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Kevin Walter To "Catch More Balls??"

Acording to the Houston Chronicle, Matt Schaub said he "could see Kevin Walter catching more balls" with Owen Daniels out for the season.  Schaub is one of fantasy footballs leading QBs and he raved about how Walter is fearless over the middle and how he has nice hands.  But, Walters owners, don't get too excited.  Schaub also said that a bunch of guys will get more looks.

 

Devin Hester "Limited" In Practice

According to the Chicago Sun Times, Bears WR Devin Hester practiced Friday, but his participation was "limited." He's listed as questionable for Week 9.  However, both ESPN's John Clayton and Brad Biggs of the Chicago Sun Times report that Hester will be active against the Cardinals. The injury does make Hester a slightly more risky play.

 

Broncos Sign Ty Law

According to the Associated Press, the Broncos agreed to terms with DB Ty Law, formerly of the Jets.  Josh McDaniels and Ty Law were together in New England.  Law isn't the player he once was, but, even at 35, upgrades Denver's secondary. Between Bailey, FS Brian Dawkins, and Law, the Broncos' league-oldest back end now has 20 Pro Bowls. It's unclear if Law will be active on Monday night.

 

Lance Moore Out Sunday

Saints WR Lance Moore has been formally ruled out for Week 9, according to New Orleans Times-Picayune.  Moore was in a walking boot all week and didn't participate in any practice. He looks to be out indefinitely with what may be a high ankle sprain.

 

Boldin Returns To Practice

Cards WR Anquan Boldin returned to a limited practice Friday, increasing his chances of playing in Week 9.  "My hunch is now that Boldin will play against the Bears, but that's just an educated guess," writes Cards beat reporter Kent Somers. Even if he plays, Boldin clearly won't be at 100 percent and may wind up with fewer snaps than Steve Breaston.

Brian Westbrook To Play Sunday Night??

Eagles coach Andy Reid confirmed Friday that he fully expects Brian Westbrook to face Dallas on Sunday, says profootballtalk.com.  "I think (Westbrook) can contribute a bunch," Reid said. Reid said that he'll use a rotation between Westbrook and LeSean McCoy, but Westbrook is likely to lead the way. Start Westbrook with no hesitation.

Antonio Bryan "Game-Time Decision"

Bucs WR Antonio Bryant admitted Friday that he has experienced more swelling in the knee he had surgically repaired in training camp, says the Pewter Report.  Bryant will be a game-time decision against the Packers. "The swelling puts stress on the quad, which isn’t good, especially for my position where I’m running and cutting," he said. Coach Raheem Morris also admitted that it's quite possible Bryant will have to sit out Week 9.

Bob Sanders Out For The Year

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Colts SS Bob Sanders is done for the season after being diagnosed with a torn biceps tendon.  The tear was discovered while Dr. James Andrews performed what likely was initially only intended to be a "scope" on Sanders' elbow. The loss vaults Melvin Bullitt into the starting lineup full time. Bullitt is one of the top backup safeties in the game, but Sanders is a better playmaker.

Players We Love and Hate For Week 9

Players I Love    by Brian Hulshof

 

 

Santana Moss

It's not a strong love.  After all, his success is directly tied to Jason Campbell.  Ugh.  But, Atlanta has been without their best corner, and WRs are scoring against the Falcons.

 

Michael Turner

Ride the hot streak.  He has scored in 6 straight games and the Redskins can be ran on.  Turner will score again.

 

Devin Hester

Hester has played pretty well since Chicago's bye, despite the iffy play of Jay Cutler.  He's averaging 7 catches a game the past 3 games.  He is up against the Cards and their corners take chances, so I think Hest burns 'em for one.

 

Joe Flacco/Derrick Mason

The face the Bengals and only 2 teams are worse against the pass.  Mason has scored now in 4 of the past 5 weeks.  They will hook up in Cincinnati.

