Message-ID: <24042317.1075854579155.JavaMail.evans@thyme> Date: Sat, 2 Dec 2000 22:54:00 -0800 (PST) From: bryant@cheatsheets.net To: cheatsheets@egroups.com Subject: [cheatsheets] # 148 Updated Players in the News (11-2-00) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ANSI_X3.4-1968 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-From: "Joe Bryant" X-To: "Cheatsheets Mailing List" X-cc: X-bcc: X-Folder: \Eric_Bass_Dec2000\Notes Folders\All documents X-Origin: Bass-E X-FileName: ebass.nsf Quarterbacks in the News: QB Jake Plummer (Ari) should get the start although he is still hurting a tad with thumb and rib injuries.? He is listed as probable on the injury report.? His backup Dave Brown is questionable with a shoulder injury. ? *** Saturday Update QB Jake Plummer (Ari) looks to start with the sore ribs but understand that one good shot could send him out of the game a la Charlie Batch Thursday night.? Be careful here. QB Doug Johnson (Atl) has been named the starter for the rest of the season. QB Trent Dilfer (Bal) is on a bye this week. QB Rob Johnson (Buf) is expected to start with sore ribs. QB Cade McNown (Chi) is making excellent progress, but he will likely miss again this week.? Shane Matthews is expected to get the start this week.? Cade is listed as questionable with a sore shoulder.? He would probably play if Matthews were to get hurt. QB Scott Mitchell (Cin) is expected to return as the starter despite a sore knee.? He practiced on Wednesday. ? *** Saturday Update? QB Scott Mitchell (Cin)?looked good again in practice Friday and is now probable.? He'll likely get the start which is good news for his teammates. QB Doug Pederson (Cle) did not throw on Wednesday as he nurses his ribs.? The team has not yet named a starter and if he can not go will look to Spergon Wynn to lead there team into the slaughter.? Either way, look for Jacksonville's defense to look good in this contest. ? *** Saturday Update? Cleveland QBs.? Coach Chris Palmer will reportedly wait until gametime to decide between QBs Doug Pederson and Spergon Wynn.? What a choice.? I'm fairly confident you're not starting either if you're with me still in week 14... QB Clint Stoerner was signed by Dallas this week. QB Brian Griese (Den) is slated to return the last week of the NFL season at the earliest.? Gus Frerotte will start in his absence. QB Charlie Batch (Det) was able to practice Tuesday and is expected to take the field with his sore ribs. QB Elvis Grbac (KC) practiced on Wednesday, but is still questionable whether he will start.? The coaching staff has yet to name a starter.? I rate his chances at 85% to start. ? *** Saturday Update? QB Elvis Grbac (KC) has been named the starter.? He says the finger feels fine and he's good to go. QB Jay Fiedler (Mia) was able to practice Wednesday and now looks like he will start this Sunday.? He is listed as questionable on the injury report with a sore shoulder and neck. ? *** Saturday Update QB Jay Fielder (Mia) has looked good (or at least as good as he ever looks) in practice and looks to start Sunday. QB Drew Bledsoe (NE) continues to take a pounding.? He appears as questionable on the injury report again with a? sore thumb and a bruised ego.? He missed practice on Tuesday, but typically plays hurt.? If he can not go, look for John Friesz (and his less than 100% knee) to take the field. ? *** Saturday Update QB Drew Bledsoe (NE) practiced again Friday and looks to be ok.? I doubt he'll be 100% for the rest of the season but he's apparently able to manage the pain and limitation from the thumb. QB Aaron Brooks (NO) is turning quite a few heads with his stellar play.?? He starts again this week. ? *** Saturday Update? QB Aaron Brooks (NO) has a shot at unseating Jeff Blake for the 2001 starter in New Orleans according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen.? So besides the obvious playoff situation, he's playing for stakes that extend past this season.? QB Kordell Stewart (Pit) is probable with a sore calf, but expects to start.? QB Jerome Bettis (Pit) has a sore leg, but it will take a lot more than that to keep him off the field. QB Moses Moreno (SD) needs to trade away a commandment or two for a more durable body.? He appears on the injured list again as questionable with a sore knee.? Ryan Leaf, who has a sore groin,? will start again in his place. QB Jon Kitna (Sea) gets the start this week for the injured Brock Huard.? Brock is out indefinitely with a bruised kidney and was just released from the hospital earlier this week. QB Kurt Warner (StL) took snaps and has looked great throwing in practice.? He will start this week.? Trent Green will back him up. ? *** Saturday Update QB Kurt Warner (StL) will likely be playing on a less than optimal field in Carolina Sunday.? Besides the grass, they're looking at possible snow. QB Shaun King (TB) practiced on Wednesday and looks to start against the Cowboys.? Eric Zeier would play if Shaun king suffered a set-back. QB Steve McNair (Ten) practiced on Wednesday and looks to start this week.? He is listed as questionable on the injury report with a hurt thumb. QB Brad Johnson (Was) is back behind center while Jeff George watches.? I doubt we have seen the last of this controversy. //////////////////////////////// Running backs in the News: *** Saturday Update? RB Thomas Jones (Ari) has been deactivated for this week's game as he's still recovering