In Between the Tackles: Deck the Halls (and Darby's)

In this holiday season, it's not uncommon to see news clips about strangers handing out unexpected gifts from the kindness of their heart. In case you haven't seen the clip yet, NFL referee Garth DeFelice is a perfect example of the generous souls living among us. On Sunday, without warning, he hand-delivered a nicely wrapped forearm shiver to St. Louis Rams RB Kenneth Darby...basically the Rams season in a nutshell. In these days of the new NFL, expect DeFelice to be heavily fined for leaving his feet to make the tackle. Actually, maybe it would be best if Wade Phillips brought in DeFelice to help Ken Hamlin and friends learn to bring down a running back in the open field. Let's head in between the tackles and check out some of the other big stories in the NFL as we approach the 17th and final week of the regular season...

Week 17

Week 17 is notorious for frustrating fantasy owners as coaches juggle lineups without much warning. Teams that have locked up a playoff spot would like to rest their starters, but don't want to risk losing momentum. Teams out of the playoffs are basically holding informal tryouts at this point to see who they still want around for next season. It's a mess, but here's the most up-to-date information I could find for you as of press time:

~ Steelers coach Mike Tomlin continues to indicate to the media he plans to play his starters, but the odds of that actually happening might be slim. Pittsburgh had an early bye week and had endured the toughest schedule in the NFL and the players need a rest. Expect most starters to last only a few drives or a half at most against the Browns. The Steelers were beat soundly on Sunday, but the situation looked very similar to a few seasons ago. The Steelers executed a very vanilla game plan in the regular season against the Colts and were stomped, only to upset Indy on the road in the playoffs a few weeks later on the way to the Super Bowl...something to think about heading into January.

~ Expect Tennessee to approach this week in a similar fashion. If for some reason Kerry Collins is your fantasy QB, don't be shocked if Vince Young starts in his place. The Titans need to decide where and if Young fits into the puzzle for next year and this is a perfect opportunity to give the elderly Collins a rest. By the way, what was Lendale White thinking stomping on the Terrible Towel?? C'mon man.

~ Tom Coughlin seems likely to play most of his starters in Week 17 in an attempt to build momentum heading into the playoffs after sputtering along the last few weeks. Look for banged up players like Justin Tuck and Brandon Jacobs to find their way to the bench early, but this might open the door for another big week from Derrick Ward, who is still playing for that big contract this summer.

~ One would think Arizona would have no reason to push the aerial dynamo of Warner, Fitzgerald, and Boldin onto the field in a meaningless game against Seattle, but the Cardinals have been struggling and for a team with very little playoff experience, confidence is extremely important. Unfortunately, this team is built for the domes and sunny afternoons of October, not the January snow and cold like we saw last week against the Patriots. The Cardinals will likely be one and done.

~ Another team that relies heavily upon the passing game is Peyton Manning and the Colts. Week 17 is historically the Jim Sorgi week for Indy, and expect this week to be much of the same. Dungy claims he won't pull his star players, but I won't go against history. Expect a series or two out of Manning, Reggie Wayne, and Marvin Harrison before they hit the showers. While this team seems to be similar to the Cardinals on paper, I have a weird feeling if they can get Joseph Addai healthy they could make a serious run. The Colts have quietly won eight games in a row and are flying under the radar in an up-for-grabs AFC.

Side Notes

~ The Atlanta Falcons are getting all the press for such an amazing one-year turnaround, but what about the Miami Dolphins? Nothing against the Falcons, but the Dolphins were in the same situation the Lions are this year. They were lucky to squeak out a 1-15 season last year and now with a win on Sunday can find themselves in the playoffs. They marched into Kansas City last week where the conditions were less than ideal for a team from South Florida (well below 0 wind chill and big winds) and left with a much needed win. Plus, how did Brett Favre make the Pro Bowl over Chad Pennington (or Philip Rivers for that matter)?

~ Drew Brees needs just over 400 yards against Carolina on Sunday to break Dan Marino's all-time single season passing record. The Saints claim they won't alter their gameplan, but why would they? For most of the season, their "running" game has involved Brees throwing short passes to players who then proceed to run with the ball. I think Brees has a chance to get it done this week. It's just a shame that the Saints are so bad on the other side of the ball or he would be a lock for MVP.

In Between the Tackles: Honestly, Who Throws a Shoe?

