Big Names Who Could Disappoint

Andy Dalton

Dalton has burst onto the scene as a rookie, and would be a favorite to win Rookie of the Year if a certain Cam Newton was not doing even better than Dalton. Last week was tough for the Andy Dalton, and the Bengals as a whole, as the Steelers took care of business at home with a 35-7 win. Dalton went 11 for 24 with a touchdown, but sat out the fourth quarter due to the large deficit.

Things will only get harder this week as the Bengals are taking on the Texans. Houston’s defense is ranked third in passing yards per game (183.4) and is second in sacks (35). I would expect Dalton to be towards the bottom of the fantasy quarterback ratings this week, and sitting him would be a wise choice.

Steven Jackson

Jackson and the Rams are going up against the Seahawks on Monday Night Football, in a game that is scheduled for the wrong time on the wrong day. (Really NFL schedulers, this game is on MNF?)

Jackson has been held under 100 yards for three straight games, after having over 100 in three straight, and has not scored a touchdown since Week 8 against New Orleans. The 2-10 Rams have not been able to live up to high expectations for this season, and Jackson is a part of this. The Seahawks held him to 42 yards in Week 11, and will once again be held under 100 yards on Monday night.

Brandon Marshall

The Dolphins have been one of the hottest teams as of late, the only problem being that they lost their first seven games. Matt Moore has turned the team around, but Brandon Marshall has not had a major impact.

Marshall only has three touchdowns on the year, even though he is the Dolphins leading receiver. He has only had at least 100 yards in two of his last seven games, and he is going up against the Eagles secondary this week. I understand that the Eagles are playing well below their expectations, but the talent in their secondary is capable of shutting down talent like Marshall.

Under-the-Radar Players to Consider

In the past, I have always listed one quarterback in this category. This week I decided to leave out a quarterback because, with playoffs being underway, most teams already have a quarterback in place. Saying that Matt Moore could have a good game would not change someone’s mind about whether to start Moore over someone like Drew Brees or Aaron Rodgers.

C.J. Spiller

Now that Fred Jackson is on IR, Spiller has taken over as the main running back for the Buffalo Bills. In his last two games, he has rushed for a combine 138 yards with a touchdown.

The Bills are going up San Diego and their 26th ranked rush defense, who allow over 131 yards on average. Spiller is also a threat as a receiver, and should be able to find the endzone one way or another.

Marion Barber

Barber is in a similar situation to Spiller, as his team’s leading rusher, Matt Forte, is injured. Barber is likely going to get the majority of the carries wtih Forte out, and will get a decent amount of points as a result.

Barber and the Bears are facing the Broncos, who own the 20th ranked rush defense in the league. The Broncos have been playing great defense as of late, but the Bears will be trying to establish a ground game due to Caleb Hanie being the quarterback. Giving Marion Barber a chance would be a safe bet this week.

Demaryius Thomas

Thomas was the main beneficiary of Tim Tebow primarily throwing the ball last week, as he had four catches for 144 yards and two touchdowns.

The Broncos seem to be trying to get Tebow throwing the ball more often, and Thomas is his most likely target. It also seems that Tebow has a few long passes per game, which was evident last week as Thomas caught one of these for a touchdown. Look for Thomas to have a big day, given that Tebow looks to throw more than run.

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Also check out this week’s start/sit column, our waiver wire pickups, and the Week 14 Sunday live chat.

Quite frankly, I’m not sure any of these guys are plug and play options, but if you’re in a pinch and looking at the waiver wire for potential help this week or depth down the stretch, here are a few guys you might be considering.

As always, players listed here are owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Fantasy Football Week 14 Waiver Wire Pickups: QB

Matt Moore (18%), Miami

After passing for one score and running for another against the Raiders, Moore now has six total touchdowns over the last three games and nine scores over the last five.  He’s not going to put up gaudy yardage numbers, so even against the disappointing Philly defense, Moore is just a QB2.  However, he does have solid matchups against the Bills and Patriots the following two weeks.

Christian Ponder (14%), Minnesota

The Denver-Minnesota game featured some of the worst pass defense I have ever seen, so don’t go overboard when you look at Ponder’s 381 passing yards and three scores.

He still made some poor throws, and this was the first time he’s thrown for over 236 yards since being named the starter.  Ponder also turned the ball over three times for the second time in his last three games.  Like Moore, he’s a QB2 in a matchup with the Lions next week.

Rex Grossman (11%), Washington

If you’re looking for a pure matchup play this week, Grossman is the guy.  Yes, he was abysmal against the Jets on Sunday, going 19-of-46 for 221 yards.  But you know who else is abysmal?  Dan Orlovsky, who threw for the 353 yards and two scores against the Patriots, who just so happen to be Grossman’s next opponent.

A potential point of caution, in addition to the fact that it’s Rex Grossman, is that the Redskins may well be without tight end Fred Davis and tackle Trent Williams, who will be suspended according to some news blurbs I saw on Sunday.

Fantasy Football Week 14 Waiver Wire Pickups: RB

Maurice Morris (45%), Detroit

Kevin Smith reinjured his ankle, which opened the door for Morris to see 17 touches in the Detroit backfield.  He wasn’t particularly effective on the ground with 28 yards on 12 carries, but he did catch five passes for 47 yards and a score.

Assuming Smith misses Sunday’s game against the Vikings, Morris is in line to get the bulk of the workload.  Even though Minnesota has allowed a couple big games to opposing runners within the last few weeks, Morris seems best-suited as a flex option or maybe a low-end RB2 in PPR leagues.

Toby Gerhart (42%), Minnesota

After a disappointing performance in Week 12, Gerhart bounced back with 91 rushing yards to go with eight receptions for 42 yards against the Broncos.  There is some speculation that the Vikings will sit Adrian Peterson again next week, which would mean another heavy workload for Gerhart.

There obviously isn’t much to play for in Minnesota, so rushing Peterson back simply doesn’t make sense.  Gerhart would have a chance to run against the Suh-less Detroit defense, making him at least a flex play again.  Don’t count on a repeat of the eight catches though.

Marion Barber (38%), Chicago

I mentioned Barber as a potential add last week, and he’s sure to be a more popular selection this week after Matt Forte’s knee injury.  Nothing definitive has been released yet about Forte, but he’s most certainly out this week.

