Friday Edition
August 17th, 2012
David’s Daily Digest
2011
in Rewind
The
Busts, Duds, and Disappointments
Staying with the “looking back at 2011”
theme, let’s talk about a few names from last year that drove us nuts, because of
under-performing, pulling the disappearing act, or just not showing up; and let
me say having played in quite a few leagues last season the list is long.
With the 2012 season just about to
start, a new fantasy season upon us, and so much to be excited about, we won’t delve
too deeply into this touchy subject. As is the case every year, there are going
to be players that will break your heart and each year fantasy owners learn
that tough lesson the hard way.
These are just a few of those players.
The
Heartbreakers
Last season there were several, just
ask all of the (RB) Darren McFadden, (RB) Jamaal Charles, and (WR) Andre
Johnson owners. These were some of the biggest fantasy studs in the game last
year and with their seasons cut short because of injury fantasy owners were
left with nothing but heartache. There is tremendous talent with this list, but
plenty of risk if you choose to go for broke and draft them early. Johnson and
Charles might be safer picks, but McFadden is likely the trickier play. He has
a history, albeit short history of being a homerun hitter on the field or swing
and a miss play in fantasy. If you put all your eggs in his basket, be prepared
with plenty of Kleenex (just in case).
The Chargers have a running back that
might also fit this profile; Ryan Mathews. This kid has shown plenty of flash,
enough to get fantasy homers and geeks all fired up, but his lack of health has
made him a questionable early fantasy draft selection. He’s another stud that
could leave you in tears if you put too much value here.
The
Disappointments
For all the talk about “it’s their
time” and “too much talent” fantasy owners of (QB) Michael Vick, (WR) DeSean Jackson,
and (RB) Shonn Greene paid another heavy price if they bought into the early
season hype last year. With Vick, you are just treading troubled water with a
fantasy quarterback that exposes himself to so much risk when he runs the ball.
As long as he can avoid taking hits, he’ll pay off big, but when he doesn’t
fantasy owners are left to pick up the tab.
And so goes Vick, goes DeSean Jackson,
so long as his head is on straight and he’s in the game. Jackson has become one
of today’s Diva receivers, so you just don’t know what you will get. If he’s
on, he can bring great reward, but when he’s has six games with 3 or fewer
receptions and all less than 50 yards receiving with NO touchdowns, for a
number one receiver that spells disappointment Big-Time.
Quietly another disappointing play in 2011 was the Ravens physical wideout,
Anquan Boldin who finished outside the top 30 in both yards receiving and
receptions. His three touchdowns last season were also his worst showing since
his second year (2004) in the league when he registered just one in 10 games. The
Ravens play a more conservative run-first style offense and with the emergence of
deep threat receiver Torrey Smith, Boldin could continue to see his production
diminish.
For all the flare he showed jumping
over a defender to score a touchdown in his rookie campaign and looking like
the incumbent in the Buccaneers backfield, running back LeGarrette Blount fell
far from expectation in his sophomore season. The Tampa Bay runner finished
with fewer carries, fewer yards, and one less touchdown in 2011 after starting
in 14 games, 7 more than his rookie season. Unfortunately there wasn’t enough
hype to carry this back into the top twenty in 2011, as he finished 24th
in rushing and just five scores; not what owners had in mind.
The
Busts
It’s never fun kicking a man when he’s
down, so rather than kicking many, we’ll just point out the obvious; Cardinals
quarterback Kevin Kolb. Before the 2011 season the Cards inked Kolb to a hefty
contract with plenty of green, but saw little return in their investment.
Fantasy owners were equally (emotionally) hurt with the former Houston Cougar’s
lackluster play in 2011 (ranked 28th in passing yards. Kolb finished
last season just playing in nine games (started 8), throwing just nine
touchdowns with eight picks and 1,955 yards. I think owners were looking for a
little more from someone who gets to throw to (WR) Larry Fitzgerald every week.
Let this be a warning for the fantasy
owners eye-balling quarterback Matt Flynn in Seattle.
There were probably more names that
were a whole lot closer to many fantasy owners hearts from a year ago, but I
think we have covered the point sufficiently; caveat your emptor. If you are
buying into the hype, beware; because every year we are going to have plenty of
Busts, Duds, and Disappointments.
By David Ortega
