Welcome
Sports Outlaw's Scott Henkel brings you a weekly look at the fantasy football stock exchange known as Ballin' or Fallin'.
Scott evaluates quarterbacks, runningbacks, wide receivers, tight ends, and defenses from across the NFL and lets you know if the player or team is on the rise or falling. If a player or team is Ballin' their stock is on the rise. If a player or team is Fallin' they are losing stock.
Are your players on his list? Find out each week in Ballin' or Fallin'!
Ballin' or Fallin' - Week 4
Posted 09-22-2008 at 05:37 PM by The Ram
Welcome to Sports Outlaw's Fantasy Football stock exchange known as Ballin' or Fallin'.
Simple concept: If a player is Ballin' he's making defenders cry and is someone whose stock is on the rise. If a player is Fallin', he's not living up to the hype.
We'll take a weekly look at the players that matter in the realm of fantasy football.
Ballin'
Quarterbacks
Chad Pennington – The Fins get a win at Gillette stadium only through Pennington’s laser accuracy and good decision making. Solid QB2
Brian Griese– 67 passes against the Bears? He seems firm in a starting role and now should be considered a situational play or a bye week fill in.
Drew Brees – The inconsistency that’s plauged his career seems to be dwindling. Solid to elite QB1 depending on matchups.
Trent Edwards – Another good game and a comeback win shows he has the stuff Bill Walsh gushed about years ago. Solid bye week QB2.
Brady Quinn – The wheels seem to be coming off Derek Anderson’s fun bus. Look for a change soon as coaches will be increasing his practice reps this week. Quinn is more than capable and will be a solid start with the weapons at his disposal.
Runningbacks
Marion Barber III – John Madden’s new mancrush is a complete back in an elite offensive unit. Elite RB1
Maurice Jones-Drew – Mighty Mouse racked up huge yardage against a once decent defense. This performance may be a sign the Jag runningame is getting its stuff together. Solid RB2.
Frank Gore – He faced a terrible rush defense but filled the role of Martz’s feature back well. Solid RB1 and a must start despite matchups due to his hands.
Felix Jones – After watching football for so long the times are now few and far between when I say outloud, “Wow.” I had one of those times watching Jones break a long one Sunday night. The guy is a gamebreaker and a solid RB2 or Flex play.
Ronnie Brown – It takes a while to get back into playing form after a knee injury and it appears he is almost there. Don’t expect the Fins to use the direct snap as much but his performance demands an upgrade. Solid RB2 and border RB1
Reggie Bush – His dual threat ability and improved running game makes him an almost must start. Solid RB2 with RB1 upside in PPR leagues.
Matt Forte – His added ability to catch the ball and his proven running skills are driving his stock up. Solid RB2.
Wide Receivers
Brandon Marshall – Let’s just stay it; The man is a freak. Elite WR1.
T.J Houshmandzadeh – Welcome back T.J! It was only a matter of time. He should remain in your lineup and is back to a solid WR2.
Greg Jennings – Jennings is obviously the #1 target in Green Bay. Solid WR1.
Antonio Bryant – Finnaly had the breakout game owners were waiting for but he was likely on your bench. He should be considered a WR3 with WR2 potential.
Brandon Lloyd – Another solid game. He should be picked up in most leagues and is now a decent flex or WR3 option.
Steve Smith – His stock is rising only because he’s now off his team enforced two game timeout. Solid WR1.
Santana Moss – Another game, another touchdown. Solid WR1.
Tight End
Chris Cooley – Maybe he should post picks of his package on-line every week? Solid start at TE1
Anthony Fasano – A great game against a great defense. Borderline TE1.
Defenses
Philadelphia – They blitzed their way into a win against Pittsburgh and as my wife put it, “Gave them (Steelers) a taste of their own medicine.” If they can keep that pressure up they will be evil.
Baltimore – Showing the kind of toughness that makes them a part of the Black & Blue Division. If the offense can manage the game better the Ravens defense will get better.
New York – They seem to have an unlimited supply of pass rushers. Good defense on the rise.
Fallin'
Quarterbacks
Matt Cassel – He isn’t the answer. If there isn’t a change soon there will be some changes made on offense that doesn’t bode well for any Patriot player.
Matt Shaub – He’s been getting shelled lately and his coach has come out to say he’s going to bench the highly paid free agent if he struggles. I would look to acquire Sage Rosenfels if I owned Shaub.
Derek Anderson – Not doing well and throwing 3 picks happens to every quarterback. Not every quarterback follows up said performance openly wondering about his job. Derek, meet self fulfilling prophecy.
Ben Roethlisburger – The Eagles figured out how to get pressure on Ben all game long and despite the close score dominated the Steelers on both ends of the ball. If other teams figure out how to replicate the Eagles’ attack Ben’s value could dip. Still a QB1 but monitor his next few games.