Barber faces a Denver defense that has been decent against the run in recent weeks and won’t have to respect the pass given what we saw from Caleb Hanie this week.  Still, Barber had at least six fantasy points in standard leagues in five of six games heading into Week 13, so he’s at least been consistent.  Consider him a flex option for this week in standard leagues.

Donald Brown (21%), Indianapolis

Once again, Brown garnered more touches than starter Joseph Addai, finishing with 56 total yards and a TD.  In PPR leagues, Brown now has at least eight fantasy points in six of the last seven weeks, and he’s posted double digit points in five of those contests.  That said, the matchup against the Ravens this week is not a favorable one, making him a flex play at best.  Brown has better matchup against the Titans in Week 15 though, so keep that in mind.

Ricky Williams (8%), Baltimore

This is definitely reserved for deeper leagues, but the Ravens came out determined to run it down Cleveland’s throat and they did just that with Ray Rice rushing for over 200 yards and Williams getting 76 yards and a TD as well.  Against the Colts, Chargers, and Browns, it’s not inconceivable that the Ravens use a similar gameplan (although with Cam Cameron you never know), which potentially gives Williams some value.  It would be an extremely gutsy move to play him, but he’s not a bad option to have on your bench in case of emergency.

Isaac Redman (5%), Pittsburgh

Pretty much the same story as Ricky Williams here.  Redman rushed for 51 yards as the backup runner this week, and the Steelers face Cleveland this week and St. Louis in Week 16.

Fantasy Football Week 14 Waiver Wire Pickups: WR

Johnny Knox (48%), Chicago

I realize that starting any Chicago wideout as long as Caleb Hanie is the QB seems like a suicide mission, but Knox was the most-targeted Bears receiver on Sunday, finishing with five grabs for 53 yards.  Chicago faces a Denver secondary that was embarrassed by Percy Harvin and the Vikings on Sunday.  Knox is certainly a risky play, but there is some upside here.

Robert Meachem (48%), New Orleans

While Meachem made a couple big plays en route to a 119-yard, one score game against the Lions, keep in mind that he had been shut out in two of the last three games heading into that matchup.  The Saints do have a couple decent matchups coming up, but this is a guy who hasn’t caught more than four passes since Week Three and has broken 70 yards just once.

Nate Burleson (39%), Detroit

When Burleson wasn’t getting flagged for offensive pass interference Sunday night, he caught five passes for 93 yards, his fourth straight game with at least five catches.  This week Detroit faces a Minnesota defense was ridiculously inept against the Denver passing game, which makes Burleson a potential matchup play. 

Damian Williams (25%), Tennessee

Williams continues to be Matt Hasselbeck’s favorite target, and the Titans have a couple favorable matchups coming up.  They face the Saints this week followed by the Colts in Week 15, and both of those defenses are among the ten teams allowing the most fantasy points to opposing wideouts.  In PPR leagues, Williams has double digit points in five of the last six games.

Riley Cooper (10%), Philadelphia

The good news is that Cooper led the Eagles with 94 receiving yards.  The bad news is that he could have done much more if not for a couple critical drops.  If Jeremy Maclin is out again this week, Cooper is a potential flex or WR3 option after posting at least 70 yards for three straight weeks.

Demaryius Thomas (4%), Denver

After catching a TD in Week Seven and prompting owners (myself included) to snatch him off the waiver wire, Thomas had posted four receptions for 76 yards in the five games since, but he took advantage of an Eddie Royal injury and abysmal secondary play on Sunday against Minnesota.  He finished with four catches, 144 yards, and two scores.

This week’s matchup against the Bears should be much tougher, and Thomas’ inconsistency makes him even riskier.  Denver takes on the Patriots in Week 15 and the Bills in Week 16, so he does have better matchups on the horizon.  He might be worth stashing on your bench, but you’re braver than I am if you put him in your lineup with your season on the line.

Brad Smith (3%), Buffalo

Smith was named a starter for the Bills this week and responded well with seven catches and 72 yards on 10 targets.  He now has at 149 yards in the last two weeks and looks like a potential flex option down the stretch, particularly in PPR leagues.  A matchup against Denver in Week 16 is particularly enticing.

Andre Roberts (2%), Arizona

For those tempted to pick up Roberts after his six-catch, 111-yard day against the Cowboys, let me offer a few words of caution.  First, the matchup against San Francisco next week is a brutal one.  Second, this was the first time Roberts tallied over 55 receiving yards this season, and it was only the second time with over four receptions.  Third, Kevin Kolb is his quarterback.

Golden Tate (1%), Seattle

With Sidney Rice on IR, Tate drew the starting assignment and did a nice job against the Eagles, finishing with four catches for 47 yards and a TD.  It was his second straight game with a score, and Pete Carroll said he expects his role to continue to increase down the stretch.  His best matchup is this week against the Rams, who are among the worst pass defenses in the league.  Games against Chicago and San Francisco in the following two weeks are much tougher, so if you want to use him, this is the week to do it.

Fantasy Football Week 14 Waiver Wire Pickups: TE

Heath Miller (47%), Pittsburgh

With just six catches and 63 yards over the past three weeks, this seems like a stretch, but the matchup with Cleveland has traditionally been a good one for Miller.  He has TDs in each of the past two games against the Browns and has scored five times in their last eight matchups.  He also has at least 50 yards in six of their last seven games against each other.  As with so many of these guys, there is risk involved, but at least in this case, history is on your side.

Jermaine Gresham (43%), Cincinnati

Gresham was robbed of a touchdown again this week due to a false start call, so he could easily have a score in each of the last three games if not for a couple odd plays.  The Bengals take on the Texans this week, and while Houston has been tough on opposing tight ends for most of the season, they just allowed seven catches and 100 yards to Tony Gonzalez.  Gresham continues to be the second most targeted Cincinnati receiver, making him a potential option this week.

Streaming Defense(s) of the Week

Denver (40%) vs. Chicago

The Broncos gave up more points than in recent weeks, but they did manage to create three turnovers and score a defensive touchdown against the Vikings.  Von Miller should be back next week against a Bears offense missing Jay Cutler and Matt Forte, which as we saw on Sunday is not exactly a juggernaut.

Seattle (15%) vs. St. Louis

The Seahawks have held three of their last four opponents to 17 points or less and are coming off of a four-turnover effort against the Eagles.  Meanwhile, the Rams have scored over 13 points just three times this season.  Looking ahead, the Seahawks take on the Bears in Week 15, making them a viable option for more than one week.

