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“Nothing is over until we say it is! ….Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor???”

HELL NO!!!!!

• I guess Ladianian Tomlinson is apparently upset with his role in the offense. I’m thinking he should be greatful for the chance to play on a winning team last season and I don’t think he’s going to be so fortunate next year. Not only are the days of LT2 being an every week starter over in Fantasy, but I think the same can be said on the NFL level as well.
• Well guess who’s a hot commodity now? Michael Vick is now on the radar for a lot of NFL teams and I think it’s very justifiable when you consider the lack of good options out there. Teams like Buffalo, St. Louis, Cleveland, and even Carolina should be getting involved in the Vick-Sweepstakes that are coming up this off-season.
• There’s actually rumors out there that the Eagles are going to part ways with Donovan McNabb via trade, so that they can go with the younger Kevin Kolb that the team used a 2nd round pick on back in the 2007 draft. I can’t begin to tell you how ridiculous this is, but I’ll try. Not only have we not seen enough of Kolb to know that he can cut it as a regular starter, it’s way to early to give up on an all-pro player like McNabb. If the Eagles deal McNabb, they’ll be regretting it in a big way.
• Sorry New Orleans Saints‘ fans but it looks like you’re the most recent victims of the Sports Illustrated Cover Jinx. Last week it was the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Jets featured in a split cover. This week, Saints’ QB Drew Brees is posted on the cover with a large caption reading; “WHO DAT!” … Who Dat gonna jinx the team with no chance in hell at winning this game.
• Florida QB Tim Tebow has been looking pretty rough in Senior Bowl Practice thus far. Most scouts think he falls out of the 1st round and I’m right there with them. I just don’t see a traditional throwing motion and he may well be stuck with some really bad habits/mechanics that will be a problem for his whole career. Check out what position I think Tebow fits best in over at RookieDraft.com
• Finally, give us a shout-out Wednesday Night 9:00pm EST over at The Fantasy Exchange Podcast. Live Advice, News/Notes, Playoff Talk, and Super Bowl Predictions. We’ll be talking more and more NFL Draft, as the combine approaches.

Well, instead of talking about the Joke BowlPro Bowl and what a disaster it has become or dwell on the redundant Brett Favre talk that will forever plague us this time of year, this week I wanted to put it out there and tell you all some things I know that I know in 2010. . .

QB Jay Cutler – Chicago Bears

This guy has one of the worst reputations in the NFL thanks to his bitter parting with the Denver Broncos and his league-leading 26 interceptions in 2009. What a lot of people fail to realize is that Jay Cutler also threw the most TDs, 27, than he has in his entire career. What we saw this season was the absolute floor of production in my opinion and I’m convinced that Cutler will be a top-10 QB in all scoring formats this coming season. They’ll bring in another WR, they’ll add more linemen, and the defense will also bring back their all-pro LB Brian Urlacher.

QB Matt Stafford – Detroit Lions

I love people knocking this kid and I’ll continue to let them do it because that will almost ensure that I’ll get him as a backup QB in my fantasy league. Why do I want the Detroit Lions QB? Because I’m smart like a fox and there’s going to be another Paper Lion on this list. Detroit’s defense won’t be able to get off the field and the team will be playing a ton of games from behind. Matt Stafford was actually very impressive considering his age and I see him developing into a top-10 QB in any format. Yes, right it down, take a picture, and do what you’ve got to do because I’m standing by this.

RB Felix Jones – Dallas Cowboys

I know this pick is becoming more and more of a fad now that Felix Jones showed some more flashes in the playoffs but I’m banking on a big season from this kid. I really think that Jones has a shot to be a top-10 back in almost all formats because of his phenomenal big play ability. Not only does Felix catch the ball well but he can also be very dangerous running outside and beating defenders to the corner. If the Cowboys make improvements on their offensive line, look for a big improvement Jones next season.

WR Calvin Johnson – Detroit Lions

ALL HAIL LORD MEGATRON! I know that you folks out there are just as mad as I am about Calvin Johnson disappointing us in 2009 but 67 receptions and 985 yards wasn’t that bad, considering that he missed the majority of 4 games during the year. The 5 TDs is not the norm in my opinion and I expect a top-5 WR year from Megatron in 2010. Not a doubt in my mind that rebounds in a big way!

Miami Defense

Team Defense!?!? I know but look who they just signed and what he did in Denver. With Mike Nolan now coaching up the defense, I expect Miami to drastically improve upon their meager interception total form 2009(15). The Dolphins were one of the best in the league with 44 team sacks and with two very talented young corners in Sean Smith and Vontae Davis, Miami has a lot going for them in 2010.

