-As if LaMont Jordan wasn't already in fantasy owners' doghouses, then he goes and pulls this ... for those even bothering to put Jordan in their lineups nowadays, they might have been expecting a decent outing against the Cardinals on Sunday. He did have some back issues at practice late in the week, but he was listed as probable, and all indications were he was going to be fine. Then Jordan goes and "tweaks" his back in the pregame warmup and doesn't play a down. Unbelievable. Considering how lousy he had already been this season, this is the kind of thing that can get you cut from fantasy rosters. In fact, I'm considering it right now.
-OK, how many of you started Mike Vick against the Steelers? My guess is the majority didn't, but those who did were certainly rewarded with his four TD passes. Alge Crumpler was the recipient of three, demonstrating once again you've got to start those proven, stud TEs who are important pieces of their offense (Jeremy Shockey, Todd Heap etc.).
-Hines Ward's three TDs were a career high and some long overdue signs of life. Even more encouraging was the fact he caught two of them from Charlie Batch, who might see some more playing time after Ben Roethlisberger's concussion.
-What the heck happened to Jacksonville? I know Byron Leftwich was hobbled by a sore ankle, and their defense was also banged up, but still ... a loss to the Texans? Wali Lundy went for 93 yards and a TD after no Houston RB had gained even 60 yards in a game. Lundy looks like he'll get more work in the near future, and you can pretty much stick a fork in Ron Dayne for fantasy purposes. I'm still not sold on Lundy yet unless you're desperate. ... as for the Jags' backfield, Fred Taylor (84 yards) and Maurice Jones-Drew (68 total yards, rushing TD) were decent, but neither had the huge game we expected against the sorry Texans.
-Larry Johnson exceeded expectations (132, two TDs) against a tough Chargers D. Tony Gonzalez also had his best game of the year (138 yards), again making my point about stud TEs. And for San Diego, LaDainian Tomlinson patched together another big day (138 total yards, one receving TD) and threw in one of his patented trick-play passing TDs ... you gotta love those.
-In a game that figured to be an aerial shootout, the story of the Jets-Lions showdown was Leon Washington's coming-out party on the ground. The Gang Green rookie had a career-high 129 rushing yards and two TDs on 20 carries, finally giving us a somewhat clearer picture of the Jets' backfield situation. Kevan Barlow is still in the mix obviously as a change-of-pace/short-yardage back, but Washington is the guy to start right now against questionable defenses (Cleveland, Week 8, hint, hint).
-More bad luck for the Seahawks, as Matt Hasselbeck went down with a leg injury and could miss some significant time. The timing couldn't be worse for fantasy owners, as the new Chunky Soup Guy was just heating up (three TDs the week prior), Shaun Alexander was supposed to be on his way back, and the upcoming schedule was as easy as pie (Kansas City, Oakland, St. Louis, San Francisco, Oakland). Seneca Wallace is probably not a great option.
-Chester Taylor turned an average day into a great one with his 95-yard TD scamper in the third quarter against Seattle. He's putting together a really nice season so far and is the league's leading rusher (pending Tiki Barber's output tonight).
-How is that Tatum Bell vs. Mike Bell situation working out? Tatum bullied his way to 115 yards and a score against Cleveland, his third 100-yard output and his second straight game with a TD. Mike's last four rushing totals: 12, 0, 2, 25.
-It's gotten to the point that you've got to consider sitting your marginal players against Denver's defense. The Broncos are allowing a miniscule 7.3 points a game. But don't make the mistake of sitting your top studs against them - Peyton Manning's got to be in your lineup next week no matter what.
-Clinton Portis had a real bummer of a game against a soft Colts defense. He managed only 43 rushing yards and 21 receiving yards. He was also hit in the crotch by someone's helmet when the Skins were in the red zone, and he was also in and out of the game later with a "lower leg injury." Keep an eye on this.
-Chad Johnson (101 yards) and Steve Smith (126 yards) were equally good in a matchup of two of the league's premier receivers. Johnson had a crucial fourth-down catch late in the game that led to the winning TD for the Bengals. The most remarkable thing about these two guys is they both once played on the same junior college team. I can't even imagine them both being on the same FANTASY team.
-Brian Westbrook owners can breathe easy for another week. The knee held up once again, and Westbrook topped 100 yards rushing, 100 yards receiving and tossed in a receiving TD for good measure.
-The Buccaneers defense finally showed some life, as far as fantasy purposes go, thanks to Ronde Barber's two INT returns for TDs. Frankly, it's about time for what had been considered a top-five D.
-As I expected, Joey Harrington was pretty good (at least in a fantasy sense) against Green Bay's sorry pass defense. He had 414 passing yards and two TDs, but his three picks didn't help in leagues that penalize for INTs.
-Ahman Green also looked pretty swell against Miami, rushing for 118 yards and his first TD on the ground. He's not a terrible play against the Raiders next week.
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2 comments:
it amazes me that you idiots keep playing lamont jordan. he's sucked all season. it's essentially like having culpepper still at quarterback. you wouldn't do that, would you? so why would you keep playing jordan week after week when you know he's going to let you down. stop debating it, take him out.
Jordan had 1,500 total yards last year and 11 TDs on a crappy team. There's a reason there were high expectations for him this season, and I don't blame anyone who drafted him in the first or second round for starting him against teams like Arizona, especially with a six-team bye week.
The Raiders offense sucks, the OL sucks, and Art Shell sucks. And yeah, part of it is Jordan's fault, too. The injury is just the last straw, and he's got to be on the bench now.
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