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YW I'm done here, put a fork in it. <G>
THIS BOARD is NOT being used as the HUB~nutz FFB 'dedicated' board. All the league communication/discussion will stay
on the R U Ready 4 some Football board !
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/board.aspx?board_id=1148
Thanks!!
Before you embark on a journey of revenge.....dig TWO graves!
Sat, Aug 23 Kitna looked very good Saturday, completing 9-of-11 passes for 98 yards.
Recommendation: Roy Williams was his favorite target in this one, with Calvin Johnson not getting a lot of looks. The Lions have enough weapons for Kitna to be a decent #2 fantasy QB, but you'll have to take the bad (turnovers) with the good
LOL I will look around, you are never too old to learn. <G> I don't think I would put a whole lot of stock in the pre season. Give them a few games and see what they do when it counts. Hmmm When do you play me?? Yeah I think you should hold on to them at least until then. <G>
While you're here.....look around a bit, the posts are mostly a YEAR old as I started this board for LAST SEASON.
However, BnB invited me over to the R U Ready board and last
year's commissioner for the league used that board ------ he's not playing this year ie. lobogotti.
Anyway, there are a few good links here.....and also some
ideas thrown about from last season. BUT ~~~~ you know
what you're doing so you may find it redundant and boring.
Good game on tonight........San Diego DST will be one to
watch a bit as Merriman is now out.
FYI ~~~~ It's early.....but, I think a team to watch this
season will be BUFFALO ---- they have a very very easy schedule ! However, losing the QB last night now adds some uncertainty.
I'm getting paranoid about my (first) drafted DST ---- the Patriots. They have not won a game in pre-season AND I believe they've (defense) allowed the second highest POINTS against so far. Oh, did I mention....LIONS 3-0 !!!!!!!!
LOL Thats fine.
Hi !!
We may not be here long
Hoagie ~~ I started this board, but let it wane when we moved everything to R U Ready board. I am thinking of restarting this up for the "exclusive" use of the FFB league stuff.
What are your thoughts ?
Feel free to cut & paste this spam to anyone or board you like:
OT: Football's "King of the Hill" Pool starts next week, Sept 6.
Read the iBox then see how good you can pick winners.
It's a FREE board: #board-2915
1st place = 1 Year iHub Subscription
2nd place = 6 Month iHub Subscription
3rd place = 3 Month iHub Subscription
#board-2915
paythefan.com has a million dollar payout, and 250K to the first place guy not to shabby!
1st $ 250,000
2nd $ 125,000
3rd $ 75,000
4th $ 50,000
5th $ 25,000
6th $ 10,000
7th $ 5,000
8th $ 2,000
9th $ 1,500
10th-20th $ 1,000
$10,000 Weekly WinnersPut together the top scoring team for any week and you'll walk away with a cool ten grand in your pocket.
That league has already filled and started drafting. But if your interested in a money league I can point you to one. Email this guy jmodic@adelphia.net. He is the commish of a league called Global Football League.
The prices for rookies in our Ultimate Fantasy Football game have been unveiled. If you're a bargain shopper, look elsewhere.
Scanning the list of rookies, I struggle to find a player I'd use on my team at the start of the season. Marshawn Lynch is there for $6.9 million. He's more costly than Laurence Maroney ($6.85M) and Travis Henry ($6.75M). Considering there's a touchdown vulture like Anthony Thomas in Buffalo, it's tough to justify using that much cash on Lynch, especially early in the season when the Bills face a tough schedule (DEN, @PIT, @NE).
The same applies to Adrian Peterson ($6.5M). I'll gladly spend $1 million less and take Brandon Jacobs.
It's no better at receiver where Calvin Johnson rings the register for $6.2M. Johnson could be a breakout star by season's end, but for earlier in the season, you're better off with the less expensive, more reliable Hines Ward for $6M. I feel like I'm pitching a Honda Accord over a flashy sports car, but it's the sensible thing to do for you fantasy footballers on a budget.
The only potential players I see down the line are Giants WR Steve Smith ($2M) and Bears tight end Greg Olsen ($2.2M). Also checking in under $3M with some upside are receivers Robert Meachem, Dwayne Jarrett and Craig Davis. With an IPO of $5.5M, Green Bay running back Brandon Jackson could be worth a pickup later in the season, but he must secure the feature role for him to be worth a spot on your squad.
Just like the real NFL teams, you'll have to exercise patience and good sense in how you use this year's rookies. Will you cut costs in other places to squeeze a rookie or two onto your team?
The 2007 preseason rankings are based on players' predicted performances for the upcoming season. The rankings are based on a league with standard scoring, including points for both touchdowns and yardage.
Last updated 8/23/07
Font size: 91011121314 KEY »
Rk. Player Pos. Team Age Prev. Diff. ADP '06 Rk. 2007 rating Week 1 Week 2 Bye
1 LaDainian Tomlinson RB SD 28 1 0 1.34 3 CHI @NE 7
2 Steven Jackson RB STL 24 3 +1 2.78 9 CAR SF 9
3 Larry Johnson RB KC 27 2 -1 3.99 1 @HOU @CHI 8
4 Frank Gore RB SF 24 4 0 5.14 48 ARI @STL 6
5 Shaun Alexander RB SEA 30 5 0 6.15 2 TB @ARI 8
6 Brian Westbrook RB PHI 28 6 0 7.84 17 @GB WAS 5
7 Joseph Addai RB IND 24 7 0 6.68 47 NO @TEN 6
8 Rudi Johnson RB CIN 27 8 0 9.69 11 BAL @CLE 5
9 Willie Parker RB PIT 26 9 0 10.15 23 @CLE BUF 6
10 Peyton Manning QB IND 31 10 0 9.14 12 NO @TEN 6
11 Travis Henry RB DEN 28 12 +1 14.35 124 @BUF OAK 6
12 Reggie Bush RB NO 22 13 +1 11.41 35 @IND @TB 4
13 Laurence Maroney RB NE 22 17 +4 13.85 75 @NYJ SD 10
