Welcome
The WESTern Perspective (Week 8 Preview)
Posted 10-24-2008 at 07:35 PM by dannywest
The WESTern Perspective
October 24, 2008
Version 2.13
It seems like a lifetime ago that I first ventured into this world of fantasy football and yet it was the goings on in that very first season that has stuck with me nine seasons later. From that first draft in which I believed every single publication sold on the game to my team’s first win, the addiction was almost immediate.
However, this group of eleven of my closest high school friends finds ourselves without one of our original members this season as our beloved brother, Sean Dolan, past away this past June, and while year in and year out we saw members come and go, the replacement in ownership of Sean’s team was almost unreal.
With the passing of Sean we’ve seen our league’s message board evolve from an adult content barrage of character to a friendly, caring way to keep in touch. Both of these work, they offer different things, of course, but the truth is friendships are a funny thing. And while I’m sure that as the pain from the loss of Sean subsides the trash talking will once again resume, but the fact of the matter is, this season, it is more important for us all to check up on each other, for truly, you never know when you will no longer have the opportunity to do so.
The point that I’m trying to make is this, the fantasy football community is a very close and caring group of individuals. For even on this site, people that I would be clueless to their identity if I were to pass them on the street have become some of my closest and most cherished friends. And while I realize that a lot of individuals come here seeking random pieces of advice and some of you are just beginning your journey of fantasy football, appreciate what this is really about, the enjoyment of sharing a passion with people all of the country, the bonding of individuals drawn together by nothing more than a solitary interest, the celebration of sportsmanship. We are the addiction, we are fantasy football.
Now, on to the good stuff, your weekly fantasy lineup advice:
While Rams’ QB Marc Bulger put on a decent showing last week versus the Dallas Cowboys with his 173 yards and a touchdown, he has really been nothing more than average this season, having only 818 yards and three touchdowns on the year. And while this week Bulger and the Rams will be facing a rather lackluster New England defense, don’t expect anything spectacular out of the Midwest star and while your instincts may tell you to start him this week what with Steven Jackson banged up once more, Bulger needs to be left out of any respectable lineup.
Meanwhile, since Tampa has once again switched back to Jeff Garcia as their starter, he has not played in a single game in which he hasn’t thrown a touchdown. Garcia is coming off of a huge victory against Seattle in which he threw for 310 yards and 6 points and is still looking to prove to Jon Gruden that he is the right man for the job. This week, as the Bucs face off against the sliding Cowboys, Garcia’s task will be a bit more difficult, however, look for this QB to continue making smart decisions in the pocket and great plays while on the run. Garcia is a winner and should definitely warrant a starting position on your roster.
Last week I spoke of Ryan Grant still possessing the ability to have another brilliant season and against the Colts defense, Grant stepped up. Last week he went for 105 yards, 1 touchdown and hauled in two receptions for another 12 yards resulting in, for most of your standard PPR leagues, 13 fantasy points, something loyal owners have needed from the Packer’s RB all season. This week Grant nor the Pack will see the field, however, you can take last week’s showing as a sign of things to come and leave him in your starting lineup from here on out.
While it is rare to see a bigger named athlete in this blog, I do, for just a moment at least, want to speak of Marques Colston. Last week owners were elated as their star receiver was activated however after a big goose egg in their final scores many may feel a little torn about plugging in the second year receiver for this week. However, Colston owners would be foolish to leave him out this week as the Saints are facing the Chargers in a game in which New Orleans must win to stay in pace in the NFC South. Look for Brees to look Colston’s way often and be prepared to reap the benefits, ladies and gentleman, this time, your star receiver is really back.
In the preseason I published a series of articles of often overlooked athletes in all fantasy positions (and yes, I even included the kickers), one particular name that I threw out there, and then went on to draft into my own teams several times over, is Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe. Shiancoe has become one of the year’s most productive tight ends having already hauled in 17 receptions for 223 yards and 3 touchdowns. And while Shiancoe certainly won’t be any help to you this week, look for owners in bye week trouble and see if you can’t get a steal on the Viking now, for as your fantasy team and the Vikings both look to make that playoff push, Shiancoe could wind up being a very big part of the picture.
There has been a few issues published months ago in which I stated that it was far too early in the season to be in a panic mode after dropping a game or two, however, with week eight’s games a blink away, it is now time to start considering the risks that you may have to take to make that bold playoff charge. Look for the WESTern Perspective to help get you there, and once there, to help you win.
Check back next week for a preview of things to come in week 9.