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Have any questions or feedback?  Leave them in the comments below or hit me up on Twitter (@andybottoms).

Unfortunately, at this point in the season there aren’t too many gems left out on the waiver wire with the exception of those who gain value because of injury.

Still, there are a handful of players out there who just might put you over the top based on their recent play, favorable matchups, or both.

As always, players listed here are owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Fantasy Football Week 13 Waiver Wire Pickups: QB

Matt Moore (13%), Miami

Moore has four touchdowns and no interceptions in the last two weeks and has tossed seven TDs over the last month for the resurgent Dolphins.

The biggest reason to like Moore is this week’s matchup with Oakland, who has allowed at least two touchdown passes in each of the past four games and nine of the last ten. If your starter is banged up, he is definitely a strong play based solely on the matchup.

Rex Grossman (9%), Washington

With five total TDs and 606 passing yards over the last two weeks, Grossman is again putting up solid fantasy numbers. I’m not quite crazy enough to recommend starting him against the Jets next week, but matchups with the Patriots in Week 14 and the Vikings in Week 16 give him high upside as a backup and potential spot starter.

Fantasy Football Week 13 Waiver Wire Pickups: RB

Roy Helu (45%), Washington

After running for 108 yards and a TD to go with seven receptions for 54 yards, even Mike Shanahan couldn’t dream up a reason not to use Helu as his workhorse going forward, right?

Obviously there is inherent risk in trusting Shanahan to do the rational thing, but Helu is absolutely worth adding to your roster if he’s available. He’s particularly solid in PPR leagues, and he’ll need to stay involved in the passing game with the Jets’ stout run defense up next on the schedule. Outside of that, his remaining matchups are better than average.

Maurice Morris (36%), Detroit

Depending on which reports you believe, Kevin Smith will either be back next week or will never walk again.  However, the Lions finally placed Jahvid Best on IR, so those holding out hope for a return can finally move on.

If Smith misses any time, Morris is a decent PPR league option and has solid upcoming matchups against the Saints, Vikings, Raiders, and Chargers, all of whom are among the bottom half of the league in points against fantasy running backs.

Toby Gerhart (33%), Minnesota

A short TD run against the tough Atlanta run defense salvaged an otherwise ugly fantasy day for Gerhart.  Adrian Peterson’s status for Week 13 is unclear, and the Vikings face a Denver defense that just got shredded by Ryan Mathews (again), making Gerhart worthy of a roster spot while you wait out AP’s availability.

Marion Barber (24%), Chicago

In standard scoring leagues, Barber has scored at least six fantasy points in five of the last six weeks. While that won’t blow you away, it’s also probably more consistent than other guys you have on your bench. And based on what Caleb Hanie showed on Sunday, the Bears would be well served to rely on the running game against Kansas City and Denver the next two weeks, both of which are decent matchups for the Barbarian.

Donald Brown (12%), Indianapolis

Even with Joseph Addai back in the lineup, Brown was the most productive Indy running back with 97 total yards and a score. Expect him to continue to get the bulk of the touches for the Colts, which makes him a potential flex play against the Patriots next week and the Titans in Week 15.

Fantasy Football Week 13 Waiver Wire Pickups: WR

Johnny Knox (30%), Chicago

While Caleb Hanie was rather erratic in his first game replacing the immortal Jay Cutler, it’s worth noting that he targeted Knox 10 times, which resulted in four receptions, 145 yards, and a TD.  The big-play ability is there, but even with some decent matchups left on the schedule, I want to see Knox do it again before I consider starting him. Still, there’s upside here.

Damian Williams (23%), Tennessee

With the exception of 107 yards in Week 10 against Carolina, Williams hasn’t posted gaudy yardage totals, but he does have three scores in the past four weeks and has established himself at Matt Hasselbeck’s favorite red zone target.

The Titans face a Buffalo secondary that made Mark Sanchez look like a viable NFL quarterback next week, and they also play the Colts in Week 15, both of which make Williams worth a roster spot.  Ok, maybe viable is too strong a word for Sanchez, but the Bills did let him throw for four TDs.

Greg Little (16%), Cleveland

If your leagues are like mine, Little has been picked up and subsequently dropped by about half of the teams.  On Sunday, he caught his first NFL touchdown against the Bengals and posted at least five receptions and 50 yards for the third straight week.  Little did have a few ugly drops, but he continues to get consistent targets.

With the exception of a Week 15 game against Arizona, the matchups aren’t exactly inviting (two games each against Baltimore and Pittsburgh), but Little is still worth a look in PPR leagues.

Jason Avant (9%), Philadelphia

With Jeremy Maclin banged up, DeSean Jackson getting benched late in Sunday’s game, and Philly’s season pretty much over, Avant caught eight passes for 110 yards and a TD.  Some of that production came in garbage time, but someone has to catch passes for the Eagles, and on Sunday, the sure-handed Avant did just that.

His value is highest in PPR leagues, and while I find it hard to envision a scenario where you’d start him this week, his performance and the potential for future production are worth noting.

Fantasy Football Week 13 Waiver Wire Pickups: TE

Jermaine Gresham (38%), Cincinnati

Gresham had one of his better games of the season with five catches, 68 yards, and a TD against the Browns.  Had it not been for a questionable call against the Ravens last week, he would have TDs in three straight games heading into next week’s matchup with Pittsburgh, against whom he caught a TD in Week 10.

Gresham is a tremendous talent who is starting to develop a strong rapport with rookie QB Andy Dalton. He’s a high-end TE2 at worst from here on out.

Brent Celek (36%), Philadelphia

Over the last six games, Celek is averaging 5.5 receptions and 64 yards with two touchdowns, so maybe there is something salvageable from Philly’s season after all.  The team’s next two opponents, Seattle and Miami, have both struggled to cover opposing tight ends, and a Week 16 matchup against Dallas is favorable as well.

Marcedes Lewis (17%), Jacksonville

This one is obviously a tough sell for anyone who watched Lewis drop one of easiest touchdown grabs he’ll ever have, but he does have 11 catches for 111 yards in the last two games.  He also has favorable matchups against Tampa Bay in Week 14 and Tennessee in Week 16, so file that away if you are thin at tight end.

