9/21/06
Drew Brees has been better than Carson Palmer. Frank Gore is the
top running back. Amani Toomer is among the elite wide receivers.
What world are we living in? Oh, that’s right, the unpredictable
fantasy football world.
Brees, Gore and Toomer have been surprising but should be on rosters
in your league. Here are some surprise players that may be available
in your league that are off to fast starts and whether you should
consider picking them up. Grab ’em
Reggie Williams, Jacksonville:
The 2004 ninth overall draft pick finally is starting to live
up to expectations. He’s had two solid games so far, grabbing
six passes for 47 yards and a touchdown in the opening week before
recording eight receptions and 95 yards in Week 2.
Matt Jones has received all the hype among Jaguars receivers,
but Williams has edged Jones as the top producer at the position.
He clearly is a favorite target of quarterback Byron Leftwich
after being thrown to 12 times last week.
Also, Jacksonville has a soft schedule left, with two games each
remaining against Houston and Tennessee, two of the worst passing
defenses in the league.
Others: Jerricho Cotchery, wide
receiver, New York Jets; Desmond Clark, tight end, Chicago; Chad
Pennington, quarterback, New York Jets; San Diego defense.
Leave ’em
Marques Colston, New Orleans:
The rookie is worth a gamble if he’s available as a tight
end in your league, but as a wide receiver, leave him on the waiver
wire. Rookie wide receivers rarely have solid seasons, because
they often have a tough time adjusting to the speed and skill
of NFL cornerbacks. Colston has shined against two weak teams
in Cleveland and Green Bay. Expect his consistency to take a hit
the rest of the season with the Saints having a one of the toughest
schedules left of any team in the league. New Orleans takes on
division rivals Atlanta, Tampa Bay and Carolina twice each and
also faces Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Dallas, Washington
and the New York Giants.
Others: Bernard Berrian, wide
receiver, Chicago; Rex Grossman, quarterback, Chicago; Alex Smith,
quarterback, San Francisco; Charlie Frye, quarterback, Cleveland.
Hot Read
QB Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia:
Terrell who? The Eagle collected his second straight 300-yard
passing effort last week against the New York Giants, throwing
for 350 yards. The addition of Donte’ Stalworth to Reggie
Brown at wide receiver gives McNabb possibly his most talented
one-two punch at receiver in his career. If you drafted him outside
the top 5 of quarterbacks, congratulations, you have the best
fantasy quarterback besides Peyton Manning.
Broken Play(er)
RB LaMont Jordan, Oakland: The
running back is the biggest bust of the young season. He was drafted
as a top-10 player and top-5 in some drafts. Jordan has given
his fantasy owners essentially nothing with just 55 rushing yards
and no TDs. If you own him, hang onto him in hopes he’ll
turn it around, because his trade value likely will not get any
lower.
Off The Bench
RB Fred Taylor, Jacksonville:
On the surface, the running back’s matchup (at Indianapolis)
looks poor. However, the Jaguars have made the veteran the focal
point of their offense. He has 236 total yards and his 52 touches
(carries plus receptions) rank seventh among running backs. Taylor
should have a solid game against the Colts, who have given up
a league-high 5.8 yards per carry.
Safe Bet
QB Grossman, Chicago: The quarterback’s
hot streak will end when the Bears face Minnesota on the road.
Grossman has beat up on the poor pass defenses of Green Bay and
Detroit. The Vikings, on the other hand, have allowed 163.5 yards
per game and no touchdowns against Washington and Carolina. Grossman
will throw for fewer than 200 yards and no more than one TD.
Extra Point
The next two weeks will be a tryout for Miami quarterback Daunte
Culpepper for starting fantasy status. The former Viking has been
shaky in his return from the major knee injury he sustained last
season. He has just one touchdown and three interceptions, but
the poor performances have come against two solid defenses (Pittsburgh
and Buffalo). Miami faces two of the worst pass defenses (Tennessee
and Houston) the next two weeks. If Culpepper can’t shine
in those matchups, he may never will.
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