Week Eleven's Top Performers and Under Achievers

A Running Back in a Quarter Backs league.

If you recall last week's "Top Performers" article I made the point that based off fantasy scoring alone one could make the overwhelming case that the NFL is a QB's league. This Sunday the prosecution presented more evidence in the case of QB vs. everyone else as 6 out of the top 10 scorers were QBs. More notable names from Ben Roethlisberger (18/29 275 yards 3 tds plus a rushing td), Aaron Rodgers (22/31 301 yards 4 scores), and Drew Brees (29/43 382 yards and 4 tds) to the emerging Ryan Fitzpatrick (21/34 316 yards and 4 scores) who along with top performing RB Fred Jackson (21 carries for 116 yards and 2 scores), and top performing WR Steve Johnson (8 receptions for 137 yards and 3 touchdowns) made an amazing comeback against the cardiac cats in Cincinnati all but sealing another head coaching vacancy at seasons end.

Elsewhere, some guys who need to start playing like their paycheck demands, had some subpar games. In Tennessee, against a Redskins D that has let anyone and everyone score on them, the only thing Vince Young (12/16 165 yards) accomplished was getting benched in favor of rookie QB Rusty Smith. Meanwhile in Carolina, against a Panthers running defense that would let Barry Switzer rush for 100+ yards, Willis McGahee managed to rush 8 times for 23 yards and caught an amazing 2 catches for -10 yards! Furthermore in Dallas, Roy E. Williams is still continued to be haunted by the injury of Tony Romo and the new look Garrett Cowboys as he made it 5 straight weeks without a touchdown catching 2 passes for 20 yards. In the didn't know two guys who play the same position for different teams have the exact same name section of fantasy football Zack Miller of the Jaguars caught more passes and yards (3-27) as a backup to Mercedes Lewis then the Raiders starter Zack Miller (2-9).

In case you were looking for it, Brent Celek went 0-0-0 once again Sunday not receiving a single target from Vick against the Giants. That makes for an astounding 4 catches for 16 yards over the last 4 games. The FANTASY BLACK HOLE consumes another performance by Celek.

Week Eleven Stock Up/ Down (Playoff Prep)

You might be a fool if you don't see what my trade value is.

In most standard formats the playoffs begin in a couple weeks from now so you, as a fantasy football owner, should have a firm grasp on whether you are making the playoffs or not.

If you are on the outside looking in right now here are your options:

• You need points and who else is going to give you mondo points but a QB? You're already on the cusp of playing for nothing in a few short weeks so shake up your roster by adding a guy like Sam Bradford, Josh Freeman, or Troy Smith. What have you got to lose by shedding a fourth RB, or WR? Bye weeks are over, and you plan on using your best position players no matter the matchup? Right? 
• Make a trade! In nearly every format on nearly every website the trade deadline has not yet come giving you the option to make a trade. Perhaps due to under achieving or injury you are lacking in a position and haven't had luck pulling a guy off the waiver wire to fill in for Dallas Clark, Ryan Grant, Tony Romo, etc... Making a trade this late can be done one of two ways...
• Find a guy who is definitely in the playoffs, and might be willing to let go of a two medium pieces (Jay Cutler, Ronnie Brown) for your blue ticket stud (Andre Johnson) to sure up his roster. 
• Find someone who is not going to make the playoffs, regardless of what transpires these last couple of weeks, and is still sending a roster every week. More then likely they will have no problem selling low on player. Especially in a keeper league if you offer them a future stud for next year so you can sure up this years roster. 
• Monitor the waiver wire. Not as in looking to pickup the next hot backup who is making a start this Sunday because, face it, this late in the season all the "hot pickups" are already claimed, and are you really going to let the future of your post season lay in the hands of an undrafted rookie from Hofstra? (P.S. due to this factor Pick Ups will relegated to twitter because the crop is nearly harvested and not worth devoting a weekly column to.)You will not make such a crazy move, yet someone else may make the move and leave a proven yet underperforming guy on the wire. A vet who may just make a difference for you in the coming weeks. Also, some guys unload rosters when they realize they are done. Proof? In a 10 team league that starts 3 QB, RB, WR, TE, D, K I nabbed Hakeem Nicks, Thomas Jones, Steelers D, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Kyle Orton. 

If you are in here are some ways to ensure post season victory...