14 Steve Smith WR CAR 28 11 -3 16.77 15 @STL HOU 7
15 Terrell Owens WR DAL 33 14 -1 20.68 19 NYG @MIA 8
Rk. Player Pos. Team Age Prev. Diff. ADP '06 Rk. 2007 rating Week 1 Week 2 Bye
16 Willis McGahee RB BAL 25 19 +3 16.18 13 @CIN NYJ 8
17 Chad Johnson WR CIN 29 16 -1 17.79 14 BAL @CLE 5
18 Maurice Jones-Drew RB JAC 22 15 -3 21.13 135 TEN ATL 4
19 Edgerrin James RB ARI 29 24 +5 21.7 5 @SF SEA 8
20 Marvin Harrison WR IND 35 18 -2 20.72 20 NO @TEN 6
21 Clinton Portis RB WAS 26 21 0 25.42 8 MIA @PHI 4
22 Ronnie Brown RB MIA 25 22 0 18.85 6 @WAS DAL 9
23 Torry Holt WR STL 31 20 -3 23.38 16 CAR SF 9
24 Carson Palmer QB CIN 27 26 +2 22.24 40 BAL @CLE 5
25 Reggie Wayne WR IND 28 23 -2 26.71 30 NO @TEN 6
26 Thomas Jones RB NYJ 29 25 -1 26.64 39 NE @BAL 10
27 Brandon Jacobs RB NYG 25 29 +2 29.84 105 @DAL GB 9
28 Drew Brees QB NO 28 31 +3 28.65 87 @IND @TB 4
29 Antonio Gates TE SD 27 33 +4 29.88 24 CHI @NE 7
30 Javon Walker WR DEN 28 27 -3 35.35 46 @BUF OAK 6
Rk. Player Pos. Team Age Prev. Diff. ADP '06 Rk. 2007 rating Week 1 Week 2 Bye
31 Roy Williams WR DET 25 32 +1 33.23 36 @OAK MIN 6
32 Marion Barber III RB DAL 24 34 +2 41.86 100 NYG @MIA 8
33 Cedric Benson RB CHI 24 35 +2 31.39 68 @SD KC 9
34 Deuce McAllister RB NO 28 28 -6 37.19 56 @IND @TB 4
35 Tom Brady QB NE 30 41 +6 30.11 32 @NYJ SD 10
36 Donald Driver WR GB 32 30 -6 39.93 42 PHI @NYG 7
37 T.J. Houshmandzadeh WR CIN 29 36 -1 39.3 59 BAL @CLE 5
38 Larry Fitzgerald WR ARI 24 40 +2 29.48 18 @SF SEA 8
39 Marques Colston WR NO 24 37 -2 38.78 -- @IND @TB 4
40 Marc Bulger QB STL 30 48 +8 36.47 64 CAR SF 9
41 Donovan McNabb QB PHI 30 51 +10 42.82 54 @GB WAS 5
42 Anquan Boldin WR ARI 26 39 -3 42.86 22 @SF SEA 8
43 Andre Johnson WR HOU 26 43 0 46.09 41 KC @CAR 10
44 Lee Evans WR BUF 26 38 -6 44.0 69 DEN @PIT 6
45 Marshawn Lynch RB BUF 21 49 +4 48.63 -- DEN @PIT 6
Rk. Player Pos. Team Age Prev. Diff. ADP '06 Rk. 2007 rating Week 1 Week 2 Bye
46 Tony Gonzalez TE KC 31 46 0 52.36 50 @HOU @CHI 8
47 Darrell Jackson WR SF 28 42 -5 55.74 38 ARI @STL 6
48 Randy Moss WR NE 30 45 -3 40.45 21 @NYJ SD 10
49 Plaxico Burress WR NYG 30 44 -5 50.82 33 @DAL GB 9
50 Todd Heap TE BAL 27 58 +8 62.13 53 @CIN NYJ 8
51 Hines Ward WR PIT 31 50 -1 57.31 28 @CLE BUF 6
52 Adrian Peterson RB MIN 22 60 +8 56.8 -- ATL @DET 5
53 Carnell Williams RB TB 25 47 -6 47.25 10 @SEA NO 10
54 Jerious Norwood RB ATL 24 54 0 59.54 127 @MIN @JAC 8
55 Jamal Lewis RB CLE 28 55 0 64.9 45 PIT CIN 7
56 Brandon Jackson RB GB 21 61 +5 81.95 -- PHI @NYG 7
57 LaMont Jordan RB OAK 28 57 0 83.52 7 DET @DEN 5
58 Ahman Green RB HOU 30 56 -2 64.32 67 KC @CAR 10
59 Philip Rivers QB SD 25 66 +7 61.69 141 CHI @NE 7
60 Reggie Brown WR PHI 26 62 +2 64.57 109 @GB WAS 5
Rk. Player Pos. Team Age Prev. Diff. ADP '06 Rk. 2007 rating Week 1 Week 2 Bye
61 Chris Chambers WR MIA 29 52 -9 64.48 27 @WAS DAL 9
62 Braylon Edwards WR CLE 24 53 -9 64.01 108 PIT CIN 7
63 Tony Romo QB DAL 27 72 +9 64.79 -- NYG @MIA 8
64 Vernon Davis TE SF 23 73 +9 68.51 90 ARI @STL 6
65 Matt Hasselbeck QB SEA 31 74 +9 61.23 52 TB @ARI 8
66 Julius Jones RB DAL 26 67 +1 80.36 26 NYG @MIA 8
67 Matt Leinart QB ARI 24 86 +19 77.64 -- @SF SEA 8
68 Donte' Stallworth WR NE 26 88 +20 85.09 94 @NYJ SD 10
69 Calvin Johnson WR DET 21 70 +1 57.56 -- @OAK MIN 6
70 Vince Young QB TEN 24 78 +8 79.92 -- @JAC IND 4
71 Deion Branch WR SEA 28 69 -2 71.73 61 TB @ARI 8
72 Jerricho Cotchery WR NYJ 25 63 -9 82.05 -- NE @BAL 10
73 Santana Moss WR WAS 28 64 -9 74.01 34 MIA @PHI 4
74 Laveranues Coles WR NYJ 29 71 -3 73.58 80 NE @BAL 10
75 Mark Clayton WR BAL 25 59 -16 76.46 122 @CIN NYJ 8
Rk. Player Pos. Team Age Prev. Diff. ADP '06 Rk. 2007 rating Week 1 Week 2 Bye
76 Bernard Berrian WR CHI 26 68 -8 79.24 181 @SD KC 9
77 DeShaun Foster RB CAR 27 75 -2 108.02 51 @STL HOU 7
78 Fred Taylor RB JAC 31 65 -13 85.83 58 TEN ATL 4
79 Chris Cooley TE WAS 25 81 +2 80.89 71 MIA @PHI 4
80 Kellen Winslow TE CLE 24 85 +5 82.98 106 PIT CIN 7
81 Jeremy Shockey TE NYG 27 77 -4 73.38 43 @DAL GB 9
82 Tatum Bell RB DET 26 76 -6 83.93 76 @OAK MIN 6
83 Ladell Betts RB WAS 28 89 +6 91.82 145 MIA @PHI 4
84 DeAngelo Williams RB CAR 24 83 -1 72.01 72 @STL HOU 7
85 Joey Galloway WR TB 35 80 -5 90.97 73 @SEA NO 10
86 Santonio Holmes WR PIT 23 84 -2 94.8 156 @CLE BUF 6
87 Jay Cutler QB DEN 24 82 -5 95.72 -- @BUF OAK 6
88 Eli Manning QB NYG 26 91 +3 96.45 70 @DAL GB 9
89 Jon Kitna QB DET 34 107 +18 79.7 163 @OAK MIN 6
90 Ben Roethlisberger QB PIT 25 98 +8 101.76 107 @CLE BUF 6
Rk. Player Pos. Team Age Prev. Diff. ADP '06 Rk. 2007 rating Week 1 Week 2 Bye
91 LenDale White RB TEN 22 79 -12 110.07 85 @JAC IND 4
92 Terry Glenn WR DAL 33 87 -5 92.38 104 NYG @MIA 8
93 Jason Witten TE DAL 25 92 -1 99.54 74 NYG @MIA 8
94 Alge Crumpler TE ATL 29 100 +6 89.41 63 @MIN @JAC 8
95 Michael Turner RB SD 25 95 0 111.5 147 CHI @NE 7
96 Chester Taylor RB MIN 27 93 -3 89.11 25 ATL @DET 5
97 Kevin Curtis WR PHI 29 99 +2 117.17 114 @GB WAS 5
98 Bears defense DEF CHI — 114 +16 – 102 @SD @CHI 9
99 Ravens defense DEF BAL — 109 +10 – 154 @CIN @BAL 8
100 Jerry Porter WR OAK 29 94 -6 114.29 130 DET @DEN 5
101 Leon Washington RB NYJ 25 96 -5 135.84 -- NE @BAL 10
102 Vincent Jackson WR SD 24 115 +13 92.86 -- CHI @NE 7
103 Kevin Jones RB DET 25 102 -1 106.0 31 @OAK MIN 6
104 Warrick Dunn RB ATL 32 90 -14 110.66 37 @MIN @JAC 8
105 Alex Smith QB SF 23 118 +13 121.03 -- ARI @STL 6
Rk. Player Pos. Team Age Prev. Diff. ADP '06 Rk. 2007 rating Week 1 Week 2 Bye
106 J.P. Losman QB BUF 26 113 +7 126.37 185 DEN @PIT 6
107 Vernand Morency RB GB 27 103 -4 122.28 161 PHI @NYG 7
108 Jake Delhomme QB CAR 32 122 +14 118.66 79 @STL HOU 7
109 Brandon Jones WR TEN 24 97 -12 122.77 -- @JAC IND 4
110 Isaac Bruce WR STL 34 105 -5 124.67 111 CAR SF 9
111 Patriots defense DEF NE — 128 +17 – 150 @NYJ @NE 10
