Fantasy Football and NFL News, Rumors and Injury Updates

NFC South Fantasy Outlook

November 1, 2007 @ 15:05:47

By Michael Egnak
Edited by Herija C. Green

Note: All statistics appearing in this article are from Weeks 5-8, unless otherwise noted.

Do Not Bench List - All Positions

Wide Receiver Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers - Smith is averaging 5.33 receptions, 67 receiving yards and 0.67 touchdowns over his past three games.

Quarterbacks

Player	Team	Gm	Pass Yds/G	Pass TD/G	INT/G	Rush Yards/G	Rush TD/G
Joey Harrington	Atlanta Falcons	3	141.3	0.00	0.67	0.3	0.00
David Carr	Carolina Panthers	3	74.0	0.33	0.33	9.0	0.00
Vinny Testaverde	Carolina Panthers	2	144.0	0.50	0.50	2.5	0.00
Drew Brees	New Orleans Saints	4	263.2	2.00	0.75	2.0	0.00
Jeff Garcia	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4	250.0	1.50	0.75	15.8	0.00

Harrington - With quarterback Byron Leftwich (ankle) sidelined for the next few weeks, Harrington will again return to the starting role he lost not too long ago. Harrington was 12-for-18 for 128 yards in place of Leftwich Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints. Those numbers aren't horrible, but his decision-making skills could still use some work. He'll play against the San Francisco 49ers Week 9, where he is a weak play that should stay benched.

Carr - After quarterback Vinny Testaverde (Achilles') went down, Carr (back) came in and was decent behind center against the Indianapolis Colts Week 8. Carr was 16-for-25 for 103 yards during the game, and he also ran the ball five times for 21 rushing yards. Carr, who entered Week 8 with a back injury, will now have to play the waiting game to see if he will start Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans. Not only will he have to see how his back is Wednesday, Oct. 31, but he'll have to see how well Testaverde has improved from his Achilles' tendon injury. Both are said to be improving and both hope to play in the game, but head coach John Fox has not tipped his hand on who he expects to start against the Titans. Carr is a weak play for the game and should be benched if he starts.

Testaverde - Testaverde (Achilles') started the team's Week 8 game against the Indianapolis Colts, but was forced to leave because of an injury to his Achilles' tendon. He was 12-for-20 for 82 yards with one interception before leaving because of his injury. Like quarterback David Carr (back), Testaverde will have to see how well he has recovered Wednesday, Oct. 31, before learning of his status for Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans. It isn't known who will start if both quarterbacks are healthy, so fantasy owners will want to keep up with the situation before deciding on a quarterback from Carolina. If Testaverde starts, view him as a weak play that should be benched for the game.

Brees - He's finally back. Fantasy owners who drafted him early are finally getting the results they expected back in August. Brees completed 31 of his 39 passes for 336 yards and threw for four touchdowns Week 8 against the San Francisco 49ers. Brees is a strong play for Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and back to being a useful fantasy starter.

Garcia - It was a good run, but Garcia's streak of not throwing an interception finally came to an end. He threw 217 consecutive passes before throwing an interception, breaking a franchise record in the process. It was a game to forget for Garcia, who went 19-for-41 for 267 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. Garcia also ran the ball four times for 45 yards as the Buccaneers lost 24-23 to the Jacksonville Jaguars Week 8. Garcia will face the Arizona Cardinals Week 9, where he is a solid starting option.

