FFI: FIRE & ICE
September 30th, 2007




Your Weekly update of players who are hot (on Fire) and their “stock is rising” and those who are not (Ice cold) with their “stock sinking!”

FIRE

Week 3 of the NFL continued much like the previous week; LT and LJ were slow out of the blocks, the Saints offense didn’t produce and wide receivers continued to be the biggest playmakers.

These were some of the Notable “Hot Players” from week three;

· QB Donovan McNabb passed for 381 yards and threw 4 touchdowns.
· QB Phillip Rivers passed for 306 yards and 3 touchdowns.
· WR Kevin Curtis caught 11 passes for 221 yards with 3 scores.
· WR Roddy White had 7 receptions for 127 yards and a score.
· WR Brandon Marshall caught 7 balls for 133 yards.
· WR Anquan Boldin hauled in 14 catches for 181 yards and 2 scores.
· RB DeShaun Fosterpicked up 122 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown.
· RB Ronnie Brown ran for 112 yards on 23 carries with 2 touchdowns.
· RB Thomas Jones rushed for 110 yards on 25 carries.

Quarterbacks on the rise…

Quarterback Tom Brady of the Patriots continues to ignite. Through the first three games this season Brady has completed 70 of 88 passes (79.5%) for 887 yards and thrown 10 touchdowns!
Take: Right now Brady looks solid matched up against any defense. On Monday Night against a feeble Cincy defense, things could get out of hand.

In Detroit, the Lions quarterback Jon Kitna leads all NFL passers with 980 yards (326.6 yards/game), while completing 68.4% (78 of 114 passing). Kitna has only 6 touchdowns, but his numbers are solid for any QB1.
Take: Kitna is throwing the ball well this season, although he does have 4 picks. On Sunday the Lions get the injury riddled Bears defense. If the “O” line can protect Kitna, he could find the end-zone a few more times Sunday.

Carson Palmer is averaging over 300 yards per game this season and has thrown 9 touchdowns. He is also completing 64.0% (80 of 125) of his passes on the season.
Take: Carson continues to sizzle and looks to keep heating up Monday Night against the Patriots.

The Cowboys are sitting on top of the East and in big part due to the play of quarterback Tony Romo. Romo has been brilliant completing 51 of 88 passes for 860 yards with 8 touchdowns. For the year, Romo has a passer rating of 111.9 (ranked 3rd among starters).
Take: Romo looked solid this season and on Sunday when the Cowboys meet the Rams, he could look even better.


Running backs on the rise….

The Raiders running back Lamont Jordan has been big for the Black Nation carrying the ball 69 times in three games for 350 yards rushing with two touchdowns. Jordan has also added 11 receptions for 121 yards.
Take: Jordan has proven that he is durabel, but can he sustain his current pace. On Sunday against Miami Jordan will continue to carry the load.

The Eagles running back Brian Westbrook looked more like Superman last Sunday, rushing for over 100 yards and receiving for over 100 yards. On the year Westbrook has 291 yards rushing and 223 yards receiving with 3 scores (2 ru, 1 rec).
Take: The Eagles runner is unstoppable at times and looks invincable, if he can stay healthy. If he can play Sunday night, Superman will fly again.

Quietly the Seahawks Pro-Bowl running back Shaun Alexander is on a pace to rush for over 1400 yards. On the year Alexander has 275 yards on 66 carries with 2 touchdowns.
Take: Alexander’s numbers are not quite what they were two seasons ago when he scored 28 touchdowns. This season he has been running well and figures to get stronger as the season continues.

In relief of injured running back Brandon Jacobs, the Giants new starter Derrick Ward has filled in admirably. Ward is averaging 5.1 yards per carry and has tallied 273 yards on the ground this season.
Take: The latest word indicated Ward could miss action in week 4, but if he’s healthy he remains a strong play.

Wide Receivers on the rise…

The Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall played fantastic in week 3 pulling down 7 passes for 133 yards and a score.
Take: He will continue to get targeted often with Javon Walker lining up opposite.

The Packers wideout James Jones continues to improve his numbers each week. Last Sunday he collected 6 passes for 79 yards both season highs.
Take: With Jennings back, the field will be wide-spread and many opportunities for the Packers aerial game to take flight.


ICE

Would you ever think that you would see Larry Johnson averaging only 2.8 yards per carry and LaDanian Tomlinson 2.3 yards. The Fantasy Football universe must be upside down for the moment, but the stars could be aligning as these two get set to take the field against one another on Sunday. The question will be, can one of these two finally get hot under the California sun?

Here were the week 3 fantasy flops and notable "Cold Players" that continue to struggle;

· QB Rex Grossman with too many turnovers was benched this week.
· QB JP Losman was injured on the first play from scrimmage in week 3.
· QB Marc Bulger went cold in week 3 throwing three picks.
· RB Tatum Bell could be heading to the bench soon.
· RB Julius Jones is averaging 3.3 yards per carry.
· RB Brandon Jackson is averaging 2.6 yards per carry.
· WR Jerry Porter has only 4 catches this season.
· WR Joe Horn has only 6 catches on the year.
· WR Donte Stallworth continues to spectate.


Receivers with value sinking…

The Bills wideout Lee Evans can’t seem to find a catch this season. The offense continues to struggle and with the loss of Losman for a while, this fantasy play will continue to sink into obscurity.

The Saints wide receiver Devery Henderson, elevated to the number two spot replacing Joe Horn this season, has all but disappeared in 2007. The Saints offense is reeling and Henderson is not getting targeted much. With only 4 catches his value is not much to speak of.

The Rams offense is another one of those enigmas in the 07 campaign. They have the names, but no production and one of the biggest culprits is wide receiver Drew Bennett. Injuries have slowed his take-off out of the gate and through three games his 4 catches are quite disappointing.

Running backs with value sinking…

With LenDale White the starter now in Tennessee, Titans running back Chris Brown is seeing less action and will likely continue this trend.

With no touchdowns this season and limited action Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams could see his carries diminish, if DeShaun Foster continues to run well.

By David G. Ortega
FFI