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Jones and Forsett To "Split Series"

Coach Jim Mora revealed Friday that he plans to use Justin Forsett and Julius Jones in a "split series" rotation Sunday versus Tampa Bay, according to the Associated Press.   Forsett is also replacing Nate Burleson on punt returns, since Burleson is out with an injury.   I think this is good news for Forsett owners, because there is no question that Forsett will get the red zone looks when it's his turn in the rotation. 

 

Ryan and Turner To Play For Falcons Sunday??

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and running back Michael Turner returned to practice on Thursday and both are hopeful they will be able to play against the New York Jets on Sunday, says the Atlanta Joural-Constitution.   Both have missed the last two games. Ryan suffered a turf toe injury and Turner has recurrent a right ankle sprain. 

Mike Shanahan To Redskins??

Most speculation at Redskins Park centered on Mike Shanahan, who led the Denver Broncos to two NFL championships and who has been mentioned has a potential successor to Zorn for weeks, says the Washington Post.   Though several people both inside and outside the Redskins organization spoke about Shanahan as the leading candidate, no one in position to know — namely, owner Daniel Snyder and Allen — said so on Thursday. Allen gave no indication how he would run a potential coaching search, and Dan Snyder said that when Allen “makes a decision, or the club makes a decision, it’s a Redskins decision.” 

Will Lions Trade Calvin Johnson??

Trade Calvin Johnson? That’s been a hot topic on sports radio and Internet message boards this week, as disgruntled Lions fans try to find new ways to fix an old problem: turning this franchise around. But the mere mention of dealing Johnson, the Lions’ No. 2 overall pick in 2007 and one of the league’s top receivers, draws a mixture of derision and dismay from his coaches and teammates, says the Detroit News.   And to be clear, there’s no inclination by the Lions to explore the trade possibilities. Johnson, who is signed through 2012, actually earns less in salary ($2.58 million) this season than right guard Stephen Peterman or backup cornerback Anthony Henry. Even in the final year of his contract, he’ll only make $4.7 million — about half what the Dallas Cowboys are paying for Roy Williams, whom the Lions traded last fall in the final year of his contract.

Darrelle Revis: Defensive Player of the Year??

According to ESPN.com, Jets coach Rex Ryan insists CB Darrelle Revis has made a bigger impact this season than Ray Lewis ever did in Ryan's time with the Ravens.  Ryan pointed to Revis' ability to change the way the whole defense plays by erasing No. 1 receivers. "I was going to be subtle about this, but if he's not the NFL defensive player of the year, something is wrong with the system," Ryan said.  Look for Charles Woodson and Jarod Allen to make a strong showing too. 

Latest On Kevin Smith

Lions coach Jim Schwartz confirmed that Kevin Smith has "at least" a torn ACL in his left knee, according to the Detroit Free Press.  Smith can't have surgery until his swelling goes down.  The Press continues to point out that damage to multiple ligments will likely mean Smith won't be ready for Week 1 of 2010.

Larry Fitzgerald Feeling Pain

According the Arizona Republic, Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald admitted that he's feeling pain in his knee, but insisted that he will play Sunday.  According the paper, the bone bruise is causing Fitz more problems than the MCL sprain. Even though he said he heard a pop when the injury happened on Monday night, Fitz practiced on a limited basis Wednesday. He faces the Lions and should explode, even if he's not at 100%.

Dwayne Bowe Returns

Chiefs coach Todd Haley said that Dwayne Bowe "did a good job while he was away keeping himself in condition," says the Kansas City Star.  Haley called Bowe a breath of fresh air and immediately inserted him onto the first-team offense after a month away from the team.  Great matchup too this weekend against the Browns. 

Mark Clayton Out Again??

According to the Baltimore Sun, Ravens WR Mark Clayton missed Ravens practice again Thursday and looks like he will mis another game.  Demetrius Williams will likely start across from Derrick Mason.

Chris Henry Dies Today

Police have confirmed that Chris Henry of the Cincinnati Bengals died Thursday morning.  Henry was on life support since reportedly falling out of the back of a pickup truck following a domestic dispute with his fiancee on Wednesday afternoon. Henry, 26, had a string of arrests but had recently turned his life around after getting a second chance from the Bengals.

