagues

Damon Huard, Chiefs - It's time to give Huard some credit. He's thrown for over 200 yards with two touchdowns in three of his last four games. The Chiefs offense has been different under his leadership, but it's still productive. Huard is playing so well, there may actually be a quarterback controversy when Trent Green is healthy enough to play. That's because Kansas City's next three games are against Seattle, St. Louis, and Miami. All of them can be thrown on. If Huard still has a 7:1 touchdown:interception ratio at that point and the Chiefs are winning, he may be tough to replace.

Recommendation:Worth owning in 12-team leagues

Seneca Wallace, Seahawks - Wallace has been in Mike Holmgren's system for four seasons. The last two off-seasons, the Seahawks have looked for another possible backup so they could use Wallace at wide receiver more. Both times, Holmgren decided that Wallace was their best option.

Wallace can be a better fantasy quarterback than his weak effort against the Vikings indicated. He's highly athletic and is a candidate to rush for 40 or more yards a game. Holmgren's system is proven and Wallace has excellent receivers to throw to. They will build their offense around his skills during the week. The matchups (Chiefs, Raiders, Rams) are nothing special, but Wallace is a fine pickup for Hasselbeck owners looking for insurance over the next month.

Recommendation:Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Joey Harrington, Dolphins - There is a huge dichotomy between Harrington's real-world value and his fantasy value. He's a consistent yardage option because the Miami defense is starting to struggle and Mike Mularkey has become wildly pass-wacky. Daunte Culpepper's knee has experienced swelling and he appears no closer to returning to the lineup. Despite all the interceptions, Harrington's season low for passing yards is 232. It doesn't get much better than that for a waiver pickup.

Recommendation:Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Kyle Boller, Ravens - Steve McNair missed practice Monday, but he sounds likely to be ready by the end of the week. Unless you are in a 2QB league, I wouldn't worry about Boller. Brian Billick has proven he can't coach the passing game and that is unlikely to change.

Recommendation: Keep in mind

David Garrard, Jaguars - Deep leaguers should consider Garrard because of Byron Leftwich's gimpy ankle.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Kelly Holcomb, Bills - The Bills are sticking with J.P. Losman for now. It's possible that the team would go to Craig Nall before Holcomb when they make a change, so we'd stay away in fantasy leagues from both backups.

Recommendation: Stay away

Running Backs

Wali Lundy, Texans - Lundy made the front of the Rotoworld home page for last week's article, so I won't repeat myself too much here. Unlike the other Texans runners this year, Lundy was able to make plays on his own Sunday, especially to the outside. He should lead the team in carries the rest of the season as Gary Kubiak figures out if Lundy is his "running back of the future."

I have my doubts that is the case, but Lundy can easily be your RB3 of the present. Make him top waiver priority in the remaining leagues he's available.

Recommendation:Should be owned in all leagues

DeAngelo Williams, Panthers - I'll keep listing Williams as long as I see his %owned sinking towards 50. DeShaun Foster will almost be at a career high in carries by the time Williams is healthy. He'll be ready to break down, and the Panthers may be ready to replace him even if Foster stays healthy.

Recommendation:Should be owned in all leagues

Justin Fargas, Raiders - Fargas had never carried the ball more than eight times in a game before rushing 23 times for 66 yards against the Cardinals. His poor yards-per-carry average looked familiar to LaMont Jordan owners. Fargas has some explosive ability, but he is a running back that could do more with less carries. Even if Jordan misses this week's game against Pittsburgh, don't expect much from Fargas.

Recommendation:Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Vernand Morency, Packers - For what it's worth, Morency appears to have re-assumed the primary backup role behind Ahman Green. When Green needed IVs late in a close game, Morency got most of the work. He didn't do much with it, but coach Mike McCarthy hinted Monday that Morency was indeed ahead of Noah Herron on the depth chart. He's worth holding on to in deep leagues, especially for Green owners.

Recommendation:Worth owning in deep leagues

Lendale White, Titans - A lot of teams dropped White during his bye week. Travis Henry's re-emergence is a great story, but the Titans will eventually want to develop the running back who will be the team's starter in 2007. Henry is almost certain to leave the team via free agency.

Recommendation:Should be owned in all leagues

Musa Smith, Ravens - Baltimore is likely to pass more with Brian Billick calling plays. That's great news for Smith, who plays on most passing downs for Baltimore.

