FANTASY 101
--Don’t Panic: One week does not make a season. There are several players that did not live up their owner’s expectations, but don’t over react it’s just one game. Patience is a vital virtue for owners to embrace early in the season. Most of us put hours of homework in before drafting our teams and after one game it’s simply too hard to gage things. Barring some major injuries or depth chart shake-ups it is wise to shake off a bad outing and move on to next week. However, if the trend reaches three of four games it may be time to reconsider.

SETTING YOUR LINEUP

START ‘EM
RB Tim Hightower (vs. ARI) – Hightower followed up a stellar preseason with a solid Redskins’ debut in Week 1. Mike Shanahan is finally starting to put his imprint on the team’s offense and Washington is going to be better than most people think.  The stats were not overwhelming (25 carries, 72 RuYd, RuTD; 3 rec, 25 ReYd), but the fact he had 28 touches is what fantasy owners should be excited about. With a matchup against his former team this weekend, I expect an even better effort in Week 2.

James Starks (at CAR) – Starks was one of my preseason sleepers and after watching  him in for 45 plays to the 16 snaps that Ryan Grant saw in Week 1’s win over the Saints, I am giving him the thumbs up in Week 2. Starks came up with 57 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries and if the Packers get up as I expect on the Panthers, Starks could get way more touches this week

SIT’ EM
QB Eli Manning (vs. STL) – The Giants’ quarterback was a nice spot play a year ago and finished with some big numbers. However, with Hakeem Nicks banged up, Steve Smith in Philly and a new tight end to deal with, New York’s passing attack looks out of out of whack to me right now. The matchup against the Rams is favorable, but I still find better options this week as my fantasy QB than Eli Manning.

WR Chad Ochocinco (vs. SD) – Despite the fact that Tom Brady threw for 511 yards, Chad only managed to catch 1 ball for 14 yards and was on the field was less than 20 snaps in his Patriots’ debut. Owners need to temper their expectations, especially early on, as he learns the offense. I am not ready to cut him yet, but sitting him on your bench until he has a good game or two makes a lot of sense.

FANTASY INFIRMARY
RB Arian Foster (hamstring) – He returned to practice on Wednesday and barring setbacks will start on Sunday against the Dolphins. I still expect to see Ben Tate to get some touches while Foster is eased back in so owners should temper their expectations a bit.

RB Steven Jackson (quad) – The news is not as good for Steven Jackson is out this week and likely longer with an injury with his right quadriceps. Cadillac Williams will fill his void out the Rams’ backfield and be given a full workload in his absence.

WR Marques Colston (collarbone) – The Saints’ top wide out is out at least for a month after suffering a broken collarbone in Week 1’s loss to Green Bay.  That should lead to an increase workload for Robert Meachem, Devery Henderon, and even Lance Moore, if he can ever get healthy himself.

Other injuries of note: Hakeem Nicks (knee/wrist), Brandon Lloyd (groin), Lance Moore (groin), Knowshon Moreno (hamstring)

SELL HIGH CANDIDATES
QB Cam Newton (CAR) – I will be the first to admit that I didn’t expect Cam Newton to be much of a factor, but after last week’s effort vs. Arizona I have done a 360 on him. However, don’t expect 425 yards passing every single week. If you have a strong QB1 and just picked up Newton late now may be the time to shop him to the owner that drafted Peyton Manning, his value this season may not get much higher than it is now.

WR Kenny Britt (TEN) – Britt has proven to be a big play guy on more than one occasion and his 136-yard, two touchdown effort in the opening loss to Jacksonville made waves in the fantasy world. Still, his inconsistency and penchant for off-field-drama can lead to big time headaches. If you can move for a more reliable option at the position I would not hesitate. There will be big days ahead, but they will be accompanied by just as many disappointments.

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The Bengals traded disgruntled wide receiver Chad Ochocinco to the New England Patriots on Thursday for a pair of late round picks over the next couple of seasons.

His departure came with mixed reviews in the Queen City, but like him or hate him, you cannot argue with the fact that he definitely left his mark on the franchise and its fan base.

