Fantasy football, Week 8: getting the most out of your Hurricanes
This is a printable version of the segment on fantasy football for the 2005 NFL season I host on my TV show, "JockTalk" on KUAM-TV8.
This week we're doing something special to commemorate the halfway mark in this NFL season - we're taking a special look at players from the University of Miami. Great schools have scores of guys in the league - Ohio State, Michigan, Florida, USC...but no other institution of higher learning has as many players in the league than the "U".
BYE WEEKS
Keep in mind the bye week teams - the Falcons, Colts, Jets and Seahawks all have the week off, so that means no Reggie Wayne ('01), no Edgerrin James ('99) and no Vinnie Testeverde ('87). Too bad, because the first two are fantasy studs, so you'll have to resort to your bench. Vinnie gets to rest his aching Achilles' heel in preparation for the Chargers next week.
WHO SHOULD PLAY
As for who you should play, how about the guys from the national championship team of '01? Clinton Portis won it all in Larry Coker's first year in South Florida, but only has 1 rushing TD this season. Still, he's always played bigger than his 5'11", 212-lb. frame, and has the lowest center of gravity of any back in the NFL. He can bust a 150-yd game at any point, but expect him to be better in the red zone against the Giants.
Also play his fellow redskin Santana Moss (Class of 2000). He'll be in the Pro Bowl this year for his speed, and he leads the league in receiving yards and is second in TDs. He's found a home in D.C., and should have one on your roster. Also in that game, Jeremy Shockey ('01) is averaging 5 rec/game and 17 yard/rec, so he's good for points. He also gets a lot of looks with the giants revamped aerial attack, and is among the league leaders for yards after catch for tight ends. Staying with that position, another tight end to play is Bubba Franks ('00). The Pack is devastated with injuries, so play Big Bubba...he's a deeper threat than most give him credit for, good for a score.
What about '02's Ken Dorsey? Unlike most Hurricanes, he's not from the Sunshine State. The former Heisman finalist hails from California, but he's starting for the Niners against the Bucs. Alex Smith's injury might mean 2 TDs in Dorsey's 5th career start, and although he faces a good Tampa Bay secondary, the home cold of the Bay Area gives him an advantage. Jarrett Payton ('04) isn't such a bad fantasy choice for the Titans, given Chris Brown's injury and Travis Henry's suspension. Expect maybe a TD, but not big-time yardage from the the "Son of Sweetness". Lastly, 2002's Willis McGahee is a fantasy goldmine. The Bills probably won't get the win in Foxboro against the Pats in the Sunday Night game but McGahee can put up numbers - 150 YDS, 2 TDs.
WHO SHOULD SIT
OK - what about the 'Canes that you should have riding the pine? Roscoe Parrish ('04) has only played in one game this season, is is outshined by Buffalo's Eric Moulds, Lee Evans and Josh Reed. Last year Andre Johnson ('02) made the Pro Bowl, but this season he got hurt for the first time in his career and was putting up sub-par performances anyway. And Najeh Davenport ('01) is on injured reserve. And even though Kellen Winslow, Jr.'s only played 1 game in his first two seasons, but the man has skills and is a good choice to draft next year. Also something to think about - on the defensive side of the ball, Ray Lewis ('96) & Ed Reed ('01) are both hurt, so play as many Steelers as you have on your Roster - Ben Roethlisburger, Jerome Bettis, Hines Ward, Willie Parker...all can get big points for your league.
This week we're doing something special to commemorate the halfway mark in this NFL season - we're taking a special look at players from the University of Miami. Great schools have scores of guys in the league - Ohio State, Michigan, Florida, USC...but no other institution of higher learning has as many players in the league than the "U".
BYE WEEKS
Keep in mind the bye week teams - the Falcons, Colts, Jets and Seahawks all have the week off, so that means no Reggie Wayne ('01), no Edgerrin James ('99) and no Vinnie Testeverde ('87). Too bad, because the first two are fantasy studs, so you'll have to resort to your bench. Vinnie gets to rest his aching Achilles' heel in preparation for the Chargers next week.
WHO SHOULD PLAY
As for who you should play, how about the guys from the national championship team of '01? Clinton Portis won it all in Larry Coker's first year in South Florida, but only has 1 rushing TD this season. Still, he's always played bigger than his 5'11", 212-lb. frame, and has the lowest center of gravity of any back in the NFL. He can bust a 150-yd game at any point, but expect him to be better in the red zone against the Giants.
Also play his fellow redskin Santana Moss (Class of 2000). He'll be in the Pro Bowl this year for his speed, and he leads the league in receiving yards and is second in TDs. He's found a home in D.C., and should have one on your roster. Also in that game, Jeremy Shockey ('01) is averaging 5 rec/game and 17 yard/rec, so he's good for points. He also gets a lot of looks with the giants revamped aerial attack, and is among the league leaders for yards after catch for tight ends. Staying with that position, another tight end to play is Bubba Franks ('00). The Pack is devastated with injuries, so play Big Bubba...he's a deeper threat than most give him credit for, good for a score.
What about '02's Ken Dorsey? Unlike most Hurricanes, he's not from the Sunshine State. The former Heisman finalist hails from California, but he's starting for the Niners against the Bucs. Alex Smith's injury might mean 2 TDs in Dorsey's 5th career start, and although he faces a good Tampa Bay secondary, the home cold of the Bay Area gives him an advantage. Jarrett Payton ('04) isn't such a bad fantasy choice for the Titans, given Chris Brown's injury and Travis Henry's suspension. Expect maybe a TD, but not big-time yardage from the the "Son of Sweetness". Lastly, 2002's Willis McGahee is a fantasy goldmine. The Bills probably won't get the win in Foxboro against the Pats in the Sunday Night game but McGahee can put up numbers - 150 YDS, 2 TDs.
WHO SHOULD SIT
OK - what about the 'Canes that you should have riding the pine? Roscoe Parrish ('04) has only played in one game this season, is is outshined by Buffalo's Eric Moulds, Lee Evans and Josh Reed. Last year Andre Johnson ('02) made the Pro Bowl, but this season he got hurt for the first time in his career and was putting up sub-par performances anyway. And Najeh Davenport ('01) is on injured reserve. And even though Kellen Winslow, Jr.'s only played 1 game in his first two seasons, but the man has skills and is a good choice to draft next year. Also something to think about - on the defensive side of the ball, Ray Lewis ('96) & Ed Reed ('01) are both hurt, so play as many Steelers as you have on your Roster - Ben Roethlisburger, Jerome Bettis, Hines Ward, Willie Parker...all can get big points for your league.
posted by Jason Salas @ 10:04 PM
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