News: The Bengals officially announced the signing of LB Brandon Johnson on Wednesday. Johnson is expected to be a backup once again in 2011.
Analysis: Johnson is a special teams captain who gets most of his playing time in that role. As such, his Fantasy appeal in IDP formats is non-existent.
News: Bengals LB Brandon Johnson had six assisted tackles and one interception in Week 2 against the Ravens. He has 10 tackles in two games. Johnson started in the place of Keith Rivers (foot).
Analysis: Johnson only benefited Week 2 because of the absence of Rivers, who usually starts at right side linebacker. Once Rivers is back, Johnson will return to a bench role. Ignore him in Fantasy.
News: Bengals LB Brandon Johnson finished with five tackles and 1.5 sacks on Sunday in a win over Baltimore.
Analysis: Johnson now has 32 tackles and his first 1.5 sacks on the season after eight games. He truly has almost zero Fantasy value for Week 10 at Pittsburgh.
News: The Cincinnati Bengals have agreed to terms with restricted free agent linebacker Brandon Johnson. The fourth-year player from Louisville finished second on the team in tackles last season, getting a chance to start after rookie linebacker Keith Rivers broke his jaw. Johnson was a fifth-round pick by Arizona and played on special teams for two years. The Bengals signed him as a free agent, and he got his chance to play after Rivers got hurt.
Analysis: Johnson will likely suit up as a reserve again in 2009, which means he won't post enough stats to warrant Fantasy use unless Rivers misses significant playing time. Johnson shouldn't be on IDP rosters.
News: The Bengals tried to keep linebackers Brandon Johnson and Rashad Jeanty by turning them into restricted free agents on Thursday. The Bengals tendered contract offers to the linebackers that gives them the right to match any offer. If the Bengals decide not to match another team's offer, they get a second-round draft pick as compensation. The team decided not to make tender offers to running back DeDe Dorsey, receiver Glenn Holt, linebacker Corey Mays and safety John Busing, allowing them to become free agents.
Analysis: Chances are all of these players will be fighting for jobs in 2009. That said, none can be considered useful for Fantasy play at this time.
News: Bengals LB Brandon Johnson led his team with eight tackles in a Week 16 shutout of the Browns and also made his second interception of the season.
Analysis: Johnson pops up with a decent game like this now and again, but he's way too inconsistent to be worth using in Fantasy IDP leagues in Week 17 vs. Kansas City.
News: Cincinnati DB Chris Crocker tied LB Brandon Johnson for the team lead with 10 tackles in Week 15's defeat of the Washington Redskins. Crocker added a forced fumble.
Analysis: Crocker has played in just six games this year with 29 tackles. He's worth using as a Fantasy IDP in the deepest of leagues in Week 16 at Cleveland. Johnson isn't one of the league's elite tacklers, and he obviously doesn't get many sacks either. Treat him as a low-end Fantasy option.
News: Bengals LB Brandon Johnson, who entered the game without a sack all season, recorded 1 1/2 against the Ravens in Week 13. He also had 13 tackles, including five solo.
Analysis: Johnson isn't one of the league's elite tacklers, and he obviously doesn't get many sacks either. Treat him as a low-end Fantasy option.
News: Bengals LB Brandon Johnson made six stops in Week 11's 13-all tie to the Eagles. Johnson added an interception in the game of QB Donovan McNabb, who threw three.
Analysis: Johnson has 36 stops this season and this was his first pick. He's not recommended as a Fantasy IDP player in Week 12 at Pittsburgh.
News: In addition to WRs T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Ocho Cinco and QB Carson Palmer among those listed on the Bengals' injury report, the club also designated the following players: S Chinedum Ndukwe (knee) and DT Pat Sims (toe) are out; WR Andre Caldwell (toe) is doubtful; DE Jonathan Fanene (illness), LB Brandon Johnson (hamstring), DE Antwan Odom (foot) and DT John Thornton (knee) are probable.
Analysis: Of the lesser-known players listed above, none are expected to produce significant stats on a regular basis to begin with. Keep these players off of Fantasy rosters until further notice.
News: The Bengals signed free agent LB Brandon Johnson to a one-year contract Thursday. Johnson will be entering his third year in the NFL. He was a fifth-round draft choice of Arizona in 2006 and played the last two seasons for the Cardinals, seeing action in nine games. He has eight career special teams tackles, including six last season, when he saw action in six games.
Analysis: Johnson has minimal Fantasy value at this time and should be added in any IDP leagues heading into 2008.
