Breaking News Wire

8-28-07 | RB Travis Henry (knee) back at practice Monday

According to DenverPost.com, Broncos RB Travis Henry was back at practice on Monday.

opinion: Henry is not expected to play in the team's preseason finale, but Shanahan usually sits his studs in the team's last preseason outing. Henry is a very solid late first-round draft pick heading in to 2007.

8-28-07 | RB Brandon Jackson questionable for week one?

According to GreenBayPressGazette.com, Packers RB Brandon Jackson may not be ready in time for week one.

opinion: Don't worry, this appears to be pure speculation by the writer — it is even quoted in the article that head coach Mike McCarthy considers Jackson's concussion "mild" and that there is even a chance that he plays in Thursday night's game against the Titans. While we don't think Jackson will play in this week's game, the team doesn't sound overly concerned… so either are we. If anything, this is probably the time to trade for Brandon Jackson if you've already drafted.

8-27-07 | RB Clinton Portis to increase practice workload Tuesday

According to Redskins.com, Redskins RB Clinton Portis is expected to increase his practice workload starting tomorrow (Tuesday) and he is expected to be a "game-time decision" for Thursday night's preseason game against the Jags, according to head coach Joe Gibbs.

opinion: Portis has almost insane value right now, we have been saying this for weeks. Take advantage while it lasts, because if you can pair up Clinton Portis with Ladell Betts, you have a potential top 5-10 running back at the cost of a very late 2nd-rounder and a 7th.

8-27-07 | RB Michael Turner's ankle not as bad as first thought

According to SignOnSanDiego.com, Michael Turner's ankle injury isn't as bad as originally thought. The stud back-up could still be questionable for the team's opener on Sept. 9 against the Chicago Bears.

opinion: Great news. We still recommend grabbing Sproles if you are an L.T. owner — owning all three is a very safe approach. Even if you are just a crafty M. Turner owner and don't own Tomlinson, grabbing Sproles locks up that back-up spot no matter what, which has a ton of value if anything should happen to Tomlinson.

8-27-07 | WR Marques Colston (knee) might see action on Thursday night

According to Nola.com, both Saints WRs Marques Colston (knee) and Devery Henderson (hamstring) could see action during Thursday night's preseason game.

opinion: Good news that both will be back in action and ready for the season. Brees looks like a lock to be a top 4 fantasy QB this year, and Colston is one of our favorite quiet WR1s this year. Henderson might just finish the season as a very reliable WR3 in fantasy leagues — that entire team is stacked with fantasy production!

8-27-07 | RB Chris Perry will start the season on the PUP

According to Enquirer.com, Cincy RB Chris Perry will begin the season on the PUP list, which means he will miss at least the first 6 weeks.

opinion: Because Kenny Irons (ACL) is out for the season, Perry is someone that Rudi owners should keep an eye on come week six or so. If he can get back on the field, he will be good insurance, but other than that… he only has value to Rudi Johnson owners at this point.

8-27-07 | RB Tatum Bell suffers a shin injury, not ankle injury

According to FreeP.com, Lions RB Tatum Bell suffered a shin injury this weekend, not an ankle injury. It is unknown when the runner is expected back, but it doesn't sound like the injury is severe enough to affect Bell's week one status.

opinion: Tatum Bell could be in for a solid 2007 season, as we just don't see Kevin Jones being effective this year. Even if Jones returns in week 7 or 8, he will need time getting back into the groove and by that time, Bell may have a lock on the starting gig. It is too early to predict all of this, but our guess is that Bell shines and Jones never lives up to expectations in 2007.

8-27-07 | QB Kelly Holcomb likely to be traded to Falcons or Vikings?

According to Philly.com, Eagles back-up QB Kelly Holcomb could be on his way to the Falcons or Vikings fairly soon. A few teams appear to be interested in the back-up quarterback, and Philly is set with Kolb and Feeley at this point.

opinion: The move would really make sense, from a football standpoint, for Atlanta. Either way, Holcomb only has fantasy value if he gets a shot to start due to injury.

8-27-07 | RB Brandon Jackson suffers a concussion on Sunday?

According to JSOnline.com, Green Bay rookie RB Brandon Jackson "went down hard after a collision with another player" on Sunday during a non-contact 7-on-7 drill. It is thought that the runner has suffered a concussion, although, according to some of his teammates, the injury wasn't too serious.

opinion: It doesn't sound like a severe injury, but the rookie may sit out the team's final preseason game. This may open the door a bit for Morency if he can manage to get back on the field in time for this weekend's game, but that doesn't look like a possibility at this point. Our guess is that the team will be cautious with this if it is a concussion, but we still predict that the rookie will start week one and we predict that he will play well.

8-26-07 | WR Donald Driver to miss team's final preseason game

According to PackersNews.com, Packers WR Donald Driver will miss the team's final preseason game, but the team hopes to have him back for week one.

opinion: It really is too early to guess whether or not Driver will be good to go by September 9, but even if he plays, he may not be 100%. Rookie WR James James would start next to Greg Jennings in week one if Driver can't go, and look for the kid to impress. Even when Driver is back, he could get some serious playing time as the team's #3, and we think that he could eventually push Jennings for that #2 spot.