Check out some of these numbers:
--Team’s all-time leader in receptions (751), receiving yards (10,783) and ReTD (66)
--Six Pro Bowl appearances
--5 straight seasons of 87+ receptions (2003-07)
--Broke the 1000-yard receiving mark in 7 of 10 seasons with team
--Seventh most receptions of any active player

More than his numbers though, Chad's mark was left with his mouth and his infamous touchdown celebrations...

COMPLETE STATS (Pro-Football-Reference.com)

NFL cincinnati bengals, chad ochocinco, new england patriots

Even though the NFL offseason has been quiet, Chad Ochocinco has not. Check out some of recent takes from an radio interview with The 2 Live Stews...

Is Carson Palmer done? Is he playing?
“I haven’t talked to him, but he’s not playing. He’s not playing. When someone goes out of character like that, especially a white guy with red hair that grows a random beard? When he says he’s going to do something he’s going to do it. He’s not playing.”

What are your thoughts on Marvin Lewis because he’s taken some shots at you too? Is that relationship repairable?
“I don’t know. Hopefully Marvin is doing this maybe to help me out. Maybe he is trying to cause some friction between himself and me. Maybe he doesn’t like me for real. He doesn’t like me well I don’t like him either. Maybe he’s doing this to help the situation out. Maybe he’s trying to do this to show Mike Brown I don’t think I can coincide with Chad, but dammit I can’t coincide with him either and if he really feels that way when I see him I’m going to whoop his ass.”

COMPLETE INTERVIEW (SportsRadioInterviews.com)

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Get your free football picks againt the spread and live football odds from our friends at Doc's Sports

Here are some of the latest news bits surrounding Bengals:

BENGALS BEGIN VOLUNTARY WORKOUTS (Bengals.com)
While their offense worked against a defense for the first time this spring without them Wednesday, the Bengals coaches spent another day grinding through tape and their new playbook...MORE

DALTON IN UNBELIEVABLE POSITION (Cincinnati Enquirer)
You want to talk about casualties of war? The quarterback some thought the best in the draft slipped out of the first round. The Bengals took him in Round 2, and immediately anointed him Savior. The Bengals have a new offensive coordinator, a new offense, a franchise QB retired in his prime and a prime need for Andy Dalton to play immediately…MORE

OWENS, OCHOCINCO NOT EXPECTED BACK (NationalPost.com)
It's no secret in NFL circles that the Cincinnati Bengals had a tough locker room situation last year in terms of chemistry disrupted by the dual disruptive presence of wide receivers Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens. Owens won't be back, and Ochocinco appears to be on thin ice...MORE

SMITH SHAPING UP? (ProFootballTalk.com)
Andre Smith, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft who has started just five games in two seasons, says he’s finally rounding into shape. Smith, who has broken his left foot twice in the last 15 months, is still in a protective boot, so it’s probably safe to say he’s not in playing shape...MORE

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In case you missed it...or in case you sneezed:

Just For Fun, NFL chad ochocinco, bull ride, rodeo

Despite the fact that there hasn’t been any free agent movement due to the NFL Lockout, some things are becoming pretty clear about the 2011 Bengals.

The team has made resigning free agent running back their top priority and appears to be set to move on without the services of wide receiver Chad Ochocinco and quarterback Carson Palmer, who has said he’ll retire before returning to Cincinnati to play another season for the Bengals.

The Bengals first two picks of the 2011 NFL draft, wide receiver A.J. Green and quarterback Andy Dalton, indicate just that.

Once the lockout ends, the team will need to sure up its running game and hopes to have Benson back. However, it won’t come cheap as the running back alluded to in an interview this week.

“I think I’m deserving of that I just hope a couple teams feel the same way. It would be nice if it would be the Bengals, they drafted a quarterback in the second round and have young receivers, they’re going to need a horse in there,” Benson said on Sirius NFL Radio’s Late Hits show with Bryan McGovern and Maurice Jones Drew.

