Week 12 Heroes & Zeros

This was a great week to start…

Tom Brady, QB, Patriots – Gave his owners 341 yards and 4 TDs to be thankful for.
Jay Cutler, QB, Bears – Threw for 247 yards and 4 TDs and ran for 17 yards.
Matt Cassel, QB, Chiefs – Passed for 233 yards and 4 TDs, while running for 28 yards.
Kyle Orton, QB, Broncos – Accumulated 3 TDs and 347 yards without a turnover.
Sam Bradford, QB, Rams – Passed for 308 yards and 3 TDs.

Peyton Hillis, RB, Browns – Ran for 131 yards and a trio of TDs, and added 63 receiving yards on 6 catches.
Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs – Rushed for 173 yards and 1 TD.
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Steelers – Rumbled for 151 yards and a score, with a fumble.
Mike Goodson, RB, Panthers – Withstood J-Stew’s presence to run for 55 yards and 1 TD, while adding 8 receptions for 81 yards.
Arian Foster, RB, Texans – Ran for 143 yards and caught 9 passes for 75 yards.
Fred Jackson, RB, Bills – Caught 5 passes for 104 yards and 1 TD, plus 59 rushing yards.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB, Patriots – The Law Firm ran for 59 yards and 2 scores on Thanksgiving.
Chris Ivory, RB, Saints – Only ran for 38 yards, but scored twice in the process.


Dwayne Bowe, WR, Chiefs – Caught 13 passes for 170 yards and a TD hat trick.
Jacoby Ford, WR, Raiders – Caught 4 passes for 108 yards and 1 TD, ran for 13 yards and returned a kickoff 101 yards for another score.
Deion Branch, WR, Patriots – Torched the Lions for 113 yards and 2 TDs on just 3 catches.
Wes Welker, WR, Patriots – Scored twice on 8 catches for 90 yards.
Brandon Lloyd, WR, Broncos – Hauled in 4 passes for 76 yards and 2 TDs.

Chargers defense/special teams – Scored twice on INT returns, racked up five turnovers and added a sack, while holding Peyton Manning & Co. to 14 points.
Jets defense/special teams – Accumulated 3 sacks, 2 INTs, a safety and an 89-yard kickoff return score by Brad Smith, while holding Cincinnati to 10 points.

This was a great week to play against…

Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals – Threw for just 135 yards and 1 TD, with 2 INTs.
Mark Sanchez, QB, Jets – Managed only 166 yards, 1 TD and an INT.
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers – Just 246 yards passing and an 18-yard run against the lowly Bills defense.
Brett Favre, QB, Vikings – Passed for 172 yards without a score (or a turnover).
Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers – Threw for 185 yards, but no TDs.

Chris Johnson, RB, Titans – Somehow managed to amass a measly 5 rushing yards plus 2 more yards on 2 catches.
Jahvid Best, RB, Lions – Was active, but didn’t get a single carry.
Tim Hightower, RB, Cardinals – Couldn’t get a stinking yard on 5 carries.
Reggie Bush, RB, Saints – In his first action in several games, got just one 1-yard carry and a 12-yard reception.
Keiland Williams, RB, Redskins – Had 21 yards on 4 receptions, but just 5 rushing yards.
Cedric Benson, RB, Bengals – Held to 41 rushing yards.
Brandon Jackson, RB, Packers – Limited to 26 rushing yards and 3 receptions for 10 more.
Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks – Ran for 20 yards and added 2 catches for 13 yards.
Frank Gore, RB, 49ers – Managed 52 rushing yards before leaving with a hip injury.

