Woodley doesn’t see impact of losing Harrison

Published: October 20th, 2011 | Tags: LaMarr Woodley, Around the League, James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers

LaMarr Woodley rarely disappoints during his appearances on NFL Network. Whether it’s taking a shot at Joe Flacco, sharing his innermost thoughts on Carson Palmer or questioning his own ranking on NFL Network’s “The Top 100: Players of 2011?, the Steelers linebacker leaves an impression, one way or the other.

This time around, though, Woodley’s critique — perhaps inadvertently — was directed at teammate James Harrison.

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The Pittsburgh defense has been dogged through the early weeks of the season for not being what most expected — as in fast, physical and big on forcing turnovers. That the Steelers are playing without Harrison, who’s on the shelf with a broken eye socket, would seem to be a major loss for the suddenly less-than-imposing defense.

Right, LaMarr?

“It hasn’t really affected us at all,” Woodley said of Harrison’s absence. “We put Lawrence Timmons at outside linebacker, moved Larry Foote at inside linebacker, guys that have started in those positions before. Timmons is definitely coming around; he’s doing a great job of rushing off the edge and doing a great job in the run game. From week to week, Timmons is starting to improve and when guys go down, you just expect other guys to come in and make plays. He’s been doing that.”

Sure, Woodley was propping up the play of Timmons. But one can’t help but wonder if Woodley also was delivering a message.

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Big Ben’s injury won’t have fantasy impact

Published: December 2nd, 2010 | Tags: Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, Kyle Orton, Mark Sanchez, Matt Cassel, Matt Ryan, Ryan Fitzpatrick

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Ben Roethlisberger suffered a broken fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot last week against the Bills. However, the Steelers responded to the report with a statement that claims Big Ben aggravated an old injury where scar tissue is present.

Regardless, he’s not expected to miss any time because of the ailment. That’s a relief for fantasy footballers who are leaning on him for the stretch run.

The real question is whether or not Roethlisberger’s ailment, coupled with a contest against the Ravens, makes him a risky starter in Week 13. While I would start Matt Cassel, Mark Sanchez and Eli Manning ahead of him, I don’t see the Steelers quarterback as having a terrible matchup.

In fact, the Ravens have given up big passing performances to Kyle Orton, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Matt Ryan this season. Furthermore, Roethlisberger has thrown for a combined 905 yards with eight touchdowns and two interceptions in his last four starts against them.

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Post mortem: A lineman again makes an impact

Poor Chargers QB Philip Rivers, four touchdowns and nobody is going to bother to notice. Not after Eagles QB Michael Vick set the bar so high. At least he’s in the mix for Hall of Fame QB Dan Marino‘s single-season passing record.

But let’s look at the fantasy highlights.

Fantasy Superstar

Raiders DE Richard Seymour made the play of the week when he decked Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger. Like the Redskins defensive backs who taunted Eagles WR DeSean Jackson, this unsportsmanlike conduct seemed to further inspire the Steelers. So much so, that Roethlisberger was still throwing the ball in the waning moments. Big Ben’s toss to Isaac Redman came after the two-minute warning with the Steelers holding a commanding lead.

Not that fantasy enthusiasts are complaining. In fact, more teams should use this approach. Remember, one of the NFL playoff tiebreakers is net points.

Best player nobody was playing

Colts QB Peyton Manning continues to make stars of unknown players. Undrafted rookie WR Blair White had a pair of touchdowns. White was started in less than 1 percent of leagues. And even fewer in leagues outside of East Lansing, Mich. White could be a solid play if WR Austin Collie is held out because of concussion symptoms.

Worst player that everybody was playing

This is rather amazing, but Texans WR Andre Johnson was started in 83 percent fantasy leagues on NFL.com. (Not the 100 percent as I previously mentioned. I believe that I was merely wishing 100 percent of us had started him.) Still, with 83 percent of us starting Dre this week, I certainly don’t feel as bad about the next entry.

By the numbers

93 – That is the combined score (in my league’s scoring) of the guys I benched: Roethlisberger, Bills WR Stevie Johnson and Bengals RB Cedric Benson. And my team is named the Benson Burner.

24 – The points from the guys I started ahead of them: Vick, Dre, and Raiders RB Darren McFadden.

Here’s why you should heed your own advice and follow your gut.

When did you become so good?

Remember when Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe was on the verge of being labeled a bust? Me neither.

Who are you, and why are you impacting my team?

There are a number of high-profile quarterbacks putting up huge fantasy numbers this season. Vick, Roethlisberger, and Packers QB Aaron Rodgers are a few of the signal callers who have been fantasy gold. Not to mention the old reliable guys like Peyton Manning and Saints QB Drew Brees. Even Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has been solid.

But while the highs are soaring, the league is also putting out guys like Panthers QB Brian St. Pierre and Dolphins QB Tyler Thigpen — the Rooster, for whom I still have a soft spot. And now QB Rusty Smith will likely start for the Titans this week with Vince Young on IR and Kerry Collins a week or two away.

And I joked about it on Sunday, but I would almost consider starting Smith against the Texans this week. However, you would have to be in a pretty dire situation.

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