Rudi Johnson cut by Bengals

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly you can go from stud to unemployed in the NFL. Just 2 years ago, Rudi Johnson finished his 3rd consecutive season of over 1300 yards and 12 td's. Now, he finds himself going to way of Shaun Alexander. Johnson was cut today by the Bengals after being hampered by a hamstring injury for most of the pre- season. Chris Perry looks to be the starter with Kenny Watson also an option.

Fantasy Impact: If you have Rudi Johnson as a starter you will get no sympathy from me. I could see taking a chance on him as a reserve but if you took him to be one of your top 2 backs it's your own fault. Anyway, initial word is Perry will start but Kenny Watson played very well last season and Carson Palmer has gone on record saying that he really likes Watson. I smell a running back by committee ,which is quickly becoming the must vulgar phrase a fantasy player can hear.

Tribute to Brett Favre

It's no secret that we here at 5th Quarter Sports were absolutely disgusted with and just plain sick of hearing about the Brett Favre situation this offseason. America's "everyman" really appeared to be a spoiled, typical self centered athlete. Granted, the public does not know the whole story, but we can't help but hope that Aaron Rodgers has a great season. We'll be pulling for you Aaron. As for Favre, well here's to you Brett...

Brandon Marshall has suspension cut to 1 game

Broncos star wide receiver Brandon Marshall won his appeal against the NFL and got his suspension reduced from 3 games to only 1. Marshall met with league commissioner
Roger Goodell in New York on Tuesday. Goodell had orginally said that the 3 games suspension would be reduced to 2 if Marshall kept in touch with a counselor and stayed out of trouble. The suspension originally stemmed from a domestic violence charge. Marshall also had a DUI charge and lacerated his arm wrestling with a family member this off season.

Fantasy Impact: Okay, so Brandon Marshall is freaking crazy. Who cares? Who doesn't beat up their girlfriends, drive around drunk and put their arms through televisions during quality family time? Oh wait, normal people. Anyway, I'll take crazy it he puts up 100 catches and scores 10 times or so. Marshall fell in most drafts because of the suspension. If you got him in the 4th or 5th round consider it a steal. Paired with a QB who is ready to breakout (Cutler) makes Marshall a # 1 wide out this coming season.

Merriman will skip knee surgery and try to play in 2008

It looked the same to everyone watching. There was no way Shawne Merriman was going to play football in 2008. With tears in both the posterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments, the sensible thing for Merriman appeared to be to just get the surgery and live to play another day. Merriman apparently doesn't see it this way. After visiting his 4th doctor, Merriman has said that he will play football in 2008 and just deal with the injury. When he does eventually have the surgery, he'll be looking at a rehab of 6-7 months. It's obvious Merriman feels that the Chargers can win the championship this season and he is willing to sacrifice the long term to be a part of it.

I understand that he wants to get out there and play and I respect that...but at what cost? There is no way he can be the real Shawne Merriman playing with that kind of injury. I can't see how Merriman playing on one leg is good for him or his teammates. Personally, I think he will be forced to get the surgery sooner rather than later. I predict he will play a few games and then opt for the operation. The team will be fine either way. The Chargers survived 4 games in 2006 without Merriman when he was suspended for violating the leagues substance abuse policy after testing positive for steroids. Hey, don't steroids cause ligament damage?

Fantasy Impact: With or without Merriman, the Chargers still have a hell of a defense and they will still get their sacks and turnovers. Combine that with the fact that they play in a weak division makes the Chargers a top 5 fantasy D in my mind.

Pre Season Predictions

AFC East
Pats 13-3
Jets 10-6
Bills 8-8
Dolphins 4-12

AFC South
Colts 13-3
Jags 13-3
Titans 8-8
Texans 8-8

AFC North
Steelers 10-6
Browns 8-8
Bengals 6-10
Ravens 1-15

AFC West
Chargers 14-2
Broncos 9-7
Raiders 4-12
Chiefs 3-13

NFC East
Cowboys 13-3
Eagles 12-4
Giants 10-6
Redskins 9-7

NFC South
Saints 11-5
Panthers 9-7
Bucs 7-9
Falcons 2-14

NFC North
Vikings 10-6
Packers 10-6
Bears 4-12
Lions 4-12

NFC West
Seahawks 9-7
49ers 7-9
Cards 5-11
Rams 4-12

Playoffs
AFC Wild Card Round: Colts over Jets & Jags over Steelers
NFC Wild Card Round: Giants over Vikings & Eagles over Seahawks

AFC Divisional Round: Pats over Colts & Chargers over Jags
NFC Divisional Round: Cowboys over Giants & Saints over Eagles

AFC Championship: Chargers over Pats
NFC Championship: Cowboys over Saints

Superbowl: Chargers over Cowboys

MVP: Drew Brees QB, Saints
Offensive Player of the Year: Tom Brady QB, Pats
Defensive Player of the Year: Patrick Willis LB, 49ers
Rookie of the Year: Jonathan Stewart RB, Panthers

If I had to make 1 prediction it would be...Brady Quinn will be starting at some point this season for the Browns.

Coaches fired during or at end of season: Mike Nolan 49ers; Scott Linehan Rams; Jon Gruden Bucs; Lane Kiffen Raiders; Marvin Lewis Bengals.

Report: Warner will start for Cards

There is a report going around that Kurt Warner will be the starting quarterback for the Cardinals. The suppossed decision is coming on the heals of Matt Leinart's dismal performace against the Raiders. Leinart was 4 of 12 with 3 interceptions. The Cardinals obviously want to win now and Warner seems to give them best opportunity to do that. At least Matt Leinart seems to have a pretty nice social life to fall back on.

Fantasy Impact: Warner was a fantasy stud last season throwing 27 touchdown passes. He is a terrific number 2 option and could even be considered a low # 1. Throwing to Boldin and Fitzgerald tends to help your fantasy value.

Defenses taking hits

Three brand name pass rushers are hurting. Jason Taylor, Osi Umenyiora and Shawn Merriman all have their respective teams holding their breath. Jason Taylor got his leg rolled over in last nights preseason game against Caoline. He immediately hit the ground and screamed in pain. It seems to have looked worse than it really was though as initial x-rays showed only a sprain. Still, the 'Skins will have Taylor undergo an MRI anyway.

The Giant's Umenyiora was carted off the field last night in the second quarter against the Jets. Coach Tom Coughlin said that early reports did not show any ligament damage but Osi will have an MRI today.

The worst news of all though comes for San Diego Chargers fans. It look like the career of OLB Shawn Merriman is in serious jeopardy. Merriman apparently has 2 torn ligaments in his knee. He is seeking another opinion to decide whether or not to have surgery. If he tries to play on the knee, he could just make it worse.

Fantasy Impact: Can we please shorten the preseason! I'm not saying that injuries can't happen with a 3 game schedule instead of 4 but the NFL has to do something. 4 games is just pointless. Anyway, losing any of these 3 players will really hurt the sack totals of their defenses. The Redskins already lost a starting DE this season, which prompted the Taylor trade. The Giants are thin because of the loss of Michael Strahan and anytime a team loses a player as dominant as Merriman it's almost impossible to replace him.