Football Bonus: benched

Friday, December 17, 2010

It’s been nice, but Orton needs to be benched

Published: December 16th, 2010 | Tags: Eric Studesville, Kyle Orton, Tim Tebow

Kyle Orton had been one of the most pleasant surprises in fantasy football. Undrafted in most leagues, the veteran went on to be a top-five quarterback earlier in the season.

Unfortunately, it appears the Orton’s carriage has turned back into a pumpkin.

In his last two games, he’s scored a combined 1.82 fantasy points on NFL.com. Now comes word that he’s not even guaranteed to be under center for the Broncos in Week 14.

According to the Denver Post, Orton was officially listed as a “limited” participant in practice due to injured ribs. Interim coach Eric Studesville did say that he would stick with Orton as his starter earlier in the week, but that’s, of course, if he’s at 100 percent.

Regardless, fantasy owners just can’t trust Orton right now. Aside from his ailment, he’s also in danger of being pulled in favor of Tim Tebow if he continues to struggle this week against the Raiders.

With a chance at a fantasy league championship berth at stake, that’s something that you simply can’t risk.

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Posted in: Fantasy

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Thursday, December 9, 2010

Even if active, Cassel, Favre should be benched

Published: December 9th, 2010 | Tags: Brett Favre, Brodie Croyle, Matt Cassel, Percy Harvin, Todd Haley

Chiefs coach Todd Haley said that Matt Cassel, who had an appendectomy on Wednesday, missed practice on Thursday but has not yet been ruled out for Week 14.

“Some guys have had the procedure and been out for awhile, some guys have come back quickly,” Haley said. “We have to wait. I really don’t have anything to give.”

Cassel has been one of the hotter quarterbacks in fantasy football in recent weeks, but coming off this procedure — coupled with a tough matchup against the Chargers — makes him a major risk even if he is active.

The bigger concern for fantasy owners is how Cassel’s potential absence would hurt the value of Dwayne Bowe, who is currently the highest-scoring wide receiver in fantasy football. Obviously, he’ll lose some of his appeal with backup quarterback Brodie Croyle under center. But unless you’re deep at wideout, Bowe is still a tough player to bench.

In Minnesota, Brett Favre was held out of practice due to his bum shoulder. Whether he returns in time to face the Giants on Sunday remains to be seen, but he shouldn’t be starting in the fantasy postseason regardless.

His teammate, Percy Harvin, was also held out of drills as he continues to deal with the effects of migraine headaches. Like Favre, he could be a game-time decision. But unlike the old gunslinger, Harvin should be active in fantasy leagues if he is able to suit up.