Recommendation:Should be owned in deep leagues

Brian Calhoun, Lions - He's worth handcuffing to Kevin Jones in deep league's. Calhoun is a versatile threat who is a good fit for Mike Martz's offense. Shawn Bryson's injury might have done Detroit a favor because now they can develop Calhoun, who should be their primary backup next season.

Recommendation:Worth a look in deep leagues

Mewelde Moore, Vikings - Brad Childress will let MeMo throw, but he won't let carry the ball. In the most uneven division of carries in the NFL, Chester Taylor has 137 carries to lead the Vikings. Moore is next with eight. Taylor is at risk of breaking down in the second half of the season.

Recommendation:Worth owning in deep leagues

Wide Receivers

Marty Booker, Dolphins - Booker seems old, but he's only 30. Despite being two years older than Chris Chambers, Booker is the team's deep threat. Chambers is averaging only 10.1 yards-per-catch to 15.4 for Booker. He has more yards than Chambers in one less game.

It's odd to say, but there are enough yards in Miami's passing attack to go around. The Dolphins have attempted and completed more passes than any team in the NFL. Heading into a bye week then a date with the Bears, most owners will stay away from Booker. Take advantage. He's worth stashing for the second half if you need receiver help.

Recommendation:Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Keenan McCardell, Chargers - I gave up on McCardell a few weeks back, but San Diego's sudden pass-happy ways have made him relevant again. All the losses to San Diego's defense will have the Chargers in higher scoring games. McCardell and Eric Parker are splitting targets evenly, with McCardell nabbing six the last two games. He's worth a bench spot, especially in PPR leagues.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Brandon Jones, Titans - Jones has more pass targets than Drew Bennett since Vince Young took over. The Tennessee attack is unlikely to be consistent, but Jones is a decent WR3 play this week against Houston. Keep an eye on whether David Givens returns to the lineup.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deep leagues

Chris Henry, Bengals - The league's best third receiver returns from suspension this week. Marvin Lewis said that Henry "Could be on the team and down."

That doesn't make much sense, no matter how tough Lewis wants to look. Henry was playing better than Chad Johnson early in the season. Even if Henry is benched another game, he's talented enough to stash in deep leagues for the second half.

Recommendation: Worth owning in 12-team leagues

Santonio Holmes & Nate Washington, Steelers - It's hard to separate these two. While Washington has more fantasy points in standard leagues this season than Chad Johnson and Isaac Bruce, the success isn't sustainable. The Steelers are ultimately a run-first team. They split receiver snaps three ways behind Hines Ward. That's not a recipe for fantasy success.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deep leagues

Mike Furrey, Lions - Some owners got impatient with Furrey after a couple slow games. Whoops. Furrey is a starting receiver on the second-leading passing team in the NFL. He should remain a consistent WR3 all season and should be owned in all leagues.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues

Arnaz Battle, 49ers - Battle has at least three catches in his last five starts. With Antonio Bryant showing inconsistency, Battle is worth owning in deep leagues.

Recommendation: Should be owned in deep leagues

Ruvell Martin, Packers - He's a starting wideout on a productive passing team. That's the nicest thing we can say about Martin, an undrafted free agent who exposes Green Bay's terrible depth at wideout. Look for the tight ends and running backs to get more involved in the running game before Martin. He's only worth a look in very deep leagues.

Recommendation: Keep an eye on

Tight Ends

Joe Klopfenstein, Rams - Unlike most tight ends, Klopfenstein appears specializes in being targeted deep down the field. Four of his seven catches have gone for more than 20 yards. I saw another long gainer by him wiped out by penalty. Klopfenstein is likely to see more targets as the season progresses. He's a nice TE2 pickup.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deep leagues

Bo Scaife, Titans - Scaife was targeted a few times by college buddy Vince Young in the red zone in his last start. He's a good bye week option this week against the Texans.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

David Martin, Packers - He made more plays last week than Bubba Franks has all season. Martin is unlikely to explode, but he will be a bigger receiving threat with Greg Jennings possibly out this week.

Recommendation: Bye-week fill-in

Bryan Fletcher, Colts - Fletcher, the touchdown maker? You could do worse in deep leagues if you need an emergency fill-in.

Recommendation: Bye week fill-in

Kris Wilson, Chiefs - I started writing Waiver Wired in 2004 and Wilson was an early favorite. Coming out of Pittsburgh, he looked like the AFC's answer to Chris Cooley. That hasn't worked out too well, but he's finally a starter (at fullback) because of injuries in Kansas City. He scored his first NFL touchdown Sunday. Keep an eye on whether he becomes a consistent part of the offense.

Recommendation: Bye week fill-in