Week Three of Fantasy Football | In the Eyes of The Optiongirl
Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 8:35AM
There Goes That Man Again by Chris Wesseling of Rotoworld
It was great to take some time for myself this past weekend and watch the red zone channel on Direct TV. Unfortunately, I was able to see many injuries including my number one pick Jamaal Charles tear his ACL and who is now out for the season. This is a real challenge for my fantasy team to overcome in my 16 team league but not as hard as his challenge to get well and come back next season, I wish him my best. As in life never give up, keep moving forward and do the best that you can do. This week I mix in some highlights of week two that resonated with me. I will share part of Chris Wesseling article from Rotoworld with you with some players that have potential for you to pick up to help your fantasy team.
Highlights Week Two:
Maclin of the Eagles had a huge game 13 catches for 171 yards
Vincent Jackson of San Diego had a big game, 172 yards and two scores
A.J. Green of Cincinnati had 10 catches, 124 yards, and a TD
Tate of Houston filling in for Foster totals 135 yards
Fred Davis of Washington had 86 yards and scored a touchdown
Eric Decker of Denver had a huge game with 113 yards and 2 TDs
Miles Austin had a huge game against the 49ers with 9 rec, 143 yds, and 3 TDs but re-injured his hamstring.
Key injuries : Arian Foster, Miles Austin, Tony Romo, Felix Jones, Michael Vick, Malcom Floyd, Aaron Hernandez and Out for the season: Jamaal Charles, Jordan Shipley, Roscoe Parrish
Waiver Wire Pickups:
Quarterbacks
Mike Kafka, Rex Grossman ,Matt Hasselbeck ,Jason Campbell, Andy Dalton,Donovan McNabb, Aaron Hernandez
Runnning Backs
Roy Helu,Delone Carter, Dexter McCluster, DeMarco Murray, Tashard Choice, Thomas Jones ,Javon Ringer, Toby Gerhart
Wide Receivers
Denarius Moore, David Nelson, Eric Decker, Nate Washington,Kevin Ogletree, Jabar Gaffney Brandon, LaFell, Danario Alexander, Titus Young
Tight Ends
Fred Davis, Scott Chandler, Evan Moore, Tony Scheffler
Defense/Special Teams
Bengals, Panthers, Cowboys
Quarterbacks
Mike Kafka, Eagles - Here are the facts as it relates to the Eagles’ starting quarterback job for Week 3: Vick’s concussion tests conducted in the locker room were a “little bit off” from his baseline. Since the NFL instituted stricter guidelines for concussions two years ago, only one of nine concussed Eagles players has returned the following week. The Eagles are “holding out hope” that Vick can play against the Giants. Vince Young is still not quite 100 percent recovered from his hamstring injury. Coach Andy Reid is kicking himself for not placing more trust in an impressive Mike Kafka late in Sunday night’s loss to the Falcons.
Rex Grossman, Redskins - Grossman started out the Cardinals game as “Bad Rex” with two picks, but rallied for 291 yards and two touchdowns in a winning effort. Through two weeks, Rex is sixth in the NFL pass attempts, tied for sixth in passing scores, and ninth in passing yards. The plus matchups continue this week against Dallas’ banged-up secondary.
Matt Hasselbeck, Titans - Hasselbeck received unexpectedly stout protection against Baltimore’s pass rush, air-mailing pinpoint passes to Nate Washington and uncoverable Kenny Britt for 358 yards — his third-highest output since 2005. With defenses stacking the box against Chris Johnson, Hasselbeck proved plenty capable of making defenses pay. He has the weapons to finish the season as a solid QB2 in an underrated offense.
Jason Campbell, Raiders - Largely on the strength of two rushing scores and a shootout with the Bills, Campbell enters Week 3 in 11th place among fantasy quarterbacks. Although his outlook is looking up with Denarius Moore emerging as a go-to receiver down the field, Campbell is hands-off for this week’s game against a Jets secondary that just got Luke McCown fired.
Andy Dalton, Bengals - We covered Dalton’s Week 2 performance in Monday’s Morning After column. Dalton set a franchise rookie record with 332 passing yards, including 280 in the second half with the Bengals playing from behind against an injury-riddled Broncos defense. Ex-scout Dave Razzano came away convinced that Dalton is the “real deal,” but I’m advising skepticism until this performance is repeated against a quality defense.
Donovan McNabb, Vikings - No fantasy owner outside of two-quarterback leagues should feel the need to roster McNabb even after improving from 39 yards to 228 in Week 2. Molasses Mike Jenkins and Bernard Berrian are gaining no separation down the field, and coordinator Bill Musgrave is oddly under-utilizing Percy Harvin. McNabb is in no danger of losing his job yet, but this is one of the least dynamic passing offenses in the NFL.
