Fantasy Football Blog       10/13/2008
Help
The Orlovsky effect and much more
by Gregg Rosenthal

Dan Orlovsky looks likely to make his first NFL start Sunday. Despite the wishes of Lions fans, the coaching staff doesn't appear comfortable with Drew Stanton. They would have to shave off a big portion of the playbook if he went out there.

So does Orlovsky crush the value of Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson? It hurts it, but not as much as you think. It's not like Orlovsky can do that much worse than Jon Kitna, who has averaged under five yards-per-attempt his last two starts. And Detroit will have to pass often against Minnesota, because that's the only reasonable way to attack them. Orlovsky could be a high volume thrower like last week, where he threw 23 passes in the second half.

Because I feel like I should post this somewhere, here are my picks for the week. 42-29 for the year against the spread! Eat that, Sports Guy! And yes, I just jinxed myself for the rest of the season.

***

Since Aaron Gleeman is taking this Friday off, here's my music clip of the week. It's only 30 seconds long, taken by my beautiful wife at a great Okkervil River show this Tuesday. Deserves to be mentioned. Also worth checking out from the same show: 2 minutes of their sorta-but-not-totally cover of Sloop John B.

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:56:45
Colston better bet than Shockey
Marques Colston appears to be on track to return from his thumb surgery a week early. Jeremy Shocke... Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:07:34
Odds and Ends
The Rankings are up, now with disjointed notes. We also have a slew of fantasy videos, including mat... Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:34:32
Looking ahead
Wednesday is hump day, the day we move on from talking about last week, and start looking ahead. We... Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:42:37
Ridiculously early and irregular Fantasy MVP Watch
These rankings are based on who has been the most valuable asset for fantasy owners this season, wi... Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:05:11
Lineup Fix
Tiffany and I talk waiver picks, including my choice between Mike Walker and Domenic Hixon (Walker),... Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:25:54
Toe the line
I watched the Shortcuts of the Chargers-Dolphins game, expecting to see another hobbled performance... Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:53:47
Latest Blurbs
Bryant Johnson - WR - SF
Bryant Johnson barely played in Week 6 because he's continued to battle groin and hamstring strains.
Johnson was not on the injury report, but is reportedly "hobbled" and Josh Morgan spent most of Sunday playing split end. Johnson didn't have a catch. | 10/13/2008 1:02:00 AM
Source: Santa Rosa Press Democrat
 
L. Tomlinson - RB - SD
LaDainian Tomlinson rushed 20 times for 74 yards and caught three passes for 44 yards against the Patriots in Week 6.
The Chargers stellar passing night took the focus off LT2. Though had over 100 total yards, the fantasy numbers _ or lack thereof _ continue to disappoint his owners. He did look shifty on gains of 27 and 28 yards and his improving health is allowing him to up his practice reps. That should lead to increased numbers on Sundays sooner than later. Tomlinson gets the rugged Bills defense in Week 7. | 10/13/2008 1:00:00 AM
 
Carson Palmer - QB - CIN
Carson Palmer indicated that his trip to see a New York Mets team doctor about his elbow is only a precautionary step aimed at getting clearance to resume practicing.
FOXSports suggested Sunday that Palmer could be shut down for the season, but he says that's out of the question. "If they give me clearance it doesn't matter whether were 9-6 or 0-15, I'm going to play," Palmer said. Still, the same doctor Palmer is visiting recently recommended Mariano Rivera's right shoulder scope, a procedure that shut Rivera down for three months. | 10/13/2008 12:58:00 AM
Source: bengals.com
 
Antonio Gates - TE - SD
Antonio Gates caught four passes for 35 yards and a touchdown in Week 6.
Another solid but not spectacular performance from Gates, who dropped a sure touchdown in the first half. He was not the main target in the passing game as Chargers largely threw over the top against the Pats, but his 1-yard TD grab was his fourth touchdown on the season. | 10/13/2008 12:45:00 AM
 
Randy Moss - WR - NE
Randy Moss caught three passes for 26 yards against the Chargers in Week 6.
For those hoping that Moss would build on last week's performance, take solace in that he was targeted multiple times in the end zone and had a potentially long gainer knocked out of his hands at the last moment. Since he runs nearly nothing but deep routes, Moss is always a threat to score, but his QB is not helping his cause. | 10/13/2008 12:35:00 AM
 
Brett Keisel - DL - PIT
Steelers DE Brett Keisel (calf) will return to the lineup in Week 7.
Keisel has resumed practicing and will add needed push to the right side of Pittsburgh's defensive line. Travis Kirschke, 33, had been filling in. | 10/13/2008 12:34:00 AM
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette