Fantasy Football articles - Sports Grumblings.com

Clark has been catching the attention of Peyton Manning lately.

Going Up

Plaxico Burress, WR Giants
While everyone is focusing on the resurgence of Randy Moss (and they should), some folks have ignored the great comeback of Burress. Burress is tied with Moss for the league lead in scoring (among non-kickers) with seven TDs and unlike the past, he's playing through an ankle injury that prevents him from practicing during the week. Unlike the fat chick at Target, Burress is an example of someone whose attitude adjustment has prevented him from becoming a beached whale.

Kurt Warner, QB Cardinals
With Matt Leinhart getting hurt, this one seems like a no-brainer... and you're right. Grab Warner and start him, if he's available in your league. He's still got a decent arm and he certainly has the weapons to throw to (Boldin and Fitzgerald) and James gives him enough protection with the running game. Just keep an eye on him, because the first game after he gets dumped on his back 4-5 times in a game, he'll probably get gun shy.

Dallas Clark, TE Colts
Clark has been the apple of Peyton Manning's eye lately... maybe it's because of that stupid Sprint commercial? Whatever the reason, Clark's 26 catches in five games this year are closing in on his career high for a season (37 in 2005), while his five TDs have already matched his season-high. Scary moment though, when the Bucs' Tanard Jackson laid Clark out with a hit that would have made Jack Tatum proud.

Going Down

Chad Pennington, QB Jets
Pennington is a pretty likeable guy, but it's becoming more and more obvious that he does not have an NFL-caliber arm. There are some plays where his touch passes are a thing of beauty-- he lofted a perfectly-placed deep ball that Laveranues Coles caught while being surrounding by two defenders and the sideline. But more often than not, when defenses force him to make those "out" throws by taking away the middle, he simply leaves too much air under the ball-- allowing DBs to break on the pass and make plays. If the Jets fall behind and the running game isn't working, Mangini ought to consider using rookie Kellen Clemens.

Laurence Maroney, RB Patriots
Maroney may be a talented back, but you can't count on him to suit up. Two weeks in a row, I had to wait until game time to find out he wasn't playing. Screw that. I'd rather go with the second-hottest chick that I know will put out as opposed to the hottest-looking chick that waits until after dinner to decide if I'm getting any back-door action. Screw Maroney, unless he turns it around quick, he's going to become like the fat chick at Target.

Fred Taylor, RB Jaguars
To me, the struggles of Maurice Jones-Drew aren't the surprising part of the Jags' running game; it the non-production of Taylor. Taylor has been getting about 16 carries a game-- Drew has been getting fewer than that-- and while that isn't a whole lot, he hasn't given Jack Del Rio any reason to give him the rock more. Of course, when your QB is David Garrard, it amazes me that they aren't running it 40 times a game.

Bucs Running Game
The Bucs have been hit hard in the running game. First they lost Mike Alstott, then last week Cadillac Williams went down. In Week 5, Michael Pittman got hurt and is expected to be out for 6-8 weeks. The Bucs front office is burning up the phone lines, trying to find anyone with a pulse who can carry the rock. Mewelde Moore, Labrandon Toefield, Corey Dillon... even Ricky Williams have been mentioned as possibilities. But for the forseeable future, it'll be undrafted free agent Earnest Graham and rookie Kenneth Darby. Guess what? Jeff Garcia and Joey Galloway are good, but they can't carry the offense for the entire year, so unless they can swing a deal for a Moore or Toefield or something, their playoff hopes will disappear faster than a plate of bon-bons at a fat chick's house.