Fantasy Football Cut-N-Go: Big Ben Wants Suspension Cut in Half

I know, it just feels a little wrong to own Ben Roethlisberger on your team.

After what even Big Ben apologists would call a tumultuous offseason, Roethlisberger is ready to put his past and his upcoming suspension behind him. And when the Pittsburgh QB meets with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday, he's reportedly going to ask for at least a three game reduction in his six game suspension, according to Sal Paolantonio of ESPN.

Most already expect Roethlisberger's ban to be reduced from six games to four, and his conviction in asking for a larger reduction comes from the fact that he's the only person suspended under the commissioner's personal conduct policy that was never convicted or arrested.

Now seems like a good time to reiterate the need to own Big Ben in your fantasy league. He's currently the 16th QB off the board, behind Matt Ryan, Carson Palmer, Eli Manning and Donovan McNabb. With an ADP of the mid-10th round, Big Ben provides ridiculous upside at a bargain basement price.

Even if he is sacked with a four-game suspension, he'll still play three-quarters of the season! Health willing, that 12-game schedule includes the fantasy playoffs. Oh, and Roethlisberger threw for 4,328 yards and 26 TDs in 2009 while rushing for two TDs. We're not talking about Jake Delhomme here, folks.

If you can ride his four-game (or three-game) suspension out, you'll have a QB1 with as much potential as anyone to bust through the glass ceiling separating the top seven QBs from the leftovers. At the price of a 10th rounder, I'm buying, and you should be too.

Bush has surgery, may be ready for opener
Popular sleeper Michael Bush had screws inserted in his broken thumb on Tuesday. Now the good news: coach Tom Cable refuses to rule Bush out for the opener. I wouldn't move Bush's fantasy stock one bit. He's been biding his time behind Justin Fargas and Darren McFadden for years, and now that the primary running back job appears to be his, I seriously doubt he'll be sidelined by anything smaller than a busted wheel. Don't adjust his draft stock, and especially don't draft McFadden like he's a starting running back worth of being a RB2 or RB3 in your league.

Leinart drawing no interest, none, nada, zilch, zippo
Potential Matt Leinart suitors are lining up to deny interest in the devalued quarterback. The Giants, the Raiders and the Bills all said, "We're good." Not even the Bills, Matt? They'd start Doug Flutie tomorrow if he was interested. I'd also like to take this opportunity to vehemently deny the rumors that I considered drafting Leinart this year, as well as the persistent whispers that I may want to take a flier on him in deep leagues. It's not happening. My first rule of looking for potential breakout QBs is that if a guy is passed on the depth chart by Derek Anderson, he's off the sleeper list.

Hardesty practicing, Cleveland timeshare imminent
Montario Hardesty is expected to play in the Browns' preseason game Thursday night, though according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer he's only been at practice for two days. Hardesty just needs to avoid re-injury to turn Cleveland's running attack into a two-headed monster this season. Jerome Harrison should get the bulk of the carries early in the season, but Hardesty will likely be phased into the offense as he proves his health. If his owner gives up on him before that happens, pounce.

Seattle backfield a stayaway
Leon Washington was picking up nice sleeper buzz as a long shot to have a breakout fantasy year. Pete Carroll told the Tacoma News-Times that Washington would be his kick returner if the season were underway. As we all know, teams aren't in the habit of putting potential key offensive players at kick returner. Don't be afraid to use a late pick on Washington as a gamble that might pay off, but it currently looks like he may get closer to 100 carries than 200 at this point.