Ranking the Week 6 quarterback options

jasonfsmith1 | Tags: Fantasy QB rankings, Alex Smith, Cam Newton, Eli Manning, Jason Campbell, Matthew Stafford, Tony Romo

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Okay, okay, so last week I said Kyle Orton was going to have a big week and had him ranked in my top 10. Hey, the guy has 16 TDs and 3 INTs in his last eight home games. I guess you can just chalk that up to getting caught in the Tebow Vortex. Now with the second week of the byes upon us, here’s my official QB rankings for this week. Remember, we go on the assumption you always play the Holy Five: Vick, Rivers, Rodgers, Brees and Brady. However Rivers is on a bye (and may be close to losing his Holy Five status with his lackluster fantasy play so far) so this week our rankings will go 5-10.

5. Matthew Stafford v. SF: Initially I would say be wary of the Monday Night hangover, but the 49ers are terrific against the run and the Lions will throw it all day long. Expect a return to 300 yards and three TDs for Stafford. And really, are you going to rank anyone else on this list ahead of him? He’s close to breaking into the Holy Five and making it a Holy Six.

6. Cam Newton @ ATL: Seriously, look how high he is now. He deserves it. He has to tank for like three weeks in a row to be outside the top seven or eight. He’s also becoming their main red zone threat on the ground whether it’s from 5 or 15 yards away. He accounts for three total TDs this week. And 300 yards is always his barometer.

7. Tony Romo v. NE: He’s getting Miles Austin back which means in the second half he won’t have to worry so much when Dez Bryant disappears. He’ll be around the 20-point mark for you this week. Look for 250-300 yards and two to three TDs. Just remember you’re going to lose points for his pick late in the fourth quarter.

8. Eli Manning v. BUF: The Giants look like they’re becoming the team they were last year — Eli throws for a lot of yards, a lot of touchdowns and a lot of INTs. Brandon Jacobs’ injury makes it hard for them to rely on the run, and Victor Cruz’s big play capabilities are going to have Eli on the same track as in 2010. 250 yards and two TDs for Eli.

9. Jason Campbell @ OAK: The Browns are in the middle of the pack as far as fantasy points allowed to QBs go. This Raiders offense is starting to grow. Darrius Heyward-Bey — and who thought we’d ever be talking about him — looks like he’s that third year blossomer we see so often. Jacoby Ford is healthier and the Raiders are going to take their shots down the field this week. I see a couple of long TD passes for Campbell and over 250 passing yards.

10. Alex Smith @ DET: It was hard to go with Smith over Ben Roethlisberger, but I don’t see the need for five TDs passes against the Jaguars on Sunday. Smith has only turned it over once via the air this year, and is coming off a three-TD performance. It won’t be as easy going this week but they’ll throw the ball a ton to keep up with the Lions. I think Smith is near 250 with a couple of touchdowns.

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Top Texas commit keeping options open

Christian Westerman is the nation's No. 4 overall recruit and the best offensive lineman in the 2011 class.

The offensive tackle is also Texas' top commit.

The Arizona native pledged to Texas and Mack Brown back in April, but his position coach, Mac McWhorter was forced to retire at the end of the season. Though he's still committed, the 6-foot-5, 290-pounder looks like he's keeping his options open.

He's headed for a visit to Auburn today, and might be taking a look at Oregon later, though he also plans to come back to Austin for a visit in January.

The Longhorns have six offensive line commitments, but Westerman is by far its highest-rated. He's also one of just two current Texas commitments -- the Longhorns have 23 total -- who lives outside the state lines.

It's hardly a time for panic, and we've addressed what the exit of coaches (and wins) from Texas could mean on the recruiting trail, but Westerman's apparent wandering eye can't be reassuring to anyone in Texas' program, especially considering Westerman's strengths and Texas' struggles in 2010.

"Westerman is the dominant type run blocker who knocks defensive lineman back where they came from. His size and athleticism are what we like to see at the major level of competition," reads Westerman's profile on ESPN's recruiting site, powered by Scouts Inc. "This guy has the agility to handle inside quickness and change of direction moves. Demonstrates very good pull/trap mechanics; can get to the edge, seal and play on his feet well in space. When he locks up with linebackers it usually results in a pancake as his excellent upper body playing strength becomes evident. We also like his effort to finish and look for a second blocks downfield."

Texas might hitch its proverbial wagon to incoming running back recruit Malcolm Brown, a Cibolo, Texas native whose high school performance has drawn comparisons to Adrian Peterson, but recruits like Westerman are what could eventually help Brown fill that potential.

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Franklin's departure opens options for AD

While the departure of Maryland offensive coordinator James Franklin to Vanderbilt leaves the Terps’ future leadership in limbo, it’s not a bad thing.

In fact, it’s refreshing.

Maryland is no longer stuck with a messy coach-in-waiting plan. Franklin is no longer stuck waiting for a coach who doesn’t want to leave. And first-year athletic director Kevin Anderson didn’t have to pay $1 million for it all to happen.

Maryland fans should be thanking Franklin.

Yes, his decision will have a significant impact on recruiting. Franklin has earned a reputation as a tireless recruiter, and his return to College Park coincided with a rejuvenated effort to lure better athletes from within the state and the surrounding areas. Recruiting had been at the heart of Maryland’s struggles, but Franklin had started to help reverse that trend. It’s going to be difficult to continue that because nobody on the staff can promise anyone anything beyond 2011.

Coach Ralph Friedgen earned himself at least one more year at Maryland with his Coach of the Year performance this season, but beyond that, Anderson has a refrigerator-sized decision to make. Franklin just helped make it a little bit easier. Friedgen now becomes the focus moving forward, and Anderson brings a fresh perspective as to whether or not Friedgen is the right man to continue leading Maryland. The Washington Post reported that Anderson could pay Friedgen $2 million to retire now. He could also further extend Friedgen’s contract to help give the program some stability in recruiting. Or, he could use 2011 to figure it all out and start over in 2012.

Franklin's departure closed one door but opened several others. He left College Park before anyone had a chance to figure out if he was the right choice as Maryland’s head coach.

The question for Anderson now becomes, is Friedgen?

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There are other options for Gates-deprived

Published: December 15th, 2010 | Tags: Antonio Gates, Kevin Boss, Mario Manningham, Owen Daniels, Rob Gronkowski, San Diego Chargers, Steve Smith North

Chargers TE Antonio Gates is likely to miss Thursday’s game against the 49ers, according to our Steve Wyche. A huge blow not only to the Chargers, but fantasy enthusiasts still in the playoffs.

If you have been scrambling in recent weeks and still need a tight end, Houston’s Owen Daniels could be a great option. Many enthusiasts likely gave up on Daniels this season, which may explain why he’s available in more than half of NFL.com leagues. But a huge game against the Ravens showed that he can be counted on in the fantasy playoffs.

A couple of other options include Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski and Giants TE Kevin Boss. Gronkowski could be an excellent option if the Packers are without QB Aaron Rodgers, because the Patriots’ offense should be on the field a lot. Boss also is a great option with WR Steve Smith now on IR and WR Mario Manningham potentially out with a hip injury.

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