Week1: Midweek Roundup

Ok - So I get updates every morning on what's going on across the NFL. Narrowing it down to the most important headlines (In my opinon) here. Hope it helps ya'll with your Fantasy lineups this week!

CIN - Andy Dalton sees specialist
Source: The Associated Press - Joe Kay
Cincinnati Bengals QB Andy Dalton (forearm) was scheduled to visit with a specialist Monday, Sept. 12, and the team is hoping he can make the start in Week 2 against the Denver Broncos.

There seems to be some concern whether Dalton will be able to go this week. We'll know a lot more as the week goes on. If he does play, the Broncos defense may not be a favorable matchup for Dalton and the Bengals. Against the Denver defense RB Cedric Benson should be more of a factor.

SD - RB Mike Tolbert expected to practice, play in Week 2
Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Kevin Acee
Updating a previous report, San Diego Chargers RB Mike Tolbert (knee) was declared healthy after tests by doctors Monday, Sept. 12. Tolbert is expected to practice this week, and play in Week 2 against the New England Patriots.


Great news for Tolbert. It's not fair to expect 3 touchdowns every week from him but he looks like a quality play right now.

SD - More on PK Nick Novak
Source: ESPN - John Clayton
Updating a previous report, the San Diego Chargers signed PK Nick Novak to a two-year deal Tuesday, Sept. 13. Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed.

Novak has a chance to score a lot of fantasy points in the high powered Chargers offense. He must become more consistent if he wants to earn the trust of Norv Turner and the team around him.

DEN - QB Kyle Orton remains the starter
Source: The Denver Post - Mike Klis
Denver Broncos head coach John Fox said the team is sticking with QB Kyle Orton as the starter despite a rough game in Week 1 versus the Oakland Raiders. 'We came up a little short. There were plenty of reasons why. It wasn't just the quarterback by any stretch. Kyle is our starting quarterback and I don't think too many guys are firing all their guys because their team happened to lose in Week 1,' Fox said.

It's too soon to give up on Kyle Orton. Broncos fans were chanting for Tim Tebow before halftime in the opening game against Oakland. They could get their wish, but it will come later in the year. Keep Tebow on your 'Waiver Wire Speed Dial' in shallow leagues, and in deeper leagues go ahead and grab him to see what happens.

NE - WR Chad Ochocinco sees limited time in Week 1
Source: ESPNBoston.com - Mike Reiss
New England Patriots WR Chad Ochocinco was on the field for just 18 of the team's 80 total snaps in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins Monday, Sept. 12. TEs Aaron Hernandez (66) and Rob Gronkowski (21) were used heavily, thus limiting Ochocinco's time. Also contributing to his absence was the team's reliance on a no-huddle offense, which led the Patriots to use receivers with more experience in the system.

Go ahead and feel comfortable dropping Ochostinko if you took a chance on him with a late draft pick. So many better parts to this Patriots passing game, there's no need to have this guy taking up space on your bench.

DAL - Jerry Jones backs QB Tony Romo
Source: ESPNDallas.com - Tim MacMahon
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is supporting QB Tony Romo despite a late fourth-quarter collapse in their loss to the New York Jets in Week 1. 'This may draw a little criticism, but I thought Tony played one of the best games I've ever seen him play,' Jones said. 'You can make a big case that the way he played for three quarters was how we got there at the end and looked like for sure we were going to get the win. But he played outstanding.'

Romo found a way to lose Sunday night against the Jets but is far from getting the hook by coach Jason Garrett. He'll put up QB1 numbers for your fantasy team when he's on the field. Getting 'W's' for the Cowboys is a different story.

TEN - RB Chris Johnson to see more touches
Source: ESPN - Trey Wingo
The Tennessee Titans plan to give RB Chris Johnson more carries in Week 2.

Good news here. Johnson is a threat to score every time he touches the football. The Titans can't rely on QB Matt Hasselbeck and the passing game. They need to get Johnson involved early and often.

