Plenty to cheer, jeer about after first half

It has come to my attention that certain members of the football community deserve recognition, whether it’s positive or negative. So, without wasting anymore time, here’s that recognition in a familiar format (though reversed).

JEERS
… to New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and others like him who give us fantasy players no warning that although a member of his team is active (Corey Dillon), he won’t be leaving the sidelines (against Denver in Week 6). Are opposing coaches really thinking, "Aw, shoot, we spent all week preparing for Corey Dillon and now we don’t know how to react to Patrick Pass?" I doubt it.

… to sports hernias, the new chic NFL injury. I’m forced some weeks now to deal with the internal battle of whether to st[an error occurred while processing this directive]art Donovan McNabb or Jake Delhomme, depending on matchups. This shouldn’t happen.

… to Vikings coach Mike Tice for only giving Mewelde Moore 20-plus carries once so far this year. Coincidentally, that also happened to be Moore’s lone 100-yard performance and Minnesota’s biggest victory (33-16 over New Orleans) this season. Aside from that game, Moore has not carried the ball more than 14 times in any week. At least he’s caught 15 passes the past three games, I guess.

… to Mark Brunell for not playing like this last year, when I drafted him late in a money league.

… to Mike Shanahan for not telling us which back will go for 100 yards each week. "Two straight for Tatum Bell? Ah, time to get one for Mike Anderson." Pick a guy, please.

… to Nick Saban and Ricky Williams for cutting into the productivity of Ronnie Brown. Sure, he made the most of his eight rushes against the Chiefs last week, but those 65-yard runs don’t come every week. At least hand him the ball 15-18 times. That’s all I ask (for now).

CHEERS
… to the Buffalo Bills for their new program that turns an opposing running back into a star every week. For six straight weeks now, the Bills defense has cleared a path for one lucky runner to gain at least 97 yards. Keep up the fine work.

… to the San Francisco 49ers for making so many more guys fantasy-worthy each week. Whether you’re in a deep league and enjoyed Washington fullback Mike Sellers’ two touchdowns last week or play an individual defensive player format and saw a run on Tampa Bay defenders this week, you have to be happy to see the Niners on the schedule.

… to the Chicago Bears for spending the fourth overall pick in the draft on a backup running back. Seriously, though, Cedric Benson was a good choice. No other positions really needed addressing on that team.

… to Detroit Lions coach Steve Mariucci for not hesitating to make the quarterback switch once Jeff Garcia recovered from a broken left leg. Not only does that put another viable QB into the fantasy mix, but in time it should help raise the value of several other members of the talent-rich Detroit offense.

OUT ON AN ISLAND
While your friends are messing around with Marion Barber I or even model II, you should skip right to the latest edition, Marion Barber III. With Julius Jones nursing a high ankle sprain, the Cowboys have handed the ball to three different backups over the past three games, and Barber made the most of his turn.

Tyson Thompson went for 75 yards on 20 carries after Jones left the victory over the Eagles. Then Anthony Thomas took the ball 21 times against the Giants and gained 47 yards. A week later, Barber ran for 4.3 yards per rush against the Seahawks (22 for 95 yards).

Dallas has more rushing attempts than any other team in the league and goes up against an Arizona defense that allowed Shaun Alexander 6.36 yards per carry, Steven Jackson to run for 5.17 at a time and Tiki Barber to gain 4.77 a rush.

As long as the Cowboys stick with their own Barber, they should be in good shape. Pay attention to reports as the game approaches, though, for any indication as to who will be featured.

Last week: Titans WR Brandon Jones — two receptions, 50 yards, TD; left in second half with sprained right knee.

Matt Schauf gives credit where it’s due every week on Fantasy Island in The Daily Star. E-mail him at mschauf63@hotmail.com.