Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Things I Learned, MIAMI/ATLANTA, August 31, 2010

A quickie fantasy glance at MIAMI-ATLANTA.  A game that jumps off the page better than it does your flatscreen.

MIAMI:  Yes its the pre-season, but Ronnie Brown getting 9 yards on 8 carries? Ricky Williams getting 5 yards on 4 attempts?  Miami's offensive line will have 3 new starters between the tackles this year, making the run game a work in progress.  I still think Brown and Williams have value, especially Brown in PPR leagues.  But neither should be counted on for anything more than a 3rd RB position or bye-week filler.  

ATLANTA:  Of the 34 receiving targets handed out by the Falcons QB's, 12 went to Roddy White, and zero went to Michael Turner.  This says more about Turner than White.  If you're picking late in a 10 or 12 team league, Turner is a guy I might go first round, then immediately take 2 WR's in rounds 2 and 3.  He's a rare workhorse in a running back by committee NFL, but he won't help you in the passing game.   

What I Learned...

AUGUST 26 PRESEASON FANTASY NOTES




Posted by Chango for Sweepthetaco.com

August 30, 2010



RAMS 35, PATRIOTS 36

What we learned:

-Rams WR Danny Amendola saw action early and often from Sam Bradford, netting 6 targets, 5 REC’s and 50 yds on the night. It should be noted that each of the targets were short routes, and for a rookie QB looking for a friend, "White Chocolate" might emerge as someone to target in PPR leagues in the 12-13 round range of your drafts, especially with the season-ending injury to WR Donnie Avery.



-Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski had three targets, caught all 3, and finished with 66 yards and 2 scores. Nice stat line, and he was in on the Pats no-huddle offense in the 3rd. You’re not drafting him, since he’s at best the 4th passing option for the Pats (Moss, Welker, Faulk), but a guy like this points out that you can wait on the TE position in your draft, or hit the waiver wire, and still have success in your league.



COLTS 24, PACKERS 59

What we learned: (other than the Colts don’t give a damn about the preseason!)

The Colts don’t care about… oh yeah, we covered that. With Joseph Addai coming out ok with his concussion, he looks to be a guy we will take a chance on one more year. A lot of talk has centered on Donald Brown eventually passing Addai for the #1 spot. But Brown has yet to justify the expectations, and Addai can be a great value in PPR leagues as a RB 2. Also, consider passing on Peyton Manning. Great name, yes, but based on ESPN.com's 2009 scoring system, taking Manning over Donovan McNabb would have netted you only 3 more points per week last season. If you have him, splitting the stock for a WR/RB combo you can start every week.



Packers QB Aaron Rodgers. Yup, that’s about it. The guy has looked great so far, and worthy of breaking The Taco’s rule about waiting on QB’s. TE Jermichael Finley scored a TD, showing the depth at the TE position. Finley is a guy you can grab around round 6 or 7, after you draft 5 WR’s and RB’s. Finally, a PPR note: 16 different Packers caught a pass. Ryan Grant was not among them. I still like Grant as a RB2 in PPR, but only if you can pair him with a better PPR option.