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I love it when people make comparisons or give you their rankings on players that have no relevance whatsoever. Therefore, in my effort to cloud all
your judgments and to make you think Ryan Torain is the next Clinton Portis, I give you my thoughts that should have no bearing on any of your
fantasy decisions:
BenJarvus “The law firm” Green-Ellis is this years Ryan Grant.
Mewelde Moore is this years Earnest Graham.
Top 5 QB’s right now:
(That’s right…I said Tyler Thigpen – I remember when Brock openly mocked Thigpen on the brockcast. Take it back Brock.)
Guys most likely to breakdown at the end of the season:
Guys returning from injury that you should not forget about:
Most unlikely guys whom might lead you to a fantasy championship, if you get there.
Guys most likely to disappoint at the worst time:
Next year’s first round draft picks:
A few thoughts:
Loving all the trades. I like to call this the “Parker effect”. Everyone remembers that Parker made the two infamous trades last year (netting Chambers
and Roethlisberger), which led him to the title. Now everybody who thinks they have a shot (however slim) believes that they are a trade or two away.
This is great for our league.
One thing that scares me, as I sit in the thick of the battle for the final playoff spot, is that there is no team that is clearly out of the playoffs. Jay and VA
Chris are two of the hottest teams in the league right now (something you wouldn’t have said three weeks ago). They have good point totals and some
big playmakers, so you cannot count them out. I wonder how things play out as there stands a chance that the toilet bowl winner has four or five wins.
Right now, only the top four teams are in the clear (Scott, Jason, Dave, and Navid).
With every weeks matchup a big game and since everyone has a chance, I took a look at everyone’s roster and here is just my quick status report on
each team.
Maryland Tools – Record (4-6)
Chances of making playoffs: Good
Keys to playoff appearance: Chad Pennington playing consistent at QB. The return of LJ.
Position of Strength: Two good defenses that he can use to play matchups. Evans and Moss gives him two borderline #1 fantasy WR’s.
Five Second Stare – Record (3-7)
Chances of making playoffs: Fair
Keys to playoff appearance: Hines Ward repeating his week ten production. Anything out of Holt.
Position of Strength: Even without LenDale White, Jay has good RB’s (A.P. and Grant) and some nice depth (Ricky and Sammy Morris).
Double G – Record (8-2)
Chances of making playoffs: Already In
Keys to winning the title: Better QB play. Consistent play out of Calvin and Slaton. The return of Colston.
Position of Strength: The trade for Colston solidifies his WR’s and he already had talent at RB and TE.
Nomads in the Deep – Record (6-4)
Chances of making playoffs: Excellent
Keys to winning the title: An appearance from Roy E. Williams or Braylon Edwards would be nice. No more 4 INT days from Jake Delhomme. And Kevin
Smith pulling a Matt Forte/Chris Johnson would also help.
Position of Strength: Denver Broncos WR’s.
Coffeeon3rd – Record (5-5)
Chances of making playoffs: Very Good
Keys to making the playoffs: Some consistent play out of QB. More 3 TD days from MJD. The return of Reggie Bush and his 42 catches and 8 total TD’
s.
Position of Strength: WR (White’s is a good #1 and Desean/Breaston have been very good #2/3).
Born To Run My Mouth – Record (5-5)
Chances of making playoffs: Very Good
Keys to making the playoffs: Some consistent play out of RB (More 140 yard days from DeAngelo and the return of McFadden would help).
Position of Strength: QB – What to do with Warner and Romo?
Colt .45 Bandits – Record (5-5)
Chances of making playoffs: Very Good
Keys to making the playoffs: Will a QB named Matt please stand up?
Position of Strength: WR – Boldin has been fantastic. Moss is more a slant route WR with Cassell, but a threat nonetheless. And Matt Jones is a treat
as a #3 WR, just hope he doesn’t get suspended.
(Brock, we got front page on the website this week. To say our matchup is just another game would be downplaying the significance. This could very
well determine both of our fates for the rest of the year. Looks like we’ll both be sweating this one out till Monday Night. Good luck big guy.)