8-26-07 | RB Michael Turner suffers high ankle sprain and could miss a couple games

According to NCTimes.com, Chargers RB Michael Turner suffered a high ankle sprain during Saturday's preseason game against the Cardinals. It is thought that the runner could be out of action for a couple of games.

opinion: It could have been a lot worse. Turner's value will drop a bit in drafts, so know that heading into your draft. The smart move, even if you're not a Tomlinson owner, is to grab both Sproles and Turner — if Tomlinson were to miss significant time, you can bet that Norv Turner's running back is going to produce top ten numbers. Missing a couple games is not the end of the world and Michael Turner is still a big-time sleeper of ours heading into the 2007 season. He obviously still has very nice dynasty value given that he is likely to land as a starting running back some place next year.

8-26-07 | QB Peyton Manning throws three touchdowns during Saturday's preseason game

Colts QB Peyton Manning went 23-for-27 for 233 yards and 3TDs in Saturday night's preseason outing against the Detroit Lions.

opinion: Imagine if he played the entire game! Manning might just have a 35+ TD season in 2007.

8-26-07 | WR Anquan Boldin grabs 5 balls for 143 yards and a touchdown on Saturday

Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin caught 5 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown on Saturday against the San Diego Chargers.

opinion: Boldin looked fantastic. He is starting to look like a steal in 2007 drafts and a very decent low-end WR1 at this point. The Cards could be playing from behind quite often in 2007, this is great for Leinart, Boldin and Fitz owners.

8-26-07 | WR Jacoby Jones looks impressive once again on Saturday

In Saturday's preseason game against the Cowboys, rookie WR Jacoby Jones returned the Cowboys' first punt to the house for 91 yards. The utility receiver also caught two passes for 26 yards and a touchdown and ran the ball once for 10 yards.

opinion: After Calvin Johnson, James Jones and Jacoby Jones look like the two best receivers from this year's class of receivers. In fact, in a pure dynasty league, we would rather have either Jacoby or James over any WR not named Calvin Johnson (at this point).

8-26-07 | RB Michael Turner (ankle) is carted off the field during Saturday's game against the Cards

During Saturday's preseason game against the Cardinals, Chargers back-up RB Michael Turner injured his ankle after carrying the football 9 times for 20 yards. The severity of the injury is not yet known.

opinion: Gulp. Michael Turner is one of our biggest sleepers heading into the 2007 fantasy season, so we sure hope all test results come back negative. You can bet we will be all over this one — stay tuned and go pick-up Sproles if you're a Tomlinson owner (just in case).

8-26-07 | QB Matt Schaub again looks fantastic in week 3 against the Cowboys

During Saturday's preseason game against the Cowboys, Texans QB Matt Schaub went 12-for-16 for 109 yards and 2TDs.

opinion: Schaub has looked absolutely great this preseason — Don't be afraid to start this guy in a 12-team league if you can back him up with a QB with at least similar upside. While a bit risky, the move could allow you to build at other key positions — he looks really efficient and has the weapons.

8-26-07 | RB Tatum Bell injures ankle in Saturday night's game against the Colts

During Saturday's preseason game against the Colts, Lions RB Tatum Bell injured what appeared to be his ankle after carrying the football 3 times for 12 yards.

opinion: The severity of the injury is not yet known — Hopefully Bell will be fine, as he could be in for a very big year.

8-25-07 | QB Vince Young looks fantastic against the Bills on Friday night

According to Kansascity.com, KC quarterback Damon Huard has won the the team's starting quarterback competition and will start week one against the Houston Texans in Houston.

opinion: Kansas City head coach Herm Edwards appeared to be favoring starting Brodie Croyle, but that was until Croyle looked ineffective in Thursday night's preseason loss to Saints. Croyle is the future, that is clear, but it might be week 4 or 5 before he gets pushed into the starting line-up. Huard was pretty efficient last year — The Chiefs might have a better shot early on if they stick with the veteran. This is probably good news for Larry Johnson owners to start the season.

8-25-07 | QB Vince Young looks fantastic against the Bills on Friday night

In Friday night's preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee quarterback Vince Young was 13-for-19 for 162 yards and 1TD. He also rushed the ball 2 times for 4 yards and a score.

opinion: Vince Young has been in our top 6 overall all off-season long for a reason. There are three players that we've been pimping like no other Site in the industry… Adrian Peterson, Michael Turner and Vince Young. Young is capable of being one of fantasy football's top scorers in almost all formats in 2007 — Just grab a solid back-up signal caller to pair with the Titan, as he runs the football a lot, which could open the door to injury.

8-25-07 | WR Lee Evans continues to prove that he is a top 10 fantasy WR

In Friday night's preseason game against the Tennessee Titans, Bills WR Lee Evans caught 5 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown.

opinion: If you have been thinking that Lee Evans was a fluke-top-10WR last year — stop it. Evans is probably the best deep-threat in the league right now and will likely be atop the league in yards per catch in 2007. Evans is a fine low-end WR1 heading into all 2007 drafts. In fact, our favorite strategy this year is to focus on runners in the first and second-round, then pair the backs with two WRs like Walker, Evans or Colston. All three are capable of top 6 fantasy numbers, and if you can grab just two as your starting receivers, that is what we call smart drafting.

