[The Saturday Night Edition]
Friday's Five by Five (5x5)
5 players to start in Week 10....
- The Saints WR Marques Colston has now been back with the team healthy and practicing for several weeks. Two weeks ago he showed some flashes with a big play reception. This week facing the Falcons 15th ranked pass defense in the Georgia Dome could be Colston's 2008 breakout game.
- With the Rams traveling into New York without one of their biggest guns (Steven Jackson), the team will be hard-pressed to run and likely forced to put the ball in the air often. The Jets have their troubles in the secondary (ranked 24th against pass) and Rams WR Donnie Avery could see another big Sunday taking advantage.
- The Chiefs have had struggles on offense this season, with injuries and suspensions in the backfield, as well as inconsistency at the quarterback position. With the dust finally settling at the QB position, the rookie RB Jamaal Charles has emerged as a viable fantasy option and facing the Chargers 16th ranked run defense, he should be a solid play on Sunday.
- With Fast Willie Parker out for Week 10, the Steelers RB MeWelde Moore will get the start. Moore is a dependable play and facing the Colts 25th ranked run defense, he should be a top 10 running back for this week.
- Injury note, it appears the rookie Jonathan Stewart may not be available for Sunday against the Raiders. The Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams has been running well the past few weeks and facing the Raiders run defense (ranked 30th) this Sunday without Stewart in the mix, he should do very well.
- The Detroit signing of QB Daunte Culpepper has definitely raised interest in the Lions' matchup this Sunday, but this is no time to be selling the farm. Owners will need to see something from Culpepper before taking any risks
- With the Bears 6th ranked run defense on the schedule next, don't expect a lot from the Titan's "smash" runner LenDale White. This Bears defense will do a good job to keep White contained, much the same as the Ravens did in Week 5.
- An injury that was thought to be "not much" earlier in the week, seemingly got worse as the week progressed and left Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart in a walking boot and doubtful for Sunday.
- The Raiders rookie RB Darren McFadden is still fighting his injuries, but having missed practiced this week, he's a long shot to see action this Sunday.
- The Colts RB Joseph Addai struggled in Week 9 against the Patriots. This week he will draw the Steelers, another tough matchup and one that owners should try to avoid.
- With the Falcons quarterback getting better each week, expect the coaches to open up the playbook. WR Michael Jenkins is turning into the team's deep play threat and with a favorable matchup this Sunday with the Saints, the team could call his number often.
- The Vikings WR Sidney Rice made it back to the field in Week 9 and found the end zone. He did have only 1 catch, but as he gets healthy he could figure in the mix, especially with coverage sliding towards Berrian.
- The Rams 1st year WR Derek Stanley came out of nowhere last week with a ridiculous 80 yard catch and run for a touchdown. With Holt slowly fading into the sunset these days, keep your eye on Stanley to appear as the Rams second high-flyer this season.
- On Monday night the Niners rookie WR Josh Morgan will get his shot once again. With Shaun Hill under center, a quarterback that likes to get rid of the ball quickly, fantasy owners may finally get to see what Morgan is capable of.
- Finishing off our five sleepers for Week 10, the Ravens WR Mark Clayton made his first real fantasy appearance last week with 87 yards and a score. This Sunday he has a great matchup against the Texans, and Flacco has the strong arm that Clayton has been missing. Keep your eye on Clayton this week.
- With Hightower taking over duties as the starter, RB Edgerrin James has fallen down the depth chart to the third spot. It's time to cut your losses and send James to the free agent market.
- It's time for owners to let go of the pipe dream. The Bengal's QB Carson Palmer may not need surgery, but it's highly unlikely fantasy owners will see him play again this season. Time to cut him loose.
- The Jaguars RB Fred Taylor may have seen his best days behind him now. His productivity and touches per game have decreased dramatically. Playing behind MJD, Taylor offers little value even as a flex. It's time to show the former Gator to the fantasy exit door.
- The Saints WR David Patten has become a forgotten option in New Orleans. With Colston and Shockey healthy, too many other options ahead of Patten. It's time to release him.
- With the Quinn Era fully underway, and following his strong Week 10 showing, it could be time to say good-bye to QB Derek Anderson. Unless you own Quinn, Anderson offers little value, if any.
- The Steelers quarterbacks will face a fierce pass rush this Sunday with Mathis and Freeney, but if given time, they could look downfield for WR Nate Washington who has blossomed into a legitimate deep threat for the offense.
- Over the past couple of weeks the Chiefs QB Tyler Thigpen has appeared to have found his quarterback legs. The Chargers don't apply the same kind of pass pressure as a year ago, and if given time Thigpen could have another good passing day.
- The Eagles are completely healed on offense and have a big matchup this week against the Giants. The defense will likely key on starters Curtis and Jackson leaving WR Reggie Brown with single coverage. Keep an eye on Brown who scored in Week 9.
