Posted by Kirk Minihane

Are both out for tomorrow. 

Have to admit I’m surprised that Hasselbeck is back in the lineup for the Seahawks. Figured they would shut hi down for the rest of the season. At 2-7, Seattle is toast for 2008 and Hasselbeck has the kind of injury that can easily be re-aggrevated (bulging disk in back, leading to nerve damage in right leg). 

Hard to believe that Hasselbeck was a top-seven QB heading into the season. Seattle’s offense has been awful in his absence (truth be told, they also struggled in his four starts as he managed just a 57.7 passer rating). I’d keep an eye on him however, if only for this reason: The Seahawks play the Rams (25th vs. the pass) in Week 15. If he is healthy and has a decent start or two in the next few weeks he could be a sleeper start for a playoff team in need of a QB.

Posted by Kirk Minihane

Out tonight (shoulder).

Tough weekend for QBs. Matt Schaub (MCL) and Kyle Orton (ankle) could both be out for a month.

If you need a QB start this weekend, Matt Ryan should be a nice play. He gets the Saints (25th vs. the pass) at home Sunday. He’s actually a solid option next week as the Falcons host Denver (27 vs. the pass).

Derek Anderson is out in Cleveland. Brady Quinn steps in and has a soft matchup vs. the Broncos on Thursday night. Tough to play a guy in his first NFL start, but I think Quinn has a strong game against a terrible defense. 225 yards and a pair of TDs.

Feel free to dump Edgerrin James.

Posted by Kirk Minihane

Sammy Morris out for tonight’s game (as is LaMont Jordan). Kevin Faulk is a nice option if available, particularly in PPR leagues.

Steven Jackson is back and is, of course, a must start vs. Arizona.

Remember, no Warrick Dunn. Earnest Graham should be a good start, though Michael Bennett will steal some carries.

Ahman Green had played well over his last four games, but he’s out today.

Willis McGahee is active today but should spilt time with Ray Rice and LeRon McClain.

More inactives as they are announced…

Posted by Kirk Minihane

I’ll go with another avoid this week. 

I’m shocked that Julius Jones is still starting in so many leagues. He’s been awful in his last four games (3.7 YPC and 39 YPG) and is losing carries to Maurice Morris (who is the better back, truth be told).

The Seahawks face the Eagles (ninth-ranked rushing D) Sunday. I’m thinking Seattle is down early and will be forced to throw the ball all game. I expect an “eight carries, 22 yards” type of game from Jones.

If you need a RB take a look at Kevin Faulk. Sammy Morris is doubtful for the Colts game and Green-Ellis was shaky last week. In a PPR league Faulk could give you 12-16 points with an average effort.

Posted by Kirk Minihane

The column is up. 

Liked The Office enough last night, I guess. Pretty sure we’ll see Toby in the next few weeks. I still maintain they are stuck with Jim and Pam and can’t figure out how to make it interesting. It’s the “Moonlighting” rule: Once they get together it’s all over. Though the Tootie and Mrs. Garrett affair in Season Five of “The Facts of Life” gave the show a much-needed creative kick.

Scranton to Nashua?

No shock here. I’m sure it’ll never happen, but maybe Selig moves one game to the afternoon next year? If he doesn’t do that after this series, no chance it’ll ever occur.

Here’s the NFL TV Map for Week 9. Two questions: Why does the Dallas area get Jets-Buffalo (the rest of the state gets Houston-Minnesota)? Which game is the “Criqui/Trumpy” special? My vote would go to Cincinnati/Jacksonville.

Jason Witten is still a game-time decision for Sunday. I do like Visanthe Shiancoe as insurance (owned in just 37 percent of Yahoo! leagues).

Joseph Addai looks good to go for Sunday Night. I would think he and Dominic Rhodes will spilt carries, but Addai is a must start when in the lineup. If you own Addai and handcuffed him with Rhodes the moved paid off over the past two weeks. I’d keep Rhodes on my roster until Addai is fully healthy and the clear No. 1 back.

Posted by Kirk Minihane

Dallas Clark with another strong effort last night for the Colts (two TDs, 94 yards). Jason Witten (still don’t know about him this week, MRI on ribs today) is the only TE that you can definitively rank above Clark at this point of the season.

