While the rest of the NFL is taking part in a free agent spree, the Chicago Bears have been incredibly quiet. I'm not necessarily talking about signing guys, because sometimes that stuff is out of your control. I'm talking about the Bears not being mentioned in any rumors for any free agent or possible trade target.
It's not as though the team doesn't have needs, as I outlined five in the offseason roadmap. I unintentionally omitted another need, which was astutely pointed out by the first commenter -- that they need an able-bodied backup to Matt Forte in the backfield as well. So that makes six pretty important needs.
The Texans announced today that oft-injured and old running back Ahman Green and outside linebacker Morlon Greenwood have been cut. Green could never stay on the field, and Greenwood was pretty much a defensive liability on one of the worst defenses in the league.
This move is not unexpected given their poor production paired with having huge salaries relative to the rest of the team. This likely is the quiet end to Green's time in the NFL. In his 11 year career, he had 9045 yards rushing, 2865 yards receiving and 73 touchdowns. Six times he rushed for over 1000 yards, including 5 times in a row between the years 2000-2004.
When NFL free agency starts, the free agents are typically not the only ones who are looking for a new contract. A handful of players who have years left on their current deals are bound to decide that they've "out-performed the contract." Some of these players will decide to politely request a new deal or a raise, with no intention of doing anything in retaliation should they not get what they want.
What many fans don't necessarily know is that a lot of the rumblings start at the Pro Bowl.
Looking at the quotes from the Friday press conference in their entirety, I'm doubting that Schaub plays in that game. Gary Kubiak sees progress, but says that Schaub is "still a little bit limited."
This likely means that the Texans are going to likely throw the ball more and pass protection from the RB spot might be an adventure. Unleash the Rosenchappa interception machine.
In the battle of two of the most disappointing teams this season, the Texans won on the road so this means the Browns are more disappointing. So I guess they can take that as a victory of sorts.
Browns' QB Brady Quinn started despite a broken index finger on this throwing hand and was largely ineffective when he wasn't throwing interceptions. Derek Anderson replaced him to equally poor results. WR Braylon Edwards was the Browns leading receiver, but his story of the game was more of sloppy routes and dropped passes.
The Browns were very effective in spurts running the ball against the poor Texans run defense, but coach Romeo Crennel inexplicably gave up on the run.
Every week when the dinner bell rings on Friday evening, we'll be here to provide you a comprehensive commentary of the key injuries for the NFL weekend to follow. For those injuries that go right down to the wire, drop by our Fantasy Fanhouse expert live chat from 10am to 1pm EST every Sunday and we'll take care of you on those bloody game-time decisions. As always, please feel free to chime in with opinions, updates, and rumors in the comments.
The Arizona Cardinals
Anquan Boldin - Anquan Boldin owners, you may now do the worm. I think it's safe to say Q is healthy again.
The Baltimore Ravens
Willis McGahee - Willis McGahee sat out of practice -- likely just for rest -- on Wednesday as he continues to play through the lingering knee issue. He is expected to start this weekend against Cleveland, which should present a good matchup.
Todd Heap - Heap is listed as questionable and has been limited in practice this week with a neck injury. Heap has produced consistently terrible numbers thus far in 2008, so don't bother holding him on the roster.
The Chicago Bears
Brandon Lloyd - Coming off a bye week, Lloyd practiced light and is questionable for week nine. While this is still a day-to-day decision, a home game against the worst team in the NFL (Detroit) provides some incentive to put the pads on and get out on the field. Keep an eye on this, but I suspect the waiting game to end this week.
Weeding through those unwieldy waiver wires requires a keen eye and a quick trigger. Thus, Waiver Wire Wonders provides a weekly snapshot of players worthy of consideration who should be available on a good portion of league waiver wires. Enjoy those pickups...
Week 7 provides fantasy owners with a diverse buffet of waiver wire options to consider. While many of them look quite good, the majority will ultimately probably just take up valuable space. Still, feel free to sample a few and see if there is anything you like.
Malcom Floyd (WR, San Diego) - Floyd filled in well in the void left by Chris Chambers this week by hauling in four passes for 65 yards and one touchdown. Chambers will likely return in the next week or two however, so Floyd is not worth a roster spot at this point. Still, he at least deserves a mention if only because his older brother Malcolm also played in the NFL for the Oilers (yes, that's Malcom and Malcolm).
Kyle Orton (QB, Chicago Bears) - At this point, Kyle Orton is only available in roughly 30 percent of fantasy leagues, but it is worth checking the wires, because Orton continues to bring the Chicago passing game along into a viable offensive threat. If he is still available, snap him up, because he will make a great backup and matchup play for the second half of the season. On Sunday, he racked up another 283 yards and two touchdown passes.
Every week when the dinner bell rings on Friday evening, we'll be here to provide you a comprehensive injury report for the NFL weekend to follow. For those injuries that go right down to the wire, drop by our Fantasy Fanhouse expert live chat from 10am to 1pm EST every Sunday and we'll take care of you on those bloody game-time decisions. As always, please feel free to chime in with opinions, updates, and rumors in the comments.
