The Dolphins are expected to be without Ronnie Brown for the remainder of the season after the Auburn product tore his ACL Sunday against New England. After a tremendous start to the season, it appears the total yards leader ulimately followed in the footsteps of his former college teammate and fellow 2005 first round draft selection, Carnell Williams , who just went down a couple weeks ago with a similar knee injury.
Sage Rosenfels nearly led the Texans to one of the most amazing comebacks in the history of the NFL. He replaced injured Matt Schaub at QB, then he proceeded to throw an interception on his first attempt. With Houston down 35-7 in the fourth quarter, Sage led the Texans to 29 straight points to take a brief lead with a minute remaining. However, Kerry Collins hit Roydell Williams with a 46-yard pass that set up Rod Bironas’ NFL-record eighth field goal of the game to win it 38-36. Sage finished with 290 yards passing and four TDs in the valiant effort and could find himself starting next week because of Schaub’s status.
Also around the league, Tom Brady (27 TD, 2 INT) leads 7-0 New England to another blowout victory as he tosses six TDs against the 0-7 Dolphins, Kenny Watson filled in admirably for Rudi Johnson with a weekly-high 130 yards and three TD and Randy Moss already has 10 TD in only seven games. Chutes ‘n’ Ladders will take a look at the action from this weekend and breaks down the free agent options and major injury news.
Quarterbacks
There’s major talk that the Jets will be making a change at quarterback this week. Much has been said about Chad Pennington’s lack of arm strength, so it could be the start of Kellen Clemens behind center. New York has fizzled out to a 1-6 start so it’s start to thinking about change. Clemens showed some signs of brilliance in his lone start vs Baltimore – he’s worth rolling the dice on as a backup in deeper leagues or 2-QB formats.
Free Agent Possibilities
Sage Rosenfels, HOU 22-for-35, 290 yards, four TD, three INT, FL
Kyle Boller, BAL 21-for-36, 191 yards, TD
Daunte Culpepper, OAK 18-for-29, TD, INT, two FL
Cleo Lemon, MIA 24-for-37, 236 yards, INT, 16 yards rushing, TD, FL
Joey Harrington, ATL 12-for-18, 128 yards
Trent Edwards, BUF 11-for-21, 153 yards, INT
Major Offensive Injuries
Three quarters into his first start with the Falcons, Byron Leftwich was lost with a high ankle sprain, and is expected to miss 2-4 weeks. Tough break for the former Jag – he looked decent before the injury, finishing 17-for-31 for 173 yards, a TD and an INT. Joey Harrington will return to the starting role, while Chris Redman backs him up.
Matt Schaub injured his lower back, hip and ankle in a classic against Tennessee. He’s scheduled to undergo an MRI on is back early this week. Rosenfels would replace him again if he has to miss more time. … Tarvaris Jackson fractured the middle finger on his throwing hand, but never missed any action vs the Cowboys. After another atrocious performance, it might be time to bring in Kelly Holcomb to take over at QB. … Alex Smith (shoulder) is expected to return for Week 8, so Trent Dilfer will return to his backup role. Despite playing for the Niners – a franchise that has made quarterbacks into legends – Smith has never lived up to expectations. He’s too risky to start in any fantasy league vs NO. … Matt Hasselbeck suffered a slight injury to his oblique muscle Sunday against the Rams. It’s a concern though and he’ll be back in uniform again next week. … Vince Young is expected to return in Week 8, so Collins will go back to the bench, as is David Carr for Carolina.
