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Sports Outlaw's Scott Henkel brings you a weekly look at the fantasy football stock exchange known as Ballin' or Fallin'.

Scott evaluates quarterbacks, runningbacks, wide receivers, tight ends, and defenses from across the NFL and lets you know if the player or team is on the rise or falling. If a player or team is Ballin' their stock is on the rise. If a player or team is Fallin' they are losing stock.

Are your players on his list? Find out each week in Ballin' or Fallin'!
Rating: 3 votes, 4.67 average.

Ballin or Fallin - Week 8

Posted 10-21-2008 at 12:52 PM by The Ram
Updated 10-21-2008 at 01:28 PM by The Ram
Welcome to Sports Outlaw's Fantasy Football stock exchange known as Ballin' or Fallin'.


Simple concept: If a player is Ballin' his stock is on the rise. If a player is Fallin', he's not living up to the hype.


We'll take a weekly look at the players that matter in the realm of fantasy football.


Ballin'

Quarterbacks (this was not the week of the quarterback so the list is short):

Jeff Garcia – Garcia is a hot and cold player who you will see in many desperate owner’s lineups next week hoping for another 300 yard 1td and 0 turnover game. Garcia and Delhomme are both inconsistent and while his play should earn him another shot at starting for the Bucs owners should not all of a sudden put him in the lineup ahead of an established starter. Situational starter.

Trent Edwards – Last week I wrote you could,”…expect the “Edwards Special” of 250 yards and 1-2 scores.” And Edwards delivered with another solid 261 yard and one score game. If you are looking for a consistent starter week in and week out and don’t want to gamble on a streaky QB1 then Edwards is your man. Solid QB2 and bye week fill-in.

Chad Pennington – Pennington is proving to be a very solid choice for owners looking for a reliable score. He had very solid numbers against a Ravens defense that has made more heralded quarterbacks look bad. Biggest statistic to notice is Penny was only sacked once. Again the Ravens are blitz-happy which tells me this new and improved Dolphins offensive gameplan is working. Like Edwards I see Pennington as a solid but not sexy alternative to streaky starters. Solid QB2 and bye week fill-in.



Runningbacks

Mewelde Moore – MeMo was the hottest commodity on the waiver-wire market this week when news came out that Willie Parker would miss the rivalry game against a sorry, sorry, sorry Bengal team. His last performance coupled with the body of work he’s put together while at Pittsburgh has earned him much more playing time when Parker returns. He should be owned in all formats and can be looked at as a “startable handcuff” much like Chester Taylor. RB3 or flex play and RB1 if starting.

Stephen Jackson – Jackson had a dominating performance again this week and put up the kind of rushing totals that will get noticed even by the casual fan. Up until now he’s been flying below many people’s radar even with racking up solid total numbers. After adding 3 visits to the endzone he’s no longer flying low and if he can remain healthy should put up the kind of numbers people expected when taking him in the top 3 picks. Solid RB1 with elite upside.

Marion Barber –Last week I proposed Barber’s value would rise even with the injury to Romo and Felix Jones. While the rest of the Cowboys are floundering Barber remains an elite option and is likely the top scorer in all fantasy football systems. Barber will continue to dominate regardless of who is behind center. Elite RB1.

Sammy Morris – Every week Morris has been the best runningback option for the Pats. He tore through a very vulnerable Bronco left defensive line on his way to a spectacular first half. The latest reports are that Morris is walking today without a limp. If he’s healthy and with Maroney no longer in the picture you can expect Morris to continue to be a solid weekly option and a spectacular matchup play against poor rush defenses. Owners should be picking up Faulk just in case because if Morris misses time Faulk will be a better scoring backup option.

Kolby Smith – Larry Johnson is due for a big suspension after his 4th violent issue with women. If Herm Edwards has any stones he’ll send him a message and bench him for the remaining season and move this piece of crap in the off season. While the Chiefs offense is in shambles there is hope for a guy like Kolby Smith to produce in LJ’s stead. Jamaal Charles is a very good change of pace back that will only assist in breaking up defenses. If the Chiefs bring in a decent quarterback Smith will be a valuable asset in moving the ball. There were as many “if”’s in this assessment as “my friends” in a John McCain speech but Smith should be picked up in all formats and could play his way into a RB2 status.



