Calvin Johnson 48th ranked WR week 13 (1 Viewer)

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

I understand the Bengals have played great defense on WR 1's this season, but isn't the ranking of Calvin Johnson this week extremely low, 48?

I know he's somewhat dinged, I know he didn't look good a week and a half ago against Green Bay but 48? Stafford is playing, Cinci should have a lead.......48?

I don't know, it's a tough pill to swallow. To start some of the guys who are ranked from 38 to 47 over Calvin Johnson with playoff spots on the line, it is tough to do.

I understand it's a tough spot for a struggling Johnson, I get it but 48? I can't bench him in favor of some of those bums that are ranked ahead of him. I know a few will outperform him but if he finishes 48 or lower this week, great call and I'll be the first to acknowledge I should have listened to you guys.

 

[Addai's Adidas]

CJ owner here. I'm starting him, but I would not be surprised if he finishes with 3 for 48 with no TD's.

 

[KoolKat]

Not to make it AC, but I am having a tough time between him and Q. I have CJ in right now, but with Warner playing may switch back. Any thoughts?

 

[Don't Noonan]

I didn't draft him in the second round for nothing. He is starting for me every time he plays. He has been hit or miss this year but I don't believe he is a guy who you play match-ups with, if he is healthy you play him. I am starting him over Holmes and Hester.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

Not to make it AC, but I am having a tough time between him and Q. I have CJ in right now, but with Warner playing may switch back. Any thoughts?

I don't have your exact situation but I'm in something similiar and I'm going CJ. I can live with myself if I start CJ and he doesn't have a good day. But if I bench him and he has a good day, then I'd be ticked because I don't really like my other options and would only start them because FBG has them ranked slightly higher. In the end, you have to make your own decisions and that's what I need to do here.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

I didn't draft him in the second round for nothing. He is starting for me every time he plays. He has been hit or miss this year but I don't believe he is a guy who you play match-ups with, if he is healthy you play him. I am starting him over Holmes and Hester.

We may very well look back on here and say ughh, another bad day. But before the game starts I'll say on a positive note, he's the kind of guy who you only really need 1 big play out of and he turns a bad day into a decent day. He gets two big plays he turns it into a great day.Good luck to you CJ owners, if he gets a TD or a big play I know some of the guys in this thread will be happy!

 

[KoolKat]

Not to make it AC, but I am having a tough time between him and Q. I have CJ in right now, but with Warner playing may switch back. Any thoughts?

I don't have your exact situation but I'm in something similiar and I'm going CJ. I can live with myself if I start CJ and he doesn't have a good day. But if I bench him and he has a good day, then I'd be ticked because I don't really like my other options and would only start them because FBG has them ranked slightly higher. In the end, you have to make your own decisions and that's what I need to do here.

Just pulled him for Q. Last time I did this was the Cleveland game, and I really regretted it (not too much now that I thnk about it as Boldin had a great game too). But, this is a huge game for AZ, and with Warner trying to avoid the blitz I can see Boldin having a big PPR day.

 

[red]

I didn't draft him in the second round for nothing. He is starting for me every time he plays. He has been hit or miss this year but I don't believe he is a guy who you play match-ups with, if he is healthy you play him. I am starting him over Holmes and Hester.

We may very well look back on here and say ughh, another bad day. But before the game starts I'll say on a positive note, he's the kind of guy who you only really need 1 big play out of and he turns a bad day into a decent day. He gets two big plays he turns it into a great day.Good luck to you CJ owners, if he gets a TD or a big play I know some of the guys in this thread will be happy!

agreed. plus, there's always the chance of some good garbage time numbers if cincy gets a big lead early. either way, he's the go to guy and will get targets especially if his burst is back and he's nearly 100%

 

[Kwai Chang Caine]

Well I need to win win to have a mathematical chance. Right now I'm sitting him for Maclin. I need a homerun.

 

[packersfan]

I didn't draft him in the second round for nothing. He is starting for me every time he plays. He has been hit or miss this year but I don't believe he is a guy who you play match-ups with, if he is healthy you play him. I am starting him over Holmes and Hester.