8-24-07 | QB Michael Vick: NFL suspends Vick indefinitely

According to ESPN.com, the NFL has suspended Falcons QB Michael Vick indefinitely without pay. Vick filed his plea agreement on Friday in federal court, a plea that admits to conspiracy in a dogfighting ring as well as agreeing that the operation included gambling and the killing of dogs. Vick denied betting on the fights, but he did admit to funding them. According to ESPN, a letter given to Michael Vick, from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, reads: "Your admitted conduct was not only illegal, but also cruel and reprehensible" and regardless whether he personally placed bets, "your actions in funding the betting and your association with illegal gambling both violate the terms of your NFL player contract and expose you to corrupting influences in derogation of one of the most fundamental responsibilities of an NFL player."

opinion: While some analysts believe that Vick can eventually repair his image and get back into the NFL in a few years, we do not see it happening. We doubt Vick plays in the NFL again, but anything is possible. It is thought that the Atlanta Falcons will try and recover roughly $22 million of Vick's signing bonus from is 10-year deal (worth $130 million) that he signed back in 2004.

8-24-07 | WR Donald Driver to have additional testing on ankle; might be ready for WK1?

According to reports, Packers GM Ted Thompson believes that the team could have WR Donald Driver (ankle) back in time for week one, but the receiver is still expected to get more testing done on his injured ankle.

opinion: We will keep you posted. If Driver is out for a while, James Jones will see a huge increase in fantasy value even as a rookie. If Driver is back by week one, it is hard to believe that he will be 100%, which means that James Jones could mature quicker than expected in his first season as a pro. Jones should be grabbed in all dynasty leagues if for some reason he is available.

8-24-07 | WR David Boston arrested for DUI?

According to MyFoxTampaBay.com, Bucs wide receiver David Boston was arrested on DUI charges on Thursday night in Pinellas County. Boston was passed out in the vehicle with the car in drive and running.

opinion: This one is a strange one, as breath tests showed no signs of alcohol. Urine test results are pending, we will keep you posted.

8-24-07 | WR Donald Driver (ankle) carted off the field Thursday night

Green Bay receiver Donald Driver was carted off the field in the second quarter of Thursday night's preseason game against Jacksonville with a right ankle injury. According to NFL.com, the initial thought is that Driver has a foot sprain.

opinion: Driver appeared to be in a significant amount of pain and was reportedly seen pounding his fist into the cart as he was driven off the field. This would be absolutely huge news for rookie James Jones and second-year WR Greg Jennings. And of course, this is awful news for Driver owners — we will keep you posted.

Devin Hester Catching on at Receiver

Chicago return specialist CB Devin Hester has been making impressive catches in practice and is fine tuning his route running abilities. He has also been getting used to taking hits at the line of scrimmage by CB Charles Tillman. I am not normally big on a position change that Hester is attempting to achieve, but Hester keeps drawing praise. I'm starting to buy into this talk and would draft Hester very late in a draft.

More Player News

Broncos DE Jarvis Moss managed to play last night against San Francisco, but hobbled off the field favoring his left knee. As of now, Moss doesn't hold any fantasy value but should he start rushing the passer like Dwight Freeney, pick him up off the waiver wire.

49ers WR Ashley Lelie didn't see any action until two minutes remained in the first half against Denver Monday night. Lelie has been a bust for several years now, so this news is not surprising. Stay away from Lelie on draft day.

Sources within the Raiders organization believe rookie RB Michael Bush could be placed on injured reserve and miss the 2007 season. Bush is still a recommended player in a dynasty league because of his upside, but I wouldn't bother with him in a redraft league. He will likely miss all of this season.

The Buffalo Bills will try to run more three and four wide receiver sets in an effort to keep double coverage off of WR Lee Evans. Evans is a top 15 WR at this point but most people are hesitant on Evans because of the Bills offense. Evans does get several long TD catches during the season, so he is very valuable in leagues that reward more points for longer TD catches.

Patriots TE Ben Watson returned to team practice this morning for the first time since Aug. 6. Watson is one of many weapons for Tom Brady to choose from when throwing the ball all over the field. Look for Watson to be a presence in the red zone this season.

Against the Eagles on Monday night, QB Steve McNair completed 6 of 8 passes for 73 yards and threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to TE Quinn Sypniewski. McNair is not being drafted in some drafts or he is going very late. He could be a nice backup QB on your team and I wouldn't have a problem giving him a chance.

Donovan McNabb Ready For Friday

Philadelphia QB Donovan McNabb is looking forward to his first start for the Eagles Friday night against the Carolina Panthers. McNabb has not been in game action since he injured his knee last November. I think we all are excited to see if McNabb will return to his form of '07 before the injury. McNabb is a top-10 QB this season and is top-5 if he returns to last season's form.

More Player News

Cowboys WR Terrell Owens was not on the practice field today after he was 20 minutes late. Owens and HC Phillips have worked out the discipline and Owens should be fine. The less we hear about T.O. the better the chances he is a big time fantasy player this season. Draft him as a top 5 WR.

Bengals RB Rudi Johnson was not on the field for the afternoon practice today after injuring the top of his right foot in the morning practice. It does not appear to be serious and you should still draft Rudi as a late first rounder or early second rounder.

Raiders QB Andrew Walter will start Saturday night against the 49ers in San Francisco. The Raiders also have Daunte Culpepper and Josh McKown battling for the starting position but none of these guys are good fantasy players. Actually, I wouldn't draft any of them even after one is named the starter.