Wide Receivers

Dwayne Bowe – Bowe has the misfortune of playing for the Chiefs but has the talent to rise above the crap the Chiefs keep putting behind center. Brody Croyle is done for the year and now there are substantial rumors swirling that a vet will be brought in to start above known garbage in Tyler “Pigpen” and Damon Huard. A veteran quarterback would only boost Bowe’s ranking from WR2 to WR1 because his talent is already there to be WR1.

Greg Camarillo – This should be the last week Camarillo’s name should be on Jeremy Miller’s Waiver Wire picks. After this week if he is still left there on your league’s waiver wire I have bad news for you; your league sucks. He’s shown consistent production earning him a decent WR2 to very solid flex or WR3 play.

Derrick Mason – Mason is another guy whose stock is rising despite not being a sexy fantasy football start since he left Nashville. He seems to be growing in fantasy football production along with Flacco’s growth as an NFL quarterback. In PPR leagues he’s a must start as a WR2 and a decent situational start in conventional scoring leagues.

Bernard Berrian – Berrian is getting the job done through the air for a traditionally run first Vikings team. Not every game will be a shoot out going to the last minute like the Bears-Vikings game but Berrian is a pretty safe start weekly. He’s been consistent and at times spectacular almost every week and is on pace for a career year as long as Frerotte is starting. Solid WR2.

Mike Furrey – Furrey stepped up when Roy Williams was shipped to Dallas. While the Lions won’t always be playing the Texans they will likely always be playing from behind. Furry has shown ability in the past and has been over the 1,000 yard mark in a season before so he should be picked up in all leagues and will be a nice situational start. Flex play or WR2 in good matchups.



Tight End

Tony Gonzalez – The Original Gonzo wishes he would have been traded but is now stuck to finish off his Hall of Fame career with one of the worst franchises in the NFL. But he’s scoring despite his team which while not reassuring on a weekly basis is a plus for owners hoping for Tony to rediscover his TE1 days.

Zach Miller – Like Gonzalez Miller is scoring despite his team. If not for a very stupid holding penalty Miller would have had a very nice td to go along with his team leading receiving yards. Anytime a TE is the leading receiver you know two things: 1) That team is crap. 2) The TE is a must start TE1.

Defenses

Carolina – The Panthers were able to shut down the NFL’s best passing quarterback this season and came alive on special teams. They’ve been lit up before but may be getting better which is a good sign.

Green Bay – The Packers defense leads the league in picks. The play of Charles Woodson is a big key to this resurgence. Green Bay ranks 15th in overall defense but are scoring big points through tds, picks, and sacks. Not an every week start but a very solid match-up play.



Fallin'


Quarterbacks

Jay Cutler – He’s playing through injury but as my father once told me he’s also “writing checks with his mouth that his ass can’t cash.” His red hot start is cooling faster than fall in the Rockies despite having Marshall and Royal both healthy. Still a must start QB1 but falls out of elite status.

JT O’Sullivan – The 49ers. What a mess. The Bay Area media started calling for JTO’s head after turning the ball over 6 times and instead they got the head of Mike Nolan who was fired right after his Monday press conference. Before his unceremonious boot Nolan reassured all that JTO was still the starter. Now that Nolan is gone some will think his decision is out the window, too. If you think Nolan had much if any say as to who the starting quarterback was for the Niners I have a bridge made of gold to sell you. As long as Martz is pulling the offensive strings O’Sullivan will be on the field to execute. His recent performance only reinforces his status as a situational or bye week start.

Derek Anderson – Well that was fast. This past weekend is why I wrote you should hold off on thinking DA was back to last season’s form. He was out of synch with his wr’s and fullback leading to a heated exchange but more to point his supporting cast was plagued by horrible drops. Not all of the Brown’s offensive woes can be pinned on DA’s shirt but until this team gets it’s act together DA should be on your bench or released.

