Bryant didn’t even make the trip to Miami so he’s definitely out for the game. Stylez G. White also failed to make the trip.

If you are looking for a fantasy football sleeper who may emerge due to the Antonio Bryant injury, consider Sammie Stroughter. Stroughter leads the Bucs wide receivers in catches and is coming off a game in which he had three receptions and a touchdown. In his last four outings, Stroughter has three catches in each game.

Starting his second game at quarterback will be rookie Josh Freeman. In his NFL debut, Freeman dazzled while leading Tampa Bay to their first win of the season. Along the way, he passed for three touchdowns.

As far as Bryant is concerned, it may be time to throw him on the waiver wire. He’s injured and he’s on a bad team — which is a bad combination for fantasy football.

Antonio Bryant won't play in Week 10 (Image: Zuma Press)

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This news definitely doesn’t help Bryant’s fantasy football value. Even though he had a big season last year, this injury combined with a new coaching staff makes Bryant somewhat of a risky pick.

Last year, the wide receiver out of Pittsburgh had 83 receptions for 1,248 yards and seven touchdowns. All three of those stats were a career-high.

After sitting out the 2007 football season due to off the field issues, the 28-year-old Bryant returned last year and seemingly put everything behind him to become a fantasy football force.

New head coach Rasheem Morris still has to select a starting quarterback. And there are rumblings that Tampa Bay will run more this year than in the past few seasons.

All in all, don’t expect Bryant to match his stats from last year. He could still be a solid 2009 fantasy football option but his ceiling will probably be a second wide receiver.

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Sources close to the situation believe that Luke McCown has a good chance of beginning the year as the starter. He has been with the Bucs for the last few years but he doesn’t have much NFL experience. His only on field experience came with the Cleveland Browns in 2004 and the Bucaneers in 2007 and 2008. In total, he has has completed 142 of 238 passes and has nine touchdowns to go with 10 interceptions.

McCown has decent size and has a stronger than average arm. If he holds onto the starting gig, he’ll be a decent fantasy football option. However, going into the season, he’d be best used as a third-string fantasy QB.

Another option in Tampa Bay is Byron Leftwich. After starting his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, he never really lived up to expectations. He struggled with injuries and lack of quality wide receiving options didn’t help.

Last year, Leftwich won a Super Bowl ring as Ben Roethlisberger’s backup. In his limited time, Leftwich was impressive. If he wins the Buccaneers jobs, he doesn’t have a high ceiling but he doesn’t have as risk as McCown due to his experience.

Last but not least is Josh Freeman. The Bucs picked him in the first round and he’ll eventually be the team’s starter at QB. The question is when his time will arrive. It might be this season but it also might take a few seasons for him to grow into the position.

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D Indianapolis Colts
With the playoffs quickly approaching, the Indianapolis Colts are playing very good defense. Their only sub par defensive game came against the Detroit Lions — surprisingly enough. Overall, the Colts are showing Super Bowl level defense.

D Minnesota Vikings
Even though the Vikings aren’t healthy and also have to worry about some suspensions on the defensive side of the ball, they are still producing very well in fantasy football. While they haven’t quite lived up to their preseason hype, they are still a top tier fantasy defense.

D Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Using a good blend of veterans and youth, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one of the best defensive units in the NFL. They’ve been a bit erratic in terms of fantasy football production, but when they are playing well they are one of the best defenses to own.

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RB Marion Barber III, Dallas Cowboys
Marion Barber III took some criticism last week for not playing. Considering that fact, there’s a good chance he’ll do his all to play in Week 15. The backup running back option for the Cowboys is currently Tashard Choice.

QB Gus Frerotte, Minnesota Vikings
Listed as doubtful, it doesn’t appear as if Gus Frerotte is going to be able to play in Week 15 for the Vikings. In his place, expect Tarvaris Jackson to get the start at quarterback. Given Jackson’s shaky history, look elsewhere for a fantasy football starter.

