Adam Jones will not be disciplined by team...but not off hook yet
According to an ESPN report, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has decided not
to discipline Jones after the team's security staff looked into the
cornerback's reported scuffle with a bodyguard Wednesday. While Jones may be off the hook with the Cowboys, the NFL is looking
into Wednesday's incident, so there may well be some discipline coming,
pending the league's findings.
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Willis McGahee likely to be limited Sunday
McGahee (knee) was limited in practice on Thursday, the Baltimore Sun reports. McGahee was limited apparently due to a knee injury, and not
necessarily lingering soreness in his ribs. Either way, McGahee is
still struggling to remain healthy. Against a Colt's defense ranking
dead last against the run this season (188 yds/gm), McGahee would have
the opportunity to put up solid numbers. We'll check back on his status
Friday. In the mean time keep an eye on Le'Ron McClain and Ray Rice as
potential options this week.
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Westbrook still questionable
Westbrook (fractured ribs) says that he would do all he could to get
ready to play Sunday against the 49ers in San Francisco, the
Philadelphia Inquirer reports. However, Westbrook also said his fractured ribs hurt when he sneezes,
turns, twists, or makes a sudden move, which would lead one to believe
they'd also hurt when he gets tackled. It seems to make sense for
Westbrook to sit out the 49ers game, because the Eagles have a bye the
next week.
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If you have Kitna starting this week, keep an eye on him
Kitna (back) was wearing sweats (his teammates were in pads) while
riding an exercise bike as the Lions began practice Thursday, the
Detroit Free Press reports. Unless Kitna gets a whole lot better by Friday, we could be looking at
either Dan Orlovsky or Drew Stanton as the Lions' starting QB Sunday
against the Vikings.
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Justin Gage should return
Gage, who missed his second game of the season Sunday because of a knee
injury, said he's confident he'll be back for the Chiefs, the
Tennessean reports."It's been real tough,'' said Gage, who is second on the team in
receiving yards with 176. "You see your guys out there fighting and
battling and you can't help them out.'' Asked if his knee injury is a
strain, Gage said, "No comment." Asked if it's a meniscus tear he
replied, "Good question. I don't know the technical term for it.'' Gage
said he wouldn't need surgery and plans to stay in town. Gage has been
the Titans' top wide receiver when healthy.
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No big surprise, but Lavernius Coles is a monster against the Bengals
Jets WR Laveranues Coles
had 133 yards and 2 touchdowns last year at the Bengals, whom he will
face in Week 6 at home. He's been limited in practice with a thigh
injury and is considered questionable for the game, though. Not only has he scored in his last two games, but he's topped 70
receiving yards in his last three. Moreover, he's finally at peace with
Brett Favre as his quarterback. He also appears to be over a thigh
injury that slowed him down previously. Consider Coles a low-end No.
1/top-end No. 2 Fantasy wideout for Week 6 and don't think twice about
it. You will want to continue to keep tabs on his injury up until game
time.
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DeAngelo Williams fools gold?
Fantasy owners (and Chiefs defenders) were caught off guard by Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams'
148-total-yard, three-TD game last week. Since then, owners have put
him under the microscope and are reconsidering his Fantasy value. In
the process, they've seen that Williams rushed for 121 yards and two
touchdowns in his game at Tampa Bay last season. But before you go and
start him, here's the footnote to that game: The game took place in
Week 17, and Williams and the Panthers played a Bucs team with nothing
to play for. As such, key defenders like Jermaine Phillips and Barrett Ruud were inactive and others like Derrick Brooks, Cato June, Kevin Carter and Chris Hovan
were long gone after the first couple of series. Of the 121 yards
Williams had, 42 were in the first half and both touchdowns came in the
second half.
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Addai has tough matchup this week
The Colts' Week 6 opponents, the Ravens, are ranked No. 1 in the NFL
against the run. They have yet to allow a touchdown this year on the
ground and haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 22 games. Now that's
good defense. Addai scored three touchdowns (two rushing, one
receiving) against Baltimore in their only meeting last season.
Addai's yardage in his last two games against Baltimore (a regular-season game in 2007 and a playoff game in 2006) are cause for concern. In his career, he's totaled 71 yards on 31 carries, an awful 2.3 yards per carry average. He's actually made his mark as a receiver, though, catching six passes for 71 yards (a much better 11.8 average). Look for Addai to have some tough running in the game, but be an outlet for Peyton Manning. As for his chances to score, just remember that Baltimore hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher. Even with Addai scoring in each of his last three games, he's at best 50-50 to be good for a score.
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Top 10 Waiver Claims for Week 6
Fox Sports
10. Michael Bush, RB, Oakland (Available 79.2 percent of FOX Sports leagues)
Both Justin Fargas (groin) and Darren McFadden (turf toe) are expected to play against New Orleans in Week 6. If either misses any games, Bush has shown he can be productive in Oakland's dual back system. When Fargas was out, Bush ran for 90 yards and one score in Week 2 and totaled 128 yards in Week 4. He displayed receiving skills by catching seven passes for 80 yards in Oakland's last contest.
