Normally I lead these buys off with a play I think is glaringly clear but my call this week is based on how negative everyone seems to be about the New England Patriots and – in particular – Tom Brady. Much like Warren Buffet, my trade mantra has always been ‘be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful’. Yes, I read things that aren’t Fantasy Football related from time to time. I know, it surprises me too. But what I’m trying to say about this scenario is it’s all negative right now for Brady and company. Gronk, ‘dola, Sudfeld and Vereen are hurt. The duo he’s left with at WR on the outside – Dropkins and Dropson – are having what many would call ‘issues’. The lone bright spot so far seems to be Julian Edelman who averaged 6.0 yards per catch last Thursday night which is underwhelming even for a 3rd down passing back, let alone the guy who looks like he’s going to lead his team in receptions and yardage. But I’m seeing some silver linings here and think with how pessimistic the world is about Brady and company, you could and should take advantage. Though it’s not set in stone, week 3 has been marked as the return of Gronk. That in and of itself will be a huge help for this team. He may also get back Brandon Bolden who – though not as dynamic as Vereen – is definitely strides better then Blount as a secondary RB to have. The third is we’ve been here before. Remember when everyone was touting the Pats demise heading into 2011? Moss was gone and all they had was Deion Branch and the rotting corpse of Ochocinco lining up out wide? Yeah, Gronk and A-Hern went off, Welker was Welker and we didn’t really worry about those outside guys. I’m not saying I can promise smooth sailing from here on out but I think Brady could be had for a backup QB at this point with all the negativity floating around. That’s worth looking into in my book. And if he doesn’t go off? Well, your backup was Andy Dalton so…nothing to see here, move along. In other buy/sell news for 2013 Fantasy Football…
BUY
Chris Ivory – I know, I know, more unpopular suggestions. But you don’t think I’m gonna let go of my Chris Ivory Fantasy just yet, do you? I’m still on the bandwagon, even if that makes it seem like I’ve fallen off the wagon for doing so. I just minced idioms, y’all! He’s more talented than Powell, it’s just a question of whether or not the Jets will let that shine. Unless he’s a firm believer like I am, I’d think the owner is willing to give up on Chris for peanuts at this point. Maybe even the Family Circus.
Trent Richardson – I think I listed him last week. *Rifles through notes and then realizes everything that has been done is on the internet*. Well then, I didn’t. And now I did. Josh Gordon is back next week. It’s like Rex Manning Day minus the chest hair. The Browns offense will never be a high ceiling one but its few parts – Cam/T-Rich/Gordon – are pretty darn good. With T-Rich starting slow, some owner out there might be antsy in the pantsy. Take a chancey if he is.
Drew Brees – He’s finished two weeks outside of the top 20 for QB scoring now. Guess how many weeks we’ve played? Yup. Guys like Drew always have a longer leash then say a guy like Sam Bradford but you never know how an owner will respond to one of their top picks crapping the bed on them, especially with how other QBs have started. He’s still a top 3 QB even without the rushing ability that others seem to possess. Yes, the owner probably needs to be dumb to do anything about this but you’re not above that are you?
Cam Newton – All top QBs, all the time. He’s frustrating his owners right now with back to back snorefests. Keep in mind he did something similar to start the year last year and I told everyone to buy in. It was probably a premature call…and this one might be too. That Panthers offense looks terrible but in Newton we trust. I mean, a QB in motion tends to stay in motion right? I think I need to retake the everything grade, fantasy football has ruined me.
Rueben Randle – The problem with buy calls on impending injuries is you never know when they’re going to hit. Randle actually caught a touchdown – ok he fumbled but he was targeted down there – on Sunday and Hakeem Nicks actually found a way to dislocate his finger on a pass thrown to him. If there’s a man who could shatter into 1,000 pieces on a ball that hits him in the chest, it’s Nicks…never the less, you should go to New York and order a Rueben with all the fixings if his owners disgruntled after a lackluster effort vs the Broncos and speaking as an owner I can attest: I am.
Andre Ellington – Though Rashard’s been steady, it’s never a good sign when your head coach starts saying your backup can ‘carry the load’. This could be a RBBC situation you’re stepping into but given Rashard’s health history, picking up AE if you have the bench space could prove to be prudent. I don’t need prunes in my diet, I crap consumate ‘S’s twice a day! That’s not what that word means…and gross…
Denard Robinson – Deep league alert! Don’t know if you know this but the Jags have been terrible this year. Like ‘dog ate my Costco-sized box of bubble yum and now looks like he’s processing playdough back there’ kinda terrible. So terrible, fans are petitioning for Tim Tebow to join them. It doesn’t get much lower, really…eh, why am I suggesting you pick him up? Same reason I suggest picking up Pryor. It ain’t real football, y’all, you take points where you can get them and the Jags just might try and see what their ‘Offensive Weapon’ can do sooner rather than later. Plus it’ll put butts in seats, Khan, which is kinda how you keep your fanbase coming to the games (hint, hint). If – ok who am I kidding – WHEN Henne and co. get obliterated in Seattle, the Jags should be looking to make some form of move and if it’s not to foggy London town, this is probably the next best thing for fantasy players.
SELL
Robert Griffin, III – I’ve seen two games now and what I’ve seen is a guy who is either 1) not fully healed from his knee issues or 2) he doesn’t fully trust that it is. Neither are really that good for his value. Even though the passing numbers have been there, most have come from junk time as he tries to keep pace with his defenses ability to be more open then Sharon Stone’s legs in Basic Instinct. And the run game from him? Non-existent. This is a worry trade that he may not be healthy all year but the numbers still look good so you don’t have to sell too low. I’d move on before you have to limp on.
