Projo Fantasy Sports Blog

By David Ferris

"Selling Low" is generally not a recommended plan for fantasy success, but you have my blessing with Shaun Alexander. He's more interested in hitting the ground than hitting the hole these days, and you can't blame the Seahawks for parceling out touches to Maurice Morris and Leonard Weaver. It was interesting to see Mike Holmgren trading sharp words with Alexander on the sideline Sunday, in a game Seattle controlled from start to finish. We're not going to see a happy ending here.

Kevin Jones looked quick and decisive from the opening snap Sunday, and more importantly, Mike Martz was willing to stick with the running game over four quarters. Give Jones two months of health and he'll prove to be trustable as an every-week fantasy starter. Tatum Bell, incidentally, didn't get a touch against Tampa Bay.

Jesse Chatman isn't anywhere near the talent Ronnie Brown is, but at least the Miami run blocking has been upgraded to the respectable level this year. Chatman becomes a must-add this week as we find out more about Brown's knee injury.

Buffalo's play-calling in the red zone is embarrassing. It's like they're playing for three the moment they cross the 20-yard line. Normally I make it a mandate to pick fantasy kickers from winning teams, but Rian Lindell is a possible exception to the rule.

Scott Linehan's rep as an offensive genius has completely collapsed over the past year. This offense can't score or protect its quarterback, and injuries alone aren't a just excuse. In shallow leagues, it's OK to drop Marc Bulger.

It's ridiculous that the Falcons can't find at least 12-15 touches for Jerious Norwood every week, clearly the best player in this offense. Warrick Dunn looks done at age 32, plodding around at three yards a carry. Use your best personnel, Bobby Petrino.

Don't forget about Chris Henry in Cincinnati, who is two games away from reinstatement and capable of scoring 4-6 times in the second half as an explosive No. 3 receiver. Carson Palmer can't wait to have his slot machine back in the fold, taking advantage of Henry's elite talent against lesser corners.

Quick Hits:

Brian Griese has improved in every start and is a good play against the leaky Detroit secondary next week . . . Keep an ear peeled to the Elias Sports Bureau over the next few days; the Reggie Bush touchdown catch will likely be switched to a run, taking a catch away from Bush and a touchdown pass from Drew Brees . . . Bo Scaife and Vince Young may have the secret college handshake and all that, but Scaife's been more productive with Kerry Collins this year . . . Opportunity has made LenDale White viable more than anything else – he led the NFL in goal-line carries into Week 7 – but it was encouraging to see him producing in the passing game against Houston . . . A gadget play on a the game-deciding 2-point conversion? You're too cute for your own good, Ken Whisenhunt . . . A tip of the cap to Kenny Watson, a hard worker who never got his fair shot in Washington (even when the Redskins were desperate for a running back). He's earned the right to keep 40 percent of the touches even when Rudi Johnson is ready to play again . . . I've never seen a quarterback get the time to throw that Tom Brady is enjoying these days. Is the opposition required to rattle off 15 Gostkowskis before rushing the pocket? . . . Maybe there's something special about Tarvaris Jackson, but it's escaped me to this point. He'll make a nice play with his legs every now and again, but he isn't hitting his receivers in stride, when he connects with them at all . . . It didn't amount to a lot on the scoreboard, but Daunte Culpepper threw the ball better Sunday than he has in two years . . . Kurt Warner continues to be a trick-or-treat quarterback; he'll move the ball every week, but turnovers are part of the package, too . . . Brady's next three touchdown passes might just go to Russ Francis, Ben Coates and Don Hasselbeck. Brady steps on your throat with his explosive wideouts in the middle of the field, but when the Patriots get around the goal it's all about the big targets . . . I'll be very surprised if Charlie Weis isn't back in the NFL before the end of the decade.

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