FanHouse Kolby Smith

Need a last-minute fill-in for this week? 4th and 26 is here to throw you a couple deep sleepers, guys available in at least 90 percent of Fleaflicker leagues that could give your fantasy football team a big boost.

We covered a full complement of fantasy sleepers in Wednesday's column, and I suggest perusing that article to try and find a replacement before delving into these deep sleepers, who are nothing more than wild cards.

Of course, some of you are sitting around with a dried-out free agent pool and not many options. If this describes your situation, read on, because I'm here to help you out.

Need a last-minute fill-in for this week? 4th and 26 is here to throw you a couple deep sleepers, guys available in at least 90 percent of Fleaflicker leagues that could give your fantasy football team a big boost.

Big props go to Tom Herrera, who pegged Sam Aiken as a deep sleeper at the end of our Sunday Tailgate chat last week. Lo and behold, Aiken came through with a long touchdown. Will Tom have the magic again this week? Come by the Tailgate and see his pick for deep sleeper this week. As for my picks, read on.

Cut-N-Go is Fantasy Football FanHouse's weekday roundup of the NFL news with fantasy football impact.

You had to be crazy not to see this coming. And whether you think the penalty was too stiff or not harsh enough for the crime, just know that Larry Johnson is being punished. In a release from the Kansas City Chiefs, we find out that Johnson will receive a two-game suspension.

The Kansas City Chiefs have suspended RB Larry Johnson for Conduct Detrimental to the Club effective immediately. Johnson will not be permitted to participate in any team activities or be on team premises until Monday, November 9th. The Chiefs will have no further comment on Johnson's status at this time.

This punishment wasn't as harsh as I predicted, but since I have no say in the matter let's focus on what the Chiefs are doing to make sure their rushing attack doesn't suffer.

With Fantasy Football season ready to kick in high gear, FanHouse is here to preview each and every team -- one per day until we've done them all.

Meet The ...
Conclusion of the Butt Chiefs. That lousy 2-14 Chiefs squad from 2008 has nowhere to go but up from here, so they will no longer be the butt of everyone's joke. Remember that explosive offense for the NFC Champion, Arizona Cardinals. Well, former offensive coordinator Todd Haley assumes his first head coaching job this season in Kansas City. In other words, the Chiefs offense just became very relevant for fantasy football owners. Sure, Haley still faces a massive challenge in terms of personnel, but you can rest assured that this season, the Chiefs' offense will make plays just like Haley's Cardinals did.

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One of the best things about Fantasy Football is "smack talk." Yup, littering the message board and taunting your friends and enemies at every opportunity. I feel for you if your league doesn't run by such standards, for me it's a must. Anyhow, another aspect of the game that ranks right up there is the "I told you so."

And yes, who doesn't like the right to brag and gloat. Look, when it comes to Fantasy Football we all think we're experts, but when we nail a call --- man, that's gratification. Well, you can probably guess where this going...right? Yup, you may have read Matt Snyder's plea on this very site to NOT draft Larry Johnson. Well, we even subtly suggested you deal him after his huge game against Denver.

FanHouse fantasy positional rankings are compiled weekly by the staff in order to provide answers to possible lineup questions. These are assuming most leagues use Fleaflicker's standard scoring structure. If you need clarification, you need more players ranked, or have funky league rules, feel free to shoot us an email question.

First things first. Joseph Addai is out, Larry Johnson is suspended, Willie Parker's suffered a setback, and Reggie Bush has knee swelling. From the latter two, I expect Bush to play and Parker to sit. These rankings reflect that.

Johnson will be replaced by a committee: Jamaal Charles and Kolby Smith. The Chiefs play the mighty Titans defense. Pass on both.

Parker would likely be replaced by Mewelde Moore, who should provide an admirable showing against in Cincy.

I expect Deuce McAllister to take a few carries from Reggie Bush, but they really play a different position. Approach this week as if Bush is completely fine.

The major fallout, though, is that Dominic Rhodes is stepping into the Colts backfield against a less than solid Green Bay run defense. The Colts were finally back to their old selves this past week, and if they keep it up ... it is an incredibly easy offense in which to pile up stats from RB. With this all in mind, Rhodes has made the top 10 this week in our running back ranks.