112 Chargers defense DEF SD — 119 +7 – 174 @SD @NE 7
113 Brett Favre QB GB 37 125 +12 121.74 117 PHI @NYG 7
114 D.J. Hackett WR SEA 26 126 +12 120.04 -- TB @ARI 8
115 Amani Toomer WR NYG 32 121 +6 155.39 146 @DAL GB 9
116 Eddie Kennison WR KC 34 111 -5 141.11 77 @HOU @CHI 8
117 Greg Jennings WR GB 23 101 -16 112.2 136 PHI @NYG 7
118 Benjamin Watson TE NE 26 120 +2 121.37 128 @NYJ SD 10
119 Randy McMichael TE STL 28 129 +10 118.58 82 CAR SF 9
120 Ronald Curry WR OAK 28 132 +12 158.55 198 DET @DEN 5
Rk. Player Pos. Team Age Prev. Diff. ADP '06 Rk. 2007 rating Week 1 Week 2 Bye
121 Dallas Clark TE IND 28 134 +13 144.41 134 NO @TEN 6
122 Brandon Marshall WR DEN 23 136 +14 141.43 -- @BUF OAK 6
123 Anthony Thomas RB BUF 29 110 -13 136.72 176 DEN @PIT 6
124 Ron Dayne RB HOU 29 112 -12 151.56 160 KC @CAR 10
125 Reuben Droughns RB NYG 29 106 -19 132.21 29 @DAL GB 9
126 Joe Horn WR ATL 35 123 -3 135.52 66 @MIN @JAC 8
127 Muhsin Muhammad WR CHI 34 104 -23 130.49 86 @SD KC 9
128 Matt Jones WR JAC 24 116 -12 130.79 101 TEN ATL 4
129 Devery Henderson WR NO 25 135 +6 125.07 180 @IND @TB 4
130 Wes Welker WR NE 26 145 +15 149.63 -- @NYJ SD 10
131 L.J. Smith TE PHI 27 108 -23 114.23 88 @GB WAS 5
132 Mike Bell RB DEN 24 124 -8 143.81 49 @BUF OAK 6
133 Drew Bennett WR STL 29 146 +13 140.24 89 CAR SF 9
134 Derrick Mason WR BAL 33 130 -4 151.12 55 @CIN NYJ 8
135 Heath Miller TE PIT 24 150 +15 140.83 98 @CLE BUF 6
Rk. Player Pos. Team Age Prev. Diff. ADP '06 Rk. 2007 rating Week 1 Week 2 Bye
136 Matt Schaub QB HOU 26 195 +59 151.11 -- KC @CAR 10
137 Marty Booker WR MIA 31 127 -10 157.03 151 @WAS DAL 9
138 Mike Furrey WR DET 30 144 +6 145.2 -- @OAK MIN 6
139 Jason Campbell QB WAS 25 131 -8 148.65 -- MIA @PHI 4
140 Rex Grossman QB CHI 27 175 +35 145.56 199 @SD KC 9
141 Adam Vinatieri K IND 34 158 +17 98.62 184 NO @TEN 6
142 Sammy Morris RB NE 30 139 -3 165.5 129 @NYJ SD 10
143 Dolphins defense DEF MIA — 138 -5 – 190 @WAS @MIA 9
144 Chad Pennington QB NYJ 31 149 +5 145.5 169 NE @BAL 10
145 Chris Henry RB TEN 22 157 +12 157.4 -- @JAC IND 4
146 Terrance Copper WR NO 25 140 -6 181.76 -- @IND @TB 4
147 Adrian Peterson RB CHI 28 142 -5 144.91 176 @SD KC 9
148 Dominic Rhodes RB OAK 28 117 -31 144.94 60 DET @DEN 5
149 Steelers defense DEF PIT — 166 +17 – 110 @CLE @PIT 6
150 Jaguars defense DEF JAC — 143 -7 – 153 @JAC @JAC 4
Rk. Player Pos. Team Age Prev. Diff. ADP '06 Rk. 2007 rating Week 1 Week 2 Bye
151 Robert Meachem WR NO 22 151 0 161.7 -- @IND @TB 4
152 Broncos defense DEF DEN — 156 +4 – 159 @BUF @DEN 6
153 Byron Leftwich QB JAC 27 137 -16 147.09 120 TEN ATL 4
154 T.J. Duckett RB DET 26 152 -2 160.23 103 @OAK MIN 6
155 Chris Brown RB TEN 26 163 +8 148.6 62 @JAC IND 4
156 Desmond Clark TE CHI 30 174 +18 159.72 172 @SD KC 9
157 Jeff Wilkins K STL 35 165 +8 127.38 200 CAR SF 9
158 Arnaz Battle WR SF 27 133 -25 166.22 175 ARI @STL 6
159 Jeff Garcia QB TB 37 155 -4 149.84 96 @SEA NO 10
160 Michael Robinson RB SF 24 164 +4 169.93 -- ARI @STL 6
161 Dennis Northcutt WR JAC 29 168 +7 204.29 158 TEN ATL 4
162 Panthers defense DEF CAR — 169 +7 – 125 @STL @CAR 7
163 Steve McNair QB BAL 34 153 -10 147.93 131 @CIN NYJ 8
164 Greg Olsen TE CHI 22 179 +15 149.55 -- @SD KC 9
165 Maurice Morris RB SEA 27 184 +19 178.67 189 TB @ARI 8
Rk. Player Pos. Team Age Prev. Diff. ADP '06 Rk. 2007 rating Week 1 Week 2 Bye
166 Daniel Graham TE DEN 28 186 +20 173.61 137 @BUF OAK 6
167 Brian Leonard RB STL 23 187 +20 175.29 -- CAR SF 9
168 Cowboys defense DEF DAL — 200 +32 – 165 @DAL @MIA 8
169 Bo Scaife TE TEN 26 170 +1 172.29 -- @JAC IND 4
170 Najeh Davenport RB PIT 28 167 -3 168.0 164 @CLE BUF 6
171 Patrick Crayton WR DAL 28 162 -9 180.61 -- NYG @MIA 8
172 Chris Henry WR CIN 24 159 -13 160.93 191 BAL @CLE 5
173 Michael Jenkins WR ATL 25 147 -26 175.2 159 @MIN @JAC 8
174 Joe Jurevicius WR CLE 32 148 -26 175.19 132 PIT CIN 7
175 Eric Moulds WR TEN 34 180 +5 173.04 113 @JAC IND 4
176 David Martin TE MIA 28 183 +7 175.1 -- @WAS DAL 9
177 Dwayne Bowe WR KC 22 154 -23 169.13 -- @HOU @CHI 8
178 Trent Green QB MIA 37 178 0 151.45 97 @WAS DAL 9
179 Ernest Wilford WR JAC 28 160 -19 181.83 119 TEN ATL 4
180 Packers defense DEF GB — 188 +8 – -- @GB @NYG 7
Rk. Player Pos. Team Age Prev. Diff. ADP '06 Rk. 2007 rating Week 1 Week 2 Bye
181 Nate Kaeding K SD 25 185 +4 114.23 183 CHI @NE 7
182 Daunte Culpepper QB OAK 30 – – 169.37 65 DET @DEN 5
183 Anthony Gonzalez WR IND 22 173 -10 153.31 -- NO @TEN 6
184 Eagles defense DEF PHI — 181 -3 – 186 @GB @PHI 5
185 Shayne Graham K CIN 29 190 +5 133.24 172 BAL @CLE 5
186 Robbie Gould K CHI 24 182 -4 122.47 -- @SD KC 9
187 Marcel Shipp RB ARI 29 – – 193.41 171 @SF SEA 8
188 Bobby Engram WR SEA 34 177 -11 186.9 166 TB @ARI 8
189 Matt Stover K BAL 39 191 +2 153.2 194 @CIN NYJ 8
190 Neil Rackers K ARI 31 192 +2 140.99 168 @SF SEA 8
191 Eric Parker WR SD 28 172 -19 181.87 175 CHI @NE 7
192 Jason Elam K DEN 37 194 +2 159.65 188 @BUF OAK 6
193 Joey Harrington QB ATL 28 197 +4 164.63 159 @MIN @JAC 8
194 Olindo Mare K NO 34 199 +5 170.54 140 @IND @TB 4
195 Correll Buckhalter RB PHI 28 171 -24 174.72 185 @GB WAS 5
Rk. Player Pos. Team Age Prev. Diff. ADP '06 Rk. 2007 rating Week 1 Week 2 Bye
196 Josh Brown K SEA 28 – – 163.51 192 TB @ARI 8
197 Seahawks defense DEF SEA — – – – 138 @SEA @ARI 8
198 Joe Nedney K SF 34 198 0 176.36 193 ARI @STL 6
199 Jesse Chatman RB MIA 27 – – 178.93 180 @WAS DAL 9
200 Marcus Pollard TE SEA 35 189 -11 183.74 186 TB @ARI 8
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Aug. 23, 8:41 p.m. Donald Driver - WR (rank: 9), Green Bay
Driver hurt his right foot in the second quarter of Green Bay's preseason game against the Jaguars on Thursday night. He was helped off the field, and then was carted to the locker room from the sideline.
