Week 6: Mid-Season Shifts

Week 6

At this point in the season, you are settling in. You understand the base starters for your team, and probably have found suitable replacements for injuries. Just as well, there are some key injuries in the NFL that will greatly affect the Fantasy world as well. Key things to consider:

Consider trades

            Especially if you have a consistently losing team

Look for shifting NFL strategies

For example, the new emergence of the Carolina Panthers or the New England Patriots rushing attack

            Consider the implications of NFL roster changes

Mario Williams out for season, should we still start the Texans defense?

           

2 key pickups:

           

Victor Cruz, WR, New York Giants

            In his last three games, Cruz has averaged over 100 receiving yards per game, while also pulling in three touchdowns. He is quickly becoming one of Manning’s (the non-injured one) favorite targets. Worth starting this week for sure.

Derrick Mason, WR, Houston Texans

            With the Texans recent injury problems, they are looking to add depth to various positions on the roster, including the addition of Derrick Mason to the receiving corps. The longer Andre Johnson is out, the more value Derrick Mason possesses. Did I mention he is playing at his former home in Balitmore?

This or That

Cedric Benson, RB (projected 11)

            Fortunately for the Bengals, Benson’s appeal keeps being pushed back, allowing him to play yet again this week. After averaging hardly over 2 yards per carry against the Jaguars stout run defense last week, Benson faces a much more malleable Colts defense this week. With the support of his rookie teammate standouts (Andy Dalton and A.J. Green), Benson looks to bounce back this week.

Rashard Mendenhall, RB (projected 11)

            Mendenhall is fresh off of a hamstring injury, (which NFL running back has NOT had hamstring issues this season?)  and looking to make a strong impact in a game for the first time this season. He is up against the same stout run defense in the Jaguars that gave Cedric Benson and the Bengals such a difficult time last week.

Drumrolll……..

Rashard Mendenhall

            This pivotal game for the Steelers warrants a start for Mendenhall in the fantasy rosters this week. The Steelers must incorporate a balanced running attack to couple the passing attack in order for Big Ben, who tends to hold on to the ball for a hair too long, to have success. Because of this, Mendenhall should receive upwards around 20 carries, including multiple goal line touches. Benson will probably have a relatively successful day as well, but the Colts are bound to load the box against the running back and force the Bengals into passing situations. 

Week 5: Bye week woes

Week 5: Bye week woes

            So, based off last week, one of three things is absolutely true:

1. Aaron Rodgers saved your team

2. Aaron Rodgers single-handedly demolished your team

3. You praised the fantasy gods that you didn’t have to face Aaron Rodgers that week.

On that note, it has been an incredibly high scoring fantasy season thus far. The league is all about passing, and even the leading running backs are huge beneficiaries of funning routes out of the backfield (see Darren McFadden, Lesean McCoy)

This makes games fun to watch, but also crushes your heart when you average 105 a game and consistently lose.

Pucker up kid, don’t lose your swagger.

Week 5 brings up some major manager responsibilities, as 6 NFL teams are on bye this week. The heat is on. The heat is aw aw on.

2 key pickups:

Ryan Torain, RB, Washington Redskins

            Well that was shocking. Wasn’t he supposed to be cut or something like that? In typical Shanahan fashion, a running back nearly forgotten about was given almost 20 carries and rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown. It appears that, as I successfully predicted last week, Hightower is losing touches. Fast. However, I was incorrect last week in predicting Helu would get the new touches. Ryan Torain is your new man. This is more of an investment pickup rather than a quick solution, as the Redskins are on bye this week.

Mark Ingram, RB, New Orleans Saints

            New Orleans is such a sticky situation when it comes to running backs. While it’s very common for teams to practice a 2-headed rushing attack, the Saints practice a 3-headed attack, making it very hard for any of their running backs to obtain substantial fantasy significance. If you are in need of a solid flex player though, Ingram has been given the most touches of the three backs, and is likely to get most goal line touches.

This or That

Deangelo Williams, (projected 12)

            Williams put up a season-high 82 rushing yards last week. He is up against the Saints, who do have a vulnerable run defense. However, the Saints are also known for going up on teams early, essentially taking the run out of the game. Williams’ performance will be dependent upon Cam Newton’s ability to keep the Panthers in the game.

Shonn Greene, (projected 12)

            Although Greene has yet to produce as much as he was given projected credit for thus far in the season, he still remains the lead back in New York. The Jets are playing a very succeptible run defense in the New England Patriots, but are also under the same circumstance as Williams finds himself against the Saints; an insane passing attack on the opposing team can quickly devalue running backs.

Drumroll…..

Deangelo Williams

            With Cam Newton’s competitive play, I think that the Panthers will be in a more competitive game than the Jets, giving Williams the opportunity to run the ball. 

Week 4: Uh Oh Week

If your fantasy season has been anything similar to mine, then you are currently 1-2. And you may be panicking. But, fear not yet, my friend. Take a look at a few things first:

1.    How many teams in your league have a better record than you?

                                              i.     5/8ths of my league share my record with me. The last place team is 0-3.

