Tom Brady Out For The Season With ACL Tear…
September 7, 2008 at 8:54 pm | Article by Paul Hickey |
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| Well folks, it looks like the man who we told fantasy owners countless times NOT to pick in the first round of their fantasy drafts this summer, Tom Brady, is out for the season with a torn ACL. But what impact will Brady’s absence have on the rest of the Patriots’ squad?
Falling - Tom Brady, Patriots QB - We hate to say we told you so, but, well, we sort of did. We just weren’t feeling Brady this season, and we didn’t pick him in ANY of our expert leagues. Due to a torn ACL in Week 1, Brady is gone, and the NFL world is “shocked” and “devastated,” according to Peter King of SI.com, NBC and Sirius NFL Radio. Well, I’m sure fantasy owners across the country are as well. Not only owners of Brady, but also those of Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Ben Watson. That’s right folks, the fantasy outlook on all of those guys has changed drastically. Moss owners should be freaking counting their blessings that Matt Cassel found him six times for 116 yards and a TD, salvaging his value. Yes, that’s right, salvaging it. Moss owners may want to consider selling him now, if they can still get top dollar for him. As for Welker, his value is plummeting. He caught six balls for 51 yards from Cassel, however, isn’t likely to put up the huge numbers he did last season. To put it in perspective, with Cassel throwing him the ball, he’s more like a Mike Furrey than an Anquan Boldin.
Brady’s seasonal owners will obviously be dropping him, as will his keeper owners. For dynasty owners with an injured reserve, it’s not a bad idea to keep him, although most of his value is gone. Sorry, but it is. If dynasty owners can sell him for anything, even a third round rookie pick next season - consider it. How quickly the great one has fallen.
Rising - Willie Parker, Steelers RB - After rushing 25 times for 138 yards and three TDs against Houston in Week 1, make no mistake about it - Willie Parker is the man in Pittsburgh. We still really like Rashard Mendenhall, and believe that Mendenhall could be a gem later on in the season, and heading into 2009, but Parker’s value is rising after his Week 1 performance. He should be considered a must-start in Week 2 against Cleveland.
Rising - Michael Turner, Falcons RB - Even if the Lions suck, 26 year old Michael Turner’s 220 yard, two TD performance in Week 1 makes him a freaking must start in Week 2 at Tampa Bay. Turner has proven that he can make huge plays happen on his own, regardless of how good his offensive line is or isn’t. His value is higher than ever right now, and his owners should ride this out and see what else he has in the tank before considering selling high.
Rising - Sammy Morris, Patriots RB - Believe it or not, 31 year old Sammy Morris appears to have picked up where he left off last season prior to his season ending chest injury. The veteran carried the rock 10 times for more than 50 yards and a TD, while also catching five balls for 34 yards, stealing plenty of work from Laurence Maroney. Look for the split to continue between the two backs, and for LaMont Jordan’s role to be virtually non-existent, even with Kevin Faulk out of the line-up.
Rising - DeAngelo Williams, Panthers RB - We’ve been a big fan of DeAngelo Williams since his rookie season, and stuck with him despite many fantasy owners bailing due to the presence of Jonathan Stewart. After seeing DeAngelo rush 18 times for 86 yards against San Diego in Week 1, we’re confident telling owners to put him in their line-ups against Chicago in Week 2, as he’ll see 18-20 carries.
Rising - Rodney Harrison, Patriots SS - Not only did the 35 year old veteran rack up seven solo tackles and seven assisted tackles in Week 1, but with Tom Brady out of the line-up, Rodney Harrison knows he needs to step up his game for the Pats to have a chance the rest of the season. Look for him to keep up the good work against the Jets in Week 2, and he’s worthy of a roster spot in all IDP leagues at this point.
Rising - Brandon Flowers, Chiefs CB - Flowers, a second rounder from Virginia Tech, played extremely well against the Patriots in Week 1, racking up five solo tackles and an assist. He’s really worth watching in deep IDP leagues that require multiple starters at defensive back.