The biggest news from Sunday wasn't Andre Johnson torching Cortland Finnegan and the Titans for 207 yards. It wasn't Steve Smith reeling in 165 yards, or Tavaris Jackson coming off the bench to toss four touchdowns. To me, it was the moment I was lounging on my couch on Sunday and I caught my first glimpse of one of the best arms I have seen in years. His name: Muntadar al-Zaidi.

I hate to recommend players only based on one play but once you see the video you'll agree this guy is at least worth a flier. Okay, I know it's no replacement for the buttery-smooth throwing motion of Tom Brady...in fact it might be as ugly as Tony Romo's three-quarter delivery when he came into the league a few years ago; but take a look at the situation in the picture above. Pocket collapsing around him. Two hands grabbing his jersey. Grey suit with a hand in his face. All of this while trying to hit Bush in the numbers who just happens to be facing tight coverage by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. I won't pretend to understand the politics behind this, but if this doesn't win an ESPY I'll be shocked.

Official Review

Before we get into fantasy football news, let's take a look at the Steelers-Ravens touchdown call that we featured on Sunday night. Check out the video if you haven't had a chance. After days of back and forth, the NFL finally decided on Tuesday to stand behind referee Walt Coleman's decision to rule Santonio Holmes' catch a touchdown. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, a league spokesmen said "Walt Coleman determined via high-def video review that the receiver had possession and two feet down with the ball in the goal line, meaning it broke the plane." What seems odd to me is the continued emphasis on both feet being down in the end zone. As far as I could gather from research (which was confirmed in the Post-Gazette article), having possession of the ball while breaking the plane of the end zone seems to be the necessary action. His feet did not need to be on the ground at this point, but at some point had to in order to finish or "complete the play." Without the referenced 'high-def video' at our disposal, we can only work with CBS' high-def view from the side near the goal line. At that angle (which I have heard announcers mention is not 100% on the goal line), it's hard to see how there was indisputable evidence to overturn the call on the field. I also wonder, if there are additional replays available to the NFL, why not release them to the public along with yesterday's backing of Coleman's call? I know the NFL can't go around justifying every call referee's make with video evidence but in situations like this it would help put Ravens fans at ease. Maybe this is the cynic in me created by the Spygate fiasco (and destruction of evidence), but I wonder if this alternate replay angle even exists. Enough speculation, let's move on to fantasy football.

Quick Hits

~ With only two weeks left in the regular season, expect a number of players to be placed on Injured Reserve in the coming days to free up roster spots to sign replacements or give bench players a chance to prove their worth. This can be one of the most challenging times of the year as a fantasy owner. With teams beginning to rest players for the playoffs, you need to stay on top of the news if you want to win your league.

~ Don't be surprised if the Saints shut down Reggie Bush for the remainder of the season. After falling out of the playoff picture, there's no reason for New Orleans to risk the long-term health of their premiere player, especially with Pierre Thomas' performance in the starter's role. It would make much more sense for New Orleans to see what they have with Thomas and whether they can rely on him as a long-term complement to Bush.

~ For all the drama that surrounded this season's substance-abuse suspensions (or lack-thereof), Minnesota Pro Bowl defensive lineman Pat Williams will now miss at least the rest of the regular season anyway. Williams broke his right scapula on Sunday against the Cardinals and now with DE Jared Allen playing with a sprained MCL, this leaves a gaping hole in the middle of the Minnesota run defense. Upgrade Michael Turner's matchup dramatically, especially after he put up over 180 yards on the suddenly soft Buccaneers last weekend.

In Between the Tackles: Get Down and Dirty

It's amazing how much can change in the course of a few weeks in the NFL. Two weeks ago, fans of the New York Jets were surfing the web trying to find deals on flights to Tampa Bay for Super Bowl XLIII. After back to back losses to the Broncos and 49ers, now I can't help but wonder what happened to the team that knocked off the Patriots and Titans in a matter of 7 days. Speaking of Tampa Bay, what happened to that always-solid Monte Kiffin defense? Carolina made them look silly on Monday night by rushing for over 300 yards, with most coming in the second half when the game was on the line. With only a few weeks remaining in the regular season, let's head "In Between the Tackles" and try to make sense of it all.

Quarterbacks

Hopefully if you're still alive in your fantasy football league, you have a solid starting quarterback, so I won't spend much time on this position. For teams looking for last minute replacements and owners who need to start two QB's each week, I will suggest Shaun Hill or Seneca Wallace as possible pickups.