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	3	13.67 (21.84)	1.67 (23.68)	23.3	0.00	1.67	8.7	0.00
Jerious Norwood	Atlanta Falcons	3	9.33 (14.91)	0.67 (9.47)	49.3	0.33	3.00	18.7	0.00
DeShaun Foster	Carolina Panthers	3	20.00 (29.45)	3.00 (37.36)	54.7	0.33	1.00	3.7	0.00
DeAngelo Williams	Carolina Panthers	3	10.00 (14.73)	1.33 (16.60)	52.7	0.33	2.00	3.7	0.00
Reggie Bush	New Orleans Saints	4	24.50 (35.00)	4.00 (33.11)	70.5	0.00	6.75	41.0	0.25
Aaron Stecker	New Orleans Saints	4	9.00 (12.86)	2.50 (20.70)	16.2	0.00	2.25	5.5	0.00
Earnest Graham	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4	21.00 (35.88)	2.50 (38.51)	48.5	0.00	5.50	36.5	0.00

Dunn - Dunn struggled again Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints. He carried the ball 13 times for 28 yards and caught just one pass for one receiving yard. He's been struggling a lot lately, averaging just 23.3 rushing yards per game and 8.7 receiving yards. With running back Jerious Norwood playing decently, Dunn could see his role with the Falcons decrease. Dunn will play against the San Francisco 49ers Week 9, where he will be worth using as a No. 3 fantasy running back.

Norwood - Norwood was given just six carries Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints, but he was able to gain 38 yards off of those opportunities. Averaging 49.3 rushing yards and 18.7 receiving yards over his past three games, Norwood has been performing much better than starting running back Warrick Dunn lately. If he can continue his recent success, there's no reason why Norwood should be limited in his utilization. He is worth using as a No. 2 fantasy running back Week 9 against the San Francisco 49ers.

Foster - Foster was solid Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts, gaining 62 yards off of 19 carries and scoring on a 3-yard touchdown run. Foster isn't performing too much better than teammate running back DeAngelo Williams, but he is getting utilized more in the team's offense. Foster is a weak play Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans, and he is only worth using as a No. 3 fantasy running back.

Williams - Williams struggled during the team's Week 8 game against the Indianapolis Colts. He managed just 14 rushing yards off of five carries and 11 receiving yards off of six receptions. It was the third time in his past four games that Williams failed to earn more than 23 rushing yards in a game. Like his teammate running back DeShaun Foster, Williams is a weak play for the team's upcoming game against the Tennessee Titans. His value is limited to being a No. 3 fantasy running back.

Bush - Even though the team was up 24-0 at halftime Week 8 against the San Francisco 49ers, Bush (rib) finished with just 10 carries on the game. He was able to gain 64 rushing yards off of those carries, as well as another 49 receiving yards off of seven receptions. He did suffer a rib injury during the game, so it is possible that he was limited because of that. He will be re-evaluated Wednesday, Oct. 31. Assuming Bush is healthy, he is a solid starting option for your fantasy team Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Stecker - Stecker didn't have a great game Week 8, but he still earned the majority of the team's carries out of their backfield. He gained just 35 yards off of 12 carries, an average of 2.9 yards per carry. Stecker's backup, No. 3 rookie running back Pierre Thomas, wasn't much better. Thomas earned nine yards off of three carries for an average of three yards per carry. As a result, Stecker will likely continue to see the majority of playing time behind running back Reggie Bush. Stecker's value is limited to that of an injury or Bye Week replacement Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Graham - Graham couldn't repeat his monster Week 7 performance, but he was able to put up solid numbers against a respectable Jacksonville Jaguars defense Week 8. Graham rushed for 62 yards on 14 carries for an average of 4.4 yards per carry. He also gained another 12 yards off of one reception. Graham is a strong play Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals, but he is still only worth using as a low-end No. 2 or a No. 3 fantasy running back.

Wide Receivers

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Michael Jenkins	Atlanta Falcons	3	6.67 (10.65)	1.00 (14.21)	3.00	31.3	0.00
Roddy White	Atlanta Falcons	3	7.00 (11.19)	0.67 (9.47)	5.00	76.3	0.33
Keary Colbert	Carolina Panthers	3	7.67 (11.29)	0.67 (8.30)	3.67	46.0	0.00
Marques Colston	New Orleans Saints	4	7.50 (10.71)	2.25 (18.63)	4.00	40.8	1.00
Joey Galloway	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4	9.00 (15.38)	0.00 (0.00)	4.75	77.0	0.50
Ike Hilliard	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4	9.00 (15.38)	0.75 (11.55)	6.00	58.0	0.25

Jenkins - Jenkins had struggled Week 5 and Week 6, but he rebounded to record six receptions for 69 yards Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints. The six receptions tied a season-high for him, but he's still struggling to gain yardage. He's gained 64 yards or more just three times this season. In his other four games, he's managed 23 receiving yards or less. Jenkins is a strong play Week 9 against the San Francisco 49ers, but he is still only worth using as a Bye Week replacement.

