Michael Turner Overdrive
August 15, 2009
Category: 2009 Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Daily Notes
If Michael Turner could face the Lions defense every game he would have passed Walter Payton by now. It became apparent last year that Turner might break out when he destroyed the Lions on opening day rushing for 220 yards on 22 attempts and scoring 2 touchdowns on the twenty second Sunday of 2222 after the 222nd cycle of the . . . oh wait, I made up those last bits, but even though this game wasn’t the second coming it was the start of a huge season. Yesterday against the Lions in limited play he reeled off a 40 yard TD run and then decided to give them a fighting chance by running backwards the rest of the time, and he still gained 23 yards on 5 more carries. The Falcons have a tougher schedule this year and Turner ran a whole lot last year, but the guy is an ox and a fast one at that.
Here are some more preseason thoughts to hold you over this Sunday morning.
Knowshon Moreno: The hopes and dreams of many a fake footballer were half-dashed when he left the first preseason game with an injured knee. A MRI yesterday revealed a mild MCL sprain which could make him MIA the rest of preseason. Moreno has shown in practice and in his very limited time in preseason that he can run with the big boys, but this will really curb his progression toward becoming the every down back. By mid-season he should be there, but that’s too long for me unless he drops in adp.
Kyle Orton: Coach McDaniels gave Orton a vote of confidence after watching him throw three interceptions in the Broncos’ first preseason game. But it did seem odd that he was crying.
Sadly, this means Chris Simms will need to be added toward the bottom of your rankings.
Mark Sanchez: He has been dubbed the starter for the NY Jets. He will struggle, but the Jets knew that unless he fell to the ground, curled up into the fetal position and wet himself in the first preseason game, he’d be their starter.
Brandon Marshall: A big sigh of relief was heard from all those invested in Brandon Marshall when he was acquitted of battery charges on Friday. That was just sad to write.
Jeremy Shockey: Even a blind douchebag can find a nut. Shockey looked good in his first preseason game and he’s on a team that throws about 112% of the time, but I still won’t target Shockey in any draft. He’ll get hurt or throw a tantrum or get lost in the bayou at some point in the season.
Carson Palmer: His arm looked strong in his first preseason game and so did his receivers. I still don’t believe in this Bengals team and their offensive line, but if they continue to look sharp it will be hard not to move Palmer, Ocho, and Henry up the rankings, but my neck will start sweating and my hand will get all shaky while clicking on that excel file.
Sage Rosenfels: After he rose in the air, was hit and fumbled, then fell on top of his head in that game he handed to the Colts last year I still was on the Sage chuckwagon. I believe he has the arm and the pocket presence to help the Vikings much more than TJax. And in the Vikings first preseason game he showed that. He’s late round flier material as long as Bernard Berrian, who injured his hamstring in the game, is healthy.
Antonio Gates: He feels that he has become a more well rounded player after actually reading the playbook last season while he nursed his ouchy. He commented that sleeping on the playbook and trying to learn by osmosis must only work with water and cell membranes.
Darren McFadden: He had a nice 45 yard run against the Cowboys and if he stays healthy through the preseason should overtake Huggy Bear’s son as the #1 RB, and even with Russell at the helm, should prove to be a great value at his current ADP.
Braylon Edwards: He’s in a contract year and he’s coming off a putrid season so he SHOULD be ready to go this year, but he’s showing he hasn’t gotten over a bad case of the dropsies by missing a touchdown pass from The Mighty Quinn. I’ve heard pineapple is good for dropsy, but maybe Edwards needs a bottle of “get your shizz together!”
Jonathan Stewart: Another practice missed, another DeAngelo Williams owner giggles like a wee little girl. Stewart’s achilles injury is not quite as bad as Brad Pitt’s, but it seems to be taking a toll on his draft value. I’m pretty sure Orlando Bloom was nowhere near Panthers training camp.
Chris Brown: Brown was brought in to replace Steve Slaton at the goalline last night. This is disturbing news. Not finger in your Big Mac disturbing, but disturbing enough. Thankfully Brown gets injured when walking in a light rain. He better take an umbrella . . ella . . ella.
