Quick Injury Updates

Just a few quick but important injury updates as I have them from today.

Ben Rothlisberger - Reports out of Pittsburgh are that Big Ben will be sitting on the side lines. This bears watching, who knows what tomorrow will bring, but have your back up plan in place.

Kurt Warner - Nothing definative on Warner and his concussion, but again, for a top flight fantasy QB, this bears watching as he is listed as questionable still, again have your back up ready and monitor the reports on Sunday

Julius Jones - This is more important for those who snapped up Justin Forsette, who is a good start if he plays. More monitoriing.

Adrian Peterson - Besides a nagging ankle, Peterson was out of practice due to an illness and is questionable, keep an eye open and if he is out and you have Chester Taylor, get him warmed and and expect a big day if he starts.

Steve Smith - Word from Carolina is Smith is nursing sore ribs, and with his recent resurgence, watch on Sunday for the inactive report

Rock Cartwright - He could be a good spot starter for the Redskins if you need help.

It is Sarah Saturday again!
Today's Hottie: Sarah Stage

Hit the field or Take some Pine?

I am not a fan of the Thursday night games, especially the Thanksgiving Day gamut, with three games already in the books. Doesn't give us pundits much time to sum up the week past and then turn around for the Thursday games, plus get on to Sunday. Jamie Eisenberg put out his Start 'Em and Sit 'Em for this week on the 25th. I generally like what he writes, so here is my spin on what is left for Sunday. Read his article here

Quarterbacks

Start 'Em:
Brett Favre - The Chicago D is not what is once was... too many injuries... not enough talent, Favre should have a good game here.
Carson Palmer - If Cleveland can give up 300+ and FIVE TDs to a rookie like Stafford, Palmer should do pretty well too.
Ben Rothlisberger - This only works if Big Ben starts, which it looks like he will. Surprisingly, except for a few weeks ago, the Ravens D has not been stellar and Rothlisberger could have a good game.
Matt Hasselbeck - The match up with St. Louis is favorable for Hasselbeck, but he continues to disappoint, I wouldn't call him a must start.
Matt Ryan - Ryan bounced back with a good game last week and Tampa should allow him to continue the trend

Sit 'Em
Joe Flacco - Without Polamalu, the Steeler D is missing something, but is still formidable.
Jay Cutler - The only way Culter does well is in garbage time when they are behind
David Garrard - Garrard is never a starter in my mind.

Running Backs

Start 'Em
Joseph Addai - Addai continues to have a steady fantasy season, scoring TDs and yardage just enough to keep him on your starting team, and should again
LeSean McCoy - McCoy is a good fill in for Westbrook, I would start him the rest of the year
Bernard Scott - Benson should be on the bench again so Scott should start again Cleveland

Sit 'Em
Jamaal Charles - The Chargers have been playing better and should be tough on the entire KC offense
Jamal Lewis - Yup sit him.

Wide Receivers

Start 'Em
Santono Holmes - Again, Hines Ward is the start here, Holmes has been a big disappointment this season
Terrell Owens - I would start him too.
Nate Burleson - I am not a Burleson fan, not sure I would start him, perhaps a passable game, but not an outstanding
one.
Michael Crabtree - If San Fran goes to the spread offense more, Crabtree will excel

Sit 'Em
Santana Moss - Definately agree, sit him
Jerricho Cotchery - Until Sanchez starts to play a bit steadier, I wouldn't count on any Jet receivers
Donnie Avery - I might start him in this match up

Tight Ends

Start 'Em
Greg Olsen - The Vikings give up points to TEs, but that is what they said last week for John Carlson and he got blanked
Kellen Winslow - Winslow is up and down, spectacular and horrible... could this be a spectacular week?
Visanthe Shiancoe - Favre seems comfortable with Shiancoe, but take away three big scoring weeks and Shiancoe is a mediocre TE... he might do ok this week, but I would temper expectations

Sit 'Em
Brent Celek - Celek is a must start each week
Jeremy Shockey - This is a good sit week for Shockey

Today's Hottie: Natalia Ramirez

Merry Turkey Day

Hello All!