There has been speculation swirling around about Philadelphia G Shawn Andrews' ankle. HC Andy Reid said Thursday that he expects that he will be ready in time for the season opening game at Green Bay. Andrews is vital to the Eagles O-Line, so this is good news for McNabb and Westbrook.

Oakland DE Derrick Burgess participated in full-squad drills for the first time at training camp, a month or so after he had hernia surgery. Burgess is one of the better IDP defensive linemen in the game. It sounds like he is healthy and ready to rock and roll. Draft him as one of your top 15 DL.

Kevin Jones To Be Ready by Week 1
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz is expecting injured RB Kevin Jones to return by the start of the regular season. Jones is on the PUP list but does participate in team drills. Martz said Jones will have to earn his starting job back but he should be healthy enough to play in week 1. All this does is muddy the waters in the Detroit RB situation for us fantasy players. Just when it seemed like Tatum Bell was climbing the rankings, now Kevin Jones is good to go. I recommend drafting both of them or neither of them. If you draft just one of them, make sure you have plenty of other backs.

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More Player News
Jets Insider.com has learned that Jets top pick, CB Darrelle Revis, has finally signed. Revis is a very highly rated CB and could make an impact this season as a top CB. Corners are not usually great in IDP leagues, but Revis could be a playermaker and those guys score points. Keep an eye on him.

Beset by injuries in their secondary, the Houston Texans have bolstered the unit by signing 12-year veteran cornerback Tyrone Poole, who had been released by the Oakland Raiders earlier this spring. Poole will add depth to the Texans but won't help your fantasy team. Stay away from him in IDP leagues.

With the season ending injury to S Glenn Earl, the Texans have decided to keep S C.C. Brown at free safety and start S Jason Simmons at strong safety. Von Hutchins is still in the running for the strong safety position but none of them are recommended safeties at this point. I wouldn't draft any of them unless it was a very very deep league.

Lions WR Shaun McDonald is very familiar with the Mike Martz offense and is looking very good this preseason. McDonald will be the 4th WR in Detroit but that could hold some value with the way the Lions spread the ball around the field. Draft McDonald very late if you must have him. Most likely you will be able to get him off the waiver wire.

2007 Week 1 NFL Matchups:

Away	vs R	vs P	Home	vs R	vs P
New Orleans	18	3	Indianapolis	25	9
Atlanta	20	25	Minnesota	1	31
Carolina	8	18	St Louis	32	24
Chicago	10	2	San Diego	4	23
Denver	7	16	Buffalo	24	5
Detroit	17	32	Oakland	19	1
Kansas City	26	19	Houston	28	15
Miami	11	10	Washington	29	11
New Eng	6	20	NY Jets	15	12
NY Giants	14	30	Dallas	13	17
Philadelphia	20	14	Green Bay	9	8
Pittsburgh	5	6	Cleveland	30	22
Tampa Bay	27	12	Seattle	12	26
Tennessee	31	28	Jacksonville	3	7
Arizona	16	27	San Fran	22	21
Baltimore	2	4	Cincinatti	23	29

Larry Johnson Close to a Deal

Larry Johnson Close to a Deal
It is rumored that the Chiefs and RB Larry Johnson are said to be close to a new contract extension. I sure hope this deal gets done so I can draft Johnson as the #3 pick in the draft again. He has been falling in the eyes of fantasy football since his holdout. Stay tuned for more details on this rumor.


More Player News
Two different NFL sources said that commissioner Roger Goddell is expected to announce, in the next week or two, the suspension of QB Michael Vick for the entire 2007 season, according to Yahoo Sports. Most of you are not drafting Vick anyways, so this will not hurt you in your recent drafts.

Bills rookie LB Paul Posluszny had nine tackles and a sack in his NFL debut against the Saints. Pos got off to a great start in his career. He should be picked very early in IDP keeper leagues. He has a nose for the ball and I would love him on my team.

In a 31-16 victory Friday night over Atlanta, Jets QB Kellen Clemens went 16-of-22 for 174 yards and three touchdowns, including two to TE Sean Ryan. Clemens is not a recommended fantasy QB but this recent performance is something to remember for the future.

Jets RB Thomas Jones limped off the practice field after injuring his lower right leg Sunday. There is no word on the severity of the injury. Should this injury become serious, RB Leon Washington would be an excellent draft pick. Jones has been going in the second round in most drafts but could start to fall with the news of this injury.

New England WR Randy Moss participated in all offensive work and practice-ending sprints. Good news for Patriot fans as Moss finally gets back on the field like the rest of the team. It will be interesting to see how Moss behaves throughout the season with his new squad. Moss is a top 15 fantasy WR. I would draft him but I would be hesistant about it. I'm still worried that the past two years were a sign.

L.J. Smith Carted Off Field
Just when it appeared he was on his way a speedy recovery following sports hernia surgery, TE L.J. Smith suffered a setback on Thursday. Smith re-aggravated his injury during a non-contact portion of practice Thursday. It now appears that Smith may miss some time with the injury which will hurt the Eagles offense. Smith is considered a top 10 TE in the fantasy world. I would suggest you shy away from him unless there is positive news in the next couple days.

