Hache Man
"Seven Days Without Gambling Makes One Weak"
Re: NFL Fantasy Football News 2008
The Votes Are In
Yesterday's Daily Dose endorsed Pierre Thomas as a Fantasy Most Valuable Player candidate. A fine choice. Thomas has indeed carried teams down the stretch and made us all forget Reggie Bush, and he certainly belongs with my FMVP finalists: Drew Brees, Kurt Warner, Michael Turner, DeAngelo Williams, Andre Johnson, Anquan Boldin, and Tony Gonzalez.
But what about those early round guys who just killed you? Here's a full starting lineup of (mostly healthy?i.e. no Brady, Romo) Least Valuable Player finalists -- culminating with my overall LVP -- that fantasy owners would like to take out behind the barn and ice, Old Yeller-style:
QB -- Ben Roethlisberger: Owners salivated over his relatively quiet 32 TDs last season. But to-date he's barely reached 3,000 yards passing, with 15 TDs and 12 picks. Not exactly fantasy starter material. (Alternates: Derek Anderson, Marc Bulger)
RB1 Joseph Addai: Nagging injuries. A weaker O-line (injuries = less effective pull-blocking = less effective stretch play = less effective play action to keep defenses honest). Addai never got it going this year, junk-punching his owners who drafted him fourth or fifth overall. Despite technically "starting" 11 of 14 games, he's got one 100-yard rushing game, and one other game with 100+ combined yards (due in part to sharing with Rhodes, admittedly). And last night's active no-show was the final nail in his coffin. Currently 35th in rushing yards (540) with only 5 TDs, such luminaries as [URL="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=1312"]Ricky Williams[/URL], LeRon McClain, Julius Jones have out-produced him. So much for that sweet CIN, DET, JAX fantasy playoff schedule. www.indianapoliscolts.ws
RB2 -- Darren McFadden: Despite being hyped as "this year's [URL="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=4169"]Adrian Peterson[/URL]" and scaring owners into drafting him in the fourth round (usually around the 20th RB taken), if he was this year's AP then I'm one of this year's Pulitzer winners. Next year, he'll be known not as Run-DMc (a nickname that insinuates, you know, running) but plain old "Darren McFadden, the guy who had less fantasy impact than his college fullback Peyton Hillis." (Alternates: [URL="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=1663"]Steven Jackson[/URL], Ryan Grant, Willis McGahee) www.oaklandraiders.ws
WR1 -- Plaxico Burress: Even before he went Annie Oakley on himself, he was a bust. He should have put up big numbers even on a run-first offense ? how many WRs would kill for a strong-armed QB and a run game that opens up miles of space for WRs? ? but Plax just never seemed to buy into it. A lowly 89th in receptions (35, behind such studs as Desmond Clark and Brandon Jones) with 4 TDs, Plaxico didn't come close to returning on your 3rd/4th round investment.
WR2 ? Braylon Edwards: Typically the #4 WR drafted last August (after Moss, T.O. and Wayne), calling Braylon a bust is practically a compliment: 50 catches/837 yards/3 TDs. Yes, Anderson's regression hurt, but so did the two George Foreman Grills he evidently strapped onto his hands before every game. (Alternates: Santonio Holmes,Chad Johnson,Torry Holt) www.clevelandbrowns.ws
FLEX -- Reggie Bush: See yesterday's Daily Dose. He's the anti-Pierre. (Alternates: Jamal Lewis, Roy E. Williams)
TE -- Kellen Winslow, Jr.: 43 catches for 428 yards and 3 TDs? In hindsight, you could have used your fifth round pick on a RB/QB/WR, snagged John Carlson off waivers and been in far better shape. The Soldja got hurt late, yes, but he was a bust even before the ankle sprain, and Dallas Clark's last two big games (8/105/TD last night) and overall season (71 catches/789 yards/6 TDs) just makes him look like more of a bust. (Alternates: Antonio Gates, Heath Miller, Todd Heap) www.clevelandbrowns.ws
K -- Nick Folk: typically the first kicker drafted, Folk's numbers suffered from acute Brad Johnsonitis like every other Cowboy skill player's did. His paltry 17 FG's ranked him 29th in the league.
