Steppin' Up Steppin Down
Week 9
11/2/07

Quarterbacks

Steppin' Up

Derek Anderson, CLE: After seven weeks it's finally time to recognize Derek Anderson as a legitimate starter in fantasy leagues. When it was announced he would replace Charlie Frye following the season opener, expectations were he would soon give way to first round pick Brady Quinn. Instead Anderson has led the Browns to a 4-3 record, placing them in the playoff hunt midway through the season. With the way he's performed, and the Browns still in contention, don't expect Quinn to be under center anytime soon.

In six starts the Oregon State product has averaged 260 passing yards per game and thrown for 16 touchdowns. His two most recent outings have been among his best, completing 72.0% of his attempts while throwing for 493 yards and 6 touchdowns with no interceptions. With Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow at his disposal in the passing game, expect Anderson's surprise production to continue throughout the remainder of the season.

Steppin' Down

Jon Kitna, DET: Jon Kitna has cooled off as of late after a hot start in which he threw for 8 touchdowns and averaged 306 passing yards per game during the first 4 weeks of the season. In his last three starts he has thrown zero touchdown passes and averaged just 173 yards through the air. Outings like that are enough to cost some owners important victories as they make their push towards the playoffs.

The next few weeks will be important ones for Kitna and the Lions, who at 5-2 are within striking distance of the postseason. Since inserting Kevin Jones into the starting line-up however the team seems to be going with a more balanced approach on offense.

Kitna still has the weapons around him to put up points in bunches, but the new philosophy may limit his opportunities. His next three opponents (Denver, Arizona, Giants) are all currently allowing less than 200 passing yards per game. With that in mind it might be a good idea to start a different QB if you have one worth playing.

Running Backs

Steppin' Up

Selvin Young, DEN: Young got his first start of the season last week and produced admirably. Though he didn't find the end zone he rushed 18 times for 71 yards. He also added another 49 yards on 6 receptions. The extensive playing time he received this week was due to Travis Henry's bruised ribs. With a year long suspension looming over Henry for violating the league's substance abuse policy however, Young could become a valuable commodity in the weeks ahead.

As Denver's starting halfback you could expect Young to carry nearly 20 times a game. At the moment he is still most valuable to Henry owners, but that could quickly change should Henry lose a court battle that would keep the NFL from testing the sample it needs to suspend him.

Ryan Grant, GB: Acquired a week before the start of the regular season in a trade with the New York Giants, Packers running back Ryan Grant now finds himself starting in Green Bay. After seeing limited action earlier in the year, the third year back out of Notre Dame carried 22 times for 104 yards in a win last Monday against the Broncos.

While the performance was encouraging, it should be noted that it came against a defense currently allowing a league worst 166 rushing yards per game. It's also worth mentioning the Packers offense ranks last in the league in rushing, averaging just 71.3 yards per contest on the ground.

Grant's new found status as a starter in the league makes him a hot pick-up off the waiver wire, but it's unlikely he'll have many 100-yard days in the weeks ahead. Think of him as a #3 RB for the time being. If the Packers ground game gets on track and creates more balance within the offense as a result he could be a solid #2 RB, but don't bank on it.

Steppin' Down

LaMont Jordan OAK,: Jordan's success early in the season has quickly faded. After rushing for 424 yards during his first four games he has totaled just 87 in the last three combined. His yards per carry have plummeted from 5.0 to 2.1 during those time spans as well. Jordan's troubles first began when he injured his back in a Week 4 win against the Dolphins. Since that time he hasn't been nearly as productive.

As Justin Fargas continues to impress with the limited opportunities he's been given, it looks as though Jordan may begin to lose carries as the season progresses. Last week Fargas rushed for 61 yards on 12 carries against the Titans while Jordan was limited to 16 yards on 12 carries of his own. Expect both players to continue splitting the workload in Oakland's backfield as Jordan continues to struggle.

Wide Receivers

Steppin' Up

Joey Galloway, TB: Galloway may not be the most consistent performer in fantasy leagues, but when he does produce he does it in a big way. Through eight games this season the 13th-year veteran has accumulated 33 receptions for 564 yards and 4 touchdowns. He has had at least 4 receptions in all but 1 game this year, and has posted 50 or more yards receiving in all but 3 of them.

Despite his age (35) Galloway remains among the fastest players in the league as evidenced by his average of 17.1 yards per reception. While he tends to get overlooked in fantasy circles there is no denying the value he brings to your team. Outside of a couple games the Ohio State product appears to have one of the more friendly schedules over the remainder of the season as well. Look to acquire him in a trade if possible to give your team an extra boost down the stretch. If you already own him continue plugging him into your starting line-up.

Reggie Brown / Kevin Curtis, PHI: Following a slow start to the season (outside of Curtis' Week 3 performance against the Lions) Eagles receivers have finally made their presence known in recent weeks. Reggie Brown, who had just 8 receptions for 81 yards in the first 4 games, went over the century mark for the first time all year last Sunday against the Vikings. He has now totaled 17 receptions for 238 yards in his last 3 games. With Philadelphia looking to keep him more involved in the offense expect him to post numbers similar to last season on a weekly basis throughout the remainder of the year.

Meanwhile Kevin Curtis has performed more consistently in the last three games as well. During that span the former St. Louis Ram has caught 13 passes for 259 yards and 1 touchdown. He's also proven to be a dangerous deep threat, averaging a league high 18.2 yards per catch among receivers with 30 or more receptions. Both could be helpful third options at the WR position over the next few weeks.

Steppin' Down

Santana Moss / Antwaan Randle-El, WAS: Despite the growth of Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell in his first full season as Washington's starter, much has been left to be desired from his top receivers in the passing game. After a solid start to the season for the wide outs, the duo has been less than stellar in their last three outings.

During that span the two have combined for 16 receptions, 176 yards, and zero touchdowns. In fact, none of the 6 touchdown passes Campbell has thrown this season has gone to a wide receiver. Tight end Chris Cooley has hauled in 5 of them with fullback Mike Sellers collecting the other one.

While Moss and Randle-El may have a few 100-yard outings left in them over the remainder of the year, it's a bad sign if you find yourself relying on either of them to help guide your team to the playoffs.