1. Clinton Portis, vs. CLE
2. Marion Barber, @ STL
3. Brandon Jacobs, vs. SF
4. Frank Gore, @ NYG
5. LaDanian Tomlinson, @ BUF

It appears assault isn't something the NFL is a big fan of. Fox Sports Net J.C. Pearsen has reported that the Chiefs suspended running back Larry Johnson this Sunday for the game against the Titans.

The reason for the suspension isn't yet established but most assume it's because of the latest assault charge that Johnson is facing after allegedly pushing a lady in the face at a nightclub on February 24 in Kansas City and telling her "don't touch me."

This is the third time since 2003 that Johnson has faced an assault charge and the second from a women at a nightclub. Formerly the premier running back in the league, Johnson has struggled with consistency, rushing for 417 yards this season but nearly half of that came in the win against Denver, when LJ had 198 yards and two touchdowns.

Now facing one of the better teams in the league with the stingiest defense, the Chiefs will be looking at Jamaal Charles and Kolby Smith to carry the load.

I'm going to give the same advice I wanted to send Pacman Jones about strip clubs. Larry, if you're at a nightclub in the next few months, don't push a girl down by her face. I don't think that's too much to ask.

There wasn't any beer on sale at the Meadowlands during today's overtime Jets win. That meant 65 minutes of the Herman Edwards Bowl had to be witnessed stone cold sober by the hardy souls who braved a rainy, miserable day in New York just to watch their team try to win a meaningless game.

That's just not right. It took me a fifth of scotch, two 40s of OE and a polo mallet just to make it to halftime. By the time Mike Nugent made two field goals, one was negated by penalty, to win the game 13-10 in the extra period I was on a morphine drip, scraping every drop of Sterno out of a can and grinding up bumblebees to snort.

God knows I wasn't playing this one naked. There were 18 punts, 35 incomplete passes, 13 penalties and the teams combined to convert 6-of-32 third downs. There weren't even any turnovers to make things interesting, just inept offenses running a few plays before sending a guy in to punt. That 18 number doesn't even include a roughing the kicker penalty or Jon McGraw's fake of a K.C. punt. That means there were 20 times teams were in a punt formation. Not that I was counting or anything.

To get you ready for week 17, FanHouse is previewing all 16 NFL games. Here is the Kansas City Chiefs/New York Jets preview.

2007 Records:

Kansas City Chiefs: 4-11 (4th in AFC West)
New York Jets: 3-12 (3rd in AFC East)

Last Week:

Lions 25, Chiefs 20
Titans 10, Jets 6

When the Chiefs have the ball: There's some good news as it looks like Brodie Croyle will be healthy enough to play on Sunday. Good news is relative when discussing the K.C. offense, of course, but with Croyle in line to start next season every little bit of preparation helps the cause. Despite their miserable record, the Jets defense won't provide an easy opponent. They've been much better since the bye and did yeoman's work in last week's loss. They are still vulnerable to the run but the Chief offensive line hasn't offered much space for Kolby Smith or anyone else to operate. The more aggressive Jets can put some heat on Croyle and could force some mistakes if he looks to make the big play.

To get you ready for week 14, FanHouse is previewing all 16 NFL games. Here is the Kansas City Chiefs/Denver Broncos preview.

2007 Records:

Kansas City Chiefs: 4-8 (t-3rd in AFC West)
Denver Broncos: 5-7 (2nd in AFC West)

Last Week:

Chargers 24, Chiefs 10
Raiders 34, Broncos 20

When the Chiefs have the ball: The Chiefs have decided on Brodie Croyle as their starting quarterback this weekend but they'd be wise to limit his impact on the game. The Broncos made another admission of their incompetence against the run when they released Sam Adams this week and K.C.'s game plan should feature Kolby Smith until the Broncos prove they can stop him. Even though the Broncos will play eight in the box to try and stop the run, Huard shouldn't be looking for too much more than quick slants and outs to Tony Gonzalez and Dwayne Bowe. Bad things, sacks and interceptions, happen with way too much frequency for Kansas City to try and open the game up downfield.