Shaun McDonald (1 Viewer)

[jurrassic]

Anyone think this guy is going to continue to surprise this year? He had a great pre-season and lead the Lions in receiving in week 1. As a #3/4 wr he is more talented than nearly every db he faces. He is very familiar with the offense and benefits from defenses focusing on Williams and Johnson. Does he have Stokely ability from a few years ago?

 

[Da Guru]

Anyone think this guy is going to continue to surprise this year? He had a great pre-season and lead the Lions in receiving in week 1. As a #3/4 wr he is more talented than nearly every db he faces. He is very familiar with the offense and benefits from defenses focusing on Williams and Johnson. Does he have Stokely ability from a few years ago?

I think he does,,Mac was getting alot of looks in pre-season and with Roy and CJ drawing all the coverage he was wide open all day..so was Furrey.

 

[Foosball God]

He's the Lion's version of what Az-Hakim did in St. Louis. He will be a streaky performer this year, not someone you should count on every week.

 

[V1LL]

I've been saying it all pre-season. he's better than furrey. He's the reason Martz moved Furrey to Safety in STL. he knows the offense better, is quicker, has better hands...he's just waiting for an opportunity. get him now if you already haven't done so.

 

[GoinDeep]

If I see one more performance like I did Sunday, S. Moss is riding pine.

The only problem is that I have B. Marshall on the bench as well...he looks pretty good.

 

[phthalatemagic]

I've been saying it all pre-season. he's better than furrey. He's the reason Martz moved Furrey to Safety in STL. he knows the offense better, is quicker, has better hands...he's just waiting for an opportunity. get him now if you already haven't done so.

 

[GoinDeep]

Bump....would like a few more opinions on this.

 

[shadyridr]

He's their 4th WR. Id look elsewhere

 

[Tremendous Upside]

He's the WR4 there, with MAYBE an upside to a WR3...

WR3s are rarely viable in fantasy, WR4s pretty much never...

Plus you are already chasing the curve here, missing out on what is likely to be his best game all year...

Barring injuries ahead of him, no way is he even rosterable, IMO...

 

[ericttspikes]

He's their 4th WR. Id look elsewhere

I guess we'll see next week. After a solid preseason he was the thrown to 8 times week 1 catching 6, which led the team. DET runs a lot of 3 and 4 WR sets and ROY and CJ get the coverage. This dude is open a lot. Whether he will continue to get balls his way remains to be seen, but in FF leagues that use 3 and 4 WRs I can think of a lot worse players to roster.

 

[MSULions]

i've been saying it since the second preseason game - Shaun will be 2nd in receptions on this team. He knows the offense and Kitna has been looking his way a lot. He gives them something they didn't have last year...and they will capitalize on it. You will continue to see his name in the highlights all year long.

I couldn't believe he was only $1 in the subscriber contest

 

[Spartans Rule]

I really don't think that either Mike Martz or Jon Kitna view any of these guys in any sort of clear pecking order. It's not WR1, WR2, WR3, WR4. It's four good wide receivers with different skill sets who will all be a big part of the offense.

 

[PahtyTom]

Has a #4 WR ever had a good fantasy season?

 

[amnesiac]

i think he's nice depth for your team in case of injuries/byes, i'd feel comfortable inserting him into my lineup if i needed to.

 

[Soaring Eagle]

Has a #4 WR ever had a good fantasy season?

YesHouston Run and Shoot in early 90s

Hill, Jeffires, Givens, and Duncan with Moon as the QB

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti1990.htm

Duncan was the 4th and had some respectable years

Also I believe Atlanta's Red Gun had 4 nice wr later in the 90s as well when Chris Miller was the QB

Hill, Haynes, Rison, Pritchard

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/atl1992.htm

 

[Anthony Borbely]

All I will say is he was open on a regular basis all through the Oakland game, and he had 7 targets.

 

[GoinDeep]

Okay....but would you ever consider moving him ahead of say Moss?

I start 2 WRs. I have: Harrison, Moss, B. Marshall, K. Curtis, Mason and McDonald.

If Moss puts up 2 more of these 20-40 yard games (and with Campbell, its possible), I'm not sure wo I'd go to.

Guess this is now who would you start....sorry.

