Fantasy Football Blog       11/21/2009
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Meet Brandon Gibson
by Gregg Rosenthal

Keenan Burton wasn't talented enough to be a fantasy factor, but Brandon Gibson is.

Brandon Gibson, Ramses Barden, Patrick Turner and Devin Aromashodu all have talent. They’re young, relatively unknown receivers that are worth keeping on the radar in dynasty leagues.

There’s one difference: Gibson actually is getting an opportunity to play. Now.

Gibson is locked in as the Rams’ starting split end for the rest of the season thanks to Keenan Burton’s season-ending knee injury (and Laurent Robinson's). Donnie Avery will start opposite him and Danny Amendola will be in the slot.

Gibson had seven catches for 93 yards and led the team in targets in his debut.

“For him to come in after Keenan got hurt and play as well as he did is impressive, rookie or no rookie," Marc Bulger said, per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "I think we found a really good receiver there."

So if Gibson really can play, why didn’t he go until the sixth round of the 2009 draft? First of all, he would have gone much higher if he left Washington State as a junior. But he stuck around for a miserable senior season on a miserable team and had a miserable year.

Then, he pulled his hamstring in the practices leading up to the Senior Bowl and wasn’t able to play in the game. He also missed the agility tests at the Combine and at Washington State’s pro day. So Gibson went tumbling down draft boards before the Eagles, who didn’t really need a receiver, said they can’t pass on his talent and took him with the 194th overall pick.

Maybe I’m getting a little too excited about a rookie on a bad team. But the bottom line is Gibson has an opportunity right now and I’m stashing him and/or playing him until we see how this develops. The Rams play the Texans (No. 17 vs. pass) and Cardinals (No. 30 vs. pass) in Weeks 15 and 16.

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Latest Blurbs
Jacoby Jones - WR - HOU
Texans coach Gary Kubiak confirmed that Jacoby Jones (calf) will be a game-time decision for Monday night's game against the Titans.
Jones did "a little more" in Saturday's practice, but he was still limited. It's a tough break for Jones as he caught four passes in Week 9 and looked like he was heading toward a significant role as the No. 3 receiver. Now he may be reduced to a return role Monday night. | 11/21/2009 1:41:00 PM
Source: Nick Scurfield on Twitter
 
Jerome Harrison - RB - CLE
Jerome Harrison is refusing to talk to the media because he might say what he really thinks.
Harrison clearly isn't happy that he's been passes on the depth chart by Chris Jennings. Coach Eric Mangini didn't give any real reason for Harrison getting zero carries against the Ravens on Monday night, simply saying that different packages are for different runners. Even though Harrison flashed potential when Jamal Lewis was out earlier this season, he can now be safely dropped in all leagues. | 11/21/2009 1:24:00 PM
Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
Willis McGahee - RB - BAL
Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he plans on using Willis McGahee this week.
"Willis is a very good player. I think there's a good chance you'll see a lot of Willis this weekend," Harbaugh said. McGahee had 13 carries last week while Ray Rice had 20, but we're not worried about Rice's workload. Harbaugh has said before he wants to get Willis more work and it hasn't happened. McGahee remains a strict handcuff to Rice. | 11/21/2009 1:19:00 PM
Source: Carroll County Times
 
Todd Heap - TE - BAL
Todd Heap (ribs) missed practice every day this week and he is considered unlikely to play.
Heap is a game-time decision, but expect L.J. Smith to get the start. Heap confirmed that his rib is not cracked or broken, making a return to the lineup for Week 12 very possible. Don't use either of the Ravens' tight ends in fantasy. | 11/21/2009 1:10:00 PM
Source: Carroll County Times
 
Julian Edelman - WR - NE
Julian Edelman will wear a carbon-fiber shield on his right forearm for the second straight game Sunday.
Edelman is listed as questionable, but he's going to play. The shield is not a cast as he can slip it on and off. Edelman is not a fantasy option as he saw just two targets last week as the No. 3 receiver. | 11/21/2009 12:34:00 PM
Source: Boston Globe
 
Tyrell Sutton - RB - CAR
Panthers RB Tyrell Sutton has caught the eye of coach John Fox.
Sutton was on the field for some crunch-time plays during Thursday's loss because of his pass-catching skills. He ended up with two catches for 18 yards and also added four punt returns for 106 yards. Obviously, snaps for Sutton are going to be extremely limited behind DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. | 11/21/2009 12:28:00 PM
Source: Rock Hill Herald