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Steppin' Up Steppin Down
Week 9
11/3/06

Quarterbacks

Steppin' Up

Michael Vick, ATL: Through the first 5 games on Atlanta's schedule, Vick was averaging a subpar 135 passing yards per game, and completing just 50.4% of his attempts, while throwing 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. In the past 2 weeks however, Vick has more than doubled his touchdown production and completed 65.5% (38 of 58) of his passes, raising his completion percentage to 55.4% this season. The remarkable increase in Vick's accuracy these past two weeks has meant a drastic increase in his yardage through the air as well. He's thrown for 523 yards in outings against the Steelers and the Bengals, while remaining a threat on the ground, rushing 14 times for 95 yards. At this pace, expect Vick to finish among the Top 3 fantasy quarterbacks at the end of the season.

Steppin' Down

Chad Pennington, NYJ: After a hot start in which Pennington put together back-to-back 300 yard games to begin the season, his production has had an alarming drop-off the past few weeks. In his 6 games since a Week 2 loss against the Patriots, Pennington has only thrown for more than 200 yards 1 time, and has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns (5 TDs, 8 INTs). With games at New England, and at home against the Bears following this weeks bye, expect Pennington to continue struggling before facing the Texans in Week 12 and the Packers in Week 13. If you have been using Pennington as your starter, it's advised you make a deal for a more suitable QB before your league's trading deadline passes if you plan on making a push towards the playoffs.

Running Backs

Steppin' Up

Ahman Green, GB: After missing Weeks 4 and 5 with a hamstring injury, there was legitimate concern about how well Ahman Green would hold up for the remainder of the season. Following the Packers bye in Week 6, Green returned to action against the Dolphins, carrying 18 times for 118 yards and a score. He followed that effort with an even stronger outing against the Cardinals, rushing for 106 yards on 21 carries and scoring 2 touchdowns. While Green may not produce as a true #1 fantasy back the rest of the season, there's a good chance he will barring any setbacks with his hamstring. At the very least, he should make for an outstanding #2 RB the rest of the year.

Mike Bell, DEN: Just a few weeks after writing Mike Bell off, it appears there is reason to hold onto him after all. Due to a nagging turf toe injury that limited Tatum Bell in last weeks game against the Colts, Mike Bell reemerged on the scene, carrying the ball 15 times for 136 yards and 2 touchdowns. While Tatum Bell isn't expected to miss time with the injury (he's listed as PROBABLE for this Sunday's game), it is something that could limit his production until the issue is resolved. Many players that have had turf toe in the past can attest to how painful the injury can be, despite being able to play with it. Expect Tatum Bell to continue getting carries, but if he can't produce at a higher level than he did against the Colts last week (13 carries, 27 yards), Mike Bell will continue to see increased playing time in the backfield.

Steppin' Down

DeShaun Foster, CAR: In the 3 games since DeAngelo Williams was sidelined with a high ankle sprain, Foster has carried the ball 55 times for 167 yards, averaging just over 3 yards per carry. While Williams was nursing his injury, it gave Foster the opportunity to solidify his spot atop the teams depth chart. Instead, his poor performance over the past few weeks means he is likely to be challenged by Williams once he returns to the team. The Panthers are on a bye in Week 9, but Williams, who practiced with the team last week (although he was inactive for the game), is likely to return to action when the Panthers face the Buccaneers in Week 10. If he is able to go at, or near 100%, expect the first round pick out of Memphis to eat into Foster's carries the remainder of the season.

Wide Receivers

Steppin' Up

Joe Horn, NO: Just when one starts to think Joe Horn is no longer capable of producing like a #1 WR in fantasy leagues, he goes ahead and records back-to-back 100 yard games and scores 3 touchdowns. Horn had been a solid contributor through the first 5 games of the season, amassing 271 yards on 19 receptions, but his lack of touchdowns and 100 yard outings kept him from producing as anything more than a high end #3 fantasy receiver. In his last 2 games however, Horn has 3 touchdowns and 11 receptions for 236 yards. While it's true that the 11-year vet's best days may be behind him, his recent outings prove he is still a reliable option capable of pushing fantasy teams into the playoffs.

Doug Gabriel, NE: Since the third week of the season, Doug Gabriel has been an emerging presence in the Patriots passing game. He has caught 20 passes in a 5-game span, scoring 3 touchdowns in 3 separate games. Coming off his best performance of the season on Monday night (5 catches, 83 yards), there's reason to expect more good things to come from the fourth year vet as he becomes more acclimated with the Patriots offense. With Deion Branch now in Seattle, it appears Gabriel is emerging as Brady's favorite target at the receiver position.

Steppin' Down

Drew Bennett, TEN: In the four games since Vince Young has taken over under center for the Titans, Drew Bennett has seen a rapid decline in his production. Through the first 3 weeks of the season, with Kerry Collins at the helm, Bennett was a productive #3 WR in fantasy leagues as he amassed 235 yards on 16 receptions with 1 touchdown. Since then, he has just 6 receptions for 93 yards with no trips to the end zone. As long as Vince Young is starting for the Titans this season, Bennett will remain an unreliable option in fantasy leagues.

Tight Ends

Steppin' Up

Jason Witten, DAL: After being a bit of a disappointment through the first 6 weeks of the season, Witten has produced up to par the past 2 weeks with Tony Romo under center for the Cowboys. In a Monday night game 2 weeks ago, Romo connected with Witten 4 times for 72 yards, all coming in the second half. In the first half of that game, before Drew Bledsoe was benched, Witten was held without a reception. Not coincidently, in Romo's first start of the year, Witten recorded season highs with 6 receptions, 80 yards and 1 touchdown. Expect him to keep his level of production up as Romo continues to make better use of his talented tight end than Bledsoe was able to.