How much is Benson worth?  The Bengals got him on the scrap pile and a got a great deal when they first brought him to town a few years back and the two-year deal at $7 million signed after the 2008 season. However, I’m not sure they should break the bank for him on a multi-year deal given his age.

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Listening to Chad Ochocinco talk on ESPN's “NFL Live” on Tuesday was just another reminder of why the Cincinnati Bengals need to just buy out his contract for $3 million and say goodbye.

While I did support his open-ended criticisms of the organization, he lost a ton of credibility when he told viewers he was going to change his name back to Chad Johnson as if anyone really cared.

"I don't have a choice right now," Ochocinco told ESPN's Trey Wingo. "I've done enough with the Ocho thing."

If the “Ocho thing” is spending your time doing bad reality TV shows rather than working to get better as a TEAM and a football player then following it up with a subpar season than yeah I guess it’s over.

Bengals’ coach Marvin Lewis responded to questions about Chad reaching out to the Patriots via Twitter to bring him to New England by saying, “Belichick is smarter than that”.

For the first time in a while I agree with Lewis’ assessment. It appears that a divorce is coming soon!

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The Cincinnati Bengals have doubled their season win total over the last two games, including Sunday’s improbable upset of the San Diego Chargers.

Playing without wide receivers Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco, quarterback Carson Palmer delivered one of his best days of the season as he completed 16-of-21 passes for 269 yards and four touchdowns.

Third-year wideout Jerome Simpson, who mustered just three career receptions before this recent winning streak began, caught six balls for 124 yards and a score.  Rookies Jermaine Gresham and Jordan Shipley continued to show promise and even running back Bernard Scott was involved.

With the T.Ocho Show preempted on Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium fans got a taste what life may look like post divas. The team is unlikely likely to resign Owens, who will be 38 next year, and will save over $3 million to let Ochocinco walk.

I am not blaming all of the Bengals’ offensive woes on either Owens or Ochocinco. They did combine for 139 catches this season. However, clearly Palmer and offensive coordinator were at ease without having the pressure of getting the ball to the two veterans.

While I am not ready to jump on the bandwagon and still want to see the team clean house with its coaching staff, there does appear to be some upside in the team’s young targets.

NFL cincinnati bengals, terrell owens, carson palmer, chad ochocinco, jerome simpson, jordan shipley

QB Game Ball - Tom Brady, New England - 25/35, 258 yards, 3 TD, 0 Int
It seems like there has not been much talk about the Patriots this pre-season. But after the hurt they put on the Bengals on Sunday, people may just start chatting again about the best team of the last decade. Brady certainly has not missed a beat as he tore apart what was an excellent Cincinnati defense a year ago. He hooked up with seven different receivers with Wes Welker emerging as the star.

QB Honorable Mention - Peyton Manning, Indianapolis - 40/57, 433 yards, 3 TD (great numbers except for the '1' in the loss column.)

RB Game Ball - Arian Foster, Houston - 33 carries, 233 yards, 3 TD
The Texans have had a revolving door at the running back position since their inception. This pre-season has not been an exception with Foster battling Steve Slaton for carries. But the second year back may have just secured his job for a while. This was a big win for Houston and a lot of it came on the shoulders, and legs, of Foster.

RB Honorable Mention - Matt Forte, Chicago - 17 carries, 50 yards, 7 catches, 151 yards, 2 TD (anyone remember what Marshall Faulk did when Mike Martz was his offensive coordinator?)

WR Game Ball - Mark Clayton, St. Louis - 10 catches, 119 yards
A week ago Clayton was traded from a contending team, the Ravens, to a team that won four games last year and is starting a rookie QB. So what does he do in his first game? He has a career day. The Rams may not actually win many more than the four games they won last year, but they are going to get better as the season progresses. And Clayton may just be the guy for the young Sam Bradford. He's sure to be on the 'most-added' list this week.

WR Honorable Mention - Chad Ochocinco, Cincinnati - 12 catches, 159 yards, 1 TD (may need T.O. to put up similar numbers in same game for the Bengals to win.)

