Fantasy Football and NFL News, Rumors and Injury Updates

NFC South Fantasy Outlook

October 11, 2007 @ 14:18:36

By Tim Piotrowski
Edited by Herija C. Green

Do Not Bench List - All Positions

Wide Receiver Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers: Smith continues to be one of the top fantasy wide receivers in the league. He did not have as many receiving yards as he usually does but still was able to score a touchdown in Week 5. The 5-foot-9 receiver had four catches for 47 yards to go along with the touchdown. Smith is a strong No. 1 receiver for owners and this week is no exception as he is a strong play against the Arizona Cardinals.

Quarterbacks

Player	Team	Gm	Pass Yds/G	Pass TD/G	INT/G	Rush Yards/G	Rush TD/G
Joey Harrington	Atlanta Falcons	4	217.8	1.00	0.25	1.2	0.00
David Carr	Carolina Panthers	3	110.0	0.67	0.67	11.0	0.00
Drew Brees	New Orleans Saints	3	245.7	0.33	2.33	6.3	0.00
Jeff Garcia	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4	178.2	1.00	0.00	6.5	0.25

Harrington - Harrington had a miserable game last week and to make matters worse, he was benched during the game, but head coach Bobby Petrino appears to be sticking with him as the starter for the time being. The free-agent acquisition completed 16 of his 31 passes for 87 yards and an interception in the game. Harrington is a low-end No. 1 option this week or he can be kept on the bench as he is a weak play in Week 6.

Carr - Carr (back) replaced injured quarterback Jake Delhomme (elbow), and now he is battling an injury he suffered last week. He passed for 110 yards with one touchdown and one interception in his second start of the season but could not play the entire game. The former first-overall draft choice has put up mediocre numbers in his limited duty this season. Carr should not be played this week because he is a weak play in the team's Week 6 game.

Brees - Brees continues to struggle this season and seems to be the opposite of what he was in 2006. He added to his terrible interception total when he threw two more in Week 5 to increase the total to nine this season. The worse part is that the quarterback has only thrown one touchdown in the same span. Owners should pull the plug and bench Brees this week against the Seattle Seahawks.

Garcia - It seems Garcia brought some of his 2006 magic with him when he signed with the Buccaneers because he has been playing well early in the season. He threw two touchdowns and completed 78.3 percent of his passes in Week 5. Something else that should make owners happy is that he has not thrown an interception yet this season. However, Garcia is only a last-ditch choice at quarterback this week as he is a weak play and should ideally be on the bench.

Running Backs

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rush Yds/G	Rush TD/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Warrick Dunn	Atlanta Falcons	4	16.75 (28.55)	4.00 (36.01)	48.5	0.25	2.75	9.5	0.00
Jerious Norwood	Atlanta Falcons	4	11.00 (18.75)	1.50 (13.50)	28.5	0.00	2.00	16.8	0.00
DeShaun Foster	Carolina Panthers	4	18.75 (30.91)	1.75 (38.95)	66.8	0.25	2.25	14.8	0.25
DeAngelo Williams	Carolina Panthers	4	10.00 (16.48)	0.50 (11.13)	26.5	0.00	1.75	14.2	0.25
Reggie Bush	New Orleans Saints	3	21.67 (29.87)	5.00 (39.37)	36.3	0.67	7.00	38.3	0.00
Aaron Stecker	New Orleans Saints	3	5.33 (7.35)	1.33 (10.50)	6.0	0.00	1.67	3.7	0.00
Earnest Graham	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4	9.00 (17.54)	2.75 (26.42)	34.0	0.75	0.75	6.5	0.00

Dunn - Dunn had a hard time getting anything going in Week 5 when he faced a very good Tennessee Titans defense. He was held to only 27 yards on 10 carries, with 17 of his yards coming on one run. The 32-year old has only rushed for one touchdown so far this season. Going against a suspect New York Giants defense, Dunn is a solid No. 3 running back option for fantasy owners this week.

Norwood - Going into the season some thought Norwood would be splitting carries, but that has not been the case. Norwood rushed for 23 yards on six carries last week and has only half as many carries as Dunn so far this season. He may get his chance later on, but, for now, he is the backup. This week, the Mississippi State product would be an option for owners who have a running back on a Bye this week or he can be left on the bench.