D/ST -- Chargers: The consensus top-ranked D heading into the season, they've degenerated into the #25 ranked unit, including the 31st ranked pass defense. (Alternates: Patriots, Seahawks) www.sandiegochargers.ws
But my vote for Fantasy LVP? LaDainian Tomlinson. A likely 1,000 yard season and 8 (to-date) TDs, his stats will look passable on paper . . . but not for the consensus #1 overall pick. He flat-out killed owners this year because he was always in that frustrating "you can never bench him" category. I never hold fantasy grudges, but I'll never draft LT ever again. Ever.
Two-Minute Drill: May Tony Dungy suffer for saying that Joseph Addai would be active last night. I recommended Dominic Rhodesto every e-mailer deciding between the two but Dungy reached Shanahan-esque levels for saying that Addai would be active and then, with the Colts down early, not finding a situation in which to use him. With the Colts clinching the #5 seed look for more Rhodes in Week 17, if your league has a Week 17 championship . . .Cards coach Ken Whisenhunt says he might sit Anquan Boldin (shoulder) this weekend. With the NFC West clinched, they won't be risking further injury? Jason Campbell admitted that he's "worn down" in this first season as a full-time starter. Maybe it's also due to Washington's starting 6-2, then going 1-5 . . . Brett Favre, who usually shies away from media attention, hinted that this could be his last season, where have we heard this before? But his terrific 67.6% completion rate might change his mind. Again.
Malcolm Floyd (collapsed lung) will be shut down this week, likely giving even more looks to Antonio Gates and Vincent Jackson . . . Brandon Jacobs (knees) was limited in practice this week but is still slated to start against the Panthers . . . Redskins LB London Fletcher lashed out at his Pro Bowl snub, calling himself the "Susan Lucci of the NFL." He is the decade's leading tackler and has 118 this year for the fourth-ranked 'Skins defense. But you know what's not going to gain your peers' respect, London? Daytime Emmy Award references . . .[URL="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=4169"]Adrian Peterson[/URL] told Atlanta papers that he wants to win the rushing title. "Coming into the season, that was one of my goals," he said. AP has 1,581 yards and the Vikes face the current #2 rusher, Michael Turner (1,421). Could make a fun ground game slugfest . . .
Red Zone: Contrary to previous reports, Dick Vermail says he hasn't been contacted about any position with the Chiefs . . . Kellen Winslow, Jr. (ankle) is targeting a potential Week 17 return . . . Lions' RB Kevin Smith has been limited in practice, but it's only to prevent him from hitting the rookie wall, especially after two straight 20 carry games . . . DeAngelo Williams, who reportedly felt "fuzzy" after taking a hit last week, is not on the Week 16 injury report and is a must start even against the Giants, who looked a tad more exposed last week against Dallas and Tashard Choice . . .Though Gus Frerotte (back) is now healthy enough, Tarvaris Jackson will get his third straight start against the Falcons, a win giving the Vikes the NFC North crown.
The Giants brought in 36-year-old free agent Joe Horn for a workout, but an annoyed Horn feels used, claiming it was only to motivate the Giants' young WRs. "I felt good running the routes," he said, "but it was kind of shocking to me why (they didn't sign me)." . . . Lovie Smith said that Matt Forte (toe) will return to practice today and start Monday against the Packers' 26th ranked rush defense that's allowed 18 rushing TDs, third most in NFL . . .Legendary Washington Redskins QB Slingin' Sammy Baugh passed away Wednesday night. He was 94. Baugh led the led the 'Skins to five title games and two championships between 1937 and 1952, and remains the franchise's career TD pass leader with 187, just edging out Heath Shuler's 13.