He's only had one dog of a game this season and that was against Seattle in his first game back from the knee injury. Even last week, he was respectable because he scored a touchdown. Anything can happen (look at Randy Moss coming up incredibly small in a great matchup against the Saints), but so far this season Calvin has been worthy of starting when he has been active. I say the same holds true today. I'd be very surprised if he was the 48th-ranked WR this week.

 

[Howie]

Ranked #8 on another pay site (non-PPR). This will be one data point (extreme difference between FBG's projections and those elsewhere) of a few dozen over the course of the past couple of months I am using to decide between which subscription service to utilize next year.

 

[Cookiemonster]

Not to make it AC, but I am having a tough time between him and Q. I have CJ in right now, but with Warner playing may switch back. Any thoughts?

I don't have your exact situation but I'm in something similiar and I'm going CJ. I can live with myself if I start CJ and he doesn't have a good day. But if I bench him and he has a good day, then I'd be ticked because I don't really like my other options and would only start them because FBG has them ranked slightly higher. In the end, you have to make your own decisions and that's what I need to do here.

Just pulled him for Q. Last time I did this was the Cleveland game, and I really regretted it (not too much now that I thnk about it as Boldin had a great game too). But, this is a huge game for AZ, and with Warner trying to avoid the blitz I can see Boldin having a big PPR day.

I am also starting Anquan, Ward and MSW over Calvin today. Cincy secondary is no joke and Calvin doesn't inspire confidence with the way he was picking himself up off the ground the last time I saw him.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

Ranked #8 on another pay site (non-PPR). This will be one data point (extreme difference between FBG's projections and those elsewhere) of a few dozen over the course of the past couple of months I am using to decide between which subscription service to utilize next year.

8, wow i hope they're even remotely close to being right today, they could be 20 spots off and I'd at least have a smile on my face.

 

[Howie]

Ranked #8 on another pay site (non-PPR). This will be one data point (extreme difference between FBG's projections and those elsewhere) of a few dozen over the course of the past couple of months I am using to decide between which subscription service to utilize next year.

8, wow i hope they're even remotely close to being right today, they could be 20 spots off and I'd at least have a smile on my face.

You and me both, brother...

 

[footballnerd]

If Devin Hester (#1 WR) can get 101 and a TD vs the Bengals, you gotta think Megatron can get some decent numbers, right?

Andre Johnson put up 135 too.

 

[footballnerd]

HUGE TD MEGATRON

 

[packersfan]

I Megatron

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

Yes sir Baby! 54 yard TD to Megatron.........68 yards and a TD in the 1st Quarter. Let's keep it rolling Megatron!

 

[Arnold. S]

Thanks FBGs

 

[Cookiemonster]

I am also starting Anquan, Ward and MSW over Calvin today. Cincy secondary is no joke and Calvin doesn't inspire confidence with the way he was picking himself up off the ground the last time I saw him.

Anybody want to know how this decision worked out?

 

[⚡DEADHEAD⚡]

"experts"

 

[packersfan]

3 TDs in his past four games.

Excluding the Steelers game when he got hurt early, he's had only one bad game all season long.

I continue to be surprised at how much negativity there is toward Megatron this season. Yes, the knee injury was a killer but the guy has played well when he's been on the field. No way I bench this guy if he's able to play. He's too damn good and is capable of delivering against any defense and with any QB playing for the Lions.

 

[GoBirds]

Terrible projection by FBG.......48, c'mon.

 

[Arnold. S]

yeah I would love for one of the staff members to step up and explain the ranking. I understand the quality of Bengals secondary, but you need to at least factor in talent level of the receiver. Calvin had more rest this time and was healthy, how can you project him to finish the week that low?

 

[BobbyLayne]

3 TDs in his past four games.

Excluding the Steelers game when he got hurt early, he's had only one bad game all season long.

I continue to be surprised at how much negativity there is toward Megatron this season. Yes, the knee injury was a killer but the guy has played well when he's been on the field. No way I bench this guy if he's able to play. He's too damn good and is capable of delivering against any defense and with any QB playing for the Lions.

