O'Sullivan outplays Smith; Gore looks like a beast

Last night in Chicago, journeyman J.T O'Sullivan (or JTO as us Niner fans refer to him) outplayed former #1 pick Alex Smith to all but cement his status as the starting quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers. O'Sullivan was efficient and decisive going 7 of 8 for 126 yards and a touchdown. Smith on the other hand, did not play very well. He was 6 out of 17 and while there were a couple of drops, Smith was inaccurate all night with his throws. He did throw a nice touchdown pass to the immortal Dominique Zeigler but that was one of the few highlights. One has to wonder if Alex Smith's days in San Fran are numbered. 4 coordinators in 4 years is no excuse for being consistently off on your throws.

Niner fans also have to be excited at what Frank Gore might be able to do in this offense. Gore almost single handedly ran the offense down the field on their first scoring drive and finished the night with 51 yards on 8 carries. He added 2 catches for 19 yards and looked every bit the center piece Mike Martz said he would be.

Fantasy Impact: If JTO plays the way he did last night, he could be a nice # 2 quarterback with upside. I doubt he will get drafted so keep and eye on him throughout the season. If he can put up numbers like that in the regular season, he would be a great pickup. Don't get to excited yet though, it is only preseason. Let's see how he does against multiple blitz packages.

Frank Gore should be a monster a this season. If he continues to be featured in the offense, there is no reason he can't come close to 2,000 total yards. He is a late first round pick and a definite # 1 back.

Jackson to report to Rams camp

It looks like Rams fans can breath a little easier...at least until the season begins and they figure out that the team is still terrible. A source who is familiar with the situation is saying that Jackson will be in training camp Thursday. Considering that the Rams have said that they would not negotiate until Jackson arrives in camp, one can assume that a new deal is around the corner.

Fantasy Impact: That was getting too close for comfort. If you have Jackson, you can now exhale because if he's healthy he's a top 5 fantasy back. If you have a draft coming up you can now draft him and not worry about him sitting out.

Eagles WR Kevin Curtis to have surgery

Andy Reid said today that WR Kevin Curtis will have surgery Thursday to repair a sports hernia. Curtis will definitely miss the teams opener but a time table for his return has not been set, however, Andy Reid did say he'd be out "for a while." He also said that Hank Baskett and Greg Lewis will spilt time opposite Reggie Brown.

Fantasy Impact: I want to thank Curtis for getting hurt 2 days after I drafted him as my # 3 wide out. Thanks Kevin, thanks for nothing. Curtis was a nice # 3 option after a 1100 yard 6 touchdown 2007. I wouldn't draft him now but don't cut him yet either...wait and see what the diagnosis is. If he's only out a few weeks, he's worth keeping around before they byes kick in.

Brown out in Miami?

Could Ronnie Brown be on his way out of Miami? Could be. The Miami Herald is reporting that on ESPN's Monday night countdown, they were doing a segment called "sink or swim" in which the "experts" gave their opinions on who would be succesful and who would flop in 2008. Chris Mortensen was asked about Ricky Williams and he said that he thought he would swim and he wouldn't be surprised if Ronnie Brown sinks. He went on to mention that he may sink to the point of playing with another team. His reasoning was that the player is struggling in preseason. Why would he say this? Well, we did hear that Mort was at Miami's preseason game aginst Jacksonville and spent some time with Miami GM Jeff Ireland. So maybe it's not just specualtion...

Fantasy Impact: Wow, big shocker that a guy who tore his knee up last season is starting off slow, huh? Personally I think the Dolphins are nuts if they deal Brown and rely soley on Williams. If Williams has proved anything over the years it's that he's unreliable. I would put Ronnie Brown on all of your respective do not draft lists...at least not as a starter. If Williams does get the nod, he is an instant fantasy starter. He's had a terrific preseason and could have a nice year if he gets the lions's share of the carries.

Injury Update

Few updates on preseason injuries...

-Chad Johnson left Sundays game with a sprained shoulder and Rudi Johnson and TJ Houshmanzadeh have sat out both preseason games with hamstring injuires. Johnson and TJ should be okay for the first game. Rudi Johnson might be too but I would not go anywhere near him this season. Actually, the Bengals as a whole are giving me a bad vibe this year.


- Peyton Manning is officially in week 5 in his 4-6 week time table for return to action. Peyton is still yet to take a snap in practice but Colts fans shouldn't be too worried. Peyton still has almost 3 weeks before he has to suit up against the Bears. Do you really think he will miss opening night in the Colt's new Lucas Oil Stadium? I say he plays. I also say he is a late first round pick.

- Ronnie Brown has a strained thumb and is "day-to-day." His thumb should be fine and you should be more worried about his knee and the fact that Ricky Williams had looked really good so far in preseason. Can you say time share?

- Tavaris Jackson has an MCL sprain but should be ready to start the season on time. Thats good news for the Vikes...I guess. His knee will have time to heal on the waiver wire because I don't know of anyone who would draft him.

- 49ers wide outs Arnez Battle and Bryant Johnson have been slowed by injuries and that has opened the door for rookie Josh Morgan. Morgan caught 5 balls for 114 yards and a score against the Pack Saturday night and right now looks like a favorite to start along side Issac Bruce. Be careful about looking at Bryant Johnson as a sleeper this year. If he is out all preseason it could take him a while to get going, if he does at all. Mike Nolan doesn't know much, but he does know he does not like oft injured players (i.e. Lelie, Ashley).

-Has anyone else noticed that Tom Brady is yet to suit up this preason because of a foot injury? Apparently it's a different foot than the one that bothered him last year...and by different foot I mean the other one. He's fine. Big Bill is probably just resting him.

Orton named Bears starting QB

The Chicago Bears have announced that Kyle Orton will be under center when the team opens up the season against the Colts on Sunday Night Football. Orton beat out Rex Grossman for the job. Head Coach Lovie Smith alluded to the fact that Orton is a better game manager than Grossman and is less likely to commit a big turnover. Orton has had success as a starter. In 2005 he started 15 games as a rookie and helped the bears to an 11-5 record. He was less than spectacular throwing 9 touchdowns to 13picks but he acted as a caretaker for a Bears team that won with running and defense. Look for a similar approach in 2008.

Fantasy Impact: There is none. Orton may be the least valuable starting quarterback in fantasy football.

Favre and the Jets

Brett Favre looked like he had been playing pitch and catch with his Jets teammates for years rather than weeks. Favre looked crisp against the Redskins Saturday night, going 5 of 6 for 48 yards and a touchdown pass to rookie tight end Dustin Keller. The offense appeared to be in a nice groove despite the absence of Coles and the limited time they have had to work with Favre. It was just 1 quarter in preseason, but you can't blame Jets fans for being optimistic about Favre, Cotchery, Keller, etc..

Fantasy Impact: With Favre under center, the Jets all of a sudden have some decent fantasy options. I am very high on Jerricho Cotchery this season. He has caught 82 passes each of the last 2 seasons with Pennington and Clemons throwing him the ball. 2008 will be his breakout campaign. I would use a 5th or 6th round pick on him. He will be a steal as your 3rd receiver and could be this years Greg Jennings. Coles should put up decent numbers as well, but I can see Favre and Cotchery hooking up a lot.

Dustin Keller is also an interesting prospect. I don't think he is going to get a whole lot of yards, but he could get 5-7 touchdowns this season. Look for him to be a red zone favorite for Favre. I might take a flier on him in the late rounds. This new high octane passing game should also help open holes for Thomas Jones and Leon Washington. Jones should be the work horse and is a decent low end # 2 back option in the middle rounds. Washington probably won't get enough touches to warrant being drafted.