Streaming Defense(s) of the Week

Denver (13%) at Minnesota

The Broncos have held their last three opponents to 13 points or less, and the Vikings are averaging just 14 points over the same span.  I like some of what Christian Ponder has shown, but that offense simply isn’t scary without Adrian Peterson (at least not scary in a good way).  Add to that the fact that Denver’s offense minimizes possessions for the opponent, and the Broncos are an interesting sleeper defense.

San Diego (37%) at Jacksonville

Perhaps ESPN is paying me under the table to get people interested in this God awful Monday night game, but the Jags have scored more than 14 points twice in their last 10 games and have yet to score more than 20 points this season.  The Chargers have been anything but impressive this year, so proceed with caution.  But even the level of apathy/ineptitude they’ve shown may not be enough to allow Jacksonville to do anything on offense.

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Have any questions or feedback?  Leave them in the comments below or hit me up on Twitter (@andybottoms).

The first week was full of hard-hitting action and high scores, and with that combination comes the injuries. Here’s your injury update to make sure your second week goes better than my first!

AFC North Fantasy Football Injury Updates

Baltimore Ravens

Wide receiver Lee Evans from the Baltimore Ravens was spotted in a boot early this week after having zero catches against the Pittsburg Steelers. However, John Harbaugh claimed he was ready to go after practicing in full the past two days. Expect Evans to play against the Tenenssee Titans on Sunday.

Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals’ quarterback, Andy Dalton was cleared to start Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos. Dalton, who was hit on his throwing arm during week 1′s game against the Cleveland Browns, has not officially been named the starter but speculation from media sources assume he will.

AFC South Fantasy Football Injury Updates

Houston Texans

Arian Foster, running back for the Houston Texans, will play at Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins. According to NFL.com, Foster might be limited on the amount of playing time he gets to slowly ease him back into the game after his hamstring injury. If you are expecting big points from him, you might want to rethink your strategy for week 2.

Don’t expect Derrick Ward of the Texans, to play. From the team website, they noted Ward is out and probably won’t even make the trip.

AFC East Fantasy Football Injury Updates

Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Steve Johnson is dealing with a nagging groin issue. The team stated he rested on Thursday and practiced in full on Friday. I would expect to see him play on Sunday against the Oakland Raiders after noting he practiced in full today.

Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins continue to search for the perfect balance between Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas, with both recovering from hamstring injuries. Thomas, who missed week 1, practiced in full on Friday. I would expect to see the Dolphins to try to incorporate both running backs into action against the Texans.

New York Jets

Wide receiver Santonio Holmes is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Plaxico Burress, who was dealing with ankle issues, practiced in full on Friday and is expected to play on Sunday.

AFC West Fantasy Football Injury Updates

Denver Broncos

Knowshon Moreno, running back for the Denver Broncos, did not practice on Friday and is listed as questionable. I wouldn’t expect him to play since rumor has it they are lining up others to take his spot. Brandon Lloyd practiced Friday and will most likely play Sunday.

Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders’ running back, Darren McFadden, was one of the players with a minor shoulder injury. However, they expect him to play on Sunday against the Bills.

NFC North Fantasy Football Injury Updates

Chicago Bears

Roy Williams, wide receiver for the Chicago Bears, didn’t practice on Thursday and is questionable for Sundays game. While the Bears still have him listed as first string on the depth chart, I would be wary that his groin injury could keep from the game.

Teammate and running back Marion Barber will not participate in Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints after experiencing soreness in his calf.

Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley is expected to play on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. Finley was limited at practice this week because of an ankle issue.

Detroit Lions

Wide receiver Calvin Johnson is expected to play in the Lions game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Johnson returned to practice on Friday, but the final decision won’t be made until Sunday. Because he played in full at practice, I would play Johnson.

 NFC South Fantasy Football Injury Updates

New Orleans Saints

Lance Moore, wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints, is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears. He expects to play but his owners will check his status on Sunday.

NFC East Fantasy Football Injury Updates

Dallas Cowboys

It’s not looking good for the Dallas Cowboys. Both wide receivers Dez Bryant and Miles Austin have suffered from injuries this week. Bryant hasn’t practiced all week and remains questionable, while Austin was able to practice to some extent on Friday. I’d leave out Bryant but think you could consider Austin in your roster.

New York Giants

Hakeem Nicks, wide receiver for the New York Giants, expects to play on Monday night against the St. Louis Rams. After running some drills at Friday’s practice, he feels confident that his knee will hold up just fine in the game.

NFC West Fantasy Football Injury Updates

St. Louis Rams

St. Louis Rams running back, Steven Jackson, didn’t practice on Friday. Most likely he will be out Monday night. Sit ‘em folks.

Seattle Seahawks

Sidney Rice, wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks will not play on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. While he has practiced with limitations all week, the Seahawks don’t want to throw one of their key players in too soon.

Alright week 2…Let’s GO!

Now let’s take a look at the questionable fantasy-relevant players and their expected injury status For Week 1.

AFC North

Lee Evans, wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens, who was suffering from ankle/foot issues, is ready to go for week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, noting that the team was only being precautionary toward his injury.

AFC South

Kenny Britt, wide receiver for the Tennesse Titans, is expected to take the field during Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, even though he missed the first three preseason games. Britt’s teammate, Chris Johnson, has received plenty of attention during his contract hold out. While Johnson isn’t injured, Coach Mike Munchak stated they will be aware of how many carries they give him, probably to avoid muscle strain injuries from Johnson missing a majority of preseason and training.

Another player who should be on your fantasy radar is Peyton Manning, quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts. Earlier this year Manning had neck surgery and has spent much time recovering and slowly easing himself back into the game. However, Manning has stopped practice and will most likely miss week 1. While the official statement refers to a back injury, there are rumors flying that he could undergo a second neck surgery, and fantasy players should be prepared to have him out for more than one week.

AFC West

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel may have suffered a cracked rib. While earlier the Chiefs were unsure if he’d start week 1, Cassel practiced in full on Monday and looks promising for him to start the season off.

Demayrius Thomas, wide receiver for the Denver Broncos, has returned to practice two months earlier than anticipated after suffering from an Achilles injury. While he will probably not start week 1, it is not unlikely that he will make his season debut in week 2.