One thing to keep in mind about Peyton Manning (who did throw for a pair of TDs and run for another last night): His Week 14 and 15 matchups? Cincinnati and Detroit. Worth keeping an eye on if you are in the playoff hunt. Let’s just say you are 7-6 and need a win in Week 14 to get into the playoffs. Who would you rather have at QB? Tony Romo (at Pittsburgh) or Manning (home vs. Bengals)? 

The J.T. O’Sullivan Era is over. Sort Of Iron Mike Singletary made the move yesterday, moving Shaun Hill into the No. 1 spot. The 49ers have a bye this week and then travel to Arizona in Week 10. If Hill plays well there he could be a decent Week 11 QB sleeper as San Francisco hosts the Rams.

Posted by Kirk Minihane

1. I’ll never start a column with 500 words advocating the Jets defense again. Tyler Thigpen with 280 yards and two TDs? The Herm Edwards Revenge Tour was a stronger force than I had imagined. This isn’t the worst call I’ve ever made (spending all my money saved over a summer of work in 1989 on 200 Todd Zeile rookie cards is still the leader)                                                                                                                    

2. Brian Westbrook is really, really good. I still think, when healthy, he’s the most valuable player in fantasy football. He was great in a win over Atlanta yesterday (209 total yards, two TDs). 

3. Not fantasy related, but Joe Paterno is almost three years older than Al Davis. That surprised me. How great would it be to see Al on the Raiders’ sideline? Can we make that happen?

4. Kurt Warner (381 yards, two TD passes) has been a no-doubt top three QB this season. I’m sure everyone will take Matt Ryan five rounds before Warner next season. And it’ll be a mistake. They will not go to Leinart if Warner continues to play at a near-MVP level (he’s on pace for 4,774 passing yards and 32 TD passes. And the Cards are going to the playoffs. They could go in at 7-9 in that crummy division. This year’s NFC West is the 1995 Best Picture Nominees. Not a solid list.)

5. I’d play Kevin Faulk at Indy on Sunday Night.

(All right Sunday Night where are you? 

Just kicking back from the things that you do 
You want the Big Game, we want it too! 

Hey Jack it’s a fact, the best show in town, 
Sunday Night Football we ain’t messing around 
Al and John will make you crank up the sound … 

The NFL’s best have come to play 
For every fan there’s just one thing left to say, ay, ay, ay … 

I’ve been waiting all day for Sunday Night 
The tough get rough in a primetime fight 
The last one standing gets to turn out the lights 
Cause I been waiting all day for Sunday Night 

Sunday Night Football on NBC 
The only game that you have to see 
Don’t need a ticket, all you need’s a TV 
Cause the NFL rocks on NBC)

Best song ever written? I think Faulk (provided Sammy Morris is out again) should be good for five-six catches again. In a PPR league that’s value enough, and anything he gives you on the ground is a bonus.

6. Moss and Welker are the only other Pats I’d play. Matt Cassel needs a nice start on the road before we can jump on that train again.

7. Gotta love the Lions D. Jason Campbell goes off for 328 and a TD (23-of-28 passing). That’s 12 TDs allowed by Detroit with just one pick this season. Kyle Orton gets his shot vs. the Lions on Sunday.

8. Might be too late, but Donnie Avery is clearly worth a roster spot. 

9. Jason Witten owners have to be concerned after yesterday (just one catch before leaving). MRI on his ribs tomorrow. The Brad Johnson Era is killing TO owners.

10. Ted Ginn, Jr. with 175 yards receiving vs. Buffalo. He gets the Broncos D this weekend and could be a nice flex start.

Posted by Kirk Minihane

Inactive today. Justin Fargas gets the call. Tough matchup vs. Baltimore.

For the Ravens, Derrick Mason is active and a good flex start.

Posted by Kirk Minihane

Steven Jackson is out. Antonio Pittman will start for the Rams. I don’t like Pittman or Travis Minor as a play this week.

Sammy Morris is also out. Kevin Faulk might be a decent option in PPR leagues, but you just have no idea what the Pats will do. Who knows with BenJarvus Green-Ellis? He could get four carries or he could get 20. I just prefer Faulk because you know he’ll catch a few passes.

Anquan Boldin is active today. Might take him a week to get his footing, and Carolina is a tough matchup.

Both Jerricho Cotchery and Laveranues Coles are active for the Jets. Both are solid plays against a weak KC defense. This hurts the value of Chansi Stuckey as a sleeper start today.

More inactives in  a few minutes…