Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
So much to cover this week boys and girls. I need to address a few things.
1. It’s time to consider emptying out your bench with RB3, RB4, and RB5s. Time to start looking at handcuffs for your starters. I personally was able to secure handcuffs like Chester Taylor, Priest Holmes, Chris Brown/Henry, Kenton Keith, there is a laundered list of back ups that could make a big impact in redraft leagues if the starter was to go down. I am highlighting this mainly because some of the WW in your leagues are getting ready to close. I might even consider cutting some depth that you have not used mostof the season to add a Kicker, Def, or even an extra TE so that you have some flexibility.
2. There are a ton of injuries around the league, seems like every year we talk about it but this year they seem to be happening at the worst times. I have ADP and LJ in one league…I am having to get creative in order to weather the storm till the playoffs start and even then there are no guarantees.
3. Another thing to look at it is grouping up some of that depth and upgrading a position that will help you for the playoff run. Take that QB2, RB3, and WR4, and make a trade for someone’s WR2 that you can plug in and play every week.
4. Last week we saw that there are no absolutes in this league. Sometimes people unfortunately approach the NFL like a Madden video game where they can just plug the next guy in behind him and expect the same results. People assume because a team is giving up 100 yds a week and the RB they want to play is avg 100 yds a week that it’s a no brainer, but we all saw what Arizona’s answer was to that. I’m just saying that once you get comfy, suddenly you end up with a different outcome. There is a lut of luck and variables in this game, don’t stray too far form that.
Let’s jump to the games.
Arizona at Cinci
Edge: 9th in the league in rushing yards with 678 for the season…only 3.7 ypc but 5 rushing TDs. This is a great match up for him this week. Some of the numbers that Cinci has given up are 27/216/TD, 21/100, 21/117/TD, 31/119/TD, 22/126/TD, 29/153/TD, you get some the idea here.
Rudi Johnson: What I like is he had 22 carries last week. Despite what AZ did against Detroit, I wouldn’t expect them to repeat that feat this week. Look for Rudi to build on last week and better numbers moving forward.
Cleveland at Baltimore
Jamal Lewis: Horrible option this week on the road against the Ravens who are simply stout against the run.
Willis McGahee: Steady if nothing else this season. In most basic scoring leagues he has posted double digits in every game this season. For being drafted RB2 for most teams, great production. He should have another steady game on Sunday.
NY Giants at Detroit
Brandon Jacobs: Other than Brian Westbrook, no RB has done all that great against the Lions…Graham had a lot of catches when they played the Bucs, but otherwise most of the RB have been quiet against the Lions. I expect Jacobs to barely crack the top20 this week.
Kevin Jones: 4 carries; this past week? Weird, an anomaly, a red herring, I don’t know what to define it as but I have to think he will not get that few carries in a game the rest of the season. I don’t expect big numbers against the Giants but he should do better, has to do better than last week.
Miami at Philly
Jesse Chatman: Portis had a nice game against the Eagles last week but he ahd 30 carries too. Thomas Jones managed 130 yards as well. But overall most backs struggle against the Eagles, and I expect Chatman to have just fair numbers on the road this week.
Brian Westbrook: Stud, start hime every week no matter what the match up. But Miami is a juicy match up for most backs so maybe Westbrook will post another 40 this week. I highlighted him mainly because he should go Nuclear/Nukular on Sunday.
Tampa Bay at Atlanta
Earnest Graham: Should do well this weekend, as the Falcons are not a juggernaut at stopping the run. Pittman is due back this week but I still expect Graham to have a good shot at 100 total yards and a TD this weekend.
Warrick Dunn: Doing better, has had 2 good games in a row and has a nice run schedule down the stretch. 100 yards and a TD, 2 weeks ago, 140 total yards and a TD last week…those are just about top10 numbers this year. Play him
Oakland at Minnesota
Justin Fargas: No no no…the Vikes are going to shut him down. They are tough against the run despite what they showed last week in the 34-0 whipping at the hands of the Pack. Pass.
Chester Taylor: Absolutely!!! He has a great match up, is the starting RB, has had a lot of rest, a great OL to run behind, this is the perfect situation for him. If you handcuffed him to ADP, don’t worry this week as you should make a run at top10 this week.
