Believe It Or Not - Rashard Is Ready

Steelers rookie RB Rashard Mendenhall, who only has 10 carries in the first three games of his NFL career, has been thrust into a starting role for the next two weeks against Baltimore and on the road at Jacksonville. Critics may say he faces two tough defenses and can’t hang onto the football, but our sources believe he’s ready to shine in his two-game audition as Pittsburgh’s starting RB. Read more

Westbrook Could Be Falling, McGahee Returns

In yet another crazy week of fantasy football, several occurrences have contributed to the rise and fall of the value of several players. It appears, at least for the moment, that Eagles RB Brian Westbrook could miss some time with an ankle injury after leaving in the first half of the team’s match-up with Pittsburgh. Willis McGahee returned from knee surgery to rush for 64 yards and a TD. 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

Brandon Marshall Returns

One issue that many fantasy outlets haven’t even discussed yet is the return of perhaps the best player in fantasy football - that’s right. Denver Broncos WR Brandon Marshall returns from a shortened suspension to face the San Diego Chargers in Week 2. Marshall should be in all fantasy line-ups, because when it’s all said and done, he may just be the most dominant force in fantasy football. Read more

Handcuffing Your Wide Receivers

Well, one concept all fantasy owners are now familiar with is “hand-cuffing” – the art of locking up a running back situation by drafting the back-up to your starter. It seems simple enough, and it has really come in handy in the past, especially for owners of Priest Holmes in 2005 and Adrian Peterson in 2007, and many other backs. Heading into 2008, however, it seems there are a couple of scenarios in which the hand-cuffing concept could actually be applied to a different position – wide receiver. Read more

Don’t Forget “The Other Steve Smith”

Fantasy owners have been enamored with a certain Steve Smith since his phenomenal breakout 2005 campaign, however, we’ve looked heavily into some potential second year sleeper WRs, and heading into 2008 it looks like the Giants’ second year man with the same name could turn some heads. Read more

Fantasy Impact: Steve Smith

Ever since his phenomenal breakout season in 2005, in which he racked up 103 catches for 1,563 yards and 12 TDs, something has held Steve Smith back from returning to that level. In 2006, it was nagging injuries that caused him to miss a couple games. In 2007, it was an early injury to signal caller Jake Delhomme that contributed to his slip in production. Entering, 2008, Smith has entered a whole new realm of issues - but will he bounce back? Read more

Grant Signs, Smith Fights, Games Begin…

In a freaking wacky week in the NFL, there was a fight that ended with a star receiver getting suspended, an undrafted RB signed a four year, $30 million contract, and a retired legend returned to a team that had said only days earlier that they did not want him. Sifting through the mess, take a look at who’s fantasy football stock is rising and falling during the first official week of the NFL preseason. Read more

Chad Reports, LaMont Lands In New England…

It’s that time of year again folks - not quite the most exciting time of year, but close! Training camp is here, and the regular season is about one month away. What does this mean? Fantasy football player values are constantly fluctuating as positions are fought for, contract disputes work themselves out, injuries occur and the last few transactions are made. That’s why it’s extremely important to follow our weekly stock market report very closely, as well as go back and read our previous posts. Read more

Shockey Gets What He Wants

It finally happened. Proof that if pro athletes kick and scream enough, they really do get what they want. In this case, four men named Jeremy Shockey, Kevin Boss, Steve Smith and Drew Brees are very happy with the New York Giants dealing Jeremy Shockey to the New Orleans Saints - and a man named Eric Johnson probably isn’t so thrilled. Read more

2008 Fantasy “X-Factors”

2008 is chalked full of guys that could go either way. Guys who are more than capable of putting up huge digits, but only if everything goes perfectly right. We call these guys Fantasy “X-Factors” due to the fact that a certain set of circumstances could spark them to light up the stat column and become a true difference maker. Philly’s Donovan McNabb, who has only played in 33 total games in three seasons since throwing for 3,800 yards and 31 TDs in 2004, is the perfect example of a Fantasy “X-Factor.” Read more

Expert Draft: Bush Goes Before LJ

Recently, I participated in Fantasy Football Indepth’s expert challenge, where No-Offseason.com went head-to-head with publications like Rotoworld.com, Pro Football Weekly, CBSSports.com, Athlon Sports, FantasyGuru.com, USA Today, Fanball.com and more. The other day, I showed you the first round, but now let’s take a look at why Reggie Bush was taken before Larry Johnson in round two. Read more