The Votes Are In
Yesterday's Daily Dose endorsed Pierre Thomas as a Fantasy Most Valuable Player candidate. A fine choice. Thomas has indeed carried teams down the stretch and made us all forget Reggie Bush, and he certainly belongs with my FMVP finalists: Drew Brees, Kurt Warner, Michael Turner, DeAngelo Williams, Andre Johnson, Anquan Boldin, and Tony Gonzalez.
But what about those early round guys who just killed you? Here's a full starting lineup of (mostly healthy?i.e. no Brady, Romo) Least Valuable Player finalists -- culminating with my overall LVP -- that fantasy owners would like to take out behind the barn and ice, Old Yeller-style:
QB -- Ben Roethlisberger: Owners salivated over his relatively quiet 32 TDs last season. But to-date he's barely reached 3,000 yards passing, with 15 TDs and 12 picks. Not exactly fantasy starter material. (Alternates: Derek Anderson, Marc Bulger)
RB1 Joseph Addai: Nagging injuries. A weaker O-line (injuries = less effective pull-blocking = less effective stretch play = less effective play action to keep defenses honest). Addai never got it going this year, junk-punching his owners who drafted him fourth or fifth overall. Despite technically "starting" 11 of 14 games, he's got one 100-yard rushing game, and one other game with 100+ combined yards (due in part to sharing with Rhodes, admittedly). And last night's active no-show was the final nail in his coffin. Currently 35th in rushing yards (540) with only 5 TDs, such luminaries as [URL="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=1312"]Ricky Williams[/URL], LeRon McClain, Julius Jones have out-produced him. So much for that sweet CIN, DET, JAX fantasy playoff schedule. www.indianapoliscolts.ws
RB2 -- Darren McFadden: Despite being hyped as "this year's [URL="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=4169"]Adrian Peterson[/URL]" and scaring owners into drafting him in the fourth round (usually around the 20th RB taken), if he was this year's AP then I'm one of this year's Pulitzer winners. Next year, he'll be known not as Run-DMc (a nickname that insinuates, you know, running) but plain old "Darren McFadden, the guy who had less fantasy impact than his college fullback Peyton Hillis." (Alternates: [URL="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=1663"]Steven Jackson[/URL], Ryan Grant, Willis McGahee) www.oaklandraiders.ws
WR1 -- Plaxico Burress: Even before he went Annie Oakley on himself, he was a bust. He should have put up big numbers even on a run-first offense ? how many WRs would kill for a strong-armed QB and a run game that opens up miles of space for WRs? ? but Plax just never seemed to buy into it. A lowly 89th in receptions (35, behind such studs as Desmond Clark and Brandon Jones) with 4 TDs, Plaxico didn't come close to returning on your 3rd/4th round investment.
WR2 ? Braylon Edwards: Typically the #4 WR drafted last August (after Moss, T.O. and Wayne), calling Braylon a bust is practically a compliment: 50 catches/837 yards/3 TDs. Yes, Anderson's regression hurt, but so did the two George Foreman Grills he evidently strapped onto his hands before every game. (Alternates: Santonio Holmes,Chad Johnson,Torry Holt) www.clevelandbrowns.ws
FLEX -- Reggie Bush: See yesterday's Daily Dose. He's the anti-Pierre. (Alternates: Jamal Lewis, Roy E. Williams)
TE -- Kellen Winslow, Jr.: 43 catches for 428 yards and 3 TDs? In hindsight, you could have used your fifth round pick on a RB/QB/WR, snagged John Carlson off waivers and been in far better shape. The Soldja got hurt late, yes, but he was a bust even before the ankle sprain, and Dallas Clark's last two big games (8/105/TD last night) and overall season (71 catches/789 yards/6 TDs) just makes him look like more of a bust. (Alternates: Antonio Gates, Heath Miller, Todd Heap) www.clevelandbrowns.ws
K -- Nick Folk: typically the first kicker drafted, Folk's numbers suffered from acute Brad Johnsonitis like every other Cowboy skill player's did. His paltry 17 FG's ranked him 29th in the league.
