[Editor's note: This was originally posted back in January, but it got lost in the Super Bowl shuffle. Keith did a great job on it though, so we're cycling it back to the front of the site for those of you who missed it.]

You know how sometimes when you hear a one-hit wonder song on the radio or on the jukebox at a bar, it makes you think of a certain time in your life and all of the memories of that time come flooding back?

For some reason, those songs resonate.  They are the songs that everyone knows the words to, even if they are embarrassed to admit it.  The best one-hit wonders activate that mental and emotional time machine in a person.

Sports do the same thing for me.  I tie events in my life to notable sports players and seasons.

I distinctly remember my first two years of middle school being “Fab Five” years.  I wore a Jalen Rose #5 maize jersey, matching shorts, black socks and black Nikes to school at least once a week. By 8^th grade, I had orange and turquoise hair, but not because of Greenday or the Offspring, but because of Dennis Rodman.  I also wished that I could grow a mustache at 13 years old to be more like L.A. Raiders quarterback Jeff Hostetler, whose jersey I also proudly donned.

Ill-conceived fashion choices aside, the feelings and memories generated by sports and music endure as much as any.  Years from now, when I look back at this NFL season, I will remember plenty, but among the most amusing things to reminisce about will be the guys who came out of nowhere to have a great year and then disappeared.  Guys like Victor Cruz or (gasp!) Tim Tebow could qualify if they are unable to replicate their 2011 successes.

In that spirit, here are some of the greatest single-season performances by players who were never able to reach that level of success again in NFL history and a one-hit wonder tune to go along with each.  Nonsensical?  Probably.  Fun?  Absolutely.

Steve Beuerlein – 1999 / Chumbawamba – “Tubthumping”

Stats: 60.1 Comp %, 4,436 Yards, 36 TD, 15 INT, 94.6 rating, 50 sacks

Beuerlein was primarily a backup quarterback until 1998, when he took over for Carolina Panthers quarterback Kerry Collins, who was battling personal problems and ineffectiveness on the field.

Beuerlein finished the 1998 season strong and staked his claim to the starting job in 1999.  That season, he demolished all expectations, helping the Panthers double their win total from the previous season and setting franchise records for passing yards, touchdowns and rating that still stand today.

He was reasonably successful the following year (3730 yards, 19 TD, 18 INT, 79.7 rating), but nowhere near the same as in 1999.

You certainly did get knocked down, Steve.

Why “Tubthumping” for Beuerlein?  Well, he was sacked 50 times in 1999.  So he literally got knocked down and got up again, and no team was able to keep him down, at least that season.

In fact, in the 44 games he started from 1998-2000, he was sacked 156 times.  That’s an average of over 3.5 times per game.  Hey Jay Cutler, if you need a shoulder to cry on, I would call Steve Beuerlein.  He feels your pain.

DeAngelo Williams – 2008 / Aldo Nova – “Fantasy”

Stats: 273 carries, 1,515 rushing yards, 20 total TD

I understand that DeAngelo might have a couple of good years ahead of him.  Carolina certainly hopes so, as they signed him to a 5-year, $43 million contract this past year.  But given the new direction of the offense with Cam Newton at the helm and the time share between Williams and Jonathan Stewart in the backfield, I just don’t see Williams ever having the kind of impact he did in 2008.

"Fantasy" kryponite has a name, and it is DeAngelo Williams.

I chose Canadian rocker Aldo Nova and his 1981 hit “Fantasy” because in that magical 2008 season Williams was the #1 ranked fantasy player in the NFL.  And also because I think “Fantasy” and it’s wicked synth/guitar riff is quite awesome.

Before Rob Dyrdek used a cover of it for his Fantasy Factory show, the song was relegated only to occasional airplay on classic rock stations and my iPod.  Now, we can all sing “life is just a fantasyyy” every time Williams comes off the board in a draft and laugh at the guy who thinks he will sniff his 2008 numbers again (note: I was that guy in 2009 and 2010).

Derek Anderson & Braylon Edwards – 2007 / Rob Base & D.J. E-Z Rock – “It Takes Two”

Stats:

• Anderson – 3,787 yards, 29 passing TDs, 3 rushing TD, 19 INT, 82.5 rating
  
• Edwards – 80 receptions, 1,289 yards, 16 TD
  

This is it for Carolina Panthers players, I promise, even though Anderson was in Cleveland during his lone great season.  Both of these guys have bounced around after their fantastic (especially by Cleveland Browns standards) 2007 season.  Edwards was recently cut by the 49ers thanks to nagging injuries and inconsistency, and Anderson is toiling away as a backup in Carolina.

That 2007 Browns team overachieved its way to 10 wins, and this QB-WR duo is a big reason why.

Rob Base and D.J. E-Z Rock scored a hit in 1988 with “It Takes Two,” and I attached this to the Anderson-Edwards tandem because I have to believe that without one another they wouldn’t have been able to chalk up numbers like they did in 2007.

I still find it hard to believe that, with all his gifts, Edwards has disappointed so spectacularly in the NFL.  I find it similarly strange that Rob Base and D.J. E-Z Rock never put together another infectious hip-hop club anthem, as “It Takes Two” was undeniably catchy, and in the right venue can still incite a late-80′s dance party.

Otis Armstrong – 1974 / Carl Douglas – “Kung Fu Fighting” 

Stats: 263 carries, 1,407 yards, 9 TD, 405 receiving yards, 3 TD in a 14-game season

Long before the Denver Broncos could just plug and play guys in the backfield and expect 1,000-yard seasons, Armstrong had an amazing season.  In 1974 the season was only 14 games long, meaning Armstrong averaged over 100 yards rushing per game.  Applying his averages to today’s 16 game schedule, Armstrong could have totaled over 2,000 total yards and 14 or 15  TD.

Unfortunately, he had only one other decent year (1976) and it didn’t compare to his 1974 first team all-pro campaign.

I’m going to be honest here; I chose “Kung Fu Fighting” because it is hilarious, and the only tie it has to Otis Armstrong is that both were wreaking havoc on the United States in 1974.  Douglas’ goofy song is one of the top 25 selling singles of all time, which is patently ludicrous, yet funny.

Apologies to Broncos fans and Armstrong aficionados.  I just had to include this somewhere.

David Boston – 2001 / Inner Circle – “Bad Boys”

Stats: 98 receptions, 1,598 yards, 8 TD

David Boston’s career never really took off the way it seemed it would, due to PED use and knee problems.  He was a record-setter at Ohio State, and he seemed to be a rising star at receiver for the Cardinals by the 2001 season.

Of course, looking at his physique it wasn’t surprising when he was suspended for four games for violating the NFL’s steroids policy.

One could argue that his 2000 season was good enough to exclude him from being a one season wonder, but the list of receivers with 1,100-1,200 yard seasons is a very, very long one, while only 14 other receiving seasons have ranked higher than the 1,598 yards Boston posted in 2001.

Inner Circle’s “Bad Boys” has become synonymous with the show Cops, and Boston has had a few run-ins with the bad boys himself.  In addition to the steroid suspension (which was merely an NFL suspension – no charges were filed), Boston has had legal trouble in 2007 with a DUI arrest and in 2011 was accused of beating a woman to the point that she needed stitches.

Meanwhile, his 1997 sparring partner Charles Woodson has been busy being the veteran leader of the 15-1 Green Bay Packers’ defense.

Ickey Woods – 1988 / Toni Basil – “Hey Mickey Ickey”

Stats: 1,265 total yards, 15 touchdowns, 5.3 yards per carry

Ickey Woods was about as famous in southwest Ohio in 1988 as Bo Jackson, Michael Jordan, and Wayne Gretzky (ProStars!) combined.  The man created what might be the worst on-field celebration (although Merton Hanks is close) in history – the “Ickey Shuffle” – and it was celebrated as groundbreaking for the time.

The 6-2, 231 lb. Woods was a force running the ball that year, rolling through defenders and helping lead the Bengals to the Super Bowl as a rookie.  Sadly, the shuffles mostly ended after that, as injuries claimed Ickey’s career after only four seasons (26 total games, including 1988).

For this post, we’re changing Toni Basil’s song to “Hey Ickey,” for obvious reasons.  Plus, the video is a bunch of cheerleaders, which is perfectly fitting an NFL post.

There’s probably not a lot I can say about the video for the song that hasn’t already been said on a VH-1 special or three, but I will say that Toni Basil’s eyes are downright frightening.

