Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

The Cleveland Browns announced the release of running back Jamal Lewis today (February 17). Lewis was under contract with the Browns through 2010. The move enables the Browns to avoid paying his impending $1.5 million roster bonus or $2.4 million salary. Lewis played nine games for the Browns last season. He suffered a severe concussion during Week 12 and was placed on injured reserve with concussion syndrome. Although Lewis hinted at retirement, he left the door open that he might return in 2010.

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In what could be considered another “what were they thinking?” move, the Oakland Raiders resigned kicker Sebastian Janikowski to a four-year $16 million dollar contract that includes $9 million in guaranteed money. The deal makes Janikowski the highest paid place kicker in NFL history. During the 2009-2010 season, Janikowski made 26 of 29 field goals including 6 out of 8 from 50 yards or more. The Raiders offense scored just 17 touchdowns and Janikowski connected on all 17 extra point attempts. Janikowski reached his 1,000th career point when he kicked a 39 yard field goal against the Baltimore Ravens on January 3, 2010 and became the highest scoring Raider of all time. The deal was inked on Tuesday, February 16.

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The Baltimore Ravens announced the signing of WR Donte’ Stallworth to a one-year, $900,000 contract. He is also eligible for another $300,000 in playing time incentives. The move comes just nine days after Commissioner Roger Goodell reinstrated Stallworth from a one-year suspension and one day after Stallworth tried out for the team (February 16). While it’s unclear what kind of impact Stallworth will have after a year out of football, it would seem to be a low-risk move by the Ravens. Regardless of whether or not Derrick Mason returns, Stallworth offers Joe Flacco another much needed option at wide receiver.

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The San Diego Chargers declared wide receiver Vincent Jackson active for the regular-season finale against the Washington Redskins. V-Jax was expected to sit out this week since the Chargers already locked up the number 2 seed in the AFC. Athough he is active, Jackson is not expected to play more than a series or two

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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason is active for Sunday’s must-win game against the Oakland Raiders. Mason is a solid RB2 fantasy play in Week 17.

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Tight end Tony Gonzalez is active and will start for the Falcons in the team’s final game of the season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gonzalez practiced on Friday after missing time early in the week with a calf injury. Gonzalez has an excellent matchup against the Bucs and he needs just six receptions to achieve 1,000 in his career, so the Falcons are likely to target him often and early. Expect the Falcons to pull out all the stops in an effort post their first back-to-back winning seasons in franchise history

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The Miami Dolphins report that Ricky Williams is active for the team’s Week 17 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. William is expected to start, however Lex Hilliard is likely to see plenty of playing time. Wiliams and Hilliard split reps in practice this week. Both have tough matchups against a stout Steelers run defense. If you start Williams, manage your expectations about his playing time. Hilliard makes for a nice flex play if you need him.

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St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson is active for the Rams final game of the season agains the San Francisco 49ers.

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After being listed a questionable as late as Saturday, Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe has been activated and is listed as the starting TE for Week 17’s important game against the New York Giants. Lock him in your lineup if he’s on your roster.
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The Carolina Panthers declared running back DeAngelo Williams inactive for Week 17 against the New Orleans Saints. Teammate Jonathan Stewart is a solid fantasy RB1 this week and should torch a Saints run defense that has struggled lately.

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