Buy, Watch or Pass 10/11/06
Every week, I will examine some of the more obscure top performers in Fantasy Football. Here are the names I came across in Week 5:
QB’s
Matt Leinart, Arizona Cardinals – 253 pass yds, 2 TD’s, 1 INT
Kurt Warner fumbled his way out of a starting job and based off of Matt Leinart’s performance against Kansas City, he won’t be getting it back. Leinart looked good against a Kansas City passing defense ranked in the Top 5 and became only the second NFL QB since 1966 to throw 2 TD’s in the first quarter in his first NFL start. While it remains to be seen how he does in the future, he has some favorable matchups down the road. With a bevy of weapons at his disposal (Fitzgerald, Boldin, James), he should at least be considered a very solid backup Fantasy QB. BUY
Damon Huard, Kansas City Chiefs – 288 pass yds, 2 TD’s
With Trent Green still out with a severe concussion, Damon Huard delivered another solid outing. However, these 2 outings have come against some of the weaker pass defenses in the NFL. The next 2 weeks the Chiefs go up against stiffer D’s in the form of Pittsburgh & San Diego & their schedule isn’t very favorable the rest of the way either. With Green set to come back soon, Huard will probably be going back to the bench. Even if you are a Green owner & worried about any lingering effects from his concussion, there are probably other better backup options out there (see above). PASS
Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers – 242 pass yds, 2 TD’s, 1 INT
After a devastating loss to Baltimore, Rivers rebounded in a big way against Pittsburgh. With the run game stymied, Rivers came through, making smart, accurate reads leading to the “W”. However, Marty Ball is still in effect, meaning Rivers will be relied upon to manage games rather than win them. Even against a weak Tennessee team in Week 2 he didn’t post big numbers. Couple that with a less than favorable schedule; you should look elsewhere if you are in need of a Fantasy QB. PASS
Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers – 165 pass yds, 3 TD’s, 1 INT
Smith came out of the gate and delivered 3 straight solid games, prompting some owners to add him to their roster. However, he delivered a goose egg next week against the Chiefs, prompting many of those same owners to wonder if they made the right choice. Well worry no more. Smith came through against a tough Raider pass defense (#2 in the NFL) to throw 3 TD’s. Throw out the game against the Chiefs and he’s been remarkably consistent. While he’s got a tough 3 games ahead him (San Diego, Chicago, Minnesota), his schedule the rest of the way is pretty lax. Add him to your bench and keep him there for that 3 game stretch. Your patience will be rewarded. BUY
Bruce Gradkowski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 225 pass yds, 2 TD’s
Tampa Bay was under fire for not having a veteran backup QB when Simms suffered a possible season ending injury. Rookie Bruce Gradkowski may have cooled some of the heat after a solid outing against New Orleans. He threw for 2 TD’s & completed over 60% of his throws for 225 yards in Tampa’s loss on Sunday. While there will be some growing pains, Gradkowski’s schedule is actually in his favor. After Cincinnati next week, he has a 5 game stretch against suspect pass defenses. While it’s too early to tell whether or not he’s the real deal, he certainly bears keeping an eye on. If he plays well against an above average Cincinnati pass D, he may turn a nice profit for a couple of games. WATCH
RB’s
Noah Herron, Green Bay Packers – 106 rush yds, 20 rec yds, 1 TD
Vernand Morency filled in adequately against Philadelphia in Week 4, registering 118 total yards. However, after 2 fumbles in the first quarter against St. Louis, he was immediately removed for Noah Herron, who rushed for 106 yards on 20 carries & a TD. Certainly he was impressive, but St. Louis’ run defense isn’t anything to write home about. With a BYE week coming up and Ahman Green set to return thereafter, Herron’s value will be diminished as a third down back. If you are a Green owner, BUY as a backup policy due to Green’s injury concerns. For everyone else, PASS
Cedric Benson, Chicago Bears – 48 rush yds, 14 rec yds, 2 TD’s
It certainly had to upset many Thomas Jones owners that he chewed up Buffalo’s run defense for 109 yards, yet Benson got the 2 rushing touchdowns. In either case, Jones owners shouldn’t have to worry about losing carries; most of Benson’s carries came in garbage time. Benson hasn’t even been impressive with the carries he’s gotten thus far, averaging a paltry 3.1 yards per carry. He certainly hasn’t lived up to being a high NFL Draft pick thus far, and there are reports that things are getting tense with the him & the coaching staff. BUY only if you are a Thomas Jones owner for insurance because of the Bears high scoring offense. Otherwise, PASS
Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars – 59 rush yds, 2 TD’s