Peyton Manning – Another guy who teased us with a decent performance only to be slapped around by a team that he should have torched. Manning isn’t producing this year so don’t fall into a very common fantasy football trap and keep thinking like it is 2005. Evaluate Manning on what he’s doing today and bench him.


Runningbacks

Ernest Graham – Graham scored this week. Hooray! Graham scored this week as a fullback. Bench. Even the talking heads calling the games noticed what I told you last week; the Bucs running game is better with Graham as a fullback and Dunn as a running back. That doesn’t bode well for Graham even if he got 23 touches this past weekend. Dunn is your weekly starter and Graham isn’t to be in your lineup unless there is an injury. If the Dunn injury causes him to miss time Graham is no better than a weak RB2.

Ryan Grant – 33 carries again this week and he now has scored and gone over 100 yards. If he keeps averaging 30+ carries he’s going to break down even faster this year than he did last year and without the total production. Grant is not a good starting option in any matchup until he can get the job done again.

Andre Hall – Two carries, two fumbles. Monday night was the last time you will see Hall touch the ball outside of special teams. The Broncos limp into a bye week after a Monday night ass-whipping. The Bronco runningback situation will be Pittman as your main man and deservedly so with Selvin Young starting out as his primary backup and Ryan Torrain mixed into some special plays. If Torrain outplays Young (which I fully expect to happen) he will be the number two guy unless Pittman is injured. Until then Pittman is the man in the Mile High City.

Ronnie Brown – Brown has dazzled recently but failed to produce when a defense decided to shut down the running game. To be considered elite or a must start he needed to produce better than a 2.1 yard per carry average even against the Ravens. Still a RB1 but not elite until he can produce against teams that look to shut him down.


Wide Receivers


Terrel Owens – Thanks for proving me right, TO. Big baby. Character is defined under dire circumstances. The Cowboys led by TO are showing they have no character. When your quarterback goes down it is up to the supporting cast to step up and prove they can help carry the team. MBII did but TO did not. WR1 but no longer elite.

Braylon Edwards – Nice hands Braylon. He has been plagued by drops this season and by doing so is helping his quarterback out of a starting job. He is not a weekly starter until he can prove he is a consistent receiving threat and can hold onto the ball. WR2 due to his performance last year alone. Bench if you have other alternatives.

Marvin Harrison– As Peyton Manning plays so Harrison will produce for owners. Until Manning can put together a few more games you should look elsewhere for WR2 play. If you are desperate he’d be a decent Flex option.

The Bengal Wide Receivers – Palmer is likely done and so too is the offensive production of the Bengals’ star duo at wide receiver. Ocho Stinko has been worthless and TJ has been inconsistent. Neither should be in your lineup in any week.


Tight End


Kellen Winslow– While there were other tight ends who failed on the field Winslow proved this week he can also fail at life. Here is a guy who since his college days has been regarded as having million dollar athletic ability carefully guarded by a dollar store brain. So he decides to become invisible against the Redskins while whining that the GM of the Browns didn’t call him while at the hospital. His coach called him, his team called him, but this guy needs the team’s general manager to call him in order to feel validated. Too bad his swollen testicles didn’t translate into relative metaphor.


Defenses


Chicago – Offenses are figuring out that the Bears have a very young and weak secondary. As long as offensive lines can keep their quarterback upright it appears almost anyone can tear up the Bears through the air. Once a weekly start this team is at best a situational start.

San Diego – The Chargers are a great team on paper but that greatness stops at the tunnel. They are a team that make almost every opposing quarterback a must start. There are other options out there that will score better for you and the Chargers should be benched or released.



If you’ve read this far you’re looking for all the pieces of information and perspective that will push you over the top in your league. This article is only part of that total picture here at SO. To get the rest of the story you must check out Jeremy Miller’s Waiver Wire picks. If you see a familiar name from this blog that is your cue to head straight to your league waiver wire.

