To those who won your league championship, I hate you all. No, just kidding, congratulations to all those who won their league championship and won whatever prize their league deems is appropriate, whether it be money, a trophy, or a box of Little Debbie Zebra Cakes (inside joke; there was this rather large girl back during my sophomore year of college who used to come to the fraternity parties wearing a zebra striped shirt. Her roundness while wearing that shirt made her look like a Little Debbie Zebra Cake, so therefore her nickname ever since has been Zebra Cakes. When I get together with my fraternity brothers, we reminisce about the hilarity of Zebra Cakes.)
For those of you who will be playing your league championship game in Week 17, good luck to you all. You have a tall task, as undoubtedly, some of you have players whose teams have already clinched a playoff spot and aren’t fighting for anything, or have players on teams who have been eliminated from the playoffs and will be sitting them to take a look at rookies or other players on the teams. Either way, there is a lot of uncertainty as to who will be suiting up next week, to which I feel bad for those who are in their league championship and will get screwed when Bill Belicheck decides to sit Tom Brady for the whole game, or only play him the first quarter or the first half, since they have already clinched homefield and the first round bye. And I’m not making that up. It has been reported that Belicheck is considering benching Brady in Week 17.
My only suggestion to those who are in that position: pay attention to every bit of NFL news that you can find. For instance; I have already heard that Antonio Gates, Malcolm Floyd, and Patrick Crayton are out the final week of the season, due to the fact that they aren’t playing for anything. I have heard that Stephen McGee might be getting the start over Jon Kitna. It’s up in the air whether Shaun Hill will be starting, although it appears that coach Jim Schwartz of the Detroit Lions is leaning towards starting Hill. Finally, Todd Heap, who has been fighting a hamstring injury, might not be active since Baltimore has already clinched a playoff spot, so an extra week of rest for his hamstring isn’t a bad idea.
Those are the types of things you have to pay close attention to. So peruse ESPN.com, Yahoo.com, CBSSportsline.com, NFL Team websites, and whatever website your league might be hosted on as often as you can, in order to find out the latest news. That way, if your league is still allowing waiver/free agent pickups, you can jump on a certain player, which may be the difference between winning say $700 for first place and $300 for second place.
The question you may be asking then is; who the hell do I pickup? But relax and do not fret, as your Fantasy Football Consigliere has that information for you. I’m going to go position by position, listing those players who still might be out there, that have the potential to have at least an OK fantasy day, which will give you a head up on winning your league championship.
QB
Tim Tebow (Denver Broncos): Listen, Tebow had 308 yards. Yes, I know it was against one of the worst defenses in the league in the Houston Texans; and yes, I know the San Diego Chargers (Denver’s week 17 opponent), is one of the best in the league against the pass, but hear me out. The Chargers have nothing to play for as they have been officially eliminated from the playoffs, and teams who have been eliminated, tend to bench those players who are slightly nicked up, as they gain nothing from playing injured. And you can’t count out the fact that Tebow competes harder than anyone else out there. There are few, if any QB options out there better than Tebow.
John Skelton (Arizona Cardinals): Skelton has some good targets, in Fitzgerald, Breaston (if he plays), Doucet, and Andre Roberts. And from what I’ve seen of him, he has the arm to get the ball to these guys, unlike Max Hall, and is more accurate than Derek Anderson. Plus, the Cardinals are playing the Niners, who have imploded all year long, and whose pass defense is mediocre.
Charlie Whitehurst (Seattle Seahawks): First, it’s not a lock that Whitehurst starts next week in the game against the St. Louis Rams, which will determine which bad team wins the NFC West and gets a home game in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. So keep an eye on the injury report to see if Hasselbeck ends up going or not. But whether Hasselbeck plays or not might not matter, as it is really hard to support a pickup of Whitehurst, as he has played rather horrible when he has had his opportunities. Nonetheless, if you have no QB playing, and Tebow and Skelton are gone, why the hell not. Some points are better than no points at all.
