Around the League with Carson Palmer, Jamal Lewis and more

I am behind, and I don’t like it. I live in the country (by choice) in the greater San Diego area because I enjoy a yard and having a little land.

Some technologies are not as readily available when they go down. Instead of having a cable modem, I have DSL and when something happens, AT&T takes their sweet time to fix it.

The techs are great once they get out here...always polite, friendly and willing to troubleshoot everything they can to fix the problem.

My issues are those darn customer support numbers we’re forced to call! Either way, I am back and happy to get to it.

There’s always injury news during the offseason, and this year is no different. We’re in June, so let’s take a look at those cats and see where they stand with organized team activities (OTAs) having wrapped up.

I’ll be hitting injury updates as they cross my desk while prepping my projections. Unlike the rest of the industry, mine won’t be available anywhere, so I don’t face the harsh deadlines my peers and employees do.

However, I’ll use this forum to talk about some of them and ask for your thoughts. Those are future blogs, so let’s get to this one.

QB Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals on his elbow injury: “The arm felt great and the elbow felt great.”

There is no doubt in many minds, including mine, that Palmer (elbow) is ready to go after throwing a 50-yard spiral on the first day of OTAs that wide receiver Chris Henry caught in stride.

He states he feels great and is ready; offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski stated Palmer looked sharp. With his average draft placement (ADP) being 92nd overall, eighth round in a 12-team league, some will be able to draft him as their No. 2 fantasy quarterback.

I would be hesitant to look at him as a No. 1, because on the surface, Palmer has always appeared to be top notch, but when you break down his numbers closer you’ll find some cause for concern. Add the loss of wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh and you have legit questions.

RB Jamal Lewis, Cleveland Browns on his injured ankle: “I don’t want to do anything crazy or take the chance of injuring it.”

Jamal Lewis is getting healthy for 2009.

Lewis (ankle) had offseason ankle surgery, and although he attended OTA, he did not participate in many drills. In fact, Jerome Harrison has been working with the first team. Harrison, at one point, was the team’s No. 3 running back and like most backups is always popular when starters struggle.

I fully expect Lewis to be the top Dawg when healthy and believe the team feels the same way. One final note: Many reports are hammering on Lewis not practicing, but that’s overblown considering he’s a veteran and is healing.

His current ADP is 94th overall, the eighth round in a 12-team league. Right now, I’d make sure he was the best rated running back left on the board before taking him, just to be sure. Only then, he would become my No. 3 fantasy back.

HC John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens on WR Derrick Mason being ready for camp: “Derrick starting the season healthy is our No. 1 concern.”

Mason (shoulder) is the Ravens’ most underrated player and is a bona fide fantasy producer. While there have been a few questions on when Mason will be ready, the final answer is sometime during camp.

However, he’s a veteran with a season of working with quarterback Joe Flacco and knows the offense. Sure you want him to continue working with the young quarterback, but his health is of greater concern. He’ll be fine.

He’s going with the 93rd overall pick right now, the eighth round in a 12-team league, but that’s great value in my eyes. I’ll take him as my No. 3 fantasy receiver at that point.

Reporter Chad Cushnir’s article title on Jacksonville Jaguars WR Mike Walker’s 2009 potential: Ready for Breakout Season?

Walker has suffered a bit this past year. After making a splash in Week 5, he suffered a sprain of the medial collateral ligament. He then suffered a staph infection and personal tragedy. Walker lost his best friend and father in the same month.

While technically not an off-season injury, his early 2008 knee injury has made many forget him. Don’t make that mistake as 2009 is a new season.

He’s healthy and is in the early lead to start opposite Torry Holt. I would view him as a late-round sleeper right now. Currently his ADP shows he’s not being drafted! I view him as a late-round sleeper.

Super Agent Drew Rosenhaus on his client TE Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans Saints: “100 percent and feeling great.”

Most if not all of us now know Shockey (dehydration) was partying a bit too hard in Las Vegas. The kid is just living the high life, and in the end, he just needs some better friends watching out for his stupidity. We’ve all been there.

I’m no Saint (pun intended) and have been in just as bad or worse situations. We can’t forget our own youth when looking at and forming opinions on others. However, passing out at approximately 2 p.m. is pushing it! Pace yourself, Jeremy!

Shockey’s real issue is that he’s an inconsistent, injury-prone tight end, and he has this year to show the Saints he can get it together. He’s not a No. 1 tight end, in my book. He’s going with the 120th overall pick in a draft, the end of Round 10 in a 12-team league.

As a No. 2 that is acceptable for most, but not me. I would hold off for someone else later in the draft such as Kevin Boss and possibly even Tony Scheffler.

Before I forget, two links of note:

• Mock Draft Central: This site is not just ADP, but you can host all your mock drafts here.
• KFFL ADP: Powered by Mock Draft Central, our ADP is detailed yet simplistic to use.

As always, if you’re looking for breaking news updates that get to you faster than e-mail, follow me on Twitter.