Fantasy Nation Week 3

[eagle eye]

Holy bruiser, Batman! What is it Boy Wonder? The Cleveland Browns traded the 3rd pick overall in the 2012 draft to the Indianapolis Colts for a 1st round pick in 2015! You've got to be shitting me Robin (this is the graphic novel Batman)!? No, it's true Batman, it's really true! We've got to rush to the Bat-computer and analyze this right away---TO THE BATCAVE! Pow! Bam! ZOWIE!

Okay, the superhero reference aside this is a HUGE deal! Not only does Indianapolis get markedly better, the Browns get a lot worse without a real threat behind whatever QB Cleveland rolls out. Earlier today the Browns released a statement announcing Brian Hoyer will start over Jason Campbell. Now, it's being rumored that Brandon Weeden may not get his job back when his injured thumb heals. Since Weeden was the other 1st round pick in 2012 by the Browns who basically kicked Colt McCoy to the curb by drafting Weeden. The biggest knock on Weeden was his age. He was 28 years old at the time of the draft and it may raise red flags to other teams in the NFL despite the fact that there a several teams who could use an upgrade at QB. The Browns may be looking for a trade for Weeden because it is believed that Cleveland is maneuvering to get one of the several QBs coming out in next year's draft. Cleveland wants to get a true franchise QB who is young enough to grow into the job and be worth building a team around.

Also, the news is breaking that Cleveland will sign RB Willis McGahee pending his passing a physical tomorrow. McGahee had been with Denver prior to his off season release and had been effective. His season was cut short in 2012 by a torn MCL ligament and compression fracture of his right knee suffered against San Diego in Week 11. The bad thing about McGahee is he's done well in all his stops in the NFL. He succeeded in Buffalo gaining 1,000+ yards in two of the three seasons he played there, he helped get the Baltimore Ravens to the playoffs in 2007 and 2008 but he ended up losing his job to 2nd year player Ray Rice in 2009. In 2010 McGahee stuck with the Ravens despite his reduced work load. In 2011 he went to the Denver Broncos and he led the Broncos in rushing and he tied Arian Foster for the most 100+ yard games in 2011. In 2012 McGahee was on pace for a 1000 yard season when he tore up his knee again. McGahee has been in the league officially since 2003 but practically since 2004 since he sat out 2003 rehabbing the knee he totally blew out in the national championship game with the Miami Hurricanes in one of the most gruesome looking injuries ever seen. MaGahee will help the Browns if healthy and it remains to be seen if he can pass the Browns physical.

What about the fantasy implications of today's deal? Well, for Indianapolis it is huge. Richardson is going to a good team with a franchise QB and decent O-line which can't be said of the Browns. He will rush for 1000 yards as a Colt if he stays healthy. His situation, as has the Colts, is greatly improved. The Browns lost their only real pro bowl caliber player on offense. This makes Ahmad Bradshaw a backup in big hurry and it could mean Bradshaw becomes expendable. In Week 3 I don't have a lot of confidence that Richardson will be much of a factor because he just doesn't have time to learn the offense but as the weeks go by he will be a must play every week.
As for Cleveland, even with Richardson Cleveland wasn't very good. Do I think McGahee can do the same thing Richardson did? Please, even though I like McGahee, he's a guy who's had several major knee injuries and is in his 10th season. If he stays healthy he's going to need to be spelled by ex-Longhorn Chris Ogbanaya or 2nd year back out of Western Kentucky Bobby Rainey. If McGahee passes his physical then, like Richardson, I wouldn't expect much in Week 3 but he will be featured in a running back by committee rotation which means I don't look for too much from any Browns RB for the forseeable future.

Sorry this post is so long but the implications in the real world and in the fantasy football universe is, as I said before, HUGE, especially for Indy.

[eagle eye]

Here is this week's starts and sits. As per last week I am not giving explanations for my picks but if you have comments or questions...............well, you know what to do.

