SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2008
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New England Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel throws the ball during football practice on Wednesday in Foxborough, Mass.
FANTASY FOOTBALL
Fantasy rosters hit hard
BY KELLY BRECKUNITCH kbreckunitch@kansan.com
Injuries plagued the opening weekend in the NFL. New England quarterback Tom Brady stood out as the biggest casualty, but other supporting players like New Orleans wide receiver Marques Colston could also be big losses on your fantasy roster. Here are some players that you should be able to pick up in free agency to fill the gaps on your roster:
Sammy Morris, running back, New England Patriots — With Brady out and Matt Cassel getting used to the starting job the Patriots will lean on the running game for the next few weeks. Laurence Maroney didn't perform as expected in the season opener, so expect Morris to continue to split carries at running back for the time being. Morris did have the only rushing touchdown for the Patriots in the game, so if your team is a little thin at running back, especially in a large league, make sure to take a look at Morris.
Chris Johnson, running back, Tennessee Titans — Johnson may be the most underrated rookie running back in fantasy leagues. He had a strong performance in his first NFL game with nearly 100 yards rushing and one receiving touchdown. He's a smaller, faster version of Reggie Bush and according to yahoo.com, he is owned by 74 percent of fantasy owners. In a 10 to 12 team league he should still be available and could fill in for banged up starters.
Eddie Royal, wide receiver, Denver Broncos — Royal was drafted high by the Broncos for his potential in the return game. When fellow wide receiver Brandon Marshall was suspended for the first game of the season, the doors opened for Royal to play a big role. Royal's role will diminish with the return of Marshall this week but his speed and ability to do almost anything on a football field will earn him a considerable amount of playing time through the season. Royal could become a dangerous
weapon throughout the season.
Devery Henderson, wide receiver, New Orleans Saints — With the injury to Marques Colston, the secondary receivers for New Orleans will be counted on heavily over the next month. Henderson is your best bet because of his speed and big play ability. Quarterback Drew Brees likes to air the ball out long in the passing game and Henderson had one catch in the first game of the season for 84 yards. His number of looks will increase and according to yahoo.com, Henderson is owned by only 28 percent of owners in fantasy leagues.
Trent Edwards, quarterback, Buffalo Bills — Edwards guided an efficient offense to a rout of the Seahawks last weekend. Edwards had more than 200 passing yards and a touchdown in the game
against Seattle and remains a fantasy gem owned by a small minority of fantasy owners. Edwards could come up big this weekend against a Jacksonville defense that looked rusty last weekend.
J. T. O'Sullivan, quarterback, San Francisco 49ers — After Shaun Hill and Alex Smith gave way to O'Sullivan in the quarterback battle, offensive coordinator Mike Martz was supposed to turn him into an offensive giant. It may begin this week against a Seattle defense that struggled mightily against the Bills last weekend. O'Sullivan had nearly 200 passing yards in a game where his team scored only 13 points. Against a Seattle team that already has too many problems, O'Sullivan could have a big game.
— Edited by Arthur Hur
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Like the cavalry, Damon Huard always arrives just in the nick of time.
NFL
Huard called upon once again to fill in for Croyle
The always-agreeable career backup will once again put down
BY DOUG TUCKER ASSOCIATED PRESS
his clipboard and pick up his helmet Sunday w h e n K an s a s City hosts Oakland. With Brodie C royle sideline d by a shoulder injury,
Edwards said, "That's what's great about him. This guy's always prepared, always ready to play."
"You try to be a pro. Your op- portunity comes to play, you try to make the most of it."
Huard will be coming in for an injured Chiefs quarterback for the third time in three years.
Not getting any "reps" in all the spring workouts and mini-camps did not bother him, Huard insists.
He'll do so after getting almost no practice snaps throughout spring and summer drills. Huard played so sparingly in the preseason, many people assumed the 12-year veteran had dropped to third-string behind Tyler Thigpen amid the youth-oriented rebuilding movement that's turned the Chiefs into the youngest team in the league.
DAMON HUARD Quarterback
But when Croyle went down against New England last week, it was Huard who came off the bench and came within a whisker of pulling out a win. And it'll be Huard who makes the start against the Raiders.
"You're foolish if you don't prepare," he said.
"Maybe physically I didn't get as many snaps. But I felt comfortable out there (on Sundav)."
No one doubts whether he'll be ready because in a reliable 12-year career that's seen him back up Dan Marino in Miami and Tom Brady in New England, he's always been ready.
"You try to be a pro," he said. "Your opportunity comes to play, you try to make the most of it."
"He's a pro," coach Herm
With the Patriots crippled by the loss of Brady, Huard almost led the Chiefs to a most improbable victory. He hit a touchdown pass to keep them back in the game and then connected with Devard Darling on a cross-country catch-and-run that brought them all the way to the New England 5 with less than a minute left.
If Dwayne Bowe had not dropped Huard's fade pass in the end zone, the Chiefs might have
had the upset of the season.
"If you are a backup quarter-back (who is) going to play at some point during the season, sometimes it's best if it's your." Huard
"Granted, it wasn't much."
said. "You are coming off training camp, coming off playing in a few preseason games.
2007 that will average $2.5 million per season.
"He's been around a long time and there's a reason he he's been around a long time," tight end Tony Gonzalez said. "It's not just about his being able to go out there and play quarterback. He's got a good attitude. He's always ready. He knows how to prepare. He'll do well, no doubt about it."
Also granted is the fact Huard is paid well for his services. He signed a three-year contract in
Whether the Chiefs win or lose the next two or three weeks while Croyle is out remains to be seen. But Huard will have the full confidence of coaches and players who have never seen him sleepwalk through a practice or nod off during a meeting.
When Trent Green was knocked unconscious in the 2006 opener, Huard went 5-3 while starting the next eight games, laying the foundation for a season that went all the way to the playoffs.
"You try to be a pro. Your opportunity comes to play, you try to make the most of it."
Of course, Green was back under center the minute doctors cleared him. The same will be true with Croyle. Regardless of how well Huard does, he has virtually no chance to remain the starter.
DAMON HUARD Quarterback
"It's the direction we're headed
in," Edwards said. "We've invested a lot in Brodie. We want to see what he can do. He has to play. We want him to play. If Damon wins games, that's great. That gives us some momentum
We'll cross that bridge. But when Brodie's back, he needs to go back in there and play"
It's not even worth discussing. Huard says.
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