Fantasy Football and NFL News, Rumors and Injury Updates

NFC South Fantasy Outlook

November 8, 2007 @ 08:57:40

By Michael Egnak
Edited by Ryan Dodson

Note: All statistics appearing in this article are from Weeks 6-9, unless otherwise noted.

Do Not Bench List - All Positions

Quarterback Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints: Brees threw for 445 yards while completing 35 of his 49 passing attempts. He also threw three touchdowns during the game. Brees is averaging 311.5 passing yards per game over his past four games. He is also averaging 2.75 passing touchdowns and 0.25 interceptions over that timeframe. He should be started for most fantasy teams Week 10 against the St. Louis Rams.
Wide Receiver Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers: Smith was held to just three receptions for 15 receiving yards during the team's Week 9 game. Smith is averaging five receptions, 56.3 receiving yards and 0.33 touchdowns over his past three games. Smith is a solid play Week 10 against the Atlanta Falcons and is worth using as a No. 2 fantasy wideout.
Wide Receiver Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints: Colston caught 10 passes for 159 yards during the team's Week 9 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Colston is averaging 5.50 receptions, 72.8 receiving yards and one touchdown over his past four games. Colston should be started for most fantasy teams Week 10 against the St. Louis Rams.

Quarterbacks

Player	Team	Gm	Pass Yds/G	Pass TD/G	INT/G	Rush Yards/G	Rush TD/G
Joey Harrington	Atlanta Falcons	3	158.3	0.00	0.67	5.0	0.00
David Carr	Carolina Panthers	3	70.0	0.33	0.33	7.0	0.00
Vinny Testaverde	Carolina Panthers	3	144.0	0.50	0.50	2.5	0.00

Harrington - With quarterback Byron Leftwich (ankle) likely out for the team's Week 10 game, Harrington will probably get another start. He was 14-for-25 Week 9 against the San Francisco 49ers, throwing for 138 yards with one interception. He did enough to lead the team to a rare victory though, giving them a grand total of two wins halfway through their season. Harrington is a weak play against the Carolina Panthers Week 10, and he should stay on your team's bench if you own him for some odd, bizarre reason.

Carr - Carr (concussion) suffered a concussion during the team's Week 9 game, forcing him to leave early. The Tennessee Titans sacked Carr seven times during the game, while completing 15 of 27 passes for 107 yards with one touchdown and one interception. His status for Week 10 is iffy. If he plays, he would be a weak play against the Atlanta Falcons that should stay benched.

Testaverde - Testaverde (Achilles') did not play Week 9 because of his Achilles' injury. He should start, if he's capable. Should he play, he would be a weak option against the Atlanta Falcons that should not be used.

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	18.33 (28.76)	3.33 (47.44)	47.7	0.33	1.00	4.7	0.00
Jerious Norwood	Atlanta Falcons	3	8.33 (13.07)	1.00 (14.23)	54.7	0.33	2.33	17.3	0.00
DeAngelo Williams	Carolina Panthers	3	10.00 (13.80)	1.33 (19.91)	50.0	0.33	2.67	7.0	0.00
DeShaun Foster	Carolina Panthers	3	20.00 (27.60)	2.67 (39.82)	56.0	0.33	1.67	5.7	0.00
Reggie Bush	New Orleans Saints	3	23.25 (34.01)	3.25 (32.94)	71.8	0.25	6.25	38.8	0.50
Aaron Stecker	New Orleans Saints	3	9.00 (13.17)	2.00 (20.27)	19.2	0.00	2.00	9.0	0.00

Dunn - Dunn posted one of his better games of the year, running for 100 yards and scoring on 9-yard run during the Week 9 game against the San Francisco 49ers. It was his first 100-rushing yard game of the year and the first time since September that he gained more than 28 rushing yards in a game. Dunn is a strong play Week 10 against the Carolina Panthers. Consider using him as your No. 3 fantasy running back.

Norwood - Norwood (ankle) suffered an ankle injury Week 9, limiting him to just six carries against the San Francisco 49ers. He was able to earn 38 rushing yards before getting knocked out for good in the third quarter. His status for Week 10 against the Panthers is uncertain, so fantasy owners will need to keep tabs on Norwood's status before inserting him into their lineup.

Williams - Williams was used sparingly Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans. He managed just four carries for 15 rushing yards and two receptions for 10 receiving yards during the game. Over his past three games, Williams has been used just half as much as running back DeShaun Foster. Williams is still a strong play Week 10 against the Atlanta Falcons, and he is worth considering as a No. 2 fantasy running back for your squad.

Foster - Foster managed 17 carries for 63 yards Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans. He also caught two passes for six yards during the game. Over his past three games, he is being used twice as much as running back DeAngelo Williams. Like Williams, Foster is a strong play Week 10 against the Atlanta Falcons and worth using as a No. 2 fantasy running back.

Bush - Bush carried the ball 17 times for 72 yards with one rushing touchdown Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He also caught seven passes for another 43 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. He's a weak play Week 10 against the St. Louis Rams but is still worth using as a No. 1 fantasy running back.

Stecker - Stecker improved a bit Week 9, rushing for 24 yards on six carries against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He also caught two passes for another 11 receiving yards. He isn't used nearly enough to make him a solid fantasy option. He is a weak play Week 10 and should remain benched.

