Biro's Heroes & Zeros

Before we close the books on another exhilarating/frustrating/awesome/humiliating (circle one) fantasy season, let’s take a quick stroll back through 2012 to examine the players we rooted for and against and – with as much objectivity as we can muster – give credit where credit is due.

As always, our annual accolades (and condemnations) have but a few important criteria:

1. Consistency on a weekly basis is next to godliness.
2. Production during the fantasy playoffs – for our purposes, NFL Weeks 14 through 16 – is given extra weight.  Players who let their owners down at the worst possible time earn our eternal scorn.  (Hear that, Victor?)
3. For the most part, Week 17 is dead to us.  (Sorry, Eli.)

Without further ado, I am pleased to present the 2012 Biro’s Heroes & Zeros Awards:

Most Valuable Player: Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings.  AD was the common denominator in countless fantasy championships, largely because his services could be secured as late as the third round in most preseason drafts.  Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers were all outstanding; but there was precious little light between the three elite QBs.  Runner-up: Arian Foster, RB, Texans.

“Peerless Price Memorial” Bust of the Year: Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals.  It doesn’t matter that it wasn’t his fault.  Fitz played all 16 games and couldn’t even crack the Top 40 receiver rankings.  He was unstartable for nearly half the season, which is devastating for a second-round pick.  Runner-up: Darren McFadden, RB, Raiders.   

Rookie of the Year:  Alfred Morris, RB, Redskins. Doug Martin ranked higher, but a huge share of his production came in one game (272 combined yards, 4 TDs in Week 9).  Morris gets the nod due to his humble draft status, more consistent production and superior results during the fantasy postseason. Runner-up: Martin, RB, Buccaneers. 

Comeback Player of the Year: Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos.  Peterson was a Top 10 running back last year.  Manning didn’t play a snap in 2011 due to neck injuries, then returned to elite status with a brand new team.  Runner-up: Peterson.

Mr. Reliable: Brandon Marshall, WR, Bears.  Had only two games with fewer than 90 yards or a touchdown, reached the end zone in nine different weeks, and finished strong.  Runner-up: Brees.

Surprise of the Year: Morris.  Undrafted in many leagues, and not named the starter until Week 1, Morris ended the season among the elite fantasy tailbacks.  Nobody, including the Redskins, saw that coming.  Runner-up: Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks.

Best Waiver Wire Acquisition: James Jones, WR, Packers. Scooped up in most leagues after Greg Jennings went down in Week 4, Jones went on to accumulate more TDs than any receiver in the league.  Runner-up: Danario Alexander, WR, Chargers.

Mr. Big Play: Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs.  Among his six combined TDs were scoring jaunts of 37, 80, 86 and 91 yards. Runner-up: Doug Martin.

Most Devastating Injury Loss: Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars.  Knocked out for the duration in his sixth game, the second-round draft pick had no proxy behind him to make up for his loss. Runner-up: Greg Jennings, WR, Packers.

Steal of the Draft: Tony Gonzalez, TE, Falcons.  The top tight end in Fantasyland was available in the 10^th round or later in most 10-team leagues.  On average, nine other players at his position were selected before the future Hall of Famer. Runner-up: Robert Griffin III, QB, Redskins.

Most Overrated: Matt Stafford, QB, Lions. A consensus Top 5 fantasy passer heading into the season, Stafford generated plenty of yardage, but just six games with multiple TDs through Week 16.  He also threw nearly as many interceptions (16) as TD passes (17).  Runner-up: McFadden.

“Thomas Jones Memorial” Most Underrated: Stevan Ridley, RB, Patriots.  Despite a quiet consistency that led to his Top 10 finish, skeptical owners routinely questioned whether or not Ridley was start-worthy.  Runner-up: Eric Decker, WR, Broncos.

Made Chicken Salad from Chicken Scratch: Jamaal Charles.  On a team virtually bereft of talent to support him, Charles still managed to produce at an elite level. Runner-up: Cecil Shorts, WR, Jaguars.

Biggest Postseason Disappointment: Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks, WRs, Giants. Both performed well in Week 14, then imploded over the next two games.  After a 40-yard outing in Week 15, Nicks was blanked the following game.  Cruz had just 36 total yards during that stretch.  Runner-up: Torrey Smith, WR, Ravens.

Most Spectacular Bench Performance: Shonn Greene, RB, Jets. After four straight scoreless weeks with no more than 40 rushing yards, Greene lit up the Colts for 161 yards and a TD trifecta in Week 6.  Runner-up: Justin Blackmon, WR, Jaguars (7 receptions for 236 yards, 1 TD in Week 11).

