uh oh..... back up's needed

September 10, 2008
Author: Blake Rios

Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Total votes: 2

A week into the NFL season some of the top Fantasy players are already banged up, some are even done for the season. Lets start off with the most obvious, Tom Brady. He was undoubtedly a top three pick in almost every draft, and about seven minutes into the season he suffers a very bad knee injury and now his season is over. 50 touchdowns and 4,000 passing yards are gone from the Patriots offense. He is so important to that team that New England went from heavy favorites to go to the Super Bowl and now they are two point underdogs in this weekends game at the New York Jets. Talk about power shift? He's not the only big name to be lost for the season, Alex Smith is done with a shoulder injury, that was a joke for all you joke lovers out there.
Another big name that we won't see this season is Shawn Merrimen, this isn't a big surprise considering he was injured before the season and tried to play. This is definatly going to affect the San Diego defense, he has had the most sacks in the league since the start of the 2005 season (39.5), you just don't replace a player of his caliber. Although he is gone San Diego should still be a top ten defense but will not get you as many fantasy points because that dominant presence is gone.
Two other key players who may miss some time are Marcus Coleston of the New Orleans Saints(ligament damage in his thumb), he may be sidelined for about six weeks, and Marion Barber of the Dallas Cowboys (ligament damage in his ribs), he may not miss any time but with Felix Jones doing so well in Dallas' week one win over Cleveland, Wade Phillips may not rush Barber back.
These are just a few players who were injured, but with injuries comes opportunity. Look for these players to step up and have big week two's. Lawrence Maroney, with Brady gone look for New England to run the ball a little more. Reggie Bush and Jeremy Shockyey should get a couple more touches considering New Orleans throws the ball about 60 percent of the time. And Felix Jones is going to be a fantasy gem that fantasy players should try to pick up right away even if he only gets mop up now, he will be a top ten pick eventually.
In closing I would like to give thanks that I didn't pick any of these injured players (another joke). These players will definatly influence the way fantasy teams are put together in the upcoming weeks, and also for there respective teams, this is just an opportunity for a new player to step up and shine when given the light.

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