Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antwaan Randle El appears to have won the starting job opposite Hines Ward. Randle El will replace Plaxico Burress, who left to join Eli Manning and the New York Giants in the offseason.
Randle El posseses a tremendous amount of athletic talent and should do well in the Steelers offense. Hines Ward will continue to be the favorite target of Ben Roethlisberger, but Randle El will be a nice #2 compliment.
Because the Steelers have a run first offense, there may not be enough passing attempts to make Randle El an every week fantasy starter. His raw talent makes him worth a look, but I wouldn't count on putting him in your fantasy football lineup on a weekly basis.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Fantasy Football League - Jerry Porter's Slow Healing Hammy
Oakland Raider's WR Jerry Porter will not play in the preseason finale against the Saints because of an injured hamstring. Porter has been slowed throughout the preseason and his recovery is not going as quickly as planned. He is looking iffy for the week 1 opener against New England.
Jerry Porter's fantasy football owners may want to find another option at WR until his hamstring heals up. Porter is expected to bookend Randy Moss on what should be a potent Oakland Raiders offense. But if his injury doesn't heal soon, expect Porter to get off to a slower start this year. WR Ronald Curry is currently listed on the depth chart behind Porter along with Doug Gabriel.
Jerry Porter's fantasy football owners may want to find another option at WR until his hamstring heals up. Porter is expected to bookend Randy Moss on what should be a potent Oakland Raiders offense. But if his injury doesn't heal soon, expect Porter to get off to a slower start this year. WR Ronald Curry is currently listed on the depth chart behind Porter along with Doug Gabriel.
Fantasy Football League - Hurrican Katrina may Force Saints Out of Town
Hurricane Katrina continues to devastate New Orleans. It will be quite some time before the city is functioning normally, and it may force the NFL's New Orleans Saints to play their home opener in another location. There have reportedly been talks with San Antonio to play in the Alamodome and the team plans on practicing there after Thursday night's exhibition against the Oakland Raiders.
This is a terrible situation and many of the New Orleans Saints players have had their homes destroyed. It would be very understandable if the team is distracted by this tragedy for many weeks to come. Hopefully, they will be able to return to the Superdome this season, but undoubtedly, they will be dealing with the effects of Hurricane Katrina throughout the year.
This is a terrible situation and many of the New Orleans Saints players have had their homes destroyed. It would be very understandable if the team is distracted by this tragedy for many weeks to come. Hopefully, they will be able to return to the Superdome this season, but undoubtedly, they will be dealing with the effects of Hurricane Katrina throughout the year.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Fantasy Football League - Priest Holmes challenged by Larry Johnson
Kansas City Chiefs Running Back Priest Holmes is being challenged by backup running back Larry Johnson for the starting role this seasonl. As of now, Coach Dick Vermeil has insisted that there is no running back controversy, but L. Johnson's stellar play this preseason has rasied questions as to how Vermeil will keep both running backs happy.
ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported on Monday that the Chiefs plan to split time among both backs as much as 60-40 in favor of Holmes. This is not welcome news for Priest Holmes owners.
Vermeil is insisting that Holmes is the starter, however, it looks like the Chiefs may end up using a running back by committee this year. With Holmes age and history of injuries, it makes sense not to overuse him. Moreover, its becoming increasingly difficult to hold back the surging Larry Johnson. It will be interesting to see how this situation develops throughout the season. I would expect Larry Johnson to get a higher share of playing time as the season progresses.
ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported on Monday that the Chiefs plan to split time among both backs as much as 60-40 in favor of Holmes. This is not welcome news for Priest Holmes owners.
Vermeil is insisting that Holmes is the starter, however, it looks like the Chiefs may end up using a running back by committee this year. With Holmes age and history of injuries, it makes sense not to overuse him. Moreover, its becoming increasingly difficult to hold back the surging Larry Johnson. It will be interesting to see how this situation develops throughout the season. I would expect Larry Johnson to get a higher share of playing time as the season progresses.
Fantasy Football League - Wide Receivers get Axed
Two WR's who once showed great promise have been cut by their respective teams. Peter Warrick, the #4 overall pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2000, was released today and is now a free agent. In Atlanta, WR Peerless Price, who was wooed by the Falcons in 2003 in a trade with the Buffalo Bills, was also released.
Both WR were not expected to have much of a fantasy impact this year, but it just goes to show you how quickly things can change in the NFL.
Both WR were not expected to have much of a fantasy impact this year, but it just goes to show you how quickly things can change in the NFL.
Fantasy Football League - Willie Parker likely to start as week 1 RB for Steelers
Because of injuries to Duce Staley and Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steelers RB Willie Parker will most likely get the start in week 1.
If you are in need of a starting running back for week one, you may want to think about picking up Parker. Parker played the last game of the year last year and rushed for 102 yards. He's also looked good in the preseason.
Bettis and Staley are expected to be back from injuries early in the season, but you may be able to get a start or two out of Willie.
If you are in need of a starting running back for week one, you may want to think about picking up Parker. Parker played the last game of the year last year and rushed for 102 yards. He's also looked good in the preseason.
Bettis and Staley are expected to be back from injuries early in the season, but you may be able to get a start or two out of Willie.
Fantasy Football League - St. Louis Romps Detroit - Steven Jackson Runs for 108 yd
The St. Louis Rams looked sharp last night, beating the Detroit Lions 37-13. The Rams passing game looked as explosive as ever, with Mark Bulger and Isaac Bruce connecting for a 31 yard touchdown in the second quarter. Steven Jackson also punished the Lions with 108 rushing yards and a TD.
Detroit, unfortunately, did not look any better than they did last year. QB Joey Harrington was only 9/18 for 106 yards and the team didn't score a touchdown until the end of the fourth quarter.
Fantasy football owners should feel good about the Rams again this year. All of the major players are back except RB Marshall Faulk, and second year RB Steven Jackson looks like a worthy replacement for Faulk.
Detroit, however, still looks inconsistent on offense. I expect WR Roy Williams and RB Kevin Jones to have some great games, but there are probably going to be weeks where they don't score very many fantasy points. This is supposed to be the year that Detroit turns the corner. It remains to be seen whether or not that will happen.
Detroit, unfortunately, did not look any better than they did last year. QB Joey Harrington was only 9/18 for 106 yards and the team didn't score a touchdown until the end of the fourth quarter.
Fantasy football owners should feel good about the Rams again this year. All of the major players are back except RB Marshall Faulk, and second year RB Steven Jackson looks like a worthy replacement for Faulk.
Detroit, however, still looks inconsistent on offense. I expect WR Roy Williams and RB Kevin Jones to have some great games, but there are probably going to be weeks where they don't score very many fantasy points. This is supposed to be the year that Detroit turns the corner. It remains to be seen whether or not that will happen.
Monday, August 29, 2005
Fantasy Football League - Michael Bennett and Mewelde Moore
Viking's running backs Michael Bennett and Mewelde Moore will probably miss Friday's preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks. Bennett is still undecided as to whether or not he will miss the first game of the season.
It looks like Bennett still has the starting job when he gets healthy. Bennett has a history of injuries, so its not a bad idea to have Moore sitting on your bench.
It looks like Bennett still has the starting job when he gets healthy. Bennett has a history of injuries, so its not a bad idea to have Moore sitting on your bench.
Fantasy Football League - Cedric Benson Finally Signs with the Bears
Chicago Bears RB Cedric Benson has finally signed with the team, after holding out for almost the entire preseason. The contract is reportedly for 5 years.
Thomas Jones has looked sharp in Benson's absence. I would expect Jones to start the season as the top RB, but Benson could see more action as the season progresses.
Thomas Jones has looked sharp in Benson's absence. I would expect Jones to start the season as the top RB, but Benson could see more action as the season progresses.
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Fantasy Football League - Weekend Roundup
The fantasy football season is quickly approaching and this weekend was most likely our last chance to get a look at the league's top players before the season kicks off. Here are some of the weekends most interesting developments.
1. Mike Anderson seems to have secured the starting RB job in Denver, rushing for 159 yards and scoring 2 touchdowns against the Colts on Saturday.
2. Terrell Owens and Donovan McNabb hooked up for the first time this season and put up stellar numbers.
3. Kansas City Chiefs backup RB Larry Johnson put up massive numbers again this week and overshadowed Priest Holmes. Johnson is expected to have a greater role in the offense this year. Don't be suprised if he ends up being the starter by the end of the year.
4. Miami Dolphins RB Ricky Williams looked good against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, rushing for 59 yards and a touchdown in 10 carries. Rookie Ronnie Brown did not look impressive, picking up only 20 yards in 6 carries. Williams is suspended for the first four games, giving Brown a chance to win the job. If Brown fails to perform, look for Ricky to take over.
5. Cowboys RB Julius Jones continues to look strong, rushing 10 times for 50 yards and a touchdowns against the Houston Texans.
6. The Colts offense finally got it going against the Denver Broncos, putting to rest fears that the offense was out of sync. Manning threw for 206 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2-1/2 quarters.
7. Bears rookie Kyle Orton has won the starting QB position. He outperformed Chad Hutchinson in the preseason and has played with a great deal of poise.
8. Seattle Seahawks WR Darrell Jackson caught seven passes for 99 yards and one touchdown.
9. Tampa Bay rookie running back Cadillac Williams looked great, gaining 28 yards in five carries for Tampa Bay against Miami on Saturday.
10. Maurice Clarett has been cut by the Denver Broncos.
1. Mike Anderson seems to have secured the starting RB job in Denver, rushing for 159 yards and scoring 2 touchdowns against the Colts on Saturday.
2. Terrell Owens and Donovan McNabb hooked up for the first time this season and put up stellar numbers.
3. Kansas City Chiefs backup RB Larry Johnson put up massive numbers again this week and overshadowed Priest Holmes. Johnson is expected to have a greater role in the offense this year. Don't be suprised if he ends up being the starter by the end of the year.
4. Miami Dolphins RB Ricky Williams looked good against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, rushing for 59 yards and a touchdown in 10 carries. Rookie Ronnie Brown did not look impressive, picking up only 20 yards in 6 carries. Williams is suspended for the first four games, giving Brown a chance to win the job. If Brown fails to perform, look for Ricky to take over.
5. Cowboys RB Julius Jones continues to look strong, rushing 10 times for 50 yards and a touchdowns against the Houston Texans.
6. The Colts offense finally got it going against the Denver Broncos, putting to rest fears that the offense was out of sync. Manning threw for 206 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2-1/2 quarters.
7. Bears rookie Kyle Orton has won the starting QB position. He outperformed Chad Hutchinson in the preseason and has played with a great deal of poise.
8. Seattle Seahawks WR Darrell Jackson caught seven passes for 99 yards and one touchdown.
9. Tampa Bay rookie running back Cadillac Williams looked great, gaining 28 yards in five carries for Tampa Bay against Miami on Saturday.
10. Maurice Clarett has been cut by the Denver Broncos.
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