Rex Grossman (Washington Redskins): He may not be available, as he had a huge game in his first start two weeks ago and people tend to pick up people who have huge games regardless if it is a wise decision or not. But if he is, and you need a QB, he is definitely a viable option. More so than Skelton or Whitehurst, and maybe even Tebow. Grossman has actually started a Super Bowl, so he has experience, and he’s facing a NY Giants defense that has been lit up the last 6 quarters, and seem to be in downward spiral mode, which kind of makes me happy for some reason, but I haven’t figured that out why yet. So experience, talent, and facing an opponent on a downslide, equals a good mix for an explosive game.
RB
Toby Gerhart (Minnesota Vikings): This is a logical guess on my part. If Adrian Peterson’s thigh injury worsens tonight, that means Gerhart steps in next week. Or even if Peterson is healthy next week, with nothing to play for, the Vikings might decide to sit Adrian Peterson anyways, giving the start to Gerhart. Either way, Gerhart has a chance to start, so pay attention to what happens tonight and the rest of the week.
John Kun (Green Bay Packers): He’s certainly not going to get you rushing/receiving yards, but what he does do is put the ball in the end zone. And if your league rewards touchdowns with 6 pts, then he might be a good guy to have. He did score 3 touchdowns against the New York Giants, and while the Bears are a better and stouter defense, chances are Kuhn could sniff the end zone at least once someway somehow. If you need an extra back this week to start or flex, I would certainly consider Kuhn. But remember, his points are 100% tied to touchdowns, not yards, making him not a sure thing.
Mike Bell (Cleveland Browns): Another gut feeling. The Browns, having nothing to play for like a majority of the league, might think about starting Mike Bell and sitting Peyton Hillis. And if you watched any of the game this past Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, Bell got the ball a decent amount even with Hillis playing. So my gut says Hillis may not play, which means everything goes to Bell. Pay attention to the news throughout the week to see if this plays out the way I feel it might.
Dominic Rhodes (Indianapolis Colts): Rhodes had 98 yards rushing in his return to former glory playing for the Indianapolis Colts. Stay tuned to news to see whether Addai or Brown end up playing this week, cause if not, Rhodes undoubtedly will get the majority of carries.
Correll Buckhalter (Denver Broncos): Buckhalter led the Broncos this past week with 11 rushes for 42 yards and a touchdown. Knowshon Moreno only had 7 carries for 19 yards. Now, this may not mean that Buckhalter will be the lead back next week, as I think if Moreno is healthy, he gets some carries too, but if you need a flex play, Buckhalter might be a good option, as it appears that at least the carries will be split 50/50, and there is no doubting that Buckhalter has some talent, so he just might end up producing 50 or 60 yards with a touchdown, great numbers for a flex play.
WR
Bryant Johnson (Detroit Lions): Calvin Johnson went down with an ankle injury at some point during the Lions game against the Dolphins this past week. If Calvin doesn’t end up playing in Week 17, especially since there is nothing to play for but pride and stats, then the other Johnson, Bryant, might one of the beneficiaries. But this isn’t a sure thing, so I don’t have much confidence in it. Keep your ear to the ground as far as the injury report goes, in case something leaks about Calvin Johnson not playing.
Emmanuel Sanders (Pittsburgh Steelers): Sanders has cemented himself as the #3 receiver, and in my opinion, is threatening to knock Ward from his #2 spot. But of course many people would disagree with that. Nonetheless, starting in Week 12, Sanders has only 3 less targets than Ward, (his 30 to Ward’s 33). And given that the Steelers have wrapped up their division, I could easily see Ward /Wallace taking some time off during the game and having Sanders on the field more often. The kid has shown he certainly has skills, so if he’s getting the majority of the snaps come Sunday, he’s a great #3 borderline #2 receiver and definitely a very good flex even if Ward and Wallace play the whole game.
Blair White (Indianapolis Colts): Austin Collie on the IR and the Colts playing for their playoff lives. It’s a good situation to be in for Blair White, who has proved that he is a solid player. Peyton Manning trusts him, which is good enough of an endorsement for me. He’s a solid #3 receiver if your league plays 3, and a definite flex play.
Anthony Armstrong (Washington Redskins): If I endorse Grossman, then I certainly have to endorse one of his targets. I think Grossman has a 300 game in him against the Giants, who are imploding, so if he’s gonna get that many yards, I feel as if Armstrong could be a definite beneficiary.
