News: The Patriots released defensive tackle Jonathan Fanene on Tuesday despite signing him a lucrative deal in the offseason. New England gave Fanene a $3.85 million signing bonus on a three-year deal this offseason to entice him away from Cincinnati. "It just didn't work out, coach Bill Belichick said. "I don't really think there's much to add than that; it just didn't work out."
Analysis: Fanene had not been seen with the Patriots since the early stages of camp as he dealt with a knee injury, a source told CBSSports.com. The injury may have been chronic with little hope for recovery, which may have spearheaded the move. Regardless, Fantasy owners should not rely on Fanene in any IDP formats at this point.
News: The Patriots announced a free-agent deal with defensive end Jonathan Fanene. Fanene, 30, is a veteran of seven NFL seasons, all with Cincinnati.
Analysis: Fanene is a space-eating defensive lineman who will help the Patriots' run defense but not Fantasy owners' stat sheets. Keep him off of rosters.
News: Cincinnati DL Jonathan Fanene tallied two sacks during the Bengals' 23-16 victory over Arizona in Week 16. Fanene took down Cardinals QB John Skelton to finish with multiple sacks in a game for the second time this season. He now has six total sacks.
Analysis: Fanene has managed to ground an opposing quarterback in back-to-back games and match his career high for sacks in a season (2009). The 29-year-old seems to get stronger later in the year and makes for a low-end option in deeper Fantasy IDP formats.
News: The Bengals have re-signed DE Jonathan Fanene, who ended last season on IR with a hamstring injury.
Analysis: The veteran had a career-high six sacks with the Bengals in 2009, but missed most of last year with a hamstring tear. Leave Fanene on waivers in most Fantasy IDP leagues until he proves himself during the regular season.
News: The Bengals placed DL Jonathan Fanene (hamstring) on injured reserve Thursday, ending his season.
Analysis: When healthy, Fanene is a barely-viable Fantasy option in IDP formats, so this news won't affect too many people. Continue to ignore him.
News: The Dayton Daily News reports that Bengals DL Jonathan Fanene is expected to be miss 3-5 weeks with a torn hamstring.
Analysis: Fanene gets to the QB on occasion when healthy, but he's not an elite DE and remains not worth worrying about in IDP Fantasy play, healthy or not.
News: In the Bengals' Week 14 loss at the Vikings, notable defenders include: LB Dhani Jones (10 total tackles), DB Leon Hall (seven total tackles, interception), LB Rey Maualuga (eight total tackles, forced fumble), DL Tank Johnson (three solo tackles, sack) and DL Jonathan Fanene (four total tackles, sack).
Analysis: Of these players, Hall, Jones and Maualuga warrant your attention in Fantasy. They'll be plenty busy against the Chargers in Week 15.
News: Bengals DL Jonathan Fanene intercepted a tipped Matthew Stafford pass on Sunday and took it 45 yards the other way for his first career score.
Analysis: Fanene is not a relevant Fantasy option in IDP formats and this pick-six could be the only time he scores in his career.
News: The Bengals defense put together a solid performance against a weak Lions offense on Sunday in a Week 13 win. Jonathan Joseph, Dhani Jones and Chinedum Ndukwe all tied for the team high in tackles with eight. Jones also managed to sack QB Matthew Stafford. Robert Geathers had four tackles and a sack in the game. Michael Johnson also had a sack. Jonathan Fanene intercepted a pass and took it to the house for a TD and tom Nelson also picked off a pass.
Analysis: Joseph, Jones and Geathers are all worth having active as decent IDP options. Ndukwe, Johnson, Nelson and Fanene should all be considered at best low-end Fantasy options for IDP formats.
News: Several Bengals played well on defense Sunday at the Steelers. LB Dhani Jones had seven tackles and a sack. Leon Hall had seven tackles. Johnathan Joseph had seven tackles. Jonathan Fanene had six tackles and two sacks. Rey Maualuga had six tackles. Robert Geathers had four tackles and a sack. And Frostee Rucker had an interception off a tipped pass from Ben Roethlisberger.
Analysis: The Bengals should play well in Week 11 at Oakland. Consider using all the Bengals regular starters in IDP leagues against the Raiders.
News: In the Bengals' Week 1 loss vs. the Broncos, notable defensive performances include: DB Roy Williams (nine total tackles), LB Rey Maualuga (eight total tackles), DE Antwan Odom (four total tackles, two sacks) and DT Jonathan Fanene (two solo tackles, sack).
