Steven Mann
Footballguy
2007 Busts
Fantasy Football… How do I hate Thee!
Ok... 3 weeks into the season and so many of us are wondering WTF is going on! So many players have disappointed and produced nothing close to what we had expected. These were supposed to be the ‘Studs’ that would carry us thru the first 3-5 weeks until the ‘sleepers’ were ready to wake up.
The list is long as it is lengthy, and it contains more than the obvious names such as L.T. LJ, Gore, and Maroney. I’m talking about mass fantasy disappointment right across the board. Nobody’s safe… From the studs and sleepers to the hyped up 3rd year receivers. Its guys like Benson, Bush, Brees, and Bulger. It’s also cats like Rudi, Reggie, Ronnie and even to a certain extent Randy (McMichael that is).
Furthermore I’d be remised if I didn’t also mention, surprises like Jackson, Jerious, both Jones brothers and Maurice Jones-Drew. And then there are the sudden injuries… Jackson, Delhomme, Rudi, Andre and now perhaps even Ward and Winslow. And let’s not forget Deuce. Now that was really sad. Personally, the only thing worse than watching Deuce tear his MCL on TV is watching 5 flaccid fools sing “Viva Viagra” for 30 seconds every Sunday afternoon! BRUTAL!
'Click'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PH9qAGPULk
The list goes on and the names and sprains will change. But lets face it we all have our own issues. Chances are you currently have at least 2-3 players on your roster that you feel betrayed by. Do I cut ‘em? Do I trade em? Or should I just save myself the humiliation and pack the whole season in now to spend more time with family. (If you knew my fam the answer would be no) This is one of the many reasons I love and loathe fantasy football with a passion. Anything can happen and it always does. Yet for every LJ owner there’s an AP, Jordon, or James owner feeling pretty good right about now. With all that in mind obviously my personal philosophy really doesn’t solve your personal problems does it? In the following text I’m gonna pick 5 random players and perhaps try and offer some beneficial yet off-beat advice on what to do with them.
1) LaDainian Tomlinson: The stat line on LT thru 3 weeks is as follows… 130 yards/43.3 yards per game/47 yards total receiving/ and 1 Td. (Ya that’s 3 weeks not 3 quarters) Yes He's also thrown a TD and caught one as well. But still (imo) not what I had expected
Ok first and foremost… Shut up! It’s L freaking T!!!! Norv Turner isn’t the problem; the tough schedule isn’t the problem… Perhaps you’re the problem! Stop complaining… Do you have any idea what many of us would be willing to do to inherit your misfortune? There were games last year when I wasn’t beaten by my opponent; I was dismantled exclusively by L.T. I’d be willing to bet my friend Jason’s ‘92 Ford ESCORT along with his one good eye that L.T. will be the #1 RB by the end of the year.
Hearing a Tomlinson owner complain is like hearing Richard Branson ##### about his over-draft! Get a grip and stay the course. Brighter days are ahead, and everything will be just fine. Your biggest problem will be all the ‘Buy low’ traders knocking on your door wanting a piece. Don’t cave… Stay the course, and feel lucky that you have the #1 player in Fantasy Football. Unless it’s an outrageous deal that forces 11 other guys to quit, claiming collusion, have a coke and a smile and shut the F up!
Advice: Settle Down, Stay the Course, Dry up…It could be a lot worse (please see Tatum Bell)
2) Lee Evans: The Stat Line Thru 3 weeks: 5 catches/ 29 yards/ No TD’s/9.7 yards per game!!!!
This guy blows my mind! What the hell went wrong here! Lee Evans is becoming LeRon McCoy faster than Britney Spears is becoming Farah Fawcett. To say Lee Evans is a bust is to say a Tsunami is light a sun-shower! I knew JP wasn’t Jim Kelly, however 29 yards after 3 games is just plain ole ugly! Now JP Losman is down and out and rookie Trent Edwards is in. (Ya that’s great news) Calling Edwards an upgrade to Losman is like saying, Charlotte Rae was hotter than Mary Jo Catlett. Bottom line is you’d rather pass on both, making it an even more difficult situation.
YOU MAKE THE CALL: Who’s next to grace the MNF Horse Trailer?
