Extra Points: Week 9 Fantasy Studs

When I'm good, I'm great, when I'm bad, I'm not too bad, fortunately for you. Last week was my first 'losing' week, going 5-6-3 (24-19-13, season). For the second week in a row though I picked the top fantasy scorer. This week it was Brian Westbrook, and if you didn't start him, shame on you. Let's get going with this week's studs. (Note: I try to pick new players each week instead of telling you to start the same guy all the time. It is harder than it seems. The obvious guy may have been picked a few weeks ago, so until I run out of players, I won't go back to that stud in Week 5.)

Jets at Bills
This is a big division game for both teams. The Bills are coming off an ugly loss and the Jets just need wins to compete with the rest of the AFC. When the home team is in need for a win, I'll take a stud on that team versus the away team. That's why I am picking Lee Evans this week. The Jets don't have a great defense and Evans has 3 TDs in his last 4 games and 15 catches in his last 2 games. Let the points roll in.

Lions at Bears
If your fantasy team is made up of the NFC North minus the Lions, congrats, you will probably win your league. The Lions are miserable and they make normal players look extraordinary. That's why we are going with Kyle Orton this week. Just 4 weeks ago Orton had his best game this season versus the Lions. Another 300+ yard game is in the forecast. Enjoy!

Jaguars at Bengals
The only team that can compete with the all NFC North minus the Lions is the all AFC North minus the Bengals. We are going with David Garrard this week. The guy has put up 75 points in his last 4 games, compared to just 23 in his first 3 games. The Bengals aren't going to stop him, so start him.

Ravens at Browns
This game has ugly written all over it. Someone has to step it up, right? How about Derek Anderson? Talks continue to swirl around about Brady Quinn starting so Anderson has to step it up. Last time versus the Ravens was Anderson's worst game, throwing 3 interceptions. He watches game film right? It can only get better. Expect a decent game at home, enough to keep his job for another week.

Packers at Titans
We've been focusing on the Titans running game lately, and have forgotten about the QB. Kerry Collins isn't putting up huge numbers this season, but he is managing the game. The Packers need a win and will do everything they can to stop the run. Hello, Passing Game!

Buccaneers at Chiefs
The Chiefs are miserable against the run. After looking over Warrick Dunn, who might not play this week, I'll go with the Tight Ends on the Bucs. Alex Smith and Jerramy Stevens provide a nice complement for the short yardage throwing Jeff Garcia. One of the two will catch a TD, I just can't decide which one, considering they split time.

Cardinals at Rams
When a man returns from injury, not 100% and puts up 21 points against a solid defense, what do you expect him to do a week later, healthier, and versus one of the worst pass defenses? Anquan Boldin is going to have another great game. I don't know how to put it any other way. Play him.

Texans at Vikings
This might be the most exciting game of the week. Unfortunately, no major market will get to watch it. The Texans have won three straight and put up a lot of points. The Vikings are in the hunt in their own division thanks to the arm of Gus Frerotte. That's why we are counting on Bernard Berrian to have a decent game. Houston doesn't stop the pass that well, so Berrian can get open easily.

Dolphins at Broncos
Who has been one of the best and consistent quarterbacks the past few weeks? Chad Pennington. The Broncos have no defense and Chad Pennington has made Ginn Jr. an excellent fantasy receiver. Chad has flourished in this new offense that the Dolphins run, and it will only continue.

Falcons at Raiders
I always cringe when I pick a Raider player, but this week I am looking at Justin Fargas to have a great game. He is going up against a weak Falcons defense and is a good option out of the backfield. I always walk a tight rope when I say the Raiders will have a good game, but I feel more confident going up against the Falcons.

Cowboys at Giants
The talk this week has been T.O and Plax, Plax and T.O. How come no one is talking about Steve Smith? No touchdowns yet this year, and the Cowboys defense isn't anything special. I wouldn't look at at Cowboys receivers without Romo. Play Smith and I'll tell you I told you so.

Eagles at Seahawks
Last week the Eagles got a boost in the receiving game when Kevin Curtis came back. He didn't have a great game, but with another week under his belt, it is likely that Curtis will get a score this week. Kevin Curtis at 50% is better than the entire Seahawks team. McNabb will connect with Curtis on multiple occasions.

Patriots at Colts
This Sunday Night Game still has some excitement, regardless of who is playing or not playing. One man that has been around for the good and the bad is Marvin Harrison. Harrison always seems to score versus the Patriots, this game should be no different.

Steelers at Redskins
Last week I bombed with taking Jeff Reed, this week I vow to redeem myself with Shaun Suisham. He is kicking for the Skins and put up 12 points last week, albeit versus Detroit. The Redskins have a good offense, and even if they are stopped near the goal line, Suisham will still put up points.

Chris Carmona is a weekly contributor and can be read daily on www.sortsofsports.com

The Puck Stops Here: Sabatical

I am sorry to dissapoint but The Puck Stops Here will be off this week due to a law school exam. Try to keep it together, Ryan Smyth is a lost cause.

In Between the Tackles: Flexing Some Muscle

Sunday Preview: One of the most highly anticipated non-playoff games in recent memory takes place on Sunday when the New England Patriots face the Indianapolis Colts. "Obviously with the history between these teams, it makes for a great matchup," Tom Brady said. Led by Joseph Addai, the Colts have the league's fifth-ranked run offense averaging 140 yards per game and top the NFL with 12 rushing touchdowns. The Colts also have the NFL's best pass defense, while New England boasts by far the best passing offense with 303.8 yards per game.
Source: Yahoo! Sports - November 2, 2007

Wow...what a difference a year makes. With Sunday night's terribly disappointing matchup between New England and Indianapolis on the horizon, let's dig a little deeper into some of the other interesting storylines that have developed as of late and how they might affect your fantasy football team.

'Roid Rage

Since Friday morning, reports and rumors have been flying that anywhere between 6 and 15 players have violated the NFL's drug policy by testing positive for Bumetanide, a weight-loss diuretic that can be used to mask steroid use. While details are still fuzzy and mostly unconfirmed due to the league's strict confidentiality policy, a few of the names involved have leaked out over the past few days. This is a situation every fantasy owner has to keep an eye on because it could have a big effect on a handful of players and teams down the stretch.

As of today, Saints RB Deuce McAllister is the biggest name rumored to be involved in the drama. Last week I discussed Reggie Bush's surgery (link) and Deuce looked to be one of the main beneficiaries of extra carries - now that may change. Following the Week 9 bye, New Orleans faces the weak defenses of Atlanta and Kansas City, but Pierre Thomas is now the man to own in Bush's absence. If someone in your league already has Thomas, then keep an eye on Aaron Stecker as well. There is a chance he could become useful if Thomas proves he can't be relied upon as an every down back.

While McAllister was the biggest name involved because he is a well-known running back, two other names caught my attention that I think could have an even bigger impact on the remainder of the fantasy season: Minnesota Pro Bowl Defensive Tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams. Minnesota broke the bank during the summer to bring in DE Jared Allen and unite him with the Williams' and the reigning top run defense in the league. After seven weeks, the Vikings run defense is not surprisingly ranked #2 in the league and atop the NFC. If both Williams' are suspended at the same time, Minnesota could be in major trouble. Future Pro Bowler and budding star MLB EJ Henderson recently underwent total reconstructive surgery on his foot and is already lost for the season. Since the suspensions (likely to be four games) won't happen for at least another couple weeks, RB options on Tampa, Chicago, Jacksonville, Detroit and maybe Arizona have to be salivating at the possibility of facing replacements Ellis Wyms and Fred Evans. Also take note of this situation if you own Minnesota's Defense as well. You likely drafted them in the top two or three defenses this summer, but you need to consider packaging them in a trade this week before they get exposed.

The last name involved worth mentioning is Atlanta NT Grady Jackson. If he should end up suspended, it would be a big hit to an already mediocre Falcons run defense. If you're looking to speculate on a weak matchup in Weeks 11-15 without Jackson, Atlanta will be facing Denver, Carolina, San Diego, New Orleans and Tampa. Like I said, keep a close eye on this situation as it continues to develop and it will take most owners a few weeks to digest the fantasy impact.