Lived Up to the Hype: Robert Griffin III, QB, Redskins. My “Most Likely to Succeed” runner-up in last year’s awards combined a deadly accurate arm with game-breaking running skills to deliver elite results right out of the gate.  You’ll pay dearly for him in next season’s draft.  Runner-up: Doug Martin.

Most Marginalized by Pathetic QB Play: Larry Fitzgerald. The once-elite wideout’s talents were squandered by a rogue’s gallery of passers, including Kevin Kolb, John Skelton, Ryan Lindley and Brian Hoyer.  Runner-up: Dwayne Bowe, WR, Chiefs.

“Frisman Jackson Memorial” Irrational Exuberance Award:  Kevin Ogletree, WR, Cowboys.  Fantasy enthusiasts thought they spotted the 2012 version of Laurent Robinson as they watched Ogletree amass 114 yards and two TDs in the season opener.  The most-added free agent of Week 1 promptly disappeared and was dumped weeks later by his disappointed owners.  Runner-up: Bryce Brown, RB, Eagles.

Worst Sophomore Jinx: Cam Newton, QB, Panthers. He found his mojo late in the season; but prior to Week 12, Newton’s owners were cursing themselves for investing a premium draft pick on him.  Runner-up: Roy Helu, RB, Redskins.  

Team Bust of the Year (a.k.a. They Are Who We Thought They Were): Arizona Cardinals.  There isn’t a player on this team that you regret not drafting.  And no, the defense doesn’t count. Runner-up: Oakland Raiders.

“Plaxico Burress Memorial” Bonehead of the Year: Titus Young, WR, Lions.  Blessed with an abundance of natural talent, Young apparently has the intellect and maturity of a Jersey Shore character.  He flashed his potential in Week 8, then was suspended by his coach for the rest of the season just a few weeks later. Runner-up: Jermichael Finley, TE, Packers.

Most Likely to Succeed in 2013: T.Y. Hilton, WR, Colts.  Reggie Wayne is getting up there in age, but Hilton has already developed excellent chemistry with his fellow rookie and franchise quarterback, Andrew Luck.  That duo should be explosive in their second season together.  Runner-up: Justin Blackmon, WR, Jaguars.

As always, I’m open to your feedback on these awards.  Feel free to comment below, and be sure to begin your message with “You’re an idiot because…”

Next week: The Perfect Draft: Final Cut, wraps up the season.

Week 17 Heroes & Zeros

This was a great week to start…

QBs

Aaron Rodgers, Packers – Amassed 365 yards and 4 TDs with no INTs but 1 fumble.

Drew Brees, Saints – Passed for 396 yards and 4 TDs, with 1 INT.

Eli Manning, Giants – Racked up 5 TDs while passing for a modest 208 yards.

Peyton Manning, Broncos – Surgically dismantled the Chiefs for 304 yards and 3 TDs without a turnover.

RBs

Alfred Morris, Redskins – Romped over the Cowboys for 200 yards and 3 TDs, plus 2 catches for 12 more yards.

Adrian Peterson, Vikings – Crushed the Packers with 199 rushing yards and a TD, plus a 2-yard TD reception.

DeAngelo Williams, Panthers – Raced for 210 yards and a pair of TDs.

Doug Martin, Buccaneers – Ran for 142 yards and a TD, plus 4 receptions for 18 yards.

Stevan Ridley, Patriots – Ran for 74 yards and 2 TDs.

Mike Tolbert, Panthers – Ran for just 25 yards but scored 3 short TDs, and caught a 22 yarder.

WRs

Greg Jennings, Packers – Came back to form with 8 receptions for 120 yards and 2 TDs.

Michael Crabtree, 49ers – Had a career day with 8 receptions for 172 yards and 2 TDs.

Andre Johnson, Texans – A dozen catches for 141 yards was sweet for PPR leaguers.

Marques Colston, Saints – His 5 catches resulted in 52 yards and 2 scores.

Reuben Randall, Giants – Caught 4 passes for 58 yards and 2 TDs.

Eric Decker, Broncos – Grabbed 7 balls for 76 yards and 2 TDs.

Demaryius Thomas, Broncos – He also grabbed 7 balls, and generated 122 yards and a TD.

Michael Floyd, Cardinals – Had the best day of his rookie season with 8 receptions for 166 yards and a TD, plus a fumble.  Too bad nobody owns him.

TEs

Jimmy Graham, Saints – Turned 9 passes into 115 yards and a TD.

D/STs

Titans – Accumulated 7 sacks, 3 INTs, 2 TDs on INTs and 2 more on punt returns.

This was a great week to play against…

QBs

Joe Flacco, Ravens – Made just a token appearance, passing for 34 yards.

