So how many of you have played Madden 2012? Sure, plenty of you but have you been cheap enough to play the demo over and over on your PS3 like me? For those of you not in the know, let me be fill you in: the only demo game you can play is the Packers versus the Bears. I always play as Green Bay and I always selected ‘Aggressive’ for my defensive tactic. What I’m trying to say is I’ve seen this Jay Cutler before and there’s a reason even a video game could’ve accurately picked the winner of this game, even with a terrible gamer like me playing it. Sure, I’ll admit there were gaffes along the way by multiple players – including Cutler himself – but let’s face facts: the offensive line does not do Cutler any favors day in and day out and it’s hard to pin seven sacks on the quarterback alone. If you’re looking for me to give the Green Bay defense any credit, I’ll simply say their defensive scheme works reaaaaaaaally well vs the Bears. That’s all the mazel tof they’ll get from me. Even outside of GB, the Colts played the Bears well for about a quarter last week until the offensive line found some way to keep Jay protected enough to get it to his WR. In short, until the Bears can clear up their offensive line, Jay will always be an outsider looking in when it comes to playing him weekly. In more Thursday Night Fantasy Football News…
Matt Forte - Racked up a whopping 49 yardson 4 receptions to lead the team. Yeah, he’s their starting running back…didja read the lead paragraph?!? He went down with an injured ankle and did not return after the first quarter. At this point it’s still unclear how serious the injury is. Clearly self-diagnosis is not his…Forte? I typed that in a Doctor Evil voice and totally pinky to mouthed after it was typed.
Michael Bush - So here’s a guy that I felt was really underrated coming into the season because of how the Bears were planning on using him and now here he is, rushing like I thought he would: boring as Hades but still useful. If Forte misses any time, Bush is a flex play given the right match-ups. If you expect 5.0 YPC, Mission Accomplished. That was political humor. It’s voting season, I’m pulling from the bad recesses of my brain right now.
Cedric Benson - Speaking of boringly productive backs, Benson was vastly improved this week over last week in terms of stats, which is really easy to do when you’re not facing the top defensive team in the NFL. In total, he racked up 81 yards rushing and a surprising PPR gift of 35 yards on 4 receptions. I called him a buy this Wednesday and even though he didn’t go end zone, your chance was probably closed on Mr. Benson with this performance.
Brandon Marshall - Search teams didn’t find him until half-time which unfortunately was too late for fantasy owners. Two recs for 24 yards and a missed TD opportunity that reminds you why he’s always a high end WR2 and rarely a WR1. I’m pretty sure that’s a Marshall law decree.
Randall Cobb - Had him in my top 15 for WRs this week. Wasn’t expecting the injury nor the Bears getting to Aaron Rodgers so much tonight. This one made me feel like I went Kernel Bumping. Google that on your own time and come back when you’re fully prepared for the internet. To be fair, had he been healthy, I think his deployment would’ve been more frequent. For reasons why, just take a look at James Jones and his zig when I shoulda zagged moment on why he’s not a potential WR3. That’s not a good style, that’s not gonna make you famous.
Mason Crosby/Donald Driver/Tom Crabtree/Kellen Davis – The title you almost got was ‘Before You Dip Your Fantasy Spoon In The GB vs CHI Pudding, Make Sure To Wear a Crosby Condom’. But then I realized I’m older than you and only I would get an arcane reference to In Living Color, even if it stars Jamie Foxx. Ah, I can see I’ve sparked your interest. Google ‘Crosby Condom’ but remove the ‘r’; then share with your co-workers. You just won office cred, which I think is worth a caramel latte. You’re welcome. Oh and the game was that boring in terms of fantasy because I just listed the four scoring stars of the game. JELLO PUDDING POPS! Sorry, still stuck on the Cosby thing.
Hey, would you drop olsen for hunter? Olsen is my backup te. I am trying to build some depth in rb position. You cant have enough rb’s right? I own forte! Thanks
Yeah, I usually don’t hold a backup TE. I’d grab Hunter there.
@Moscowitz, I disagree. Carolina was one of the better teams at using the tight end in 2011. Combine the stats from Olsen and Shockey and you get a pretty good tight end.
should I feel bad for advising someone to start James Jones? I mean , the td was in his hands. though he wasn’t even close to hauling that in. clanged right off. Do you think this o-line will hold up or will it be same old story and more importantly, do you think you will beat me this week in the razzball writers league?