Running Backs
Roy Helu, Redskins - Taking over as primary runner in the second half of Week 2, Helu showed impressive explosiveness, elusiveness, and pass-catching ability as the offensive MVP against the Cardinals. Coach Mike Shanahan praised Helu’s “big-play capability” after the game, but suggested his role increased only because Tim Hightower got “a little bit tired.” Helu will enter Week 3 as Hightower’s change-of-pace, but this has a committee-attack feel over the long haul. Hightower is averaging just 3.73 yards per carry compared to Helu’s inescapable 6.91.
Delone Carter, Colts - Carter played just 14 snaps in Week 2 compared to 55 for Joseph Addai, but the rookie still carried the ball 11 times against the Browns. As Pro Football Focus points out, Carter has gotten the rock on 60 percent of his snaps thus far. That number will continue to grow after Carter showed impressive tackle-breaking power up the gut as the only player breathing life into the home crowd. By mid-October the Colts will have little to gain by adding to the wear and tear on Addai’s body in a lost season.
Dexter McCluster, Chiefs - Already playing a Reggie Bush-lite role in the Chiefs offense, McCluster will see extended snaps with Jamaal Charles done for the year. Through two games, he’s averaged an impressive 7.8 yards on 12 attempts as a change-of-pace option but also an embarrassingly low 2.6 yards per on nine receptions. With wide receiver eligibility, McCluster does carry value in PPR leagues. Just don’t expect much scoring in a Chiefs offense that has gone in the tank.
DeMarco Murray, Cowboys - There’s still no clarity in the Dallas backfield behind Felix Jones. Through two weeks, Murray and Tashard Choice both have three fantasy points. Murray has averaged 2.6 yards on eight carries versus Choice’s 1.1 average on eight totes. With Jones now playing through a slightly separated shoulder, this backfield split is one to monitor.
Tashard Choice, Cowboys - Choice has a reputation in fantasy circles as an underappreciated back with the potential for RB2 value if only he was afforded the opportunity for feature-back carries. The problem is that he hasn’t put that ability on tape since the 2009 season, and the Cowboys coaches have lost faith over the past year and a half. If Felix Jones misses time, Choice would likely split touches with DeMarco Murray.
Thomas Jones, Chiefs - Jamaal Charles’ season-ending ACL tear likely means that Jones will lead the Chiefs in carries this season. I can’t recommend him as any more than a RB4, though, as a step-slow runner in a committee attack for an offense that will struggle to move the ball and score points. I wouldn’t waste the waiver move or the roster spot in 12-team leagues.
Javon Ringer, Titans - Chris Johnson found himself on the sidelines for one stretch against the Ravens, watching Ringer run with more authority and confidence. Ringer isn’t a threat once Johnson rounds into regular-season form, but he’s reclaimed the No. 2 job after an injury-filled preseason.
Toby Gerhart, Vikings - Last year’s second-round pick finally showed playmaking ability in Week 2, breaking loose for a 42-yard reception and a 31-yard run. If Adrian Peterson goes down, Gerhart will have RB2 value with his three-down skill-set. It’s hard to carry handcuffs through the bye-week crunch, but Gerhart does make for handy Peterson insurance.
Denarius Moore, Raiders - We’ve been hyping Moore nonstop as a bonafide sleeper since the beginning of training camp, but he’s still owned in just eight percent of CBSSports.com leagues. That will change after his highlight-filled 171-yard breakout game at Buffalo. While the performance may have surprised casual fantasy leaguers, Moore’s spectacular leaping grabs have become a common spectacle at Raiders practices. Moore may not be guaranteed starters snaps every week, but his difference-making talent is undeniable. It changes the dynamics of the Raiders offense.
David Nelson, Bills - Rotoworld’s Evan Silva has been pounding the drums for Nelson since training camp, and the beat is getting louder after a 10/83/1 breakout game in Week 2. As Silva explains, the primary slot receiver in Chan Gailey’s offense is heavily targeted, and Nelson also has plenty of red-zone potential at 6’5” and 220 pounds. With Roscoe Parrish (ankle) out long-term and Stevie Johnson playing through a nagging groin injury, Nelson could end up as Ryan Fitzpatrick’s top receiver. The one clear advantage Nelson has over Denarius Moore is Fitzpatrick, Gailey, and the Bills’ passing attack.
