Week 7 Preview

Again, apologies for the delay in getting the preview out- I just hope it ends up being worth the wait. It would have been out earlier if Eli and Drew had stopped IMing me. Also, thanks go out to the Wolman for his very amusing peice on every owner's wishlist (although the sportscenter's name is Jon Anderson, not Mike).

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Game of the Week

The Nihilist Marmot vs. ChamPeons (+11)

Despite an extra 22 overall points, TNM sits one win and one spot behind CHM in the standings...If this game goes the way of Champ, TNM could find themselves 2 games out of a playoff spot with seven games left...Week 7 is usually the final stumbling block for JR Radcliffe, as his record in Weeks 1-7 stands at 9-12, but is a scorching 11-2 in the second half of the season through two years...Week 7 is Whitlock's only unbeaten week, and Radcliffe's only winless week...Monday Night Thunder looms big in this one- as CHM sends Julius Jones and Terrell Owens out against Tiki Barber...JR has never lost to Champ, winning all three meetings.

News and Notes, TNM

Tiki Barber's recent retirement announcement should have no impact on his status or performance for this season, but it will impact a league like this much more than a traditional one. Last season, Radcliffe traded Barber away in an effort to get younger when he acquired Cadillac Williams. Since reclaiming Barber, JR must make a similar decision on Tiki's worth. If the playoffs disappear from the radar, he musn't hesitate to deal him away to a contender for a keeper. If JR's in the playoff push for real, the decision becomes even more agonizing. Weigh what Tiki's worth as a stud back vs. what his keeper situation would be without him (hello, Tony G!). I don't envy his position...Chad Pennington has been so good so far this season, and his numbers should again be bountiful against a Lions team that allows more points per game than the Tigers will total, all postseason...Caddy Williams is a key player this week- back on track, but a not a great matchup. If he's a true stud, he'll play well anyway, but Tampa can't fall behind early for JR to get a good game from him...Michael Clayton? Really?...Key Byes: Isaac Bruce, Travis Henry, Rex Grossman...Key Injuries: Chad Pennington (Probable)

News and Notes, CHM

The QB situtation is in flux as much as ever this weekend, with Biker Ben Roethlisberger getting the start against a mostly studly Atlanta team. David Carr is a fine guy to have, but his success is largely based on his matchup- thus his benching against JAX. There are a few teams with QB depth (mainly Eli) but other teams with true studs that can deal their serviceable backups once the byes are over (Viano, Baron). Additionally however, the waiver wire can always provide a decent matchup, but if Champ really wants to win the league, he can always land Shitty Bledsoe for the low, low price of a 2nd round pick...I don't like a lot of the matchups this week, hence the double digit underdog status for CHM- none of the RBs have a weakling, and there are two Patriot backs in the lineup once more...Eric Parker has emerged as SD's #1 WR, so he's a good play against KC this week, but Andre Johnson has a tough matchup...Terrell Owens has been appeased- will they continue to feed him the ball in the red zone now?...Key Byes: Frank Gore...Key Injuries: None

On Deck

Madd Skillz vs. Fresh Legs (+19.5)

Week 7 is the worst week, historically, for both teams; neither has ever won a week 7 game...Brendel set his all-time low (71.75) in week 7 last season, and Schillinger has his lowest average in week 7 compared with all others (98.25- the only week averaging under 100 points)...FL has a modest schedule from here until the two final games, taking on NDP and SLM...Schillinger won both matchups between the teams last season.

News and Notes, SKL

Larry Johnson is struggling to regain his form from last season, and it doesn't help that he follows up Pittsburgh with San Diego this week. He should be able to round into form as the season goes on- he plays a couple of NFC West teams that struggle against the run after this week, and as compenstation for playing the Chargers 2x, has two games against the Raiders left on the schedule. Plus, one would think that the eventual return of Trent Green would help the offense, even if Damon Huard has been fine. I'll just keep breathing deeply and telling myself that...Even though it came from the bench, Matt Hasselbeck's big game against St. Louis was big for a number of reasons. 1) The Shitty Bledsoe factor. 2) No INTs. 3) A safe every week starter for SKL so he can relax...If there is an RB to worry about, it's Rudi Johnson. He's been average the last few weeks, and his talented backup is now eligible to play...It's good to see that Antonio Gates is alive...I love Young Brandon Jacobs (aka, the Next LJ) more than ever this week...Key Byes: Joe Horn...Key Injuries: Chad Johnson (Probable)

