Pretzel’s Picks Week 2

Buffalo Bills by 3 at home over the Oakland Raiders

Ryan Fitzpatrick picked up where he left off last year and the chemistry between him and Johnson seems to be as strong as ever.  The Raiders have a couple of problems on
offense.  The first problem is they have no one to deliver the ball and the second is that they have no one to catch
it either, which means they will be running……a lot.  One dimensional teams do not normally do well.  Bills by 7.

Houston Texans by 3 at the Miami Dolphins

If your top rusher is your quarterback and he is not Michael Vick you have some problems.  The Texans
dominated a week Indy team last week and will continue that trend this week.   Texans by 10.

Green Bay Packers by 10 at the Carolina Panthers

Green Bayshowed last week that they have not missed a beat on offense regardless of
their practise schedule during the lockout.  Cam Newton gave the Panthers fans some hope last week with a strong
performance, but they will have that ripped away this week as the Packers are sure to get some pressure on Newton
which will end up as picks.  Packers by 14.

Cleveland Browns by 2 at the Indianapolis Colts

My upset pick of the week is the Manningless Colts over the Browns.  If Peyton Hillis is not the
player the Browns brass thought he was then they are trouble…..and they are.  The Colts will get something going
this week against the awful Browns that lost to the Bengals last week.  Indy by 7.

Eliminator

For my eliminator pick I will take the Steelers at home over the Seahawks.

Top Targets for 2011 week 2

Everyone is going to tell you to grab Cam Newton, he seems like an obvious choice 422 yards is pretty impressive.  The problem is that Cam Newton is a rookie and although he looks very shiny, he is going to stumble…..alot.  If you are in a keeper league and you have room on your bench for a long term wait and see stash, he is an option, if not, let’s look at some real options.

 Quarterbacks

 Headsmacker:

Mark Sanchez, New York Jets – Sanchez had a few flashes of brilliance last year but was inconsistent.  With another year under his belt, he should be far more dependable and best of all, he went undrafted in many league (probably yours too).  The Jets lost Braylon Edwards, but the added redzone specialist Plaxico Burress fresh off his vacation in the state pen.  If you need immediate QB help or just want insurance for bye weeks or injuries Sanchez is a solid snag.

 Not So Obvious:

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buffalo Bills – We talked about Fitzpatrick all last season and I am going to start this year beating the same drum.  Fitzpatrick is a super smart guy who reads defenses well and with Steve Johnson’s emergence and a legit WR1, he finally has someone to throw to.  The Bills were competitive in the majority of their games last season and much of that was due to the combination of Fitzpatrick and Johnson.  This is going to continue.  If you are one of the unfortunate victims of the Peyton Manning lie about your health-athon, Ryan is available and worthy. (no Peyton Manning but he will get you 15-20 points a game)

 Hail Mary:

Rex Grossman, Washington Redskins – As a previous owner of multiple running backs in a Mike Shanahan system, I have been infuriated by him more times than I can count, but Shanahan has actually been pretty good for fantasy quarterbacks. In fact, his system even made Brian Griese an legit fantasy starter.  Rex Grossman has always had the tools to be successful, but his first few seasons inChicago left him beat up and shell shocked. If he has shaken that off, he might actually find some comfort in the run happy, no pressure on the QB mike Shanahan offense.

 Running Backs

 Head Smacker:

Mike Tolbert, San Diego Chargers – Tolbert was probably drafted in your league…but if he wasn’t you are playing with a bunch of meatballs and you should win your league! Oh ya and pick him up.  If you look up goal line vulture in the dictionary, you will find Mike Tolbert’s smiling face…again, pick him up.

 No So Obvious:

Ben Tate, Houston Texans – If you are an Arian Foster owner, you should already have him, if you don’t, move quick.  Foster has a hammy problem and as we all know that is completely unpredictable so you may have to lean on Tate more than your want to.

 Cadillac Williams, St. Louis Rams – If you are a Steven Jackson owner, see the write up on Ben Tate above.   For everyone else, Cadillac was a stud inTampa before his knees blew up on him.  When he came back a couple of seasons ago, we sang his praises immediately and we were right.  He is still a serviceable back and as long asJackson is out, he will get points.

