Fantasy Clicks: Welcome Back
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Welcome Back
Mohamed Massaquoi :: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images |
After going 10 games without scoring a rushing and receiving touchdown in the same game, the Derek Anderson-led Cleveland offense hit paydirt twice against downstate rival Cincinnati -- once on the ground with the quick feet of Jerome Harrison and the other through the air to tight end Steve Heiden. Also emerging as a major fantasy prospect for Cleveland was rookie receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, who hauled in eight passes for 148 yards. Putting that into perspective, that's just two catches fewer and nine yards more than Braylon Edwards had on the entire season before his trade to the Jets.
Now the Browns have become the young and developing team that they should have been since the start of the year. Anderson is a serviceable backup fantasy quarterback who has an extremely inexperienced receiver corps led by Massaquoi, Chansi Stuckey -- an Eric Mangini favorite from their time together with the Jets -- rookie Brian Robiskie and former safety Mike Furrey. And with James Davis out for the year, Harrison should remain the top ball carrier, even after Jamal Lewis returns from injury.
Still, don't get too excited about this bunch. They still have two games left to play against the Steelers, one apiece with the Ravens and Bengals and another with the Bears. In fact, the only game that you'd even consider playing many Browns in would be Week 11 at Detroit.
Ups and Downs
Whether by injury, emergence or opportunity, players are constantly gaining or losing fantasy value. Here are 64 players on 32 teams who are experiencing changes in how they were rated earlier in the year.
NFC | Up | Down |
49ers | Vernon Davis | Isaac Bruce |
Bears | Johnny Knox | Adrian Peterson |
Buccaneers | Cadillac Williams | Derrick Ward |
Cardinals | Steve Breaston | Larry Fitzgerald |
Cowboys | Tashard Choice | Roy Williams |
Eagles | Donovan McNabb | Kevin Curtis |
Falcons | Defense/Special Teams | Jeroius Norwood |
Giants | Hakeem Nicks | Kevin Boss |
Lions | Bryant Johnson | Maurice Morris |
Packers | Jermichael Finley | Greg Jennings |
Panthers | Dante Rosario | Steve Smith |
Saints | Pierre Thomas | John Carney |
Rams | Kyle Boller | Steven Jackson |
Redskins | Jason Campbell | Ladell Betts |
Seahawks | Nate Burleson | Seneca Wallace |
Vikings | Bernard Berrian | Visanthe Shiancoe |
AFC | Up | Down |
Bengals | Bernard Scott | Laveranues Coles |
Bills | Rian Lindell | Terrell Owens |
Broncos | Brandon Marshall | Correll Buckhalter |
Browns | Jerome Harrison | Brady Quinn |
Chargers | Vincent Jackson | Defense/Special Teams |
Chiefs | Matt Cassel | Larry Johnson |
Colts | Austin Collie | Joseph Addai |
Dolphins | Chad Henne | Ted Ginn Jr. |
Jaguars | Mike Sims-Walker | Torry Holt |
Jets | Jerricho Cotchery | Mark Sanchez |
Patriots | Wes Welker | Joey Galloway |
Raiders | Michael Bush | Darren McFadden |
Ravens | Ray Rice | Todd Heap |
Steelers | Rashard Mendenhall | Willie Parker |
Texans | Jacoby Jones | Steve Slaton |
Titans | Kenny Britt | Kerry Collins |
Back to Braylon
I've always said that you have to be careful about drafting players who have troubles off the field, both within the team and with the law. Plaxico Burress was a perfect example of this when he left his owners high and dry last year by shooting himself and getting released by the then-defending champs despite his star receiver status. Now Braylon Edwards, once one of the most promising receivers in the league, finds himself in that class. Although it appears that he has strong support on the Jets, like coach Rex Ryan and linebacker Bart Scott, to keep him out of trouble, Burress had the same kind of support and couldn't keep his nose clean.
Edwards' parting shot in Cleveland was an altercation with one of the members of LeBron James' inner circle. Messing with LeBron in Cleveland is like messing with Oprah in Chicago or Brett Favre in Kiln, Miss. -- not a wise move. Now summarily dismissed from Cuyahoga County, Edwards has a chance to start up a new rivalry in the city that never sleeps and will have no shortage of candidates. Will it be his quarterback Mark Sanchez? Maybe Derek Jeter? Can he go away from sports and start something up with Donald Trump? Champion Burress' cause with Mike Bloomberg? Try to flap the unflappable Eli Manning? Perhaps degrade David Wright or Johan Santana? My darkhorse favorite for Braylon's new rival in New York: Slam dunk champion, feisty Knicks guard Nate Robinson.
In any case, Edwards is someone to avoid on your team. He's too frustrating, too risky and to be honest, drops way too many passes. If you have him on your roster, trade him now while the prospect of him returning to form with the Jets still remains.
Who to Prey On
Defenses like the Saints and Vikings have been putting up big numbers this season, but as with nearly all other factors when it comes to fantasy football, matchups are king. So while you might not have a 49ers' or Jets' D, you can stream each week based on the opponents who allow the most points. Here are the offenses that defenses rack up copious points against and those, like the Falcons, who are stingiest in each category. Note: Teams who have already had a bye are denoted with an asterisk.
Defense/Special Teams Touchdowns Allowed
Jets 3
Panthers* 3
Rams 3
Vikings 3
Patriots 2
Steelers 2
Most Sacks Allowed
Packers 20
Bills 16
49ers 13
Dolphins 13
Chiefs 13
Browns 13
Fewest Sacks Allowed
Colts 2
Falcons* 2
Giants 3
Eagles* 3
Patriots 4
Saints 4
Most Interceptions Against
Panthers* 8
Browns 7
Titans 6
Lions 6
Bears 5
Bills 5
Bengals 5
Jets 5
Redskins 5
Fewest Interceptions Against
Broncos 0
Falcons* 1
Packers 1
Jaguars 1
Vikings 1
49ers 1
Tweet, Tweet
Don't forget to send me your questions and comments on lineups, trades, pickups, etc., through Twitter at @SI_DavidSabino. I'll be answering them throughout the week and will be there for you each fantasy football Sunday from 11 to 12:30 p.m. ET prior to early kickoffs.
Podcast
Also check out the SI Fantasy Football Extra Podcast with yours truly and SI's media mogul Richard Deitsch. We'll be discussing the hot fantasy topics of each week and point you in the right direction for the games ahead.
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