Scott Mitchell – 1995 / Timbuk 3 – “The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades”

Stats: 4,338 passing yards, 32 TD, 12 INT, 92.3 rating, 4 rushing TD

when you’ve got Barry Sanders on your team, you wouldn’t think putting up big passing numbers would be a likely occurrence, but in 1995 Scott Mitchell put up some massive stats while leading the Detroit Lions to a playoff berth.

Mitchell’s 1995 season set franchise records in touchdown passes and yards (both broken by Matthew Stafford this year), and he was able to get both Herman Moore and Brett Perriman over 100 catches apiece.  The lanky lefty seemed to have the Lions headed to the top of the NFC.

With Mitchell, Sanders, and Moore all 27 or younger, one would have thought the Lions would have the makings of a contender for at least a few years to come.  Unfortunately for them, the stars never aligned, as Mitchell regressed badly and Sanders retired at age 30.

Timbuk 3′s hit is fitting here, because almost everyone thought the Lions were a few defensive pieces away from a Lombardi trophy.  And like the Lions, Timbuk 3 wasn’t able to strike another hit on par with “The Future’s So Bright…”

Mark Carrier – 1989 / OMC – “How Bizarre”

Stats: 86 receptions, 1,422 yards, 9 TD

Mark Carrier was the only real offensive bright spot for the 1989 Bucs, as Vinny Testaverde threw more INTs (22) than TDs (20) and their leading rusher, Lars Tate, had just 589 yards.  Carrier never had more than 66 catches in a season after that, and he only gained 1,000 yards once more (1,002 in 1995).

I certainly didn’t watch many Bucs games in 1989 (I was a kid and they were 5-11 – not exactly priority viewing in Ohio), but I can’t find any answers as to why Carrier was able to put together such a strong season on such a bad offense.

“Bizarre” is exactly the word I would use to describe Carrier’s huge 1989 season.  OMC are from New Zealand, and the tropical setting of their video meshes well with the tropical setting of Tampa, where Carrier rescued Testaverde from what could have been an even worse season.

Sadly, OMC frontman Pauly Fuemana died two years ago, but OMC’s lone hit will live on, reminding me that sports too can be bizarre.

Barry Foster – 1992 / The Verve – “Bittersweet Symphony”

Stats: 390 carries (!), 1,690 rushing yards, 11 TD, 344 receiving yards

Even with Big Ben throwing more, when we think of the Pittsburgh Steelers today most of us still think of smash-mouth football with a nasty streak on the defensive side.  In the early ’90′s, it was much the same, but there was more balance on the offense than most people remember.

Except for 1992, that is.

Barry Foster became a one man wrecking crew that year, running the ball almost 10 times as much as the next back on the roster (Merril Hoge) and accounting for about 43% of the total offensive touches for the team.

It comes as no surprise then that Foster struggled to stay healthy for the rest of his short career and was never able to reach those heights again.  Injuries forced him out of football in 1994, in what was truly a “bittersweet” parting for Steelers fans.  His 1,690 yards still rank first all time in Steelers history.

Christian Okoye – 1989 / EMF – “Unbelievable”

Stats: 370 carries, 1,480 yards, 12 TD

The “Nigerian Nightmare” was a legendary figure amongst kids my age in 1989.

If you had asked me then how many good seasons he had completed I would have guessed somewhere around 19.  I was that enamored by the 253-lb. bruiser.  Of course, as a young Raiders fan, I would have fought to the death over any argument about who was more badass between Okoye and Bo Jackson.

One question I have about Okoye’s 1989 season is how in the hell did he only catch 2 passes all year while carrying 370 times?  That has to be among the strangest football statistics ever.

Okoye fell victim to the same ailment that afflicted Foster – a relentless workload.  He couldn’t really keep his knee healthy and was out of the league just three uneventful seasons after his transcendent 1989 year.

“Unbelievable” is about as iconic a song as Okoye was a football player.  I chose it primarily because of Okoye’s exploits on Nintendo’s Tecmo Super Bowl.  The guy was nearly unstoppable on that game, and I sometimes had to forgo my silver and black allegiances to experience the awesomeness firsthand.

And now, in honor of the Super Bowl coming up, I will list a couple of the most noteworthy Super Bowl performances from guys who have otherwise failed to live up to their big stage moments.

Timmy Smith – Super Bowl XXII / Afro Man – “Because I Got High”

Super Bowl Stats: 22 carries, 204 yards, 2 TD

Rookie Timmy Smith was an unknown back who stepped in for injured starter George Rogers and started the Super Bowl.  He had the good fortune of running behind the “Hogs,” Washington’s dominant offensive line, and as a result he was able to set a Super Bowl record with 204 yards rushing.  For his entire regular season career he only totaled 602 yards, 3 TD and a 3.2 yards per carry average.

Rumors of cocaine abuse surrounded Smith the following year, and after he took an entire season off in 1989, he failed to make an impact in the NFL again, rushing just six times in a single game for Dallas in 1990 before being released.  Smith denied the drug abuse rumors but has certainly had ties to drugs since, as he was convicted on charges of selling cocaine in 2005.  He served two and a half years in prison and was released in 2008.

Afro Man’s hilarious rap “Because I Got High” is probably a little light-hearted for a man who has undergone such personal strife, but it just goes to show what the effects of drugs can be on someone with a promising future.

David Tyree – Super Bowl XLII – Eiffel 65 – “Blue (Da Ba Dee)”

Super Bowl Stats: 3 receptions, 43 yards, 1 TD, 1 miraculous helmet catch

In honor of this year’s Super Bowl rematch, I can’t leave out one of the most notorious Super Bowl plays of all time.

Tyree caught a 5-yard touchdown early in the 4th quarter, but it was his miracle “helmet catch” on 3rd-and-11 that kept the Giants’ game winning drive alive.  The win broke New England’s 18-game winning streak and brought the Giants their first Super Bowl win since 1990.

Tyree had only made four catches for 35 yards all season, but he turned in a performance for the ages in the decisive quarter of Super Bowl XLII.

What players will have their brightest moment in the rematch?

Eiffel 65′s “Blue” is the choice here because the Giants are known for, among other things, their blue uniforms.  Plus, I would imagine most people in the New England area really hated that song, and I know they hated the helmet catch, so why not throw the two together?

That’s it for my list.  What single season wonders did I miss?  And what songs would you put with them?  Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Follow me on Twitter @keithmullett

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So in this post I’ll do just that, providing analysis and recommendations for the key players you need to decide on before Turkey Day.

Quickly, before I get to the start/sit analysis for the Thanksgiving Day games, I want to tell you about a fun fantasy contest from our friends at Daily Joust. They are hosting a Thanksgiving Day Turkey Shootout that uses only players playing on Thanksgiving Day in the player pool, has a $5 entry free, and $300 guaranteed prize pool. Plus, not only is it a Super Joust Qualifier, but you can submit multiple entries.

I plan on joining. I’ll post my team later in the week. Are you up to the challenge? Click here. (And yes, if you sign up, it helps us out. But we wouldn’t promote it if we didn’t play ourselves.)

Now onto the start/sit picks.

Fantasy Football Thanksgiving Day Start/Sit Quarterbacks

Start em QB: Matt Moore, Miami (at Dallas)

Over the last three weeks, few quarterbacks not named Rodgers have been as consistently good in both real life and fantasy football as Matt Moore. He has six touchdown passes and has been intercepted just once. That’s solid, consistent production that we can somewhat count on.

Granted, he did all of this against Kansas City, Washington, and Buffalo, so this matchup against Dallas will be the best defense Moore has faced in a month. But the Cowboys are better against the run than they are the pass, and Rex Grossman threw for 250+ yards and two TDs on them last week.

Moore isn’t an automatic start like the three QBs mentioned below are, but he is a solid play with upside in two-QB leagues or for anyone stuck with Joe Flacco.

Matt Moore fantasy football Thanksgiving Day projection: 225 yards passing, 1 TD, 0 INT

Other start em QBs:

• Hopefully I don’t need to tell you to start Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford. I haven’t looked at the other matchups, but those two guys may be the #1 and #2 QBs this week.
• It’s still November, which means that Mr. November Tony Romo is still a very good start. He’s hot, and while the Dolphins are playing well they haven’t faced a QB of Romo’s caliber during their win streak.