Couple that with how people reacted towards him last season. Every single week, multiple threads with the same basic topic: should I start Calvin with a crappy QB on such a crappy team, etc. This year the level of disrespect about his injuries and perceived lack of toughness and supposed Lionized attitude is astonishing.There are handful of must-start when healthy WRs. Regardless of matchup, no matter who is playing QB (and while Stafford makes a ton of rookie mistakes, he is a playmaker), no matter what FBGs or any other projection service predicts, Megatron is always a start 'em.

 

[packersfan]

3 TDs in his past four games.

Excluding the Steelers game when he got hurt early, he's had only one bad game all season long.

I continue to be surprised at how much negativity there is toward Megatron this season. Yes, the knee injury was a killer but the guy has played well when he's been on the field. No way I bench this guy if he's able to play. He's too damn good and is capable of delivering against any defense and with any QB playing for the Lions.

Couple that with how people reacted towards him last season. Every single week, multiple threads with the same basic topic: should I start Calvin with a crappy QB on such a crappy team, etc. This year the level of disrespect about his injuries and perceived lack of toughness and supposed Lionized attitude is astonishing.There are handful of must-start when healthy WRs. Regardless of matchup, no matter who is playing QB (and while Stafford makes a ton of rookie mistakes, he is a playmaker), no matter what FBGs or any other projection service predicts, Megatron is always a start 'em.

Agreed. The only negative with Megatron this season is he missed time with the knee injury. And yes that sucked big time. But he's on a major roll right now. Three big games in the past four and in the one not-so-great game he still scored a TD. Like you said, he's a Must Start right now. While some WRs like Sims-Walker and VJax are fading and really putting a hurt on their fantasy owners (depending on what happens in the second half of the SD game today), Megatron is on the rise.

 

[Howie]

yeah I would love for one of the staff members to step up and explain the ranking. I understand the quality of Bengals secondary, but you need to at least factor in talent level of the receiver. Calvin had more rest this time and was healthy, how can you project him to finish the week that low?

While they are at it, their thoughts behind J. Norwood's projected monster day would be interesting to hear as well.

 

[Art_VanDalay]

This is why you can only use FBGs and any other sites for their info and SUGGESTIONS. In the end, WE the owners have to make the call. I for one think FBG has been off most of this year with a lot of their opinions. Still love the site just disagree with many of their preseason and in season opinions/rankings this year so haven't put much stock in that.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

3 TDs in his past four games.Excluding the Steelers game when he got hurt early, he's had only one bad game all season long. I continue to be surprised at how much negativity there is toward Megatron this season. Yes, the knee injury was a killer but the guy has played well when he's been on the field. No way I bench this guy if he's able to play. He's too damn good and is capable of delivering against any defense and with any QB playing for the Lions.

Really? ....packersfan ...really? Get a clue dude. Apparently you haven't had the pleasure of having to count on him this year. Prior to today he ranked 31st in WRs - pure awesomeness for a 2nd rounder. He only had 2 days over 13 points performance. I don't start him today because I am sick of being bent over with his lame-o performances. Bench him and go with Rock Cartwright and he goes off against an excellent 2ndary ...F him.

 

[packersfan]

3 TDs in his past four games.Excluding the Steelers game when he got hurt early, he's had only one bad game all season long. I continue to be surprised at how much negativity there is toward Megatron this season. Yes, the knee injury was a killer but the guy has played well when he's been on the field. No way I bench this guy if he's able to play. He's too damn good and is capable of delivering against any defense and with any QB playing for the Lions.

Really? ....packersfan ...really?

Yes, really.

Get a clue dude. Apparently you haven't had the pleasure of having to count on him this year.

Perhaps you should get a clue. I'm a Johnson owner and while he hasn't lived up to his draft billing I consider that to be a result of his knee injury only and not a lack of talent or issues he might have with whoever is the QB for Detroit. As I posted before, he is on fire since coming back from his knee injury. He has had three strong games, including two sensational games, and he's scored three TDs in that span.If that's not someone you believe you can count on, that's your right. Me? I'm pretty damn happy with how Megatron has been performing since he returned from his injury.So if it's all the same with you, I shall continue to count on him every week given how talented he is and how productive he's been since coming back.

