We here at 5th quarter sports are actually pretty upset Brady got hurt. Sure, we love seeing Brady get pounded and throw picks, but any football fan who says they are happy that the best player in the league got hurt isn't really a football fan. It's terrible for the league that it's best player won't play again until 2009. Still, when the Pats were running up the score last year, I'm sure all us non Pats fans were hoping someone would fall into Brady's legs. So maybe it's karma... I mean, this was a team who ran up the score on everyone to prove a point after they got caught cheating. You know what, maybe we're not that upset after all...
Anyway, here is a song from ryanparkersongs.com. We don't know Ryan Parker personally, but you have to give credit where credit is due. This video is from last season...it's pretty funny.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Mr. Monday Night Award
Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers just looks like a NFL quarterback. He's poised, accurate and seems to have command of the offense. Rodgers appears to be the perfect fit for Mike McCarthy's system (too bad the 49ers couldn't figure that out in 2005 when McCarty was their OC).
Playing a Viking's defense many people have said is the best in football, Rodgers was 18 of 22 (Thats 82% kids) and threw a touchdown pass. He also ran for 36 yards and score. Rodgers should be considered a starter from here on out in most leagues. He has weapons all over the field and is a tremendous play this weekend against Detroit. If he is still out there on waivers, grab him now.
Jay Cutler/Eddie Royal
Cutler has the makings of a special quarterback. With his top receiver Brandon Marshall out of the lineup, Cutler tore apart the Raiders for 299 yards and 2 scores. Rookie receiver Eddie Royal pulled in 9 passes for 146 of those yards and a touchdown. While Marshall may take some looks away from Royal,he will only help Cutler. I had Cutler as a fringe starter to begin the season but I would not hesitate to play him now over a Hasselbeck or maybe even Palmer now. Royal would be a nice pickup as a 3rd receiver, but I need to see more. I would absolutely grab him and drop...say...a Reggie Williams, but don't count on him to be a monster every week. He'll have rookie ups and downs as well as sharing balls with Marshall.
Aaron Rodgers just looks like a NFL quarterback. He's poised, accurate and seems to have command of the offense. Rodgers appears to be the perfect fit for Mike McCarthy's system (too bad the 49ers couldn't figure that out in 2005 when McCarty was their OC).
Playing a Viking's defense many people have said is the best in football, Rodgers was 18 of 22 (Thats 82% kids) and threw a touchdown pass. He also ran for 36 yards and score. Rodgers should be considered a starter from here on out in most leagues. He has weapons all over the field and is a tremendous play this weekend against Detroit. If he is still out there on waivers, grab him now.
Jay Cutler/Eddie Royal
Cutler has the makings of a special quarterback. With his top receiver Brandon Marshall out of the lineup, Cutler tore apart the Raiders for 299 yards and 2 scores. Rookie receiver Eddie Royal pulled in 9 passes for 146 of those yards and a touchdown. While Marshall may take some looks away from Royal,he will only help Cutler. I had Cutler as a fringe starter to begin the season but I would not hesitate to play him now over a Hasselbeck or maybe even Palmer now. Royal would be a nice pickup as a 3rd receiver, but I need to see more. I would absolutely grab him and drop...say...a Reggie Williams, but don't count on him to be a monster every week. He'll have rookie ups and downs as well as sharing balls with Marshall.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Week 1 in review
Studs
Drew Brees: I have been telling anyone who will listen that this going to be a huge year for Brees. He was even my MVP pick. Thanks Drew for not making me look stupid (I do a good enough job of that on my own). Brees proved that he was worth that 2nd round choice with a 343 yards and 3 scores. I really feel that Brees will carry fantasy teams in 2008 like Brady and Romo did last year.
Donovan McNabb: 361 yards and 3 td's proved that rumors of his demise were greatly exaggerated. Did I mention that his top 2 receivers were out? As long as he is healthy, look for more of the same.
Michael Turner: Can Turner carry the load? Absolutely. Well at least against the Lions anyway. 220 yards and and 2 td's made him look like a steal in the 4th round were most people were able to get him. I'm not sure if he can keep it up...we'll see.
Marion Barber: Get used to this stat line: 80 yards and 2 td's. Felix Jones looked good as well, but Barer will continue to get those goal line carries.
Willie Paker: Parker asked to get more touches inside the 10 and Mike Tomlin obliged. Parker had a monster day with 138 yards and 3 scores. He is a sure fire start every week in Pitt's dominant offense.