News: Notable inactives from the Rams-Cardinals Week 17 game include: Rams QB Brock Berlin, WR Marques Hagans, TE Dominique Byrd, LB Brandon Chillar and DL Trevor Johnson. For the Cardinals, QB Tim Hasselbeck, WR Jamaica Rector, TE Tim Euhus, LB David Holloway, LB Brandon Johnson and DL Chris Cooper are inactive.
Analysis: The best news here is that Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald are ACTIVE! The Rams have Berlin as their third quarterback, and the Cardinals have gone with Hasselbeck as their third QB. No one else listed as inactive is worth owning in Fantasy play for this week.
News: Falcons WR Joe Horn (foot), QB Byron Leftwich (coach's decision), DB Antoine Harris (knee), TE Courtney Anderson (coach's decision) and DL Tim Anderson (knee) were named inactive for Atlanta's Week 16 game at Arizona. For the Cardinals, QB Tim Hasselbeck (coach's decision), WR Jamaica Rector (coach's decision), DB Bhawoh Jue (coach's decision), LB Brandon Johnson (coach's decision), DL Ross Kolodziej (quads) and DL Bo Schobel (coach's decision) were also named inactive.
Analysis: Horn and Leftwich are the only players with any Fantasy value in this list, and theirs is minimal at best. Be sure to bench them all in Week 16.
News: Cardinals third QB Tim Hasselbeck (coach's decision), WR Jamaica Rector (coach's decision), DB Bhawoh Jue (coach's decision), FB Tim Castille (coach's decision), LB Brandon Johnson (coach's decision), DL Chris Cooper (coach's decision) and DL Ross Kolodziej (quads) were all named inactive for Week 15's game at New Orleans. For the Saints, RB Reggie Bush (knee), WR Robert Meachem (coach's decision), DB Fred Thomas (coach's decision), TE Eric Johnson (groin), DB Josh Bullocks (quads) and DL Brian Young (illness) were also named inactive.
Analysis: Bush and Johnson are the players with clear Fantasy impact in this group, but Bush was named out earlier this week and Johnson was highly questionable. Be sure bench them both.
News: The Cardinals' list of inactives for Week 10 against the Lions includes QB Tim Hasselbeck, DB Aaron Francisco, LB Brandon Johnson, TE Tim Euhus, DL Chris Cooper and DL Ross Kolodziej.
Analysis: These players don't contribute enough statistically to have value in Fantasy. The Cardinals visit the Bengals in Week 11.
News: Inactives for the Week 6 game between Carolina and Arizona include, for the Panthers, RB Nick Goings, LB Dan Morgan, LB Adam Seward, WR Dwayne Jarrett, DE Charles Johnson and DE Otis Grigsby and for the Cardinals, FB Tim Castille, LB Brandon Johnson, DE Joe Tafoya, WR Anquan Boldin, DE Quentin Moses and DT Ross Kolodziej.
Analysis: Boldin is the only one of these players with any Fantasy value at this time, and he was doubtful coming into Sunday, so it's no surprise he isn't playing.
News: The Cardinals listed RB Tim Castile (coach's decision), WR Anquan Boldin (hip), DL Joe Tafoya (hamstring), DL Alan Branch (hand) and DL Quentin Moses (coach's decision) as inactive for Week 5 at St. Louis.
Analysis: Other than Boldin, none of these players figures to be a factor in Fantasy play this season. Keep them on the waiver wire in all leagues until further notice.
News: The Cardinals list of inactives for Week 4 against the Steelers includes DL Alan Branch, LB Brandon Johnson, DL Ross Kolodziej and DL Quentin Moses.
Analysis: All of these players are defenders who don't contribute meaningful Fantasy statistics. Keep them reserved in all leagues.
News: The Cardinals inactives for Week 3 against Baltimore are DB Matt Ware, RB Tim Castille, LB Brandon Johnson, DL Alan Branch, WR Jerheme Urban and DL Quentin Moses.
Analysis: Keep all of these players reserved in Week 3 against the Ravens. They have minimal Fantasy value to begin with.
News: The Cardinals signed veteran center Chukky Okobi on Wednesday after he was released by the Steelers during training camp. Starter Al Johnson injured his knee in Monday night's loss to San Francisco. Okobi spent the past six seasons with Pittsburgh. The Cardinals also re-signed offensive lineman Brad Badger and released linebacker Brandon Johnson.
Analysis: Johnson was inactive in Week 1 and wasn't expected to be a key contributor anyway.
