Most of the borderline players are looking like they’re going to play, but check back until 10:00 a.m. to see if anything changes as official inactives are announced.

8:59 - Earnest Graham added to Not Playing. What’s he doing on your roster anyway?
9:05 - Matthew Stafford is officially not playing. What’s a Lion other than Kevin Smith doing on your roster?

Playing

Joseph Addai
Donnie Avery (but Kyle Boller is throwing to him, so beware)
Antonio Bryant
Jamal Lewis (limited carries, bench anyway)
Eli Manning
Zach Miller
Jonathan Stewart
Wes Welker

Not Playing

Marc Bulger
Earnest Graham
Felix Jones
Matthew Stafford
Roy Williams

Too Close to Call

Jerricho Cotchery
Steve Breaston

My commanding win last week, detailed in the results post, almost makes up for the fact that Cal lost their bye week 31-3.

That’s all I’ve got.  If this post actually makes it to you, unlike the first two I’ve attempted, that will be a victory in itself.

(3) All-Start: 147 (372)
(1) All-Bench: 53 (268)

Read the rest of this entry »

In case you haven’t heard - in which case, read up on NFL news, you’ll never win your league slacking off - Braylon Edwards was traded to the Jets for a couple players nobody cares about and an unnamed pick.

Midseason trades rarely happen in the NFL, especially of skill position players, and especially of talented skill position players.  There’s very little precedent for this sort of thing.  Accordingly, Edwards’ fantasy owners are collectively freaking out right now.  But what does it mean?

Well, that’s a hard call.  There are upsides and downsides for Edwards in New York.

Read the rest of this entry »

Having grown tired of the prior week’s results buried in the bottom of some other post, I’ve decided to bring back Week In Review.

Right now it’s just the Start/Bench results, but soon I’ll be holding myself accountable for all the picks and advice I make over the course of the week.

All-Start: 147
All-Bench: 53

Read the rest of this entry »

If Cal keeps playing like this I’m going to run out of jokes.  As it is I don’t even know what to make fun of.  But now it’s Sunday and we’ve moved on to pro football!

Which, of course, is a whole new disappointment if you have any of the guys on the Not Playing list below.

Keep checking back, and keep an eye on Twitter since I’ll keep updating this list as news comes in right up until 10 a.m.  Especially if you’ve got someone on the Too Close to Call list.

8:21 a.m.: ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports Welker is likely playing, and John Clayton reports Kevin Smith has participated in pregame warmups.  Both moved accordingly.
8:42 a.m.: Dwayne Bowe moved to Playing.  But still, use at your own risk.  He is on the Chiefs after all.
8:50 a.m.: Mortensen reports Cadillac Williams will start at RB for the Bucs, so even if Ward ends up being declared active, be wary.
9:01 a.m.: Nevermind, Ward is on the Bucs’ inactive list.
9:06 a.m.: Antonio Bryant is active and was moved to Playing even though he won’t be seeing much action and should not be starting.

That’s the whole Too Close to Call list, so I’m signing off barring something strange happening before 10:00.  Good luck and enjoy the games.

Playing

Marion Barber, RB, DAL (Limited carries)
Dwayne Bowe, WR, KC
Antonio Bryant, WR, TB (Very limited action)
Derrick Mason, WR, BAL
Clinton Portis, RB, WAS
Kevin Smith, RB, DET
Brandon Stokley, WR, DEN
Wes Welker, WR, NE

Not Playing

Marc Bulger, QB, STL
Matt Hasslebeck, QB, SEA
Jamal Lewis, RB, CLE
Willie Parker, RB, PIT
Derrick Ward, RB, TB

Is it cheating to plug a backup RB who gets the start in on All-Start?  I say no.  Especially since I’m starting both as bye week replacements.  Always keep an eye on injury reports, you never know who you’ll find to fill in for a week or two.

Also, last week Buffalo was both my All-Start and All-Bench defense.  I don’t know how that happened.  So I dropped both.  And, come on, someone warn me about things like that.

(Wins) Team: Week (Season)
(2) All-Start: 87 (225)
(1) All-Bench: 52 (215)

Read the rest of this entry »

Here’s hoping your fantasy game today goes better than Cal’s game yesterday.  (Not Playing: The Entire Cal Defense)

Moping aside, it’s a bad week for injuries.  Especially if you have a New England receiver, a Tampa running back or any Eagles skill player at all.

Remember: Things can change.  Coaches are notorious for being vague on injury reports.  Check back here or follow us on Twitter for the latest.

Playing:

Steve Breaston, WR, ARI
Antonio Bryant, WR, TB
Earnest Graham, RB, TB
Percy Harvin, WR, MIN
DeSean Jackson, WR, PHI
Knowshon Moreno, RB, DEN
Randy Moss, WR, NE
Clinton Portis, RB, WAS
Cadillac Williams, RB, TB

Not Playing:

Dwayne Bowe, WR, KC
Phil Dawson, K, CLE
Earnest Graham, RB, TB
Jamal Lewis, RB, CLE
Donovan McNabb, QB, PHI
LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, SD
Wes Welker, WR, NE
Brian Westbrook, RB, PHI

Too Close to Call:

Marion Barber, RB, DAL (probably won’t play)
Brandon Stokley, WR, DEN

Things did not go well in Week 2.

In my defense I nailed Moss, Boldin, Slaton and the San Diego D on All-Bench.  Of course I couldn’t possibly be more wrong on Cutler, Larry Johnson and Carolina’s Steve Smith.  So the total wasn’t good.

But now things are evening out.  Brighter days are ahead.

(Wins) Team: Season (Week)
(1) All-Start: 53 (138)
(1) All-Bench: 91 (163)

Read the rest of this entry »

Here’s the most recent status for this week’s questionable-or-worse players.  No huge surprises, but some big names are sitting so double-check your rosters before the deadline.

I’ll update the list as new information comes in right up to early game kickoff so check back before finalizing your rosters.

9:04 Update: Wes Welker inactive, moved from Playing to Not Playing.
9:45 Update: Steve Breaston is active according to Jay Glazier.

Playing

Pierre Thomas, RB, NO (limited snaps)
Matt Cassell, QB, KC
Anquan Boldin, WR, ARI
Steve Breaston, WR, ARI

Not Playing

Antonio Bryant, WR, TB
Donovan McNabb, QB, PHI
LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, SD
Wes Welker, WR, NE

Too Close to Call

Deion Branch, WR, SEA

Week 1 could have been worse.

Like the NFL’s players (except Adrian Peterson), I’m still shaking the rust off.  So I’ll take an 85-72 All-Start win.  I did nail Matt Ryan and Cedric Benson on All-Start and Lee Evans and the Miami D on All-Bench after all.  Of course with four double-digit All-Bench performances I whiffed on my fair share as well…

But it’s a new week!  A week in which I take some big risks, putting quite a few Pro Bowl players on the All-Bench team.

Week 2 picks below, Week 1 results past that.

(Wins) Team: Season (Week)
(1) All-Start: 85 (85)
(0) All-Bench: 72 (72)

Read the rest of this entry »