Buy, Watch or Pass 12/12/06
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 14:
QB’s
Vince Young, Tennessee Titans – 218 pass yds, 86 rush yds, 1 Rush TD, 1 INT
This kid keeps surprising me every week. Once again, Vince Young led his team to a game winning score, while compiling 304 total yards & 1 touchdown. I mentioned last week that he was a good play for Houston but that was it for the season, and that still holds true today. Games against Jacksonville, Buffalo & New England do not bode well for Young, who are all tough against fantasy QB’s. Young does bring the element of running the ball, which may give him high fantasy points despite who he plays, but I still remember that debacle at Jacksonville earlier this season. Young is growing as a QB, completing over 60% of his passes for 3 straight games & has his Tennessee Titans at a surprising 6-7 mark. If he can do well against Jacksonville this weekend, then I might be inclined to play him the last 2 games. I still think he’s still too risky for the fantasy playoffs, but I would definitely want him on my team for next year. WATCH
Steve McNair, Baltimore Ravens – 283 pass yds, 1 TD
Earlier in the season when Steve McNair was struggling, a lot of people thought age had finally caught up with him & that we wasn’t the same quarterback anymore. However, ever since Brian Billick took over play calling duties, McNair has become a whole different quarterback. During the last 7 games, McNair has completed 68% of his passes for 8 TD’s, 2 INT’s & a 97.1 QB rating, compared to only completing 56% of his passes for 5 TD’s, 7 INT’s & a 64.1 QB rating to during his first 6 games to begin the year. Clearly things are looking a lot better, but should we count on him for the fantasy playoffs? It’s a tough call. His schedule is neither favorable nor unbearable, which makes him a low risk/moderate reward type of quarterback. If you are in need of a QB, McNair makes a decent choice, just temper your expectations. BUY
Matt Leinart, Arizona Cardinals – 232 pass yds, 2 TD’s, 1 INT
Matt Leinart is another guy that’s in the same mold of McNair, he’s not going to do anything spectacular from a fantasy standout, but he will consistently give you double digit points. He had a little hiccup in the middle of the season, but for the last four weeks Leinart has been very efficient, completing over 60% of his passes in those games and throwing at least one touchdown. Despite that, the rest of his schedule isn’t particularly in his favor, outside of San Francisco on Week 16. It’s a bit too risky especially when the gains are only moderate. I’d pass this week on Leinart versus that stingy Denver Bronco passing defense. PASS
RB’s
Artose Pinner, Minnesota Vikings – 125 rush yds, 15 rec yds, 3 TD’s
With Chester Taylor out, Artose Pinner got the start and gashed his former team, the Detroit Lions, for 125 yards & 3 touchdowns. It was a bit of a surprise considering Pinner has never shown any promise like this before, though he hasn’t ever had an offensive line like this before either. Minnesota has an INCREDIBLY weak schedule versus run defenses the rest of the way, so it’s very possible that Pinner can duplicate his effort should Taylor not be able to go. It looks like Taylor will play on Sunday versus the Jets, but monitor the situation carefully. WATCH & BUY if Taylor cannot play
Mike Karney, New Orleans Saints – 14 rush yds, 39 rec yds, 3 TD’s
Everyone got into the scoring act in New Orleans on Sunday, including very seldom used Mike Karney, who scored 3 touchdowns. But I will make this short and sweet: Karney is a fullback that is very seldom used in the offensive scheme outside of blocking. This was simply a freak occurrence and should be disregarded. PASS
Ron Dayne, Houston Texans – 87 rush yds, 12 rec yds, 2 TD’s
The Houston Texans backfield is just as big a mess as the New York Jets. First it was Samkon Gado, then it was Wali Lundy & now it’s Ron Dayne. Dayne didn’t start, but received the majority of the carries and appears to now be the starter in Houston. Nobody knows what’s going to happen come game time & you certainly can’t take this big a risk in the fantasy playoffs. Ignore Dayne & the rest of the Houston Texans running backs. PASS
Sammy Morris, Miami Dolphins – 123 rush yds, 39 rec yds, 1 TD
Ronnie Brown was out with a broken hand & Sammy Morris stepped in and did fantastic against a tough New England rushing defense, totaling up 162 yards & a touchdown. Will Brown be back? The Dolphins are unsure, but he will definitely be out against Buffalo this Sunday. In fact, Miami plays nothing but WEAK run defenses the rest of the way. With Brown’s uncertainty, Sammy Morris definitely makes a great pickup, especially at this point in the season. BUY
Ladell Betts, Washington Redskins – 171 rush yds, 14 rec yds
On ESPN.com Ladell Betts is only owned in 60% of the leagues. However, he continues to put up gaudy numbers day in & out, including 171 yard effort against the Eagles over the weekend. His schedule does get a bit tougher, with St. Louis being the only sure bet, but this offensive line did a great job against Carolina a few weeks back, so there is a chance he will continue to shine. This coming Sunday the Redskins play New Orleans, which could mean less carries if New Orleans is blowing them out. Nevertheless, Betts has proven to be a reliable number 2 back the last couple weeks and should be on your roster. BUY
WR’s
Drew Carter, Carolina Panthers – 144 rec yds, 1 TD
Despite Carolina’s debacle at home, Drew Carter had a surprising day, hauling in 8 catches for 144 yards & a touchdown. Even though Carolina receivers will be going up against some weak secondaries, Carter is only listed as the 3rd wide receiver & likely will go back to his no existent production that we’re accustomed too. Just ignore. PASS
Mark Clayton, Baltimore Ravens – 112 rec yds, 1 TD
Mark Clayton is an on again, off again performer. He hauled in his third 100+ yard game on Sunday that also included a touchdown. And while Clayton has improved from last year, he is still very inconsistent. The rest of his schedule is in his favor, but you need consistency during this fantasy playoff time and you won’t get it from Clayton. The risk outweighs the reward. PASS
Marty Booker, Miami Dolphins – 103 rec yds, 1 TD
One player that has been flying under the radar as of late is Marty Booker. Over the last 3 games, Booker has 20 catches for 279 yards & 4 touchdowns. While Joey Harrington isn’t lighting up the stat sheet, he is constantly finding Booker. Booker’s schedule doesn’t look very appealing the rest of the way, but he performed well against Jacksonville & New England, so there is no reason to doubt he can do well against anyone else. It’s still hard to trust him, but if you need a wide receiver, why not? BUY
Devery Henderson, New Orleans Saints – 92 rec yds, 1 TD
There were some words out of New Orleans that Joe Horn could be out for the year, which could mean big things for the young up and coming receiver Devery Henderson. He’s averaging an astounding 23.4 yards per catch and has three 100+ yard games as a number 3 receiver. Even when needed to fill in for an injured Colston or Horn, Henderson has still performed very well. If this report is indeed true, then Henderson is must buy, especially with Brees throwing to him! 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!
12/12/06
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