After an exciting first week of NFL football, we managed to scrape three of our satiated fans / panel members off the floor in time for today’s discussion. We’ve sent help after the others.
Today’s topic is Week One surprises. Who stood out, either at the top of the heap or the bottom. It’s Thursday’s edition of Overreaction Monday.
Quarterback Surprises
Tim Leckie
Tony Romo. as a Cowboys fan, I always expect Tony to play great, but i didn’t expect him to be the the number 2 leader in points after week 1.(ESPN fantasy football standard scoring) Tony passed for 353 yards and 3 touchdowns. Tony got off to a slow start and struggled with some accuracy, but he got it together! I think this is the Tony we know and love , and I think we will be seeing more of this all season!
Steve Hartline
Jake Delhomme, Carolina. He just fell apart for the second game in a row, spanning 2 seasons. I mean you have to think the guy is washed up, because you just do not turn the ball over 11 times in the span of eight quarters. There is no apparent injury; the truth is we’ve seen the game pass a QB by and its damn ugly.
Ryan Ritter
Mark Sanchez, QB, NYJ – You are rookie and your first start is on the road against a Houston Texans team that is expected to make some noise in the AFC this year. Not only do you win, but you go 18-31, 272 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. Not bad at all for your first ever start. It is hard to gauge future output from just one game though; however, considering the Jets run game looked solid as well means Sanchez won’t have to do it all on his own. He’s worth a pickup in your league if he is available. He’ll face off against New England next week at home and that game should be a good test for the rookie.
Wide Receiver Surprises
Tim Leckie
Patrick Crayton- this was a pleasant surprise for me, a cowboys fan! Crayton had 9 catches for 135 yards and a touchdown. i think this was more of a fluke, i dont see Crayton having these kind of numbers on a regular basis.
Steve Hartline
Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis. In one week he made Colt fans forget all about who for 13 years wore #88 and was Manning’s #1 read. Wayne grabbed 10 pick for 162 yards and a TD. Even more spectacular when you consider the Jaguars knew Wayne would get the looks and were able to halt the ground game at just 75 yards on 28 rushes.
Ryan Ritter
Patrick Crayton , WR, DAL – So, everyone around Dallas was asking where the deep threat would be for the ‘Boys and here comes Crayton with an 80+ yard TD reception, putting together a 4 reception 135 yard game. Don’t get too excited though, the big TD play was on an absolute defensive lapse by Tampa Bay; however, in the same vein, Crayton was targeted six times and ran the ball as well. So what does this all mean? Basically, Crayton does look like he’ll get his chances week to week, but I wouldn’t expect him to be a consistent deep threat as of now. At best, he is a solid flex option play for right now.
Running Backs Surprises
Tim Leckie
Thomas Jones – 20 carries for 107 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns. Thomas is finally starting live up to all the expectations, I think this wasn’t a fluke and he will keep putting up big numbers.
Steve Hartline
Thomas Jones, New York J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets. A 38 yard rumble and stumble for a touch down aside, Jones had 19 other rushes for another touchdown and 68 additional yards. I thought his playing time might have been more impacted, at least early this season with Leon “slash” Washington promised to get more touches whenever, however.
Ryan Ritter
Julius Jones, RB, SEA – I’m pretty sure that no one expected Jones to rip off 117 yards in 19 carries (6.2 yard/carry) as well as finding paydirt. Although with Jones it is same song second verse. Ever since his time in Notre Dame and the NFL, he will rip off a couple huge games a season, making you think he’ll be the next big thing; however, for the majority of the season he will be a mediocre RB at best. Not helping his case is the fact that he had this game against the Rams. I doubt Jones is available on the wire, but don’t go trading the farm for him — he needs to string some of these good games together first and against decent defenses at that.
Defensive Surprises
Tim Leckie
Philadelphia Eagles – the Eagles shut down the Carolina Panthers offense. The panthers only ended up with 73 yards passing and 73 yards rushing! The Eagles picked off Delohme 4 times! The Eagles have a great defense, but I think it was a combination of poor offense and good defense. The Eagles will definitely give your fantasy team good numbers this season.
Steve Hartline
Baltimore Ravens – C’mon. A shoot-out in Kansas City? It is understandable that they held LJ to 20 yards on 11 carries. But to let career backup quarterback Brodie Croyle hang a QB rating of 116.1 on you is unheard of. Good thing Raven QB Flacco had career day as well. Said Raven head coach John Harbaugh after the game in an AP article “We’re going to throw more if it helps us win games.” It looks Flacco stock moved up dramatically.
Ryan Ritter
Seattle Seahawks – Again, yes, it was against the Rams, but pitching a shutout is still impressive no matter who it is against in the NFL. Not only that but they allowed less than 300 total yards the whole game (191 passing allowed, 77 rushing allowed). They also had 3 sacks and a fumble recovery to their credit. Color me impressed. While I definitely won’t be suggesting the Seahawks are a definite start for your team, they easily became an option that you shouldn’t be afraid to plug in there in a decent matchup.
Similar Posts:
- Fantasy Panel: Week 8
- Top 3 Fantasy Disappointments of Week 5
- Fantasy Panel: For Running Backs, Touchdowns or Rushing Yards?
- Steve’s 2009 Fantasy Football Draft Results
- Top 20 Fantasy Points Earning Rushers in 2008