Duds
Carson Palmer: Are you serious Carson? Last year you started to suck in real life and now you suck in fantasy too. 99 yards? I'd be nervous if I owned Palmer.
Matt Hasselbeck: Matt gets a pass (kind of) considering he is down Engram, Branch, and now Burleson. Still, he was bad in Buffalo. 190 yards and 1 td and 1 int won't kill you, but it doesn't help much either. We expected more Matt.
Joseph Addai: The Colts were terrible last night. They have 3 new starters on the interior of their oline and it showed. The Colts look like they are going to miss Jeff Saturday alot. Addai might have a few games like the 12 carry 44 yard stinker he put up last night.
Steven Jackson & Torry Holt: Raise your hand if you saw this coming. I did. Holdout and no preseason seems to always equal a slow start for a running back. Steven Jackson has 40 yards rushing and 34 yards receiving as the Rams got clobbered 38-3 by the Eagles. At 38-3 though, you tend to abandon the running game. But what's Holt's excuse? 1 catch for 9 yards?! 1 more game like that and you may want to introduce Torry to your bench.
Steady as he goes
Brian Westbrook: 91 yards rushing, 1 receiving TD. Just another solid game for a legit top 3 fantasy RB. Just please stay healthy Brian.
I should have started...
Matt Forte: 123 yards and a score was probably wasted on your bench (I know it was mine). Start him in week 2. Without sexy Rexy closing his eyes and chucking the ball down field, the Bears might be back.
Pick me up now!
Desean Jackson: 6 catches for 106 yards. This rookie had big play written all over him.
Drop me like I'm hot!
Nate Burleson/Tom Brady: Both players out for the year.
Drew Brees: I have been telling anyone who will listen that this going to be a huge year for Brees. He was even my MVP pick. Thanks Drew for not making me look stupid (I do a good enough job of that on my own). Brees proved that he was worth that 2nd round choice with a 343 yards and 3 scores. I really feel that Brees will carry fantasy teams in 2008 like Brady and Romo did last year.
Donovan McNabb: 361 yards and 3 td's proved that rumors of his demise were greatly exaggerated. Did I mention that his top 2 receivers were out? As long as he is healthy, look for more of the same.
Michael Turner: Can Turner carry the load? Absolutely. Well at least against the Lions anyway. 220 yards and and 2 td's made him look like a steal in the 4th round were most people were able to get him. I'm not sure if he can keep it up...we'll see.
Marion Barber: Get used to this stat line: 80 yards and 2 td's. Felix Jones looked good as well, but Barer will continue to get those goal line carries.
Willie Paker: Parker asked to get more touches inside the 10 and Mike Tomlin obliged. Parker had a monster day with 138 yards and 3 scores. He is a sure fire start every week in Pitt's dominant offense.
Duds
Carson Palmer: Are you serious Carson? Last year you started to suck in real life and now you suck in fantasy too. 99 yards? I'd be nervous if I owned Palmer.
Matt Hasselbeck: Matt gets a pass (kind of) considering he is down Engram, Branch, and now Burleson. Still, he was bad in Buffalo. 190 yards and 1 td and 1 int won't kill you, but it doesn't help much either. We expected more Matt.
Joseph Addai: The Colts were terrible last night. They have 3 new starters on the interior of their oline and it showed. The Colts look like they are going to miss Jeff Saturday alot. Addai might have a few games like the 12 carry 44 yard stinker he put up last night.
Steven Jackson & Torry Holt: Raise your hand if you saw this coming. I did. Holdout and no preseason seems to always equal a slow start for a running back. Steven Jackson has 40 yards rushing and 34 yards receiving as the Rams got clobbered 38-3 by the Eagles. At 38-3 though, you tend to abandon the running game. But what's Holt's excuse? 1 catch for 9 yards?! 1 more game like that and you may want to introduce Torry to your bench.
Steady as he goes
Brian Westbrook: 91 yards rushing, 1 receiving TD. Just another solid game for a legit top 3 fantasy RB. Just please stay healthy Brian.
I should have started...
Matt Forte: 123 yards and a score was probably wasted on your bench (I know it was mine). Start him in week 2. Without sexy Rexy closing his eyes and chucking the ball down field, the Bears might be back.
Pick me up now!
Desean Jackson: 6 catches for 106 yards. This rookie had big play written all over him.
Drop me like I'm hot!