Fantasy Source spin: Driver most likely will have X-rays to make sure nothing is broken. We hope this doesn't affect his status for the regular season. Stay tuned.
Next 3: PHI (9th in pass defense; 191.6 ypg), @NYG, SD. Bye week: 7 Week 1 rating:
Aug. 23, 8:12 p.m. Dee Brown - RB, Washington
The Redskins waived Brown.
Fantasy Source spin: Even if he catches on elsewhere, he won't matter.
Next 3: MIA (8th in run defense; 101.1 ypg), @PHI, NYG. Bye week: 4
Aug. 23, 8:11 p.m. Fred Beasley - RB, Miami
The Redskins signed Beasley.
Fantasy Source spin: Great, just what the Redskins need -- another running back. Beasley has no fantasy value.
Next 3: @WAS (27th in run defense; 137.3 ypg), DAL, @NYJ. Bye week: 9
Aug. 23, 8:04 p.m. Marvin Harrison - WR (rank: 4), Indianapolis
Harrison returned to practice Thursday after tending to personal matters Wednesday.
Fantasy Source spin: Even at age 35, Harrison is still a proven and elite fantasy option.
Next 3: NO (3rd in pass defense; 178.3 ypg), @TEN, @HOU. Bye week: 6 Week 1 rating:
Aug. 23, 8:00 p.m. Dominic Rhodes - RB (rank: 51), Oakland
Though Rhodes won't be able to play until he returns from a four-game suspension, the Raiders like Rhodes' quickness, pass-catching ability and history of playing in meaningful games. Rhodes doesn't have the size to be a punishing back, but he still is tough enough to run between the tackles.
Fantasy Source spin: Look for the Raiders to ease Rhodes into the flow of the offense once he returns and then increase his workload as the season progresses. It wouldn't be surprising to see Rhodes work his way into the starting lineup by midseason, especially if Jordan doesn't perform well in the four games Rhodes misses. (Steve Corkran for SN)
Next 3: DET (21st in run defense; 125.6 ypg), @DEN, CLE. Bye week: 5 Week 1 rating:
Aug. 23, 7:59 p.m. Mike Williams - WR, Oakland
Williams caught a pass for a touchdown and made a key reception on a third-down play in Oakland's first exhibition game. That further bolstered his chances of making Oakland's 53-man roster and playing a significant role in its offense during the regular season. Williams has his weight problem under control, and he feels comfortable in coach Lane Kiffin's offense. The Raiders like what they see in Williams and intend to make him an integral part of their offense, especially as a big target in red-zone and goal-line situations. (Steve Corkran for SN)
Fantasy Source spin: Until Williams cracks the team's two-deep depth chart, fantasy owners should ignore Williams.
Next 3: DET (25th in pass defense; 220.0 ypg), @DEN, CLE. Bye week: 5
Aug. 23, 7:56 p.m. Eric Johnson - TE (rank: 25), New Orleans
Johnson won't immediately become the next Antonio Gates now that he's working with Drew Brees. But he will put up some nice numbers in the Saints' offense and give them an added dimension. So far, it looks like Johnson is splitting time with Mark Campbell in the starting lineup, with backup Billy Miller mixing in as well. But there is room for all three guys in the Saints offense, which has some two-tight end formations. Johnson is most likely to be used as a receiver, especially in red zone situations, and you can already see him developing a rapport with Brees in practices. The Saints specifically targeted Johnson in free agency because he can get downfield and catch the ball more than the tight ends they had last year. (Mike Triplett for SN)
Fantasy Source spin: Johnson is a late-round sleeper for fantasy owners who miss out on one of the top 10 options.
Next 3: @IND (2nd in pass defense; 159.2 ypg), @TB, TEN. Bye week: 4 Week 1 rating:
Aug. 23, 7:54 p.m. Devery Henderson - WR (rank: 48), New Orleans
Henderson was having the best camp of his four-year career before he suffered a hamstring strain in the Saints' second preseason game. The good news is that the injury wasn't severe, and he shouldn't miss more than a couple of weeks. Coach Sean Payton showed a lot of trust in him by installing him as the No. 2 receiver this year in place of departed veteran Joe Horn. Henderson has responded well, catching everything in sight during offseason practices and preseason games.
Fantasy Source spin: His starting job almost certainly will be waiting for him when he gets back. (Mike Triplett for SN)
Next 3: @IND (2nd in pass defense; 159.2 ypg), @TB, TEN. Bye week: 4 Week 1 rating:
Aug. 23, 7:16 p.m. Malcom Floyd - WR (rank: 66), San Diego
Floyd worked hard to lose weight while bulking up and to increase his speed and understanding of the offense. The result is that he is more durable, a better route runner and also a more viable option for quarterback Philip Rivers. (Kevin Acee for SN)
Fantasy Source spin: Three of Floyd's 15 catches last season went for touchdowns. Floyd is a bench pick because of his potential in the passing game.
Next 3: CHI (11th in pass defense; 194.7 ypg), @NE, @GB. Bye week: 7
Aug. 23, 7:14 p.m. Craig Davis - WR, San Diego
Davis is settling in as essentially the No. 2 receiver in the absence of Eric Parker. By the time Parker returns (expected in late October), Davis could have aced him out of a role. Davis is fast and can catch on the fly or in traffic. (Kevin Acee for SN)
Fantasy Source spin: Davis is a deep sleeper who should be on the waiver wire to start the season. If he shows owners something early, remember his name.
Next 3: CHI (11th in pass defense; 194.7 ypg), @NE, @GB. Bye week: 7
Aug. 23, 7:06 p.m. Chiefs Defense
Rookie free agent Ean Randolph appears ready to handle the punt returner's job. Randolph has made good decisions and fielded the ball well in training camp and preseason games. If he continues to catch the ball well, secure it and make good decisions, that should be enough to win him the job because the Chiefs believe he has big-play potential. Randolph has good quickness and could develop into a dangerous punt returner. (Adam Teicher for SN)
Fantasy Source spin: He has a cool name, but that doesn't help him earn enough fantasy value.