Avoid Over Valued Tight Ends

I hate you Greg Olsen! Seriously though, for the folks that invested in Chris Cooley, Greg Olsen, and John Carlson, I’m sorry. I fell for it as well, especially with Olsen and Carlson. Not only did they get out performed by the other elite tight ends, there always seems to be younger and more unheralded TEs coming out of the wood-work each year. With guys like Visanthe Shiancoe, Brent Celek, and JerMichael Finley blowing up this year, I’m just not going to invest in anybody unless it’s Gates, Clark, or Jason Witten. After that, they all just seem to fall into a very similar category. . . “Not Antonio Gates”

Thanks for reading folks and if you’ve got any comments, questions, or complaints please bang them out below and you can also send ‘em my way to thefantasyexchange@gmail.com

I know Fantasy Football Season may be over but the 5 Post-Season Playoff competitions I’ve entered are telling me different.

• We may have seen the last of Brian Westbrook, especially as an elite Fantasy RB. The guy still has some skills but you could tell he’s too concerned with taking the big hit and Philadelphia clearly looks to be moving on with LeSean McCoy likely to be the main RB next season. So long Westy, it’s been nice knowing you and thanks for the good years.

• I know the Bengals are done and they looked terrible down the stretch but Cedric Benson was a man child this season and it looks to continue. Marvin Lewis has already gone out there and stated that the Bengals will be run heavy in 2010, so don’t expect a decline from Benson who will be on the last year of his current contract.

• “The Patriots Dynasty is over”. Please don’t shed too many tears for Bill Belicheat and the Bundchen Gang, as they still have a very young defense, three 2nd round picks in 2010, two 1st round picks in 2011(thanks to the Raiders being idiots), and there’s also that guy named Tom Brady to build around. “Yeah, we’ll never hear from them again” <—- Insert Sarcasm Here.

• The 2009 MVP has been announced and it’s Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts. There’s no doubting his talent and the total control that he has over that Colts’ machine but what’s really concerning me here is the fact that nobody voted for Chris Johnson. Manning received 39.5 votes, Drew Bress received 7.5 votes, Philip Rivers received 2 votes, and Brett Favre only got one vote. I know that “Everybody Loves a QB” but this is getting way out of control.

• Alright, I can’t help it. I’m REALLY getting stoked up about Pete Carroll coming back to the NFL. He’s going to be instituting his west-coast system, he’s bringing in Jeremy Bates, and now he just hired Alex Gibbs to be the offensive line coach. If you’re not familiar with Gibbs, he is the Godfather of the Zone Blocking scheme made famous in Denver under Mike Shanahan. Justin Forsett might be a very interesting player this off-season.

• Finally, give us a shout-out Wednesday Night 9:00pm EST over at The Fantasy Exchange Podcast. Live Advice, News/Notes, Playoff Talk, and Match-up Previews. We’ll even get Brenda Warner’s take on her husband’s prospective retirement.

OK, here’s a few start ‘ems for these playoff games this week if you’re still alive in your playoff pools, contests, and such. You can either get some advice or experience how dead wrong I am. . .

QB Drew Brees – New Orleans vs Arizona

I love this pick for a survivor league, where you can only use a player once. YES, I think the Saints are going to choke but that doesn’t mean that Drew Brees won’t still have a great game. The Cards gave up plenty of points to the Packers and can be beaten through the air, so I’m looking for the Saints to put points up on the board in another game that should be a safe “Over”.

RB Thomas Jones – New York @ San Diego

On that survivor note, now is the time to use Thomas Jones! He’s in a great situation and the Chargers can still be had on the ground with the lack of talent on their D-Line. Shonn Greene has been getting used a lot more but I still expect the Jets to stick to the run and I’m looking for TJ to hit pay-dirt at least once.

WR Derrick Mason – Baltimore @ Indianapolis

This should be a no-brainer but with the Ravens going up against the injury riddled Colts secondary, look for Derrick Mason to have a ton of targets in this match-up. The veteran WR should be in store for at least 70 yards receiving and should find his way to the end-zone in the process. If you’ve still got the chance to use Mason, now is the time.

WR Pierre Garcon – Indianapolis vs Baltimore

I know that it’s no fun to have more than two or three players in a game but the rook should be closed in Indianapolis, making for excellent passing conditions. The Ravens do have Ed Reed back in the lineup but their corner backs are still very suspect and Manning targeted Pierre Garcon 8 times in the team’s last game against the Ravens resulting in 6 receptions for 100+ yards. I like his chances with the Ravens trying their best to shut down Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne.

TE Jeremy Shockey – New Orleans vs Arizona

I hate going with one Brees target only but I’ve got a feeling that today is “Jimmy Shaker Day” and that this weekend will be a good time to start Jeremy Shockey. The Saints do have a good match-up but I think Shockey will get open deep and expose a Cardinals’ defense that will be going out of their way to stop Marques Colston and Robert Meachem.