 

[HULLOBUDMAN]

3 TDs in his past four games.Excluding the Steelers game when he got hurt early, he's had only one bad game all season long. I continue to be surprised at how much negativity there is toward Megatron this season. Yes, the knee injury was a killer but the guy has played well when he's been on the field. No way I bench this guy if he's able to play. He's too damn good and is capable of delivering against any defense and with any QB playing for the Lions.

Really? ....packersfan ...really? Get a clue dude. Apparently you haven't had the pleasure of having to count on him this year. Prior to today he ranked 31st in WRs - pure awesomeness for a 2nd rounder. He only had 2 days over 13 points performance. I don't start him today because I am sick of being bent over with his lame-o performances. Bench him and go with Rock Cartwright and he goes off against an excellent 2ndary ...F him.

21st in ppg in my ppr league.That includes the game he got injured. When he plays, he's pretty good if not great. That being said, I benched him today to see if he ws healthy.

 

[towney]

CJ is the #1 option on that offense. If Stafford can stay healthy he's going to continue this type of production.

 

[Eric]

I benched him because of FBG's ranking today. I will now miss the playoffs as a result. I'd be interested in hearing from a staff member on this.

 

[code]

:sehorn:

 

[HULLOBUDMAN]

I benched him because of FBG's ranking today. I will now miss the playoffs as a result. I'd be interested in hearing from a staff member on this.

Not trying to sound like an ### but you have been playing FF since 2003 (at least by your member 3) and you are blaming FBG because they didn't make a good decision for you?Seriously? Real quick bit of advise, they don't have a crystal ball, the magazine from Back to the Future 2 or a time machine to go in the future and find the results. Make your own decisions.

 

[towney]

I benched him because of FBG's ranking today. I will now miss the playoffs as a result. I'd be interested in hearing from a staff member on this.

Always go with your gut feeling over rankings, this is what I did on starting CJ over the likes of Jennings and Burleson as WR2. CJ is healthy and should be in your lineups going forward.

 

[FavreCo]

I benched him because of FBG's ranking today. I will now miss the playoffs as a result. I'd be interested in hearing from a staff member on this.

Exactly who is coaching your team? Look in the mirror for the blame. A great coach makes his own decisions. He doesn't take the advice of others to make his decisions.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

3 TDs in his past four games.Excluding the Steelers game when he got hurt early, he's had only one bad game all season long. I continue to be surprised at how much negativity there is toward Megatron this season. Yes, the knee injury was a killer but the guy has played well when he's been on the field. No way I bench this guy if he's able to play. He's too damn good and is capable of delivering against any defense and with any QB playing for the Lions.

Really? ....packersfan ...really?

Yes, really.

Get a clue dude. Apparently you haven't had the pleasure of having to count on him this year.

Perhaps you should get a clue. I'm a Johnson owner and while he hasn't lived up to his draft billing I consider that to be a result of his knee injury only and not a lack of talent or issues he might have with whoever is the QB for Detroit. As I posted before, he is on fire since coming back from his knee injury. He has had three strong games, including two sensational games, and he's scored three TDs in that span.If that's not someone you believe you can count on, that's your right. Me? I'm pretty damn happy with how Megatron has been performing since he returned from his injury.So if it's all the same with you, I shall continue to count on him every week given how talented he is and how productive he's been since coming back.

He has had 2-10-27-7 prior to today after "coming back." He is 20th in avg. pts per game (only games played) in my league. If that makes you happy far be it from me to tell you that you shouldn't be happy with that performance from a top 2nd round pick. Low expectations and finding wonderment in the mundane is known to be a key for happiness - you've found it ...congrats.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

I benched him because of FBG's ranking today. I will now miss the playoffs as a result. I'd be interested in hearing from a staff member on this.

Not trying to sound like an ### but you have been playing FF since 2003 (at least by your member 3) and you are blaming FBG because they didn't make a good decision for you?Seriously? Real quick bit of advise, they don't have a crystal ball, the magazine from Back to the Future 2 or a time machine to go in the future and find the results. Make your own decisions.