White - White posted one of his better games this year, hauling in eight passes for 110 yards with one touchdown Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints. He's been consistent throughout the season, catching at least three passes in every game this year. With the exception of one game, he's also earned 55 receiving yards or more in each game he has played in. White should be able to maintain that success Week 9 against the San Francisco 49ers. He should be a useful No. 2 fantasy wide receiver for the upcoming week.

Colbert - Colbert didn't have a spectacular game Week 8, but his four receptions for 35 yards were the best amongst the team's wide receiver corps. He's been performing well as of late, averaging 3.67 receptions in his past three games. However, those receptions are not translating into great yardage or touchdowns. He's gained 52 yards or more just twice this season and he has yet to catch a touchdown pass all year. Colbert is a strong play Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans, but he's still only worth using as a No. 3 fantasy wide receiver.

Colston - Colston posted his best game of the season Week 8, hauling in eight passes for 85 yards with three touchdowns. It was the second time this season he caught eight passes in a game and set season highs for receiving yards and touchdowns in a game. With the team's offense now clicking on all cylinders, Colston should be a very useful fantasy wide receiver from here on out. Colston is a solid No. 2 fantasy wide receiver Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Galloway - Quarterback Jeff Garcia was against able to find Galloway for a long touchdown Week 8, throwing a 58-yard touchdown pass to him against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Galloway finished the game with six receptions for 115 yards with the one score. Galloway has been alternating good games and bad games in October. He was only able to gain 50 receiving yards and 46 receiving yards Weeks 5 and 7, but he gained 97 receiving yards and 115 receiving yards Week 6 and 8. He also scored a touchdown in each of the Week 6 and Week 8 games, further adding to his success on those particular weeks. He should be a solid No. 2 fantasy wide receiver Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals.

Hilliard - Hilliard was stymied by the Jacksonville Jaguars Week 8, getting held to just 23 receiving yards on three receptions. It was one of the worst games of his season so far, and the first time this year he was held to under 30 yards receiving. He should be a solid No. 3 fantasy wide receiver Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals.

Tight Ends

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Alge Crumpler	Atlanta Falcons	2	4.50 (4.79)	0.50 (4.74)	1.50	6.5	0.00
Jeff King	Carolina Panthers	3	6.67 (9.82)	0.33 (4.15)	4.67	42.3	0.00
Eric Johnson	New Orleans Saints	4	4.75 (6.79)	1.50 (12.42)	3.50	31.2	0.25
Alex Smith	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	2	3.00 (2.56)	1.00 (7.70)	1.50	10.5	1.00
Jerramy Stevens	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4	2.50 (4.27)	0.00 (0.00)	2.00	19.5	0.00

Crumpler - Crumpler missed the team's Week 7 game with a right knee injury. He is expected to practice Wednesday, Oct. 31, and the team's Bye Week hopefully gave him enough time to recover to participate in the Week 9 game. If he does play, he is a weak play who should be benched.

King - King found himself as the team's leading receiver Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts. King set season highs for himself with 10 receptions for 82 yards during the game. It was the first time since Week 3 that King caught more than four passes and gained more than 50 yards in a game. King was a big part of the team's offense at the start of the season, so his Week 8 performance should not be ruled as a complete fluke. There is a chance that the Panthers will try to get him more involved in the offense again. For now, he is a weak play Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans and only worth using as a low-end No. 1 tight end or as a Bye Week replacement.