PK Neil Rackers – Arizona @ New Orleans

We’ve got to touch on the special-teamers and we knocked one out of the park last week with the super special-teamer Jay Feely but this week we need somebody involved in the game that should feature the most points scored. The Cardinals’ Neil Rackers had only missed one kick all year before last weekend and he should be in store for a lot of points regardless of if they come via 7 extra points or 3 field goals.

Thanks for reading folks and if you’ve got any comments, questions, or complaints please bang them out below and you can also send ‘em my way to thefantasyexchange@gmail.com

Of course it’s “way” too early to post an NFL Mock Draft a whole 100+ days before the the event in New York city begins but the reality is that it’s just too much fun to do a mock this early.

The actual draft order is becoming more clear with the NFL’s regular season now over and done with. I live for the draft, so you can guarantee that there will be plenty of more mocks to go around.

1. St Louis Rams: DT Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska

If there’s a lock this year, it’s Suh going in the top-3 picks. If the Rams select Suh, they’ll have a very stacked and talented young defensive line that will include Adam Carriker, Chris Long, and Victor Adeyanju.

2. Detroit Lions: DT Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma

Gerald McCoy may not be as good as Suh but he’s in the same category and he’s exactly what the Lions need to prevent teams from dominating Detroit’s defense every single week.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: S Eric Berry, Tennessee

This is WAY too high for a safety to be selected but not only is Berry a special defensive player that should test through the roof but he’d be a welcomed addition to a team that needs more play makers on defense. Berry is a special player.

4. Washington Redskins: QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma

Bradford may be injured and some folks like Jimmy Clausen a lot more but I think, with Shanahan at the helm, he’ll want to snag the guy who I think is the best QB in this draft.

5. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Russell Okung, Oklahoma State

This appears to be a match made in heaven, as the Chiefs are desperate for O-Line help and Okung is the best tackle on my board. They made a huge reach for Tyson Jackson last year, so this could be anybody’s guess.

6. Seattle Seahawks: WR Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State

I know this is ridiculous and he’s had his problems but we’re talking about a very special athlete here, who has a ton of upside as a #1 wide receiver.

7. Cleveland Browns: DE Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech

The Browns really need a pass rushing presence on defense and Morgan could be their man. It’s very doubtful that they take another Notre Dame QB here and Morgan would give their front seven a nice upgrade.

8. Oakland Raiders: QB Ryan Mallett, Arkansas

With JaDumbass Russell partying in Vegas, getting outplayed by street free-agents, and being one of the larger failures in the NFL, I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Raiders roll the dice on the QB that chuck it a country mile.

9. Buffalo Bills: OT Bruce Campbell, Maryland

The Bills had a revolving door at offensive tackle but they have a very young interior with 2nd year players Eric Wood and Andy Levitre. They also love the potential of Demetrius Bell but they need another prototype left tackle.

10t. Denver Broncos: LB Rolando McClain, Oklahoma

McClain is a great athlete with tremendous closing speed for his size and very long arms. Denver has a good LB corps but Andre Davis is long in the tooth and this would give them a nice influx of youth with Williams, Dumervil, and 2nd year pro Robert Ayers.

10t. Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Tim Tebow, Florida

This franchise needs a shot in the arm and they need to sell more tickets. I personally don’t think Tebow is a real NFL quarterback but I do think he’s a player with a lot of marketability in a state that loves him.

12. Miami Dolphins: WR Brandon LaFell, Louisiana State

I really like this kid. You watch some college players and you just know they’re going to be pros from day one. Miami doesn’t have the big-bodied WR that they need to help their passing game down the field and I think LaFell could be the answer.

13. San Francisco 49ers: OT Anthony Davis, Rutgers

The 49ers need an answer on the other side of Joe Staley and I don’t think Adam Snyder or Tony Pashos are more than serviceable. Davis would be a welcomed addition to an offense that has a lot going for it.

14. Seattle Seahawks: QB Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame

I hate this kid. I really don’t think he’s got a prayer and I’m a HUGE Notre Dame fan but the games I’ve seen haven’t impressed me at all. I saw a weak arm with no velocity and minimal spin. He was accurate at times but I think he’s possibly the biggest bust at QB this year.

15. New York Giants: S Taylor Mays, Southern California

The Giants secondary needs play-makers and they’ll be lucky to see Mays slide this far. If Kenny Phillips can return from a degenerative knee condition long enough to play the season, the Giants would have a terrific safety tandem going.

16t. Tennessee Titans: DE Everson Griffen, Southern California

I love this guy’s pass rushing ability. He could be one of the better pure defensive ends from this class and the Titans sure could use some help on a front line that missed Albert Haynesworth a lot.