Rising - Jake Delhomme, Panthers QB - Although it took him until the final play of the game to connect for his first TD of the season, Jake Delhomme looked good, spreading the ball out to multiple wide receivers in Steve Smith’s absence. Ultimately, it will be good for Delhomme’s value to have gone without Smith for two weeks, as he’s developing chemistry with other targets. While he won’t really come to fruition until Week 3, he’s definitely worth adding in all formats after tossing the rock 41 times without pain in Week 1.
Rising - Kurt Warner, Cardinals QB - Even though Warner only threw for 197 yards and one score in Week 1, the positive thing for his fantasy value is that the Cardinals were victorious over the 49ers, meaning Warner has solidified himself as the team’s starting signal caller for at least another week. With Miami visiting in Week 2, Warner may end up being our top sleeper QB in Week 2.
Rising - Tim Hightower, Cardinals RB - A TD run on fourth and one, and three catches for 24 yards in his NFL debut means Tim Hightower is exactly who we thought he was - to steal an infamous phrase from former Cardinals coach Dennis Green. Look for Ken Whisenhunt to work Hightower into the line-up more and more, especially in red zone situations, making him a must have in all leagues.
Rising - Kevin Smith, Lions RB - More than 40 yards and a score in his NFL debut makes Kevin Smith legit. He should be the centerpiece of the Lions’ offense as the season moves along, and if he stays healthy, he could be starting 1,000 yards right in the face.
Rising - Thomas Jones, Jets RB - Well, it took him until Week 13 last season to do what he did in one game in 2008 - score a rushing TD. The 30 year old Jones also rushed for more than 100 yards against the Dolphins, but faces a much tougher match-up against New England in Week 2. Fantasy owners may want to look at selling high.
Rising - Matt Forte, Bears RB - We were very high on Forte all off-season, and he showed the entire fantasy football world why in Week 1, rushing for more than 90 yards and a score in the first half of his NFL debut against the Colts. Forte appears to be the man in Chicago, and should see 20 or more carries a game as long as he stays healthy. Like many other fellow rookie RBs, he’s a dynasty gem folks.
Rising - Donovan McNabb, Eagles QB - McNabb’s 368 yard, three TD day in Week 1 has cast a shadow on any doubt regarding his ability, or comfortability. He’ll only get better as the season goes on, as he becomes more and more comfortable with receivers DeSean Jackson, Greg Lewis, Hank Baskett, Reggie Brown, and Kevin Curtis, who should return in Week 7 from a sports hernia. The health of TE L.J. Smith is also crucial to McNabb’s success.
Rising - Turk McBride, Chiefs DE - Make no mistake, we really like third year 23 year old DE Turk McBride, who takes over the starting role after the departure of Jared Allen via trade to Minnesota. McBride racked up four solo tackles and one assisted tackle in Week 1 against New England, while putting solid pressure on the passer all day. He takes on Oakland in Week 2, and should be able to get to JaMarcus Russell.
Rising - Jerricho Cotchery, Jets WR - As expected, Cotchery had a huge game in Week 1, hauling in a 56 yard TD bomb from Brett Favre. Cotch has a tougher match-up in Week 2 against New England, but is still a top end WR3.
Rising - Stewart Bradley, Eagles LB - The 24 year old third year man from Nebraska has taken over as the Eagles starting MLB this season. We knew he had the potential to be this year’s Barrett Ruud, and after he racked up eight solo tackles, one assisted tackle and a sack in Week 1, we believe he absolutely is. Look for Bradley to have another solid game against Dallas in Week 2, and potentially become a must start LB by the end of 2008.
Rising - John Abraham, Falcons DE - Welcome back John Abraham. Quite simply, after three sacks against the Lions in Week 1, consider the speedy DE a solid starting option heading into Week 2 in deep IDP leagues.
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