Dez Bryant, WR, Cowboys – Held without a catch on Thanksgiving.
Vincent Jackson, WR, Chargers – Posted a goose egg in his first game back, thanks to groin and calf injuries.
Malcom Floyd, WR, Chargers – Also held catchless.
Lee Evans, WR, Bills – One 9-yard reception on the day, with a fumble to boot.
Nate Washington, WR, Titans – Caught a 10-yard pass against the league’s worst secondary.
Terrell Owens, WR, Bengals – Marooned on Revis Island again, with just 3 catches for 17 yards.
Braylon Edwards, WR, Jets – Only 20 yards on 2 catches.
Mike Williams, WR, Buccaneers – Ditto.
Sidney Rice, WR, Vikings – Got his 20 yards on a single reception.
Randy Moss, WR, Titans – Tripled his catch total as a Titan with 3 for 23 yards.
Donald Driver, WR, Packers – His 2 catches were good for 26 yards.
DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles – Ditto.
Anquan Boldin, WR, Ravens – Notched 3 passes for 27 yards.
Steve Smith, WR, Panthers – Another disappointing day, with 33 yards on 2 catches.
Mike Wallace, WR, Steelers – Got his 33 yards on 3 catches.

I didn’t see that coming…

Maurice Morris, RB, Lions – Ran for 55 yards and 2 TDs and caught 5 passes for 20 yards.
Brian Westbrook, RB, 49ers – Subbing for an injured Frank Gore, Westy rushed for 136 yards and 1 TD, and looked good doing it.

Ben Obomanu, WR, Seahawks – Caught 5 passes for 159 yards and 1 TD.
Earl Bennett, WR, Bears – Reeled in 4 passes for 56 yards and 2 scores.

Billy Bajema, TE, Rams – Scored twice on 3 receptions for 32 yards.

Moving past the Thanksgiving hangover

I can’t decide which is worse. The conclusion of Dancing with the Stars (I thought I was golden when I took Kurt Warner in the first round of my DWTS fantasy league), or the fact that this weekend marks the end of the regular season in most fantasy football leagues.

Admittedly, that’s a ridiculous quandary; but I’m still a bit doped up on tryptophan.

Come to think of it, maybe that’s what happened to Philip Rivers on Sunday night. That seems like a better excuse for his first non-scoring game of the season than “his defense was so good, he didn’t need to throw a TD pass.”

I’m too pooped to do the research, but perhaps tryptophan has the opposite effect on diabetics, which could explain Jay Cutler’s monster performance against the proud Eagles defense.

Is Peyton Hillis diabetic too?

Nah…he’s just a frickin’ frackin’ stud, as my Aunt Pat might say. (Note to the IRS: The use of “frickin’ frackin’” in this column justifies my write-off of the Biro family’s Thanksgiving-week vacation to Indiana. Thanks for your understanding.)

And what are we to make of Houston’s much-maligned defense pitching a shut-out against the Titans? Apparently we must amend our once-bulletproof hypothesis that “anyone can torch the Texans’ secondary” with the qualifier “anyone but Rusty Smith.”

That said, I have no explanation for Chris Johnson’s stat line (5 carries, 7 yards). Or the appeal of fruitcake, for that matter.

Alas, wherever your team resides in your league’s standings, it’s too early to hit the couch. Whether you’re cruising to the top seed, vying for a playoff berth, or playing the role of spoiler, there’s work to be done.

It begins Thursday night, when the Eagles host the Texans. Free insider tip: Michael Vick is no Rusty Smith.

Also, Kurt Warner is no Emmitt Smith.

Okay, it’s time for my nap.

FREE AGENT PICKS AND PANS

To win a fantasy championship, you need to start with a good draft. But filling in your roster throughout the season with the right free agents can also make a big difference. Here’s a look at a few players worth considering, and others who would look better in someone else’s line-up.

Catch ‘em while you can

Toby Gerhart, RB, Vikings. Whether or not Adrian Peterson’s ankle injury costs him his delicious Week 13 matchup with the Bills, Gerhart is a must-get for every AP owner. Better yet, non-owners should put in a claim as well, if only to block your competitor from doing what he should have done weeks ago.