*I would like to dedicate this blog to the memory of my friend Sean Thomas Dolan. You are missed and shall never be forgotten; I’m sorry it took me so long to say that.*
October 24, 2008
Version 2.13
It seems like a lifetime ago that I first ventured into this world of fantasy football and yet it was the goings on in that very first season that has stuck with me nine seasons later. From that first draft in which I believed every single publication sold on the game to my team’s first win, the addiction was almost immediate.
However, this group of eleven of my closest high school friends finds ourselves without one of our original members this season as our beloved brother, Sean Dolan, past away this past June, and while year in and year out we saw members come and go, the replacement in ownership of Sean’s team was almost unreal.
With the passing of Sean we’ve seen our league’s message board evolve from an adult content barrage of character to a friendly, caring way to keep in touch. Both of these work, they offer different things, of course, but the truth is friendships are a funny thing. And while I’m sure that as the pain from the loss of Sean subsides the trash talking will once again resume, but the fact of the matter is, this season, it is more important for us all to check up on each other, for truly, you never know when you will no longer have the opportunity to do so.
The point that I’m trying to make is this, the fantasy football community is a very close and caring group of individuals. For even on this site, people that I would be clueless to their identity if I were to pass them on the street have become some of my closest and most cherished friends. And while I realize that a lot of individuals come here seeking random pieces of advice and some of you are just beginning your journey of fantasy football, appreciate what this is really about, the enjoyment of sharing a passion with people all of the country, the bonding of individuals drawn together by nothing more than a solitary interest, the celebration of sportsmanship. We are the addiction, we are fantasy football.
Now, on to the good stuff, your weekly fantasy lineup advice:
While Rams’ QB Marc Bulger put on a decent showing last week versus the Dallas Cowboys with his 173 yards and a touchdown, he has really been nothing more than average this season, having only 818 yards and three touchdowns on the year. And while this week Bulger and the Rams will be facing a rather lackluster New England defense, don’t expect anything spectacular out of the Midwest star and while your instincts may tell you to start him this week what with Steven Jackson banged up once more, Bulger needs to be left out of any respectable lineup.
Meanwhile, since Tampa has once again switched back to Jeff Garcia as their starter, he has not played in a single game in which he hasn’t thrown a touchdown. Garcia is coming off of a huge victory against Seattle in which he threw for 310 yards and 6 points and is still looking to prove to Jon Gruden that he is the right man for the job. This week, as the Bucs face off against the sliding Cowboys, Garcia’s task will be a bit more difficult, however, look for this QB to continue making smart decisions in the pocket and great plays while on the run. Garcia is a winner and should definitely warrant a starting position on your roster.
Last week I spoke of Ryan Grant still possessing the ability to have another brilliant season and against the Colts defense, Grant stepped up. Last week he went for 105 yards, 1 touchdown and hauled in two receptions for another 12 yards resulting in, for most of your standard PPR leagues, 13 fantasy points, something loyal owners have needed from the Packer’s RB all season. This week Grant nor the Pack will see the field, however, you can take last week’s showing as a sign of things to come and leave him in your starting lineup from here on out.
While it is rare to see a bigger named athlete in this blog, I do, for just a moment at least, want to speak of Marques Colston. Last week owners were elated as their star receiver was activated however after a big goose egg in their final scores many may feel a little torn about plugging in the second year receiver for this week. However, Colston owners would be foolish to leave him out this week as the Saints are facing the Chargers in a game in which New Orleans must win to stay in pace in the NFC South. Look for Brees to look Colston’s way often and be prepared to reap the benefits, ladies and gentleman, this time, your star receiver is really back.
In the preseason I published a series of articles of often overlooked athletes in all fantasy positions (and yes, I even included the kickers), one particular name that I threw out there, and then went on to draft into my own teams several times over, is Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe. Shiancoe has become one of the year’s most productive tight ends having already hauled in 17 receptions for 223 yards and 3 touchdowns. And while Shiancoe certainly won’t be any help to you this week, look for owners in bye week trouble and see if you can’t get a steal on the Viking now, for as your fantasy team and the Vikings both look to make that playoff push, Shiancoe could wind up being a very big part of the picture.
There has been a few issues published months ago in which I stated that it was far too early in the season to be in a panic mode after dropping a game or two, however, with week eight’s games a blink away, it is now time to start considering the risks that you may have to take to make that bold playoff charge. Look for the WESTern Perspective to help get you there, and once there, to help you win.
Check back next week for a preview of things to come in week 9.
*I would like to dedicate this blog to the memory of my friend Sean Thomas Dolan. You are missed and shall never be forgotten; I’m sorry it took me so long to say that.*
Total Comments 0