Johnson - Johnson wasn't much of a factor in the team's offense Week 8, getting held to just two receptions for 29 yards against the San Francisco 49ers. In fact, Johnson hasn't been much of a factor in the team's offense over his past four games. He's averaging 3.50 receptions, but he's gained more than 30 yards receiving just once over that timeframe. Johnson is a strong play against the Jacksonville Jaguars Week 9, but he's still limited to being a low-end No. 1 fantasy tight end or a Bye Week replacement.

Smith - Smith (ankle) was held out of the team's Week 8 game because of an ankle injury. He could return to practice this week, but there is a decent chance he will miss Week 9 as well. Fantasy owners should obviously keep him benched until he returns to the starting lineup.

Stevens - Stevens caught just two passes for 45 yards in place of tight end Alex Smith (ankle). However, his performance was one of the better ones amongst the team's receiving options, and it likely earned him another start if Smith is not fully healthy. Stevens is a weak play Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals and should stay benched.

Place Kickers

Player	Team	Gm	XPA/G	XP/G	FGA/G	FG/G	Kick Pnts/G
Morten Andersen	Atlanta Falcons	3	1.00	1.00	2.00	2.67	7.0
John Kasay	Carolina Panthers	3	1.00	1.00	2.33	2.67	8.0
Olindo Mare	New Orleans Saints	4	2.75	2.75	0.75	1.25	5.0
Matt Bryant	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4	1.50	1.50	1.50	1.75	6.0

Andersen - Andersen continues to perform well for the Falcons, connecting on three field goal opportunities Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints. His longest field goal was from 38 yards, but he has been fairly consistent on kicking somewhat short field goals. Andersen is a strong play Week 9 against the San Francisco 49ers. However, he is just a low-end No. 1 place kicker or a Bye Week replacement for fantasy teams.

Kasay - Kasay wasn't called on to do much Week 8. With the team's offense struggling, Kasay was given just one chance to kick an extra point, which he successfully converted for the team.

Mare - With the team's offense playing as well as it did Week 8, most of Mare's scoring came through extra point attempts (4-for-4). He did manage to convert a 26-yard field goal opportunity, but it was his only field goal chance of the game. Mare is a weak play Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and should remain benched.

Bryant - Bryant was productive Week 8, converting three field goal opportunities and two extra point attempts. Bryant was good on field goals from 44, 22 and 42 yards. He is a strong play Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals, but his value is still limited to that of a Bye Week replacement.

Defensive Teams

Team	Gm	Off Pnts Allw/G	INT/G	Sacks/G	FR/G	DEF/ST TD/G
Atlanta Falcons	3	22.3	2.00	0.3	1.00	0.3
Carolina Panthers	3	18.0	1.67	0.7	1.00	0.0
New Orleans Saints	4	14.8	0.50	2.8	0.50	0.2
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4	21.0	0.50	2.0	0.50	0.0

Falcons - The Atlanta Falcons' defense struggled Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints. They allowed 22 offensive points and 310 total net yards to the Saints. They managed just one interception, but they failed to record any sacks or fumble recoveries. The Falcons are a strong play Week 9 against the San Francisco 49ers and are worth starting for your fantasy team.

Panthers - The Carolina Panthers' defense was torched for 31 offensive points and 395 net yards allowed Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts. The team recovered one fumble, but that was pretty much it. The team has managed just four sacks the entire season. The Panthers are a strong play Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans and are actually worth using if you need a defense for the week.

Saints - The Saints' defense held the San Francisco 49ers to just 10 offensive points and 260 net yards Week 8. They managed two sacks and one fumble recovery during the game. They are a strong play Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and worth a start for your fantasy team.

Buccaneers - The Buccaneers' defense held the Jacksonville Jaguars to 18 offensive points and 219 net yards Week 8 while registering two sacks. They did not force a turnover during the game though. The Buccaneers' defense is a weak play Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals and should stay benched.

Author Bio

Michael Egnak
Michael Egnak is a Hot Off The Wire Analyst at KFFL and has been with the company since 2005. Covering both NFL and MLB, Egnak is also a key contributor to KFFL's fantasy services.