All in Sports - Fantasy Advice and Rankings Week 11

Man, maybe I should have posted early this week to beat every other site to the punch. The reason why? I was going to talk about Maurice Jones-Drew this week and the kneel-down. You know, the one that probably cost people some games - the one that brought back the nightmares and pain from Westbrook doing the same years back. Yeah, that one.

Since it’s been covered everywhere and by everyone, I will only comment briefly. I respect his following the coach’s orders – we need more people to listen to leadership these days. Still, it was a dumb call – you take the points every time – especially when you are losing. And lastly, I love how he apologized to his fantasy owners because he owns himself in a league (even lost by 5 points as a result). I wonder if he had an internal debate (or an angel and devil pop on his shoulders) about whether to score once inside the 5-yard line.

In any case, what a horrible week for injuries! Top rushers around the league fell like flies and have people scrambling and worrying late in the fantasy season. That said, it brings up a good point: work the waiver wire every week. Every! Single! Week!

You don’t want to be the one who has to trade for your handcuff you should have on your roster already. You also don’t want to be the one forced to play the likes of Mike Bell hoping he gets a touchdown to save your tail.

Working the waiver wire is essential to winning a championship. Every year I have grabbed at least one, if not multiple, players off the wire who ended up top 20-25 studs. How many people had Miles Austin, Mike Sims-Walker, Ladell Betts, or Justin Forsett on their roster to start the year? I’m guessing none unless you are in a 16-team, deep-roster league. Point is, grab your handcuffs (should go without saying), and stash those potential breakout players. It will get you that much closer to winning your league.

Quick Note: changing up my player highlight section a bit – so good or bad, feel free to let me know

Week 10

All In (player(s) who you should put your chips on)

There is a myriad of running backs this week that can help make a difference the rest of the year. Hopefully, some of these are still available. McCoy, Snelling, Forsett, Betts and Bernard Scott all should go without saying - as they are injury replacements (some for the rest of the year).

For this week, I expect Pierre Thomas to bounce back from last week’s stinker against the Rams of all teams. I wonder if he was as mad as his owners watching Reggie Bush get a goal-line carry for a TD? Tampa Bay’s defense is awful, and he has a pretty nice schedule the rest of the way. Grab him from a worrisome owner if you can.

I mentioned Calvin Johnson last week, and I expect an even bigger week against Cleveland. I also was right on Steve Smith having a big day, although, it would not have been if not for the two TDs. He is no longer the Smith of old. He is a risk play each and every week, that is a fact.

In case you didn’t know, take a guess who the leading WR is in the NFC? Sidney Rice (another player most didn’t have rostered to start the year). He is flying under the radar still, and he proves that Favre can turn average WRs with deep play-ability into stars. He’s 12th this week in case you are wondering.

Muck ‘em (players who won’t help us anymore, throw them back)

I have some more QBs to move on from (after last week’s mention of Jason Campbell). Matt Ryan is officially stuck in a sophomore slump, and there is no reason for it with another year passing to Roddy White plus adding in Tony Gonzalez. I’m not saying he can’t have a big week here or there, but as your weekly QB, forget it. At this point in the season, you should have a more reliable source for your QB play.

If you haven’t let go of Eddie Royal and Lance Moore yet, it’s time to move on, seriously. They are simply not going to repeat last year’s performances, and Moore is questionable from here on out health wise. Some other guys I want no part of (but feel free to risk your outcome on): Dallas’ backfield outside of MB3, Oakland backfield, Tampa Bay’s, and any RB in Baltimore not named after a food. (Did you catch a theme there?)

Week 11

Top Pair (player(s) who guarantee a good week)

Aforementioned Pierre Thomas and Brandon Jacobs

I already ran through why I think Pierre is a good play. As for Jacobs, the Giants are coming off a bye. They are reeling from a 4-game losing streak. They NEED to get back to what made them a great team – running the ball down people’s throats. That starts with Jacobs (and ends with Bradshaw once the defense is beat up). Last week was supposed to be a must win, if it was, this week has to be more than that…a “win or I’ll kick a puppy” game maybe? In any case, this game is the turning point of the season and at home, Jacobs should see the rock a ton.

Gut Shot (player who will surprise you with a good week)

Jamaal Charles

I expected a good week out of him despite Haley’s “leak” that Kolby Smith would be the guy. He exceeded even my expectations, and I expect him to exceed other’s this week. Will he top 100 yards again? I don’t expect that against the Steelers. However, he looks like the RB choice and is a quality pass catcher out of the backfield. I’d rather play him over backups or most time-share backs even against Pittsburgh.

The Turn (player is going to come back around, so buy in now)

Kevin Walter

Everyone was predicting big things with Schaub emerging as one of the big game passers in the league. He hasn’t come close to those expectations, but with Owen Daniels out for the year and a bye week to get more in sync with Schaub, I think he can take a good step forward finally in ’09.

