Quick Thoughts

Week 5 is coming! Time to get your head in the game!

As we get ready to head into the NFL’s Week 5, I realize that in the realm of fantasy football, the regular season is almost halfway over.  In most leagues, the trade deadline comes around Week 8 or 9 and the playoffs start sometime around Week 11 or 12.  Flies by fast, doesn’t it? Yeah, yeah.  I know.  I wish it was longer too, but at some point, you know some fantasy big shot cruised through his fantasy league’s regular season only to watch his studs sit on the bench for the final 2 weeks of the NFL’s regular season.  The result, obviously, is a super short year.  Gimme a 6 month long fantasy baseball season any day.  But that’s a debate for another day.  I digress.  Let’s get back to business.  I’m going to hit you with a few of my opinions about what’s been going on and what to maybe expect in the coming weeks as you, hopefully, make your way to the playoffs…

Getting ready to turn it up!

First order of business here is LaDanian Tomlinson.  In two leagues already, I’ve watched him get traded by panic-stricken owners and in both cases, neither owner got full value.  Now I’m not going to sit and quote his numbers here.  It’s just not necessary.  He’s phenomenal.  Best running back out there and has been for years.  Remember when all the ”experts” were picking Larry Johnson and Shaun Alexander ahead of him in drafts?  Idiots.  Now while I’ve owned LaDanian (we’re on a first name basis) every year since his rookie year, I’m smart enough to know that I have to look at him objectively with respect to the fantasy game.  This is business, not personal.  Is LaDanian the best fantasy back out there right now?  No.  Will he be at the end?  Maybe not.  But what I do know is that he’ll still finish the year in the top 5 and anyone that panicked and traded him away will, not only regret that day of stupidity, but probably miss their playoffs as well.  Listen, is he on the decline?  Of course he is.  He peaked in 2006.  Anyone who expected a plateau after that year obviously doesn’t know anything about football.  But even in his ascension last year he finished the season as the league’s rushing leader.  Will he do that again?  I don’t know.  Maybe.  Hopefully.  This nagging toe thing has been a problem, but he’s off the practice/injury report which is a very very good sign.  But the bottom line is this (I suddenly remembered the title of this entry was ‘Quick Thoughts’)he’s the number one, go to guy for one of the most potent offenses in the NFL.  He’s got 4 TDs in his last 2 games and will only get better as his health improves.  Of course, hold Darren Sproles for insurance — you should be doing that with any RB — but don’t sweat the first two weeks of the season.  If you want to shop him around, then do so, but don’t go jumping on some of these crappy offers like I’ve been getting.  He should, at the very least, fetch you a number one WR with either a decent RB or top tier QB.  But for me…I’m standing pat.  He’s going to win me quite a few games coming up, including my championship.

Let’s clear up this rookie running back situation here by tiering them for you…

Must Have:  Matt Forte, Chris Johnson, Darren McFadden, Steve Slaton

Use, but not all the time:  Jonathan Stewart, LeRon McClaine, Felix Jones, Tim Hightower (TD leagues only)

Warming your bench:  Kevin Smith, Tim Hightower (regular leagues), Ray Rice, Jamaal Charles

Drop:  Rashard Mendenhall

Clear as mud?  Good.

Speaking of running backs, this Pittsburgh situation is a rough one.  Willie Parker is definitely out for Week 5.  He should be back after the bye, ready to go for Week 7.  We’ll know more on that in the coming weeks.  As of right now, Mewelde Moore is supposed to be getting the bulk of the carries, but since he was stuffed on his goal line attempts last Monday, the team ran out and picked Najeh Davenport back up.  Supposedly, he looks to be in good shape and could very well be active this week.  Also, word is that Carey Davis is doing better with his sprained ankle and the team signed Gary Russell off their practice squad.  Bottom line…start Moore if you’re totally desperate, but I would look elsewhere.  He probably won’t even break the double digit fantasy point barrier this week against the Jags.

Another first round bust?

This Brian Westbrook injury could be sticking it to his fantasy owners much like little Tommy Brady going down for the year.  The team is being vague, Westbrook’s brother (on the Skins practice squad) says it’s more serious than discussed, and we’re in danger of losing him again for Week 5.  Keep him on the bench and don’t do anything stupid like trade him just yet.  His bye is Week 7, so if he’s out now, he could come back for your stretch run and playoff push.  But brace yourself for the worst.

Is Devery Henderson that much of a loser that when Marques Colston goes down he can’t step up and be a number one?  Lance Moore and Robert Meachem are the one’s to have since they can apparently do more than come inches away from scoring an 82 yard TD on the only ball thrown to him in a game against the Niners.

I believe in Miles Austin and Domenick Hixon this week.

I believe in the Bills.

I believe the Giants D will have its hands full now that Matt Hasselbeck has both Deion Branch and Bobby Engram back.

I believe Andre Johnson will turn things around.

I believe the Patriots will continue to suck with old, slow linebackers and Matt Cassell at the helm.

I believe the Bengals are doomed this year.

I believe that Roy Williams and Megatron can co-exist.

I believe I will win all of my fantasy games this week.

Got any lineup questions?  You can put them in the comments section or just email me at howard.rotobuzz@yahoo.com.

Good luck this week!!