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Week 7 Fantasy Football Inside Ticket
Authored by Carl Setterlund - 22nd October, 2005 - 6:04 pm
Playoff-bound teams and impersonators alike were able to pad their records at an astounding rate this season against the likes of Detroit, Kansas City, and St. Louis.
Between Lane Kiffin at Tennessee and openings at Clemson, Washington, Syracuse, Mississippi State and Purdue, there are fertile jobs out there.
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Week 7, and a peculiar week it is. Sorry RealGMers, I was recently affected by some unexpected flooding in the Massachusetts area. Worse than I’ve ever seen. Anyways back to the NFL where it looks like one of the craziest fantasy years in recent memory. It’s the year of the injured and lackluster quarterback as Marc Bulger, Chad Pennington, Brian Griese, Daunte Culpepper, Kyle Boller, JP Losman, Kurt Warner, Mike Vick and others have been either injured or have produced considerably below their expectations. Things are hard to predict in the NFL these days with several teams who are hard to get a handle on, which is why I’m here to help you out. Here are this week’s fantasy rankings:
QB Rankings – Top 10
1. Peyton Manning last week: 1
2. Donovan McNabb last week: 2
3. Carson Palmer last week: 3
4. Tom Brady last week: 5
5. Brett Favre last week: 7
6. Matt Hasselbeck last week: 8
7. Daunte Culpepper last week: 6
8. Drew Bledsoe last week: 9
9. Mark Brunell last week: not ranked
10. Eli Manning last week: 10
On the bubble: Trent Green, Mike Vick, Jake Plummer
Injured: Marc Bulger
Manning is finally showing that he will consistently play like Peyton Manning is supposed to play with those type of weapons so he stays on top.
Palmer had another strong showing last week and another big game and another flop from McNabb would move him into second. I pulled Marc Bulger out because of his injury and moved up Tom Brady who continues to be stellar.
Daunte Culpepper continues to be maybe the biggest flop of the year and has fallen to the #7 spot but I see no where for him to go but up with Nate Burleson returning. Bledsoe had another strong week moving him up a spot and the new face on the list is Mark Brunell who has been the top quarterback the last few weeks. It looks like he and Santana Moss have great chemistry. Little Manning stays on the list more because there hasn’t been anyone else very impressive than because he performed particularly well.
Quarterback notes:
- Who has the most passing yards in the NFL? That’s right, it’s Tom Brady. With the running game struggling because of injuries and poor blocking by the offensive line, Brady has had to carry much of the offensive burden.
The Patriots have a bye this week but store it in the back of your head that he is the only quarterback averaging over 300 passing yards a game.
- Jump on the Chris Simms bandwagon you say? Not so quick. It’s true that Brian Griese is done for the year but newly acquired Tim Rattay is there for a reason. Simms has looked good and he has a chance to hold on to the job for the rest of the season, but it’s not something I recommend putting money on just yet.
- I doubted that Brett Favre would put up the same big numbers when Javon Walker went down for the season, but I’ve been turned into a believer.
Backups Robert Ferguson and Antonio Chatman are exceeding expectations and this week Bubba Franks returns meaning Favre’s red zone production should get even better. Add a healthier Ahman Green into the equation and Favre will be all right.
- Carson Palmer’s completion percentage last week: 81.8 (27 of 33). And that was without TJ Houshmandzadeh. On the season Palmer is completing over 70% of his passes.
- The latest big news is Jake Plummer’s mistake free football. You know what though, it doesn’t matter if he’s not throwing interceptions if he isn’t going to pass for 200 yards. It looks like the Broncos have found the perfect balance in their running game and will stick to pounding the pigskin. My advice on Plummer is to jump ship and sell while his stock is so high.
- It puzzles me why Dennis Green is so reluctant to name Josh McCown his starter. Game day strategy? Probably, but it’s screwing with our fantasy heads not knowing if we can really start Josh. After all, this is the same Dennis Green who is known for reviving the careers of past top quarterbacks.
But how can you go with Warner when McCown has been throwing for 400 yards a game!?!
- It’s starting to become apparent to me that Matt Hasselbeck misses not only Darrell Jackson but Bobby Engram as well. However, Jerramy Stevens and Joe Juruvicius are getting valuable confidence building playing time. With the way Hasselbeck is playing, when he gets his receivers back at full strength he will be putting up Pro-Bowl numbers, not that he isn’t already.
RB Rankings – Top 10
1. LaDainian Tomlinson last week: 1
2. Shaun Alexander last week: 2
3. Edgerrin James last week: 3
4. Tiki Barber last week: 4
5. Willis McGahee last week: 8
6. Priest Holmes last week: 7
7. Brian Westbrook last week: 5
8. Warrick Dunn last week: not ranked
9. Thomas Jones last week: not ranked
10. Domanick Davis last week: 10
On the bubble: Lamont Jordan, Rudi Johnson, Tatum Bell, Steven Jackson
Injured: Julius Jones, Corey Dillon
The top three held strong this last week, as if we weren’t expecting that.
LT, Shaun Alexander and Edge are head and shoulders above the rest of the competition this year, as they have been sure things every week. Tiki Barber disappointed last week, but in his nice and polite manner he openly demanded more carries. With Plax Burress a little banged up, I look for Barber to put up big numbers this week proving that he’s worthy of being #4.
McGahee has been strong ever since his weak game against the Bucs in Week 2 vaulting him up a couple spots. Priest Holmes also moves up because despite his lack of yardage production he is still producing touchdowns at an alarming pace. Dunn is so solid I had to put him on the list, and with a banged up TJ Duckett, Warrick may be able to sneak in for a couple touchdowns these next few weeks. Thomas Jones has scared me because of his injury and Ced Benson looming in the background but no doubt, the production has been there. Davis risks dropping off the list if he puts up another lackluster performance.