News and Notes, FL

Let's start off with a quote from the consistently hilarious and absent Eli Gieryna: "At least Baron's team is minding its P's and Q's. Tee hee"...oooh, swing and a miss...Seriously folks, Baron's 5 injury report players are all big time keys, but the news on all of them is positive. Brian Westbrook was downgraded, but then practiced. Ahman Green has been upgraded, and Rhodes, Coles and Brown are all expected to play...The earth-shattering news is Carson Palmer's benching. Intriguing (at least to me) on a number of levels. First off, Carson is Baron's only player that he doesn't hate. It's also (allegedly) his only untouchable. Second, FL is playing a team that has 2 main cogs of the Bengal offense. It could be a way of hedging, as now he can root for the Bengals to get shut out against a good defense, and also won't get burned in case of 2 Rudi Johnson TDs (like that will ever happen). On the other hand, he could just look to negate any big game Steve Smith has by starting Delhomme. Or, he just doesn't like Palmer's recent play coupled with his matchup. Can it be that simple? Probably...Chris Chambers should have at least a TD vs. GB...The injuries, and the RB byes make this just about the worst possible week for Baron to play SKL...Key Byes: Thomas Jones, Deuce McAllister...Key Injuries: Everyone else

The Three Spot

Naj Davenport's Poop vs. Cellar Dwellers (+17.5)

League's longest winning streak (3 games) is on the line for NDP this week,...CD is halfway through a brutal 4 game stretch (SLM, FL, NDP, SKL) and just wants to be done with it and still be in contention...Viano is 9-1 in weeks 5-8...Both clubs average over 120 points in week 7s...Viano is 2-1 lifetime against Stem.

News and Notes, NDP

Peyton Manning is back this week, but stunningly that's not really a sigh of relief for NDP after the pickup of Philip Rivers. No one is suggesting that Rivers is on the same level as Manning, but when you look at the roster, it's conceivable that this team could compete and make the playoffs with Rivers at the helm, especially if you can use Manning to upgrade the RB3 (or hell, RB1) spot and move Marion Barber to flex. Just thinking out loud...The leading receivers on the roster go: Amani Toomer, Todd Heap, Ronnie Brown. Couple that with Ronnie's 4 rushing TDs and his numbers are consistent enough to be a #1...I thought Bryant Johnson was a smart pickup, but he wasn't really involved last week. Granted, that was the Bears defense- but the Cardinals were moving the ball. Real test is this week against Oakland- If Johnson does nothing here, while in the starting linuep, he's worthless...In danger of breaching one of the VUFSA's unwritten rules (yeah, we have them) by not starting a 3rd defender this week, a polite way of saying "fuck you Stem, I don't need a full lineup to beat you," or, less likely, it means the corollary, "I'm not going to bother dropping someone worth a damn to pick up a defender in a game I'm going to lose anyway."...Key Byes: Todd Heap...Key Injuries: Matt Jones (Out)

News and Notes, CD

With Larry Fitzgerald hurt and Derrick Mason's future controlled by Kyle Boller (and being on a bye) the one time strong WR corps is decimated. Eric Moulds, Keenan McCardell and Ernest Wilford all have starting spots this week and none are top options on theire real life teams. Donte Stallworth may be healthy enough to start this week, but it's still a struggle to fill out the lineup card for Stem this week...Tom Brady has been quiet, fantasy-wise, this season. He doesn't have a great matchup coming up this week either, but he should manage at least a score, and has potential to breakout against a division rival...Good news for CD in that both of their inconsistent keeper backs have juicy matchups on tap- Kevin Jones vs. the Jets and LaMont Jordan vs. the Cardinals. Anything less than 30 combined points is not only a disappointment, but will likely lead to a loss...Key Byes: Derrick Mason...Key Injuries: Shaun Alexander (Out), Larry Fitzgerald (Doubtful), Donte Stallworth (Questionable)

Batting Cleanup

Tice's Partyboat vs. The Slumpbusters (-25)

Traditionally a very good week for both franchises, both getting over 121 points per week 7...This is the down part of the SLM schedule, with the next 4 games coming against teams with a combined 7 wins...Wolf has been in command of the all-time series, leading 3-1 over Gieryna.

