The Scoop

By Dalton Del Don

I haven’t gone back and looked at the details, but I’d venture to guess Matt Ryan’s first six games of his NFL career are as impressive as any rookie QB ever. And to think about the Michael Vick and Bobby Petrino disasters. Is there a better young trio in the league than Ryan, Roddy White and Michael Turner?…It’s possible Devin Hester may turn into a viable wide receiver after all. There certainly is the opportunity…Lately an easy schedule has helped, but I’m very surprised with how competent Kyle Orton has been. I got this one wrong…It’s been beaten to death by now, but the decision to squib kick while up one point with six seconds left was indefensible. I’ve heard some argue it was the right call, just that the execution was the problem. I don’t buy it. I’ve seen that scenario lead to great field possession, one play and then a field goal 10 times as often as I’ve seen a team return a normal kickoff for a touchdown at the buzzer.

One of the most unpredictable stats of the 2008 season: Chad Pennington getting 8.0 YPA. And with that receiving corps. Over the last three games, he’s completed 78 percent of his passes…As a proud Ronnie Brown owner, I was none too pleased seeing Ricky Williams get essentially an even split of the carries Sunday. Luckily, Brown countered that with a productive day in the passing game, something the team needs to better utilize moving forward…Texans corner Fred Bennett led the NFL in YPA against last season. This year, he’s basically been benched. DBs remain one of the most fluctuating positions on the field. Unless you’re Nnamdi Asomugha, of course…It would be really tough to choose who’s the No. 1 fantasy WR right now, Andre Johnson or Brandon Marshall…Still not sure why everyone doesn’t consider Matt Schaub a clear QB1 moving forward.

It shouldn’t be underestimated just how well that Ravens secondary was playing before Peyton Manning shredded it to pieces Sunday. And as I see it, the news he had a second knee surgery is actually good, giving him a valid excuse for the slow start. It looks like a monster second half is in store…Joe Flacco, meanwhile, appears to be undergoing some growing pains. Shake it off kid, not everyone can be Matty Ryan…Well, I guess I prematurely wrote off Marvin Harrison. I’d still try to sell coming off that game…There’s still hope with that cushy playoff schedule, but after this year, I’m done with Joseph Addai as an early first round pick. Health is a skill he clearly doesn’t possess.

This Vikings team is a fraud. The defense has shown signs of improvement, but with a below average passing game and a clueless head coach, they’ll be watching the playoffs from home…I’m not going to kill him for it, but Dan Orlovsky’s safety was easily one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen on a football field. The fact Detroit lost by two points makes it that much better…Bernard Berrian has become a legit fantasy option…The trade of Roy Williams should boost Calvin Johnson’s value, as I’m always on the more targets outweighs more coverage side of the ledger, at least for the most part…It’s hard to have a more disappointing 111-yard rushing day than Adrian Peterson’s Week 6. It’s true the holes simply haven’t been there, but come on, at home against Detroit and just 4.4 YPC? His fumbling has become a real problem as well.

See, it was definitely Lane Kiffin’s fault. I loved hearing how he called JaMarcus Russell last week to go over the Saints game. That was cool…Is it possible to play any better than Drew Brees did Sunday? It’s doubtful…If that’s Deuce McAllister’s upside in perfect conditions, he can’t be used in fantasy leagues…New Orleans’ front seven has played fantastic run defense of late…Never in the history of football has there ever been someone so valuable with a 3.1 YPC mark than Reggie Bush in 2008. The No. 1 ranked running back in most fantasy leagues, Bush hasn’t had more than 31 rushing yards in any game since Week 3.

There were two plausible scenarios for Chris Perry this season: he’d miraculously stay healthy and be extremely productive, or more likely, he’d get hurt. Naturally, he’s stayed healthy and been about as unproductive as possible. The Bengals’ current best runner is Ryan Fitzpatrick…Who’s worse? Fitzpatrick or Tyler Thigpen? Quick, someone page Shane Falco.

I wouldn’t have drafted Warrick Dunn on a bet this year. How does a 33-year-old RB with more than 2,500 career carries average 5.1 YPC after getting just 3.2 last season? Unreal…Sticking with Tampa Bay, nice to see my boy B.J. Upton clobber five bombs in seven postseason games after hitting nine all season long. Where was that all year? He’s going to be a monster next season. But not quite as big as Evan Longoria, who looks like a clear top-15 fantasy pick in 2009.

After winning four straight games, including back-to-back victories in Dallas and in Philadelphia, the Redskins then lose at home to the winless Rams? Yes, this game of football can be hard to predict. That said, this truly was a fluke, as fumbles (NFL’s true equalizer) were mostly to blame. St. Louis’ offense remains a joke…There’s been a Shaun Alexander sighting! Don’t be the sucker rushing to go pick him up in your fantasy league…Richie wasn’t very “Incognito” during his egregious penalty that nearly ruined the upset of the year. Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

Despite missing Week 1, Brandon Marshall has 10 more targets (69) than any other receiver in the league. And they called me crazy when I made a bet this summer that Marshall would have the better fantasy season than Randy Moss…He’s been long gone in all my leagues, but it’s worth reiterating – go pick up Ryan Torain if available…I can’t wait to see what Maurice Jones-Drew will eventually do once he has that backfield all to himself…This Denver defense isn’t just bad, it’s atrocious.

Steve Breaston can clearly play, and Larry Fitzgerald may very well be the best receiver on the planet. Imagine trying to defend this passing attack once Anquan Boldin returns. Of course, even if there’s only three men in the box, Edgerrin James will muster 3.5 YPC…Ten games of Roy Williams for a first, third and sixth round pick? Really? He’s had exactly one season during his career where he’s met or exceeded expectations. I didn’t realize the passing game was an area of need. I’m sure Terrell Owens will enjoy fewer targets, and receiver is an easy position to transition from one team to another. Only not. Still, I can’t complain about some rare trade action in the NFL…Wade Phillips’ sideline antics have officially become full-on embarrassing. Dallas has plenty of talent, especially at the high-profile skill positions, but this team is soft and undisciplined. They need a coaching change fast…The word is often misused, but the fact Pacman Jones has been suspended indefinitely due to a fight with a security guard who was hired purely to help keep him in the league is, in fact, ironic. I’m not sure who’s crazier, Pacman, or George Brett (NSFW).

When the 9ers go down, they go down in style. Like being outscored 23-0 in the fourth quarter Sunday. I’m beginning to think J.T. O’Sullivan has ball security issues…There’s been a Vernon Davis sighting! It’d probably result in a 50 percent catch rate (or worse), but it would be interesting to at least see a bunch of targets thrown his way…Andy Reid must have one of the worst short-term memories around. I really think he’d trot David Akers out there again when Philly is in 45-plus FG range. Or keep pounding up the middle during short-yardage situations when his line is ill suited for that. L.J. Smith simply can’t block…Speaking of Philadelphia, if Joe Torre was willing to bring in Jonathan Broxton in a tie game in the eighth inning, why not do so with a two-run lead? Just a brutal loss by the Dodgers. But pretty cool redemption by Shane Victorino, who I thought handled the whole bench clearing situation well.

Was it just me, or did Charlie Frye not look very good Sunday? Mike Holmgren came back for one more year of this?…I keep preaching patience with Ryan Grant, but that was certainly yet another highly disappointing effort…If Maurice Morris is available in your league, I’d stash him…Greg Jennings has gotten an eye-popping 12.6 YPA this season. Lee Evans has gotten 14.4 YPA, but that’s in nearly half the targets.

Have you read all those quotes from Laurence Maroney? Something is clearly going on there. Of course, Bill Belichick treats football like the JFK documents, so it’s unlikely we’ll ever find out the real “issues”…As a Vincent Jackson owner in numerous leagues, Chris Chambers’ ankle injury can’t heal slow enough…Call me crazy, but it looks like the Patriots are going to miss Tom Brady after all…Coaching is important in football – I’d say more so than any other sport by far – but you won’t see a bigger mismatch than Belichick versus Norv Turner, and San Diego once held a 30-3 lead before winning by 20. I’m just saying…Speaking of Turner, will you please get Darren Sproles more involved.