16t. San Francisco 49ers: CB Joe Haden, Florida

The 49ers defense needs more help in the secondary and Haden is a potential shut-down corner that would come in handy playing against the likes of Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and TJ Houshmandzadeh twice a year.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers: OT Bryan Bulaga, Iowa

The Steelers’ offensive line isn’t that far off but they need to get better, younger, and more physical. Bulaga is a massive tackle that has some nice athleticism and would be a welcomed addition to a line that needs a shot in the arm.

19t. Atlanta Falcons: CB Donovan Warren, Michigan

Atlanta’s secondary struggled this year and never really recouped from injury. They need a corner with great cover abilities and great tackling prowess, which is exactly what Warren brings to the table.

19t. Houston Texans: RB CJ Spiller, Clemson

Some say Spiller won’t slip past the top-10 but I don’t see any team jumping on him any earlier than 15 or 20. He is a play-maker and a dynamic kick returner. I could see Houston completely ruining what could be a great fantasy RB one day.

(21) Baltimore Ravens: CB Ras-I Dowling, Virginia

The Ravens secondary has fallen off the map and it appears to be an achilles heel for them as of late. They’ll do their homework and snag the 6′2″ Cavalier that has a ton of up-side as a lock-down corner.

(22). Green Bay Packers: OT Charles Brown, Southern California

The Packer tackles got abused this year and they’re still dependent on aging veterans Mark Tauscher and Kyle Clifton. They need an influx of youth at this position and Brown could be a great pro some day.

(23). Cincinnati Bengals: RB Jahvid Best, California

I really like this kid and while Cincinnati has Cedric Benson and Bernard Scott, their offense needs more play-makers. Best brings a ton of speed to the table and moves on top of moves in the open field.

(24). New York Jets: DT Terrence Cody, Alabama

The Jets should get Kris Jenkins back from injury next year but they want insurance and depth at a crucial position. Cody is massive and could be a great run stuffer in this league but could go even higher in the draft if he proves he can manage his weight.

(25). Arizona Cardinals: TE Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma

The Cardinals don’t really have a need for more pass catchers but they could certainly use a TE with some upside. If Anquan Boldin is dealt to another team, then this pick will make a lot of sense. Bottom Line, Greshem is a WR in a TE’s body and compares very favorably to Plaxico Burress.

(26). New England Patriots: DT Dan Williams, Tennessee

The Patroits love collecting interior linemen more than my uncle love’s weather. Seriously though, the Pats always want depth on their front 7 and Williams brings a lot of different skills to the table for Belicheat’s 3-4 D.

(27). New Orleans Saints: S Earl Thomas, Texas

The Saints still stink at covering the pass and they need more play-makers in the secondary. Thomas has a ton of speed and the potential to be a true center-fielder for the future, something the Saints definitely need.

(28). Philadelphia Eagles: DE Carlos Dunlap, Florida

Speaking of a team that collects defensive linemen like they were comic books, Philly still wants a blue-chip defensive end to pair with Trent Cole and Dunlap is a heck of an athlete that will fall from character concerns.

(29). Minnesota Vikings: LB Brandon Spikes, Florida

Speaking of Character concerns, old Brandon “Eye-Ball” Spikes brings his fair share of off-field issues but he is a great player that would be a timely pick for the Vikes, as they look to be without EJ Henderson for at least another 6 months.

(30). San Diego Chargers: DT Brian Price, U.C.L.A.

The Chargers were terrible against the run and a lot of that can be credited to the Jamal Williams injury but they obviously need more depth at the position and Price could be a nice fit for their interior defensive line.

(31). Dallas Cowboys: WR Damian Williams, Southern California

The Cowboys will continue surrounding Romo with play-makers and attempt to make up for their Roy Williams blunder. Williams is fancied as a top-20 pick by some and I agree that he gets a 1st round grade but he will slide to the end of the 1st round.

(32). Indianapolis Colts: CB Brandon Ghee, Wake Forest

One of my favorite draft mysteries, is what direction the Colts go on draft day. I see them trying to add to a secondary that was abused late in the season and might have seen the last of Bob Sanders.

Thanks a ton for reading and please bang out some feedback or comments below. You can also e-mail me questions, comments, and even complaints to thefantasyexchange@gmail.com

Did you vote “None of the above“? Give us your answer and why in the feedback section below!

No matter if it’s week 2 or week 10, injuries are going to get in the way of our fantasy lineups on game-day and week 16 was no stranger to big time injuries.

From Steve Smith’s broken arm to Ricky Williams and his injured shoulder, we’ve got it all here in the latest edition of the Infirmary Report, the first article to read for what happened on Sunday.

So make sure that you know all the big injuries and check us out every single week right here at www.fsc.fm!!!