News and Notes, TPB

In my talks with Drew, he talked about how he had a desire to get "Deron Williams, or whatever his name is" after his 0-3 start. In getting DeAngelo Williams, it seemed to be mission accomplished. I figured Maurice Jones-Drew was a throw-in to the deal since he is a small, platooning rookie. Next thing you know, Williams is out a month, and Jones-Drew is getting 17 points on 2 rush TDs and has a matchup against the Texans and is looking like a potential keeper and definitely a contributer this year. Weird...Also playing the Texans is Byron Leftwich, who is a great start, assuming he actually plays. Recent reports are not good about his ankle...If it weren't for LaMont Jordan, Ruben Droughns, Edgerrin James and Randy Moss would be neck and neck and neck for the VUFSA's biggest disappointment...I know Drew has accused me of driving down the value of Edgerrin James by ripping his shitty play all year, so I'll stop. I'll let noted Boston Asshole Bill Simmons do it this week: "Edge lead(s) the league in rushing attempts (148 in all, 18 more than the next guy), but they've thrown to him 30 times (for 23 catches). In six games, he's been the target of an offensive play 178 times!...Another interesting stat: He's been stuffed behind the line 23 times for a total of minus-48 yards (both numbers lead the league)."...Key Byes: None...Key Injuries: DeAngelo Williams (Doubtful), Byron Leftwich (Questionable), Wes Welker (Questionable)

News and Note, SLM

Eli will curse me for overriding his objections and making this the largest spread of the week. Missing three players that netted 74 points last week hurts, but the replacements are all capable. Matt Leinart is nothing if not interesting, looked great at times against the Bears, and the Raiders are a totally different story this week. Maurice Morris isn't Steven Jackson, but he will contribute, and the elevation of Tatum Bell to RB3 eases the loss as well. Lastly, Torry Holt has been unmatched this season, but Reggie Williams has had his share of breakouts and plays Houston, so expect a good enough a replacement game from his as well. None of the losses are really crippling...Tatum Bell and Clinton Portis have outstanding matchups this week, with Bell taking on Cleveland and Portis running on the Colts, who despite Booger McFarland are miserable against the run...Jeremy Shockey finally had a huge game for SLM, something expected from the 2nd rounder long ago...I wonder about Roy Williams at times. I see that 3 of his last 4 games have seen no fewer than 138 rec. yards, but I also see 1 catch for 7 yards on the off game. It's hard to feel safe proclaiming anything about any of the Lions...Key Byes: Marc Bulger, Steven Jackson, Torry Holt, Bernard Berrian, Antonio Bryant...Key Injuries: Roy Williams (Probable)

The 5 Hole

Father Abraham vs. Who is Ron Mexico? (-19)

Three (!) New York Jet running backs get starting spots in this matchup, and that's really all you need to know...Tomke is coming off an all-time franchise-high 108.25 points last week...Week 7 is one of 5 weeks in which Lincoln averages 100+ points (100.88), but a sub100 effort this week drops it to just 4 weeks...Lincoln has beaten Tomke both times they have played.

News and Notes, FA

There are a lot of players missing this week for FA, but neither are Donovan McNabb or Anquan Boldin, so it's managable...Fred Taylor has a good matchup, and if he can hold off Maurice Jones-Drew and stay healthy, he'll continue to put up decent fantasy numbers...Leon Washington is a crapshoot. He's getting touches, but not consistently enough to be a big time contributer. A nice guy to have on the roster, but not as a starter at RB...Joey Galloway has been very good this year, and is getting better now that Bruce Gradkowski has settled in. If he weren't one of FA's top 5 players, he would be a juicy peice of trade bait right now...Jericho Cotchery is a good start every week. He's got more points this season than Chad Johnson...Key Byes: Jamal Lewis, LenDale White, Drew Bennett...Key Injuries: Domanick Davis (IR)

News and Notes, WIRM

Could be the team hit hardest by the bye weeks, which is unfortunate since this is their best chance to win so far this season...Despite the byes, still has a very competent linueup set, even though Cedric Houston is involved...The top two running backs on the team have real tough matchups, and one of them- Ron Dayne- is in danger of losing his starting spot any day now. Fortunately for Dayne, Wali Lundy is in line for the job, so the competition should be reopened after Lundy's next carry...I would really like to see what Braylon Edwards can do on a real offense. He's producing on the Browns, but he's talented enough to be a top tier WR with a real NFL team...Deion Branch is playing awesome, well worth the waiting early in the season...Key Byes: Reggie Bush, Marques Colston, Muhsin Muhammed, Chris Brown, Michael Robinson...Key Injuries: Kevan Barlow (Probable), Cedric Houston (Questionable)