Andy Dalton, Bengals – Notched just 78 yards and 1 TD before being yanked early.

Matt Schaub, Texans – Held to 275 yards and no TDs, plus 2 INTs.

Cam Newton, Panthers – Passed for 248 yards and ran for 34, but didn’t score and tossed an INT.

RBs

Ray Rice, Ravens – Got just 5 yards on his 3 carries.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Bengals – Was active, but you wouldn’t know it by his lack of mention in the box score.

Beanie Wells, Cardinals – Active, but didn’t see the field after mouthing off about auditioning for other teams.

Ryan Grant, Packers – Only 2 yards on 2 carries.

Mark Ingram, Saints – Led his team with 39 rushing yards.

Reggie Bush, Dolphins – Ran for 26 yards and caught 2 passes for 23 yards.

Jonathan Dwyer, Steelers – Combined for just 61 total yards.

Jamaal Charles, Chiefs – Just 53 rushing and 14 receiving yards.
Darren McFadden, Raiders – Underwhelmed again with just 57 rushing yards.

WRs

Torrey Smith, Ravens – Took an early shower, before he could catch a pass.

Hakeem Nicks, Giants – Posted a goose egg.

Sidney Rice, Seahawks – So did he.

Miles Austin, Cowboys – Blanked after getting roughed up early.

Brandon Lloyd, Patriots – 9 yards on his only catch.

Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals – 13 yards on 2 passes.  Sadly, it’s what we’ve come to expect.

A.J. Green, Bengals – Just 2 receptions for 26 yards in a cameo appearance.

Danny Amendola, Rams – Another disappointing outcome, with just 27 yards on 4 catches.

Reggie Wayne, Colts – Limited to 40 yards on 4 balls.

Kenny Britt, Titans – Only 21 yards on 2 catches.

Nate Washington, Titans – He got 21 yards on his only catch.

Pierre Garcon, Redskins – Just 46 yards on 3 passes.

TEs

Jermaine Gresham, Bengals – Another no-show.

Scott Chandler, Bills – Blanked by the Jets.

Vernon Davis, 49ers – Had a 5-yard reception on the day.

Jacob Tamme, Broncos – Caught a 13 yarder.

Owen Daniels, Texans – Only 27 yards on 3 receptions.

Sunday morning updates -- Week 17

Good morning, Fools.  I hope you're not contesting a championship today, but there's no reason you have to stop playing altogether, either.

In two of my leagues, we play a Week 17 "Free for All Bowl," in which every team -- including those that missed out on the playoffs -- sets one final lineup.  The top overall scorer wins 5% of the pot.  It's a good way to keep the fantasy fun going for another weekend, and it gives us another reason to tune in the Red Zone Channel one last time.

So, for those of us with something on the line in today's games, here's the latest skinny from around the league:

Why shouldn't you play a Week 17 title match?  Here's your latest reason: Ray Rice is NOT expected to play today, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.  With little on the line, there's no reason for the Ravens to risk their star to injury prior to the postseason.  While this isn't official, Schefter usually knows what he's talking about.

It could be a big day for rookie RB Bernard Pierce...

No word yet on Flacco, Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin (shoulder); but it sure makes you think a similar stance would be taken on them.

We learned earlier this week that Trent Richardson, MJD, Mike Wallace, Pierre Thomas, Mario Manningham and Mike Nugent were done for the season.  Since all but Richardson have been placed on IR, they won't appear on the inactive lists.  Jets TE Dustin Keller also won't play today.

Don't count on Jonathan Stewart or Vernon Davis (concussion) to be available either.

However, it appears that Rob Gronkowski will suit up, and at least get a few snaps.  It's not clear that he will make more than a cameo appearance, however; so if you have a decent TE alternative, you might be better off taking it.  That said, nobody would be surprised to see Gronk spike one in the end zone today.

I was wrong earlier in the week when I indicated that Matt Leinart would be the starting QB in Oakland.  That will be Terrelle Pryor instead.  The change doesn't make me feel any differently about the Raiders' wideouts, including Denarius Moore.  Keep him on your bench.

That's it for now.  Inactives come next via Twitter (www.twitter.com/ladd_biro).  Have a great Sunday, and good luck to all Fools playing for something!

Saturday injury updates, and more

Here are a few snippets from yesterday's 4th & Long column on Sporting News, along with a few updates from today's news.

If he plays at all, Trent Richardson is only expected to see spot duty thanks to a bum ankle. Montario Hardesty will get the lion's share of the load in the meaningless matchup with the Steelers. [Update: Richardson has now been declared out.]

