TOP 5 NFL NEWS ITEMS FROM MONDAY 2/8/10 TO THURSDAY 2/18/10

We have many great articles planned leading up to the 2010 Fantasy Football season including sleepers, busts, rookies, strategy, full player rankings and projections all wrapped up into a nifty draft kit to help you win your league next year. Below, we analyze the top fantasy football news items from the previous week.

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5. Warner, Kurt QB ARI retired

This should cause the Cardinals to run more, which devalues WR Steve Fitzgerald a bit. Matt Leinart becomes a potential fantasy QB2 if he can play better than he has in the past. RB Beanie Wells' role should increase anyway in his second year in the NFL, where he's more of a feature back and Tim Hightower is more of a change of pace, but a shift from team focus on passing to rushing will help even more.

4. Taylor, Chester RB is expected to leave MIN via free agency

His value will likely be boosted by a move, but another result would be Adrian Peterson catching more passes out of the backfield, which would even further enhance AP's status as a top fantasy supeer-stud.

3. Stallworth, Donte WR (CLE) signed with BAL

Stallworth is nothing more than an endgame fantasy lottery ticket in 2010. Remember, he really wasn't anything special before missing last season. Even if Derrick Mason retires, the Ravens will likely go for Anquan Boldin ARI via trade or draft a hot-shot rookie out of college. 

2. Holt, Torry WR was released by JAC

Holt's departure opens up a starting slot for Mike Thomas, who was the Jags' leading receiver down the stretch last year anyway. It also frees up targets for Troy Williamson, who missed most of last year due to injury.

1. Lewis, Jamal RB was released by CLE

This should open the door for Jerome Harrison to be the featured back, but do realize that the Browns will probably utilize fellow RB James Davis often and also give Josh Cribbs plenty of carries out of their Wildcat formation, so Harrison is no lock to dominate as he did in finishing out the 09 season.

ALSO

Mike Martz will be the offensive coordinator for CHI. This is potentially good news for QB Jay Cutler, if he can get his head screwed on straight. It could also help WRs Devin Aromashodu, Devin Hester, Earl Bennett and Johnny Knox and hurt RB Matt Forte a bit... Brandon Jacobs RB NYG revealed that he injured his knee in the season opener last year and played through pain all season, which limited his numbers. His numbers could rise back up slightly in 2010, but Ahmad Bradshaw's role could also expand, keeping Jacobs' numbers in check.

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