Monday, September 18, 2006

WEEK 2 - Sunday Recap

- The Rams lose their third straight to the 49ers? Unacceptable. I know they're still getting used to this whole wacky "balanced" offense thing, but they'll eventually need to find the end zone. Owners of Steven Jackson (112 yards a game) and Jeff Wilkins (eight FGs) aren't complaining, but Marc Bulger hasn't exactly lived up to expectations. Of course, six sacks allowed only complicated things, and Orlando Pace's concussion didn't help either.

- The Larry Johnson crisis mode can be put to rest. Some TDs would be nice, but 167 total yards in a game is fine by me. Herm Edwards has his flaws (like an inability to tell time, for one), but he's no dummy.

- Clinton Portis, please hurry back. Some of us were counting on you.

- Philip Rivers has actually looked OK, but keep in mind playing the Raiders and Titans could make anyone look good. And it helps if your defense allows three points per game. I'm not sold on him as for fantasy purposes.

- Aaron Brooks was awful again, fumbling twice before leaving with a sprained rotator cuff. He might not have a job when the Raiders return from next week's bye, even though Andrew Walter wasn't that great against the Ravens D in relief. For the love of everything holy, avoid this situation at all costs. And if you own LaMont Jordan, I feel your pain.

- Warrick Dunn doesn't get the fantasy respect he deserves. He's an every-week starter now that the Falcons are running wild. And maybe that Michael Vick is OK after all.

- Hope Atlanta's Michael Koenen isn't your fantasy kicker. Because he might have just become your fantasy punter.

- Chad Pennington is looking more and more like a solid fantasy backup and spot starter. Two TDs and 306 passing yards against the Pats is nothing to sniff at, and the Jets can't run the ball.

- Tough break (literally) for T.O. owners. Think about Chicago's Bernard Berrian (five catches, 89 yards, TD vs. Detroit), the Jets' Jerico Cotchery (six catches, 121 yards, TD vs. New England), or New Orleans' Marques Colston (four catches, 58 yards, TD vs. Green Bay) as fill-ins.

- Will there be a run on Bears TEs after breakout games for John Gilmore (two TDs) and Desmond Clark (TD)? Not likely ... but Rex Grossman showed he's no Kyle Orton and deserves a little fantasy consideration, at least when he's up against suspect Ds.

- What's up with Joey Galloway? No catches one week, nine for 161 yards the next. Chris Simms and the Bucs need to get their act together quickly. Maybe Cadillac Williams will be able to crack the 40-yard mark against a suddenly run-soft Carolina D in Week 3.

- Nice game by David Carr! Three TDs, 22-for-26 for 219 yards ... did you start him? Of course you didn't.

- Eli Manning is coming of age. After seeing what he's done against the Colts and Eagles, I wouldn't hesitate to start him against the Seahawks on Sunday.

- Reuben Droughns hasn't looked so hot, and he gets to face the Ravens next week. I tabbed him as a bust in '05, but maybe I was a year early.

- Brett Favre put up some nice numbers (340 yards, three TDs) against the Saints. That can happen when you attempt 55 passes in a game. He's still serviceable as a fantasy QB against soft defenses, and you might consider starting him against the Lions after seeing Grossman carve them up on Sunday.

- Hey Roy Williams: Shut up and play.

- Start Daunte Culpepper the next two weeks. Don't laugh. If he can't get it done against the Titans and Texans, he's finished.

- A quick thought from the college ranks .... Note to teams playing at Louisville: Stop stomping on the Cardinals' midfield logo. Rutgers did it last year and lost 56-5. Miami did it this year and lost 31-7. Respect Papa John's Stadium.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

jason. question for you. i have lamont jordan as my number two back right now.(i have two backs playing weekly in my league). my number one back is rudi johnson. but my question is, do i continue to start lamont, or do i put in chester taylor, who so far is having a great season?

JASON BARTOLONE said...

Obviously you've got to go with Taylor this week since the Raiders have a bye - which, frankly, couldn't have come at a better time. Taylor does face the Bears' D, but the Vikings have been committed to the run, so good things can happen when Taylor gets about 25 carries a game and two or three passes thrown his way. He should be OK this week.

Yes, LaMont and the Raiders have been awful, but don't give up hope yet. You have to figure Oakland will eventually get some semblance of a running game going and maybe even throw a pass Jordan's way. You might even consider starting him in Week 4 over Taylor - Jordan faces a soft Cleveland D, and you figure with Andrew Walter at QB the Raiders will try to rely on the running game.

You might have to take it week-by-week for a while (which isn't ideal when it comes to a top draft pick like Jordan), but you're in pretty good shape with a stud like Rudi and a capable fill-in like Taylor.