Running Backs
Free Agent Possibilities
Jesse Chatman, MIA seven rushes, 73 yards, TD, reception, nine yards
Earnest Graham, TB 19 rushes, 92 yards, 13 receptions, 99 yards
Chris Henry, TEN 11 rushes, 57 yards, TD, two receptions, 12 yards
Maurice Morris, SEA 10 rushes, 42 yards, two receptions, 18 yards
Leonard Weaver, SEA three rushes, 11 yards, three receptions, 33 yards
Dominic Rhodes, OAK nine rushes, 21 yards, reception, 10 yards
Major Offensive Injuries
Ronnie Brown will reportedly miss the remainder of the season after a knee injury against the Patriots Sunday. An MRI revealed significant enough damage for the all-purpose back to miss the final 10 weeks of the season. With 602 yards rushing – including four 100-yard efforts – and another 389 through the air, Brown was about to become the league’s first player with 1,000 total yards.
This news plunges Jesse Chatman into the starting backfield for the winless Fins. Consider Chatman a must-own in all leagues and the top free agent option if avaiable this week. Coach Cam Cameron is famous for making his backs becoming fantasy studs. He ran a top-five offense as a coordinator in San Diego the past five years and helped make LaDainian Tomlinson into a fantasy legend.
Chatman ran hard against the Pats this week and looked explosive in the second half, breaking a ton of would-be tacklers. Miami plays the Giants this upcoming week in England so the international spotlight will be on him in his new featured role.
Frank Gore sprained his ankle against the G-Men this weekend, but was able to stay in the game. He said afterwards that he expects to play in Week 8 – he’ll try to practice on Wednesday or Thursday. … Brandon Jacobs suffered a minor ankle injury, but isn’t apparently in jeopardy of missing any game action. Although he’ll probably sit out a few practices, expect him to go in Week 8 vs Miami in London. … Travis Henry left Sunday night’s contest vs Pittsburgh with bruised ribs and his status is unclear for next Monday night against the Packers. Selvin Young would replace him. ... With Shaun Alexander faltering mightily, the Seahawks might elect to give more carries to his backups Morris and Weaver.
Wide Receivers
Free Agent Possibilities
Roddy White, ATL eight receptions, 110 yards, TD
Andre Davis, HOU four receptions, 88 yards, TD
Ike Hilliard, TB nine receptions, 92 yards, TD
Kevin Walter, HOU six receptions, 97 yards, TD
Roydell Williams, TEN five receptions, 124 yads
Brandon Stokley, DEN five receptions, 70 yards, TD
Muhsin Muhammad, CHI five receptions, 79 yards, TD
Arnaz Battle, SF six receptions, 57 yards, TD
Michael Jenkins, ATL six receptions, 69 yards
Lee Evans, BUF five receptions, 98 yards
Derek Hagan, MIA four receptions, 56 yards
Major Offensive Injuries
Mark Clayton (ankle) is out indefinitely after suffering a high ankle sprain Sunday against the Lions. Maurice Stovall would likely assume slot duties for the Bucs in his stead.
Tight Ends
Free Agent Possibilities
Tony Scheffler, DEN five receptions, 50 yards, TD
Will Heller, SEA three receptions, 18 yards, two TD
Leonard Pope, ARI three receptions, 35 yards, TD
Kyle Brady, NE three receptions, 10 yards, TD
Matt Schobel, PHI reception, 13 yards, TD
Zach Miller, OAK four receptions, 48 yards
Bo Scaife, TEN six receptions, 49 yards, FL
Major Offensive Injuries
L.J. Smith (groin), Alge Crumpler (knee, ankle) and Todd Heap (hamstring) all sat out this week.
Week 8 Schedule
Sunday, October 28, 2007 1:00pm ET
Indianapolis @ Carolina
Detroit @ Chicago
Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati
New York Giants @ Miami (London)
Philadelphia @ Minnesota
Cleveland @ St. Louis
Oakland @ Tennessee
4:05pm ET
Buffalo @ New York Jets
Houston @ San Diego
Jacksonville @ Tampa Bay
4:15pm ET
Washington @ New England
New Orleans @ San Francisco
Monday, October 29, 2007 8:30pm ET
Green Bay @ Denver
Byes
Cardinals, Falcons, Ravens, Cowboys, Chiefs, Seahawks