Roto Arcade - Fantasy

When things completely bottom out for a fantasy prospect, you'll take an upgrade anywhere you can get one. But bluntly put, I don't feel that much better about Braylon Edwards(notes) and Michael Crabtree(notes) today than I did 24 hours ago.

The Jets and Browns gave us a rare midseason trade Wednesday; Cleveland shipped the unhappy Edwards to New York while the Browns get Chansi Stuckey(notes), linebacker Jason Trusnik(notes) and a couple of mid-round draft picks. It's a logical deal for both teams; the Jets get a potential game breaker for their offense, while the Browns ship a disappointing malcontent out of town.

But let's remember why in-season deals are so infrequent in the NFL – it's very tricky to head to a new club and learn a new scheme, especially on offense. Roy Williams was liberated from Detroit 12 months ago and turned into a monstrous flop for the Cowboys. For all the fantasy hope that Edwards will be reinvigorated by a different city and a winning club, we also have to consider that chemistry with Mark Sanchez(notes) won't happen overnight.

At the end of the day I'll give Edwards a modest bump forward on my rest-of-season cheat sheet (which debuts later Wednesday, peeps) because I expect him to actually try with the Jets, something he wasn't really doing in Cleveland. Sanchez also gets a tiny raise if the Jets can get anything out of Edwards. Jerricho Cotchery(notes) owners can't be thrilled at the news, but I'll leave his rank alone; he's had four strong games in a row with Sanchez and he offers a different skill set than Edwards anyway.

Derek Anderson(notes) will probably be the only Brown who really misses Edwards, albeit the duo couldn't connect last week against Cincinnati. Mohamed Massaquoi's(notes) free-agent buzz gets a push with Edwards out of town; I made a healthy bid for the rookie receiver in the Friends & Family League last night (something in the teens) but was overbid by John Hansen of Fantasy Guru ($27).

As for the Crabtree deal, it's a shame that it took so long to shake down. The rookie receiver accepted a six-year offer early Wednesday that was similar to what was on the table in July. He's 2-3 months behind the learning curve during his rookie year and a monumental climb is in front of him.

The 49ers are 3-1 without Crabtree and Vernon Davis(notes) has been a star at tight end, but there's no doubt that their passing game needs a threat on the outside. Isaac Bruce(notes) leads the wide receivers with a mere 13 catches – he's at the end of his career, no doubt – and Josh Morgan(notes) has been erratic through four games (nine receptions, some loose routes and drops). If Crabtree is an amazingly quick study, perhaps he'll be ready to be a factor in November or December. But let's not forget that he played in a gimmicky offense at Texas Tech and he's had no time to work with his new teammates. Even if Crabtree is a free agent in any of my fantasy leagues right now, I'm not handing him a bench spot. He'll have to play his way onto my radar.

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54 Comments

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  1. Scott E
    1. Posted by Scott E Wed Oct 07, 2009 2:22 pm EDT

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    I picked up Massaquoi out of the FA pool as soon as I saw the Edwards news. Not sure if I want to start him right away, but the matchup against the Bills this week looks pretty tempting.
  2. The J-Train
    2. Posted by The J-Train Wed Oct 07, 2009 2:23 pm EDT

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    Does Massaquoi's value actually increase with this trade? I would think that now that opponents no longer have to worry about covering Edwards, all their attention would revert to Massaquoi (or Coles?). Am I wrong here?
  3. abc
    3. Posted by abc Wed Oct 07, 2009 2:28 pm EDT

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    I have to think any Jets offensive player should get a bump if in fact Edwards helps them spread the field, and the offense can open up. At any rate, it all depends if Sanchez can get people the ball and doesn't crap the bed like he did against the Saints.
  4. scooter281
    4. Posted by scooter281 Wed Oct 07, 2009 2:33 pm EDT

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    Massaquoi's a nice player, but I'm not buying the Cleveland passing game, period.
  5. Margaret T
    5. Posted by Margaret T Wed Oct 07, 2009 2:37 pm EDT

