Andy Richardson
Happy Halloween ladies! Another week, another reminder that you can't get too comfortable with what you think you know. An injured Beanie Wells sometimes should be started, a great running quarterback like Tim Tebow sometimes should be benched, and Tom Brady doesn't own the Steelers all the time. A quick overview of the relevant fantasy stuff from the games I saw the most of yesterday:
Dolphins at Giants: The Dolphins were using Steve Slaton as their goal-line back. Slaton, a guy with a history of fumbles and if memory serves a neck injury, as a designated goal-line back. That experiment should end once Daniel Thomas returns, probably next week. ... Matt Moore looked OK at times. Made a couple of nice throws to Brandon Marshall and Davone Bess. Seemed to be settling in. Then of course things devolved into a slew of sacks and turnovers, but he looked for a while like he might pull out a win. I'm not really sure when, though. ... Giants have three good wide receivers right now. They can all be used in any game when the passing game looks to be more effective than the running game. Which seems to be every week. Brandon Jacobs doesn't seem to have it, and Ahmad Bradshaw has a foot injury which could potentially sideline him at any time (as it did yesterday for a bit). I know Bradshaw just scored 3 TDs, but his health is a little worrisome.
Cardinals at Ravens: What a game for Anquan Boldin, who was making big catches and circus grabs all over the place. Ever wonder about if players get up to face their former teams, here's a good example for that idea. What's funny is that even down 24-3, I thought it was possible the Ravens could win. That's how little faith I have in Kevin Kolb, and how little the Cardinals' defense brings to the table. ... Great punt return TD by Patrick Peterson, who should also be the cornerstone of this defense if it's ever any good. ... Ray Rice got all the work around the goal line, hence the 3 TDs. Good to see. ... Big late catch by Torrey Smith to set up the game-winning points. I don't think it's certain any more that Lee Evans gets his starting job back, assuming he ever gets on the field that is. ... I don't know where Arizona goes from here, but they're kind of stuck with Kolb, so they've got to find a way to make him play better. ... Nice bounce-back game for Joe Flacco. Also frustrating to see him be so good at times, so lost at others. ... All you guys who I warned away from Beanie Wells, my apologies. I benched him in a league myself and lost by 5 points because of it. He's having some good fortune with balls winding up on the 1-yard-line this year, but regardless, he needs to be used if he's active going forward.
Vikings at Panthers: I think it must be pretty nice to be a Panthers fan right now, because they're losing all these close, high-scoring games, but they've got to be thinking, we've got Cam Newton. A year from now, two years from now, five years from now, we're going to win a lot of these games we're currently losing. And if they aren't thinking that, they should be. ... Don't you love when coaching staffs talk about something during the week, and then they actually do it on gameday? The Vikings said they'd get Percy Harvin more involved, and he scored an early rushing touchdown and had his best fantasy day. They said they wanted to use Adrian Peterson more in the passing game, and he put up 76 receiving yards and caught a short touchdown. Now, why it took them until Week 8 to figure out those thoughts might be good ones. I have no idea. ... Sweet touchdown run by Adrian Peterson, spinning off a tackler and keeping his balance. ... Both Carolina tight ends and Steve Smith caught touchdowns. Smith ended up losing another on a replay reversal that found him to be just short of the goal line, something that's happened to him multiple times this year. That's right, Smith's huge year could be even bigger than it's been so far. ... I don't want to pile on Donovan McNabb for his belief that he shouldn't have been benched. I get that pro athletes need to have a high confidence in themselves and their abilities to ever be successful. So I'll just say that Christian Ponder seems to have given Minnesota's offense a lift, as expected, and leave it at that.
Patriots at Steelers: There's a lot of talk about how the Patriots should have challenged Rob Gronkowski's catch at the goal line; would have saved New England a lot of time and maybe enabled them to win. First, it's not a given the play even gets overturned there, and second, I really needed those points Aaron Hernandez got me a few plays later, so I disagree. ... Impressive game from Antonio Brown. I know it's sacrilege in Pittsburgh, but if Hines Ward is playing I don't know if the Steelers win that game. Maybe the running game is better with Ward on the field, but the passing game looks a lot better with him out. ... Are the Patriots fond of veterans to a fault? I mean seriously, giving Kevin Faulk so much work yesterday? Just doesn't seem to be the kind of guy a defense needs to account for right now. New England used second- and third-round picks on running backs this past draft. A year ago they used two early picks on tight ends and wasted no time giving them important roles. Maybe they should consider the same at running back if they want to get that part of their game really moving.