More Player News

Contrary to previous news, the Buccaneers have placed FB Mike Alstott on injured reserve with a neck injury. It is likely that Alstott will retire from football. His fantasy days are over.

Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson challenged DE Julius Peppers to step up and become the new leader of the defense following safety Mike Minter's retirement. Peppers needs to lead the team but he also needs to lead all DL in points because he is projected to be at the top. Besides Jason Taylor, Peppers is the top DL in fantasy football.

Raiders RB Lamont Jordan will miss the team's first preseason game due to back pains. This will give Dominic Rhodes a chance to shine, but he is suspended for the first four games, so that leads me to advise you to stay away from all Raiders.

Panthers WR Keary Colbert has been running with the first team offense alongside Steve Smith. This means that Colbert has passed Drew Carter on the depth chart. Rookie Dwayne Jarrett is out with a tweaked hammy or he would have a chance to make an impact. Be patient because this battle is not over yet.

Browns LB Willie McGinest will miss the next six weeks of camp due to back surgery on Thursday. McGinest won't help your fantasy team so this doesn't help or hurt in the fantasy world, but it does hurt the defense of the Browns and they need all the help they can get.

Kevin Jones-RB- Lions

The Lions are disputing a Detroit-area radio report that Kevin Jones will stay on PUP and miss the first six games of the regular season.

However, the Detroit Free Press says it's a very real possibility that the Lions will keep Jones on the list. Jones admitted Tuesday his foot is not 100 percent and that he's out of shape. As time goes by, Jones appears less and less likely to be available for the first six games.

Breaking News Wire

8-10-07 | RB Kenny Irons out for season with torn ACL

According to Cincinnati.com, Bengals RB Kenny Irons has a torn ACL and is done for the year.

-- Horrible news, as this kid had a ton of future upside. Rudi Johnson gets a bump in both our redraft and dynasty rankings. Again, like we said below, it isn't that Irons was going to unseat the veteran, but now Rudi seems like a lock for 300+ carries in '07. Watson is now the team's back-up running back.

8-10-07 | RB Clinton Portis (knee) to see Dr. James Andrews

According to WashingtonPost.com, Redskins RB Clinton Portis (knee) will go see orthopedic James Andrews about his knee. Reports suggest that Portis' knee is heading in the right direction, but the runner isn't sure when he will practice next.

-- Portis was already falling into the late-second round — now the runner may fall even further, and to us, this spells value! We just took Portis in the late-second in back-to-back Expert Leagues and we couldn't be more pleased. Yea, there is some risk, but that risk is minimized a ton given that you're getting a runner with top 5-7 potential in the 18-24 range. Hopefully all goes well with Dr. Andrews — we will keep you informed.

8-10-07 | RB Kenny Irons (ankle/knee) carted off the field Thursday Night

According to Enquirer.com, Bengals RB Kenny Irons was carted off the field on Thursday Night after suffering an injury to his left knee and left ankle. The injury occurred in the late-second quarter. Before getting hurt, Irons had run the ball four times for 17 yards.

-- Bad news for dynasty owners — hopefully both injuries aren't season-ending. If they are, Rudi Johnson will rise a bit in both our redraft and dynasty rankings. It isn't that we thought Irons would unseat Rudi, but the rook was sure to steal some decent time from the vet here and there. If Irons is out of the picture, Rudi will rarely take a seat in '07.

8-9-07 | TE L.J. Smith carted off practice field

According to PhillyBurbs.com, Eagles TE L.J. Smith, who underwent sports hernia surgery in May, reportedly aggravated the injury yesterday and was carted off the field. "He tweaked it," head coach Andy Reid said. "We'll see."

-- You can bet that we will keep you posted — no one is commenting much on the injury at the moment.

8-9-07 | RB Tatum Bell: Martz excited about the runner's speed

According to reports, Lions HC Mike Martz can't stop talking about RB Tatum Bell's speed.

-- Martz is reportedly more than thrilled with Bell thus far, so don't expect Bell to remain a draft-day steal for much longer. No one is treating this guy like a starter — take advantage. He is perfect for that Mike Martz offense and it is unclear when Kevin Jones will truly be 100%.

8-9-07 | RB Larry Johnson: Holmes becoming a real threat to fantasy owners?

According to ESPN.com, Chiefs RB Priest Holmes will take the starting job in K.C. if Larry Johnson doesn't step up and grab it. "Somebody has to get the money," he said. "Hey, if L.J. wants to leave the money out there, guess I'm going to take it. If he wants to come get it, it's rightfully his to take. He's earned it. But if he chooses not to come back, well, somebody has to take it. Why won't it be me?"

-- Even with this risk, Johnson is still our #2RB in all formats. If Johnson still isn't signed after the second preseason game, then we may start adjusting some rankings, but until then, our plan is to cash in on the panic. That said, we do advise that all Larry Johnson owners grab both Priest Holmes and rookie RB Kolby Smith just to be safe.

8-9-07 | RB Priest Holmes to take LJ's job if he doesn't want it?

According to ESPN.com, Chiefs RB Priest Holmes will take the starting job in K.C. if Larry Johnson doesn't step up and grab it. "Somebody has to get the money," he said. "Hey, if L.J. wants to leave the money out there, guess I'm going to take it. If he wants to come get it, it's rightfully his to take. He's earned it. But if he chooses not to come back, well, somebody has to take it. Why won't it be me?"

