|
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Start 'Em:
Receivers Who Will Outperform Relative
To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype
Chicago gave up 148 yards , 0 TDs passing, had 1 INT and 2 sacks;
so why recommend a rookie WR to start against them? Well, (1)
they played the Detroit Lions and (2) the Cowboys passing game
needs to rebound and I think Bryant will be a big part of the
process. Bryant was targeted 12 times last week (8 catches, 56
yards) to Roy Williams’ 7 targets (3 catches, 21 yards). Williams
is listed as the starter opposite Miles Austin on the depth chart
but he plays second fiddle to Bryant on the fantasy field.
Carolina’s Steve Smith outperformed New York’s Steve Smith, but
he didn’t outperform New York’s Mario Manningham or Hakeem Nicks.
Still, he accounted for more than half the passing yards for Carolina
(75) and scored a TD. Tampa Bay gave up 236 passing yards to the
anemic Browns passing attack and while Matt Moore isn’t much better
than Jake Delhomme, Steve Smith is better than all the Browns’
wide receivers combined.
Coming off a week where he led all receivers in yardage (162);
third in receptions (11), had 5 first downs, and scored a TD,
it only makes sense that Collie be identified as a start ‘em WR
this week against the Giants secondary. He’s got perennial Pro
Bowlers WR Reggie Wayne and TE Dallas Clark to keep double-teams
away and I’m still not sold on the Giants secondary despite their
statistically impressive performance at home against Carolina.
Look for Collie to burn the Giants deep at least once.
Houshmandzadeh had just 1 catch for 27 yards last week but that
was against the mighty Jets secondary, in a game just days after
signing with the Ravens. With more time to absorb the playbook
and develop chemistry with Flacco look for the former Bengals’
WR to shred his old team this week – like the Patriots did
to them last week – and make you a very happy Housh owner.
Bench 'Em:
Receivers Who Will Under Perform Relative
To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype
In his debut alongside new best friend and fellow cocky wideout
Terrell Owens, Ochocinco finished 2nd in receptions with 12, 2nd
in receiving yards with 159, scored a 28-yard TD and had the most
1st down catches in the league with 8. However, most of his damage
came in the second half when the game was already out of reach.
Against the Ravens, don’t expect anything close to last week’s
numbers and but do expect him to remain on the sidelines until
the first half gun sounds.
Marshall had a decent reception total (8), but amassed just 53
yards for a 6.6-yard average, which is not the kind of production
you’re looking for in a WR1. Unfortunately, things tend
to work this way in the Miami offense so get used to it. The Vikings
were pretty good in shutting down the Saints potent offense on
the road last week so temper your expectations for Marshall in
the dome.
This is another “no huge back-to-back incredible performances”
picks. The Colts were able to eliminate the Texans’ deadly
passing game last week and should have no problem shutting down
Eli. I love Nicks and his prospects for 2010 but his three touchdowns
last week was somewhat of an anomaly. I predict another Giants
WR steps up and has a big day – likely Steve Smith who was
shut down last week by the Panthers.
Wait, is this “THE” Mike Williams? The USC Mike Williams
who was suspended by the NCAA then flopped out of the NFL after
ballooning to 300 pounds and hasn’t played in 2 years? Luckily
for him old coach Pete Carroll is back in the league. Williams,
now at a svelte 235 pounds had 4 catches for 64 yards last week
against the 49ers – a team that was manhandled, embarrassed,
and straight out whooped by the Seahawks. Look, I have no idea
what happened to the ‘Niners but this guy is not someone
whose bandwagon you want to jump on. Let’s see him produce
consistently before adding him to your lineup on a regular basis.
|
