William Del Pilar's Locker Room Buzz

You go through many tough times in fantasy football, especially when you start New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre and you lose after he scored six touchdowns! I am dying in many of my fantasy leagues that I thought I would do well in, and I'm succeeding in some I thought I drafted poorly.

My point is that there's a reason we play this hobby after we draft our teams; owners of Tom Brady are reeling, while owners of Jay Cutler are doing well. Why? When you lose a first- or second-round pick, it's hard to recover. However, when you find someone who's posting numbers equal to those of a first-round pick, it's a huge bonus as those are points that you weren't counting on each week. It's why we play the game, but it's only Week 4. Much can happen between now and then.

Don't give up, and make sure you continue performing your waiver wire moves. You can't win a league on draft day. Sure you can lose it, but you can also rebuild, recover and at least compete for a playoff spot - only if you continue to manage your team. Never forget that!

AFC Beat

While it's pure speculation, there are some already wondering if we'll see New England Patriots rookie quarterback Kevin O'Connell at some point this season. Some wonder if we could see him this week or by midseason, but most of us just don't know. We do know there is concern with starting quarterback Matt Cassel despite head coach Bill Belichick defending him after the Miami loss. The staff likes O'Connell, who has a big arm and mobility. The issue: He's a rookie that does not fully grasp the playbook. Fantasy Tip: Keep an eye on this. If push comes to shove and a switch is made (especially with the way quarterbacks are going), he would warrant a pickup as a backup because of the weapons around him.

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chris Perry has 208 yards rushing but a paltry 2.9 yards per carry. With backup Kenny Watson (hamstring) banged up and DeDe Dorsey (hamstring) placed on injured reserve, the Bengals signed free agent Cedric Benson (Chicago Bears). Fantasy Tip: Don't give up on Perry yet. This team will improve once Palmer gets back into a rhythm. Benson is worth a flier for managers in deep leagues with backfield issues, but Perry owners could grab Benson as a handcuff if they have roster space.

Bengals wideout Chris Henry has been given a one-week roster exemption. That means he can practice with the team, but the team would have to make him active by Saturday. Fantasy Tip: Let's hope he's in game shape as he can make a difference with an immediate impact. He forces teams to adjust to compensate for three quality wideouts versus only having to deal with Chad Ocho Cinco and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer (elbow) states he plans on playing this week but he'll defer to team doctors if they don't want him to suit up. He expects to be limited in practice this week. Fantasy Tip: Look for an update after Wednesday's practice. Palmer showed life during a loss in Week 3.

Houston Texans running back Ahman Green (ankle) should practice this week and play as a backup. However it's not a given he will be available. Fantasy Tip: I've seen Green waived in various leagues. He has some value, but only on a prayer. I would grab him, stash him and hope for the best if you're desperate for a body.

Texans running back Chris Taylor (leg) will probably be limited this week. Fantasy Tip: With a 2.6 yards-per-carry average and rookie Steve Slaton playing well, owners' hopes for Taylor as a possible sleeper are fading fast!

Denver Broncos running back Andre Hall (wrist) sprained his wrist and missed most of the second half last week. He plans on playing, and head coach Mike Shanahan said he should be fine. Fantasy Tip: Let's be honest: He has been a bust. This summer, many touted him as the team's best running back and believed he would eventually see the most touches. That has not been the case, and barring injury he's a backup. Look to trade him to the owner of Selvin Young or consider waiving him if you have depth.

There was a Brandon Stokley sighting. The Broncos wideout had seven receptions for 80 yards in Week 4. The team uses various spread formations, so he could have quality games against weaker defenses. Fantasy Tip: Stokley is a matchup play. You can find him on many waiver wires as a one-week play and waive him after you have used him.

San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson had his first 100-yard game of '08 this weekend! Fantasy Tip: This one was impressive as he had 5.3 yards per carry. However the fact the Oakland Raiders play man-to-man defense has always played to LT's advantage. Let's see LT do this for more than one week before we're sold that his foot is 100 percent.

NFC Beat

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens is rearing his ugly side again. Despite being utilized 20 times (18 targets) last week, he said he was not involved in the offense enough. Fantasy Tip: This is great news for fantasy owners. The more Owens complains the more they'll try to feed him to keep him happy. On the other hand, this is the Owens we know that eventually self-destructs.

Cowboys running back Marion Barber III only had eight carries and Felix Jones had none. Head coach Wade Phillips stated they should have pounded Barber more, but due to quarterback Tony Romo calling passing plays on certain reads it didn't happen. Fantasy Tip: This will change as Barber and Jones should see the ball more.

