Extras for Sept. 2
UPDATED: Friday, 9:35 p.m.
Antonio Gates (SD-TE) came from nowhere last season to become the No. 2 fantasy player at his position. The most common TE question asked of me this year is: Who is this year's Gates?
I don't expect anyone to explode the way Gates did last year, but the best I can come up with is either rookie Heath Miller (PIT-TE) or Ben Troupe (TEN-TE). Miller isn't the athlete Troupe or Gates is, but he could find himself as a go-to inside receiver on a team that doesn't a big WR target. If that happens, Miller could go from deep backup to solid fantasy starter. Troupe, meanwhile, has a ton of upside and if he can find a bond with Steve McNair (TEN-QB) he could absolutely move all the way up to the top-8 or so at his position.
Those two are my deep sleepers.
INJURY RISK -- Jeremy Shockey (NYG-TE) may finally have put the questions about his ability to stay on the field to rest last year. Shockey played just nine games in his second year (2003), but played 15 games last season and caught 61 passes for 666 yards and six touchdowns. Personally, that's just too many sixes for my taste. It may be a sign of a future injury.
In all seriousness, though, Shockey is still an injury risk until he gets through this season. At that point, we can all rest easy (as long as he doesn't catch 666 yards worth of passes again).
CHEAT SHEETS UPDATED -- The cheat sheets have been updated for the final time. The numbers felt solid for each position, but some starting players lost their jobs and had to be flipped with the new starters.
Some examples are Mike Anderson (DEN-RB) and Tatum Bell (DEN-RB), Stephen Davis (CAR-RB), Deshaun Foster (CAR-RB) and Eric Shelton (CAR-RB) and Travis Taylor (MIN-WR) for Marcus Robinson (MIN-WR).
BONUS COLUMN -- Be sure to check out the blog on Wednesday for a special preview of Thursday's season-opener between Oakland and New England. The regular column will then run in its normal Friday spot with a full preview of Week 1.
ROSTER MOVES/INJURIES -- It's been an incredible preseason thus far with very few major fantasy players suffering serious injuries. Hopefully, I didn't just jinx the rest of the teams playing Friday.
Over the weekend, keep an eye on Peerless Price (WR), who was cut last week by Atlanta. While he struggled with the Falcons' offense and his role as the No. 1 target, he may catch on with a team like Philadelphia, which would make him a rasonable fantasy backup.
As always, check back here for updates in italics.
UPDATE: Jeff Garcia (DET-QB) broke his leg in Friday's exhibition game. Garcia, who was considered a fantasy sleeper with a chance to overtake Lions' starter Joey Harrington (DET-QB) may be done for the season. Harrington's job appeared safe heading into this week, but it's super-safe now.
Antonio Gates (SD-TE) came from nowhere last season to become the No. 2 fantasy player at his position. The most common TE question asked of me this year is: Who is this year's Gates?
I don't expect anyone to explode the way Gates did last year, but the best I can come up with is either rookie Heath Miller (PIT-TE) or Ben Troupe (TEN-TE). Miller isn't the athlete Troupe or Gates is, but he could find himself as a go-to inside receiver on a team that doesn't a big WR target. If that happens, Miller could go from deep backup to solid fantasy starter. Troupe, meanwhile, has a ton of upside and if he can find a bond with Steve McNair (TEN-QB) he could absolutely move all the way up to the top-8 or so at his position.
Those two are my deep sleepers.
INJURY RISK -- Jeremy Shockey (NYG-TE) may finally have put the questions about his ability to stay on the field to rest last year. Shockey played just nine games in his second year (2003), but played 15 games last season and caught 61 passes for 666 yards and six touchdowns. Personally, that's just too many sixes for my taste. It may be a sign of a future injury.
In all seriousness, though, Shockey is still an injury risk until he gets through this season. At that point, we can all rest easy (as long as he doesn't catch 666 yards worth of passes again).
CHEAT SHEETS UPDATED -- The cheat sheets have been updated for the final time. The numbers felt solid for each position, but some starting players lost their jobs and had to be flipped with the new starters.
Some examples are Mike Anderson (DEN-RB) and Tatum Bell (DEN-RB), Stephen Davis (CAR-RB), Deshaun Foster (CAR-RB) and Eric Shelton (CAR-RB) and Travis Taylor (MIN-WR) for Marcus Robinson (MIN-WR).
BONUS COLUMN -- Be sure to check out the blog on Wednesday for a special preview of Thursday's season-opener between Oakland and New England. The regular column will then run in its normal Friday spot with a full preview of Week 1.
ROSTER MOVES/INJURIES -- It's been an incredible preseason thus far with very few major fantasy players suffering serious injuries. Hopefully, I didn't just jinx the rest of the teams playing Friday.
Over the weekend, keep an eye on Peerless Price (WR), who was cut last week by Atlanta. While he struggled with the Falcons' offense and his role as the No. 1 target, he may catch on with a team like Philadelphia, which would make him a rasonable fantasy backup.
As always, check back here for updates in italics.
UPDATE: Jeff Garcia (DET-QB) broke his leg in Friday's exhibition game. Garcia, who was considered a fantasy sleeper with a chance to overtake Lions' starter Joey Harrington (DET-QB) may be done for the season. Harrington's job appeared safe heading into this week, but it's super-safe now.
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