Garrett Hartley: He was suspended the first four games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Since he is a kicker I am guessing it was for excessive mocha frapuccinos or something of that ilk. I’m loathe to write about a kicker, but the Saints signed John Carney to replace him and with their offense and dome you have to look at whoever is their kicker. Hartley is high on our kicker rankings because he plays for NO, not because he has some steroid induced bionic nuclear powered leg, so if you punted kicker in your draft you should pick up Carney.
August 16th, 2009 at 7:14 am
Hey Doc, great work so far on the football side. “He better take an umbrella…ella…ella”. My wife would enjoy that. Any chance you post an overall rankings list?
August 16th, 2009 at 7:51 am
Nice rundown. The Sage Rosencopter game was one of the all-time great gambling games. We may go 20 years before we see a player single-handedly snatch defeat from the jaws of victory the way Rosenfails did on that fateful Sunday.
My question – We just pulled the draft order for my main money league. It is a 10-team, 4 points per passing TD, 1 PPR league. I ended up with the 3rd pick. I would like Jones-Drew or AP, but assuming they are gone who would you roll with at #3? I think if I go RB I’m leaning towards Forte over SJax, I just don’t trust him or like the Rams much at all. However, SJax does have a nicer playoff sched so it’s possible I could be talked into the SJax pick.
Would I be nuts to consider a wideout in this format at #3? Or think that’s just crazy talk? Lay it on me doc, #3 is a tough spot in PPR this year!
@anon: Yeah, SJax or Forte in ppr is a great question. Forte is the safer choice, but SJax has a higher ceiling. I think it depends on how much of a gambler you are! I’m going with Jackson there, but I could see myself clicking on Forte based on the league and my mood!
I just think it is too early to go with a WR there. I think AJ should be the first WR to go in a ppr league, but later in the first round.
@Sos: Thanks. We will have an overall list out very soon! For now the Tiers draft sheet, which is based on our overall rankings is the closest we have.
August 16th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Btw, watched Warner the other nite and he does look slow moving around back there. Count me in the buyer beware category. I still would say r9 is too late, but theres plenty of safer options.
@Elijah: Yeah, he looks hurt. I agree it is way too late.
August 16th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Will you be listing a set of player projections, so one may tailor your fantastic tiers to their own league settings?
@darren lobo: Yessir.
August 17th, 2009 at 9:01 am
So I punted on QB in my draft last week and ended up with Neckbeard. How sweaty should my palms be, especially after Herr McDaniels issued the fateful “vote of confidence?” My only saving grace is that passing TDs are only worth 4 points.
@eldee: I haven’t given up on Orton quite yet. It will take some time and he has the weapons to put up good fantasy numbers. I would look at a possible backup. Who’s on your wire? I hear Favre may be back!
August 17th, 2009 at 9:41 am
@Doc It’s a good thing I’m a regular Razzball reader (both football and baseball) and know you’re kidding about that last bit (I think).
Highlights of the waiver wire = Various 49er QBs, Pennington, Garrard, Bulger, Hasselbeck, Various Browns QBs. So, yeah, Schmohawk Central.
@eldee: I think you have to grab Garrard or Hass to back up neck beard. I prefer Garrard because he gives you automatic points for rushing yards to add to his putrid passing stats. Orton should out do both, but not if he’s on the bench.
And no, there are rumors form Jay Glazer that Vikings players still believe Favre will play for them, ugh! I like Rosenfels! Hopefully it’s just talk.
August 17th, 2009 at 9:54 am
@Doc: I heard that too. I meant kidding about adding him. I think.
Good thing Neckbeard, Hasselbeck and Garrard all have the same bye week.
@eldee: Hah! I’d still grab one in case Orton craps out the rest of preseason and Simms takes over. I guess you could handcuff him to Simms (if you are into that) but Simms is yawnstipating at best.
@eldee: I don’t know. I may rethink that Simms bit. If he wins the job he still had Royal, Marshall, Sheffler and Moreno to throw to. I’ll have to see Simms play more in preseason though.
August 17th, 2009 at 10:30 am
@doc, thanks for the input on my not flawless QB situation.
Doc Reply:
August 17th, 2009 at 10:39 am
No problem!