Sit em QB: Alex Smith, San Francisco (at Baltimore)

Alex Smith has been playing the best football of his career this year; and while I know the Ravens gave up a lot of passing yardage to Andy Dalton and the Bengals last week, they also picked Dalton off three times. I expect the Harbaugh Bowl to be a low scoring, physical affair; and I want no part of Alex Smith against a motivated Ravens defense playing at home in primetime against a team you know they won’t take lightly.

So even though Andy Bottoms likes Smith long-term in his Week 12 waiver wire pickups column, wait a week before deploying him in your lineup.

Alex Smith fantasy football Thanksgiving Day projection: 200 yards passing, 0 TD, 0 INT

Other sit em QBs:

• I don’t like Joe Flacco against the stout 49ers’ defense. I’d play him before I’d play Smith, but I’d hope to need neither.

Fantasy Football Thanksgiving Day Start/Sit Running Backs

Start em RB: Kevin Smith, Detroit (v Green Bay)

Well…that came out of nowhere.

Last Sunday during the live chat, I was telling everyone who would listen that I thought a Detroit running back was a good play because of the matchup against Carolina. Turns out I was right, but it also turns out I had the wrong Detroit running back. Rather than Maurice Morris, it was Kevin Smith who made his triumphant return to the Motor City and amassed 200+ total yards and three TDs.

Is Smith for real? I don’t know. Carolina is one of the most generous defenses to opposing running backs. That said, Smith is the guy now in Detroit, certainly until Jahvid Best gets back. Additionally, of all the defenses playing on Thanksgiving Green Bay’s actually gives up the most points to opposing RBs. Just ask LeGarrette Blount.

I wouldn’t get too excited about Smith…yet…but if you win him in this week’s most hotly contested waiver wire battle, feel good about deploying him on Thanksgiving.

Kevin Smith fantasy football Thanksgiving Day projection: 80 yards rushing, 3 receptions, 40 yards, 1 TD

Other start em RBs:

• Frank Gore looked healthy and spry last week, and he faces a Baltimore defense that gave up two scores to Cedric Benson. If Gore plays, you start him. It’s that simple.
• Do you know the Dolphins are the second stingiest defense in terms of fantasy points scored by opposing running backs? It’s true. Still, I’d start DeMarco Murray. He is the focal point of the Cowboys’ offense now, and I think they’ll put up numbers against Miami.
• I thought about making Ray Rice the sit ‘em RB, but I just can’t. Even though San Francisco has given up a whopping total of zero rushing touchdowns this year, they have had a game in which they allowed 14 receptions by Roy Helu. Baltimore has to get their best player involved on offense, and while I expect Rice’s numbers to depressed by the 49ers’ suffocating do, I do think Rice can have enough impact yardage-wise and catching passes to be at least a strong flex play.
• Reggie Bush has scored a touchdown in three straight games, and in the fourth game he had over 100 yards rushing. So he’s been productive, even though his yard per touch rate has decreased the last two weeks. While Dallas is very good at stopping opposing running backs, Bush remains a solid flex play because Miami is finding creative ways to use him around the goalline.

Sit em RB: James Starks, Ryan Grant, et al, Green Bay (at Detroit)

The two-headed running back monster of James Starks and Ryan Grant simply isn’t much of a monster at all. They rarely, if ever, score touchdowns. They don’t rack up great yardage totals to offset the dearth of TD production. And John Kuhn and BJ Raji vulture all the goalline carries.

Plus, Starks is dinged up, and the Detroit defense has been improving some when it comes to holding down opposing running backs. They are in the top half in terms of points allowed. I’d look elsewhere, even if Grant gets the starting job all to himself with Starks out.

James Starks/Ryan Grant fantasy football Thanksgiving Day projection: 75 total yards, 5 receptions, 30 yards

Other sit em RBs:

• Kendall Hunter still has value long-term, especially as a handcuff for Frank Gore owners, but he doesn’t get enough carries as Gore’s backup to warrant starting.
• Maurice Morris…great last name buddy, but enjoy your parting gifts.
• Daniel Thomas is still the running back of the future for Miami, but Reggie Bush is the one scoring touchdowns. Against a stingy Dallas defense, Thomas is probably not worth playing.
• Felix Jones is back. *crickets* On six touches last week he delivered an “explosive” 22 yards. Keep him on your bench. DeMarco Murray is the guy in Dallas now.

Fantasy Football Thanksgiving Day Start/Sit Wide Receivers

Start em WR: Torrey Smith, Baltimore (v San Francisco)

You know I’m not big on rookie wide receivers, but I do warm to them later in the season when they prove they can be trusted. Torrey Smith is earning that trust.

Smith had a huge clutch TD against Pittsburgh that built his QB’s faith in him, and then popped for 6 catches, 165 yards, and a TD in a key divisional battle last week. I know that a 3-catch, 28-yard dud against Seattle is sandwiched in there, but Smith is getting the targets and hasn’t caught fewer than three balls since Week 6. There is some risk/reward with him as a deep threat, but the reward is worth it.

And don’t get too scared off by the San Fran defense when it comes to Smith and his buddy Anquan Boldin. Because the 49ers are so stout against the run, teams often take to throwing on them. The 49ers are actually in the bottom half of the league in terms of points allowed to opposing WRs.

Torrey Smith fantasy football Thanksgiving day projection: 4 receptions, 85 yards, 1 TD

Other start em WRs:

• Michael Crabtree and Alex Smith are developing a nice rapport. He may not get into the end zone, but he’ll rack up at least 5-6 catches and 60-70 yards, with upside for more.
• With Miles Austin likely out again, both Dez Bryant and Laurent Robinson are top-25 wide receivers.
• Jordy Nelson, even though it goes without saying at this point. Also, keep playing Greg Jennings. I know his last few games have been less than what we expect, but do you really want your Thanksgiving to be ruined because he popped for 100 yards and a TD? No, you don’t.
• I’m not quite sure where that 1-catch dud in Week 11 by Brandon Marshall came from, but it’s the only game this year he’s had fewer than four catches. He stays in your lineup.
• ‘Tron. Also Nate Burleson, who has two straight excellent games and faces the inviting Packers’ defense this week.

Sit em WR: James Jones, Green Bay (at Detroit)

Jones flashed his potential in weeks 3-7 when he averaged 3+ catches and 62 yards per game to go along with three touchdowns. However, in the three games since then Jones has caught just two total passes. This has coincided with Jordy Nelson becoming the most explosive receiver in the NFL, and though I don’t watch Green Bay games I have to think there is some level of causation to that correlation.

I know you’ll be tempted to play Jones because it’s Thanksgiving – and he certainly has TD potential any week, any play – but the targets just aren’t there to justify it right now; plus, Detroit is actually the second-stingiest defense for opposing wide receivers playing on Thanksgiving (after Dallas).

James Jones fantasy football Thanksgiving day projection: 2 receptions, 35 yards, 0 TD

Other sit em WRs:

• I don’t like any Dolphins receiver not named Brandon Marshall.
• Lee Evans is supposedly back for Baltimore. Whoop-de-doo. Torrey Smith stole his role as deep threat.
• Braylon Edwards let a touchdown slip right through his fingers last week. You can’t start him until he proves he can make an impact.

Fantasy Football Thanksgiving Day Start/Sit Tight Ends

Start em TE: Brandon Pettigrew, Detroit (v Green Bay)

The Chicago Bears give up the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. Do you know who is second? The Green Bay Packers. This makes Pettigrew an automatic start this week, as does his consistency.

No, Pettigrew has not been as explosive lately as he was earlier in the season, but he’s caught at least three balls in every game but one this year, and he remains a redzone target as he scored a TD last week.

Brandon Pettigrew fantasy football Thanksgiving day projection: 5 receptions, 70 yards, 1 TD

Other start em TEs:

• The Ravens are actually the stingiest defense against opposing tight ends, so you’re forewarned; still, I’d start Vernon Davis. He’s becoming more and more involved in the passing game, and he has scored in two straight weeks. He’s not an automatic start, but unless you have a top-10 alternative I’d keep him in there.
• Jason Witten. ‘Nuff said.

Sit em TE: Jermichael Finley, Green Bay (at Detroit)

Remember when Jermichael Finley was supposed to be the next Antonio Gates? Since that time, Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski have clearly passed him, along with Aaron Hernandez and even the likes of Jermaine Gresham. Finley has talent, but the targets and touchdowns just aren’t there. Plus, Detroit is pretty stingy to opposing tight ends.

