FANTASY FOOTBALL IN-SEASON FEATURES

Quarterbacks  |  Running Backs  |  Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Backups Movin’ Up

Breakdown:  These are guys who are likely on rosters, but are on the bench for the most part unless in deep leagues.  Circumstances are favorable for them to move into the starting lineup for your fantasy team, at least for the coming week.

David Garrard (JAX) – Jacksonville travels to Houston this week.  That alone should speak volumes, but in case it doesn’t, here’s the skinny.  Garrard is a pretty darn good starting option this week in what likely will turn into a shootout much like the one between Tennessee and Houston last week.  Garrard didn’t look great in week one, but he’s got two very good receivers and looked much more on track this week.  Look for a performance about the same as the one he had this week, but don’t be surprised if he tops 300 yards and flirts with three scores.

Joe Flacco (BAL) – Every year at least one team – often many more than that – make claims that they’re going to ‘open up their offense’ more.  More often than not, they do the same thing they did the year before.  This season, two teams (at least) have followed through on that promise after a couple of games.  Tennessee is one, Baltimore is the other.  Joe Flacco didn’t have as big a week this week as he did in week one, but it still was solid, including two touchdown passes.  If his receivers were better, Mark Clayton for one dropped a key pass late in the game, he would be having an even better start to the season than he is.  While most owners drafted him as a backup, he’s been playing better than many starters so far, it’s time to start considering moving him into the starting lineup! 

Waiver Wire Radar

Breakdown:  These are guys who more than likely are not residing on many, if any, rosters.  They are in situations that are favorable for possible fantasy impact in the not too distant future.

Seneca Wallace (SEA) – Matt Hasselbeck has an injury quite similar to the one Donovan McNabb has and which cost him at least a one week trip to the sidelines.  If Hasselbeck ends up with a similar fate, Wallace is the likely option to start next week at home against the Bears.  The Bears have a pretty good defense, but they’ve allowed their share of deep passes the past couple of weeks, so Wallace would have a few chances.  It is highly unlikely most fantasy owners would need him to start, but for those who use bench points for tie breakers or other purposes, Wallace could be a helpful option.  Not only that, if you own Hasselbeck as your primary QB, his injury history the past year or two would almost warrant Wallace’s position on your bench.

Kevin Kolb (PHI) – Before you start cussing the fact that Kolb has been listed here, take a minute to remember the point of this section and also to have a bit of patience while I explain.  We all know that due to any number of reasons the Eagles are likely to keep McNabb as their starter for quite some time yet.  However, there is a lot of public sentiment in Philly regarding Kolb, and even though they lost this week, Kolb looked more like a threat at quarterback than McNabb has in quite a while.  Vick is able to play this week, but it is highly unlikely that the team views him as an option as a starting quarterback.  He’s more of a change-up option to cause a wrinkle for defenses.  With McNabb already banged up and his history of missing a couple game here and there, Kolb is likely to continue to get the starting nod as these misses happen.  If he continues to pass for a couple of TDs and close to 300 yards, a quarterback controversy isn’t out of the question.  This being said, Kolb is quite likely still available on your waiver wire, and if you have McNabb, you’d be a fool not to have Kolb as well.  If you don’t have McNabb, grabbing Kolb would make strategic sense as well for either trade bait, or in case Kolb does see more action, it gives you, not the McNabb owner, the advantage.

Kyle Orton (DEN) – Orton is listed here because the simple fact is, he wasn’t drafted a lot.   However, after a nice bounce back week, it is very clear that Denver is finding – slowly – its new identity.  The running game seems to be settling into a two headed rotation which is allowing the passing game to stretch out.  Orton has four very good receivers and a very good tight end, giving him more than enough options and enough to make even a mediocre quarterback look semi-decent.  Look for his numbers to be closer to what they were this week than they were in week one, meaning he should be on someone’s roster in your league…why not yours?

COMMENTS (page 1 of 1)

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SteveM

Posted Sep 28, 2009 12:38pm EDT

I'm making this comment after week 3, after watching my opponent pick up Kolb and sink my fantasy team with his huge performance. He's definitely looks like a viable NFL QB, and makes me wonder why the Eagles bothered picking up Vick.

skinpig

Posted Sep 27, 2009 10:16am EDT

Kolb a 'threat'???

He is the 4th best option on his own team!

VP

Posted Sep 24, 2009 6:30pm EDT

As do I my friend, as do I. Points well taken. Wife's calling for dinner so won't elaborate more, but think we both said our piece on the matter anyway...sure there will be more as season progresses! Thanks for reading!

Otis, my man

Posted Sep 23, 2009 10:18am EDT

VP: I own and started Kolb, so overall I'm with you on your observation. The point of contention was:

"Kolb looked more like a threat at quarterback than McNabb has in quite a while."

