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Cedric Benson is going to jail for assault. Sure, it won’t cost him any game time, but that is not exactly the way you want your running back spending his time before the season opens. So can you trust Cedric Benson on your fantasy team?
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I probably shouldn’t give him credit for having the common sense to keep his nose clean now once the season starts, but I’m going to anyway. He has had some off-the-field issues in the past, but they have typically been when he had the free time that the NFL schedule simply doesn’t provide.
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I’m more concerned with his performance on the field.
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Benson is coming off consecutive 300+ carry seasons. His yards per carry dropped from a solid 4.2 in 2009 to 3.5 last year. Benson will turn 29 later this year, making that a discouraging statistic.
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Benson also had serious ball control issues. He put seven balls on the carpet last year, which matches the amount he had during his first five seasons. He lost five of the fumbles, which is one more lost fumble than he had entering the season. In 321 carries he had as many fumbles and more lost fumbles than his first 935 carries of his career.
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He also has to deal with a rookie quarterback. Without Carson Palmer keeping defenses honest, look for teams to stack the box on Benson. Until Andy Dalton can prove himself, running lanes could be hard to come by.
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Fortunately for Benson owners you shouldn’t have to count on him as your RB2. While he’s not an ideal RB3 given his shortcomings, he isn’t a terrible option either. He should get back to the 1000 yard mark with 6+ touchdowns. Just don’t expect many monster weeks from him.
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Also check out:

• 2011 Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football RB Rankings – PPR
• 2011 Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football TE Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football DEF Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football IDP Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football K Rankings

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When Jerome Simpson torched San Diego in Week 16 last year for six catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns he raised some eyebrows. When he followed that effort up with a whopping 12 catches for 123 yards and a score against Baltimore to close out the season, the breakout talk began.
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When it became evident that Chad Ochocinco wasn’t returning, the pieces appeared to be falling into place. Then all hell broke loose.
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Carson Palmer started talking retirement as he began a stalemate with Mike Brown. Palmer wants out and Brown won’t budge. Apparently he didn’t learn his lesson after passing up on an Ochocinco trade while he still had value. Instead he shipped him to New England for a fraction of his worth.
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While it wasn’t ideal that Palmer wouldn’t be back, at least the Bengals addressed the position in the 2011 NFL Draft. Though it will mean a learning curve at least the Bengals took a step for a long-term solution. Unfortunately for Simpson the Bengals also added A.J. Green to become their number one receiver.
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To make matters worse the NFL lockout kept Simpson from forming a rapport with his rookie quarterback. In order to get the timing down, a multitude of reps are needed.
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The preseason hasn’t been kind to Simpson either. After two games he’s combined for just two catches for 17 yards.
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While I wouldn’t rule Simpson out completely, I would be hesitant to draft him. If he can show a little tonight some of my faith would be restored. Perhaps he can find some use as a WR4 or WR5. I would just proceed with caution.
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What’s your take on Jerome Simpson?
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Also check out:

• 2011 Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football RB Rankings - PPR
• 2011 Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football TE Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football DEF Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football IDP Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football K Rankings

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There is some speculation that Chad Ochocinco could land with the Patriots when the lockout comes to a close. The Patriots have had success taking talented players with less than perfect pasts. Does he make sense for New England though?
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At 33 he is no longer the threat that he once was. Ocho has just one 1000 yard season in the past three year, and at 1047 yards it was well off the 1374 he averaged from 2003-2007. 43 (8.6 TDs per season) of his 66 career touchdowns came from that stretch giving him an average of. The past three years he averaged 806  yards and 5.7 touchdowns. He averaged 92.4 receptions from 03-07 and just 64 over the past three years.
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Everything depends on Ochocinco’s mental state. If he commits himself to the game, like he did in 2009, Ocho can put up solid numbers once again. He would have to limit some of the sideshow activities and focus on football.
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The thing the Patriots have going for them is they are not afraid to step on toes. Randy Moss was abruptly shown the door when he started to create tension in New England’s locker room. When players’ worth on the field no longer justifies their paychecks, the Patriots aren’t afraid to move on. With a strong-minded coach and quarterback, the Patriots simply wouldn’t put up with Ocho’s ways.
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Most of the drama is usually occurs when his team isn’t winning. When things were going good in Cincinnati, Ocho’s antics were cute and funny. When they were losing it was looked at as a distraction. If the Patriots were to continue their success, which is a strong possibility, then it should be less of an issue for Ochocinco to walk the line.
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While he would’t replace Randy Moss as a deep threat, Ocho would help. Deion Branch did an admirable job for the Patriots following his trade from Seattle, but he would likely have a hard time holding off Ocho for snaps.
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Ocho’s days of being a WR1 are long over. Mostly he would be a WR3 that could potentially produce like a WR2. We’ll just have to stay tuned to see where he lands.
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Also check out:

• 2011 Early Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• 2011 Early Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• 2011 Early Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• 2011 Early Fantasy Football TE Rankings

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While the AFC East running back landscape is a mess, the AFC North is a goldmine.
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Ray Rice is a force, both running and catching the football. He regressed some last year, but still managed 1776 total yards (1220 rushing, 556 receiving) and six touchdowns (five rushing, one receiving). Willis McGahee is up in the air, but it makes sense for him to return to Baltimore next year. Rice is a top five to eight fantasy running back depending on your format.
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Rashard Mendenhall followed up his 1108 yard, seven touchdown season with an even more impressive 1273 yard, 11 touchdown season. Mendy is a clear RB1 and a top eight to ten fantasy running back depending on your format. I actually like him a little better than Ray Rice in non-PPR leagues. He may make some bonehead comments, but he is a fantasy force with little competition for carries.
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Cedric Benson is a free agent, but is likely to return to Cincinnati. He is a workhorse back that should crack the 1000 yard mark again. Benson is a solid RB2 that also shouldn’t receive much competition for carries. If he does part via free agency, all bets are off in Cincinnati.
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Peyton Hillis‘ impressive season landed him on the cover of Madden 12. Obviously there is a curse that supposedly goes with it, but after the way he ran roughshod on the Ravens last year, he may be able to stand up to the curse. He slowed towards the end of the year, and the Browns have already stated that they want to reduce his carries. Montario Hardesty should be in the mix for carries, but Hillis has earned the feature role. Hillis is a low-end RB1 or high-end RB2.
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Also check out:

• AFC East Running Back Situations
• AFC East Quarterback Situations
• AFC North Quarterback Situations
• AFC South Quarterback Situations
• AFC West Quarterback Situations
• NFC East Quarterback Situations
• NFC North Quarterback Situations
• NFC South Quarterback Situations
• NFC West Quarterback Situations

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10.  Cincinnati Bengals
Palmer sounds pretty intent on sitting out the 2011 NFL season unless the Bengals trade him. Mike Brown isn’t likely to cave to his demands. Unless one of these proud gentlemen have a change of heart, he will not wear the orange and black stripes.
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9.  Oakland Raiders
Palmer would probably be an upgrade over Jason Campbell, but it’s not enough of an upgrade to part ways with the compensation that Cincinnati would be looking for.
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8.  Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings need to bring in a veteran so they don’t have to rush Christian Ponder into action. I don’t think the QB they bring in will be one that will demand to start for the whole year.
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7.  Arizona Cardinals
While the Cardinals will likely deal for a quarterback, it appears that Kevin Kolb is their target.
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6.  Buffalo Bills
The Bills seem content going with Ryan Fitzpatrick. They can’t afford to trade away their picks to go after a guy like Palmer anyway.
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5.  San Francisco 49ers
The Niners will likely bring Alex Smith back. They drafted Colin Kaepernick. While Palmer would be an upgrade, he doesn’t make sense.
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4.  Washington Redskins
It wouldn’t surprise me if the Redskins made a play. Rex Grossman isn’t gonna cut it, and John Beck is a long shot. The Skins feel compelled to give Beck a shot though.
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3.  Seattle Seahawks
Pete Carroll is familiar with Carson Palmer so this isn’t a reach. The Seahawks seem content to bring Matt Hasselbeck though.
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2.  Miami Dolphins
The fish need to upgrade their quarterback situation. Chad Henne isn’t cutting it. This could be the number one location for Palmer if he’s dealt.
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1.  His couch
Carson Palmer has made it clear that he is not playing for the money. He has invested wisely and will retire if he has to. Mike Brown doesn’t want to set a precedent so we have a true stalemate. The closest Palmer gets to football is watching it on HDTV in his man cave.
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Also check out:

• AFC East Quarterback Situations
• AFC North Quarterback Situations
• AFC South Quarterback Situations
• AFC West Quarterback Situations
• NFC East Quarterback Situations
• NFC North Quarterback Situations
• NFC South Quarterback Situations
• NFC West Quarterback Situations

