| A Battle For Carries in San Diego |
What to make of Ryan Matthews and Jackie Battle? Matthews didn’t start against the Chiefs and the Chargers rolled out to a big lead, making fantasy use of former chief Jackie Battle. Matthews got some grind in the fourth quarter without fumbling but this is troubling. Now the Chargers have Jackie Battle atop the depth chart. This is a nightmare for Ryan Matthews owners. He is going to have to work hard to turn this committee back into a dictatorship. I like Battle, but this seems a little punitive especially for Norv Turner, considered generally a player's coach. The Chargers don’t seem to be letting any one player gobble up air targets either with seven players catching a pass against the Chiefs. Eddie Royal led them with five as Philip Rivers went 18 for 23. TE Antonio Gates, off to a slow start went 3 for 59. Jamaal Charles and Dwayne Bowe continue to be first rate RB and WR options in Kansas City.
Adds of the Week
- Hartline Leads the NFL in Receiving Yardage
Brian Hartline, WR, Miami Dolphins - For years this guy has underwhelmed, and then WHAM! 253 yards on 12 catches against mainly William Gay and the Cardinals secondary. He's available in shallow league and is a WR2 mainly because the Dolphins will trail a lot this season; and he's already forged chemistry with rookie Ryan Tannehill, who looks to be maturing in the offense overnight. Of all players who have gained 250 yards receiving in a game, all of them has significant careers with the exception of Anthony Allen for the 1987 Redskins. The last player to break out from obscurity with a 250-yard performance? Miles Austin in 2009 against the Chiefs. Next up for Hartline, the Cincinnati Bengals secondary--start him as a WR2. The Dolphins recently signed Jabar Gaffney to presumably..uh, I'm not sure.
- Feeling Emboldened?
Brandon Bolden, RB, New England Patriots - A little less enthused on this pickup but could still figure prominently in a Patriots crowded backfield because with Bill Belichick one can never tell. The last Ole Miss running back Belichick employed significantly: BenJarvus Green-Ellis. They have a similar style, he's a grinder and may fill the void as a goalline back. But he's clearly a backup to Stevan Ridley- but things can change. I wouldn't use him as any more than a flex in the deepest of leagues. He may have upside as the Patriots haven't settled on anyone yet for defined backfield roles; or he could also be the by-product of a blowout and really awful Bills defense.
Other Gripes
What is ze blue hell is wrong with Matthew Stafford? The oh-so surprising 1-3 Detroit Lions have scored 54 points the last two week and Stafford is accountable for two of them (one rushing)? That’s not good. Last year, everything that hit paydirt for the Motor City seemingly went through Stafford. AP went for 100+ and Mikel LeShoure, after all the hype I manifested for “Grown Simba” definitely played liked “Young Simba” against the hyenas of the Minnesota Vikings run defense. 26 yards for 13 carries won’t let fantasy owners start you unequivocally. He may be a great buy-low candidate at this point.
Marshawn Lynch kept rolling through the Gateway City, going for 118 on 20 and his backup, Robert Turbin was also sighted (6 for 45). Unfortunately for the Seahawks and Sidney Rice owners, Russell Wilson is going to have some growing pains rendering Seattle wideouts mostly unusable. St. Louis found a way to win, but Steven Jackson hasn’t got going yet. Most employable Ram is still Danny Amendola, who is on pace to catch 124-1404 and 8 scores—buyer beware, he’s a WR2 right now especially when the Rams play at home. His quicks and that turf are simpatico.
All that Bilal Powell talk that I succumbed to, as well, may be way,way, too premature. Some owners were looking for more carries for the former Louisville Cardinal and he flopped—4 carries for a paltry 11 yards. The Jets look destitute right now on offense, but the 49ers are a great team committed to running the ball and stopping you from doing the same. Speaking of the running the ball, the 49ers had nine players record a carry in the 34-0 pasting. If I’m a Frank Gore owner, I’m a little wary of Kendall Hunter’s 8 for 56. Could spell trouble, or it could be Bilal Powell II. The skinny: Not a chance, Powell has a fraction of Hunter’s offensive line and track record. Gore is another sell-high candidate.
Chris Johnson finally gets off the schnide running for more yards against Houston then he had in the last 34 games total. Not really, but 25 attempt for 141 yards is really what faithful fantasy owners had in mind back in late August. Coming off a game where the offensive line played well, but the Titans still get blown out, CJ2K made sure you and I know that he is only as good as his offensive line. He didn't quite throw them under the bus, but handed out discount passes for them to check under them. All said CJ2K is another great sell-high candidate and at the same time he is a great guy to trade for. Bottom line, I have no clue what CJ2K is going to do. Does anyone? I'd love to hear it.
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