QB Starts

Matthew Stafford vs Redskins
Sam Bradford vs Cowboys (5th most fantasy points for QBs so far)
Tony Romo vs Rams
Andy Dalton vs Packers

Sleeper: Cam Newtron vs Giants


QB Sits

Tom Brady vs Buccaneers
Ben Roethlesberger vs Bears
Terrelle Pryor vs Broncos
Jay Cutler vs Steelers

RB Starts

Chris Johnson vs Chargers
Reggie Bush/Joique Bell vs Redskins (Bush could be limited or out meaning Bell would play - Redskins bad against the run)
Frank Gore vs Colts
Knowshon Moreno vs Raiders


RB Sits

DeMarco Murray vs Rams(Set record vs Rams in 2010 but Rams only gave up 42 yards rushing in the first two weeks)
David Wilson vs Panthers
Maurice Jones-Drew vs Seahawks
John Starks vs Bengals
Stevan Ridley vs Buccaneers


WR Starts

Brian Hartline vs Atlanta (Wallace may be a scratch or limited due groin injury)
Anquan Bolden vs Colts
Hakeem Nicks vs Panthers
Julian Edelman vs Buccaneers

WR Sits

Roddy White vs Miami (White has been hurt)
Greg Jennings vs Browns (Jennings will be shut down by Joe Haden)
Cecil Shorts vs Seahawks
Antonio Brown vs Bears
Mike Williams vs Patriots

TE Starts

Greg Olsen vs Giants
Martellus Bennett vs Steelers
Owen Daniels vs Ravens
Jordan Cameron vs Packers
Julius Thomas vs Raiders

Sleeper: Charles Clay vs Falcons

TE Sits

Kyle Rudolph vs Browns
Brandon Myers vs Panthers
Heath Miller vs Bears (May not be ready to play yet and limited if he does)
Fred Davis vs Lions


A few potential sleepers to consider:

Chris Ivory vs the Bills (Jets do 'ground-and-pound' at home vs Bills)
Rashard Mendenhall vs Saints (Cards want to run against so-so Saints D to keep Brees on the sideline)
Tavon Austin vs Cowboys (Cowboys give up big plays and Austin is big play guy)
DeAndre Hopkins vs Ravens (Hopkins is emerging as a top flight receiver)
Colby Fleener vs 49ers (It's time for Fleener to step up with Dwayne Allen out)
Minnesota D/ST vs Browns (Vikings D hasn't been bad and Cleveland's O has been)

[boomer]

Let's look at some injuries that could have an impact on you games this week.


Fantasy Football Injury Reports: Quarterbacks

Blaine Gabbert, Jaguars
9/20: Ruled out for Sunday's game.

9/19: Blaine Gabbert is not expected to play per the Florida Times Union.

9/17: Head coach Gus Bradley said he doesn't expect Blaine Gabbert to be ready for the Seattle game.

Brandon Weeden, Browns
9/18: Brian Hoyer will start Sunday.

9/17: ESPN Cleveland guesses Brandon Weeden will sit out.





Fantasy Football Injury Reports: Running Backs

Le'Veon Bell, Steelers
9/20: Le'Veon Bell was limited again Friday.

9/19: Le'Veon Bell practiced Thursday, but he said he's probably not going to play.

9/17: Le'Veon Bell may practice this week, but he's likely to be out again.

Reggie Bush, Lions

Bush is a huge risk to start this week and even if he does the chance of a full game is next to none. I wou;d play bell , a good RB2 as it is and with no bush a solid RB1 in the PPR leagues. I say go away from Bush thios week though.

9/21: ProFootballTalk.com reports that the Lions may keep Reggie Bush out as a precaution. I'd wait for a more reliable source Sunday morning before making my decision.

9/20: Reggie Bush is questionable, but impressed during Friday's practice.

9/19: Reggie Bush missed practice again Thursday. Team doctors haven't cleared him to play.

9/18: Reggie Bush missed practice Wednesday.

9/17: Reggie Bush injured his knee against the Cardinals. He'll be questionable and could be limited.

Mark Ingram, Saints
9/20: Mark Ingram missed practice again Friday.

9/19: Mark Ingram missed practice Wednesday and Thursday.

Steven Jackson, Falcons
[glow=red,2,300]9/17: Steven Jackson could be out 2-4 weeks, according to NFL Network. He has been ruled out Sunday[/glow].

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars

There are no Jag RB's worth a play this week, a healthy Gore only got 16yds against this D.
9/20: Maurice Jones-Drew was limited Friday. He'll be a game-time decision.

9/19: Maurice Jones-Drew missed practice again Thursday.

9/18: Maurice Jones-Drew missed practice Wednesday.

9/17: The Jaguars are optimistic Maurice Jones-Drew can play this week.

Eddie Lacy, Packers
Lacy is out and Starks ins not a good play this week against that D line.
9/20: Eddie Lacy missed practice yet again Friday.

9/19: Eddie Lacy missed practice again Thursday.

9/18: Eddie Lacy missed practice Wednesday.

9/17: Eddie Lacy is expected to miss Sunday's game with a concussion.

Willis McGahee, Browns

Please don't tell me you were even thinking about playing him.
9/20: Willis McGahee will play Sunday.

