Week 8 saw some familiar faces leading the pack at the tight end position. Dallas Clark, who hauled in 11 TDs in 2007, nabbed his first two of the 2008 season in the Colts' week 8 Monday Night loss to the Titans for 22 points. Meanwhile, Antonio Gates had a solid 96 yard and TD outing for 15 fantasy points, and Tony Gonzalez continued to excel despite the Chiefs' quarterback woes, tallying 13 fantasy points on the day. Who will come out on top in week 9, read the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Week 9 Tight End Rankings to find out.
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1. Greg Olsen (Chicago Bears) vs. Detroit
Prior to the Bears' week 8 bye, Olsen saw 8 targets in week 7 against the Minnesota Vikings, hauling in 6 of them for 74 yards and a TD. It was Olsen's best day as a pro and another indication that the Bears' tight end has the potential to be something special in this league. Look for Olsen to put up another big day in this one against the Lions and their 31st ranked pass defense.
Point Projection: 13 points
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2. Dallas Clark (Indianapolis Colts) vs. New England
For all those owners that selected Dallas Clark in their fantasy drafts this season based on his 11 TDs in 2007, it had been a tough first 7 weeks of football as Clark had not found pay dirt. But, then, week 8 came, and Clark crossed the goal-line, not once, but twice. With Peyton Manning under center, the potential for points is always there. Look for the two to connect for at least one score in week 9.
Point Projection: 11 points
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3. Owen Daniels (Houston Texans) @ Minnesota
Daniels followed up his best performance of the year, an 18 point effort in week 7, with his worst, a 2 point outing in week 8. That will happen when your quarterback has so many options to go to. But, if you own Daniels he has to be in your fantasy line-ups. Matt Schaub is on fire at the moment, going for over 260 passing yards in each of the team's last 4 games, along with 9 passing TDs in that span. The potential for points is there and Daniels should capitalize against the Vikings.
Point Projection: 11 points
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4. Zach Miller (Oakland Raiders) vs. Atlanta
As predicted by the Bruno Boys prior to the season, Miller has developed into a nice crutch for quarterback, JaMarcus Russell. That role has allowed Miller to put up consistently decent weeks, with the potential for the big game, as evidenced by his 15 point week 4 effort. The Falcons are giving up 232.9 passing yards per game and have allowed 10 passing TDs on the year, with that being the case, there's a good chance Miller can have one of his big days this Sunday.
Point Projection: 11 points
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5. Jason Witten (Dallas Cowboys) @ New York Giants
Witten bruised his ribs in week 8 against the Bucs, causing the tight end to leave the game with just one catch for 8 yards. The good news is that x-rays came up negative. You know with all the other injuries the Cowboys are dealing with, they'll look to make sure Witten is good to go this Sunday in a huge match-up with the New York Giants, a team he's averaging 68.25 yards per game against through their last 4 meetings.
Point Projection: 11 points
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6. Tony Scheffler (Denver Broncos) vs. Miami
The bye week should have been just what Scheffler needed to get his groin ready to go. Expect to see the Broncos' tight end back on the field in week 9 in what appears to be a favorable match-up against the Dolphins' 25th ranked pass defense, a team that's allowing 233.3 passing yards per game.
Point Projection: 10 points
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7. Tony Gonzalez (Kansas City Chiefs) vs. Tampa Bay
With so many tight ends struggling this season, it's a thing of beauty for Gonzalez's owners that the tight end is still able to be productive despite all the quarterback woes the Chiefs have had to deal with this season. Even in a tough match-up with the 7th ranked Bucs' pass defense, Gonzo needs to be in your line-up. He's shown all season long that he can beat the odds, why doubt him now?
Point Projection: 9 points
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8. Visanthe Shiancoe (Minnesota Vikings) vs. Houston
Two things have helped Shiancoe develop as a solid fantasy tight end option this season. One is the fact that Gus Frerotte was handed the team's starting quarterback job. The second is the top notch play by Bernard Berrian in recent weeks. With team's having to focus more of their attention on stopping Berrian on the outside, more of the middle of the field is open for Shiancoe to work with, something he took advantage of during his week 7 12 point outing.
Point Projection: 9 points
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9. Heath Miller (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Washington
For one reason or another, Big Ben seems to have forgotten about Miller, targeting the tight end just 4 times in week 8 despite Santonio Holmes' absence. It's a good thing Miller has hauled in 80.7% of the balls thrown his way, allowing him to still put up some solid fantasy days.
Point Projection: 8 points
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10. LJ Smith (Philadelphia Eagles) @ Seattle
If Smith can bounce back from a concussion he sufferred in week 8 against the Falcons, he could be a sleeper tight end play in week 9 as the Eagles will head to Seattle to take on a Seahawks' defense that ranks 30th against the pass. Even Smith, who has struggled this season, should be able to do something against this defense, which is giving up 245.3 passing yards per game and has allowed 11 passing TDs on the year.
