Fantasy Football: Week Three Hangover

It's that time of the week again. Time to check in with all that was in the week of fantasy football and look ahead to what is coming up. Here's what the got the guys at the 'Table talking this week.

Fantasy Up

1. Ronnie Brown - The list pretty much begins and ends with this guy. He accounted for every touchdown Miami scored and ran for over 100 yards. The Miami ground attack has been close for the last two weeks, and this was an explosion. He should jump back into respectability with a good game following the bye.
2. Rudi Johnson- Kevin Smith was sat down in favor of Rudi, and Johnson delivered. He ran for 83 yards, had another 48 through the air, and added a touchdown. This spells some bad news for Kevin Smith owners, but those that took a chance on Johnson need to smile a bit there.
3. Brandon Lloyd - Someone has to catch the ball in Chicago, and Lloyd is proving to be the most reliable of his targets. It's not always something to be excited about, but a number one receiver is a number one receiver.
4. Steve Slaton - His first true start couldn't have gone much better. Other than not being able to punch it in from the two, Slaton was a stud in his role as the number one rusher. As long as Ahman Green is out, Slaton will need to be taken seriously.
5. T.J. Houshmandzadeh - Nice to see that the Bengals realized where the end zone is. The question is going to be carry forward. It's possible that the Giants looked at this game and saw one they were supposed to win and sleepwalked through some of it. No doubt, it looked like it in parts. Housh took advantage, and gave every owner a brief respite.

Fantasy Down

1. Brian Westbrook - This isn't really because I don't trust his ability. Anyone can have a bad week. Westbrook, though, left the game with an ankle injury and wasn't able to return. This is the same type of injury that has lingered with him before and caused owners to be hesitant in drafting the running back. Keep an eye on this one, and pick up Buckhalter.
2. Jeremy Shockey - Another injury note. Shockey will be sidelined for up to six weeks with a sports hernia that is going to require surgery. Billy Miller will be his fill in. He doesn't provide the same type of ability Shockey does, but can be a decent tight end in deeper leagues.
3. Matt Cassel - Just plain bad. He misses open receivers, and seems to lead the ones he does find in to trouble. You can call it a bad performance, but this was more than that. Cassel can't throw the team on his back for a win, and had a lot of trouble coming from behind. It's worth knowing.
4. Ben Roethlisberger - Maybe it was the line, maybe it was the shoulder, maybe it was something else, but that didn't look like any sort of decent performance from anyone on the Pittsburgh offense.
5. Jon Kitna - Kitna sprained his knee and could be out. He could also play this week, but it's likely no one would notice. Kitna's value is that his team throws a lot because they're always behind. In deep leagues, that makes a difference. With an injury, that's a problem.

You Shouldn't Trust the Performance of...

...Brian Griese. There just isn't any way he's going to duplicate a 407 yard performance. It took him 60 passes to get to that point as it was. Tampa is a run-first team, and that just wasn't working for them this past week. Griese may or may not hold on to the job long-term. Too many questions surrounding this one to make you trust anything that happened during that game.

I'm Worried Most About...

...Randy Moss. And you aren't? Moss looked disinterested and irritated that Cassel couldn't get him the ball at all. He caught four passes for 25 yards. Not what he signed on for, and not what owners expected. This was a game where Cassel had to throw to get them back in it, and he wasn't looking for Moss.

Teams are rolling an extra cover man deep on Moss, making it almost a consistent double team. Brady would just throw it for him to go get. Not how Cassel and this offense has operated so far. Expect more of the double teams, and potentially more problems.

Workin' the Wire

• Brandon Lloyd - Because, as we said up top, a number one receiver is a number one receiver. The Philly defense is good, but they were scored on by the Cowboys, so it can be done. Not a bad add.
• Le'Ron McClain - Ray Rice isn't the guy behind McGahee as much as McClain is at this point. He scored two touchdowns this past week and is the guy to own at least as a handcuff to the Ravens starter.
• Correll Buckhalter - If Westbrook is hurt, this is the guy that will see the most benefit from that situation. He should be handcuffed by all Westbrook owners. No doubt, Buckhalter could have some value against the Bears this week.
• Pierre Thomas - Three weeks in a row with touchdowns, and he continues to see the bulk of the work at the goal line. Those of you in touchdown only leagues should jump on the chance to own Thomas now.
• Dustin Keller and Billy Miller - Couple tight end options here. Keller was the only real consistent receiver Brett Favre had last night and Miller should see more looks and touches with Shockey going down. While they aren't every-week plays, they should be watched closely and are good for bye-week fill-ins.

Back as the need arises.