Posts tagged CedricBenson at FanHouse

Compared to what Lions fans are dealing with, folks in Kansas City and Cincinnati are rooting for a team that is on the right track. Of course, we all know that isn't true, as the Chiefs just capped off a 2-14 season, their worst in franchise history.

They did manage to win two games, but this truly was one of the worst teams in NFL history. Counting last year, they have lost 23 of 25 games. The Chiefs recorded just 10 sacks this season, breaking the record for least sacks in a season (the Colts had 11 in 1982).

What is amazing is that they were sharing the field with the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals have been one of the worst franchises in the NFL over the past 17 years and were 1-11-1 just three weeks ago. An upset win over the Redskins and wins over the listless Browns and Chiefs gave Cincy a nice three-game winning streak to end the season. It also gives an excuse for owner Mike Brown to stay the course and keep head coach Marvin Lewis.

I'm just gonna be real right now: Your fantasy league should be over. It's one of those things about which we've all pretty much made an unwritten pact. When people like Peyton Manning will likely not be playing because their teams want them to rest, you shouldn't have a fantasy relevant game. That's why we don't play in the preseason.

All that being said, there are leagues out there with a championship game this week. Since we are committed to helping you win your league title no matter what, we'll still be helping you out. In lieu of positional rankings -- due to a limited audience -- we'll sift through each position and give some pointers. We'll also examine guys who need to play well, as well as those who won't factor at all.

Feel free to leave specific lineup questions in the comments section, and we'll answer. We'll also be having a shortened -- yet quite effective -- Tailgate Sunday morning.

Again, we want you to win ... even if that means supporting you when your league is mishandled.

Each week in the NFL, there are players that impress and players that distress. One week a certain quarterback might toss four touchdowns and run around with his finger in the air while the next he's laying on his back, holding his facemask as the other team returns one of his three interceptions for the game-winning score. With that in mind, here's Studs and Duds.

Here's Week 16 at a glance, where we point out the horses destined for the Kentucky Derby and jeer those headed to the glue factory. (Disclaimer: This will only be for the Sunday games, since you probably can't even remember the Thursday gaes at this point.)

Studs

Matt Cassel, QB New England (20-for-36, 345 yards, 3 TDs) -- If you had to grade Cassel's performance this season after being tossed to the wolves, I'd say it is an "AAAAAA+++++++." Sure, he has looked mediocre at times, but when Tom Brady went down in the first week of the season, every Patriots fan I know mailed in their playoff or Super Bowl hopes. His game against the Cardinals in the snow was his second straight with three touchdowns or more and his fourth in the last six games with a passer rating of 103 or more. Whatever happens next week with the Jets-Dolphins, one thing is quickly being a certainty -- Cassel could make Washington/Chicago/Minnesota a pretty scary team next season.

Like we always do just after Monday Night Football, it's time to recap the week that was in fantasy football. Hey, it's go time folks. That's right, it's playoff time. There's very little time to prepare as the games start coming at you four days a week. You've gotta be on your toes -- there's no more gambling, no more getting cute. You roll the dice with what you've got and hope for the best.

Another week of fantasy football is in the books. And chances are you fit into one of few camps right now -- you're either really depressed and your season is over, or you're ecstatic and live to fight another day. Either way, it's the beginning of the end on a great season of fantasy football. The long journey was well worth the ride, win or lose.

However, let's not close the book just yet. Oh no, this coming weekend marks the championship/money round for many folks. And as you ignore Christmas shopping, work and family to quietly prepare for this all-important week ... be sure to follow the trends of Week 15.

I've often said that Matt Forte is the antithesis of Cedric Benson, both on the field and off. On the field, he actually makes cuts, catches passes, and runs just as hard on each and every carry. Off the field, Forte is humble, gracious, hard-working, and he cares about his team winning football games. Oh, and he doesn't get arrested twice in the span of a few months.

Benson was the complete opposite of everything I said above. Arrogant, indifferent, lazy, running afoul of the law, unproductive, etc. With a recent quote, he proved he was also delusional.

''(Forte) is having a great year, but when I see the highlights, I see holes,'' Benson told reporters in Cincinnati. ''I see them using him in the slot, something they didn't do with me. If I was there right now with the holes I see, I'd probably have 1,800 yards right now. I definitely would have 1,500 by now. I congratulate him on all of his success. He is taking advantage.''

This is such a farce, I don't even know where to begin. I mean, 1,800 yards? With two games to go? Cedric Benson would be on the verge of a 2,000 yard season?

Each week in the NFL, there are players that impress and players that distress. One week a certain quarterback might toss four touchdowns and run around with his finger in the air while the next he's laying on his back, holding his facemask as the other team returns one of his three interceptions for the game-winning score. With that in mind, here's Studs and Duds.