9/19: Willis McGahee passed his physical and signed with the Browns. Make sure you add him, but wait to start him until he gets going.

9/18: Willis McGahee is taking a physical for the Browns on Thursday. He'll be their starter if he checks out.

Rashard Mendenhall, Cardinals

[glow=red,2,300]9/20: Rashard Mendenhall was limited Friday. AZCardinals.com expects him to play.[/glow]

9/19: Rashard Mendenhall missed practice again Thursday.

9/18: Rashard Mendenhall missed practice Wednesday with a hamstring.

Ray Rice, Ravens

9/21: Ray Rice's hip problem is being regarded as a 2-week injury. He's not playing.

9/20: Ray Rice is listed as doubtful.

9/19: Ray Rice missed practice again Thursday.

9/18: Ray Rice missed practice Wednesday.


Fantasy Football Injury Reports: Wide Receivers

Danny Amendola, Patriots
9/17: Danny Amendola will be out for a few weeks because of sports-hernia surgery.

Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals
9/20: Larry Fitzgerald was limited Friday. AZCardinals.com expects him to play.

9/19: Larry Fitzgerald missed practice again Thursday.

9/18: Larry Fitzgerald missed practice Wednesday.

9/17: Larry Fitzgerald missed most of the second half of the Detroit game with a hamstring injury. He'll probably play Week 3.

Malcom Floyd, Chargers
9/20: Malcom Floyd is expected to miss a month.

9/17: Malcom Floyd is expected to miss Sunday's game.

Leonard Hankerson, Redskins
9/20: Leonard Hankerson is liste as questionable after injuring his groin Friday.

Andre Johnson, Texans
9/20: Andre Johnson is listed as probable.

9/19: Andre Johnson was back at practice Thursday and is set to play at Baltimore.

9/18: Andre Johnson missed practice Wednesday.

Jeremy Kerley, Jets
9/18: Jeremy Kerley practiced fully Wednesday. [glow=red,2,300]He'll be back on the field. [/glow]

9/17: Jeremy Kerley missed the New England game with a concussion. His status for Week 3 is currently unknown.

Brandon Marshall, Bears

9/20: Brandon Marshall is listed as probable.

9/19: Brandon Marshall left Thursday's practice with a tight back, but the local media thinks he'll play Sunday night.

Roddy White, Falcons

There is no reason to play Roddy till he gets healthy from the high ankle sprain.

9/20: Roddy White was limited again Friday. He's questionable.

9/19: Roddy White was limited Thursday.

9/18: Roddy White missed practice Wednesday.

9/17: Roddy White played in just half the snaps Sunday because of his ankle injury. Remember, he told his Twitter followers not to start him if he doesn't practice, so we'll see what happens this week.

Kendall Wright, Titans
9/20: Kendall Wright is listed as probable.

9/19: Kendall Wright missed practice again Thursday, but head coach Mike Munchak expects him to play.

9/18: Kendall Wright missed practice Wednesday because of concussion symptoms.





Fantasy Football Injury Reports: Tight Ends

Dwayne Allen, Colts
Coby Fleener is now set up for sucess.

9/18: [glow=red,2,300]Dwayne Allen is out for the year.[/glow]

9/17: Dwayne Allen is "day to day" with his hip injury.

Vernon Davis, 49ers

9/20: Vernon Davis will be a game-time decision.

9/19: Vernon Davis missed practice again Thursday.

9/18: Vernon Davis missed practice Wednesday.

9/17: Vernon Davis injured his hamstring Sunday night, His availability for the Indianapolis game is unknown.

Anthony Fasano, Chiefs
9/18: Listed as doubtful.

9/17: Anthony Fasano missed Tuesday's practice.

Rob Gronkowski, Patriots
9/20: Rob Gronkowski was limited yet again Friday. He's not expected to play, but there's a chance.

9/19: Rob Gronkowski was limited again Thursday.

9/18: Rob Gronkowski was limited during Wednesday's practice

9/17: Ed Werder said it's 50-50 whether Rob Gronkowski plays this week. ProFootballTalk says 25-75.

Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars
9/20: Ruled out for Sunday's game. Player arrogance strikes again.

9/18: Marcedes Lewis missed practice Wednesday.

9/17: Marcedes Lewis told the media he'll play Week 3.

Heath Miller, Steelers
9/20: Heath Miller practiced fully yet again Friday.

9/19: Heath Miller practiced fully again Thursday.

9/18: Heath Miller practiced fully Wednesday.

9/17: Heath Miller will practice this week, and there's a chance he could play this Sunday night.