'Click' For Rae
http://www.theatermania.com/news/images/7910a.jpg
'Click' For Cattlet
http://www.richmondermet.org/Perf.Photos/M.Catlett.png
Advice: If I had lee Evans on my team? Well first I’d pray for a BIG game this weekend. Then I’d start sending out the feelers ASAP. Try and find that guy in your league who ‘still believes’… The eternal optimist (He’s probably the same guy that has Devry Henderson, Reggie Brown and Daunte Stallworth too) I’d also Pray that he owns Chris Chambers or Boldin as well. If he’s out there, try and get something done fast!
This all obviously depends on Lee Evans having a BIG game on Sunday. (100 yards and a TD will always add a little shine) However if he stinks it up again, you may but be forced to wait till he finally strings a few decent games together. By the way it looks now; consider yourself lucky to have a leg up on the ’08 season. Bottom line is that I would feel no remorse in dealing ‘em.
Flip side: If there’s a guy out there who would take Curry or Galloway for ‘em… Although obviously nothing is ever guaranteed, the potential benefits far outweigh the current risk. (I love playing both sides… it’s so non committal.)
3) The 3rd year WR Reggie Brown: The Stat Line Thru 3 weeks: 5 catches/64 yards/21.3 yards per game (not per catch) 0 TD’s.
Last Sunday pushed me over the edge. Mcnabb throws for 381 and 4 TD’s and Brown walks away with 23 on 2 grabs? You’d think after a 27 yard game the only place to go was up. Thru 3 weeks of football, Reggie Brown is to WR as Rex Grossman is to QB…incompetent! However, heading into week 4 I haven’t given up on him just yet. Donovan Mcnabb isn’t Trent Edwards or David Carr. I’m not saying Brown is going to put up WR#1 numbers this year, however I still feel he’s gonna step up and produce the type of numbers that were originally projected (Averages not totals). Change is gonna come… Let’s march!
Advice: I say hold onto him and pray. I really think he’s gonna turn it around. I’m only going on gut instinct here and I admit that I have nothing tangible to back it up with. I see Reggie snapping out of this funk and producing a big game this Sunday vs. the Giants. The Giant’s secondary has more holes in it than an Orenthal J. Simpson alibi. When it comes to Reggie, I remain a Cockeyed Optimist. After all I see the glass half-full, I see the good in people, I try to help others, I believe in change, I don’t rock the boat, I believe bad things happen to good people, and good people do really bad things. I believe a vote for Reggie is a vote for Change. Hang on at least 1 more week.
4) MJD: The Stat Line Thru 3 games: 100 yards rushing/33.3 yards per game/2 fumbles/ (1 being a 4th quarter goal line) 56 yards receiving.
Honestly, I have no clue what you should do… MJD a Bust? Damn! The funny thing is that over the summer I read a lot about that. Several of the ‘experts’ felt that MJD was gonna hit the wall; however I wasn’t one of them. (Let the record show that I am no expert just a fan) After compiling 1377 yards and 16 TD’s as a rookie, I assumed brighter days were ahead. Sure I was prepared for a slight drop off in production; however had you told me that after 4 games Joshua Cribbs, Nate Burleson and Tatum Bell would have more fantasy points than MJD, I would have to assume you were shtuping Miss Cleo. (You lucky devil!) http://www.codexmagica.com/images/miss_cleo.jpg Even with Fred Taylor’s extension I didn’t see it coming.
Advice: The good news is that every year Fred Taylor gets hurt. Last week I mentioned picking up Dayne because Green is always an injury waiting to happen. Well rest assured, as the same theory applies here. I can’t say when but as soon as Fred goes down the production will increase. Maybe even before that, after all it can’t get any worse. By now you’ve probably been inundated with ‘buy low’ trade offers. Hang in there, I think things are gonna turn around. I don’t expect 16 TD’s or close to 1400 all purpose yards. But I do see him being a solid #2 sooner than later. There’s just way to much talent. You may be stuck for the long haul.
Flipside: If you can buy really low on this Cat, do it. Take the risk, MJD has a ton of talent and ability. I really feel that the first 4 games are not indicative of what’s to come. If you have ‘em, hold ‘em. If you don’t, try and steal him from a disgruntled owner. Eventually you’ll be happy you did.
5) Marques Colston: The stat line on MC thru 3 weeks: 18 grabs/ 185 yards/61.7 yards per game/ 1 TD.