Keep an eye on Matt Forte's playing status, as he is likely to be a game-time decision. With no Michael Bush to fall back upon, the Bears certainly need their starter in a must-win game. But his latest ankle injury may prove too painful to overcome so quickly.  [Update: Forte has been upgraded to probable.]

After suffering a setback in practice, Jonathan Stewart (ankle) is not expected to be ready for the Panthers' finale. That leaves the workload in DeAngelo Williams' unsteady hands again. I reminded you last week that he couldn't be trusted. Did you listen?
 
A hip injury has kept Mike Wallace off the practice field all week, and it could force him out of Sunday's contest. That means that we've likely seen the last of the up-and-down speedster in a Steelers uniform.

Those who've been holding onto Rob Gronkowski (arm, hip) in hopes that he would be available for the last game or two of the regular season are about to be very disappointed. He's been a limited participant in practice for the past week, but there's little indication he will be activated prior to the playoffs.

More Saturday updates:

Both Brandon Weeden and Colt McCoy will miss Week 17 for the Browns, leaving the QB role in the hands of the great Thaddeus Lewis.  With Trent Richardson also missing in action, could there be a better defensive play than the Steelers on Sunday?

Pierre Thomas is out for Sunday's matchup, but Chris Ivory will be back in the Saints' RB rotation along with Darren Sproles and Mark Ingram.

Why MJD waited until now to undergo foot surgery on his ankle is beyond me.  But he did.

The 49ers put Mario Manningham on IR.  He's done.

Mike Nugent has also gone to IR.  Josh Brown will close out the season as the Bengals' kicker.

Week 17 Starters & Benchwarmers

Wondering whether or not to start Marshawn Lynch and Dez Bryant, or to bench Brian Hoyer and Austin Pettis?  The network bozos specialize in that kind of advice. If you’re looking for help with your real starting lineup conundrums, read on.

Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 17 of the 2012 season.

Watch ‘em roll

Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks vs. Rams.  He’s playing at home, where he is nearly flawless.  He’s led his team to 150 points over the last three games.  And he’s gunning for the NFC West title against a so-so Rams defense.  Yeah, I’d say Wilson is worth a start.

Shonn Greene, RB, Jets at Bills.  You may want to bench him if only to keep from having to watch this dreadful game.  But Greene is likely to be the lone bright spot for the moribund Jets offense, which will once again be guided by Mark Sanchez.  Don’t be surprised to see Greene punch in a couple of goal-line scores against the NFL’s softest run defense.

Reggie Bush, RB, Dolphins at Patriots.  Coming off his second-best fantasy performance of the season, Bush should remain in your lineup as he auditions for a new contract.  The Patriots are playing for a bye, but their defense is still struggling.  Bush will get plenty of touches to reinforce his value to the Dolphins, and other RB-challenged teams.

Torrey Smith, WR, Ravens at Bengals.  Smith was clearly feeling no ill effects from his concussion while torching the Giants last week.  Though he faces a more formidable foe on Sunday, the Bengals could rest their starters early since their postseason positioning is firm.  Fellow wideout Anquan Boldin could also be limited with a bruised shoulder.

Jeremy Maclin, WR, Eagles at Giants.  Maclin barely skipped a beat when Nick Foles took the reins, and he should have little trouble reestablishing his rapport with Michael Vick.  Provided he is able to suit up – he tweaked his knee in practice earlier this week -- Maclin will be the most familiar face on the field to his new/old quarterback.  Meanwhile, New York’s secondary is very generous to opposing receivers.

More thumbs up (excluding the no-brainers): QBs Cam Newton, Tony Romo, Robert Griffin III; RBs LeSean McCoy, Doug Martin, C.J. Spiller, Chris Johnson, Knowshon Moreno, Alfred Morris, Frank Gore; WRs Mike Williams, Pierre Garcon, Stevie Johnson, Miles Austin, Reggie Wayne, Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Steve Smith, Kenny Britt, Eric Decker, Demaryius Thomas, Greg Jennings, Michael Crabtree, Justin Blackmon.

Roll ‘em back

Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Steelers vs. Browns.  In a mild surprise, Rashard Mendenhall emerged from his coach’s doghouse to be the Steelers’ most productive rusher in Week 16.  With nothing but pride at stake, a committee backfield holds little upside for any of Pittsburgh’s tailbacks.

Beanie Wells, RB, Cardinals at 49ers.  After his epic disaster in Week 16 (3 rushing yards, fumble, benching), Wells should be nowhere near your lineup against a 49ers squad aiming for a division crown.  The oft-injured RB has already mentally checked out for the season, and he has started talking about playing elsewhere in 2013. 