Foster - It appears Foster remains the Panthers top running back because of the number of carries he has received this season. He had an average game last week when he rushed for 59 yards on 19 carries against the Saints. The sixth-year player has been able to avoid injuries that have slowed him down in previous seasons. Foster is a solid No. 1 option for owners this week against Arizona.

Williams - Williams remains a nice all-around running back for the team this season, but he is not putting up the numbers he had last season. Last week, he only rushed for 23 yards on sevens carries and did not catch a pass for the second time in three weeks. Williams is a decent play for an owner who has a player on a Bye week, otherwise he should be put on the bench in Week 6.

Bush - Bush continues to be a dual threat as a running back, logging nearly as many receiving yards as rushing yards. Last week, the former Heisman Trophy winner rushed for 67 yards on 21 carries and added nine receptions for 52 yards. He appears to be more the main back for the team with the loss of running back Deuce McAllister (knee) and may be asked to do even more for the team. Bush is a decent No. 1 option or a top No. 2 running back for owners because he is a strong play this week.

Stecker - Stecker has now become the complement to Bush after McAllister was lost for the season. He has not made a huge impact yet. He rushed for 12 yards on four carries last week. The 5-foot-10 runner could see more opportunities in the red zone because he is bigger than Bush and should be able to power through people. Stecker should not be played this week because he is a weak play against the Seahawks.

Graham - Not many people would have believed Graham would be the Buccaneers starting running back but injuries to running backs Cadillac Williams (knee) and Michael Pittman (ankle) have made the change necessary. He has averaged 34.0 rushing yards per game and has scored three touchdowns this season. Graham would be a good No. 3 running back for owners this week.

Wide Receivers

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Michael Jenkins	Atlanta Falcons	4	5.00 (8.52)	0.75 (6.75)	3.50	39.2	0.50
Keary Colbert	Carolina Panthers	4	5.75 (9.48)	0.00 (0.00)	3.00	41.8	0.00
Marques Colston	New Orleans Saints	3	8.33 (11.49)	2.00 (15.75)	5.33	56.3	0.33
Joey Galloway	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4	4.75 (9.26)	0.25 (2.40)	3.25	58.5	0.50

Jenkins - Jenkins had been coming on the previous two weeks and was coming off a two-touchdown performance in Week 4, but he did not have a very good game last week. He only caught one pass for two yards in a loss to the Titans. That poor performance not withstanding, Jenkins has become one of the more consistent wide receivers on the Falcons and has been thrown to more over the past few weeks. Jenkins is a decent No. 3 fantasy option for owners this week, but he is a weak play against the Giants.

Colbert - Smith's sidekick had his best game of the season last week against the Saints. Colbert caught four passes for 74 yards in the team's Week 5 game. He has begun to put up decent numbers this season for the team, but fantasy owners may be disappointed that he has not caught a touchdown in the five games he has played in so far. Colbert is a decent No. 3 wide receiver option or a good Bye week replacement for fantasy owners looking for a one-week fix.

Colston - Last year's surprise rookie has not had the same impact this season for the struggling Saints. Last week, he was held to a season-low 31 receiving yards on only four catches. Another surprise for the Hofstra product is that he has only caught one touchdown in four games after catching eight last season. Colston is a solid No. 3 receiver this week on the road against the Seahakws.

Galloway - Galloway was a beast in the first two weeks of the season but has seen his production taper off over the past three games. His run of marginal games continues last week when he had four receptions for 50 yards against the defending Super Bowl champions Indianapolis Colts. The 13-year veteran remains one of the main targets for Garica this season, and Galloway is a solid No. 2 option with a weak play against the Titans this week.