Ginn 'n Tonic

When the Miami Dolphins surprised everyone and selected WR Ted Ginn Jr. with the 9th pick in the 2007 draft instead of Brady Quinn, Dolphins fans were furious. After a season and a half of frustration and minimal production, Ginn finally had his coming out party on Sunday with seven catches and 175 yards. Is Ginn finally on the fantasy radar as a legit receiver, or is this just a tease? Let's take a closer look...

Coming into the game, Buffalo CB Terrence McGee was thrust into the lineup after missing the last two weeks with a sprained knee. McGee was sporting a bulky knee brace and heavy wrap so common sense says it would be wise to test the weak link. The first play of the game Ginn toasted McGee for a 46-yard score and the Dolphins knew this was the matchup to exploit. Prior to Sunday, Ginn's longest reception of the season was 19 yards but he soon added a 64-yarder later in the game to solidify his big day. If you've followed football for the last few years, this performance seemed eerily reminiscent of former Dolphin Chris Chambers 238-yard smackdown three years ago in an upset of the Bills. While it's hard to argue with Ginn's athletic ability, I think the jury is still out on him becoming a reliable WR option on your fantasy team. On the flip side, the remaining defenses on the Dolphins schedule are anything but challenging, starting next week with Denver. If you're willing to take the risk of -1 and 9 yard performances from Ginn like he put up earlier this year, take a gamble. Just remember, with Chad Pennington's weak arm and facing legitimate healthy cornerback's, Ginn's threat to go deep just isn't there.

Extra Points

- Denver RB Michael Pittman (ribs) is questionable for Sunday. With Selvin Young (groin) and Andre Hall (wrist) also banged up you need to really give Ryan Torain a hard look as I recommended two weeks ago (link).
- If you've watched any games this season, Cincinnati RB Cedric Benson has been a bright spot in an otherwise dim year for the Bengals. Don't get too excited though - his next five weeks feature Jacksonville, Bye Week, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore. Get anything you can for him now and don't expect him to provide any value to your team for the next month, even as a fill-in.
- If your QB has a late bye week or he just isn't producing to your liking, consider Browns QB Brady Quinn. With the Browns finally winning a few games as of late, the demise of Derek Anderson has been delayed. The Ravens will feast on Anderson's lack of confidence this week and I wouldn't be surprised if that gives Cleveland an excuse to finally begin the Quinn-era.

Hail Mary

Just gonna throw this up and see what happens...

Last Week: I predicted a 21-point Philadelphia win...they won 27-14, but the real turning point in the game came on a huge referee blunder (link to video).

This Week: The NY Giants will manhandle Dallas, highlighted by 7 sacks and 170+ yards receiving for Plaxico Burress. I don't really think the Giants are as good as they're cracked out to be, but this matchup plays into their strengths just like last week against the Steelers. Dallas CB Anthony Henry (quadriceps) will likely miss the game, in addition to previous injuries to CB Terence Newman (groin surgery) and S Roy Williams (broken forearm). That leaves Orlando Scandrick and Mike Jenkins starting at corner "trying to" cover Burress. Throw Dallas TE Jason Witten's broken ribs into the mix and I think the Giants win big.

Make sure to stop by next Wednesday for another edition of "In Between the Tackles" when I will break down who you should be looking to trade for to give your team that extra boost heading down the home stretch. As always, if you have any questions and/or comments feel free to post below.

O'Malley's Tallies: Week 8 -- Santana Shines

Week 8 was a time in the NFL in which the playoff pictures became MUCH tighter. Teams that only a few weeks ago were left for dead (Cleveland and Houston) are now back in the picture while the Titans continued to prove to doubters that they are the best the AFC has to offer. It is Sunday's like this one that continue to prove the age old saying that the NFL truly does stand for “NOT FOR LONG” with so much parity throughout the league. On that note, here is the Week 8 edition of “O.T.’s”……


STUDS

1. Santana Moss – In a rare appearance as punt returner for the Skins during the second half, Santana Moss made the Lions pay by taking it the distance for a huge game sealing touchdown. In addition, #89 also hauled in 9 catches for 140 yards and a touchdown, helping the Boys from D.C. quietly give first year head coach Jim Zorn a 6-2 record at the halfway mark.

2. Brian Westbrook – I think it goes without saying that when #36 suits up the Eagles, they are a MUCH different team. Still not 100% recovered from his cracked ribs a few weeks back, Westbrook had one of his most productive days of 08’ vs. the Dirty Birds. After it was all said and done, this Villanova Wildcat ripped off 209 yards from scrimmage (including a career high 167 yards on the ground) and got into the endzone twice as the Eagles improved their record to 4-3 and got themselves back into the NFC East Battle.

3. Matt Schaub – Break up the Texans!!! After starting the season 0-4, Houston has quietly reeled off three straight wins to get themselves at least back in the discussion for a Wild Card birth. Much of this credit has to fall onto the back of quarterback Matt Schaub. Against the winless Bengals on Sunday, the former Virginia Cavalier torched the secondary for 280 yards and 3 TD’s with a completion percentage of almost 86%!! With confidence growing in H-Town, going forward, Schaub can definitely be considered a QB#1 with the right matchup.

4. Ted Ginn – As a Dolphin’s fan, all I can ask is “WHERE THE HELL DID THAT PERFORMANCE COME FROM!?!?” Coming off a game two weeks ago in which he caught 1 ball for -1 yard, even Nostradamus couldn’t have predicting a 7 catch, 175 performance for Ted Ginn vs. Buffalo on Sunday! While fantasy owners should continue to be skeptical, he may be worth a spot on your bench to see if Sunday will be a confidence booster the rest of the year..

5. Donnie Avery – If you look back over the past 15 years, rookie 1,000 yard receivers are extremely hard to come by. After a 6 catch. 163 yard performance Sunday vs. the Patriots (with another touchdown), I am going to make a BOLD statement and say we may be looking at another one this year with St. Louis’ Donnie Avery. As Torry Holt continues to disappoint, this young rookie from the University of Houston continues to impress. While he only has 337 yards receiving through seven games, confidence is definitely peaking and Avery is without question worth a start in almost all formats going forward..

DUDS

1. Cincinnati Bengals - Wow. When it rains, it really pours for the lowly Bungals. They are now 0-8 after getting thumped by the Texans on Sunday and really offer nothing fantasy wise besides an occasional good game from T.J. Housh. With Marvin Lewis losing that locker room fast and a brutal schedule ahead, it may take week 17’s miserable matchup vs. the Chiefs at home to get their first win of the year…

2. Earnest Graham – After seeing S-Jax kill the Cowboys defense last week, you had to assume Earnest Graham would be able to have a big day on the ground for the Bucs vs. America’s Team on Sunday. When the clock struck zero, however, 17 carries for 42 yards was all this former Florida Gator had to show for his work.

3. J.T. O’Sullivan – Is it just me or Mike Singletary now your favorite coach in the NFL as well????? Not only did he flip out on the sidelines on former #1 pick Vernon Davis, Singletary also benched starting QB J.T. O’Sullivan after the turnover parade continued Sunday vs. the banged up Seahawks. After a few more fumbles and a interception that went the other way for 6 points, it should go without saying that J.T. should be dropped in almost all formats.

4. Ben Roethlisberger – While he may have been lacking Santonio Holmes and Willie Parker on Sunday, there is really no excuse for how bad Big Ben was on Sunday vs. the Giants. With a completion percentage of 44.8% and a whopping 4 interceptions thrown, Ben seemed beyond lost in the second half of the Steeler’s 21-14 loss to the New York Football Giants. Unfortunately for #7, things don’t get much easier with this week’s trip to D.C. to play the hungry Redskin defense on Monday night…


SPEAK TO YOU ALL AFTER WEEK 9!!

