The Official FieldGulls Fantasy Football Weekly Thread.

Week 2 Edition.

Here at Field Gulls we’ve had discussions on just about every aspect of football, including having discussions about when we can or should have discussions about Fantasy.  Well, this IS the place.  You can, if you must, add fantasy talk in additional game threads, but be warned, someone may be watching, and they may be mocking.  Here, you have free rein to talk your team’s reign or your rain of injuries.

Something to note, and this should be a true football fan’s golden ticket when it comes to heaven and hell and the voiding of the warranty on your soul.

The first rule of Fantasy Football, you do NOT root for players against the Seahawks.

The second rule of Fantasy Football, you do NOT root for players against the Seahawks.

On this site, for sake of your own health, NEVER cheer against the Seahawks due to your fantasy roster.  My personal rule is to avoid as much as possible acquiring division rivals, or to avoid playing them against the Seahawks if reasonably possible.  Statements like, "Well, at least I have Larry Fitzgerald on my fantasy team" (if) he was scorching the Hawks will unleash the hounds of hell upon you.  Please don’t be that one bastard playing the "Don’t Come" line at the craps table.  Not only will you bring bad mojo to everybody, but you’ll likely get verbally harassed, if not banned.  You’re a Seahawk fan, you aren’t "that guy" you are one of OUR guys—act like it!

Week 2—the Good, the Bad, The Ugly.

I can’t imagine there’s a single Arian Foster owner out there right now that’s happy about winning the first or second pick in the draft.  Even the guy who smartly handcuffed himself with Ben Tate is wondering "what the hell do I do now?"  Do you start Foster now that he’s officially listed as questionable and sounds like he’ll play?  Or do you hope he doesn’t play and Ben Tate gets all the carries?!?  Not to mention, you can’t be happy that this single back attack now looks like it wants to go the way of the duel back system. 

The Texans, for the record, are 24-3 under Kubiak when they get 30+ carries, and are looking to get Foster 20 carries and Tate 10. 

This situation is good, bad AND ugly, all at once.  If possible, avoid them both this week.  Or, with Derrick Ward out, if you have no other solid RB options, play them both and hope you get enough performance to make up for starting one team's entire backfield.  

The Good—

Reggie Wayne.  I don’t think any Week 1 wide receiver performance surprised me as much as Wayne’s, for a multitude of reasons.  Obviously owners are sad Peyton isn’t delivering to him, at least for quite some time.  However, I for one think he will still have a very good fantasy year.  This week’s numbers – 7 rec, 109 yards, 1 TD.   

Naysayers will contend that the TD came late.  I would respond with this—11 targets.  Also, cheap late touchdowns come often when you are playing from behind, and does anyone NOT think the Colts will be playing from behind frequently this year? 

Also good— IDP Kam Chancellor.  If you are a Seahawk fan and don’t have Kam on your IDP roster but he is available and you play a DB, get him immediately.  He had 10 tackles last week, and you can bet he’ll continue to see looks if our offense can’t stay on the field.

The Bad—

Well, it was bad for ME at least, and that’s all that matters.

Wes Welker, I hate you with my soul.  Never in my wildest conspiratorial "everyone hates me and the PNW" did I think that I wouldn’t win while up 30 points going into MNF.  Wes Welker reminded me that no fantasy game is ever over if I’m the team that’s ahead. 

The Ugly—

Injuries abound.  Of course we missed Arian Foster in week 1, and Peyton.  But there were a rash of injuries above and beyond that.  I’ve heard suggestion that it was the short training camps, but I have a hard time believing it.  These are elite athletes, most of which spend the offseason in relatively good shape.  I can’t imagine suddenly they’re all in poor shape and getting hurt simply because of off season conditioning.

Regardless, it is a legitimate issue.  Here’s a short list of injuries going into week 2 –

Steven Jackson likely out, Caddy Williams in, at least for a week, and will be playable.

Sam Bradford also on the watch list, though he looks like he’ll play. 

Knowshon Moreno likely out.  And his season is starting to look like his career-- lost in the Mile High air.

Dez Bryant questionable.  Sit him if you have other options.

Calvin Johnson is also questionable, but I’d play him if he can still walk.

Danny Amendola is out.  If he was a playable option for you, you likely had greater problems, but find someone else immediately.

lil' Stevie Johnson is probable and still worth starting.

Also of note, legitimate IDP starters Jon Beason and Eric Berry, along with solid starting Kicker Nate Kaeding were all put on the IR.  It’s been a rough year thus far for injuries, and we’re just getting started.

Waiver Wire Value Suggestions of the Week—WR

Jacoby Jones.

Kevin Walter is questionable with a shoulder injury, and Jacoby has been named starter.  While this isn’t likely to be a season ending injury to Walter like first reported, it could linger and if it worsens there is an opportunity here beyond a single week if Jacoby takes off or Walter experiences a set back.  

Last year Walter and Jacoby Jones combined for 102 receptions, 158 targets, 8 TD’s and 1183 yards, but split those opportunities quite equally between the two of them opposite Andre Johnson.  If you need a WR for a week, particularly if your league gives return points to the player, Jones is a great pickup.  But if either Jones or Walter goes out long term via injury, be certain to pick the other up and reap the benefits.

Deion Branch.

Deion had 9 targets and 97 yards last week and is still on the waiver wire in most leagues.  He averaged a respectable 64.2 ypg last year after moving back to the Patriots, and appears to be, believe it or not, healthy.  If you have WR issues, you can do much worse.

See you next week.