BustedKnuckles
Footballguy
Just something to chew on 
Halloween is in the rear view mirror, the costumes put away, but we can place a little scare into Derek Anderson, Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow Jr. fantasy owners: The next three games could make or break your fantasy season.
The Browns are a surprising 4-3 and all three players are among the top fantasy options at their respective positions. The tide turned when the Browns went to Anderson, who has thrown the second most touchdown passes (17) in the league, including six in the last two games in wins over cellar dwellers Miami and St. Louis. However the schedule is about to get more daunting and that could turn this Cinderella story into a nightmare.
Seattle comes to the Dawg Pound, followed by division road games at Pittsburgh and Baltimore. The relevance is not simply how the players will do in these games, but how the Browns make out. Two losses could put the division out of reach and three losses leaves the Browns at 4-6 overall. If the playoffs start looking like a reach, it would seem likely that the Browns give Brady Quinn a chance to see if he is a trick or treat. Even if it were the latter, it would be hard to imagine he would instantly have the chemistry with his receivers that Anderson currently enjoys. With games against the Cardinals, Jets, Bills and Bengals in weeks 13-16, the fantasy sky is the limit the way Edwards and Winslow are hauling in passes.
So if you own any part of the Browns high-scoring trio, do not just root for them this weekend, cheer for the Browns. Feel free to dress up like a member of the Dawg Pound if needed.
* The reports out of Atlanta have the Falcons finally stepping up their efforts to get Jerious Norwood more involved in the offense. Talk about a move long overdue. Despite seeing half the carries (95-47), Norwood has only 20 fewer rush yards than Warrick Dunn and has 65 more receiving yards with only one less reception. Dunn has had a long and distinguished career, but for a team with a lackluster offense, his days as the starter should be done.
* Next sign of the apocalypse: Raiders name Josh McCown their starting QB for Week 9 over Daunte Culpepper…and it is the right move, for the team and fantasy owners. No savior, but McCown will give life to the passing game and help the value of Ronald Curry and Jerry Porter. Barring a playoff run, the Raiders will likely give JaMarcus Russell a whirl later in the season.
Two-Minute Drill : Travis Henry made it through a second straight workout on Thursday and looks good to start against the Lions. Henry could remain in the lineup a bit longer as his appeal of his substance abuse suspension has been pushed back until November 16…Laveranues Coles (concussion) has not practiced all week and is looking doubtful to play on Sunday. Justin McCareins or Brad Smith would get the start…Michael Pittman (ankle) was a limited participant in a Thursday workout session. He is unlikely to be active this week, but barring a setback, he could be in the starting lineup when the Bucs return from their bye in Week 11. Earnest Graham, you have been warned…Deion Branch (foot) missed a second straight practice and will likely be listed as questionable on the injury report. Not a great sign since he has sat out three straight weeks.
Alge Crumpler (knee, ankle) is also in danger of sitting out with an injury after a bye week. Crumpler, who also was out Week 7, has only three receptions since Week 3…Santonio Holmes was removed from the Steelers weekly injury report. He has six receptions in three straight games and goes up against a Ravens secondary that is likely to be without CB Chris McAllister this week…The Ravens should have TE Todd Heap back in the lineup, though he went through limited drills on Thursday after missing the last two games…Jaguars QB David Garrard's high ankle sprain has improved enough that he could be ready for the Week 10 matchup against the Titans…
The Red Zone : Frank Gore's ankle injury is looking like a moot point as Niners head coach Mike Nolan said he intends to "give it to Frank a lot" in Week 9. A healthy Gore could be a fantasy stud in the second half as the Niners have a favorable schedule…Jamal Lewis was removed from the Browns injury report. He will start against the Seahawks in Week 9, but the Browns said Lewis could be limited on game day "for several weeks". Jerome Harrison and Jason Wright will continue to see carries…Matt Hasselbeck (oblique) made it through a full practice on Thursday. He will at least have D.J. Hackett back in the lineup and is a must start against the Browns in a likely shootout.
Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said Andre Johnson could play on Sunday, but others are suggesting that Johnson sit another week with the bye coming up in Week 10. Johnson declared himself "85 percent", but the Texans are still likely to let him get closer to full strength before sending out on game day…Darrell Jackson (quadriceps) is expected to return to the Niners starting lineup this week, but there seems little reason for him to be in yours. Jackson has only 18 receptions on the season and has not had a double-digit yardage game since Week 4…Ronald Curry (foot) was limited in practice for the second straight day, but is looking better to play in Week 9. He has a decent matchup against the Texans and gets a boost with McCown in the lineup.