Point Projection: 8 points
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11. Chris Cooley (Washington Redskins) vs. Pittsburgh
Yes, the Steelers rank atop the league when it comes to pass defense, but they have allowed TDs to the likes of Kevin Boss, Marcedes Lewis, and Daniel Wilcox this season. If those guys can score against this tough D, there's no reason Cooley shouldn't be able to find pay dirt.
Point Projection: 8 points
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12. Kellen Winslow (Cleveland Browns) vs. Baltimore
Though the Browns rescinded the "suspension" levied on Kellen Winslow in week 8, that did little good for fantasy owners as Winslow still missed the game. Winslow has been a disappointment thus far, ranking just 18th among tight ends, but Derek Anderson finally seems to be coming around, so perhaps Winslow could turn in some big games down the stretch; however, that will be hard to do in this one against the Ravens, who are allowing less than 180 pass yards per game.
Point Projection: 7 points
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13. Marcedes Lewis (Jacksonville Jaguars) @ Cincinnati
Lewis couldn't make it three weeks in a row with a score as the tight end corralled 3 passes for 34 receiving yards. While his owners might be a bit upset that Lewis was kept out of the endzone in week 8, they should be happy to hear that the 6 targets he received were the most thrown his way all season long. It appears David Garrard is beginning to trust in Lewis just a bit more.
Point Projection: 7 points
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14. Desmond Clark (Chicago Bears) vs. Detroit
As Olsen continues to mature, Clark will see his role in the passing game diminish; however, the blocking tight end has still managed to put up two straight 50+ yard games. He should make it three in a row against the Lions' weak pass defense.
Point Projection: 6 points
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15. Bo Scaife (Tennessee Titans) vs. Green Bay
The Green Bay Packers are allowing the eighh most fantasy points to tight ends this year, giving up a healthy 7. Scaife should be able to exploit the Packers weakness over the middle and turn in a solid fantasy day.
Point Projection: 6 points
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16. Anthony Fasano (Miami Dolphins) @ Denver
Fasano caught just two passes in week 8; though, he did salvage the day fantasy wise by finding pay dirt on one of those catches. It appears obvious that Fasano's two early double digit performances are more the aberration than the norm, but if you're starting tight end is on a bye, note that Fasano is going against a defense that is allowing opponents to pass for 240.0 yards per game and that has allowed 12 passing TDs on the year.
Point Projection: 6 points
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17. Alex Smith (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) @ Kansas City
Sometimes less is more, and that proved to be the case among Tampa Bay's tight ends in week 8. While Jerramy Stevens saw 6 passes thrown his way, he managed just 16 yards. Meanwhile, Smith was targeted just twice; however, he was able to turn those two receptions into 39 yards. Smith is the downfield threat among this duo, which means he has the greater potential for fantasy points.
Point Projection: 5 points
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18. John Carlson (Seattle Seahawks) vs. Philadelphia
Carlson was able to find the end zone in both week 6 and week 7, but it was not to be in week 8. Perhaps the reason Carlson didn't get a chance to score is because he saw a decrease in targets. After having 6 passes thrown his way in both week 6 and week 7, Carlson was thrown to just twice in week 8. Even the top tier tight ends will have trouble putting up a whole lot of points with those few looks.
Point Projection: 5 points
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19. Kevin Boss (New York Giants) vs. Dallas
Boss came up huge for the Giants in week 8, catching the game winning TD against Pittsburgh. The TD was Boss' first since week 3, which also was the last outing in which he saw at least 5 targets like he did this week. Until Boss is consistently utilized by Manning, he's at best a back-up fantasy tight end.
Point Projection: 4 points
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20. Jerramy Stevens (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) @ Kansas City
As mentioned previously, Stevens is the short-route tight end right now for the Bucs. While that does ensure him a lot of looks from Jeff Garcia, a quarterback that loves to utilize his tight ends, it also means it's harder for him to do something with all the opportunities he gets. While you could make a case for using Stevens in a PPR league, he's best avoided in standard leagues.
Point Projection: 4 points
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21. Robert Royal (Buffalo Bills) vs. New York Jets
Royal has more fumbles on the year than he has TDs. Sure, you could defend him by stating that he's only crossed the goal-line once, but is that any way to help his fantasy football cause? The Jets do rank 23rd against the pass, giving up 232.7 passing yards per game; however, look for Royal to get 40 at most.