Wide Receivers

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Roddy White	Atlanta Falcons	3	7.00 (10.98)	0.33 (4.74)	5.00	76.3	0.33
Keary Colbert	Carolina Panthers	3	8.33 (11.50)	0.67 (9.95)	3.33	31.3	0.00
David Patten	New Orleans Saints	4	7.00 (10.24)	0.75 (7.60)	4.75	83.0	0.25

White - Week 9 was one of White's more disappointing games. He caught just three passes for 55 yards, but he likely did enough to benefit some fantasy teams out there. White is a weak play Week 10 against the Carolina Panthers, but he's still worth using as a No. 2 fantasy wide receiver for the week.

Colbert - Colbert caught three passes for just 30 yards Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans. With the team's quarterback situation a mess, there's a good chance Colbert could be unproductive for the next couple weeks until the situation becomes more stable.

Patten - Patten continues to be productive, hauling in four passes for 81 yards and one touchdown Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Fantasy owners are catching on to him and picking him in some leagues. If you do own him, feel free to use him for his Week 10 matchup against the St. Louis Rams. He should make for a solid No. 2 fantasy wide receiver option.

Tight Ends

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Alge Crumpler	Atlanta Falcons	1	5.00 (2.61)	0.00 (0.00)	1.00	9.0	0.00
Jeff King	Carolina Panthers	3	7.00 (9.66)	0.33 (4.98)	4.67	36.0	0.00
Eric Johnson	New Orleans Saints	4	4.00 (5.85)	1.00 (10.14)	3.25	30.5	0.25

Crumpler - Crumpler (knee, ankle) missed the team's Week 9 game. He is expected to be available to play Week 10 against the Carolina Panthers. Obviously fantasy owners will want to make sure he is healthy before considering using him.

King - King caught just two passes for 14 yards Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans. Part of the decrease can be blamed on the shaky quarterbacking, so he could have his numbers hurt until the team sorts itself out behind center. King is worth using as a low-end No. 1 fantasy tight end or as a Bye Week replacement for the team's Week 10 game.

Johnson - Even with quarterback Drew Brees throwing for more than 400 yards Week 9, Johnson still struggled to gain decent yardage during the game. Johnson caught just four passes for 27 yards during the game. Johnson hasn't been too special this year, and those looking for a late-round steal in fantasy drafts back in August have to be disappointed with his season so far. He's had just two games with more than 50 receiving yards and has caught just one touchdown pass all year. Johnson is a low-end No. 1 fantasy tight end or a Bye Week replacement for Week 10.

Place Kickers

Player	Team	Gm	XPA/G	XP/G	FGA/G	FG/G	Kick Pnts/G
Morten Andersen	Atlanta Falcons	3	1.33	1.33	2.00	2.33	7.3
John Kasay	Carolina Panthers	3	1.00	1.00	1.33	2.00	5.0
Olindo Mare	New Orleans Saints	4	3.75	3.75	0.75	1.25	6.0

Andersen - Andersen continues to show solid accuracy from short range, converting both of his field goal opportunities Week 9. He is 14-for-17 on field goals this year, but all three of his misses have come from 40 to 49 yards out. Andersen is a low-end No. 1 place kicker if you need him for Week 10. Otherwise, he should stay on your fantasy team's bench.

Kasay - Kasay missed his only field goal opportunity Week 9, hooking a 40-yard attempt wide left. As a result, Kasay was limited to just one point when he converted the team's only extra point attempt. Kasay is a weak play Week 10 and should stay benched.

Mare - Even though Mare managed 11 points Week 9, it wasn't a very good game for him. He converted fixe extra point attempts, but he was just 2-for-4 on field goals. Mare was good from 46 and 34 yards, but he missed from 43 and 52 yards during the game. Mare is a strong play Week 10 against the St. Louis Rams and worth using as a low-end No. 1 fantasy place kicker. If your league has severe penalties for missed field goals, you may want to look for a different option. Mare hasn't been very accurate this year.

Defensive Teams

Team	Gm	Off Pnts Allw/G	INT/G	Sacks/G	FR/G	DEF/ST TD/G
Atlanta Falcons	3	23.0	2.00	1.0	0.67	0.0
Carolina Panthers	3	20.3	1.67	1.7	1.67	0.0
New Orleans Saints	4	15.2	1.00	3.0	0.50	0.5

Falcons - The Falcons' defense held the San Francisco 49ers to just 16 offensive points and 251 net yards Week 9. Meanwhile, they were able to rack up three interceptions, two sacks and one fumble recovery during the game. The Falcons' defense is worth using as a low-end No. 1 team defensive option for their game against the Carolina Panthers.

Panthers - Carolina held the Tennessee Titans 236 net yards Week 9 while recording two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and three sacks. However, they did allow 20 offensive points to Tennessee. The Panthers' defense should be considered a low-end No. 1 team defense for Week 10. With their quarterback situation unknown, there is the potential for the team's offense to struggle to move the ball or even turn it over. This could force the defense to play on a short field more often, which may cause them to allow more points than usual if the Falcons consistently start with good field position.

Saints - The Saints' defense registered three interceptions and two sacks Week 9 to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but the allowed 18 offensive points and 432 net yards. The team's defense is considered a strong play for Week 10 against the St. Louis Rams. Consider using them as your starting defense if you own them and don't have better options.

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.