Above the Rim: Finding Sleepers in Your Draft

The key to winning a fantasy league isn’t recognizing the superstars like Lebron and Kobe but rather getting value late in the draft and with in-season pickups. This week’s article is devoted to finding sleeper picks late in the draft.
(Round numbers are based on the round the player was picked in my recent 12 team draft.)

Paul Millsap- round 13
Millsap was the last pick of the draft, player number 156. However, he was a solid contributor for Utah off the bench last year, averaging 8.1 points and 5.6 rebounds in only 20 minutes a game. I expect his playing time to increase this year leading to an increase in production. Millsap also contributed with 5 double-doubles and 4 twenty point games.

Antonio McDyess- round 13
McDyess averaged 8.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game last year as the Pistons starting PF. If he is the starter this season, look for him to match these numbers. The Pistons have Jason Maxiell and Amir Johnson behind him at PF, and one could rise up and take the starting job away. If that happens, look for one of these players to push towards 10-12 points and 8-10 rebounds as a starter.

Daniel Gibson- round 13
Gibson is a good late pick for a league that counts 3-pointers and 3-point percentage for points. Gibson is coming off an injury late in last season, but he should be as good as he was last year (10.4 points and 44% on 3-pointers), and will probably improve. Gibson will be coming off the bench for the Cavs because Coach Mike Brown likes having offense coming off the bench. Gibson is the perfect complimentary shooter for Lebron James and Mo Williams slashing styles.

Rashad McCants- round 12
McCants is the highest scoring sleeper in this article after averaging 14.9 points per game last year. However, because of the Timberwolves trade for Mike Miller, McCants will likely be the team’s 6th man this year. That will probably mean that his scoring average will go down a little. McCants also shoots over 40% on 3-pointers.

Ricky Davis- round 11
Davis is probably the most versatile player on this list. He averaged 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists for Miami last year, and the numbers should be similar for the Clippers. Davis will be backing up Al Thornton and Cuttino Mobley on the wings along with rookie Eric Gordon, but Davis was a backup last year as well, so it should not have a drastic effect on his numbers.

Mike Conley- round 11
Conley had a solid rookie year averaging 9.4 points and 4.3 assists for the Grizzlies. This season, Conley will have Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo, Hakim Warrick, Antoine Walker, and Marc Gasol to feed the ball to. While this core is young, it can also be explosive and lead to a lot of assists. Conley should also be able to improve on his scoring average in his second season.

Andres Nocioni- round 11
Nocioni has always been one of my favorite players in the league because of his energy and toughness. However, those are not fantasy stat categories. Nonetheless, Nocioni has value in fantasy leagues due to him averaging 13.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game last season coming off the bench for Chicago.

Drew Gooden- round 11
Gooden had a good season last year averaging 12 points and 8.6 rebounds, but those numbers increased to 14 points and 9.3 rebounds in the 18 games after his trade to Chicago despite his minutes staying steady. Gooden should be good for at least 13 and 8.5 this season, but I would not be surprised to see him approaching 15 and 10 in a full season with Bulls.

Kirk Hinrich- round 11
Hinrich will be playing shooting guard for the Bulls this year next to number 1 pick Derrick Rose. Hinrich averaged 11.5 points and 6 assists last season, the lowest in both categories for his career. While the assists will probably go down into the 5s with Hinrich focusing on playing shooting guard, his scoring average should return closer to the 15.7-16.6 range that he averaged in the previous 3 seasons.

Jameer Nelson- round 10
Nelson should continue to be a solid PG for the Magic. With players like Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu, and recent acquisition Mickael Pietrus, Nelson should be able to improve on his average of 5.6 assists per game from the last season. Nelson’s scoring average last season of 10.9 points is the lowest of his career since he became a starter, and I expect it to increase up to the 12 point range.

Nick Collison, Chris Wilcox- round 10
Collison almost averaged a double-double last season in Seattle with 9.8 points and 9.4 rebounds. While Oklahoma City should be awful this year, Collison is worth a late round pick in a fantasy draft this year.
Wilcox averaged 13.4 points and 7 rebounds per game for Seattle last season. Wilcox has consistently been in this range since he was traded to Seattle 3 seasons ago. Expect more of the same from him. After these two and Kevin Durant, you should avoid OKC like the plague.

Extra Points: Sizing up Week 8 Studs

Well look what the cat dragged in last week. I must pat myself on the back for a respectable 8-4-2 record (19-13-10 season), headed by players such as Steven Jackson, Calvin Johnson and Dominc Rhodes. But this week is not last week and I need to follow up with some big players.

Bills at Dolphins
I'm not 100% sold on the Bills yet. I mean yes they are good, but I want to know how good. Miami has surprised teams thus far, mostly because of their running game, so I think it is about time the passing game tip the scales. No, don't go rush and start Chad Pennington, rather go with David Martin at Tight End. Should the Phins get in the redzone, Martin can be used in trick plays. It is high risk high reward. You can pick up Martin but the Bills have solid linebackers across the middle.

Rams at Patriots
What team(s) will show up this weekend? Lets be honest last week was a surprise for both teams. With the injury to Rodney Harrison on the Pats, I'd play Torry Holt. Even with Harrison the Pats secondary is weak. The team got lucky with Cutler's finger injury last game. A new coach in Saint Louis may have been just what the doctor ordered. Holt scores At Least 1 time.

Chargers at Saints
This game is overseas so don't expect a high scoring affair. We remember last year's Giants/Dolphins game and how lackluster it seemed. Well, it only takes one score to win and with the way Phillip Rivers has been playing lately, I'd take Vincent Jackson at wide out to have a decent day. The Saints are abysmal on defense. It might not be as boring as last year's game if the Saints defense doesn't show up.

Chiefs at Jets
Oh man, did the Jets miss an opportunity last weekend. Brett Favre said it was the hardest loss he has ever had. It's not every day you get three possessions in overtime and lose. This week I'd focus on Thomas Jones. Last week he had 159 yards on the ground with no score. Its the second coming of Oakland this weekend, in the form of the Chiefs' defense.

Falcons at Eagles
This Eagles team needs a win in a bad way, or maybe they don't the way the Redskins and Cowboys have been playing at times. Regardless, Brian Westbrook will be playing and while he won't be 100%, I'll take him at 80% versus the Falcons. Remember, he isn't just a running back, rather he receives passes too. So if you are considering keeping him on your bench this week, think again and get those points because the Eagles will rely on him heavily to get this win.

Cardinals at Panthers
No One player sticks out in this game. I figure a 30-20 score in one direction or another but it will be one of those sloppy games. If you have to take someone to play, I'd go with Jonathan Stewart. The guy is the feature back in this Panthers offense. The Panthers need a win to keep atop the division, meanwhile Arizona will coast to victory. Go with the team and the player with more drive to win.

Raiders at Ravens
I do not know how the Raiders pulled out that win last week. Now they travel to the East Coast for a touch game at the Ravens. I already mentioned what Thomas Jones did last week, so it makes sense to play Willis McGahee. Some people are worried about injury, but if you waive the Raiders Defense in front of his face, McGahee will be ready to play. Make it happen.

Buccaneers at Cowboys
The Boys got man-handled last week and now Wade Phillips' job is on the line? I'd like to say that Brad Johnson will step up and save the day, but let's be real. Go to the other side of the ball and look at why this Bucs team has been winning. It starts with the quarterback and ends with the wide receiver, Antonio Bryant. There is no reason to think that Bryant won't go off for a big day on Sunday. Take him, but as far as the game goes... I can't predict who wants to step up for the Cowboys for this one.

Redskins at Lions
Oh it is so easy sometimes. Last week I took Calvin Johnson for the Lions, but this week I'm definitely going against the Lions. Jason Campbell will carve up this team, whether it be the long ball or the dump-off passes. The running game will set up the pass nicely and Campbell will reap the benefits.

Bengals at Texans
I almost went with this guy last weekend, but gave you a better option. Now it is time to make sure you get Andre Johnson. The guy has 450 yards receiving his past three games and it culminates with this game this weekend. I don't know if you have him or if you can trade for him, but if you are playing against him, I feel bad for you.