I'm trying to temper my enthusiasm for Hill given the fact that JT O'Sullivan looked like the next big thing in San Francisco and ended up flopping. I can't argue with Hill's production as of late though. With a few starts under his belt, WR Josh Morgan returning to health, and matchups against Miami and St. Louis the next two weeks, I think Hill is a viable fill-in.

A more risky play is Seneca Wallace. I never thought I would be recommending him in this column, but after watching highlights of his recent performance, I think he might be able to put up above average numbers this week against the Rams. He claims his calf injury has affected him all season and seems to finally be healthy and playing with loads of confidence. With no risk of bad weather in the dome of St. Louis, you can do worse than Wallace this week.

Running Backs

If you own Colts RB Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes is still available in your league, you need to pick him up immediately. Don't read any further until you do. Coach Tony Dungy claims Addai is "Okay" for this week's amazing matchup against the winless Lions, but Addai owners have heard this before. Dungy said Addai was "Okay" following his leg injury earlier this year prior to him playing no more than a few plays for a month and a half. Don't buy into it. Want more proof Dungy might be playing games again? The Colts signed former Steelers RB Najeh Davenport today. I have a bad feeling even if Addai does start this Sunday, he won't last more than a few drives before the Colts are up big and Rhodes mops up the yardage in garbage time. Normally I'd say stay away from this mess, but the matchup is just too juicy to avoid.

If you were able to watch Monday Night's performance by Carolina running backs DeAngelo Wiliams and Jonathan Stewart you know how powerful this 1-2 punch has become. Early in the season, I mentioned the fact that their slow start might be a result of the absence of solid offensive linemen Ryan Kalil and Jeff Otah. With both now fully healthy, this makes the RB tandem one of the best in the league. This week they face Denver. If they can put up over 300 yards on Tampa, the sky is the limit this week. Start both of them on Sunday.

It looks as if Jaguars RB Fred Taylor will be placed on Injured Reserve this week with a thumb injury. With FB Greg Jones hopefully set to return soon, Maurice Jones-Drew becomes a very solid play the next couple of weeks against Green Bay and Indianapolis. He might win your league for you.

I'm going to speculate on backup Dallas RB Tashard Choice just because his 166 yards against Pittsburgh's #1 rated defense is too hard to ignore. Choice showed good speed and quick moves, but I'm hesitant to think there's any chance Marion Barber won't be back this week. Their division matchup against the Giants is much more important than last weeks game against the Steelers of the AFC. They hoped to get away with resting Barber and escaping with a win, but it didn't work. Barber will be back this week for the unfavorable fantasy matchup.

Wide Receivers

Last week in this space I told you that Domenik Hixon was a capable replacement for Plaxico Burress and I failed you. Thanks to his pathetic drop of what would've been an 85-yard TD, Hixon put up only 30 yards on 3 catches. Even worse, while it didn't show up in the box score, he came close to muffing a punt in the first quarter...but I watched the game and while a case of the 'drops' scares me in a young receiver, I'm going to suggest you stick with him. Eli Manning struggled to find his receivers the entire day amidst the Eagles' defensive pressure and he actually targeted Hixon 9 times (18 the past two weeks). Eli should have much more success this week against a banged up Dallas secondary and Hixon should be the primary beneficiary.

Three weeks ago, Miami WR Greg Camarillo signed a new contract with the Dolphins only to tear up his meniscus and ACL a few days later. It will take Camarillo quite a while to return from this injury and he may never regain his '08 form, but Dolphins fans can be excited about the production of undrafted rookie WR Davone Bess since Camarillo's injury. For those Hawaii fans out there who stayed up late last year watching Colt Brennan light up the scoreboard, you might remember Bess was his favorite target. Bess only stands at 5'10" but one only needs to look at the success of smallish receivers such as Steve Smith and Wes Welker to understand that heart can make up for lack of size in the NFL. Bess has caught 15 passes over the last two weeks and has upcoming matchups against the weak secondaries of San Francisco, Kansas City and the NY Jets. If you're in a bind, take a gamble on Bess.

Tight Ends

Jaguars WR Matt Jones was finally suspended by the league this week for his lingering cocaine charge. With Jerry Porter also on the shelf with an injury, I tried to think of who would be the fantasy beneficiary from this situation. Aside from Maurice Jones-Drew as I noted above, I think TE Marcedes Lewis might put up production worthy of a fantasy playoff start. Eventually having FB Greg Jones back in the lineup is only more reason to relieve Lewis of some of his blocking duties that have prevented him registering no more than four catches in a game all season. I wouldn't scramble to grab Lewis by any means, but I like his situation with Green Bay and Indianapolis on tap.

