Shimmering Week 6 Observations
| 5
|
This week was a big week for the Shimmering T in more ways than one. First, I am going to go 4-1 this week, bringing my record from a mediocre 13-12 to a respectable 17-13. If it weren’t for Drew Brees, Steven Jackson, Lee Evans, and the Miami D, who I owned in multiple leagues, I would be a lot better. A lot of teams can probably say that, though. Second, I am the proud owner of All Day Adrian Peterson in my most important league, the famous Fleaflicker/FleaFanatics keeper league, in which I am 5-1 and ranked at the top. Did I mention that I also own Ronnie Brown and Joseph Addai in that league? Finally, most of my predictions were dead on this week (Start/Sit: 19-5-1), including all three RB picks (Larry Johnson, Jason Wright, and All Day), Brian Griese, Bobby Engram, Nate Burleson (that’s right I picked both to score more than 10), Greg Olsen, and the list continues. Will the luck carry into Week 7? Doubtful. But I’ll enjoy it while it lasts. Here are some shimmering observations from Week 6:
- Adrian Peterson is filthy. I texted the Golden Boy and Fleafounder to let them know that All Day was a beast after his second long touchdown run. I guess I should have waited and texted that he is the beastest after the third.
- The Miami Defense is terrible. You should be starting pretty much every offensive player against them. I don’t need to tell you to start all Patriots, but how many points do you think they can drop on Miami? 72?
- This may sounds crazy, but I like Heath Evans next week if Sammy Morris and Laurence Maroney both can’t go. Evans will definitely get goalline carries in this scenario and should get a decent number of touches running out the clock. Kevin Faulk is not an every-down back, but a decent pickup in case either starter can’t go.
- Every year there is one team that becomes a Team Defense Champion; that is, you start nearly every team defense against them regardless of who they are. Last year it was Oakland, this year it is St. Louis.
- Nobody can ever criticize Plaxico Burress for being soft. The man has put up ungodly numbers without practicing and having a bum ankle. Sometimes athletes amaze you.
- Looks like Jerious Norwood is the starting running back in Atlanta. Or else he should be. What took so long?
- Look for Donté Stallworth to continue putting up points. He is now the third Patriots WR teams are keying on, which is dangerous considering his speed and breakaway ability. I see many more long TD passes this year.
- If Brian Griese is still available in your leagues, pick him up as a spot starter. With the Bears’ inability to run the ball, he should get plenty of opportunities to throw the ball 30+ times. He also has a relatively soft passing schedule down the stretch.
- It may be obvious, but Ronnie Brown is an every-week starter, even if he is playing the Patriots. The Pats looked susceptible to the run against Dallas, and Run, Ronnie, Run is the Dolphins #1 threat in the passing game. As a result, even when Miami is down and not running, Ronnie is a threat to score points for your fantasy team.
- Despite a bad week and his bye coming up, I like Greg Jennings a lot if he stays healthy. Teams are focusing in on Donald Driver (note his three consecutive sub-par performances the past three weeks), leaving Jennings open. Favre missed him on two long TD passes because of bad throws, and the second-year WR is a threat to take the quick slant to the house on every play.
- Kevin Curtis is this year’s Lee Evans. Big hit or big miss.
- Vince Young’s season line looks like a day at the office for Tom Brady: 703 PY, 3 TD, 6 INT. In fact, minus his rushing yards and TDs on the season, which are minimal, Young’s season passing line would give him 35.15 fantasy points. Tom Brady against the Cowboys would have gotten you 39.4.
- Maurice Jones-Drew is back. Just in time for his favorite team—Indianapolis—against whom he had 181 total yards and 3 TDs last year. You think Jacksonville is going to run the ball? Indy will suffer its first loss next week.
- Why should Larry Johnson’s 119 yards and his first TD of the season scare you? Because it came on 31 carries for a 3.8 YPC average against the third worst defense in the NFL in terms of YPC allowed. Thomas Howard, LB for the Raiders also has more TDs than him. SELL HIGH after another nice week against Oakland in Week 7!
- T.J. Houshmandzadeh has taken over the reins as Cincinnati’s best fantasy WR. The stats bare this out: Houshmandzadeh: 47 receptions, 505 yards, 7 TDs; Chad Johnson: 36 receptions, 578 yards, and 3 TDs. See if the other fantasy teams in your league haven’t noticed, particularly in PPR leagues.
- Keep an eye on the RB situation in Carolina, as DeAngelo Williams’ big week will put the pressure on DeShaun Foster and the Panthers coaching staff to give the second-year back more carries.
- Philip Rivers was dropped in one of my leagues, and I’m not going to pick him up.
- Patrick Crayton has very similar stats to Terrell Owens this season. Great value receiver.
- Look out Fleaflicker/FleaFanatics keeper league: Drew Brees had a very Drew Brees-like game. He is a solid start next week against Atlanta.
- What has happened to Marques Colston? Lucky for his fantasy owners, his 1 reception for 2 yards went for a TD. David Patten is a decent 3WR next week.
Thanks for reading,
- Shimmering T. at www.fleafanatics.com