Ok perhaps not a blatant bust, but this situation scares me a little. Like many of you, I also got caught up in last years feel good story. The unknown TE/WR straight outta Division I-AA Hofstra became one of the few seventh round picks ever to start week 1 for their team. Talk about unlimited potential! This cat was the waiver wire steal of the century last year and by years end, looked like he was about to join the elite tier of WR’s. The stats don’t lie 1038 yards and 8 TD’s! (That’s in 14 games). In 2006 after 3 weeks the unkown MC had already accumulated 204 yards and 2 TD’s and he wasn’t even warmed up yet. The best was yet to come (week 4: 132 yards and a TD).
For me the problem isn’t MC but rather Brees. So far this season Fa-Brees has looked more like the second coming of Aaron Brooks. 1 TD/2 fumbles/ and a QB rating of 57.1 won’t get it done. I feel scorned! I’m feeling bitter, and I have some major anger issues! I really thought Brees and the N.O. offense was gonna be money this year. Hell I even took a late flyer on Devry Henderson! Ya that’s right Mr. Feast or Famine himself! After 3 weeks of action, calling Henderson a sleeper is like saying a Fatwa is a friendly e-vite.
Advice: Until Drew Brees shows up my expectations for MC have to be lowered just a bit. Again MC isn’t a massive bust, but like you, I expected much more. A little more sizzle to the steak. This was a guy I was really hyped up about all summer. I am just a bit skeptical at this point. Now that Deuce is out Fa-Bress will probably have to involve Colston even more and that’s good news. It also wouldn’t hurt for Devry, Copper, Moore or G-d forbid David Patten to step up and become a decent second option. The only thing stopping MC from becoming what we envisioned is Drew Brees. Hopefully things will change; after all it can’t get any harder for fans so far in The Big Easy
I’ve only touched on a few… Feel free to add your own thoughts. Bottom line is that we all feel the same pain…. We’re all members of this Fantasy Football Fraternity.. And for 17 weeks every year we praise the pigskin.
Damn I love this game!
Good Luck on Sunday Guys.
Steven Mann
Fantasy Football… How do I hate Thee!
Ok... 3 weeks into the season and so many of us are wondering WTF is going on! So many players have disappointed and produced nothing close to what we had expected. These were supposed to be the ‘Studs’ that would carry us thru the first 3-5 weeks until the ‘sleepers’ were ready to wake up.
The list is long as it is lengthy, and it contains more than the obvious names such as L.T. LJ, Gore, and Maroney. I’m talking about mass fantasy disappointment right across the board. Nobody’s safe… From the studs and sleepers to the hyped up 3rd year receivers. Its guys like Benson, Bush, Brees, and Bulger. It’s also cats like Rudi, Reggie, Ronnie and even to a certain extent Randy (McMichael that is).
Furthermore I’d be remised if I didn’t also mention, surprises like Jackson, Jerious, both Jones brothers and Maurice Jones-Drew. And then there are the sudden injuries… Jackson, Delhomme, Rudi, Andre and now perhaps even Ward and Winslow. And let’s not forget Deuce. Now that was really sad. Personally, the only thing worse than watching Deuce tear his MCL on TV is watching 5 flaccid fools sing “Viva Viagra” for 30 seconds every Sunday afternoon! BRUTAL!
'Click'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PH9qAGPULk
The list goes on and the names and sprains will change. But lets face it we all have our own issues. Chances are you currently have at least 2-3 players on your roster that you feel betrayed by. Do I cut ‘em? Do I trade em? Or should I just save myself the humiliation and pack the whole season in now to spend more time with family. (If you knew my fam the answer would be no) This is one of the many reasons I love and loathe fantasy football with a passion. Anything can happen and it always does. Yet for every LJ owner there’s an AP, Jordon, or James owner feeling pretty good right about now. With all that in mind obviously my personal philosophy really doesn’t solve your personal problems does it? In the following text I’m gonna pick 5 random players and perhaps try and offer some beneficial yet off-beat advice on what to do with them.
1) LaDainian Tomlinson: The stat line on LT thru 3 weeks is as follows… 130 yards/43.3 yards per game/47 yards total receiving/ and 1 Td. (Ya that’s 3 weeks not 3 quarters) Yes He's also thrown a TD and caught one as well. But still (imo) not what I had expected
Ok first and foremost… Shut up! It’s L freaking T!!!! Norv Turner isn’t the problem; the tough schedule isn’t the problem… Perhaps you’re the problem! Stop complaining… Do you have any idea what many of us would be willing to do to inherit your misfortune? There were games last year when I wasn’t beaten by my opponent; I was dismantled exclusively by L.T. I’d be willing to bet my friend Jason’s ‘92 Ford ESCORT along with his one good eye that L.T. will be the #1 RB by the end of the year.
