No fantasy owners are feeling the backlash of Tom Brady's knee injury harder than ones in New England.
Why? Because people are naturally homers; it's in their blood. They overrate their favorite team's players. It happens. So when most of your buddies were picking up Patriots like crazy in the early rounds of your draft, it should have been expected.
Brady deserved to be a top-3 pick in every league this season. Because of Brady, Randy Moss was a lock first-rounder and Wes Welker vaulted to second-round status. This was also going to be Laurence Maroney's season to shine.
The Pats defense was going to be one of the best again. After all, how tough is it to defend 40-point leads every week?
Then, Bernard Pollard's helmet had to ruin everything.
In an instant, Brady's year was done, and the rest of the gang ... well, you've watched the games.
Moss has just 20 catches for 300 yards and only a pair of touchdowns in five games. Through five games last season, Moss had 34 catches for 551 yards and seven touchdowns.
Welker's comparison has been worse. Sure, he has more catches (24) and yards (324) than Moss does with Cassel at the helm, but he doesn't have a single trip to the end zone.
Forget Maroney, who has carried the ball just 28 times this year and was mysteriously out last week. So much for shining.
And finally, the defense. One of the more prolific fantasy defenses of the last seven years has been diced up by almost every opponent.
No Patriot is a practical fantasy option, at least not until No. 12 comes back ... next year. Moss and Welker can't be trusted in the hands of Cassel, who has been the definition of inconsistent since taking over. Last week against San Diego, Moss owners had a sure touchdown catch in the first half that was underthrown by 10 yards.
That doesn't happen with Brady.
As for running backs, it's a crapshoot who will get the most carries each week. With Maroney banged up again, the carries have been shared by LaMont Jordan, Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk. But, without knowing who is the go-to guy week in and week out, you can't start any of them.
Until next July, when Brady returns to the huddle, it's buyer beware when it comes to the Pats.
Broken finger? Chop it off!
Tony Romo broke the pinkie finger on his throwing hand in overtime in last Sunday's loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Despite early reports that suggested Romo, one of the NFL's leading fantasy QBs, would be out around a month, he may play today.
If you're a Romo owner, though, tread with caution on this one.
Even if he plays, he certainly won't be anywhere close to 100 percent. As long as you have a halfway decent backup, Romo shouldn't be in your lineup. At the very least, see how he performs with the damaged digit this week (if he actually plays) before you start him again.
Although further damage to the finger would cause him to miss significant time, at least he isn't taking the route of Mesa (Colo.) State lineman Trevor Wikre, who decided to have his pinkie finger amputated this week after it was mangled when caught in a jersey during practice.
Week 6's Stud, Dud and Sleeper
Stud: Andre Johnson, Houston Texans
Even with a so-so Matt Schaub as his quarterback, Andre Johnson is a beast. Against a ghastly Detroit Lions defense this week, look for Johnson to put up numbers that look a lot like the ones he's had the last two weeks. Around 10 catches, 150 yards, and a trip to the end zone.
Dud: LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego
He is still suffering from that gimpy toe, and has put up near career-lows in yards per carry the last two weeks. And, he goes against an underrated Buffalo defense this week.
He's still a name, and it might be time to sell high for L.T. owners.
Sleeper: Matt Schaub, Houston Texans
He's been inconsistent himself, but the Texans take on a abysmal Detroit passing defense this week that ranks third-worst in the league.
To submit a Fantasy Scene question to Mike McMahon, e-mail mmcmahon@eagletribune.com.
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Post game plus crew on the Sixers loss
Rose and Zumoff recap the Sixers last second loss
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Cal Ripken says the Orioles will go as far as their pitching-2/10
Sandusky makes a statement
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Ovechkin: "I don't think we deserved to lose today."
Brayden Schenn scores a goal against his brother Luke
What is ailing the Flyers?
Briere on facing the Maple Leafs
Flyers on Bobrovsky starting and work ethic
Julien: 'did it the hard way'
McAdam's Spring Training primer
Doc: Team's effort is 'un-Celtic'
Pierce stresses mental toughness
Globe 10.0 Who was the best free agent in Boston?
Maria Menounos dons a Giants-colored bikini after losing Super Bowl bet-2/7
Thomas' moratorium: 'I'm out, peace'
Gasol: 'Not pleasant' being part of trade rumor
Blakely: Gasol-for-Rondo trade unlikely
Brady-ing is Latest Internet Meme
Globe 10.0: Is Paul Pierce the Celtics greatest scorer?
Ranking Pierce among Celtics greats
Garnett's tale of first meeting Paul Pierce
Pierce's loyalty touted after big night
Hurt Locker: Patriots react to Super Bowl loss
Brown: 'Eli Manning is better than Tom Brady'
Local fans crushed by Patriots loss in Super Bowl XLVI
Marcus Johansson Caps lone goal in loss to Bruins-2/5
Matt Hendricks throws down with the Bruins' Adam McQuaid--2/5
Vinatieri, Law, Brown recount Super Bowl XXXVI
