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Steppin' Up Steppin Down
Week 8
10/27/06

Quarterbacks

Steppin' Up

Tony Romo, DAL: With Bill Parcells' benching of Drew Bledsoe following the first half of Monday night's game, Tony Romo is now the leader of the Dallas Cowboys offense. Despite throwing 3 interceptions in one half of football, the fourth-year vet will be making his first NFL start on the road this Sunday against Carolina. While turnovers were a problem for Romo, he managed to throw for 227 yards and 2 touchdowns in two quarters of play. It's impossible to predict how Romo will perform from here on out, but with Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn and Jason Witten surrounding him in the passing game, it's reasonable to expect 200-plus yard outings, along with a touchdown or two, more times than not when he takes the field. If he doesn't produce, Bledsoe could be back under center before too long.

Seneca Wallace, SEA: While Romo is getting his opportunity due to Bledsoe's lack of productivity, Wallace is getting his for other reasons. Seattle Seahawks starting quarterback Matt Hasselbeck went down in the 3rd quarter of last week's game with a sprained right knee. The injury is expected to keep him out 2-4 weeks. Wallace stepped in during his absence, completing 14 of 25 passes for 134 yards with no touchdowns and 2 interceptions. That performance isn't anything to get excited about, but the Seahawks offense is quite capable of scoring points through the air with Darrell Jackson and Deion Branch at Wallace's disposal. If you're struggling at the QB position, Wallace is worth taking a flier on--but remember, he's only a temporary fix at best.

Steppin' Down

Brad Johnson, MIN: Despite attempting 30 or more passes in all but 1 game this season, Johnson has thrown for over 225 yards just twice this year. His touchdown totals are lacking as well. In 6 games, he has just 4 touchdowns, and is yet to find a target in the end zone more than once in any game this season. When Brad Childress was hired in the offseason, it was expected he would emphasize the passing game on the offensive side of the ball, making Johnson a legitimate "sleeper" at the position. The opportunity is there, but the production is not. If Johnson is on your roster, it may be time to look for a more reliable backup in the event that your starter goes down with an injury.

Running Backs

Steppin' Up

Leon Washington, NYJ: Washington was first mentioned here back in Week Five's edition, when it was expected he would see increased action in the Jets backfield due to an injury suffered by Cedric Houston. Since then, he has carried the ball 54 times for 288 yards (5.3 YPC) and 2 touchdowns. While the rookie fourth round pick is still likely to split carries with veteran Kevan Barlow, he is well on his way to becoming a reliable #2 RB in fantasy leagues. If you were unable to get him in the first go-round, you may still be able to acquire him in a trade for a low end #2, or high end #3 receiver, if his current owner is already set at the RB position.

Marion Barber III, DAL: While most thought Barber's true value this season would come in the form of him unseating Julius Jones as the Cowboys starting halfback, he has proven valuable in a back-up role nonetheless. Barber has been featured as the Cowboys third down back and often gets looks from inside the five yard line--evidenced by his 4 touchdowns in 6 games. Not only is he a legitimate scoring threat from week-to-week, but he does a nice job compiling yardage with the limited number of opportunities he receives, averaging 5.0 yards a carry and 12.5 yards per reception. Due to his limited role in the offense, it can't be recommended that you use Barber as a starter on a weekly basis, but he makes for a very reliable #3 fantasy back.

Wali Lundy, HOU: As quickly as Lundy had his name pop up on the fantasy radar, it disappeared. After starting for Houston in Week 1, the University of Virginia product quickly fell to 3rd on the depth chart behind free agent signee Ron Dayne, and Samkon Gado, acquired from the Packers in a trade prior to Week 2. After five weeks of watching Dayne and Gado struggle to make an impact in the backfield, Lundy has once again entered the scenario. Carrying the ball last week for the first time since Week 3, Lundy rushed 19 times for 93 yards and scored the first touchdown of his career. Given Houston's struggles with the ground game prior to last week, it may be best to keep Lundy reserved until he strings together a couple productive outings, but he is once again worth owning as a 3rd or 4th running back in fantasy leagues.

Steppin' Down

Laurence Maroney, NE: Following a breakout performance in Week 4 against the Bengals, Maroney has struggled in his two outings since. In games against the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills, with a bye week sandwiched in between, the first round pick has compiled just 57 yards on 26 carries ( 2.2 YPC). While there's no reason to bail on the Minnesota product this season (he'll still receive nearly 15 carries a game), the last two outings have clearly hurt his value. If you need depth at the position, now may be a good time to pursue Maroney.

LaMont Jordan, OAK: Despite his poor start to the season, Jordan's Week 4 performance against the Cleveland Browns, in which he rushed for 128 yards and 1 touchdown, provided a major boost to his value. Since then however, Jordan has gone back to his disappointing ways, totaling 131 yards on 35 carries (3.7 YPC) with zero touchdowns. Last week, he missed the game altogether with back spasms which places him in jeopardy of missing another game this week. If you used a first round pick on Jordan and are holding onto him in the hopes he will turn things around, it is recommended you find yourself another starter--even if it means trading Jordan, along with your top rated receiver, to do so.

Wide Receivers

Steppin' Up

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CIN: Since missing the first two games on the schedule with an injured hand, Houshmandzadeh has returned averaging 7.5receptions and 88 yards a game. He has also scored in 3 of 4 games played this year, with 4 total touchdowns to date this season. While Chad Johnson continues to grab all the headlines in Cincinnati, it's Houshmandzadeh that is producing as Carson Palmer's lead receiver.

Steppin' Down

Santana Moss, WAS: Coming off a career year in 2005, there were lofty expectations placed upon Santana Moss this season. He got off to a solid start, recording 13 receptions for 188 yards through 3 games, before blowing up with a 138-yard, 3-touchdown outing against the Jaguars in Week 4. In his past 3 outings however, Moss is averaging a lowly 36.3 yards a game and just under 10 yards per reception. To compound the issue, the 3 touchdowns he scored in Week 4 are his only trips to the end zone this season. While Moss should remain in your starting line up on a weekly basis, it's becoming more and more unlikely he will approach the numbers he recorded a year ago.

Derrick Mason, BAL: Being reunited with Steve McNair in Baltimore this season gave reason to expect an increase in Mason's production from last year, when he recorded 83 receptions for 1073 yards and 3 touchdowns. Through 6 games however, Mason is yet to reach the end zone and is on pace to finish with 61 receptions for 827 yards--which would be his lowest totals since the year 2000. Now that Brian Billick is taking over the play calling in Baltimore, there is reason for Mason owners to be optimistic. Until that translates into success on the field however, Mason will continue to be viewed as a disappointment.

Tight Ends

Steppin' Down

Eric Johnson, SF: After filling in for an injured Vernon Davis, and recording 7 receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown, part way through a Week 3 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, there was reason to expect Eric Johnson to be a capable starter until Davis' return. Since that time, Johnson has caught 3 passes in each of the past 3 games, but has only totaled 66 yards. Needless to say, his production has been lacking and Johnson can not be relied on as a productive starter on a weekly basis.