Yeah, Yeah, The Patriots Are Awesome...What Are The Fantasy Implications?

I think Randy Moss is having a fantastic bounce-back year. I think Wes Welker is an underrated all-purpose receiver. I have always thought that when he’s healthy, Donte’ Stallworth has all the tools to be an elite wideout.

None of that changes the fact that Tom Brady is simply destroying the league right now. Patriots fans have always complained, “if only Brady had the receivers that Manning has.” I’ve always viewed it as just trying to elevate their hero to an even higher status than he deserved. Well, Patriots fans, you were right. Given an upgrade at WR, Tom Brady is just shredding the NFL and fantasy owners who were astute enough to see it coming are loving this run.

So, if you’re a Donte’ Stallworth or Wes Welker owner, should you start inserting your guy in the lineup on a weekly basis? Well, maybe. Defenses are starting to key on Moss now that he’s earned back the respect that he lost in Oakland and that is creating lots of underneath stuff for Welker and single coverage for Stallworth. The question is: Will the Patriots become a little more balanced when Laurence Maroney returns? Maybe a little, but it just seems the Patriots are trying to make a statement that no one can stop them, and Brady is fully engulfed in the pursuit of a career season now.

I guess it would depend upon who else is on your team, but all three Pats receivers may be worthy of being in fantasy lineups on a regular basis. It’s a magnificent trio, but it’s the captain of the ship who’s really responsible for the offensive explosion that we saw today and every other week thus far.

Tony Romo has been great this year, too, but today’s game proved for now who is the king of the quarterbacking mountain.

The RB Tide Is Turning, And A Rookie Leads The Charge...

We’ve been waiting, and waiting, and writing about the presumed death of the stud running back. I guess we should have been patient. Talk about making the most of opportunity. Check out these yards per carry today:

Adrian Peterson - 11.2 yards per carry (224 yards)
Maurice Jones-Drew - 10.4 yards per carry (125 yards)
DeAngelo Williams - 12.1 yards per carry (121 yards)

That’s over ten yards a pop for three talented young runners. Peterson is going to be the talk of the fantasy community of course with this three long, electrifying TD runs, but Jones-Drew has exploded the past two weeks and DeAngelo Williams ran so well to close out the Panthers-Cardinals game that he may warrant a serious look in the weeks to come as a true feature back. All in all, on a week in which six teams had byes, nine guys have eclipsed the 100-yard barrier already. Sounds like a rebirth to me.

Speaking of breakout performances, I have read many people suggest that LaDainian Tomlinson coming into Sunday had been a fantasy disappointment in 2007. Let me share a little story with you about LT2:

It’s Week Six. Coming into this game, LaDainian Tomlinson has only scored in two games—3 touchdowns total. He’s been held under 100 yards in every game, but one. But...in Week Six, he explodes out of the funk for FOUR touchdowns!

The year? 2006.

That’s right. If you look at LaDainian Tomlinson’s stats coming into Week Six last year, they look incredibly similar to what he had done this year during the first five weeks. This is what Matt Waldman alluded to in his 20/20 Hindsight columns a few weeks ago. Four touchdowns last year in Week Six and four more this year. Still think Tomlinson’s having an off year? The stats suggest he’s right where he needs to be. And, if history is our guide, LT2 owners can start making reservations for the fantasy playoffs. Feels so good.

And From Out Of Nowhere They Come...

He was a tough guy to stop on the goal line on Sunday afternoon. Twice, he punched it in to keep his team in the game. So, who is this short yardage specialist and can he be counted on for this kind of production again?

He’s Cleo Lemon.

That’s right. Cleo Lemon had more rushing touchdowns today than Willie Parker, Rudi Johnson, Larry Johnson, Travis Henry, Laurence Maroney, Thomas Jones, and Willis McGahee have scored individually all year long. Even more dumbfounding, is that Lemon scored more rushing touchdowns in the third quarter alone today than those guys have this whole season.

Just remember, he played Cleveland. The team that nobody can stop and that in turn can stop nobody. And to think Romeo Crennel is a defensive coach. In other words, don’t go nuts over Lemon on the waiver wire this week. He’s got to play against other teams unfortunately.

Here’s another one:

Who caught 12 passes today for the most yards of any wide receiver in the league? Kevin Walter.

And, he might just be available on the waiver wire in your league. If so, go and get him. The reports from this past week suggest that the Texans may not get Andre Johnson back until Week Eleven. Schaub has to adjust to that reality and in the meantime, Walter is turning into “the guy”.

Cleo Lemon and Kevin Walter deserve some love this Monday morning...wherever you are. We’ll give it to ‘em here at the Buzz.

So, Who Else Is Getting A Little Love This Monday Morning?

How about Steve Smith of the Panthers—a Buzz favorite—10 catches and 136 yards with a 43 year-old Vinny Testaverde at quarterback? Are you kidding me? Hats off to Steve!

Maybe Devin Hester should play every down of every game. He’s clearly the best player on the field almost every time he plays. If they’re going to keep putting him in the game in an effort to get quick strikes, Brian Griese’s value will be on the rise.

And finally, Chris Cooley and Tony Gonzalez kept the year of the tight end going today. Both gained over 100 yards receiving and accounting for 1 and 2 touchdowns respectively. Take a good look at the fantasy points tight ends are putting up so far this year. We’re on pace for a record-breaking year from the top tier at that position. Hope you’ve got one of those top tier guys on your team.

And, as we close, we note that the Saints scored 28 points tonight and actually produced something that resembled an offense. We knew it would happen as soon as they started involving David PatteRn (8 catches, 113 yards) more. Come on guys, what took you so long?

I hope one of these special performances noted in the Buzz took place in your starting lineup today...if not, keep up the faith and God Bless!