If there is someone we missed tell us about it in the comments section below.
Like the stock market the fantasy football value market will fluctuate so make sure you are in the know by subscribing to this blog. Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you in the forums!

Scott Henkel
"The Ram"

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Total Comments 8

Comments

  1. Old
    #1bears fan's Avatar
    Chicago bears D Fallin WTF They might get some points scored on them but they score back especially if your league is combined with special teams the Bears D in my FF league scored over 25 points last week.
    permalink
    Posted 10-21-2008 at 02:34 PM by #1bears fan #1bears fan is offline
  2. Old
    The Ram's Avatar
    Good observation. How did the Bears rack up those points for you this week?.
    permalink
    Posted 10-21-2008 at 02:56 PM by The Ram The Ram is online now
  3. Old
    #1bears fan's Avatar
    I dont have them my opponent did here is the rundown
    pts allowed 41= 0 pts.
    sacks 2=2 1 pt. ea.
    int 4=8 2 pts ea.
    Fumb Rec. 1=2 pts. ea
    TD 2=12 6 pts ea.
    Blk Kick 1=2 pts
    They had a total of 26 not 25 sorry. With a total on the season of 108 in perspective LT has 77 AP has 96 Michael Turner has 97. I might be partial to the Bears but for me when a Defense can do that Im starting them every week!
    permalink
    Posted 10-22-2008 at 08:52 AM by #1bears fan #1bears fan is offline
  4. Old
    The Ram's Avatar
    Ballin'

    DEF

    Jets - Tyler "Pigpen" has been named most likely to start against the Jets this weekend. Two factors here: 1) The Jets are demons on turnovers and sacks. While they give up points to decent teams they almost always make up for it in scoring statistics. 2) Pigpen has completed almost as many passes to the opposition as he has his own team AND Larry Johnson is on timeout for being a punk. The Jets are a must start defense this weekend.
    permalink
    Posted 10-22-2008 at 01:47 PM by The Ram The Ram is online now
  5. Old
    #1bears fan's Avatar
    I love seeing Mason on here but with my WR core I cant grab him
    R Wayne, L Coles, M Colston, Breaston
    Im hoping he is still there after week 9 so then I can drop my backup QB to welcome him to my roster
    permalink
    Posted 10-22-2008 at 01:53 PM by #1bears fan #1bears fan is offline
  6. Old
    The Ram's Avatar
    Fallin'

    LaMont Jordan - Uh, ow. Morris hasn't practiced yet and previous reports of Jordan being healthy are now in serious question. With Morris out 2-3 weeks he may be a play in the short term depending on how the RBBC of Faulk and Green-Ellis do this weekend. Bench.

    Ballin'

    Kevin Faulk - With Morris out 2-3 weeks your best play is Faulk. Green-Ellis will get some carries like he did the second half but Faulk has the trust of the coaches and is a danger to go long on passing downs. That dual threat is what will keep him on the field more than G-E. In PPR he's a solid RB2 and flex play in traditional scoring.
    permalink
    Posted 10-23-2008 at 11:48 AM by The Ram The Ram is online now
    Updated 10-24-2008 at 11:30 AM by The Ram
  7. Old
    The Ram's Avatar
    Ballin'

    Deuce McAllister - Deuce Mac is cleared to play in jolly ole' England despite being on a list of possible violators of the NFL's steroids policy. Bush is out and the weather promises to suck on an English natural turf. This is sure to be a ground and pound event which suits Deuce at this point in his career. As long as his knees hold up he should be a very decent RB2 option.
    permalink
    Posted 10-24-2008 at 03:54 PM by The Ram The Ram is online now
  8. Old
    Rams lost again today. Health is a big problem for Stephen Jackson and the Rams.
    permalink
    Posted 10-26-2008 at 06:14 PM by BeGiants BeGiants is offline
    Updated 10-26-2008 at 08:48 PM by The Ram
 



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