The season is at the midway point and as we journey into the second part of our lonely trudge into fantasy fame in some leagues and fantasy infamy in others, it gets harder and harder to get in on someone and call them a buy low. Too much work has been done at this point to point at a player and say ‘that guys underperforming’ or ‘that one’s clearly playing above his head’ or ‘he should’ve had a V8’. We’ve seen too much and know too much to be fooled by a bad game or two…but it never stops us from trying. And in the spirit of that, I’m here to talk to you about Marshawn Lynch. I’ve been ragging on the ‘hawks coaching staff of late and their offensive game plan and I think it’s fairly warranted. This is a team known for its run game, great defense and the heroics of RW3 when they’re needed. Lemme be the first of many to tell you, the heroics of a game generally aren’t needed until the 4th quarter. Heroics usually don’t watch their running back rush for nearly 50 yards on one drive in the first quarter only to turn the ball over on an interception and then go away from the run for another 2 and a half quarters to top it off. What I’m saying is, after 8 carries for 23 yards against a team defense that gave up almost 200 rushing yards to the Titans a week later, Lynch should’ve been feasting on the Bucs but he didn’t really get the chance to. Well I’m here to say I think the OC in Seattle has learned their lesson – ok, I’m hoping they have – and will go back to the style of ball that has put Seattle in the driver’s seat of the NFC West. Lynch is still on track for a good season – Nearly 1,650 total yards and 12 touchdowns is his current pace – but it only takes a couple of weeks without a touchdown for owners to get anxious. So go calm their fears and taste the rainbow while you’re at it. In other buy/sell news for 2013 Fantasy Football…
BUY
Eddie Lacy – This is the contrarian play where all the bad news surrounding Aaron Rodgers and his receivers will leak down onto Green Bay’s rushing attack. I believe Lacy had about 20 yards of rushing before A-Rod left the game on Monday. He finished with a career high 150 and a TD. I’m gonna go out on a limb and say ‘Eddie will be fine’. In fact, he might be better than fine as he’ll become the focal point of the offense until Rodgers is back. Hint: this is also a small buy on Starks as there’ll be plenty of handoffs and dumpoffs to do around in GB for a while.
Nick Foles – Wanna see some crazy stats? Foles has a 13:0 TD to INT ratio on the year, is averaging 8.7 yards per attempted pass – which would be good enough for 3rd in the NFL if he qualified – and if we tallied his stats on the year as 4 games (which is roughly what it is), he’d be on pace for nearly 4,000 yards passing, 4 rushing touchdowns and 52 passing TDs. Ok, ok, ok, 7 TD passes in one game can do that to stats. I get that. What I’m saying, though, is I don’t think Foles and the Eagles are a fluke and if he was just a bye week filler for someone out there, see if you can pry him away before the stretch run. I don’t know much about horses but this young Foles is starting to look like a fine Philly.
Shonn Greene – I can’t believe I’ve suggested this move not once but twice now. AND I mentioned him in the podcast this week. This is digustingly too much talk about a backup RB, let alone it being Shonn of all players. He was someone’s bye week blues pickup and I think he’ll be more than that for the rest of the season. Not a sexy flex by any means but if you want that RB3 on your team that is almost guaranteed 10-15 touches a game and all the goal line carries you could ever want, be good to the Earth and go Greene.
Victor Cruz – He’s been silent but not deadly of late. No, I’m not talking about his bye week. Over the last 4 weeks total, Cruz has tallied 16/204/0. Those are stats you could die of boredom from in some countries. To put it in perspective, Marquise Goodwin, Greg Little, and Eddie Royal have outscored Cruz over the last 4 weeks. That’s tough company to be in for a team’s #1 receiver. I don’t think the Giants have magically figured things out but Cruz should see the ball much more down the stretch than he has of late. Take a salsa dip.
Jay Cutler – Even if he doesn’t return ahead of schedule as planned, his stats were strong prior to injury and the owner may need to clear some roster room for bye week needs. Or maybe he already did it and threw him onto the FA pile. Either way, Jay’s more than ok.
SELL
Aaron Rodgers – It’s officially discount dooouuuuble check time with A-Rod. Depending who you talk to, the info goes from ‘it’s a week to week thing’ to ‘it’s a 3 week thing’ to ‘it’s a three week minimum thing’. Well I’m calling it a Tony Romo thing, specifically a 2010 Romo thing. That’s the year he busted his left non-throwing collarbone and missed the rest of the season. He broke it in game 6 of the year. We’re in week 9 now. For as much as I want to believe the hopeful guidelines, I think I’d rather sell on it and see if I can scrape some value out of what might be a lost season as a Rodgers owner. Before you ask, yes this goes for GB passing components as well. If I got a WR2 for Jordy right now, I’d take it. I’d be surprised if you got much for Boykin or Jones at this point but I’d be willing to hear offers.