 

Chad Ochocinco

When was the last time this guy made it to my love list??  But, he is now a legit #1 fantasy wideout as he has found his mojo back with Carson Palmer.  He had 10 catches for 118 yards and 2 TDs against the Bears before the bye and 7 catches for 94 yards against the Ravens a month ago.  

 

Peyton Manning/Reggie Wayne

Cuz you'd be an idiot if you didn't love them

 

Tom Brady

Miami can be thrown on.  Their corners are young and a tad inexperienced.  And Brady is hot right now.  He's thrown 11 TDs in the past 3 games. 

 

Aaron Rodgers

What a great recovery game for Rodgers as he heads to Tampa.  Rodgers has thrown multiple TDs in each of the past 5 games and should shred the Bucs.  Now if he can only figure out how to beat a good team...

 

Dwayne Bowe

His next opponent, Jacksonville, can certainly be thrown on.  And Bowe is really really good.  Matt Cassell has thrown half his TDs to the big Bowe who is an excellent red-zone target.

 

Maurice Jones-Drew

He has scored 5 TDs the past 2 games.  Now that is a hot streak.  He leads the NFL in rushing TDs.  Now that is a hot streak.  He is up against the Chiefs who are 26th against the run.   It just keeps getting hotter, doesn't it??

 

DeAngelo Williams

He is just now starting to play like the 1st round pick we all thought he was.  He faces the Saints who really miss the injured Sedrick Ellis and now the Saints can be ran on.  Williams should have a nice day.

 

Drew Brees/Marques Colston

Brees is sick.  The good kind.  I know Carolina has the #1 pass D, but this is clearly a case of starting "talent over matchup."  And Colston has scored in 3 straight games and is the NFL leader in receiving TDs.  Start them with no fear

 

Matt Hasselbeck

He gets the tar beat out of him, but he keeps throwing TDs.  He's at home against the Lions, who have allowed 18 passing TDs in 7 games.  Hasselbeck will spread the ball around and find the end zone plenty.

 

Philip Rivers/Vincent Jackson

Only a mild love since he faces they Giants who have the 3rd best passing D.  But the Saints certainly showed us all how to throw against them.  Plus, Rivers has tossed 7 TDs in 3 road games this season.  He should be just fine.  And Jackson just hasn't been stopped all year and the Giants passing D is struggling.

 

Miles Austin

With Romo finally playing like a Fantasy #1 QB, Austin has stepped up his game.  He has gotten 30 targets the past 3 games, so he's getting lots of chances.  He's turned those targets into 5 TDs the past 3 games.  It's a tought matchup, but Austin is hot.

 

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Players I Hate

 

Matt Forte

He played well last week, and sure he faces the Cards who just got lit up by DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.  But the Cards still have at top 10 run D, and Forte is going to have to do more than look good against Cleveland for me to like him again.

 

Mark Clayton

I know that every once in a while he'll come out of nowhere and score.  But that's the point.  He is nowhere.  And shouldn't be started.

 

Laveranues Coles

It's a trap!!  He scored in each of the last two games, but really has no fantasy value.  Don't get sucked in.  The Ravens shut him down last time they met, and will do so again.

 

Miami's Passing Game

They are in New England and the Pats have a top 5 pass D.  No one in the passing game for Miami is advisable in any way.

 

Almost All Bucs

They face the Pack who are top 10 in both run and pass D.  Cadillac might get some yardage, and Winslow might get some garbage time stuff, but really don't put yourself through the agony of needing a Buc.

 

Matt Cassell

He does have some upside because of his star WR Dwayne Bowe, but Cassel has 3 games where he hasn't even reached 150 yards.  Just a friendly warning.

 

Jake Delhomme

This should be pretty obvious.  He has thrown 13 picks, most in the league, and faces a Saints defense that loves to get the pick 6.  Plus, 3 times this season, Delhomme has been under 100 yards passing.