Tight Ends

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Alge Crumpler	Atlanta Falcons	4	4.50 (7.67)	1.50 (13.50)	3.50	38.5	0.25
Jeff King	Carolina Panthers	4	4.75 (7.83)	0.50 (11.13)	2.75	35.5	0.25
Eric Johnson	New Orleans Saints	3	6.00 (8.27)	1.33 (10.5)	4.33	23.7	0.00
Alex Smith	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4	4.25 (8.28)	0.75 (7.20)	2.75	23.8	0.50

Crumpler - Crumpler did not have many opportunities to catch the ball last week because of the struggles of quarterbacks Joey Harrington and Byron Leftwich. He only caught two passes for four yards in the game. Crumpler is a solid No. 1 option for owners this week because he is a strong play against the Giants.

King - King is currently second on the team in receptions (16) and receiving yards (177). He caught two passes for 33 yards last week with no touchdowns. This week, King is a weak No. 1 tight end option for owners or an acceptable replacement for a player who is on a Bye this week.

Johnson - Johnson has been one of the busier receivers for the Saints this season, catching 21 passes but none have been for a touchdown. Last week, he had five receptions for 30 yards. Johnson should not be played this week because he is a weak play against the Seahawks.

Smith - Smith only had two receptions last week, but he made them count because they were both for touchdowns. The 6-foot-4 tight end only gained six yards last week but is averaging 23.8 yards per game in his last four games. Smith is a decent No. 1 option for owners or a good replacement for a player on a Bye this week.

Place Kickers

Player	Team	Gm	XPA/G	XP/G	FGA/G	FG/G	Kick Pnts/G
Morten Andersen	Atlanta Falcons	3	1.67	1.67	3.33	2.67	9.7
John Kasay	Carolina Panthers	4	2.00	2.00	1.25	1.25	5.8
Olindo Mare	New Orleans Saints	3	1.67	1.67	1.67	0.67	3.7
Matt Bryant	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4	2.75	2.75	1.25	1.00	5.8

Andersen - The 47-year-old Andersen is still putting up good numbers late in his career, averaging 9.7 points per game. He has only missed two of his 10 attempts this season. Andersen is a good No. 1 option for owners because he is a strong play against the Giants.

Kasay - Kasay remains a reliable place kicker, but he is not getting many opportunities to put points up on the board for his team. He did hit a clutch 52-yard field goal last week to beat the Saints. Kasay should be put on the bench this week against the Cardinals.

Mare - Mare has continued to struggle this season, missing two of his four field goal attempts last week. He has only averaged 3.7 points per game over the last three games, which appears to have put his job in jeopardy. Mare is a weak play this week and should be put on the bench.

Bryant - Bryant did not get a chance to try a field goal last week but did make both of his extra point attempts in the game. He has made six of his seven field goal attempts so far this season. Bryant can be played as a decent No. 1 option this week or as a replacement for a place kicker on a Bye.

Defensive Teams

Team	Gm	Off Pnts Allw/G	INT/G	Sacks/G	FR/G	DEF/ST TD/G
Atlanta Falcons	4	17.5	0.75	2.0	1.00	0.2
Carolina Panthers	4	20.2	0.50	0.2	1.00	0.0
New Orleans Saints	3	24.0	0.67	0.3	0.00	0.0
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4	14.2	1.50	1.5	0.50	0.0

Falcons - The Falcons' defense has done well this season only giving up an average of 17.5 points per game in their last four games, but their offense has not taken advantage. Last week, they intercepted three of Titans quarterback Vince Young's passes, sacked him twice and only gave up one offensive touchdown to the team. This week, the defense should be benched against the Giants.

Panthers - The Panthers' defense has not been able to get to the quarterback or intercept the ball much this season. Both of their interceptions this season were made last week against the Saints, and they have not recorded a sack in the last two games. The defense is a weak play this week against the Cardinals and should be put on the bench.

Saints - The Saints' defense has had a very difficult time stopping teams so far this season. Prior to giving up 16 points last week, the lowest point total they gave up had been 31. The team's sack total is even worse than the Panthers. The Saints have a grand total of one sack this season and that came in their fourth game. The defense should be put on the bench this week against the Seahawks.

Buccaneers - Before last week's 31 points allowed, the Buccaneers defense had been playing very well. They have given up an average of 14.2 points per game in the last four games. They are also averaging 1.5 interceptions in the same four games. Like the other NFC South teams, the Buccaneers defense should be benched this week because they are a weak play against the Titans.