To say that Doug Martin went off tonight for his fantasy owners would be an understatement. For various reasons, many of his owners had been frustrated with the rookie running back coming into the game in Minnesota today. Some were frustrated with the last few weeks seeing LeGarrette Blount at the goal line where they wondered if Martin would ever see those easy chances. Others were frustrated with a start to the year in which he averaged 61 yards on the ground and only garnered one touchdown, not to mention an unsatisfying 8 receptions over the first 4 games. Well as Puck would say, give me your hands, if we be friends/And Robin shall restore amends. Don’t ask me who Robin is in this metaphor…Maybe it’s Robin Wright or the 1950′s sidekick of Batman. It doesn’t really matter so long as it’s not Chris O’Donnell’s version of Robin. Any time you can substitute ‘But I wanted to ride the pony!’ for every line someone says is never a good sign of a good screen play nor of a good actor. But I digress, what I really came here to say is I told you to buy Doug earlier this month and he decided to drop 204 total yards on the night along with two touchdowns. Since my said buy shout out: 467 total yards, 8 receptions and 3 total touchdowns. I call them as I see them and sometimes I don’t even need my eyes open to do it. Heck, I wrote that one about him while falling asleep on the toilet. Overall, there’s no reason not to see Doug as a high upside RB2 for the rest of the season. In other fantasy football news…
Adrian Peterson - The reports of his death were greatly exaggerated. The scary thing about his end line tonight of 123 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown? It could’ve been better…sooooo much better. Though he had an early fumble, the Vikings as a team were a mess. If anyone else could’ve established any sort of authority in the game for Minny, we’d have a different RB as the lede for the night…or morning as it were.
Christian Ponder - On Golden Ponder needs a cleaning. This one is filled with scum from 2011. If you’re a Vikings DEF owner, look no further than Christian as your culprit tonight. He led Minnesota to so many three and outs to start the game, the Vikings were faced with an early uphill battle they could never fully recover from. That’s now two straight weeks of looking like Judas for this Christian. If he’s your QB2, don’t be confused by his week 6 kiss. It’s time to look elsewhere.
Josh Freeman - The box score is going to tell you Freeman was great last night. Well, thankfully, I’m not a box score. I’m a person from the internet and as you know we never lie. He did not look good. A few throws that went wrong that just needed to go a bit wrongier and we’re swapping our Ponder story with our Freeman story. Granted he did make a few key throws – the one to Mike on 3rd and long down the sideline in the 3rd quarter was a beauty – but early on in the game I kept thinking to myself ‘which QB will make the biggest mistake first? That will decide the flow of the game’. At one point if my beer-addled memory serves me correctly he was 15/31 for 184 yards and 3 TDs. So let me get this straight: he didn’t complete even 50% of his passes and had 3 TDs at one point tonight. Something about that kind of line starts with an ‘f’ and rhymes with ‘dookie’. Color me not impressed. If someone out there wants to believe he’s really QB1 material, take advantage. My sell call still stands.
Percy Harvin - How does he do it? Ponder drops a complete clunker and he still manages 90 yards and a touchdown on 7 receptions. It’s like he’s immune to suck no matter how close the contagion is. Since I traded for him in the Razzball Writers League earlier this week – albeit not before the game tonight which makes me angry at a certain Master of the Podcastodial Arts – I’m really praying he doesn’t contract an STD – Suck Time Disease – during his time away from my team.
Michael Jenkins - Had 78 yards on 4 receptions and a healthy 9 targets. Now for as much as I ripped on Ponder, the O-line really was terrible at giving him a shot at throwing deep, something Tampa Bay is known to give up. Jenkins took over the role of Jerome Simpson on the night, who had 2 receptions and a fumble for 37 yards on the night with his 7 receptions. If Ponder had just a second or two more here and there, we might’ve seen a few more Simpson long bombs. Instead, we found out that Jenkins was not chicken. Or had chicken, depending on your internet meme interpretation.
Mike Williams – Is this the same guy the industry left for dead coming into the season? Is it also the same guy I said was WR3 worthy coming into the draft? I think Freeman has a better rapport with Mike coming into the season than Vincent Jackson and when playing a tough defensive opponent it shows. Overall, Mike has thoroughly impressed me with his consistency since week 3 in terms of targets. He’s also thoroughly impressed me by staying on target with my original projections of him. I’m so glad he reads the site! Speaking of V-Jax owners, I’m pretty sure he trained under David Blaine. And for his next trick, Vincent will eat his own head!
