Coaches spark controversy, even in Fantasyland

In one of my leagues, our commissioner decided to try out a new option offered by the league-management site to add a head coach to our rosters. Each team win yields seven points, with a loss registering a goose egg.

I wasn’t in favor of this tricked-up option, but a collective shrug from the rest of the guys allowed the commish to institute the change.

The first challenge presented itself in the draft, since it’s awfully hard to determine the proper draft position for a head coach. So I decided to trigger a run on the position by selecting Bill Belichick at the top of the 10th round. So far, so good.

But we almost had an unexpected controversy on our hands yesterday, and it had nothing to do with “Handshakegate” between Jim Harbaugh and Jim Schwartz. Or on Mike Shanahan’s decision to sit Tim Hightower after declaring him active and signaling that he would start.

Instead, it centered on Saints coach Sean Payton, who suffered knee and leg injuries after a freak sideline collision. The Saints went on to lose to the Bucs; but had they won, should Payton’s owner have been awarded the points, even though the coach watched the second half from the locker room?

I say no. Hey, if the league chooses to add a silly position like coaches to the mix, they should be treated like every other player. Those who lost Jason Campbell in the second quarter Sunday weren’t allowed to add Kyle Boller’s stats to his total. Why should a coach be any different?

Now, on to the next challenges. Who am I going to pick up this week while Belichick is on his bye? And who do I drop to make room for his replacement?

Sheesh…


FREE AGENT PICKS AND PANS

To win a fantasy championship, it helps to start with a great draft. But filling in your roster throughout the season with the right free agents is also important. Here's a look at players worth considering, and others who would look better in someone else's lineup.

Catch ‘em while you can

DeMarco Murray, RB, Cowboys. He was recommended in this space weeks ago, after Felix Jones suffered his shoulder injury. Now that Jones has added a high ankle sprain to his list of woes, Murray again merits a pickup. Especially if Tashard Choice is traded before Tuesday’s deadline, which would be odd now that Jones is on the shelf again.

Earnest Graham, RB, Buccaneers. We found out later than normal last week that LeGarrette Blount would miss time with a knee injury, so alert owners have already snapped up the versatile Graham. But he’s still available in roughly a third of leagues, and he proved Sunday that he can shoulder a heavy workload. Blount could be out until Week 9.

Fred Davis, TE, Redskins. Davis’ value has been hindered both by the presence of Chris Cooley and mediocrity at the quarterback position. Well, eliminating one of two ain’t bad. Cooley fractured his hand and finger and will be out indefinitely. New starter John Beck will likely find it easier to connect with Davis than his wideouts.

Don’t be fooled

Montario Hardesty, RB, Browns. Hardesty racked up a combined 53 yards after Peyton Hillis suffered a hamstring injury. But he dropped a few passes and was generally unimpressive against the Raiders’ below-average run defenders. Hillis’ injury does not appear too serious (he returned to the field briefly in the fourth quarter), and the tough Seahawks and 49ers rush defenses are on tap next for the Browns.

Donald Brown, RB, Colts. Those of us who invested in Brown last season after Joseph Addai injured his neck know better than to trust him. Not only did he lose his backup role to rookie Delone Carter in the preseason, but Indy’s running game is even worse this year with Peyton Manning watching from the sidelines. Let someone else waste their roster space on the first-round bust.

Devin Hester, WR, Bears. Hester is arguably the greatest return man in NFL history. But as a receiver, he’s as unreliable as they get. His 16 career punt and kickoff return scores in the regular season exceed his 13 career receiving touchdowns. To make matters worse, he suffered a chest injury late in Sunday night’s game.

Raiders receivers. Now that Campbell has been lost for the season with a broken collarbone, all bets are off for the Oakland passing attack. Boller might just be the worst backup quarterback in the league, and his presence could have a debilitating effect on the entire team. You can drop or trade your receivers, or pray that Oakland signs free agent David Garrard. Don’t count on the team convincing Cincinnati to trade Carson Palmer.

Sunday morning updates - Week 8

Good morning, Fools, and welcome to the midway point of the fantasy season. I hope you're in good position in your league's standings and poised to dominate in the second half.

Let's go around the league to see what's up before we get to the early inactives (which I'll be tweeting shortly; make sure you're following me @ladd_biro).

At this point, it looks like Favre will start today, though anything can happen. He hasn't played well of late, but the Patriots' secondary offers a favorable matchup. I wouldn't want to risk it, especially given the late start of the MIN-NE game, but with six teams on bye, some of you may have little choice.

It also looks like Vince Young, David Garrard and Jason Campbell will start for their respective clubs today.

Donald Brown has been getting his practice reps over the last couple of days, and appears on track to start Monday night for Addai (shoulder). Mike Hart will also get his carries, but Brown projects as the better fantasy option at this point.

DeAngelo Williams did not fly with the team to St. Louis, so make sure he's on your bench. (He should be anyway, given his poor play lately.) Jonathan Stewart is a decent start with DeAngelo out, even though the Rams have only surrendered two rushing TDs all season.

Those betting on Rams WR Danario Alexander to catch passes from Sam Bradford today need to look elsewhere. He hurt his knee in practice Saturday and will be out 2-4 weeks.

Dexter McCluster also won't play with a high ankle sprain (though he has yet to be officially declared inactive).

Louis Murphy (lung) is out; Jacoby Ford will take his starting spot in the Raiders' lineup.

BTW, Vincent Jackson has signed his tender and will be available to suit up for San Diego after serving a 3-game suspension. If you're hurting at WR and need someone for your playoff run, you could do much worse than V-Jax.

Owen Daniels, my flier of the week, is questionable but has been practicing the last couple of days. He'll play tomorrow night, and I still think he can perform well if you're in a pinch at tight end. He's not a great play, though, which is why I'm calling him a flier.

Nick Kaeding is out again this week, leaving the Chargers' kicking duties to Kris Brown.

OK, stay tuned for the inactive reports coming in a bit. And good luck to all Fools today!