Catching Up With NFL Roster Moves

Catching up with NFL roster moves

Saturday was cut down day in the NFL, so in case you missed it, here are some roster moves that could have some last second fantasy football impact:

Arizona- As expected cut QB Matt Leinart, making Derek Anderson the starter.Veteran tight end Anthony Becht was also cut, so you can continue to ignore the Cardinals tight ends altogether.

Atlanta- Jerious Norwood is listed as the 2nd string running back behind Michael Turner, while Jason Snelling is the 3rd stringer. Snelling could  also play a little at fullback.

Baltimore- The Ravens were unable to trade former Heisman Award winner Troy Smith, so he was released. He’ll catch on somewhere. Billy Cundiff has won the kicking battle over Shayne Graham. Demetrius Williams was also released.

Buffalo- Despite the injuries the team has at tailback, The Bills released Joique Bell and Chad Simpson , leaving only a rookie, and two injured veterans at the position. This should be a ringing endorsement for the rookie, C.J. Spiller, who has looked impressive. 2008 2^nd rounder James Hardy was released, so Steve Johnson has won the 2^nd receiver spot.

Carolina- The offense looked awful in the preseason, failing to score a single touchdown in all 4 games. Dwayne Jarrett is still listed as the 2^nd starting receiver. Jimmy Claussen is the back up at quarterback, over Tony Pike.

Chicago- The Bears have apparently already given up on Jaquin Iglesias, who was released. Johnny Knox and Devin Hester are listed as the starting wide outs, backed up by Devin Aromashodu, Rashied Davis, and Earl Bennett. Matt Forte is listed as the starter at tailback, but is expected to liberally split time with Chester Taylor. Fan favorite Dan Lefevour did not make the team.

Cincinnati- The Bengals wasted millions of dollars signing Antonio Bryant this off-season, only to cut him without ever playing a down for the team. Bryant, who is also more injured than previously thought, became expendable with the signing of Terrell Owens. Matt Jones will also not be catching any passes for the team, as he was released. Mike Nugent beat out Dave Rayner at kicker

Cleveland- Rookie Montario Hardesty tore his ACL and will miss the entire season. This boosts the stock of Jerome Harrison and Peyton Hillis. Mohammed Massaquoi and Brian Robiske are the current starters at wide receiver. Rookie Colt McCoy made the team, but isn’t expect to see the field this year.

Dallas- Rumors are resurfacing that the Cowboys are fielding trade inquiries for either Marion Barber of Tashard Choice. Patrick Crayton was traded to the Chargers, so Sam Hurd remains as the fifth receiver. Dez Bryant will start opposite Miles Austin. Roy Williams has been relegated to the third receiver. David Buehler appears to be the opening day kicker.

Denver- If you were a Bronco tailback, chances are you were hurt. Recently signed Lendale White ruptured his Achilles and will miss 2010. Knowshon Moreno hasn’t played in weeks, but is expected to be ready week 1. Correll Buckhalter, Bruce Hall, and Lance Ball are listed behind him. The Broncos also list 3 starters at receiver: Brandon Lloyd, Eddie Royal, and Jabar Gaffney.

Detroit- Jahvid Best will start for the team at tailback, but Kevin Smith is expected to play as well if he’s healthy. Maurice Morris and Aaron Brown are the Lions other runners.

Green Bay- Jermichael Finley’s emergence resulted in the release of Spencer Havner. James Jones has won the third receiver job over Jordy Nelson. Brandon Jackson also is still the back up to Ryan Grant, and should continue to play on passing downs.

Houston- Ben Tate’s season ending injury secured Arian Foster’s role as the unquestioned starter. The Texans also just signed recently released Derrick Ward. Ward could play of third downs and reduce Steve Slaton to a part time player and kick returner. There are lingering concerns over Owen Daniels health. Jacoby Jones should see an increase in playing time at wide receiver, though he is still behind Kevin Walter. Neil Rackers won the kicking job.

Indianapolis- Un-drafted runner Devin Moore made the team as a fourth running back, and should be the kick and punt returner. Anthony Gonzalez is listed as the third receiver over Austin Collie, but both will  see plenty of playing time.

Jacksonville- There’s been some concern over Maurice Jones-Drew, but all indications are that he will practice and will be ready to play in week 1. Mike Thomas and Mike Sims-Walker are the teams starting wide outs.

Kansas City- Thomas Jones is still listed as the nominal starter at tail back, but he was badly out played this preseason by Jamal Charles. Rookie Dexter McCluster is listed as the third receiver, and could take a few snaps out of the back field each game.

Miami- The 2009 draft was not a good one for the Dolphins. They released their 2^nd (Pat White) and 3^rd (Patrick Turner) round picks from that draft class after one season. As expected, Brian Hartline has won the 2^nd wide receiver spot opposite Brandon Marshall

Minnesota- Albert Young outplayed rookie Toby Gerhart throughout the preseason, and is listed as the backup to Adrian Peterson. The Vikings have had a lot of injuries at receiver and traded for Greg Camarillo, and even signed Javon Walker. Walker did not make the team. Camarillo is listed as third behind Percy Harvin and Bernard Berrian. Sidney Rice was placed on the PUP list, meaning he cannot play until the team’s 7^th game.

