Category: Fantasy Football (Page 25 of 324)

Touchy-Feely: Who’s getting the touches?

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 12: Pierre Thomas  of the New Orleans Saints runs past the defense of the St. Louis Rams at the Louisiana Superdome on December 12, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Rams 31-13. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

With so much on the line during the fantasy playoffs, I thought I’d take a closer look at the productive RBBCs around the league and try to read the tea leaves in order to figure out who will dominate the touches over the last few games.

Off we go…

New Orleans Saints
Pierre Thomas returned to action and saw 16 touches (for 58 yards). This was more than anticipated because Chris Ivory suffered/re-aggravated a hamstring injury at some point in the first half, finishing with just seven touches (47 yards), all carries. Ivory ran the ball better (6.7 ypc) than Thomas (3.3), but that’s to be expected as Pierre works his way back into game speed. Reggie Bush had 14 touches for 61 yards. If Ivory can’t play or is limited next week, Thomas will become a low-end RB2/flex play against a Ravens defense that has been pretty good against the run.

Detroit Lions
I watched this game and I thought Maurice Morris was getting more work, but Jahvid Best actually out-touched Morris 14 to 12. Morris gained 57 yards and ran the ball better. Best only managed 42 yards on two more touches. The reason I’m writing about the Lions is because they play the Bucs next week so there’s a chance for a Detroit RB to post nice numbers. If the team gives Morris 15+ carries, I think he’ll have a nice day, but it appears that they want to keep Best involved.

Washington Redskins
Mike Shanahan strikes again! All week he played coy about who his starter was leading fantasy owners to believe that he’d use some sort of committee. Yeah, well, that didn’t happen. Ryan Torain reclaimed the RB1 job with 172 yards on 24 carries and added two catches for 10 yards. Keiland Williams only had four carries (for 16 yards) but turned three catches into 60 yards. I wouldn’t expect that kind of production every week. Torain is clearly the Redskin RB to own for the final three weeks of the season.

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Fantasy Fallout, Week 14: Where we have heroes…and we have goats

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 12: Darren McFadden  of the Oakland Raiders breaks the tackle of Sean Considine  of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the game at EverBank Field on December 12, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Ah, Week 14…

In most leagues, this is the week where all the teams good enough to make the playoffs but not good enough to get a bye duke it out in the first round of the playoffs. There’s generally no room for error due to the quality of the competition so every surprise performance and every disappointing outing is magnified.

Here’s a look at a few heroes and a few goats from Sunday’s action.

HEROES

Darren McFadden
In a must win game? How does 209 total yards and three TDs suit you? DMC went absolutely nuts against Jacksonville, scoring on a 67-yard pass, and runs of 51- and 36-yards. And believe it or not, the Jags were playing well enough of late for this to be considered a bad matchup. With the Broncos and Colts on deck at home over the next two weeks, McFadden is primed for a BIG finish.

Tom Brady
Deion Branch

Last week, I had a 30-point lead with just Brady to go against a pretty good Jets defense and lost because Brady scored 32. This week, in another league, I figured Brady might have a mediocre game in wintry Chicago conditions in another bad matchup. Yeah…no…369 yards, two TDs. Nothing can stop Brady right now, not even a blizzard. As for Branch, do you think he’s happy being out of Seattle. The guy is on fire right now — he has four TDs in the last three weeks.

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Jerry Jones: Romo will be ready to play in Week 16.

CANTON, OH - AUGUST 8: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones talks with Tony Romo  on the sidelines against the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium on August 8, 2010 in Canton, Ohio. The Cowboys defeated the Bengals 16-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Per the Houston Chronicle

Asked if Romo would be ready for the Cardinals, Jones said: “In my opinion, he will be.”

“I want to do anything we can to win those games. (The decision) will be based on what gives us the best chance to win,” Jones said. “And, when he’s ready to go, he’s going to be ready. I shouldn’t be concerned about additional injury to his shoulder.”

“And, when he’s ready to go, he’s going to be ready.”

Wow, profound.

I’ve advised fantasy owners to feel comfortable cutting Romo, especially when the Cowboys were truly eliminated from the playoff hunt. Even if they were in position to make the playoffs, why would you replace Jon Kitna, who would obviously be playing well in that scenario?

I think it’s irresponsible to bring Romo back to play two games. As recently as last week, the quarterback was experiencing considerable pain, and collarbone injuries are known to recur, so why risk it? Romo isn’t a rookie — he doesn’t need every single snap from an experience standpoint, so why rush him back?

Regardless, if Jones has his way, Romo will be under center in Week 16 in a great matchup with the Cardinals. If you have a roster spot, go ahead and stash him for a week or two and see how things play out. He might be useful.

Fantasy Football News & Notes: Friday (12/10)

Percy Harvin looking iffy to play on Sunday. Not only are the migraines an issue, but Leslie Frazier believes it would be tough to get him up to speed in terms of the game plan. I have him ranked #44 this week for that reason. If he were able to go, I’d probably put him in the mid-30’s. Generally-speaking, if you have a decent option, you should go with it this week. The migraines are one thing, but he also has a bad matchup against a good New York pass defense.

Matt Cassel is doubtful for Sunday. I believe this hurts Dwayne Bowe, but Rotoworld argues that Brodie Croyle will target his #1 receiver early and often. He could have a very nice day, but I’m leery anytime there’s a change at QB. Plus, the matchup is bad and he’s coming off a goose egg in W13. He’s a pretty solid WR2 this week, in my opinion.

Mike Shanahan won’t name a starter at RB. Surprise, surprise. Shanahan is wreaking havoc in the world of fantasy football. Signs point to Ryan Torain returning to the starting role, but Skeletor said that he plans to exercise caution since it’s Torain’s first game back. The matchup is very good, so I think Torain can be productive if he gets 12-15 carries, and is fairly likely to score.

Both Steve Smith 2.0 and Hakeem Nicks are listed as questionable. I’m expecting both guys to play based on what I’ve read this week, though I’m not terribly excited about either player. Smith 2.0 will probably be limited in terms of the number of snaps he plays and Nicks seems a little more iffy to play at all. The Vikings are playing better defense later, so I’d only use these players if there aren’t any other good options available. Nicks’ big-play ability is tantalizing, however.

Mike Williams (TB) is listed as probable. Great news for his owners who were no doubt wondering if the talented rookie would be available for his great matchup with the Redskins. I have him ranked #15 and would definitely recommend him this week unless there’s horrible weather in Washington come Sunday. This is also a big boost to Josh Freeman owners who plan to use him this week.

Mike Sims-Walker is probable. I wouldn’t start him this week, but this is good news for David Garrard and Mike Thomas, who won’t have to deal with Nnamdi Asomugha this week, though the star CB is still gimpy with a sore ankle. Even with MSW’s return, the Jags have featured Maurice Jones-Drew with great success the last few weeks, and that trend will no doubt continue against the Raiders, who have had trouble stopping the run this season.

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