NEWS
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Now that was a weekend more like I expected. You know the feeling you get when you’ve seen a movie preview and you are disappointed after watching the whole thing because all of the good parts were in the preview? That is kind of how I felt watching the fantasy performances to start the season thanks to the replacement refs. This is a passing era guys, the preview for the season gave us shoot outs and great QB play and once the games started, we got no game flow and penalties galore. The preview wasn’t at all what we were all hoping for. Unlike a movie that has been released, the NFL season has altered the full version of its film and gave themselves a chance to create a better movie. 1/13 in, so far so good. Offenses can get a rhythm going. Defense can tire. Corners can no longer mug receivers like they legally could year ago. All of the rules that made the game the passing juggernaut we have seen over the past year plus came back to life. It was certainly on full display. We saw 13 quarterbacks go for at least 300 yards passing. 13!! Two guys went over 400. Passing is back, and I think we all need to prepare accordingly. I warned about this in my article last week, so safe to say, I think this trend will continue. Let’s see what else happened in week 4:
Note 1: The Patriots
- Maybe it was the matchup, maybe it was the refs, I don’t know. But what I do know is the Patriots looked exactly like the Patriots I think most of us expected when the season started. And that was pretty much all in one half. Brady had 340 and 3 tds. They even had two running backs go over 100 yards. This may be the confidence booster they were in search of and many more big games should be on the way. Hopefully you made your buy lows prior to this week. And Brandon Bolden definitely looks like a Ridley must have handcuff.
Note 2: The Miami Dolphins
- Every fantasy geek had the Cardinals towards the very tippy top of their defensive rankings this week at home against a rookie QB with a banged up Reggie Bush and porous wide receiver core. Well in our face! Tannehill lit up the Cardinals secondary for over 4oo yards through the air, most of which went to uber stud Brian Hartline. (?) 253 and a touchdown from 12 catches on 19 targets. I think it’s clear who the rookie’s number 1 target is in Miami. Brian Hartline has to be on a team in every league from now on, and should be starting in 3 wide receiver leagues.
Note 3: The Jets
- Wow, just putrid. So much for all that hope for the offense in week 1. To make matters worse, it looks like their best offensive player, Santonio Holmes, could be out for an extended period of time. Stephen Hill has been hurt and ineffective since his week 1 breakout. I’m calling for it right now. It needs to be Tebow time. The Jets just don’t have weapons right now, and Mark Sanchez doesn’t have Peyton Manning ability to turn average wide receivers into stars. Ground and pound it with Tebow like the Broncos did and give yourself a chance, and give us fantasy folks a chance to drool over Tebow’s rushing TD potential again. Just a though.
Note 4: Committee Running Backs
- Looks like bad news for Bradshaw/Brown owners as well as Jackson/Spiller owners. Both situations looked to be split scenario cases and could damage the potential value for all 4. Should an injury occur any one could produce great stats, given that they themselves could stay healthy, but in a committee it becomes all fantasy football owners’ worst nightmares.
Note 4: Greg Jennings Trouble
- Jennings caught a 9 yard TD and then his day was done. He had problems again with his groin injury and things are becoming increasingly worrisome for the Jennings situation. Jennings is in a contract year and it did not seem likely the Packers would meet the high demands of their star receiver. New England was in a similar situation and tried to start phasing out Wes Welker to get other guys comfortable in new roles, until Aaron Hernandez went out that is. In Green Bay, they have their full arsenal of receivers ready to go and have no reason to push Jennings in. They want their young guys to play and they don’t want Jennings value to rise. His stats could be in great trouble should this trend continue.
Note 5: Michael Turner
- Maybe I’m completely wrong about this and you guys can blast me at the end of the season, but I think this guy’s consistency will be maddening. If you can sell this performance to an owner who loves the Falcons offense and believes Turner will do this again, I would jump at the chance like I was locked on a Slamball court.
Note 6: Shanahanigans
- I feel like this was a weekly part of this article last year and it hasn’t been mentioned as much. Oh yeah, that is because Alfred Morris has run away with this job. Maybe Shanahan isn’t such a fantasy menace as we all thought. He was just looking for that special 6th round guy? Looks good so far.
Note 7: Tennessee and the TE
- I saw a stat this weekend that the Titans have been near last in the league at guarding the TE position for quite some time. Well that hasn’t improved yet this year. So far through 4 games this season the Titans have allowed 363 yards receiving and 7 TDs to tight ends. Nearly two touchdowns per game to the tight end position. Hey Kyle Rudolph owners, week 5 you’re up.
Note 8: Kevin Kolb
- Don’t look now but Kevin Kolb is coming around. In standard scoring, Kolb has improved his point total each week; 6, 15, 17, and 20. He has engineered two game tying/winning drives late in games and has not looked like the guy who played last season. It was not long ago Kolb was paid 20 million guaranteed and was expected to be a rising star. Andre Roberts is emerging on the outside opposite Larry Fitzgerald and they still have rookie Michael Floyd developing. Kolb has entered QB2 status. Quick Arizona side note, with Beanie Wells out for awhile, rookie Ryan Williams has not been overly impressive yet this season. Preseason wonder William Powell was active for the first time this week and while he didn’t do much, deeper leagues may want to take a flyer. It’s always better to be a week ahead of a big train of momentum than behind if you have an available spot. Ryan Williams hasn’t exactly been durable at that.
Waiver Wire Looks
QB:
Kevin Kolb***
Ryan Tannehill***
RB:
Brandon Bolden***
Jackie Battle***
William Powell**
WR:
Brian Hartline*****
Andre Roberts****
Jermey Kerley****
Domenik Hixon***
TE:
Scott Chandler***
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