Running Back notes:
- JUMP ON THE TATUM BELL WAGON RIGHT NOW EVERYONE!!!! Same as last week, this time it’s for real though. Despite splitting carries with Mike Anderson, Bell has put up 241 yards and 3 touchdowns over the past two weeks.
- The problem with Steven Jackson hasn’t been his touchdown production (five entering the weekend,) it’s been his lack of touches. Not to worry, with Marc Bulger injured Jackson should see 20-25 carries a game the next few weeks.
- Curtis Martin has indeed been pretty productive the past two weeks, but I would put my trust in old faithful just yet. Approaching the next five weeks is a bye and four stout run defenses.
- Admit it, you’re wondering where the hell Chris Perry came from. Last year’s first round pick out of Michigan, Perry has developed in the Bengals receiving threat out of the backfield. He should continue getting enough touches to warrant a spot on whichever fantasy team is starting Ricky Williams.
- The Clinton Portis touchdown watch is officially on. That’s right, the former Broncos stud running back who had 31 touchdowns in his two years in Denver is on pace for 0 touchdowns! Nada! Zilch! If he doesn’t score this week against San Francisco I’m going to start taking bets.
- Who’s that taking away your carries Jamal Lewis? That’s right, it’s Chester Taylor! The Ravens backs are now splitting time, and frankly I’d feel more comfortable having Taylor on my team right now.
- Looking for a little receiving production from your backfield? Most leagues have Chris Cooley available as a RB. Cooley has been the second best receiving option among running backs thus far, behind only Brian Westbrook. Cooley is catching five passes a game for 50 yards in a thriving Washington passing offense.
WR Rankings – Top 10
1. Terrell Owens last week: 1
2. Chad Johnson last week: 4
3. Steve Smith last week: 5
4. Torry Holt last week: 3
5. Randy Moss last week: 2
6. Marvin Harrison last week: 6
7. Anquan Boldin last week: 7
8. Santana Moss last week: not ranked
9. Larry Fitzgerald last week: 9
10. Terry Glenn last week: not ranked
On the bubble: Jimmy Smith, Plaxico Burress, Joey Galloway
The top spot didn’t change but there was a bit of a shuffle below. Chad Johnson and Steve Smith continued their unreal production each going for over 120 yards with a touchdown. Holt slips a spot because of his quarterback situation and Moss falls because his injuries will hinder his production the next few weeks. Harrison is barely clinging on to his spot based on his résumé. Santana Moss has been fantastic this season and earned himself a spot on the list. The other new face is Terry Glenn. I just couldn’t deny the man who has been the most dangerous weapon in an impressive Dallas offense.
Wide Receiver notes:
- In leagues that award points for return yards, the immortal Wes Walker is forcing everyone to turn their heads. Not only is Walker a productive third receiver, he has been arguably the best return man in the NFL.
- Another player worth a look in deeper leagues is Az-Zahir Hakim. In Joe Horn’s absence he has put together two straight impressive games. However, he is only a temporary fix.
- No doubt, this year’s breakout receiver is Kevin Curtis. He has been a better fantasy option so far than old standbys like Derrick Mason, Hines Ward and Donald Driver.
- Chad Johnson asked us this year if anyone in the NFL could cover him. The answer is emphatically “NO!” Entering the weekend Johnson is 2nd in the NFL in receptions (39), 5th in receiving yards (561) and 2nd in receiving touchdowns (5).
- Who is going to pass Steve McNair’s passes while Drew Bennett is out with a dislocated thumb? Meet new number one receiver Brandon Jones. If nobody has picked him up in your league it’s time to take a look.
TE Rankings – Top 5
1. Antonio Gates last week: 1
2. Tony Gonzalez last week: 2
3. Jeremy Shockey last week: 4
4. Jason Witten last week: 3
5. Alge Crumpler last week: not ranked
Tony G finally showed some life in the Chiefs’ Friday night game, which is indicative of good things to come. Shockey has been a monster of late, and Crumpler has been as impressive as he should be, warranting their moves.
Others to watch: Old friend Jermaine Wiggins had 10 receptions for 68 yards last week, putting him back on my fantasy radar. Todd Heap finally had the big game he’s been waiting for. He’s back!
Notable Kicker of the week: Who is Rob Bironas? I don’t know either, but the Tennessee Titans’ kicker has been stellar so far. He’s been accurate and Jeff Fisher is trusting him with deep attempts. Bironas is 5-7 from beyond 40 yards and has put through a 50-yarder. If your kicking game is struggling, he might be worth a look.
Notable Defense of the week: Tampa Bay has been one of the most impressive defenses so far this year. They’re allowing only 11 points a game and already have 15 sacks and 15 takeaways. Keep them on your radar because their stout run defense has them back on the map.
Buy Low: The Buy Low this week is Miami’s Ronnie Brown. Several critics have wondered aloud whether the return of Ricky Williams would hinder his production. The answer appears to be ‘no’. Try to acquire him before everyone else realizes this as well.
Sell High: This week’s sell high is Santana Moss of the Washington Redskins.
It can’t get any better for Moss who has been one of the two or three best receivers so far. Coming off a 170 yard, two-touchdown game his value can’t get any higher. I’d advise trying to get a more secure top producing player for him before he falls back to Earth sometime in the next few weeks.
That’s this week’s fantasy football rankings. Use it right RealGMers.