Next 3: @HOU, @CHI, MIN. Bye week: 8 Week 1 rating:
Aug. 23, 7:04 p.m. Donnie Edwards - LB (rank: 22), Kansas City
Edwards should be a good fit in the defensive system. He has good range in the running game and is capable of chasing down plays from sideline to sideline. He also has excellent skills in pass coverage against backs and tight ends. He could provide a big lift when the Chiefs play against the Chargers and tight end Antonio Gates. Edwards is not a physical player, so the Chiefs need to keep opposing offensive linemen away from Edwards. (Adam Teicher for SN)
Fantasy Source spin: He plays off of blocks well enough to be a solid source of tackles. He is a No. 2 IDP linebacker.
Next 3: @HOU (23rd in sacks allowed; 43 sacks), @CHI, MIN. Bye week: 8
Aug. 23, 6:52 p.m. Matt Hasselbeck - QB (rank: 9), Seattle
Don't expect to see a lot of Hasselbeck the rest of the preseason. Coach Mike Holmgren wants to limit Hasselbeck's snaps as he continues to regain his strength after an offseason of rehabbing from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. (Clare Farnsworth for SN)
Fantasy Source spin: I'm not impressed with the Seahawks' receiving corps, and I also don't like the fact that some of the Seahawks' linemen are battling injuries. I am avoiding Hasselbeck in all my drafts. (Roger Kuznia/SN)
Next 3: TB (19th in pass defense; 209.6 ypg), @ARI, CIN. Bye week: 8 Week 1 rating:
Aug. 23, 5:59 p.m. Ben Roethlisberger - QB (rank: 15), Pittsburgh
New Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians is remaking the Steelers' offense by giving more freedom to Roethlisberger at the line of scrimmage.
Fantasy Source spin: The Steelers still will be running the ball plenty, but we'll get to see just how Roethlisberger can make adjustments based on what he sees. That the Steelers have confidence in Big Ben to handle that speaks volumes of the type of leader he has become. It could help him produce better stats this season.
Next 3: @CLE (15th in pass defense; 202.6 ypg), BUF, SF. Bye week: 6 Week 1 rating:
Aug. 23, 5:05 p.m. Jamin Elliott - WR, Atlanta
Elliott was placed on injured reserve with a season-ending knee injury.
Fantasy Source spin: You won't miss him.
Next 3: @MIN (31st in pass defense; 238.6 ypg), @JAC, CAR. Bye week: 8
Aug. 23, 5:04 p.m. D.J. Shockley - QB, Atlanta
The Falcons placed Shockley on injured reserve. Shockley will have surgery after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a preseason game against the Bills. He also has a partially torn medial collateral ligament and a bone bruise.
Fantasy Source spin: See you in 2008, D.J.
Next 3: @MIN (31st in pass defense; 238.6 ypg), @JAC, CAR. Bye week: 8
Aug. 23, 5:03 p.m. Raiders Defense
Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said he'd like to pick his starting QB for the season opener after Friday's game against the Rams but cautioned that he might wait until the exhibition finale next Thursday at Seattle. Daunte Culpepper, Andrew Walter and Josh McCown are in the mix.
Fantasy Source spin: Is the guy who wins this contest really a fantasy winner? We highly doubt it.
Next 3: DET, @DEN, CLE. Bye week: 5 Week 1 rating:
Aug. 23, 4:59 p.m. Eddie Drummond - WR, Detroit
The Lions released Drummond, who made the Pro Bowl in 2004 as a return specialist.
Fantasy Source spin: The move should not come as a surprise.
Next 3: @OAK (1st in pass defense; 150.8 ypg), MIN, @PHI. Bye week: 6
Aug. 23, 3:54 p.m. Terence Newman - CB, Dallas
Newman isn't expected to play the rest of the preseason because of a right heel problem that the team said Thursday is more than a bruise, according to the AP. Coach Wade Phillips said the strained heel shouldn't keep him out of Week 1.
Fantasy Source spin: Newman doesn't do enough in any statistical category to be an IDP option, but if this becomes a nagging issue that causes him to miss games, it is a blow to the Cowboys' defensive unit.
Next 3: NYG (14th in interceptions thrown; 18 int), @MIA, @CHI. Bye week: 8
Aug. 23, 2:55 p.m. Julian Peterson - LB (rank: 15), Seattle
Peterson sat out a third consecutive day with a sore right knee, according to the Seattle Times.
Fantasy Source spin: You'll only want him as a No. 2 linebacker in IDP leagues.
Next 3: TB (15th in sacks allowed; 33 sacks), @ARI, CIN. Bye week: 8
Aug. 23, 2:52 p.m. Dashon Goldson - S, San Francisco
Goldson, impressive thus far in the preseason, has a strained muscle and sprained ligament in his elbow, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. He will be re-evaluated next week to determine how long he'll be out of action.
Fantasy Source spin: He could've logged some time early this season, but he isn't even a remote IDP consideration.
Next 3: ARI (16th in interceptions thrown; 17 int), @STL, @PIT. Bye week: 6
Aug. 23, 2:22 p.m. Jeremiah Trotter - LB (rank: 14), Philadelphia
Trotter, released by the Eagles on Tuesday, worked out for the Buccaneers on Thursday. Injuries have left the Buccaneers a little thin at the position, but coach Jon Gruden did not say whether he'd sign Trotter.
Fantasy Source spin: He'd be right back in the IDP picture and also bolster an already solid Bucs defense if he ends up signing for Tampa Bay.
Next 3: @GB (5th in sacks allowed; 24 sacks), WAS, DET. Bye week: 5
Aug. 23, 2:20 p.m. Dwayne Jarrett - WR, Carolina
The Charlotte Observer reports Jarrett is behind Keary Colbert and Drew Carter because of injuries throughout camp. Many thought he would start opposite Steve Smith.
Fantasy Source spin: Well, he might not start at the beginning of the season, but I've got to believe he'll do it by the end of the season. He's just a late-round guy, no more than that. (Chris Littmann/SN)
Next 3: @STL (8th in pass defense; 189.6 ypg), HOU, @ATL. Bye week: 7
Aug. 23, 2:17 p.m. Orlando Huff - LB, Atlanta
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the Falcons have let Huff go after Demorrio Williams' recovery from a pectoral injury.
Fantasy Source spin: You won't be missing him.
Next 3: @MIN (23rd in sacks allowed; 43 sacks), @JAC, CAR. Bye week: 8
Aug. 23, 2:02 p.m. Mark Bradley - WR, Chicago
The Chicago Sun-Times reports Bradley (left knee) returned to Bears practice after missing more than a week.
Fantasy Source spin: There's no reason to draft a receiver on Chicago's bench.
Next 3: @SD (13th in pass defense; 200.7 ypg), KC, DAL. Bye week: 9
Aug. 23, 2:01 p.m. Tommie Harris - DT, Chicago
The Chicago Sun-Times reports Harris practiced on Wednesday after sitting out Monday night's game. Bears coach Lovie Smith isn't saying whether Harris will take the field against the 49ers on Saturday.
Fantasy Source spin: Harris' ability to get back on the field will be a boost, but they're a top defense with or without him.
Next 3: @SD (8th in sacks allowed; 28 sacks), KC, DAL. Bye week: 9
Aug. 23, 1:58 p.m. Dan Orlovsky - QB, Detroit
Orlovsky (turf toe) has been wearing a boot at practice, according to the Detroit Free Press and he's likely out for Saturday's preseason game.
Fantasy Source spin: J.T. O'Sullivan should win the backup job, but it will take an injury to Jon Kitna for either backup to matter.
