Don't Just Play, Win! Have you ever walked into your fantasy football draft unprepared? Carrying a There is an old axiom that states “not all that glitters is gold”. This is true in life and it is especially true in fantasy football. Week one was wrought with over performers that will have the trash sifters in your league foraging furiously. One of the toughest challenges in fantasy football is to remember that you (and your players) are in it for the long haul and if you chase every rabbit, you will put yourself in a position that forces you to dump a proven player on your team because they are off to a slow start so that you can scoop up this weeks shiny new flash. Don’t fall into the trap.
In the category of “fantasy fools gold” we should start with Devery Henderson of the New Orleans Saints. Henderson amassed 103 yards on 5 receptions with a touchdown and had the 5th highest production of all wide receivers. Contrary to what the numbers say, Devery is the 5th option on a Saints team that laid a record setting beat down on the hapless Detroit Lions. Remember, not every team is the Lions. The Saints will face a tough Philadelphia Eagles defense next week and Henderson should return to his standard 2 receptions for 35 yards and no touchdowns. Fred Jackson of the Buffalo Bills is another player performing way over his head. Jackson had a great game against the Patriots this past Sunday but he is ultimately a backup who happens to be capitalizing on the fact that Marshawn Lynch is suspended for 2 games. Jackson should be productive for one more start but don’t sacrifice much to snatch up a player who only has one game left as the featured back.
The first week of football also had a disproportionately high number of underachievers who will make you look extremely foolish if give up on them. Andre Johnson of the Texans was blanketed by a surprising New York Jets defense and consequently looked very pedestrian with only 4 receptions for 35 yards and no touchdowns. The Texans played Mike Tyson to the Jets Buster Douglas caught very off guard by the aggressive Jets pass rush, but Johnson should still be an every week starter on your team. Matt Forte of the Bears was another highly touted fantasy stud who looked more like Clark Kent than Superman in week 1. Forte’s anemic production was more a side effect of the poor play of Jay Cutler (really Jay, 4 picks?? You are making Josh McDaniels look like Stephen Hawking) than a reflection of Forte’s ability. The Bears have a rough stretch coming up with the Steelers next followed by the Seahawks before they get their turn to wail on the Lions. If Cutler continues to struggle, it could make the going pretty tough for Forte but he is too big a part of the Bears offense to not be started (he had 25 carries against the Packers this weekend, eventually a couple of those have to go for more that 1.8 yards).
Strong Plays for week 2:
Every player you have in a bright purple jersey. The Vikings take on the Lions this weekend, so Peterson and Taylor should both have plenty of success at running back. In addition, there will be enough balls for Berrian, Harvin and Shiancoe to make noise. The Viking defense is a safe play against the rookie QB as well.
Terrell Owens, Buffalo Bills: Tony Romo torched the Bucs for 350+ yards last weekend. Look for Edwards to do similar things and look for him to go to T.O. early and often. Owens was not nearly as involved in the offense against the Patriots as he would like, I am sure he will make this known all week to everyone who will listen. If history has shown us anything it is that the only way to make Terrell happy is to give him the ball!