Depending on what you consider a fantasy threat, I simply ask you to consider the following:

'08 DNabb had 7 games of 2+ TD's, 3 games of 300+ yards and 9 games of 250+ yards. I won't bore you with the previous years, but they are in line with the above stats. I feel that these are numbers that present a weekly threat and, though you're in the ballpark, his numbers are a little better than even I thought.

From a fans point of view, yeah it [beep] ed that they lost, but it wasn't just Kolb's fault. From a fantasy point of view, I think DNabb gets a couple more TD's and without the Int's, scores more points for the fantasy owner.

Keep up the good work, I enjoy a little good natured debate!

VP

Posted Sep 22, 2009 7:18pm EDT

Thanks for the comments guys, agree or disagree its good debate. Otis, had a feeling someone - likely a Philly fan - would take me to task on my comments on Kolb, and maybe to an extent I was stirring the pot, but not entirely. Remember first that this is for the most part a weekly thing and that it is all about fantasy football performances, not necessarily how things look or affect a game. In fantasy world two picks at crucial times are two picks. They may dock a guy a couple of points, but all in all, the crucial part of the game thing matters not an ounce. To a fan, that's not good, to a fantasy owner 300 yards and 2 td's is a pretty nice day. McNabb doesn't have a ton of days like that usually, five or so on a good year, and usually only two or three. Either way, Kolb is still basically a rookie as far as on the field play, so can be expected to make rookie mistakes, but if the team feels good enough to let him air it out as much as they seem to, there's obviously some possibility they consider him the future, so all in all, if McNabb is out, Garcia won't be playing, it will be Kolb, and if he continues to put up good fantasy numbers, that's what we care about here. Again though, all good points on both sides, except for the uninformed and irresponsible, I think neither, but debatable...most definitely.

Bill, sorry about your feelings on the Garrard issue, but each one of these articles has different intents, and have to be taken one on one within the context they are intended. If you look at my comments on Garrard, I only talk about the possibility of a nice big outing by him this coming week, not beyond. While i personally think he's a nice guy to grab for the long haul, I wouldn't say to start him every week, nor would I argue that he wouldn't tank it from time to time. Thanks for the comment and read!

otis, my man

Posted Sep 22, 2009 5:43pm EDT

Bill, not sure I agree w/Kolb as a 3rd stringer. He will play better, but his decision making (which he admitted) needed to be better. The fumble to start the 2nd half was the dagger. Put the Eagles in a hole that only special players can pull you out.

My point was that he is no DNabb and to suggest such a thing is irresponsible or uninformed. Remember, Manning didn't exactly set the world on fire during his first season and, for Kolb, he hasn't gotten to play or start. As for the Ravens Int for a TD, don't forget he was moving the offense pretty good. That "out" pattern kills him and seperates the good qb's from the great ones.

Bill

Posted Sep 22, 2009 11:37am EDT

Its aggravating that Garraud, who I thought would be a good start last week was talked down so much by Dorey. Now since he's played the best fantasy D for QBs last year (Ariz), you guys are talking about favorable schedules. Last week was a patsy. Why did you have'em 25? or so?

Bill

Posted Sep 22, 2009 11:03am EDT

A lot of people say the Philly fans were not warranted to boo Kevin Kolb. If you look at the stats, sure he had a good game. In reality, he missed at least 3 critical passes in open field that could have led to TD's or at least 20+ gains. 2 of his interceptions were poor decisions and bad throws that made the Saints secondary look like they were reading the plays, but really he threw it right to them. Lastly, the Saints secondary is not strong, and Kolb made them look good. He is easy to read and very predictable. He also cannot perform under pressure. The only time he shines is when there was on plays like the opening TD to Jackson, which I could have thrown. If he were on any other team besides the Eagles, who run their team like more of a business to get the most bang for the buck and shop for bargains only (aside of McNabb - Owns was at a discount and was a cancer, Westbrook was a gem from a local school, and then there's.... Ricky Watters from years ago??). McNabb is the only thing that has kept the team alive and a offensive powerhouse over the last decade. Kolb is worthy of a 3rd string QB. You forgot to mention one thing.... he is competing with Garcia?? Not a top QB in the league, but he has proven himself to be consistent and doesn't make a lot of mistakes. He also knows the Philly offense.

Otis, my man!

Posted Sep 22, 2009 9:47am EDT

TVP: Kolb comments are uninformed. He didn't look like "more of a threat" at all. He had a nice game and exceeded public opinion in regards to yards and directing the offense. HOWEVER, he had 2 picks that were very costly and he admitted as much. The 3rd pick doesn't count as it was late and he was just flinging it.

DNabb checks to another receiver on those two interceptions. The kid looked good, but not better than 5. No controversy and no public wave of support for Kolb to take over. Nice try stirring the pot, though.

Gotta love the love for Flacco, though! He looks like a player.

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