Fantasy MLB & NFL News and Notes

NFL
-Matt Schaub is "day to day" after he tweaked his ankle in Monday night's exhibition.
-Marvin Lewis was impressed by Carson Palmer (ankle) after the quarterback returned to a portion of team practice drills Tuesday.  Palmer is on track to return to the team Week One and is a sneaky play against a terrible Denver secondary.
-Damon Huard released by 49ers, Nate Davis to make final roster.
-Despite 1 year contract extension, do not expect big things from a rusty Ricky Williams.
-D.J. Hackett to be cut by Redskins in favor of Marko Mitchell.
-Fargas still out of Raiders practice and has now missed 2 weeks.
-Javon Walker to begin season as #3 WR in Oakland.

MLB

-Troy Glaus, Jose Guillen, J.J. Hardy, & Wright activated from the DL.
-John Maine & Nate McLouth to begin rehab assignments.
-Mat Latos to make one final start for the Padres, Saturday against the Dodgers.
-Sizemore to undergo shoulder surgery before the end of the season?
-Phillips not playing with broken hand...it is fractured..

What to do about Knowshon Moreno?

It was reported Tuesday that Knowshon Moreno (MCL sprain) returned to practice.  He is right on schedule after suffering the injury just over two weeks ago, however he will not be able to play in the Broncos preseason finale.  Week 1 seems like a sure thing at this point, however his lack of reps with the first team offense, in addition to his injury history and lack of experience may knock him down to a backup early on.  For those in 1 year leagues, where keeper rules are not important, how early do you draft Moreno?

Fantasy Spin:  In keeper formats drafting Moreno is a no brainer as in that wide open offense Moreno's skills for making plays in the open field and his ability to catch the ball make him a serious weapon.  In year to year leagues however he is a much riskier option.  Peyton Hillis looked solid again for the Broncos in their preseason loss to Chicago and Buckhalter has always been a solid and explosive back while playing in Philly.  While I think Moreno will eventually be the starter, as early as the 3rd week, with that many backs around and his injury riddled preseason, Moreno is a 6th round pick in my book.

Check out my rankings at Fantasy College Blitz to see the top 20 RB's for your College Fantasy Football Team!http://www.fantasycollegeblitz.com/fcb-experts-rb-top-20-list/

What to do about replacing Matt Cassel

A friend of mine approached me this week and asked my thought on Matt Cassel.  Take into account this was prior to the injury he sustained this past weekend.  I said to my friend Cassel was a borderline fantasy starter, who if you want to compliment with another QB to play matchups, he could be useful.  The Chiefs are going to throw the ball all over the field (to who else but Bowe who knows), have no semblance of a ground game, and should score enough points to make him relevant.  I would not draft him ahead of a Carson Palmer or Matt Ryan, but would surely take the chance ahead of a Chad Pennington, Ben Roethlisberger or Brett Favre.

Then the injury hit this weekend.  After many drafts, with waiver wires now looking more like UFL rosters will be in a few weeks.  With that being said, here are 3 options to consider when finding a replacement if Cassel were to miss time and 3 guys to stay away from.

Replacements 
Tyler Thigpen, Chiefs
While many teams do not have trust in their backup QB to step in and make plays (like Cassel did for New England in 2008), the Chiefs should have faith in Thigpen, who threw 18 TD passes in 2008 to go along with 3 scores on the ground.  In an even more pass happy offense, Thigpen can be a surprise early season play for owners, although a season opener in Baltimore is never fun.  If he makes it to week two, a home date with the Raiders can be a huge day for any Chiefs QB.


Mark Sanchez, Jets
Sanchez went undrafted in many leagues because of being a rookie QB in a run heavy offense.  Sanchez showed Saturday against the Giants that he has a big arm, is able to withstand a pass rush, and may have enough weapons to make an impact.  While keeper leagues may not have Sanchez on the wire, he should be able to succeed enough for a roster spot in yearly leagues as well.

Matthew Stafford/Daunte Culpeppe, Lions
Whoever wins the Detroit QB battle will be fantasy worthy.  Both have played ok during the preseason and have the luxury of throwing the ball to a freak in Calvin Johnson, handing the ball off to a solid back in Kevin Smith, and will likely be playing from behind enough that they will be tossing the ball almost the entire second half.  While you will have ups and downs with each QB, both may hold some value.

Stay Away
Mark Bulger, Rams
The Rams are mess outside of Steven Jackson.  Bulger is banged up and has not seen the field yet in 2009.  His top target Donnie Avery has never been a clear #1 receiver and is also battling injuries.  And when people are getting pumped up about Laurent Robinson being a weapon, it is best that the QB stays on the waiver wire.

Trent Edwards, Bills
Yes the Bills added T.O., however Edwards has played like B.O. during the preseason.  He looks more like JP Losman every week and he has yet to throw a touchdown pass in 2009, while tossing three picks.  His best offensive weapon Marshawn Lynch is out for the first few games, which means offenses will double Owens or Lee Evans.  Edwards will have his days when he can pick on weak secondaries, but not in Week 1 at least, as the Bills travel to New England.

Jake Delhomme, Panthers
He is old, has one good receiver, and the team relies on the ground game to move down the field when not tossing the ball to Steve Smith.  If Kenny Moore is his 3rd receiver, that shows the problems in Carolina.  Find a younger player with more upside.

Overnight Fantasy News & Notes-MLB & NFL

-Thome traded to Dodgers to solidify bench
This kills Thome's value as he strickly becomes a bench option for the Dodgers and loses the potential to DH everyday.

-Jon Garland traded to Dodgers to bolster rotation
Garland, has gone 3-1 with a 3.89 ERA in the month of August and until Huroki Juroda is ready to return will provide the Dodgers with another worthwhile starter.  Expect a few extra wins for the solid righty, who is a sneaky fantasy play now that he is out of Arizona.

-Jose Contreras moves to Colorado
Not a fantasy option with the move to the thin air, especially given the fact Contreras has allowed 30 runs in his last six starts and carried a 7.66 ERA through August.

-Jake Peavy OK?

According to MLB.com's Scott Merkin, an MRI on Jake Peavy's sore right elbow Monday revealed no structural damage.

-Orton in or out for Week 1?
The Denver Post describes the right (throwing) index finger injury Kyle Orton suffered on Sunday as an "open dislocation."   This does not rule him out for Week 1, but it will be interesting to see him play with this injury at all leading up to the opener.


-Kevin Walter hurt during MNF
Kevin Walter left Monday night's exhibition with a first-quarter hamstring injury and did not return.

Third receiver Andre' Davis replaced him and had one catch for seven yards. Walter is one of our favorite sleepers for 2009, so keep checking injury reports before drafts later this week and inserting him in your starting lineups for the Texans opener vs. the Jets.