Maurice Morris, RB, Lions. Jahvid Best was active on Thanksgiving, but he didn’t get a single carry due to his lingering toe injuries. Enter Morris, who crossed the goal line twice while accumulating 75 combined yards. Though the Lions face the stingy Bears defense this weekend, Morris is worth a pickup. There’s no telling when, or if, Best will be running at full speed again this season.

Tashard Choice, RB, Cowboys. With Marion Barber expected to miss two weeks (or more) with a calf strain, Choice will finally see the touches that many Cowboys fans believe he should have been getting all along. Felix Jones remains the starter, but Choice is arguably the most complete back on the Dallas roster. He has risen to the occasion previously, when injuries to Barber and/or Jones have given him the chance to shine.

Don’t be fooled

Earl Bennett, WR, Bears. He scored twice yesterday on just four catches, which now gives him a whopping three TDs on the season. He hasn’t totaled more than five receptions or 76 yards in any game to date, so count me skeptical that he’ll be anything other than a headache to anyone who picks him up for the stretch run.

Ben Obomanu, WR, Seahawks. He’s scored in three of the past four games, including Sunday’s 159-yard effort against the Chiefs. So why am I not impressed? Mostly because I don’t trust Matt Hasselbeck, and Mike Williams should return from his foot injury soon. I simply can’t envision any scenario in which I’d feel comfortable starting Obomanu with postseason success on the line; so why bother picking him up?

Texans defense. Don’t even think about it.

Week 9 Heroes & Zeros

This was a great week to start…

Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers – Even without his top receivers, passed for 295 yards and 4 TDs, with just one INT.
Eli Manning, QB, Giants – Toyed with the Seahawks for 290 yards, 3 TDs and no turnovers.
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers – Torched Dallas for 289 yards and 3 TDs, and ran for 41 yards, without a turnover, before hitting the showers early.
Brett Favre, QB, Vikings – Passed for a career-best 446 yards, plus 2 TDs and 2 INTs.

Peyton Hillis, RB, Browns – Rumbled for 184 yards and 2 TDs, and added 36 yards on 3 catches. We’ll forgive him for the fumble.
Arian Foster, RB, Texans – Ran for 127 yards and 2 TDs, while catching 4 passes for 70 yards. Had a third TD overturned on replay.
Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings – Scored rushing and receiving while totaling 144 combined yards.
Brandon Jackson, RB, Packers – He scored both ways too, while combining for 68 yards.
Michael Turner, RB, Falcons – Scored twice while rushing for 107 yards.
Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Giants – Combined for 92 yards and 2 rushing TDs.
Ray Rice, RB, Ravens – Rushed for 83 yards and caught 7 passes for 97 more.

Terrell Owens, WR, Bengals – Another monster outing, with 10 receptions for 141 yards and 2 TDs.
Hakeem Nicks, WR, Giants – Produced 128 yards and a TD on 6 catches before leaving early with a minor ankle injury.
James Jones, WR, Packers – Reeled in 8 passes for 123 yards and 1 TD, but dropped another sure TD catch late.
DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles – Caught 7 passes for 109 yards and a TD, and ran for 20 more yards.
Mike Wallace, WR, Steelers – Collected 5 passes for 110 yards and a score.
Steve Johnson, WR, Bills – His 11 receptions produced 145 yards.

Aaron Hernandez, TE, Patriots – Scored twice while catching 5 passes for 48 yards.
Randy McMichael, TE, Chargers – Took advantage of Gates’ absence to score twice on his only 2 catches, which went for 23 yards.
Jacob Tamme, TE, Colts – Hauled in 11 catches for 108 yards and 1 TD in only his second start.

Packers defense/special teams – Scored on fumble and INT returns, while amassing 4 sacks and 4 turnovers and holding Dallas to 7 points.
Saints defense – Collected 4 sacks and 2 turnovers, scored on a 24-yard interception return and held Carolina to 3 points.
Cardinals defense/special teams – Scored on a kickoff return and fumble return and added 3 sacks and three turnovers.