Browns at Jaguars
All the talk this past week has been about Kellen Winslow. Well he isn't playing and you should consider playing Steve Heiden. Who? Yeah, the guy who fills in behind Winslow. If you need help at tight end, take Heiden and enjoy a decent game. The Jaguars are good, but they won't bother to cover Heiden either.

Giants at Steelers
I was at the Giants game last weekend and they looked sad. I don't know if sad is the word, but I guess the reason Mike Nolan got fired was because the 9ers played worse. The Giants' record is not indicitive of their actual play. I can't say anyone on the Steelers will stand out in this hard fought battle, so take Jeff Reed. The Steelers can move the ball, but how effective will they be on their side of the field. Reed will get his chances.

Seahawks at 49ers
So after I just said how poor the 49ers were, I'm going to tell you to play J.T O'Sullivan. Earlier this season, O'Sullivan picked apart the Seahawks in his best game all year. Now the 9ers are back at home with a new coach. I think there is a fire under there. O'Sullivan makes the 9ers forget about last week.

Colts at Titans
This should be an exciting Monday Night game. Can we pause for a second and look at the Titans running game. ...... Thank You. Now please play LenDale White. He is still getting the carries around the goal line and last I checked, the Titans are getting their with ease. Yeah, if you have Chris Johnson that is great, but LenDale is stealing the points. The Colts don't have the best run defense so take White this week.

Chris Carmona is a weekly contributor for the SportsJudge Blog and can be read daily on www.sortsofsports.com

The Puck Stops Here: Bargain Shopping

Welcome back to another exciting edition of The Puck Stops Here. The cream is starting to rise to the top, players are carving out roles and we finally have a bigger sample size to examine. Let me stress, it is still early and don’t panic. However, we play fantasy sports because its fun and part of that fun is making a trade. I will give you a few players to target/hold onto and a few players to avoid/trade away.

Keep Them if You Got Them, Go Get Them if You Don’t

Anze Kopitar, C, L.A. Kings: Kopitar is off to a bit of a slow start. Combine that with the preseason pessimism and people may be ready to move Kopitar. The preseason skepticism had nothing to do with his talent and ability to produce; it was purely about how bad the Kings are. It is true the Kings are pretty bad, not Detroit Lions bad, but slightly above embarrassing. However, they have a lot of young talent that will age nicely like a fine wine. Give them time to work together and the offense and power play will start clicking. In his first two seasons, Kopitar has increased both his goal production and total points. He is trending up, get on board while you can. Kopitar will help you across the board with your offensive statistics, but his +/- and PIM will be lacking.

Mikka Kiprusoff, G, Calgary Flames: I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so. I had serious concerns with Kipper’s peripheral statistics and he has started the season with major struggles. However, he is a perfect buy low candidate, he has played so bad an owner can’t be happy right now. He won’t give you top 5 goalie numbers and will struggle to crack the top 10, but he plays on a playoff caliber team which will be a huge boost to your win total. Do not give up too much to get him, but he could be a very serviceable number two goalie.
Dion Phaneuf, D, Calgary Flames: Like his teammate, Kiprusoff, Phaneuf is off to a slightly slow start. Most owners won’t be willing to get rid of him just yet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t offer a trade that gives your D a slight boost. I love Andrea Markov, but I would have no problem selling high on Markov to get Phaneuf in return. It isn’t that Phaneuf isn’t helping owners, he actually is playing OK, but if you are ever going to have a chance to get the best fantasy defenseman, the time is now. No other defenseman will combine his offensive talent with PIM like Phaneuf.

Marty Turco, G, Dallas Stars: Turco is by far the biggest disappointment during this young season. This is a mirage. Go out and get Turco and by no means should you trade him away. He is at his lowest value in years. Goalies don’t all of a sudden become this bad. He is fighting the puck right now, but it won’t continue. This may not turn around immediately but it will turn around. Go ask former C.C. Sabathia owners how they felt watching him be the best pitcher in baseball after May. Turco is the Sabathia of the 08-09 NHL season. If you can combine Turco with another upper-echelon goalie, then you should be set all season.

Minnesota and Edmonton Players: This is more of a notice to hold onto your various Oilers and Wild players than to go out and get them. Take a look at the standings when making your decisions. Oilers and Wild have only played 4 games, the least in the league. While 4 games played does not sound like a big difference than 5 games, it is a huge difference. It is very difficult to get into rhythm with just 4 games in two weeks. There is a reason you are seeing a lot more Rangers (9 games played) picked up and players from the Oilers and Wild being dropped. There just isn’t enough of a sample size or a consistent game schedule to get a good read on these teams. I have seen Ales Hemsky inexplicably dropped and I quickly capitalized. The owner saw 4 assists and wasn’t impressed even though that is an average of a point per game. Wait on most of the Minnesota and Edmonton players until we see more.

Sell, Sell, Sell

Aaron Voros, LW, New York Rangers: Voros is filling the vacancy left by Sean Avery’s departure to the Dallas Stars, however he is no Sean Avery. He doesn’t have the menace abilities or the hockey skills to do what Avery does. Many are drawing comparisons between the two, but Voros will not provide as many PIM nor will he put up close to 50 points. I expect about 120 PIM and around 35 or 40 points. This stat line is only borderline useful. Sell an owner on his hot start and that he will be sure to rack up PIM. However, if all you need is PIM and you have an excellent offensive foundation, Voros is worth holding onto. Just don’t trade for him; he will never be more expensive. (Also, see above, he has played 9 games, 2 more than any other team.)

Anti Miettinen, RW, Minnesota Wild: I know, I know, I just told you to hold onto your Wild and Oilers. Miettinen is the exception. Are you telling me that a player without much of a pedigree and in three full season has never reached 35 points can all of a sudden become a point-per-game player? Miettinen is off to scorching start and this may be a result of increased ice time because of Gaborik’s injuries. The Wild also aren’t known for the offense. I have no doubt Miettinen will improve on his career high of 34 points, but I really can’t see him putting up more than 60. Sell while you can and pick up a legitimate goal scorer.

Andy McDonald, C, St. Louis Blues: I have always been a big Andy Mac fan but I jus can’t see him keeping up his current pace. Right now he is on pace to put up 114 points. St. Louis is off to a hot start at 4-1. Neither of these will continue. St. Louis is an improving team but will be fortunate to make the playoffs. Andy McDonald will be dependable, but he isn’t a point-per-game kind of guy. Expect something a lot closer to 65-70 points, mostly assists. Also, St. Louis is going to give up a lot of goals, I expect a +/- around -10, which can hurt pretty bad. Don’t go dropping Andy, but I wouldn’t be targeting him in any trades and would try to sell high on the fast start.

Ales Kotalik, RW, Buffalo Sabres: Kotalik is another player off to a hot start without much a track record to back it up. He has topped 60 points only once in five full NHL seasons and he did it 3 years ago. He will probably get you about 20-25 goals and the same amount of assists. He has always been known to be streaky and this is one of those streaks. Try to sell him on the basis that he is getting huge power play minutes and will get plenty of ice time with Vanek. If you can’t sell him, ride out this hot streak but don’t be afraid to drop him when he cools off.

As with any SportsJudge.com article, feel free to post a comment or question. Until next week, The Puck Stops Here.

In Between the Tackles: Injuries and Shakeups

Welcome to another edition of "In Between the Tackles" where every Wednesday morning I'll break down some of the hot items in the NFL and how they might impact your fantasy season. Let's get right to it.

Fire Away

Monday night brought news of the abrupt end to the Mike Nolan era in San Francisco. Nolan was fired and replaced by assistant coach Mike Singletary after word leaked that Nolan's reign might be coming to an end following San Francisco's game against Seattle next week. Hoping to avoid the media circus and questions that surrounded Lane Kiffin's job security in Oakland a few weeks ago, the 49ers decided to move on without Nolan sooner rather than later. Where does this leave San Fran going forward?

