Colts vs. Saints: Fantasy Analysis
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8:28pm: I just got out of a class from 6-8 and ran back home. I have never been more excited in my life. The NFL season is upon us. I haven’t even had a chance to grab something to eat, but that is not my first priority; that would be turning on the game, running to the closet, dusting off my Oakland Raiders jersey after four years of solitude (oh wait, they’ve played the last four seasons?), and making sure I am readily prepared to watch the game. I am like a father who has just given birth to five children without having to endure my wife’s labor or cleaning dirty diapers. I am the proud new owner of five babies—fantasy teams. I must admit, they might be the weirdest named quintuplets in the history of the world. I’m thinking about eating, but like a good papa eagle, I remember that I will now have to chew the food well, so my babies don’t choke when I regurgitate little bits to them. Which leads me to fantasy team rule #1: Take care of your fantasy teams and make sure they are well fed with love and attention.
8:33pm: Uh oh, Madden is talking, time to turn down the volume. I believe he is telling me that the game will be an offensive showcase of extraordinary skill. Did they have to put what could be the most exciting game as the first one of the season? Answer: Hell, yes!
8:35pm: Reggie Bush just told me in a commercial that someone once told him he had championship caliber inside him. Hmm… I’ll let that one go.
8:36pm: Wow, they are still playing that John Cougar Mellencamp commercial on important broadcasts. The actors may change, but the song stays the same. I have no doubt that it will pretty soon be his country. Speaking of actors, Reggie Bush should not quit his day job. That was a terrible intro skit.
8:40pm: It’s about to happen, it’s about to happen. Olindo Mare, please do the honors. Ladies and Gentlemen: Welcome to the 2007 NFL season!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post-Game Fantasy Analysis
Indianapolis:
Peyton Manning: Still the best fantasy QB in the game. Joseph Addai: Gave his fantasy owners a bit of scare at the beginning of the game, but looked dominant. Ran the ball hard, especially on his one goaline carry and showed great agility and vision. Should be a great season for him. Reggie Wayne: Great performance. I couldn’t help but be amazed at how open he was on both of those touchdowns. If that’s how New Orleans covers wideouts all year long, it should be a 17-game season for them. While Manning put up quite a show, Wayne was the best fantasy player in this game because of his production from the wideout slot. Thank God I own him in most of my leagues. Marvin Harrison: Standard performance from Marvin, very solid but not spectacular. Dallas Clark: He was very involved in the offense, including an end around. When was the last time you saw a TE end around? Solid performance for a TE. Also of note, Ben Utecht only got one look. Adam Vinatieri: Still hasn’t missed a kick in the RCA dome. In his career. Unreal. Indy D: The defense looked solid, although it was amazing how conservative the game plan seemed to be for New Orleans. The Indy D did cause some pressure and tackled well. I’m not sold on them, but they only need to be mediocre for this team to be great, just as they showed in last year’s playoffs. Anyone playing the Indy D must be feeling luck and loving Matt Giordano. Noticeable Absences: Anthony Gonzalez.
Drew Brees: Looked very shaky and unsure throughout, which is bizarre because he is normally the team leader. Although he played terribly, he still put up completions and got decent yardage. The major concern for fantasy owners was the two picks and fumble, which hurt his numbers a good deal. Many fantasy owners will be cursing Brees come Tuesday, as I am sure he has cost numerous fantasy owners a W in Week 1. Reggie Bush: Bush was completely neutralized in the passing and rushing games. People had high expectations for him coming in, particularly Golden Boy, so he did disappoint. The one concern I have is that he seemed to regress and try to move laterally too much, which cost the team a first down in the first quarter. Reggie needs to learn when to go for the home run and when to pick up a yard or two. Deuce McAllister: Deuce looked very mediocre, although his line didn’t open up any holes. He’s healthy and laid a few good shots on defenders, so fantasy owners should not be too worried. Marques Colston: Colston was the only receiver that Brees went to at the beginning of the game, only involving Devery Henderson and David Patten in the second half. Colston owners will be disappointed with his production this week. Devery Henderson: He looked terrible tonight, as the Saints never tried to go deep and he dropped a pass in the fourth quarter. I’m telling you, he will not be the second wideout for long because he does not catch the ball with consistency. That really plagued the Saints tonight, as a few drops (Bush, Eric Johnson) cost them some drives. Look for Patten or Terrance Copper to have a more pronounced role in the coming weeks. Eric Johnson: The only real fantasy contributor of the night for the Saints, Johnson caught 8 passes and it seemed as though Brees was always looking for his tight end. Looks like Johnson could have a solid fantasy season in New Orleans. Olindo Mare: Fantasy owners will be disappointed that he missed the 52-yarder. In fact, he wasn’t even close. Very disappointing performance, considering a lot was expected from the former Miami kicker. New Orleans D: If you started the New Orleans D, you probably shouldn’t be playing fantasy football. Just give up now. They did get the touchdown, but barely pressured Manning and looked absolutely atrocious. Noticeable Absences: Terrance Copper, the entire New Orleans Offense.
Sunday should be fun!
--Toby Guevin at FleaFanatics
