Fantasy Football News 12/31/06

[Hache Man]

Last Minute Decisions

This is the last edition of Last Minute Decisions. I hope you liked the matchups, Absolutely Nots, and other stuff I wrote about the last 16 weeks. For those still playing, make sure to check the site early Sunday and early Saturday evening for the latest news around the NFL, including each team's inactives.

Important Week 17 Game-Time Decisions

Arms
Charlie Frye – would bet against him throwing more than ten passes
Tarvaris Jackson – will start, this Rams fan is hoping he plays badly
Aaron Brooks – very likely to start as Raiders try to spoil Jets' party
Tom Brady – will probably play a quarter, let Matt Cassel do the rest
Jake Delhomme – in a must-win for Carolina, Delhomme will start

Backs
Carnell Williams – disappointing season has likely reached its end
Chester Taylor – probable, could approach 1,300 yards versus STL
Travis Henry – will start at TEN, figure he'll be starting again in '07
Ron Dayne – returned to practice Friday, expected to get 30 carries
Ahman Green – will start, top 1,000 yards in Pack must-win at CHI
Cedric Houston – fully expected to see most of the carries vs. OAK
Fred Taylor, Maurice Jones-Drew – both will play in Jags must-win
Warrick Dunn – if Falcons lose and Mora's canned, Dunn may be cut
Brian Westbrook – has a virus but shouldn't miss Falcons game
Dominic Rhodes – should play, practiced fully Thursday and Friday
Michael Bennett – Chiefs need someone durable to back up L.J. in '07

Wides
Dallas Clark – could play limited role as he recovers from knee injury
Joe Jurevicius – doubtful, rookie Travis Wilson to see action @ HOU
Dennis Northcutt – may start, still unlikely to be retained this offseason
Troy Williamson – guessing he might not play despite probable listing
Bobby Wade – underrated third receiver expected to play vs. Patriots
Joe Horn – unlikely to play more than a handful of snaps even if active
Terrance Copper – Jamal Jones set to be Saints' third receiver vs. CAR
Torry Holt – will start as Rams play for their playoff lives at Minnesota
Drew Carter – Keary Colbert might get some time if Carter sits again
Donald Driver – Pro Bowler to start against Charles Tillman-less Bears
Laveranues Coles – definitely won't miss this Sunday's game vs. OAK
Marty Booker – expected to start, I'd rather see more of Derek Hagan
Ricky Proehl – not likely to play, question: when/how did he get hurt?
Vincent Jackson – set to play, rotate with Keenan McCardell/Eric Parker

Ends
Kellen Winslow – will start, Winslow will have offseason knee surgery
Bo Scaife – practicing and looks likely to play, remain a starter in 2007
Owen Daniels – wouldn't count on him, Daniels barely worked all week
Mark Campbell – doubtful, this is a major need area for Saints' offense
Ben Watson – guessing he won't play, David Thomas an emerging stud
David Martin – injuries ruined possible breakout year for impending FA
Alge Crumpler – probable with a back injury, Crump will play Sunday
Alex Smith – Smith should be fine after being upgraded on Friday

Legs
Adam Vinatieri – Colts didn't sign a kicker, so he's being relied upon

Already Ruled Out for Week 17

Arms
Derek Anderson – Week 16 disaster may have cost him starting chance
Matt Leinart – won't need surgery, could be top-ten fantasy QB in '07

Backs
Clinton Portis – trade rumors already heating up, Portis to the Texans?
Musa Smith – an impending free agent, injuries have killed his value
LaMont Jordan – may be released if Art Shell stays as Raiders coach

Wides
Randy Moss, Jerry Porter – both seem likely to be elsewhere in 2007
Antonio Bryant – Bryan Gilmore (0 catches in Week 16) still starting
Brandon Stokley – plans to play in '07 but Colts should draft a WR
David Givens – could be cut in favor of promising Brandon Jones
Darrell Jackson – his status is uncertain for Round One of the playoffs
Robert Ferguson – a player like this Mike Martz could turn into a star
Ashley Lelie – doubt he'll to return to ATL, Niners need WR help
Michael Clayton – watch Maurice Stovall this week in second start

Ends
Itula Mili – considering retirement, SEA could draft a TE this April
Jeremy Shockey – not on team flight, Giants' offense in bad shape

Only about 10-20 percent of fantasy football leagues are still active, so I figured I'd take this time to dig deep and answer a vehement Absolutely Not to the real questions that are haunting the other 90 percent of us who are no longer playing. If you're still going, congratulations and good luck tonight and tomorrow. www.therx.ws www.therx.info

Answer Absolutely Not to the Following Questions

Should anyone still in the fantasy playoffs be sitting Ron Dayne this weekend?

Are the Broncos likely to go into next season with their current running back depth chart?

Would Art Shell's return to Oakland be good news for LaMont Jordan?

Is this normal?

Should we count on Tom Brady playing much, if at all, Sunday at Tennessee?

Would it be smart for a team to invest in Jamal Lewis as its franchise running back this offseason?

Are Kellen Winslow's tattoos cool?

Is Clinton Portis the clear RB keeper in Washington?

Are critics still questioning the Bears' decision to select Devin Hester in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft?

Would watching Terrell Owens get eaten by a lion be more rewarding than watching the Giants put the finishing touches on their dramatic collapse tonight at Washington? PS: This seems never to get old.

Will Donald Driver (shoulder) sit out his game Sunday night?

Is Jeremy Shockey a classy, clean-cut young man?

Was there a bigger disappointment among rookie fantasy players this season than LenDale White?

Is there anything riding on the Houston-Cleveland game this weekend?

Is anyone hotter than this chick?

Does this movie look like it'll be as boring as The New World? (I know I already did this one, but I can't get enough.)

If a team signs Leonard Davis to protect its quarterback's blindside, is that club unlikely to be disappointed?

Should the receiver-needy Chargers, Lions, and Niners fail to take a first-day look at Notre Dame wide receiver Rhema McKnight? (my favorite '07 Draft sleeper)

Based on the year in review, would it be completely out of the realm of possibility that after this occurred, the accused will strap on orange and black and start chanting "Who Dey?" www.fantasysportspicks.com

Would it be wise to party and get in a car driven by Odell Thurman and Chris Henry this weekend?

Should you stop reading Rotoworld's NFL page this offseason?

[Hache Man]

	Report: Frye to start at Houston
	Charlie Frye - QB - CLE - Dec. 31 - 12:02 a.m. ET
	WKYC in northeast Ohio reports Charlie Frye (wrist) will start Sunday. Browns coach Romeo Crennel remained hopeful all week that Frye would start despite a limited practice regimen. The latest reports had Frye throwing only short lobs during workouts, so we doubt he'll be a threat to go downfield. He may be an even worse bet to finish the game.Dec. 31 - 12:02 a.m. ET Source: WKYC.com

[Hache Man]

	Virus keeps Westbrook out of practice again
	Brian Westbrook - RB - PHI - Dec. 29 - 1:51 p.m. ET
	Brian Westbrook missed his second consecutive day of practice on Friday due to a viral infection, but remains probable on the injury report. The electric running back did attend morning meetings and is expected to participate in Saturday's walk-through session. Head coach Andy Reid is still counting on him being ready for Sunday's game against the Falcons.Dec. 29 - 1:51 p.m. ET Source: philadelphiaeagles.com