 

[AngryGorilla]

He's the Lion's version of what Az-Hakim did in St. Louis. He will be a streaky performer this year, not someone you should count on every week.

i like that comparison.Who's gonna be 'that guy' week to week? It's hard to rely on a guy like that, jmo.Is next week Furrey's week? or does Roy blow up?too many questions for my liking. In a deep league, say 14 teams or more with rosters of 18 players and starts 3 WRs...he should probably be rostered, but not counted on...

 

[HoTnickZ]

If I see one more performance like I did Sunday, S. Moss is riding pine.The only problem is that I have B. Marshall on the bench as well...he looks pretty good.

Okay....but would you ever consider moving him ahead of say Moss?I start 2 WRs. I have: Harrison, Moss, B. Marshall, K. Curtis, Mason and McDonald.If Moss puts up 2 more of these 20-40 yard games (and with Campbell, its possible), I'm not sure wo I'd go to.Guess this is now who would you start....sorry.

 

[NYCGangGreen]

Who would have more potential then?

Furrey or McDonald...............

Furrey has proven chemistry and reliability with Kitna, and defenses know this, but with CJ and Roy...can they cover 3???

McDonald has sparked another possiblity of a great 4th option for Kitna...and on 4 WR sets, should get less coverage than the other 3 stated above.

This could turn into quite a WRBC after the clear cut #1 and 2.

I still like Furrey!!

 

[patriarchz]

I really don't think that either Mike Martz or Jon Kitna view any of these guys in any sort of clear pecking order. It's not WR1, WR2, WR3, WR4. It's four good wide receivers with different skill sets who will all be a big part of the offense.

Great post. Kitna doesn't care what the depth chart says. If CJ and Roy are getting all the coverage and McDonald is open, McDonald gets the ball no matter where he is on the depth chart.Oh and... Go Green! Go White! (MSU alumni here)

 

[Spartans Rule]

I really don't think that either Mike Martz or Jon Kitna view any of these guys in any sort of clear pecking order. It's not WR1, WR2, WR3, WR4. It's four good wide receivers with different skill sets who will all be a big part of the offense.

Great post. Kitna doesn't care what the depth chart says. If CJ and Roy are getting all the coverage and McDonald is open, McDonald gets the ball no matter where he is one the depth chart.Oh and... Go Green! Go White! (MSU alumni here)

 

[Macdaddy_2004]

Here's a good question

How many times was he on the field ?

Did they run a lot of 4WR sets?

 

[Raiders Fan]

A 4th WR that will see less and less targets as Johnson gets more familar with the offense. Not enough offense to make him a normal target every week.. Let the guppies pick him up.

 

[Skanker]

Roy and Calvin..nothing else to see here, move along.

 

[Bojang0301]

You are all fools to think Martz wants to do anything but throw the ball. The pass is used to set up the run and when they pass they spread it out and throw it downfield. This is hardly a dink and dunk system and this was the same tough Raiders D as last year. McDonald and CJ have added a deminsion to the Lions that (no offense to Furrey) the Lions were severly lacking last year. He will have an impact that is far more substantial than anyone could have predicted even if it is inconsistent.

 

[Jimboozie]

When he was lighting it up in the preason, I scoffed at the idea of McDonald having fantasy value. I even drafted him for an absent owner as a joke in a deep league. Now I'm starting to wish that I would have drafted him myself. This guy is going to get open A LOT with the best corners playing Roy and CJ2. If you're in a 12+ team league, you've got to snatch him up now.

 

[aardball44]

He's the WR4 there, with MAYBE an upside to a WR3...WR3s are rarely viable in fantasy, WR4s pretty much never...Plus you are already chasing the curve here, missing out on what is likely to be his best game all year...Barring injuries ahead of him, no way is he even rosterable, IMO...

I agree with all but your last sentence. He's worth a spot on a 12-team league roster if you can (or must) start three or more receivers. Larger/deeper leagues, he's not only worthy of a roster spot...he'll start for somebody.I won a lot of games last year with Mike Furrey holding together my injury-plagued FF team in a 16-team league. McDonald > Furrey.

 

[packersfan]

I won a lot of games last year with Mike Furrey holding together my injury-plagued FF team in a 16-team league. McDonald > Furrey.

Furrey was a starter, though. I agree McDonald has the potential to be involved at various times during the season. And there's no question Martz wants to pass all day long. But relying on a No. 4 WR in any offense is a huge gamble in my opinion. You'd have to be in a really large league or really have some major WR issues to be starting McDonald consistently.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

This thread confuses me.

The best question and one that seems to not be answered was how many 4 WR sets were there? Was Shaun ever out there on 1st and 2nd down? I will go the game log on CBS and try and find these answers out.

Detroit Lions at 15:00

1-10-DET20 (15:00) T.Bell up the middle to DET 19 for -1 yards (D.Burgess).

2-11-DET19 (15:00) J.Kitna pass short middle to T.Bell to DET 20 for 1 yard (S.Williams).

3-10-DET20 (13:46) (Shotgun) J.Kitna pass incomplete deep right to C.Johnson.

4-10-DET20 (13:44) N.Harris punts 44 yards to OAK 36, Center-D.Muhlbach. J.Higgins to OAK 31 for -5 yards (I.Bashir).

Nothing on the 1st drive...

Score is still 0-0 on the 2nd drive

Detroit Lions at 10:53

1-10-DET1 (10:53) J.Kitna pass short left to S.McHugh to DET 33 for 32 yards (K.Morrison).

1-10-DET33 (10:27) (Shotgun) J.Kitna pass deep right to C.Johnson to OAK 41 for 26 yards (S.Schweigert).

1-10-OAK41 (9:46) J.Kitna pass deep right to M.Furrey to OAK 25 for 16 yards.

PENALTY on DET-M.Furrey, Offensive Pass Interference, 10 yards, enforced at OAK 41 - No Play.

1-20-DET49 (9:21) T.Bell left tackle to OAK 45 for 6 yards (K.Morrison).

2-14-OAK45 (8:44) J.Kitna pass short middle to S.McDonald to OAK 27 for 18 yards (M.Huff).

1-10-OAK27 (8:01) J.Kitna pass to T.Bell to OAK 21 for 6 yards (T.Howard).

2-4-OAK21 (7:20) J.Kitna pass to S.McDonald to OAK 18 for 3 yards (K.Morrison).

3-1-OAK18 (6:34) J.Kitna pass to R.Williams to OAK 16 for 2 yards (F.Washington).

1-10-OAK16 (6:25) T.Duckett up the middle to OAK 12 for 4 yards (W.Sapp).

2-6-OAK12 (5:28) T.Duckett up the middle to OAK 11 for 1 yard (T.Sands, S.Schweigert).

3-5-OAK11 (4:55) J.Kitna pass to M.Furrey to OAK 4 for 7 yards.

1-4-OAK4 (4:24) J.Kitna pass incomplete to C.Johnson.

2-4-OAK4 (4:19) T.Duckett to OAK 5 for -1 yards (K.Morrison).

3-5-OAK5 (3:39) J.Kitna pass INTERCEPTED by K.Morrison at OAK 5. Touchback.

2 catches on that drive, both on 2nd down, 2nd and 14 seems like a 4WR set for sure...was a long drive so maybe he lined up in a 2WR set for a play on 2nd down.

Fast forward a couple of drives...Detroit is ahead 7-0.

Detroit Lions at 02:18

1-10-DET37 (2:18) J.Kitna pass incomplete short right to S.McDonald (K.Morrison).

2-10-DET37 (2:12) (Shotgun) J.Kitna pass short right to S.McDonald to OAK 48 for 15 yards (M.Huff).

1-10-OAK48 (2:00) (Shotgun) J.Kitna pass short left to M.Furrey to OAK 33 for 15 yards (N.Asomugha).

1-10-OAK33 (1:49) (Shotgun) J.Kitna pass short left to R.Williams to OAK 27 for 6 yards.

2-4-OAK27 (1:45) (Shotgun) J.Kitna pass short right to T.Bell to OAK 27 for no gain (W.Sapp).

3-4-OAK27 (1:18) (Shotgun) J.Kitna pass incomplete short left to R.Williams.

4-4-OAK27 (1:13) J.Hanson 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Muhlbach, Holder-N.Harris.

DET 10 OAK 0, Plays: 7 Yards: 36 Possession: 1:08.

2nd and long again.

Next drive...

Detroit Lions at 02:18

1-10-DET37 (2:18) J.Kitna pass incomplete short right to S.McDonald (K.Morrison).

2-10-DET37 (2:12) (Shotgun) J.Kitna pass short right to S.McDonald to OAK 48 for 15 yards (M.Huff).

1-10-OAK48 (2:00) (Shotgun) J.Kitna pass short left to M.Furrey to OAK 33 for 15 yards (N.Asomugha).

1-10-OAK33 (1:49) (Shotgun) J.Kitna pass short left to R.Williams to OAK 27 for 6 yards.

2-4-OAK27 (1:45) (Shotgun) J.Kitna pass short right to T.Bell to OAK 27 for no gain (W.Sapp).

3-4-OAK27 (1:18) (Shotgun) J.Kitna pass incomplete short left to R.Williams.

4-4-OAK27 (1:13) J.Hanson 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Muhlbach, Holder-N.Harris.

DET 10 OAK 0, Plays: 7 Yards: 36 Possession: 1:08.

Seems like they are picking on Huff...is he a rookie or 2nd year guy form Texas? Seems like they were exploiting him.

Fast forward...Detroit threw for TD to CJ and Roy...but were watching their lead slip away...

Detroit Lions at 00:43

1-10-DET44 43) J.Kitna pass short right to C.Johnson to OAK 44 for 12 yards (M.Huff).

1-10-OAK44 04) T.Bell right end to OAK 39 for 5 yards.

Fourth Quarter

Detroit Lions continued...

2-5-OAK39 (15:00) PENALTY on DET-G.Foster, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at OAK 39 - No Play.

2-10-OAK44 (14:59) (Shotgun) J.Kitna pass short left to M.Furrey to OAK 42 for 2 yards (H.Eugene).

3-8-OAK42 (14:22) (Shotgun) J.Kitna pass short left to S.McDonald to OAK 33 for 9 yards (N.Asomugha).

1-10-OAK33 (13:44) T.Bell up the middle to OAK 30 for 3 yards (T.Kelly).

2-7-OAK30 (12:59) J.Kitna pass incomplete to M.Furrey (F.Washington).

3-7-OAK30 (12:56) T.Bell up the middle to OAK 28 for 2 yards (K.Morrison).

4-5-OAK28 (12:19) J.Hanson 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-D.Muhlbach, Holder-N.Harris.

DET 20 OAK 14, Plays: 8 Yards: 28 Possession: 3:36.

3rd and long play he found Shaun again.

Here is the drive where Shaun scores

Detroit Lions at 07:43

1-10-DET20 (7:43) J.Kitna pass short left to S.McHugh to DET 33 for 13 yards (T.Howard).

1-10-DET33 (7:21) (Shotgun) J.Kitna pass short left to T.Bell to DET 35 for 2 yards (M.Huff). Penalty on OAK-H.Eugene, Illegal Contact, declined.

PENALTY on OAK-N.Asomugha, Illegal Contact, 5 yards, enforced at DET 33 - No Play.

1-10-DET38 (6:42) J.Kitna pass short middle to M.Furrey to DET 47 for 9 yards (K.Morrison).

2-1-DET47 (6:23) T.Bell up the middle to OAK 46 for 7 yards (T.Howard, C.Clemons).

1-10-OAK46 (5:50) PENALTY on DET-G.Foster, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at OAK 46 - No Play.

1-15-DET49 (5:23) J.Kitna pass incomplete short left to T.Bell (C.Clemons).

2-15-DET49 (5:18) (Shotgun) J.Kitna scrambles left end to OAK 45 for 6 yards (H.Eugene).

3-9-OAK45 (4:32) (Shotgun) J.Kitna pass short left to S.McDonald to OAK 32 for 13 yards (M.Huff).

1-10-OAK32 (4:22) J.Kitna pass to S.McDonald for 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

PENALTY on DET-D.Woody, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at OAK 2 - No Play.

TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. J.Kitna pass to S.McDonald is incomplete. ATTEMPT FAILS.

DET 26 OAK 21, Plays: 7 Yards: 80 Possession: 3:28.

He found him at about the 30 yd line of Oakland for the score so it would appear this is not just a guy to find as an outlet.

What say you from this?

 

[Jason Wood]

Shaun McDonald meet Frisman Jackson.

Frisman, Shaun.

You two have a lot to talk about.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

Roy and Calvin..nothing else to see here, move along.

I disagree......I know there are A LOT of leagues out there with huge roster spots, too big. You can pick this guy up and put him there and drop some piece of crap that's probably sitting there.Don't turn a blind eye here. You may not want to start him this week but all it takes is a twisted ankle by Roy or a bruised shoulder by Calvin and this guy all of a sudden can be a top 20 WR for the weekends games.I used him in Subscriber League, I'm sure many did. I'm also picking him up in 2 leagues this week and drafted him originally in another.The Lions are a passing team and this guy knows the system and is good. In his first game against one of the better pass coverage teams in the NFL, he went off. I'll pick him up, thank you very much.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Shaun McDonald meet Frisman Jackson.Frisman, Shaun. You two have a lot to talk about.

Really? I don't know about that...he seems to be lining up so that he is one on one with the Safety...looks like a mismatch every time. Name a Safety that has the necesary speed to go with him and can leave CJ and Roy alone...

 

[Lorax]

I know this is the shark pool but there is alot of foolish discussion here.....I seen this Shaun McDonald thing a mile away in the preseason. He was a MAJOR target in the preseason and it isnt changing soon. Martz is rotating WRs in every package there is NO pecking order in this system. McDonald isnt "giving breathers" - he has defined roles in specific packages. He will be playing more than CJ this season......At least early on, but regardless wont be a WR4 type receiver. He can and does play in 2 WR sets right now. There isnt a better choice for depth to your team right now.....

I picked him up in week 3 of the preseason - I watch the team, I seen what was going on.....

 

[duaneok66]

Shaun McDonald meet Frisman Jackson.Frisman, Shaun. You two have a lot to talk about.

Really? I don't know about that...he seems to be lining up so that he is one on one with the Safety...looks like a mismatch every time. Name a Safety that has the necesary speed to go with him and can leave CJ and Roy alone...

I've only had time to watch the 1st quarter (wife dominates the tv) . . . anyway , McDonald was in on 8 of 16 plays and on at least two of the eight saw him in and CJ out . . .

 

[duaneok66]

I know this is the shark pool but there is alot of foolish discussion here.....I seen this Shaun McDonald thing a mile away in the preseason. He was a MAJOR target in the preseason and it isnt changing soon. Martz is rotating WRs in every package there is NO pecking order in this system. McDonald isnt "giving breathers" - he has defined roles in specific packages. He will be playing more than CJ this season......At least early on, but regardless wont be a WR4 type receiver. He can and does play in 2 WR sets right now. There isnt a better choice for depth to your team right now.....I picked him up in week 3 of the preseason - I watch the team, I seen what was going on.....

you may be right , BUT your reasoning is flawed . . . Roy and Furrey barely played in the preseason . . .

 

[3C's]

Shaun McDonald meet Frisman Jackson.Frisman, Shaun. You two have a lot to talk about.

I'd like to think there's a bit of difference in the offense these 2 guys play(ed) for. McDonald won't duplicate last weeks numbers every week, but he'll be on the field a lot. And he'll be thrown to often. Not a one week wonder.

 

[StuntRock]

Short answer:

No.

 

[cstu]

In, say, a start 4 WR league he might be a decent pickup. In normal leagues though there's little chance he'll pay off when you start him. I find it hard to believe any team would need to start him as a WR 3.

 

[Judge Smails]

Well, after I lost out on the bidding war for Ward I ended up picking up McDonald. Here's the deal. I liked what I saw from him in St. Louis, always thought he had a potential. Martz obviously knows/likes him. He's got Kitna's trust. He's getting action on all 3 downs, not just 3rd and long. And with Roy and Calvin he will be running free in seams against most defenses. Sounds like a good situation. That being said, he still has to get enough targets (WR1-4 doesn't mean squat - how many targets does a guy get?) to be effective. I'm playing him this week, as Det will throw 40 times vs. MN. Just by sheer math, he should get 8-9 looks (just like last week). How much will I play him (will have to sit Braylon Edwards) after this week? I don't know. But this week and in spot situations he's a logical start.

