The newest edition of the James Bond series debuts today...Quantum of Solace. So, clearly today's girl must be the Bond Girl from the movie. Meet Olga Kurylenko!
Willie Parker probable, but may be less than normal The prospects of Parker (shoulder) making it through Sunday's game without a reoccurrence of an injury remains to be seen. Parker will wear a shoulder harness that restricts his ability raise his hands above his head. Additionally, the Steelers running back will be careful not to aggravate a sprained knee that forced him to miss four of five games. Still, offensive coordinator Bruce Arians believes Parker brings an element of speed that's been missing with the offense. "When you saw him flash in Washington, it was like, 'Oooh.' Nobody was blocking and he got 5 yards because of his speed and explosiveness," Arians told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "Mewelde [Moore] has done a tremendous job, but Willie has the explosiveness we look for."
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Adam Jones still out on suspension Jones will have his indefinite suspension reviewed by commissioner Roger Goodell following Sunday's game, the Dallas Morning News reports. He's missed three games so far after his latest off-field incident. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the cornerback would be welcomed back to the team if he's reinstated, but the commish hasn't given any sign yet which way he's leaning.
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Steven Jackson out for Week 11 Steven Jackson's optimism after a full day of practice faded Thursday when the St. Louis Rams RB woke up and his thigh was stiff and sore. After Jackson watched practice in sweats, coach Jim Haslett figured the Rams would be without their feature back for the third time in four weeks. "I doubt if we'll have him, to be honest," Haslett said. "But we'll see. You never know." If Jackson can't go, Antonio Pittman would get his fourth straight start on Sunday at San Francisco. Pittman has been limited by a right hamstring pull but said he's feeling much better. Jackson was hurt while landing awkwardly in the fourth quarter of a victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 19. He has 525 yards rushing, a 4.1-yard average and four touchdowns, and is tied for second on the team with 25 catches.
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Injured or not, Frank Gore is expected to play Frank Gore thought he had a concussion. The San Francisco 49ers say their star running back is just confused. Gore, the NFL's sixth-leading rusher with 728 yards and four touchdowns, missed his second straight practice Thursday. Although he still expects to play against the St. Louis Rams this weekend, he hasn't recovered from a painfully strained neck in Monday night's loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Gore had a headache for the next two days, and the 49ers' best offensive player wondered aloud whether he had incurred a concussion, a possibly major setback for an offense already struggling to score. "I just thought it," said Gore, who had a concussion two years ago in a game against Detroit. "My neck was hurting, and I just thought I had (a concussion)."
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No improvement for Portis Clinton Portis' sprained knee showed no improvement Thursday, and the Washington Redskins RB appears unlikely to play in Sunday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys. The NFL's second-leading rusher left Redskins Park during practice, wearing a gray hooded sweat shirt and burgundy sweat pants as he stepped into his Maserati. "I was hoping today that there would be a little more optimism, and there's not," coach Jim Zorn said. "He's still questionable. I would say there's no change today. I was looking for another jump, but there wasn't." Portis sprained his left knee in the 23-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers before last week's bye. With Portis ailing, Ladell Betts appears set to start Sunday. Betts has missed the last three games with a sprained knee, but he was on the field in steady rain for Thursday's practice. "Betts looked good," Zorn said. "He's got a brace on, but made some cuts. That was encouraging." Shaun Alexander would start if both Portis and Betts are unable to play.
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Week 11 Start em / Sit em
Start 'Em
Tony Romo (at WAS): The most famous pinkie in the NFL will be fine this week, which means it's safe to put Romo back in your starting lineup. He might not be 100 percent, and the Redskins did bolster their secondary by signing DeAngelo Hall, but let's not forget Romo was having an MVP-type season before he got hurt. And Romo has done well against Washington in his career with 963 passing yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions in four games. He passed for 300 yards, three touchdowns and one interception against the Redskins earlier this year. With Romo back, it's safe to count on Terrell Owens and Jason Witten again, and even Roy Williams should get a boost this week. Jake Delhomme (vs. DET): Throw out last week's game at Oakland when Delhomme passed for 72 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. In fact, throw out every road game for Delhomme this season. He's just not good away from Carolina, so it's a good thing he's back in the friendly confines this week. In five home games, Delhomme has passed for 1,101 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions compared to 752 yards, two touchdowns and seven interceptions in four games on the road. It also helps that he's facing Detroit, which has allowed 244.9 passing yards per game with 15 touchdowns and only two interceptions. Look for the Panthers passing game to rebound this week, which means Steve Smith will have more than one catch for 9 yards.