Hearing a Tomlinson owner complain is like hearing Richard Branson ##### about his over-draft! Get a grip and stay the course. Brighter days are ahead, and everything will be just fine. Your biggest problem will be all the ‘Buy low’ traders knocking on your door wanting a piece. Don’t cave… Stay the course, and feel lucky that you have the #1 player in Fantasy Football. Unless it’s an outrageous deal that forces 11 other guys to quit, claiming collusion, have a coke and a smile and shut the F up!
Advice: Settle Down, Stay the Course, Dry up…It could be a lot worse (please see Tatum Bell)
2) Lee Evans: The Stat Line Thru 3 weeks: 5 catches/ 29 yards/ No TD’s/9.7 yards per game!!!!
This guy blows my mind! What the hell went wrong here! Lee Evans is becoming LeRon McCoy faster than Britney Spears is becoming Farah Fawcett. To say Lee Evans is a bust is to say a Tsunami is light a sun-shower! I knew JP wasn’t Jim Kelly, however 29 yards after 3 games is just plain ole ugly! Now JP Losman is down and out and rookie Trent Edwards is in. (Ya that’s great news) Calling Edwards an upgrade to Losman is like saying, Charlotte Rae was hotter than Mary Jo Catlett. Bottom line is you’d rather pass on both, making it an even more difficult situation.
YOU MAKE THE CALL: Who’s next to grace the MNF Horse Trailer?
'Click' For Rae
http://www.theatermania.com/news/images/7910a.jpg
'Click' For Cattlet
http://www.richmondermet.org/Perf.Photos/M.Catlett.png
Advice: If I had lee Evans on my team? Well first I’d pray for a BIG game this weekend. Then I’d start sending out the feelers ASAP. Try and find that guy in your league who ‘still believes’… The eternal optimist (He’s probably the same guy that has Devry Henderson, Reggie Brown and Daunte Stallworth too) I’d also Pray that he owns Chris Chambers or Boldin as well. If he’s out there, try and get something done fast!
This all obviously depends on Lee Evans having a BIG game on Sunday. (100 yards and a TD will always add a little shine) However if he stinks it up again, you may but be forced to wait till he finally strings a few decent games together. By the way it looks now; consider yourself lucky to have a leg up on the ’08 season. Bottom line is that I would feel no remorse in dealing ‘em.
Flip side: If there’s a guy out there who would take Curry or Galloway for ‘em… Although obviously nothing is ever guaranteed, the potential benefits far outweigh the current risk. (I love playing both sides… it’s so non committal.)
3) The 3rd year WR Reggie Brown: The Stat Line Thru 3 weeks: 5 catches/64 yards/21.3 yards per game (not per catch) 0 TD’s.
Last Sunday pushed me over the edge. Mcnabb throws for 381 and 4 TD’s and Brown walks away with 23 on 2 grabs? You’d think after a 27 yard game the only place to go was up. Thru 3 weeks of football, Reggie Brown is to WR as Rex Grossman is to QB…incompetent! However, heading into week 4 I haven’t given up on him just yet. Donovan Mcnabb isn’t Trent Edwards or David Carr. I’m not saying Brown is going to put up WR#1 numbers this year, however I still feel he’s gonna step up and produce the type of numbers that were originally projected (Averages not totals). Change is gonna come… Let’s march!
Advice: I say hold onto him and pray. I really think he’s gonna turn it around. I’m only going on gut instinct here and I admit that I have nothing tangible to back it up with. I see Reggie snapping out of this funk and producing a big game this Sunday vs. the Giants. The Giant’s secondary has more holes in it than an Orenthal J. Simpson alibi. When it comes to Reggie, I remain a Cockeyed Optimist. After all I see the glass half-full, I see the good in people, I try to help others, I believe in change, I don’t rock the boat, I believe bad things happen to good people, and good people do really bad things. I believe a vote for Reggie is a vote for Change. Hang on at least 1 more week.
4) MJD: The Stat Line Thru 3 games: 100 yards rushing/33.3 yards per game/2 fumbles/ (1 being a 4th quarter goal line) 56 yards receiving.
