Rob Stewart is... The Fantasy Oracle
... And still in first placeArticle Photos
It had to happen sometime, and last week was the week, as my Oracles were upset, 119-108 -
Just as I predicted.
(Editor's Note: Stocks immediately dropped after the loss)
Hishman and Button's Antediluvian Corps team rode Brett Favre's six touchdowns to the upset.
In NFL news, two coaches were fired. The Rams fired Scott Linehan and promoted Jim Haslett, while the Raiders finally put Lane Kiffin out of his misery and hired Tom Cable.
The changes to these teams will be negligible as neither are very good football teams and strategy is important but talent wins games.
The good news for Marc Bulger fans is Haslett likes Bulger and he is back and has been named the quarterback for the year, while Trent Green retreats to clipboard duty.
As for the Raiders, they will continue to implement their run-first strategy as they have a trio of talented backs in the soon to be returning Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden and Michael Bush.
Rudi Johnson has been promoted to the starting running back in Detroit, while Kevin Smith assumes the backup role. Johnson could turn out to be a huge steal this year as he was on the free agent wire in all my leagues but one. Smith should share carries this week, though against a stout Chicago defense.
INJURY CORNER: Brian Westbrook practiced and his return looks promising. The Eagles are not the same team without him, evidenced by their Sunday night loss to my Bears.
Deion Branch is going to make his 2008 debut this weekend, while it appears Kevin Curtis is not.
Anquan Boldin will be out for two weeks following facial surgery after that nasty hit he took at the end of the Jets-Cardinals game last Sunday. Steve Breaston will start in his place and makes an interesting play this week.
Aaron Rodgers is a game-time decision for the Packers.
Ahman Green returns for Houston but now as the backup to Steve Slaton - it's about time.
Keep an eye on both Joey Galloway and LenDale White as they appear doubtful to suit up this week.
Lastly, Carson Palmer does not appear to be ready to go this week. Check back at game time.
PLAYER SUSPENDED THIS WEEK: Plaxico Burress. This means more looks for Kevin Boss and Amani Toomer, and definitely more reliance on their three-headed monster of a running game.
PLAYER TO TRADE FOR: Marshawn Lynch. I cannot believe I am saying this, but the Bills are a legitimate playoff contender. Simply stated, Lynch is a premier back who does not get the accolades he deserves and I think it is hilarious when he goes into "Beast Mode," as he calls it. That is his description of how he punishes defenders with his style of running, go Marshawn, the Oracle is a big fan.
FREE AGENT TO TARGET: Mewelde Moore. We know Willie Parker is out and Rashard Mendenhall is on IR. Hines Ward says the conventional wisdom is for the Steelers to air it out, but they are going to try and remain true to their identity. We shall see.
OTHER FREE AGENTS TO TARGET: Najeh "Insert any sort of what is that in my laundry basket in the closet joke here" Davenport, Steve Breaston, Amani Toomer (one-week play), Kevin Walter (his resurgence is in direct correlation to Matt Schaub's play), Lance Moore (again, why is he on free agent wires still?), and Zach Miller.
DEEP SLEEPERS (players not considered in the Top 10 at their positions): Matt Cassel, Matt Hasselbeck, Ryan Grant (he has been bad so far but this is going to be his week), Matt Forte (huge week coming), Steve Breaston (Arizona will continue throwing no matter who they put on the field), Amani Toomer ( no Plax means more looks, more looks means more catches, and a TD or two this week), Anthony Fasano, and the Dallas defense (while not a sleeper per se, I expect a monstrous week this week. The Cowboys defense may single handedly win some games this week as I expect at least four turnovers and at least four sacks against Ryan "I am an attorney at the law firm of Fitzpatrick and" Fitzpatrick. Seriously, doesn't his name sound more like a lawyer than a quarterback. Watching him play last week, I should have sued him. He is right there with Grossman and Pigpen).
SUPER SLEEPERS OF THE WEEK (6-2): Kyle Orton *gasp.* I hate to jinx my Bears but Orton looks like a borderline fantasy bye-week starter. Look for a pair of touchdowns this week and a couple hundred yards.
SOLID STARTERS WHO MAY UNDERPERFORM (23-9): Ben Roethlisberger, J.T. O'Sullivan, Fred Taylor, Chris Perry, Santana Moss, Owen Daniels, Nate Kaeding (extra-point machine this week?), and the Chargers defense.
FANTASY BUST OF THE WEEK (1-3): Ben Roethlisberger. He is hurt, the running game is hurt, and the Steelers offense is plain offensive.
ULTIMATE LINEUP PREDICTION FOR THE WEEK: Tony Romo, Adrian Peterson, LaDanian Tomlinson, Brandon Marshall, Reggie Wayne, Jason Witten, John Carney, and the Cowboys defense.
GUESTS SLEEPER PLAY OF THE WEEK (2-2): Dave Hishman and Vicki Button. Since they pulled the upset, they deserve the slot this week. "We would like to thank the Oracle for his sage advice. We used his tips against him and benched Big Ben in favor of our oldest player on the roster, Brett Favre."
Hishman and his partner Vicki Button select Ricky Williams this week. They expect big things this week out of both Ronnie Brown and Williams.
Bye weeks: Cleveland, Oakland, St. Louis, N.Y. Jets.
WTO Laid Back League (top six make playoffs): 1. The Fantasy Oracle (Rob Stewart) 3-1, 452 points; 2. The Human Bein's (Ian Ofslager) 3-1, 388 points; 3. MtnTimeZone (Derek Farr) 3-1, 370 points, 4. Antediluvian Corps (Dave Hishman) 3-1 363 points; 5. Tapping Wingnuts (Allen Seybert) 2-1-1, 423 points; 6. Viking Quest (Jon Sitler) 2-2, 308 points; 7. FISH (Brian Ferry) 1-3, 343 points; 8. Galeazzo (Frank Galeazzo) 1-3, 336 points; 9. Dang Magazines (Cody Elms) 1-3, 284 points; 10. White Crackers (Papa Sooth) 0-3-1, 285 points.
Last week's results: Antediluvian Corps 119, The Fantasy Oracle 108; Viking Quest 106, FISH 84; Galeazzo 122, White Crackers 82; The Human Bein's 82, MrnTimeZone 80; Tapping Wingnuts 96, Dang Magazines 56.






