By Dalton Del Don
In the most important week of the 2008 fantasy season, Frank Gore, Joseph Addai, Brandon Jacobs and even Marion Barber were all missing in action, confirming what a cruel game this is. It’s this time of year when the sob stories come out – I personally lost one league by 1.16 points because Trent Cole disappeared (and sat out) during the second half of Monday night’s game. Won another league by two points because Donovan McNabb was taken out of the same game. Lost my main home league after scoring the most overall points this season because Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, Chris Johnson, Ronnie Brown and Jay Cutler all decided to have their worst performances of the year in Week 15. Oh well, that’s what makes it so fun.
It appears Devin Hester may emerge as a playmaker at WR after all. Of course, the team still needs a long-term answer at quarterback…What a heroic return by Matt Forte. After looking almost assuredly done for the game after leaving on the first play from scrimmage, fantasy owners had to be panicked before he jogged out of the locker room a quarter later, rendering Willis Reed’s triumphant return now moot…Speaking of injuries, the one to Reggie Bush might be the best thing to happen to New Orleans in the long run, as the team can hardly deny Pierre Thomas as the feature back from now on. Expect a huge game from the Frenchman this week against the Lions…Through seven games, Drew Brees has gotten 6.9 YPA with a 9:12 TD:INT ratio on the road this season, making him a below average QB when not playing in the Superdome.
Not that he’s all that valuable, but Carnell Williams has proved me wrong so far, as he’s already leading Tampa Bay in carries in a given week. Remember though, he’s been a big disappointment in the NFL, failing to live up to his cool moniker…I really hope Michael Turner’s heavy workload this season doesn’t lead to a breakdown in 2009, because this is one impressive running back…Eli Manning a Pro Bowler over Matt Ryan is a sick, twisted, unfunny joke, right? There’s no sane explanation for that one.
I must admit, I didn’t see Cedric Benson outproducing Clinton Portis last week. Remember when everyone thought the Skins were good?…Got to love Santana Moss getting a 15-yard penalty for celebrating his touchdown that brought Washington to within 17-7 of the 1-11-1 Bengals. And after Shaun Suisham sent the kickoff out of bounds, Cincinnati started its next drive on Washington’s 45-yard-line. Brilliant…Ryan Fitzpatrick has gotten more YPC (5.5) than YPA (5.2) this season, which is almost unfathomable.
Andre Johnson is an absolute beast. What a performance against a tough Titans secondary, during fantasy crunch time to boot. I’d have a hard time not ranking him as the No. 1 fantasy WR for 2009…Moreover, tough not to consider Steve Slaton a top-10 fantasy pick next year as well…I wanted to pile on Jeff Fisher for passing on a FG attempt down 13-12 with just two minutes left, but after further review, he really felt Rob Bironas had no chance going in that direction. And it sounds like Bironas really was nowhere close from that distance in warmups, so I’ll give the smart coach the benefit of the doubt…As impressive as Andre Johnson was Sunday, it still fell short of Gus Johnson’s effort in the booth. That guy is an unstoppable force. I guarantee he went through at least three pairs of underwear during that game.
It wouldn’t be inconceivable if they still won it all, but this Colts team is pretty mediocre…New rule: No MVP candidate can have a YPA of less than 7.0…I’m as big of a Bob Sanders fan as you’ll find, but no one that injury prone can be considered an elite player…If Calvin Johnson ever gets an above average QB throwing to him, he’ll break the NFL’s season yardage record.
I’m beginning to think the Packers aren’t as good as the peripherals suggest. Still don’t understand why Brandon Jackson hasn’t gotten an opportunity at all…If Brett Favre had stayed in town, Green Bay might be 2-12 right now and battling for a top-3 draft pick…If Fred Taylor is jettisoned and no other backfield competition is brought in, Maurice Jones-Drew is an easy top-10 pick. Maybe top-5 next year.
What a crazy turn of events at the end of the San Diego/Kansas City game, likely changing many fantasy results in the process…If you really want to take a chance on LaDainian Tomlinson bouncing back next season, it better not be before round six…Good riddance King Carl. Finally, the Chiefs take a step in the right direction…Brett Favre over Philip Rivers in the Pro Bowl is ridiculous to the point of offensive. What a joke.
