Danny Amendola Injury

OUCH!

Wheelin' & Dealin'

One of the best parts about Fantasy Football, besides Draft Day, is the wheeling & dealing between willing owners. Being able to identify strengths & weaknesses of your team is crucial as the season unfolds. No one can predict injuries or the success/failure of rookies, but knowing how to deal with these issues after the fact will determine your success as an on-going owner and can really earn you some league respect! Set your sights on these targets, aim high & pull the trigger! Besides my reasons for buying/selling, I have included each players' current Yahoo ranking and a playoff schedule. IF YOU FAIL TO PLAN, YOU PLAN TO FAIL!

SELL HIGH:

Fred Jackson (7)- It's not that I don't like Fred Jackson, it's just that he's on the wrong side of 30. The Bills have set the world on fire (as well as opposing defenses) in the first 3 weeks of the season, but we all know that the weather can be absolutely brutal in Buffalo in the winter. Weather conditions, a tough upcoming schedule & not to mention the toll a full season can take on an "old man's" body will attribute to a regression to the mean for Jackson. Again...he will still be a productive RB, but is he likely to remain in the Top 7 at the position? I'm leaning towards NO WAY. See what Jackson can get you in return in areas of need and you might be pleasantly surprised.

• Playoff Matchups (Weeks 14,15,16): @SD, MIA, DEN

Tim Hightower (32)- I have been a supporter of Timmy since Day 1 of the preseason. The biggest problem now is the emergence of rookie Roy Helu. Helu will remain the backup, but will expand his role as the season progresses (Helu currently getting around 8-12 touches per game). Hightower has a firm grip on the starting job (and the zone blocking scheme) for now, but I can honestly see Helu taking the reigns by season's end. Hightower's biggest assets to the team are his pass-blocking ability, open field pass-catching & his willingness to hit the hole hard (that's what she said!).

• Playoff Matchups (Weeks 14,15,16): NE, @NYG, MIN

Devery Henderson (36)- Yes, he plays in one of the NFL's most prolific offenses. Yes, he has Drew Brees throwing him the rock. Yes, he has 265 yards and 2 TD's through the first 3 weeks. However, if you look a little deeper, it all seems to come in chunks on long yardage/deep threat plays. The yardage may be there, but the amount of opportunities will be few & far between due to New Orleans' stable of receivers. Henderson is a prime example of Boom or Bust and is far too inconsistent for me to trust on a weekly basis.

• Playoff Matchups (Weeks 14,15,16): @TEN, @MIN, ATL

Mike Tolbert (42)- His inflated stats are a result of a MONSTER Week 1 performance (35 rushing yards, 9 catches for 58 yards, 3 TD's). Anyone who has watched SD play in the past two weeks will tell you that Ryan Mathews is the superior back. Tolbert's biggest advantage was the fact that he held goal line duties, but it is looking more and more like Mathews is working his way into those duties as well. Maybe I'm impatient, but I know when to fold 'em & it's about time to let another owner deal with this RB timeshare.

• Playoff Matchups (Weeks 14,15,16): BUF, BAL, @DEN

Willis McGahee (64)- McGahee has claimed RB1 status in Denver, partially due to the non-surprising injury of Moreno. Willis has accumulated ALOT of miles in his 9 year career. He will most likely get the bulk of the carries, as well as goal line touches, but his uninspiring fantasy numbers will NOT win you a championship. His value will not get much higher than it is right now, which any smart fantasy owner will agree that it is time to sell! See if you can pawn him off on the owner of Knowshon Moreno.

• Playoff Matchups (Weeks 14,15,16): CHI, NE, @BUF

BUY LOW:

Daniel Thomas (83)- Reggie Bush is quickly falling out of the feature back role. They tried Bush as the lead back in Week 1, with mixed results. Week 2...21 total yards. Week 3...48 total yards. If this trend continues and Thomas holds on to his goal line role, there will be a lot to smile about as a Thomas owner. Also noteworthy...Miami is under the direction of a new offensive coordinator and his playbook has really seemed to benefit Brandon Marshall and will do the same for Thomas.

• Playoff Matchups (Weeks 14,15,16): PHI, @BUF, @NE

Anquan Boldin (89)- Flacco, although up & down through the first three weeks, continues to show improvement in his accuracy and ability to read the defense. With Derrick Mason & Todd Heap choosing to leave town, Boldin will be the main beneficiary. He is a target hog and should see a steady diet each week. He is a big, physical receiver that can rip the ball away from the defenders. All he needs is the targets.

• Playoff Matchups (Weeks 14,15,16): IND, @SD, CLE

Hakeem Nicks (95)- Nicks might actually be the best buy-low candidate on the list. He has underwhelmed so far this season, but his role will continue to expand with Eli heating up and Hixon going down with a knee injury. He is among the Top 10 in the league in Red Zone targets over the past 2 seasons. Nicks is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenders and has the full trust of his QB.

• Playoff Matchups (Weeks 14,15,16): @DAL, WAS, @NYJ

Rashard Mendenhall (135)- Pittsburgh will continue to pound the running game because...well, because thats what Pittsburgh does. Mike Wallace's early season success will help take the top off the defense, which will eventually open more running lanes for Mendenhall. He had 13 TD's last season and Coach Tomlin has no intentions of taking him off of goal line duty. I have not lost faith in him and neither should you. Take the plunge!

• Playoff Matchups (Weeks 14,15,16): CLE, @SF, STL

Santonio Holmes (138)- The clear Number 1 WR of the Jets. The Jets like to think that they are a ground & pound football team, but the under-performing combo of Shonn Greene & LT is turning their offense into a more pass friendly unit. Sanchez is not a great fantasy option either, but he recognizes that Holmes has the best hands & speed of any of his other options. He is a big time play maker and always seems to rise to the challenge (need I remind you that he was a Super Bowl MVP?). I would love to have him on my squad.

• Playoff Matchups (Weeks 14,15,16): KC, @PHI, NYG