Nate Burleson/Tom Brady: Both players out for the year.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Brady could be done for year
According to various sources, it looks like Tom Brady's season could be over before it started. While we won't know exactly how bad this injury is until the MRI tomorrow, early reports are saying that it looks severe. Apparently some players commented that they heard Brady scream after Chief's safety Bernard Pollard lunged and hit his leg. While Matt Cassell filled in admirably today, the Chiefs may be the worst team in the league. Long term, the Pats are in trouble.
Fantasy Impact: I don't even have words for how gigantic this is. If you invested in Brady with a first round pick, you probably figured he would carry your team. If you have an Eli Manning or Jake Delhomme on the bench you could get by. If not, tap into your inner GM and try to come up with a decent trade proposal. You could take a shot at a Matt Ryan or Chad Pennington on the waiver wire, but neither will give you consistent production.
Fantasy Impact: I don't even have words for how gigantic this is. If you invested in Brady with a first round pick, you probably figured he would carry your team. If you have an Eli Manning or Jake Delhomme on the bench you could get by. If not, tap into your inner GM and try to come up with a decent trade proposal. You could take a shot at a Matt Ryan or Chad Pennington on the waiver wire, but neither will give you consistent production.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Droppin' Some Knowledge! AFC West
Broncos:
Brandon Stokley: There's been a lot of talk about Eddie Royal stepping in at the # 2 wide out position and being a nice rookie sleeper. Personally, I'm not big on rookie receivers. Give me a productive slot guy though and I'm a happy man. Brandon Stokley was Wes Welker before it was cool to be Wes Welker. Stokely was Peyton Manning's best friend in his record setting 2004 season and I look for him to get just as tight with Jay Cutler. In 13 games last season, Stokely quietly put up 635 yards and 5 scores. As Cutler continues to improve, he'll hook up with Stokely more and more. Plus, Brandon Marshall is a ticking time bomb and he could either be in Hawaii or Denver Correctional come February. Projection 8oo yards, 8 touchdowns.
Chiefs
Dwayne Bowe: Bowe did what most rookie receivers can't in 2007. He was instantly productive. Even Brodie Croyle sucking couldn't keep Bowe from 70 grabs, 995 yards, and 5 touchdowns. Even with Brodie Croyle continuing to suck in 2008, Bowe gets his numbers. Projection: 1,100 yards, 7 touchdowns.
Raiders
Zach Miller: The Raiders will be running the ball a lot in 2008, but there are only so many carries to go around to McFadden, Fargis and possibly Michael Bush. They have to throw the ball at some point and their wide outs don't give Raider nation much hope. Their underrated tight end should though. Entering his 2nd season, Miller is poised to breakout. Tight ends are usually a security blanket for young quarterbacks and I expect JaMarcus Russell to look for Miller often. Plus at 6'5, he's a red zone threat. Projection: 600 yards, 7 touchdowns.
Chargers
Chris Chambers: I know, I know everyone has had Chambers at one point and everyone has been burned by Chambers. I really think this is his season to make an impact though. With teams zoning in on L.T. and Gates, Chambers should see a lot of one on one coverage. Chambers should be a terrific # 3 WR this season. Projection: 1,000 yards, 9 touchdowns.
Brandon Stokley: There's been a lot of talk about Eddie Royal stepping in at the # 2 wide out position and being a nice rookie sleeper. Personally, I'm not big on rookie receivers. Give me a productive slot guy though and I'm a happy man. Brandon Stokley was Wes Welker before it was cool to be Wes Welker. Stokely was Peyton Manning's best friend in his record setting 2004 season and I look for him to get just as tight with Jay Cutler. In 13 games last season, Stokely quietly put up 635 yards and 5 scores. As Cutler continues to improve, he'll hook up with Stokely more and more. Plus, Brandon Marshall is a ticking time bomb and he could either be in Hawaii or Denver Correctional come February. Projection 8oo yards, 8 touchdowns.
Chiefs
Dwayne Bowe: Bowe did what most rookie receivers can't in 2007. He was instantly productive. Even Brodie Croyle sucking couldn't keep Bowe from 70 grabs, 995 yards, and 5 touchdowns. Even with Brodie Croyle continuing to suck in 2008, Bowe gets his numbers. Projection: 1,100 yards, 7 touchdowns.