Running backs

QUESTIONABLE
Ricky Williams (Shoulder), Miami Dolphins
Williams left Sunday’s game in the 3rd quarter with a shoulder injury and was not able to return to the game. Ricky ran the ball 10 times for 35 yards and added four receptions for 23 yards before leaving. The extent of the injury is not yet known but look for Lex Hilliard to get a lot of touches in the offense next week if Williams misses week ore more. “Sexy” Lexy had two TDs and was used extensively in the passing game after Williams left the field, so Hilliard could be worth some consideration.

QUESTIONABLE
Brandon Jacobs (Knee), New York Giants
Jacobs performance and overall speed have been very disappointing this year, so much that he even took himself out of the game Sunday. Jacobs went to the locker room to get X-rays and did not return. The veteran RB said his knee “took about as much as it could take” and he just needs rest. The results of Jacobs’ X-rays are unknown at this point but it would not be a shock to see him in street clothes for next week’s game against the Vikings.

QUESTIONABLE
Pierre Thomas (Ribs), New Orleans Saints
Thomas injured his ribs on a 26-yard carry in the second quarter, but managed to return to the game after being looked over briefly by team doctors. He didn’t play much after that and did not come out of the tunnel after halftime with the rest of the team. Pierre said after Sunday’s loss that he “thinks he’ll be fine” despite not playing any of the 2nd half. More information will be available later in the week but it’s doubtful that we’ll see much of Pierre Thomas week 17.

Wide Receivers

QUESTIONABLE
Steve Smith (Forearm), Carolina Panthers
Smith broke his forearm during a 27-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter, and said he knew immediately something was broken. “After I caught the ball, he hit me and I staggered into the end zone,” Smith said. “I got tackled again, and when I got up I could feel it was kind of heavy and it was grinding. So I knew immediately.” It looks like the surgery for Smith but at least he left with a bang, giving his loyal fantasy owners a 4 catch, 60 yards, + TD performance. Look for heavy doses of Muhsin Muhammad next week.

Tight Ends

OUT
Marcedes Lewis (Concussion), Jacksonville Jaguars
Marcedes Lewis left Sunday’s game against the Patriots in the first quarter with a head injury and did not return to the game. It has been confirmed that Lewis suffered a concussion in the loss to New England. This is a near-guarantee that the former UCLA Bruin will miss Week 17 with the league closely monitoring the treatment of concussions this season.

DOUBTFUL
Tony Gonzalez (Shoulder), Atlanta Falcons
Gonzalez was sidelined with a calf injury to start the second half of Sunday’s game and did not return. The All-Pro caught just two passes for 17 yards before leaving and his status for week 17 is completely up in the air with a lot of doubt, considering he didn’t come back into the game at all. Gonzalez is only 4 catches away from 1,000 career receptions, so there’s a chance he might suit up but we’ll know more later in the week.

Linebackers

OUT
Rey Maualuga (Ankle), Cincinnati Bengals
Maualauga limped off the field in the first quarter Sunday with an ankle injury and has been ruled out for the rest of the game. Maualuga got tangled up with a blocker but after hopping to the sidelines, he was eventually carted to the locker room for further examination. Rey Maualuga has been officially diagnosed with a fractured left ankle, meaning that the rookie is done for the year. The Bengals will likely use veteran backup LB Rashad Jeanty as Maualuga’s replacement for the rest of the way.

QUESTIONABLE
Channing Crowder (Foot), Miami Dolphins
Dolphins LB Channing Crowder left Sunday’s game with an apparent right foot injury and did not return. After receiving treatment on the bench, Crowder limped to the locker room without his shoe on. Reggie Torbor will likely fill in at Crowder’s “MIKE” spot.

Defensivebacks

OUT
Reed Doughty (Ankle), Washington Redskins
Redskins Safety Reed Doughty left the team’s game against the Cowboys with an apparent right ankle injury and did not return. Doughty got sandwiched between a couple of Cowboys tacklers after grabbing his first career interception late in the second quarter. He had to be helped to the bench and was eventually taken to the locker room for X-rays. He was replaced by S Kareem Moore, who might play out the last game of the season week 17 against the Chargers.

It’s been a rough season for injuries and week 15 was no exception in that department.

From Michael Vick’s injured thigh to DeAngelo Williams and his bum ankle, we’ve got it all here in the latest edition of the Infirmary Report, the first article to read for what happened on Sunday.

So make sure that you know all the big injuries and check us out every single week right here at FantasyFootball.com!!!

Quarterbacks

DOUBTFUL
Michael Vick (Thigh), Philadelphia Eagles
Michael Vick left Sunday’s game against the 49ers with a bruised thigh. Vick was stopped on a 3rd & 1 late in the first quarter and took a shoulder to the leg at the end of the play. He limped off the field on his own power and did not return to the game. Vick was seen hobbling around the locker room post-game and his status for Week 16 is uncertain but it doesn’t sound too serious, so he shouldn’t miss a lot of time. Regardless, Vick isn’t on many fantasy radars for this year but he’s almost certain to be in the mix next season on a different team.

