LestersLegends.com

Fitz let a lot of owners down.
.
Championship Week continued as the Cardinals beat the Cowboys on Christmas in a game that likely didn’t pull too many people away from their Christmas parties.
.
Let’s take a look at how last night’s game will affect your roster decisions for today’s games.
.
Quarterbacks:  Jon Kitna (115 yards, TD, two INTs, seven rushing yards) had a stinker. Not only did he throw a pair of picks, he got knocked out of the game. If you started him, you’re in trouble. You may have to take some risks with your remaining roster. If you used John Skelton (183 passing yards, TD, 23 rushing yards) had a solid game for those who used him, likely in two-quarterback leagues.
.
Running Backs: Felix Jones (88 total yards) was good, not great. If you were banking on a big game from Felix, you’ll need to look elsewhere for a breakout game. Tim  Hightower (29 total yards) turned in a dud, and will likely yield carries to Beanie Wells (47 yards) in the finale. Neither are good plays next week. Marion Barber III (58 yards, TD) returned, effectively ending Tashard Choice‘s (32 total yards) fantasy run.
.
Wide Receivers:  Miles Austin (115 yards, TD) did his thing. Not quite enough to alter lineup plans, but he’ll make up for ground for those who didn’t meet their projections. Larry Fitzgerald (26 yards) had just one catch. He wasn’t even on Skelton’s radar as he had just three targets. Steve Breaston did not even catch a pass. Andre Roberts (110 yards, TD) stole the show, but was not in many lineups. Roy Williams was a non-factor.
.
Tight Ends: Jason Witten (45 yards, TD) did not have one of his monster weeks, but he was good enough, especially in PPR leagues..
.
Kickers:  David Buehler did not take the day off as he kicked two long field goals (42, 53) and twp PATs. Hopefully his missed PAT does not cost you. Jay Feely had three PATs through three quarters before delivering with two long field goals (49, 48) for the Cardinals and fantasy owners alike.
.
Defenses:  Arizona gave up 26 points, but returned both of Dallas’ interceptions to the house. Couple that with their fumble recovery and five sacks and you have a surprising strong performance. Dallas gave up 27 points, did not force a turnover, and had just one sack to disappoint once again.
.

Also check out:

• Week 16 Get ‘em or Don’t Sweat ‘em Waiver Wire Advice
• Week 16 Fantasy QB Rankings
• Week 16 Fantasy RB Rankings
• Week 16 Fantasy WR Rankings
• Week 16 Fantasy TE Rankings
• Week 16 Fantasy K Rankings
• Week 16 Fantasy DEF Rankings
• Week 16 Fantasy IDP Rankings
• Week 16 Start/Sit Advice
• Week 16 Fantasy Sleepers

Few teams are stacked the way the Dallas Cowboys are. Love them or hate them, you have to respect the talent they have on both sides of the ball. Fantasy owners will be clamoring for the ‘Boys. Here’s a look at how they stack up.

Fantasy Playoff Schedule:  Slightly Difficult
They are very talented and showed they can win down the stretch. The next step is proving they can do it in the playoffs, but that has no bearing on their fantasy rating. Dallas faces Philly and Washington at home and Arizona on the road. While the match-ups are difficult, the fact that they play two of the games at home help. Weather should not play a role in the games.

Five Star Fantasy Options
Tony Romo – He dates extremely hot women. When he’s not playing football, he’s an amazing golfer. He should be easy to hate, but his smile makes it hard to…at least until you face him in fantasy. He threw for 4483 yards last year with 26 TDs to 9 INT. He was good for a 63.1 completion percentage and a 97.6 passer rating. Throw in 105 yards and a score on the ground and you’re looking at one of the top fantasy QBs in the league. One that got another weapon via the draft.

Jason Witten – I’d like to see more than two TDs out of Witten, but he’s easily one of the premier TEs in the league. Over the past six seasons he’s averaged 81.3 catches for 936.3 yards and 4.3 TDs.
Update:  The Cowboys will make it a priority to get the ball to Witten in the red zone this year according to the Dallas Morning News, which further solidifies him as one of the premier fantasy TEs to target this year.

Four Star Fantasy Options
Felix Jones – If the Cowboys didn’t have such a crowded backfield I’d put him as a five star option, but he will have to share with Marion Barber III and Tashard Choice. That said, he is an explosive back that, when healthy, will help carry fantasy teams.

Miles Austin – Clearly he had five star production last year wit 81 catches for 1320 yards and 11 TDs, but he’ll have to prove it before he gets a five star rating from me. Especially when you consider the other weapons at the Cowboys’ disposal. He’s a big, physical receiver that can impose his will on his opponents.

Three Star Fantasy Options
Marion Barber – Barber, assuming he’s healthy, will get plenty of touches. He’ll likely be the goal line back as well. Barber is leaner this year, which will give him a burst that was lacking last year. He’s a capable receiver and blocker. He would see increased value if Jones got hurt, but it would be a limited increase as Tashard Choice would be in line for increased opportunities as well.

