Fantasy Football News 12/10/06

[Hache Man]

Last Minute Decisions

Each week, Last Minute Decisions is your final stopping point before setting your lineups Sunday morning. I'll tell you Game-Time Decisions to watch and provide matchup rundowns you won't find anywhere else. Make sure to check the site early Sunday for the latest news around the NFL.

Important Week 14 Game-Time Decisions


UPDATE: Laurence Maroney and Chad Jackson are out for Week 14

Arms
Jake Delhomme – Chris Weinke to start against the Giants

Wides
T.J. Houshmandzadeh – probable but check AM inactives
Keenan McCardell – has just five receptions since Week 9
Marques Colston – clearly has high ankle sprain, unlikely to go
Joe Horn – don't expect him to play, Terrance Copper to start
Eric Parker – probable but a marginal play against Denver
Brandon Stokley – role may increase but not a WR3 option
Chad Jackson – speedy rookie a complete fantasy non-factor
Kevin Curtis – a risky WR3 after not working the last two days

Backs
Chester Taylor – Ciatrick Fason is expected start at the Lions
DeShaun Foster – should start, split with DeAngelo Williams
Willis McGahee – likely to go, make sure Sunday afternoon
Marcel Shipp – don't believe TD vulture is a fantasy option
Michael Turner – should back up LT2 after practicing Friday
Laurence Maroney – likely to play but not a safe flex @ MIA
LenDale White – major disappointment not expected to play

Ends
Tony Gonzalez – will start, needs 2 TDs to set all-time record
Stephen Alexander – hopefully he's not on your fantasy team
Alex Smith – second-year man will play versus the Falcons
David Martin – worth a look as a fantasy starter @ San Fran

Legs
Jason Elam – will kick at San Diego but not at 100 percent
Jay Feely – a good fantasy play this week at warm Carolina

Already Ruled Out for Week 14

Arms
Daunte Culpepper – Joey Harrington not the long-term answer
Brooks Bollinger – will be third QB, Brad Johnson set to start
Byron Leftwich – who else can't wait for the rumors to heat up?

Wides
Malcom Floyd – Philip Rivers' arsenal in bad physical shape
Kelley Washington – Chris Henry a mediocre WR3 vs. OAK
Michael Clayton – Ike Hilliard now starting for Tampa Bay
Brian Finneran – ATL could use his sure hands right about now
Amani Toomer – Sinorice Moss not on Week 14 injury report
Bobby Engram – worked all week but not ready for game action
Jerry Porter

Backs
Ronnie Brown – shooting to be back for Week 15 at Buffalo
Ricky Williams – consider grabbing him in dynasty leagues
Tyson Thompson – fifth in Pro Bowl voting as a kick returner
LaMont Jordan – still has not been placed on injured reserve
Musa Smith – hurt neck caught up to him, upgrade Jamal Lewis
Clinton Portis – Ladell Betts signing hurts Portis' long-term value

Ends
Eric Johnson – Vernon Davis looks primed for a strong finish
Dallas Clark – Ben Utecht disappointed as top TE last Sunday

What Is Up With Laurence Maroney?

Listed as questionable with a back injury, Maroney was present for the portion of practice open to the media all through the week. Mid-week reports had him looking tentative in drills and there was concern that he will be limited on Sunday. But on Friday, Dan Pires of the SouthCoast Standard Times reported that Maroney is showing no signs of being physically hindered by an injury. Maroney even went so far as to say "One, I didn't get no concussion. Two, I didn't get no wind knocked out of me" despite missing most of last Sunday's game. Patriots coach Bill Belichick is famously secretive about the injury report, so we'll have to take Maroney's word for it. I'm waiting until Week 15 at Houston to consider Maroney as a flex, however, as I'm not convinced he's 100 percent. It would be safe to monitor his workload on Sunday instead of inserting him in your fantasy lineup.

Week 14 Matchups To Exploit/Avoid

There aren't many relatively difference-making defensive players hurt or not expected to play this week. Most have already been placed on injured reserve. Tommie Harris' regular season-ending injury is a blow to the Bears, but not so much against the Rams. Alex Brown, Adewale Ogunleye, and Mark Anderson should be all over Marc Bulger on Monday night regardless. I realize your Saturday reading and NFL news is limited, so I took a look at a few more games this week, an especially important one for we who are in the fantasy playoffs.

