RB Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers
Slowed by injuries early on, Ryan Grant has been a bust so far in the 2008 fantasy football season. But his schedule gets easier and he seems to be healthy, so he should become halfway decent soon.

WR Randy Moss, New England Patriots
Many fantasy owners have written off Randy Moss after the loss of Tom Brady. While his value certainly has suffered, expect him to step it up in forthcoming weeks as Matt Cassel adjusts.

TE Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts
In Week 1, Dallas Clark got injured. Combine that with a bye week and it seems like the fantasy world has forgotten about Clark. However, as Peyton Manning gets healthier, expect Clark to produce.

Post from: Expert Fantasy

RUNNING BACK
LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
Although he’s being listed as questionable, many expect LaDainian Tomlinson to play in Week 2. He has a toe injury but should be able to tough it out.

Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers
Ryan Grant has been listed as questionable for most of the week. He was able to practice on Friday so expect him to play.

Marion Barber III, Dallas Cowboys
After injuring his ribs in Week 1, many fantasy owners worried about Barber’s future. Thankfully it appears he’ll play in Week 2.

WIDE RECEIVERS
Donte Stallworth, Cleveland Browns
In Week 1, Donte Stallworth was a late scratch. This week he’s listed as doubtful and isn’t expected to play.

Jerry Porter, Jacksonville Jaguars
Although he’s been able to practice at various points this week, don’t expect Jerry Porter to play in Week 2. He’ll play soon, though.

Laveranues Coles, New York Jets
Throughout the week, Laveranues Coles hasn’t been able to complete a full practice. He’s questionable to play in Week 2.

Javon Walker, Oakland Raiders
He didn’t play in Week 1 but expect Javon Walker to put on his Raiders jersey and play in Week 2.

Reggie Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
Like Walker, Reggie Brown didn’t play in Week 1. He’s being listed as questionable for Week 2 and should be a game time decision.

TIGHT ENDS
Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts
Early in the Week 1 game, Dallas Clark went down with an injury. He’s being listed as questionable and it’s probably 50/50 that he plays in Week 2.

KICKERS
Jason Elam, Atlanta Falcons
Heading into Week 2, Jason Elam is listed as questionable. Look elsewhere for a kicker for this week.

Post from: Expert Fantasy

Out – These players won’t play in Week 1.
Deion Branch, Seattle Seahawks
Kevin Curtis, Philadelphia Eagles
Bobby Engram, Seattle Seahawks
Jerry Porter, Jacksonville Jaguars
Ryan Torain, Denver Broncos

Doubt – These players likely won’t play in Week 1.
Reggie Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
Benjamin Watson, New England Patriots

Questionable – These players are 50/50 to play in Week 1.
Joey Galloway, Tampa Bay Bucanners
Jamal Lewis, Cleveland Browns
Javon Walker, Oakland Raiders

Probable – These players will likely play in Week 1.
Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers
DJ Hackett – Carolina, Panthers
Willis McGahee, Baltimore Ravens

Post from: Expert Fantasy

1. Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys
2. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts
3. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
4. Willis McGahee, Baltimore Ravens
5. Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers
6. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars
7. Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints
8. Braylon Edwards, Cleveland Browns
9. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
10. Andre Johnson, Houston Texas
11. Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints
12. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys

Will Tony Romo concentrate on football or Jessica Simpson?

Photo: Newscom

Post from: Expert Fantasy

Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers – DeAngelo Williams is too small to carry the load. Enter Jonathan Stewart. He’s built strongly enough to carry the load and should also get the goal-line carries in what could be a very good offense.

Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants – When healthy, Jacobs should produce very well in 2008. He had trouble staying healthy in 2007, so he’ll definitely be a risk. Jacobs has the potential to be a top ten running back in fantasy football — but be sure to also draft his backup.

Brandon Jacobs highlight video:

Post from: Expert Fantasy

Don’t miss these interviews:

• New York Giants – WR Amani Toomer
• Green Bay Packers – RB – Ryan Grant
• New England Patriots – QB – Tom Brady

Post from: Expert Fantasy

By Guest Blogger, Ron Bishow

The playoffs may not have any direct fantasy implications, but it can be a very telling time when looking for players who might be worth drafting next season.

When you get into crunch time coaches only go to the guys they really have faith in, and quarterbacks only throw to players they have total faith in. It is one thing to go with a guy during the regular season, but when jobs are on the line you don’t fool around.

These are the players that you have to keep a tab on next season for your fantasy draft along with the regular names. Players that could mean the difference between winning and losing, and here is just a sample of a few that have distinguished themselves so far this postseason.

Ryan Grant
Grant has been putting up huge numbers the second half of the season (he has the second most rushing yards behind LT) but his playoff game against the Seahawks have clinched him as a first round pick next season. Those 201 yards and three touchdowns have proven he can be a starting back in the league, and what makes him perfect for the Packers is his big play ability. Green Bay will always be pass first as long as Brett Favre is playing, but Grants ability to take any run to the house means that he can put up good numbers no matter how few carries he gets.

Marion Barber
Barber is an All-Pro and a touchdown machine (huge for me all season) and he finally got a start in the Cowboys playoff game against the Giants. Even though they lost he had over 100 yards and a TD in the first half and I think Dallas has finally seen that he can be a full game player. Julius Jones may find himself in another city next season, which would mean Barber would immediately become one of the top ten running backs in the league. He cannot be tackled on the first hit.

