Larry Fitzgerald ranking (1 Viewer)

[buckeye35]

I don't think I've ever questioned a cheatsheet ranking before, but I'm curious. Fitz is the #7-ranked WR this week, on the early cheatsheet. I'm curious what the thinking is behind this. He is roughly the 40th-ranked WR thus far this season, depending on format, and he is about to play Tampa Bay, who ranks 6th in passing yards/game allowed. I don't see any indication that Fitz's situation will change, given the QB, lack of any other receiving threat or running game, etc. I'm ready to cut bait, put him on my bench or trade him, and move on. But this ranking gave me pause. Other than his obvious talent, why would he be considered to finally breakout this week?

I benched him, at the moment, for Roy Williams, whose best numbers were with Kitna at QB and other than last week, he has been pretty hot. Despite the doughnut, he's still ranked among the top 20 WRs. Plus, Jacksonville's D is soft (#27 in passing yards/game, last in yards allowed/attempt). I see Williams as a more consistent option going forward. Despite the matchup this week, for example, Miles Austin is ranked #20, Dez Bryant is #35 and Williams is #47. Kitna can hold his own and one of these guys has to be considered a better option than Fitzgerald this week. Kitna may even provide a much-needed spark to the Cowboys attack.

What I'm after is the thought behind the ranking. Not trying to turn this into a WDIS thread. I've already made the decision and I have other options; just using the Cowboys situation as an example.

That's all I have. Just curious.

 

[the_taint]

He has been that high or higher most weeks on the early rankings, so I'm not sure why you are seeing this as a projected breakout week. Dodds has been way off on this guy all year IMO. Go with your gut and look elsewhere.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Everyone who owns Fitzgerald, including the Bidwill Family, is frustrated. But he is still the 5th most targeted WR in the NFL. FBG may be too high on him each week but I still believe at some point these targets will turn into points. I'd still play the odds with Fitz (10.7 Targets per week) over Roy Williams (5.7 TPW). Williams has only 3 targets each of the past two weeks.

 

[buckeye35]

Everyone who owns Fitzgerald, including the Bidwill Family, is frustrated. But he is still the 5th most targeted WR in the NFL. FBG may be too high on him each week but I still believe at some point these targets will turn into points. I'd still play the odds with Fitz (10.7 Targets per week) over Roy Williams (5.7 TPW). Williams has only 3 targets each of the past two weeks.

I hear ya. But with half the targets, Williams has 306 yards to Fitz's 331, 5TDs to his 2 and out of those 3 targets two weeks ago, 2 were for TDs. I think he'll only get better with Kitna because of their comfort level with each other.As far as Fitz being ranked high all year, I realize that, but Arizona just can't throw the ball. Seems time to drop him down to a more sensible level. He is still being ranked by preseason expectations at this point, not based on what we've seen through 7 weeks of football.

 

[bigmiiiiike]

Fitz was the #1 or #2 ranked WR in the early cheatsheets last week. No breakout happened, I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

[Romofan]

and still #10 in the wr going forward?? .....I can think of 20+ WR's I'd deal Fitz for but nobody wants him in my league...

as a Fitz owner I have faced the "New Reality" (as Cecil and Bloom like to say)- he is a WR3 and we all need to accept it sooner rather than later. The targets are nice but if you watch the games the passes are missing Fitz by a mile....We've seen him with both QB's and the situation isn't changing.... I've seen people dropping Steve Smith (CAR) but still hanging on to the idea Fitz is elite. They are in the same boat. Elite talents with bad QB play (and if that isn't enough Defenses have an easier job out there with Boldin gone). Time to move him way down the board and stick him on your bench if you have better options. Don't fall for the "sooner or later he'll get his" crap - look there are easy explanations why he won't produce this year based on facts. I am a little surprised because all of the FBG staff were down on Fitz this year and yet he shows up in the top 10 WR rankings each week.

Never underestimate the effect of adding or removing "key" pieces to your offense. No player plays in a vacuum. I remember when people said Brady will NEVER be a top 3 QB - then comes Moss - now he leaves and Brady is back to short passes - dink and dunk. Look you just can't take away a HOF QB liek Kurt Warner and replace him with a rookie or DAnderson and take away a Pro Bowl WR liek Boldin on the other side and expect the same numbers from Fitz. Never ....gonna.... happen.

 

[footballnerd]

Roy Will is about to be 4th fiddle in that Cowboys offense (Witten, Austin, Bryant, then Roy). Start Fitz.

 

[Concept Coop]

Roy Will is about to be 4th fiddle in that Cowboys offense (Witten, Austin, Bryant, then Roy). Start Fitz.