DOUBTFUL
Charlie Frye (Head), Oakland Raiders
Charlie Frye left Sunday’s game in the fourth quarter with an apparent concussion after being tattooed by Broncos’ LB Andra Davis. Frye smacked his head on the turf pretty hard and was surrounded by trainers for an extended period before being taken out of the game. While it looks like Frye might possibly have a concussion, it’s interesting that Coach Tom Cable has already gone out and named Frye the starter for week 16 if he’s healthy.

Running backs

QUESTIONABLE
DeAngelo Williams (Ankle), Carolina Panthers
DeAngelo Williams left Sunday night’s game with a left ankle injury and did not return. Williams had 13 yards on six rushes and a three-yard catch before exiting but he was taken to the locker room for further examination at the end of the first quarter, killing many fantasy owners hopes/dreams. This is the same ankle that kept Williams out of the team’s week 13 game against the Bucs, so his status for next week is very much in doubt. Jonathan Stewart gets a significant upgrade if Williams is ruled out.

DOUBTFUL
Michael Turner (Ankle), Atlanta Falcons
Michael Turner left Sunday’s game after just one carry for seven yards. Turner got the ball on the Falcons’ first possession of the game but got tripped up at the second level and did not return to the game after re-aggravating his ankle injury. The Burner didn’t sound too optimistic in the post-game press conference; “I’ve got to start all over again (rehabbing),” he said. Turner refused to say that he would shut it down for the year but admitted that his injured ankle just isn’t strong enough to take a hit.

Wide Receivers

QUESTIONABLE
Eddie Royal (Neck), Denver Broncos
Eddie Royal left Sunday’s game in the fourth quarter with a neck injury. He appeared to suffer the injury on a punt return and did not return to the game. Brandon Stokley replaced him and immediately broke a 63-yard reception to put the Broncos in scoring position. The extent of Royal’s injury is unknown at this point but it’s almost irrelevant from a fantasy perspective, as Royal has been a huge disappointment for fantasy owners this year. It’s likely just a stinger but keep tabs on this one if you’re still holding on to Royal for some strange reason.

Defensive Ends

OUT
Adewale Ogunleye (Leg), Chicago Bears
Ogunleye left Sunday’s game in the third quarter with a lower leg injury and did not return. Coach Lovie Smith said that the defensive end “has a fractured Lower left leg” and Ogunleye was seen in the locker room after the game with crutches and a walking boot. With Ogunleye looking to be done for the year, Mark Anderson and Gaines Adams should see a healthy increase in minutes.

Linebackers

DOUBTFUL
Keith Bulluck (Knee), Tennessee Titans
Keith Bulluck was injured during the third quarter when his left knee gave out while he was being blocked by Dolphins’ guard Justin Smiley. Bulluck immediately grabbed for his knee when he went down and was unable to leave the field on his own power, but the team is initially calling the injury only a “sprain.” He was last spotted walking into the stadium tunnel with two team trainers. It’s never a good sign when players collapse like that, which makes Bulluck’s week 16 status very doubtful.

Defensivebacks

OUT
Lardarius Webb (Knee), Baltimore Ravens
Lardarius Webb left Sunday’s game with what was initially being diagnosed as a “sprained right knee” but it turned out to be much worse than that. Ravens beat writer Aaron Wilson reports that CB Lardarius Webb is done for the year with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Webb was having a tremendous season and his loss will definitely hurt a Ravens’ secondary that is already very banged up. Look for the Ravens to hit the free agency market for a corner very soon.

I’M ALIVE!!! …Barely but still surviving and striving to hoist that ever elusive championship trophy and while there may not be a fortune on the line, there’s bragging rights that I am not letting go of at any cost this week!

• You all saw it Sunday and you all know what a big fan I am of Brandon Marshall but that 21 catch performance now belongs in the record books, the gloves he wore are on their way to Canton, and young Mr Marshall belongs in Hawaii. (Please Vote Brandon Marshall to the Pro Bowl)

• Thanks Randy! I had a long shot chance to make it into the staff league playoffs at FantasyFootball.com but thanks to Randy Moss completely tanking it last Sunday against the Panthers, I lost to JC last week. I haven’t seen Moss act like this since his stint with the Raiders. (Trust me folks it doesn’t get any lower than losing to JC by the way)

• Speaking of the Raiders, I’ve never liked JaDumbass Russell and he’s proving exactly how completely useless he is now that he’s been out-performed by the likes of Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye. By all rights Frye should be job-less and Gradkowski should be a career backup. . . paging old man Davis, it’s time to pull the plug on this failed experiment.

