Minding My Manners: Your Week 5 Fantasy Scoutlook
As a new columnist here, I’ve been itching to make some fantasy football predictions. The problem is I’m not very good with titles. Every fantasy column these days has a clever name like The Talented Mr. Roto, or even a cool theme like this one. So I would like to thank Adam for giving me the opportunity to write for an already established audience. I’ve got some big shoes to fill considering you almost threw a perfect game last week. That is, if it weren’t for Earl Bennett struggling and the Titans Defense getting stomped by the Jags. I think I’ll take this opportunity to get a little creative with my picks, because if they don’t work out, the readers will probably just blame you anyway.
Yes, Please. I’d Love Some…
Matt Cassel - QB Kansas City Chiefs
Make no mistake, the Chiefs are going to get blown out. It won’t even be close. But that’s why I love Cassel this week. The Chiefs will be chucking the ball downfield in a desperate attempt to catch up for at least two quarters and every once in a while Cassel will have enough time to get off a good ball. And when he does, look for a healthy Dwayne Bowe to be on the receiving end, reminding us all why we drafted him so highly. But when he’s running for his life he may find a few guys wearing the wrong jersey, so keep that in mind. Week 5 Scoutlook: 275 yds passing, 3 TDs, 2 INT, ? yds rushing (sorry, I’m not even going to pretend I can predict rushing yards for a QB)
Clinton Portis - RB Washington Redskins
Last week, in his infinite wisdom, Jim Zorn finally decided to give Clinton Portis more than 20 carries. And would ya look at that, they won! If Zorn’s memory doesn’t fail him (and it might), look for Portis to receive at least 20-25 carries. Against a weak Panthers run defense, that should be more than enough for Portis to finally break the century mark. Week 5 Scoutlook: 23 rushes for 135 yds, 1 TD, 2 receptions for 15 yds.
DeSean Jackson - WR Philadelphia Eagles
Ok, not exactly a deep sleeper pick, but I should be allowed at least one easy one right? If McNabb is healthy (and the fact that he’s practicing says he is) Jackson will absolutely torch the Bucs. I see him hauling in a minimum of two or three deep balls, not to mention what he’ll do if he gets some space underneath. Week 5 Scoutlook: 7 receptions for 130 yds, 2 TDs.
Vernon Davis - TE San Fransisco 49ers
“No Mrs. Brick, I didn’t copy off Adam’s paper…I don’t know how we came up with the same pick, I guess we just think alike…He’s scored 3 TDs in two weeks!…No, I don’t even know what plagiarism means…I never said you had VD!…Whatever I’m gonna drop out and be a freelance sportswriter, you’ll see!” Week 5 Scoutlook: 5 receptions for 75 yards, 1 TD.
Carolina Panthers - DEF
I know I said Clinton Portis would have a big day against Carolina, but that won’t make the Redskins passing attack any less anemic. Until they can protect Campbell in the pocket and find a better number two wide-out than Malcolm Kelly, the Skins will be a turnover machine. One of those turnovers will probably go the other way for 6. Week 5 Scoutlook: 17 points allowed, 3 sacks, 2 INT, 1 forced fumble, 1 TD.
No, Thanks. I’ll Pass…
Kyle Orton – QB Denver Broncos
Remember the Patriots? If not, you will this week. It’s time for the Dyna-Saur that is New England to remind us of what they’re capable of. In the process, they’ll also remind us that Kyle Orton is…well…Kyle Orton. Week 5 Scoutlook: 155 yds passing, 0 TDs, 2 INT.
Ronnie Brown – RB Miami Dolphins
Through the first three weeks, Rex Ryan had the Jets D playing like the Ravens unit he helped build. Then they ran into the Saints who seem to be able to move the ball at will, whether Drew Brees is on the same page or not. Look for New York to bounce back this week and shut down the overachieving Brown. Week 5 Scoutlook: 19 rushes for 60 yards, 0 TDs.
Terrell Owens - WR Buffalo Bills
The T.O. show has moved to Buffalo and no one seems to care. Trent Edwards is as fed up with his antics as the rest of us. The disharmony he creates in the locker room will continue to spill out on to the field, even against the Browns. In addition, the Bills should be able to put Cleveland away on the ground anyway. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Edwards actually ignore T.O. this week as much as T.O. thinks he’s been ignoring him in the past. I know I wish I could. Week 5 Scoutlook: 2 receptions for 35 yds, 0 TDs.
John Carlson – TE Seattle Seahawks
If Hasselbeck can’t go Seneca Wallace will once again get the start for Seattle. And there goes Carlson’s value. I wouldn’t even trust Seneca Wallace to hit Megatron in the end-zone. And I’m talking about the actual Megatron, the Transformer. Until Hasselbeck is back, steer clear of Carlson. Week 5 Scoutlook: 2 receptions for 20 yds, 0 TDs.
Denver Broncos - Defense
Remember a little while ago when I was talking about the Patriots? If not, you must have gotten distracted by Tom Brady’s Super Bowl bling. It’s understandable, so here’s a refresher. Patriots>Broncos. That should do it. Week 5 Scoutlook: 34 pts allowed, 1 sack, 1 INT.
Adam Hutcheson
Adam Gori
David Brick
Josh Brick
Grant Howard
Alex Lopez
Joe Giglio
Hey Adam,
Thanks for the help last week, I have a couple of questions for you.
1. QB: should I go with Hasselbeck or Palmer? Seattle has a great matchup but his injury worries me if he doesn’t make it through the whole game, but Palmer faces a tough D and I don’t see him having a great week.
2. WR: should I start Steve Smith (NYG) this week with confidence (even if Eli is out) or go with S. Moss? I am thinking Smith is a better start this week as the Jason Campbell looks awful.
