FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 11/10/2009 2:22pm et

The Dallas Morning News,reports Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin drew double coverage for the first time this season against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9. 'Miles only had the one catch, but he really was open quite a bit,' head coach Wade Phillips said. 'They jammed him at the line. They doubled him some, which we hadn't seen. A lot of times he was open, but it wasn't the read Tony had.'

The Huddle Take: He had his most meager showing of his last four games and still managed to snag a 49-yard touchdown pass to swing the game into Dallas' favor. More teams will employ the double coverage tactic on Austin going forward in all likelihood. If they do, that will obviously open up more space for Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton. The biggest beneficiary, however, could be Jason Witten, who has been basically a non-factor from a Fantasy perspective all season. If you have Witten, however, there's a very good chance you'll be getting strong production from him as long as Austin and the rest of the Dallas WR corps remains healthy and effective.

Posted: 10/26/2009 12:27pm et

Charean Williams, of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, reports Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin set the franchise record for most receiving yards in consecutive games Week 7. Austin topped the 42-year-old record held by former WR Lance Rentzel, who had 368 receiving yards in back-to-back games. Austin has 421 receiving yards in consecutive games.

The Huddle Take: Austin is rewriting the Cowboy record books, erasing storied names like Rentzel and Bob Hayes. He's certainly stepped up his game to replace Terrell Owens as the Cowboys' deep threat and is well on his way to usurping Roy Williams as the No. 1 receiver in Dallas—if he hasn't already.

Posted: 10/25/2009 10:33pm et

The Associated Press reports Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin caught six passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns in Week 7. It was his second career start, starting in place of WR Patrick Crayton.

The Huddle Take: What can you say about Miles Austin but WOW. Austin has quickly emerged as the go to receiver for Dallas and has posted back to back huge games the last two weeks. Roy Williams even returned to action in Week 7 and did very little compared to Austin who is playing at a very high level for the Cowboys. Austin is a solid No. 2 wideout option with tremendous upside for the second half of the year.

Posted: 10/22/2009 12:47pm et

ESPNDallas.com reports Dallas Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips acknowledged that WR Miles Austin will start in Week 7.

The Huddle Take: Much to the chagrin of Patrick Crayton, Austin is now the No. 2 Cowboy receiver. Dallas plays the Falcons, who lost starting cornerback Brian Williams for the season last Sunday, so there may be an opportunity for Austin to put up good numbers.

Posted: 10/13/2009 8:53pm et

The Dallas Cowboys announced WR Miles Austin has been named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 5. Austin caught a career-high 10 passes for a franchise-record 250 yards with two touchdowns in the game. His 250 receiving yards is the most ever by a player in their first career start.

The Huddle Take: Austin had a fantastic week, for sure, but it isn't going to happen like that every week, so owners shouldn't get overly excited. Roy Williams is struggling, with injuries as well as on the field, so Austin will continue to get plenty of playing time. The Cowboys offense can't seem to get in a steady rythm though, so the big days will be hit and miss more than likely. Regardless, it would be advisable to start Austin every week.

Posted: 10/12/2009 4:49pm et

ESPNDallas.com reports Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin will play more than 50 snaps per game after his record performance in Week 5, according to head coach Wade Phillips. 'We're going to get him on the field,' Phillips said. 'His run after the catch is so strong that if you get him the football, he's liable to make a big play. He obviously showed he could do that. We've got to get him in the game. He's got to get his touches.' Phillips did not say whether Austin's increased playing time would come at the expense of WR Roy Williams or WR Patrick Crayton.

The Huddle Take: That increased playing time will probably come at the expense of both Williams and Crayton, with Crayton likely pushed to the No. 3 receiver. Austin should be picked up in all leagues, but start him based on matchups. It's hard to recommend him as a no-brainer No. 1 Fantasy receiver at this point because the Cowboy offense has been too erratic.

Posted: 10/11/2009 9:52pm et

The Associated Press reports Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin caught 10 passes for a franchise-record 250 yards with one touchdown Week 5.

The Huddle Take: Austin had an incredible game for Dallas and provided the Cowboys offense with some consistency in the passing game that has been missing for most of the season. With Roy Williams out with a rib injury, Austin stepped up big and showed nice rapport with Tony Romo as the Cowboys defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 26-20 in overtime. Austin could continue to contribute for fantasy owners but don't expect huge games like this once Roy Williams returns.

Posted: 10/8/2009 1:04pm et

The Dallas Morning News reports Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin would start in Week 5 if WR Roy Williams (ribs) were not able to play in the game.

The Huddle Take: Williams insists that he'll be able to play this week; that he's able to breathe in and out without pain and he's good to go. But if the coaching staff decides otherwise, Austin would see significant action against the Chiefs. We'll know more tomorrow; if Williams doesn't practice, then Austin could be worth a free agent flyer if you have bye week WR problems.

Posted: 9/10/2009 5:08pm et

Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin participated in practice Thursday, Sept. 10. He will be able to play in the team's Week 1 game.

The Huddle Take: Austin had been dealing with some hamstring issues, but he's getting the green light for the Cowboys' season opener.

Posted: 9/7/2009 11:47pm et

The Dallas Morning News reports Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin (hamstring) is expected to return for the team's practice Wednesday, Sept. 9. Head coach Wade Phillips said, "(It's) a little different than I thought. It's more of a concern than I had previously. It looks like he'll be practicing full speed on Wednesday. But we'll see."

The Huddle Take: Update from earlier. It is still hard to expect much from him after missing some time and coming off a hamstring injury, but he may indeed be active and on the field this weekend.