NFC North

Detriot Lions running back Maurice Morris, returned to practice on Monday without a cast on his hand. Because Jahvid Best is not the most durable player, it’s good to keep Morris in mind while setting up your fantasy roster.

Visanthe Shiancoe, tight end for the Minnesota Vikings, looks like he will be on the field on Sunday when the Vikings take on the San Diego Chargers. After returning to practice on Monday, the Vikings expect he will be back as long as no hamstring injuries flare up.

Marion Barber, running back for the Chicago Bears, has missed some of the preseason after suffering from a calf injury. However, the calf injury is not serious and he should return to the field “soon”. With the little information provided, leaving him out of your week 1 roster might not be a bad idea.

NFC South

Lance Moore, wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints, did not practice Monday. However, this may simply be to rest his surgically repaired groin muscle. It will be more clear after practice on Tuesday whether or not he will open against the Green Bay Packers.

The countdown to Thursday begins! Are you ready for some football?

Let’s get right to our usual Friday Morning Would debate.

Today, we are going to look at two running backs who have had up and down seasons to this point: Dallas battering ram Marion Barber and Panthers second-year scamperer Jonathan Stewart.

A few weeks ago, when Barber was tearing it up and Stewart was on the sidelines nursing what seemed to be an endless array of maladies, this would have been a no-brainer.

But as we know, things can change quickly in the NFL. And as Week 7 approaches, I am suggesting that you start Jonathan Stewart over Marion Barber.

Here’s why:

Health

Seems ironic right?

Well, over the last month Barber has battled an injured quad and a fractured thumb, both of which are still issues now. Despite Barber’s proclamation that his quad is “no longer a problem,” many in Dallas aren’t so sure.

We’ll see. Running backs coach Skip Peetesaid the quadriceps injury is something that would linger for a long time. After sitting out the Carolina game, Barber was not the same runner against Denver and Kansas City.

Barber is coming off a bye, which is good and should have him feeling more refreshed than he’s been. Still, Barber only has one game this season in which he’s had more carries than the amount Stewart got last week (17). And if Barber is banged up at all (which he appears to be) the Cowboys have Tashard Choice and now-healthy Felix Jones to take carries.

Jonathan Stewart dealt with a Achilles’ issue earlier this year, but seems to be over it. The evidence? His 17-carry, 110-yard performance last week. Barber, on the other hand, hasn’t had a game over 3.7 yards per carry since returning from the quad injury.

Opportunity

I touched on this above. Marion Barber has two very good running backs ready to steal carries from him, which is why he has carried the ball 14, 18, 11, and 15 times this season. Stewart only has one other back — DeAngelo Williams — stealing carries from him, and garnered 17 carries this week in what was really his first completely healthy week of the season.

Despite their cumulative totals to this point in the season, I actually see a greater likelihood of Stewart getting 15 carries than Barber this week.

Moving forward, I expect Stewart to settle into the role he had over the second half of last season when he and DAW joined forces to form the most potent 1-2 running back punch in the league. In five out of the Panthers’ final 10 games, Stewart had 15 or more carries and he scored 6 TDs.

He is not going be a sure-fire start every week, so you will need to assess the matchup. But most weeks he will provide solid value for a flex player, with the occasional #2-type production.

Matchup

This is where I really give Stewart the edge this week.

Guess who is dead last in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game? The Buffalo Bills.

Guess who the Carolina Panthers play this week? The Buffalo Bills.

Buffalo is giving up an average of 181.8 yards per game on the ground and has surrendered eight TDs. They have struggled to stop teams like Cleveland and the Jets from running the ball, neither of which you’d really consider a great running team. Carolina, however, is 8th in the league and rushing and that ranking is rising by the week.

This is a matchup tailor-made for starting both Carolina backs.

The Cowboys don’t have a terrible matchup by any stretch. Atlanta is only 23rd in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (118.2), but that is a pretty big difference from 181.8. Plus, Atlanta has only given up three TDs on the ground all year, and we saw what they did to Matt Forte last week.

In the end, I think there are three very clear signs for why Jonathan Stewart is a better play than Marion Barber this week. It’s not a slam-dunk by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s the kind of bold move that could end up netting you 2-3 extra fantasy points this week; and who knows, that could be the difference between a win and a loss.

Jonathan Stewart Week 7 projection: 16 carries, 97 yards, TD

Marion Barber Week 7 projection: 13 carries, 58 yards, 2 rec, 17 yards

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* – Jonathan Stewart photo credit: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images via About.com

* – Marion Barber photo credit: The Red Zone Report

Via ProFootballTalk on Twitter, Kevin Smith will suit up and start for the Lions today and Clinton Portis will do the same for the Redskins.

As for Tashard Choice, get this guy in your lineup.  Marion Barber is probable to play, but is not 100% and the Cowboys want to ease him back into action. Every report I’ve heard is that Choice will get the majority of the carries, and no team is running the ball better than Dallas right now.

Sadler’s premium meats are perfect for tailgating on Saturday, for grilling out at home on Sunday, or for when you are hosting a group of friends, or even just the family, on Monday night.

With a variety of delicious choices (beef, pork, ribs, turkey, brisket, and more) and availability at grocery stores throughout the U.S., Sadler’s meats are the tasty, convenient choice when you want to watch the big game and eat well while you’re doing it.

• Check out Sadler’s Monday Night Football Recipe of the Week: Smokehouse Panini
• Each week, you can also listen to the MSF Monday Night Football Podcast, brought to you by Sadler’s. In this week’s edition, Jerod and Big MB preview the Cowboys-Panthers Monday tilt and provide three “locks of the week” against the spread. (Note: Special thanks to Davey Heritier and Austin Bridges for the intro/outro song “Awake the Day”…one of Jerod’s all-time favorites.)
• Follow the link to listen to the MSF Podcast on iTunes, or use the in-page player below to listen while you read.