Cowboys at Eagles: LeSean McCoy is something else. He single-handedly beat me in a couple of leagues, and facing the league's top run defense; he is playing as well as any runner in the league right now. Him and Peterson and Foster I guess. What a game. ... Glad I didn't cut Brent Celek last week. Caught a touchdown, had another goal-line target knocked away on a great play. The Eagles offense works pretty well when they throw his way. I realize it was kind of flukey with the way the Cowboys were ignoring the middle of the field, but Celek can play when the Eagles let him run routes. Here's hoping they do more of it. ... Never would have figured DeSean Jackson and basically every Cowboys receiver would be shut down. The wideouts, OK, but Witten too? Tough loss for Tony Romo and company. The schedule gets easier for Dallas, that's about all you can say after a beating like that one.
Random notes from other games: Indy's Delone Carter has some moves. I may have underestimated him coming out of college. The numbers won't be there this year, but he could be their lead back down the road. Donald Brown's touchdown came out a passing formation; Carter is the better back. ... Workmanlike win for the Texans. A nice touchdown grab by Joel Dreessen on a ball that probably should have been picked. ... The Rams win over the Saints is why you should always avoid road teams in suicide pools if at all possible. If an explosive offense like the Saints can take on the league's softest defense and a winless team to boot and get shutout for much of the way, what more needs to be said? No road team is a lock in the NFL; there's your Exhibit A. Great game for Steven Jackson. ... That crash you heard is the Tim Tebow bandwagon losing all of its wheels at once. I get that people want to like him and there's no reason not to, but at least now we can hopefully dismiss the idea that John Fox didn't want to use him because he wanted him to fail or something. He didn't want to use him because Tebow isn't ready to play quarterback in the NFL, and it's not certain he ever will be. Oh and man am I glad I started Matthew Stafford.
Monday, Monday: My main reason for watching this game, well besides writing about these teams for next week I guess, is to see the Halloween costumes in the stands. I didn't get nearly enough of that yesterday. There's a decent photo collection at NFL.com, at least. Special praise reserved for the Tennessee Titans organization: Thank you! As for the game, I don't see how anyone can have any confidence in the Chargers right now. Which is why they'll probably come out on fire and win this thing like 27-10 or something. I'll try to watch it in between handing out 600 pieces of candy on our ridiculously popular Halloween street. And I predict I'll be wearing a Spider-Man costume, 'cause that's just how I roll.
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Posted by PETER DEBIASE | Oct. 31 at 07:41 AM
Andy: Speaking of Exhibit A's, Chris Johnson is Exhibit A for why you don't pay running backs huge money in the NFL unless their names are Adrian Peterson. I hate to post these questions on Monday, but this thread has a way of drying up early in the week so here goes. Some interesting names were dropped this week in my 10 team, standard scoring league (happens every year during bye weeks). I'm trying to improve my roster depth with guys that I could reasonably start if the situation gets worse than it already is. Wells is an injury concern (he said after yesterday's game that his knee will be a problem all season) and Felix' role is unknown when he returns (provided he can stay healthy) and I have guys like Ball, Tanner, D. Nelson, Gaffney and Tebow as reserves. RB's are McGahee (a D-Post report late last week said he could miss a couple of weeks to more than a month after his surgery) and DeAngelo (committee and Cam as goal line back doesn't offer much upside unless Stewart gets hurt) and WR's are Harvin (I like you, loved the way the used him yesterday-maybe the bye gives his ribs time to heal), Wayne (?), S. Rice (seems like he has a chance to be good w/Tarvaris @ QB and they figure to play from behind quite a bit) and Crabtree (seems to have settled in as #1 receiver, but in a conservative offense). Ringer is also a FA RB (upside would be greater if they benched CJ, but it doesn't sound like Munchak is willing to go there just yet). T. Smith, Breaston, Little, Sanders and Edwards are also FA WR's (they probably don't have any more upside than the guys I have). I would appreciate your opinion on a top 4 regardless of position. Also regarding Tebow, I picked him up a couple weeks ago to use this week w/A-Rod on bye. Previously, I had Flynn as my backup QB figuring if A-Rod got hurt, I would be better off with Flynn and GB talent than somebody off the wire. Is it time to go back to my original strategy or hold on to Tebow (I agree with your comments above and he is not even guaranteed to hold on to his job past this week)? No claims allowed once playoffs start, not even for injuries. Thanks as always, for your help.
Posted by ANDY RICHARDSON | Oct. 31 at 08:05 AM
Peter - I think Tebow should keep his job for another week or two (but you never know). I suppose with Green Bay's bye out of the way the "safest" thing to do would be to pick up Flynn, who should be fine running Green Bay's offense if Rodgers gets hurt. This late in the year I tend to stop worrying as much about starting QBs getting hurt. Sad to think it's "late in the year." I like Torrey Smith and Little the rest of the way, but let's see how Breaston does tonight. You can probably drop Tanner, and Nelson also seems like just a warm body at this point (Donald Jones should be back soon too). So I guess a top 4 would be Smith, Little, Breaston and maybe Edwards, but San Fran just doesn't throw enough.
