Typically here is where I say ‘Don’t Buy The Hype’. You all know that who read here. Heck, read yesterday’s post about Justin Blackmon and realize I’m more Negative Nelly than Positive Peggy most times after a big game. But tonight’s game was different in my eyes. Though it’s true Alex Smith has had good moments over the last year and a half in San Fransisco, the fact remains he hasn’t been overly impressive. A conservative game plan with an average QB at the helm. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course, seeing as their record since 2011 is now 20-5-1 (ugh…ties). With all that said, Colin Kaepernick was impressive tonight. It wasn’t just the numbers – 243 passing yards and 2 touchdowns – nor was it the fact that San Francisco won the game handily. Colin’s mobility, his ability to improvise and his ability to find his guys is what impressed me and note the defense he did this against. The question has to be asked, ‘If Smith were starting, does this game end 32-7?’. Defensively, I’m sure the 49ers still would’ve brought the thunder like they did last night. That Bears offensive line is so bad it’s unreal. In all honesty, I think San Fran fans have accepted their 16-10 wins because…well, they’re still winning them. But Alex doesn’t afford his team the opportunity for nights like this and I think the 49ers know this. Don’t forget, we’re just a few months removed for San Fran bidding on Peyton Manning. Over the last 6 quarters Colin has been at the helm, the 49ers offense has scored 47 points with 30 of it coming against the Bears defense. Let that sink in for a bit. We could be seeing the beginning of a new era at QB down at Candlestick and if this is just the start, I want in. In other fantasy football news…
Vernon Davis - It lives! Vernon reeled in the big fantasy day with 6 receptions for 83 yards and the score. Just to keep with the theme of QB change, Vernon had 3 of his 4 receptions and 4 of his 5 targets when Colin came in last week. I know it’s not normal but if it’s now Colin’s job, you really should ask your friend if they could give you a VD.
Frank Gore - For owners frustrated, just realize you drafted a back for a playoff bound team. Him getting 17 touches for 78 yards and not much else makes sense. This game was nearly decided by halftime and unfortch for Gore owners, Kendall Hunter nabbed a touchdown with 1 of his 5 carries early on in the game. Let’s be Frank: 7.8 fantasy points at that bad for where you got Gore.
Brandon Marshall – Owners were saved by a touchdown that…well, I still don’t understand how the Bears got the ball back. On 3rd and 19 Campbell got blown up, fumbled and then an offensive lineman slapped the ball out of bounds while being nudged by a San Francisco defender. This was out near the 50. They then cut away to commercial while the sidelines attended to Jason. I came back from my own form of commercial break to find the Bears around SF’s 30. I think they said the 49er defender pushed the offensive lineman out of bounds which somehow turned a 3rd and 19 on the 40 to a 1st and 10 closer to the 30. Sounds like that call was out of bounds to me. In any case, it took cojones of titanium alloy for Loudon to say to sit him this week if you had better options and honestly, his owners are lucky for the 2 rec and 21 yards with the TD cuz that call was spot on…unlike the refs. Bring back the replacements!
Michael Crabtree – Only had 3 receptions for 31 yards, but did have the fantasy saving touchdown. If Colin stays around, Crabtree will still be involved but considering there were over 100 yards that came from Mario Manningham and Kyle Williams on the night, his value could diminish a bit. Then again, more redzone targets could become a thing as well. When one door closes another door opens. At least that’s what I’ve learned from playing Portal.
Matt Forte - Only 63 yards on 21 carries to go with 4 yards on 3 receptions. Definitely not the night fantasy owners dream of when they start Matt, but it’s not many star RBs forte to run it well versus San Fran’s def.
Jason Campbell - I’ve never liked him. As a starter he was the king of the checkdown, even when there was protection. Well, now I just feel bad for him because tonight they dined on Cambpell soup and of course it tasted like chicken. Six sacks and even when he did get the throw off it was under pressure and to be fair to him, he was willing to throw down field for once in his career. That O-line is going to get someone killed. It’s like they’re on strike and the coaches aren’t giving into their demands. One sack by Aldon Smith? Yeah, ok, sure. Two? Alright, well we should get someone on him. Then three, four, four and a half, five…honestly, there was one play where he stood on the right edge and just flew right in, unblocked. How do you not check the guy who’s leading the league in sacks? Non-fantasy advice: this will be the Bears downfall every year no matter if they make the playoffs. Fantasy advice: this will be the downfall of any fantasy value derived from the QB position in Chicago and any WR further down the depth chart than Marshall until they’ve figured it out.
Which QB do you like better as a keeper option for 2013 and beyond- Kaepernick or Josh Freeman?
Prefer a QB with a history when I can help it. I’d go Freeman.
I’ve got to fill two RB slots in a PPR league that counts return yards, and I’ve got the following on my roster:
Shady McCoy
Marcel Reece
Felix Jones
Jason Parmele
I know I can’t count on McCoy being able to play on Monday. Bryce Brown and Ahmad Bradshaw are available. Do I drop Reece, Jones, or Parmele for either or both of them?
McCoy won’t be playing this week. Would like to have his insurance policy in Bryce. I haven’t heard when Murray or DMC will be back so I’d have to say to drop Parmale
@Sky, I’ve also got Cecil Shorts on my bench, so I think I’ll drop him instead of Parmele. I just like that TEN matchup too much (and possibly BUF next week) to let Parmele go.