The Dolphins haven’t committed more than one turnover in a game this season, setting an NFL record. That might help explain why Miami can win a game they lost time of possession 38:13-to-21:47 and had 13 fewer first downs (24-to-11). That and good red-zone defense…Playing most of the game with a 14-3 lead, good thing Miami gave Ronnie Brown just 10 carries, especially since he averaged a paltry 6.7 YPC…Even after a disappointing game last Sunday, Shaun Hill makes for a fine QB1 during fantasy’s championship game this week.
How impressive was Fred Jackson’s TD run, when he carried five-to-six defenders from the five-yard line? Very…After the way he’s played, the person most distraught with the AFL folding may very well be J.P. Losman…Including special teams, Leon Washington has nine plays of 40-plus yards this season – the most in the NFL. He needs Keyshawn Johnson as his publicist.
What’s up with Steven Jackson unable to finish games? His career has been a fairly large disappointment…Back getting targeted heavily, there are worse flex options than Donnie Avery at home against San Francisco this week…John Carlson will play in multiple Pro Bowls before all is said and done.
“He went to” Jared Allen has been simply one of the very best offseason acquisitions this year. He spent more time in Arizona’s backfield last week than Tim Hightower…How can a team like Minnesota get so complacent after spending so much time out of the playoffs?…Chester Taylor has quietly become a sneaky flex option these days…Who is this Tarvaris Jackson, and what have you done with the former scrub?
I’m not sure how they keep pulling through at the end of games seemingly lost, but it’s tough not to consider Pittsburgh the best team in the league right now. The defense honestly deserves to be in the conversation as the best ever…Too bad Ben Roethlisberger hasn’t played very well this season. And the running game is stagnant…I actually think the ball to Santonio Holmes broke the plane, but going off the rule – that is indisputable evidence – clearly the call should not have been changed. Does Pittsburgh go for it there if not?
Who had P.J. Pope as Denver’s Week 15 leading rusher before the season began?…Steve Smith is half man, half amazing. What a player…Jay Cutler, ugh. Some more consistency would certainly be nice…It’s not Clinton Portis’ fault the NFC is so loaded at running back, but DeAngelo Williams certainly deserved the Pro Bowl nod over him…There is a far greater chance of a fumble than an 82-yard TD run with the defense in prevent mode, so why in the hell did Mike Shanahan just not take a knee with 15 seconds left in the first half Sunday? Horrible, horrible call…Can’t wait for this week’s Panthers/Giants showdown.
Will someone please explain to me why Darren McFadden didn’t take the field until 12:26 left in the first half last week? After totaling 114 yards from then on out, the toe injuries certainly can’t be the explanation. Wake up, Tom Cable…Got to love Bill Belichick for challenging a call up 29 points with fewer than three minutes remaining. It remains a mystery why he’s so unliked throughout the league…Nnamdi Asomugha update: he has allowed only eight completions in 14 games for 133 yards. Three of those came Sunday for 40 yards by Randy Moss.
I’m as big of a Marion Barber fan as anyone, but Tashard Choice sure does possess a burst missing from The Barbarian’s game even when healthy. It’s too bad Dallas faces Baltimore this week, or Choice would be an excellent fantasy start. Even though much of his yardage has come on screens and draws where he’s in open space, Choice has highly impressed…Forget Matt Ryan, did Eli Manning really make the Pro Bowl over Tony Romo? That’s reprehensible…How good is DeMarcus Ware? The Cowboys’ defensive line has been exemplary over the second half of the season. The defense makes them very dangerous…Suddenly, the Giants’ offense is much easier to defend. Plaxico Burress’ loss will go down as devastating.
How big of a dope is Asante Samuel for dropping the ball before reaching the end zone Monday? It’s even worse when you consider the one other time it happened this season was by an Eagle…The most impressive play Monday? Brian Westbrook catching up to and stopping Brandon McDonald during his 98-yard interception return. Man Westbrook is fast…It would take some stones, but I’d consider Braylon Edwards a decent WR3 or flex option against the Bengals this week…Donovan McNabb was terrific Monday, firing lasers with pinpoint accuracy. I still have no faith in Andy Reid, but Philadelphia may very well be one of the three best teams in the NFL right now. Still, they remain on the outside looking in as far as the postseason is concerned. Whoever wins the Eagles/Cowboys Week 17 game might be my favorite to come out of the NFC.
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