QB Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Although Jeff Garcia is listed as questionable, it sounds like he’ll be able to play in Week 15. If he doesn’t play, Brian Griese would likely start. However, there’s a possibility that Luke McCown would get the nod.

Photo credit: Newscom

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RB Michael Pittman, Denver Broncos
Michael Pittman is banged up and is currently listed as questionable for the Week 9 game. But he was able to practice late in the week and should start the game and have a heavy workload. Against the Miami Dolphins, Pittman should be able to produce a nice fantasy football line.

WR Joey Galloway, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chance are Joey Galloway is going to have a breakout game at some point this season. This week against the Kansas City Chiefs is a good bet to be that week. Galloway is as healthy as he’s been since his injury and should be able to get a long touchdown in this week’s game.

TE Donald Lee, Green Bay Packers
The Packers are facing a very tough defense this week when they take on the Tennessee Titans in Week 9. However, if the Packers are going to have any success against the Titans, it will likely be with Lee finding room in the middle of their secondary. That is the one weak spot in the Tennessee defense, as illustrated last week when tight end Dallas Clark had a pair of touchdowns.

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RB Earnest Graham, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quietly, Earnest Graham has been very good since becoming a starter. This season, he is averaging over five and half yards per rush. He also has three touchdowns and is a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield. He doesn’t have great breakaway speed but he’s a solid football player who can produce for your fantasy football team.

WR Laveranues Coles, New York Jets
This season, Laveranues Coles has been thrust into the spotlight due to being one of Brett Favre’s main targets. The truth is, however, that Coles has been a very solid fantasy football wide receiver for a long while now. He makes up average size and average speed by having very good hands and running great routes.

TE Owen Daniels, Houston Texans
Many fantasy football owners overlook Owen Daniels because he hasn’t racked up many touchdowns over the last two seasons. What those owners are missing is that he has a very healthy amount of catches and receiving yards. And while it’d be great for him to have more touchdowns, those should come soon enough.

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RB Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins
The last time the 2008 fantasy football world saw Ronnie Brown, he was scoring five touchdowns against the New England Patriots defense. With his value likely never to be higher, now is a good time to try to trade him.

Can Ronnie Brown keep it up or was Week 3 a flash in the pan.

WR Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers is banged up and Greg Jennings is coming off of a great game. If Rodgers goes down, Jennings’ stock will plummet. A sell high might very well be in order.

TE Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs
As long as Damon Huard is the quarterback for the Chiefs, Tony Gonzalez will have value. But that quarterback job in Kansas City is so tumultuous that it could change at any given moment.

D Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs have been very good so far in this fantasy football season. However, their schedule has been friendly and it is about to get a lot harder. Sell high if you have a buyer in your fantasy league.

Photo: Newscom

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Quarterback – Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs are going against the New Orleans Saints and the Saints are known for their defensive prowess. Jeff Garcia started well last season and could start well again this year.

Running Back – Andre Hall, Denver Broncos
Although he won’t be the starter, expect Andre Hall to get plenty of opportunities against the Oakland Raiders – especially near the endzone. Don’t be surprised to see him with a touchdown.

Wide Receiver – Courtney Taylor, Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are ravaged with injuries at the wide receiver position. For that reason, Courtney Taylor is expected to get a whole lot of chances in Week 1.

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• First Round Fantasy Football Mock Draft
• Second Round Fantasy Football Mock Draft
• Third Round Fantasy Football Mock Draft

Fourth Round Fantasy Football Mock Draft
1. Wes Welker, New England Patriots
2. Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos
3. Willie Parker, Pittsburgh Steelers
4. Earnest Graham, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5. Thomas Jones, New York Jets
6. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals
7. Roy Williams, Detroit Lions
8. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
9. Santonio Holmes, Pittsburgh Steelers
10. Rudi Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals
11. Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers
12. Edgerrin James, Arizona Cardinals

Photo: Newscom

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