Point Projection: 4 points
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22. Donald Lee (Green Bay Packers) @ Tennessee
Lee has put together his two best fantasy efforts of the season in the team's last 3 games, but those "best" efforts culminated in just 8 fantasy points each, a far cry from the 16 point effort he was able to muster last season. If anyone misses Brett Favre in Green Bay, it has to be Lee.
Point Projection: 4 points
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23. David Martin (Miami Dolphins) @ Denver
Martin's good for a solid 2 to 3 fantasy points a week, but with a nice match-up against the Denver Broncos' 28th pass defense, we're feeling generous with our projection. Look for an out-of-this-world 4 points from the Dolphins' tight end.
Point Projection: 4 points
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24. Dustin Keller (New York Jets) @ Buffalo
His four receptions on five targets is something to build on and something Brett Favre will remember in upcoming games. Still, with Laveranues Coles, Jerricho Cotchery, and Chansi Stuckey around, Keller is still the 4th option in the passing game. Unless he catches a TD, he'll find it tough to pass the 4 point mark.
Point Projection: 4 points
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25. Martellus Bennett (Dallas Cowboys) @ New York Giants
Perhaps one of the only people happy with having Brad Johnson under center, Bennett has caught 5 passes in the Cowboys last two games. Prior to that, he had caught just three all season long. Bennett benefits from the elder QB's lack of arm strength as he's the one running the shorter routes. He could jump up in these rankings even more if Jason Witten is unable to go with his bruised ribs.
Point Projection: 3 points
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26. Reggie Kelly (Cincinnati Bengals) vs. Jacksonville
With Ben Utecht out, Kelly put together a pretty nice start, catching all 4 passes thrown his way for 34 yards, making him the only Bengal to exceed expectations. If Utecht can't go again, Kelly could very easily match his week 8 performance in week 9 as he'll be going against the Jags, who rank 22nd against the pass.
Point Projection: 3 points
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27. Alge Crumpler (Tennessee Titans) vs. Green Bay
Plain and simple, Crumpler hasn't been the pass catcher the Titans envisioned when they brought him in during the off-season. The former fantasy standout is no longer worth even a roster spot.
Point Projection: 3 points
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28. Todd Heap (Baltimore Ravens) @ Cleveland
The good news is that he does have 4 straight games with positive fantasy points. The bad news is that we even have to say something like that.
Point Projection: 2 points
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29. Ben Watson (New England Patriots) @ Indianapolis
The Matt Cassell-era has not been kind to Watson, who has just one fantasy performance over 1 point this whole season. Needless to say, he needs to do better than that to warrant a start on your fantasy team.
Point Projection: 1 point
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30. Jerame Tuman (Arizona Cardinals) @ St. Louis
Leave it up to the Cardinals' third string tight end to put up the best fantasy numbers of any Cardinals' tight end on the year, but that's what Tuman did with his 3 catches for 41 yards. The real question, though, is why are their so many variations of "Jeremy" on the Cardinals' roster?
Point Projection: 1 points
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WEEK 9 BYE WEEK TIGHT ENDS
Dante Rosario (Carolina Panthers) - BYE
Since his 15 point week 1 effort, Rosario has just 4 fantasy points. Hope you weren't the one in your league to use your waiver wire move to snag the Panthers' tight end.
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Jeff King (Carolina Panthers) - BYE
With his 41 yard effort in week 8 against the Cardinals, he might be the Panthers' tight end to own right now, but that's like being the hottest ugly girl.
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Jeremy Shockey (New Orleans Saints) - BYE
Injuries have plagued his first year as a Saint, but even when on the field, he's not having the impact many expected. Maybe the Giants are better off without him.
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Billy Miller (New Orleans Saints) - BYE
He's been solid in Shockey's absence and will continue to warrant fantasy consideration if Shockey doesn't heal up during the bye week.
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Antonio Gates (San Diego Chargers) - BYE
His owners wouldn't mind seeing a few more outings like his 96 yard, 1 TD performance in week 8. And, they may just get their wish as Gates will play 6 more games against opponents' that rank in the bottom half of the league against the pass.
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Vernon Davis (San Francisco 49ers) - BYE
Perhaps we should write, "Bye! Bye! Bye!" as Davis was told to leave the field by new head coach, Mike Singletary, during the 49ers' game against the Seahawks. Will the move motivate the underperforming tight end or will Davis give up all together? Only time will tell.
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Delanie Walker (San Francisco 49ers) - BYE
Believe it or not, with just 17 fantasy points on the year, Walker is the better fantasy producer between him and Davis. No wonder Singletary chewed Vernon out.
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WEEK 9 RANKINGS (click to view)
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Kickers
Team Defense
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Also read: Fantasy Football Week 8 Waiver Wire Advice (click to view)
Also read: Fantasy Football Week 9 Start Em & Sit Em (click to view)
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