Any time a new coach takes over the reigns, changes can be unpredictable. Singletary was one of the first hires Nolan made back in 2005 in an attempt to inspire and excite his new troops. SportsJudge's John O'Malley touched on Jim Haslett's success in reviving the Rams in his article yesterday (link), and it's not too far-fetched to wonder if Singletary could have a similar effect. On the other hand, Haslett came to the Rams with six years of NFL head coaching experience on his resume. Singletary had no coaching experience prior to being hired as Baltimore's linebackers coach in 2003. This could be too much too soon.

From a fantasy perspective, Singletary's lack of experience, especially on the offensive side of the ball, should mean that offensive coordinator Mike Martz and his system remain intact. Frank Gore will continue to put up solid and relatively consistent numbers. Martz has been known to get his RBs involved in the passing game and this has been one bright spot for Gore owners in leagues that reward extra points for receptions. Isaac Bruce continues to be the #1 receiver, but Josh Morgan needs to be put onto your fantasy radar. He has passed Bryant Johnson (hamstring) on the depth chart and possesses the raw talent to be a game-changing receiver in an offense that relies heavily on the passing game. It's probably best to see what role he carves out in the coming weeks, but there's a chance by this time next week he'll be one of the hottest waiver wire pickups out there.

***Update: I wrote this section before Yahoo! chose to hijack my brain and post it first (link). You might not have a chance to play wait-and-see with Morgan.

Patriot Games

Another piece of surprising news early this week was Patriots RB Laurence Maroney being placed on Injured Reserve and ending his season. One of the most frustrating games fantasy owners have had to play is trying to decipher Bill Belichek's running-back-roulette each week for the past few seasons. I was prepared to highly recommend Sammy Morris in this week's column, but I will temper my enthusiasm a bit after Morris suffered a knee injury Monday night and missed the 2nd half. He was seen walking with a limp after the game and was likely held out for precautionary reasons, so this could provide you an opportunity to sneak in and trade for Morris on the cheap if you're willing to take a gamble. Prior to the injury, Morris was impressive while racking up 138 yards and a TD in the first half against the Broncos and looked to be the prime ballcarrier. Kevin Faulk will remain the third down back, but Morris will receive the early down and goal line work and will be a nice 2nd RB for your fantasy team. I also have a hard time believing any hype you may hear surrounding Benjarvus Green-Ellis. His carries came in the 2nd half with the Patriots up big and Morris already hurt and as a rookie there is no way Coach Belichek would make him the primary back. If you refuse to believe in Morris and you already know Faulk has nothing to offer, then at least go for the running back you have heard of, LaMont Jordan. Jordan also becomes my recommendation if Morris' injury proves to be serious.

Bush-Whacked

Reggie Bush's breakout season was put on hold this week after suffering a torn meniscus on Sunday in Carolina. Bush had been hampered by knee swelling the entire season, so this might just be a further aggravation of a previous injury. Deuce McAllister and Pierre Thomas must be owned in all leagues until the situation gets sorted out. With McAllister's age and history of injuries a concern, I doubt he will see as much of an increase in production as you might think. Thomas will likely become relevant again until Bush returns. The best case scenario would be Bush only missing two games but some speculation has him being held out up to six weeks in order to allow him to fully heal. Keep an eye on this situation.

Extra Points

- Recycled from last week: "Jay Cutler's impressive season has overshadowed the fact that Denver's defense is one of the weakest in the league, especially against the run." Add a Champ Bailey (torn groin 4-6 weeks) injury to the mix and a league-worst 195 points allowed, and Denver will continue to make the Matt Cassel's of the league look like Pro Bowlers.
- Speaking of Denver, this may be your one and only chance to pull a trade for Brandon Marshall. His 77 yards Monday night were hampered by Cutler's injured finger (x-rays negative) and Denver should get most of their injured receiving options back after the bye week. This will take the attention off Marshall and he will dominate a soft schedule. He might be the top receiver in the league the rest of the way.
- Pittsburgh CB Bryant McFadden broke his forearm Sunday and underwent surgery - he will likely miss at least 6 weeks. While this injury alone is not devastating for the Steelers defense, S Troy Polamalu also suffered a concussion on the same play. Missing both players will hurt, and with at least six concussions in Polamalu's past, I will predict his career is unfortunately nearing an end. Maybe not this year, or even next - but much sooner than people think.
- It looks as if the torch has been passed as Antonio Bryant will be Tampa's #1 receiver going forward. Joey Galloway (foot) will not replace Bryant as starting split end when he fully recovers and will either move to flanker or become a backup receiver. I have a feeling it will be the latter and his fantasy value will be minimal for the foreseeable future.
- Marques Colston (thumb) struggled to find a rhythm in his return on Sunday against Carolina. He finished with zero catches and was eventually pulled. Don't panic. He has hardly practiced and with a Week 9 bye he should return to form for your stretch run.

Hail Mary

Just gonna throw this up and see what happens...

Last Week: I underestimated the futility of the Cincinnati Bengals and only predicted they would lose by three TDs. They lost by four.

This Week: Philadelphia returns from the bye week to win by 21 at home over Atlanta. Brian Westbrook, Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis healthy. Head Coach Andy Reid is 9-0 following a bye week. Atlanta has shown promise and improvement but this one could get ugly. Watch out for Philly in the second half of the season.

Check back next Wednesday for another edition of "In Between the Tackles" as always feel free to post any comments or questions below.

O'Malley's Tallies: Week 7 -- Week of the Running Back

Well, well, well! It certainly has been a while. Last time I popped in, I was here talking about the NFL Draft highs and lows and telling everyone how good Steve Slaton would be (Nice call eh?) and how John David Booty would be challenging for Minnesota’s starting job by now (Ok, so maybe nobody’s perfect..). Anyway, the league is now in full swing and we are beginning to see what teams are ready to rise to the top (Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and the Giants) and who is going to sink quickly (Bengals, Chiefs, and Lions). As week 7 comes to a close, let’s take a look at the “Studs” and “Duds” in this edition of “O’Malley’s Tallies”…..

STUDS

1. Steven Jackson – Is Jim Haslett putting something in the Gatorade cooler for those St. Louis Rams???? Just when you thought it couldn’t get much worse in the “Show Me State” (putrid Chiefs and free falling Missouri Tigers), Interim coach Jim Haslett and the boys showed glimpses of what we used to call the “Greatest Show on Turf.” Leading Sunday’s beat down of Dallas was #39, as he ran for 160 yards on the ground with 3 rushing TD’s to go along with it. With back to back wins against two of the NFC’s best teams, one has to question the head coaching ability of recently fired Scott Linehan…

2. LenDale White/Chris Johnson – Move over Brandon Jacobs and Tiki Barber. The “Thunder and Lightning” tag has now been passed onto this dynamic duo from Nashville! That Glenn Dorsey pick is quickly looking like a B.U.S.T. for those Chiefs as Johnson and White TORCHED Kansas City for a combined 317 yards and 4 touchdowns. No, no, no…that is a not a misprint. That really happened in Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday.

3. Clinton Portis – Might next year’s #1 overall fantasy pick reside in the Nation’s Capital??? While it still may be too early to tell, C.P. is doing his best this year to move into that top spot. Portis ripped off another 175 yards yesterday in the Skin’s 14-11 win over the Browns on Sunday, making him on pace for more than 1,800 yards this season!

4. Mewelde Moore – Willie Parker. OUT! Rashard Mendenhall. OUT! Didn’t seem to matter much though to the black and gold on Sunday, as Mewelde “Need I say” Moore felt right at home in the backfield at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. The former Tulane Green Wave standout went to town against a winless Bengal team, running wild for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns. With the offensive line beginning to gel and FWP expected back very soon, this could be a productive backfield going forward the rest of the year…

5. Andre Johnson – Is there any receiver in the league that is more consistent when healthy than Andre Johnson??? Including Sunday’s performance of 11 catches for 141 yards, A.J. has now averaged 10 catches and 150 yards the past 3 games, making PPR owners drool in the process! Going forward, if the hamstrings, groin muscles, and knee ligaments can somehow find a way to cooperate for a full season, a monster season is definitely in store for Houston’s Finest.