Finley has immense potential every week, but it’s crunch time. You need guaranteed production from the tight end spot. I’d look elsewhere but hang onto Finley for depth.

Jermichael Finley fantasy football Thanksgiving day projection: 2 receptions, 30 yards, 0 TD

Other sit em TEs:

• Ed Dickson came out of nowhere to score two TDs two weeks ago against Seattle. That game is sandwiched between games in which Dickson averaged two catches and 15 yards. San Fran is solid against tight ends thanks to the marvelous Patrick Willis. You can do better.
• Anthony Fasano has scored four touchdowns over his last four games, but in three of those games he had only two receptions. Dallas is pretty stingy to opposing TEs. Again, you can do better.

Fantasy Football Thanksgiving Day Start/Sit D/STs

Start em D/ST: San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens

I like both defenses in this game. San Fran is #1 in the league in points allowed (14.5 per game) and Baltimore is #3 (17.6). Plus, neither team’s QB exactly inspires confidence. So expect a physical, low-scoring game, with both defenses looking to make the play that turns the tide and wins it.

If you happen to have both defenses, the edge goes to San Francisco because of the added dimension and potential Ted Ginn brings in the return game.

San Francisco 49ers fantasy football Thanksgiving day projection: 14 or fewer points, 3+ sacks, 2 turnovers

Baltimore Ravens fantasy football Thanksgiving day projection: 14 or fewer points, 2+ sacks, 1 turnover

Other start em D/STs:

• The Dallas defense isn’t an automatic start, not after giving up 24 points to Sexy Rexy and the Rexskins, but they are a decent play against Miami.

Sit em D/ST: Miami Dolphins (at Dallas)

I know that the Miami defense has been very good lately, especially last week against Buffalo, but this Dallas offense is light years better than Buffalo’s. Miami has faced Matt Cassel, John Beck, and Ryan Fitzpatrick during their three-game winning streak. This week they face at hot Tony Romo, DeMarco Murray, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, and Laurent Robinson in Cowboys Stadium. That’s not favorable.

Miami Dolphins fantasy football Thanksgiving Day projection: 24 or more points, 1 sack, 1 turnover

Other sit em D/STs:

• Is there anyone who doesn’t expect a shootout in Detroit? Though both defenses have weekly sack and TD potential, it’s a safe bet to expect 60+ points in this game. I wouldn’t want either D playing for me (but Green Bay would be the choice if I had to play one.)

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I’m looking back on my selections, and I just realized I told you to sit a wide receiver and a tight end in what could be the highest-scoring Thanksgiving Day game ever. I’m not re-thinking either suggestion though. The potential is there, but the production just hasn’t been evident on the field to make me trust either Jones or Finley. We’ll see how those picks work out.

And don’t forget about the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Shootout. Click here to enter and make your Thanksgiving Day of football even more exciting.

Jon will be here tomorrow with start/sit advice on the rest of the Week 12 action. The comment section is open for your questions. Try to keep this thread Thanksgiving-specific if you can…although I guess it doesn’t really matter.

Good luck and happy Thanksgiving to all!

Update: Our Week 10 start em, sit em advice is posted, and this week’s post includes an opportunity for one MSF reader to win free NFL tickets. Make sure you check it out after you finish going through the waiver pickups.

There are no teams on bye in Week 10, but don’t let that lull you into a false sense of security.

The Texans, Colts, Saints, and Steelers are all on bye in Week 11, which means a lot of fantasy firepower will be sitting on benches during one of the final weekends of playoff positioning.

Don’t get caught snoozing; take this opportunity not just to improve your lineup for Week 10 but also to plan ahead for any lineup vacancies impending next week.

Andy is out this week, which means that I’m manning the ship for this week’s waiver wire advice and pickups. As always, every player listed here is owned in 50% or fewer of Yahoo leagues.

Fantasy Football Week 10 Waiver Wire Pickups: Quarterback

Matt Cassel, Kansas City (45%)

You never really know what you’re going to get with Matt Cassel. He will sometimes put up decent numbers in a game you don’t expect him too, and sometimes he’ll piss away good matchups with bad outings…like he just did in Week 9 against Miami.

Cassel’s Week 10 matchup against Denver should be a good one for he and the KC offense, and his Week 11 matchup against New England on Monday night definitely is based on the numbers. I’ll let you decide whether you trust Cassel enough to play him in either. (After what I saw this week, I’d have to be desperate to do so.)

Andy Dalton, Cincinnati (36%)

I don’t particularly like Andy Dalton this week against Pittsburgh, for obvious reasons, and he has Baltimore the next week and then Pittsburgh again two weeks later, but it’s hard to ignore Dalton after a 3 TD, 0 INT game against Tennessee.

Also, know this: despite the four games remaining against Pittsburgh and Baltimore, Dalton and the Bengals face St. Louis and Arizona during weeks 15 and 16 – the fantasy playoffs for most leagues. That’s promising, and it could be worth stashing the young Dalton for.

Colt McCoy, Cleveland (35%)

McCoy and the Browns offense are nothing to get excited about, but even the worst offenses can sometimes put up serviceable fantasy numbers against equally poor defenses. With the Browns schedule to face St. Louis this week, McCoy could have some value if you’re desperate or in a two-QB league.

Carson Palmer, Oakland (28%)

Palmer and the Raiders face the Chargers on Thursday night. I hate having players play in Thursday night games, and Palmer still worries me considering this is like the equivalent of his third preseason game, but the Chargers can be thrown on, so Palmer is at least worth thinking about.

Christian Ponder, Minnesota (16%)

The young Ponder has already had one decent fantasy day against the Packers (219 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs in Week 7), and it’s safe to assume that he’s going to continue to improve. He won’t be in the friendly confines on his home dome this time around, but the Packers’ suspect pass D and the probability of Rodgers and Co putting up big points makes Ponder a not-terrible option.

Blaine Gabbert, Jacksonville (4%)

I didn’t really want to list Gabbert here, but the fact that he’s available for almost everyone (I want to know what leagues he’s actually owned in!) and facing the Colts in Week 10 makes him at least worth mentioning. Understand that Gabbert is only an option if you’re desperate or in a three-QB league, but if he’s going to do anything productive this season it will be against the Colts.

Fantasy Football Week 10 Waiver Wire Pickups: Running Back

Maurice Morris, Detroit (29%)

As long as Jahvid Best is out, Morris is going to have value because of the strength of the Detroit offense. With no clear line of sight on when Best might return, performances like Morris’ in Week 8 could because the norm: 65 total yards and a touchdown. In Week 7, Morris had 63 total yards but didn’t score. That seems about right; 65 or so yards and a TD every other week. That’s certainly worth owning, especially if you count on any of the backs who will be on by in Week 11.

Roy Helu, Washington (27%)

The moment we’ve all been waiting for finally happened: Helu became the guy for Mike Shanahan and the Redskins. Though he was only able to muster 41 yards on the ground in a tough matchup against San Francisco, he did accumulate that yardage on just carries for a solid 4.1 yard average per carry.

Where Helu really did work was in the passing game, which is just putrid for the Redskins right now. Helu had a whopping 14 receptions for 105 yards because all John Beck could do most of the day was just dump it off. Helu won’t get receptions like that every week, but he clearly will be a factor out of the backfield, making him especially intriguing in PPR leagues, but valuable in all.

This is the gold star RB pickup of the week. I think he’ll be the ‘Skins main ball carrier from this day forward.

Chris Ogbonnaya, Cleveland (25%)

As I said with Colt McCoy, there isn’t much to like about Browns offense…except when they’re facing St. Louis’ defense. With Peyton Hillis’ name written in pen on the Browns’ shit list, and Montario Hardesty a constant injury risk, Ogbonnaya has stumbled into a great situation in terms of touches, and you might stumble into a decent flex option or filler player if you pounce now. Granted, “Silent G” as he’s been called, only had 41 total yards against the Texans, but he should have more running more against the room.

Kendall Hunter, San Francisco (13%)

Hunter is not a guy you want to pick up with the intention of playing right now, but if you have an extra roster spot he’s a great guy to take a flyer on. Frank Gore has rushed for 100 yards in five straight games, both because he’s an excellent back and because the 49ers’ offensive line is very good. Gore also has a history of getting nicked up. If anything happens to him, the ball would be Hunter’s, and I think he’d be 85-90% of what Gore’s been.

