We’re back with another Fantasy Football Panel. This weekend kicks off Week 8, and it’s time to make some team modifications.
Pick One Lower Tier Running Back
Steve Hartline: Without doubt you need to grab Thomas Jones of the Jets, and I’ll give you three reasons: With Leon Washington suffering a season ending injury, Jones will get the bulk of the touches. With Sanchez playing like a rookie after all, look for the Jets to go with a bread and butter run first offense. And Jones is out to prove he still has what it takes to carry the load.
Nathan Holman: Shonne Green or Jammal Charles.
Daniel Dessinger: Before this season, I would have considered Ray Rice to be a 2nd or 3rd tier quarterback in this league. But despite the fact that he was drafted at an average pick of 128th in Yahoo leagues, Rice has performed so well that he can’t be considered a lower tier back even for this conversation. As a matter of fact, I don’t see a running back in this league who qualifies as a lower tier worth having. Knowshon Moreno is possibly the closest.
Ryan Ritter: Mike Bell, NO – Since he has recovered from injury, he has actually gotten the majority of the touches above both Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas. Also, he appears to be getting more goal line touches as well. Simply put, in that high powered offense, he has a great chance to rack up points and find the endzone.
Pick One Premiere Running Back to Drop
Steve Hartline: Without doubt you need to drop Leon Washington of the Jets. Look at my first answer to see who you should try to pick up instead.
Nathan Holman: Definitely Willie Parker.
Daniel Dessinger: Matt Forte and LaDanian Tomlinson both don’t deserve the high draft status they received this year. In my league, Forte was drafted 4th overall and Tomlinson was drafted 7th. They’re functional as a bye week or 3rd running back alternative, but I wouldn’t depend on either for consistent production.
Ryan Ritter: Clinton Portis, WASH – Let’s face it, Washington is just plain awful. Not only that, they can find any way to score and this includes the running game. Portis has had an abysmal season, scoring only 1 TD thus far and only going over 100 yards once this season. To top it off, he’s already played the worst teams in the league: STL, DET, TB, CAR, and KC. You may have some hope in week 14 against OAK, but the rest of the defenses he will face are no pushovers. Face it, things aren’t going to get any better for him, find another option.
Project the Top 3 Quarterbacks for the Rest of the Season
Steve Hartline: In no certain order you have to go with Aaron Rodgers, Philip Rivers, Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Schaub. Forget Brady, Peyton or Brees. They come at too high of a price. Also, you never win a fantasy trophy with them as they typically get drafted too high, meaning you are going to get a lower level RB. I’m leading my division with Eli Manning, who is serviceable and would be a bargain to pick up now also.
Nathan Holman: Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, and Tom Brady.
Daniel Dessinger: For fantasy points, I’m gonna go with Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, and Matt Schaub. Yes, I like Phillip Rivers, and while I’d rather have him and Tom Brady on my team than Schaub, their teams aren’t depending on their quarterbacks as heavily as Houston.
Ryan Ritter: Ok, quick disclaimer: Ranking these three QBs is near impossible (as well as picking only 3). So let the debates begin on this: Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Matt Schaub.
1) Peyton Manning, IND – There has been no QB that has been as consistent as Manning all year long. Saying he is “dialed in” would be a gross understatement. Ironically, the only sub 300 yard game he’s had all season was against STL; however, he lit them up for 3 TDs still. He has at least 2 TDs in every game except for the opener this season, in which he had only 1 TD. So, yes, you read that right, he has a TD pass every game. It’s money in the bank folks, you can’t get a more sure-fire start out of anyone in fantasy right now.
2) Tom Brady, NE – Well, it was only a matter of time. After a “slow” start, Brady is back and clicking on all cylinders — having a healthy Wes Welker again isn’t hurting either. The Pats offense is extremely pass heavy and now that Brady seems to have everything back in gear, why stop what is working? With Moss and Welker to throw to every week, it isn’t hard to see why he is a constant threat to put up huge numbers week in and week out. While he hasn’t been as consistent as Peyton, just take a look at week 6 against TEN to realize just what kind of scoring potential Brady has this season.
3) Matt Schaub, HOU – He has only three sub-300 yard games and only one without a TD. This kid is good. Even if Andre Johnson happens to be out a week or two, he still has many other weapons available to him, most notably, TE Owen Daniels. He is accurate, rarely throws picks and oh yeah, leads the league in TDs as of right now. The only reason he sits behind Manning and Brady is the fact that Manning is far more consistent and Brady looks to be on the rise again. Schaub has some juicy matchups ahead of him too: TEN, JAC, and STL. He will definitely continue to be placing up great scoring numbers the rest of the way.
“WHAT NO BREES?!” — I can already hear this cry as I write it, but sorry, the fact is that Brees has had two absolutely woeful games and looked rather awful against Miami last week. Fact of the matter is, Brees is hit or miss. If he hits, he hits big, but he is not consistent in the least. Remember, he didn’t lead the Saints back against the Fins, his running game did. He is good no doubt, but there is no way I can place him in the top three over Schaub.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Steelers will run more in December; Colts and Saints will have Home Field locked up by end of Week 15… so look for Schuab, Brady, Rivers, and Romo to have big points all the way as they will be playing meaningful football games up until and including Week 17.
Steelers will run more in December; Colts and Saints will have Home Field locked up by end of Week 15… so look for Schuab, Brady, Rivers, and Romo to have big points all the way as they will be playing meaningful football games up until and including Week 17.
Steelers will run more in December; Colts and Saints will have Home Field locked up by end of Week 15… so look for Schuab, Brady, Rivers, and Romo to have big points all the way as they will be playing meaningful football games up until and including Week 17.
Steelers will run more in December; Colts and Saints will have Home Field locked up by end of Week 15… so look for Schuab, Brady, Rivers, and Romo to have big points all the way as they will be playing meaningful football games up until and including Week 17.