I had to take Thanksgiving off. So, I ate turkey, watched football and napped. A perfect holiday! I hope everyone else had a great day as well! Posting again later this evening as normal!

Hate / Love

Matthew Berry from ESPN writes a weekly column he calls his Love Hate list. He runs through players he loves for the weekend's matchup and those he hates. And well Berry is an "expert" and gets paid big jack to express his opinions, I often disagree. So, here is my spin in the Talented Mr Roto's thoughts, which can be found here

Berry "Loves"

JerMichael Finley - I have to agree, he and Rodgers are on the same page

Calvin Johnson - I think the Lions will find it harder going against Green Bay, even with their defensive losses.

Marion Barber - The Raider defense is much better than people give them credit for, plus the continuous time share. Did anyone else hear Jerry Jones would like to see more from Felix Jones?

Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw - Denver's defense has been horrible against the run, and well, against the pass too. Even with the time share, both could do ok.

Jason Snelling - After a successful debut, he won't sneak up on anyone, I would expect an ok day against Tampa Josh Freeman - There has to be a better option for you than Freeman... Kyle Boller, Alex Smith...

Kellen Winslow - He might do ok, but he is so inconsistent week to week... if you want to gamble, go ahead

Ricky Williams - Buffalo is not stout against the run, and Williams should do well

Terrell Owens - I read some good analysis on TO, new offensive coordinator, more TO... makes sense

Fred Jackson - With Lynch hobbled, more touches for Jackson is a good thing

LeSean McCoy - Replacing Westbrook, if he gets enough touches, he should do well

Justin Forsette - I am not sure if Jones is back or not, but a time share would not help either back. I like Forsette if Jones doesn't play

Chris Chambers - Chambers has been great since joining the Chiefs, lots left in his tank, and a payback game could produce well

Jamaal Charles - His TD return helped, but San Diego's defense will slow him down

Greg Olsen - Against Minnesota, I don't like Olsen in this one.

Berrys "Hates"

Tony Romo - The Raiders have been tough on the passing game, and the Cowboys are definately off right now, 14 points in the past two games

Jason Witten - So goes Romo, so goes Witten

Eli Manning - Manning will do ok, but if the Giants can get their pathetic running game going, it will be less, if they continue struggling on the ground, then Eli will do better

Steve Smith - Smith has been consistent in the last few weeks, not posting monster games, but nice ones and he will again

Brent Celek - I would start Celek every week these days

Beanie Wells - If he can get involved in the running game, he could do well, I would expect him to do ok though

Jay Culter - Yeah, I would not expect great things from Culter this week in Minnesota

Today's Hottie: Brandy SkyAlso, check out www.brandysky.net coming soon!

The Waiver Wire

I don't have a ton of time to write tonight. But I did read Roger Rotter's Waiver Wire top 10 and thought you might like to see it. Here is the article. Below are his top ten and some of my thoughts

10) Kahill Bell - Matt Forte's back up. Yeah, who knew? But with a couple week defenses coming up soon, he might be worth a spot if you have room. Just an interesting thought. I did notice that Forte just seems to be running right up the backs of his line... little cutting or anything. No holes, yeah, I don't see him helping.

9) Brandon Gibson - This one depends on his chemistry with Kyle Boller with Bulger going down, hold onto this thought a week and see what happens

8) Miami D - A one week wonder if you need help. Against Buffalo, I might take grandma and the bridge club.

7) JerMichael Finley - I am all over this one. I have had Finley on my roster since the draft.

6) Matthew Stafford - Not so fast. Stafford is injured and doesn't play too many defenses as bad as Cleveland, who I would start my local peewee team against and expect decent fantasy points.

5) Alex Smith - If San Fran goes with the spread offense that worked in the 2nd half at Green Bay, this might make sense, but what I heard was Smith didn't like it (did they say this guy was smart before the 2005 draft?)

4) Rock Cartwright - yeah, I would do this if I needed help.