 James Starks, Green Bay Packers – If you listen to our podcast, you would already know that we think Starks is the best running back on the Packers depth chart.  He is going to outplay Grant and will be the starter before the season ends

 Hail Mary:

Ricky Williams, Baltimore – Ricky is only a Hail Mary because he is on the same team as Ray Rice.  As productive as he is, he would be a 50/50 timeshare on most teams.  This is not going to happen on the Ravens, but don’t be surprised if he wedges himself into a 60/40 split with ample shots at the goal line. 

 Wide Receivers:

Head Smacker

Devery Henderson/Robert Meachem, New Orleans Saints – With Colsten hurt, any one of the Saints receivers could emerge as “the guy” so grab whoever you can.  The Saints put up big numbers through the air and will continue regardless of who is being thrown to.

 No So Obvious:

Michael Jenkins, Minnesota Vikings – The offense inMinnesota is going to run through Adrian Peterson, we know that. The next play maker on the team is Percy Harvin, we know that as well. The thing is, neither of those guys is really a wide receiver. The Vikes still have Bernard Berrian, but who cares?  The only real receiver that McNabb has to throw to is Michael Jenkins. Jenkins has had success in previous stops and he could see some consistent targets inMinnesota as well.

 Hail Mary:

Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers – Cobb is a good option if you get points for return yardage, but even if you don’t, Rodgers loves to spread the ball around and as we saw this week, Cobb can get in the endzone.

 Jabar Gaffney, Washington Redskins –  In my first ever Hail Mary handcuff, I am including Jabar Gaffney.  If Rex Grossman is going to have success, so is Gaffney.  If you are in a really deep league….why not?

Pretzel’s Picks 2011 Week 1

Atlanta Falcons by 3 at the Chicago Bears

Once again Mike Martz is letting his ego get the best of him starting Roy Williams over Johnny Knox.  I am not sure why
Lovie is letting him run the show on offense as much as he is.  Lovie watch the tape of Martz’s coaching history when he has power.  Ran the once
greatest show on turf into the dirt throwing 60 times a game, same thing with theLions and 49ers.  He is great at
developing quarterbacks and offenses but do not make the same mistakes othershave made in the past.  Falcons by 10.

Arizona Cardinals by 7 at home over the Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton won the starting job in Carolina by default.  He is not ready to carry the team and most rookies are not but they just had no one else behind him to step
up.  You have an #1 receiver that has lost a step and doesn’t want to play anymore.  All they can hope is the Williams/Stewart combo is unstoppable.  History has shown that one dimensional teams generally are not high powered offenses.  On the other side, Fitzy finally has someone to deliver the ball to him after Warner
retired.  Is he going to throw it perfectly every time?  No, luckily however he does need to, Fitzgerald will make the adjustment.  Cardinals take this one at home by 10.

New York Giants by 3 at the Washington Redskins

Now divisional games are hard to call (even though I have mentioned a couple this week) but for this one I have one sentence.
Rex Grossman – starting quarterback.  The worst part about this situation is that he truly is the best quarterback on the team.  Shanahan must
have amazing confidence in his running game otherwise I have no idea how he did not bring in someone else to run this offense.  Giants by 7.

Philadelphia Eagles by 5 over the St. Louis Rams

I like the Rams to turn some heads this year.  The have a quarterback with the potential to be great, Steven Jackson as
their work horse, they picked up a receiver that has produced in this league just a year ago and an always improving Steve Spagnuolo defence.  We just won’t be able to see it this
game.  The Eagles are way to strong on defence, especially with their off-season acquisitions and have way too much firepower on offense for the Rams.  Eagles take this by 7.

Eliminator

Thisweek I am going to take the Houston Texans over the Manningless Colts.  Houston
is at home playing a team without their general, they should have no problem with this one.

Pretzel’s Superbowl Pick

My Superbowl pick is the Steelers over the Packers. Let me be clear. I want the Packers to win, however I saw against the Bears that Rodgers is a little shell shocked when he gets hit after two concussions earlier in the season. Blitzburgh has the name for a reason. They specialize in getting to the quarterback and that will mean Rodgers will not have time to sit back and pick the Steelers apart.