Next 3: @OAK (1st in pass defense; 150.8 ypg), MIN, @PHI. Bye week: 6
Aug. 23, 1:56 p.m. Jon Kitna - QB (rank: 14), Detroit
The Detroit Free Press reports Kitna is likely to sit out Saturday's game because of back spasms he's suffered this week.
Fantasy Source spin: Provided Kitna returns for Week 1, he's becoming less of a sleeper and more of a sure starter in most formats. He has so many passing weapons and owners don't have to take a hit for his losses.
Next 3: @OAK (1st in pass defense; 150.8 ypg), MIN, @PHI. Bye week: 6 Week 1 rating:
Aug. 23, 1:44 p.m. Todd Collins - QB, Washington
The Washington Post reports Collins, not Mark Brunell, will be the No. 2 QB in the Redskins' next preseason game.
Fantasy Source spin: You don't want Collins. You don't want Brunell. Is that simple enough for you?
Next 3: MIA (5th in pass defense; 187.9 ypg), @PHI, NYG. Bye week: 4
Aug. 23, 1:38 p.m. Ryan Moats - RB, Philadelphia
Moats (left ankle fibula fracture) underwent a procedure to repair his season-ending injury, according to the team's site. Moats was injured in the preseason opener in Baltimore on Aug. 13.
Fantasy Source spin: We'll see him in 2008, but his value won't be high.
Next 3: @GB (13th in run defense; 114.0 ypg), WAS, DET. Bye week: 5 Week 1 rating:
Aug. 23, 1:32 p.m. Jeremy Shockey - TE (rank: 7), NY Giants
The Giants' team web site indicated Shockey didn't practice again on Thursday. Coach Tom Coughlin said he's feeling better, but isn't likely to play in the team's next preseason game.
Fantasy Source spin: We'll continue to monitor his progress.
Next 3: @DAL (24th in pass defense; 219.1 ypg), GB, @WAS. Bye week: 9 Week 1 rating:
Aug. 23, 1:30 p.m. Amani Toomer - WR (rank: 40), NY Giants
Toomer missed part of Wednesday's practice with an ankle injury, but he managed to return on Thursday, according to the team's web site.
Fantasy Source spin: He's best deployed on a fantasy bench. Inconsistent touches and competition from rookie Steve Smith have diminished his value. Only a long-term injury to Plaxico Burress could boost him back to sure starter status.
Next 3: @DAL (24th in pass defense; 219.1 ypg), GB, @WAS. Bye week: 9 Week 1 rating:
Aug. 23, 1:19 p.m. JaMarcus Russell - QB (rank: 41), Oakland
Raiders coach Lane Kiffin told the San Jose Mercury News reps from the team met with Russell's agent on Wednesday. He said it was the first time in weeks they'd met in person. He's the lone first-round holdout remaining.
Fantasy Source spin: You're an absolute fool if you draft Russell this year. Even with how miserable the Raiders are, he's too far behind at this point.
Next 3: DET (25th in pass defense; 220.0 ypg), @DEN, CLE. Bye week: 5
Aug. 23, 1:08 p.m. Nate Webster - LB, Denver
Webster has won the strongside linebacker job, according to the Rocky Mountain News.
Fantasy Source spin: There's potential for Webster to be a tackle monster. Teams should throw the ball a lot against Denver, but he's not worth rushing out to add. Watch his progress early in the season and track his box scores.
Next 3: @BUF (25th in sacks allowed; 47 sacks), OAK, JAC. Bye week: 6
Aug. 23, 1:06 p.m. Tony Scheffler - TE, Denver
The Rocky Mountain News reports Scheffler is fully ready to play after suffering a broken left foot in minicamp.
Fantasy Source spin: Good for him, but he's a non-factor with Daniel Graham in Denver.
Next 3: @BUF (7th in pass defense; 188.6 ypg), OAK, JAC. Bye week: 6 Week 1 rating:
Aug. 23, 1:03 p.m. LenDale White - RB (rank: 37), Tennessee
The Nashville Tennessean reports White returned to practice on Wednesday and coach Jeff Fisher told the paper White is in line to start against the Bills.
Fantasy Source spin: LenDale White could be a value pick if you get him in the mid-to-late rounds and he takes the starting job. He's a bench player on all fantasy rosters for now.
Next 3: @JAC (4th in run defense; 91.2 ypg), IND, @NO. Bye week: 4 Week 1 rating:
Aug. 23, 12:59 p.m. Bob Sanders - S (rank: 13), Indianapolis
Sanders is expected to see limited action on Saturday against the Lions, according to the Indianapolis Star.
Fantasy Source spin: As long as he makes it out of the game unharmed, we're all for him getting his rhythm in the preseason.
Next 3: NO (25th in interceptions thrown; 13 int), @TEN, @HOU. Bye week: 6
Aug. 23, 12:32 p.m. Chris Barclay - RB, Cleveland
Barclay could be in position to win the third running back spot over Jerome Harrison, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Fantasy Source spin: (Jeopardy-style fantasy spin.) The Browns' third-string running back. Who is a player you won't consider on draft day? (Chris Littmann/SN)
Next 3: PIT (3rd in run defense; 88.2 ypg), CIN, @OAK. Bye week: 7
Aug. 23, 12:29 p.m. Andra Davis - LB (rank: 17), Cleveland
Davis' ankle is becoming a nagging issue, according to the Akron Beacon-Journal. He will miss his second consecutive game on Sunday.
Fantasy Source spin: If they rest him for the remaining preseason action, he should be fine for Week 1.
Next 3: PIT (27th in sacks allowed; 49 sacks), CIN, @OAK. Bye week: 7
Aug. 23, 12:27 p.m. Gary Baxter - CB, Cleveland
The Akron Beacon-Journal reports Baxter has suffered a setback and the Browns will shut him down for the week after experiencing knee soreness.
Fantasy Source spin: Baxter's comeback attempt isn't on the radar for IDP owners or potential players taking bye-week fliers on the Browns' defense.
Next 3: PIT (3rd in interceptions thrown; 23 int), CIN, @OAK. Bye week: 7
Aug. 23, 12:24 p.m. Haloti Ngata - DT, Baltimore
The Baltimore Sun reports Ngata returned to practice on Thursday. He bruised his knee against the Giants.
Fantasy Source spin: No word on his status for the next preseason game, but he should be OK for Week 1.
Next 3: @CIN (19th in sacks allowed; 36 sacks), NYJ, ARI. Bye week: 8
Aug. 23, 12:22 p.m. Daniel Wilcox - TE, Baltimore
Wilcox returned to Ravens practice on Thursday after missing two weeks, according to the Baltimore Sun.
Fantasy Source spin: He's not anyone you'll own, even if Todd Heap is injured.
Next 3: @CIN (31st in pass defense; 238.6 ypg), NYJ, ARI. Bye week: 8
Aug. 23, 12:12 p.m. Thomas Jones - RB (rank: 18), NY Jets
Newsday reports Jones (calf) continued work on his lower legs on the sideline on Wednesday. He also took part in some exercises catching and throwing a football while standing on the injured leg.
Fantasy Source spin: It's good to see he's getting closer to regular football exercises. He's still just a No. 2 back. If you get him, you'd want to consider Leon Washington in the middle rounds.
Next 3: NE (5th in run defense; 94.1 ypg), @BAL, MIA. Bye week: 10 Week 1 rating:
Aug. 23, 12:07 p.m. Erik Jensen - TE, Cincinnati
The Bengals released Jensen on Thursday.
Fantasy Source spin: No big deal. He wasn't in the mix for any touches.
Next 3: BAL (6th in pass defense; 188.1 ypg), @CLE, @SEA. Bye week: 5
Aug. 23, 11:52 a.m. Lemar Marshall - LB, Cincinnati
Marshall, released by the Redskins on Tuesday, was signed by the Bengals on Thursday. He is reunited with Marvin Lewis, who he played for in 2002.