 

Devery Henderson/Robert Meechum/Lance Moore

This is just a mild hate, because they play for the Saints and have Brees tossing them the rock.  But the play of these 3 is so erratic, that it's just not advisable to play them.

 

Matthew Stafford

He threw 0 TDs against the Rams.  'Nuff said.

 

Julius Jones

This guy just isn't very good.

 

Malcom Floyd

A hot waiver wire pickup due to the release of Chris Chambers, but Floyd has 11 catches on the season.  Don't be fooled...

 

Mario Manningham

First off, he might not even play.  Second off, if he plays, he won't be 100%.  Third off, Hakeem Nicks keeps stealing his targets. 

 

Nate Washington/Kenny Britt/Justin Gage

New QB Vince Young will play better than Kerry Collins, but the Titans gameplan will probably be more conservative now and these 3 just weren't good plays anyway.

 

Marion Barber

He has only 1 game of 100 yards and the Eagles have a pretty good D.  Sure, Barber won't be too bad, but remember the Eagles have allowed just 1 rushing TD in the past 5 games.  Gulp

 

Roy Williams

I can't see him ever getting off the hate list.

 

Rashard Mendenhall

Just a mild hate.  Denver is really good against the run and Mendenhall has some issues hanging on to the ball.  But if Pitt gets close, Mendenhall might score.

 

Knowshon Moreno

It's been tough going matchup-wise for the rookie lately.  And now the 3rd ranked run D of Pittsburgh.  Just a heads up.

Bears Red-Zone Offense Really Stinks

ESPN.com had some stats that have to make Bears fans and Matt Forte fantasy owners lose sleep.  "Superstar" RB Matt Forte has just two touchdowns on 19 goal-to-go rushes this season, the worst ratio in the NFL.  The Bears are currently 25th in the league in red zone offense.  Yuck and Yuck.  But let's be real here.  The Bears offensive line, especially the left side, has struggled to open holes in the running game all season.  And it's showing...

Week 9 Player Projections

Our fantasy expert, Brian Hulshof, talks with KDEC Radio's Darin Svenson and gives us fantasy player projections for each game.   Click each box to listen

 

Arizona at Chicago 

Arizona Cardinals at Chicago Bears, 1:00 p.m.
Mostly cloudy. Winds blowing from the Southwest at 5-10 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Around 60.

 

Baltimore at Cincinnati

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00 p.m.
Mostly sunny. Winds blowing from the Southwest at 5-10 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Around 70.

 

Carolina at New Orleans

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints, 4:05 p.m.
Game is being played in a dome,

 

Houston at Indianapolis

Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts, 1:00 p.m.
Partly cloudy. Winds blowing from the Southwest at 5-10 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Around 70.

 

Detroit at Seattle

Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m.
Mostly cloudy with a 30-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing from the South at 5-10 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Around 50.

 

Green Bay at Tampa Bay

Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1:00 p.m.
Mostly cloudy. Winds blowing from the Northeast at 10-20 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Around 85.

 

Kansas City at Jaksonville

Kansas City Chiefs at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1:00 p.m.
Mostly cloudy. Winds blowing from the Northeast at 10-20 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Around 80.

 

Miami at New England

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots, 1:00 p.m.
Sunny. Winds blowing from the Southwest at 5-10 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Around 60.

 

San Diego at NY Giants

San Diego Chargers at New York Giants, 4:15 p.m.
Sunny. Winds blowing from the West at 5-10 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Around 60.

 

Tennessee at San Francisco

Tennessee Titans at San Francisco 49ers, 4:15 p.m.
Sunny. Winds blowing from the Northwest at 5-10 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Around 65.

 

Washington at Atlanta

Washington Redskins at Atlanta Falcons, 1:00 p.m.
Game is being played in a dome

 

Sunday Night Football

Dallas at Philadelphia

Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:20 p.m.
Clear. Winds blowing from the West at 5-10 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Around 65.