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    What is wrong with the browns.They traded away their best player for a nobody
  6. Steaming Burrito
    6. Posted by Steaming Burrito Wed Oct 07, 2009 2:38 pm EDT

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    I'm soooooo constipated !
  7. pepper
    7. Posted by pepper Wed Oct 07, 2009 2:43 pm EDT

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    how about.....i'm desperate for a third receiver and with turner, thomas starting and coffee/leon washington as my RB reserves, I'll toss out mcfadden for a chance that massaquoi will be decent. let's face it. cleveland stinks. that means they'll be getting crushed and have to throw the ball. Massa is as likely to catch passes as anyone else there. It Anderson has to put it up 35+ times per game, there's gonna be a few stats to go around no matter how bad he or the receivers are.
  8. pepper
    8. Posted by pepper Wed Oct 07, 2009 2:43 pm EDT

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    how about.....i'm desperate for a third receiver and with turner, thomas starting and coffee/leon washington as my RB reserves, I'll toss out mcfadden for a chance that massaquoi will be decent. let's face it. cleveland stinks. that means they'll be getting crushed and have to throw the ball. Massa is as likely to catch passes as anyone else there. It Anderson has to put it up 35 times per game, there's gonna be a few stats to go around no matter how bad he or the receivers are.
  9. Brian K
    9. Posted by Brian K Wed Oct 07, 2009 2:45 pm EDT

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    I am actually a cotchery owner and i am thrilled Defenses will have to focus on someone els then him. hes been double covered all season now hes not the only good reciever the jets have now so other teams have to focus on someone other then him so I feel he could deffinatly get more balls or just as many.
  10. Rudyard
    10. Posted by Rudyard Wed Oct 07, 2009 2:51 pm EDT

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    I watched D Anderson at Oregon State and know that he is a "throw to my favorite reciever" type QB unlike Brees or Romo (not counting Witten). He demonstrated this with Edwards two years ago when edwards did not have bricks for hands. If a WR can catch Andersons bullets that WR will stick. The question is if Massaquoi sticks as his favorite, but I took the gamble picking him up assuming that "time" is not on Cleveland's or Anderson's side. The Browns have to produce now to save certain jobs and Anderson looks to be aware that one of the jobs is his, and perhaps his last chance in the league as a starter. Whomever ends up his favorite WR will be the recipient of double digit looks every week, too bad Winslow is gone cause he actually can catch the bullets. Royal tries to catch the football with the top opening in his face mask, a low percentage technique. The moment that Massaquoi stepped up Ewards was looking up new bars in NY, if he does not end up behind bars. If Massaquoi continues to hold on to the rock he will be a good/really good fantasy play.
  11. bostonbruinscelticsredsox
    11. Posted by bostonbruinscelticsredsox Wed Oct 07, 2009 3:14 pm EDT

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    coles? he is on the bengals guy. i think Massaquoi and Stuckey will get most of the passes now.
  12. AstateEditor
    12. Posted by AstateEditor Wed Oct 07, 2009 3:18 pm EDT

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    What about Stuckey in all of this? I've always been a fan of his, and I think he could get enough targets in Cleveland that he might get a fairly significant bump. He already knows Mangini's offense which is a plus and Derek Anderson appeared to find a groove last week, another plus. I wouldn't be surprised to see Stuckey as the team's leading receiver from here on out this season.
  13. million_dollar_sleeper
    13. Posted by million_dollar_sleeper Wed Oct 07, 2009 3:42 pm EDT

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    MoMass had 7 deep targets last week. he is a big WR that will get redzone looks
    he is already owned in every one of my leagues, i had to pay $21 for him in Evans league
  14. 50 Desert Eagle
    14. Posted by 50 Desert Eagle Wed Oct 07, 2009 3:49 pm EDT

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    It's buys like that mds, that keeps your yahoo record looking like it does......
  15. Cory
    15. Posted by Cory Wed Oct 07, 2009 3:56 pm EDT