Fantasy Source spin: The Bengals have their own issues at linebacker, but he's no more than depth for the time being.
Next 3: BAL (2nd in sacks allowed; 17 sacks), @CLE, @SEA. Bye week: 5
Aug. 23, 11:41 a.m. Michael Huff - S, Oakland
Huff, a first-round pick in '06, already has blossomed and become an impact player. And he is playing in a defense that takes advantage of his full skill set. He can play cornerback or safety, is adept in man-to-man or zone coverage, shows good range and makes plays on the ball, is strong in run support and can be used as a blitzer. During our visit to camp, he made more plays than we could count. On a good team, he'd be a year away from the Pro Bowl. On the Raiders, it might take a little longer. (War Room scouts)
Fantasy Source spin: He needs to show something before you go out and use him in your IDP league.
Next 3: DET (6th in interceptions thrown; 22 int), @DEN, CLE. Bye week: 5
Aug. 23, 11:35 a.m. Pete Kendall - G, Washington
The Washington Post reports Kendall has been dealt to the Washington Redskins. Details about what picks were given up were not immediately available.
Fantasy Source spin: Kendall will join Randy Thomas, another former Jet, to start at guard for the Redskins. He's a solid addition to the offensive line that has been battling injuries.
Next 3: MIA, @PHI, NYG. Bye week: 4
Aug. 23, 9:03 a.m. Shaun Suisham - K (rank: 31), Washington
If you think this guy's name would be perfect for a horrible cigar, then you think like me. If you think this guy is a real find as a fantasy kicker, then you don't think like me.
Fantasy Source spin: Though Suisham did well down the stretch for Washington, there are plenty of other more established options to choose from than him. Don't use Suisham unless he goes all Neil Rackers on us. (Roger Kuznia/SN)
Next 3: MIA, @PHI, NYG. Bye week: 4
Aug. 23, 9:02 a.m. Redskins Defense
The additions of London Fletcher and LaRon Landry make the team will a lot better against the run. But because the front four is a bit unimpressive in rushing the passer, this unit might be exposed in the secondary. If you can't get heat on quarterbacks, they will eventually pick you apart.
Fantasy Source spin: Leave this defense on the wire. It is a year (and a player or two) away from being great. (Roger Kuznia/SN)
Next 3: MIA, @PHI, NYG. Bye week: 4 Week 1 rating:
dude, I am @ the site right now. Fanball.com.
I participate in a league. But never did a keeper league in football. Two keepers in baseball though.
Still need a manager? If so, how do I find your league to look things over?
Better late then never!
I need owners in a leagues called: A New League: Guru's Of The Gridiron. It's a new 14 team keeper league. But lots of leagues looking for owners right now. Looks like a lot of leagues will be removing the owners who haven't returned over the next week leaving a lot more open teams. I like fanball.com and suggest everyone at least check it out.
no problem, late to the game.
sorry ---- for a short time, there were openings but they filled up quickly.
If you need a manager let me know. I am familiar with fanball.com. My buddy runs a league @ this site. We gather @ a bar & do a live draft. We all pony up a few bucks for bragging rights.
Too bad. I participated three years ago & missed the last two.
Anyone playing fantasy football any where? I'm doing a bunch of leagues on the fanball.com site.... Real Leagues. Pretty nice site and it just opened for the 07 season.
OT: for anyone interested.........Fantasy Football League info
Posted by: lobogotti
In reply to: REDFISHER who wrote msg# 8923 Date:7/14/2007 11:28:14 AM
Post #of 8930
we need some more....everyone please spread the word and i'll get the league set up today
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/board.asp?board_id=1148
I got here LATE this year. I am only playing ESPN and FoxSports this year...but next year, I am hoping to join in with you all...
just a spectator this year!! R J
tanks RJ.it was a good story....which team are you in the fantasy league on IHUB....im lagoon goons
thanks for sharing ReD...RJ
I am with you RED...that is the answer...WHO would complain about MORE football?? RJ
Star search
By Charles Robinson, Yahoo! Sports
December 1, 2006
IRVING, Texas – Roy Wittke has this story, and it says a little about going from nowhere to somewhere. It's a little yarn that took place on Oct. 22, 2001, on a bus ride between Richmond, Ky., and Charleston, Ill. But when Wittke is telling the story, that trip – the actual bus ride – has nothing to do with the point he's getting across. It's more of an anecdote. Something that tells you how Tony Romo got to this point.
Think of it as one of the middle chapters in a 3½-year tale about going from overlooked I-AA draft prospect to the starting quarterback and sudden savior of the Dallas Cowboys.
On the day of that bus ride, Romo and his Eastern Illinois team had just squeaked through a 21-17 win over Eastern Kentucky. It wasn't a particularly special afternoon for Romo – two touchdowns, two interceptions, 134 yards passing in what would be a relatively mundane page in an otherwise distinguished small-school career. But it was the six-hour bus ride that opened some eyes. Or rather, what happened in the middle of it. When the bus stopped for a break after about three hours on the road, somewhere on I-65 in the middle of Indiana, the players piled out to stretch their legs. All save for Romo, who sought out his equipment bag and dug through it for a football. A few minutes later, he had gathered some teammates, and headed for the rest-stop parking lot.
To work on his throwing motion.
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"He was just like that," said Wittke, who was Eastern Illinois' offensive coordinator at the time. "It's just the way he was. It wasn't anything that was phony. It wasn't an insincere act by a guy trying to gain attention. That was Tony."
Like many of the Eastern Illinois coaches, Wittke has reveled in the success and celebrity of Romo the last few weeks. And Wittke can take special enjoyment knowing that he was the one who unearthed the player who has spent the last week on the lips of every NFL analyst and flickering on the images of almost every national sports show in the country. Other than the vast improvement in his game, the kid he sees now is the same one he found in tiny Burlington, Wis. (pop. 10,836), a discovery that was made after Wittke's parents started sending him clips about the kid from the Racine County newspaper. Same dimples. Same aww-shucks confidence. Same face that looks like every kid who ever has mowed your lawn.
"I read where he told some reporters that if they hung out with him, they'd be bored," Wittke chuckled. "That's probably a true statement. He's not exactly filled with glamour."
Not yet, anyway. Especially not if Cowboys coach Bill Parcells has his way. Parcells has done his best to keep Romo grounded since the Thanksgiving Day game, when Romo threw five touchdown passes in a win over Tampa Bay – tying the franchise single-game mark matched by Troy Aikman, Roger Staubach and three others. In a way, that game only hardened Parcells' typical contrarian posture.
If there was anything that sent the coach scrambling for the mute button on the TV, it was Bucs coach Jon Gruden coming out and saying "I thought it was Aikman out there," and Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber calling Romo "as prepared as anybody we played this year."
Parcells countered that with statements like "put the anointing oil away" and saying that he "doesn't eat the cheese." Which is basically a way of saying he doesn't give a damn that fans are hanging faux "Tony Romo" banners in the ring of honor, or that the ga-ga press in Texas is comparing his five-game debut to those of by Tom Brady and Kurt Warner.
In case anyone forgot, Brady and Warner won Super Bowls in their first years as starters, and each took home the game's MVP trophy. So in Parcells' book, Romo has done nothing but, well, get off to a decent start. And just in case Romo forgets that, Parcells levels a little reminder. Like the day he saw Romo in the practice facility and took a little jab after he'd appeared on a sports talk show.
"Hey, it's my celebrity quarterback," Parcells said. "Can you maybe complete a pass today?"