You or another owner in your league may have cast off Bears TE Greg Olsen in disgust after he put up a goose egg against St. Louis a few weeks back. After 52 yards receiving and a TD last week, I think he'll be a good option going forward with Kyle Orton back to full health. The Bears face New Orleans, Green Bay, and Houston the next three weeks and I think Olsen is back to being a reliable starting fantasy TE.

Hail Mary

Last Week: LT rushed for 95 yards and 1 TD...short of the 150 yards and 2 TDs I predicted so I will count that Hail Mary as incomplete. What stood out in this game though was Darren Sproles totaled 64 yards and 2 TDs on only 12 touches once San Diego got up big. While I made the mistake of not anticipating such a lopsided win last week, isn't it possible we see Sproles put up big numbers again on the worst run defense in the league, Kansas City?

This Week: I tried to mention most of my fearless predictions in the commentary above, so I will attempt to make up for my Hixon prediction last week. I think he will pull in 7 catches for 120 yards and take advantage of a Dallas secondary without Pacman Jones and Ken Hamlin.

In Between the Tackles: Playoffs?!?

Welcome back to "In Between the Tackles" where each week we take a look at some of the current hot topics around the NFL and discuss how they might affect your fantasy season. Hopefully you had a chance to read Joe Romano's interesting take on the Wes Welker hit this weekend and feel free to weigh in with your comments. Aside from the hit, we've got a lot to talk about including bullets, steroids, and most importantly fantasy playoffs.

Shotgun Formation

In a situation that seems to change by the minute, Plaxico Burress has been suspended four games for conduct detrimental to the team and is now on the non-football injury list, effectively ending his season. You can expect the Players Association to have an issue with this decision, but don't expect to see Burress in a Giants jersey this season, or ever again for that matter. My biggest problem with the situation was New York Mayor Bloomberg going on TV and yelping about mandatory jail time for Burress' role in the incident. I understand treating celebrities just as you would any other citizen, but applying the "guilty until proven innocent" rule in front of a few dozen TV cameras seems a little outrageous and unnecessary.

If you owned Burress on your fantasy team this year, you're probably fed up with his antics and glad that now you don't have to worry about him registering one catch in your playoff game when you need him to come through. You still need to replace him though. The wide receiver position is one of the toughest to predict in fantasy sports for obvious reasons, but I think fellow Giants Domenik Hixon and even Amani Toomer can be relied upon to fill the void. Both were targeted nine times on Sunday and if Eli Manning can find his late-season form of last year, both players could be solid pickups for the next few weeks.

Playoff Push

A number of other incidents occurred over the last few days that could create interesting situations for the next few weeks:

~ If you watched Sunday night's game in Minnesota you couldn't help but notice the dominance of the Vikings defensive line in their impressive win over Chicago. You might not get a chance to see that same Vikings team for a while. As I hinted last week, the league suspended defensive linemen Kevin Williams and Pat Williams for the remainder of the regular season. With Minnesota already without Pro Bowl linebacker EJ Henderson, they could be in trouble with upcoming games against Detroit, Arizona, Atlanta, and NY Giants. There are rumors a temporary restraining order may keep the Williams' active at least for this week against the Lions, so Kevin Smith owners need to keep a watchful eye on this situation over the next few days.
~ The gavel also struck hard on the New Orleans Saints as RB Deuce McAllister and DE Will Smith were also suspended. Coming off multiple knee surgeries in recent years, McAllister may have played his last game in a Saints uniform, as well as the NFL for that matter. The loss of Smith only adds to a laundry list of inactive Saints defensive players that will eventually lead to one of the league's most exciting offenses sitting on the sidelines during this season's playoffs. Fantasy owners with offensive players on Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, and Carolina should be even more excited with their fantasy playoff matchups now. With the Saints soon out of playoff contention, expect them to play it safe with stud Reggie Bush who is coming off surgery to repair a torn meniscus. With massive FB Mike Karney due back this week, Pierre Thomas could be the sleeper RB that wins you a championship this year.
~ Arkansas Razorback rookie of the year: Darren McFadden? Nope. Felix Jones? Nope. Peyton Hillis?? Yes, I think it's true. Hillis roughed up the vaunted Jets run defense for 129 yards and a TD in Week 13. He won't make guys miss, but he packs a punch, has surprisingly good hands (for a former FB), blocks well, and gets goal-line carries. What more could you want this holiday season?
~ Need a TE replacement for this week? Look no further than Oakland's Zach Miller. The lone consistent bright spot in a bleak Raiders offense, Miller faces the league's worst tight-end defense in San Diego on Thursday night. Throw in the fact that top receivers Ashley Lelie and Ronald Curry are questionable and I think Miller accounts for just about all of the Raiders typical 100 yards of offense this week.
~ Isn't December Todd Collins month? I don't have the guts to make this my Hail Mary pick of the week, but with Redskins QB Jason Campbell playing average at best, don't be surprised if Collins makes his season debut down the stretch.
~ Brady Quinn: done. Derek Anderson: done. Kellen Winslow: done. Romeo Crennel: (almost) done. Who's more disappointed...a Cleveland Browns 'fan' or a Braylon Edwards fantasy owner? I can't decide.
~ One last thought in regards to important games in your fantasy season. Be smart, but if it comes down to a toss-up, go with the big name player. You drafted them in the early rounds for a reason. A friend of mine called me in the days leading up to this weekends games with the dilemma of starting a hobbled Brian Westbrook or Matt Forte. As much as I feared Westbrook's seemingly permanent questionable tag, I told him if he needed to get a win, he had to go with the proven stud over the rookie. He agreed, Westbrook followed up with four TD's, and we all live to play another week.