Tyler Thigpen (vs. NO): All Thigpen has done since taking over the starting job is pass for 710 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions, and he also caught a touchdown pass. He now faces a Saints defense that just gave up 248 yards and two touchdowns to Falcons rookie Matt Ryan and lost its best cornerback in Mike McKenzie (knee). This game has a chance to be a shootout, and Thigpen will do his part with Dwayne Bowe, Tony Gonzalez and Mark Bradley. The one concern for Thigpen is the return of Larry Johnson could bog down the offense, but Thigpen is playing too well right now not to expect a solid performance against an underachieving defense. The Saints allow 238.4 passing yards per game with 14 touchdowns and six interceptions. DeAngelo Williams (vs. DET): Last week's Start of the Week lived up to the billing with 19 carries for 140 yards and a touchdown at Oakland. He's on fire right now with 464 rushing yards and six total touchdowns in his past five games. Even better, he faces a Lions defense that allows 161.2 rushing yards per game with 14 touchdowns and just gave up three rushing touchdowns against Maurice Jones-Drew. This is a week where Jonathan Stewart could get going also since coach John Fox expressed a desire to get Stewart more involved, but Williams has emerged as the man in Carolina. Joseph Addai (vs. HOU): Addai has been one of the biggest busts this season since he was selected as the No. 5 running back, according to his average draft position on CBSSports.com, but currently ranks No. 43 in a standard-scoring league -- 12 spots behind his backup, Dominic Rhodes. Addai is also coming off two terrible performances against New England and Pittsburgh (29 carries for 66 yards and four catches for 23 yards with no touchdowns). Good thing for Addai he's facing the Texans this week. Addai has scored a touchdown in three-straight games against Houston and four of his past five meetings with five touchdowns overall in that span. The Texans have allowed 14 rushing touchdowns this year, and Addai will get going this week.
Deuce McAllister (at KC): The Chiefs, who already have the worst rushing defense in the NFL, could be without linebackers Derrick Johnson (hamstring) and Pat Thomas (hamstring), defensive ends Turk McBride (shoulder) and Tamba Hali (ankle) and defensive backs Brandon Flowers (hamstring) and Patrick Surtain (quad). That would make McAllister and Reggie Bush, if he returns as expected, great options this week, so start both. McAllister has scored a touchdown in his past two games and could find the end zone again since Kansas City has allowed 14 rushing touchdowns this year. And Bush, who is trying to return from a two-game absence from a knee injury, would have a chance to return to his dominant ways.
Santana Moss (vs. DAL): Moss loves facing the Cowboys. In his past three games against Dallas, Moss has 25 catches for 381 yards and two touchdowns, including eight catches for 145 yards earlier this year. With Clinton Portis (knee) banged up, the Redskins could be throwing a lot this week, which would bode well for Moss getting increased chances to make plays. Dallas is expected to get cornerback Terence Newman (abdomen) back this week, but none of the Cowboys defensive backs can run with Moss. Jason Campbell (four touchdowns and one interception in two games) also has played well against the Cowboys, so he should be able to connect with Moss this week. Steve Breaston (at SEA): Breaston just continues to make plays, which is a good thing for Fantasy owners. And with the way Kurt Warner is playing now, you want to use all his weapons. Breaston had seven catches for 121 yards last week against San Francisco and has just one game in his past six outings with less than seven catches (Week 9 at St. Louis with two catches for 39 yards). The Seahawks are No. 31 in pass defense with 252.2 yards per game allowed, 14 touchdowns and four interceptions, so look for Warner to spread the wealth and keep Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald and Breaston happy again this week. Eddie Royal (at ATL): The Broncos will find themselves in position to be passing a lot with the lack of a running game -- and a defense for that matter. That means good things for Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, Tony Scheffler and Royal, so start them all. All Royal has done recently is catch 22 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns the past three games against New England, Miami and Cleveland. The Falcons are allowing 228.4 passing yards per game with 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions, so Cutler should be able to find his receivers with relative ease. Royal should remain hot this week so keep him active against the Falcons.
Bo Scaife (at JAC): Scaife has emerged as the Titans best receiver this year with 42 catches for 422 yards and two touchdowns. He has three games with at least six catches, including last week at Chicago when he had 10 grabs for 78 yards and a touchdown. He also opened the season with six catches for 105 yards against Jacksonville. The Jaguars have struggled in pass coverage this year with 213.3 yards per game allowed, 15 touchdowns and eight interceptions. It's unlikely Scaife will have similar success against Jacksonville this week, but he is worth starting since Kerry Collins continues to look in Scaife's direction. In five career meetings, Scaife has 18 catches for 246 yards and a touchdown.
