Triage Time: The Tom Brady Effect
September 9th, 2008 by Will Carroll
Forward by John Huss: Will had his hands full this weekend covering the NFL injury news on Tom Brady. Although that particular headline had more of an impact on your pro fantasy leagues, there were several injuries on Saturday that might also throw a wrench into your domination at the college level. With that in mind, I offered to lend a hand with the intro to this weeks Triage Time so that Will could make the calls to find out the details. We start off with Beanie Wells, who might not be Tom Brady, but he was surely drafted almost as high in the college version of fantasy football.
Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB OHIO STATE
It’s like Bill Belichick giving an injury update, but Ohio State did give some direction on Beanie Wells. He’s yet to practice, but he is there doing drills and running. Things look good for him to play against USC, but it’s unlikely he’ll take the full load. That’s not a big issue as there are more than enough carries to have him timeshare and still put up numbers. The risk here is that he plays and has a more significant setback or, in a short term issue, plays and realizes early that his foot won’t hold up. It’d be the smart thing, but a zero from your RB1 is a tough fantasy pill to swallow. Look for Wells’ practice reports, especially later in the week. However, realize that no matter what you know before the kickoff, it could all change once the game is on.
Dustin Grutza, QB CINCINNATI
It’s never boring at the QB1 slot for the Cincy Bearcats. Brian Mauk is going the legal route trying to get back on the field and the injury to Dustin Grutza is making a lot of Bearcat fans root for judges instead of teams. Grutza has a fractured fibula, the smaller bone in the lower leg. A simple fibula fracture takes about four weeks to heal up since the bone doesn’t do much weight bearing. Unfortunately, it wasn’t just a fracture. Further examination showed problems in his ankle and he’s now headed for surgery. Estimates range anywhere from six weeks to a season ender, but it looks like it will be a long recovery. The Bearcats are looking at Demetrius Jones as a possible replacement, but the Notre Dame transfer is still building arm strength after shoulder surgery and isn’t a great fantasy option.
Danario Alexander, WR MIZZOU
Chase Daniel doesn’t need more weapons — though more playing time would be nice, says my fantasy team! — but that’s exactly what he’s going to get. Danario Alexander is back a couple weeks early and has been cleared to play. He won’t immediately lock in to a starting role, but should work his way back in to what is a very deep receiving corps. That said, he’s likely to work his way to the top of that particular chart quickly, especially given how well he works with Daniel. Rex Sharp and his medical staff have done an amazing job rehabbing Alexander and getting him ready to play, so absent a lights-out option, Alexander is a guy you want on your starting roster. That begins with this week’s game against Nevada.
Luke Lippincott, RB NEVADA
Speaking of Nevada, they’ve lost their RB1 for the season after Luke Lippincott tore his ACL. This is about as straightforward an injury as there is — it’s torn, he’ll need surgery, and his college career, perhaps his football career, is over. Say all you want about the free education, the adulation of the masses, and the availability of comely co-eds, these guys are still taking a beating out there. The injuries still get the same scars and while Lippincott and others will gladly take the risk for the chance at Saturday glory, tip your cap as they exit on crutches.
Jamelle Eugene, RB NORTH CAROLINA ST
If you’re scanning the waiver wire and see Eugene’s name there, it might be time to grab him. No, he’s not going to play this week as the Wolfpack head into Death Valley with a ton of injury problems. Thing is, he’s not far off from being back from his ankle injury and he should have enough upside to be a good pick up. Of course, NC State is showing a lot of inconsistency and going down on the depth chart due to losing both TEs, a WR, and just getting back their QB from a nasty concussion isn’t going to help free up Eugene much. That’s why he’s on the waiver wire in some leagues. There’s no one there who’s perfect.
Mike Ford, RB SOUTH FLORIDA
I took on the Bulls as my “home team” last year after catching a game with Jenn Sterger and Brittany Link during the season (and refusing to acknowledge that the Aggies even had a coach anymore, though Francheater didn’t lose to Arkansas State is the one good thing I can say about him). They weren’t really a Cinderella team, but it’s nice to see that even in a dynasty era and a top conference, that a team and school can use sports to establish an identity. The Bulls aren’t sneaking up on anyone this year, but they aren’t quite as powerful. Depth is often one of the weaknesses of smaller programs, but with Mike Ford out against UCF and likely out for this week’s tilt with Kansas, the running will be taken care of by Moise Plancher. Plancher has a great story and seems to be fully back from his knee issues. When Ford does come back and if Plancher plays well against a tough Kansas D, they could end up in a timeshare that’s good for USF and bad for your fantasy team.
TJ Pitts, RB MEMPHIS
Another RB that many are watching for a return is T.J. Pitts, but his ankle is a slow healing situation that has opened up the job to three others that have been doing enough to make many wonder what Pitts’ role will be when he returns. With Wisconsin transfer Lance Smith in the wings, the window of opportunity for Pitts to do something really seems to be closing. He’s still worth keeping an eye on if you’re desperate, but with most lingering ankle injuries, there’s limited upside. Add in the options that the Tigers have and the fewer plays being run by their fast-paced offense due to the new clock rules, and Pitts is just another waiver possibility.
Jeff Cumberland, WR ILLINOIS
With Rashard Mendenhall gone, it’s not really a surprise that Illinois has been throwing the ball more. What is interesting is that with Jeff Cumberland out while a stress fracture in his foot heals, the Illini have been throwing to Will Judson. Judson is the shortest guy on the team and Cumberland is the tallest. I wonder if that’s hard for Juice Williams to adjust to. We’ll see this week as the team takes a step down in competition. Cumberland is expected to play, though a final decision has not been made. Cumberland’s presence will help the offense, offering a big target and a nice complement to Judson’s speed in what appears to be the most high powered passing game in the Big Ten.
Cody Slate, TE MARSHALL
The Herd took a beating at the hands of Wisconsin, but they should get Cody Slate back this week. Of course, Lee Smith had a pretty nice day in his place, which should open up a little bit of a timeshare since they’re not similar players and could end up in something of a role-based platoon. Still, Smith is no Slate in the passing game and he certainly doesn’t have Slate’s speed. That won’t be an issue now that the swelling in Slate’s knee is down. He’s expected to play this week as Marshall tries to get their season on track. If they do, Slate will be a big part of that. I’m not sure he’ll put up big numbers this week, but he remains an elite TE.
Kenny McKinley, WR SOUTH CAROLINA
Steve Spurrier loves a challenge, but heading into the teeth of the Bulldogs without Kenny McKinley might be more of a challenge than the Ol’ Ballcoach wanted. The hamstring strain suffered early against Vandy doesn’t look to have healed enough for McKinley to even get on the field against Georgia. Worse, the Gamecocks could also miss Moe Brown, who replaced McKinley and injured his knee later in the game. Brown’s expected to play, though he could be limited. McKinley doesn’t appear to have too significant a strain, but it’s just not going to heal up enough to take on the Top Dawgs.
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