Thankful for the great fantasy

football ongoings

By John Gus
The Collegian

With a short week at school next week, I won’t have the opportunity to cover the things I am thankful for. So, the things I am thankful for this year in fantasy football are … Tony Romo. After going through the disasters that were Daunte Culpepper and injured Byron Leftwich, he has come on and been my best QB the last 3 weeks.

I am thankful that the Niners traded Kevan Barlow (yes he spells Kevan with an “A”) so that Frank Gore would get a chance to be the featured back and show why he’s one of the best all around backs in the league. I am also thankful for Tiki Barber, I picked him in two of my main drafts this year and although he’s had six TDs taken from him and he is retiring, he has been a joy to watch and a class act for the NFL —  the guy deserves to go to the Hall of Fame.

Finally, I am thankful for the success of the New Orleans Saints, they have been one of the most fun teams to watch so far and for a city that hasn’t had a lot to be thankful for this last year. Anyways, it is crunch time as the fantasy playoffs are rapidly approaching, so be thankful that you’re still in the chase, and YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!

Quarterback

1. Drew Brees (NO) vs. CIN – Leading the NFL in passing and Bengals D is weak.
2. Carson Palmer (CIN) @ NO – Welcome back Carson, his team’s weak D forces him to throw plenty.
3. Donovan McNabb (PHI) vs. TEN – Cooled off, but his cool is still hotter than most.
4. Peyton Manning (IND) @ DAL – Topping all passers with 18 TDs, niiice!
5. Tony Romo (DAL) vs. IND – If you picked him up a few weeks, you’re loving it.
6. Marc Bulger (STL) @ CAR – Looked very average last week and losing all-pro OL Pace hurts.
7. Jon Kitna (DET) @ ARI – Good match-up for him to bounce back after last week’s disappointment.
8. Tom Brady (NE) @ GB – Expect another solid performance here.
9. Rex Grossman (CHI) @ NYJ – He only shows up against weak defense, Jets D = weak.
10. Brett Favre (GB) vs. NE – Good ol’ Favre still outplaying most of the league’s young hotshots.
Honorable Mentions: Steve McNair BAL vs. ATL, Michael Vick (ATL) @ BAL, Philip Rivers (SD) @ DEN, Eli Manning (NYG) @ JAC, Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) @ CLE

Running Back

1. Larry Johnson (KC) vs. OAK – Trent Green is back, Tony Gonzalez is out = heavy workload for LJ.
2. LaDainian Tomlinson (SD) @ DEN – He’s ONLY averaging 2 TDs a game, wowwy-wow!
3. Brian Westbrook (PHI) vs. TEN – Not too many backs do more with their touches than Westbrook.
4. Willie Parker (PIT) @ CLE – Fast Willie Parker is playing at a very high level, now worries here.
5. Steven Jackson (STL) @ CAR – On pace for almost 100 catches so far this year.
6. Tiki Barber (NYG) @ JAC – Jaguars offense is sputtering right now, so Tiki will get his usual touches, then lose his TD to bigger back up Jacobs, lame.
7. Kevin Jones (DET) @ ARI – The Lions find a way to get him the ball every week.
8. Frank Gore (SF) vs. SEA – He suffered a concussion last week, so check up on that otherwise, look for another steady workload for Franky.
9. Rudi Johnson (CIN) @ NO – The don’t have many leads to protect so he’s losing some carries, but still doing well enough to start each week.
10. Shaun Alexander (SEA) @ SF – He’s supposed to be back from the foot injury, use with caution.

Wide Receiver

1. Steve Smith (CAR) vs. STL – Even the flu can’t stop Superman.
2. Marvin Harrison (IND) @ DAL – 2 catches isn’t going to get it done like last week, but Cowboys corners are suspect to the big play.
3. Chad Johnson (CIN) @ NO – 85 had more yards receiving than 24 of last week’s starting QBs had passing, mmph!
4. Marques Colston (NO) vs. CIN – Who knew a 6th round pick from Hofstra would be the #1 fantasy WR through half the season?
5. Roy Williams (DET) @ ARI – Relatively quiet last week, but this week…not so much.
6. Terrell Owens (DAL) vs. IND – He’s been very productive, but not dominant, which is scary given what he’s done so far.
7. Andre Johnson (HOU) vs. BUF – You’ve probably never seen him play, but glad he’s on your team.
8. Torry Holt (STL) @ CAR – The last 4 weeks he’s been very average, but always capable of going off.
9. Reggie Wayne (IND) @ DAL – Out producing counterpart Harrison.
10. Darrell Jackson (SEA) @ SF – Hasslebeck could be back this week, which is definitely a plus.

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