Yes, you should feel terrible. Your penance is thirty tongue lashings from the ghost of Bea Arthur. Bears and Packers know how to get to each other for some reason but about Cutler, he’s a bench QB for a reason and it’s not all because of him.
And of course I plan on beating you. I’m the commish. Did you know you were starting Blount and Vereen this Sunday?
With Maclin & Mathews now potentionally playing, I need 3 WR’s & a Flex from these guys: .5ppr
Maclin
A.Brown
Titus
LaFell
L.Moore
Mathews
Maclin/Brown/LaFell/Mathews
@Sky, Surprising with LaFell over Moore, but I like it. Thanks.
Colston/Graham/Sproles still the main targets there. LaFell has a better shot to at least give you something, IMHO
They’re saying it’s a high ankle sprain for Forte, which means he’ll be out a few weeks. In a dynasty, give Greene (RB3) and Hernandez (TE2) for Forte and Rudolph? Start 2 RB, 2 WR, 1 RB/WR, 1 TE. Greene and Hernandez rarely start for me. Non-PPR, no yardage bonuses, so Forte’s value takes a little hit anyway without the injury.
High ankle sprains are pretty bad but in a dynasty, I don’t mind that trade.
@Sky, Thanks. Was going in to make the offer and was given pause by Forte’s late season schedule. Here are his matchups weeks 10-15:
HOU
@SF
MIN
SEA
@MIN
GB
That’s pretty nasty for a RB, even though he makes hay in the passing game too and looked pretty good against GB last night.
Yeah, dynasty-wise, you’re getting two good players for the price of one (I like Rudolph). If Forte rides the pine for you the rest of the year, it’s basically what Greene was going to do for you anyway, right?
Very pleased with Benson’s output at RB2 last night. With that said, I’d still sell him in a second if somebody came at me with pretty much any other top 25 RB.
He’s a FLEX play most weeks, IMHO. Nothing wrong with that but if you get a more dynamic back offered where he’s more of a focal point to the offense, I wouldn’t fight you. My buy recommendation came off a terrible game vs the best run DEF in the NFL.
I traded Kevin Olgetree for Benson after I read your article on buy/sell. I didn’t get to use him this week but I’m happy with what to expect. I lost Fred Jax week one and needed an RB2/flex type option. I tried for Micheal Bush too but the owner didn’t bite, he’s probably happy he didn’t now with Forte out…
Nice! That trade should work well for you
I have ridley, Mccoy in with kevin Smith, ryan matthews on the bench in my one point ppr league is this right?
That’s how I’d play it
@no name, Agreed. Kevin Smith stays on the bench against SF this week.
Anyone know where the extent of Forte’s injury is being reported? I haven’t seen it anywhere.
Have only heard high ankle sprain, which isn’t good in and of itself but I haven’t heard anything other than rumors at this time.
@Sky, yeah just checked Rotoinfo and that’s what it says. Luckily i have Bush, so it’s not the end of the world. But I hope he isn’t out long and I’d like some confirmation other than just random rumors.
@Wilsonian, Chicago Tribune is reporting a high ankle sprain and Steve Slaton will come into the Windy City Saturday for a tryout.
You know it’s bad if the Bears are looking at Steve Slaton. They want that speed back to compliment Bush’s monster size.
Would you trade Mcgahee & Torrey Smith for Benson & Antonio Gates?
12 team H2H non-PPR.
I have plenty of WR and F. Davis currently at TE.. other RBs are Peterson & R. Bush.. thinking I can play Gates or Benson in the flex most weeks…
Trade looks good for your team.
Hey man, so I was all over the waivers on Wednesday and dropped Heyward-Bey while picking up Cobb in my PPR league.
Should I flip flop them when Bey clears waivers on Saturday to see what he does this week (on my bench)?
Who do you think has more upside for the year?
They’re both WR3′s. Cobb is getting used all over the field, but he plays on an offensively deep team. I like him more than DHB but DHB has more opportunity. I’d hold Cobb and hope for the best.
I am in a 10 team H2H that starts 3 RB and 4 WR (8 bench spots).
My WR are: Mike Wallace, Miles Austin, Vincent Jackson, Kevin Ogletree
My RB are: Richardson, Mathews, Charles, Kevin Smith, Spiller, Wilson, Hillis, Gerhart, and Alfredo Morris
Since I horded running backs I was offered:
Dez Bryant & Legarret Blount for Ogletree and Morris
I never like trading let alone after week 1 but this seems like the ultimate buy low sell high.