 

[theToes]

I have mixed opinions about McDonald. I here all the people that say he is a #4 WR, but wasn't furrey the #3 last year. He would up getting a good amount of receptions. I am trying to decide if is better having McDonald or Muhammed in a ppr league. Not to hijack but any opinions?

 

[gianmarco]

He's the WR4 there, with MAYBE an upside to a WR3...WR3s are rarely viable in fantasy, WR4s pretty much never...Plus you are already chasing the curve here, missing out on what is likely to be his best game all year...Barring injuries ahead of him, no way is he even rosterable, IMO...

I agree with all but your last sentence. He's worth a spot on a 12-team league roster if you can (or must) start three or more receivers. Larger/deeper leagues, he's not only worthy of a roster spot...he'll start for somebody.I won a lot of games last year with Mike Furrey holding together my injury-plagued FF team in a 16-team league. McDonald > Furrey.

Furrey was the #2 WR. Big difference.

 

[gianmarco]

The problem with this whole situation for those arguing that he's going to continue to get a lot of looks is that Roy Williams will not be getting as little as 4 catches for 20 yds every week. This is not the Indy offense of 2004. And as good as McDonald may have looked, he's a fraction of the talent of CJ2 AND Roy Williams. This is simply a matter of getting the offense in tune. As each week passes, you'll see a much more increased role in Roy and CJ2 and less so from Furrey and McDonald.

This argument that those 2 studs will draw all the coverage leaving the McDonald and/or Furrey open is absurd. There are very few defenders that can cover one of those studs enough to not let him get open an entire game, let alone both of them. If you think there are teams good enough to continue to cover them to that extent, then why don't we see more huge games from #3 WR's on teams with talented WR duos (Indy, Ari, Cincy) that "draw all the coverage"? Stud WR's like Roy and CJ2 get open and get the ball, period. They don't just draw coverage. They beat it. Kitna may not have tested that last week, but you better believe he will and you better believe that he and Martz will get the ball into the hands of their playmakers, not McDonald.

As pointed out above, this is not a "trend" we are seeing. He was targeted often in the preseason bc the 2 starters saw very little action and he was targeted a lot this week because it was one of those very few weeks where he put up some very big #'s. This was a game where Kitna threw for almost 300 yds (289) and Roy only got 20 of them. There is simply no way that McDonald will continue to put up this type of production while Roy and CJ2 don't even combine for 100 yds and, as good as this passing offense will be, Kitna will not be throwing for 400 yds/game. Those #'s will be quickly going to Roy and CJ where they rightfully belong. I would be very hesitant to put McDonald in my lineup ever. That's not to say he has no value, but I think his only real value where he can contribute to your fantasy team is if one of those 2 WR's goes down with injury. That, however, could be a very valuable proposition.

 

[BLOX]

McDonald will surprise. The doubters will come around soon enough. More than likely he's the #5 WR on your team so there's very little risk. He's shown what he can do, but Roy, Furrey, and CJ all will get theirs so the real question is:

Is there enough to go around?

 

[shadyridr]

I have mixed opinions about McDonald. I here all the people that say he is a #4 WR, but wasn't furrey the #3 last year. He would up getting a good amount of receptions. I am trying to decide if is better having McDonald or Muhammed in a ppr league. Not to hijack but any opinions?

Why do people keep saying this? Furrey was the #2 last year.

 

[Lorax]

I know this is the shark pool but there is alot of foolish discussion here.....I seen this Shaun McDonald thing a mile away in the preseason. He was a MAJOR target in the preseason and it isnt changing soon. Martz is rotating WRs in every package there is NO pecking order in this system. McDonald isnt "giving breathers" - he has defined roles in specific packages. He will be playing more than CJ this season......At least early on, but regardless wont be a WR4 type receiver. He can and does play in 2 WR sets right now. There isnt a better choice for depth to your team right now.....I picked him up in week 3 of the preseason - I watch the team, I seen what was going on.....

you may be right , BUT your reasoning is flawed . . . Roy and Furrey barely played in the preseason . . .