3) Fred Jackson - I doubt he is on the wire, but if he is there, grab him... Lynch is nicked up.

2) Bernard Scott - He is gone in most leagues, but if not, pick him up until Benson is back.

1) Justin Forsett - Again, he is gone probably, but pick him up. I don't know how long Julius Jones is out, but he might not get his job anyhow.

Later all. Out!

Today's Hottie: CJ Caprio
Check out CJCaprio.com - coming soon!

R & R - Ramblings and Rantings

Injury Impacts - Not a great deal of injury, but still some things to talk about.

Ben Rothlisberger - Sitting here watching the Monday night game. ESPN just reported, according to Chris Berman, that Big Ben has told the media he will be playing on Sunday, despite his concussion against the Cheifs. Make sure to keep an eye on it anyhow... besides, with the injury to Charlie Batch, it's either Rothlisberger or nothingin Pittsburgh.

Kurt Warner - Reports are today that Warner is just fine after his own minor concussion. Again, with head injuries, keep your eye on this one during the week.

Green Bay Defense - Two pro bowl level players went down for the Packer D, Aaron Kampman and Al Harris. Normally, I don't talk much about defenses, but this will really hurt their performance.

LaDell Betts - A severe knee injury has put LaDell on the pines for the rest of the year. Rock Cartwright is next up for the Redskins and might be worth picking up. He did a good job after Betts' injury.

Marc Bulger - Bulger is out for the year with a broken bone in his leg, so Kyle Boller is the QB in St Louis for the rest of the year is my guess. Not much fantasy value unless you are desparate.

What's Up? Guys who you might want on your roster.

Chris Chambers - If he is out there, snap him up. Two solid performances in a row speaks volumes. On a side note, if owners dropped Dwayne Bowe, and if you have room on your roster, you might want to consider him. He is coming back in time for the playoffs.

Kenny Britt - Still sitting here watching the Titans v Texans and Vince Young has some chemistry with the rookie. If you need WR help, he might be worth a gamble.

Jason Snelling - Snelling has a solid game stepping in for Michael Turner. If you need a short term starter, and if he is available, he is worth a roster spot and a spot start.

Bernard Scott - Scott had a solid if not spectacular game against the Raiders, and it also worth a roster spot for a spot start.

Justin Forsett - Again, Forsett had a nice game in replacing Julius Jones in Seattle, even against the Viking defense. If you have room and need a spot start, Forsett might be worth it.

Michael Crabtree - I wouldn't think Crabtree would be available, but he had a mini coming out party against a tough Green Bay defense, posting his first TD.

Robert Meachem - even with his poaching on Sunday (2 receptions, 10 yards, 2 TDs), I don't see Meachem as worth a roster spot, just too many other weapons on New Orleans.

Today's Hottie: Marla Foust

Sunday Observations

Trying a new format for these. Let me know what you think!

Miami v Carolina
Ricky Williams put on a show on Thursday night, with 140 combined and 3 TDs. Sweet! I am very glad I handcuffed him with Ronnie Brown. Nice game for Steve Smith as well, welcome back to the fantasy world buddy. Why Carolina didn't feed the ball to DeAngelo Williams is a mystery to me AND his fantasy owners.

Indianapolis v Baltimore
Nothing outstanding to write about in this match up. Nice games for both Addai and Rice. Derrick Mason was very good with his 9 receptions for 142, and Pierre Garcon posted a solid 6/108, might worth a waiver wire pick up.

Washington v Dallas
Who would have thought the bore game of the day would be in Dallas and not Detroit. It was another weak performance for Tony Romo. Really nothing to write about except a LaDell Betts injury. Pick up Rock Cartwright if you can this week.