Vikings @ Lions
Game Time: 12:00 CT/1:00 ET

Conditions: dome

If you've read Rotoworld at all recently you've probably come across Ciatrick Fason's name once or twice. You may not know much about him. Fason was a fourth-round pick last season who Mike Tice tried to turn into a goal-line back. He has power but runs upright, which some coaches don't like. Fason wound up scoring on four of his 32 carries as a rookie, climbed to second on the depth chart in training camp under the new coaching staff, and was injured in Week 3 of the preseason. The mysterious arm injury was aggravated in Week 1 while he was playing special teams and Fason sat on the game-day inactives list until a few weeks ago. Fason carried 11 times for 75 yards and a touchdown in Week 13…against the Bears. With Chester Taylor doubtful, Fason will most likely start this Sunday. Detroit isn't ranked last against the run, but without Shaun Rogers (injured reserve), boasts easily the worst front seven in the NFL. Middle linebacker Teddy Lehman likely will not play due to a hamstring injury. The Vikings should move the ball via the air, as left corner Fernando Bryant will miss the game and his replacement will be an extraordinarily weak player that I'll spare ripping. Minnesota should be in Lions territory often, allowing for Fason to get plenty of carries in the red zone. If he scores at the pace he did last season, Fason will be good for multiple touchdowns.

Titans @ Texans
Game Time: 12:00 CT/1:00 ET

Wali Lundy scored early in last week's win over the Raiders before being replaced by Ron Dayne. Dayne piled up 83 second-half rushing yards against Oakland. While Lundy will retain his starting duties, Houston's backfield is again shaping up as a three-headed attack, with undrafted rookie Chris Taylor in line for a few carries and Dayne set up to be the "closer." For Tennessee, massive interior tackle Albert Haynesworth and strong-side linebacker David Thornton are back in the starting lineup. The Texans will be pressing to show that their decision against drafting Vince Young was a monster mistake. I'm expecting David Carr to at least double the amount of passes he attempted last week (14) and Andre Johnson to be the main benefactor. Avoid using Texans running backs in this one.

Bills @ Jets
Game Time: 3:15 CT/4:15 ET

Conditions: sunny, 5-10 MPH winds, 55 degrees

There might not be a better matchup I've seen all year than Cedric Houston against the Bills in Week 14. Buffalo has surrendered over 400 yards on ground the past two weeks, and that was with their best linebacker, Angelo Crowell, and their run-stuffing, top-ten pick Donte Whitner in the lineup. Crowell has now been lost for the season due to a broken leg and the Bills will use 218-pound safety convert Coy Wire as their new weak-side linebacker. Whitner is questionable with a hamstring injury and looks likely to be replaced by journeyman safety Matt Bowen, the definition of "just a guy." Buffalo starts two sub-300 pound defensive tackles who can be exposed by a bruising power back. If I watch this game and don't see Houston run over Wire and rookie tackle Kyle Williams at least one time apiece, I will be disappointed. Coming off his breakout game, Houston is again a high-upside flex on Sunday.

Packers @ 49ers
Game Time: 3:15 CT/4:15 ET

Conditions: periods of rain, winds 15-30 MPH, 50 degrees

It's uncertain whether Vernand Morency is healthy, but he has not produced after peaking at mid-season and Ahman Green's starting job is secure. The 49ers' surprising defensive success has proven short lived, as they've allowed both Steven Jackson and Deuce McAllister to run for over 120 yards in the last two weeks, not to mention Reggie Bush's three rushing TDs in Week 13. The problems for San Francisco will be amplified by the absence of middle linebacker and leading tackler Derek Smith (hamstring). He will be replaced by Jeff Ulbrich, who lost his starting job earlier in the season when the Niners were being trampled on the ground. Defensive tackle Anthony Adams is not a starter in San Francisco's base 4-3 defense but is the nose when the Niners go to four linebackers. He will not play after being downgraded to doubtful Friday. In a game that should be close and dictated by the team that runs the football the best, Ahman Green has a good chance for a strong game.

Saints @ Cowboys
Game Time: 7:15 CT/8:15 ET

Conditions: 20 percent chance of showers, winds 10-15 MPH, 55 degrees

New Orleans' run defense will go from bad to worse with the suspension of run-plugging stopgap Hollis Thomas. Thomas had been playing at a career-best level in his first year with the Saints, who have been vulnerable to outside runs all season. With the 335-pound Thomas in street clothes, New Orleans becomes considerably weaker on the interior. If you're still wavering on Marion Barber because he's not the "starter," hesitate no longer. Barber leads the NFC in rushing touchdowns by a wide margin and is at this point an every-week RB2. He should score at least once at home against the Hollis Thomas-less Saints.