Roy Williams – I know he’s underachieved in Dallas, but I’m banking on Dez Bryant’s arrival to push Roy. He only had 38 catches for 596 yards last year, but did manage 7 TDs.

Cowboys Defense/Special Teams - The Cowboys aren’t just loaded on the offensive side of the ball. They have a very capable defense. Unfortunately they have a tough schedule (Eagles & Giants twice, Texans, Titans, Vikings, Packers, Saints, Colts, and Cardinals).

Two Star Fantasy Options
Tashard Choice – No team in the NFL can boast about a trio of RBs like the Cowboys have. The only thing keeping Choice for three or four star rating is opportunity. He can handle the load if called upon. Unfortunately he’s third on the totem pole.

Dez Bryant – He’s full of talent, but has a little baggage. Well, he came to the right place. Dallas can look past it, especially since it’s nothing major, and get production out of him. Unfortunately there will be a learning curve as a rookie. Not to mention a plethora of options he has to compete with for the football.

One Star Fantasy Options
Patrick Crayton – Crayton is almost certain to have a new home in 2010. Depending on where he lands, he could easily see his value jump up to the two or three star range. If he isn’t moved, he just won’t get enough opportunities.

Martellus Bennett – Bennett would need a Witten injury to emerge, but he is a big, talented TE. In the least I expect him to be more of a red zone thread in 2010.

Click here for additional 2010 NFL Team Previews.

Images courtesy of Icon SMI

Two young running backs that will be moving up the draft boards as we prepare for the 2010 season will be Felix Jones and LeSean McCoy. Jones put on a show at the end of the year for the Cowboys leading to the speculation that he’ll be the primary ball carrier in Big D next year. Meanwhile, the Eagles cut ties with Brian Westbrook, which eliminates any doubt as to who will be toting the rock in Philly next year. The question is, given the choice, which RB would you rather have.

It’s hard to deny that Felix Jones is the more explosive back of the two. He has speed for days and has the ability to break one each and every time he touches the ball. He averaged with 5.9 yard per carry during the regular season and jumped that up to 7.2 ypc during the playoffs. I’d like to see him more involved in the passing game as he had just 19 receptions during the regular season and 4 in the playoff games when he was playing a larger role with the offense.

LeSean McCoy didn’t exactly light things up this year despite Brian Westbrook’s absence for the bulk for the year. He had just four games with 55+ rushing yards. He did supplement his total yardage with 40 receptions for 308 receiving yards. McCoy finished with 945 total yards (637 rushing, 308 receiving), 4 TDs, and a 4.1 ypc.

Both have a ton of potential, but find themselves in situations that are far from ideal. Felix Jones, barring a trade of Tashard Choice or Marion Barber III, finds himself in a three-back rotation. Even if he is the lead back, he’s going to yield carries and red zone touches. LeSean McCoy, at least at the moment, doesn’t have any direct competition. However, he finds himself in an offense that heavily favors the pass. Both situations have become the new model of the NFL. Passing and running back by committee are here to stay.

While I would be happy with either back, I give McCoy a slight edge.

Agree? Disagree? Let your voice be heard.

Click here to see my early 2010 NFL Running Back rankings.

I’ve been invited to participate in Fantasy Trader’s fantasy football roundtable.

This week’s topic:
Which Cowboys RB will present the most value at fantasy drafts in 2010?

Click here for the full article.

My response:
This is a little bit of a trick question. I’m expecting Felix Jones to be drafted higher than Marion Barber III, who will be selected higher than Tashard Choice. Clearly I am expecting Felix Jones to be the most productive of the Cowboys’ RBs. That isn’t the question though.

The question is which one will present the most value. I actually think that honor belongs to Tashard Choice. Marion Barber will likely be the short yardage back. Choice will likely be the one to spell Jones when he needs a breather. I also think if Felix Jones were to get hurt, Choice would be the one to replace him as lead back.

Barber still has some name value, and the potential to score double-digit TDs, so I expect him to be the second Cowboy off the board. Since his role seems to most in question, I think he’s the worst value of the three.

Felix Jones will be the first one off the board, but given the committee he’s in, I don’t see him standing out from the crowd of similar picks.

Choice, however, will be a late flier that could end up producing like an RB2. While I would rather have Felix Jones on my roster, I think Tashard Choice presents the best fantasy value of the three Cowboy RBs.

Marshawn Lynch has served his suspension and should give the Bills a much needed shot in the arm.  With Beast Mode back on the field, perhaps Trent Edwards will be more likely to take some shots down field to Terrell Owens and Lee Evans.  Lynch’s return diminishes Fred Jackson‘s fantasy value, but he still should be useful as a bye week fill-in or flex player.

The Cowboys Running Back injuries continue as Felix Jones suffered a knee injury in last night’s win over Carolina.  He is expected to miss a couple of games.  Marion Barber III will likely reclaim his starting role, but look for Tashard Choice to get plenty of action.  If MB3 is active, feel free to use him.  Choice isn’t a bad flex play against Denver this week.