I like Shorts ROS more than I do Parmele. I personally would hold onto him. He’s been a WR1 over the last 5 weeks.
Sky, could you rank these flex plays for a PPR:
Reece, Hillman, Ballard, Starks, T. Smith, Shorts
Thanks.
Reece/Hillman/Shorts/Ballard/T. Smith/Starks
@sky- so I think I might need a replacement for Vick. I need to win out to have a shot at playoffs. Do I pick up Alex Smith or capernick depending upon whos starting? Also McCoy is out so ill need a reliable rb- thoughts? Also Steve Smith has been garbage all season. Was thinking about picking up Hilton for him?
I’d go Kaepernick but I might be in the minority. Hard to say re: McCoy, I don’t know what you have available. I would not drop Smith for Hilton…
@sky: this is what my team looks like for this week
Vick
Sproles
mccoy
Welker
Amendola
Steve Smith
Hernandez
Shorts at flex
For rbs available: Greene Andre brown leshoure Reece Ballard Ingram dwyer Bryce brown lance ball. Qbs available: henne flacco Alex Smith. Thoughts? Should I stay put at wide receiver?
Confused…do you not have a bench? That’s a lot of RB talent in the FA pool.
@Anthony,
You need to assume Vick and McCoy are out and sproles is now part of the most complicated backfield in the NFL. assuming you have no bench your priority should be QB and RB not WR
Personally Rest of Season I would want Leshoure Reece and Brown to cover McCoy and Flacco at QB. Henne always has 1 breakout game and then disappears and no telling what’s going to happen in San Fran. This is of course assuming you can beat everyone out on 4 waiver claims.
10 man h2h League so alot of players available. Please help
Don’t know if I’m sold on capernick I feel like harbaugh is too much of a play it safe kind of coach to run with capernick ROS. Have to admit though he looked outstanding against a previously dominant Bear Defense. Here’s to Vern making his reappearance as I own him now in the majority of my leauges. What about Finley? Caught a TD pass but was overshadowed by all the other top TE performances of the week. Only had 3 targets so I’m not really sold.
Quick waiver question sorry cant wait until Andrews article is posted my waivers hit tonight. Have one team hurting at QB RB and TE due to injurys here are my options: need 1 of each for weekly starter thanks
QB: Romo or Capernick
RB: Hillman Bryce Brown, Parmele, Ballard, Dwyer
TE: Finley, Lewis, Dwayne Allen, Celek, Cook
Well, the only endorsement Smith got after Monday’s game from Harbaugh was ‘I’ll go with the hot hand’. The job is there for the taking. Jim really has two different guys available to him. Smith can lose the game by not being dynamic enough and Kaepernick can lose it by trying to be too dynamic. I think he has the team to take chances with and for fantasy value’s sake I hope he runs with that.
Not sold on Finley either; without the TD, no one would even be looking at him.
QB: Still would be Romo there
RB: If it’s a one week thing, I’d go for assured touches in Brown but if you’re looking ROS I’d want Hillman then after him Ballard
TE: Dwayne Allen looks to be a decent PPR add; don’t trust Lewis if the Jags aren’t near the endzone. Don’t trust the Eagles nor Cook’s involvement in that Titans passing offense.
@Negative Nelly
Thanks!!!
@Murph, ha! No prob!
What do you think sky?
What are you bench players then? I’m trying to determine who else you can drop if all you’re giving me is your starting line up.
My bench
Fitzpatrick
Ivory
Pitta
britt
Mjd
@murph flacco for Vick- leshoure in for McCoy?
I’d play Fitz and LeShoure. Doubt either Vick or McCoy play this week.
@Anthony, BTW, you should drop Pitta/Britt if you’re dropping players. They’re droppable at this point if you need to make a move.
@Anthony,
In my personal opinion yes both have good upside and decent playoff schedules. Leshoure seems to have a solid grasp on 20+ carries a game which can’t be said about any other running back you listed and although Flacco isn’t the best option I think he gives you a much better shot at winning out compared to an unproven Henne and a question mark at the QB postition in San Fran. Too risky with out another solid option. Fitzpatrick has by far the best FFB playoff schedule but I just don’t trust him down the stretch one of those boom or bust players not someone I want in a must win situation.
@Anthony,
Leshoure should be your #1 waiver claim RB is where you need immediate help
In a 2 QB league, I have RG3, Palmer, and Locker. Would Henne be better than Palmer or Locker?
Also, would you drop Felix Jones for Hillman to fill a flex spot?
RG3 and Palmer are a great combo; I’d give Locker the slight edge over Henne ROS only because of his legs.
Tough…I’ll say yes only because Murray could come back any week and McGehee is out ROS but I wouldn’t be thrilled to make the move.
@Sky, thanks
Hmm What about Marcel Reece ? PPl are saying he is like Sproles and it will be hard for Oakland to take him out even when Mcfadden comes back ?
Fitzpatrick or Kaepernick
Steve Smith
Wes Welker
Amendola
Sproles
Reece or Leshoure
Hernandez
Cecil Shorts Flex
What do you guys think ?
In terms of full time job, LeShoure is going to be your best bet even if he’s not involved in the passing game. Reece was involved in the offense prior to now but it was all in the passing game and the volume was fairly minimal.
Play Fitz grab LeShoure