Hail Mary

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

Last Week: I went with Carolina to go on the road and upset the Packers and their banged up defense at Lambeau. DeAngelo Williams (O'Malley's #1 stud) came through with four touchdowns and Carolina came away with the win in one of the more exciting back-and-forth games of the year.

This Week: You're probably telling yourself LT is washed up, right? 14 rushes, 24 yards, against the Falcons?! One 100-yard game in his last eight?! Don't even think about sitting him this week, as much as you might want to. Go with the big name players, remember? He'll reward you with 150+ total yards, a pair of TD's and most importantly a much needed fantasy win.

Looking for other fantasy picks for Week 14? Check back early and often for Chris Carmona's rock-solid "Extra Points" on each and every game right here at SportsJudge.

In Between the Tackles: Hold 'em or Fold 'em?

Twelve weeks down - five to go. Hopefully you took the last few days to review your roster for your final weeks of the fantasy season and made the necessary moves to get yourself in position to make a run for the championship. Bye weeks are a thing of the past, so your bench should be filled with players you think can help protect you or allow you to benefit from any major injuries that might occur. This week let's discuss the confusing quarterback situations with the Eagles, Browns, and other teams across the NFL and how they might affect your fantasy league.

Wait, Overtime?

It's been a rough few weeks for Donovan McNabb, Andy Reid, and the Philadelphia Eagles in a town that isn't too accepting of losing teams. After embarrassingly admitting he didn't know that NFL games could end in a tie two weeks ago, McNabb was pulled in favor of Kevin Kolb, their 2007 second round draft pick, in a week 12 thumping by the Ravens. After enduring a summer of rumors which had McNabb landing in Chicago, Minnesota, and everywhere else in the NFC, it looks as if it's only a matter of time until the Eagles pull the plug on the McNabb-era and give their prospect a solid look.

Andy Reid claims he will go with McNabb on Thanksgiving Day, but I think the damage has already been done. By pulling him at halftime last week and throwing Kolb into the fire which is the Baltimore Ravens defense, Reid undermined the leadership of his star player. It only makes sense that Reid should continue to let Kolb get experience if the Eagles want to hit the ground running next year. Matt Cassel is a perfect example of the four or five week transition period that it takes new quarterbacks to get up to speed with real games on Sunday. The Eagles are stuck at 5-5-1 in the toughest division in football and without Brian Westbrook at 100%, their playoff hopes are dim. Let Kolb have a chance to face the other NFC East division foes so he can get his growing pains out of the way and they know what they have when it comes time to make a decision on McNabb this summer. Donovan can't "win" in Philly unless he wins a Superbowl, so it's probably time for a change. He would be seen as a savior in Chicago or Minnesota, as opposed to being scrutinized and questioned even when he wins games in Philadelphia.

The Other Brady

Browns QB Brady Quinn visited Dr. James Andrews (the worst three words to hear as a fantasy owner) yesterday and learned that his debut season with the Cleveland Browns would be cut short as a result of his broken index finger. Dr. Andrews felt the situation could worsen if Quinn continued to play and aggravate the injury, and felt it was best to stay off the field for the remainder of the season, especially considering Quinn's long-term value to the Browns. Thus, Derek Anderson once again enters the picture.