• Quick, who is leading the league in TD receptions right now? The NFL has a strong case of VD taking over and I don’t see it stopping. Vernon Davis and the 49ers play the Eagles this week, who are giving up the most pts of any team in the league to the Tight End position. Alex Smith has been playing very well in the new-look San Fran offense and with the team continually airing it out more, Davis looks to finish the season very strong.

• Oh if you haven’t heard, apparently Dolphins’ WR Ted Ginn Jr. was a no-show for a foot race w/ Chris Johnson of the Titans. Johnson says that Ginn was “talking about how he could beat me,” Johnson said. “When it came down to it, he was a no-show.” I don’t blame Ginn for chickening out because there’s no question in this contest. . . Chris Johnson would have smoked him.

• Finally, a tip of the cap and “mile-high” salute goes out to the podcast. It’s been a year since we started up The Fantasy Exchange Podcast and I’ve gotta say that it’s been a blast! The reason we haven’t missed a week since we started back in December of ‘08, is because of the people that have the same addiction as we all do here. FF is all year, I’m always thinking about it day and night because it’s not just a hobby, it’s a way of life! Catch the 1 Year Special Tonight.

Alright, it’s time to get down to business and I’ve got a hankering for another sixer of fantasy goodness. So lets pop the top, keep our eyes on the prize because the trophy is trophy high, and it is glorious. . .

QB Jason Campbell – Washington Redskins

Looking for a good QB Match-up this week? Yeah, I thought so. I’m not the biggest Jason Campbell fan but I’m not going to ignore the fact that the Giants are giving up a lot of TDs through the air this year. 23 to be exact and only the Titans, Bucs, Lions, Packers, and Seahags have been burned more times this year. I’m also looking at the recent Skins’ games and giving them respect where it’s due in the fact that they’ve been putting up a lot of points on the board, with Campbell throwing 7 TDs in the last three games. This isn’t a “set it and forget” match-up but it looks to be getting even better with the Giants best corner Corey Webster potentially out for the game. Look for the Skins to go to the air early and often in this one.

RB Arian Foster – Houston Texans

I think it’s safe to say that the Kubes has a bit of a man-crush and/or sex-panther for rookie Arian Foster, who ended up getting 13 carries(more than any RB in the game) for 34 yards rushing. You’ve gotta like the fact that he was targeted 4 times, catching all of them, for 4 receptions and 54 yards through the air. The key factor was another Ryan Moats fumble early in the 4th quarter, which resulted in a healthy dose of Foster from that point on. Foster caught 2 key passes late in the 1st half of this game to get Houston in range to kick a field goal which Kris Brown would later miss but he appears to be doing everything right with his opportunity and he’s got a lot of upside going up against the 27th ranked rushing defense this week(Rams).

WR/RB Josh Cribbs – Cleveland Browns

Jack of All Trades but Master of None? You honestly have to give this guy consideration due to the variety of ways he can put points up for you. Not only is he playing wildcat QB, he’s returning kicks, catching passes, making tackles, and now the Browns are reporting that Josh Cribbs may be moving to full-time RB this week. It couldn’t come at a more opportune moment, as the Brownies travel to Arrowhead Stadium this Sunday to play one of the worst rushing defenses in the league. We’re talking about a deep league where you could start a WR3 that will get you 3-4 catches, 40-50 rushing yards, and a potential score if all goes well. Whatever receiving and return yardage you get will be gravy on the side but I’m liking that kind of potential from the WR spot.

WR Devin Aromashodu – Chicago Bears

Wow! This was a complete slap in the face for me, being a loyal and faithful Earl Bennett supporter but it appears that Devin Aromashodu has played his way into Devin Hester’s job. Hester looks to miss yet another week with his ailing calf injury and Aromashodu caught 8 receptions for 76 yards last week, but the play that spoke volumes for me was the TD pass in the red-zone that Cutler put on the back of his shoulder that “the other Devin” made a terrific adjustment to catch. It was an interesting moment of chemistry displayed by the two and I really like the match-up this week against a struggling Baltimore secondary. Cutler has proven that he’s going to throw it and he desperately needs another WR to step up. Aromashodu could be that guy.

WR Danny Amendola – St. Louis Rams

If this kid isn’t Wes Welker Junior, then I don’t know who is. Seriously, he’s another Texas Tech kid turned pro WR but Danny Amendola hasn’t had an easy road to getting his shot at making plays. He’s gone from the Cowboys, to the Eagles, and now the Rams but he’s really carving out a nice niche for himself in the Rams’ offense. Granted, the Rams offense is bound to be completely different next year but for right now, Amendola is getting a lot of receptions and looks to get even more with the Rams continuing to utilize the short passing game. The Rams have been giving him opportunities to make plays in space and he’s got a lot of upside going into a match-up against the Texans indoors in St. Louis. Only worth consideration in PPR leagues.

