News: The Minnesota Vikings have signed linebacker Marvin Mitchell. Mitchell was a seventh-round draft pick by New Orleans in 2007 who spent four seasons with the Saints and last year with Miami. He had 30 tackles, two forced fumbles, one sack and one interception last season for the Dolphins.
Analysis: The 27-year-old has played primarily on special teams, but the Vikings have been seeking linebacker depth behind Jasper Brinkley, Chad Greenway and Erin Henderson. We doubt he'll make an impact in Fantasy.
News: Veteran linebacker Marvin Mitchell has signed with the Miami Dolphins after spending the past four seasons with the New Orleans Saints. Mitchell joined practice Monday and wore No. 52, which was worn by Channing Crowder until his release last month.
Analysis: Mitchell, a former seventh-round draft pick from Tennessee, played mostly on special teams for the Saints. Last year he had 30 tackles, one sack, two fumbles forced and two fumbles recovered. He will be fighting for a roster spot with Miami, so ignore him in Fantasy until further notice.
News: Saints LB Marvin Mitchell is known more for his play on special teams, but he certainly shifted the momentum back to the Saints in the Week 8 game against the Steelers. While playing defense, he jarred the ball loose from Steelers TE Heath Evans and S Darren Sharper snagged the floating ball for the takeaway in the fourth quarter. Mitchell also added two solo tackles on the night.
Analysis: Mitchell is normally a special-teamer who simply made a play in a critical situation. Until he does it on a more regular basis, continue to ignore him in Fantasy play.
News: Saints K John Carney, RB Mike Bell, DB Tracy Porter, WR Lance Moore, DB Marcus McCauley, DB Jabari Greer, LB Marvin Mitchell and LB Scott Fujita have all been ruled out of the team's Week 14 game at Atlanta.
Analysis: Bell, Moore and Carney all have some value in standard Fantasy formats although Carney is not likely going to be kicking again this season unless Garrett Hartley struggles or gets injured. The rest of these players have little to no Fantasy value.
News: New Orleans will have the following players inactive for Week 13 at Washington: LB Scott Fujita, DB Jabari Greer, DB Randall Gay, LB Marvin Mitchell, K John Carney, WR Lance Moore and DB Tracy Porter.
Analysis: The Saints have gotten along just fine without Moore, so New Orleans will continue to be patient with the veteran receiver. Obviously, don't use Moore in Week 13. Leave Moore and the rest of the players listed above alone in Fantasy for the time being.
News: The Saints' list of inactives for Week 16 against the Eagles includes RB Reggie Bush, TE Eric Johnson, WR Robert Meachem, DB Fred Thomas, LB Marvin Mitchell and DL Orien Harris.
Analysis: Aaron Stecker will start in place of Reggie Bush, Billy Miller in place of Eric Johnson, and in an unrelated to inactives change, Devery Henderson for Lance Moore. Everyone else listed isn't worthy of Fantasy consideration.
News: The inactives for Week 8's game between the New Orleans Saints and the San Francisco 49ers are as follows. For the Saints, WR Robert Meachem, DB Jay Bellamy, DB Fred Thomas, LB Marvin Mitchell, TE Ronnie Ghent and DE Renaldo Wynn (all coach's decision) are inactive. For the 49ers, QB Shaun Hill (coach's decision), WR LeRon McCoy (coach's decision), DB Tarell Brown (coach's decision), DB Keith Lewis (hamstring), DE Atiyyah Ellison (coach's decision) and Darrell Jackson (quad) are inactive.
Analysis: The only player in this group with any Fantasy value is Jackson, and he was doubtful for this game, so hopefully you have a capable replacement on your bench already.
News: The Saints' list of inactives for Week 7 against the Falcons includes LB Marvin Mitchell, DL Renaldo Wynn, DB Jay Bellamy, WR Robert Meachem, DB Jason David and TE Ronnie Ghent.
Analysis: These players either sit too low on the depth chart or play too small a role on defense to have any Fantasy value. The Saints visit the 49ers in Week 8.
News: The Saints signed QB Tyler Palko to their practice squad Sunday, along with six other players they had released over the weekend. The others were FB Kevin Dudley, DE Willie Evans, LB Marvin Mitchell, DB Anwar Phillips and DB Chris Reis.
Analysis: None of these players should be drafted in any Fantasy leagues in 2007. They will not get enough playing time to help your team this season.
News: Running back Antonio Pittman, the Saints' fourth-round draft choice, was among 12 players cut by New Orleans on Saturday. Quarterback Tyler Palko was also cut, although he appeared to be a strong candidate for the team's practice squad should he clear waivers. Also waived by the Saints were: safety Curry Burns; fullback Kevin Dudley; defensive end Willie Evans; wide receiver Tramain Hall; cornerback and fifth-round draft choice David Jones; linebacker Marvin Mitchell; cornerback Anwar Phillips; and safety Chris Reis. The Saints also terminated the contract of defensive end Anton Palepoi, making him an immediate free agent.
Analysis: Most of the cut players are either past their prime or have had little to no impact during their NFL careers. Ignore them in all Fantasy formats at this time.