Greg Jennings
I have always been a big Jennings fan, I have drafted him each of the past two seasons, and he has always been productive. People have always been afraid to draft him to high do to the presence of Donald Driver, but it seems it will turn into more of a Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne situation. He had 12 touchdowns this season and two against the Seahawks, in other words he is turning into Favre’s favorite scoring target.

Eli Manning
The other Manning has been able to put up some solid fantasy games every few weeks sprinkled in with some terrible games. After two straight solid efforts in the playoffs where he has not thrown a pick he seems that he might have figured it out. He will never be a guy you would start every week, but he may be someone you draft as a backup and not be totally scared to play anymore.

Laurence Maroney
There was no more disappointing first round draft pick this year then Maroney, I should know he was my first round pick and by week five I wasn’t even playing him anymore. It wasn’t all his fault, the Patriots pretty much pass every down, but all of a sudden he is starting to show why he was so popular last season. 122 yards in the playoff game against Jacksonville, which followed two touchdowns in the season finale against the Giants and 156 yards the week before. If they give him the ball he will gain yards. But how many people will bite on him twice?

Stay tuned for the championship rounds to see if these guys keep in up (except poor Barber) or if some other strange name comes out of nowhere, after all this is the NFL.

Ron Bishow has been reporting on the sports world for the past seven years for AOL, Tribune interactive and CO-ED Magazine among others. He is such a fantasy sports fanatic he plays fantasy NASCAR. He is currently a contributing writer and video producer at newyork.metromix.com.

Post from: Expert Fantasy

RB Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers
Grant had two early fumbles last week but bounced back and had a huge performance. With over 200 yards on the ground, Grant answered any pending questions regarding whether he’s tough enough to strive in the playoffs. Against the Giants, expect the Packers to try to establish a run game so the Giants aren’t able to send as many blitzes as they sent against the Dallas Cowboys.

WR Amani Toomer, New York Giants
Toomer had three touchdowns during 16 regular season games. In two playoff games, he already has three touchdowns. With Plaxico Burress slowed with an ankle injury, Toomer has become Eli Manning’s main option. While Favre has a handful of options, Toomer is a hot receiver who Manning will no doubt look at for big production this week.

TE Kevin Boss, New York Giants
While Boss hasn’t been very active so far in the playoffs, he remains a vital part of the Giants’ offense. Especially when the team is in the red zone, Boss might become the team’s best receiving threat. The Packers are good at stuffing the run and their corners are very good. That means Boss will need to produce in those situations for the Giants to have a chance.

Post from: Expert Fantasy

QB Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles – McNabb suffered a sprained ankle in the first half against the Miami Dolphins. McNabb wasn’t able to return but the Eagles went on to win without his services. Andy Reid said after the game that McNabb would remain the starter if he’s healthy enough to play in Week 12. McNabb has a history of playing with injuries but keep an eye on whether he practices this week.

RB Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants – Jacobs has been a beast since he returned from his knee injury earlier in the season. However, against the Detroit Lions, Jacobs went down again. This time, initial indications are Jacobs has an injured hamstring. For a running back, hamstring injuries are one of the worst types of injuries. Even if he suits up in Week 11, he’d be susceptible to re-injuring his hamstring.

RB Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers – It seems like every time the Packers finally find a solution at running back, an injury sidelines that answer. It happened again in Week 11 when Grant went down with an ankle injury. Luckily, early indications are that the injury is minor. Keep an eye on whether he practices this week heading into Green Bay’s contest at Detroit in Week 12.

RB Kevin Faulk, New England Patriots – Faulk suffered what is being described as a head injury during play in Week 11 versus the Buffalo Bills. Faulk, despite backing up Laurence Maroney, sees plenty of playing time. Depending on the severity of the injury, Faulk could be held out a week or two. If he is held out, look for Heath Evans to play more in New England’s backfield.

WR Aaron Moorehead, Indianapolis Colts – The Colts’ offensive players are dropping like flies. The latest to get injured is Moorehead, who is a valuable possession receiver. While he’s not a great fantasy start even when healthy, he’s at least an option as long as Marvin Harrison is sidelined. Keep an eye on Moorehead’s injury (back) heading into Week 12.

Photo credit: NFL.com

Post from: Expert Fantasy

RB Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers – In the merry-go-round that is the Packers running back corps, Grant appears to be the current leader. He played well on Monday Night Football and heads into Week 9 as the likely starter. With Brett Favre playing as well as he’s playing, Grant could have plenty of chances to score the ball.

RB Maurice Hicks, San Francisco 49ers – A lot of fantasy owners are sprinting to pickup Michael Robinson. However, if you look at what happened in the past, Hicks is likely to be the player who gets the bulk of the carries if Frank Gore is unable to play. Robinson, on the other hand, will probably remain the team’s third down back.

RB Justin Fargas, Oakland Raiders – With LaMont Jordan looking worse and worse by the week after injuring his back earlier in the year, Fargas appears to be the next in line. He’s played very well this year and could surpass Jordan as the starter soon. If he does, the Raiders have proven they have the ability to run the ball this year.

RB Leonard Weaver, Seattle Seahawks – With Shaun Alexander struggling, Weaver is a possibility to start getting more carries. While Maurice Morris is the backup running back, Morris wasn’t very good last year when he was thrust into the starting lineup. Weaver is more of an unknown he perhaps could be an answer to some of the Seahawks’ problems.

Post from: Expert Fantasy