San Diego at Jacksonville
LT: Nothing close to 2006 but top5 anyways. Jax is tough to run on so I don’t expect big numbers from him this week again.
MJD: The real option of the 2 backs in Jax…best as a flex option though.
KC at INDY
Priest Holmes: Was able to carry it 20 times alst week. Indy is reeling right now, and I think the Chiefs will have some success running the ball. If you have Holmes, I think you gotta find room for him in your starting line up this week. Artificial turf scares me a little bit.
Joseph Addai: Plug n Play. The guy might not be the most talented back but he has some talent and a good cast around him…also with the passing game sort of grounded, look for more Addai…a lot more Addai. Guy should be a top5 projection every week.
New Orleans at Houston
Reggie Bush: Is likely going to be close to 100 receptions for the season…has a chance to get to 1000 yards rushing as well, plus he will pass double digits in Touchdowns. I know people expect a lot out of him, and I think a 6 yard per catch average is a little weak but he is a bonafide starter every week.
Ahman Green: Went to see Dr Andrews this week. I wouldn’t count on him for anything the rest of the way.
Ron Dayne: I highlighted him last week. I would be looking to keep him on your roster. Assuming he starts, I think he can be successful. The passing game is getting a big shot in the arm with Andre Johnson back in the line up, look for the passing game to open up a lot of running lanes.
Carolina at Green Bay
DeShaun Foster/DeAngelo Willaims: The Packers are tough against the run, it’s not a good match up and the fact is the panthers can’t throw the ball. Steve Smith is looking like he might miss the game, they are spiraling out of control, it just isn’t safe nor is the payoff worth starting either one of these guys right now.
Ryan Grant: Edge posted 80/TD, Addai went for 100/2TD, LenDale White posted 100/TD, Dunn racked 140 total yards and a TD…I think I might be inclined to roll Grant out there this week. The Packers should blowout the Panthers and that means they will need Grant to run the clock down in the 2nd half. Green Bay 9-1? WOW!
Pittsburgh at NYJ
Willie Parker: 2nd in the league in rushing with 873 yards but only 2 rushing TD for the season. Again, he has a great match up this week.
Thomas Jones: Rough, very rough this week.
Chicago at Seattle
Cedric Benson: Is he still starting?
Shaun Alexander: Watch the IR…but you need to see him have a good week before you start rolling him out with any kind of confidence.
Maurice Morris: I am no fan of this guy but he did manage to post decent numbers last week. Not where I want to be relying on for points week in and week out.
St Louis at San Fran “The Bust Bowl 2007”
Steven Jackson: I assume he is playing, because if he is, the match up is going to be great. The Rams looked good on offense alst week, maybe they can offer some value to their owners the rest of the way.
Frank Gore: Partially participated on Wed…the guy is sort of iffy, certainly not 100% and one of the bigger busts of 2007.
Washington at Dallas
Clinton Portis: Really coming on strong the last 2 weeks, but the Skins are losing. You have to start him, likely not going to hit 100 yards rushing 3 weeks in a row but we’ll see.
MB III: Keep playing him. Week 7 and 9 he had 100 total yards and a TD each week, last week he was a disappointment but I would continue to roll him out in your starting line up.
New England at Buffalo
Laurence Maroney: His only 100 yard rushing performance was against the Bills. Maroney has no Touchdowns, not a single one for the entire season…and that’s with an offense around him that is pretty high scoring from what I’ve heard…seriously, there is no upside with him at the moment. I would just use a wait and see approach with him. He needs to have a bust out game before you can really put any faith in him.
Marshawn Lynch: Likely OUT…shame as he has been having a nice solid rookie year despite the hype with ADP.
Whoever Backup RB: Not a good match up on any level this week against the Pats.
Tennessee at Denver
LenDale White: Likely Out this week.
Chris Brown/Henry: Brown is supposed to be coming back this week but he is coming off an injury. I think Henry will get more of the bulk of the work. Denver is a great match up, but buyer beware as Henry has not had to should a big load yet this year.
Selvin Young: I have no idea what to make of Travis Henry right now so lets focus on Young. The fact is the Titans are one of the best in the NFL at stopping the run, and I expect them to march into Denver and lay the hammer down on the Broncos. They are a good solid team that played another good solid team in Jax last week, I expect them to do well against the run.