Is he worth a pickup for fantasy teams in desperate need of a quarterback? I tend to think no. While one bright spot is that Anderson has a chance to perform for potential suitors in the offseason, the Browns challenging schedule (Indy, Tennessee, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh) and Anderson's lack of success early in the year should lead to more losses and will eventually cost head coach Romeo Crennel his job. In recent weeks, TE Kellen Winslow, RB Jamal Lewis and even general manager Phil Savage have been involved in embarassing incidents that will only continue to grow with the lack of any real team leader or coach. Expect Anderson to change addresses in the offseason and Quinn to come out firing next year under a new coach (Bill Cowher?) and surrounded by plenty of new faces.

Extra Points

- Rumblings from various league sources tend to indicate that the steroid suspensions I discussed in this space a few weeks ago will be issued next week. Check out the article to see the players this will affect, but the NFL will want to make sure these likely 4-game suspensions don't affect playoff games. Also expect the decision to be upheld as the NFL has a history of being very tough on appeals.
- I took a look at one of my leagues this morning and noticed Ladell Betts still available on the Free Agent list. There is no way he should still be available, especially with the release of Shaun Alexander yesterday. Clinton Portis is on pace to touch the ball a ridiculous 386 times this season and injuries are beginning to wear him down. While Washington's schedule isn't the most favorable for running backs, in my opinion, Betts has the best chance of any backup to have a starting gig by the time fantasy playoffs roll around.
- Don't get too anxious to add Maurice Morris even after his 103 yard performance on Sunday. Mike Holmgren indicated his intentions are to start Julius Jones against his former squad on Thanksgiving and Morris' 14 carries were likely a result of Jones iffy calf injury that has been hampering him in recent weeks.
- The Packers defense suffered huge loss two weeks ago when MLB Nick Barnett tore his ACL and was placed on Injured Reserve. They were completely exposed Monday night when Drew Brees torched them for 324 yards and 4 TDs. The news doesn't get any better for the Packers this week. Starting S Aaron Rouse suffered an ankle injury and with replacements Atari Bigby and Charlie Peprah dealing with injuries of their own, Green Bay is extremely thin in their secondary. Expect your Carolina offensive players to put up major points this Sunday.

Hail Mary

Last Week: Brett Favre and the New York Jets made my prediction come true with ease as the Jets manhandled the Tennessee Titans in their own barn and ended their undefeated season. Favre relied on a short passing attack and took advantage of Tennessee's lack at depth at cornerback to strike early and often on Sunday. While Tennesee is still one of the stronger teams in the league, I had a feeling this would happen, and you will see a similar scene play out in Week 16 when they face the Pittsburgh Steelers.

This Week: For the defensive issues I mentioned above, I'm going to take the Carolina Panthers to head into Lambeau and upset the Packers. Carolina's defense won't allow Green Bay to put up as many points as the Saints did on Monday and DeAngelo Williams, Jonathon Stewart and Steve Smith should put up well over 35 points.

Eat up tomorrow, enjoy the games, and I'll catch you back here next week for another edition of In Between the Tackles.

In Between the Tackles: Thawing Out

Welcome back to another edition of "In Between the Tackles." Hopefully you enjoyed last Wednesday's article by Jordan Zucker and if you didn't get a chance to read it, I really recommend checking it out before we get down to business and talk some fantasy football.


Six weeks...that's all we've got left. If you play in a standard fantasy football league that doesn't use Week 17 games, there's a chance you only have two weeks left before playoffs. With that in mind, let's think about strategy.

Redraft Leagues: The approach here is fairly straightforward. Your team falls into one of two camps. If you're clinging to one of the last playoff spots or you're a win or two out of the race, then you need really put your focus on the next couple weeks. Below I will break down the running back position for the remainder of the season, and if you are one of those teams fighting for a spot, take the approach of the federal government and focus on the short-term solutions. It might cost you an opportunity to find that Week 16 stud, but you can't win your league if you don't make the playoffs in the first place. Take care of business before you start planning for the playoffs.

