Quarterbacks

Alex Smith likes playing from the spread.  Since being named the starter in Week 7, he has posted solid fantasy numbers in all but one week (Week 10).  He is utilizing Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree and even finding some love for Josh Morgan.   This is a formidable offense folks, and Smith is making a case for retaining the starting gig in 2010.  We fully expect Frank Gore to post another big season or two once defenses begin to respect the passing game.  Is Smith the the 49ers answer at QB for the future?  We're not sure, but his remaining regular season performances will provide a good indication.  We tend to think he is the guy, at least for the immediate future.  For 2009, if you are in need of a QB, Smith can be started comfortably as a low end QB1. 

Matt Schaub showed some toughness on Sunday. He had a reputation for being soft and not willing to play through injury, but Schaub toughed out a separated non-throwing shoulder to re-enter the game against the Jaguars. It was not enough to lead the Texans to victory and probably wasn't enough to carry your fantasy team, but it was much better than a zero. Good thing for Andre Johnson owners, because Rex Grossman is terrible. Schaub will attempt to play through the pain for the rest of the season, but with the Texans out of contention, you have to wonder if they are going to shut him down at some point.

Jason Campbell is making a case for himself in Washington.  He has been playing better and actually becomes a very intriguing prospect should Mike Shannahan take over as Head Coach in Washington in 2010.  Yup, you heard us.  If you can buy him low and add him to your Dynasty roster, he is worth the flier.   It's nice to see him with some receiver help as well.  There is still a chance he gets shipped out of D.C. following the 2009 season, but if you look around the league to see who is out there that can be brought in, it's really slim pickings.  There aren't any rooke QB's coming into the league this year that will be more effective than Campbell right away either.  There is a good chance he and Shannahan win some games in Washington in 2010 and forward. 


Running Backs

Joseph Addai has been a gem for fantasy owners in 2009.  He is mostly a product of playing in an elite offensive machine with one of the best QB's in the game. Addai is one of our top sell-high candidates for 2010.

In DeAngelo Williams absence, Jonathan Stewart showed us why he is a top Dynasty RB prospect.  Granted, Tampa Bay is a terrible run defense, but it is entirely clear that Stewart is an effective runner in all facets of the game.  He runs very hard along the goal line and in some cases has the power to bounce from  from hole to hole until he found one that he really liked.  --Insert Tiger Wood joke here.

As of Sunday night, Jerome Harrison was a top (if not the top) RB performer of the weekend.  He cannot pick up the blitz, he runs at just over 3 yards a crack, but he is an explosive receiver from the backfield.  Sounds like fantasy inconsistency.  He has an opportunity to establish some value for 2010 with his play down the stretch. If he does, package him as part of a deal this offseason to make sure you get a player you want on your roster for 2010.

Reggie Bush and Dynasty Football are two phrases you may want to begin separating from each other, much like Kim Kardashian did this summer. He has lingering knee issues and is clearly a situational role player.  Not a good equation at the RB position.  Bush is going to have a short lived NFL career.  Just throwing that out there.  Package him as part of a deal this offseason to make sure you get a player you want on your roster for 2010. It is likely that he will not be a member of the Saints next year.

LT2 became this fastest RB to 150 Touchdowns this weekend (137 games).  That is nearly a TD per game and he posted 9 straight double digit TD seasons.  Impressive as hell and so consistent...the equation for a Dynasty Beast.  Watching him salute Jim Brown after he passed JB on the all time rusher list (#8) in the stands was pretty cool.  It has been fun to watch a future hall of famer dominate.  Thanks LT2.  8 TD's in his last 6 games should keep him on your roster as a high end RB#2.  Those of you that bought him on the cheap should be pleased as he gives you a bump through the '09 playoffs.

113 and 0 TD's is considered a down week for Chris Johnson.  Dude is ridiculous!  Look for him to climb in our Dynasty Rankings in the coming weeks. He is making a serious run at the Number 1 spot.

MJD had issues punching it in on back-to-back-to-back goal line carries.  Not a Beastly performance by Pocket Hercules in a role which he usually thrives.

Don't be jaded by Brandon Jacobs Week 13 fantasy point total.  He is still struggling mightily in 2009.  A good chunk of his production came on a single pass play of 74 he rumbled for a TD.  Impressive to say the least, it was a fabulous run after the catch.  His actual carry totals were again underwhelming with 13 carries for 39 yards. Until the running game gets back on track, Jacobs is a situational play at best.

Tim Hightower is outplaying Beanie Wells.  Wells will be tough to count on despite a great fantasy playoff schedule.  He still has some upside each week, but a risky start as always.

Too many weapons in Minnesota equals frustrating fantasy production from ADP.

Wide Receivers

Do you think Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin were happy to see Kurt Warner back in the lineup? About as much as their fantasy owners were. Boldin had two quick TD's and 98 yards on 7 catches, while Fitzgerald broke free for 8 catches, 143 yards (his highest total of the season) and a 34 yard touchdown. It was easily Boldin's best fantasy performance of the season. Both players remain must start WR as we head towards the playoffs.

Robert Meachem is emerging. More on him to come, he has caught our eye.

Where have you gone Vincent Jackson? He was a fantasy darling during the first 9 games of the season and his dynasty value was skyrocketing. But he has just 9 catches in his last four games, topping out at 56 yards. He is seeing more attention from opposing defenses, but he has the talent to work through this and remain a productive WR1.

Don't look now, but Pierre Garcon is breaking out. He already has 43 catches for 710 yards this season, along with four TD's. He is the Number 3 option behind Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark, but he is a dynamic deep threat with skills to be a WR2 in the future.

Antonio Bryant had 5 catches and 116 yards this week. Yeah, we are not that excited either, but it is his second straight fantasy worthy performance and he could help you out down the stretch if you are hurting at WR.

Devin Thomas had the first 100 yard receiving game of his career on Sunday. Heck, it was his first game with more than 46 yards. He added 2 TD's as well. Is he emerging? Not quite yet, but he has the talent worth rostering to find out.

Tight Ends

Jason Witten decided to finally show up to a football game.  16 targets will do that for you.  He didn't get in the end zone however.

Antonio Gates has strung together a couple nice games in a row.  This is likely a function of the Chargers playing really good football right now.  Not to mention that Vincent Jackson gets double coverage on every play.  Expect Gates and LT2 to reap the benefits of VJax gettting constant blankets on every play.

Visanthe Shiancoe scored again.  There's a surprise.  That is 9 on the season and 3 straight. 

If I was Tony Gonzalez I would be pretty annoyed with the Falcons play calling.  The Falcons gave Jason Snelling 4 straight goal line carries in a pivotal moment in the ball game.  The Godfather at the TE position (and don't forget about the presence of Roddy White), and Jason Snelling gets stuffed 4 straight times.  What ever happenend to utilizing your best weapons?  A big mistake by the Falcons.

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