NFC East: 7 Players Killing Your Fantasy Team

Through nine weeks of the NFL season, fantasy football owners are either preparing for their playoff push or coming to the realization that they were good for nothing this fantasy season other than a generous donation to their opponents. 

Arguably one of the most unpredictable divisions in all of football this season, the NFC East has handed fantasy owners their own share of disappointment. Unfortunately, and quite embarrassing too, the Washington Redskins lead the division for most non-productive players this season. 

Whether it be lack of involvement or injury, the NFC East hasn't been the flashiest division in terms of fantasy value. Here's a look at some of the players directly contributing to that label. 

Rex Grossman

First things first: If you had Rex Grossman on your roster, you were destined for failure before the season even started. And if you were one of those fantasy owners who ran to the waiver wire following Grossman's Week 1 performance that resulted in a Washington win, then shame on you. 

Grossman may have had the potential to be a one-week fill-in for your team when your starter had the bye week off, but anything more than a fill-in is ridiculous. 

After coming off the bye week and throwing four interceptions against the Eagles in Week 6, Grossman was benched for the unknown John Beck. 

At this point, and likely much sooner than now, Grossman is nowhere near on your team. Prior to opening week, perhaps some people thought that this would finally be Grossman's decent season, in which case you should have contacted me sooner for some much needed convincing. 

Santana Moss

When the Redskins re-signed veteran receiver Santana Moss last summer, it was a move commended by most of Redskins Nation. Not only was Moss deserving, but he was easily the team's best receiver heading into the season. 

With Rex Grossman originally at the helm, Moss was an instant favorite target from the preseason and into the first few weeks of the regular season. And for fantasy owners participating in points-per-reception leagues, Moss was even more valuable as a high-target guy. 

In the first four weeks of the season, Moss was off to a decent start with at least five receptions in every game and two touchdowns. But following the bye week, Moss caught just four passes in two games before breaking a bone in his hand during the team's loss to Carolina two weeks ago. 

Now, with Moss due to miss at least five weeks and a new quarterback taking the snaps, Moss is deemed a fantasy flop for 2011. 

Brandon Jacobs

Remember when Brandon Jacobs was considered a touchdown machine? Those were the days. 

This year couldn't be farther from the norm for fantasy owners, as Jacobs has just 126 yards through seven games and two touchdowns. And if you thought you'd get lucky as a Jacobs owner in a PPR league, think again. Jacobs has just five catches on the season. 

It's not that Jacobs was thought to be anything close to the primary back in New York over starter Ahmad Bradshaw, but it's hard to believe that anyone saw this coming. At this point during the season, Jacobs can be found on the free agent list of some 14-team fantasy leagues.

And for those overly-optimistic fantasy owners who honestly believe Jacobs can turn the corner, you should just surrender your season. Jacobs is as good as done in the Big Apple. 

Tim Hightower

Drafting running backs in the Mike Shanahan system is a difficult task. Because Shanny is so accustomed to playing more than one guy at the running back position, fantasy owners are forced to be very cautious with their selection of Shanahan rushers. However, with a big risk can come big reward. 

Before the season started, I called Tim Hightower one of my biggest sleepers of the year. Now, after just six games, Hightower is riding the sidelines the rest of the season after blowing his ACL. 

Through the first three weeks of the season, Hightower put up intriguing numbers that had some owners thinking that a slow start could most certainly result in a strong finish. But not only did Hightower suffer major injury, he was also beginning to miss carries because of the reemergence of Ryan Torain. 

Because of the uncertainty of Shanahan's system and the health of Ryan Torain, gauging Hightower's production this season would be a tough one. At this point, it's only fair to chalk him up as a disappointment in 2011. 

Ryan Torain

Speaking of the Washington backfield, some fantasy owners jumped all over Ryan Torain after his breakout game against the St. Louis Rams in Week 4, in which he ran for 135 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries. 

It's assumed that people didn't realize how horrible the Rams' defense really was, but that's beside the point. Even now, with the loss of starter Tim Hightower for the season, Torain as the lead back in Washington is basically irrelevant. 

Since his big performance in St. Louis, Torain has carried the ball 20 times in three games for a pathetic 31 yards and no scores. 

For all of those who thought they were robbing the waiver wire before anyone else did, I apologize. 

Brent Celek

Two years ago, Brent Celek arrived on the scene with 76 receptions and placed himself amongst some of the most dangerous tight ends in the conference. 

Last season was much different, with Celek playing the role as a blocking tight end rather than a receiving threat. And this season wasn't much different until last week when Celek had seven catches for 94 yards and a touchdown. 

Although the Cowboys were playing a lot of Cover 2 in the Sunday night game, the increased production from Celek is a pleasant surprise. The real question is whether Celek's role will remain the same.

Chris Cooley

Chris Cooley was injured prior to the season starting, so drafting him was a risk to begin with. However, no one can really bash a fantasy owner for taking the normally-productive Cooley with a late-round selection. 

After eight catches for under 70 yards, Cooley finds himself on the injured-reserve list after just eight weeks of football. 

For the fantasy owners who hadn't already released Cooley after realizing that Fred Davis is the sheriff in town, it's completely safe to do so now.