Hey the guy has an avatar of Gary Busey screaming ...nuff said?

 

[Limp Ditka]

/subscription

 

[packersfan]

He has had 2-10-27-7 prior to today after "coming back."

In the past three games since his injury prior to today, he caught 17 passes for 255 yards and two TDs. That's an average of 6-85-1 per game. He then delivered 6-123-1 today. If that type of production isn't good enough for you, that's fine. It's more than good enough for me. As I've said, he has been on fire since returning from his knee injury. He's more than justified the belief I have had in him.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

I benched him because of FBG's ranking today. I will now miss the playoffs as a result. I'd be interested in hearing from a staff member on this.

I doubt you'll hear from a staff member, because they all have different opinions. I doubt very many if any would have actually ranked him as low as 48. The person who does the official projections is Dodds I believe, so you wouldn't have someone else coming in to explain the NO. 48 projection when it wasn't there's.I could see a 20 to 30 ranking but 48, I thought it was a typo. It was 49 on Sat. and I was waiting all morning to see the typo fixed and it was No. 48. I decided I had to make a thread because I thought I was totally missing something besides the things I mentioned in my initial post to see if someone could point something out I didn't know about. I'm just glad I started the guy, I needed every point this week.

 

[Arnold. S]

This is why you can only use FBGs and any other sites for their info and SUGGESTIONS. In the end, WE the owners have to make the call. I for one think FBG has been off most of this year with a lot of their opinions. Still love the site just disagree with many of their preseason and in season opinions/rankings this year so haven't put much stock in that.

I benched him because of FBG's ranking today. I will now miss the playoffs as a result. I'd be interested in hearing from a staff member on this.

Not trying to sound like an ### but you have been playing FF since 2003 (at least by your member 3) and you are blaming FBG because they didn't make a good decision for you?Seriously? Real quick bit of advise, they don't have a crystal ball, the magazine from Back to the Future 2 or a time machine to go in the future and find the results. Make your own decisions.

I benched him because of FBG's ranking today. I will now miss the playoffs as a result. I'd be interested in hearing from a staff member on this.

Exactly who is coaching your team? Look in the mirror for the blame. A great coach makes his own decisions. He doesn't take the advice of others to make his decisions.

So why do we have these rankings and paid subscriptions then? I make my own decisions, but when there's a tough decision, I use paid information to help me out, assuming they are expert opinions. If Calvin was ranked 5 to 10 spots after MSW, then it's okay. All the way at 48th?

 

[⚡DEADHEAD⚡]

Bottom line: there is no such thing as a fantasy expert. There are analysts, there are people who maximize their potential to win, there are people who manage their team better than their competitors, but there are few if any real fantasy experts out there. You pay for information, you digest that information and integrate it into your decision-making. But it's not smart to set your lineup blindly based on somebody's rankings.

 

[HULLOBUDMAN]

So why do we have these rankings and paid subscriptions then? I make my own decisions, but when there's a tough decision, I use paid information to help me out, assuming they are expert opinions. If Calvin was ranked 5 to 10 spots after MSW, then it's okay. All the way at 48th?

That's fine to use them for advise. Blaming someone else for the loss is just cheesey.

 

[Joe Bryant]

I benched him because of FBG's ranking today. I will now miss the playoffs as a result. I'd be interested in hearing from a staff member on this.

Hi Eric,I don't have anything to offer other than what we've said on it. We felt Detroit had a bad matchup.