New Jersey Jacobins – Record (7-3)
Chances of making playoffs: Already In
Keys to making the playoffs: Orton’s health. Witten’s health.
Position of Strength: RB – Barber has been great and will be better with Romo back. Ward and Washington are two backups that score at least 10
points each week despite having limited touches.
Fair Trade – Record (4-6)
Chances of making playoffs: Good
Keys to making the playoffs: Better TE play. One of the young QB’s to take over (Quinn or Thigpen). Willie Parker’s health.
Position of Strength: WR – Wayne/TJ/Driver/Vjax. Enough said.
Fighting Blue Crabs – Record (4-6)
Chances of making playoffs: Good
Keys to making the playoffs: Better WR play (T.O./Marvin have played old. Koren Robinson, Rashied Davis, or Malcolm Floyd – one of them needs to
step up and take that #3 WR position).
Position of Strength: Defense – two of the best in Chicago and Baltimore. Peyton Manning – headed for a beautiful stretch run.
Soaring Pigs – Record (4-6)
Chances of making playoffs: Good
Keys to making the playoffs: Addai’s health. Santonio Holmes to play like a #1 draft pick.
Position of Strength: Steady QB play from McNabb and Eli. Tennessee Defense has been one of the best all season.
Nose – Record (4-6)
Chances of making playoffs: Good
Keys to making the playoffs: Rodgers to return to his first half season form. Something/Anything from Chad Johnson.
Position of Strength: Brown and Lynch have been consistent.
Shermtanks – Record (7-3)
Chances of making playoffs: Already In
Keys to winning the title: Just keep doing what you’re doing.
Position of Strength: Just keep doing what you’re doing.
Good luck everyone. Just keep doing what you’re doing!!!
your judgments and to make you think Ryan Torain is the next Clinton Portis, I give you my thoughts that should have no bearing on any of your
fantasy decisions:
BenJarvus “The law firm” Green-Ellis is this years Ryan Grant.
Mewelde Moore is this years Earnest Graham.
Top 5 QB’s right now:
- Kurt Warner – frontrunner for MVP. I would agree with Chris/Rich and say he was the best waiver wire pickup. But the truth is if we held the draft
a week later, Warner would have been drafted fairly high. It’s a technicality. - Drew Brees
- Jay Cutler – I think that 400+ yard showing on Thursday night put an end to all that mediocre talk. Throw in the fact that Denver has nobody to
run the football and we might see the first ever NFL team to not even play a RB. - Philip Rivers – Everything I hoped he’d be last year. Good for at least 3 TD’s or 250+ yards every game.
- Tyler Thigpen – Who? Better than Peyton? Better than Ryan? McNabb too? Yes, yes, and yes. Count me on board for the Thigpen bandwagon. I
love the weapons: Bowe, Gonzalez, and Bradley…although I’m afraid the return of LJ might mean less spread offense.
(That’s right…I said Tyler Thigpen – I remember when Brock openly mocked Thigpen on the brockcast. Take it back Brock.)
Guys most likely to breakdown at the end of the season:
- Brandon Jacobs – He run’s so hard each game and has a history of injury. Not saying it’ll definitely happen, but with Ward and Bradshaw on the
bench, I’d expect at least fewer carries for Jacobs. - Chris Johnson – Rookies hit a wall. Go look at Adrian Peterson’s fantasy point total the last few weeks of last year.
- Matt Forte – See Chris Johnson.
- Eddie Royal – I’m going out on a limb, but I think the rookie WR will hit the dreaded rookie grind as well.
- Andre Johnson – He’s arguably the favorite player of three people in this league. But everyone has the same complaint. He never plays 16
games. So far he’s on track. Will it last?
Guys returning from injury that you should not forget about:
- Darren McFadden – He’s still a future star, but has been a huge disappointment this year. But I wouldn’t count out a few big days toward the end
of the season when the Raiders have nothing to play for but the future. Wait; hasn’t that been the case the whole year? - Chris Chambers – Just ask Parker.