MIA - RB Lex Hilliard sees goal-line touches
Source: KFFL.com
Miami Dolphins RB Lex Hilliard saw two carries for one yard in the Week 1 game Monday, Sept. 12, against the New England Patriots. Both of his totes came down near the goal line.

He didn't score or generate much of a head of steam, so don't expect this trend to continue.

NE - QB Tom Brady opens 2011 season with enormous game
Source: KFFL.com
New England Patriots QB Tom Brady likely changed the results of many fantasy games with his monster performance in Week 1. He finished 32-of-48 for 517 yards, four touchdowns and one interception Monday, Sept. 12, against the Miami Dolphins, evening his career record at 5-5 in South Florida. His yardage total is the most in a single game since former Arizona Cardinals QB Boomer Esiason threw for 522 yards in a game against the Washington Redskins Nov. 10, 1996. The 517 yards rank fifth on the all-time single game yardage list.

Who needs Ochocinco to play well? Brady threw his first interception in a long, long time, and if you ask him that'll probably be what sticks out to him.

MIA - RB Brian Westbrook works out
Source: The Washington Post - Matt Brooks
The Miami Dolphins worked out free-agent RB Brian Westbrook (49ers) Tuesday, Sept. 13. The Dolphins aren't sure if they want to use RB Larry Johnson as a backup running back.

Signing Westbrook makes sense for the Dolphins. They have Reggie Bush as their primary RB and Westbrook could do many of the things Bush does in the offense. He showed last year with the 49ers that he isn't completely washed up and may be an option for Miami.

BUF - Two roster moves
Source: The Sports Network
The Buffalo Bills placed WR Marcus Easley (illness) on Injured Reserve Tuesday, Sept. 13, and re-signed WR Ruvell Martin in a corresponding move.

Interesting move here by the Bills. This is the second season that Easley will be lost to Injured Reserve. He's a talented player but needs to stay on the field if he's ever going to amount to anything in the NFL.

ARI - QB Kevin Kolb relies on tight ends
Source: The Arizona Republic - Bob McManaman
Arizona Cardinals QB Kevin Kolb said he doesn't mind relying on tight ends if teams try to take WR Larry Fitzgerald out of the equation. Kolb is confident in the team's tight ends, which include TEs Todd Heap, Jeff King, Jim Dray and Rob Housler. 'I've always relied on my tight ends a lot, and when I came here and got with these guys, man, there's a lot of talent there,' Kolb said. 'We're going to continue to use them. They obviously have the playmaking ability, so we'll look forward to putting the ball in their hands a lot more.'

It will be interesting to see if this trend continues for the Cardinals. At this time we only want Larry Fitzgerald on our fantasy roster. A three headed TEBC isn't that enticing with so many (better) TE options available on the waiver wire.

DEN - Several suffer injuries in Week 1
Source: The Denver Post
Denver Broncos RB Knowshon Moreno (hamstring), DL Elvis Dumervil (shoulder), CB Champ Bailey (hamstring) and WR Brandon Lloyd(groin) all were injured in Week 1. Moreno and Bailey had hamstring strains and Lloyd dealt with a groin strain.

The results of the MRI on Moreno's hamstring should be known later today. He failed to impress even when he was healthy. He's better as a RB3 in fantasy leagues, maybe a RB2 with low upside in PPR leagues.

JAX - Pleased with QB Luke McCown
Source: The Florida Times-Union - Vito Stellino
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio was very pleased with the way QB Luke McCown handled himself in the Week 1 contest against the Tennessee Titans. The team decided to be conservative through the air but that doesn't mean they won't open it up in future weeks.

McCown isn't an exciting fantasy option as we see the Jags being fairly conservative on offense for the entire year. Regardless of McCown's play we should see future franchise QB Blaine Gabbert at some point this season.