@Pokey Reese, hoarded*… for what it’s worth
@Pokey Reese, The trade has since changed
Dez Bryant, Tim Tebow, and Montario Hardesty for Ogletree and Morris
odds are Tebow and hardesty are cut so would you do:
Bryant for Morris and Ogletree?
Yes
I’d take that deal.
10 team non-ppr Olsen, Pettigrew or Witten?
Olsen
@TE, Pettigrew. The 49ers are weak against the tight end and will be preoccupied with Megatron.
who is the better flex play week 2: hillis, ‘quizz rodgers, or blackmon?
I’d go Rodgers
better replacement this week for Jennings: Moss or McCluster?
If its PPR, I’d lean McCluster
@Sky, 1 point per 10 yds
I’d lean Moss for TD potential, then.
@Sky, thanks
1 pnt per 10 yds
Hi, Im in a 10-team league that ends after 15 weeks. There is no playoffs, best overall record wins the league.
2RB,3WR,flex (RB/WR/TE) .5ppr
QB – Cam Newton
TE – Aaron Hernandez
WR – Megatron,Maclin,Amendola,S.Rice,T.Young
RB – Trent Richardson, D.Martin, Kevin Smith, David Wilson, Ryan Williams, Peyton Hillis, Pierre Thomas, Dwyer
I was offered V-Jax for K.Smith. What are your thoughts on the offer? Thanks
Would rather keep the RB depth
appreciate the prompt response…i take it that you’d just sit tight and ride out the season with my squad and just work the waiver system, etc
There’s nothing wrong with your team. RB starters aren’t in abundance. No good reason to trade a useful RB2/Flex for a WR2 when you already have Maclin and Amendola
I need to start two of these three RB’s… Which two?
1. Hillis
2. Dwyer
3. J-Stewart
Thanks for the help.
Dwyer/Stewart
Are we stayin away from d murray completely this week?? Would you perfer playin pierre thomas instead?
Pierre had a off week so maybe hes due to get in the end zone this week. Carolina isnt the scariest matchup either.. whats ur thoughts on PT this week?
Thanx man!!
I like PT this week but I wouldn’t start him over Murray if that’s my only option
@Sky, yeah i know but i just see murray gettin stopped everywhere and hes dealing with an injury.. and PT is my only other RB worth starting. Ill go murray tho.. thanx for your opinion!
Britt is on the wire. Is he a better option than Moss this week and on?
@robert, yes
I instinctively did a lot of good decisions in fantasy football in the past. My gut almost always helped me win games and this time i somehow cant ignore Ronnie Hillman. I just think its only a matter of when and not if this guy takes over the starting job over there in Denver. I just have a problem dropping someone to add and stash him.
I have lance moore, alshon jeffery, sidney rice and burleson to pick one. Whould you drop any of them to add hillman and if yes, who would it be.
Thanks
I’m not as gung-ho as you are about Hillman nor the running game in Denver as a whole. I’d personally hold but if you’re dropping one of those guys, it would be Burleson for me.
@Sky, thanks sky, i will hold for now and take a wait and see approach. Now would you drop Manningham for Hawkins?
@Moscowitz, Yes
PPR league, 1 point per, I can’t decide between Amendola or Stephen Hill. My brain sats Amen and my gut says Hill. The injuries to Pitts D make me think the Jets might be able to pas on them and Hill is ready to go. Any thoughts
Amendola is the safest choice.
@Sky, but hill could have the bigger day…damn, I hate these decisions
You and me both. Are you up or down? Do you need big play ability or solidarity? That’s what it comes down to…whether of not you need to take the chance
@Sky, I have a huge lead, and three of my best IDP plyers so i started Hill, If I lose then I’m the biggest idiot cause Amen has 19 points in the 2ND QUARTER!!!!!!!
stupid is what stupid does!
@Sky, now 31 points on the bench
Ouch…but are you/did you win?
@Sky, I think I’m good, I’m up by 130 and he only has Turner and Thomas tomorrow…I had a real real good day. Its an IDP league
Ah good, it sucks to see those points on the bench but as long as you win, that’s all that matters
@Sky, and its got to sting my opponent knowing that I handicapped myself and he still got wooped
It’s always good to emotionally scar your opponents whenever possible. I’m proves trade talks!
With Gates out, play McMichael, Rosario, Zach Miller (Sea), or Scheffler?
Schef