- Sammy Morris – He wasn’t the guy I was concerned about when Jay made the trade. But his injury history is a concern. And ‘The law firm” has
been very good so far. - Matt Hasselbeck – A former top 5 fantasy QB doesn’t just drop off the face of the earth. Oh, sorry Marc Bulger.
- Cadillac Williams – He was a must keep option and future star before injuries derailed his promising career.
Most unlikely guys whom might lead you to a fantasy championship, if you get there.
- Shaun Hill – Because it’s San Francisco, and while he may have a ton of turnovers, he’ll also throw a ton.
- Cadillac Williams – Hey, you never know if you get the 2005 Cadillac or the 2007 version.
- Peyton Hillis or Tatum Bell – Somebody has to run the ball in Denver.
- Mark Bradley – Better than Dwayne Bowe the last three weeks. Can even throw if needed.
- Matt Ryan – Better than Peyton his rookie year? A must start fantasy QB…who’d have thunk it.
- Billy Miller – Jeremy Shockey should get a tattoo that says ‘Failure to meet expectations’. Billy Miller has been good for 5/6 catches and 60 yards
a game. - New York Jets Defense – A top 3 fantasy defense?
- Tim Hightower – Pretty obvious, but still true.
- BenJarvus Green-Ellis – This year’s golden waiver wire RB.
- Mewelde Moore – This year’s other golden waiver wire RB.
- Steve Breaston – Arizona throws the ball so much that Breaston still gets 6+ catches and/or 90+ yards. Imagine if Fitz or Boldin went down with
an injury, he’s jump up to being a must start. - Roy E. Williams – He’s super talented. And Romo’s back. Could be a fantasy owner’s dream come true.
Guys most likely to disappoint at the worst time:
- Calvin Johnson – Um…Daunte Culpepper? What was Jeff George busy?
- LaDanian Tomlinson – Already starting to breakdown. How much does he have left in the tank? Is San Diego a passing team now?
- Greg Jennings – Teams are letting Driver beat them. Plus Ryan Grant is getting 30+ carries a game. Those seem to me like the main reasons
Jennings hasn’t topped 40 yards the past few games. - Clinton Portis – The guy led the league in carries last year and has racked up a ton more this year. No reason to be concerned yet, but
something to keep note of.
Next year’s first round draft picks:
- LaDanian Tomlinson – Is he still the #1 pick?
- Joseph Addai – Is this a down year or was last year a career year?
- Andre Johnson - #1 fantasy WR? It’s at least debatable between him, Fitz, Wayne, and B. Marshall.
- TJ Houshmandzadeh – Receptions machine will return to his 2007 form with Palmer back at the helm.
- Reggie Bush – Not the next great RB, but a game changer who can score points in three ways (running, receiving, and returning)
- Peyton Manning – When (if) fully healthy, still one of the league’s top four passers.
- Frank Gore – Brian Westbrook-lite. One of the few true running/receiving threats out of the backfield.
A few thoughts:
Loving all the trades. I like to call this the “Parker effect”. Everyone remembers that Parker made the two infamous trades last year (netting Chambers
and Roethlisberger), which led him to the title. Now everybody who thinks they have a shot (however slim) believes that they are a trade or two away.
This is great for our league.
One thing that scares me, as I sit in the thick of the battle for the final playoff spot, is that there is no team that is clearly out of the playoffs. Jay and VA
Chris are two of the hottest teams in the league right now (something you wouldn’t have said three weeks ago). They have good point totals and some
big playmakers, so you cannot count them out. I wonder how things play out as there stands a chance that the toilet bowl winner has four or five wins.
Right now, only the top four teams are in the clear (Scott, Jason, Dave, and Navid).
With every weeks matchup a big game and since everyone has a chance, I took a look at everyone’s roster and here is just my quick status report on
each team.
Maryland Tools – Record (4-6)
Chances of making playoffs: Good
Keys to playoff appearance: Chad Pennington playing consistent at QB. The return of LJ.