TEN - WR Kenny Britt talked with coach during lockout
Source: NFL.com
Tennessee Titans WR Kenny Britt revealed that wide receivers coach Dave Ragone contacted him during the lockout. 'I don't answer no phone calls that I don't know the area code,' Britt said in early August. 'You can even ask my coach Raggy (Ragone) about that, he's been calling me all summer long. I told him, he's got to send me a text before I'll answer it.'

Way to go Britt. Teams were not supposed to contact players during the lockout, even though we're sure there were many infractions by most every team. It's unknown if the NFL will take any disciplinary action on Britt or the Titans.

DEN - RB Knowshon Moreno has disappointing production
Source: KFFL.com
Denver Broncos RB Knowshon Moreno had just eight carries for 22 yards in the Week 1 loss Monday, Sept. 12, against the Oakland Raiders. Moreno added two receptions for 35 yards, but he also lost a fumble.

The Broncos offensive line didn't do him any favors either. Moreno has average talent and we like him as a RB3 in fantasy leagues. He is a good receiver out of the backfield and in PPR leagues he could perform like a low end RB2.

DEN - WR Brandon Lloyd leads receiving corps
Source: KFFL.com
Denver Broncos WR Brandon Lloyd posted team-highs with six receptions and 89 yards in the Week 1 loss Monday, Sept. 12, against the Oakland Raiders. WR Eddie Royal checked in with two grabs for 33 yards, and WR Matt Willis added a six-yard catch.

Orton only has eyes for Lloyd. Money Lloyd can make plays but he attracts a lot of attention from the defense.

DEN - WR Eric Decker makes a splash
Source: KFFL.com
Denver Broncos WR Eric Decker had three receptions for 53 yards in the Week 1 loss Monday, Sept. 12, against the Oakland Raiders, and he also had a 90-yard punt return for score.

Decker looked really good in the open field, and he has good run after the catch ability. It also seems like he's the one receiver (other than Brandon Lloyd) that Kyle Orton trusts.

DEN - RB Willis McGahee has busy evening
Source: KFFL.com
Denver Broncos RB Willis McGahee had four carries for just three yards, and five receptions for 32 yards in the Week 1 loss against the Oakland Raiders.

The Broncos couldn't get a rhythm established on offense and thus the running game struggled. McGahee took over after Knowshon Moreno fumbled the ball. Fantasy owners need to know this is a full blown RBBC with a 'hot hand' approach. McGahee is likely to score more TDs, while Moreno is likely to catch more passes.

OAK - QB Jason Campbell has poor stat line
Source: KFFL.com
Oakland Raiders QB Jason Campbell completed 13-of-22 passes for just 105 yards and one touchdowns in the Week 1 game Monday, Sept. 12, against the Denver Broncos. Campbell also had a rushing score.

Campbell's not a fantasy relevant QB. The Raiders are a team that wants to run, run, run - so don't expect huge passing numbers in 2011.

MIA - QB Chad Henne impressive in loss
Source: The Associated Press
Miami Dolphins QB Chad Henne completed 30-of-49 passes for a career-high 416 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the Week 1 game Monday, Sept. 12, against the New England Patriots.

Henne had a few bad decisions and saved his worst football for the red zone, so his career-high numbers are a bit deceptive. The temperature under his seat didn't go up, but it didn't go down either.

MIA - RB Reggie Bush totals 94 yards, TD in debut
Source: KFFL.com
Miami Dolphins RB Reggie Bush carried 11 times for 38 yards in the Week 1 game Monday, Sept. 12, against the New England Patriots, and he added nine receptions for 56 yards and a score in his team debut.

Bush didn't look particularly impressive in the game, but you can't argue with his numbers in PPR leagues. He is a strong sell high if you can cash him for a poor performing lead back from week 1.

MIA - WR Brandon Marshall starts with big yardage total
Source: KFFL.com
Miami Dolphins WR Brandon Marshall posted seven receptions for a team-high 139 yards in the Week 1 loss Monday, Sept. 12, against the New England Patriots. The yards were the most for Marshall since he posted 166 yards and a score in Week 3 against the New York Jets last season.