DUDS

1. Kansas City Chiefs – Terrible. Awful. Dreadful. Putrid. Vile. Dire. Appalling. Which ever one of these adjective’s you would like to use to describe this team, you are well within your right to do so. With an offense in absolute disarray and a defense with more holes than one could ever imagine, one would have to guess things are only going to get worse before they get better.

2. Peyton Manning – After watching Sunday’s Colts game, now I know where little brother Eli got the famous “Eli Face” whenever he makes a poor play. In a performance as rare as it gets, Peyton Manning was downright terrible yesterday at Lambeau Field. Whether it was the blustery winds or still not being 100% from knee surgery, #18 could not get into any rhythm yesterday as the Colts got THUMPED by the Packers 34-14. While the Colts and playoff berths have been synonymous for as long as we can remember, 2008 might be a year in which that trend comes to an end unless things turn around quickly in Indy.

3. Ronnie Brown – As the expression goes, “All good things must come to an end.” Unfortunately for me, this time the expression applies to Ronnie Brown and the rest of my Miami Dolphins. After a few weeks of the “Wildcat” offense being the talk of the league, Ronnie was shut down by Ray Lewis and Co. in a major way. After #23 only gained 27 yards on the ground on Sunday, one can begin to guess that the “Wildcat” offense may go back in the archives going forward this year.

4. Brad Johnson – While nobody was expecting this long time veteran to come in and create a quarterback controversy in Big D, you had to except better than what had occurred on Sunday afternoon. Filling in for the injured Tony Romo, Johnson struggled BIG TIME against a very poor Rams defense, throwing three picks vs. only one touchdown. After this terrible loss vs. St. Louis, one would have to guess the Cowboy’s training staff will be working overtime to get Mr. Romo back on the playing field in next week’s pivotal matchup vs. the highly underrated Tampa Bay defense.


That is all until next week. Keep an eye out this coming Sunday as the NFL goes across the pond against to Wembley Stadium for a matchup of two desperate teams in the Saints and Chargers. Speak to you then!!!

Above the Rim: Same Faces, New Places

Welcome back to “Above the Rim,” the leader in fantasy basketball advice. Today’s edition will cover players and coaches who switched teams over the summer and their subsequent impact on the fantasy world. When a new player is introduced in the article, I have included their notable ‘07-’08 stats as well as where ESPN.com has them ranked on their big board. Now lets get into it.

Yi Jianlian/ Richard Jefferson
Nets: Despite Yi Jianlian’s (8.6 pts, 5.2 reb, ESPN #173) unreal talent, I don’t see him getting any more than 24 minutes a night and this basically makes him irrelevant in the fantasy game. On the other hand, Devin Harris (14.4 pts, 5.3 ast, ESPN #76) is a stud. As he gets older, he will learn to improve his shot selection which should raise his questionable field goal percentage.
Bucks: The Bucks are an intriguing team. Both Richard Jefferson (22.6 pts, 4.2 reb, 3.1 ast, ESPN #86) and Michael Redd (22.7 pts, 3.4 ast, ESPN #47) can fill it up and Jefferson is used to running along side another super star. I expect both Jefferson and Redd to build upon last year’s performance. Yi’s departure also opens up minutes for Charlie Villanueva (11.7 pts, 6.1 reb, ESPN #124) and he should see career numbers this year as a result.

James Posey
Celtics: The Celtics were already thin at the bench and the loss of James Posey (7.4 pts, 1.5 ast, ESPN #136) is a blow to the defending champions. Look for Leon Powe (7.9 pts, 4.1 reb, ESPN #224) to raise his stat line to the 12 point and 8 rebound range, while Eddie House (7.5 pts, ESPN #154) should see a couple more 3-point opportunities a game.
Hornets: The Hornets went out and bought a proven winner and from what I have seen of the preseason, look for Posey to raise his numbers across the board. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Posey supplant Mo Petterson (8 pts, 2.7 reb, ESPN #168) in the starting line-up at some point this season. The Hornets did not spend $25 million to watch Posey ride the bench.

Ron Artest
Rockets: Ron Artest (20.5 pts, 5.8 reb, 3.5 ast, 2.3 stl, ESPN #54) is a fantasy stud, and he will be playing for a contract, so expect him to produce. His ppg will dip a little from last year but the rest of his stat line should see a slight bump. I am also excited to see Tracy McGrady (21.6 pts, 5.1 reb, 5.9 ast, ESPN #108) play now that we won’t have to take the number one defense assignment (just pray his shoulder stays together).

Mike D’Antoni
Knicks: Finally the Knicks seem to care about winning basketball games. D’Antoni will bring his offense minded game to the Garden and the expect the shots to be flying. I am predicting career years for David Lee (10.8 pts, 8.9 reb, ESPN #67) and Nate Robinson (12.7 pts, 2.9 ast, ESPN #141). Conversely, Eddie Curry (13.2 pts, 4.7 reb, ESPN #266) and Zach Randolph (17.6 pts, 10.3 reb, ESPN #112) should be avoided like the plague (that is until they get traded).
Suns: Terry Porter was brought in to strengthen up the Suns defense and create a more deliberate offensive scheme. This means the offensive stat lines of most of the Suns players should see a small decrease. One of the only fantasy improvements should be Amare Stoudemire’s ( 27.2 pts, 9.1 reb, 2 blk, ESPN #2) rebounding numbers.

TJ Ford/ Jermaine O’Neal
Pacers: The Indiana Pacers are back on track. They are no jumping into the stands after fans and Jamal Tinsley (11.9 pts, 8.4 ast, ESPN #293) is being paid not to be around the team. If TJ Ford (12.1 pts, 6.1 ast, ESPN #92) can stay healthy, he has the ability to be one of the league leaders in assists. Unlike ESPN, I have not been drinking the Danny Granger (19.6 pts, 6.1 reb, ESPN #22) juice. I won’t even look at this kid until at least the fourth round.
Raptors: Jose Calderon (11.2 pts, 8.3 ast, ESPN #32) finally gets his chance to start with TJ Ford being shipped out. I don’t see a full 82 game schedule out of Calderon and I would let someone else take the gamble on him. Jermaine O’Neal (13.6 pts, 6.7 reb, ESPN #96) was a rookie in ’96 and doesn’t come off my board until at least the 8th round.

Baron Davis/ Corey Maggette
Warriors: The Warriors are another team going in the wrong direction. Monta Ellis (20.2 pts, 3.9 ast, ESPN #97) won’t be available until ‘09 and that means Marcus Williams’ (5.9 pts, 2.6 ast, ESPN #164) fantasy stock is soaring. Expect Williams to be in the TJ Ford range during Ellis’ absence. Corey Maggette (22.1 pts, 5.6 reb, 2.7 ast, ESPN #90) will continue to be a reliable scorer and Nellie’s wide open offense will open up the lanes to showcase Magette’s athleticism.
Clippers: Well, after Elton Brand (17.6 pts, 8 reb, ESPN #14) bolted for a fat pay check back east, Baron Davis (21.1 pts, 7.6 ast, ESPN #16) steps in as the franchise in Clipper-land (lucky him). I see a slow adjustment for Baron in his new system but expect him to be back to 20+ pts and 7+ ast by early December.

Random Notes:
Agent Zero (19.4 pts, 5.1 ast, ESPN #69) is back on the bench watching and it is starting to feel like Wizards fans will never get to see how good this team truly could have been. In his absence, expect Antonio Daniels (8.4 pts, 4.8 ast, ESPN #150) to see some considerable minutes. Remember, Daniels has twice led the league in assist-to-turnover ratio.

Deron Williams (18.8 pts, 10.5 ast, ESPN #12) left a preseason game on Saturday with a smoked ankle, but the x-rays were negative. I see no reason why Williams stock should suffer. You should feel confident building your team around this kid.