Donald Brown, Indianapolis (5%)

Brown has apparently become the guy in Indianapolis. He is the only one of their RBs scoring TDs, and he had 16 carries in Week 9 as opposed to only 4 for Delone Carter. If you’re desperate, Brown will at least get touches each week.

Fantasy Football Week 10 Waiver Wire Pickups: Wide Receiver

Michael Crabtree, San Francisco (48%)

Crabtree is featured in this column every week, and will continue to be featured until his ownership percentage jumps over 50%, which surely will happen this week. What more do you need us to say? I know his stats in Week 9 were underwhelming – 5 receptions, 51 yards – but he’s a great guy to at least have on your bench who is assured of 7-8 targets every week. Pick this guy up.

Mike Thomas, Jacksonville (46%)

The same theory that forced me to tell you that Blaine Gabbert is playing Indianapolis is at work here. Thomas is a good possession receiver stuck on a crappy offense. Against the crappy Colts, even Gabbert and Thomas should be able to make a few connections.

Torrey Smith, Baltimore (44%)

Mr. Hit or Miss could very well be a hit in Week 10 with the Seattle Seahawks on the schedule. Seattle is strong against the run, but not so strong against the pass. I think Joe Flacco will be airing out more than a few bombs in Smith’s direction throughout the course of this game.

Steve Breaston, Kansas City (35%)

Coming into Week 9, everyone was ready to anoint Jonathan Baldwin as the next great fantasy WR, and certainly Baldwin’s production would eclipse Steve Breaston’s, right? Well Baldwin proved why I’m always wary of rookie WRs (1 reception, 12 yards) and Breaston proved that he’s more than just a 5 catch, 50-yard guy (7 receptions, 115 yards). Granted, I would have played Baldwin over Breaston too last week for the upside, but this just goes to show that sometimes going with the “safe” pick over the “upside” one is the right decision.

Braylon Edwards, San Francisco (22%)

Braylon has been slow to get involved in the San Francisco offense, but I have a feeling he has an explosive game or two coming with five NFC West games left for the 49ers. Both of Braylon’s catches in Week 9 were nice catches, showing that he’s getting his sea legs under him after missing some time. There is some upside here.

Greg Little, Cleveland (18%)

Go back and review what I wrote about Colt McCoy and Chris Ogbonnaya if you’re wondering why I dare recommend Browns’ offensive players. Little has some value this week if you need a WR fill-in. His 2 receptions weren’t particularly encouraging in Week 9, but I’d still rather have him than Joshua Cribbs, even though the latter had the better day yesterday.

Jason Avant, Philadelphia (11%)

The Arizona Cardinals do not stop the pass very well, and the Philadelphia Eagles love to toss around with little abandon. Avant does not get near the attention that Desean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin get, but every now and then he busts out with a big performance. At a minimum, he’s usually good for at least 3-4 catches, which isn’t bad for a guy that is out there in 89% of leagues.

Laurent Robinson, Dallas (9%)

This is my gold star WR pickup of the week. Miles Austin got hurt, again, in Week 9, and Dez Bryant continues to be the most mercurial wideout in the NFL. Enter the steady Robinson, who continues to put up surprisingly good numbers as he earns the trust of Tony Romo.

He only caught 5 balls for 32 yards in Week 9, but one of them went for a TD. And in two of Robinson’s previous four games with the ‘Boys he totaled over 100 yards. There is a lot to like here.

Fantasy Football Week 10 Waiver Wire Pickups: Tight End

Scott Chandler, Buffalo (36%)

If we know one thing about Chandler, it’s that he only has value in the weeks when he scores touchdowns; but good luck predicting when that will be. So I’ll put this one on you: if you think Chandler will score this week against Dallas, he’s a decent option; if not, he’s not. My best guess? Hell if I know.

Jake Ballard, New York Giants (31%)

Out of the all the tight ends discussed in this post, Ballard is the one I like the most long-term; but I don’t like him all that much against San Francisco’s great linebackers in Week 10. So tread carefully this week, but the potential remains there down the stretch.

Jared Cook, Tennessee (31%)

Cook’s huge breakout into a star hasn’t really happened, but he has been occasionally useful. He’s no sure thing, but you could do worse in Weeks 10 and 11 if you need someone.

Brent Celek, Philadelphia (26%)

Fantasy owners have been burned by Celek in the past, and he’ll probably never be consistent, but he does seem to have a larger role in the Eagles’ offense now. With Arizona on the schedule this week, the potential is there for a big day.

Visanthe Shiancoe, Minnesota (21%)

Shiancoe caught a TD from Christian Ponder in the Vikings’ last matchup against Green Bay. That makes him worth a look this week with Green Bay on the schedule again.

Benjamin Watson, Cleveland (20%)

The Browns are playing the Rams. You get the idea.

Streaming Defenses of the Week

Washington Redskins (25%)

Washington isn’t a very good team because of their woeful offense, but they do have a good defense. With Miami on the schedule in Week 10, it should be a good week to own and play the Redskins.

Jacksonville Jaguars (2%)

I was amazed just now to find out that the Jaguars’ D is the least-owned defense in fantasy. Why? This is a pretty good defense, certainly one that should be able to put up  a strong fantasy day against Indianapolis in Week 10.

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Feel free to ask roster-specific questions below, and make sure you’re following @FantasyMSF on Twitter. And stay tuned for the Start/Sit column tomorrow.

Here’s your injury update for week 8!

AFC North

The Baltimore Ravens wide receiver, Lee Evans, will miss Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. Evans has missed the past four games recovering from an ankle injury. According to the Ravens website, Evans is at the end of his recovery and should be back in the game soon.

The Cleveland Browns are hurting from a few injuries this week. Mohammad Massaquoi, wide receiver, suffered a concussion and will sit out of Sunday’s game against the San Fransisco 49ers. Fellow teammate and tight end, Ben Watson, returned to practice on Friday after suffering from a concussion. Watson is listed as questionable along with running back Peyton Hillis who is dealing with a hamstring injury.

Hines Ward, wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, is listed as questionable. Ward didn’t practice all week due to a sprained ankle.

AFC South

Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson was ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The hamstring injury kept him out last week, and ever after practice, Johnson didn’t feel ready to play.

Running back Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts, is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans. The hamstring injury continues to bother Addai. And for those of you who might care (not sure why you’d be), Kerry Colins, quarterback, has been put on injured reserve after suffering from a concussion.

AFC East

The Buffalo Bills wide receiver Donald Jones will not play in Sunday’s game against the Washington Redskins. Jones is recovering from an ankle injury.

Daniel Thomas, running back for the Miami Dolphins, continues to struggle with hamstring issues. He was limited at practice on Thursday and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.

New England Patriots running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis is still dealing with a toe issue that arose two weeks ago. He is listed as questionable, but doesn’t seem to want to give any details about his progress.

AFC West

Running back Mike Tolbert, of the San Diego Chargers, will most likely sit out of Monday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Tolbert is suffering from a hamstring and hand injury. Malcom Floyd, wide receiver, was able to practice a little on Friday along with tight end Antonio Gates, and both will hopefully be set for Monday’s game.

NFC North

The Green Bay Packers lost rookie running back Alex Green last Sunday when playing the Minnesota Vikings. Green will remain out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury he suffered in the game.

The Detriot Lions have seen a few injuries that will take a hit to their team. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has been dealing with an ankle injury all week. Stafford was able to practice both Thursday and Friday. Although listed as questionable, it looks as though only a major setback will prevent him from playing. However, running back Jahvid Best has been ruled out after suffering from a concussion. The Lions take on the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

Receiver Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings, is listed as questionable while dealing with a rib injury. Adrian Peterson was dealing with an ankle issue but returned to practice on Thursday and will play in Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers.

NFC South

The New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the St. Louis Rams. Ingram missed the entire week of practice due to a right heel injury.

NFC East

Brandon Jacobs, running back for the New York Giants, is listed as probable for Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins because of a knee ailment. Expect him to return to the field.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Wells (Beanie Wells) will be a game time decision for their match up against the Baltimore Ravens. Wells practiced on his bad knee on Thursday, and they were hoping to see him continue to advance.

Wide receiver, Braylon Edwards, for the San Fransico 49ers will also be a game time decision due to a knee injury. Edwards practiced limitedly this week and looked as though he could play, but no one seems to have a for sure answer.

The Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch is listed as probable for Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Lynch sat out last week after suffering from back spasms.

Sam Bradford, quarterback for the St. Louis Rams, will miss his second game while he sits out with an ankle injury on Sunday when the Rams take on the New Orleans Saints. Wide receiver Danario Alexander is doubtful for the game as well, as he continues to deal with a hamstring issue.

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That’s your injury update for week 8. I hope these games prove to be as exciting as the games of the World Series! Happy football!

Now for this week we have some interesting picks for you, but a lot of them are on the down side of the stock.  I had one person ask me how I could have DeMarco Murray down this week after his big game last week; easy.  Just look at Adrian Peterson’s stats after he set the NFL record for yards in a game.  Stay here: he scored 5 points.

We have a special treat for you in this installment of the stock report: kickers, tricks and more.

Fantasy Football Week 8 Stock Report: Stock Up

Ben Roethlisberger

Everyone knows how polarizing the Patriots offense and defense are, which fall into the lap of Big Ben this week.  This game seriously has potential for each team to get into the 30s and here is why: yes the Steelers defense is very good, but not against Tom Brady who is 6-1 against them with a 104 rating for his career…so a shootout looks probable.

Ryan Fitzpatrick

Are fantasy owners starting to shy away from the early season success story that is thee Ryan Fitzpatrick?  We are talking about the resurgence of the Jim Kelly-run no-huddle offense that had the Bills in four consecutive Super Bowls, in which Ryan Fitzpatrick will be directing!  All jokes aside, this is the time to see what the Bills are really made of, and if they are to play at a high level then Fitz will as well.

Ryan Torain

It looks like some fantasy owners are glad that their recent acquisition of Torain a few weeks ago is finally going to pay off with Tim Hightower going down for the season.  The Santana Moss injury puts more pressure on the RB, but also should get his more carries as John Beck is still the starter.  John Beck.

Jackie Battle

If anyone is in need of starting back, you had better at least get Battle on your roster while he is still available.  At this point in the season the Chiefs are at a crossroads.  After coming back to a respectable 3-3 record, the boys in KC are a game away from claiming the division lead.  Either way, Battle clearly gives them the best option at running back with Jamaal Charles out, though they still give everyone the ball.  They’ll take note of Battle’s 5.2 YPC average sooner or later.

Greg Little

5 catches for 31 yards and 3 points doesn’t exactly scream hope for a rookie in a dysfunctional offense that just lost two other starters not named Peyton Hillis.  And to tack onto the problems, the Browns are at San Francisco too.  Who cares!?  Little has the ability to hold his own in this league, and with two of those starters out being pass catchers, he’s going to be counted on heavily.

Braylon Edwards

Oh what do you know, Braylon Edwards facing his old team again, only this time with a new one.  This wild prediction hinges upon the fact that he actually plays this week against the Browns.  He has too much talent for this matchup to not inspire him to get back at a few old teammates during a home game in “his” house.  This league is so coincidental that I could see him having a big day just because…and I don’t know why.

Fred Davis

In the small pond that is the Washington Redskins offense, Fred Davis is the big fish by default.  If you ask why, just think of it this way; the offense went from a modest crew of Grossman, Moss, Hightower and Cooley to Beck, Gaffney, Torain and Davis.  We hope that Davis’ skills will help back that claim up.

Rob Bironas

Kicker Alert!  Kickers don’t get the love they should. Even though their success is often dependent on the offense they are on, that doesn’t mean they should be forgotten about.  Now, because this is a team game let’s look at who the Titans have on their schedule this week.  Oh yes the Colts, and everyone blows out the Colts right?

Fantasy Football Week 8 Stock Report: Stock Down

Cam Newton

The Panthers’ run defense is terrible to say it nicely, and going up against Adrian Peterson right now isn’t exactly a favorable matchup.  What does this mean for Killa Cam?  Minnesota wanting to play ball control in a winnable game leading to less possessions for Carolina and ultimately less points for the rookie.  Who knows, he could go off for 30+ this weekend, but he can’t be this good all the time can he?

DeMarco Murray

Just like the Dow Jones, this stock report will have guys up and down from week to week just because you need to know.  Murray will return to earth this week, as it’s hard to see the Eagles giving up such huge numbers to the rookie who put huge numbers against the lowly Rams.  Critics are looking for something big from teammate Tony Romo, so chances are Murray is going to take a backseat to his quarterback this time around.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis

Toe injuries are one of the worst for running backs because they are going to feel that sharp pain on every step.  If there is one thing that the Steelers are going to be able to take away from the Patriots offense it is the running game, and Green-Ellis won’t be 100% anyways.

Larry Fitzgerald

It is kind of sad how a stand up guy such as Fitzgerald could garner all of the hype any other great receiver in the NFL receives, but when his team is 1-5, all of that goes out of the door.  Sure the scouting report on Larry is that he has the best hands in the league, but going against the Ravens after a loss is a tough task, so temper expectations.

DeSean Jackson

Foolish as it is to say that Jackson’s stock is down, because of the simple fact that there is a chance he could score at anytime whether it is on offense or special teams, the two catch games become very frustrating and can boil the blood of even the coolest fantasy owner.  While he does perform at crunch time and loves the spotlight (night game versus Dallas) it would be nice to see a little bit of consistency going forward.

Heath Miller

Naturally, people have gravitated towards Miller due to his recent production over the last few games, but when he doesn’t score can you live with a 4 point game out of him?

Jacksonville D/ST

A fluke is what we would like to call Monday night’s effort against the Baltimore Ravens, holding them to only 7 points.  The game couldn’t have been set up any better for the Jags at home on MNF and these types of outcomes just happen from time to time, but if you are looking for a repeat performance, with a chance that Houston will get Andre Johnson back, you have to be kidding yourself.

Nick Novak

If we are going to give you the stock report for kickers poised to do well this week, then we have to let you know whose stock is down as well.  Regardless if the Chargers are playing on the road at Kansas City, Phillip Rivers should be poised to have a break out game after his sluggish start to the season.  At least he better have a break out game for a few of our sakes, and if he does, that would mean more touchdowns and less field goals for Novak.

The latest is this quote, in the New York Post:

“I go in there and he told me that he traded me to the New York Jets and I couldn’t show how excited I was at the time, because I thought it would be unprofessional to do a dance in his office. When he told me that, I couldn’t get out of Berea [Ohio, where the Browns train] fast enough.”

Well guess what, Braylon? You aren’t the only one who was ready to dance when it was announced that you were leaving Cleveland. I seem to remember an entire fan base that was overjoyed with the news.

And in case you forgot, the Browns won their final four games last year…without you. Something tells me Eric Mangini probably would have done the fox trot with you right out to your car.

So, since Braylon Edwards is my least favorite athlete in any sport, I decided to honor his return to Cleveland in the most disrespectful and unwelcoming way I can think of: with a mocking photo story here on MSF.

Note: If for some reason the image doesn’t load properly or quickly, view it here.

And here’s the saddest part about it Braylon: even if you catch 10 passes for 300 yards and 4 TDs in Cleveland, not one fan in that stadium would want you back, and the Browns’ biggest weakness is at wide receiver.

That’s sad. It’s pathetic. And it’s all your doing, because you have zero humility and the self-awareness of cucumber. Maybe you’re fine with that, whatever. But you could have been a hero in Cleveland (remember 2007? You know, when you tried…) instead of a drunk-driving, pass-dropping douchebag now lost in the shuffle in New York. That was your choice.

My choice is to call you out for it all one more time as you come back to the city you so clearly loathed from Day 1. Well the feeling is now fully mutual, you jackass.

Oh, and on behalf of my friends in Cleveland, thanks in advance for what I’m sure will be at least a couple of these on Sunday…

GIF credit: Dan McQuade via SBNation

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Update: Our friends over at Cleveland Frowns have a much more mature and measured take on Braylon’s return to Cleveland and how the swap of Braylon for Eric Mangini has worked out very well for the Browns.

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When the Vikings take the field Monday night, it will have been two full weeks since we’ve last seen them. If any team needed the time off, it was Minnesota. Injuries, execution and ambivalent emotions – they had all been problems for the Vikes before the bye week hit; a little bit of regrouping was in order.

But they will need that refresh button they tried to hit over the break to take effect right away, because the New York Jets are rolling into this one.

