Buy, Watch or Pass 12/19/06
For some leagues, the Fantasy Football playoffs have started! From now until the end of the season, I will examine some of the more obscure names in Fantasy Football & assess whether or not they can help you during playoff time. Here are the names I came across in Week 15:
QB’s
Tim Rattay, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 268 pass yds, 3 TD’s, 1 INT
After watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense go 13 quarters without a touchdown, Jon Gruden finally made a switch at quarterback midway through the second quarter versus the Chicago Bears. Out was Bruce Gradkowski & in came Tim Rattay and played surprisingly well against the tough Bears defense. When Rattay was playing for the 49ers in the past, he had moderate success but it was nothing to rant & rave about. He has games against Cleveland & Seattle left on the schedule, both of whom he could rack up points against. However, it’s a high risk proposition considering he doesn’t have much of a track record. At this point in the season I’d be looking at other options. PASS
Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers – 162 pass yds, 33 rush yds, 3 Total TD’s (2 pass, 1 rush)
Alex Smith began the year looking like he could be a nice fantasy QB option. I mentioned several times how after Week 9 versus Minnesota he had nothing but soft secondaries to face until Week 17. Unfortunately, Smith couldn’t keep up his pace and went into a deep rut until last Sunday versus Seattle. He has Arizona & Denver left on his schedule. Obviously you wouldn’t play him against Denver, but Arizona? I don’t think so either. He hasn’t shown any consistency since the “BYE” week and quite frankly you don’t want that kind of player in your starting lineup as you enter your championship. Maybe there will be hope for next year. PASS
J.P. Losman, Buffalo Bills – 200 pass yds, 3 TD’s
The Buffalo Bills are in the playoff chase and a large part of that has to due with the improved play of J.P. Losman. Slowly the Bills coaching staff is loosening its grip on the conservative play calling and opening things up & Losman is starting to make some plays. While they are still attacking with a run first game plan, Losman has many deep threat options at wide out and starting tight end Robert Royal is starting to become the receiver the Bills envisioned when the season began. Losman has Tennessee next week & Baltimore the week after. Baltimore is a game you want to avoid, but Tennessee looks alright. At this point in the season there isn’t much on the waiver wire, but if you need a QB for this Sunday, he’s one you should consider. BUY
Jay Cutler, Denver Broncos – 261 pass yds, 2 TD’s, 1 INT
Jay Cutler had his first big game on Sunday versus Arizona and has slowly gotten better each game since he was named the Denver starter. His completion percentage, attempts & yards has gone up each game and looks to be everything Denver had hoped for. There is some risk involved, but with Denver fighting for its playoff lives and 2 games against some suspect secondaries to finish the year, Cutler makes a very good option if you are in need of a QB. BUY
RB’s
Mike Bell, Denver Broncos – 61 rush yds, 2 TD’s
It’s been frustrating & annoying if you are an owner of Tatum Bell and/or Mike Bell. Who’s going to play? Who’s going to start? Is Mike Shanahan going to stick to a running back? It’s the same story week in & week out. Tatum Bell started last Sunday, but Mike Bell got most of the carries because he was the “hot back”. You don’t need this headache and you certainly shouldn’t even think about risking your championship dreams by relying on either of them. If Mike Bell is available, it’s time to just let him stay on the waiver wire. PASS
Ron Dayne, Houston Texans – 94 rush yds, 1 TD
Despite the Houston Texans getting trounced by the New England Patriots on Sunday, Ron Dayne received the start and played surprisingly well against their tough run defense. Houston has been switching starting running backs all season long, but Dayne has been playing very well the last three weeks, averaging over 4 yards a carry in all of those games. With only 2 games to go and those games against putrid run defenses (Indianapolis & Cleveland), it’s safe to say Dayne will be the starter the rest of the year. If you are in need of a #2 running back, Dayne is your man. BUY
Ladell Betts, Washington Redskins – 119 rush yds, 43 pass yds
When you are hot, you’re hot, and right now Ladell Betts is smoking. He rushed for another 100 yard game for the fourth straight time against a surprising victory over New Orleans. He isn’t getting in the end zone (only one TD over that span), but his yardage is making him valuable as a number 2 running back. He has St. Louis & New York Giants left on the schedule. St. Louis is a must start this week & if he is still out there, grab him now. BUY
WR’s
Travis Taylor, Minnesota Vikings – 81 rec yds, 1 TD
It was a very quiet day for fantasy wide outs this past weekend. Travis Taylor came out of left field and hauled 6 catches for 81 yards & a touchdown. Taylor has been practically invisible for the Vikings the entire season and a good portion of his production came when the game was out of reach. With a rookie QB now at the helm, Taylor should still stay on the waiver wire. PASS
Braylon Edwards, Cleveland Browns – 68 rec yds, 1 TD
Braylon Edwards caught a touchdown for the third straight game on Sunday and has become a reliable #2 or #3 fantasy receiver. With Tampa Bay & Houston on the schedule, Edwards should continue to get plenty of good looks. There was some concern about how the offense will respond when Derek Anderson took over for an injured Charlie Frye, but it seems to be doing alright. There’s a chance Edwards is available, so if you need a wide out, I’d take him. BUY
Joe Jurevicius, Cleveland Browns – 46 rec yds, 1 TD
Braylon Edwards isn’t the only Cleveland wide receiver making some noise. After battling injuries all season, Jurevicius is healthy and making plays again & has started a great rapport with interim QB Derek Anderson. During the last three games, Jurevicius has 232 yards & a touchdown. Certainly he’s a risky play, but if you have nothing to lose or looking for a sleeper, he’s not a bad choice. There really isn’t much out there at this point. BUY
Do you have questions regarding your Fantasy Team? Send them to Alex The Great at http://sports.enterto.com/ask_alex.html. Every week I will answer a couple questions and post them directly at http://sports.enterto.com
This article is dedicated to the most charismatic and heroic king of all times!
12/19/06
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