This was a great week to play against…

Matt Schaub, QB, Texans – Disappointed again, with 266 yards, no TDs and an INT.

Beanie Wells, RB, Cardinals – Actually lost 2 yards on his only carry.
Ricky Williams, RB, Dolphins – Gained a single yard against the Ravens.
Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers – Ran for a paltry 30 yards.
Thomas Jones, RB, Chiefs – Just 32 measly yards against the Raiders.
LeGarrette Blount, RB, Buccaneers – Last week’s hero was this week’s goat, with just 46 rushing yards to show for his day.
Cowboys RBs – Jones, Barber and Choice split 14 carries and 39 yards, without a single reception between them.
Seahawks RBs – Marshawn Lynch gained 48 yards while Justin Forsett lost a yard running, adding 5 receiving.
Matt Forte, RB, Bears – Just 49 rushing yards, plus 12 yards on 3 catches, while Chester Taylor poached the TD.

Austin Collie, WR, Colts – Lost a yard on his only catch, before leaving early after absorbing a scary hit.
Steve Smith, WR, Panthers – Three QBs could only get him a single 9-yard pass.
Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions – A 13-yard pass was all he could muster.
Chad Ochocinco, WR, Bengals – Just one 15-yarder on Monday night.
Pierre Garcon, WR, Colts – Managed only 15 yards on 2 catches.
Miles Austin, WR, Cowboys – He got 16 yards on his 2 receptions, which was better than Roy Williams’ 6-yard evening.
Wes Welker, Deion Branch and Brandon Tate, WRs, Patriots – Amassed 36, 21 and 12 yards, respectively.
Robert Meachem, WR, Saints – His 2 catches went for 15 yards.
Anquan Boldin, WR, Ravens – Held to 2 passes for 28 yards.
Brandon Marshall, WR, Dolphins – Limited to 30 yards on 5 receptions.
Andre Johnson, WR, Texans – He only produced 41 yards on 4 catches.

I didn’t see that coming…

Javarris James, RB, Colts – Scored on half his 4 carries, though he only gained 12 yards in the process.

Seyi Ajirotutu, WR, Chargers – Produced 111 yards and 2 TDs on just 4 catches, though it's not entirely surprising given he did it against the Texans.
Jacoby Ford, WR, Raiders – Turned 6 catches into 148 yards, and scored on a 94-yard kickoff return.

The Perfect Draft: With 20/20 Hindsight

Halfway through the 2010 fantasy season, are you still lamenting the premium draft pick you wasted on DeAngelo Williams? Are you kicking yourself for allowing Hakeem Nicks to slide by round after round? Did you cast your lot with the wrong Jets running back?

Yes, dear reader, it’s time for our semi-annual exercise in self-flagellation, when we travel back two short months to examine what could have been had we made all the right moves during our preseason draft. Step right up for The Perfect Draft: Midseason Review.

As always, we start with a few key assumptions. First, we’re in a 10-team league using a standard scoring system that starts one quarterback, two running backs, three wide receivers, one tight end, one kicker and one defense/special teams. Second, we are drafting from the middle (fifth) position in a zig-zag format, meaning Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson were not available to us in the first round. Third, since all drafts play out differently, we’ll need a little luck along the way. And finally, our goal is nothing short of total domination and the abject humiliation of our opponents.

Now, with the fifth pick of the 2010 Fantasy Draft, we should have selected…

Round 1. Frank Gore, RB, 49ers. Aside from CJ2K and AP, Gore is arguably the only first-round selection that has delivered first-round value. Though he’s only posted one multi-touchdown game, and has just four TDs on the season, he’s offered the steady, reliable production you expect from your top pick.


Round 2. Roddy White, WR, Falcons. Calvin Johnson has three more TDs to date, but White has amassed 209 more receiving yards. It’s a tough call, but we since can’t have both, White gets the nod.