• You have the record you have because of your kick-butt roster. Thus, unless you are lacking in a certain roster spot don't change it. Due to a bad matchup or off week one of your guys may put up a single digit and scare you into dropping him. Don't over react. He got you this far so keep him. You gotta dance with the one that brought ya. 
• Make a trade if needed. So let's say you do need help at TE, and the only ones left on the wire are no better then what you have, say Brent Celek. Scan records and find a guy who is on the fence and needs help in a position you are stacked in yet has that TE you need. Due to their hunger they may be willing to sell low on their TE and buy high on a RB like Hightower, Fred Jackson, or Green-Ellis. You're not looking to trade away a guy like McFadden or Foster, but your third option at running back may be better then their first. 

Week 11 Injury Report

Quarter Backs:

• On Monday, Ryan Fitzpatrick entered the locker room with a big wrap on his right hand, according to WGR 550. "Just got it stepped on during the game," stated Fitzpatrick. "It's actually on one of the plays they jumped offsides on, and Andy (Levitre) shoved the guy coming across and he ended up landing on me and stepping on my hand. Just some swelling, nothing too big."
• The Detroit Lions decided that Matt Stafford (shoulder) will continue the rehab that he began last week instead of undergoing surgery after meeting with Dr. James Andrews, Chris Mortenson of ESPN.com reports.
• David Garrard, who took a hit to his clavicle early in Sunday's win over the Texans, later underwent X-rays which showed no damage, the Florida Times-Union reports.
• The Dolphins have placed Chad Pennington (shoulder) on IR, Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.
• Coach Tony Sparano hasn't ruled Chad Henne (left knee) out for Thursday night's game against Chicago, the Miami Herald reports.
• Coach Brad Childress acknowledged that Brett Favre is "sore," but said that the QB has no plans to get an MRI on his shoulder and should be ready to play Sunday against Green Bay, the Associated Press reports.
• Alex Smith (shoulder) was medically cleared to play on Monday but will return as the 49ers backup quarterback, losing his starting job to Troy Smith, CSN Bay Area reports.
• Matt Hasselbeck, as expected, will be able to play through the injury to his left wrist, the Seattle Times reports.
• Kerry Collins is expected to miss several weeks with a calf injury, John Glennon of the Tennessean reports.
• Vince Young (ankle) is expected to practice this week, John Glennon of the Tennessean reports.

Running Backs:

• Coach Chan Gailey feels that Fred Jackson's teammate C.J. Spiller, who injured his hamstring in the Week 10 win over Detroit, is almost certain to miss a week, according to BuffaloBills.com.
• Ryan Torain (hamstring) never got off the exercise bike as the Redskins were mauled 59-28 by the Eagles on Monday night.Wide Receivers:

• Chad Ochocinco injured his shoulder Sunday against the Colts, but was able to finish the game, the Bengals' official site reports.
• Josh Cribbs dislocated all of the toes on his right foot except the big toe Sunday against the Jets, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
• When explaining why Bernard Berrian (groin) was active, but did not play Sunday, coach Brad Childress said that "Bernard slid down to me during [warmups] when I got to the field and I said, ?How's the leg.' And he said, ?Ahhh, I don't think it's good enough to go," the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.
• Coach Brad Childress said that Percy Harvin was slated to get treatment on his left ankle Monday, Chip Scoggins of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.
• Ramses Barden will likely miss the remainder of the season with what head coach Tom Coughlin deemed a "significant ligament injury" and a fracture in his left ankle, the New Jersey Star-Ledger reports.
• Jerricho Cotchery said that an MRI Monday revealed a 'slight' tear in his left groin, the Newark Star-Ledger reports.
• Chaz Schilens will not participate in team practice on Wednesday, Jerry McDonald of the Bay Area News Group reports.
• Hines Ward (concussion) says he will play against the Raiders in Week 11, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.
• Malcolm Floyd (hamstring) returned to practice Monday and was limited in his reps, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
• Legadu Naanee (hamstring) did not practice Monday, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Tight Ends:

• Jacob Tamme, who had seven catches for 73 yards in Sunday's win over the Bengals, "could barely walk after the game," the Indianapolis Star reports.
• Antonio Gates (foot) did not practice Monday, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
• Heath Miller (foot) is expected to return to practice on Wednesday, Jerry McDonald of the Bay Area News Group reports.