Analysis: Of these guys, Odom is a decent low-end DL and Maualuga has potential to be a strong LB in deeper leagues. The same can be said for Williams too if he can keep up this kind of production. The Bengals play at the Packers in Week 2.
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 Sports Xchange reports that Jonathan Fanene, though listed as No. 2 left defensive end, has quietly ascended to the starting role the past few days at right end.
Analysis: Antwan Odom is still out with a sprained foot, and Frostee Rucker had been getting most of the work with the first-team defense. Slowed by a hamstring and other injuries at various points in his first three seasons, Fanene is healthy and had been on the field consistently in camp. Officially, he is not expected to start and for that reason will not play enough to produce much from a Fantasy standpoint. Leave him on the waiver wire in Fantasy leagues until further notice.
News: The Cincinnati Bengals re-signed receiver Antonio Chatman and defensive end Jonathan Fanene on Tuesday. Fanene got a three-year deal.
Analysis: The fourth-year player appeared in 14 games in 2007 and had six tackles with one sack. He could have been a restricted free agent. Fanene likely won't have a big role for Cincinnati in 2008 and can be left off Fantasy rosters.
News: The Bengals list of inactives for Week 6 at Kansas City includes LB Rashad Jeanty, DB Ethan Kilmer, WR Tab Perry, LB Ahmad Brooks, LB Caleb Miller, DL Jonathan Fanene and QB Jeff Rowe.
Analysis: These players are all either reserves on offense or minor statistical contributors on defense. Keep them on the waiver wire.
News: The Bengals inactives for their Week 2 game at Cincinnati included: third QB Jeff Rowe, S Chinedum Ndukwe , S Ethan Kilmer, DE Jonathan Fanene, WR Antonio Chatman, DE Frostee Rucker and LB Rashad Jeanty. Meanwhile, the Browns named the following players among their inactives: third QB Ken Dorsey, RB Jerome Harrison, LB Willie McGinest, DB Gary Baxter and WR Travis Wilson.
Analysis: Only Chatman, Harrison and McGinest have any minimal Fantasy value; the rest are not worth mentioning in any format.
News: Bengals DE Jonathan Fanene (muscle cramps) left Thursday's game against the Lions in the third quarter, but head coach Marvin Lewis said he will be fine.
Analysis: Fanene, who had four tackles last season, is nothing more than a backup with the Bengals. Ignore him in Fantasy leagues at this time.
News: Notable Bengals inactive in Week 14 vs. Oakland include: DB Deltha O' Neal, WR Kelley Washington, LB A.J. Nicholson and DL Jonathan Fanene.
Analysis: Keep these players reserved for Fantasy purposes in Week 14.
News: The Bengals have officially placed RB Chris Perry on Injured Reserve with a broken right fibula. Kenny Watson is expected to back up Rudi Johnson for the remainder of the season. The Bengals replaced him on the roster with defensive lineman Jonathan Fanene.
Analysis: In six games, Perry had 57 rush yards on 10 carries with nine catches for 42 yards. Watson is a decent insurance policy for Rudi Johnson, but other than him, no one listed above should be on a Fantasy roster.
News: The Bengals have placed CB Greg Brooks (knee) on Injured Reserve after re-aggravating the injury in Week 9. They also cleared DE Jonathan Fanene from the PUP list, making him eligible to practice with the team for three weeks without giving up a roster spot. They also waived DT Marcus Lewis (foot) from the IR.
Analysis: None of these people will help Fantasy owners in IDP leagues.
News: The Bengals put DE Jonathan Fanene (hamstring) and OT Adam Kieft (knee) on the PUP list Saturday. They are out at least six weeks. Also, they placed CB Patrick Body, WR Bennie Brazell and DT Marcus Lewis on IR, making them ineligible to play this season.
Analysis: Fanene re-aggravated a previous hammy injury during a pre-camp workout. He should not be relied upon in Fantasy Football.
News: The Bengals placed DT Jonathan Fanene on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list on Saturday thanks to a hamstring injury. According to Bengals.com, Perry could be on there for some time this preseason, says head coach Marvin Lewis.
Analysis: Fanene re-aggravated a previous hammy injury during a pre-camp workout. He should not be relied upon in Fantasy Football.
