Favre & Coles Hot Heading Into The Break…

Laveranues Coles hadn’t done much at all heading into Week 4. Not only that, but the Jets were 1-2 and Brett Favre was being accused by many analysts of not wanting to play football at all, especially in New York. All of that is obviously nonsense, as Favre tossed the rock for 289 yards and six TDs at the Meadowlands in Week 4. Read more

Welcome Back Steve Smith

Broncos WR Brandon Marshall returned from his one game suspension to the tune of 18 receptions for 166 yards and a TD in Week 2 against San Diego. Don’t think for a second that Panthers fiery wide receiver Steve Smith wasn’t licking his chops thinking of his Week 3 return from suspension against the Minnesota Vikings. Read more

Carolina Panthers Offensive Update…

Word out of Carolina, is that there is a buzz surrounding the Panthers’ offense. Veteran WR Steve Smith is extremely pleased with the talent around him, including WRs Muhsin Muhammad, D.J. Hackett, Dwayne Jarrett, and especially veteran Jake Delhomme.

Smith reportedly shared with local media that Delhomme has been phenomenal since returning to practice from Tommy John surgery. Smith implied that Delhomme will be ready for the entire 2008 season, and that his ball hasn’t lost any zip.

We think Delhomme is a solid QB2 in deep formats.

D.J. Hackett Still Having Injury Issues?

Word out of Carolina is that new acquisition D.J. Hackett is still experiencing swelling in his knee that gave him trouble in 2006. An ankle injury sidelined him for most of 2007.

Muhsin Muhammad and Dwayne Jarrett have looked great, and Hackett - though it’s still early - can’t afford to fall behind.

Still, we like his work ethic and ability, and still consider him a solid WR3 sleeper, despite the nagging injury issues.

Mini-Camp Position Battles

From a fantasy football owner’s perspective, it may not seem like mini-camp means a whole lot. Many players are nursing minor injuries that won’t really affect them during the season, while other veterans actually elect to work out elsewhere - or in Tony Romo and Jason Taylor’s case - pursue other interests completely. But, there are a few position battles going on in mini-camps near you, which we believe will have an impact on fantasy football in 2008. Read more

Dwayne Jarrett Not Fading Away…

After a run-in with the Po-Po this off-season, and the Panthers signing free agent WRs D.J. Hackett and Muhsin Muhammad, it looks like a spark has been lit under second year WR Dwayne Jarrett.

Jarrett has apparently looked really good in mini-camps, and while this is a far cry from actual news that means anything for his fantasy value, at least it’s a step in the right direction.

Gholston, Glenn, Muhammad Rising; Smith, Dorsey, Thomas, Carr Falling…

Rising - Vernon Gholston, Ohio State DE - The beast defensive end from Ohio State greatly improved his draft stock with a phenomenal performance at the NFL Combine. Gholston looks like a classic rush end in a 4-3 defense, and if he goes to a team like Detroit, Oakland, Cincy, Buffalo, Carolina or Minnesota, he could make an immediate impact. IDPers in leagues that require starters at defensive line know that top DEs are hard to come by. Read more

Vilma Visits Lions…

Jets LB Jonathan Vilma took a physical with the Detroit Lions and could be headed there soon.  We think he’d be a great fit there, as they really don’t have any serious weapons on defense.  Assuming Vilma recovers from ACL surgery, he’ll be a solid IDP sleeper in 2008.

Muhsin Muhammad, Panthers WR 
No-Offseason.com
Muhammad signed a contract with the Carolina Panthers and could start across from Steve Smith in 2008.  While he won’t be a fantasy starter, he’ll likely make a decent impact as a reserve in deep leagues.

David Carr, Panthers QB
No-Offseason.com
David Carr was released by his second team in two years.  Carr is likely to land a job as a back-up somewhere, but he has no fantasy value what-so-ever.

Randy Moss, Free Agent WR
No-Offseason.com
Randy Moss will hit the open market soon, and the word is that the Dallas Cowboys will make a run at acquiring him.  The Boys need another playmaker at WR, and we wouldn’t put this past Jerry Jones at all.  Moss pairing up with T.O. would be absolutely sick.

Troy Williamson, Vikings WR
No-Offseason.com
Word is that Troy WIlliamson will be traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars soon for a sixth round pick.

Brandon Lloyd, Former Redskins WR
No-Offseason.com
Lloyd was released by the Redskins.  Justin McCareins was released by the Jets.  Eddie Kennison was released by the Chiefs.  We wouldn’t be surprised if none of them make an impact in the NFL ever again.

Desmond Clark Returns To Chicago…

The Bears extended veteran TE Desmond Clark through 2010 be giving the 31 year old a $5 million deal.  We still consider second year TE Greg Olsen to be the much better fantasy option heading into 2008. 

Muhsin Muhammad, Free Agent WR 
No-Offseason.com
There are conflicting reports regarding whether the Panthers will sign the 35 year old Muhammad.  We consider it extremely likely.  Muhammad landing in Carolina would be a mere speed bump to Dwayne Jarrett, who we consider a phenomenal dynasty prospect.

Glenn Dorsey, LSU DT 
No-Offseason.com
Dorsey, one time considered a shoe-in for the first overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, now has a fractured right tibia, which could seriously affect his draft stock.

Jabar Gaffney, Patriots WR
No-Offseason.com
Gaffney is reportedly working on a deal that would keep him in New England.  If he lands back in Foxborough, he’s a late round fantasy flyer in 2008.

Darren McFadden, Arkansas RB
No-Offseason.com
McFadden’s draft stock and fantasy stock shot up after his 4.33 forty time at the 2008 NFL combine.

Deuce McAllister, Saints RB
No-Offseason.com
The Saints are still saying that they plan on keeping 28 year old RB Deuce McAllister.  The veteran is coming off his second ACL tear in three seasons and while he could still be a solid contributor, he’s sure to face competition from Pierre Thomas, who finished 2007 on a high note for the complimentary role to Reggie Bush.  Overall though, McAllister could be a great buy low candidate in keeper formats or late round pick in seasonal leagues.