2.    Where do you rank for accumulative points scored in the season thus far?

                                              i.     While I am sitting in a five-way tie for 3^rd place, I have the second most accumulative points in the league.

        

3.    Where do you rank for accumulative points scored against you thus far?

                                              i.     Are your opponents all coincidentally having their best week against you? Well that blows. But, thanks to the law of averages, eventually things will start to even out for you. Hopefully.

4.    Have you lost your Swagger?

                                              i.     If the answer is yes, give up right now. And stop reading my blog. My blog is not for swagless readers.

The Fantasy season is rather long, and the main goal is simply to make it to the playoffs. Asking the 2011 Seahawks, or half of the NBA league that makes the playoffs every year, a great record is not always completely necessary to perform this task. Most likely, you just need to be above average.

And, attempting to be an optimist here, it is not uncommon for the leading fantasy teams to tank during playoffs, because they most likely have players being benched to save their energy before the NFL playoffs. That’s where you sweep in.

2 key pickups:

Nate Burleson, WR, Tennessee Titans

         This one is quite easy. When a number 1 player goes down (Kenny Britt), you pick up the number 2 player. Burleson may not be able to put up quite the outrageous numbers that Britt has had up until this point in the season, but the Titans will continue to pursue their old game plan in throwing the ball to their new and non-ACL torn receiver, Mr. Nate Burleson.

Jason Hanson, K, Detroit Lions

         He currently has more points than any other kicker in the league, including a Cowboys kicker that kicked six field goals in one game last week. Just as well, Hanson is only owned in 50% of the leagues. Lovely pickup.

This or That

Joseph Addai (projected 16 points)

         Addai seemed to be resuccitated last week against the notoriously stout Steelers run defense. Can he do worse to a significantly inferior Tampa Bay defense?

or

James Starks (projected 15 points)

         Starks went for -2 points last week…-2? Ouch. He also split more carries with Ryan Grant, who is attempting to regain his solo-back status

Drumroll………

James Starks

         Even with the horrible performance last week, Starks is likely to bounce back this week, especially with Grant’s sidelining due to injury. The Broncos still have yet to find their defense this year, and Aaron Rodgers passing efficiency is sure to open up holes in the run defense.

         Joseph Addai is the sole answer currently for the struggling Colts, and the Bucs will load the box to put more pressure on Addai and attempt to force the passing game by the Colts.

         Hey you,

                  Do work this week.

Week 3: Determine Legitimacy

Week 3: Determine Legitimacy

            To start off, I suppose I should introduce my blog. Reader, meet blog in which another self-proclaimed sports guru projects his self-proclaimed wisdom on, assuredly in your astute opinion, regardless of your current record, the best team in your league; the one in which you own (which undoubtedly also has the most creative name in the entire league, with the most eccentric picture to match.) Well, reader, you are right; your team is the balls.

            Well, maybe your team isn’t quite the balls if you are 0-2. Or 1-1. Or maybe you even have a team that is playing above its level at 2-0 (Josh McDaniels’ 6-0 Broncos, anyone?) But fantasy is not simply a game of luck. A skilled manager can whoop up on the rest of the league, and you can transform your team, with sneaky trades and snagging the right free agents. So, if you are not currently the balls, do not be dismayed. You can be.

Week 3- the time to determine if your team is solid, or if its time to frantically start filling in the holes in your depth chart.

Key pickups:

Roy Helu, RB, Washington Redskins

            Timmy Hightower, who has had quite the season thus far, is supposed to start conceding carries to the young buck out of Nebraska as the season progresses. Helu took the majority of second half snaps last game. The second Hightower fails to produce, Helu will get the snaps. And based off of the 10 carries that averaged 7.5 yards per carry last game, he will not relinquish his opportunity.

Thomas Jones, RB, KC Chiefs

            Jamaal Charles, done for season. Was he your first pick? Bet that hurts. Almost as much as Tom Brady’s season that lasted all of about ten minutes the year he was in the top 3 picks of nearly all leagues.

            But, you say, Thomas Jones is 33 years old. He cannot possibly support the workload of Mr. Charles. AND they are playing the chargers infamously stout run defense.

            Yeah. Prolly right. But the chiefs have to throw someone in for this week at least. Jones has been a great goal line thief in the past few years, so not only will he get the goal line carries, but probably an additional ten or so carries now that Charles is doneski. Worth a shot at flex play.

Washington Redskins Defense

            Granted, haven’t been super impressive yet. But this week, they are playing a quarterback with a track record for turning the ball over as frequently as Brett Favre. And that’s when he doesn’t have a hole in his lungs. Or broken ribs. Both of which he has now… Also, Miles Austin isn’t playing. Also, Felix Jones shoulder is so cracked up, you might confuse it for Lindsey Lohan’s poor nose. (ZING!)

Plans in the mix on shifting the format of the blog, including a

            Which should I start?

Section. Probably comparing 2 flex players projected about the same amount of success.

Less Chiefs next time too.

Best of luck. Just remember, even if you lose and are 0-3,

You are

            STILL

                        The balls. 

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