No, thats NOT the reasoning.....Thats true, they were nicked up, but it showed the comfortable nature in the offense and it allowed Kitna to create a comfort level with him......Thats just adding to the value.The Lions do have certain packages that define who is in them - they dont have a WR1, WR2, WR3, WR4 setup within their offense.....The complicated nature of the offense specified certain players for certain roles and McDonald has well defined & cemented roles in the offense. he plays in some 2 WR sets. The one thing the preseason proved - McDonald could get open against the other teams starters and he caught everything throw to him.....On the scoring play he was setup as a RB Left in the Shotgun - it was a pure mismatch scenario - typical Martz......Man Defense, McDonald on a LB or Safety.....They will continue to find ways to use him......If you are reading I am saying he is every week starter - then thats either a case of miscontruing the point or reading something into it.....All I am saying is this: ** He is great depth for a team. If one WR goes down which is historically a given with the Lions - then the value increases and he is on the cusp of a FF starter. Roy always gets something and Furrey isnt 100% yet.....** Bye weeks are coming up and most teams will need to spot start a #3 WR from a depth standpoint. He will be a more than adequate spot starter for bye weeks who can get something and possibly have a big game.I am in a 16 team league with 3 WRs starting - as a depth player I am extremely more comfortable with my depth than I was prior to getting McDonald....

 

[shadyridr]

Question for those who want to pick up McDonald:

What makes McDonald such a good option to pick up at WR this year as opposed to his first few years in STL with Martz? He wasnt rosterworthy then so why would he be now?

 

[the hairy scotsman]

The problem with this whole situation for those arguing that he's going to continue to get a lot of looks is that Roy Williams will not be getting as little as 4 catches for 20 yds every week. This is not the Indy offense of 2004. And as good as McDonald may have looked, he's a fraction of the talent of CJ2 AND Roy Williams. This is simply a matter of getting the offense in tune. As each week passes, you'll see a much more increased role in Roy and CJ2 and less so from Furrey and McDonald. This argument that those 2 studs will draw all the coverage leaving the McDonald and/or Furrey open is absurd. There are very few defenders that can cover one of those studs enough to not let him get open an entire game, let alone both of them. If you think there are teams good enough to continue to cover them to that extent, then why don't we see more huge games from #3 WR's on teams with talented WR duos (Indy, Ari, Cincy) that "draw all the coverage"? Stud WR's like Roy and CJ2 get open and get the ball, period. They don't just draw coverage. They beat it. Kitna may not have tested that last week, but you better believe he will and you better believe that he and Martz will get the ball into the hands of their playmakers, not McDonald.As pointed out above, this is not a "trend" we are seeing. He was targeted often in the preseason bc the 2 starters saw very little action and he was targeted a lot this week because it was one of those very few weeks where he put up some very big #'s. This was a game where Kitna threw for almost 300 yds (289) and Roy only got 20 of them. There is simply no way that McDonald will continue to put up this type of production while Roy and CJ2 don't even combine for 100 yds and, as good as this passing offense will be, Kitna will not be throwing for 400 yds/game. Those #'s will be quickly going to Roy and CJ where they rightfully belong. I would be very hesitant to put McDonald in my lineup ever. That's not to say he has no value, but I think his only real value where he can contribute to your fantasy team is if one of those 2 WR's goes down with injury. That, however, could be a very valuable proposition.

GREAT post.SM will have some very good weeks, but his prodution will be inconsistent, imho. If you can stand that from your backup, and I'm sure many of you can, then snag him if he's still there.

 

[gianmarco]

Let me also add that those arguing that McDonald will continue to get all these looks and actually be a viable starter are essentially SERIOUSLY downgrading Roy Williams and CJ2. These 3 guys will not all be getting 70+ yds/week together. Therefore, for McDonald to CONSISTENTLY produce at a level worthy of fantasy starting (avg 60-70/week), then you're saying that CJ2 and/or Roy will not be able to produce consistently. Something's gotta give. Either Roy is seriously overvalued and won't be a top WR or McDonald will be outperforming CJ2 more often than not in order for McDonald to be considered a legit fantasy starter. I just don't see it.

 

[Jason Wood]

Question for those who want to pick up McDonald:What makes McDonald such a good option to pick up at WR this year as opposed to his first few years in STL with Martz? He wasnt rosterworthy then so why would he be now?

To really think McDonald is going to have many games worth being in your lineup, you have to presuppose that he's not Detroit's WR4. Does anyone really think he's going to play ahead of Johnson, Williams and Furrey?