As the season grows closer and closer, the malign on the Bears receiving corps gains steam. It seems as though everyone in the world believes the receiving corps is so bad that Jay Cutler can't be successful. Nevermind the fact that the vastly inferior Kyle Orton threw for almost 3,000 yards and 18 touchdowns (in 15 games) in the same offense last season. It's not as though the losses of Marty Booker and a handful of games from Brandon Lloyd are irreplaceable.
Still, Bears general manager Jerry Angelo just can't escape the question of whether or not the Bears will pursue help at wide receiver. Inevitably, Plaxico Burress' name arises.
On Monday, Matt Snyder wondered if the Redskins' interest in quarterback Mark Sanchez was just shrewd maneuvering, an attempt to hide their true intentions as they plot their weekend draft strategy.
Dan Snyder (no relation to Matt, at least to hear Matt tell it) and Vinny Cerrato have a spotty record when it comes to personnel decisions, although most mistakes have come via big-money free-agent signings. (Recent, obvious examples: Brandon Lloyd, Adam Archuleta.) In recent years, the 'Skins have been low-key on draft weekend. Depending on who you believe, that may or may not change this time around.
Kyle Orton doesn't have Jay Cutler's franchise quarterback pedigree. He was taken in the fourth round of the 2005 draft, two years after the Bears had invested a first-round pick in Rex Grossman. And, from the beginning, his role was clear: a raw, strong-armed talent, who would spend the first few seasons on the bench learning the nuances of what it means to be an NFL quarterback.
That lasted up till the moment Grossman broke his ankle in a 2005 preseason game. At the time, head coach Lovie Smithtold the AP that "I don't know exactly who there is out there but we like the guys we have right now ... Chad Hutchinson is a good player, we feel comfortable starting him, and Kyle Orton continues to shine as far as we're concerned."
Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.
The Bears surprised everyone by being a respectable football team in 2008. Most expected them to completely unravel, winning maybe three of four games. Instead, they took down the Colts in Indianapolis to kick off a winning season.
Along the way, though, they blew several key games and ended up severely disappointing their own fans by not winning a very winnable division -- not to mention one additional win would have garnered a wild card.
The offseason got underway Thursday, and the Patriots wasted little time in franchisingMatt Cassel. What they plan to do with him remains a mystery, but there are plenty of teams in need of quarterback help.
In fact, if you believe National Football Post's Michael Lombardi, nearly a third of NFL franchises could stand an upgrade at the position. The Lions and Vikings top the list, obviously, but Lombardi also thinks the Redskins could be in the market for a new quarterback, if not this offseason, then in a year's time.
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 Baltimore Ravens
Derrick Mason - Despite a partially dislocated shoulder, Mason plans to make the trip to New York and participate in the game against the Giants. While he is not a great start, I do believe he will play. Keep in mind this will be his 100th straight game, so Mason has a vested interest in getting out there on Sunday.
The Carolina Panthers
Jonathan Stewart- Stewart seems to be recovering well from his painful heel injury, although with the Lions on tap and DeAngelo Williams playing so well, we might not see too much of Stewart until next week.
For a brief moment there early in the season, it appeared that Brandon Lloyd was finally going to make good on his promise. He had been a colossal bust at every stop in his early career, but he showed flashes of brilliance for the Bears, including a gem in Week 3 where he caught six balls for 124 yards and a touchdown.
Like everyone else with a brain, I figured his knee injury was still lingering when I saw Lloyd on the inactive list this past weekend when the Bears faced the NFL's lone unbeaten team.
Lloyd explained that it was coach Lovie Smith's "strategy decision," to sit him against the NFL's stingiest scoring defense.
"I've been champing at the bit to get out there," Lloyd said.
Um, seriously? Well, then I'd like to have a few words with Lovie Smith. Earl Bennett -- who only plays special teams -- was on the active roster instead of a fully-healed Brandon Lloyd? Someone, anyone, please make sense of this for me. He has more talent than Rashied Davis and Marty Booker. Unlike the speedy Devin Hester, he's actually a wide receiver by trade.
You don't think Rex Grossman could have used another weapon?
If this is true, it's an absolutely absurd decision by the Bears coaching staff. Let's hope it doesn't happen again.
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
Larry Fitzgerald- Fitty missed his Wednesday practice and was not a full participant on Thursday due to a thumb injury. Remember though, this is Larry Fitzgerald, so even if he only had one hand he would be a must-start.
The Baltimore Ravens
Willis McGahee - Willis McGahee is part of the fantasy circus this week after Ray Rice filled in with a humongous game last week. Now Baltimore's offensive coordinator, Cam Cameron, looks to be leaning toward Rice regardless, but nothing is set as of this point. Given McGahee's lingering injury, I would sit this week out and see what happens unless some very concrete news surfaces about McGahee's availability and the safety of his starting job.
Ray Rice - As if the backfield situation in Baltimore was not confusing enough already, Ray Rice has been limited in practice this week with a chest injury. Still, he looks ready to go and should be a pretty strong start this week.
The Carolina Panthers
Jonathan Stewart- Stewart seems to have pretty serious pain in his heel and has been wearing the boot. At this point, he is considered day-to-day, but this seems worse than just day-to-day. He explained that he feels intense pain every time he puts pressure on the foot, so I'd go elsewhere this week. Plus, even if he is healthy, he'll be sharing carries with DeAngelo Williams.
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.
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- Santonio Holmes is back on the field this Sunday, but I worry about his production after the off-week. He was already a big-time bust before Da Bust. Plus, Big Ben's wing is tweaked, and the Redskins are tough on the pass at home.
- If Brandon Lloyd plays, watch out. I'm expecting a huge week outta him.
As the season grows closer and closer, the malign on the Bears receiving corps gains steam. It seems as though everyone in the world believes the receiving corps is so bad that Jay Cutler can't be successful. Nevermind the fact that the vastly inferior Kyle Orton threw for almost 3,000 yards and 18 touchdowns (in 15 games) in the same offense last season. It's not as though the losses of Marty Booker and a handful of games from Brandon Lloyd are irreplaceable.
On Monday, Matt Snyder wondered if the Redskins' interest in quarterback 
Kyle Orton
Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 
The offseason got underway Thursday, and the Patriots wasted little time in 
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. 
For a brief moment there early in the season, it appeared that 
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. 
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. 
