Fantasy Football: Cho Knows, So Pick’em Up!!

What an important part of the season we have already come upon. Most of us as managers have an idea of if we will be making the playoffs or not, but please please PLEASE DO NOT QUIT! The last thing other managers want to see is their playoffs being decided by teams that aren’t at least sporting full lineups (unless of course you’re the one facing that team, haha)!

Okay, with that out of the way, something that I think is very important right around now is to start looking at the playoff weeks in your fantasy league. Most playoffs take place from weeks 14 to 16, especially because week 17 usually sports non-starters for playoff bound teams int he NFL. Another thing to do, especially this week, is to make any trade offers or deals that you are wanting to make as this week is the deadline for standard Yahoo leagues.

There are a few players that I wanted to note before going into some FA and Waiver Wire pickups that I am really trying to figure out. I am noting them because each was supposed to be elite at their position this year, and well, it hasn’t exactly worked out that way. I’ll tell you my thoughts on what you ought to do.

Chris Johnson (RB-TEN): I really can’t explain what is going on with this guy. CJ2k? Not likely at all. He currently sports just over 40 yards per game at 2.8 yards per carry. I don’t want to beat a dead horse (that statement would’ve been funny if Johnson was a Colt), but it is now time to panic. Against the Colts porous rush defense, CJ couldn’t muster up even a decent game. He’s so busy blaming everybody else for his troubles, but his backup Javon Ringer seemed to do just fine in the same offense with the same guys blocking for him. Am I giving up on CJ completely? I actually went back and watched some highlights from his monster year two years ago, and even last year where he still played pretty well. This year, he looks very different. Blame it on missing training camp or whatever, but he just doesn’t look like he wants to play. You can’t drop CJ outright, but he has shown that even WITH a choice matchup, he is not trustworthy. What to do? See if there’s a manager in your league willing to “buy low” on CJ based on past stats and address a need in your lineup.

Phillip Rivers (QB-SD): Here is another guy that was supposed to be a must-start weekly stud at his position. He’s averaging the 16th most fantasy points per game (17th if you consider Chad Henne’s pre-injury numbers). That is absolutely mind-boggling! There have been conjectures of injury, but both Rivers and his coach claim he is 100% healthy. I almost wish there was an injury to explain what exactly is going on as Rivers is now leading the NFL in interceptions as well. I love Rivers, but I’m not so sure I can call him a weekly must-start anymore when he’s scoring less per game than Mark Sanchez and Josh Freeman. What to do? I believe in Rivers far more than I do in the aforementioned Chris Johnson. I was looking for zip on Rivers throws yesterday night, and he still definitely has the arm. He also is on a pass-first offense with great receivers and an elite tight end in Antonio Gates. I see much better weeks ahead. Hold onto him, but if you have a capable backup like Matt Schaub, you may want to check matchups before deciding to go with Rivers.

Vernon Davis (TE-SF): I feel bad adding Vernon Davis to this list because his lackluster fantasy value lately is not a result of something that he has done. Rather, his situation is just not a good one. Can you imagine this beast on a team like New Orleans Saints? I have no doubt he’d be doing better than Jimmy Graham is right now. I love this guy, and he’s still one of the best and physically gifted tight ends in the game. Unfortunately, that doesn’t translate into fantasy points. He’s currently the 12th ranked tight end, which means he’s not even a weekly starter in standard 10-team leagues. With the conservative offense of the 49ers, I can’t trust anyone in San Francisco but the defense and Frank Gore. What to do? He’s still worth holding onto, but if there is a guy on free agency like Fred Davis or Greg Olsen, I’d consider picking them up and playing them based on matchups. I made the difficult decision to bench Vernon Davis this past week and played Fred Davis instead (which ended up being the game-winning decision in a close matchup). Again, no knock on Vernon Davis, but there may be better options depending on the matchup.

Potential Adds (Players are placed in order of value from left to right):

QB: Carson Palmer (OAK), Matt Cassel (KC), Andy Dalton (CIN)

WR: Michael Crabtree (SF), Jonathan Baldwin (KC), Greg Little (CLE), Laurent Robinson (DAL)

RB: Chris Ogbonnaya (CLE), Kevin Faulk (NE), Javon Ringer (TEN)

TE: Scott Chandler (BUF), Jake Ballard (NYG), Jared Cook (TEN)

DEF: ATL v. IND

Cho Knows, So Pick’em Up! Week 7

Lloyd to the Show-Me State

The first big trade of the year has happened, and it involves someone from my very own alma mater, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Lloyd has had an enigmatic career in the NFL, seemingly exploding onto the season here and there and then managing to disappear as quickly as he sparked. But last year was different. With the help of Denver coach Josh McDaniels and a QB that loved getting him the ball, Lloyd turned in the best year of his career, putting up consistent numbers week in and week out.