Bears @ Rams
Game Time: Monday night 7:30 CT/8:30 ET

Conditions: dome

Cedric Benson is now seeing nearly as much action in Chicago's backfield as Thomas Jones. Benson racked up 60 yards on nine carries and scored in Week 13, while Jones only ran for 32 on 12 totes. He won't start, but I'm guessing Benson's role gets even bigger at St. Louis while Jones' legs are rested for the playoffs. The Bears won't have to worry about Benson being ineffective after Marcel Shipp and Edgerrin James racked up three touchdowns and 136 yards versus STL last Sunday. For the Rams, weak-side linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa continues to play hurt and make his tackles ten yards downfield. St. Louis tried to get run-stopping rookie defensive end Victor Adeyanju to play with a broken forearm but decided he's not ready. No one in the Rams' secondary can tackle. Monday night should be Benson's nationally-televised coming out party. He has strong potential as a fantasy flex.

[Hache Man]

Week 14 Inactives

We'll update all the big names in our Sunday Inactives column between 11:15-12:30. Refresh often. For complete inactive information for free, down to the 53rd player, you can also check Rotoworld's player news page.

Cincinnati

In a surprise move, CB Deltha O'Neal is inactive following his DUI arrest Saturday.

WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh is active after dealing with a back injury all week.

T Levi Jones and C Rich Braham are both inactive.

Oakland

As expected, RB LaMont Jordan is inactive.

T Robert Gallery, who's not expected back until at least Week 16, is also inactive.

WR Jerry Porter, who has a hip injury in addition to doghouse status, is inactive.

K Sebastian Janikowski and TE Randal Williams are both active.

Baltimore

RB Musa Smith is inactive, as the Ravens reportedly hold him out as a precautionary measure following a Week 12 neck injury. RB Mike Anderson should see a little more time behind RB Jamal Lewis.

LB Dan Cody is also inactive.

TE Daniel Wilcox is active.

New England

Laurence Maroney and Chad Jackson will not play for the Pats. Corey Dillon should see the bulk of the work against Miami. Heath Evans and Patrick Pass will pick up carries but aren't worth considering in fantasy leagues. You could do worse than Kevin Faulk as a flex in a points-per-reception league. Jackson's loss is minor.

Tennessee

LenDale White will not play for the Titans. Chris Brown will be active but isnt a good fantasy play. He will probably work on third downs, which does reduce Travis Henry's value as a PPR start.

Miami

Ronnie Brown and Daunte Culpepper are out for the Dolphins, as expected. Sammy Morris will start in a tough matchup against the Patriots.

Carolina

Jake Delhomme will be the Panthers' emergency QB. Chris Weinke will start.
DeShaun Foster will start and split carries with DeAngelo Williams.

NY Giants

Michael Strahan and Corey Webster are down for the Giants. Mathias Kiwanuka and RW McQuarters will take their spots, respectively.

Atlanta

CB Jason Webster, who didn't practice all week and was listed as doubtful, is inactive. He's missed a month with a groin injury.

DE John Abraham is playing.

Minnesota

RB Chester Taylor reportedly warmed up prior to game time, but is inactive for the Vikings. RB Ciatrick Fason will start in his place and will likely split time with RB Mewelde Moore.

QB Brooks Bollinger is inactive, meaning QB Tarvaris Jackson will back up QB Brad Johnson.

TE Jermaine Wiggins and WR Marcus Robinson are both active.

Detroit

CB Fernando Bryant and LB Tedy Lehman are inactive.

Houston

Try to avoid Texans running backs. Wali Lundy will start but Chris Taylor, Samkon Gado, and second-half specialist Ron Dayne are all active. Rarely do teams activate four tailbacks. It could get ugly for fantasy leaguers relying on this backfield Sunday.

Tampa Bay

TE Anthony Becht is out, meaning Alex Smith could see more action as the top tight end. Smith is active despite being listed as questionable this week. He's a workable fantasy start if you're desperate.

Kansas City

RT Kyle Turley is out, giving RT Chris Terry the start.

TE Tony Gonzalez is active, as expected.

Indianapolis

Bob Sanders and Dallas Clark are inactive. Ben Utecht continues to be the top tight end but is a marginal play against Jacksonville. Marlin Jackson starts at free safety. Brandon Stokley is active.

Jacksonville

Maurice Drew is active.

Carolina

Originally-projected starting cornerbacks Ken Lucas and Chris Gamble are both out, so upgrade Eli Manning's matchup. Nick Goings is out. Keary Colbert is down and has fallen well off the fantasy radar.

Washington

Shawn Springs is back in the lineup. Brandon Lloyd appears likely to start, as he is active after having some problems with coach Joe Gibbs last week. David Patten is down.

Philadelphia
Former starting weak-side LB Matt McCoy is down. Omar Gaither will start. Jason Avant still isn't getting a chance to play, as he is inactive as well. Donte Stallworth is active and so is Brian Westbrook, as expected