The Regular Season Is Finally Here!

September 1, 2008 at 8:11 am | Article by Paul Hickey |

The regular season is finally freaking here folks. In just a few short days, the season will kick-off and we’ll actually have some hard box scores to look at that actually mean something. Get pumped. In the meantime though, there are a few housekeeping notes coming out of the pre-season that we wanted to make you aware of.

Rising - Chris Perry, Bengals RB - 2004 first round draft pick Chris Perry has been essentially named the Bengals starting running back after a solid pre-season and the release of veteran Rudi Johnson. Expect Perry to be a solid flex option during the 2008 season, and eventually creep into an RB2 role in deep fantasy leagues. If he plays well and stays healthy, he could also become someone with serious dynasty value, as he’s only 26 years old. Don’t get too excited though, because he plays for the Bengals, who we believe will definitely have a rough year on offense.

Falling - Rudi Johnson, Free Agent RB - The man who rushed for 1,300 or more yards and exactly 12 TDs in three straight seasons has been released from the Bengals after one horrific year. Johnson couldn’t stay healthy during 2007, and didn’t show the Bengals anything this off-season or pre-season. While we’d like to think the soon-to-be 29 year old will be given another chance somewhere, remember that it won’t be easy with Shaun Alexander, Travis Henry, Ron Dayne and Cedric Benson still all on the free agent market. Cincy may have been his best and last chance. Unless he ends up in Detroit, Houston or New Orleans, count him out in 2008.

Falling - Ben Obamanu, Seahawks WR - Seahawks WR Ben Obamanu looked to be headed for fantasy roster-worthy-ness in 2008, due to injuries to Deion Branch and Bobby Engram, however, he suffered an injury of his own during the Seahawks’ final preseason game - a broken clavicle - and may be placed on injured reserve. Even if he’s on the active roster, he’ll likely miss the first several weeks of the season. Obamanu is not worthy of a roster spot in any league format anymore. Courtney Taylor’s value rises with this news.

Falling - Ed Reed, Ravens FS - 2004 NFL defensive player of the year Ed Reed quite frankly hasn’t done squat since then. The Ravens ball-hawking safety hasn’t been consistent in the tackle category, big-play category or the staying healthy category. Reed will miss Week 1 of the season with lingering nerve problems in his neck. Translation - don’t count on Reed being fantasy worthy again in 2008.