Of course, Parcells hasn't stopped the rest of the world from gulping in the NFL's Tex-Mex edition of Fernandomania. From the true rumors (he has hired a publicist to manage his overnight fame) to the false ones (he hasn't gone out on a date with Jessica Simpson … yet), Romo has taken an old nickname and made it all the rage without the 'roids.
And at the same time, he's remained remarkably close to the ground. In a way, it's reminiscent of when Tom Brady first lit the world afire with the Patriots – the days before he was on the cover of GQ, before he was dressing like an extra in a Burberry advertisement, and long before anyone knew who Bridget Moynahan was (or the fact that they were dating). So maybe this is Romo's period of innocence, a race to the top of the league like Aikman before him. Or maybe he's just the latest flash-in-the-pan, hot today and forgotten tomorrow quarterback.
Whatever the case, it's an undeniable point that he has made a difference on the field in his first five starts. All the important numbers are up for his top four pass catchers: Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn, Patrick Crayton and Jason Witten. And while it's rarely pointed out that Romo stepped into the middle of a fantastic collection of offensive pieces, it can't be forgotten that he has negated the unit's biggest weakness – a porous line that only accentuated Drew Bledsoe's heavy-footedness.
And the spark that he has provided has vaulted Dallas into the NFC's elite, perhaps even to the top of the conference depending on how one feels about the quarterback issues in Chicago and the not-so-minor fact that Romo is the only quarterback to face off with Indianapolis' Peyton Manning this season and walk away victorious.
Not bad for a kid who was invited to the NFL's annual scouting combine in 2003 mostly as a throwing arm for running backs and tight ends. Yes, Romo got to mingle and work out with all the big names on display during that week – Carson Palmer, Byron Leftwich, Kyle Boller and Rex Grossman. But Romo didn't exactly wow anyone. In fact, it was the Bears who had watched him keenly at Eastern Illinois. So much so, their area scout even wrote up a pretty good evaluation. But at the end of draft weekend, Romo went unselected while the Bears had taken Grossman in the first round.
"The Bears and the Packers – they were the two teams I was hoping for going into the draft," Romo said, with a hint of disappointment.
And when 20 or so teams called to talk contract once Romo became an undrafted free agent, Green Bay and Chicago weren't among them, either. Not that he's complaining. Mostly he takes the draft snub with a grain of salt – although he can name plenty of the quarterbacks selected in front of him.
"Byron Leftwich, Kyle Boller, Chris Simms – a kid from Indiana [Gibran Hamdan] who I don't even know if he played more than five games," Romo said.
But in all fairness, even Romo has a hard time bashing teams that let him slip through the cracks. He looks back at his experience, and submits honestly, "I wasn't as good at throwing the football at that time as I've developed the last few years."
"I just wasn't ready at that time, like Bill tells you," Romo said.
And there it is. The humility that's so sweet, it almost has to be an act. Just like when he looks at the Cowboys and tells a press throng, "I don't think it has much to do with me." Surely this is theater. Just like the Johnny Unitas biography peeking out of his locker, in plain view of anyone who arrives to interview him. Certainly nobody could be so unblemished after toiling for 3½ years as an NFL backup – the bulk of which were spent being known as that guy on the depth chart behind Quincy Carter/Chad Hutchinson/Clint Stoerner/Anthony Wright/Ryan Leaf/Vinny Testaverde/Drew Henson/Drew Bledsoe.
But the coaches who know Romo best protest such a notion.
"It's not an act or a publicity ploy or anything like that," Wittke said. "That's actually him. He's a well-grounded, down-to-earth guy."
Added current Eastern Illinois coach Bob Spoo, "I think that's what endeared him to all of his teammates over the years, the fact that he is so unassuming."
Spoo should know. He had to be won over by Romo, too. Almost eight years ago, when Wittke showed him a tape of Romo and suggested Eastern Illinois recruit him, Spoo resisted. The kid Spoo saw on tape wasn't the kind that wowed you. His arm wasn't great. He wasn't all that mobile. And they already had offered a full ride to another quarterback in Chicago. At best, all they could offer Romo was a partial scholarship.
"I didn't know if I was willing to take a shot on him," Spoo said. "But Roy convinced me."
And it wasn't a fairy tale after that, either. Much like his NFL maturation, it took time before Romo was able to step in and click.
"The speed changes at every level, and Tony wasn't quite ready to deal with some things his freshman year," Spoo said. "He didn't have a sense of urgency. To be honest, I thought I was vindicated by the way he performed his freshman year. I thought I was right in my assessment that he didn't have the capabilities to play at the I-AA level. But after that freshman year, boy, he picked up the tempo. A quarterback got hurt, he was the next guy in line and went in and almost the same scenario that's happened with the Cowboys happened back then."
Over the next three years at Eastern Illinois, Romo worked to improve his arm strength … and his throwing motion … and his mobility in the pocket. Even now, his former coaches get a kick out of all the talk of Romo's mobility. As Spoo related of his speed, Romo once scrambled for a 70-yard touchdown run in college, and a local sportswriter quipped the next day that Romo "had time to finish a sandwich on the way."
But those coaches also point to it and say that's another testament to Romo's stubborn push to improve his game. In a way, it's ironic. Now with the Cowboys, Romo wears his No. 9 jersey as homage to Roy Hobbs, the character Robert Redford portrayed in the movie "The Natural." Yet, Romo's own athletic progression has been anything but.
"If there's something unique about Tony, that's it – the improving he forces in himself," Wittke said. "In the last four years in Dallas, I never heard him say one negative thing about opportunity, playing time, guys moving ahead of him or whatever. Tony's focus has been completely on getting his play to the point where he forced Dallas to play him."
Without a doubt, he's done that. From a rest area parking lot to flirting with his succession of Aikman and Staubach in Big D, Romo's game might be the only thing that has changed along the way.
Charles Robinson is a national NFL writer for Yahoo! Sports. Send Charles a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.
playoffs RJ, playoffs.......1 game after the bowls...
I am just glad they are going....I hate that Notre Dame is screwing Michigan's hope!!
the BS is too political...RJ
me too....original florida native....
I am hoping so...I am a SEC fan!!
ole miss blood in my body...RJ
yea....its a good season all for all...
ya think FLORIDA WILL TAKE OHIO STATE ???
LOL...you have to enjoy the GREAT times when you are given them...RJ
and the Saints are doing well, so i am pleased there!!
LOL....SORRY...BEST OF LUCK WITH THEM......IVE BEEN BEAT FOR YEARS with the cowboys....now im finally winning some
I hate that...the Giants are having a tough time right now...RJ
to bad for the giants.....romo had a BAD day and DALLAS STILL WON...
Eli is finally getting back to NORMAL again...RJ
THERES STILL A FEW VISITORS HERE...
FYI ~~~ For all practical purposes, this board has become defunct. The board will stay up (per Matt's reco)...but,
I would encourage any viewErZ to move over to:
http://www.investorshub.com/boards/board.asp?board_id=1148
looks good !!
Well this my next starting line.
BABY DUCKS
QB P. Manning
WR H. Ward
WR T. Williamson
WR M. Colston
RB C. Williams
RB C. Dillon
TE L. Smith
K R. Gould
DEF St. Louis
THANKS.....appreciate your confirmation !!
I posted the "trade" offer on a couple of
the more popular website boards....and,
believe it or not MOST said to NOT do it ie.
Warner/Leinart/Brown/Parker nucleus solid.
BUT....I pulled the trigger anyway ! I still
have Leinart....IF Warner gets injured (which
statistically is a high probablilty)....I will
be looking like a seer/soothsayer. And THAT
would be a first !!!!
OK ~~~ Go Peyton !!
lol.....at that point i had. you'll get em next week
hell of a trade
Sniffles. Rub it in. sniffles.
just traded AWAY.......K. Warner / L. Maroney
picked up: P. Manning
thoughts ??
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