NEWS & NOTES

After starting 24 consecutive games for Tampa Bay, Cadillac Williams will miss the game on Sunday. He has been struggling all week with a foot injury, and it was finally decided today that he was too injured to play. Michael Pittman will take his place and has a decent matchup against Cleveland this week.

Those of you still pinning your fantasy hopes to Aaron Brooks are about to get very disappointed. Although I know none of you exist, I still feel like it's a story that Brooks has been benched for tonight's game. Andrew Walter will take his place in what may be his final opportunity to show the Raiders he could be the QB for the future.

Continuing with the Bucs-Raiders theme, next on the news agenda is that Chris Simms has signed a two-year contract extension to remain with Tampa Bay. It's a 10 million dollar contract which means even if he does not win the starting job, the Bucs will not be killed by the deal. However, right now I'd be shocked if Simms is not the starter next season.

Kevin Williams has signed a 7 year deal to remain with the Minnesota Vikings. What makes this fantasy worthy news is that Williams is an essential part of the Vikings' number one rush defense. With him around for awhile, the Vikings will remain a force against the run for years to come.

Although Ronnie Brown may play on Monday, he will backup RB Sammy Morris. Even though he's starting, Morris is not a very good start with Brown healthy. Right now, Brown will get a few carries, but if he's not healthy enough to start, he most likely will not get too many carries.

In sort of a surprising turn of events, Cedric Hosuton is too injured to play Monday for the Jets. He will be inactive and rookie Leon Washington will get most of the carries. While Washington has looked good at times this season, his matchup against the Miami defense is too difficult to justify starting him.

As projected all week, Fred Taylor will be forced to miss this Sunday's crucial game against the New England Patriots. Maurice Jones-Drew will start in his place. Although Jones-Drew has looked fantastic at times, I feel he will struggle going up against a tough defense without Taylor to share the load.

Joseph Addai's injury does not look as severe as it did when we first saw it, but that does not mean that Addai will be all systems go on Sunday. Word out of Indianapolis camp is that while Addai should play, he will most likely have a very reduced role on Sunday. It'd be wise to avoid Addai, however Dominic Rhodes' value gets a boast now against a weak Houston defense.

There was some question earlier in the week as to whether Todd Heap and Derek Mason would play for the Ravens on Sunday. Both players looked much better in practice on Friday, and they will suit up on Sunday. They both face tough matchups against Pittsburgh.

It's the biggest game in years for both the Buffalo Bills and the Tennessee Titans, and the Titans now look like they will have their RB healthy for Sunday. Travis Henry was struggling with injury earlier in the week, but not he appears much better and will play. He's a decent option against an inconsistent Buffalo defense.

Finally, the latest chapter in a a disappointing year for Antonio Bryant is a 4 game suspension handed down by the NFL. This is in connection to his DUI earlier in the season. Bryant was in the league's substance abuse program, and that is why he was suspended. Arnaz Battle and Vernon Davis should now have increased roles in the offense.

-David Cassilo
Contact at asuhouse@aol.com