The Week That Was Football: “Don’t Panic Edition”
A plea for our readers not to panic highlights this week’s Football Week That Was.
Dez Bryant: I know that 4 catches for 55 yards is not what you expected from the Cowboys star but IT IS ONLY ONE WEEK! This guy was a first rounder for a reason. He is freakishly talented, has the heart to win, is in a contract year and has produced big numbers last the two year (a total of 185 receptions, 25 TD and over 2,600 yards). Yes, Tony Romo was awful Sunday but watch the film – it was rust and bad reads not physical. Also note that the O-line with its three first rounders looked great and protected Romo. Romo (or heaven forbid even Brandon Weeden) will get the ball to Dez often, and Dez will have a monster year. If you panic now you only have yourself to blame. If you play in a league where the Dez owner is panicked, hope he or she does not read this column and fleece the fool.
Larry Fitzgerald: See Bryant, Dez. Seriously, I know Floyd got more targets than Fitz Monday night and that John Brown will get his looks too. However, given his talent, his consistency and the fact that the injury to Ellington will force the Cards to throw, Fitz will get his 135+ targets, 80+ receptions, and 8-10 TD. I would understand the panic if he was not targeted three weeks in a row. I would understand the panic if there were signs of physical breakdown. I would understand the panic if he was injured. I just do not understand it here. [note – to those worried about the emergence of Michael Floyd, ask yourselves whether the emergence of Alshon Jefferey last year caused fantasy damage to Brandon Marshall].
Jamaal Charles: I have no idea what Andy Reid or the Chiefs were thinking last week. Maybe they were focused on the Royals pennant race or the US Open Tennis rather than the start of the NFL season. However, there is no way … NO WAY … a healthy Charles gets only 11 touches in any other game this year. Will he put up 19 TD and 1900 yards again? I highly doubt it. Will he provide first round value if he stays healthy? Yes. Simply put – the Chiefs called a remarkably foolish game Sunday. Do not make foolish calls for your fantasy team. Stay the course or pay the price.
Aaron Rodgers: The Colton and the Wolfman team never go QB early in fantasy football. We have pushed that strategy as often as anyone will listen. That said, Rodgers is a stud QB in fantasy and reality. That he did not produce in the most difficult place to play and against the most difficult defense to play means absolutely nothing. If he stays healthy, he will post monster numbers. If you own Rodgers, you should be licking your chops at what he will do to the depleted Jets secondary when they come into his house this week.
Keenan Allen: 5 catches for 37 yards is hardly what you expected when you (and team CTW) drafted Allen in the 3rd round or earlier. Do not panic! There is no way Malcolm Floyd and Antonio Gates will suddenly become the top two targets in SD. There is no way the Chargers continue to throw the ball to Eddie “let me see what happens if I let the ball hit the shoulder pads first” Royal over and over again. Allen was the man in the SD passing attack most of last year and will be again. For those of you criticizing him for dropping a tipped duck at the end of the game, lighten up. Allen is not Calvin, Dez, AJ, etc. However, he is good and the late night Monday stats do not change that. Remember, 2d year WR break out more and more. This guy was better than most as a rookie. What does that tell you about his potential?
Alshon Jefferey: I hear the talk just like you – pundits saying that Alshon posted his big numbers when McCown was tossing and that Cutler trusts Marshall and Marshall only. I say: Whatever. Yes, Marshall is Cutler’s go to guy. However, the Bears D is bad and thus they will need to throw early and often. Jefferey is a red zone monster who just goes up and gets the ball. The hamstring will heal and his 1200+ yards and 8-10 TD will be there. Oh, and 5 receptions for 71 yards, while hardly earth shattering, is still 12 points in most PPR leagues. If that is the bad week, you can certainly live with that.
Eli Manning: Eli was 18-33 with 1 TD, 2 INT and just 163 yards. Dddd …. Ddd … Ah heck, I cannot do it. I cannot tell you to stay the course. You should PANIC. The Giants looked atrocious and it seems that Eli has not learned or bought into the new system at all. He should not be (and never should have been) your QB1 even in a 16 team league. The only Giants I want to own in fantasy are Rashad Jennings who is a true RB1 and Victor Cruz because a lot of garbage time PPR stats are headed his way. Just this once, if you own Eli, feel free to Panic!