Charlie Frye To Start For Raiders

The announcement Wednesday that the Raiders are demoting JaMarcus Russell for the second time in a month, this time for third-stringer Charlie Frye, indicates the team might be willing to confront its own little demons, says the Oakland Tribune.   Owner Al Davis could be ready, once again, to acknowledge his pivotal role in the downward spiral of the franchise. JaMarcus was Al’s guy from the start and there were 31.5 million reasons why. Russell believed that, as did his coaches and teammates. To reinforce his viewpoint, Davis 14 months ago cited Lane Kiffin’s reservations about Russell as an NFL quarterback as one more reason to send the young coach packing. “He is a great quarterback,” Davis said of Russell at the time. “Get over it.” That’s how sure Davis was about Russell. And as recently as a month ago, JaMarcus was no less certain that Al remained in his corner.

Nate Burleson Out Sunday

According to rotoworld.com, Seahawks WR Nate Burleson has been ruled out for Week 15, and may be out for the rest of the short season.  He's currently in a protective boot.

 

Holmes To Return Kicks and Punts??

Santonio Holmes is expected to be Pittsburgh's primary punt returner for the rest of the season, says the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.  He'll take over for Stefan Logan, who's been a major disappointment on both kickoffs and punts.  It should increase his value for more opportunites.

Buckhalter Out Sunday??

Bronco's RB Correll Buckhalter is not expected to play this week, according to the Denver Post.  Buckhalter said this sprain is similar to the high ankle sprain he suffered in Week 4, except that it's to his other ankle. The early-season injury kept him out of only one game, but he was thoroughly ineffective for several weeks after returning. Rookie Knowshon Moreno is in line for every-down duty against Oakland.  A great matchup for the Rookie.

Mendenhall's Fantasy Value To Rise??

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall has replaced Mewelde Moore as the Steelers' third-down back.  Coach Mike Tomlin cited Moore's lack of consistency in blitz pick-up as the reason for the move.  Even though he's not as strong as Moore in pass-catching, this new role should allow that number to rise.  Mendenahall has a larger value now.

Run or Pass - Week 14

Will Clinton Portis be a Redskin next year??  What about Steve Slaton in Houston??  And there are rumors that LT might be playing his last days in San Diego.  Click the box to listen as we discuss these players and more in "Run or Pass."

Run or Pass - Click To Listen

 

Week 15 Player Projection Podcasts

Thursday Night Football:  Fantasy Playoff Time for a lot of leagues.  Here are the player projections

Indianapolis at Jacksonville

Saturday Night Football

Dallas at New Orleans

Sunday Afternooon

Arizona at Detroit

Atlanta at NY Jets

Chicago at Baltimore

Cincinnati at San Diego

Cleveland at Kansas City

Green Bay at Pittsburgh

Houston at St.Louis

Miami at Tennessee

New England at Buffalo

Oakland at Denver

San Francisco at Philadelphia

Tampa Bay at Seattle

Sunday Night Football

Minnesota at Carolina

Monday Night Football

Washington at NY Giants

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percy Harvin To Return??

Vikings receiver Percy Harvin showed improvement after missing Sunday’s game because of migraines, and he should be able to practice today, coach Brad Childress said, according to the Pioneer Press.   Childress told SIRIUS NFL Radio on Tuesday that the Vikings are working to address Harvin’s migraines. Harvin, a strong contender for NFL offensive rookie of the year, missed three practices last week and did not play against Cincinnati. “He seems to be better this week,” Childress said during the radio interview. “We’re working vigorously to try to address that and take some testing, and that type of thing, which I’m sure he’s gone through before. But he kind of spent a bunch of the day (Monday) doing that. He should be back and at it tomorrow when we start practice, but the process is not over yet.”

Colts To Play Key Players??

Colts coach Jim Caldwell said he will play his starters at least through Week 15.  "We're going to approach the 14th game exactly like we did 1-13," Caldwell said, according to rotoworld.com.   Look for Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, and the rest of the Colts' skill players to get a full complement of work against the Jaguars on Thursday. Look for the Colts to wind it down gradually after that.

New Giants Recordholder: Steve Smith

According to the Newark Star-Ledger, Giants WR Steve Smith now holds the Giants record for receptions in a season with 85.  The previous record was 82 catches, set by Amani Toomer in 2002. Smith is fourth in the league in catches and has been one of the better PPR steals this season. Eli Manning's favorite receiver has 42 more targets than the next closest Giants receiver (Mario Manningham).