11/23/06
Drafting the best team, making all the right starts and pulling
off trades in your favor won’t matter in fantasy football
without one thing – luck.
In head-to-head leagues, along with having the misfortune of matching
up against teams that have their best weeks of the season, the other
major factor that can kill a team’s league title hopes is
injuries.
First, Houston running back Domanick Davis was ruled out for the
season just before the season started and shortly after many fantasy
drafts took place. Then, Seattle running back Shaun Alexander went
down in Week 3 and missed six weeks. Next, Washington running back
Clinton Portis sustained a season-ending injury in Week 10. Now,
Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb is out for the season after
sustaining a torn ACL last week.
The saying, “I would rather be lucky than good” also
applies to fantasy football. I’ve always argued that fantasy
football is 75 percent skill and 25 percent luck. If you’re
in a league with owners that are of similar skill, the owner that
gets the most luck has the best chance to win the league.
If you’re one of the unlucky owners that has McNabb, take
a deep breath, count to 10, and put down the bat. Here are a few
quarterbacks, in order from best to worst, that may be available
in your league that has potential to be a solid replacement.
Trent Green, Kansas City: Many
owners dropped the veteran after he sustained a major concussion
in the first game of the season. He’s thrown for 4,000-plus
yards the last three seasons and once he gets back in a groove,
he should return to that form.
Jeff Garcia, Philadelphia: The
former Pro Bowler isn’t in the same universe as McNabb when
it comes to talent, but with the skilled players the Eagles have
on offense and the frequency in which they pass, Garcia has the
potential to put up solid numbers.
Charlie Frye, Cleveland: The Browns
have one of the easiest remaining schedules against the pass, facing
just one team (Baltimore) in the top half of passing defenses in
the league.
Jason Campbell, Washington: The
former Auburn star had a solid pro debut last week against Tampa
Bay, throwing for 196 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
However, be aware that the Redskins match up against just one passing
defense ranked worse than 11th through Week 16.
Hot Read
Braylon Edwards, WR, Cleveland:
The former Michigan receiver recorded his third 100-yard receiving
game of the season last week against Pittsburgh for his third
straight solid start. The previous two weeks, he scored a touchdown.
Look for Edwards’ hot streak to continue this week against
Cincinnati’s last-ranked pass defense.
Broken Play(er)
Doug Gabriel, WR, New England:
After catching a touchdown in three of four weeks through the
Patriots’ Week 7 game against Buffalo, it appeared as if
Gabriel was emerging as New England’s No. 1 receiver. Last
week, however, he didn’t collect a single catch in a 35-0
blowout of Green Bay, and he extended his scoreless streak to
four games. It’s time to drop Gabriel.
Off The Bench
Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville:
The rookie is splitting carries with Fred Taylor, so it’s
tough to count on him to be a top-notch running back each week.
However, he’s picked up a touchdown in six of the Jaguars’
last eight games with his running and receiving skills, making
it difficult to bench him. This week, he faces Buffalo’s
25th-ranked rushing defense, so start him with confidence.
Safe Bet
Tom Brady, QB, New England:
It’s tough to ever bench Brady, but if there were a week
to do it, this week would be the best. He’s facing Chicago’s
No. 1-ranked pass defense that has allowed a stingy 152.7 passing
yards per game and a league-low seven touchdowns through the air.
Starting any player against the Bears’ lethal defense is
always a risk, so if you have a similar option at quarterback,
give Brady a spot on your bench, because he likely will struggle
to reach 200 yards or throw multiple touchdowns.
Extra Point
Check when your league’s trading deadline is. Many league’s
deadlines are around this time of the season. Don’t let
the deadline sneak up on you without taking advantage of making
any trades you may have in mind.
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