Before we get on with this post, I’m gonna set something straight: I never have and probably never will play Pokemon. I’m merely familiar with the theme song and I like puns so bingo, bango, bongo, I have a title. What I’m saying is, if you have Pokemon jokes you’d like to share, feel free to but most likely my comment will be ‘…haha?’. Good, now that we’ve got that settled, let’s move on to our feature back presentation in Jamaal Charles. Now why would I suggest Charles? Isn’t he currently ranked in the top 50 in PPR leagues this year according to yahoo? Why yes he is. Thanks me for pointing that out! But now I’d like to point out another thing. His ranking over the last 4 weeks of play is 1687 behind such amazing guys as Montario Hardesty and Cedric Peerman. During that span, Jamaal has only mustererd up 123 total yards of offense and 1 concussion that the Chiefs are claiming was just ‘a neck injury’. Needless to say, Charles has not been in charge in KC and the offense as a whole has been A-hole in terms of fantasy goodness for most of the year. Alright, with all the negative out of the way, let’s get to the positives: he’s still Jamaal Charles. Do you really need more info than that? Overall, I can’t make any promise he returns to the RB1 glory he started the year off at but who you sitting on at RB2 right now? Mikel LeShoure? You sure that’s gonna get the job done when playoffs come? Yeah, didn’t think so. As always, it’s about what you have to spend to get a guy and Charles should come at a premium with his recent rough stretch and how KC has played. If you want to be the very best, like no one ever was, to catch them is the real test, to train them is your cause. Hrm, I think only the first two sentences fit but you get the idea. Gotta catch Jamaal. In other fantasy football news…
Buy
Jordy Nelson – I’ve called Jordy a buy quite a few times this season. I wouldn’t say it’s because I love him, namely because I don’t, but he keeps ending up in buy low situations. After healing up from a hamstring issue and playing last week, his lone attempt at a catch saw him turn his ankle and exit the game early. With a bye week on the horizon and his recent injury woes, good lordy ‘ole Jordy is looking like a good nab if his owner is feeling worried.
Darren Sproles – Not sure if you can get him but if you can get him, get him…get it? The initial concerns of 4-6 weeks out turned into 1-2 weeks. Willis McGehee had a similar injury last year and played 15 games. You get the picture. Sproles is an underrated stud in return yardage and PPR leagues and given the fumble by the kick returner from Monday’s game, I can’t see how he doesn’t regain his status there.
Eli Manning -This is more about whether or not you need him. In most standard leagues, the bye weeks have passed and you don’t need to worry about subbing QBs in and out for each other for the most part. He’s still averaging about 270 passing yards a game and has gone through a rough patch of late that’s pushed his TD:INT ratios down to 12:9. Overall, it’s still a passing team and he’ll have plenty of opportunities to turn his season around.
Hakeem Nicks – Yeah, I said to buy him once before but you didn’t listen. Good for you! But you should listen now. He’s not sitting on 1 TD for the year. Just like Manning’s current pace, there’s huge upside the rest of the way. Eventually, Nicks is going to have that big game and you’ll wish you had him. Might as well have him now.
Sell
Chicago Bears D/ST – What an amazing run to start the year but seriously, they’re ranked 13th overall according to yahoo. Would you spend a second round pick on a defense? Because that’s their value right now. This is more about trading for a skill position if someone is nutty enough to do it.
Andrew Luck – Love the kid long term but do you truly believe he’s going to throw for his 4800 yard pace the rest of the way? The touchdowns have been inconsistent and he’s only on pace for 20 passing – though 6 for rushing – to go with 16 intereceptions. Having written that, I’m still curious how he’s the 7th ranked QB for the season when Big Ben has 16 TD passes compared to only 4 INT and nearly the same passing yardage? I know the fantasy points don’t say it, but I’d rather have Big Ben and you probably would too, right? And plus, is it just me or does Andrew have a bit of crazy eye in his profile picture? If I can’t set you straight, I’ll scare you straight.
Randall Cobb – Don’t look now but Cobb is ranked as the 6th best WR in PPR leagues according to yahoo. The question you have to ask yourself is ‘how did we get here?’. You can thank injuries for most of Cobb’s value with the afore mentioned Jordy and Greg Jennings missing a lot of time this year. You can also thank Jermichael Finley being worthless. I still think he’s a decent WR2 play but I worry he begins to let you down when it most counts: the playoffs. If you can get WR1 value back for him, take it and run.