Honestly, I have no clue what you should do… MJD a Bust? Damn! The funny thing is that over the summer I read a lot about that. Several of the ‘experts’ felt that MJD was gonna hit the wall; however I wasn’t one of them. (Let the record show that I am no expert just a fan) After compiling 1377 yards and 16 TD’s as a rookie, I assumed brighter days were ahead. Sure I was prepared for a slight drop off in production; however had you told me that after 4 games Joshua Cribbs, Nate Burleson and Tatum Bell would have more fantasy points than MJD, I would have to assume you were shtuping Miss Cleo. (You lucky devil!) http://www.codexmagica.com/images/miss_cleo.jpg Even with Fred Taylor’s extension I didn’t see it coming.
Advice: The good news is that every year Fred Taylor gets hurt. Last week I mentioned picking up Dayne because Green is always an injury waiting to happen. Well rest assured, as the same theory applies here. I can’t say when but as soon as Fred goes down the production will increase. Maybe even before that, after all it can’t get any worse. By now you’ve probably been inundated with ‘buy low’ trade offers. Hang in there, I think things are gonna turn around. I don’t expect 16 TD’s or close to 1400 all purpose yards. But I do see him being a solid #2 sooner than later. There’s just way to much talent. You may be stuck for the long haul.
Flipside: If you can buy really low on this Cat, do it. Take the risk, MJD has a ton of talent and ability. I really feel that the first 4 games are not indicative of what’s to come. If you have ‘em, hold ‘em. If you don’t, try and steal him from a disgruntled owner. Eventually you’ll be happy you did.
5) Marques Colston: The stat line on MC thru 3 weeks: 18 grabs/ 185 yards/61.7 yards per game/ 1 TD.
Ok perhaps not a blatant bust, but this situation scares me a little. Like many of you, I also got caught up in last years feel good story. The unknown TE/WR straight outta Division I-AA Hofstra became one of the few seventh round picks ever to start week 1 for their team. Talk about unlimited potential! This cat was the waiver wire steal of the century last year and by years end, looked like he was about to join the elite tier of WR’s. The stats don’t lie 1038 yards and 8 TD’s! (That’s in 14 games). In 2006 after 3 weeks the unkown MC had already accumulated 204 yards and 2 TD’s and he wasn’t even warmed up yet. The best was yet to come (week 4: 132 yards and a TD).
For me the problem isn’t MC but rather Brees. So far this season Fa-Brees has looked more like the second coming of Aaron Brooks. 1 TD/2 fumbles/ and a QB rating of 57.1 won’t get it done. I feel scorned! I’m feeling bitter, and I have some major anger issues! I really thought Brees and the N.O. offense was gonna be money this year. Hell I even took a late flyer on Devry Henderson! Ya that’s right Mr. Feast or Famine himself! After 3 weeks of action, calling Henderson a sleeper is like saying a Fatwa is a friendly e-vite.
Advice: Until Drew Brees shows up my expectations for MC have to be lowered just a bit. Again MC isn’t a massive bust, but like you, I expected much more. A little more sizzle to the steak. This was a guy I was really hyped up about all summer. I am just a bit skeptical at this point. Now that Deuce is out Fa-Bress will probably have to involve Colston even more and that’s good news. It also wouldn’t hurt for Devry, Copper, Moore or G-d forbid David Patten to step up and become a decent second option. The only thing stopping MC from becoming what we envisioned is Drew Brees. Hopefully things will change; after all it can’t get any harder for fans so far in The Big Easy
I’ve only touched on a few… Feel free to add your own thoughts. Bottom line is that we all feel the same pain…. We’re all members of this Fantasy Football Fraternity.. And for 17 weeks every year we praise the pigskin.
Damn I love this game!
Good Luck on Sunday Guys.
Steven Mann
Last edited by a moderator:
Gotta disagree with you on one point, "Mister Mann" (for some reason I always think about a lesbian's voice when I type that) - Fred Taylor is not the injury risk he has been made out to be. He completed the 2003 and 2002 seasons injury free, missed only a handful of games in 2004 and 2005, and was able to play in 15 games with MJ-D spelling him last year. Plus, he has been running like a demon this year. Liking MJ-D due to a Fred T injury is, IMO, wishful thinking. Liking MJ-D b/c he is a game-breaker and because Fred T is not exactly a TD machine is amore reasonable basis for assuming MJ-D will come alive this year.
