Week 4 Fantasy Football News and Notes
Week 4 is here, and there are some major developments. I will make this column a larger version of my weekly SLEEPERS and SLIPPERS piece. Shout out to Mr. Watrous. I think we were about dead even in our sleepers last week You definately get the nod with your anti-Leftwich sentiment and I’ll give you Patrick Crayton who had a normal, ho-hum day.. I’ll take a nod on Devon Hester, Ray Rice, and Mike Sims-Walker who all performed well above their fantasy expectations.
Week 4 SLEEPERS:
Glen Coffee (SF vs. STL) Coffee has to be everyone’s start of the week. He is replacing Frank Gore as the every down back and faces a team that has allowed feature backs to run all over them in the Rams. This could be a dynamic week for the rookie RB and I wouldn’t be surprised at 140 total yards with 2 scores.
Cedric Benson (CIN vs, CLE) It has become evident that any RB going against the Browns is a must start and has a god shot of bringing a fantasy victory to your team. Cleveland is last in the league against the run and Benson is running well against all teams this year. Pencil him n for over 100 yards with a score, but don’t be surprised if he soars well past those numbers.
Kyle Boller (STL vs. SF) I you have Kurt Warner or Matt Ryan and are looking for a bye week replacement, look no further than the Rams new man under center. Boller came on strong in last weeks replacement duties and will have to throw with the week Rams defense giving up major points. He is not a huge number guy, but look for 250 yards with two TDs and two picks.
Pierre Garcon (IND vs. SEA) With Anthony Gonzalez out, Garcon has filled in with two long TD’s the past two weeks. Look for that trend to continue against a mediocre Seahawk secondary. He won’t catch a high volume of balls (so PPC leagues might not get great value), but look for 5 catches for 85 yards and a TD.
Washington DST (WAS vs. TB) This marks the first time a defense makes my Sleeper list. This week, however, is a no-brainer for me. The Skins just lost to the NFL’s doormat Lions, and everyone’s job is in jeopardy. Look for a mammoth rush to force a number of turnovers from Byron Leftwich and a big fantasy points day for Washington. 7 points allowed, 3 picks, 4 sacks, and a forced fumble seems likely.
Week 5 SLIPPERS:
Marques Colston (NO vs. NYJ) The Jets have shut down every #1 WR they have faced this year (Randy Moss, all Titan WRs, and Andre Johnson). You can pencil in Colston to that list. Drew Brees is fantastic at finding alternate tragets and will not look to force the ball in to the tightly guarded Colston. Darrelle Revis will make sure he’s banketed. Look for 4 catches for 40 yards.
Ted Ginn Jr. (MIA vs. BUF) Ginn single-handedly beat my fantasy team in week two with his breakout performance against he Colts. This week, however, he has a bad matchup against the Bills. It is not so much that the Bills shut down WRs, its more that Chad Pennington is out, Chad Henne is in, and Ginn went from #2 WR to as week to week desperation start. Look for 3 catches for 42 yards.
Matt Cassel (KD vs. NYG) Usually, I wouldn’t put a QB who is likely to be playing under a 20-point + deficit on my slippers list, but last week’s Chiefs game against the Ravens has forced Matt Cassel on the permanent do not start list. The Chiefs played at a deficit for most of the game but Cassel only had 90 yards passing in their comeback attempt. This game will be a blowout and Cassel might have 170 yards and 1 TD plus 2-3 picks.
Fred Taylor (NE vs. BAL) Taylor had a breakout game last week in the Patriots big victory. The party ends this week. The Ravens have a staunch run defense, and Bill Belichick is perfectly happy to throw the ball 50-60 times if he feels the running game is ineffective. That is another mark against Taylor who is not the Patriots featured pass-catching RB. 8 carries for 25 yards, 2 catches for 22 yards seems about right.
Percy Harvin (MIN vs. GB) Harvin is among the top rookies this year and has been a integral part of the Vikings offense through the first 3 weeks. However, this game on Monday seems like it might be a little bigger than what Harvin has been doing and I see Brett Favre looking elsewhere in this huge game. He might get some screens and short looks, but I don’t see him being a contributing factor on the positive end. I see 3 catches for 34 yards and 2 rushes for 8 yards.
Thats what I have for this week. Do yourself a favor, watch the new comedy “Community” on NBC Thursday nights. It will make you laugh out loud. You should also be watching “How I Met Your Mother”, Monday’s on CBS ,and renting old seasons of the USA Network’s’ “Burn Notice” and “Psych”.
Have a good night, and drive home safely.
Follow me on twitter:
twitter.com/adayonsports
