Early Fantasy Football 411 From NFL Training Camps

John LorgeAug 4, 2009

Whistles are blowing and giants cramming their expensive luggage into dorm rooms that will soon belong to coeds just trying to cop a feel.

With training camp comes hold-outs, injuries, and players impressing with their physique and skills.

Regardless of the situation, what happens in camp can foreshadow the outcome of the season. For fantasy footballers, paying attention now could literally pay off by week 16.

Here’s the latest, and be sure to watch my training camp video.

Just Beanie Being Beanie

One of the knocks during the NFL Draft was can Beanie Wells stay healthy?

Wells' first impression on his teammates didn't go as planed when he sprained his right ankle—an ankle attached to the right foot he injured last year at Ohio State.

Coming into camp Wells was trim and there seemed to be little Tim Hightower could do to stop Wells from winning the starting spot.

As Wells was screaming up fantasy football draft boards, this injury should put his value in check some. In order to ensure Wells can be on the field the Cardinals may need to use a healthy dose of Hightower, and if Wells doesn't get enough reps in camp, will the team feel comfortable using him in every situation?

Jackson Out of Action & Harvin Hollerin’ For Attention

Sage Rosenfels had to have a silent scream for joy when Tavaris Jackson went down with a sprained MCL.

Neither Jackson nor Rosenfels are predicted to be fantasy starters but the Vikings offense looks to be its best since the turn of the centaury and either guy could become a waiver wire wonder.

One reason the Vikings are getting so much attention is because of the addition of Percy Harvin, the do-everything athlete out of Florida.

Harvin avoided a lengthy hold-out and is in camp now. It's important for all rookies to get as many reps as possible but especially for Harvin.

Minnesota will be using Harvin in many different looks this year and Brad Childress needs to get a feel for what will work and what won't.

No matter who is playing QB, they shouldn't have a hard time getting Harvin the ball. All rookies have risk but he is a solid fourth or fifth receiver.

Marshall's On the Sidelines & Moreno Is Further Away

Brandon Marshall strained his hamstring in training camp and the stud WR has another obstacle to hurdle in his career.

After off-season hip surgery I wanted to see Marshall healthy and focused. He had been getting along with teammates and coaches but another injury if a fantasy red flag.

While Marshall sits out, Knowshon Moreno seems days and maybe even weeks away from the practice field.

There is no denying Moreno is a stud but the longer he stays out it gives the Broncos' stable of RBs a chance to shine. His fantasy value hasn't taken a hit yet, although it will if the hold-out lingers.

Reggie Bush's 90 Percent Healthy, 100 Percent Focused

Let it be known, the Saints' season ticket waiting list isn't because Pierre Thomas.

Reggie Bush is having a great recovery from his surgery; he is going full speed in camp, even if he says it's only 90 percent.

Bush has added some bulk this summer and dropped some baggage (Kim Kardashian), he is focused and if he can kick the injury bug he will be a Pro Bowler.

Sure it's a big if but as long as Bush is on the field, he is worth a start against almost any defense with his rare ability.

Ochocinco & TO Doing More Than Just Tweeting

You heard it here first, LoStradamus is predicting Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco will have a roommates reality show next summer.

It's no secret these star receivers bath in the spotlight but they both know in order to get attention they need to produce on the gridiron.

The Bengals have been impressed with how Ochocinco is looking in his first few days. For the former Mr. Jackson, it's not about if he has he talent it's about whose throwing him the ball.

If Carson Palmer can play 16 games Ochocinco will approach his Pro Bowl numbers of the past.

In Buffalo Owens and his corps-mate Lee Evans have been giving their teammates the type of headaches offense coaches love to see with the new no-huddle offense the Bills are developing.

At the bottom of the AFC East, the Bills don't have much to lose so they better air it out early and often—especially with Marshawn Lynch's three game suspension appeal being rejected by the league.