Ladanian Tomlinson honored his hero Walter Payton when he passed him on the rushing TD list. (Photo courtesy NELVIN C. CEPEDA, SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE)

‘Tis the season to go picking through other peoples’ trash.  Coming off a down year, with limited draft picks and even less desire to spend money, the Bears ain’t too proud to beg.  Guys like Ladanian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook were recently cut by their respective teams and pundits in every corner of the interwebs want to find a new home for these guys.  My suggestion?  The retirement home!

Don’t get me wrong – Tomlinson and Westbrook were among the best in the game and would be in the any decent all-decade team for the 2000′s, but I just don’t think they fit here with the Bears.  I understand why people are quick to try to plug them into Chicago.

Matt Forte is coming off a disappointing sophomore season; a season in which he struggled behind a struggling offensive line and a new quarterback.  To make matters worse,  primary backup Kevin Jones suffered a season-ending knee injury during the preseason, former third round pick – yes THIRD ROUND PICK -  Garrett Wolfe has never lived up to his lofty draft status and Adrian Peterson – no, our AP – brings occasional burst but not consistent #2 RB kind of stuff.   Only when free-agent rookie Kahlil Bell came on the scene was there any real depth for Forte.  (more…)

Guys I Like this Week

1. Beanie Wells @ St. Louis – I have never been a huge fan of Beanie, dating back to his days at THE Ohio State University, but he is quickly taking over the load in the AZ and when AZ is up 3 TDs at the end of the 1st Q, I expect them to sit on it and run Beanie for what he’s worth to see if they can rely on him in the playoffs.
2. Bernard Scott @ Oakland – Surprisingly, Scott is still available in some leagues.  Maybe people thought Ced Benson would man up and play, but it looks likely that he won’t and if he doesn’t, Scott is the next in line.  This is a juicy match-up and I like Scott to run all day.  Hell, even Jamal Charles put 100 yds on the Raiders and the Cincy O-line is WAAAAYYY better than the Chiefs O-line.
3. LaDanian Tomlinson @ Denver - I think LT is making one last push to show he isn’t washed up just yet.  Perhaps the fact that his significant other recently told him, she is expecting his child has added some extra mojo for him.  Whatever it is, the Denver D has begun to break down and LT is starting to peak.
4. Matt Hasselbeck @ Minnesota - I know this might seem like a reach, but Hasselbeck has thrown for over 300 yds in his last 2 games and Minnesota’s D ranks 23rd against the pass.  I expect the ViQueens to beat the Hawks up pretty soundly, but I would also expect Hasselbeck to chuck it up close to 50 times.

Guys I Don’t Like this Week

1. Jay Cutler vs Philadelphia – Perhaps this will be the kick in the pants JC needs, but he is starting to really make me angry and you won’t like me when I’m angry!!!  Further, 11 of JC’s league leading INTs have come under the lights of prime time and JC is 4-9 in his career under the bright lights.  And here I thought Jim McMahon was the Bears QB who stuck a fork in his eye and couldn’t stand the bright lights???
2. Frank Gore @ GB – Hard to sit Gore and you prbably can’t, but the GB defense has looked decent against the run as of late and they completely dismantled the Cowboys running game (and team in general) last week.  Expect Gore to struggle in Lambeau.
3. Randy Moss vs NY Jets - Another player that is hard to ever bench, but Moss has 72 yds receiving in his last 3 games against the Jets…that is 72 yds in 3 GAMES.  Apparently he doesn’t like facing Darelle Revis and this week might not be any different, so beware an un-Mosslike performance this week.
4. Brandon Marshall vs San Diego - B-Marsh will probably suffer the most if Ole Neckbeard doesn’t play this week and it is looking more and more like he won’t so look another way if you have a viable WR option on your bench.  Could be tough sledding for B-Marsh until Orton returns.

Other Nuggets

With only 3 weeks until most of your fantasy playoffs, this is not the time to make bold moves with your lineups if you are a bubble team.  You have to use your head and maximize your points.  It always pains me to leave points on my bench and I would rather lose knowing I played the best lineup possible as opposed to knowing I sat a stud, because I “had a feeling.”  Use your brains, not your heart or gut as you come down the stretch.  And if you can make a trade for the 2 best guys off of someone’s roster who’s playoff future might not be so bright…well, that never hurts either…

GOOD LUCK THIS WEEK!!!

Can I get an “Amen?”

The DeCon has spoken…so let it be written, so let it be done…

I’ll hear your fantasy football confessions at beargoggles.decon@gmail.com.

Guys I Like this Week

1. Matt Forte vs Cleveland – I am calling Forte out…perform this week or I drop you from 2 of my squads…Cleveland???  Come on…and in the orange jerseys to boot…this has to be his week!!!
2. LeSean McCoy vs NYG – Westbrook’s concussion gives McCoy a chance to shine…not the best matchup, but AZ ran pretty well against the Giants last week.
3. Kevin Smith and Steven Jackson in the Toilet Bowl (StL @ Det) – This is probably the worst game on the schedule this week, but both defenses are suspect and I think both RBs have a chance to shine.
4. LaDanian Tomlinson vs Oakland – I don’t know why because LT has been disappointing, but there is something appealing to me about LT at home versus Oakland with a firm chip on his shoulder that sounds like a winning combo to me in favor of LT owners… (more…)

Of course, last week did not go well for the Bears.  When I picked Jay Cutler as one of my Bent Over the Altar picks in Week 1, I in no way intended for THAT to happen. 

The great thing about week 1 in the NFL is we still have 15 weeks to go to make amends and to figure out how the Bears Defense can adjust to life without # 54.  I am going to remain optimistic with a small side dish of your typical Chicago fan pessimism.

I hope your fantasy football teams did better than mine last week.  I suffered the dreaded DIEfecta…Bears lost and so did both of my fantasy teams…alas, week 2 is here and it is time for The DeCon to Preach from the Pulpit.

Stone Tablet Locks – chisel these guys in stone as MUST PLAYS this week. (more…)

Meanwhile, San Diego’s hero last season, Michael “The Burner” Turner could not lead the resurgent Falcons to a road victory over the home-dog Cardinals, as the Cards held on for the 30-24 win .  Kurt Warner and the air attack were the key to the Cardinals success throughout the season, but Arizona’s defense stood out for me, holding Turner to 42 rushing yards and a TD.  Offensive Rookie of the Year Matt Ryan responded well to a 14-3 deficit, leading the upstart Falcons to a 17-14 halftime lead, but an early third quarter fumble recovery proved to be the turning point.  Arizona’s Darnell Dockett perfectly timed the snap count, stormed into the backfield and forced a fumble on the exchange between Ryan and Turner.  Antrel Rolle picked the ball out of midair and rumbled 27 yards for the game-changing touchdown, capping it with a Dirty Bird Dance of his own.  This was the first Cardinals home playoff win since the 1947 playoffs as the Chicago Cardinals in old Comiskey Park.

Despite their underdog status, both home teams got the job done on Saturday.   It goes to show how difficult it is to win on the road in the playoffs.  Let’s see if the Ravens and Eagles are up to the task on Sunday.