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The WESTern Perspective (Week 7 Preview)
Posted 10-16-2008 at 05:57 PM by dannywest
The WESTern Perspective
October 16, 2008
Version 2.12
It was about a year ago when the first issue of the WESTern Perspective was posted on Sports Outlaw. That issue, and the one’s that followed, covered one player each week who was struggling, a guaranteed name in someone’s “who should I start” thread, and it paid off. The article was a hit and from it I gained hundreds of weekly readers, readers that have followed my postings on drafting tips to which athletes are worth a starting spot in your lineup.
For those of you that have been following these postings since the beginning you are well aware that this year I’ve changed the format, no longer do I tend to focus on one particular player or one particular situation each week, but instead I attempt to address as many questions as I can, and I feel, honestly, that this has, for the most part, been rather successful. I’m allowed to have a bit more freedom with my chosen subject and you, the reader, gets more than a piece of advice on just a single athlete.
This week, however, I would like to get back to the roots, back to how this whole thing started. This week, I want to talk about guys who have been a let down thus far, guys that you took a chance on early, guys that are either going to turn it around or you are simply going to have to part ways with. Yes, in this addition of the WESTern Perspective, I intend to bring back the fantasy woes.
Both Ryan Grant and Earnest Graham exploded last year, both started the season off as third string runners and both, through a series of injuries, wound up as starting runningbacks and proved that they had what it takes to be a legitimate starter in today’s NFL. This season, however, it has not been an easy stretch for fantasy owners of Grant or Graham. Ryan Grant has managed only 359 yards thus far and has yet to find the endzone, additionally, he’s provided no help to PPR owners as he has only hauled in two receptions. Graham, on the other hand, has managed to find the endzone 3 times and has also had 12 receptions, and though his yardage isn’t spectacular by any means, only 404 yards, it is a bit better than Grant’s. However, Graham has a valid reason for his subpar numbers, with the addition of Warrick Dunn and Tampa’s depleted roster in the fullback position, Graham has been called upon to fill another role, to be Tampa’s bulldozer that leads the way for the running game, and Graham has done this well. Good for the Bucs, not so good for fantasy owners. And, the unfortunate thing is, the former Florida Gator is excelling in his new role and I wouldn’t expect too many things to change. If your scoring system is set up where Graham is getting you a decent chunk of points, than by all means, continue to play him, but if your scoring system is seeing Graham bring in 5 or 6 points each week, don’t be surprised when this total doesn’t increase. Ryan Grant, however, still has the potential to put up big numbers. This week, Grant and the Pack take on the Colts, a defense that has always been suspect to the run. Put Grant in this week and enjoy his 100 yards and his long over due trip to the endzone.
Another favored player who has been a bit of a let down thus far is Braylon Edwards. Edwards has only caught 16 passes thus far, however his two touchdowns have made him still worthy of a starting consideration each week. The truth is, even though Edwards has struggled, and we’ve all watch the ball come in and out of his hands a countless number of times, his lack of success is perhaps a direct reflection of Derek Anderson’s struggling start. However, both of these players came alive this past week, Edwards hauled in 5 receptions for 154 yards, more than half of his season total, look for these two to continue to light it up all season long, and Edwards is, perhaps for the first time this season, a must start.
Mr. Ocho Cinco, has also gotten off to a rocky start, only having 19 receptions, 216 yards and 1 TD on the year. As for CJ’s immediate future, look for him to continue to struggle as long as Carson Palmer remains injured, and even once Palmer is healthy, the Bengals just don’t seem to have it together this year. Shop Johnson around and see if you can’t get someone who will at least keep you in the hunt.
As for the next issue of the WESTern Perspective is concerned, really, I don’t know what direction I will take, but alas, that is the beauty of fantasy football, you never do know what is going to happen.
October 16, 2008
Version 2.12
It was about a year ago when the first issue of the WESTern Perspective was posted on Sports Outlaw. That issue, and the one’s that followed, covered one player each week who was struggling, a guaranteed name in someone’s “who should I start” thread, and it paid off. The article was a hit and from it I gained hundreds of weekly readers, readers that have followed my postings on drafting tips to which athletes are worth a starting spot in your lineup.
For those of you that have been following these postings since the beginning you are well aware that this year I’ve changed the format, no longer do I tend to focus on one particular player or one particular situation each week, but instead I attempt to address as many questions as I can, and I feel, honestly, that this has, for the most part, been rather successful. I’m allowed to have a bit more freedom with my chosen subject and you, the reader, gets more than a piece of advice on just a single athlete.
This week, however, I would like to get back to the roots, back to how this whole thing started. This week, I want to talk about guys who have been a let down thus far, guys that you took a chance on early, guys that are either going to turn it around or you are simply going to have to part ways with. Yes, in this addition of the WESTern Perspective, I intend to bring back the fantasy woes.
Both Ryan Grant and Earnest Graham exploded last year, both started the season off as third string runners and both, through a series of injuries, wound up as starting runningbacks and proved that they had what it takes to be a legitimate starter in today’s NFL. This season, however, it has not been an easy stretch for fantasy owners of Grant or Graham. Ryan Grant has managed only 359 yards thus far and has yet to find the endzone, additionally, he’s provided no help to PPR owners as he has only hauled in two receptions. Graham, on the other hand, has managed to find the endzone 3 times and has also had 12 receptions, and though his yardage isn’t spectacular by any means, only 404 yards, it is a bit better than Grant’s. However, Graham has a valid reason for his subpar numbers, with the addition of Warrick Dunn and Tampa’s depleted roster in the fullback position, Graham has been called upon to fill another role, to be Tampa’s bulldozer that leads the way for the running game, and Graham has done this well. Good for the Bucs, not so good for fantasy owners. And, the unfortunate thing is, the former Florida Gator is excelling in his new role and I wouldn’t expect too many things to change. If your scoring system is set up where Graham is getting you a decent chunk of points, than by all means, continue to play him, but if your scoring system is seeing Graham bring in 5 or 6 points each week, don’t be surprised when this total doesn’t increase. Ryan Grant, however, still has the potential to put up big numbers. This week, Grant and the Pack take on the Colts, a defense that has always been suspect to the run. Put Grant in this week and enjoy his 100 yards and his long over due trip to the endzone.
Another favored player who has been a bit of a let down thus far is Braylon Edwards. Edwards has only caught 16 passes thus far, however his two touchdowns have made him still worthy of a starting consideration each week. The truth is, even though Edwards has struggled, and we’ve all watch the ball come in and out of his hands a countless number of times, his lack of success is perhaps a direct reflection of Derek Anderson’s struggling start. However, both of these players came alive this past week, Edwards hauled in 5 receptions for 154 yards, more than half of his season total, look for these two to continue to light it up all season long, and Edwards is, perhaps for the first time this season, a must start.
Mr. Ocho Cinco, has also gotten off to a rocky start, only having 19 receptions, 216 yards and 1 TD on the year. As for CJ’s immediate future, look for him to continue to struggle as long as Carson Palmer remains injured, and even once Palmer is healthy, the Bengals just don’t seem to have it together this year. Shop Johnson around and see if you can’t get someone who will at least keep you in the hunt.
As for the next issue of the WESTern Perspective is concerned, really, I don’t know what direction I will take, but alas, that is the beauty of fantasy football, you never do know what is going to happen.
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