Good Luck to everyone this week.
1. It’s time to consider emptying out your bench with RB3, RB4, and RB5s. Time to start looking at handcuffs for your starters. I personally was able to secure handcuffs like Chester Taylor, Priest Holmes, Chris Brown/Henry, Kenton Keith, there is a laundered list of back ups that could make a big impact in redraft leagues if the starter was to go down. I am highlighting this mainly because some of the WW in your leagues are getting ready to close. I might even consider cutting some depth that you have not used mostof the season to add a Kicker, Def, or even an extra TE so that you have some flexibility.
2. There are a ton of injuries around the league, seems like every year we talk about it but this year they seem to be happening at the worst times. I have ADP and LJ in one league…I am having to get creative in order to weather the storm till the playoffs start and even then there are no guarantees.
3. Another thing to look at it is grouping up some of that depth and upgrading a position that will help you for the playoff run. Take that QB2, RB3, and WR4, and make a trade for someone’s WR2 that you can plug in and play every week.
4. Last week we saw that there are no absolutes in this league. Sometimes people unfortunately approach the NFL like a Madden video game where they can just plug the next guy in behind him and expect the same results. People assume because a team is giving up 100 yds a week and the RB they want to play is avg 100 yds a week that it’s a no brainer, but we all saw what Arizona’s answer was to that. I’m just saying that once you get comfy, suddenly you end up with a different outcome. There is a lut of luck and variables in this game, don’t stray too far form that.
Let’s jump to the games.
Arizona at Cinci
Edge: 9th in the league in rushing yards with 678 for the season…only 3.7 ypc but 5 rushing TDs. This is a great match up for him this week. Some of the numbers that Cinci has given up are 27/216/TD, 21/100, 21/117/TD, 31/119/TD, 22/126/TD, 29/153/TD, you get some the idea here.
Rudi Johnson: What I like is he had 22 carries last week. Despite what AZ did against Detroit, I wouldn’t expect them to repeat that feat this week. Look for Rudi to build on last week and better numbers moving forward.
Cleveland at Baltimore
Jamal Lewis: Horrible option this week on the road against the Ravens who are simply stout against the run.
Willis McGahee: Steady if nothing else this season. In most basic scoring leagues he has posted double digits in every game this season. For being drafted RB2 for most teams, great production. He should have another steady game on Sunday.
NY Giants at Detroit
Brandon Jacobs: Other than Brian Westbrook, no RB has done all that great against the Lions…Graham had a lot of catches when they played the Bucs, but otherwise most of the RB have been quiet against the Lions. I expect Jacobs to barely crack the top20 this week.
Kevin Jones: 4 carries; this past week? Weird, an anomaly, a red herring, I don’t know what to define it as but I have to think he will not get that few carries in a game the rest of the season. I don’t expect big numbers against the Giants but he should do better, has to do better than last week.
Miami at Philly
Jesse Chatman: Portis had a nice game against the Eagles last week but he ahd 30 carries too. Thomas Jones managed 130 yards as well. But overall most backs struggle against the Eagles, and I expect Chatman to have just fair numbers on the road this week.
Brian Westbrook: Stud, start hime every week no matter what the match up. But Miami is a juicy match up for most backs so maybe Westbrook will post another 40 this week. I highlighted him mainly because he should go Nuclear/Nukular on Sunday.
Tampa Bay at Atlanta
Earnest Graham: Should do well this weekend, as the Falcons are not a juggernaut at stopping the run. Pittman is due back this week but I still expect Graham to have a good shot at 100 total yards and a TD this weekend.
Warrick Dunn: Doing better, has had 2 good games in a row and has a nice run schedule down the stretch. 100 yards and a TD, 2 weeks ago, 140 total yards and a TD last week…those are just about top10 numbers this year. Play him
Oakland at Minnesota
Justin Fargas: No no no…the Vikes are going to shut him down. They are tough against the run despite what they showed last week in the 34-0 whipping at the hands of the Pack. Pass.
Chester Taylor: Absolutely!!! He has a great match up, is the starting RB, has had a lot of rest, a great OL to run behind, this is the perfect situation for him. If you handcuffed him to ADP, don’t worry this week as you should make a run at top10 this week.
San Diego at Jacksonville
LT: Nothing close to 2006 but top5 anyways. Jax is tough to run on so I don’t expect big numbers from him this week again.