Zach Sudfeld, Patriots
Here is a good pick up since Brady is hurting for someone to throw too.

9/20: Zach Sudfeld practiced fully again Friday.

9/18: Zach Sudfeld practiced fully Wednesday. He'll play against the Buccaneers.

9/17: Zach Sudfeld missed Week 2 with a hamstring. His status for Sunday is unknown.


Thanks to Walter football for the help with the research.

[boomer]

Here is a look at the games and times this week.

Chiefs 26 Final
Eagles 16

Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, September 19, 7:25 PM (CT)Kansas CityChiefs(3-0)PhiladelphiaEagles(1-2)26 - 16Final 1 2 3 4 Total
Chiefs 10 6 0 10 26
Eagles 6 0 3 7 16


Sunday, September 22

Texans 12:00 PM (CT)
Ravens
Browns 12:00 PM (CT)
Vikings

M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland today, 12:00 PM (CT)HoustonTexans(2-0)BaltimoreRavens(1-1 )
Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis,
Minnesota today, 12:00 PM (CT)ClevelandBrowns(0-2)MinnesotaVikings(0-2

Giants 12:00 PM (CT)
Panthers
Packers 12:00 PM (CT)
Bengals

Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina today, 12:00 PM (CT)New YorkGiants(0-2)CarolinaPanthers(0-2
Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio today, 12:00 PM (CT)Green BayPackers(1-1)CincinnatiBengals(1-1

Rams 12:00 PM (CT)
Cowboys
Lions 12:00 PM (CT)
Redskins

AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas today, 12:00 PM (CT)St. LouisRams(1-1)DallasCowboys(1-1)
FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland today, 12:00 PM (CT)DetroitLions(1-1)WashingtonRedskins(0-2)

Buccaneers 12:00 PM (CT)
Patriots
Cardinals 12:00 PM (CT)
Saints

Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts today, 12:00 PM (CT)Tampa BayBuccaneers(0-2)New EnglandPatriots(2-0)
Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana today, 12:00 PM (CT)ArizonaCardinals(1-1)New OrleansSaints(2-0)

Chargers 12:00 PM (CT)
Titans
Falcons 3:05 PM (CT)
Dolphins

LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee today, 12:00 PM (CT)San DiegoChargers(1-1)TennesseeTitans(1-1)

Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida today, 3:05 PM (CT)AtlantaFalcons(1-1)MiamiDolphins(2-0)

Bills 3:25 PM (CT)
Jets
Colts 3:25 PM (CT)
49ers

MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey today, 3:25 PM (CT)BuffaloBills(1-1)New YorkJets(1-1)
Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California today, 3:25 PM (CT)IndianapolisColts(1-1)San Francisco49ers(1-1)

Jaguars 3:25 PM (CT)
Seahawks
Bears 7:30 PM (CT)
Steelers

CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington today, 3:25 PM (CT)JacksonvilleJaguars(0-2)SeattleSeahawks(2-0)

Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania today, 7:30 PM (CT)ChicagoBears(2-0)PittsburghSteelers(0-2)


Monday, September 23

Raiders 7:40 PM (CT)

[eagle eye]

So how did the first week after the big trade between Indianapolis and Cleveland turn out?

Trent Richardson played second fiddle to Ahmad Bradshaw but he did score a TD in his first carry with the Colts. His final stat line was 13 carries for 35 yds (2.7 ypc) It should, over time migrate to Richardson getting the bigger load and Bradshaw the compliment but for now maybe Richardson fantasy owners may only use him as a flex player or ride someone else on your bench for a while. Indy beat the 49ers on the road to go to 2-1 on the year.

The Cleveland Browns may have their franchise QB on the roster. Brian Hoyer was really good in the Browns upset win over the Vikings in Minnesota. Hoyer went 30 of 54 for 321 yards, 3 TD's and 3 INT's. The run game was not great shakes. The Browns ran a total of 17 times for 103 yards and no scores. Newly signed Willis McGahee had the most carries gaining a whopping 9 yards on 8 carries. This was the game was about Hoyer and WR Josh Gordon who played his first game of the season after serving a two game suspension for substance abuse issues. Cribs was the main target for Hoyer as he hauled in a game high 10 passes for 141 yards including a 47 yard TD.

So, if you're scoring you'd have to call yesterday's games a push in terms of who benefitted most in the first game post-deal.

If Cleveland's passing game remains as potent the running lanes will surely open up and McGahee will get into game shape and make more of an impact. As for Indy, Richardson is in game shape and as he picks up more and more of the offense his impact will be noticed a LOT more. It will be fun to watch both teams as the season progresses.