Week 8
10/26/07
Steppin' Up
Trent Edwards,
BUF: A third round pick in this years draft, Trent Edwards has
officially supplanted J.P. Losman as the Bills starting quarterback.
After Losman went down with a knee injury in Week 3, Edwards stepped
in and led the Bills to victory in two of his three starts. With
Losman recovered, it came time for head coach Dick Jauron to make
a decision on his starting QB for the remainder of the season
this week. He has chosen to stick with the rookie.
Edwards hasn't had awe inspiring performances since taking over,
but his schedule gets easier over the second half of the season.
This Sunday he faces the Jets, the team he made his first NFL
career start against just a few weeks ago. In that outing he threw
for 234 yards and a touchdown while completing 78.6% of his attempts.
With the Jets defense ranked among the worst in the league (26th
against the pass; 28th against the run) look for Edwards to have
another solid outing against them.
In the following weeks he faces Cincinnati and Miami. The two
defenses combined have allowed 31 touchdown passes this year.
Relying on a rookie QB is never a recommended option in fantasy
leagues, but Edwards might be in for a decent three game stretch
if you need help at the position during any of your next few games.
Steppin' Down
Matt Schaub, HOU: Matt Schaub had a solid start to the season
averaging 251 passing yards per game and compiling 5 touchdowns
during his first 4 starts, but his production has fallen off since
then. While still performing admirably the past few weeks his
numbers haven't translated well into fantasy leagues. During his
last three starts (including an early exit last week against the
Titans) Schaub has been unable to find the end zone. He has managed
to keep his yardage totals high, but without the scores it makes
him a mediocre option at the QB position.
With Andre Johnson expected to miss yet another week due to a
knee injury suffered in the second game of the season, chances
are it will be a while before Schaub consistently finds targets
in the end zone again. In the two games Johnson has played he
caught 3 of the 5 touchdown passes Schaub has thrown this year.
More reason for concern is the injuries Schaub himself has encountered.
He is currently listed as questionable for this Sunday's game
against the Chargers with a bruised hip and sore ankle. He's also
needed his back looked at after getting knocked out of last weeks
game against the Titans. Monitor his status, but realize he may
not produce much until his top target is back on the field.
Steppin' Up
Brandon Jacobs, NYG: Jacobs' value was in limbo after a sprained
knee in the season opener forced him to the sidelines for the
Giants next three games. Since returning, the 6'4", 264 pound
halfback has steamrolled through opponents. In the three games
since his return the Southern Illinois product has carried 51
times for 293 yards (5.7 ypc) and 2 scores.
With a game this week against the 31st ranked run defense of
the Miami Dolphins expect the big man to continue at the rate
of more than 5.0 yards per carry. The Giants have a bye in Week
9 before facing some tougher defenses during the second half of
the season, but all in all it looks like Jacobs will be a 100-yard
rushing threat on a weekly basis. Unless he gets injured, keep
him in your starting line-up.
Steppin' Down
Frank Gore,
SF: If you used one of the top picks in your draft on Frank
Gore, chances are you've been disappointed with his production
to this point in the season. After rushing for three touchdowns
during the first two games of the year, Gore has gone the last
four without reaching the end zone. He has also failed to reach
the century mark during any contest, surpassing eighty rushing
yards just twice.
Injuries to both Alex Smith and Vernon Davis may have hampered
the 49ers early on. Even with the return of the second year tight
end last week however, along with the expected comeback of Smith
this Sunday, there is little reason to get excited about the prospects
of the 49ers offense. Through the first six games of the season
they are averaging just thirteen points per outing. At that rate
it will be difficult for any member of their offense to be a compelling
option in fantasy leagues.
San Francisco faces some of the weaker run defenses in the weeks
ahead, so look for Gore to be a solid number two option at the
running back position. Keep in mind however that it will be difficult
for him to match the success he had during his breakthrough season
last year.
Steppin' Up
Santonio Holmes, PIT: After missing a game due to a pulled hamstring
before Pittsburgh's bye week, Holmes returned to the line-up last
Sunday and posted totals of 6 receptions for 54 yards and 1 touchdown
against the Denver Broncos. In the game prior to that, with Hines
Ward sidelined due to a sprained knee, the second year wide receiver
had the best outing of his young career with 2 scores on 6 receptions
for 128 yards.
This week he faces a Cincinnati defense that has allowed 16 touchdown
passes and surrenders 249.2 passing yards per game. With Hines
Ward (knee) listed as questionable for the match-up, there's a
chance Holmes will function as Roethlisberger's lead receiver.
Even should Ward play, Holmes remains a great start as a number
two or three receiver this week in fantasy leagues.
Holmes faces a tough secondary in Week 9 against the Baltimore
Ravens, but should remain a strong option in the weeks that follow
when Pittsburgh goes on a four week stretch against the Browns,
Jets, and Dolphins before facing-off against the Bengals again.
Steppin' Down
Marques
Colston, NO: Despite going over 1000 yards and scoring 8 touchdowns
in 12 starts as a rookie last season, Colston is finding it difficult
to duplicate that success in his second year. With Drew Brees
and the Saints offense struggling as a whole, the second year
pro out of Hofstra has just 263 yards and 2 touchdowns on 26 receptions.
At that pace he is on course to barely finish with more than 700
receiving yards, 70 receptions, and 5-6 touchdowns.
Given the success he had in his first season these numbers are
well below what was expected of Colston. At the moment it is hard
to consider him any better than a number three type receiver.
If he has a big outing during any upcoming games it might be a
good idea to see if you can move him for something of value.
Steppin' Up
Tony Scheffler,
DEN: After breaking his foot in training camp and being held without
a stat through the first four weeks of the season, Tony Scheffler
has begun to produce as of late. In his last 2 games the second-year
veteran has caught 7 passes for 87 yards and 1 touchdown. With
Javon Walker out longer then expected and likely to miss a few
more weeks before he returns there may be increased opportunities
for Scheffler as the season progresses. Look to add him in your
league if you need help at the position.
Steppin' Down
Jeff King, CAR: King enjoyed a brief period of success early in
the season when he caught 13 receptions for 130 yards and 1 touchdown
in his first 3 games. In 3 outings since then however he has just
5 receptions for 59 yards with no scores. Contrary to how he performed
early on, don't expect to see many more outings like that from
him throughout the year. If you need to drop a player to add someone
of value feel free to let King go.
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