from pneumonia.??? More work for Michael Pittman. RB Obafemi Ayanbadejo (Bal) is gone for the season. RB Jamal Lewis (Bal) is on a bye this week. RB Sammy Morris (Buf) was able to practice briefly on Wednesday and is questionable for this week's game.? He is having troublemaking the hard cuts so will likely be ineffective even if he plays. ? *** Saturday Update RB Sammy Morris (Buf) isn't looking much better as we near kickoff.? I'm not expecting much of anything from him this week. RB William Floyd (Car) will miss this game. RB Tshimanga?Biakabutuka (Car) likely returns to the lineup this week. He is listed as probable with a sore toe. ? *** Saturday Update RB Tshimanga Biakabutuka (Car) had a setback this week and has been deactivated for Sunday's game.? Look for RB Brad Hoover to get another start. ? *** Saturday Update RB Corey Dillon (Cin)? QB Scott Mitchell (Cin)?looked good again in practice Friday and is now probable.? He'll likely get the start which is good news for his teammates. *** Saturday Update FB Nick Williams (Cin) ?likely starts for Clif Groce Sunday. RB Jamel White (Cle) is banged up with a sore shoulder.? Look for Travis Prentice to "shoulder" more of the load this week. RB Emmitt Smith (Dal) has shaken off the concussion and will start this week. RB Terrell Davis (Den) is out this week with calf problems.? Mike Anderson gets the start again this week. RB Detron Smith (Den) can play if needed with his sore thumb. RB Dorsey Levens (GB) misses yet another game.? Ahman Green will get the start. RB Lamar Smith (Mia) practiced on Wednesday and is expected to be the starter despite being listed as questionable on the injury report with a tender hamstring. ? *** Saturday Update RB Lamar Smith (Mia) continues to look good in practice and should be good to go. RB Jimmy Kleinsasser (Min) is probable with a sore hamstring. RB JR Redmond (NE) appears as questionable on the injury report with bruised ribs, but he expects to play. RB Ricky Williams (NO) is healing way ahead of schedule.? He may now be ready for the last game of the regular season.? His cast is expected to come off later this week. RB Jerald Moore (NO) is listed as questionable on the injury report with a sore neck.? He is still expected to start though, but Chad Morton may see a few more reps than usual. ? *** Saturday Update RB Jerald Moore (NO) was upgraded to probably after a good practice Thursday and looks to start. RB Curtis Martin (NYJ) plans on playing through the pain.? He is listed as probable with a sore gluteus.? I am guessing he is the butt of many New York jokes. ? *** Saturday Update RB Curtis Martin (NYJ) apparently is better with a week to heal and should be able to make a bigger contribution this week.? RB Leon Johnson has been re-signed by the Jets and will return punts. RB Tyrone Wheatley (Oak) is banged up with a sore knee and finger, but his ankles are better.? He will play this week. ? *** Saturday Update? RB Napoleon Kaufman (Oak) tweaked his hamstring Thursday and is?was listed as questionable.? He did do some work Saturday and looks improved. If he is limited, this?increases the workload Wheatley will see and could open the door for newly signed Terry Kirby. RB Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala (Pit) is out this week and he is using the time to look for personalized items with his last name.? We will keep you posted. RB Kenny Bynum (SD) is listed as questionable with a sore hamstring.? On a team that already has a crowded backfield with Jermaine Fazande and Terrell Fletcher, Kenny looks like he could be placed on the inactive list this week. RB Terrell Fletcher (SD) has a broken rib, but is expected to play with the pain. ? *** Saturday Update RB Terrell Fletcher (SD) practiced again Friday and looks to start Sunday. RB Garrison Hearst (SF) is listed as questionable on the injury report, but is doubtful he would have played anyway.? The team remains cautious in his comeback. RB Mike Alstott (TB) will not play this week.? Look for Warrick Dunn to get plenty of opportunities against a soft Dallas defense. RB Eddie George (Ten) skipped Wednesday's practice, but expects to practice today and play this weekend. ? *** Saturday Update RB Eddie George (Ten) looked good in practice Friday and will start. RB Larry Centers (Was) is listed as questionable with a sore knee. RB Stephen Davis (Was) will play with his sore forearm.? Look for the Giants to attempt to arm-tackle him all day. *** Saturday Update RB Stephen Davis (Was) certainly sounds like he's sure to play this week.? Although it has to be noted he sounded like that last week.? While I feel pretty good that he'll play, the worry here is one good shot to the arm could really have an effect.? /////////////////////////////////// Wide Receivers in the News: WR Frank Sanders (Ari) is expected to play with a sore leg. WR Brian Finneran (Atl) practiced on Wednesday and is expected to play with a sore back. WR Qadry Ismail (Bal) is on a bye this week. WR Jermaine Lewis (Bal) will use this week to heal his shoulder he injured in last week's game. WR Peerless Price (Buf) is expected to play with a sore ankle. WR Donald Hayes (Car) is expected to start with a sore groin. ? *** Saturday Update WR Donald Hayes (Car)?was able to practice Friday and is still looking like a go for Sunday.? Watch for the snow however. ? *** Saturday Update? WR Marcus Robinson (Chi) was released from