-- Even with this risk, Johnson is still our #2RB in all formats. If Johnson still isn't signed after the second preseason game, then we may start adjusting some rankings, but until then, our plan is to cash in on the panic. That said, we do advise that all Larry Johnson owners grab both Priest Holmes and rookie RB Kolby Smith just to be safe.

8-9-07 | TE Tony Gonzalez to play another three seasons?

According to KansasCity.com, Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez plans on playing for another three years at the NFL level. "Do I want to play five more years?" Gonzalez said. "No. Or four more years? Probably not. Three more years, counting this year, is what I have my eye on at this point."

--Gonzo should be a top 5TE this year, just as long as the Chiefs can get Larry Johnson signed in time for the start of the season. With Johnson in the backfield, the passing game should be better than expected, which will allow Gonzo to do what he does best… catch footballs.

DT Anthony McFarland Likely Out For the Year

Colts DT Anthony McFarland hurt the patella tendon Friday and missed Saturday's controlled scrimmage after an MRI showed the extent of the injury, the team said. The Indianapolis Star reported that it's believed that McFarland tore the tendon, likely ending his season before it begins. This is a big blow to the interior of the Colts defense. McFarland is not a good fantasy player as a DT, so he won't be hurting anyone's fantasy team.

More Player News

Cowboys WR Terrell Owens had a MRI on his stiff lower back Monday. Coach Phillips said the MRI was precautionary because Owens didn't feel any better following treatment on Sunday. I could be wrong but I don't think T.O. likes to practice during the preseason. He always has a reason not to practice. He will be fine and you should still draft him as a top 5 WR.

It appears as if Dallas rookie K Nick Folk has taken the lead in the competition against Martin Gramatica. The rookie draft pick continues to display a strong enough leg on kickoffs and has been successful in field goal attempts in practice. Folk is a rookie kicker so don't bother with him. There are always plenty of kickers to draft.

Broncos WR Brandon Stokley is listed as a first-team wide receiver along with Javon Walker. Domenik Hixon and Brian Clark are the second-teamers; David Kircus and David Terrell are on the third team. Brandon Marshall is currently on the PUP list. Stokely will likely be the WR3 when Marshall returns. Stokely could be a nice sleeper pick in your draft. Don't draft him early but don't forget about him.

Raiders DE Derrick Burgess came off the physically unable to perform list and took part in drills. He did not participate in team sessions. Burgess knows what he is doing this preseason and should be good to go by week 1. Draft him with confidence because he can be a force. He is currently a top 15 defensive lineman.

Packers WR Greg Jennings dropped out of practice today with a hip flexor injury. He has been hampered by the injury for the past week. Jennings was also listed as the team's punt returner on the initial depth chart. I predict Jennings will be fine in a few weeks. He is a player on the rise and will definitely get drafted. Keep him in mind for your WR3 position.

Vernon Davis Impressing the Coaches

49ers TE Vernon Davis continues to look virtually unstoppable at training camp. He has been catching passes out of the backfield, as well as over the middle from the regular tight end position. The 49ers are clearly looking to utilize him in a variety of ways. Davis is a very popular pick when it comes to TEs. I would certainly draft him as a top 5 tight end this season.


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Dallas WR Terrell Owens, who had back spasms, is expected to start in the first preseason game against Indianapolis on Thursday. Hopefully this means T.O. is healthy and we can still draft him as a top 5 WR.

Eagles HC Andy Reid told reporters that he let RB Brian Westbrook leave camp due to personal reasons. The Eagles don't seem concerned so I am not either. Draft him as a top 5 RB in PPR leagues.

Miami Dolphins LB Joey Porter is expected to be out at least two weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday for the third time in two years. Porter is no longer a good IDP player so stay away from him unless he lights it up in the first few weeks of the season.

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson hit the practice field for the Vikings today after nursing a hip-pointer injury. Peterson has an injury history, so it will be interesting to see if he can stay on the field. When healthy, he is a beast. Draft him as your RB3 this season.

Kansas City Chiefs RB Priest Holmes has a message for holdout All-Pro Larry Johnson: If you don't want the job, I'll take it. Johnson and Holmes do not have the best relationship, so this should motivate Johnson to come to camp and play football. Johnson is one of the best backs in the league and I would still draft him as such. I don't believe the holdout will be much longer. I would be shocked if Holmes returned to the field and made a fantasy impact.

Chris Simms Listed as #3 on Depth Chart

The Bucs released their first depth chart of the season and there are some interesting developments. QB Luke McCown is the No. 2 quarterback behind starter Jeff Garcia. More surprising is that Chris Simms is listed third, ahead of Bruce Gradkowski. Simms did have spleen surgery and has been limited, so he may rebound but we will not see the quarterback controversy we expected. Jeff Garcia is the guy in Tampa, so draft him as a QB2 and leave Simms on the waiver wire.

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After 10 seasons in the NFL, Carolina S Mike Minter has decided to retire. He announced his retirement in a press conference today. Minter has been one of the better safeties in the game for many years and he will be missed.

Seahawks TE Marcus Pollard is the unquestioned starter in Seattle, according to HC Mike Holmgren. Pollard is no longer a top tight end like he was in Indianapolis. Draft him as your second TE if you must have him on your team.

