It’s looking more and more likely that Matt Leinart get some more quality co-ed hot tub time now that he’s lost his grip on the #1 QB position. Derek Anderson will start Saturday night for the Cardinals and unless he sacrifices small woodland creatures on the field, I think he’ll retain the job. Leinart has looked like Trent Edward’s illiterate cousin and even though Anderson hasn’t looked much better, he does have some confidence in his ability and will at least try! Leinart always seems to be trying not to lose, which means you lose every time. Anderson isn’t going to win them many games, but he’s probably better for the offense since he will open the field up.
Donnie Avery: All indications are that Avery has a long term knee injury. He was the speedster/deep man for the Rams and this is just another reason to think somebody is out to get the Rams. They’ll need to find someone else to stretch the field. And protect Bradford.
Laurence Maroney: He has not played at all the last 2 preseason games. It looks like he has yet again performed a Dookie Davenport in Bill Belichick’s soup bowl. This makes absolutely no sense. Every other Patriots RB is getting work, so even if Maroney is 4th on the depth chart he should be getting a carry or two. Hopefully something will come out to give us some direction. It seems like they might as well trade him to the Redskins.
Leon Washington: He is starting the third and usually the most important preseason game and has been working with the 1st team in practice. I don’t think this means he has won the starting job, but it shows just how wide open and committee-ized the Seahawk backfield is. My Forsett love is declining rapidly. I think he has the ability to have a big year, but L Dub’s quick recovery and with Julius Jones still in the mix, I just can’t in good conscious target him anymore.
Laurent Robinson: He is now the #1 receiver in St. Louis, which makes him equivalent to the #3 or #4 in Indianapolis/New Orleans. But he does have a higher ceiling if Bradford continues to play like he did against the Patriots. There are a few options at WR in St. Louis, so quite a few players could step up, but if you are in a PPR league, pay attention to the next guy.
Danny Amendola: One of the many Wes Welker knock offs, Amendola has the slot position wrapped up. He caught 5 passes for 50 yards and will be a major target for Bradford who will need to get rid of the ball quickly. If you are also in a return yardage league you might as well crown this scraptastic scrapper.
Rob Gronkowski: Aaron Hernandez had been getting all the early work and has looked very good in doing so, but he sat out against the Rams and Gronkowski got 2 TDs. Add to that Alge Crumpler made a great catch on the sidelines and you have a tight end three way I am going to stay away from.
Wes Welker: He got through another game and had some of those YAC we all so enjoy. You have to be a little cautious since his surgery wasn’t that long ago, but as long as he doesn’t reinjure anything he’ll be playing week 1, productively.
Owen Daniels: He has finally been cleared to play some football. He won’t be stepping in and dominating soon, but once he gets back going he has plenty of upside. He’s still a little risky, but this is good news for those that own him.
Antonio Bryant: It looked like the Bengals were ready to release him, but now he might be going on IR. Whatever happens it’s not good news for Bryant or anyone who owns him. Drop him off your draft boards completely.
Michael Hoomanawanui: I mentioned him in my deep sleeper article and he goes out and scores 2 touchdowns. You’re not getting too many of those games in the regular season, but he looks like he has won the starting job over Daniel Fells. His nickname is “Uh Oh” if you need to ask him for something and don’t want to butcher his name.
Joseph Addai: The guy looked great. I’ve been rooting against him because I feel like Donald Brown is the future, but right now it doesn’t look like Joe wants to go. Addai was pass protecting extremely well and also making great runs. I still think the Colts won’t want to pay him after the season, so will try to get Brown work, but they also want to win and Addai looks like the guy to help them do that right now. He did leave the game with a concussion so we have to keep an eye on that, but I doubt it keeps him out of any of the regular season.
Sam Bradford: He was 15/22 for 189 yards with 2 touchdowns and was accurate and poised in the pocket. He looked like the real deal tonight, but the Pats defense also looked like they really didn’t want to be there. Whatever. He’s going to have plenty of growing pains and will get sacked a bunch, but if he can keep from getting shell shocked David Carr style he’ll be good and hopefully help SJax a little.
Demaryius Thomas: He didn’t reinjure his stress fractured foot, but it’s worrisome that the same foot is hurting. He’ll have to work hard to become fantasy relevant this season. His name conjures up fantasy flier, but no more. No more!
Devone Bess: With Greg Camarillo going to Minnesota this gives Bess a little more breathing room in fantasy circles. With a new Marshall in town Bess won’t be able to do much more than last season, but he had a decent PPR year and could easily repeat those numbers.
