Fantasy Football Cut-N-Go: Tiff Between Johnson and Stafford Overblown

Cut-N-Go is Fantasy Football FanHouse's weekday roundup of the NFL news with fantasy football impact.

That last thing that anyone wants in Detroit, or in the fantasy football world if you own either of these players, is for Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson to have problems getting along. Unfortunately, cameras caught the two young stars in heated debate on the sideline on Sunday as the Lions were losing to Seattle. At least, one side of the argument was heated, Tom Kowalski of Michigan Live says that Johnson was flat-out ignoring what Stafford had to say.

Lions rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford can be seen talking to receiver Calvin Johnson, who was seated on a bench on the sideline. It appears that Johnson wasn't happy with what Stafford had to say because Johnson turned away, ignoring him.

On Monday, Johnson did not deny the incident happened, but he did his best to downplay it.

"Frustrated with the loss. If we win, all of that's out the window," Johnson said. "There's no problem with us. People are just blowing it out of proportion."

A rift between these two could be fantasy suicide. Johnson has already disappointed fantasy GM's -- missing two games due to injury and when healthy only grabbing 24 passes for 352 yards a one touchdown. Stafford, the NFL's first overall selection in this year's draft, has also missed time to injury and has a measly 55.9 quarterback rating and more then twice as many interceptions (12) than touchdown passes (5).

Tim Twentyman of The Detroit News confirmed that there really isn't anything to worry about. This exchange was just between two frustrated players, obviously annoyed with losing. He said Lions coach Jim Schwartz spoke with both players and feels good about their relationship.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz was aware of the incident and said he talked to both Johnson and Stafford and there's no issue there.

"I've talked to the players, but I haven't looked at TV copies or anything else. I don't see it as being an issue," Schwartz said.

As long as he is healthy, Johnson remains a must-start in all fantasy formats. You'd better believe that if Stafford wants to succeed, he'll target the second-year receiver as much as possible. As for Stafford's fantasy value -- he shouldn't be on any roster unless you're in a keeper league. And even in that keeper league, Stafford should never be starting.

Other Fantasy Football Notes
• Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean says that Chris Johnson has seen so much success lately that the Titans are phasing out LenDale White. Johnson has three consecutive 100-plus yard games and has averaged 163.7 yards per game over that time. He's also the NFL's leading rusher and FanHouse's Matt Snyder says he should be the consensus No. 1 selection in fantasy football drafts next season.

• Fantasy GM's who have been dying with Darren McFadden on their roster since he was hurt in Week 4 can breathe easier. Jerry McDonald of the Bay Area News Group says that McFadden will play in Week 10.

• I refuse to talk about the quarterback battle in Cleveland and Eric Mangini's inability to select a starter. I will tell you that Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer says the decision will be made on Wednesday.

• Those of you that own Matt Hasselbeck need to pay attention because his fantasy value is about to rise. Well, a decision made on Sunday is actually what's causing his upward trend. Ryan Divish of The News Tribune says that Jim Mora told offensive coordinator Greg Knapp to scrap the plan of balancing the attack on Sunday. Mora wanted the ball in Hasselbeck's hands and said they aren't going to move away from the run, but they wouldn't be running just to prove a point.

• Jason Hill hadn't caught a pass all season for the 49ers. On Sunday he stepped in for Isaac Bruce and proceeded to catch four passes for 50 yards and two touchdowns. Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat says the 49ers depth chart is changing at wide receiver. Josh Morgan replaces Bruce to start beside Michael Crabtree. Hill will be the new No. 3 receiver.

• Those of you who are unhappy with the running back by committee approach in New York had better get used to being disappointed. Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News says that Tom Coughlin has no plans to alter the current distribution of carries in the Giants backfield. Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw and Danny Ware will continue to share the rock.