Tuesday, September 19, 2017

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

September 19th 2017
Tuesday Evening Edition








My Week 2 Takes (Fantasy Recap)



(Week 2 Fallout)


Well I bought into Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford last week, but unfortunately he wasn't selling anything on Sunday; Bradford sat out week 2 with a knee injury. A loss for fantasy owners as his receivers (Thielen & Diggs) were not the same in absence of Bradford. Backup quarterback Case Keenum was admirable on Sunday, but just not to the level or as efficient as that of week 1 Bradford.

Like week 1 there were quite a number of attention grabbers, concerns, mysteries, and plenty of take notice.

The attention grabbers would include; Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz has two 300-yard passing games to start the season, the Broncos run defense holding Ezekiel Elliott to just  8 rushing yards on 9 carries, and Cardinals wide receiver JJ Nelson has scored in each of the first two weeks.

A couple Week 2 concerns would include the Seahawks & Giants offenses. In Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson (No.20 fantasy quarterback) is off to a slow start having thrown just one touchdown pass in the first two weeks and only completing 56 percent of his passes (lowest of his career).

In New York it looks worse with the Giants having scored just 13 points in two games. Only the Bengals and Niners are worse. That is not good company to keep. And in the center of this is quarterback Eli Manning who really looks like a fish out of water at the moment. His slide is having a horrific impact on his pass catchers; WR Sterling Shepard leads the group with just 9 grabs and 67 yards, rookie tight end Evan Engram has the only score. Right now the entire offense is a must avoid until further notice.

A mystery of week 2 is the disappearance of Titans running back DeMarco Murray; 10 touches on Sunday, just 28 total yards. Through two weeks Murray has 24 touches totaling 69 rushing yards and 19 receiving yards. Apparently Murray is nursing a nagging hamstring injury that is likely to keep him slowed for a while. What else may keep Murray slowed for a while is back up Derrick Henry. The Titans other running back tore loose for 92 yards on Sunday and will be expected to soak up the bulk of the carries for the meantime until Murray is healthy.

Recapping the rest of week 2, here are five things that we learned;

#1.
You have to wonder, was Trevor Siemian listening to Peyton Manning and was he really paying attention? Last season it would have been an easy answer, no. But on Sunday Siemian showed a lot more, which has to make you think, "Oh right!
Mike McCoy is calling plays now." He was the mastermind that tinkered with Tim Tebow and he also helped Peyton Manning begin his comeback tour in 2012. Whatever deficiencies we saw in Siemian last season, McCoy might just be the mentor to help him overcome and succeed this season. After two weeks, I'd have to say they are on the right track and Siemian is roster worthy is larger leagues (14-16 teams).

#2.
After watching the Patriots dismantle the Saints defense on Sunday, it quickly became obvious that running back Mike Gillislee is more than just short-yardage or the LeGarrette Blount role. Gillislee is the primary ball carrier in the offense, dominating the backfield with 18 carries on Sunday; next closest was Dion Lewis with 4 rushing attempts. James White, Rex Burkhead, and Dion Lewis will continue to rotate in and out of the passing game, but Gillislee is the back to own in most formats. In PPR, I may give the nod to White, leads backfield with 13 targets and 11 receptions.

#3.
Is it time to move on from Adrian Peterson, is a question I read yesterday and I just thought I'd give my take; absolutely. We've seen enough in two weeks to see there is no package in place in the New Orleans that fits Peterson's skill set. He's not only not being utilized, he's not getting on the field. Out of a possible 127 offensive snaps, Peterson has only been on the field 24 times (roughly 19%); time to move on.

#4.
There's a candy in Denver or at least a Now and Later. After two weeks, it's apparent in Denver running back CJ Anderson is the "Now." He's been solid rushing for 199 yards and averaging 4.4 yards per carry thus far. He's currently the No.5 fantasy running back in PPR. And while he's looked solid, his backup Jamaal Charles has also looked good as the change of pace. In limited touches Charles has gained 86 yards rushing at 4.5 yards a clip. As long as he remains healthy, Charles has a great chance at becoming the Later in the Broncos rushing offense (especially as well as the line is playing). CJ is a current RB1 now and must-start. Charles is someone to watch and worthy of a roster spot in deeper leagues.

#5.
Tom Brady is King. As if we all didn't already know this. Well in case some forgot or started to believe he was beginning to lose his fight with father time afer a week one loss, Brady showed everyone once again why he is the G.O.A.T. On the road, in the SuperDome, squaring off against one of the league’s best passers (Drew Brees), Brady made his case as the best completing 77 percent of his passes and throwing for 447 yards, while tossing three touchdowns in the Patriots week 2 road win. Brady is still King.

That’s My Take.

~David Ortega





No comments: