I'm a mildly superstitious individual, who is easily scared and doesn't particularly like the dark. Those factors combine to make me a big ole' pansy. It also makes me a survivor. We have all seen the movies, where the wounded, disoriented individual hears a suspicious noise and then, disregarding all reason or logic, walks towards it. Their inevitable death makes me chuckle, because I know that I would have booked it in the opposite direction as soon as I heard whatever god awful scary noise there was.
"That dark hallway seems legit. Wait, did I just see movement?"
I wasn't scared by much of anything this weekend. The most unsettling thing to me (other than the Browns and Seahawks playing that riveting 6-3 thriller) was the absolute onslaught of injuries that hit many key players this week. Many primary and fantasy relevant team options were injured throughout their games, and it certainly lacks any logical explanation. (Cue suspicion of witchcraft) I've never witnessed so many pivotal players go down with injuries in the same week like this, they literally dropped like flies. I mean, Paranormal Activity 3 did come out this week, maybe that has something to do with it.
"Honey calm down. It was just a bye week, go back to bed."
Like I said, a lot of important players went down with injuries, and some appear to be quite serious. Earnest Graham's career might be over, his ACL tore so badly. Tim Hightower looks to be done for the season. Beanie Wells, Darren McFadden, Willis McGahee, Mark Ingram and Joseph Addai all suffered injuries that may keep them out for anywhere from a week to a month. QB's Matt Ryan and Matt Stafford both got looked at for injuries, and both appear to have avoided anything long term. WR Santana Moss broke a bone in his hand, which obviously limits his job capabilities, and Percy Harvin re-injured his ribs.
As a casual fan of any team that these players belong to, the question might become; what now? Well, take a deep breath and relax, because your team will be just fine without these guys. Every team has backups, and this is the reason why. Conversely, where does that leave you from a fantasy perspective? Well, if you are in the same boat as this enterprising young sports writer and own one or more of these players on your team, then look for a paddle store, because you are up Shits Creek.
Ha! I took the last good RB off waivers!
If these injury issues affect just one of your players, you need not worry, for I have a few suitable pickups that could help to ease the suffering through these hard times.
RB Montario Hardesty, Browns: Okay, I can't like the YPC average that 35 rushes for 95 yards equals out to, but I can like the 35 rushes and the 2 pass completions. If the Browns are willing to give him 35 rushes against a good run defense like Seattle, he could be in line for a lot of carries down the road.
RB DeMarco Murray, Cowboys: Better hurry on this one, as Murray probably won't last long in the FA pool. Murray ran wild against the Rams, going off for 253 yards on 25 rushes, including a 91 yard touchdown scamper where he showed great burst and open field elusiveness. When Felix Jones returns from injury, he might find more of a committee than he hoped for.
RB Jackie Battle, Chiefs: Only had 16 rushes in this Sunday's game, as the Raider's pretty much dismantled themselves and didn't force the Chiefs to work very hard. The worry here is that Battle received just a bit more than 1/3 of the RB workload Sunday. Battle is the feature back, but the Chiefs might try and get Thomas Jones and Dexter McCluster into the mix.
QB Christian Ponder, Vikings: Ponder made his first start on Sunday, and while it as hardly great, he showed some good promise, and he gets the Panther's this week. Ponder can run pretty well for a quarterback, and the Panthers allow roughly 24 points to the run game this year. Makes for a risky, but interesting bye week fill in. Although, you could always goes with Kyle Boller.
WR Jason Hill, Jaguars: Hill has emerged as the favored target of Blaine Gabbert's, and he has an okay matchup this week against the Texans. Without Mario Williams rushing, Gabbert will have more time to throw and, theoretically, find Hill downfield.
RB Delonte Carter, Colts: Ahhh, finally. Finally Carter got the memo and (for a while at least) outperformed Donald Brown. There wasn't a whole lot of good to take from that drubbing by the Saints, but this is the salvageable truth. Carter is the guy in Indy. He got the carries, he got the TD, and this week he gets the Titans and their 24th ranked run defense, allowing 20 ppg to opposing running backs.
Equal Exchange
A list of guys I'd drop if you owned them, followed by a list of guys I'd pick up if you don't.
Drop List: QB Donovan McNabb, QB Sam Bradford, RB Tim Hightower (inju.), RB Dexter McCluster, RB DeAngelo Williams, TE Lance Kendricks, WR Nate Burleson, WR Titus Young, WR Eddie Royal, QB Curtis Painter, WR Chad Ochocinco, WR Donald driver, WR Hines Ward, RB John Kuhn.
Add List: WR Michael Jenkins, RB Ryan Torain, RB Michael Bush, WR Jabar Gaffney, WR Greg Little, TE Fred Davis, D/ST Cincinnati Bengals, D/ST Houston Texans, RB James Starks, RB Knowshon Moreno ( McGahee may miss time), WR Harry Douglas, RB Maurice Morris.
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