Cleveland v Detroit
An offensive explosion, mainly due to poor defense. And most of these guys were on the fantasy bench. If you had a starting fantasy line up of the following you would have won:Matthew Stafford (sub Brady Quinn in here too)Kevin SmithJamal LewisCalvin JohnsonMuhammed MassaquoiBrandon PettigrewPhil Dawson(skip the defenses)

San Francisco v Green Bay
Aaron Rodgers had his usual must-start performance, and his 2005 draft buddy, Alex Smith was pretty good too. Vernon Davis once again let his game do the talking instead of his gaping mouth. But the real stories are the emergence Ryan Grant and Greg Jennings, who put put up #1 fantasy numbers, like many predicted they would more consistently this year. Jennings in particular could be considered the fantasy bust of the year.

Buffalo v Jacksonville
Welcome back TO. Not that I like him that much, but you have to give him props for the 9/197 and the long TD. Solid game again by the guy no one heard of before this year, Mike Sims-Walker. When will the fantasy world finally believe me when I say the David Garrard is NOT a fantasy QB worth mentioning.

Pittsburgh v Kansas City
Shocking game really. Great numbers for Big Ben with almost 400 and 3 TDs and Matt Cassel was solid with 248 and 2 TDs. Ok, who picked up Chris Chambers this week? Now, who started him? I mentioned Hines Ward in my posts this week and he came through nicely. I really though Pittsburgh would get out to a lead and run the ball to death, but they didn't. But Mendenhall was worth starting with 110+ with a TD. Nice TE game for Heath Miller too.

Seattle v Minnesota
Favre just keep rolling, hitting for 4 TDs. And his favorite guy continues to be Sidney Rice (6-89-2 TDs). Justin Forsett put in a solid game, but mainly in the passing game (8-80) plus a rushing TD. Percy Harvin and Vinsanthe Siancoe both put up solid games, 5-79-1 TD and 8-78-1 TD respectively.

Atlanta v New York Giants
Nice game for Eli and he needed all of it defeat Atlanta this week. Mario Manningham was his chief target (6-126), but no TDs. Jason Snelling rewarded those who picked him up (and started him) with 76 rushing yards and 2 TDs. The tight ends were impressive, Tony Gonzales with 8-82-1 TD and Kevin Boss with 5-76-2 TDs. And if not for a rushing TD, Brandon Jacobs would have had another woeful fantasy day. Coach Coughlin, he needs more than 12 touches a game, that is just getting warmed up.

New Orleans v Tampa Bay
Not sure how to say this, but 187 and 3 TDs for Drew Brees was somehow unsatisfying. Josh Freeman, nor any of the Bucs offense is really ready for prime time. Pierre Thomas (92 yards) and Mike Bell (75 yards and 2 TDs) formed a great running game for the Saints and Robert Meachem posted an all TD poaching game with 2 receptions for 10 yards and 2 TDs.

Arizona v St Louis
The Cards were just not the same offense once Kurt Warner left the game at half. The tandem of Tim Hightower and Beanie Well were nice with 110 yard and 74-1 TD respectively. Boldin (8-103-1 TD) and Fitzgerald (8-87-1 TD) were off to a great start before half. And finally, is anyone really having a better season on a bad team than Steven Jackson with his 24 attempts, 116 yards and a TD? Keep your eye on Bulger as a spot starter if you need one.

San Diego v Denver
What has happened to Denver? Wow. Tomlinson is putting in some solid games lately and again today with 73-1 TD. And I know Denver was behind, but they really need to give the ball more to Knowshon Moreno, who produced 80 yards on 10 attemps. How did San Diego score 32 points and not have any great fantasy performances?

New York Jets v New England
I wish to hell I had drafted Wes Welker like I was going to... but didn't. Damn! 15-192, are you kidding? Jericho Cotchery was solid with 3-84-1 TD. And Mark Sanchez continues to regress with another 4 INTs.

Cincinnati v Oakland
Ok, this was the absolute shocker of the day. Gradkowski was completely unspectacular, but solid with 183 and TDs, but he didn't screw things up. Bernard Scott rewarded those who picked him up with 119 rushing yards and a few catches. Other than, I have to eat crow, thinking the Bengals would be able to throw the ball in Oakland.

Today's Hottie: Marketa and here