Greg Olsen (at GB): Olsen gets his quarterback back with Kyle Orton expected to start after missing last week against Tennessee with an ankle injury. That should help Olsen against the Packers, who are missing linebacker Nick Barnett (knee). The Packers secondary has played well this year, but Olsen had four catches for 57 yards and a touchdown last year at Lambeau Field. He is having a breakout year thanks to Orton and should remain a starting Fantasy option this week.
John Carlson (vs. ARI): Carlson has two things in his favor this week. Matt Hasselbeck is expected to return after missing five games with a back injury, which will stabilize the quarterback situation for the Seahawks and give Carlson a better passer. And the Cardinals leads the NFL with 18 passing touchdowns allowed. Last week, Vernon Davis scored a touchdown against the Cardinals, and Carlson is coming off one of his best games of the season with five catches for 54 yards at Miami. With Hasselbeck back, we'll see if Carlson can finish the season strong.
Sit em
David Garrard (vs. TEN): Garrard looked good last week at Detroit with 238 passing yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions and now has six touchdowns and one interception in his past five games. Too bad he doesn't have that kind of success in his history against the Titans. In his past five meetings with Tennessee, Garrard has averaged 191 passing yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions. In their first meeting this year, Garrard had 215 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. The Titans are No. 2 with only five passing touchdowns allowed, and Garrard could be without leading receiver Matt Jones (thigh) this week. Gus Frerotte (at TB): Frerotte likes it better at home than on the road. In three road games this year, Frerotte has passed for 786 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions. It gets worse outdoors, where Frerotte has 564 passing yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions in two games. The Bucs are No. 5 in pass defense with 190.1 yards allowed per game with 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Frerotte has an interception in all but one start this year with nine interceptions in his past four games. He does have eight touchdowns over that span, so expect him to pass for about 200 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Eli Manning (vs. BAL): The Ravens have their share of problems in the secondary with Chris McAlister (knee) and Dawan Landry (neck) out for the year. Still, even without those defensive backs, the defense has been tremendous, allowing 193 passing yards per game with 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Manning has passed for less than 200 yards in his past five games with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. He has returned to being a mediocre Fantasy quarterback and probably won't post great stats this week. Figure on a similar stat line to last week when he had 191 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception at Philadelphia. Brandon Jacobs (vs. BAL): This matchup is going to be fun to watch. You have Jacobs' bruising style vs. Ray Lewis' hard hitting. Jacobs may have his moments, but the Ravens will have the better day. Baltimore has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 28 straight games. The Ravens allow just 65.4 rushing yards per game. They have given up only one rushing touchdown this season. Jacobs has two-straight 100-yard games and has scored eight touchdowns in his past six games, but he will struggle here. It's hard to sit Jacobs, but this is not a good matchup for him. Willis McGahee (at NYG): McGahee surprised everyone last week when he played against Houston despite being limited with an ankle injury and rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns. He won't surprise anyone this week, including the Giants. New York is No. 4 in run defense with 87.7 yards allowed and four rushing touchdowns. The Giants just held Brian Westbrook to 26 rushing yards and should be able to contain McGahee. You want to use McGahee when he has a good matchup, not a week like this where both starting running backs in this game should struggle. The Giants defense should dominate this matchup in what should be a low-scoring game. Kevin Smith (at CAR): Opposing running backs have struggled at Carolina this year, with Michael Turner (56 yards), Larry Johnson (2 yards) and Reggie Bush (55 yards) all limited, although Bush left with a knee injury. Tim Hightower scored a rushing touchdown in the last game at Carolina, but the Panthers run defense is tough, allowing 105.1 yards per game with only four touchdowns this season. Smith is playing well, with three rushing touchdowns in his past four games and his best outing of the season with 96 rushing yards against Jacksonville, but he only has one touchdown on grass this year and should struggle in this matchup. Chris Chambers (at PIT): We'll continue our theme of sitting the Chargers this week with Chambers. He was having a solid start this season with four touchdowns in his first three games before hurting his ankle in Week 5 at Miami. In two games since coming back from the injury, he has just five catches for 47 yards and was shutout last week against Kansas City. Philip Rivers has leaned on Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd along with Antonio Gates and LaDainian Tomlinson with Chambers out, and that should continue this week if Rivers has enough time to throw. The Steelers are No. 1 in pass defense and lead the NFL with 34 sacks.