the hospital after spending a few days keeping an eye on his back.? He's been downgraded to doubtful and I'm really not looking for anything from this weekend.? He'd been struggling with QB Shane Matthews anyway.? I'd look elsewhere if you can. ? *** Saturday Update WR Marty Booker (Chi) looks to see more playing time with Robinson's back troubles.? ? *** Saturday Update?WR Peter Warrick (Cin)?? QB Scott Mitchell (Cin)?looked good again in practice Friday and is now probable.? He'll likely get the start which is good news for his teammates. WR Darrin Chiaverini (Cle) is listed as questionable with a sore knee.? He did not practice on Wednesday. WR Germane Crowell (Det) is out again this week.? Johnnie Morton and Herman Moore will start in his absence. WR Corey Bradford (GB) has spent more time on the injury report than Yancey Thigpen...well maybe not, but he can't stay healthy either.? Corey misses another game this week as he is officially listed as out. WR EG Green (Ind) still has a sprained knee and is listed as questionable on the injury report.? He says he will be ready to play though. ? *** Saturday Update WR E.G. Green (Ind) did not improve this week and has been deactivated. WR OJ McDuffie (Mia) is questionable with a sore toe.? With Tony Martin now healthy, the team will likely rest OJ so that he can heal for the playoffs. WR Troy Brown (NE) is listed as questionable on the injury report with a sore leg, but he expects to play. ? *** Saturday Update WR Troy Brown (NE) ?was able to do some work Saturday but still isn't 100%.? He'll probably be the # 3 WR if he can go Monday. WR Jake Reed (NO) is out in likely more ways than his listing on the injury report.? Joe Horn and Willie Jackson are playing good enough to hold onto the starting jobs even if Jake were to get healthy. WR Ike Hilliard (NYG) is out with a bruised sternum.? Joe Jurevicius will start in his place. WR Dedric Ward (NYJ) gets the start over Laveranues Coles who is out with a twisted knee. WR Courtney Hawkins (Pit) is questionable this week with a sore knee, but even if he played he would likely be ineffective.? Hines Ward has been the only Pittsburgh receiver to do anything consistently all year. WR Terrell Owens (SF) is not a lock to play, but he keeps talking like he will be on the field though.? He was quoted in the Sacramento Bee as saying he is 85% right now.? I am guessing he is closer to 70%, but he probably will play if he can handle the pain from his turf toe. *** Saturday Update WR Terrell Owens (SF) missed practice again Friday and looks like he'll be the # 3 WR behind Jerry Rice and J.J. Stokes.? It's tough not to start him as he's always got the potential to explode but he's a big risk.? If you need sure points this week, I'd shy away from him.? If you really need help and you're looking for a home run, you might take a chance on him but just be prepared for the chance he does little. ? *** Saturday Update? St. Louis WRs?will likely be playing on a less than optimal field in Carolina Sunday.? Besides the grass, they're looking at possible snow. WR Tony Horne (Stl) is out this week with a toe injury. WR Az-Zahir Hakim (Stl) is expected to play with his sore knee this week. WR Carl Pickens (Ten) continues to miss time with a sore hamstring.? Even if he plays, he does not look like he will be a big factor. WR Albert Connell (Was) got a break when the doctors upgraded his condition.? He remains sore though and may be a game-time decision to whether he plays.? The team is starting James Thrash and Irving Fryar so he may have limited value even if he suits up this week. WR James Thrash (Was) has a bruised thigh, but is expected to play this week.? /////////////////////////////// Tight Ends in the News: TE Reggie Kelly (Atl) practiced on Wednesday and is expected to play with a sore knee. ? *** Saturday Update TE Reggie Kelly (Atl) looked good in practice later this week and will likely get the start. TE Shannon Sharpe (Bal) is on a bye this week. TE OJ Santiago (Cle) is bothered by a sore knee.? Fantasy players are bothered that he is still mentioned as a player in the NFL. TE Aaron Shea (Cle) is listed as questionable with sore quadriceps.? He was limited in practice, but expects to play in the game. TE Jackie Harris (Dal) was quoted as saying he will play this weekend.? He is expected to practice on Thursday and is listed as questionable on the injury report with a sore knee. ? *** Saturday Update TE Jackie Harris (Dal) did practice and looks good for Sunday. TE Tony Gonzalez (KC) is perfectly fine and just did not catch a pass last week from 6 attempts from Warren Moon.? If Grbac plays, expect him to get the ball to Tony again. TE Hunter Goodwin (Mia) has a tight hamstring, but is expected to play. TE Johnny McWilliams (Min) is now the starter.? John Davis still gets a lot of looks though. TE Chad Lewis (Phi) is expected to play with a sore elbow. /////////////////////////////// Kickers in the News: PK David Akers (Phi) is expected to play with a pulled quad. PK Jeff Wilkins (Stl) looks like he will kick this week.? But he has looked like he was ready before and then gave way to Jeff Hall minutes before game-time.? Now that the Rams are tied for first though, expect the players to start working through the pain.? I rate Wilkins chance to start at close to 90% this week. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: cheatsheets-unsubscribe@egroups.com