Giants Brandon Jacobs expected to miss week 12

Reports are saying that New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs will miss week 12 due to injury. Reuben Droughns is expected to start in his place. Fantasy owners of Jacobs (me) have to be disappointed as the big guy had been putting up good numbers since returning from his previous injury. I've been keeping Droughns on my bench just in case this happened. Thankfully the injury does not look serious. I have Reggie Bush and LenDale White starting at RB anyway. I had Bush as my flex, because that's pretty much what role he plays, but Brandon Marshall will fill that spot for me this week.


Ravens tight end Todd Heap did not practice on Wednesday and is rumored to miss yet another game due to injury. When healthy he is one of the top ends in the league. He's been a major disappointment for fantasy owners this year. At this point in the season it's hard to find a decent replacement for the production that owners have come to expect from Heap. I am currently deciding between Leonard Pope and Marcedes Lewis as a temporary replacement for Heap. I've been playing that on a week-to-week basis.


I'm not so much concerned about that decision as I am the decision on who to drop. Robbie Gould was my kicker until his bye week, when I was somehow able to snag Shayne Graham from waivers. I don't need both kickers anymore but have a hard time releasing either guy. I'm in a tight race to make the playoffs and don't want my opposition to snag an advantage at that position. I'm going against the best team in the league though and cannot afford to walk in knowing I'll get nothing at all from the TE position.


Kickers don't get enough respect. A top kicker produces points at the same level as a good running back and perhaps more consistently than a good receiver. I said good, not really good or great. It's hard to make up for those 1,500 yards. Perhaps I will wait until just before kickoff and release Chris Brown to pick up Lewis. Brown is my insurance to White, but I just got him from waivers when releasing Pope after week 11. The running back position is very important but I think too much emphasis is put on it in drafts. If you don't have one of the breakout or perennial fantasy studs like Tomlinson, Manning or Brady, then the key to drafting a good team is overall balance. Give yourself a chance to win at every position on any given week.

Fantasy Football Surprises

What a year for my fantasy football team. I started out 0-5 and have went on to win 6 straight weeks. Things are looking bright for the playoffs. My dismal start was largely attributed to the lackluster play of the New Orleans Saints. I have Drew Brees, Reggie Bush and Marques Colston among my top players. Another key factor was the injury to Brandon Jacobs, my third-round selection.


A few surprises have emerged that've helped my team turn things around. LenDale White and Brandon Marshall lead that list. I selected White in the 9th as my RB4. When Jacobs and my RB3, Cadillac Williams, went down with injuries, White was forced into a prominent role on my squad. This was not my intention when drafting him but he has pleasantly fulfilled his duties. Despite a bad performance last week, and the fumble this week against Denver, fantasy owners in large have had to like what they've gotten from White.


If you have Brandon Marshall on your squad you likely snagged him from the waiver wire and are glad that you did. He's on pace for around 1,300 yards, over 5 receptions per game and just scored another touchdown. He's solidified himself as a quality WR2 or flex play on a weekly basis. Since the Broncos have chosen not to utilize the talents of Mike Bell, they've had many problems at running back this year. That, plus the injury to lead wideout Javon Walker, contributed to this breakout season for the second-year Marshall.