There has been much talk about Brandon Marshall’s recent injury resulting in damage to an artery, vein, nerve, and tendons in his right arm. Marshall has reported that he slipped on a MacDonald’s wrapper while horsing around and put his hand through a television.

In initial reports, no mention was made of the horseplay, just that he had slipped on the wrapper. Had that been the full accounting for the story, it likely would have qualified as one of the strangest accidents involving an NFL player. Marshall and some of his teammates at first made light of the injury, before the extent of the injury was publicly known.

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The Carolina Panthers have been busy in free agency. Again this year, they are trying to find a running mate for Steve Smith. Wide receiver D.J. Hackett (formerly with the Seahawks) was added and Muhsin Muhammad was re-added after three seasons with the Chicago Bears. The question is whether either of these guys is worth a spot on your fantasy roster.

Muhammad is on the down side of his career and will be used primarily in three receiver sets. Hackett has not been able to stay healthy in his short career. Of the two, Hackett has the most potential. In 4 full games with Seattle last year, he went over the 100 yard mark twice, two touch downs, and no fewer then four receptions (6.25 average) per game. At 6′ 2″ and 208 lbs he provides a bigger target for slant patterns and crossing routes. He is willing to make the tough catch and he’s hard to bring down. Continue Reading »

Years ago, in my longtime keeper league, I had Charlie Garner on my squad when he started out with the Eagles. And, week after week, I would be infuriated by Charlie’s lack of carries. It seemed like he would come in, rip off a 25-yard run, and then never be heard from again while Ricky Watters gobbled up about 40 carries a game.

I’ve seen this phenomenon occur with young running backs enough over the years, and I’ve named it the Charlie Garner syndrome (or CGS). And owners of DeAngelo Williams know this problem well. They’ve watched him gobble up yards in chunks when he received playing time, only to have to suffer through DeShaun Foster for most of the game.

Well, Williams now has his chance, as Foster is out west in San Fran. What can we expect? There is one of two possibilities. Maybe the Panther coaches had a reason for keeping him on the sideline, and that those limitations will expose themselves with increased carries.

Or maybe the Panther coaches missed the boat, and Williams 5-yard-per-carry average last season, multiplied over 250-275 carries this year, makes him an elite Fantasy player. Continue Reading »

Ah, the enigma that is Javon Walker. Once the go-to target of a certain Green Bay quarterback (what was his name?), he signs a big money deal to go to Denver, where he again thrives for a period of time. His return from a serious injury to become the man who could complement Rod Smith and even take his place as the number one receiver was exactly what Broncos’ fans and fantasy owners who took a chance on him had hoped for. Two years later, he again finds himself looking to prove that he can return from an injury-riddled season with a new team. Now that it’s silver and black instead of orange and blue, youngster JaMarcus Russell instead of veteran Jake Plummer, what can be expected of him in the coming season?

I will tell you this: he will not fall very far in any of my drafts. He proved two years ago the kind of impact he can have on a new team by turning in a 1K-yard season as a big play receiver. He shook off serious injury to put up more than respectable numbers that season.

A dynamic Brandon Marshall had an impact on Walker’s potential place in Denver’s offense for 2008. In fact, his claim to be traded or released based on that was completely believable; but I don’t buy it. Continue Reading »

When it comes to talent, Todd Heap has a boat load. When it came to fantasy production in 2007- Heap owners were left to wonder, “What if?”

Mostly, they were asking what if they had drafted Dallas TE Jason Witten instead- who went an average of forty picks later than Heap in most drafts- and ended the season leading all tight ends in scoring.

It’s easy to look back at drafts after the season is over and see the mistakes. And drafting Heap can’t really be considered a mistake at all. His production was impaired by a hamstring injury- not skill. He played only six games. The real question we want to explore here is- should you take a chance on Heap in ’08- or should you steer clear?

Let’s address the injury concern first. The hamstring is not a problem. Hammy problems are notoriously tough to get rid of during the season, but given the proper rest, most heal completely. Heap’s injury did not require surgery, and owners can safely assume 100% health when training camp opens. As to the broader question of Heap being a general injury concern- let’s look at his past. In 2002 and 2003, Heap didn’t miss a game- 33 straight starts including a playoff game. Heap did the same again in 2005 and 2006. Continue Reading »

OK, I know you’re all probably chuckling at that title, but it got your attention, right? The Vikings clearly needed help at the receiver position, and Bernard Berrian has been productive in Chicago for the past few years on a team with quarterback issues of its own. And any addition to a group that was led by Bobby Wade has to help.

But the fact is that Berrian joins Sydney Rice and Aundrae Ellison on the Viking depth chart, giving them three guys who really like to run fly patterns. What the Vikings really could have used to boost their passing attack is a pass-receiving tight end, but those guys are hard to find.

The fact remains though that Berrian will likely be hamstrung if Tavaris Jackson is still the QB. Brad Childress stuck by him last year, and then watched as he failed miserably in the games the Vikes desperately needed to complete their run to the playoffs. Continue Reading »