Bad News For Matt Leinart Is Good News For Fantasy Owners

You never want to see any player get hurt, but when guys started picking up Kurt Warner during these past couple of weeks this is the scenario they were salivating over. Warner can still be a fantasy goldmine and Russ Grimm has helped develop an offensive line this year that can give Warner the one thing he needs for success: time to throw. If for some reason Warner isn’t on a team in your league yet, put a big bid in for him. He should produce a number of 300+ yard games during the next two months and several multiple TD games as well. Also, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin owners can’t help but be a little excited about the prospects of Warner being the QB for the foreseeable future. His presence in the lineup jump-started Boldin in week three and the last two weeks have seen Fitzgerald catch 20 balls for 260 yards. I think Warner has gotten a raw deal the past couple of years- it’s going to be fun getting to see him sling it around the field again and it’s going to be fun for Warner, Fitzgerald, and Boldin owners from here on out. From a fantasy perspective, this is probably the biggest story on the radar this Monday morning.

The Vultures Are Circling: More Bad News For High Profile Running Backs

As if the 2007 fantasy season wasn’t already turning into a disaster for most of the running backs selected early in August fantasy drafts, enter more goal line “vultures” today into this potion of lunacy and frustration. This week’s perpetrators: Najeh Davenport, Mike Sellers, and Mike Karney. Just try mentioning those names tomorrow to any of your buddies who owns Willie Parker, Clinton Portis, or Reggie Bush. Davenport’s role on Sunday was particularly troublesome, as it will really cut into Parker’s fantasy value if it continues. And, if something becomes successful, coaches tend to stick with it. The “vulture” phenomenon is hardly a new thing, but it seems to be especially en vogue this year as the now miserable Laurence Maroney owner can tell you.

And, returning for the first time this season on Sunday was the infamous king vulture of fourth quarter yardage, Mr. Michael Turner. That’s the downside obviously of the Chargers actually playing well as Turner was today’s top rusher with 147 yards. It’s all enough to drive the fantasy owner insane if injuries haven’t already done just that.

Tight Ends Heat Up As The Wide Receivers Cool Off: Elementary, Watson!

A quick Monday Morning glance at receiving yards will tell you two things: Wide receivers finally had an off week (how could they not with so many injured) and several tight ends flat out got the job done. Four of the top nine receiving days yardage-wise came from the big pass catchers coming off the line with Benjamin Watson and Antonio Gates leading the way. Gates is having another monster season at tight end through five weeks, but did you know that Watson now has five TDs?

With Randy Moss now getting royal treatment from opposing secondaries, Watson is a guy I’m pretty high on moving forward. I’m not sure he’ll have many big yardage days, but double-digit TD totals for the season look to be a distinct possibility. The other two tight ends that were top ten in yardage totals for Sunday were Tony Gonzalez and Owen Daniels. If Matt Schaub can throw for 294 yards with most of his weapons hurt, he’s going to be a real gem down the stretch as well. Don’t bank on Daniels being this big when Andre Johnson does finally make it back to the field.

It Was Mentioned Earlier, But...

What a horrible year for “first round” running backs. It’s been a Buzz topic every Monday, but the story just won’t go away. Here’s some grades thus far for the top dozen running backs taken in redrafts in late August:

LaDainian Tomlinson: Averaging 14 fantasy points a game; Grade: C+

Steven Jackson: Injured; Averaging 9 fantasy points a game; Grade: D

Larry Johnson: Averaging 7 fantasy points a game; Grade: D-

Frank Gore: Averaging 11 fantasy points a game; Grade: C-

Shaun Alexander: Averaging 10 fantasy points a game; Grade: C-

Joseph Addai: Injured; Averaging 18 fantasy points a game; Grade: A-

Willie Parker: Averaging 11 fantasy points a game; Grade: C+

Brian Westbrook: Injured; Averaging 22 fantasy points a game; Grade: A-

Reggie Bush: Averaging 9 fantasy points a game; Grade: C-

Travis Henry: Suspension Looming; Averaging 12 fantasy points; Grade: C+

Rudi Johnson: Injured; Averaging 11 fantasy points a game; Grade: C-

Laurence Maroney: Injured; Averaging 8 fantasy points a game; Grade: D-

Normally, I’m big on commentary, but the above just flat out says enough. If you drafted a running back in the first round (and chances are, you did), the Buzz this Monday morning is what it has been now for a month: What is going on with my first round pick? The only two guys even meeting preseason expectations are Addai and Westbrook and each has already missed a game due to injury. Value is low on all of these guys right now. Which one is worthy of going after in trade? Here’s a suggestion: Go get Frank Gore. Yes, I know I mentioned in the past few weeks that I was worried about the general state of the 49ers offense—and I still am—but Gore’s upcoming schedule is cupcake in terms of the rushing defenses he’ll be facing. If you can find a frustrated Gore owner, now is the time to pounce. He’ll be off on bye next week, but after that, he could take you far.

Can We Get A Few More Injuries This Monday To Talk About?

Sure. How about Deion Branch (sprained foot), Jamal Lewis (foot injury), Matt Leinart (aforementioned collarbone injury), Michael Pittman (cracked fibula), Trent Green (severe concussion), Not sure if that makes anybody happy—maybe Jason Wright owners. What? There are no Jason Wright owners? OK…well, I guess it’s just a gloomy Monday then all around.

That is, unless you started Kenton Keith yesterday. Happy Monday, everybody! God Bless!