Monday Night Football: Minnesota Vikings at New York Jets Game Info

• Vikings-Jets Date: Monday, October 11
• Vikings-Jets Kickoff Time: 8:30 pm
• Vikings-Jets TV Network: ESPN
• Vikings-Jets Announcers: Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, and Jon Gruden
• Vikings-Jets Point Spread: Jets -4 (as of Thursday morning)
• Vikings-Jets Over-Under: 39

Monday Night Football: Minnesota Vikings at New York Jets Preview

That the Jets come in on a roll shouldn’t come as a surprise, mind you. New York was supposed to be here; the unexpected part of this 3-1 start is who has been playing significant roles, namely Braylon Edwards and LaDainian Tomlinson. As you can see, in this game there were plenty of storylines ready to go.

And then Mr. Randy Moss entered himself into the equation. We should probably start there.

The Moss Factor.

Whatever happened between Moss and the Patriots doesn’t matter. Randy Moss will not kill this Minnesota team. There’s a chance he could just be “meh” – the ever dangerous decoy at the least – but at best, he could be a force of nature. He just won’t be terrible; he won’t be a self-destructive problem for that team. He’s playing for a new deal, in a new situation (well, kind of), and with a fresh batch of motivation.

Another positive to this trade for Minnesota: if anything is going to bring Brett Favre back from the confused-old-fella-with-his-right-turn-signal-on-for-three-miles state of football he’s playing at the moment, it’s this move. I agreed with Favre, for probably the last time ever, back in 2007 when he lobbied so hard for a Moss trade to Green Bay. Moss is the perfect receiver for him; I’ll throw it up, you go catch it. This could be the shot in the arm Favre so clearly needed. He needs to have fun out there, as we all know.

Maybe it’ll be the shot in the arm the entire team, and NFC as a whole, needed as well. The Vikings may be 1-2, but that was pre-Moss. In this post-Moss world, they are a serious threat in this conference – because it’s a conference no one has taken a firm hold of yet. This trade should provide a due kick in the pants to meandering contenders like the Saints and Packers, who, despite 3-1 records, have been a bit shaky.

In short, the Vikings, like Omar, are comin’. Everyone needs to take notice.

Minnesota is also similar to Omar Little of “The Wire” in another way. Omar’s profession of stealing from drug organizations made his day-to-day living just that – day-to-day. Did you know that one can develop quite the list of enemies when stealing from drug lords? Crazy, I know. The Vikings have made it clear with this Moss move and basically every other action and non-action they’ve performed as of late that they are living season-to-season. Or actually, just this season.

And like Omar, they do so willingly.

The Vikings will not be the same team next year and they know it. They are the 2004 Los Angeles Lakers, with Karl Malone, Gary Payton and Shaq in his last year with L.A. It is now or never. Next year, it could be all about Chris Mihm and Slava Medvedenko. Or in football terms, Tarvaris Jackson and Bernard Berrian.

The Jets are pretty good, and possibly getting better.

Meanwhile, the Jets have started to assert themselves firmly within the upper crust of the AFC behind the play of Braylon Edwards, LaDainian Tomlinson and an efficient Mark Sanchez. Edwards and his beard (shown below, before he shaved it) have been making big plays, which is to say he’s been surprising, and Tomlinson may not just simply be the third down screen pass option we thought he was at this point in his career.

And now they welcome Santonio Holmes, Darrelle Revis and Calvin Pace into the fold. As they sit at 3-1 and with one of the more complete teams in the league, they can argue they have just reached full strength. Just in time, as the Football Gods would have it, to prepare for their old friends Brett and Randy (seriously, the only way this game works out better for ESPN is if LeBron, D-Wade and Chris Bosh are either commentating or officiating).

Revis gets another shot at Moss a few weeks removed from being embarrassed so bad it reminded him of just how tight that pesky hamstring really was (weird how that works).

As for Favre? Well, aside from trying to meet new people, it doesn’t seem like he ever really wanted to be in New York. He wanted to play football, and that was his only option at the time. The Jets probably didn’t enjoy the way that experience ended, meaning they’re probably going to try and crush him – like they do everyone else. I presume Rex Ryan will be more persuasive with it than I can be, though.

Monday Night Football: Minnesota Vikings at New York Jets Prediction

This game should be all sorts of interesting. Assuming Moss plays, does he make an immediate impact on the stagnant Viking offense? Does it matter this week anyway, with the revamped Jets coming into their own at home?

Both of these teams are entering a second act of sorts. Whatever happens going forward will have started here. This is the first game of the rest of their seasons.

Vikings-Jets Prediction: Jets 23, Vikings 20.

Vikings-Jets Spread Pick: Vikings +4

Vikings-Jets Over-Under Pick: Over

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**Moss photo courtesy of Damian Strohmeyer/SI
**Omar photo courtesy of http://1morefilmblog.com
**Braylon photo courtesy of http://www.makli.com

Twitter: twitter.com/griffingotta Email: griffingotta@gmail.com

In the aftermath of the Jets’ victory over the Dolphins last night – a victory they very well might not have achieved without the services of confirmed drunk driver Braylon Edwards – I have been both shocked and appalled at the way Edwards is being glorified. One example is this article by Gregg Doyel, whose myopic take here really disappointed me, but who also reminded me that Edwards is not the only player to recently get picked up for a DUI.

And let me state something right off the bat: this post has nothing to do with my personal, well-known disdain for Braylon Edwards, as you’ll soon see.

Perhaps my distaste for how this story is being covered has been more acute because I can’t stand Edwards, but the general idea of this post is not influenced by Braylon and his underachieving, megalomaniacal “New York essence” one bit. And I mean that. I wouldn’t address a topic of such gravitas if my underlying motivation were so petty.

Here’s the thing: Edwards isn’t the only player who should not have played last night. I don’t think Edwards nor Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown – another confirmed drunk driver, but whose transgression occurred during the offseason – should have been on the field last night; and Brown is one of my favorite NFL players, a guy whose jersey I own and proudly wear sometimes on gamedays.

Both Brown, a guy I like, and Edwards, a guy I loathe, should have been suspended for at least four games for their transgressions. That’s right. If Brian Cushing and others can be suspended for failing a test for performance-enhancing drugs, a crime against only the integrity of NFL competition, then Edwards and Brown should be suspended for just as long, if not moreso, for a crime again the integrity of human life.

The only thing separating Brown and Edwards from an infamous and indefinite existence of regret and remorse, the kind of existence that is an unfortunate but deserved reality for Donte Stallworth and Leonard Little, is luck. That’s it.

Brown, Edwards, Stallworth, and Little all made the same selfish choice to turn their automobiles into runaway weapons that they were not in complete capacity to control;. The only difference is that the weapons of Stallworth and Little took the lives of other human beings, while Brown and Edwards were merely forced to suffer the ignominy of being arrested. (And you know what? It’s quite possible that being arrested may just have prevented Brown and Edwards from a fate similar to Stallworth and Little. Who knows what happens if they keep driving drunk. I shudder to think.)

Yet, Brown essentially paid no price and Edwards is somehow being celebrated for his ability block out the distractions and play well in a football game.

Once again, I ask you: have we lost all perspective?

Let me make something else clear before I go on, in the interest of full disclosure: this post is not about me standing on a soapbox and blathering on all holier-than-thou about how selfish and stupid NFL players can be. Quite the contrary.

The truth is that I, and many friends of mine, especially while in college, made similarly poor decisions after nights of drinking. I admit that while I’ve been responsible 99% of the time, and spent many a weekend night as a DD in college, on a couple of occasions I drove when I probably should not have. Sadly, I would assume that most of the people reading this, if given truth serum, would say the same thing. So really, the only thing that separates you and me from Little and Stallworth is luck too.

Anyone who has ever gotten behind the wheel of a car without all of the mental and physical faculties necessary to operate a vehicle with complete awareness is no better than any of these football players. These players just provide a convenient jumping off point for the conversation.

Now let’s get back to perspective.

The NFL suspends players for drug use of all kinds, which I think is fine, especially in the case of performance enhancers. So why not suspend anyone who is pulled over and blows a BAL above the legal limit? No one else is ever going to die from Brian Cushing’s decision to *ahem* overtrain, but it only takes one time and a little bad luck for someone else to make the same decision Braylon Edwards and I made for it to result in a tragedy.

That is why I think DUIs should be dealt with on a zero-tolerance level.