Panthers-Cowboys MNF Preview Podcast presented by Sadler’s

(FYI…audio player may take a second or two to load)

MNF Preview Podcast: Cowboys-Panthers

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Monday Night Football Preview

Carolina Panthers (0-2) at Dallas Cowboys (1-1)

• Panthers-Cowboys Date: Monday, September 28th
• Panthers-Cowboys Time: 8:30 ET
• Panthers-Cowboys TV Network: ESPN
• Panthers-Cowboys Announcers: Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, and Jon Gruden
• Panthers-Cowboys Point Spread: Cowboys -9.5
• Panthers-Cowboys Over-Under: 46
• Panthers-Cowboys Pick by Jerod: I don’t like this game at all and would not touch it with a ten-foot pole if I actually bet money on these things. Luckily I don’t, so I can still offer up at least a guess as to how it will turn out. I think it all comes down to who you trust more: Tony Romo or Jake Delhomme. If Romo protects the ball and lets his great RBs do the heavy lifting, the Cowboys should rebound from their home opener for a win. However, Dallas is terrible against the pass (as proven last week by Eli Manning) and perhaps this is the game that Jake Delhomme gets well again. In the end, I do think Dallas will win this game, but Romo will make enough mistakes and Dallas’ DBs will play poorly enough for Carolina to keep it close. Plus, when in doubt, go with the 0-2 team that had playoff expectations coming into the year. Desperation can be huge in the NFL. Panthers-Cowboys free spread pick: Panthers +9.5
• StubHub: Cowboys-Panthers MNF tickets as low as $25!
• StubHub: all Dallas Cowboys home game tickets
• StubHub: all Carolina Panthers home game tickets
• StubHub: all 2009 NFL tickets

Cowboys-Panthers Preview & Analysis

Though it may seem silly and emotional, in Dallas, hope turned to despair from week one to two.

However, after a closer look, it is a very good sign for your offense when you are playing one of the top rated defenses in the conference, your quarterback plays one of the worst games of his career, and you still manage 31 points.

These results convey two important points: (1) that your offense is balanced, and (2) that your offensive line is getting the job done.

It should come as no surprise that given the production of said offensive line, the Cowboys running game is firing on all cylinders as Marion Barber and Felix Jones represent arguably the best 1-2 running back punch in the NFC, if not the NFL. Barber is averaging more than six yards per carry in 2009. Unfortunately for Cowboys fans, Barber is still questionable for Monday with a quad injury.

Fortunately for ‘Boys fans though, his backup, Tashard Choice, is no slouch, and should pick up the slack nicely if pressed into a more prominent role in the offense. Last year, Choice put together a string of three excellent games against Pittsburgh, New York, and Baltimore. Therefore, he should serve solidly in a time-share with Jones.

Expect Mr. Jones to maintain his role as the change of pace and 3rd down back with Choice claiming the “workhorse” duties. The duo should come up big against a Panthers defense that has an injury riddled front-line and has given up over 150 rushing yards in each of their first two games. 



As for Romo, odds are he’ll be fine. The bigger issue is the uncertainty over a reliable third option for the Cowboys’ receiving game (after Jason Witten and Roy Williams). Patrick Crayton seems destined to be nothing more that a slot receiver, leaving Miles Austin in the driver’s seat to run away with second wideout duties. His talent and big play ability has left Jerry Jones watering at the mouth, but Austin has yet to consistently manifest that talent into reality.



It is a very bad sign for your secondary when Eli Manning, Mario Manningham, and Steve Smith look like the second coming of the Three Amigos. That said, I think the Cowboys will be fine defensively, so long as they abandon the experiment to rotate Orlando Scandrick (who was repeatedly burned by Manningham) and Mike Jenkins at the corner, and it seems like Wade Phillips has already started to move in that direction. 



Panthers fans can take some solace in the fact that Jake Delhomme, coming off two straight awful performances that led to major criticism, wasn’t nearly as bad last week against Atlanta; but that being said, his 308 passing yards shed far too positive a light on his actual performance. This simply isn’t the Delhomme of five years ago, and the Panthers have to be second guessing the heck out of themselves for his exorbitant contract extension this past off-season.
 
Though he indicated he “felt good out there,” Jake was nearly an early disaster. Though he began the game 4-4 for 54 yards, he could have thrown an early interception when he inexplicably tossed a weak underhand pass, which was dropped by a Falcons defender. If Delhomme would have thrown a pick there, things probably would have snowballed on him again, as they would have been in another big early hole.

Cowboys-Panthers Prediction and Spread Pick

So, though it’s not outrageous to muse that the 34 year-old is on the downward arc of his career, the Panthers do indeed have a dangerous rushing attack with DeAngelo Williams and 22 year-old Jonathan Stewart  that will make things significantly easier for Mr. Delhomme at times. 



All that being said, I just don’t see how the Panthers stop the Cowboys’ rushing attack, especially with the season ending ankle injury to defensive tackle Louis Leonard, one of the team’s primary run stuffers. This is yet another hindrance to a defensive line already crippled by injuries.

Ultimately, I just don’t see the Panthers as being able to stop the Cowboys’ ground game without bringing a safety in the box, and in doing so, they will open up the passing attack for Tony Romo, who should have a good bounce back game. Dallas needs this win, and it’s highly likely they’ll get it, perhaps easily.



Cowboys-Panthers Prediction and Spread Pick: Cowboys do cover the large spread.

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* – Felix Jones photo credit: Dallas Observer Sportatorium

* – Jake Delhomme photo credit: Snort Report

After getting behind the Giants’ D and appearing poised to scamper all the way to the end zone, Barber pulled up and eventually tumbled over about 10 yards shy of the end zone. It was apparent from the replay that Barber pulled a muscle in his leg.

Felix Jones ultimately scored a TD on the drive, but Barber left the game and was immediately pronounced out for the remainder of the contest, which New York won 33-31.

Barber ran for 124 yards on 18 carries and scored a touchdown. He also caught two passes for 31 yards. After the Cowboys’ coaches watch tonight’s film, they’ll have to ask themselves why they called anything but running plays.

On 29 carries, the Cowboys averaged a whopping 8.7 yards per carry. Tony Romo, on 29 pass attempts, threw for 127 yards and 3 INTs.

Follow the links to StubHub for great deals on Dallas Cowboys tickets and all 2009 NFL tickets.

I have seen no specific injury updates on Barber as of yet, other than he left the game and did not return, but I’ll update this post as soon as I hear anything.

Update: The injury that knocked Marion Barber out of last night’s game is being called a left quad strain, according to Yahoo Sports (via Rotowire). Barber did walk off the field under his own power, and the injury does not appear severe. Obviously if you are a Barber owner, you want to own Felix Jones and Tashard Choice as well (if possible), and be sure to monitor Barber’s status throughout the week.