Roddy White, WR, Falcons vs. Buccaneers.  Atlanta is Exhibit A for why fantasy titles should never be contested in Week 17.  With nothing to play for, Matt Ryan and his fellow starters could see just a few token series.  While the Bucs’ secondary is certainly capable of allowing big strikes to this prolific attack early on, that’s an awfully risky proposition for owners of the Falcons’ fantasy stars.  Especially those of White, who is nursing a knee injury.

Jordy Nelson, WR, Packers at Vikings.  Nelson (hamstring) is expected to return to the Packers’ lineup this weekend, but think twice before slotting him back in yours.  With Greg Jennings near 100 percent, Green Bay’s receiving corps is deep enough to allow the team to ease Nelson back slowly.  They’ll need him at full strength for their postseason run.

Denarius Moore, WR, Raiders at Chargers.  Matt Leinart is expected to start at QB for Oakland.  What more do you need to know to convince you that all Raider wideouts should be off the table?

More thumbs down: QBs Matt Ryan, Andy Dalton, Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Schaub, Philip Rivers, Sam Bradford; RBs Michael Turner, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Trent Richardson, Darren McFadden, Mikel Leshoure, Vick Ballard, Ryan Grant, Rashard Mendenhall; WRs Hakeem Nicks, Larry Fitzgerald, Mike Wallace, Jeremy Kerley, Sidney Rice.

TAKING A FLIER

Michael Vick, QB, Eagles at Giants.  What better way for Vick to convince the league that he deserves another starting gig next season than by showcasing his running and passing skills against his division rivals?  He and Andy Reid have all the motivation they need to excel in this contest, and it helps that the Giants’ defense has been even worse than normal lately.

DON’T BE THE BONEHEAD WHO…plays next year’s title game in Week 17.  If that’s what you’re doing this weekend, you’ll see (again) that too many key players are either resting or completely checked out.  Most self-respecting fantasy leagues wrap up in Week 16 while all their players are still going full tilt.  The regular season finale is a better time for a consolation game or a “Free for All Bowl” – one last league-wide contest where the top overall scorer wins a small share of the pot.

Fantasy stars shine bright in title round

Did you go over the fantasy cliff yesterday?

I sure did.  Twice.

Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Calvin Johnson got the snowball tumbling down the hill on Saturday night, and by the time Reggie Bush piled on, my boys were buried so deep they couldn’t dig themselves out. 

Tom Brady and Aaron Hernandez failed to negotiate an agreement to meet in the end zone, and Dez Bryant’s shoulders just weren’t broad enough to carry my entire team.

And yet, in a cruel twist of fate, Dez was the main culprit in the demise of my other title-contending team.  His 224-yard, two-touchdown mastery of the Saints’ secondary helped my opponent overcome Adrian Peterson’s modest outing.  Ray Rice came through for the bad guys as well; but Eli Manning, Victor Cruz and Tony Gonzalez left the door wide open for an epic upset by my squad in Sunday night’s showdown.

Sadly, despite another bravura performance by Marshawn Lynch – and Aaron Rodgers’ earlier shellacking of the Titans – Frank Gore and Michael Crabtree left the Fantasy Fools just five points shy of a championship. 

Am I bitter that the Rams wideout whose name shall never be spoken again in my household actually had a minus sign in front of his score?  Let’s just say that if I had named one of my sons Daniel, we’d be headed to the courthouse today to change it.

Congratulations to those celebrating a well-earned victory today.  And to those whose hopes and dreams were dashed at the foot of the fantasy cliff, well, the 2013 draft is just eight short months away.

FREE AGENT PICKS AND PANS

The fact is, you shouldn’t be competing for a title in Week 17.  But if you are, or if you have a consolation matchup to play for, here is one player that might help you, and one that who would look better in someone else's lineup.

Catch ‘em while you can

Doug Baldwin, WR, Seahawks.  As electrifying as Russell Wilson has been, and as many points as Seattle has been scoring, you’d think their wideouts would be fantasy studs.  But Wilson doesn’t throw for a ton of yards (no 300-yard outings to date).  Baldwin is arguably the most gifted of his receivers, and his 53-yard, two-touchdown performance showed what he can do when fully healthy.  Consider grabbing him, if only as a preemptive move to keep him out of your opponent’s lineup.

Don’t be fooled

Ryan Grant, RB, Packers.  It was fun, for old time’s sake, to see Grant do the Lambeau Leap.  Twice, even.  But those scores came in garbage time of a 55-7 blowout, DuJuan Harris found the end zone earlier (the first rushing TD of the season for a Green Bay RB, believe it or not), and Alex Green (concussion) could return to the backfield in Week 17.