The Atlanta Falcons
Michael Turner - After making the injury report last week with an ankle injury, Turner is now probable with a shoulder injury. He should be fine as he practiced full speed Thursday, but it might not be a bad time to start thinking about selling high on Turner.
The Baltimore Ravens
Willis McGahee - In a controversial development, the Ravens are speculating that the Browns pulled a "Sweep the leg Johnny" on McGahee and purposefully inflicted harm upon him. McGahee continues to struggle with his swollen, cut eye and although he is listed as probable, he has not made much progress. The game is Monday night though, so hopefully he'll be ready, but this is worse than it sounds.
The Buffalo Bills
Roscoe Parrish - Parrish is definitely out for four to six weeks with a thumb injury. While this is not material for many people, it may open the door for James Hardy to gain some playing time and for Lee Evans to put up a couple of his sporadic breakout games.
The Carolina Panthers
Jonathan Stewart - Stewart was limited in practice Thursday to rest his foot injury, but he should be there come Sunday.
Every week when the dinner bell rings on Friday evening, we'll be here to provide you a comprehensive injury report for the NFL weekend to follow. For those injuries that go right down to the wire, drop by our Fantasy Fanhouse expert live chat from 10am to 1pm EST every Sunday and we'll take care of you on those bloody game-time decisions. As always, please feel free to chime in with opinions, updates, and rumors in the comments.
The Atlanta Falcons
Michael Turner - After making the injury report last week with an ankle injury, Turner is now probable with a shoulder injury. He should be fine as he practiced full speed Thursday, but it might not be a bad time to start thinking about selling high on Turner.
The Baltimore Ravens
Willis McGahee - In a controversial development, the Ravens are speculating that the Browns pulled a "Sweep the leg Johnny" on McGahee and purposefully inflicted harm upon him. McGahee continues to struggle with his swollen, cut eye and although he is listed as probable, he has not made much progress. The game is Monday night though, so hopefully he'll be ready, but this is worse than it sounds.
The Buffalo Bills
Roscoe Parrish - Parrish is definitely out for four to six weeks with a thumb injury. While this is not material for many people, it may open the door for James Hardy to gain some playing time and for Lee Evans to put up a couple of his sporadic breakout games.
The Carolina Panthers
Jonathan Stewart - Stewart was limited in practice Thursday to rest his foot injury, but he should be there come Sunday.
Every week when the dinner bell rings on Friday evening, we'll be here to provide you a comprehensive injury report for the NFL weekend to follow. For those injuries that go right down to the wire, drop by our live Fantasy Fanhouse experts live chat from 10 am to 1 pm every Sunday and we'll take care of you on those bloody game-time decisions. As always, please feel free to chime in with opinions, updates, and rumors in the comments.
The Arizona Cardinals
Steve Breaston - Breaston practiced lightly this week with a knee injury, but is expected to play on Sunday.
The Atlanta Falcons
Michael Turner - Turner was seen with his ankle in a bucket of ice (owww)after Sunday's game, but he says it is not serious and will be ready.
The Chicago Bears
Devin Hester - Hester has some torn cartilage in his ribs and has not practiced this week. I doubt if anybody starts Hester, but if so look elsewhere as he probably will not play.
While the rest of the NFL is taking part in a free agent spree, the Chicago Bears have been incredibly quiet. I'm not necessarily talking about signing guys, because sometimes that stuff is out of your control. I'm talking about the Bears not being mentioned in any rumors for any free agent or possible trade target. 
The 
When NFL free agency starts, the free agents are typically not the only ones who are looking for a new contract. A handful of players who have years left on their current deals are bound to decide that they've "out-performed the contract." Some of these players will decide to politely request a new deal or a raise, with no intention of doing anything in retaliation should they not get what they want.
The 
In the battle of 
Every week when the dinner bell rings on Friday evening, we'll be here to provide you a comprehensive commentary of the key injuries for the NFL weekend to follow. For those injuries that go right down to the wire, drop by our Fantasy Fanhouse expert live chat from 10am to 1pm EST every Sunday and we'll take care of you on those bloody game-time decisions. As always, please feel free to chime in with opinions, updates, and rumors in the comments. 
Weeding through those unwieldy waiver wires requires a keen eye and a quick trigger. Thus, Waiver Wire Wonders provides a weekly snapshot of players worthy of consideration who should be available on a good portion of league waiver wires. Enjoy those pickups...
Every week when the dinner bell rings on Friday evening, we'll be here to provide you a comprehensive injury report for the NFL weekend to follow. For those injuries that go right down to the wire, drop by our Fantasy Fanhouse expert live chat from 10am to 1pm EST every Sunday and we'll take care of you on those bloody game-time decisions. As always, please feel free to chime in with opinions, updates, and rumors in the comments. 
Every week when the dinner bell rings on Friday evening, we'll be here to provide you a comprehensive injury report for the NFL weekend to follow. For those injuries that go right down to the wire, drop by our live Fantasy Fanhouse experts live chat from 10 am to 1 pm every Sunday and we'll take care of you on those bloody game-time decisions. As always, please feel free to chime in with opinions, updates, and rumors in the comments. 