Posted by BEN HOGEVOLL | Oct. 31 at 08:35 AM
Andy, Three weeks ago i was fed up with wash running backs and asked Ian if i should dump them.He told me i should ride with Torain.Some other expert guy,a Jeff Foster who i never heard of jumped in and told me to trade for Thomas.Lucky for me, I didnt do either.I traded for Benson and picked up Scott off waivers.My question is would you keep Scott or dump him for Ringer or either Bush. Thanks. Ben
Posted by ANDY RICHARDSON | Oct. 31 at 08:47 AM
Chris Johnson isn't going to be benched. Best case for Ringer is he works his way up to half the carries (which I don't think will happen) or Johnson gets injured. Just because Johnson is struggling doesn't mean he's going to stand on the sidelines while Ringer starts ripping off 80-yard games. In a PPR league I'd rather have Reggie Bush than Bernard Scott, I guess, but would have low expectations for either player. As a Benson owners, I suppose by keeping Scott you're always guaranteed one weekly starter, which isn't the case if you drop Scott for Bush.
Posted by Scott Anderson | Oct. 31 at 10:06 AM
Andy: TE is the only position my keeper league team is lacking at. You like Celek Cook, or Keller the rest of the way?
Posted by ANDY RICHARDSON | Oct. 31 at 10:38 AM
Scott - I like Keller. Probably too much, but he just seems like a more reliable receive from week to week than the other guys.
Posted by PETER DEBIASE | Oct. 31 at 11:33 AM
Andy: The top 4 I had in mind was from the group which included McGahee, DeAngelo, Harvin, Wayne, S. Rice and Crabtree and maybe Ringer, but you seem to have made your feelings on Ringer known in your response to Ben. Also, in a second standard scoring league where I will need a QB when Brees is on bye, Ryan (vs. TEN week 11) was dropped. Daniel Thomas was also dropped. My current RB's are MJD (week 9 bye), Hillis (still day-to-day according to Shurmer), Hardesty ("will miss some time" according to Shurmer), Wells, Pierre (not much value if Ingram returns) and Hunter (only startable if Gore gets hurt). Who do you think my #1 claim should be out of Ryan or Thomas? Thanks again.
Posted by ANDY RICHARDSON | Oct. 31 at 01:13 PM
Peter, ah, sorry. don't like DeAngelo at all. McGahee and Harvin seem like the best options from that bunch. Not sure there is a No. 3. Hardesty can be cut. I guess I would claim Thomas and find some other functional QB to use on Brees' bye.
Posted by JEFF FOSTER | Nov. 01 at 01:34 AM
Ben, i believe that jeff foster guy suggested to trade for thomas or somebody LIKE him, who when healthy would at least be reliable as far as usage..in thomas' particalur case he just hasnt heald yet..But the main point, if you remeber, was that any shannahan back is like playing russian roulette- as the last several weaks have proven.Even further, torain is healthy, but still not producing squat. So would you rather have and injured back with potential, and simply start someone else til hes ready, or play torain and get 3 pts a week?? In fact washington trade for another back after hightower got hurt, so obvisously they dont feel torain is "the man", as you were so very adamant about how great he was--yet you traded him anyway- again,proving my point. Contrast getting another back instead of starting torrain, who is healthy but doesnt produce anything despite being "the man"...so actually, you did take my advice and get rid of him, and trade for somebody like thomas (didnt neccessarily have to BE thomas, just a guy who gets the ball alot, coould have been Battle, etc..the fact that you were able to get benson (for torrain???) is even better, since obviously benson is better..i would say that whoever gave away benson got suckered, so good for you and your team, and a sincere congrats on that trade.also, could i have the number of the girl who traded you?..i want her in my league next year- easy money.
Posted by BEN HOGEVOLL | Nov. 01 at 09:20 AM
Jeff blab blab blab! more to the trade than Benson straight up but doesnt involve you in any way. Come on man! stick with your own league.I pay Andy and Ian for advice,not you.Maybe you should apply for a job with them,then again maybe not. good luck!
Posted by JEFF FOSTER | Nov. 01 at 08:20 PM
too bad we dont live closer. good luck to you, too.
Posted by MARK CLURE | Nov. 05 at 07:44 PM
Hi Andy, I need help selecting one of the following(7pts for TD, 1 pt for 10 yards);Dez Bryant, Jacobs, Ogbannaya, or R Mathews who it looks like may play. Thanks.