Both Jones-Drew & Fred Taylor ate up the Jets defense in a 41-0 blowout. While Taylor is still the number one back, the Jaguars are getting him more & more touches each game. He didn’t have any receptions against the Jets, but he’s become a very nice fixture in the passing game in previous weeks. With a schedule filled with MANY weak rushing defenses, Jones-Drew is becoming a very nice flex option in deeper leagues. Add that with Fred Taylor’s ability to never stay healthy, this may be your last chance to grab him in your league. BUY
Travis Henry, Tennessee Titans – 123 rush yds, 10 rec yds
With Chris Brown scratched, Travis Henry got the start in Week 5 and played well. But don’t get too excited, it was against a very poor Indianapolis run defense. Tennessee doesn’t have very many favorable matchups the rest of the way, not to mention the running back situation is a mess with trying to please Brown, Henry & White with carries. Henry can’t seem to stay healthy either; he got hurt again by tweaking his ankle and is in doubt for next week. With Young starting at QB, they could be so far behind each game that the running attack will become obsolete. Tennessee is a mess right now, and so would your fantasy football team if you depended on a Tennessee running back as your starter. Move along people, there is nothing to see here. PASS
WR’s
Hank Baskett, Philadelphia Eagles – 112 rec yds, 1 TD
Hank Baskett got the start for Philadelphia after Donte’ Stallworth missed his second game with a hamstring injury. Baskett got behind the secondary in the third quarter and hauled in a nice deep pass for an 87 yard TD. While he’s an intriguing option in a pass first offense, he didn’t show much the first 4 weeks of the season & Stallworth should return soon, moving Baskett back to the 3rd WR role. With so many weapons on the team, Baskett is merely a fifth option guy who may get the occasional pass thrown to him, but not enough to warrant him being on your roster. PASS
Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers – 105 rec yds, 1 TD
When Javon Walker was traded to Denver, everyone wondered who would emerge as the other WR along with Donald Driver. Starting on Week 2, Greg Jennings, the second round pick out of Western Michigan, has become everything the Packers could have hoped for. He had his second 100 yard game in 3 weeks, and has caught a TD in 3 of his 5 starts. With Brett Favre still slinging the ball & the Packers having mainly average to below average pass defenses the rest of the way, Jennings makes a very good #2 Fantasy WR from here on out. BUY
Arnaz Battle, San Francisco 49ers – 37 rec yds, 2 TD’s
If you looked at the top fantasy players from Week 5, you’d see Arnaz Battle had 2 TD’s. Hopefully you also saw he only had 37 yards receiving, which, is right around what he’s been getting every week. The 49ers are going to other options first to score points, making Battle’s scoring chances very limited. His 2 TD’s are a blip on the radar and should be ignored. Just because he’s starting for the 49ers, doesn’t mean he should be on your roster. PASS
Bernard Berrian, Chicago Bears – 97 rec yds, 1 TD
Since Week 1, Berrian has been the definition of consistency, averaging 82 yards a game and catching 4 TD’s. With Grossman on top of his game, Berrian will be getting plenty of throws a game. He is also being used as the deep threat, meaning he has the chance to bust a big play every game. If he is still available, I guarantee this is the last time you’ll be able to pick him up. Get him now. BUY
Reggie Brown, Philadelphia Eagles – 79 rec yds, 1 TD
Starting on the other end with Stallworth, Reggie Brown has started to play more & more of a role in the Philadelphia offense. After registering only 3 receptions the first 2 games, Brown has hauled in 12 receptions the last 3, averaging 82 yards per game during that stretch. He also has 3 TD’s on the year. Brown may not bust out with the big week, but playing in that explosive offense will make him a consistent Fantasy WR, and a very nice flex play the rest of the year. BUY
Reggie Williams, Jacksonville Jaguars – 53 rec yds, 1 TD
After 2 sub par seasons to begin his NFL career, Reggie Williams seems to finally have figured it out. With Matt Jones out the last 2 weeks, Williams has exploded with 147 yards & 3 TD’s in that time span. With a BYE week coming up, Jones should be healed up before the next game, so it’ll be interesting to see how he does once Jones returns. But the fact is that Jacksonville has a very favorable schedule against some very mediocre secondaries. Even with Jones’ return, the Jacksonville offense is rolling, so expect Williams to continue his breakout year. BUY
Do you have questions regarding your Fantasy Team? Send them to Alex The Great. Every week I will answer a couple questions and post them directly at sports.enterto.com
This article is dedicated to the most charismatic and heroic king of all times!
10/11/06
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