Marshall wasn't targeted enough in the red zone, just like last year, but he did get enough targets between the 20s to put up the WR1 numbers we have come to expect from him.

NE - WR Wes Welker ties NFL record
Source: The Associated Press
New England Patriots WR Wes Welker had eight receptions for 160 yards and two touchdowns in the Week 1 game Monday, Sept. 12, against the Miami Dolphins. His second score went for 99 yards, tying an NFL record. The score was also the longest play in franchise history.

Welker is 100% and back to being a WR1 in PPR leagues.

STL - RB Steven Jackson unlikely to play Week 2
Source: Twitter
St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo said RB Steven Jackson (quadriceps) likely will not play Week 2 because of a strained quadriceps. Jackson will be evaluated on a day-to-day basis.

The team needs Jackson at full strength and doesn't want to rush him back from this latest injury. Cadillac Williams played well against the Eagles and is a versatile back. We like him as a waiver wire addition this week to plug in as a RB3 or flex play in week 2 as the Rams face off against the banged up Giants D.

JAX - RB Maurice Jones-Drew being limited
Source: The Associated Press
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio said RB Maurice Jones-Drew is being limited in the early going this year in order to keep him fully healthy. However, Jones-Drew ran 24 times for 97 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 but was on the sidelines for much of the fourth quarter. RB Deji Karim rushed 14 times for 33 yards. Del Rio did not say how many times he is comfortable with Jones-Drew rushing, but he definitely did not want him going over 35 carries.

Jones-Drew still looked great on his carries before the fourth and limiting him now could help you have him for the fantasy playoffs. This is the right approach by Del Rio.

SEA - WR Sidney Rice's Week 2 status uncertain
Source: Twitter
Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said the team will take a wait-and-see approach with WR Sidney Rice's (shoulder) availability for Week 2.

Rice's fantasy value was very precarious already, and now this injury is almost making him droppable in shallow leagues.

HOU - WR Kevin Walter injury update
Source: Houston Chronicle - John McClain
Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said WR Kevin Walter (collarbone) has a bruised collarbone and will be re-evaluated Wednesday, Sept. 14. Walter has not been ruled out for Week 2.

Great news for Walter as the word Sunday night was that he could miss a while. Let's see how these next tests go.

SD - RB Mike Tolbert fine after injury
Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Kevin Acee
San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner said RB Mike Tolbert (knee) will be fine after suffering a knee injury in Week 1.

Good news for the Chargers here. Tolbert is the team's battering ram and will continue to be the best fantasy RB to own in San Diego.

BUF - TE Scott Chandler used in slot Week 1
Source: The Buffalo News - Rodney McKissic
Buffalo Bills TE Scott Chandler was lined in the slot on both of his touchdown passes in Week 1.

The Bills rarely use their TEs, and this may only be a one week wonder. However, if they get favorable matchups then Chandler could be involved more than people think. Chandler had a great first week of the season but there are plenty of other TEs out there with higher floors and bigger roles.

STL - QB Sam Bradford's injury not serious
Source: Twitter
St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo said the finger injury QB Sam Bradford (finger) suffered Week 1 is not serious and is just a bruise. He will be monitored daily but expects to play Week 2.

Good news for the Rams here. Bradford didn't have much time to throw against the Eagles and played poorly because of it. We expect the team to work out the kinks in the offense as the season goes along.

STL - WR Danny Amendola could only miss a few weeks
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
St. Louis Rams WR Danny Amendola (elbow) has a chance to return in Week 6 after suffering an elbow injury after Week 1.

Good news for the Rams if that's the way it breaks down. Amendola is a very important part of the passing game. This injury opens up opportunity for WR Greg Salas. The rookie from Hawaii is a good route runner and can be very dangerous from the slot position.