D/ST -- Chargers: The consensus top-ranked D heading into the season, they've degenerated into the #25 ranked unit, including the 31st ranked pass defense. (Alternates: Patriots, Seahawks) www.sandiegochargers.ws
But my vote for Fantasy LVP? LaDainian Tomlinson. A likely 1,000 yard season and 8 (to-date) TDs, his stats will look passable on paper . . . but not for the consensus #1 overall pick. He flat-out killed owners this year because he was always in that frustrating "you can never bench him" category. I never hold fantasy grudges, but I'll never draft LT ever again. Ever.
Two-Minute Drill: May Tony Dungy suffer for saying that Joseph Addai would be active last night. I recommended Dominic Rhodesto every e-mailer deciding between the two but Dungy reached Shanahan-esque levels for saying that Addai would be active and then, with the Colts down early, not finding a situation in which to use him. With the Colts clinching the #5 seed look for more Rhodes in Week 17, if your league has a Week 17 championship . . .Cards coach Ken Whisenhunt says he might sit Anquan Boldin (shoulder) this weekend. With the NFC West clinched, they won't be risking further injury? Jason Campbell admitted that he's "worn down" in this first season as a full-time starter. Maybe it's also due to Washington's starting 6-2, then going 1-5 . . . Brett Favre, who usually shies away from media attention, hinted that this could be his last season, where have we heard this before? But his terrific 67.6% completion rate might change his mind. Again.
Malcolm Floyd (collapsed lung) will be shut down this week, likely giving even more looks to Antonio Gates and Vincent Jackson . . . Brandon Jacobs (knees) was limited in practice this week but is still slated to start against the Panthers . . . Redskins LB London Fletcher lashed out at his Pro Bowl snub, calling himself the "Susan Lucci of the NFL." He is the decade's leading tackler and has 118 this year for the fourth-ranked 'Skins defense. But you know what's not going to gain your peers' respect, London? Daytime Emmy Award references . . .[URL="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NFL&id=4169"]Adrian Peterson[/URL] told Atlanta papers that he wants to win the rushing title. "Coming into the season, that was one of my goals," he said. AP has 1,581 yards and the Vikes face the current #2 rusher, Michael Turner (1,421). Could make a fun ground game slugfest . . .
Red Zone: Contrary to previous reports, Dick Vermail says he hasn't been contacted about any position with the Chiefs . . . Kellen Winslow, Jr. (ankle) is targeting a potential Week 17 return . . . Lions' RB Kevin Smith has been limited in practice, but it's only to prevent him from hitting the rookie wall, especially after two straight 20 carry games . . . DeAngelo Williams, who reportedly felt "fuzzy" after taking a hit last week, is not on the Week 16 injury report and is a must start even against the Giants, who looked a tad more exposed last week against Dallas and Tashard Choice . . .Though Gus Frerotte (back) is now healthy enough, Tarvaris Jackson will get his third straight start against the Falcons, a win giving the Vikes the NFC North crown.
The Giants brought in 36-year-old free agent Joe Horn for a workout, but an annoyed Horn feels used, claiming it was only to motivate the Giants' young WRs. "I felt good running the routes," he said, "but it was kind of shocking to me why (they didn't sign me)." . . . Lovie Smith said that Matt Forte (toe) will return to practice today and start Monday against the Packers' 26th ranked rush defense that's allowed 18 rushing TDs, third most in NFL . . .Legendary Washington Redskins QB Slingin' Sammy Baugh passed away Wednesday night. He was 94. Baugh led the led the 'Skins to five title games and two championships between 1937 and 1952, and remains the franchise's career TD pass leader with 187, just edging out Heath Shuler's 13.