Have you watched the Cowboys at all this year? He is clearly the 2nd banana, when he is not the lead dog. He is ahead of Bryant and Witten, in terms of targets, and I don't think that changes with Kitna.

 

[footballnerd]

Roy Will is about to be 4th fiddle in that Cowboys offense (Witten, Austin, Bryant, then Roy). Start Fitz.

Have you watched the Cowboys at all this year? He is clearly the 2nd banana, when he is not the lead dog. He is ahead of Bryant and Witten, in terms of targets, and I don't think that changes with Kitna.

Dez Bryant has been recovering from injury, a far superior talent, and now looking healthy. Witten had 11 targets from Kitna last game, 7 of those in the 4th qtr. imo Roy is 4th on that list.

 

[Steed]

Was it MOP that posted late August that he wouldn't touch Fitz till after the 4th round? That was prescient.

 

[Shutout]

This is a truly tough one. I have him and am considering sitting him for better options.

Long story short: What people are saying above is true but the big caveat in this is just whether or not the ball thrown to him is good enough to catch. There have been horrific balls tossed his way and the 10 targets are really only 5 cathable targets. There have been plays made and called back. There have been just so many little issues.

So, its really a true gamble because on one hand you know he is going to be targeted. You can't say you know that about Williams or a lot of other options you may have. And all it really takes is for him to bust one catch on a suspect Bucs secondary to make him very relevant for this week so...put your money on one pony and bet it all...that's what this feels like.

Fitz owners have been disappointed this year because he has been so good but to be honest, this is a STRANGE year in which a lot of guys drafted top 10 at their positions are saying the exact same thing. Fitz hurts because instade of 22 or so, we get 10, 7, etc. But its not a bad of a hit as the guys who took Rice, MJD, Greene, Matthews, Marshall, Moss...the list goes on and on and on.

 

[the_taint]

Fitz was the #1 or #2 ranked WR in the early cheatsheets last week. No breakout happened, I wouldn't hold my breath.

He was #1 in the early rankings, but moved to #9 in the official w/ injury release.

I am a little surprised because all of the FBG staff were down on Fitz this year and yet he shows up in the top 10 WR rankings each week.

He shows up in David Dodds rankings in the top 10 each week, which is what you receive in the email updates from FBG. If you don't like his cheatsheets, just look elsewhere. Bloom for example, had him ranked #17 last week, #20 in wk 5, #15 in wk 4, etc. A little more realistic IMO - though still off from his performance on the field most times.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

He is my wr3 behind Calvin and Nicks even though I drafted him at 2:2. I figure there aren't many better options as a wr3 who gets that many targets. He will remain in my lineup as long as he is healthy. Too bad I passed on Roddy for him. Atleast Nicks and Foster panned out so far. It all evens out sometimes.

 

[abe froman]

Everyone who owns Fitzgerald, including the Bidwill Family, is frustrated. But he is still the 5th most targeted WR in the NFL. FBG may be too high on him each week but I still believe at some point these targets will turn into points. I'd still play the odds with Fitz (10.7 Targets per week) over Roy Williams (5.7 TPW). Williams has only 3 targets each of the past two weeks.

I hear ya. But with half the targets, Williams has 306 yards to Fitz's 331, 5TDs to his 2 and out of those 3 targets two weeks ago, 2 were for TDs. I think he'll only get better with Kitna because of their comfort level with each other.As far as Fitz being ranked high all year, I realize that, but Arizona just can't throw the ball. Seems time to drop him down to a more sensible level. He is still being ranked by preseason expectations at this point, not based on what we've seen through 7 weeks of football.

A few people have made this comment and I am not buying. There are 3 superior talents on the team so Id say with Kitna in all take a slight ding due to probable lower efficiency of the offense but nothing really changes. Dez has been coming on since recovering and that should only continue. Im sure Miles is campaining for more looks right now given his past 2 weeks to uncle Jerry. Either way to stay on topic Fitz is ranked too high yes but you realy cant sit him unless you have 2-3 better options which most do not. Have to ride it out

 

[nyy45]

He is my wr3 behind Calvin and Nicks even though I drafted him at 2:2. I figure there aren't many better options as a wr3 who gets that many targets. He will remain in my lineup as long as he is healthy. Too bad I passed on Roddy for him. Atleast Nicks and Foster panned out so far. It all evens out sometimes.

I'm only sticking with him for the same reasons. He's my WR3 behind Andre and Nicks, in a 14 team league. I just wish he had a least some trade value, as I can't get anything for him. This is one of those situations where as long as he isn't a corner stone of your team, you gotta stick with him.