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    Loud noises!!!
  16. The Peteis
    16. Posted by The Peteis Wed Oct 07, 2009 4:13 pm EDT

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    Massaquoi is undoubtedly the biggest beneficiary of this deal, but how about Chansi Stuckey or Brian Robiskie? Chansi has responded when given the opportunity and now in Cleveland he will most likely be moved into the primary role (once he gets the scheme down). Robiskie hasn't received a shot by the Mandumbass, but now he has to be given some looks.
  17. GuitarMark
    17. Posted by GuitarMark Wed Oct 07, 2009 4:19 pm EDT

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    Edwards goes from being a player I don't trust to being....a player I don't trust. I don't own him, and I still won't. MoMass is an intriguing add with DA at QB.
  18. Buck
    18. Posted by Buck Wed Oct 07, 2009 4:26 pm EDT

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    to #5, Braylon can't catch the football=not the best player on the Browns.
  19. million_dollar_sleeper
    19. Posted by million_dollar_sleeper Wed Oct 07, 2009 4:33 pm EDT

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    was that a compliment desert eagle or did you just make fun of yourself?
  20. monstersinthacloset
    20. Posted by monstersinthacloset Wed Oct 07, 2009 4:35 pm EDT

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    dogged by LeBron so much, he was traded
  21. Ryan G
    21. Posted by Ryan G Wed Oct 07, 2009 4:41 pm EDT

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    Edwards is a prima donna. He showed his skills early on in his career, and was a beast in Maze & Blue, but the guy has got an ego. This change of scenery may help him bring back some of his work ethic, but going to a run-first team, in a bruising, black and blue, in the trenches division, isn't going to up his stock much, if at all. Many star WR's lose that drive once they are successful (TO, Ocho, Roy Williams, Charles Rogers, Mike Williams...ok the last two were complete jokes) but you catch my drift.
    Edwards, in a contract year, may boost his drive and moral, but playing games in the windy meadowlands in Nov/Dec, with a rookie QB, a rookie-defensive minded- head coach, and a stellar running game, definately limits his value IMO. I would most certainly shop him to someone who believes otherwise.
  22. Dan B
    22. Posted by Dan B Wed Oct 07, 2009 4:44 pm EDT

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    i dont really think edwards departure will hurt massaquoi much (im hoping to snag him off waivers tonight) i think it hurts jerome harrison more. why would defenses double massaquoi? he hasnt earned it yet like edwards has with his one good year. i think instead teams will load the box and shut down the browns run game.
    also i dont think stuckey will be an immediate starter because, just like edwards, he'll have to learn a whole new scheme. i think the top two wrs in cleveland now will be massaquoi (the only one id pickup) and robiske since he already knows the offense
  23. Bappeeee
    23. Posted by Bappeeee Wed Oct 07, 2009 4:49 pm EDT

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    To Margaret T
    He is FA at end of season
    He is a headcase
    He thinks he is the best but will not work to get there
    He drops alot of passes
    We need all the draft picks we can get for next year so we can contend in 2012...I hope
  24. The Guy With No Kidney
    24. Posted by The Guy With No Kidney Wed Oct 07, 2009 4:54 pm EDT

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    Why do I have this feeling that Braylon was sand bagging it in Cleveland - just so the Brlowns would trade him ... and now he's going to return to his 2007 form? He'll still drop too many balls, but I have a feeling the Jets got a steal. I'll never trust Braylon enough to have him on my team after suffering through the last years of watching him drop ball after catchable ball. I live near Cleveland, and I am sick of the way Braylon was playing considering how much he gets paid. Of course, since I live in Cleveland, football season is already "over" for me. Although the Browns did show some improvement against the Bengals, why do I have this bad feeling in the pit of my stomach that this year's Browns are going to be last year's Detroit Lions?? I think I'm giving up on Cleveland football this year and I'm just going to focus all of my attention on the Cavs.
  25. Matt
    25. Posted by Matt Wed Oct 07, 2009 5:07 pm EDT

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    Braylon sucks, but he'll be a help for Cotchery.

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