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Colby Cavaliere | Archive | Email |
Staff Writer


The Shot Caller's Report - Quarterbacks
Your Guide To Fantasy Lineups: Week 2
9/11/14
QBs | RBs | WRs

Ahoy fantasy mavens, Colby here taking temporary reins of the Shot Callers Report from the O.G. Joseph. Throughout the year Joseph and I will be trading off the column, attempting to bring you the best fantasy advice east OR west of the Mississippi. Joseph was able to nail a few solid sits and starts last week, so with Week 1 in the bag, I’ll do my best to follow up on his success. Let’s mix a little gut feeling, with some undeniable statistics and get on to Week 2!

Note: Fantasy points based on FF Today’s standard scoring system.

Bye Weeks: N/A

Jake Locker

Jake Locker got the 2014 season off on the right foot, notching a top-ten fantasy finish in Week 1.


Grab a Helmet

Jake Locker v. DAL: As Joseph said last week, any starting quarterback in the league has a shot at fantasy relevancy against the Cowboys. Overrated or not, Kansas City is a difficult place to win, and Locker looked calm and collected. Although he took four sacks and was pressured a few other times, Locker took care of the football and completed 67% of his throws for 266 yards and two scores. Lacking a dominate pass rusher, the Cowboys are forced to bring extra men to get to the quarterback, and with the talent at receiver, and a coach who knows offense, look for Locker to pepper Dallas with short throws to Kendall Wright and Delanie Walker, and hit Justin Hunter or Nate Washington for a long touchdown. Locker is a great play in a weekly fantasy league or stream if you have a lower tier QB1.

Tom Brady @ MIN: Brady’s monster statistical seasons may be behind him, but last week vs Miami was an anomaly. The ferocious Miami pass rush always gives Tom some trouble in South Beach, but he’s usually able to make enough plays to win. Last week he was harassed, hurried and could never find his rhythm and timing. So how can I suggest him as a solid play against a Minnesota defense that totally dismantled the Rams last week? Well a few reasons. Cameron Wake doesn’t play for Minnesota, and Brady isn’t a career back-up (Sorry Shaun Hill) or a bottom rung 3rd stringer (sorry Austin Davis). Look for New England to work to establish the run more this week, and for Brady to be much more efficient than he was in the second-half against Miami (10 for 27). A healthy dose of Shane Vereen out of the backfield, and an improving Gronk should give Brady enough weapons to be a worthy start in 12-14 team leagues.

Aaron Rodgers v. NYJ: After nearly being “double-checked” right out of Seattle, Rodgers returns home to face an aggressive, but vulnerable Jets defense. Seattle had the horses in the defensive backfield to keep Rodgers pass catchers in check, but the Jets don’t, so look for Rodgers to hit Randall Cobb on slants and bubble screens to keep the pass rush honest, and burn the secondary with play action passes to Jordy Nelson. Because of Jets strength against the run, and recent concussion suffered by Eddie Lacy, look for a pass-heavy game plan from the Packers. Ignore the rough opening week and plug the Cheesehead quarterback into your lineups as a QB1.

Grab a Clipboard

Philip Rivers v. SEA: Annually disrespected in fantasy circles, Rivers, despite a top-five finish in 2013, was again overlooked by fantasy owners in 2014 drafts; perhaps with good reason. Against a depleted Cardinals defense on Monday night, Rivers failed to get much going with his outside threats (Floyd and Allen combined for 9-87-1 line), finishing with less than 250 yards and 1 score for only the fifth time in his last 18 games. Facing Richard “Shutdown” Sherman, and his cast of characters in the secondary, Rivers will be forced once again to rely on check downs and button hooks to his backs and receivers. Although he’s matured in his decision-making, Rivers lacks the arm strength and mobility to make something out of nothing against an attacking unit like the Seahawks. I expect the Chargers to dial up a heavy dose of run plays, and the overall score to be lower and closer than most people expect. Sorry Philip, hit the bench!

Cam Newton v. DET: Would you throw a wounded animal into a den of hungry Lions? That’s what you would be doing if you started Cam Newton this week against Detroit (and you’d be a terrible person!) Fraught with risk prior to his rib injury, it remains to be seen if Newton is able to take the next step in his development as a quarterback and athlete. Although they showed well with a backup quarterback against the Bucs, the Panther offense still has questions along the line and at wide receiver. Part of what makes Newton such an attractive option is his running ability. As he rounds into health, don’t be surprised to see his rushing attempts dialed back in an effort to keep him from re-injuring his ribs. At home against a formidable Lions front four, look for Carolina to go “shields up” by leaning on the running game, and taking a few calculated shots downfield. Newton isn’t the worst quarterback you can trot out this week, but given other options, let Newton prove his health before you plug him in has your unquestioned starter.

Eli Manning v. ARI: Few quarterbacks have looked more inept over the past six weeks than Eli Manning. Eli followed up his horrific preseason with another baffling performance against the Lions Monday night. Not only is Manning not on the same page as his receivers, I’m not sure they are reading the same book! (At one point Monday night it looked like the whole offense was running the opposite play of the one that was called just to see one of Eli’s sad faces) This offense seems to be doing five different things at once and until you see some tangible improvement as a unit, stay as far away from Manning as possible.

Running Backs