Jacoby Jones (Houston Texans): The thing here is to keep an eye out if Andre Johnson starts the game on Sunday or not, as it’s up in the air at the moment if he will. If he doesn’t start, Jones is a viable #1/#2 receiver, as without Johnson this past week Jones had 5 catches for 115 yards. If Johnson does start, he’s still a #3 receiver if leagues that play 3 and one of the better flex receivers out there.
Jerome Simpson (Cincinnati Bengals): No TO, no Ochocinco, which means somebody has to step it up on the outside, and Jerome Simpson certainly did that against the Chargers with 6 catches for 124 yards and 2 touchdowns. Will he have as good of a week against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17? I’d say probably not, as Carson Palmer is extremely inconsistent. With no other options on the outside though, he’s going to get the majority of targets, which hopefully turns into fantasy points.
Naaman Roosevelt/Donald Jones (Buffalo Bills): With Lee Evans out, Fitzpatrick has been looking for a second receiver, and he found one in week 16 in Naaman Roosevelt who had 4 catches for 74 yards on 8 targets. However, let’s not be deceived, at this was only Roosevelt’s second game, so we don’t have much history to go on. Donald Jones on the other hand, had 12 targets this past game, although no production to back that up. But, if I had to choose between the two, I would feel more comfortable with Jones, who has been playing every game since week 9, with his role in the offense increasing every week.
Andre Roberts (Arizona Cardinals): Just like with Roosevelt, beware of one week wonders. However, Roberts has the skill to repeat if the ball is thrown his way. With Skelton looking Roberts way, a repeat may be in the making, particularly against a downtrodden Niners secondary. He’d be worth a flex, nothing more than that.
Danario Alexander (St. Louis Rams): Alexander is only 1 target away from being tied with Laurent Robinson for the second most targets on the team starting from Week 12. And what’s most impressive about Alexander, is that he has production to back up those targets, as Robinson does not, which is why Alexander I’m recommending him, especially in facing the Seahawks, who possess a rather mediocre defense. Plus, you have to like the fact that this is a game that means something, since they’ll be playing for the NFC West title.
Legedu Naanee (San Diego Chargers): For those of you who thought that Naanee had disappeared, which he has since about Week 3, it appears he has returned. On 7 targets he caught 4 for 59 yards. While Vincent Jackson is still clearly the number one option here, Naanee is a very talented #2. So if you’re hurting for WR, Naanee is a very very good pickup, especially since the Chargers will be playing Denver and their atrocious defense.
TE
Tony Scheffler (Detroit Lions): Just like with Bryant Johnson, the recommendation to pickup Scheffler hinges on whether Calvin Johnson plays or not. If Johnson does play, forget about Scheffler. If Johnson doesn’t play, I think Scheffler is a bigger beneficiary than even Bryant Johnson, as Shaun Hill has shown that he has much confidence in Scheffler, offering more targets even when Calvin Johnson has played.
Jared Cook (Tennessee Titans): While he may not have as big of a game against the Colts this coming week, Cook’s performance was absolutely legit. The kid has talent, and the more snaps and targets you give him, the more you will see it. With the season done in Tennessee, I could see the game plan focusing around trying to get Cook the ball. If you’re struggling for a TE, he’s one of the better options out there.
Ed Dickson (Baltimore Ravens): It’s looking as if Heap will sit out this coming week, and if any other receivers are banged up, they might sit as well (like Derrick Mason, who has a finger injry). This means Dickson’s role in the offense will increase, which hopefully includes an increase in production for those who pick him up. But it’s certainly a gamble.
Jimmy Graham (New Orleans Saints): All Jimmy Graham does it catch touchdowns. Well that’s not technically true, but over his last two games he does have 3 scores. Also, he’s averaging 3.5 catches per game, which isn’t spectacular production for a TE, but isn’t that bad really, especially in a Saints offense that spreads it around. Graham has been becoming more a part of the game plan week in and week out, with Shockey being basically eliminated to 1 target and 1 catch a week. If he’s available in your league, and you need some points, he just may be the best option currently available besides Jared Cook.
Any questions, hit me up at mattymccall@gmail.com or post a comment to this article. Hope you enjoyed!
No comments:
Post a Comment