State of the League Address
James McPartlin, Vice President- Editor
Here’s the latest news around the NFL and its Fantasy Impact in your league:
DeSean Jackson walking into an ideal situation in Philly
DeSean Jackson was a second round selection and was probably going to make a name for himself a a punt and kick returner this year before making his way into the starting lineup as a wide receiver. However, Reggie Brown is all banged up with a lingering hamstring and Kevin Curtis will be missing time do to a hernia surgery. Thus, Jackson along with other options Greg Lewis, Hank Baskett and Jason Avant, might get a chance to start pending how long Brown and Curtis are out of the starting lineup. Jackson has the most upside out of the three receivers because Baskett, Lewis and Avant don’t have the speed and college resume that Jackson is bringing to the table. In leagues where return yards are a scoring stat Jackson could be a nice late round/ waiver wire pick up.
Chris Perry of the Cincinnati Bengals Making his Case for Starting Job
Perry, a former First round pick by the Bengals in 2004, is having a very strong preseason. Rudi Johnson is not 100% and that a committee could form in Cincinnati. Perry has the most upside out of Bengals backfield. If you are looking for a late round steal in upcoming drafts or if you fell victim of the Ryan Torrain injury like so many educated fantasy fanatics, go and get this guy on your bench.
Tim Hightower now #2 behind Edge in Arizona
The rookie running back for the Cardinals bypassed J.J. Arrington on the depth chart as expected. Now Hightower sets his sights on Eddergin James’s goal line work. The running styles of Edge and Hightower contrast very nicely much like Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew in Jacksonville. However look for Hightower to outperform Edge fantasy-wise. As a caveat, Edge just turned 30 on August 1st and has enough mileage under him to succumb to an injury this year.
Steve Slaton May Run Away in Houston
Rookie Steve Slaton for the Houston Texans is easily the sexiest pick in that back field. Ahman Green is 31 and might be cut before September, Chris Brown is younger at age 27 but was never a fantasy force in Tennessee and will not find much more success in Houston. Steve Slaton could be the future because he is only 22 and should be given every opportunity to start.
Marcus Pollard Cut By New England Patriots
Pollard was brought into New England to fill the gap left by Kyle Brady after the 2007 season. Pollard spend nine years in Indianapolis, two years in Detroit, and one unproductive season in Seattle where he was released by the Seahawks before signing with the Patriots in April. Pollard will be replaced on the roster by rookie Tyson DeVree. Pollard is at age 36 after being released on Tuesday Aug 19. This transaction hopefully has no fantasy impact other than the Pats feel DeVree can block more effectively than Pollard.