Kyle Rudolph - His team had a hard time throwing the ball all night. Perhaps it had to do with only 2 targets for Rudolph. Hint, hint Minnesota Derpings: throw to your 6’6″ 260 pound Tight End. Meanwhile, Dallas Clark gets 3 receptions on 3 targets to go with 40 yards. If he’d gotten 41, he would’ve had a touchdown for a second straight week. You hearing that, Ponder? Like Debbie, Kyle can do Dallas if you get him the ball…no, not the little snack cakes, Ponder. I know, the Oatmeal creme pies really are good but stay focused. If Dallas can get get 40 yards, so should Kyle, ok?
On the team where I have Martin I also have McCoy, DMC and Morris. Of course, I left Martin on the bench. I’m not sure why I keep playing Fantasy Football – I can get this kind of frustration elsewhere.
Haha, but it’s a different flavor of frustration! Well here’s to all three of those guys going off for you this weekend.
Is it worth holding onto Greg Jennings until he returns?
Probably not. I’m worried they’re going to keep him fresh for the playoffs.
Sky : Looking at your rankings, you have RG3 and Vick next to each other. I am in a PPR league and facing McCoy so I’m trying to decide who to start. Which way would you go?
Also, would you lose the Jets D this week for the Cardinals?
Thanks
Ah, tough. I’d still go RGIII; I’m not huge on the ‘play my QB because they have my QBs WR/TE/RB’ strategy, though.
Kinda surprised they’re just sitting out there anyways. Yeah, I’d do that.
Just wanted to say that I lost MJD Sunday, sent out some offers for some backs this week, and ended up getting Doug Martin yesterday for Aaron Hernandez (I have Celek still). Love it when a plan comes together!
Ironically though, the same owner HAMMERED me in the big money league with both AP and Dougy M.
That perfectly sums up my year.
Nice getting DM at least in one league.
Man, I hate when you have a week where you’re both rooting for and against your own guys.
Quick QB question . . .
I have both RG3 and Matt Ryan, obviously, RG3 is at Pit and Matt Ryan is at Philly? who has the better day, and is it super close between the 2 of them, or do you think one has the big day? Thanks in advance.
I’m sure others would disagree but I’d lean Ryan with a huge if: the weather reports are not looking good. It might be safer to start RGIII for weather reasons.
12 Team PPR League:
Looks like I got a playoff spot locked up and am looking to bolster my roster for a title run.
My current team:
Rodgers
CJ?K
Ridley
Cruz
Harvin
Welker
James Jones
H.Miller
Bench:
Hillis
Dwyer
Amendola
Keller
I got offered MJD for my Ridley. I am confident I can flip Amendola or Jones for an rb2 to get me by until MJD comes back. Would you take this risk?
Hrm, you say you’re confident but I say I’d like to see who you’d get before jumping on that. Lot of risk.
Morning Sky
In news that could have been brought to my attention yesterday (Damn you Belichick!) Hernandez did not fly to London. Hopefully this will get him healthy for the rest of the season after his Bye…but as for now I need a TE for this week and the next.
If you could only pick up one guy, who would you pick up?
Celek (Atl, @ NO)
Myers (@KC, TB)
Dreessen (No, @Cin)
…
Pettigrew (Sea, @Jac)
Thanks Sky and Good Luck this Weekend
I’d roll with Celek there but Myers a close second
Donald Brown full practice thursday and friday….as a vick ballard owener what do I do here? Brown is still on waivers but I would have to drop Ballard
Tough spot. No one has indicated whether or not he’s still the starter but I don’t think Vick has been impressive enough to warrant a job loss…are you starting either this week? I’d grab Brown now; depending on your waivers system, you shouldn’t run into any issues of someone else nabbing Ballard this week and using him against you.
@Sky,
I feel the same it looks like Andrew Luck is more comfortable with Brown as the starter and Luck is the future of the franchise not Ballard so he will dictate who starts. I went ahead and dropped Ballard for pure ROS value as Ballard could be usless next week. (Waiver post Sunday Morning)
I am going to go ahead and throw Johnathan Stewart in at RB2 with Rice on a bye…man this could be a rough week. Thanks Sky
@Sky,
what about dropping Nate Washington and holding both until this madness is worked out? There is plenty of WR talent on Waivers
Current Roster
QB: Ryan, Big Ben
RB: Rice, Lynch, Murray, Ballard, J Stewart
WR: Marshall, Fitzgerald, Austin, Washington
TE: Bennett
Oh for sure. I have no problem with that and it makes more sense to me. You said you had to drop him. You were lying to me!
@Sky,
Yeah you got me haha don’t like keeping 2 sub par RBs
didn’t like loosing WR depth with Fitz buy coming up and I like Tennessee’s upcoming schedule Nate has a chance to breakout but as discussed before WR is much less important as RB.
Ha, I agree. The big thing is once you know which one, you have the roster space again to pick up that depth. It’s the smart way to go.
Was wonderful to see AP run all over Tampa. He could have had a hell of a game if the Vikings had been able to keep it close. That along with Chris Johnson seemingly coming alive give me much hope for my playoff prospects.
Yeah, Ponder really stuck the Vikings in a bad spot to start the game. Someone needs to remind him of the weapons he has and to use them correctly.
AP & CJ? That’s a nice RB1/2 combo.
Yes, also have Reggie Bush and grabbed Rashad Jennings off of waiver. Second half of my schedule should be much easier, so pending injuries I should be due for a much needed win streak.
Yeah, here’s to that. I have a few teams sitting like that. Hope we both take off.
Hola, Sky
I need to pick two RBs to start this weekend in my PPR/PPRush league.
JC Superstar vs Oak
Ryan Mathews @ Cle
Marshawn Lynch @ Det
Rashad Jennings @ GB
I am leaning towards starting Charles and Mathews–Jennings isn’t really in the conversation–but it is so hard for me to bench Marshawn. He is the epitome of steady, reliable production because the Hawks always give him the ball, which is half the battle in this league. However, Oakland and Cleveland have a lot less intimidating run-Ds than Detroit. Besides that, I am also tempted by the sky’s-the-limit upside of both Charles and Mathews. But the Norv Turner factor of inexplicable not giving the ball to his best player scares me too. What to do, what to do….
Hola.
I have Marshawn & Mathews pretty close this week even in PPR. The fact you have PPRush – which I love BTW and wish more leagues did – I feel gives a slight edge to Lynch due to the afore-mentioned consistency factor. Go Beast Mode!
@Sky,
Gracias, senor!
De nada, Principio Hombre Del Negro!
@Sky,
This is my first year doing the PPRush format, and I have to say, I think it is totally awesome, especially in conjunction with PPR. I think it gives credit where credit is due, especially for guys who get the rock a ton but don’t necessarily get into the endzone a whole lot, which might just be for lack of opportunities. In this format Lynch, and his 2 TDs on the season were ranked 5th in the league among RBs heading into this week, whereas in a standard scoring league he would be somewhere around 10th.
Yep, exactly. Actually, my deep league with high school friends has PPRec/Rush and only gives 4 pts to rush/rec TDs and 3 to passing TDs. We also do small complete/incomplete bonuses for the passing game. So if someone completes 60% or 70% of their passes, there’s a small bonus (like +/- 0.1 per complete/incomplete). It really puts in perspective who is doing the heavy lifting for a given team. Just because Marshawn doesn’t have many TDs doesn’t mean he hasn’t been a huge part of his team’s success and performance.
Trying to move RG III to up my WR/RB core. I already have Rodgers at QB and am in need of upgrades elsewhere,
Would giving up RG III and Spiller for Jordy Nelson and one of: Run DMC or Trent Richardson a good move for the long term?
Actually like Spiller and think you’re giving up too much. Would want an RB1 in that type of package deal considering it’s RG3
WR3 – Heyward-Bey, Titus, Givens, A.Roberts, Wright?
Dah, I think you asked this and I missed responding earlier. Sorry about that.
I’d go DHB.
@Sky, ros
@Jack Full of Hate, I’d still say DHB after last week. Him and DMoore looked good when on the field together. He’s the closest thing to a WR1 out of that list. Rankings ROS I’d go DHB/Roberts/Wright/Titus/Givens (Givens probably losing touches once Amendola is back).
I need to start one of Malcom Floyd, Alex Green, or Shonn Greene in a PPR league. Leaning towards Alex right now, anticipating lots of garbage time clock-killing carries vs a really bad defense. Thoughts?
Not really huge on any of those guys but I think you’re making the right choice.
Who is the best FLEX play:
Pierre Thomas
Brandon Gibson
Heyward-Bey
@Plainview,
Gibson….New England secondary enough said.