News: Brandon Johnson is among the inactive for the Cardinals in Week 1 at San Francisco.
Analysis: When he is able to play, Johnson is not a recommended player in IDP Fantasy leagues in Week 2 against Seattle.
News: The Cardinals inactives for Week 15 against Denver are QB John Navarre, DB Darrell Hunter, DB Robert Tate, RB Marcel Shipp and LB Brandon Johnson.
Analysis: Keep all of these players reserved against Miami.
News: The Giants listed CB Robert Tate, LB Brandon Johnson, DL Kendrick Clancy, DL Jonathan Lewis, DT Kenny King and QB John Navarre as inactive for Week 14 vs. Seattle.
Analysis: None of these players should be in your active linesup until further notice.
News: Cardinals DL Kendrick Clancy (ankle) is doubtful, while LB Brandon Johnson (illness) is listed as probable for Week 14 vs. Seattle.
Analysis: Neither of these players are recommended Fantasy options for Week 14.
News: Notable Cardinals inactive for Week 13 at St. Louis include: WR Carlyle Holiday, QB John Navarre (3rd QB), TE John Bronson, DL A.J. Schable, LB Brandon Johnson and DL Kendrick Clancy.
Analysis: Keep these players reserved for Fantasy purposes in Week 13.
News: The Cardinals listed QB John Navarre, DB Robert Tate, FB AJ Schable, LB Brandon Johnson, OL Elton Brown, OL Brandon Gorin and DT Jonathan Lewis as inactive for Week 12.
Analysis: None of these players should be activated until further notice.
News: Notable Cardinals inactive for Week 11 vs. Detroit include: WR Carlyle Holiday, QB John Navarre, DB Robert Tate, DL A.J. Schable, LB Brandon Johnson and DL Jonathan Lewis.
Analysis: Keep these players reserved for Fantasy purposes in Week 11.
News: The Cardinals inactives for Week 10 against Dallas are WR Carlyle Holiday, QB John Navarre, DB Robert Tate, RB Obafemi Ayanbadejo and LB Brandon Johnson.
Analysis: None of these players have any Fantasy value at this time.
News: In addition to WR Larry Fitzgerald (hamstring), the Arizona Cardinals announced OG Elton Brown, OG Milford Brown, DL Kendrick Clancy (ankle), LB James Darling (calf) and LB Brandon Johnson are inactive for Week 7 at Oakland.
Analysis: Other than Fitzgerald, the players mentioned above are not recommended Fantasy options in most leagues.
News: The Arizona Cardinals declared OG Elton Brown, OG Milford Brown, DL Kendrick Clancy (ankle), LB James Darling (calf), WR Larry Fitzgerald (hamstring), LB Brandon Johnson, QB John Navarre and CB Robert Tate inactive for Week 6 against the Bears.
Analysis: Only Fitzgerald is a useful Fantasy option when he is healthy. In fact, he is a must-start in all leagues. The others are not recommended in any leagues.
News: The Arizona Cardinals have declared LB Brandon Johnson, RB Diamond Ferri, LB James Darling, QB John Navarre, DL Jonathan Lewis and CB Matt Ware inactive for Week 5.
Analysis: Keep these players reserved for Fantasy purposes in Week 5.
News: The Cardinals listed QB John Navarre (emergency QB), LB James Darling, LB Brandon Johnson, DT Jon Lewis, and DT Gabe Watson as inactive for Week 4 at Atlanta.
Analysis: None of these players should be owned in any Fantasy league at this stage. Ignore them.
News: Notable inactives for the Cardinals in Week 3 include: QB John Navarre (emergency QB), DB Eric Green, LB James Darling, LB Brandon Johnson, DL Jonathan Lewis and DL Gabe Watson.
Analysis: Keep these players reserved for Week 3.
News: Here is the list of Cardinals inactives for Week 2 vs. Seattle: 16 John Navarre (emergency QB), CB David Macklin, RB Diamond Ferri, LB Brandon Johnson, DT Jonathan Lewis and DT Gabe Watson.
Analysis: Keep these players reserved for Week 2.
News: Here are the following notable inactives for the Cardinals for Week 1 vs. San Francisco: John Navarre (emergency QB), Diamond Ferri, Karlos Dansby, Brandon Johnson, Jonathan Lewis and Gabe Watson.
Analysis: All of the players should be reserved for Fantasy purposes in Week 1.
News: According to reports, the Arizona Cardinals have signed fifth-round LB Brandon Johnson to a three-year contract.
Analysis: Johnson has no value for Fantasy Footballers.