MJD: The real option of the 2 backs in Jax…best as a flex option though.
KC at INDY
Priest Holmes: Was able to carry it 20 times alst week. Indy is reeling right now, and I think the Chiefs will have some success running the ball. If you have Holmes, I think you gotta find room for him in your starting line up this week. Artificial turf scares me a little bit.
Joseph Addai: Plug n Play. The guy might not be the most talented back but he has some talent and a good cast around him…also with the passing game sort of grounded, look for more Addai…a lot more Addai. Guy should be a top5 projection every week.
New Orleans at Houston
Reggie Bush: Is likely going to be close to 100 receptions for the season…has a chance to get to 1000 yards rushing as well, plus he will pass double digits in Touchdowns. I know people expect a lot out of him, and I think a 6 yard per catch average is a little weak but he is a bonafide starter every week.
Ahman Green: Went to see Dr Andrews this week. I wouldn’t count on him for anything the rest of the way.
Ron Dayne: I highlighted him last week. I would be looking to keep him on your roster. Assuming he starts, I think he can be successful. The passing game is getting a big shot in the arm with Andre Johnson back in the line up, look for the passing game to open up a lot of running lanes.
Carolina at Green Bay
DeShaun Foster/DeAngelo Willaims: The Packers are tough against the run, it’s not a good match up and the fact is the panthers can’t throw the ball. Steve Smith is looking like he might miss the game, they are spiraling out of control, it just isn’t safe nor is the payoff worth starting either one of these guys right now.
Ryan Grant: Edge posted 80/TD, Addai went for 100/2TD, LenDale White posted 100/TD, Dunn racked 140 total yards and a TD…I think I might be inclined to roll Grant out there this week. The Packers should blowout the Panthers and that means they will need Grant to run the clock down in the 2nd half. Green Bay 9-1? WOW!
Pittsburgh at NYJ
Willie Parker: 2nd in the league in rushing with 873 yards but only 2 rushing TD for the season. Again, he has a great match up this week.
Thomas Jones: Rough, very rough this week.
Chicago at Seattle
Cedric Benson: Is he still starting?
Shaun Alexander: Watch the IR…but you need to see him have a good week before you start rolling him out with any kind of confidence.
Maurice Morris: I am no fan of this guy but he did manage to post decent numbers last week. Not where I want to be relying on for points week in and week out.
St Louis at San Fran “The Bust Bowl 2007”
Steven Jackson: I assume he is playing, because if he is, the match up is going to be great. The Rams looked good on offense alst week, maybe they can offer some value to their owners the rest of the way.
Frank Gore: Partially participated on Wed…the guy is sort of iffy, certainly not 100% and one of the bigger busts of 2007.
Washington at Dallas
Clinton Portis: Really coming on strong the last 2 weeks, but the Skins are losing. You have to start him, likely not going to hit 100 yards rushing 3 weeks in a row but we’ll see.
MB III: Keep playing him. Week 7 and 9 he had 100 total yards and a TD each week, last week he was a disappointment but I would continue to roll him out in your starting line up.
New England at Buffalo
Laurence Maroney: His only 100 yard rushing performance was against the Bills. Maroney has no Touchdowns, not a single one for the entire season…and that’s with an offense around him that is pretty high scoring from what I’ve heard…seriously, there is no upside with him at the moment. I would just use a wait and see approach with him. He needs to have a bust out game before you can really put any faith in him.
Marshawn Lynch: Likely OUT…shame as he has been having a nice solid rookie year despite the hype with ADP.
Whoever Backup RB: Not a good match up on any level this week against the Pats.
Tennessee at Denver
LenDale White: Likely Out this week.
Chris Brown/Henry: Brown is supposed to be coming back this week but he is coming off an injury. I think Henry will get more of the bulk of the work. Denver is a great match up, but buyer beware as Henry has not had to should a big load yet this year.
Selvin Young: I have no idea what to make of Travis Henry right now so lets focus on Young. The fact is the Titans are one of the best in the NFL at stopping the run, and I expect them to march into Denver and lay the hammer down on the Broncos. They are a good solid team that played another good solid team in Jax last week, I expect them to do well against the run.
Good Luck to everyone this week.
I made this same mistake this week.