New England- All 5 Patriot tail backs made the team, making it nearly certain that this will continue to be the committee of all committees. All indications are that Wes Welker will start for the Patriots. Rookie tight end Rob Gronkowski had a fantastic preseason.

New Orleans- Ladell Betts was cut. Chris Ivory should replace Mike Bell as the third runner, behind Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush. Drew Brees will continue to spread the ball between all receivers and tight ends. Surprisingly, Patrick Ramsey was cut at quarterback, leaving only Chase Daniel behind Brees.

New York Giants- The Giants traded for QB Sage Rosenfels to back up Eli Manning. Ahmad Bradshaw has been named the new starting running back, moving Brandon Jacobs to a change of pace and short yardage role that he is probably better suited for. D.J. Ware will be the third runner. Andre Brown was released. Preseason hero Victor Cruz made the squad, but shouldn’t have much fantasy value.

New York Jets- Laveranues Coles signed, and was gone before the preseason was even over. Ladainian Tomlinson has looked really good, and has secured a fair share of carries, and the third down role. Shonn Greene should start. Joe McKnight has irked Rex Ryan with poor play, and Ryan has said he will not play the rookie. Jerricho Cotchery and Braylon Edwards will start at receiver.

Oakland- Reports have varied involving Michael Bush’s broken thumb. Some reports indicate he may play in week 1, while others state he could be out for several weeks. This should, temporarily, boost Darren McFadden’s value as he will start while Bush misses time. Michael Bennett remains as the third back. Chaz Schillens and Derrius Heyward-Bay are currently the starting wide receivers. Jason Campbell should make Zach Miller a fine sleeper target at tight end.

Philadelphia- CB Macho Harris was cut, depriving countless IDP fantasy leagues from hearing “quien es mas macho” jokes. Mike Bell has been injured, but has made the team. The Eagles traded for, and later released J.J. Arrington.

Pittsburgh- The biggest news for the Steelers may have been the reduction in Ben Roethlisberger’s suspension from 6 games to 4. Byron Leftwich got hurt, so Dennis Dixon is now expected to start while Big Ben is out, but don’t ignore Charlie Batch as a possibility. Issac Redman has looked great, and has secured the back up tail back spot. John Dwyer recovered from a slow start to secure a spot on the team. Mike Wallace and Hines Ward will start at wide receiver.

St. Louis- It comes as no surprise that Sam Bradford will be the opening day starter at quarterback for the Rams. Donnie Avery blew out his right knee and will miss the 2010 season. Danny Amendola and Laurent Robinson are currently listed as the starting receivers. Avoid. Chris Ogbonnaya was released, leaving Kenneth Darby and Keith Toston behind Steven Jackson.

San Diego- The Chargers trade for Patrick Crayton from the Cowboys. Vincent Jackson is now going to miss a minimum of 6 games, and has stated that he will hold out the entire year. You can fully expect the Chargers to prove a point, and to neither play, nor trade the disgruntled wide out. He is barely worth a late round flyer in deep leagues. Malcolm Floyd and Legedu Naanee are now the starters. Ryan Mathews appears to be everything the Chargers expected. Mike Tolbert has lined up a tailback in some short yardage situations, while Mathews has also taken carries behind Tolbert.

San Francisco- Micheal Robinson and Glen Coffee won’t be returning to back up Frank Gore. Those duties now belong to rookie Anthony Dixon and veteran Brian Westbrook. Dixon should hold some fairly significant value, as Gore seems to miss games due to injuries every year. David Carr and Nate Davis will back up Alex Smith. Ted Ginn Jr. will return kicks.

Seattle- T.J. Houshmanzadeh was cut after the team was unable to trade him. They also inquired about Vincent Jackson, but balked at the Charger reported asking price. Deion Branch and Golden Tate are listed as  the starters, and the resurgent Mike Williams is the third receiver. No clear cut starter emerged at tailback, so expect a committee between Julius Jones, Leon Washington, and Justin Forsett. Jones is the on top of the current depth chart. The Seahawks may be active on the waiver, or trade front to acquire a bigger back.

Tampa Bay- Gone is Derrick Ward (to Houston), and in is Kareem Huggins at tailback behind Cadillac Williams. The Bucs kept an unheard of 7 wide receivers on the roster. Not among that 7 is Micheal Clayton, who was waived. Rookie Mike Williams has looked outstanding all offseason, and should be drafted in all fantasy leagues.

Tennessee- Chris Simms and Samkon Gado were cut from the Titans. Lagarrette Blount punched his way onto the roster as the third running back. Kenny Britt showed up out of shape, and has been in Jeff Fisher’s doghouse. He is currently behind Nate Washington and Justin Gage.

Washington- The Redskins running back rotation was one of the most watched battles in the preseason. It went exactly as expected. Ryan Torain and Willie Parker were released. Clinton Portis will start, but split time with Larry Johnson. Malcolm Kelly was placed on I.R. Devin Thomas made the squad, but will play behind Santana moss, and 58 year old Joey Galloway.

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