Halloween is in the rear view mirror, the costumes put away, but we can place a little scare into Derek Anderson, Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow Jr. fantasy owners: The next three games could make or break your fantasy season.
The Browns are a surprising 4-3 and all three players are among the top fantasy options at their respective positions. The tide turned when the Browns went to Anderson, who has thrown the second most touchdown passes (17) in the league, including six in the last two games in wins over cellar dwellers Miami and St. Louis. However the schedule is about to get more daunting and that could turn this Cinderella story into a nightmare.
Seattle comes to the Dawg Pound, followed by division road games at Pittsburgh and Baltimore. The relevance is not simply how the players will do in these games, but how the Browns make out. Two losses could put the division out of reach and three losses leaves the Browns at 4-6 overall. If the playoffs start looking like a reach, it would seem likely that the Browns give Brady Quinn a chance to see if he is a trick or treat. Even if it were the latter, it would be hard to imagine he would instantly have the chemistry with his receivers that Anderson currently enjoys. With games against the Cardinals, Jets, Bills and Bengals in weeks 13-16, the fantasy sky is the limit the way Edwards and Winslow are hauling in passes.
So if you own any part of the Browns high-scoring trio, do not just root for them this weekend, cheer for the Browns. Feel free to dress up like a member of the Dawg Pound if needed.
* The reports out of Atlanta have the Falcons finally stepping up their efforts to get Jerious Norwood more involved in the offense. Talk about a move long overdue. Despite seeing half the carries (95-47), Norwood has only 20 fewer rush yards than Warrick Dunn and has 65 more receiving yards with only one less reception. Dunn has had a long and distinguished career, but for a team with a lackluster offense, his days as the starter should be done.
* Next sign of the apocalypse: Raiders name Josh McCown their starting QB for Week 9 over Daunte Culpepper…and it is the right move, for the team and fantasy owners. No savior, but McCown will give life to the passing game and help the value of Ronald Curry and Jerry Porter. Barring a playoff run, the Raiders will likely give JaMarcus Russell a whirl later in the season.
Two-Minute Drill : Travis Henry made it through a second straight workout on Thursday and looks good to start against the Lions. Henry could remain in the lineup a bit longer as his appeal of his substance abuse suspension has been pushed back until November 16…Laveranues Coles (concussion) has not practiced all week and is looking doubtful to play on Sunday. Justin McCareins or Brad Smith would get the start…Michael Pittman (ankle) was a limited participant in a Thursday workout session. He is unlikely to be active this week, but barring a setback, he could be in the starting lineup when the Bucs return from their bye in Week 11. Earnest Graham, you have been warned…Deion Branch (foot) missed a second straight practice and will likely be listed as questionable on the injury report. Not a great sign since he has sat out three straight weeks.
Alge Crumpler (knee, ankle) is also in danger of sitting out with an injury after a bye week. Crumpler, who also was out Week 7, has only three receptions since Week 3…Santonio Holmes was removed from the Steelers weekly injury report. He has six receptions in three straight games and goes up against a Ravens secondary that is likely to be without CB Chris McAllister this week…The Ravens should have TE Todd Heap back in the lineup, though he went through limited drills on Thursday after missing the last two games…Jaguars QB David Garrard's high ankle sprain has improved enough that he could be ready for the Week 10 matchup against the Titans…
The Red Zone : Frank Gore's ankle injury is looking like a moot point as Niners head coach Mike Nolan said he intends to "give it to Frank a lot" in Week 9. A healthy Gore could be a fantasy stud in the second half as the Niners have a favorable schedule…Jamal Lewis was removed from the Browns injury report. He will start against the Seahawks in Week 9, but the Browns said Lewis could be limited on game day "for several weeks". Jerome Harrison and Jason Wright will continue to see carries…Matt Hasselbeck (oblique) made it through a full practice on Thursday. He will at least have D.J. Hackett back in the lineup and is a must start against the Browns in a likely shootout.
Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said Andre Johnson could play on Sunday, but others are suggesting that Johnson sit another week with the bye coming up in Week 10. Johnson declared himself "85 percent", but the Texans are still likely to let him get closer to full strength before sending out on game day…Darrell Jackson (quadriceps) is expected to return to the Niners starting lineup this week, but there seems little reason for him to be in yours. Jackson has only 18 receptions on the season and has not had a double-digit yardage game since Week 4…Ronald Curry (foot) was limited in practice for the second straight day, but is looking better to play in Week 9. He has a decent matchup against the Texans and gets a boost with McCown in the lineup.