Need to drop either Felix Jones, Alex Green, or Kenny Britt as a rest of season flex play. Which should I drop?
(Please say Felix. I hate him so.)
Yep, Felix would be the drop for me. Can’t see him holding much job security either way.
In one league I just pulled the trigger on a trade sending Vick and Shonn Greene away and getting RGIII and Ingram. How did I do? Is Ingram even worth hanging on to?
My team after the trade:
RGIII, Romo
Forte, Chris Johnson, Alex Green, Ingram
Andre Johnson, Colston, Jordy, Josh Gordon
Bennett, Celek
Zuerlein
GB
Ingram isn’t really worth anything but I have no problem with that trade. Shonn ain’t that great. Looks good.
PPR -
I’m wondering with Calvin Johnson getting shutdown against the Bears and now facing Seattle Solid Pass DEF if Josh Gordon against San Diego would be the better play for this week?
If Calvin is healthy, you have to start him in my mind. Just realize I’m a ‘start your studs’ kinda guy.
@Clueless,
Seattle and Chicago secondary’s are both effective but completely different Tillman knows all of Calvin’s weaknesses and was seen last week. Seattle is a little more unfamiliar and they have yet to play a receiver like him this year. you will see a much better performance from Megatron this week.
Would you be confident to call Pierre Thomas the Saints’ clear #1 rushing back over the next few weeks? And by #1 back I mean 10+ carries a game and most of the goal line touches.
I’m gonna need him to be my RB2 the next couple weeks due to BYEs. Ingram just hit the wire, but adding him to my roster would require a drop I really don’t want to make. This league doesn’t give me a lot of room on the bench.
I would but it’s not a great status to be in. He’s outperforming Ingram but that’s not saying much; you don’t want Ingram.
Thanks for all the help during this busy week. With the addition of Stafford, DMC (via a trade pending voting), and Amendola, this is my current PPR roster:
Stafford
Foster/DMC/Murray/Felix
Nicks/Bowe/DMoore/Amendola
Davis/TE2 to be picked up after trade clears
Cardinals
SeaBass
Amazingly enough at 2-5 I’m just one game (but 4 teams due to tiebreakers) out of a playoff spot.
RG3 (owned by a Brees owner short at RB) is now “officially” on the market. After I get Foster back off bye, would you risk any RB depth to make a run for him or would you wait and see if Murray and/or Stafford can get better?
Let me add that I’m leaning to hold for now. Stafford is 5th in attempts, is beating Ryan in yards with fewer games, has only 5TDs, and leads the league in receiving yards for QBs (3 yards, beating many zeroes and the -1 for Tony Romo). Nevertheless, I’d be interested in your opinion on what pieces you’d be willing to spend for an RG3 upgrade.
I like your lean! Hold for now.
I wouldn’t want to trade away that RB depth even if RGIII is part of the conversation. I’d hold, personally.
Thanx for the kick in the balls yesterday.. i woulda been pissed leaving 33 points on the bench!! In my other two leagues where i dont have him he was benched.. ouch.. cheers to you and happy f**kin friday!
Damn, you got the best of both worlds then in your leagues with Doug Martin. Nice! Like I’ve always told my friends, you need a kick in the nuts I’m your man.
+1 PPR, 2 RB league…
My RB1 is Doug Martin, and usual RB2 is CJ Spiller. With a 3-4 record, and Spiller on BYE (my current fill-in is Phillip Tanner), is it worth trading Spiller for an active Shonn Greene?
I’d hold Spiller.
Have Colston and J. Jones starting at WR not sure who to start for T. Smith on bye hasn’t produced much last couple of weeks my backups for him are K. Britt and J. Gordon who would be the better start for this week. Also at RB have R. Bush starting who do I put with him T. Richardson or D. Richardson those are my only options I am weak at this position.
Gordon/Bush/D-Rich
+.5 PPR, +3 bonus at 100 yds
Pick 2 of Rashad Jennings, Alex Green, and Steve Smith?
Had the 2 RBs in my lineup until I read Steve Smith’s ridiculous career #s vs CHI….
Jennings/Smith
Also in a +.5 PPR…
Pettigrew vs SEA or Cook vs IND?
Pettigrew
@Sky
Julio Jones 123 yrds and 1 TD Roddy White 38 yrds no TD…..The ATL home/away trend holds true for another week!!!
Holy crazy…it seems like such a fluky thing but it’s now held for 7 games…I might need a straight jacket if this happens all year.