Let Rudi Johnson’s release from the Cincinnati Bengals hammer the point home that sure things do not exist in fantasy football. Exactly one year after fantasy owners went bonkers for his all-but-guaranteed 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns, Johnson is a constantly injured man without a team. He was replaceable, and former first round pick Chris Perry did to Johnson what he did to former starter Corey Dillon four years ago. Things change - fantasy owners must be ready to roll with the punches.

The Bengals reportedly made Johnson, who missed all four of the team’s preseason games, available via trade, but couldn’t find any takers. The 28-year old will almost certainly be picked up by another team, but it’s tough to find a situation where he’d have immediate fantasy value. What’s more likely is he plays a backup role on a team hurting for backfield depth, then maybe gets a chance down the road. Read more »

For the most part, the next time you see your fantasy team players in action it will be in Week One, as most starters sit in the fourth and final preseason game. So, with that said, what has the preseason action on the field, and the news off it, done for the players around the league?

Here is a brief glimpse at some of the most compelling NFL issues in the fantasy world. From star players like Peyton Manning and Steven Jackson coming back to camp, to players like Chad Johnson and Derek Anderson making news for not being on the field, we have it all covered.
Read more »

Each season, right around this time, a number players are put on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, making them ineligible to play in regular season games until Week 7. The writing is typically on the wall during training camp for these injured players, so their names don’t come as a huge surprise. Fortunately for fantasy owners, they also should have much impact, if any, on their teams this season.

Tampa Bay running back Cadillac Williams was the most significant player on the PUP list, but his inclusion doesn’t come as a surprise. Because of his lengthy rehabilitation from a PCL tear he suffered last season, 2007 dynamo Earnest Graham has been an early draft pick as the Bucs’ top running back. No fantasy owners were expecting contributions from Williams until midseason, regardless of his official standing with the NFL league office. Read more »

In this, the “year of the non-running back” in fantasy football, quarterbacks and wide receivers have been expected to play much larger roles for us than in previous seasons. Between excellent crops at both positions and the decreased work loads of NFL running backs, powerhouse fantasy backfields are becoming less and less imperative to a team’s success.

Problems are arising in this new draft theory as marquee quarterbacks battle injuries that have affected their preseason reps and conditioning. Should we be concerned about Peyton Manning (knee), Tom Brady (foot), or Matt Hasselbeck (back)? We think so, if anything because fantasy owners have placed so much faith in them to lead their teams to glory. Read more »

In fantasy, a sleeper is comprised of equal parts talent and opportunity. Some of fantasy owners’ biggest frustrations happen when young talent wastes away while veterans serve as mediocre starters. Before the season begins, it’s important to assess when and where the opportunities could come, and who’s in line to receive them.

Among those with the most immediate chance to prove himself as a fantasy contributor is Eagles rookie wideout DeSean Jackson. The Eagles’ already-thin group of receivers got even thinner when it was announced that Kevin Curtis could miss nearly half the season with a sports hernia surgery. Fellow rookie Ray Rice and Steve Slaton could also gets early opportunities because of injuries. Read more »

As is usually the case, it hasn’t taken long for the values of this year’s crop of rookies to change. Injuries and preseason performances can quickly place a first-year player on the rising or falling lists, perhaps as we overreact to their first NFL action. We’ll take a quick look at seven players whose stock is on the rise in their respective training camps.

Familiar names at familiar positions highlight a short list of could-be fantasy contributors. Just three of the seven we mention were first round picks in June, and just two - Buffalo WR James Hardy and Atlanta QB Matt Ryan - were not running backs. In terms of reality to fantasy drafts, we get further proof that situations and early opportunities dictate success more than talent does. Read more »

Rookie fullback Jacob Hester proved himself a worthy backup to LaDainian Tomlinson and a threat at the goal-line, carrying 13 times for 49 yards and 2 touchdowns. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Hester made an even bigger mark when he threw his first career block.

Right now, Hester is the best bet to fill in for L.T., should an unfortunate injury occur, but may have the same kind of struggles as Rams’ hybrid halfback/fullback Brian Leonard had last season. These guys have enough size to be effective in small doses, but not enough speed or agility to be full-time backs. Read more »

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Meachem had a dominant first preseason outing, catching four passes for 129 yards and a touchdown in the Saints’ 24-10 win over Arizona. Meachem, a first round pick who never got on the field as he battled a knee injury last season, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, proved worthy of the heat he’s getting as a preseason sleeper in fantasy drafts.

Meachem will likely start the season as the Saints No. 3 wide receiver, which would put him behind receivers Marques Colston and David Patten and tight end Jeremy Shockey in the pecking order for catches. But, as the season wears on and his physical gifts start to shine through, he can easily carve out a bigger niche in the Saints offense. Read more »

Follow all the news and notes from around the NFL right here. From Chad Pennington to Steven Jackson  to who will be Buffalo’s No. 2 receiver. We got it all covered. 

Chad Pennington Update: Lost in the hoopla and fanfare of the Brett Favre trade was the release of Pennington, who drew interest from about a half dozen teams before signing with the Miami Dolphins on Friday. He reunites with the man who drafted him in New York, Head of Football Operations Bill Parcells, and stands a great chance of earning the starting job by Week 1. This move in the aftermath of the Favre trade can have a positive impact on the Dolphins offense and for Pennington, whose relationship with the Jets had run its course, despite an 88.9 career passer rating and winning record as a starter.

Read more »

As the start of the dreaded pre-season games looms closer and closer, fantasy owners are getting the first few indications on which players have come out of camp looking impressive which ones have been lacking.

Tradition dictates that at least one fantasy star per year will have his season ruined by a pre-season injury. But, beyond that, there are plenty of players who right now only factor in as bits and pieces on a fantasy bench, but could very well turn out to be the difference between the consolation bracket and gunning for the league championship. There are also trades to be dealt with, and there have been some very big ones as of late. Read more »