Position of Strength: Two good defenses that he can use to play matchups. Evans and Moss gives him two borderline #1 fantasy WR’s.
Five Second Stare – Record (3-7)
Chances of making playoffs: Fair
Keys to playoff appearance: Hines Ward repeating his week ten production. Anything out of Holt.
Position of Strength: Even without LenDale White, Jay has good RB’s (A.P. and Grant) and some nice depth (Ricky and Sammy Morris).
Double G – Record (8-2)
Chances of making playoffs: Already In
Keys to winning the title: Better QB play. Consistent play out of Calvin and Slaton. The return of Colston.
Position of Strength: The trade for Colston solidifies his WR’s and he already had talent at RB and TE.
Nomads in the Deep – Record (6-4)
Chances of making playoffs: Excellent
Keys to winning the title: An appearance from Roy E. Williams or Braylon Edwards would be nice. No more 4 INT days from Jake Delhomme. And Kevin
Smith pulling a Matt Forte/Chris Johnson would also help.
Position of Strength: Denver Broncos WR’s.
Coffeeon3rd – Record (5-5)
Chances of making playoffs: Very Good
Keys to making the playoffs: Some consistent play out of QB. More 3 TD days from MJD. The return of Reggie Bush and his 42 catches and 8 total TD’
s.
Position of Strength: WR (White’s is a good #1 and Desean/Breaston have been very good #2/3).
Born To Run My Mouth – Record (5-5)
Chances of making playoffs: Very Good
Keys to making the playoffs: Some consistent play out of RB (More 140 yard days from DeAngelo and the return of McFadden would help).
Position of Strength: QB – What to do with Warner and Romo?
Colt .45 Bandits – Record (5-5)
Chances of making playoffs: Very Good
Keys to making the playoffs: Will a QB named Matt please stand up?
Position of Strength: WR – Boldin has been fantastic. Moss is more a slant route WR with Cassell, but a threat nonetheless. And Matt Jones is a treat
as a #3 WR, just hope he doesn’t get suspended.
(Brock, we got front page on the website this week. To say our matchup is just another game would be downplaying the significance. This could very
well determine both of our fates for the rest of the year. Looks like we’ll both be sweating this one out till Monday Night. Good luck big guy.)
New Jersey Jacobins – Record (7-3)
Chances of making playoffs: Already In
Keys to making the playoffs: Orton’s health. Witten’s health.
Position of Strength: RB – Barber has been great and will be better with Romo back. Ward and Washington are two backups that score at least 10
points each week despite having limited touches.
Fair Trade – Record (4-6)
Chances of making playoffs: Good
Keys to making the playoffs: Better TE play. One of the young QB’s to take over (Quinn or Thigpen). Willie Parker’s health.
Position of Strength: WR – Wayne/TJ/Driver/Vjax. Enough said.
Fighting Blue Crabs – Record (4-6)
Chances of making playoffs: Good
Keys to making the playoffs: Better WR play (T.O./Marvin have played old. Koren Robinson, Rashied Davis, or Malcolm Floyd – one of them needs to
step up and take that #3 WR position).
Position of Strength: Defense – two of the best in Chicago and Baltimore. Peyton Manning – headed for a beautiful stretch run.
Soaring Pigs – Record (4-6)
Chances of making playoffs: Good
Keys to making the playoffs: Addai’s health. Santonio Holmes to play like a #1 draft pick.
Position of Strength: Steady QB play from McNabb and Eli. Tennessee Defense has been one of the best all season.
Nose – Record (4-6)
Chances of making playoffs: Good
Keys to making the playoffs: Rodgers to return to his first half season form. Something/Anything from Chad Johnson.
Position of Strength: Brown and Lynch have been consistent.
Shermtanks – Record (7-3)
Chances of making playoffs: Already In
Keys to winning the title: Just keep doing what you’re doing.
Position of Strength: Just keep doing what you’re doing.
Good luck everyone. Just keep doing what you’re doing!!!