Hey gang. This is the first week in a while that we are finally sans bye week. No one is off limits and your only problem is figuring out whom to bench. Let the games begin!
Week Niner…Are You Calling From a Walky Talky?
Vincent Jackson-I guess it’s either three touchdown receptions or nothing with this guy, as V-Jax atoned for a series of putrid weeks by putting up seven receptions for 141 yards and three scores, not to mention 12 targets, good for second in the league among receivers. The Charger offense actually looked pretty good last week and if it weren’t for two pick sixes, the Bolts could have stolen one from the champs. Jackson, along with that Charger offense, looked healthy and a nice matchup against a key divisional opponent in Oakland on Thursday looks promising.
Laurent Robinson—Mr. Robinson was solid on Sunday, catching a team high five passes on five targets for 32 yards and a score. He looks to be the starter for the next couple of weeks while Miles Austin nurses his hammy. However, even with Austin in the lineup, Robinson put up big numbers last week with a five catch, 103 yard and one touchdown performance. He should be a priority waiver add in all leagues. I like him more than Torrey Smith, Earl Bennett, Jacoby Ford, and Denarius Moore who will also get a lot of waiver looks this week.
Denarius Moore-speaking of the devil,Moore came out of the woodwork this past weekend, amassing a team high 12 targets, hauling in four for 61 yards. Moore started alongside Jacoby Ford who also had a huge day, catching five of his six targets for 105 yards and a score. With Run DMC still licking his wounds, the Raiders relied heavily on the aging arm of Carson Palmer—who actually looked half way decent at times. It was good to see some production again from Ford and Moore but after watching this game I was dying to ask the Raider coaching staff one question: where the f@$% was DHB? The leading receiver for the Raider’s over the last five weeks was nowhere to be found on Sunday, coming in as the fifth, yes, fifth receiver. Baby Huey claims that DHB wasn’t benched which is either a big fat lie or a big fat let down for DHB owners. I wouldn’t by the no benching thing. DHB must have done something stupid or selfish and he was being punished. Don’t drop DHB just yet and be careful about adding Moore or Ford based on their performances this past week. A healthy DMC means more attention on the run game and the addition of Housyourmama means fewer targets for everyone else.Â
Julio Jones-We have to talk about Julio’s rediculousness on Sunday, a rediculousness that allowed him to torch the Colts for 131 yards on only three catches and let’s not forget the two touchdowns. Those who held onto Jones were rewarded, though I’m sure many of you did not play him. If he was dropped, he’s the priority WR add ahead of Robinson, but it is fair to note that Jones only commanded four targets on the day, five behind leader Roddy White who put up a mediocre four catch, 76 yard performance. Though I’d still scoop him up in a heartbeat, he probably won’t get as much attention as White, though his playmaking ability allows him to capitalize on his opportunities. Smoke him if you got him.
Roy Helu-what the Helu just happened? Minutes before game time it was announced that Helu would be the starter which was surprise number one. Surprise number two involved Helu becoming the only player in Redskin history to record 14 catches in one game. Helu commanded an insane 17 targets and he also took to the ground with 10 carries combining for 146 total yards. With Torain as the supposed starter, Helu is available in many leagues and he should clearly be the number one RB waiver add and probably the number one add overall depending on how deep your league is. Though Shanahan is, well, Shanahan, I don’t see any reason why Helu won’t get another start this week against Miami. The Dolphins, despite their overall atrociousness, are rather good at stopping the run, but to say that he will be involved in the passing game seems to be a laughable understatement.
Steve Breaston-he’s been solid for a while now, but after playing second fiddle to young upstart Jonathan Baldwin last week, Breaston was most likely overlooked this week. If you played him you were rewarded with a man who caught seven of his team high 11 targets for 115 yards. Young buck Baldwin caught only one pass for 12 yards on five targets and it looks like he can still learn a thing or two from the old man. The bottom line is that though Baldwin is rosterable for his upside, we need to see some more consistency if we are going to crown him the number two in K.C.
Earl Bennett-Bennett’s chemistry with Cutler was once again apparent as he led all receivers with 95 yards off of his five catches and five targets, not to mention a touchdown. A lot of people will add Bennett this week but you should know that he was one of four Bears players to receive at least five targets (Williams, Hester, Forte) and there is never any consistency in that Chicago offense unless it’s named Matt Forte. Play at your own risk.
Food For Thought
Jacquizz Rodgers-Mike Smith claimed they were going to start giving Rodgers more touches this week and he kept true to his promise. The season ending injury to Ovie Mughelli means that Snelling moves to fullback and Rodgers officially takes over as Turner’s backup. Rodgers got ten carries on Sunday, compared to Turner’s 19, gaining 44 yards while catching one pass for 16 yards. His 4.4 yards per carry were better than Turner’s, who averaged slightly under four yards per. While he is still not a number one waiver priority, he is worth a speculative add if you have the room and this is certainly a situation to monitor in the weeks to come.
Jacob Tamme-Tamme took over in the second quarter after Dallas Clark went down with a lower leg injury, an injury that may sideline him for the rest of the season. Those of you who remember what Tamme did last year in relief of Dallas Clark know that he is a more than capable backup who can put up TE1 numbers. However, this is obviously a different team without Manning and Tamme may be forced to block more often just as Clark was in order to protect Indy’s stable of inept quarterbacks. Tamme did manage to lead the team in receiving targets with seven in little over two quarters time though he was only able to come down with two catches for six yards. Not a guy you break the piggy bank for, but a guy I’m definitely going to keep an eye on.
Leonard Hankerson-the Redskin rookie got his first start on Sunday and ended up third in targets with 5, catching four passes for 34 yards. The Redskin offense is nothing short of stagnant but with Moss out, Hankerson will continue to start and new blood could mean big, or at least moderate, things in the future. Depending on his performance this coming Sunday, Hankerson may be a desperation deep league play when bye weeks resume next week.
Vincent Brown-with Floyd out and a pass happy Rivers at the helm, Brown came up big with four catches for 79 yards on six targets (2nd among receivers). If Floyd is out again, Brown could be a desperation play but I should note that aside from this past week, Brown has a total of two catches for 26 yards. I guess we all have to start somewhere. He’s worth keeping an eye on.
Torrey Smith-Smith was the talk of the weekend after his game-winning catch on Sunday night, atoning for a horrible drop a few plays earlier. Smith grabbed five passes for 71 yards on 9 targets (2nd on team) and Flacco threw for over 300 yards for the second straight game. While Smith is clearly the Ravens best deep threat, he will remain the third or fourth best receiving target on a run heavy team. His upside is worth an add if you have the space, but asking for consistency from Smith will be tricky in the weeks to come. He’s not a terrible play this week however against the strong run defense of the Seahawks.
Ground Control to Major Dumb Award
Chad Ochocinco-five targets, no catches, feebly running around like a lab rat in a labyrinth…priceless. Poor guy.