And to think, people were keeping a straight face while calling Eli the better Manning last week. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to overreact to one bad game and still expect a fine season from Eli, but let’s not get crazy here. He clearly has the far superior team surrounding him than Peyton…Welcome to 2008, Braylon Edwards…Do you realize Derrick Ward is averaging 7.4 YPC this season?! In fact, the Giants as a team are getting 6.1 YPC, which would be the highest average in NFL history over a single season.


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10 responses to “The Scoop”

  1. matt Avatar
    matt

    Should I stash Torrain and drop Duece? My backs are horrible – LT, Sproles, J.Lewis, Duece, and DMC. Torrain’s likely the best remaining option on the wire.
    Also, my team now has Romo, Warner and Schaub. After I start Schaub this week, should I trade him or Warner and what could I get at RB or WR?
    My trio of wr’s are Roddy, Housh and Gage. Bleh…that’s what happens when you have a few bad picks in a 14-team league.

    Good stuff as always, Dalton. I’m always reading.

  2. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Matt – Yes, I’d drop Deuce and pick up Torain…Also, I’d def look into moving one of your three QBs for an upgrade elsewhere. Trade a QB and Housh for a WR1 – or a QB and J. Lewis for an upgrade at RB – which QB depends on your league, really, but feel free to come back to me with specifics. Trade the one who brings you the best return.

    Glad to hear it bro. Keep on reading.

  3. Kritter Avatar
    Kritter

    5-1, squeaked by with some help from Plax on Monday night, this is gonna be an interesting week w/o Warner, Fitz or MJD, so here’s what I am looking at right now.

    QB – Schaub
    RB – Grant / Chris Johnson (Addai prob hurt, MJD off)
    WR – Plax and 2 from Calvin Johnson, Kevin Walter, and Driver, what say u 3D? I will prob start Walter to go with Schaub

    TE, K, D: Gates, Gould and the Vikes, won’t change til next week

  4. Nat Avatar
    Nat

    Let’s play “Adjust That Bench”:

    My Bench:
    Edgerrin
    Fargas
    Buckhalter
    Rhodes
    Scheffler
    Bears D (have Titans D)
    A. Gonzalez

    Waivers:
    Torain
    Breaston
    Royal
    Ryan
    Anderson

    I will need a QB for Week 8. And Anthony Gonzalez kinda sucks. Thanks.

  5. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Kritter – I’d go with Calvin and Walter.

  6. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Nat – I’d probably drop Edge for Torain, but I’m crazy like that. And as long as you’re not relying on Edge right now. Breaston should lose most of his value once Boldin returns, but if he or Fitz gets re-injured, grab him immediately.

    I’d also drop Scheffler (is your TE1 good?) or A. Gonzalez (I still like him) for one of the two QBs since you need one Week 8 – probably D. Anderson b/c his matchup is better.

  7. Splevelbuge Avatar
    Splevelbuge

    with LJ on the shelf this week should i be thinking about grabbing kolby smith not neccesarily for this week but for down the road especially with all this court drama going on

  8. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Unless you have LJ or have some scrub who you don’t mind dropping, I wouldn’t go rushing out to pick up K. Smith. KC has a pretty tough upcoming schedule against the run, and it sounds like this has more to do with LJ missing team meetings than it does his trouble with the law, which makes me think it will be a one-week deal. Also, J. Charles should be in the mix as well.

  9. Nat Avatar
    Nat

    Thanks man. I’m surprised that Edge is your first to get the boot. Scheffler makes sense, my TE1 is Shockey – so I’m crossing my fingers there.

  10. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Nat – If defenses don’t get many points, you could drop Chicago. There’s just no upside with Edge. I expect Hightower to continue getting more of the carries.

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