October 1st, 2008 10:35pm PST
THE FANTASY E.R.
Week Four Surprises & "Eyebrow Raisers"
What was week 4, was certainly something to remember. It was a week where we watched two of the near 40 club quarterbacks, gunslinging like a couple of twenty-something's, putting up impressive fantasy numbers that every owner could get excited about. NFL fans saw a legend take the field on Sunday in week 4 and with smiles on all of our faces from ear to ear, we watched his legend grow and grow with each touchdown pass to the tune of six! It was a week of throwback, watching an LJ in one game and an LT in another score touchdowns for their teams as they did in 06. Impressive as they were on Sunday in week 4, for most fantasy owners this was what we had come to expect (okay, maybe not 6 touchdowns, but I only say maybe) and more importantly was why we drafted these gridiron warriors!
So let's take a look at those that were the surprise performances, fantasy owners may not have expected, but may have benefited from. Here are some of the not-quite-ready for "Prime-Time Fantasy Players" raising more eyebrows in week 4.
WR-MUHSIN MUHAMMAD (CAR)
The Panther's senior citizen of the receiving corp showed all the young pups, that old dogs still have a few tricks left. On Sunday in week 4 against the Falcons, Muhammad had his best game of the season and a dominant fantasy performance for a WR2, catching 8 passes for 147 yards with a touchdown! (20-FPTs)
RB-DEUCE MCALLISTER (NO)
Perhaps the one player who raised the most eyebrows on Sunday, not just for his performance, but his return to the team's starting lineup in week 4. Deuce McAllister's return was inspiring in itself, but his contributions Sunday had so much more to say. McAllister carried the ball 20 times for 73 yards on the ground and scored once. He also added a reception for 10 yards (14-FPTs). Fantasy owners better keep your eyes open, because Pierre is out and the Deuce is back!
RB-STEVE SLATON (HOU)
For the second consecutive week the Texans rookie running back surprised fantasy owners with a solid performance against a tough defense (and this week on the road). Slaton did not see too many holes on Sunday rushing for only 33 yards, but where he did do his damage was in the passing game. The rookie caught 8 passes for 83 yards and scored on a 30 yards pass (17-FPTs). Slaton's team-mate WR Kevin Walter was also a big surprise on Sunday, doing his damage in the passing game; Walter pulled in 8 passes for 76 yards and scored two touchdowns (19-FPTs) on Sunday
QB-MATT SCHAUB (HOU)
Following a week filled with much criticism and skepticism from just about every analysts on the web with an opinion, even the local janitors were doubting Schaub's ability and whether he was the right guy. In week 4, Schaub may not have silenced the crowd, but he definitely lowered their roar with a solid afternoon of passing. Schaub completed 29 of 40 passes for 307 yards and tossed 3 touchdowns raising the eyebrows of many fantasy owners that may have listened to some of those critics and sat him this past Sunday.
RB-LERON MCCLAIN (BAL)
The Ravens big 260 pound running back or full-back, or how about we just call him a monster, LeRon McClain continues to raise eyebrows and open eyes! Many experts and analysts alike were not quite sure where this big guy fit in, but it's starting to look like his running style fits in perfectly with the personality and attitude of this team. McClain has solidified his role in the running game with performances like that in week 4, 16 carries for 63 yards and a score (14-FPTs). Another Raven playing with a tough nose attitude and surprising fantasy owners with his production is WR Derrick Mason. The aged veteran receiver is running with legs younger than his player profile indicates and his 8 receptions for 137 yards (13-FPTs) on Monday night against a tough Steeler defense were a big surprise for owners!
TE-ZACH MILLER (OAK)
The Oakland Raiders have not had too many players making many fantasy headlines, but in week 4 not only did tight end Zach Miller turn in a TE1 fantasy worthy performance with 5 catches for 95 yards and a score (15-FPTs), but his QB Jamarcus Russell was also noteworthy. JR passed for 277 yards completing 22 of 37 passes and throwing one touchdown (15-FPTs).
QB-KYLE ORTON (CHI)
It is not often that you will hear any fantasy prognosticator or analyst offer any opinion about a Chicago's Bears quarterback, since the Rex Grossman debacle. But with a new sheriff in town, quarterback Kyle Orton is doing his very best to restore the reputation of the Bear's Field General position. In week 4 against a very stout Eagles pass defense, Orton did make some mistakes and a couple of bad throws, but for most of the night, the Bears quarterback resembled more a poised pocket presence than a punch line to a good water cooler joke. Orton completed 18 of 34 passes for 199 yards and threw three touchdowns (21-FPTs). A more productive night than most fantasy owners could imagine from the former Boilermaker.
More notable surprises from some fantasy "Diamonds in the rough"
-The Ravens rookie QB Joe Flacco couldn't nail the down his third straight win this season Monday night, although he came close, he did have a productive night for fantasy owners completing 16 of 31 for 192 yards with a touchdown. (13-FPTs)
-In a replacement role, the Eagles back up RB Correll Buckhalter filled in nicely for the injured Brian Westbrook. Sunday night against the Bears, the Eagle's runner did not disappoint fantasy owners that scampered to the waiver wire this week, posting 66 yards rushing with a touchdown and adding 24 receiving yards. (14-FPTs)
-The Saints WR Lance Moore did his best impersonation of Marques Colston on Sunday against the Niners. Moore grabbed 7 passes for 101 yards receiving with two touchdowns! (22-FPTs)
-The Saints other receiver that continues to mentioned each week as a strong sleeper, finally awoke in week 4 against the Niners. WR Robert Meachem turned in a solid fantasy performance with 2 catches for 99 yards and a score. (15-FPTs)
-Perhaps the biggest surprise about QB Jason Campbell's performance was not so much what he did, but more where he did it and to who. In week 4 on the road against the division rival Dallas Cowboys, Campbell was precise, accurate, and efficient completing 20 of 31 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns! (21-FPTs)
-Surprise, surprise, another Raider makes the fantasy news wire. It seems although the Raiders are rarely thought of as has much fantasy talent, it does look like they are loaded with talent at the running back position. In week 4, RB Michael Bush turned in a solid performance with 48 rushing yards and 80 receiving yards. His 8 receptions also made his a strong play in PPR leagues. (12-FPTs)
The Complete list of Week 4 Surprises.....
- WR Justin Gage (Ten) caught 5 passes for 95 yards. (9-FPTs)
- TE Greg Olsen (Chi) caught 4 passes for 35 yards and a TD. (9-FPTs)
- WR Matt Jones (Jax) caught 5 passes for 71 yards and a TD. (13-FPTs)
- WR Donnie Avery (Stl) caught 3 passes for 22 yards, had one rush for 37 yards and a TD. (11-FPTs)
- WR Steve Breaston (Ari) caught 9 passes for 121 yards. (12-FPTs)
- RB Fred Jackson (Buf) rushed for 46 yards and a TD. (10-FPTs)
- RB Warrick Dunn (TB) rushed for 63 yards and caught 2 passes for 23 yards. (8-FPTs)
- WR Devin Hester (Chi) caught 3 passes for 27 yards with a TD. (8-FPTs)
- WR Austin Miles (Dal) caught 3 passes 45 yards and a TD. (10-FPTs)
- WR Patrick Crayton (Dal) caught 7 passes for 87 yards. (8-FPTs)
- WR Arnaz Battle (SF) caught 7 passes for 120 yards. (12-FPTs)
**noted scoring based on standard rules.
For more NFL Football coverage check out the experts at the NFL Draft Bible (http://www.nfldraftbible.com/)
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