Eric Decker, Broncos - Decker has been Denver’s best player through two weeks. A first-round talent who fell to the third due to a foot injury in 2009, Decker proved capable of filling the No. 1 receiver role with a 5/113/2 line in place of Brandon Lloyd. Even if Lloyd returns this week, as expected, Decker will continue to start with Eddie Royal (groin) out. Decker is good bet to hang on to that job long-term, but his fantasy outlook takes a hit with Lloyd returning as the top dog. While there’s plenty of upside with Decker, my concern is that he still has more future value than present.
Nate Washington, Titans - It’s time to get adjusted to the new realities of the 2011 season. The Ravens defense had no answer for Matt Hasselbeck and the Titans aerial attack. If defenses are going to stack the box on Chris Johnson and send their best cover corner to Kenny Britt’s side, Washington has a shot at WR3 production the rest of the way. Through two weeks, he’s 18th in targets, tied for 10th in receptions, and 16th in yards among receivers.
Kevin Ogletree, Cowboys - Ogletree’s situation is similar to Devery Henderson’s going into last week. Even with Miles Austin (hamstring) sidelined, his outlook is sketchy if Dez Bryant (quad) plays against the Redskins. If Bryant is unable to go for a second straight week, though, Ogletree would take over as the No. 1 receiver in a typically high-scoring offense. Keep tabs on Bryant’s progress later this week.
Jabar Gaffney, Redskins - Through two weeks with Rex Grossman, Gaffney is 25th among receivers in targets and 31st in fantasy points — squarely in WR3 territory. It’s hard to get excited about his upside, but Gaffney will be an ideal bye-week fill-in over the next couple of months.
Brandon LaFell, Panthers - LaFell continues to show steady improvement after a mixed rookie season, outplaying starter Legedu Naanee in each of the first two games. According to Pro Football Focus, though, Naanee has edged LaFell in snaps by an average of nearly 30 per in the first two games. LaFell certainly has the talent to flip that. Even in Cam Newton’s newly invigorated passing attack, LaFell is not going to be worthy of WR3 consideration until Naanee is out of the picture.
Danario Alexander, Rams - DX is the Rams’ version of Evan Moore. The size/speed package is a handful for any defender to cover one-on-one, but playing time issues curtail fantasy consistency. Alexander racked up 122 yards and a touchdown against the Giants Monday night on just 16-of-69 offensive snaps. With chronic knee issues, that snap count isn’t likely to climb steadily.
Titus Young, Lions - One of the reasons we were so high on Matthew Stafford this offseason was the addition of Young, who drew comparisons to DeSean Jackson in predraft workouts. As the third receiver and deep threat, he adds yet another dynamic weapon to Stafford’s arsenal. Young certainly has the talent to boom in Detroit, but he’s likely to bust most weeks with so many mouths to feed.
Tight Ends
Fred Davis, Redskins - Davis has the look of a top-five fantasy tight end for the entire season, and he’s still owned in just a quarter of CBSSports.com leagues. It should be apparent now that Chris Cooley isn’t getting his job back when Davis is the most effective offensive player on the team. Through two weeks, Davis is second only to Jason Witten in tight-end yards and fourth in tight-end receptions. He’s a stud for the long haul.
Scott Chandler, Bills - Evan Silva noted after Week 1 that Chandler spent quite a bit of time in the slot and was heavily involved in the passing game. Chandler saw only one fewer target in Week 2, but his production dropped to two catches for 16 yards to go with another touchdown. He has the size and athleticism to continue to be an asset in the red zone, but Chandler won’t be a reliable weekly start.
Evan Moore, Browns - The good news is that Colt McCoy looks Moore’s way whenever the athletic mismatch is in the game. The bad news is that Moore is purely a niche weapon, averaging just 11 offensive snaps through two weeks. Moore could end up with 8-10 touchdowns, but his yards and receptions will be hit-or-miss.
Tony Scheffler, Lions - Scheffler is the No. 11 fantasy tight end through two weeks, purely on the strength of two touchdown receptions. He’s been targeted just five times compared to nine for Brandon Pettigrew, but Matthew Stafford looks Scheffler’s way in field-goal territory. Scheffler may be worth a look in TD-heavy leagues, but he’s going to be an inconsistent fantasy producer.
Thank you for visiting my blog. I am looking forward to having a great football season together. Please share your thoughts on my site or ask me questions directly by email at BonnieGortler@gmail.com or direct message me @optiongirl on Twitter my favorite social media site. Please make sure you download my FREE eBook Twitter Magic & share the link with your friends too. Create an excellent week! ~Bonnie
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