Projo Fantasy Sports Blog

September 24, 2007 Archives

By David Ferris

Fantasy owners always want to follow the points whenever possible, and with that in mind, I present to you the official carnival of the 2007 NFL season: the Detroit Lions. Consider all the fantasy-friendly components here: the offense hasn't really been stopped yet; the defense can't detain anyone; offensive coordinator Mike Martz doesn't bother running the ball, which winds up extending the game. When you're setting your lineup in challenge contests and stock-market leagues, it's important to have at least some shares in the Detroit match, on both sides. Ronald Curry and Kevin Curtis are two examples of good players who looked other-worldly when they found Detroit on their schedule.

Denver's Brandon Marshall is the next star receiver in this league, a big, physical, high-motor player who makes tons of yards after the catch. His background as a track star doesn't hurt, either. The Broncos hit a home run with their 2006 fourth-round pick, and the comparisons to Terrell Owens (Marshall's teammates call him "Baby TO") are legitimate. Hold onto this guy with two hands if you're in a keeper league.

The Giants backfield looked pretty solid in the win at Washington; Derrick Ward consistently moved the ball between the 20s and Reuben Droughns punched in a couple of short scores. Brandon Jacobs takes a fantasy hit from all this; when he gets back on the field, it's possible he'll be in some sort of a time share.

Matt Schaub and Gary Kubiak are really going to be tested over the next few weeks, as the Texans have been devastated by injuries at the offensive skill positions. Receiver Andre Johnson (knee) is the biggest loss, of course, but consider the other names now residing in sick bay: RB Ahman Green (sprained knee), RB Ron Dayne (chest injury) WR Jacoby Jones (dislocated shoulder), WR Andre Davis (dislocated finger). If you have good hands and run decent routes, drop by Reliant Stadium this week.

I shrugged when Brett Favre had his way with the Giants secondary last week, but his big afternoon against the Chargers defense (369 yards, three touchdowns, no turnovers) makes him upgrade-worthy. Favre is getting plenty of opportunity to chuck the ball downfield (the Packers running game has been a mess through three weeks), and Green Bay has five quality targets to work with now that Greg Jennings is healthy again.

When you hear the common media ramble on about how the Saints need to get back to establishing Deuce McAllister early in games, toss the report in the garbage. McAllister had seven touches on the first 15 snaps last week, and two of them in particular (a lost fumble and a stuff on third-and-short) had a significant role in New Orleans falling behind by multiple scores. The Saints haven't been able to maintain a consistent running game through two weeks, but it's not because the effort isn't being made.

Quick Hits

Joey Harrington may not be the long-term solution to the Atlanta quarterbacking situation, but say this for him – he's getting more out of the Falcons wideouts than Michael Vick ever did . . . While Jason Campbell does throw one of the prettiest deep balls in the league, this offense (and specifically, the passing game) leaves a lot of yards on the field every week . . . Ben Roethlisberger has already touchdown flips to three different tight ends. Who's next, Bennie Cunningham? . . . For all the money the Redskins spent on the coaching staff, you'd think they could find someone who knows how to manage the clock. Washington totally botched that final minute against the Giants . . . DeAngelo Hall had a mediocre track record against Steve Smith before Sunday's shutdown effort. Look for Smith to exact some payback when they meet up again in Week 10 . . . LaMont Jordan owners shouldn't be sweating the Dominic Rhodes return at all, though the Oakland schedule gets significantly harder starting in Week 6 . . . Alex Smith's progress in 2006 was overrated, and he's regressed this season. You can't rely on any part of this passing offense right now . . . Shaun Alexander might be a good sell-high candidate; his solid start is a function of the offense as a whole, not directly attributable to anything special he is doing. Tougher matchups are ahead, and he's no longer a back who can get extra yardage on his own . . . Lee Evans wasn't even the top-producing Evans in the blowout loss at Foxboro. New England's Heath Evans picked up 12 rushing yards, compared to just seven receiving yards for struggling No. 83. And now Evans has to deal with a new quarterback situation; J.P. Losman (knee) will probably be out a few weeks.