The Game Used Sock Award - Alex Smith, San Francisco - 26/45, 225 yards, 0 TD, 2 Int
The 49ers enter the season as one of the hot picks in the NFL. The NFC West seems to be weak and San Fran looks to be on the rise. Apparently no one told all of that to the Seahawks. Smith looked bad in Seattle on Sunday. Sure the running game never got going as Frank Gore had just 38 yards on 17 carries. But Smith runs the offense and this offense only mustered two field goals against a team that is supposedly rebuilding. Sure, it's only week one and Niners, and Smith, will rebound. But now he has to do it wearing nasty, sweaty game-worn socks.

Stinky Sock Honorable Mention - Michael Turner - 19 carries, 42 yards (sure, it was against the Steelers but still....)

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The Cincinnati Bengals played their third of five preseason tilts on Friday night and may have had their best showing yet as they beat the Philadelphia Eagles, 22-9. Let’s take a look at some of the key notes from the game:

CARSON PALMER – Palmer continues to complete passes (67.44%) as he connected on 15-of-23 attempts for 168 yards, but he has yet throw for a touchdown and was picked off twice. He was able to connect with new target, Terrell Owens, for a 43-yard strike. However, he is only averaging 6.79 yards per attempt for the preseason.

WIDE RECEIVERS – Owens continues to be the favorite target for Palmer in the passing game.  He finished Friday’s game with three catches for 67 yards and now has nine receptions for 108 yards in three preseason games. Meanwhile, Chad Ochocinco has managed to pull in just three balls for 33 yards in that span. There was a Jermone Simpson sighting as he caught a ball for 22 yards. The former second-round pick is likely to be cut later this month.

JERMAINE GRESHAM – The team’s first-round pick, tight end Jermaine Gresham, looked solid again as he pulled in three balls for 34 yards in limited action.

RUNNING BACKS – Cedric Benson churned out his best effort of the preseason (10 att, 30 RuYd), but only averaged 3.0 yards per carry. He did add 29 more yards on five catches.  Bernard Scott scored the team’s first touchdown of the game on a 7-yard run and finished with just 13 yards on two carries before leaving with a shoulder injury.  Cedric Peerman stated his case for a roster by scoring a pair of touchdowns and tallying 47 yards on 12 carries against the Eagles’ scrubs.

ANDRE SMITH – Freddie Childress…I mean Andre Smith made his first start of the preseason, but looked terrible.  He was beaten consistently off the ball and flagged for two penalties.

****

KICKING BATTLE – There continues to be little separation in the team’s kicking battle and neither option seems to be very appealing. Mike Nugent missed a 59-yard field goal, but that is to be expected. Raymer has done nothing to impress and wide-left on his 34-yard attempt. Suddenly Shayne Graham is not sounding that bad.

ADAM JONES – Adam “Pacman” Jones returned a kick for 44 yards and a punt for 22 yards and looks like a lock to make the roster as a returner / nickel back.

DEFENSE – The unit looked solid from top to bottom. They held the Eagles to just three field goals and played with intensity after looking lifeless in the previous two exhibition games.  Dhani Jhones forced a fumble as did Jonathan Joseph, who knocked Eagles’ wide receiver Jeremy Maclin out of the game.  Defensive back Morgan Trent came up with three second-half interceptions as he battles for a spot. Rookies Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins each recorded a sack.

PENALTIES – It may only be the preseason, but the Bengals have continued a 2009 trend by being flagged early and often.  Friday night was no different as the team was penalized 10 times for 75 yards. Through three preseason contests they have 29 penalties for 269 yards, YIKES!

INJURIES – Veteran free agent Gibril Wilson suffered a torn ACL and MCL and is out for the season. He was expected to add much-needed depth in the secondary and now will require surgery.  Bernard Scott left the game in the second quarter with a shoulder injury. Wide receiver Antonio Bryant did not dress as he continues to battle a knee injury.

BLACKOUT – The game was aired nationally on FOX Sports, but blacked out in the Cincinnati and Dayton markets. It will be replayed on Saturday at 4PM on NFL Network.

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