I like it when you do that right thurr.

He rejoins that coach now in St. Louis, where McDaniels has taken on the offensive coordinator position. The Rams have been looking for a WR1 who young QB Sam Bradford can throw to with confidence. I believe they’ve found their man in Brandon Lloyd. His fantasy value actually rises now in light of Tebow taking over the reins in Denver as Bradford is much more accurate a passer. Look for Lloyd to make an immediate impact.

As for the other players affected in Denver, WR Decker remains the possession receiver, WR Royal should return to the slot and so the question remains who will be the big-play guy. As the Broncos have opted to go young, I wouldn’t be surprised to see WR Demaryius Thomas step into that role. He has shown flashes of his potential when healthy, and he is on the verge of returning as this deal has gone through. I would wait to see how Tebow spreads the ball this upcoming week, however, before employing an Broncos receivers.

Here are some quick names to consider adding to your roster this week:

QB: Tim Tebow (DEN) - It’s his show now in Denver, and I do believe that he will find success and prove haters wrong (I hope). The trade of Lloyd does take away a deep threat of his, but now he will have time to gel and grow with a younger WR core. Look back at his games started, and one stat you should enjoy is the number of times this guy crosses the endzone via his feet.

Matt Cassel (KC) - With veteran Jackie Battle splashing onto the scene with a decent run game and rookie WR Baldwin healing up, Cassel has room for consistency. We all know that Dwayne Bowe is the man in KC, and with the added pieces, Cassel should be able to finish the season strong.

WR: Jacoby Jones (HOU) - Jones did show some success last year when fellow WR Andre Johnson went down. And after an uneventful start in place of Johnson last week, Jones showed that he can play this past week. There’s talk that Johnson could possibly return this week, but Houston may opt to ease their stud back in. If they opt for the safe route, Jones could be a good play this week.

Steve Breaston (KC) - Baldwin will soon return, but Breaston has shown that he can play well. Look for him to build upon his 2-TD game with some solid yardage games. Cassel looks more and more comfortable leading the Chiefs offense.

Torrey Smith (BAL) - He made a big splash onto the scene eclipsing the rookie record for touchdowns in a quarter. And then, well, he showed why you can’t trust rookies (which I tried to guard you against). However, after seeing the youngster play this past week with another big grab and a decent day of yardage. If I were the Ravens, even with Lee Evans getting healthy, it would be hard for me to sit this guy. Take a flier on this guy if you have space and see if the coaching staff doesn’t look to keep him in.

Arrelious Benn (TB) - I get to write about another player from my Fighting Illini!! Last year, Mike Williams is the one who emerged as Josh Freeman’s favorite target. However, it was a battle for that spot and many actually had Benn as the better of the two skill-wise. Maybe Benn just needed a year to put it altogether because he has come on as of late. I’d take a chance on him and see if Freeman doesn’t start looking his way more. If Benn’s targets go up, I’m excited to see what he’ll do with them.

RB: Jackie Battle (KC) - If he’s still available, please get your waiver claim in on him. (I talked about him in last week’s post).

DeMarco Murray/Tashard Choice (DAL) - What a rough year it has been for Felix Jones owners (and also for Jones himself). He is hurt yet again, and it looks like the rookie may get some time to shine. Limit your expectations a bit, however, as Choice is still also a relatively young guy that has shown some potential to succeed. The Cowboys will probably do some type of time-share, but see how things pan out.

Maurice Morris (DET) - Jahvid Best suffered a concussion this past weekend, and Morris is second in line for the “lion”-share of the carries in Detroit. He’s not as talented as Best, but he has the receiving skills to offer up good value, especially in PPR leagues.

TE: Fred Davis (WAS) - I’ve mentioned Davis in a previous post, but now with another injury to Chris Cooley, look for Davis to be a lot more involved in the passing game. He should receive all the targets now at the TE position. I believe that Grossman will stay at QB despite a dismal Week 6, and that actually bodes better for Davis, who has a connection with Grossman. I like the possibilities for Davis with Cooley out.

 

I hope everybody’s fantasy season is going well and that you’re still in contention for the playoffs! Remember, it’s never too late to make a move!