TE John Paul Foschi – Cincinnati Bengals

I seriously just wanted to say; “John Paul Foschi” a few more times before the day is up. There hasn’t been a TE in Cincinnati worth picking up ever and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. The only thing John Paul Foschi has going for him, outside of a totally bad-ass given birth name, is that he is “the guy” by default at TE for the Bengals. Cincy has simply run out of TEs to play and Foschi has found himself getting 2 receptions a game but I see things being a little bit different this week against the Chargers who are giving up a lot of points to TEs on the year. I’m not saying that Foschi is “the pickup” but he’s not a terrible option if you’re in a very deep league and you just lost Zach Miller or the Brent Celek injury turns out to be more significant than the team is reporting right now. That way you can tell you opponent that you kicked their ass with “a scrub named John Paul Foschi”. Desperation play ONLY!

Thanks for reading folks and if you’ve got any comments, questions, or complaints please bang them out below and you can also send ‘em my way to thefantasyexchange@gmail.com

Alright Folks, It’s time for the latest installment of THREE & OUT. A weekly column featuring one of the bigger stories of the weekend, a nice pick up for your IDP league, a must-start match-up, and player that needs to be on your bench this upcoming week.

• Why isn’t Brian Orakpo being mentioned in the rookie of the year discussions with his 11 sacks on the year?
• Maybe the rookie discussions have been dominated by Jairus Byrd and his league leading 9 Interceptions?
• Great blast from the past on Monday Night seeing Ahmad Brooks rack up 3 sacks against the Cardinals. Maybe there’s still some hope for the former Virginia Cavalier?
• Speaking of blasts from the past, how about Jeramiah Trotter back w/ the Eagles racking up tackles like the good old days.
• James Anderson, Dan Connor, Chris Harris… none of them are Thomas Davis and none of them are coming close to the monster numbers Davis was putting up before the injury.
• Chargers LB Shaun Phillips is quietly having a solid season and is tied for the league lead in forced fumbles to go with his 7 sacks.

Alright enough of that, it’s time to find you some waiver players in the latest edition of “3 & Out”. . .

LB Leroy Hill – Seattle Seahawks

He’s no glamor pickup and while Hill has always had a ton of talent, he was slowed early this season by a lingering groin injury but is just now getting close to full gear again. Now that Leroy Hill is back, rookie Aaron Curry had been relegated to 2 downs only but with Curry now potentially missing time with a hip pointer, Hill is looking like a nice fill-in on IDP rosters. Hill should be a nice addition if you’re in a deeper league because the Seahawks don’t really have a lot figured out on offense and Hill is an unquestioned 3 down LB at this point.

S Tyrone Carter – Pittsburgh Steelers

Now it’s no secret that the Steelers have been stinking up the joint with sub-par play on both sides of the ball but it’s not bothering IDP owners who were smart enough to scoop up Polamalu’s backup, Tyrone Carter, because he’s been producing great numbers. His tackle numbers are very respectable and teams see him as a weak spot, making him a likely target on a lot of play calls. Not only have the numbers been steady but I have my doubts on Polamalu and his hair making a come-back this season, which makes Carter a nice DB to close out the season in tackle-heavy leagues.

DE Corey Williams (CLE) @ Kansas City Chiefs

After seeing the Browns play the Steelers this last Thursday, I thought I was watching the ‘85 Bears defense with the elaborate blitzes and multiple fronts. One of the key performers for the Browns in that game was Corey Williams, who broke free for two sacks and 5 tackles. He also had 5 solo tackles last week and looks to be a major player in the DL rotation for the Browns going forward. You’ve gotta like his match-up against a Kansas City offensive line that is very reminiscent of swiss cheese. Might be a nice DL fill-in for week 15.

LB Justin Durant (JAX) vs Indianapolis Colts

I don’t care if I’ve got to beat it into the ground but the Colts are one of the most stingy teams when it comes to giving up points to linebackers. I like Justin Durant a lot and he’s definitely one of the top LBs to target next year but not this week. I’m leaving him on the bench for better days against teams that don’t air it out with deadly precision like Peyton Manning and company are known for doing on a regular basis. It’s doubtful that you’ve got a better option at this point and while I’m not crazy about Durant this week, I do have to remind folks that he did get 10 total tackles the last time these two teams played. The Colts will look to beat the Jags through the air and I don’t see Durant having a lot of say in this one statistically.

Thanks a ton for reading and please bang out some feedback or comments below. You can also e-mail our staff questions, comments, and even complaints to show@idpreport.com