Braylon Edwards (at BUF): There are several reasons to avoid Edwards this week. The Bills have only allowed seven passing touchdowns this season. Cornerback Terrence McGee looks back in top form after helping limit Randy Moss last week to five catches for 53 yards. Brady Quinn isn't going to take many chances downfield, which is why Edwards only had one catch for 15 yards last week against Denver. And Edwards has just 12 catches for 171 yards and one touchdown in four road games this year. This just isn't Edwards year right now, so don't plan on using him this week until he proves he can help your Fantasy team -- if that happens at all.
Matt Jones (vs. TEN): He has a thigh bruise that may keep him out this week, but even if he plays it will be a tough matchup. Prior to catching six passes for 80 yards against the Titans earlier this season, Jones had nine catches for 133 yards and one touchdown in four previous meetings. Tennessee has done well against opposing receivers this year and should matchup well with Jones. And if he's less than 100 percent that will limit what he's able to do. Jones has been fantastic this year and comes into this game with 27 catches for 317 yards and a touchdown in his past four games. But this matchup, along with his injury, is the reason why you should sit him this week.
Owen Daniels (at IND): We had Daniels as a bust last week, and he only had one catch for 13 yards against altimore. This week, keep Daniels reserved again. The Colts have done well in pass coverage and have a good history against Daniels. In four meetings, Daniels has only 18 catches for 175 yards and one touchdown, including five catches for 47 yards earlier this year. The Colts, who have only allowed two passing touchdowns this season, will be able to contain Daniels again this week.
Visanthe Shiancoe (at TB): The Bucs will be able to stay with Shiancoe this week, and he has struggled outdoors this season with 11 catches for 136 yards and a touchdown in three games. He only has 13 catches for 152 yards and two touchdowns in four road games. Tampa Bay limited Jason Witten to one catch for eight yards two games ago and even held Tony Gonzalez to seven catches for 62 yards in the Bucs last game, which is a good feat with how Gonzalez has played recently.
Marcedes Lewis (vs. TEN): Lewis doesn't have a good history against the Titans with 13 catches for 110 yards and no touchdowns in five meetings. He also doesn't have a touchdown in his past three games this season, and the Titans don't allow many scores with only five passing touchdowns allowed on the year. Look for Lewis to do plenty of blocking against the Titans pass rush, and this isn't a matchup where he should post good enough stats to help your Fantasy team.
Thursday, November 13, 2008, 12:17 PM EST [General]
Amy Hellkamp - Xavier
Name: Amy Hellkamp School: Xavier University Birth Date: March 23, 1986 Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio Year: Senior Major: Electronic media
1. I love Xavier, but I almost went to: I never even questioned it! I have wanted to go to Xavier my entire life. A part of the reason is because I was always such a big Xavier basketball fan that I knew I would never be able to cheer on another school's team!
2. My favorite class is: I took a history of rock 'n roll class last semester which was definitely my favorite. But in general, I enjoy my television studio classes and psychology.
3. Movies I can't live without:Dumb and Dumber, Forrest Gump, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Old School, and Across the Universe.
4. Music I can't live without: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix....Pretty much anything that's classic rock. Also newer bands like The Academy Is. . .
5. TV shows I can't live without:SportsCenter, Project Runway, Friends.
6. What's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you during a game?: I can't really think of anything that was too embarrassing in college, but in high school I completely wiped out once my freshman year. We were running onto the football field to do a homecoming pep rally performance and my friend in front of me kicked her legs back too high, tripped me a little bit and I fell flat on my face, my pom poms went like 20 feet in the air....it was embarrassing but I just laughed it off.
7. My favorite sport is: I love football, basketball and baseball, but ultimately baseball is my favorite sport.
8. My favorite professional sports teams are: Cincinnati Reds and the Cincinnati Bengals. WHO DEY!
9. My one Guilty Pleasure is: Papa John's Pizza. I've been known to eat whole large boxes by myself sometimes.
10. My best physical feature: Probably my height.
11. Strange and unusual fact about me: Ever since I was little, I've put ketchup on pretty much everything...and a lot of it.
12. My friends would be surprised to know that I: I don't think anything would surprise them at this point.
14. Five People I'd Like To Have Dinner With (Living or Dead): Tom Petty, Jim Morrison, Damian Kulash, Christian Siriano and my grandpa who passed away last summer.
15. Three People who annoy me: Liars, pessimists and people who are mean/rude.
16. Next Risk I Want To Take: To start a career in sports broadcasting.
17. If your life had a theme song, what would it be?:With A Little Help From My Friends by The Beatles.
18. What reality show would you do best on and why?: Probably The Real World simply because I could most likely live with six strangers and still manage to get along with them. But then again that show loves drama, so I probably wouldn't be their best choice.
