Week 9: Player Downgrades

The Downgrades article will focus on a few players that are struggling with injuries or have been inconsistent despite a few breakout weeks. The article is forward looking for the remainder of 2009 and these players should be packaged in trades if you can find an owner willing / dumb enough to take them. The players we detail will have declining value going forward due to injuries, loss of playing time or an offense that is floundering.

Savvy fantasy owners will also check the schedule of opponents to see which players offer good buy / sell opportunities depending on strength of schedule. (http://www.fftoolbox.com/football/strength_of_schedule.cfm)

As winter approaches, fantasy owners need to look ahead to players that could be limited by snow storms and 50 mph winds during the fantasy playoffs (weeks 14-16). http://www.fftoolbox.com/football/nfl_schedule.cfm

Best of luck to all fantasy owners in Week 9, and be sure to check out the FFToolbox Tuesday night podcast available on Itunes. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FFToolbox/2009/11/04/Weekly-FFToolbox-Fantasy-Football-Show

QB Chad Henne, MIA

The Dolphins' offense was completely shutdown by Rex Ryan and the Jets' defense in week 8. Henne only threw for 112 yards, but the Dolphins were able to emerge victorious thanks to three defense / special teams TDs. The Dolphins are a run-heavy offense and Henne has averaged only 150 yards with one touchdown pass over the past two weeks. His receiving options are severely limited (as Ted Ginn continues to look allergic to the football), which necessitates the Dolphins using a lot of short yardage formations (2 RB, 2TE, 1 WR). Going forward, Henne is nothing more than a bye-week replacement when the match-up is favorable as the Dolphins will rely heavily on their wildcat friendly offense centered on Ronnie Brown.

RB Ahmad Bradshaw, NYG

Bradshaw was informed by doctors this week that he risks season-ending injury by playing through his cracked fifth metatarsal. His injury is evident as his production has leveled off over the past few weeks. Now might be the best time to trade him as Brandon Jacobs' role appears to be increasing as the Giants hope to extend Bradshaw's season by limiting his carries. Bradshaw has now failed to top 50 yards the past three weeks. In week 8 against the Eagles, he was on the sidelines on most third-downs and can't be relied on for anything more than a flex play (unless the match-up is favorable). The Giants have a BYE in week 10 and may decide to rest their home run hitter against San Diego in week 9 in hopes that he has his explosion down the stretch.

RB Michael Bush, OAK

The Raiders' offense continues to be one of the most anemic in recent memory (averaging less than 10 pts a game). Head Coach Tom Cable appears to favor Justin Fargas in the Raider backfield. In addition, there are reports that Darren McFadden may return from his knee injury in week 10 (Raiders have week 9 BYE). Bush finished the week 8 loss to San Diego with seven carries for 27 yards and is now averaging just 3.7 yards per carry. Bush has failed to top 60 yards this season and his role will likely diminish over the next few weeks, making him waiver wire material in all but the deepest of fantasy leagues.

RB Steve Slaton, HOU

I'm sure the consensus preseason top 10 pick cost many owners a win this week with his 1 carry for one yard performance. The Texans appear to now be banking on the dreaded RBBC after Ryan Moats exploded on the scene in week 8 as he posted over 150 yards and scored three touchdowns against one of the league's weaker rushing defense in Buffalo. Head Coach Kubiak appears to have lost faith in Slaton, who has now lost five fumbles through eight games (worst in NFL among all non QBs). With Chris Brown stealing goal line carries and an expected split in carries between Ryan Moats and Slaton, the 2nd year player out of West Virginia would be best used as a #2 / #3 RB until he earns the trust of the Texans coaching staff and regains the bulk of the workload. Before the week 8disaster in Buffalo, Slaton appeared to have righted the ship as he totaled five TDs in his previous three games; so I wouldn't totally give up on him yet, but temper your expectations. His value is on the decline and it's very unlikely that he will produce like a #1 fantasy RB for the remainder of 2009.

WR Donnie Avery, STL

Avery's sophomore slump continued in week 8 as he was only able to amass one catch for 15 yards against Detroit (one of the league's worst secondaries). The Rams were able to break their league worst 17 game losing streak by relying on all everything running back Stephen Jackson which figures to be their recipe for future wins (not sure there will be any more in 2009). Avery has battled injuries all season with the latest being a shoulder injury. With Tory Holt gone to Jacksonville, many expected the 2nd year WR out of Houston to build on his rookie season (674 yards 3 TDs), but the anemic Rams offense and numerous injuries have severely limited Avery's production. He is nothing more than a #4 WR and can be left on the waiver wire unless you are desperate