TUESDAY TALK
What to make of Week Two
Looking under the microscope….
With so much big play action taking place this past Sunday, some of the more critical elements to notice may have gotten lost in the haze. We’ve noted some of the bigger performances, but as we again look back over Week 2 of the NFL, let’s take a closer look under the microscope and see what it all means.
The Jets upset the Patriots;
The biggest thing we have to take from this outcome is; one the Jets are real contenders rookie quarterback or not and two, Sanchez is no ordinary rookie. On third down this season Sanchez is 17 of 23 passing (73.9%) for 228 yards and a scintillating 119.5 passer rating. The kid is not going to garnish too many fantasy accolades, but he’s consistent and a safe play.
Joey Galloway catches five passes;
With Welker sidelined, expect to see Galloway get worked more into the offense over the next several weeks. Edelman looked to be the flavor of the day, but going forward Galloway should prove to be the more consistent play. Galloway still has some of his speed and is a safer bet for the occasional big play, he’ll make a nice waiver grab.
Barber pulls up lame Sunday night;
The smart move for the Cowboys will be to allow Barber to get healthy before returning; enter Mr. Felix Jones. While many fantasy owners will be excited about the potential of Jones being the featured back, the waiver wire could be busy with owners targeting number three running back Tashard Choice. Choice figures to see his share of action with Barber potentially sidelined a game or two.
Brett Favre is more than a game manager in week 2;
It could be that no opposing defense has found a way to stop the Vikings ground attack or maybe they just played Detroit. Either way, Brett Favre silenced some of his critics by playing a near flawless game against the Lions. Albeit, it was the Lions Favre was still a sultry 23 of 27 passing for 155-yards and two scores; a little more than just a game manager.
Kurt Warner is nearly perfect against the Jags;
Heading into the 2009 season, there were a couple of notable so-called fantasy football experts saying that Warner’s performance last year, was last year. The old man doesn’t have anything left in the tank. Nice call. It looks like Kurt’s passing numbers may not repeat (4,500-yards, 30-touchdowns), but his current pace puts him in line for 4,248-yards and 24-touchdowns; I’ll take that anyday.
Schaub responds to the fantasy football community;
Well Matt didn’t actually say anything literally to anyone, but if many of you fantasy owners were anything like a couple that I play with in the homes leagues, benching Schaub for Favre or Edwards. I think Matt spoke loud and clear on Sunday. He needs to be in the lineup every week.
Bronco’s run for 186 yards in week 2;
So much for the pass heavy offense in Denver. While McDaniels is likely to continue to throw the ball (averaging 33.5 passes per game) expect the balance attack trend to continue. In the team’s first two games, rookie running back Knowshon Moreno now leads the entire backfield with 27 touches. I think it’s safe to assume Moreno is going to emerge as the team’s main weapon on the ground and possible out of the backfield (he has 2 catches for 22-yards receiving, all last Sunday).
Looking under the microscope….
With so much big play action taking place this past Sunday, some of the more critical elements to notice may have gotten lost in the haze. We’ve noted some of the bigger performances, but as we again look back over Week 2 of the NFL, let’s take a closer look under the microscope and see what it all means.
The Jets upset the Patriots;
The biggest thing we have to take from this outcome is; one the Jets are real contenders rookie quarterback or not and two, Sanchez is no ordinary rookie. On third down this season Sanchez is 17 of 23 passing (73.9%) for 228 yards and a scintillating 119.5 passer rating. The kid is not going to garnish too many fantasy accolades, but he’s consistent and a safe play.
Joey Galloway catches five passes;
With Welker sidelined, expect to see Galloway get worked more into the offense over the next several weeks. Edelman looked to be the flavor of the day, but going forward Galloway should prove to be the more consistent play. Galloway still has some of his speed and is a safer bet for the occasional big play, he’ll make a nice waiver grab.
Barber pulls up lame Sunday night;
The smart move for the Cowboys will be to allow Barber to get healthy before returning; enter Mr. Felix Jones. While many fantasy owners will be excited about the potential of Jones being the featured back, the waiver wire could be busy with owners targeting number three running back Tashard Choice. Choice figures to see his share of action with Barber potentially sidelined a game or two.
Brett Favre is more than a game manager in week 2;
It could be that no opposing defense has found a way to stop the Vikings ground attack or maybe they just played Detroit. Either way, Brett Favre silenced some of his critics by playing a near flawless game against the Lions. Albeit, it was the Lions Favre was still a sultry 23 of 27 passing for 155-yards and two scores; a little more than just a game manager.