19. If I won the lottery, the first thing I'd buy is: I'd probably just go on a huge shopping spree.
20. Describe the worst date you ever went on: I've never really been on a bad date.
Thursday, November 13, 2008, 12:10 PM EST [General]
Deion Branch questionble, but still expected to start Branch (heel) is expected to start at flanker on Sunday against Arizona, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports. Branch said he is practicing as if he's playing. Expect him to be ready to go Sunday. With Matt Hasselbeck also expected to return, Seattle's offense looks to be in better shape than in recent weeks, though that's not saying much.
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Patrick Crayton dropped to #3 receiver Crayton has been dropped to the #3 receiver spot on the depth chart, with Roy Williams moving up to #2, the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram reports. Tony Romo is likely to be far more comfortable with Crayton than Williams, however, and Crayton hasn't had trouble being productive in the past out of that #3 slot. If you've held onto him through the lean weeks while Romo was on the shelf he's worth at least considering for an active lineup spot again.
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That means Roy Williams is up to #2 Williams has been elevated to the #2 receiver spot, the ft. Worth Star-Telegram reports. This is a good sign that he's got a better grasp of the Cowboys' playbook, and with Jason Witten still less than 100% there's a decent chance he could get targets worthy of that #2 designation this Sunday. Until we actually see him and Tony Romo together, however, it's impossible to say how big a factor he's going to be in the Dallas offense.
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Tatum Bell may see more carries for Denver this week Bell could see some carries on Sunday against Atlanta, as he already has a familiarity with the Broncos' play book, the Rocky Mountain News reports. The Broncos' backfield is in shambles right now, to the point where Bell is considered a savior despite being cut by the Lions earlier this season. Peyton Hillis will most likely get the start, but the running back position is wide open right now between Hillis, Bell and PJ Pope, with Selvin Young still out due to a groin injury.
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Find a way for Anquan Boldin to be in your lineup this week The Cardinals want to utilize Boldin more frequently in their version of the "Wildcat" offense, the Arizona Republic reports. He has lined up in the backfield 11 times over the Cardinals' last two games. "I think we're scratching the surface of what we can do," head coach Ken Whisenhunt said on Wednesday. Boldin played quarterback briefly at Florida State University and it wouldn't be surprising to see him throw a few passes this season. Boldin is already a must-start; this new initiative (the Cardinals are calling it the "Pahokee" offense in homage to Boldin's hometown) should give him even more chances to make plays via the ground and the air.
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Looking for a starting QB this week...Daunte Culpepper will be starting this week Though he was named Detroit's starter this week, Culpepper may cede goal-line snaps to Drew Stanton, the Detroit Free Press reports. If any quarterback is removed when they are closest to scoring, it's obviously a major hit to their fantasy value, but it's even more pronounced with a quarterback like Culpepper that, in the past, used his legs to find the end zone in goal-line situations. He's a subpar start with goal-line snaps in the mix, and nearly unstartable in every format without them.
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Clinton Portis has sprained MCL The Washington Times reports Redskins RB Clinton Portis revealed Tuesday he sustained a second-degree sprain of his MCL in his right knee against the Steelers. Portis did not practice Monday, and coach Jim Zorn listed him as "questionable" and "50-50" for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. A grade 2 sprain of the MCL is an incomplete tear of one of the knee's four major ligaments and could require a recovery time of three to four weeks. Reserve RB Ladell Betts sustained a sprained MCL (though which degree wasn't documented) in the Redskins' loss to St. Louis on Oct. 12 and has yet to return to practice. If Portis and Betts can't play, Shaun Alexander and Rock Cartwright would assume the RB duties. Alexander has 10 carries in three games since joining the Redskins after Betts' injury, and Cartwright has four rushes.
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Tony Romo is back Tony Romo laughed at the notion his return to the Dallas lineup will be the complete cure for the struggling Cowboys. "We will find out on Sunday," Romo said. "A lot of different people may have gotten to a point where they feel we might not have a chance to do what we hoped to do at the beginning of the year. ... I think that is something that can bring a team together." The Cowboys (5-4) have gone from Super Bowl favorites to third place in the NFC East by losing four of their last six. They are 1-2 since Romo broke the pinkie on his throwing hand, but had the same record in the three games before he got hurt. Romo, who returned to practice during last week's open date, is ready to get back on the field Sunday night when the Cowboys play the Redskins in Washington. Romo doesn't expect the pinkie to be a problem. "It's getting better," Romo said Wednesday. "Every day it gets a little better and I'm confident that I'll feel pretty good for the game."
busy