On the other hand, if you're perched in one of the top couple spots and you're just waiting on your first-round opponent to be named, then you need to take a totally different approach. Forget the high-risk pickups for the next week or two. Yes, you might fall a spot or two in the standings, but playoff seeding is totally overrated in fantasy football as long as you aren't playing the #1 team. One strategy that will be totally overlooked amongst the chaos of owners fighting to get into the playoffs is the potential for injury. Think about it, when a big-time running back goes down with an injury like Earnest Graham did this week, every owner will scramble to pickup the Warrick Dunn's of the world. Get ahead of the curve. We've made it through this year surprisingly with only a handful of major RB injuries, but I would be willing to bet there will be some big-time stars go down in the next few weeks and the fantasy landscape will be drastically different come playoff time. You probably have a solid core of good players that have brought you this far. Have a guy like Ahmad Bradshaw stashed away when Brandon Jacobs goes down two weeks from now and you'll be right in position for a championship run.

Dynasty or Keeper Leagues: These types of leagues can vary quite a bit, but if your league allows you to keep players from year to year or trade draft picks then you need to start to think about this. As a league leader, consider trading away your depth for a star to keep, or draft picks for next year. At this point in the year, most teams in your league still think they have a legitimate chance of making the playoffs and might mortgage the future for a chance to make a run. Swing a 3 for 1 deal for a guy like Adrian Peterson and you've set yourself up nicely for years to come. I must warn you not to overvalue future draft picks though. Take a look at the first round of your draft from this year and you'll realize how much has changed in such a short period of time.

Running Down a Dream

Before we get into specific players, I decided to first break down the easiest and toughest remaining schedules for running backs. For the sake of space, I didn't list each team's opponents but I've linked each team to their schedule. Keep in mind situations can change in the next few weeks, but at this point in the season I think we have a pretty firm grip on where each defense stands.

Weakest Remaining Schedules: San Diego, Indianapolis, Houston, Kansas City, Tampa Bay, Oakland, Miami, Chicago

Toughest Remaining Schedules: Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Arizona, Washington, Seattle, Dallas, Atlanta

- Warrick Dunn is the new starting running back in Tampa Bay now that Earnest Graham has been placed on season-ending injured reserve. You'll notice Tampa falls into the weakest schedule list above, especially with the hapless Lions on tap for this week. One risk with Dunn is his lack of size, especially around the goalline. Last week, he was stuffed at the end zone repeatedly but this shouldn't deter you from adding him as soon as possible. The most logical goalline back options on the Bucs are B.J. Askew and the recently signed Noah Herron. Both have the size to become a factor in leagues that heavily favor touchdowns. Keep an eye on this next week.
- The mess of a backfield in New England continues, but Sammy Morris is your best bet going forward. The Patriots were in no-huddle comeback mode for the final three quarters last Thursday which kept Morris off the field. If you want a Patriots running back, he is still the man to own.
- Tim Hightower's great rookie season is starting to lose it's momentum. Hightower has been tiptoeing to the line in recent weeks and as a result J.J. Arrington has once again become a big part of the offense. Given that the Cardinals heavily favor the shotgun formation and Arrington is their passing back, consider adding him sooner rather than later.
- I hinted two weeks ago that DeAngelo Williams might be poised for a breakout and he came through for me. Unfortunately, you need to temper your expectations going forward with Jonathan Stewart still in the picture and Tampa Bay and New York on tap for fantasy playoffs.
- If you've been patient with LT and Joseph Addai for this long you are about to be rewarded. Both looked great last week and have excellent matchups on the horizon.
- Steve Slaton ran for an impressive 156 yards last week, but what really caught my eye was the fact that Ahman Green only had five less carries than Slaton. With an easy schedule and Slaton's tiny stature possibly becoming an injury risk, think about stashing Green away for a rainy day.
*Update: Slaton mentioned he was injured after falling on the ball on Sunday - houstontexans.com
- Broncos RB Peyton Hillis underwent x-rays on his shoulder following Denver's win over Atlanta on Sunday, but he seems to be okay. Unfortunately, even after two touchdowns, his role in the offense going forward is anything but clear. Selvin Young should return from injury soon and Tatum Bell is a former Mike Shanahan favorite. Ahhh the wonderful consistency of owning a Denver running back.

Hail Mary

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

The Tennessee dream of an undefeated season comes to an end on Sunday when the Jets upset the Titans at LP Field. The Jets underrated defense is stout against the run and in a battle of Brett Favre and Kerry Collins I have to go with New York.

In Between the Tackles: Trading Places

So Barack Obama is the next President of the USA, but he's already been picked up in your fantasy league. Where do you look? Who should you get? Just like every Wednesday, let's take a look In Between the Tackles and dive a little deeper into some of the major stories around the NFL.