Update 9/22: Newy Scruggs of NBC 5 in Dallas is reporting (hat tip: PFT) that Marion Barber will miss 1-2 weeks with the quad strain that he suffered Monday night. Because the Cowboys don’t play until Monday, I would not consider Barber to be definitely out this week. Check the injury reports, but make sure you have a contingency plan (or Felix Jones/Tashard Choice) because you will most likely have to make the decision Sunday as to whether or not you’re going to wait until Monday for the final word on Barber’s availability.

Update 9/23: Definitely keep your eye on Marion Barber’s status. The latest update, at least according to ESPN, is that Barber received treatment yesterday and hopes to play Monday night.  Looks like this will be a Sunday morning decision and you’ll just have to base your thoughts on Barber’s status for Monday night — which will obviously influence the fantasy value of Felix Jones and Tashard Choice value — on as much info as you have.

Both teams won last week’s season opener, but the Cowboys were gashed by Tampa Bay on the ground for 174 yards in the 34-21 victory. Carnell “Cadillac” Williams picked up 97 yards on only 13 carries while Derrick Ward gained another 62 yards on 12 attempts. Each back found the end zone once.

If New York gets that kind of productivity, and the defense plays as it did against Washington, we could see an upset in Big D.

The G-Men have history against them, however. Dallas has won four of the last five meetings, and three of the last four in Dallas.

Here is all of the viewing information for this weekend’s game:

New York Giants (1-0) at Dallas Cowboys (1-0)

• Giants-Cowboys Date: Sunday, September 20
• Giants-Cowboys Time: 8:20
• Giants-Cowboys TV Network: NBC
• Giants-Cowboys Announcers: Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth
• Giants-Cowboys Point Spread: Cowboys -2.5
• Giants-Cowboys Over-Under: 44
• Giants-Cowboys Preview — (Dallas Sports Fans)
• StubHub: Giants-Cowboys tickets as low as $40!

In last December’s game at Texas Stadium, Giants quarterback Eli Manning was sacked eight times, picked off twice, and did not throw a touchdown pass in the 20-8 Dallas victory. This is another reason why New York running game is so vital. Jacobs ran for 117 yards in last season’s Giants victory in New York, but the big bruiser missed the blowout loss in Dallas.

If the Giants are unable to get anything going on the ground, DeMarcus Ware and Co. will be able to pin their ears back and head right for Manning. Surprisingly, Dallas was unable to register a sack last week in Tampa after Ware led the NFL with 20 sacks a season ago. Tampa quarterback Byron Leftwich completed 61 percent of his passes and threw for 276 yards as the Buccaneers totaled 450 yards of offense.

For Dallas, the recipe for success is eerily similar.

The Cowboys have their own 1-2 punch in the backfield. Establishing Marion Barber and Felix Jones on the ground will open things up for Tony Romo. Dallas rushed for 118 yards against the Bucs, led by Barber, who had 79 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.

Romo enjoyed a superb opener, throwing for 353 yards and three touchdowns, including seven passes to Patrick Crayton and Roy Williams for a combined 221 yards. It’s clear that the Cowboys don’t miss Terrell Owens. Romo’s efforts this past Sunday made up for the lackluster defensive performance in the Sunshine State.

While Dallas’ defense was underwhelming in victory, New York’s unit overwhelmed Jason Campbell and the Redskins. They held the Redskins to 272 yards – 85 rushing – and forced two turnovers with three sacks, including 1 1/2 by NFC defensive player of the week Justin Tuck. Defensive end Osi Umenyiora, back after missing last year with a knee injury added a sack and a forced fumble of Campbell. He then returned the fumble 37 yards for a score in the 23-17 win.

Manning was not spectacular against Washington, but was efficient, going 20 of 29 for 256 yards with one touchdown and one interception, completing passes to seven receivers.

That kind of efficiency begins with pass protection and a solid running game. Both teams have basically the same strengths. It’s just a matter of which squad can establish the ground game early, pressure the quarterback, and create a turnover – something Dallas has struggled to do the last few years.

The clubs have already begun the war of words, with Jacobs and Ware both saying they “hate” the other team. It would seem the passion on the field in this storied NFC East rivalry has finally caught up to the passion in the stands.

The passionate ones in the seats could be the difference in this game, if Dallas can feed off its crowd in the home opener. The Giants will do all they can to silence the expected sell-out crowd. That could be easier to do with their 260-pound tailback on the field.

With Jacobs in the lineup, this is a completely different Giants team, and New York just might be leaving Big D with a big W.

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* – Eli Manning – Dallas photo credit: New York Daily News

(Hopefully I throw it into the wind a little better than Tony Romo, or another blog may intercept this post and run it back for a link on Deadspin.)

Gotta love the mixed metaphors.

Anyway, back to our discussion of Jerry Jones. We all know about the Dallas Cowboys loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, and many of you have probably heard by now that Jerry Jones basically called out Marion Barber for being a wuss and not playing with his injured pinkie toe. Yes ladies and gentleman, a grown man who has gotten a face lift and danced in public with Steve Urkel insinuated that one of the toughest running backs in the NFL is a wuss.

He of course backtracked off of those comments once they caused a stir in the media, but you tell me how this is taken out of context (from the Rick Herrin story in the Fort-Worth Star Telegram):

“He can play with that injured toe,” Jones said. “He can play with the soreness and a combination of those things. I see nothing that led us to believe he couldn’t.”

Seems pretty cut and dry to me: Jerry Jones thinks Marion Barber should have been able to play, yet Barber did not even make the trip to Pittsburgh. I’m confused though by how there was not better communication about this injury within the Cowboys organization leading up the game. Hell, I posted in the middle of the week last week that Marion Barber most likely was not going to play, and I’m just a schmuck blogger for a Midwest site who’s lived in Dallas for less than a year. Yet somehow I was more up to date on the status of Marion Barber than the Cowboys owner.

Maybe the fact that Jerry Jones seems out of touch is because he has something a little more pressing on his mind that regular season football. Something like…a $1 billion stadium for which he is currently short about $350 million.