9. Matt Prater, K, Denver (Available 41.4 percent of FOX Sports leagues)
Disappointed with the fantasy production of Adam Vinatieri, Shayne Graham or Matt Stover? Their fantasy owners can claim a first-year starter who leads all kickers in field goals (12) and extra points (15). Denver's offense is one of the league's highest scoring, so Prater will continue to produce excellent stats for the rest of the season. Best yet, Prater has shown the accuracy and strength to kick from long distances. He's made all four attempts from 50 yards or more, connecting on kicks of 51, 52, 55 and 56 yards.
8. Washington D/ST (Available 86.5 percent of FOX Sports leagues)
Though Washington has only forced seven turnovers and garnered six sacks in five contests, it's faced teams like the Giants and Eagles, which commit few giveaways. In addition, it's met high-powered offenses like the Giants, Saints, Cardinals and Cowboys.
Now the schedule becomes easier. The Redskins can produce solid fantasy games against the struggling offenses of St. Louis, Cleveland and Detroit in the next three contests. Both St. Louis and Detroit rank in the bottom third in allowing sacks as well. Look for Washington to create turnovers and sacks with the potential for defensive touchdowns in the next three contests.
7. Domenik Hixon, WR, New York Giants (Available 96.1 percent of FOX Sports leagues)
Who needs Plaxico Burress? Hixon showed he can be just as productive as Burress when he caught four passes for 102 yards and one score in replacing the suspended veteran star. While he may defer to Burress for future games, it doesn't hurt to keep this talented star on the fantasy bench in case he receives more playing time and assumes a larger role in the offense. Hixon proved he has big-play ability, connecting with Eli Manning on a 32-yard touchdown catch and a 41-yard reception that nearly resulted into his second score. He also had catches of 13 and 16 yards, and added a 15-yard run.
6. Kyle Orton, QB, Chicago (Available 66.4 percent of FOX Sports leagues)
Many owners are shying away from Orton because of Chicago's poor reputation for producing solid fantasy quarterbacks. Though he had significant turnover difficulties, Rex Grossman showed a quarterback could be productive stats-wise in Ron Turner's offense.
Better yet, Orton has already displayed in the first five games that he's more consistent and accurate, and has better vision and game management than his predecessor, Grossman. Orton has also shown big-play ability in the passing attack. Indicative of his potential, Orton threw for a career-high 334 yards and two touchdowns last game. He's now thrown seven touchdown passes in the last three games after passing for two scores at Detroit. Impressively, Orton has thrown more touchdown passes than Peyton Manning, Eli Manning and Donovan McNabb this season; only seven quarterbacks have passed for more scores than Orton as well.
Chicago has a favorable schedule facing the questionable pass defenses of Atlanta, Minnesota and Detroit in the next three contests.
5. J.T. O'Sullivan and Isaac Bruce, QB/WR, San Francisco (Available 36.1 percent and 33.8 percent of FOX Sports leagues)
Both O'Sullivan and Bruce are already familiar with Mike Martz's offense. O'Sullivan learned as a backup in Detroit while Bruce was hugely successful in St. Louis with Martz's system.
O'Sullivan threw for a career-high three touchdowns against New England for his second game of multiple passing scores this season.
Bruce has been one of fantasy's pleasant surprises with his career revitalized in San Francisco. He's totaled four touchdowns in the last three games after catching two against New England last contest.
4. Correll Buckhalter, RB, Philadelphia (Available 57 percent of FOX Sports leagues)
Philadelphia's star running back Brian Westbrook has two fractured ribs, in addition to dealing with his ankle injury. This leaves his Week 6 status against San Francisco uncertain. If Westbrook sits his second game of the season, look for his backup Buckhalter to be Philadelphia's featured back again. Buckhalter totaled 90 yards and one touchdown in replacing Westbrook for Week 4 against Chicago.
3. Kevin Faulk, RB, New England (Available 94.7 percent of FOX Sports leagues)
Surprisingly, it may not be Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris or LaMont Jordan who will be New England's best fantasy back. Instead, Faulk may be the top fantasy choice at running back for the Patriots. He totaled 61 yards and two touchdowns against San Francisco last game. The long-time 10-year veteran may very well offer the best combination of running and receiving skills on the roster. At the very least, he's New England's back of choice on passing downs.
New England has favorable matchups against the struggling run defenses of San Diego, Denver, St. Louis and Indianapolis in the next four contests.
2. Devin Hester, WR, Chicago (Available 82.5 percent of FOX Sports leagues)
Given his speed and running skills, Hester owns the most big-play ability of any Chicago receiver . He's scored in each of the past two games and is making a push to be Chicago's No. 1 wideout. He caught season highs of five passes for 63 yards and a touchdown at Detroit last game.
He has favorable matchups with the questionable secondaries of Atlanta and Minnesota in the next two contests. He then meets Detroit again in Week 9 after Chicago's Week 8 bye. Hester can also provide the bonus of special teams touchdowns for leagues that count them individually.
1. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Carolina (Available 31.2 percent of FOX Sports leagues)
Though rookie Jonathan Stewart had seized the fantasy spotlight by scoring four touchdowns from Weeks 2-4, his teammate Williams responded by totaling 145 yards and three touchdowns against Kansas City's third-worst ranked run defense. Williams will be hard-pressed to run well vs. Tampa Bay's strong defense next game, but he'll have solid chances for noteworthy fantasy outings against New Orleans in Week 7, Arizona in Week 8, Oakland in Week 10, Detroit in Week 11 and Atlanta in Week 12.