The Flop (player who will let you down)

Joe Flacco

Like Matt Ryan, he is mired in a slump (ever since his bye week). He will be facing Indianapolis who has an underrated defense since all of the focus is on Peyton and the offense. Also like Ryan, I’d move on our try to find a better solution from here on out if he is your QB choice. Maybe starting straight out of college means your second year will be worse these days? “Uh oh” for Matthew Stafford in 2010 if that’s true!

Rankings

Rank - QB - Team (Opp)

1 - Drew Brees - NO ( @TB)

2 - Peyton Manning - IND ( @Bal)

3 - Tom Brady - NE ( NYJ)

4 - Kurt Warner - ARI ( @StL)

5 - Matt Schaub - HOU ( Ten)

6 - Ben Roethlisberger - PIT ( @KC)

7 - Aaron Rodgers - GB ( SF)

8 - Brett Favre - MIN ( Sea)

9 - Philip Rivers - SD ( @Den)

10 - Donovan McNabb - PHI ( @Chi)

11 - Tony Romo - DAL ( Was)

12 - Jay Cutler - CHI ( Phi)

13 - Matt Hasselbeck - SEA ( @Min)

14 - Carson Palmer - CIN ( @Oak)

15 - Eli Manning - NYG ( Atl)

16 - Matt Ryan - ATL ( @NYG)

17 - Joe Flacco - BAL ( Ind)

18 - David Garrard - JAC ( Buf)

19 - Vince Young - TEN ( @Hou)

20 - Kyle Orton - DEN ( SD)

21 - Alex Smith - SF ( @GB)

22 - Matthew Stafford - DET ( Cle)

23 - Marc Bulger - STL ( Ari)

24 - Jason Campbell - WAS ( @Dal)

25 - Jake Delhomme - CAR ( Mia)

Rank - RB - Team (Opp)

1 - Maurice Jones-Drew - JAC ( Buf)

2 - Chris Johnson - TEN ( @Hou)

3 - Adrian Peterson - MIN ( Sea)

4 - Ray Rice - BAL ( Ind)

5 - Steven Jackson - STL ( Ari)

6 - Ricky Williams - MIA ( @Car)

7 - Rashard Mendenhall - PIT ( @KC)

8 - DeAngelo Williams - CAR ( Mia)

9 - Frank Gore - SF ( @GB)

10 - Pierre Thomas - NO ( @TB)

11 - Matt Forte - CHI ( Phi)

12 - Thomas Jones - NYJ ( @NE)

13 - Kevin Smith - DET ( Cle)

14 - LaDainian Tomlinson - SD ( @Den)

15 - Brandon Jacobs - NYG ( Atl)

16 - Ryan Grant - GB ( SF)

17 - LeSean McCoy - PHI ( @Chi)

18 - Joseph Addai - IND ( @Bal)

19 - Knowshon Moreno - DEN ( SD)

20 - Beanie Wells - ARI ( @StL)

21 - Marion Barber - DAL ( Was)

22 - Tim Hightower - ARI ( @StL)

23 - Cedric Benson - CIN ( @Oak)

24 - Ladell Betts - WAS ( @Dal)

25 - Marshawn Lynch - BUF ( @Jac)

26 - Jason Snelling - ATL ( @NYG)

27 - Jonathan Stewart - CAR ( Mia)

28 - Cadillac Williams - TB ( NO)

29 - Reggie Bush - NO ( @TB)

30 - Justin Forsett - SEA ( @Min)

31 - Jamaal Charles - KC ( Pit)

32 - Ahmad Bradshaw - NYG ( Atl)

33 - Bernard Scott - CIN ( @Oak)

34 - Steve Slaton - HOU ( Ten)

35 - Ryan Moats - HOU ( Ten)

36 - Jamal Lewis - CLE ( @Det)

37 - Laurence Maroney - NE ( NYJ)

38 - Fred Jackson - BUF ( @Jac)

39 - Darren Sproles - SD ( @Den)

40 - Donald Brown - IND ( @Bal)

41 - Mike Bell - NO ( @TB)

42 - Michael Bush - OAK ( Cin)

43 - Correll Buckhalter - DEN ( SD)

44 - Justin Fargas - OAK ( Cin)

45 - Felix Jones - DAL ( Was)

Rank - WR - Team (Opp)

1 - Andre Johnson - HOU ( Ten)

2 - Larry Fitzgerald - ARI ( @StL)

3 - Reggie Wayne - IND ( @Bal)

4 - Vincent Jackson - SD ( @Den)

5 - Marques Colston - NO ( @TB)

6 - Randy Moss - NE ( NYJ)

7 - DeSean Jackson - PHI ( @Chi)

8 - Calvin Johnson - DET ( Cle)

9 - Wes Welker - NE ( NYJ)

10 - Roddy White - ATL ( @NYG)

11 - Chad Ochocinco - CIN ( @Oak)

12 - Sidney Rice - MIN ( Sea)

13 - Brandon Marshall - DEN ( SD)

14 - Miles Austin - DAL ( Was)

15 - Steve Smith - CAR ( Mia)

16 - Mike Sims-Walker - JAC ( Buf)

17 - Donald Driver - GB ( SF)

18 - Hines Ward - PIT ( @KC)

19 - Anquan Boldin - ARI ( @StL)