- While the Bears will have a tough matchup this week against the Titan's running the ball, I expect to see Grossman getting rid of the ball quickly and looking for WR Rashied Davis. The two hooked up last week for a score and with Brandon Lloyd returning, Davis could get more opportunities to find paydirt again.
- The Colts will be throwing the ball a lot this week against the Steelers that don't give up many yards on the ground. Keep your eye on WR Anthony Gonzales this week, he caught two touchdown passes last week. Harrison is fading and it could be time for Gonzales to play a more prominent role in the passing game once again.
Here are the not-so obvious plays for Week 10 at the Quarterback position.
Two Quarterbacks to start...
- The Jaguars QB David Garrard is a fantasy favorite for Week 10 against the Lions. In the Lions last five games, the opposing quarterback has been the leading passer for the game in four of those contests averaging 306 yards passing. Only last week did the Lions pass for more yards and Orton's injury last week played into that. Garrard should have a filed day, he's a must play.
- The Falcon's rookie QB Matt Ryan has a nice matchup this week at home facing the Saints and their 25th ranked pass defense. The Saints don't get a lot of pressure on the quarterback and the defense will be missing DE Charles Grant. Matt Ryan has been playing well for several weeks now, averaging 266 yards per game and throwing 5 touchdowns in his last three starts.
- The Raiders QB Jamarcus Russell has played poorly and now he is banged up, suffering from tendonitis in his knee. He is unlikely to play, but even if he gives it a go, owners should not expect any different results.
- The Giants are on the road this week and will face a very tough Eagles defense. It seems the defending champs have had great resiliency this season dodging bullets every week, but this could be the week their luck runs out and owners should consider sitting QB Eli Manning.
The Weekly Trader News...
Stocks on the Rise
RB-Jamaal Charles (KC)
The Chiefs rookie running back had his 2008 breakout game a week ago against the Buccaneers, when he ran for over 100 yards. With the backfield empty and LJ's status in limbo, Charles emerges as an appealing fantasy option at the running back position. Currently the starter in K.C., Charles will see his stock value spike this week, but analysts will have to wait and see the fate of the team's other running back, before endorsing Charles for the remainder of the season.
WR-Marques Colston (NO)
The Saints wide receiver has tremendous upside coming off a big season last year. Now that he's healthy coming back off the bye, he is set to have a big second half. Colston is a valuable component of the Saints passing game and with Brees on a roll this season his stock is on the rise. Many fantasy football prognosticators expect to see big numbers from the former University of Hofstra Pride wideout going forward.
RB-Tim Hightower (ARI)
The Cardinal's rookie running back was solid in Week 9 and will remain the team's starter the rest of the season. With 4 games left against NFC West foes, he has to be a fantasy favorite in the second half. Hightower's value is on the rise and if owners have a chance to deal for the rookie, now is the time to buy, his stock is at the lowest it will be in the second half of the season.
Stocks that are falling
WR-Calvin Johnson (DET)
With such a dramatic change at quarterback and so much unknown with Culpepper coming in, traders on the fantasy market will panic and Johnson's value is going to fall in the next week or two until we see what Culpepper can do. There is great speculation, this stock could rebound big and in a hurry, but looking back at Culpepper's track record it would seem a stretch.
RB-Steven Jackson (STL)
With the nagging injury and poor performance in Week 9, Jackson's value has taken a slight ding, but with his status doubtful (and likely OUT) for Week 10, it will continue to fall. There's also a chance Jackson could sit in Week 11, so expect to see his value continue to slide. With him sitting, he could quickly become a bargain stock definitely worth shopping for.
The Trading Floor
QB-Kurt Warner (ARI)
It is almost certain that most fantasy owners that have Kurt Warner did not draft him as their number one quarterback. Warner has been playing as well as any quarterback in the league and should be your number one, leaving the quarterback you did draft ahead of Warner available for trade. Unless you drafted Brady or Brees ahead of Warner, chances are you have room to maneuver and should make the move now setting up your playoff run. If you did draft Brees, it's a tough call, but move Warner (higher injury risk) and get all you can for him.
RB-Cedric Benson (CIN)
The Bengal's running back has emerged as a decent fantasy play with a strong outing in Week 9 against the Jaguars. Benson rushed for over 100 yards last week and looks like a nice commodity for fantasy owners to hold. However, this stock's value is fleeting and now is the time to sell. With the team on bye, owners should unload Benson as a sell high, because with games against the Eagles, Steelers, and Ravens up next, his value will take huge hits.
RB-Selvin Young (DEN)
The Bronco's backfield is decimated by injuries and Young is the only appealing option available in Denver. Right now the running back is hobbled and likely won't see time for a couple of weeks. If you have the room, he could be a bargain pick up that once he gets back on the gridiron, he could pay huge dividends in the high powered Bronco's offense.
Check back every week for more of the "Friday Five by Five!"
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