New York Giants place kicker Lawrence Tynes (knee) is expected to be the team's kicker this week. Fantasy Tip: The team is keeping John Carney in case there's a setback. Watch this one play out first as Tynes has value.

Giants wideout Plaxico Burress is out for this week due to suspension. Fantasy Tip: Domenik Hixon is the likely replacement for him. With the Seattle Seahawks coming to town, Hixon could be a one-week play if you're desperate but not recommended!

Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook (ankle) could not practice Monday, Sept. 29, and there won't be much known until after Wednesday, Oct. 1. Fantasy Tip: This is beginning to sound like a high ankle sprain. It's a wait-and-see situation.

Eagles tight end L.J. Smith (back) missed this past week's game, but head coach Andy Reid was encouraged with his progress. Fantasy Tip: We saw what the loss of Smith and Westbrook (ankle) does to quarterback Donovan McNabb (chest). Keep an eye on both players because McNabb is still starter material but not top-tier material without them.

Chicago Bears wideout Brandon Lloyd (knee), who has played beyond expectations, was injured and had a brace on the knee after the Week 4 game. His status is still up in the air. Fantasy Tip: Our contact, who plays fantasy, said that if Lloyd is out, look for the ball to be spread to Rashied Davis, Marty Booker and Devin Hester. Also look for tight end Greg Olsen to go out wide more often.

Detroit Lions quarterback Jon Kitna (knee) was able to practice early this week. Fantasy Tip: Kitna's going to be on the hot seat so be prepared to look for alternatives if he doesn't begin to play better.

Lions running back Rudi Johnson will start this week over Kevin Smith. Fantasy Tip: The team will go with the hot hand regardless of who starts, and both should still see ample carries. Johnson's success last week came against a soft defense as the Lions were trailing.

Green Bay Packers running back Ryan Grant (hamstring) is now deemed 100 percent healed from his hamstring injury. Fantasy Tip: Grant has been out of football shape, but one would assume he's moving closer to game shape. His average of 1.3 yards per carry last week is unacceptable for someone drafted in Round 1 or 2 in most leagues this year.

Packers wideout James Jones (knee) did not play this past week, and his status is unknown for this week. Fantasy Tip: If quarterback Aaron Rodgers (shoulder) can't go, the No. 3 wideout may not matter.

Rodgers is uncertain for this week with a sprained shoulder. Fantasy Tip: If Rodgers can't play, all Packers fantasy skill positions take a hit. Matt Flynn replaced Rodgers and did not look good in his limited snaps.

Minnesota Vikings wideout Sidney Rice (knee) played last week on a very limited basis. Fantasy Tip: Look for the team to expand his role this week.

New Orleans Saints wideout David Patten (groin) played a couple of series then left the game. Fantasy Tip: If he's not 100 percent, don't play him.

Saints running back Deuce McAllister (knee) had 20 attempts last week and gained 73 rushing yards along with one touchdown. Fantasy Tip: Look for his role to continue in this capacity for the rest of the season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Joey Galloway (ankle) may try to practice this week but head coach Jon Gruden is not confident that Galloway will play. Fantasy Tip: Let's see how this one plays out this week, but it doesn't look good early on.

Arizona Cardinals wideout Anquan Boldin (head) will be re-evaluated Wednesday, Oct. 1 after taking a vicious hit in Week 4. Fantasy Tip: This one's a wait-and-see approach, but all tests were negative as of Tuesday, Sept. 30.

San Francisco 49ers wideout Bryant Johnson (hamstring) played last week but did not register a catch, though he was targeted four times. Fantasy Tip: He's a flex player if healthy enough but should be benched until he produces.

Seattle Seahawks running back Maurice Morris (knee) did not practice Monday and might not play this week. Fantasy Tip: It was assumed Morris would be ready after the bye. Morris owners counting on him being a weekly play should feel nervous considering how well Julius Jones has played.

Seahawks wideout Bobby Engram (shoulder) returned to practice Monday, and receiver Deion Branch (knee) stated he'll make his debut this week. Fantasy Tip: Though both should play, let's see them both in action before inserting them in the lineup - unless you have bye week or injury issues.

New St. Louis Rams head coach Jim Haslett has named Marc Bulger the starting quarterback for the rest of the season. Fantasy Tip: Grab Bulger if you need a backup. If the Rams offense actually comes around, he has upside to start in some weeks for the remainder of the season.

The 2008 fantasy football season is here! Be sure to check out KFFL's FREE Weekly Newsletter, which is jam-packed with updated fantasy football rankings, waiver wire pickups, fantasy football sleepers/busts of the week, individual defensive player coverage and much more. Click here to dominate your competition now!

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