I actually did some Photoshop work for an article that was written on this topic last week. Entitled “Dallas Cowboys Stadium Shortfall: Bailing Out Jerry Jones“, I learned that a little over five weeks ago Jerry Jones hosted a variety of banks to try and secure the final $350 million that he needs to complete his ridiculous stadium in Arlington. The article itself is a somewhat tongue-in-cheek look at what some of Jerry’s options might be to get the financing he needs, including whether a federal bailout would be a worthwhile use of tax dollars. Because honestly, if the Dallas Cowboys suffer, don’t we all?

Just to give you a little taste, here is one of the images from the article. This one was produced as an illustration of the possibility of Barack Obama funneling some money Jerry’s way, in an effort by Barack to have a better chance at winning the state of Texas in 2012. My favorite part is the expression on Jerry Jones’ face as he is forced to shake hands with a Democrat, and the sobbing Tony Romo in the background:

You can click on the image for a full-size view. To view the other images, including “Jerry Jones Field at He Loves Him Some Him Stadium” which features Jerry Jones grinding up next to a shocked Tom Landry, you’ll have to go check out the article.

It will be interesting to see what actually happens with the new stadium, and with the Cowboys team, leading into the 2009 season. There is absolutely no question that Jerry Jones fully expected to be heading into the new stadium in 2009 riding a wave of momentum from a Super Bowl win in 2008. It was all I heard on the radio this offseason and during training camp.

Now, after 13 weeks of up and down football and an 8-5 record, Jerry Jones is:

• Calling out his star running back
• Short of funding for his new stadium
• Has to be wondering if he has a QB with the stones to win once the games really matter
• Frustrated with his head coach, Wade Phillips

(By the way, after you go read the article about the new Cowboys stadium, check out the link above. It is from 1310 The Ticket here in Dallas, and is a regular bit they do every Monday called Fake Jerry and Fake Wade. It is hilarious.)

Anyway, with the Cowboys taking on the Ravens, Giants, and Eagles in their final three games, and needing to win at least two just have a prayer at a playoff berth, the rest of 2008 is not shaping up to give Jerry Jones much relief. And to be quite honest, his unnecessary comments about Marion Barber’s injury make me think that Jerry may be coming unraveled and starting to feel the pressure of the enormous stadium budget and the reality that his team is merely good, but not elite.

Allow me the indulgence of a little bit of foreshadowing: prepare to get goosebumps. Trust me.

Now, a quick injury update on Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber as we head into this weekend’s titanic matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14, a huge week for many fantasy football owners as well. According to the Dallas Morning News, as well as 1310 The Ticket in Dallas, Marion Barber is currently a dreaded “game-time decision.”

(Update 12/6, 5:00 PM: The game-time decision has been made. Marion Barber did not accompany the Cowboys to Pittsburgh. Tashard Choice will start.)

Other than “Dr. James Andrews” is there a worse phrase to hear in relation to one of your fantasy football players than “game-time decision?” Well, perhaps “playing Pittsburgh’s defense,” but we’ll get to that in a second.

Here is the quote from Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips referring to the Marion Barber injury:

“We were assuming that Marion would play, but it’s a little more doubtful right now, so we’ll see [today],” coach Wade Phillips said.

Marion Barber is suffering from an injury to his toe, and according to the Morning News the Cowboys training staff is trying to find the right kind of shoe to give him support that may allow him to take the field Sunday. For now, they are not committing one way or the other, and the really frustrating part for fantasy owners is that it is a 4:00 game. If the decision drags past 12:00, setting rosters could be tricky.

Here’s something that is not tricky, however: don’t play running backs, or any offensive players for that matter, against the Steelers Defense. Why? They are first in the league in rushing yards allowed, passing yards allowed, total yards allowed, and scoring defense. That’s domination. As a Browns fan it pains me to give the Steelers props like that, but they deserve it. Their defense has been outstanding.

Who would fill in for Marion Barber if he is unable to go? The first choice would obviously be Wade Phillips, in a Jerome Bettis-type battering ram role; but Phillips is what you may call “portly” and has lost some of the speed and explosiveness that once defined him as a…okay, never mind. With Felix Jones out for the season, rookie Tashard Choice would be the choice to fill in for Marion Barber.

For the season, Tashard Choice has carried the ball 30 times at a 4.9 yard per carry clip. Not too shabby in limited action. He was a very productive runner in college and I know, living in Dallas, that the people down here are really excited about his potential. He is smaller, and has much more an Emmitt Smith-style than the punishing style of Marion Barber, but Choice has always produced when given the chance. If Barber is out for any extended period of time, Tashard Choice could be a solid #2 RB or flex player.

Plus, and here comes the goosbumps part I alluded to earlier, Tashard Choice gave one of the most passionate and inspiring pre-game speeches by a player that I have ever heard while at Georgia Tech. Many of you may have seen this video before, some of you may not. We bring you the goods either way:

I was thinking about just ending this post right there with that video, but now I’ve decided that I’M GONNA WRITE, ‘TILL I CAN’T WRITE NO MO’! I’M GONNA GET UP — AND WRITE AGAIN!

Tashard Choice became my new personal hero the first time I saw that speech. He rocks, and if Marion Barber is out this weekend I hope Choice has a good game against Pittsburgh. I realize that Pittsburgh’s D is outstanding, but would you really question Tashard Choice’s ability to get the job done? Watch that video again and tell me you wouldn’t start him.

That’s what I thought. Everything or nothing.

Work be damned, I’m wrapping this up now so I can go watch Remember the Titans and Hoosiers.

(Update: After I posted this item, I emailed Florio over at PFT to give him the Barber update — which he probably knew anyway — and to remind him about the Tashard Choice speech. At 1:00 later that afternoon, this story was posted on PFT. They didn’t link to us, or mention us, and maybe they had been planning the story and the inclusion of the Choice video anyway, but we’ll take it as a little homage to MSF. Hey, we’re just a newbie on the block trying to gain some credibility in the blogging world, and don’t do any primary source reporting like they do. And Lord knows I’ve gotten enough story ideas from them, and linked out to them a lot, so if we helped alert them to this and that led to more people seeing Tashard Choice’s awesome speech, we’ll take some pride in that. If our tip meant nothing, we’ll just chalk it up to coincidence and keep plugging away trying to grow our little site here. For what it’s worth, they posted about the same story today, updating Barber’s status, and actually embedded the video this time. If you’re an NFL fan, this is one of the best sites out there. After you opt-in to our RSS feed below (if you so choose), make sure to subscribe to theirs as well. You will be a much more informed NFL fan.)