20 - Steve Smith - NYG ( Atl)

21 - T.J. Houshmandzadeh - SEA ( @Min)

22 - Greg Jennings - GB ( SF)

23 - Derrick Mason - BAL ( Ind)

24 - Devin Hester - CHI ( Phi)

25 - Santonio Holmes - PIT ( @KC)

26 - Nate Burleson - SEA ( @Min)

27 - Jerricho Cotchery - NYJ ( @NE)

28 - Steve Breaston - ARI ( @StL)

29 - Lee Evans - BUF ( @Jac)

30 - Braylon Edwards - NYJ ( @NE)

31 - Percy Harvin - MIN ( Sea)

32 - Kevin Walter - HOU ( Ten)

33 - Roy Williams - DAL ( Was)

34 - Mario Manningham - NYG ( Atl)

35 - Pierre Garcon - IND ( @Bal)

36 - Jeremy Maclin - PHI ( @Chi)

37 - Michael Crabtree - SF ( @GB)

38 - Austin Collie - IND ( @Bal)

39 - Hakeem Nicks - NYG ( Atl)

40 - Santana Moss - WAS ( @Dal)

41 - Terrell Owens - BUF ( @Jac)

42 - Donnie Avery - STL ( Ari)

43 - Bernard Berrian - MIN ( Sea)

44 - Robert Meachem - NO ( @TB)

45 - Mike Wallace - PIT ( @KC)

46 - Devery Henderson - NO ( @TB)

47 - Earl Bennett - CHI ( Phi)

48 - Laveranues Coles - CIN ( @Oak)

49 - Chris Chambers - KC ( Pit)

50 - Mohamed Massaquoi - CLE ( @Det)

Rank - TE - Team (Opp)

1 - Dallas Clark - IND ( @Bal)

2 - Vernon Davis - SF ( @GB)

3 - Antonio Gates - SD ( @Den)

4 - Tony Gonzalez - ATL ( @NYG)

5 - Brent Celek - PHI ( @Chi)

6 - Greg Olsen - CHI ( Phi)

7 - Kellen Winslow - TB ( NO)

8 - Jeremy Shockey - NO ( @TB)

9 - Jason Witten - DAL ( Was)

10 - Visanthe Shiancoe - MIN ( Sea)

11 - Heath Miller - PIT ( @KC)

12 - John Carlson - SEA ( @Min)

13 - Dustin Keller - NYJ ( @NE)

14 - Kevin Boss - NYG ( Atl)

15 - Zach Miller - OAK ( Cin)

16 - Fred Davis - WAS ( @Dal)

17 - Tony Scheffler - DEN ( SD)

18 - Benjamin Watson - NE ( NYJ)

19 - Brandon Pettigrew - DET ( Cle)

20 - Todd Heap - BAL ( Ind)

Rank - Kicker - Team (Opp)

1 - Ryan Longwell - MIN ( Sea)

2 - David Akers - PHI ( @Chi)

3 - Stephen Gostkowski - NE ( NYJ)

4 - John Carney - NO ( @TB)

5 - Nate Kaeding - SD ( @Den)

6 - Mason Crosby - GB ( SF)

7 - Lawrence Tynes - NYG ( Atl)

8 - Rob Bironas - TEN ( @Hou)

9 - Matt Stover - IND ( @Bal)

10 - Nick Folk - DAL ( Was)

11 - Matt Prater - DEN ( SD)

12 - Neil Rackers - ARI ( @StL)

13 - Dan Carpenter - MIA ( @Car)

14 - Kris Brown - HOU ( Ten)

15 - Robbie Gould - CHI ( Phi)

16 - Olindo Mare - SEA ( @Min)

17 - Jason Hanson - DET ( Cle)

18 - Jeff Reed - PIT ( @KC)

19 - Jason Elam - ATL ( @NYG)

20 - Jay Feely - NYJ ( @NE)

Rank - Def (Opp)

1 - Pittsburgh Steelers ( @KC)

2 - Cincinnati Bengals ( @Oak)

3 - Minnesota Vikings ( Sea)

4 - New Orleans Saints ( @TB)

5 - Philadelphia Eagles ( @Chi)

6 - Arizona Cardinals ( @StL)

7 - Dallas Cowboys ( Was)

8 - Green Bay Packers ( SF)

9 - New York Giants ( Atl)

10 - New England Patriots ( NYJ)

11 - Miami Dolphins ( @Car)

12 - San Francisco 49ers ( @GB)

13 - San Diego Chargers ( @Den)

14 - Carolina Panthers ( Mia)

15 - Detroit Lions ( Cle)

16 - Indianapolis Colts ( @Bal)

17 - Baltimore Ravens ( Ind)

18 - Denver Broncos ( SD)

19 - Jacksonville Jaguars ( Buf)

20 - Chicago Bears ( Phi)

21 - Tennessee Titans ( @Hou)

22 - Buffalo Bills ( @Jac)

23 - Houston Texans ( Ten)

24 - Atlanta Falcons ( @NYG)

25 - Washington Redskins ( @Dal)