 

Monday Night Football

Pittsburgh at Denver

Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos, 8:35 p.m.
Partly cloudy. Winds blowing from the Southwest at 5-10 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Around 60.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More coming....

 

Calvin Johnson "Game-Time Decision"

According to the Detroit Free Pess, Lions coach Jim Schwartz said that Calvin Johnson will be a game-time decision for Week 9 at Seattle.  Johnson practiced Wednesday and reportedly looked good.  Calvin Johnson "certainly looks like he'll be ready" for this week's game against the Seahawks, according to the Detroit News.  Johnson continues to work with the first-team offense in practice, and he's shown "no ill effects" from the right knee injury that has plagued him for three weeks.

Boldin To Miss Week 9??

According to the Cardinals website, WR Anquan Boldin sat out practice Wednesday, and coach Ken Whisenhunt indicated afterwards that Boldin probably will miss Week 9.  "We’ll do what it is the best interest of the team," Whisenhunt said. This ankle injury is getting old for Boldin owners and I have to say that sitting Boldin for a game or two would do him a world of good.  If Boldin sits, look for an increase in targets for Steve Breaston.

 

Roy Williams Not On Same Page As Romo

According to profootballtalk.com, Cowboys WR Roy E. Williams admits that he is not on the same page with Tony Romo.  "(Miles Austin) gets the ball thrown correctly his way," he said. "I'm stretching and falling and doing everything. Everybody [else] who's been here's balls are there. Our footballs (from Romo to Williams) are everywhere right now." Williams is averaging just 41.5 receiving yards per game this season.  Well, maybe Williams isn't on Romo's page, and maybe, just maybe, Roy Williams stinks.  Just a thought.

Westbrook Cleared To Play

Eagles RB Brian Westbrook has been medically cleared to return to game action.  Westbrook is expected to practice on Wednesday.  While it does look like Westbrook will play this weekend, he is almost certain to split carries with LeSean McCoy.  Stay tuned...

 

Has Michael Turner Broke Out Of His "Yardage Slump?"

So has Michael Turner broke out of his "yardage slump?"  We all saw him go off for 151 yards and a TD Monday night.  So what was the difference??  Well, according to the Atlanta Jounal-Constitution, the Falcons used new plays and blocking schemes in their running game, and it sure looked like it worked.  I'm still a bit hesitant in saying his "yardage slump" is over.  After all, the Saints were missing Sedrick Ellis and Scott Fujita. Let's see Turner do it again against the Redskins this week.  But don't read this the wrong way.  You can't bench him.  He has always had tons of fantasy value.

5 Fantasy Issues - Run or Pass??

Brian Hulshof, or Fantasy Expert, looks at 5 fantasy issues and tells you if you should "Run with it" or "Pass on it."

Click on the box to listen...

Run or Pass

 

Kevin Smith Still Lions Featured Back

Even though the Lions ran the ball well by giving Kevin Smith and Maurice Morris nearly equal carries Sunday against St. Louis, coach Jim Schwartz said the workload split was the result of a shoulder injury to Smith during the game, and Smith remains the feature back, according to the Detroit Free Press.   "I don't think that anything has changed from the fact of Kevin is our lead running back and Maurice is the complementary running back," Schwartz said. Smith started against the Rams and had 16 carries for 45 yards -- a 2.8-yard average. Morris, who has fought injuries all year, had 14 carries for 63 yards, a 4.5-yard average.

Week 8's Fantasy Heroes and Zeros

Brian Hulshof, our fantasy expert, gives us his fantasy heroes and zeros for week 8 with KDEC Radio's Darin Svenson.

Just click the box to listen...

Heroes and Zeros

Sunday School With The Bums: What We Learned In Week 8

One of the Bums, Brian Hulshof, talks about what we learned in Week 8 with KDEC Radio's Darin Svenson.

Click the box to listen...

Sunday School