Fantasy Football

Attention fantasy owners, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has reported today that Rams WR Torry Holt has admitted that his ailing right knee is not completely healthy from postseason surgery. Holt underwent surgery six months ago to repair torn cartilage in his right knee, and was held out of the Rams third preseason game over the weekend because of continued soreness. In the article, Holt made several statements that should steer fantasy owners clear of him in 2007. “It’s just one of those deals where I’m not recovering as quick as I used to,” said Holt, 31. “I have to get used to that and stay patient. … I don’t know if it’ll ever heal all the way, but I think it will heal enough where it will allow me to go out and play.”

There is little doubt that Holt can still play at age 31, but his career season might be in the rear view mirror.

Holt is being drafted as a top 5 WR in fantasy leagues, so his knee being only healthy enough to “go out and play” is not the news his owners want to hear. While at “about 70, 80 percent” as Holt says, he is still one of the better WR in the league, but it makes him too risky of a pick in the first two rounds of any draft. “It feels good some days, and some days it doesn’t feel as good,” Holt said. “I’m getting somewhat used to that and getting to the point where I can manage it pretty well.”

Again, these comments should raise a red flag to owners who have yet to draft their team. Even without the knee problem, Holt has likely lost a step at this point in his career, and I have advised and will continue to advise those who ask to stay away from him this season. You would be much better off taking younger WRs such as Chad Johnson, Steve Smith, Reggie Wayne, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Andre Johnson, or TJ Houshmandzadeh if you are looking to go WR early in your draft.

I will finish up R&D for Week 3 of the preseason later today.

Feel free to email me at Joseph.Badalucco@451press.net with any questions you might have regarding your own team or draft.