Right now, players cannot be suspended for a first DUI offense. They can be issued up to a $50,000 fine. The reason is that a first offense falls under the substance abuse policy, not the personal conduct policy. Upon a second offense, the NFL can step in and dole out punishment. This is ludicrous. It would be like issuing a five-yard penalty for the first time a defensive back commits pass interference and then getting serious and making it a spot-of-the-foul penalty afterwards.

Actually, no, it’s nothing like that. Well, in a way I suppose it is…but pass interference can’t kill someone.

Donte Stallworth and Leonard Little paid huge prices, both monetarily and in terms of suspension length, for killing people while driving drunk. Ronnie Brown and Braylon Edwards paid very little price, but only luck and happenstance really separates these four people. So why such disparate punishments for essentially the same choice?

It’s the choice to drive drunk that was the real crime in all four cases. Driving drunk is illegal. It’s not just illegal if you kill someone. As soon as you make the choice to drive while inebriated, you are essentially putting your future and the future of every other person on the road with you at that same time at risk.

This is where I get to my call to action.

The NFL has already had two high profile stories of players killing people while driving drunk, and DUIs are a recurring problem for the NFL; this, despite the presence of a service that players can call anytime to drive them home. If the NFL is going to lay down the gauntlet of justice to stop the use of recreational and performance-enhancing drugs – which, again, harm no one but the player himself and the integrity of the competition – why would it not be just as vigilant and decisive in deterring its players from operating vehicles while intoxicated?

And it’s not just the NFL. Major League Baseball has had high profile instances of players and even managers caught behind the wheel when they shouldn’t be. Yet, while we regularly see players suspended 50 games for failing PED tests, where was the long suspension for Tony La Russa after he was found passed out drunk in his car at a stoplight? If you ask me, La Russa’s crime was far more egregious and deserving of a long suspension. But I guess it all depends on your perspective.

Right now, professional sports leagues like the NFL and MLB, and the unions that they must deal with when it comes to formulating systems of punishment, have made it clear that they value the integrity of their competition and the right to make millions more than they value the integrity of human life. How else are we to interpret punishment policies that treat performance-enhancing drug use with such strict, black & white seriousness but that seem to revel in the incomprehensible gray area reserved for DUIs.

If you believe the previous statement to be hyperbole or misguided, by all means disagree in the comment section. I want this post to generate debate and discussion.

We talk all the time about deterring performance-enhancing drug use to a) maintain the integrity of the competition and b) ensure that the right example is being set for kids. Well here is the lesson that kids have learned so far from the NFL this season:

• Fail a test for performance-enhancing drugs, even if the circumstances surrounding the test are in dispute, and you’re out for four games. Period. End of discussion.
• Get pulled over for a DUI and while your reputation takes a bit of a hit, the organization and its cheering sycophants will have your back and all you need to do is play well on the field to be redeemed. (Unless you’re unlucky and kill someone, of course…then it’s a problem.)

Frankly, and please excuse my language, that’s bullshit.

While this post is singling out the NFL, the point is universal. If I ever am so selfish and stupid to drive again when I shouldn’t be, and I sure hope I’m more mature than that now, then I should be suspended from my job. Period. End of story. And so should you. And so should anyone else who drives drunk. If you don’t like the idea of suspending people from their jobs – a perspective I can understand – then for us laypeople there should be minimum fines and other penalties that are more substantial than what is in place now.

But in sports, where PED use is dealt with by suspension, that’s the minimum that a DUI should generate.

Maybe I needed to watch a guy I can’t stand be celebrated in the wake of getting caught for a DUI to realize the absurdity of this issue. And maybe I needed to realize how much of a hypocrite I was being for casting stones at Braylon Edwards, while granting immunity to myself and Ronnie Brown, to take an honest look at this issue and figure out how I really and objectively feel it should be handled.

Well here it is: you are a criminal the second you get behind the wheel of a car while drunk and you should be dealt with as one. If you don’t agree with me, ask the families forever haunted by Donte Stallworth’s and Leonard Little’s decision to do just that. I bet they’ll agree. Just because Braylon Edwards, Ronnie Brown, I, and perhaps you, didn’t cause a similar tragedy does not mean we are any better, it just means we were luckier.

It’s time to take luck out of the equation for punishment when it comes to DUI. Even if it would only help to deter one more drunk driver from getting behind the wheel of a car they shouldn’t be driving, it would be worth it. And the NFL has the clout, visibility, and tragic historical perspective to set this terrific example. In fact, considering their history, I think they should be compelled to do so.

There is no negative to any policy that deters drunk drivers from driving, just as there is no negative to any policy that deters PED cheaters from cheating. So I ask again: why is one dealt so much differently from the other?

Ultimately, it just comes down to perspective. What’s yours?

Update: I want to clarify something, based on some of the feedback/comments I’ve gotten about this on Twitter and Reddit. I am not advocating the NFL override the principle of innocent until proven guilty or prevent players from receiving due process. The legal system needs to run its course and a player’s guilt needs to either be admitted or proven before a suspension should happen. But once this happens, the suspension should be immediate.

Update: I just came across two excellent links that are related to what I’ve written here.

The first is from Stephanie Stradley, who blogs for both FanHouse and the Houston Chronicle, and who has a background in law. I’ve met Stephanie and spoken with her on multiple occasions. She is bright, thoughtful, and measured when it comes to issues where sports and the legal system interact. Read her piece entitled All Hail Goodell…Or Else: A Look at the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy.

The other link is actually contained within Stephanie’s post. It is from a Pro Football Talk article from June of 2009 that reiterates the main idea I’m making here: Schmitt Should Be Suspended For a Year.

And then there is Braylon Edwards, who has slowly but surely nudged his way ever so close to the Throne of Sports Hate that currently features Mariotti and Calipari engaged in an unnecessary but  lurid embrace.

Well, Braylon once again could not resist making a petty turd out of himself, with his latest display of douchebaggery involving Dropsie taking yet another unnecessary shot at the city of Cleveland.

Since I understand my own limitations and have an ounce of humility, unlike Braylon, I will do what I do best (find goofy pictures of athletes) while letting a couple of Cleveland’s finest bloggers break down a man whose arrogance and sense of entitlement continue to astound me.

Before I turn it over to those guys though, let’s all point and laugh at Braylon and his ridiculous beard.

Image credit: Ben Solomon for The New York Times via NYT

Psst…hey Braylon…I doubt Rhianna will accept a $10,000 bottle of champagne from you just because you have a jungle growing on your face.

On the bright side Braylon, you can stop looking up at the video board for confirmation; yes, you caught the football. Congrats. Yes, we’re all surprised too. Now just try to do it in a game…when it matters.

GIF hat tip: Dan McQuade via SBNation

[Note: just in case you want to see a gallery of every pass thrown to Braylon Edwards during the 2008 and 2009 seasons, click here.]

And now onto some actual analysis from a couple of folks who, unfortunately for them, had to witness the Braylon Era up close and personal.

From Brendan at Waiting for Next Year:

He is looking for any explanation that exculpates his personal shortcomings as an employee of the organization.  I cannot speak to the psychological reasons why he continually makes this case – delusion, insecurity, provocation – but his propensity for dropping the football at the most crucial times led to unrealized expectations and an unfulfilling career in Cleveland.  This caused the fans disappointment, and in some cases, anger – “the saddest thing in life is wasted talent.”

And now perhaps the best analysis of Braylon’s on-field and off-field failings, and his inexplicable inability to accept even one iota of responsibility.

From Cleveland Frowns:

All that Cleveland’s problem ever was with Braylon was that we paid for the cars, the suits and all that flash and all we ever really got from him was a scolding that we didn’t appreciate him enough, and his intentional sabotage of Eric Mangini’s rebuilding efforts in 2009.*

Which even still might all be fine by now if Braylon didn’t continue to refuse to accept any responsibility at all for what went wrong here during his time as the most (or at least one of the very most) highly compensated members of the Cleveland Browns. Or maybe even just if he wasn’t still saying things like that “nobody in Cleveland has anything going on.” Has an athlete ever gone so far in criticizing the citizens of a place where he played? Isn’t there only one kind of person who’d say this sort of thing?

[Plater] saw in her son this off-season something that had vanished — a level of happiness last evident in his senior year at Michigan.
“This is all I ever needed,” Edwards said. “And all I never had [in Cleveland].”

Of course. The kind of person who would take Cleveland’s $40 million to do a job that he couldn’t do, then blame Cleveland itself for not making him happy.