Raiders WR Doug Gabriel was listed on the third team when Oakland put out their first depth chart. Gabriel may end up getting playing time this season but the poor Oakland offense makes him unattactive in fantasy leagues. Stay away from Gabriel until the Raiders get a better team.

The Jaguars issued their first "unofficial'' depth chart Monday for the preseason opener Saturday night against Miami. WR Reggie Williams was listed as the third-team receiver behind Dennis Northcutt and Charles Sharon. Coach Jack Del Rio usually downplays the first depth chart of the season, but it's an indication that Williams will have to fight to win a roster spot. Williams will most likely move up the depth chart but he should only be a WR3 on a fantasy team. I wouldn't touch him because the QB play in Jacksonville is erratic.

The Bears traded CB Dante Wesley to the Patriots today for a draft pick. The Bears continue to pile up draft picks, while the Patriots get secondary help. The trade gives the Patriots added depth since Asante Samuel continues to hold out. Wesley is not recommended in IDP leagues.

Eric Parker Out 10 Weeks

San Diego Chargers WR Eric Parker will miss the start of the season, and possibly as many as six games after having surgery on his big toe Friday afternoon. If he does miss the full 10 weeks, as the Chargers expect, he will likely not be able to play until Oct. 28 against Houston. This is bad news for a WR that was hoping to move up in the world this season, but for us fantasy players the injury opens the door for rookie WR Craig Davis to make a move. Davis should be the WR2 for the Chargers and have ample opportunity to help your fantasy team. Draft him as a sleeper and a WR4 at best.

Pre-Season Kickoff
It wasn't on cable TV, but the pre-season kicked off last night in the NFL. The Steelers beat the Saints 20-7. Nothing really happened in the fantasy world as most of the "real" players were on the bench. WR Santonio Holmes did catch a TD pass and he could be a nice draft selection in your upcoming drafts. The good news is that football is officially here. 

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Former LSU receiver Dwayne Bowe, who was the 23rd overall pick in the draft, agreed to terms with the Chiefs on Sunday, sources told ESPN.com's John Clayton. Bowe is expected in camp Monday. Bowe is very talented but he doesn't have a QB or a respectable offense going for him, so only draft him in keeper/dynasty leagues.

Cleveland Browns QB Charlie Frye is making impressive strides in recent training camp practices. After getting off to a slow, if not miserable start, Frye is now making some noise and putting pressure on Derek Anderson as the QB battle heats up. Don't buy into the optimism. Frye and Anderson are both QBs that should not be drafted in fantasy leagues.

New Orleans Saints WR Robert Meachem is still recovering from a knee injury, and it shows. His play during recent practices has been described as "erratic", and he's currently behind David Patten for the third receiver position. Meachem is a good draft selection in dynasty leagues but he cannot be depended on for redraft leagues. However, WRs Marques Colston and Devery Henderson are both very good draft selections.

Chicago Bears RB Cedric Benson has been fumbling regularly in training camp and has been losing snaps to Adrian Peterson. In fact, it's been Peterson, and not Benson that has been taking most of the snaps with the first team unit as of Saturday. I still believe Benson will be a very good RB this season. He should get the majority of the snaps for a very good Bears team. He is a second round draft selection in almost all redraft leagues.

Rookie wide receiver Calvin Johnson signed a six-year deal with the Detroit Lions on Friday, ending the No. 2 overall pick's eight-day holdout. Johnson is a stud and a freak of a talent. He should be taken #1 in dynasty leagues and drafted as a WR3 in redraft leagues. Take a chance on this guy, because he is something special.

The Stud WR Theory

This strategy is one that I have been forced to follow the past two seasons. Shockingly enough, although wildly inconsistent and lacking confidence, I have won back-to-back division titles. I know, unbelievable isn't it? I was forced into this approach by having the misfortune of selecting near the end of our serpentine draft, and had to find a way to keep up with the Tomlinson's.

The theory of this strategy is that instead of picking from the scrapings of running backs your fellow owners have left you with your top two picks; you instead take the top two wide receivers on the board. Starting out with players such as Marvin Harrison and Terrell Owens can give you an advantage over all of your opponents at this position on any given week. Seeing these top two receivers go may also spark a run on the position, thus leaving you more attractive options at running backs in the rounds to follow.

One other highlight to this strategy is that the top wide receivers in the league are usually consistent in their production from season to season, and every year there are running backs drafted before them that don't live up to the hype. See Cadillac Williams, Lamont Jordan and Ronnie Brown from 2006, all of which went before I selected Harrison.

The problem with this strategy is that wide receivers can be extremely erratic and you are now forced to draft even lesser talented running backs with your next two or three picks. Most also agree that the talent pool at wide receiver is much deeper than at the running back position, so how much of an advantage are you really going to have?

Like I said in the beginning, I have been forced to use this strategy two years in a row and have been fortunate enough to see success, but I was probably the most prepared owner going into the draft knowing that this was my fate. With your 3rd-5th round picks certain to be running backs, make sure you do your homework on the players that will be available to you in those rounds. Research and preparation such as Mock Drafting will help immensely and if you are lucky enough to uncover a diamond in the rough or find that rookie that outperforms expectations, it will make your season much less stressful when the LaDainian's and LJ's are scoring at will, knowing you still have a chance.