Runningbacks
Jamal Lewis – Granted he was running against one of the better run defenses but that places him in a situational start category as a RB2 or flex play.
DeAngelo Williams – Another week he’s failed to perform for a team that desperately needs to establish a running game. He falls to a flex or weak RB3.
Willie Parker – He couldn’t get it going against a team that has been average against the run. Willie is still a RB1 but a better situational RB1.
Ryan Grant – Brandon Jackson looked like a better back Sunday night. It appears to be a RBBC in Green Bay so adjust Grant to a RB2.
Earnest Graham - The Bucs/Bears game turned into a shootout but Graham was unable to get a running game going before it turned into an Arena game. RB2 at best.
Wide Receivers
Randy Moss – OK now it’s time to worry if you’re a Moss owner. The Pats quarterback situation is now as bad as the one he had in Oakland and it is possible he faces that kind of season after setting a record. Still keep him at a WR1 but don’t stay married to him this season if the qb situation continues its downward spiral.
Plaxico Burress – He should have torched the Bengal secondary. Still a WR1 but may slip into a situational WR1 or solid WR2 if inconsistencies like this persist.
Santonio Holmes – He’s been up and down so far this season with more time spent on down. He’s a situational WR2 at best.
Andre Johnson – Poor quarterback play has something to do with it but more has to do with the two uncharacteristic drops. Something is wrong in the Texan passing game and AJ should be downgraded to a situational WR1 and strong WR2.
Bryant Johnson – If not for his one catch we wouldn’t have known he played against the Lions. This game was targeted for him to have solid numbers and he was the forgotten man. No longer a WR that should be in your lineup.
Tight End
Todd Heap – The passing game isn’t good and Heap seems to be succumbing to a career of injuries. He’s a back-up TE at best and can be dropped in most leagues.
Randy McMichael - He had the chance to play well against the Seahawks but wasn’t targeted. When Billy McMullen outplays your guy it is time to look elsewhere for TE production.
Defenses
Pittsburgh – Kept the score low but the Eagles were able to move the ball at will. Other teams will evaluate the film and exploit the weaknesses found Sunday.
Tampa – If not for scoring TD’s on consecutive weeks this team would be near the bottom of the list. Owners might look elsewhere after the Bucs had a shootout through the air against the Bears.
If you’ve read this far you’re looking for all the pieces of information and perspective that will push you over the top in your league. This article is only part of that total picture here at SO. To get the rest of the story you must check out Jeremy Miller’s Waiver Wire picks. If you see a familiar name from this blog that is your cue to head straight to your league waiver wire.
If there is someone we missed tell us about it in the comments section below.
Like the stock market the fantasy football value market will fluctuate so make sure you are in the know by subscribing to this blog. Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you in the forums!
Scott Henkel
"The Ram"
Simple concept: If a player is Ballin' he's making defenders cry and is someone whose stock is on the rise. If a player is Fallin', he's not living up to the hype.
We'll take a weekly look at the players that matter in the realm of fantasy football.
Ballin'
Quarterbacks
Chad Pennington – The Fins get a win at Gillette stadium only through Pennington’s laser accuracy and good decision making. Solid QB2
Brian Griese– 67 passes against the Bears? He seems firm in a starting role and now should be considered a situational play or a bye week fill in.
Drew Brees – The inconsistency that’s plauged his career seems to be dwindling. Solid to elite QB1 depending on matchups.
Trent Edwards – Another good game and a comeback win shows he has the stuff Bill Walsh gushed about years ago. Solid bye week QB2.
Brady Quinn – The wheels seem to be coming off Derek Anderson’s fun bus. Look for a change soon as coaches will be increasing his practice reps this week. Quinn is more than capable and will be a solid start with the weapons at his disposal.
Runningbacks
Marion Barber III – John Madden’s new mancrush is a complete back in an elite offensive unit. Elite RB1
Maurice Jones-Drew – Mighty Mouse racked up huge yardage against a once decent defense. This performance may be a sign the Jag runningame is getting its stuff together. Solid RB2.
Frank Gore – He faced a terrible rush defense but filled the role of Martz’s feature back well. Solid RB1 and a must start despite matchups due to his hands.
Felix Jones – After watching football for so long the times are now few and far between when I say outloud, “Wow.” I had one of those times watching Jones break a long one Sunday night. The guy is a gamebreaker and a solid RB2 or Flex play.
Ronnie Brown – It takes a while to get back into playing form after a knee injury and it appears he is almost there. Don’t expect the Fins to use the direct snap as much but his performance demands an upgrade. Solid RB2 and border RB1
Reggie Bush – His dual threat ability and improved running game makes him an almost must start. Solid RB2 with RB1 upside in PPR leagues.
Matt Forte – His added ability to catch the ball and his proven running skills are driving his stock up. Solid RB2.