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Carson Palmer sold his house. A few years ago that may have caused quite a commotion in the Bengals’ locker room, but I wonder if there is even a ripple.
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First of all, there are bigger fish to fry. As the lockout drags on, players have to start worrying about themselves financially. While they were urged to save money last year, I’m sure not all of the players heeded that advice. As house and car payments continue to go out without money coming back in, Palmer’s situation is far from the minds of his “teammates”.
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The Bengals front office prepared themselves with life after Palmer by drafting Andy Dalton, who will coincidentally have to battle Palmer’s brother for the starting gig. They found their Ochocino replacement in A.J. Green and Dalton is their quarterback of the future.
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It’s not exactly like Carson Palmer was dominating statistically either. Sure he threw for nearly 4000 yard and 26 touchdowns last year, but he also tossed 20 picks. He only had 3094 yards and 21 TDs in 2009. Palmer was limited to four games in 2008. 2007 was much like last year. He had a nice yardage total (4131) with the same touchdown (26) and interception (20) totals. You have to go back to 2006 to get his elite production.
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It’s not exactly like they are winning either. They had a nice run in 2009, but that  was mainly due to a opportunistic defense and a strong rushing attack led by Cedric Benson, who recently spoke out against the Bengals holding onto Palmer.
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“Don’t lock a man down whom you know won’t be happy if he stays. He’s the quarterback. I looked up to him when he was there and I’m sure many of the other guys did. If he’s there and not happy he’s not going to give us his best, he’s not going to give us that extra time in the film room and weight room because he’s not happy. In a way we’ll all kind of suffer for that. … If he’s not happy in Cincinnati, he’s not going to have passion.”
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While Benson’s views don’t reflect all of the Bengals players, I’m sure there are plenty that agree with his statement. They’ve moved on. Mike Brown should do the same. Nobody wins if Palmer sits the season out. The same way nobody wins if the lockout washes away the season.
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Carson Palmer’s fantasy value is obviously on hold. Unless he has a complete change of heart, he has no value if Cincinnati doesn’t trade him. If he hooks up with Brandon Marshall in Miami, he could have a productive season, though I don’t know that he’ll ever have a year like 2005 or 2006 again.
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Also check out:

• AFC East Quarterback Situations
• AFC North Quarterback Situations
• AFC South Quarterback Situations
• AFC West Quarterback Situations
• NFC East Quarterback Situations
• NFC North Quarterback Situations

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Like the AFC East this division is split between teams that have established quarterbacks and teams that are hopeful that their young quarterbacks will deliver.
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Ben Roethlisberger may be better equipped to deal with the lockout than any quarterback in the league. After all he sat out the first four games last year and stepped in with a three-touchdown performance in his season debut. Despite playing in 12 games he finished with 3200 yards and 17 TDs (5 INTs). Big Ben knows the offense and knows his players. If the lockout drags on, the veteran Steelers could actually be at an advantage. Big Ben is a solid QB1 that you should to be get at a good value.
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Joe Flacco had a solid season throwing for 3622 yard and 25 TDs (10 INTs). Unfortunately his number seem to decline at the end of the year. Last year he averaged 169.7 passing yards in Weeks 14-16 and 249 yards in the first 12 games. In 2009 he averaged 210 yards in Weeks 14-16 and 240.1 in the first 12 games. In fantasy championship week, typically week 16, he has averaged 134 yards the past two years. The Ravens added speedster Torrey Smith to help stretch the defenses. He should be a nice compliment to Anquan Boldin. Flacco remains a borderline QB1 and should put up solid numbers once again.
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Colt McCoy is back with some experience under his belt. He didn’t light the world on fire, but he didn’t crash and burn either. He completed 60.8 percent of his passes, a number that should rise as he is well-suited for the West Coast Offense the Browns run. They could have added Julio Jones, but opted to trade out of the sixth pick in the draft. They did add Greg Little in the second round, who could end up being one of the best receivers in this class.
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Finally we have the Cincinnati Bengals. Carson Palmer is as good as gone. Whether he is traded, retires, or just sits out the year is the question. Andy Dalton was taken in the second round and he has a good chance to open the season as the starter. Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens are also likely to be gone, but Jerome Simpson came on at the end of the year and they added A.J. Green in the draft. With Jordan Shipley and Jermaine Gresham, Dalton has a good chance to be a solid QB2 as a rookie.
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Also check out:

• AFC East Quarterback Situations