Championships have been won with numerous strategies and tactics on draft day. Weather you chose to follow the SRBT, VBD, the Stud WR Theory, make sure you have A plan. Do your research, study hard and find what will work best for you based on your league, and take that plan to the draft with confidence.

Chester Taylor Carted Off Field
Vikings RB Chester Taylor left Blakeslee Stadium on a cart this morning with a right shoulder or right arm injury. He was hit after catching a pass and, after a short period of time, appeared to be in a lot of pain.

If this injury is serious, the stock of rookie RB Adrian Peterson will go through the roof. Peterson is already highly regarded in fantasy football, but the starting job would move him up into the top 15 running backs. Taylor rushed for 1,216 yards last season with six TDs and will still have some fantasy value if this injury is not serious. Stay tuned for more details on the injury.

Terrell Owens Has Bad Hammy
Dallas WR Terrell Owens missed Tuesday afternoon's practice to rest a sore hamstring, according to the team's trainers. We have been told that this is nothing to worry about but didn't T.O. have hamstring issues last season? I hope this isn't a sign of things to come for the star receiver. As of now, T.O. is a top 5 WR that should be drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round of redraft leagues. 

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Although there is no contract set to be signed in the immediate future, rookie WR Calvin Johnson's agent, Bus Cook, has said that he and the Lions are making headway. Both parties need to hurry up so this freak of a talent can get on the field. Johnson is crucial to the success of the Lions and of many fantasy footballers. Johnson is the #1 pick in many rookie drafts and is considered a WR3 in redraft leagues.

Having been limited through most of training camp because of a surgically-repaired shoulder, Patriots RB Laurence Maroney was able to get most of the first-team reps in camp today. This is good news for those of you that were worried about Maroney. I am not worried about him and would draft him as the number nine pick in the draft.

Jaguars C Brad Meester broke a bone in his right foot and will be sidelined at least eight weeks. He is scheduled to have surgery Wednesday. Meester has anchored the Jags line for years. This injury could have an impact on the effectiveness of Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers HC Jon Gruden said Tuesday that projected starting QB Jeff Garcia is nursing a hamstring injury. No worries as Garcia has plenty of time to get well and he also doesn't have much competition to worry about in Chris Simms. Garcia could be a pleasant surprise to fantasy owners this season. Draft him as a QB3.

While working out at a gym, Browns QB Charlie Frye learned from the mobile Donovan McNabb the fine art of when to run out of the pocket and when to stay put. "I picked up some different ideas from him as far as his scrambling abilities and why he doesn't do it anymore," said Frye. With Brady Quinn working on a contract, Frye is getting all the important snaps. Don't get me wrong, I still wouldn't touch Frye with a ten foot pole.

Vernand Morency to Miss Two Weeks
Green Bay RB Vernand Morency's knee injury is more serious than initially believed, and he likely will miss two weeks of practice, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said today. No details of the injury have been released but the big news is that rookie RB Brandon Jackson will get more reps in practice with Morency on the sideline. Many fantasy owners are excited about the opportunity to draft Jackson as a sleeper for the '07 season. Jackson should be drafted early in dynasty/keeper leagues, but only as a RB3 in redraft leagues.

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Detroit Lions president Matt Millen said this afternoon that rookie QB Drew Stanton will have his knee scoped to clean out cartilage. Stanton will most likely be out approximately one month. With Jon Kitna leading the way, Stanton has very little value for the '07 season.

Chicago QB Brian Griese has been disappointing in camp so far, as his passes have been off target and he continues to throw interceptions. Griese can be handcuffed with Rex Grossman if you must have a Bears quarterback on your team, but I wouldn't advise it.

Chicago Bears first round draft pick TE Greg Olsen continued to impress during Monday's practice with a spectacular one-handed TD catch. Olsen has done everything right so far as a pro. He continues to climb the TE rankings and should be drafted in keeper leagues. Tight Ends rarily have a huge fantasy impact but this guy is opening eyes.

Cowboys WR Sam Hurd is the clear No. 4 receiver in camp. HC Wade Phillips was asked about Hurd as a special teams player yesterday and responded, "We have high hopes for him as a receiver." Hurd has no fantasy value at this point with Owens, Glenn, and Crayton all seeing the field on a regular basis. Leave him on the waiver wire.

Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren has said that WR D.J. Hackett has the inside track to be the starter opposite Deion Branch. Hackett had 45 receptions and four TDs last season. He is a guy that you want to draft late in the draft. He has good potential to be a break out player this season. Draft him as your WR4 and hope he explodes onto the scene.

49ers RB Frank Gore suffered a slight setback in training camp today after it was learned he broke a bone on the top of his right hand, according to the Sacramento Bee. The injury occured during non-contact drills in the 49ers' morning practice.

HC Mike Nolan said Gore needed a cast put on the hand, but would only have to miss a portion of the pre-season. This injury is not expected to bother him into the regular season. Gore set a goal of 2,000 rushing yards in 2007.

On the bright side, it gives Nolan a real opportunity to evaluate the backups, Michael Robinson, Maurice Hicks and rookie Thomas Clayton. Currently the front-runner as Gore's primary backup is Robinson, but Hicks has shown signs of success at times and the team is also pretty high on Taylor. Stay tuned.