Kurt Warner is nearly perfect against the Jags;
Heading into the 2009 season, there were a couple of notable so-called fantasy football experts saying that Warner’s performance last year, was last year. The old man doesn’t have anything left in the tank. Nice call. It looks like Kurt’s passing numbers may not repeat (4,500-yards, 30-touchdowns), but his current pace puts him in line for 4,248-yards and 24-touchdowns; I’ll take that anyday.
Schaub responds to the fantasy football community;
Well Matt didn’t actually say anything literally to anyone, but if many of you fantasy owners were anything like a couple that I play with in the homes leagues, benching Schaub for Favre or Edwards. I think Matt spoke loud and clear on Sunday. He needs to be in the lineup every week.
Bronco’s run for 186 yards in week 2;
So much for the pass heavy offense in Denver. While McDaniels is likely to continue to throw the ball (averaging 33.5 passes per game) expect the balance attack trend to continue. In the team’s first two games, rookie running back Knowshon Moreno now leads the entire backfield with 27 touches. I think it’s safe to assume Moreno is going to emerge as the team’s main weapon on the ground and possible out of the backfield (he has 2 catches for 22-yards receiving, all last Sunday).
Fantasy Notes:
For most fantasy owners, panic mode is officially over. Players like Marques Colston, Steven Jackson, Matt Schaub, and Terrell Owens snapped out of their opening weekend funk to deliver some tasty week-two productivity. There are still a few that haven’t quite reached par, but for now the fantasy universe seems right.
Despite the struggles on the ground, Lions running back Kevin Smith has remained a productive fantasy commodity the first two week with nine receptions for 62-yards, to go along with his 103-yards on the ground and one rushing touchdown. Not a huge fantasy impact, but serviceable.
Working well in the Raven’s running back by committee Willis McGahee has found fresh legs. In the team’s two games McGahee has rushed for 123-yards, caught six passes for another 41-yards, and scored three rushing touchdowns. Quietly he has become a factor in fantasy.
After a successful two man committee in the Tampa backfield in week one, fantasy owners were sorely disappointed with the non-productive three-headed nightmare in week three. Only Cadillac Williams had a noteworthy day and his production came in the passing game. Williams finished the afternoon with seven receptions for 56-yards and a score. Williams seems to be the most consistent of the three, but with no catches in week one not sure if it’s safe to assume consistent numbers in the passing game.
The Jet’s back up running back Leon Washington has yet to have a big game of find the end-zone this season, but with his 17-touches per game, he getting consistent chances to make something happen. He’ll hold more value for owners in a flex position, but in deeper leagues he’s not the worst RB2 option to start week in and week out.
By David Ortega
Check back every Tuesday for more “Tuesday (Football) Talk”
For most fantasy owners, panic mode is officially over. Players like Marques Colston, Steven Jackson, Matt Schaub, and Terrell Owens snapped out of their opening weekend funk to deliver some tasty week-two productivity. There are still a few that haven’t quite reached par, but for now the fantasy universe seems right.
Despite the struggles on the ground, Lions running back Kevin Smith has remained a productive fantasy commodity the first two week with nine receptions for 62-yards, to go along with his 103-yards on the ground and one rushing touchdown. Not a huge fantasy impact, but serviceable.
Working well in the Raven’s running back by committee Willis McGahee has found fresh legs. In the team’s two games McGahee has rushed for 123-yards, caught six passes for another 41-yards, and scored three rushing touchdowns. Quietly he has become a factor in fantasy.
After a successful two man committee in the Tampa backfield in week one, fantasy owners were sorely disappointed with the non-productive three-headed nightmare in week three. Only Cadillac Williams had a noteworthy day and his production came in the passing game. Williams finished the afternoon with seven receptions for 56-yards and a score. Williams seems to be the most consistent of the three, but with no catches in week one not sure if it’s safe to assume consistent numbers in the passing game.
The Jet’s back up running back Leon Washington has yet to have a big game of find the end-zone this season, but with his 17-touches per game, he getting consistent chances to make something happen. He’ll hold more value for owners in a flex position, but in deeper leagues he’s not the worst RB2 option to start week in and week out.
By David Ortega
Check back every Tuesday for more “Tuesday (Football) Talk”
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