Here's Week 13 at a glance, where we point out the horses destined for the Kentucky Derby and jeer those headed to the glue factory. (Disclaimer: This will only be for the Sunday games, since you probably can't even remember the Thursday games at this point.)

Studs

Mark Clayton, WR Baltimore (5 catches, 164 yards, 1 TD, 1-for-1 passing, 32 yards, 1 TD) -- Trick plays hardly ever seem to work these days, maybe because they are used with such regularity, or maybe because defenses are too fast to be fooled. I guess I should rework that first sentence a bit -- "Trick plays hardly ever work these days, unless you are playing the Bengals." Clayton had an absolutely bananas grab with one hand for his touchdown pass from Joe Flacco, and then tossed one to Derrick Mason for another score in the Ravens' rout. Clayton doubled his previous yardage total for the season and helped move Baltimore to, wait for it, 8-4 and still an outside chance at a playoff birth.

Willie Parker already missed four games this season because of a bum knee, and he'll be out of commission against the Colts this afternoon after injuring his shoulder in Washington last Monday night.

According to NFL Network's Adam Schefter, it could be something that keeps Parker out for more than one game:

Willie Parker found out during the week that he has a torn labrum in his shoulder. He went for a second opinion on that shoulder on Friday; if and when he plays again this season, he's going to have to wear a harness. [The Steelers are] awaiting the results of a second test ... to see what the proper course of action is.

Schefter also points out that Chad Javon Ocho Cinco has played the 2008 season with the same injury -- and the requisite harness -- and hasn't been his usual effective self.

During his three tumultuous years in Chicago, Cedric Benson was labeled a malcontent, an underachiever, and a first-round bust. And that was before he was arrested for boating while intoxicated last summer.

The Bears released him shortly after the incident and Benson spent the first month of the NFL season on his couch waiting for the phone to ring. That's how long it took the Bengals to come to the realization that Chris Perry couldn't handle the starting gig.

In five games, Benson has managed just 3.7 yards per carry, but the bulk of his 241 yards came yesterday against the Jaguars. He racked up 104 yards on 24 carries, including his first touchdown of the season.

And while it's still not clear if he's the long-term answer for Cincinnati, Benson seems to have learned something from his experience in Chicago:

Switching running backs from an aging has-been to a rookie with really high potential was obviously the right move, and Ken Whisenhunt pulled that trigger this week. Tim Hightower took Edgerrin James' job as the feature back for Arizona, and he ran wild with it. Whisenhunt couldn't have chosen a better time to make the switch, either, knowing that their opponent this week was the St. Louis Rams ... the same team that sports the league's 30th ranked run defense.

Hightower was likely already rostered in the majority of fantasy leagues, but now his trade value is absolutely sky-high. You may think you are being a true visionary to deal him high immediately, but check out that schedule. He should have his way with the Niners and Seahawks in his next two contests. Then would be your time to sell. Hold him for now, and in two weeks he'll have three stellar games under his belt. He'll also be looking at a remaining schedule of Giants, Eagles, Rams, Vikings, and Patriots. Other than the Rams contest, there won't be many running lanes in the other games.

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, the waiver wires continue to give us hyperactive fantasy football owners something to do besides work. And Week 9 provides a particularly compelling source of procrastination. Some of the biggest performances came from players simply in fill-in roles for the key starters. Thus, owners cannot just seek out the big stat guys and jump on them, because several of these players require an evaluation of the former starter's worth as well as the severity of the injury to make an informed decision. Still, there is a lot of quality talent available after Sunday's games, so don't get caught sleeping or you will likely be sorry come playoff time.

Dan Orlovsky (QB, Lions) - With the news of the Daunte Culpepper signing, Orlovsky's respectable 292-yard, two-touchdown performance in the Lions' closest near-win to date gets diminished a bit. But he is improving and it is not likely that Culpepper will step right in as he needs to learn the offense and presumably get in shape. Thus, keep an eye on Orlovsky since he might be serviceable as -- dare I say it -- the Lions are improving. Orlovsky also threw the ball 47 times, which leads me to believe that Rod Marinelli finally might have realized that you can't just "pound the rock" when you suck. He did ding a finger on his throwing hand early in the game and is going in for an X-ray, so keep this in mind as well.

Ray Rice (RB, Ravens) - Ray Rice posted huge numbers Sunday against the Browns, racking up 154 yards on the ground and another 22 yards on three receptions. Unfortunately for Rice, the 21 carries were the result of Willis McGahee's nagging ankle injury keeping him on the sidelines for the entire duration. Thus, while Rice looks like a good snag this week, his value will probably go right back down unless McGahee's injury keeps him out another week or beyond. McGahee played through this injury for weeks, so he should be back soon.