Detroit Lions Passing Offense at Cincinnati Bengals Passing Defense (Bad Matchup)Matthew Stafford tried to battle through his sore left (non-throwing) shoulder last week, but it didn't work out very well - he threw four interceptions and only one TD during the game (20/43 for 213 yards), bringing his four-game total to 11 interceptions thrown vs nine TDs tossed in that same time frame. Even worse, his young compatriot on the team, TE Brandon Pettigrew, landed on IR Tuesday, December 1st with a season-ending knee injury/surgery. However, the work at hand goes on and both Stafford (shoulder injury) and Calvin Johnson (hand, knee injuries) practiced on Tuesday as they prepare for the Bengals - we'll see who is able to go on Sunday - keep your eye on the Footballguys.com feature players in the news later on this week to get a read on the likely starters for Detroit.The Bengals are in the middle of the NFL when it comes to pass D, averaging 215.8 net yards allowed per game (16th in the league), with 12 passing TDs and 12 interceptions generated during 11 contests. They are tied for 10th in the NFL with 26 sacks this year - Detroit is 28th in the NFL with 33 sacks allowed so far this year. Look for the Bengals to come after Stafford and his aching body early and often on Sunday. Brady Quinn was held to 15/34 for 100 yards passing, zero TDs and zero interceptions last week (the team had 16/35 for 111 net yards passing thanks to 1/1 for 18 yards by Josh Cribbs). Oakland surprised the Bengals with 17/34 for 183 net yards, two TDs and one interception two weeks ago - over the last four games, the Bengals have allowed just 600 yards passiing, though, for an average of 150 net passing yards allowed per game. These guys are playing very stubborn defense entering December.Stafford is wounded and he lost an important target in the passing game last week - meanwhile, the Bengals are gearing up for a playoff run in December. This looks like a bad matchup for Detroit.Weather: The forecast for Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday calls for a high of 43 F and a low of 26 F with a 10% chance for rain - it'll be cool during the game, but not unpleasant, if the forecast holds up.The official NFL injury report with Probable, Questionable, Doubtful and Out designations will be available by Saturday. Please refer to the week 13 injury report for the latest injury news regarding your players.

We were very worried about Stafford reinjuring his shoulder. In addition, Johnson just didn't look right to us last week. He was a downgrade this week:

WR Calvin Johnson, DET - Johnson looks like his explosiveness and agility is limited with a lingering knee injury. He was unable to stop and cut back to the ball with enough sharpness to make a good play on a corner fade thrown in the end zone on the opening drive. It was even more apparent his knee is a big problem when he did made a sharper adjustment on a fade stop against Charles Woodson in the end zone for his first catch that resulted in a touchdown. Johnson was clearly in pain and was slow to his feet before jogging with labored movement to the sidelines after the play. Johnson fell down on a fade route where he was targeted and was once again slow to get up. His last catch was a hitch for 8 yards that forced him off the field for a bit. Johnson then dropped a slant from the one-yard line that bounced off his thigh in the fourth quarter. He just missed another score on a sideline fade in the end zone late in the game. Overall, he was targeted 12 times -- three times in the end zone - but only caught two passes. He might still be good for some fantasy points in the red zone, but temper your enthusiasm for his fantasy prospects for the rest of the year.

So lots of factors had us really down on Calvin Johnson.But your post though illustrates a good point. Ranking Johnson at 48 will raise a lot of eyebrows. Going more with everyone else and ranking him in the mid 20's would have been the "safe" thing. Nobody would ever yell if we ranked him there. But we ranked him where we thought he deserved to go based on what we felt. And we backed it up with the opinion posted above. We will never ever be free from missing on players. All we can do is work as hard as we can to make educated projections and try to back them up with opinion that's been thought through. That's what we did here. I'm sorry you missed the playoffs based on Calvin Johnson. I would have much rather been right on him. But we feel we owe it to our readers to let them know what we really think - not play it safe so we minimize the yelling when we're wrong.J

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

We've all been wrong before, I know I am every week at some position in some league. Thanks for taking the time to explain.

FWIW, I needed a big WR pick up a couple weeks back and FBG's had Antonio Bryant ranked way higher than what I thought he'd be but I picked him up because of the high ranking and it paid off. He's gone off ever since so thanks for not playing that one safe and just putting Bryant in the mid 20's, I may not have picked him up and started him.

 

[Chaka]

Projections

 

[Addai's Adidas]

Maybe if you would have won another game earlier in the year you would have made the playoffs.

Tell us about the mistakes that you made earlier in the season when you did NOT blindly follow the ranking and lost.

 

[username]

I have to give props to the owner for coming into this thread and backing up the FBG prediction. He certainly didn't have to.