Round 3. Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers. Who needs Vincent Jackson? Obviously not Rivers, whose 2,649 passing yards leads the NFL. Only Drew Brees has more TDs (16 vs. 15), but Rivers was available two rounds later.


Round 4. Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers. Once again, Gates is the pick of the litter at his position. No tight end even comes close to his 663 yards and nine TDs. In fact, those numbers would put Gates atop the wide receiver ranks as well.

Round 5. Hakeem Nicks, WR, Giants. Aside from a meltdown in Week 6, Nicks has been a red-zone beast, far out-pacing his teammate Steve Smith, who was taken roughly 20 picks earlier.

Round 6. Arian Foster, RB, Texans. If you drafted late, after Foster’s stock vaulted through the roof, you may have had to use a fourth-rounder to secure the sleeper of the year. In that case, Ahmad Bradshaw is a solid backup option here.

Round 7. Terrell Owens, WR, Bengals. Apparently he can still put his money where his mouth is. After getting off to a sluggish start, T.O. has scored at least once in four consecutive games.

Round 8. Jeremy Maclin, WR, Eagles. Though we really don’t need him, Maclin is another Top 10 fantasy receiver we’d rather let sit on our bench than in an opponent’s starting lineup.

Round 9. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Jets. LT has seized the lead rushing duties from Shonn Greene and is eerily reminiscent of the powerful and dynamic playmaker who once reigned in Fantasyland.

Round 10. Darren McFadden, RB, Raiders. Just when you thought it was safe to write him off as a fantasy and NFL bust, McFadden has emerged as an elite, multi-purpose tailback. Even after missing two games with a bum hamstring, he’s a Top 5 fantasy RB.

Round 11. Kyle Orton, QB, Broncos. Here’s where we start getting silly, reaching for players that others won’t consider for several more rounds, if ever. Orton could be had as late as the 16th round, but we’ll grab fantasy’s second-ranked passer now, despite the snarky remarks we’re sure to hear.

Round 12. Titans defense/special teams. Several defensive units offer strong value, but the widely undrafted Titans set the pace in most scoring systems. Tennessee leads the league in sacks (26), and rank near the top in most other important categories.

Round 13. Austin Collie, WR, Colts. Though he’s out indefinitely with a thumb injury, Collie was the Colts’ leading receiver over the first six weeks. Kenny Britt was also available here, but his goose eggs to open and close the first half of the season were costly.

Round 14. Peyton Hillis, RB, Browns. Another player who went mostly undrafted, all he’s done is seize the workhorse role in Cleveland’s backfield and make Jerome Harrison expendable. Hillis has scored in all but one game to date.

Round 15. Marcedes Lewis, TE, Jaguars. Here’s another head-scratcher that our friends will mock; but when they try to claim Lewis off waivers after the opener, they’ll be too late. Lewis trails only Gates in fantasy production among tight ends. Bills wideout Steve Johnson would be an equally confounding, and prescient, selection.

Round 16. Sebastian Janikowski, K, Raiders. As usual, there’s little distinction between the top kickers, so take your pick between Rob Bironas, Dan Carpenter and the current front-runner, Janikowski.

Round 17. Brandon Lloyd, WR, Broncos. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of selecting the NFL’s top wideout in the final round of the draft. Even if you somehow foresaw Orton’s breakout, you’d have been a stinking genius to know that Lloyd would be his favorite target. But that’s the way football go.


FREE AGENT PICKS AND PANS
It’s pretty slim pickings on the waiver wire this week. Only one player is worth consideration in my book, and even then only for desperate owners.

Catch him while you can

Keiland Williams, RB, Redskins. The undrafted rookie from LSU took over after Ryan Torain left Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury. As the Redskins head into their bye week, Torain should have enough time to heal and return to his workhorse role. But the starter’s owners may want to hedge their bets by handcuffing Williams, who has performed well in spot duty.