Raiders
Zach Miller: The Raiders will be running the ball a lot in 2008, but there are only so many carries to go around to McFadden, Fargis and possibly Michael Bush. They have to throw the ball at some point and their wide outs don't give Raider nation much hope. Their underrated tight end should though. Entering his 2nd season, Miller is poised to breakout. Tight ends are usually a security blanket for young quarterbacks and I expect JaMarcus Russell to look for Miller often. Plus at 6'5, he's a red zone threat. Projection: 600 yards, 7 touchdowns.
Chargers
Chris Chambers: I know, I know everyone has had Chambers at one point and everyone has been burned by Chambers. I really think this is his season to make an impact though. With teams zoning in on L.T. and Gates, Chambers should see a lot of one on one coverage. Chambers should be a terrific # 3 WR this season. Projection: 1,000 yards, 9 touchdowns.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Droppin Some Knowledge! AFC East Edition
Over the next few days I'll be posting a player from each team that I like to have a big year. I'll try to not give obvious choices like Tom Brady. These are some guys who may, or may not be, under the radar. Lets begin with the upstart AFC East.
Patriots
Laurence Maroney: Maroney is a big time talent. The issue in 2007 was that the Pats didn't run the ball until the end of the year. Maroney had 4 touchdowns in his last 3 games to close out last season and I suspect the Pats will lean on him early with Tom Brady ailing. Projection: 1,100 yards rushing and 9td's.
Bills
James Hardy: The Bills lack a big time tight end and their number 1 receiver, Lee Evans, is a wee-man at 5-10. That means the Bills need a red zone target. Enter James Hardy. At 6-7 he could accidentally catch 4-5 touchdown passes this season. Projection: 550 yards, 5 touchdowns. Okay, I don't like him that much but you try and pick someone on the Bills!
Jets
Jerricho Cotchery: If I had to pick 1 player who I think will breakout this year it's Cotchery. I thought he would have a big year before Favre, now with Brett in town Cotchery is destined for stardom. Favre has a tendency to fall in love with one target and he has already praised Cotchery. Projection: 1,300 yards 11 touchdowns.
Dolphins
Ricky Williams: A lot of people are big on Ted Ginn, I just don't see it. I think he will have a pretty good second year but I'm not sure he has the size to be a big time wide out. Williams on the other hand is a big time runner (When he's not stoned). Ricky has been running hard in the preseason and Ronnie Brown is coming off a major knee injury. Even if this starts off as a time share, I feel strongly that Williams will end up getting most of the carries. Projection: 1,050 yard, 8 touchdowns.
Remember this guy...he's worth a shot in the mid rounds...
Patriots
Laurence Maroney: Maroney is a big time talent. The issue in 2007 was that the Pats didn't run the ball until the end of the year. Maroney had 4 touchdowns in his last 3 games to close out last season and I suspect the Pats will lean on him early with Tom Brady ailing. Projection: 1,100 yards rushing and 9td's.
Bills
James Hardy: The Bills lack a big time tight end and their number 1 receiver, Lee Evans, is a wee-man at 5-10. That means the Bills need a red zone target. Enter James Hardy. At 6-7 he could accidentally catch 4-5 touchdown passes this season. Projection: 550 yards, 5 touchdowns. Okay, I don't like him that much but you try and pick someone on the Bills!
Jets
Jerricho Cotchery: If I had to pick 1 player who I think will breakout this year it's Cotchery. I thought he would have a big year before Favre, now with Brett in town Cotchery is destined for stardom. Favre has a tendency to fall in love with one target and he has already praised Cotchery. Projection: 1,300 yards 11 touchdowns.
Dolphins
Ricky Williams: A lot of people are big on Ted Ginn, I just don't see it. I think he will have a pretty good second year but I'm not sure he has the size to be a big time wide out. Williams on the other hand is a big time runner (When he's not stoned). Ricky has been running hard in the preseason and Ronnie Brown is coming off a major knee injury. Even if this starts off as a time share, I feel strongly that Williams will end up getting most of the carries. Projection: 1,050 yard, 8 touchdowns.
Remember this guy...he's worth a shot in the mid rounds...
Johnson, Lions agree to a 1 year deal
It didn't take long for Rudi Johnson to find a new home. Updating this weekends story...Johnson agreed to a 1 year deal with the Lions. If Kevin Smith struggles, Johnson could take on a prominent role. If he doesn't, Rudi may only get a few carries a game. If you Johnson keep him on the bench if you can. The Lions released Tatum Bell to make room for Johnson.
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