Peyton Manning is apparently headed to the Ole Miss retirement home, where he can spend his golden years knitting a new neck.   David Garrard is floating in the ether after the Jacksonville Jaguars decided that they just couldn’t stomach his steady presence for another year, but that they could, indeed, embrace the stylings of Jack Del Rio for a while longer.  Now, Matt Schaub is out for at least a couple of weeks, just when the Texans appeared to have finally figured out this silly little game.

So, don’t feel too smug about your 5-4 record and heady standing in the Nashville firmament, Mr. H.   Jake Locker is just a heartbeat away.   Don’t worry, though.   If you lose your hold in Tennessee, maybe you can follow Kerry to Indy.    If you do, be sure to bring your turbo, super-ultra, mega-padded head gear, because the turf here is hard, and so are the landings.

Running Backs

Start’em

Chris Johnson, Titans

You’re obviously starting Chris Johnson if you drafted him, but for those of you trying to get cute with your lineups, one word of advice: don’t! I traded him on week 5 the year he went crazy and emerged onto the fantasy scene.  Let’s just say I regretted every second. Just give CJ2K some time, because his schedule after the bye week is quite favorable. Plus, few players have the ability to break open a big run like Johnson does, and that alone is worth the wait.

Ryan Matthews, Chargers

The guy has finally arrived, and he just might be here to stay as long as Mike Tolbert doesn’t sneak in to vulture any goal line carries. This week against the Dolphins is going to be Matthews’ make-or-break game in my opinion.  If he is able to come through with a solid outing, then he should get the bulk of the carries the rest of the season.

Read the rest of my fantasy picks after the jump …

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Now Colt fans, do not condemn me for saying this but I feel that is the 800 pound gorilla that no one wants to acknowledge- Peyton Manning is not a God.

There, I said it. Hate me if you must.

Manning will undoubtedly go down in the record books as one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever pick up the pigskin. That goes without saying, but with the state of the league currently in love with the pass a team has to be prepared for their leading man to no longer lead.

The average age for a quarterback to retire in the NFL is 38; that gives Manning five more years of domination. However, the Colts need to consider a few variables that even Peyton does not know:

Does he feel like playing that long? Many players have been known to set in their minds at the beginning of their careers when the want to retire, typically before their bodies get broken down by injury. San Francisco wide receiver John Taylor had a set number in mind when he began playing and stuck to it even though he could have easily continued playing. Robert Smith retired from the Vikings after the 2000 season even though he had just completed the best season of his career (and was lined up for a tremendous pay day), What’s to say that Peyton wants to wait till his body breaks before hanging it up.

What about the injury bug? Peyton has been lucky throughout his career. Having an offense of line like he has certainly helps keep a guy healthy too. The last regular seaon games proved that if Peyton were to be lost to the Colts the team would be screwed.

The potential for a lockout has to be a concern as well. A player that is nearing the end of his career does not want one of the few years he has left wasted; some might even consider it a sign that they should hang it up even and let the next superstar have his chance.

We can talk about what a competitor the guy is, but Peyton has also proven he is no dummie either. No player wants to have a tough time walking up stairs or feel their knees ache when the weather turns bad. With his personality he is a shoe-in to have a career in the broadcast booth when he does stop.

So Mr. Polian, I hope your looking for the next great quarterback. We don’t need him right now, but better to find him while we don’t, right?