Allan Houston has announced that he will be taking his comeback with the Knicks slowly. Houston has been out of the game for over 3 years and D’Antoni’s system is not compatible with an old, out of shape shooter. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Allan Houston. He has one of the sweetest strokes to ever grace the hardwood, but honestly, dude is 37 years old. Retire and open a restaurant Allan. Time to hang up the high tops.

MLBPA Claims to Have Evidence Baseball Teams Colluded Against Barry Bonds

ESPN recently reported that the Major League Baseball Players Association ("MLBPA") claims to have uncovered evidence that certain Major League Baseball teams colluded against Barry Bonds. This finding is consistent with what I had predicted in an Above the Law article that I had written during Spring Training.

For those of you interested in a more detailed history of Baseball collusion, here is a law review article that I wrote on that topic several years ago for the Loyola of L.A. Entertainment Law Journal.

I am also putting the finishing touches on a new 70-page article on collusion that will appear in the Fall 2008 Wayne Law Review. That article has a full section about Barry Bonds. Advance copies of the article are available upon request.

Week 7 already?

Eh, a mediocre week last week, but it could have been a lot worse. I should have guessed that the Patriots Defense can't really put up a stand for 60 minutes, or at least that is how long it seemed like they were out on the field on Monday. An inadequate offense will do that to the defense. I also took the one week that JaMarcus Russell decided to play like a true Oakland Raider, don't give up on him. Last week I'll say I went, 6-5-3, and maybe that is generous. That brings my yearly total up to 11-9-8. Let's get some big name studs this week.

Chargers at Bills
Well, we saw what Phillip Rivers can do, and he has been doing it all year, but instead of taking Rivers, I'll go with Antonio Gates. The Chargers are starting to turn things around and LT is beginning to look like himself and those who remember the old LT, he can run and throw. Expect goal line fun with Gates, a la Vikings two weeks ago? Either way Gates is good for a score.

Vikings at Bears
This pick could be a head-scratcher, especially for those who are sold on the Vikings defense, but I'm going to say Devin Hester has a great game. How great depends on Kyle Orton's ability to get the ball out of the pocket and Forte’s ability to pick up decent yardage, but Hester is the reason this offense has a pulse, albeit faint. It can’t hurt if he returns a kick either.

Steelers at Bengals
A year ago... two years ago this match up meant something. A possible division momentum changer, now it just means that the Bengals are that much closer to getting the first pick in the draft. I'd play anyone on the Steelers squad, but I'd look to Hines Ward above them all. A division game with a veteran like Ward is a sure bet.

Titans at Chiefs
I have to pull one name from nowhere each week, and this week that ticket goes to Bo Scaife, Titans TE. LenDale White will get some carries on the goal line assuming Chris Johnson doesn’t beat him there, but Scaife will be a subtle wrinkle to keep the Chiefs off guard. No that the Chiefs need much to stay off guard, but when the stack the box, go with Scaife.

Cowboys at Rams
I don’t know who is playing quarterback for the Boys, and it really doesn’t matter now that there are a plethora of receiving options, but I’ll look to the other side of the ball. The Cowboys don’t really do much to stop the run, or the pass, and the Rams kind of looked like the Rams of old last week. Ok, that is a stretch too; this week is full of stretches, so take Steven Jackson. I don’t write this column to give you the obvious. He can run the ball for 3.0 YPC but he also catches the ball. So a receiving touchdown is more likely this week than a rushing score, but it still counts the same.

Ravens at Dolphins
I would like to say that this is an obvious pick to take the Ravens D/ST, but the Dolphins have been known to surprise people this year. Still, Chad Pennington is just Chad and Ronnie Brown can’t do it all. I think this single-wing offense is starting to be solved. Take the Ravens D/ST in a low scoring affair.

49ers at Giants
What team was that on Monday night? I’m taking Plaxico Burress in an anger game. He had a touchdown last week with only four receptions. The 49ers have a defense, but it’s nothing to write home about. Burress takes in 10 catches and the Giants are back on the winning track.

Saints at Panthers
Steve Smith has just one touchdown and you are thinking of giving up on him. Wait and reconsider after this weekend. His yardage has been going up each week along with receptions. Expect him to double that touchdown production this week.

Lions at Texans
I’d say go for Andre Johnson, he has been tearing it up these past two weeks on my fantasy team, but you already knew that. So, instead of him, look to the other side of the field and play the other Johnson, Calvin Johnson. Why, you ask? It’s simple. The Lions can still play, with or without Kitna, and someone has to catch the ball. The Texans, second to Dallas in Texas, where the theme is all offense and little defense. If the Lions score, it’s going through Calvin

Jets at Raiders
I’ll take Brett Favre in this match up. I don’t get why the spread is only 3 points in favor of the Jets, but Favre will be able to pick apart this sham of a defense that the Raiders have. If Coles is 100% then it will be all that much sweeter for Favre.

Colts at Packers
If you were fortunate enough to get Dominic Rhodes, then play him this week. The feature back is playing with a rejuvenated Peyton Manning. Manning is going to open up the field like we know he is capable of and it will open up the inside handoff to Rhodes. Many fans will get a glimpse of the old Colts game that they remember. And if you are in Vegas, take the over on this one.

Browns at Redskins
Don’t get your hopes up yet Browns fans, but they did save their season for now, in large part thanks to Braylon Edwards. I don’t need to tell you his stats last week but there is a good chance that they can continue this week. Edwards is on the same page now with his quarterback and made cornerbacks look silly on Monday. The guy was a top wide receiver in your fantasy league for a reason, play him.

Seahawks at Buccaneers
Jeff Garcia has filled in nicely for the Bucs. Gruden is like an erratic girlfriend, who falls in love then for no reason, changes his mind and gets a new quarterback. This week he loves Garcia and so should you. The Seahawks are struggling mightily and expect a lot of 3 and outs on the offensive side of the ball for them.

Broncos at Patriots
Oh boy, as a Patriots fan I really don’t want to see another debacle in primetime. Well, I can’t be assured that, but I can say that the Patriots will score more than 10 points versus the Broncos, therefore you should start Matt Cassel, no that was a joke, start Randy Moss instead. Cassel could be out by halftime, but Randy Moss will still get the ball even if it is a bunch of slip screens.

(Chris Carmona is a weekly contributor who can be read daily on www.sortsofsports.com)

The Puck Stops Here: Hot Starts

Welcome back to another exciting edition of The Puck Stops Here. We are about a week into the season and still haven’t seen enough to really make educated decisions on specific players. However, speculation is always fun, just don’t bet your season on it. Remember, as I advised you last week, don’t be so trigger happy that you make a poor decision to pick up a one-week wonder. Too many great teams have been ruined because of anxious owners.

Devin Setoguchi, RW, San Jose: Setoguchi is everything I love in a diamond in the rough free agent. He is young, has lots of speed, great hands, has a great pedigree and plays with a top five superstar. Setoguchi is getting about 18 minutes of ice time per game, but what is so important about those 18 minutes is he is playing with Thornton and Marleau. It would almost be impossible for him no to rack up points. San Jose is a great team with solid defense and great goaltending; this means he should also have a pretty good +/-. He won’t contribute much in PIM, but he will surely help in all the offensive categories. Setoguchi is actually my favorite of all the players mentioned in this post and I am kicking myself for not pulling the trigger on him in one of my leagues.

Antero Nittymaki, G, Philadelphia: Nittymaki has been teasing fantasy owners for a few years now and I am getting the feeling this is finally the year he steps up. It hasn’t been his talent holding him back; it has been his injury history. He replaced Biron on Saturday and shut out the Rangers giving Philly a fighting chance. He followed that up with a solid performance against the Penguins Tuesday night. The overtime goal was weak, but he played well the rest of the night stopping 25 shots. He also was the starting goalie for the Flyers AHL affiliate when they beat the pro team during the preseason. He is definitely worth adding in deep leagues and could pay big dividends if he can grab the starting job.