Quarterback Carousels

I warned you last Wednesday that Week 10 might signal the beginning of the Brady Quinn era in Cleveland and head coach Romeo Crennel has now made that a reality. My personal opinion is that this was the plan all along by the Browns after they realized signing Derek Anderson to a three-year $24 million extension over the summer was a mistake. The Browns traded a first and second-round pick in 2007 for the rights to draft Quinn and after a disappointing start it was only a matter of time until fans started demanding that he get into some games. With questionable defenses from Denver, Buffalo and Houston on tap, this was the logical time to give the Fighting Irish alum a chance. Quinn had plenty of time to prepare behind Anderson and the schedule for the next few weeks should allow him to put up impressive statistics for the time being. (I mean the guy can throw a ball into a truck - link to video) One key to the Browns offense that has been slighty overlooked is the health of WR Donte Stallworth. If he can get healthy, expect Braylon Edwards to finally put up numbers that resemble his breakout year last season.
Verdict: Can be relied upon as a bye week replacement - becomes a riskier play once the schedule gets tougher.

The Houston Texans will also be starting a new quarterback, at least for the time being, after Matt Schaub went down with a torn MCL on Sunday. Sage Rosenfels steps in just a few weeks after ruining an excellent performance with three late turnovers against the Colts. Rosenfels has been known to gamble downfield and that could pay off for fantasy owners while Schaub is on the shelf. Unfortunately, the Texans face a daunting challenge from Baltimore on Sunday, but Rosenfels should be able to do enough over the next 3-4 weeks to create a QB controversy in Houston when Schaub returns.
Verdict: Can be relied upon as at least a bye week fill-in and maybe much more.

In one of the greatest comebacks from retirement since Michael Jordan and Mario Lemieux, Daunte Culpepper has decided to join the Detroit Lions. Okay, nevermind - You're probably wondering if Culpepper has any value at all to your fantasy team and whether he can help the Lions avoid the dreaded 0-16 season. I hate to say it, but I really don't see much potential here. The Lions are bad, we all know that. They've traded away WR Roy Williams. Rumors from sources inside the Lions organization hint that Culpepper might be relied upon to start this week. It's never easy for a new quarterback to learn an entirely different system, let alone in a matter of days. It doesn't help that the Lions will be facing Jacksonville, Carolina, Tampa Bay, and Tennessee in the next four weeks. The only positive light I can see from this situation is that there is always a chance that Calvin Johnson develops a great chemistry with Culpepper, much like he did with Randy Moss a few years ago in Minnesota. Of course that was two teams and one major knee surgery ago for Daunte.
Verdict: Steer clear

Bears QB Kyle Orton's impressive season was also derailed on Sunday with an ankle injury. Rex Grossman will take over for the next few weeks and I don't see much of a chance that Grossman recreates Orton's success while he's on the shelf. Unfortunately, his ineffectiveness also hurts the potential for all Bears receivers and RB Matt Forte's numbers before Orton returns.
Verdict: Steer clear

Extra Points

- QB Ben Roethlisberger's shoulder injury doesn't seem serious but don't be surprised if they shut him down for a week in two in an attempt to get him healthy for a Super Bowl run.
- With RB's Antonio Pittman and Andre Hall now on season-ending Injured Reserve, Ryan Torain and Selvin Young are now Denver's only options in the backfield.
- Carolina is expecting to get back C Ryan Kalil and T Jeff Otah this week which would give a huge boost to the already effective Panthers running game. Since preseason, I've felt DeAngelo Williams is primed for a breakout season - this might be his chance.
- Just when you thought Oakland couldn't get any worse, Al Davis has realized canning Lane Kiffin hasn't solved his problems and is planning to overhaul the team over the next few months. You've probably unloaded all players within arms-length of the Raiders by this point, but don't be surprised to see even more boneheaded moves in the coming weeks.

Hail Mary

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

Last Week: I nailed the Giants 35-14 beatdown of Dallas but was way off on my prediction of 170 yards receiving for Plaxico Burress. Instead, it was the Giants running game that dominated and combined for 200 total yards on the ground. Dallas can't get wait to get Tony Romo back, but unfortunately I think the problems with this team go deeper.

This Week: There's Hail Mary's (link to video), and then there's this pick. The easy road would be to predict an enormous day for LT against the pathetic Kansas City run defense. Instead, let's go out on a very weak limb and take Tyler Thigpen to throw for 300 yards against San Diego this week.

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.

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.

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.