3. Do you think Willie Parker will play this week? Due to byes (Grant and P. Thomas) I have to play Mendenhall, is he in line for a monster week?
I am also starting V. Davis and Carolina so let’s hope they have a good games this week. Thanks again!
That really is a tough call for your QB position. The Jacksonville defense is not very good against the pass. They allow almost 2 passing TDs per game(7) and opposing QBs average a 97.7 passer rating against them. Hasselbeck is slated to start, so he’d be a really good play against the Jags. Monitor the situation to make sure he doesn’t have any set backs. If he doesn’t have any, I love his matchup this week. Just a quick comparison- The Ravens allow opposing QBs a 79.5 rating.
I would go Steve Smith as your WR, regardless of Eli (who’ll probably play). Campbell tends to be inconsistent, making his receivers even more inconsistent. Don’t let the Panthers defense fool you. They may have a bad record, but their pass defense is ranked sixth, allowing an average of 179.7 yards per game.
Willie Parker isn’t going to play this week. As of today, he is listed as out. Mendenhall should be in for a solid week, since they’re playing Detroit. On top of that, he’s going to want to prove that when Parker does come back, they should split carries. He might not outperform last week, but he should be a good start.
“I wouldn’t even trust Seneca Wallace to hit Megatron in the end-zone.” Really? Pretty sure if dante culpepper and matthew stafford can hit him Seneca Wallace can. Don’t hate
Megatron…the Transformer. The giant, robotic, easy-to-find target, should he hit the football field. Wallace is pretty talentless.
Alex, congrats on getting the nod. Who knows? Adam could become the Don Majkowski to your Brett Favre. OK, bad example…
Anyway, I wouldn’t sweat the QB rushing yards, either. If you’re basing a quarterback pick on the number of yards you expect said quarterback will get on the ground, you’re probably choosing between JaMarcus Russell and Derek Anderson.
Paul
peoplespigskin.wordpress.com
You know I’m not going anywhere…
Two questions for non-PPR & non Flex
1. #3WR — B. Marshall or R. White?
2. RB Igo back and forth on these 3 (need 2) – S.Slaton, S. Jackson or F. Jackson?
Thanks and thanks for your help a couple of weeks ago.
Both those WRs are going up against tough defenses this week. I go with Marshall simply because he’s proven that he can be a fantasy starter. White normally is, but has been lacking so far this week. Until Matt Ryan gets the ball to his receivers more than Tony Gonzalez, I’d go Marshall.
Now for your RBs, Freddie Jackson is going up against the Browns, who are terrible against the run. That’s hard to pass up. What makes it even harder is the fact that the other Jackson (Steve-o) is going up against the Vikings who, on average, allow less than 100 yards per game on the ground. PLUS they haven’t given up a single rushing touchdown all year. I’d go Slaton and Freddie.
I’m trying to figure out who top start at wide out and flex postion this week:
WR-Steve Smith(NYG)
Roddy White
Flex- Fred Jackson or Marshawn Lynch
My two start RB’s are Chris Johnson & Jerome Harrison
Any thoughts?
Steve Smith seems like the safe bet to me. Both guys go up against tougher defenses (SF- ranked 10th OAK- ranked 11th). So far, though, Eli and Smith have a better connection than Ryan and White.
For your flex, it really is hard to tell who is going to have the better game this week. Jackson got one more carry than Lynch last week, but Lynch had two more receptions. It looks like they might split it 50/50 for now. Either way, they’re going up against a bad Cleveland rush defense. Jackson is in better shape than Lynch, though. So until Lynch (who ran it 8 times for 4 yards last week) shows he’s in good form, I’d take Jackson.
I need some help…. I have to start 2 rb, 2 WR and 1 flex and here are my options…
RB: Lynch, Ray Rice, Moreno
WR: Moss, Sims-Walker, Steve Smith (NYG)
So basically I have to sit one of these guys down…. I appreciate the help.
Sit Ray Rice. The Cincinnati D has been pretty decent so far and, of your fringe players (Lynch, Rice, Sim-Walker), he faces the least desirable matchup. Go get ‘em.
Adam, thanks for the solid advice last week. Took care of business in my game.
Back to the same RB problem this week as I am extremely thin there.
Kevin Smith against the Steelers
Tashard Choice against the Chiefs
Donald Brown against the Titans
I could also pick up Beanie Wells if necessary, but don’t think it would help. I am leaning toward starting Smith and expecting low yards but a TD. Thinking toss up on the other 2.
Also, which Defense would you rather have for the rest of the year, San Fran? Or Green Bay?
I would go Choice against the Chiefs for your other RB. The Titans are ranked 7th against the run, even though they’re 0-4. The Chiefs rank 23rd. Joseph Addai is most likely going to play, so both guys should be backing up tomorrow. Look for the Colts to pass a lot in order to take advantage of the Titans’ terrible pass defense (ranked dead last).
Those are both pretty solid defenses, but looking at the schedules, I’d actually expect Green Bay to do better. Surprising since San Fran scored all those points last week, but they have a tougher road ahead as they face the Falcons, Colts, Eagles, and even the Packers, themselves.
Which 2 WRs should I start? S. Moss, M. Sims-Walker, N. Burleson?
Also KC or BUF defense?
It’s really hard to pass on Sims-Walker right now, so keep him in. For the second guy, I’d go Burleson. When Hasselbeck last play a full game, Burleson had 7 grabs for 74 yards and a TD. Today, their going up against a Jaguars defense that’s ranked 31st against the pass. Redskins are going up against a defense ranked 6th against the pass (Carolina).
Just got word the Sims-Walker is not going to be playing today due to a violation of team policies. If you have another WR that’s playing a later game, put him in instead of Sims-Walker, since Moss already played.