Bryan Little, C, Atlanta: The big question for Atlanta this year is who will center Jason Williams and Ilya Kovalchuk and it looks like they may have found the answer. Little was the 12th pick in 2006 and looks like he may fulfill his draft position promise. Little was mildly productive as a rookie last year and in three games this season he has 3 goals and 2 assists and is a +3. As long as he plays with Ilya, he has fantasy relevance. He is also getting those all important power play minutes with the top line. Don’t expect a point-per-game all season but 50-60 points and a +/- in the positives are reasonable expectations.

Brandon Dubinsky, C, New York Rangers: Chances are Dubinsky has been snatched up in your league, but take a look and make sure. If he is available get him, literally stop reading, get him, and come back (Grab Setoguchi while you are it, see above). He is not the next Gretzky or Lemieux, but he has a lot of talent and plays with a very good team. He should provide good production across the board and will be valuable all season. Hope for a Getzlaf-esque breakout, but be happy with slightly less. He has less offensive upside than Setoguchi, but could provide better production across the board.

Daniel Girardi, D, New York Rangers: Girardi is another young Ranger off to a very hot start. I get the feeling that it is more of a result of the Ranger’s second line being so hot right, but when you see a defenseman with 5 points in 6 games, he is worth a flier. Chances are your 4th defenseman is a riskier player, so take that risk on someone who is off to a good start. He got a boost in ice time Wednesday night jumping from his usual 18 minutes to 24 minutes. This is a sign his coaches are trusting him more. He is young, has a solid pedigree and recorded 11 power play points in his second year. So far this year, 3 of his 5 assists have come while on the power play. Take a chance on him.

Fabian Brunnstrom, LW, Dallas: I was actually disappointed with Brunnstrom until Wednesday night when he showed the world why he was a top free agent without ever playing an NHL game. Brunnstrom began his career with 3 goals, and it would have been 4 had a referee not prematurely blew the whistle. Brunnstrom won’t be a healthy scratch again. Brunnstrom is a rookie, but I view him more as a 2nd or 3rd year player because of his experiences in Europe. With his good head start, 20 goals isn’t out of the question and playing on a very good Dallas team should help him produce a pretty good +/-. If you are going to pick him up, do it soon, he will be the sexy player to add over the next couple of days.

As with any SportsJudge.com article, feel free to post a comment or question. Until next week, The Puck Stops Here.

In Between the Tackles: Midseason Form

Week 6 in the NFL…each year by this point you’ve developed a finely choreographed weekly routine for tweaking your fantasy football team. Bye weeks are in style, the injury bug has begun to feast on your roster, and the Detroit Lions have abandoned any glimmer of playoff hopes. Whether this is your first fantasy season or your fifteenth, you’re into a groove, you know what to expect, and you’re in midseason form. Unfortunately, so is every other manager in your league. How do you separate yourself from the pack?

My name is Mike Colligan and I will be bringing you a fresh edition of “In Between the Tackles” each and every Wednesday morning for the rest of the season. I’ll try to identify and expand on some of the finer points in Fantasy Football that will help your team make that extra push.

Roy Williams Joins Dallas Circus

The big news mid-week was the Dallas Cowboys acquiring wide receiver Roy Williams at the trade deadline from the Detroit Lions. What does the chaos in Dallas mean for your fantasy team?

First of all, QB Tony Romo (broken pinkie) is reportedly out four weeks and will be replaced by grizzled veteran Brad Johnson. While Johnson is more than capable (especially with the arsenal of weapons at his disposal), I find it very hard to believe that Romo will be out for any extended period of time. Look for him to only miss this week’s matchup against the lowly St. Louis Rams before returning to his normal starting position. See if you can snag Romo at a discount from an impatient owner. Media darling Terrell Owens was reportedly “thrilled” with the arrival of another Roy Williams. While he can no longer use the “double-coverage” excuse anymore, I see this as the beginning of the end for Owens in Big D. Owens and TE Jason Witten must be downgraded fro the remainder of the season and WRs Patrick Crayton and Miles Austin can probably be dropped in all leagues. Williams, on the other hand, promptly signed a 5-year $45 million extension with Dallas following the trade and will become Romo’s go-to guy for the next half decade. He no longer has to deal with Jon Kitna slinging the ball to him and will enjoy a short-term upgrade and exceptional long-term value for anyone in Keeper Leagues. RB Marion Barber should see an uptick in production for as long as Brad Johnson is at QB, but his punishing running style makes owners wonder how long he can last. Backup RB Felix Jones will miss two weeks with a hamstring injury but when he’s received the ball the past few weeks he’s shown talent very reminiscent of Michael Turner in his San Diego days. Dallas would be crazy not to get him more involved in the offense once he returns to full-strength.

While on the surface this trade seems a bit odd considering Williams joins what was probably the strongest position on the Cowboys, I will attempt to take a frightening plunge into the mind of owner Jerry Jones. With a billion-dollar stadium on the way, Jones (like most NFL owners) is in the business of attracting the fan’s fickle entertainment dollar. While Dallas’ lack of defense and current state of chaos might keep them from that elusive Super Bowl championship, consider how much media attention the Cowboys have garnered over the first two months of the season. From Jessica Simpson to Pacman Jones to the HBO reality series ‘Hard Knocks’, it becomes obvious why the Cowboys are the most popular, exciting, and controversial team in the NFL.

Popular + Exciting + Controversial = $$$$$

Breezy in the Big Easy

I took quite a bit of criticism in my league for having Drew Brees ranked as my #1 quarterback heading into the season, but his MVP-caliber season continues and he’s even exceeded my own lofty expectations. Playing most of the season without his top two wideout threats in Marques Colston (thumb) and Jeremy Shockey (groin), Brees is still on pace for 32 TDs and over 5,300 yards. I’m prepared to step out on a limb once again and say now might be a time to “buy-low” on Brees. With an amazingly soft schedule that includes a juicy Week 16 matchup with Detroit (when most fantasy championships are decided), Brees best weeks might still be ahead of him. Lance Moore has stepped in nicely in place of Colston as the possession receiver, and Devery Henderson has the speed, ability, and now enough big-play respect to stretch defenses week in and week out. Speaking of Shockey, if you’re in the market for a TE, check your waiver-wire just to be sure a frustrated owner didn’t cast off Shockey in disgust last month. He looks to return to the field this week or next and is a top 5 TE when healthy.

Extra Points

- With Chris Perry’s lack of success running the ball and Cedric Benson’s failure to seize the opportunity, one player worth adding to you watch-list is Kenny Watson. Cincinnati has a tough matchup with the Steelers coming up, but Watson could be starting as soon as this week.

- A quick glance at the box score and one would think Warrick Dunn has supplanted Earnest Graham as Tampa’s #1 back. Due to injuries, Graham played much of the game as emergency fullback, which opened the door for Dunn’s impressive performance. While a shared backfield is likely in the cards, don’t get scared away from starting Graham against Seattle’s soft defense next week.

- Jay Cutler’s impressive season has overshadowed the fact that Denver’s defense is one of the weakest in the league, especially against the run.

- If you have a free spot on your roster or you’re looking to reel in that missing piece for your championship run, see if Denver RB Ryan Torain is available. The rookie out of Arizona State looked to be a draft day sleeper until a dislocated elbow knocked him out of the lineup. He looks on track to debut in Week 9 against Miami and with a great mix of speed and power, he might be the next Terrell Davis, Reuben Droughns, Tatum Bell, Mike Anderson, [insert 1000-yard rusher here]….

Hail Mary

Just gonna throw this up and see what happens...

Look for the Pittsburgh Steelers to win by three touchdowns this weekend over the winless Bengals. The Steelers are coming off a bye and might have 2-time Pro Bowl RB Willie Parker fresh and back in the lineup. If mammoth NT Casey Hampton and DE Brett Keisel find their way into the lineup as well, Bengals pseudo-QB Ryan Fitzpatrick could have a long day trying to decipher the Steelers elaborate blitz schemes.

Make sure to join me next Wednesday for another edition of "In Between the Tackles." Feel free to leave any Fantasy Football questions or comments below and I will be sure to respond promptly.