Fantasy Football Fix

By the Soxman

Here are my tips, tricks, and advice for Week II.
 

Well, my fantasy football season appears to be picking up right where my fantasy baseball season left off, with a loss, as the Gridiron Grinders fell in Week I to a team led by Donovan McNabb (started over Carson Palmer!) and Ryan Grant 83 to 77.
 

My other two fantasy leagues picked up DOMINATING victories, but of course have no cash pay-out whatsoever. I must say, I find my 14-team league with Individual Defensive Players (IDP) extremely challenging and fun.  Bengal’s rookie linebacker Keith Rivers (my pick for defensive Rookie of the Year), had 9 solo tackles in week I, pacing my defensive core.
 

It’s not that my opposing team was better than the Grinders, it’s simply a matter of my key players doing little or nothing in the scoring column.
 
Marques Colston had 3 receptions for 26 yards.  Are you kidding me?
Clinton Portis, 83 yards rushing, no TD
Joseph Addai, 44 yards rushing, no TD
Laurence Maroney, 55 yards rushing, no TD
 
As I stated last week, my biggest mistake was drafting Maroney over Michael Turner (220 rushing yards, 2 TDs), who had an LT-like performance in Week I.
 
My one bright spot (who is also still available in many shallow leagues) is the Titans’ Chris Johnson, who will likely get the starting nod for me this week over Maroney.  Johnson had 93 yards rushing and 34 yards receiving with a touchdown.
 

 
 

Now onto Fantasy Advice, News and Notes:
 
 

What should Tom Brady Owners Do? 

First, like Paul M. Banks, hurl your guts out.  He actually did this at my Bears party in the Sox Cave. I kid you not. But hey he’s just that passionate about his team.
 
Immediately grab Brady’s back-up, Matt Cassel.  The Patriots still have an exceptional receiving core, including RBs that can catch the pass.  Also, watch the wire closely as the Patriots will not hesitate to bring in a QB if Cassel does not pan out.
 
Depending on the deepness of your league, Matt Ryan had a nice debut with the Falcons and could be a sleeper QB. 
 
Kerry Collins will take over as the Titans QB for at least the next two weeks and perhaps the season if he performs well enough.

 
Vince Young
 
In addition to the sprained MCL, Young is now dealing with depression and could quit football all together. Kerry Collins is now the Titans QB1 with Chris Simms as his back-up
 
Willie Parker
 
Willie Parker went low in many drafts and could end up being a steal.  Parker ran for 138 yards on 25 attempts and scored 3 TDs!  Rashard Mendenhall owners take note:  All of Parker’s touchdowns were in the red zone.
 
Must Grabs
 
It may be too late for deeper leagues, but if you still have time, grab these players now!
 
Chris Johnson, RB, Titans
Could put up Reggie Bush numbers if he stays healthy.
 
Eddie Royal, WR, Broncos
Jay Cutler loves him, and his 146-yard, 1 TD performance are proof positive.
 
Matt Forte, RB, Bears
Forte was drafted in most leagues, but 123 yards and a TD from a Bears running back had to be mentioned somewhere.
 
DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles
The Eagles most dynamic player during the preseason caught 6 passes for 106 yards in Week I AND McNabb looks healthy…for now.
 
Keep an Eye on
 
Dante Rosario, TE, Panthers
Who?  The TE who did not even appear on most draft boards, was a favorite target of QB Jake Delhomme, catching 7 passes for 96 yards and a TD on Sunday.
 
Courtney Taylor, WR, Seattle
Branch and Engram are out until at least week 5, and Nate Burleson is now out for the season. Taylor becomes WR1 in Seattle.
 
Rookie Owners Advice Corner Week I
 
The cardinal mistake that most rookie owners make after week one: panic that your team is worse than it actually is.  Tom Brady Owners get a bit of a pass here.

 
But seriously, have faith in your picks and remember, in most cases, week one is not the sole indicator of the type of season your players are going to have.  Last year Drew Brees looked like a fantasy bust after week 3.  Owners that stuck with him were rewarded with the second best QB in fantasy football after Tom terrific.  Owners that panicked and traded him or moved him out for below-market value likely lost their leagues.
 
The temptation is to do something rash to address your weakness and get the player you know you should have drafted.  I myself admit to devising ways to get Michael Turner on my squad (after cursing Banks for requiring me to draft a Patriot instead).
 
One writer sent me an e-mail saying he HAD to have RB Chris Johnson and was offering Eddie Royal and Steve Smith for him leaving him with Burleson and Ocho Cinco as his only WRs.  Burleson was announced to be done for the year later that day.
 
Be patient, trust your draft, and have fun.
 
Well, that’s it for this week.  Good Luck and play hard!
 
Soxman
 

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