Wide Receivers
Brandon Marshall – Let’s just stay it; The man is a freak. Elite WR1.
T.J Houshmandzadeh – Welcome back T.J! It was only a matter of time. He should remain in your lineup and is back to a solid WR2.
Greg Jennings – Jennings is obviously the #1 target in Green Bay. Solid WR1.
Antonio Bryant – Finnaly had the breakout game owners were waiting for but he was likely on your bench. He should be considered a WR3 with WR2 potential.
Brandon Lloyd – Another solid game. He should be picked up in most leagues and is now a decent flex or WR3 option.
Steve Smith – His stock is rising only because he’s now off his team enforced two game timeout. Solid WR1.
Santana Moss – Another game, another touchdown. Solid WR1.
Tight End
Chris Cooley – Maybe he should post picks of his package on-line every week? Solid start at TE1
Anthony Fasano – A great game against a great defense. Borderline TE1.
Defenses
Philadelphia – They blitzed their way into a win against Pittsburgh and as my wife put it, “Gave them (Steelers) a taste of their own medicine.” If they can keep that pressure up they will be evil.
Baltimore – Showing the kind of toughness that makes them a part of the Black & Blue Division. If the offense can manage the game better the Ravens defense will get better.
New York – They seem to have an unlimited supply of pass rushers. Good defense on the rise.
Fallin'
Quarterbacks
Matt Cassel – He isn’t the answer. If there isn’t a change soon there will be some changes made on offense that doesn’t bode well for any Patriot player.
Matt Shaub – He’s been getting shelled lately and his coach has come out to say he’s going to bench the highly paid free agent if he struggles. I would look to acquire Sage Rosenfels if I owned Shaub.
Derek Anderson – Not doing well and throwing 3 picks happens to every quarterback. Not every quarterback follows up said performance openly wondering about his job. Derek, meet self fulfilling prophecy.
Ben Roethlisburger – The Eagles figured out how to get pressure on Ben all game long and despite the close score dominated the Steelers on both ends of the ball. If other teams figure out how to replicate the Eagles’ attack Ben’s value could dip. Still a QB1 but monitor his next few games.
Runningbacks
Jamal Lewis – Granted he was running against one of the better run defenses but that places him in a situational start category as a RB2 or flex play.
DeAngelo Williams – Another week he’s failed to perform for a team that desperately needs to establish a running game. He falls to a flex or weak RB3.
Willie Parker – He couldn’t get it going against a team that has been average against the run. Willie is still a RB1 but a better situational RB1.
Ryan Grant – Brandon Jackson looked like a better back Sunday night. It appears to be a RBBC in Green Bay so adjust Grant to a RB2.
Earnest Graham - The Bucs/Bears game turned into a shootout but Graham was unable to get a running game going before it turned into an Arena game. RB2 at best.
Wide Receivers
Randy Moss – OK now it’s time to worry if you’re a Moss owner. The Pats quarterback situation is now as bad as the one he had in Oakland and it is possible he faces that kind of season after setting a record. Still keep him at a WR1 but don’t stay married to him this season if the qb situation continues its downward spiral.
Plaxico Burress – He should have torched the Bengal secondary. Still a WR1 but may slip into a situational WR1 or solid WR2 if inconsistencies like this persist.
Santonio Holmes – He’s been up and down so far this season with more time spent on down. He’s a situational WR2 at best.
Andre Johnson – Poor quarterback play has something to do with it but more has to do with the two uncharacteristic drops. Something is wrong in the Texan passing game and AJ should be downgraded to a situational WR1 and strong WR2.
Bryant Johnson – If not for his one catch we wouldn’t have known he played against the Lions. This game was targeted for him to have solid numbers and he was the forgotten man. No longer a WR that should be in your lineup.
Tight End
Todd Heap – The passing game isn’t good and Heap seems to be succumbing to a career of injuries. He’s a back-up TE at best and can be dropped in most leagues.
Randy McMichael - He had the chance to play well against the Seahawks but wasn’t targeted. When Billy McMullen outplays your guy it is time to look elsewhere for TE production.
Defenses
Pittsburgh – Kept the score low but the Eagles were able to move the ball at will. Other teams will evaluate the film and exploit the weaknesses found Sunday.
Tampa – If not for scoring TD’s on consecutive weeks this team would be near the bottom of the list. Owners might look elsewhere after the Bucs had a shootout through the air against the Bears.
If you’ve read this far you’re looking for all the pieces of information and perspective that will push you over the top in your league. This article is only part of that total picture here at SO. To get the rest of the story you must check out Jeremy Miller’s Waiver Wire picks. If you see a familiar name from this blog that is your cue to head straight to your league waiver wire.
If there is someone we missed tell us about it in the comments section below.
Like the stock market the fantasy football value market will fluctuate so make sure you are in the know by subscribing to this blog. Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you in the forums!
Scott Henkel
"The Ram"
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