I have never thrown the remote at the couch before. Ever. Even when Derrick Rose went down in last year’s playoffs, even when Steve Bartman reached his paw out in front of Moises Alou, even when I heard the news that MJ was retiring to play... baseball? Never, not once. I respect the remote and it’s magical channel-changing powers and, more importantly, I don’t believe in throwing household items out of anger.
Then, Monday night, all that changed. There’s disappointing, there’s depressing, there’s confusing, there’s frustrating, and then there’s something far above infuriating which is what occurred Monday night. ...And I’m even a Bears fan.
I’ve seen bad calls. I’ve seen terrible calls. And now I have seen the final possession from the Green Bay - Seattle Monday nighter, which qualifies as a whole new dimension of terrible, and which impacted more than just bettors, NFC standings, and NFL players: namely, it won or lost literally millions of Fantasy games.
I think what is most disappointing about the entire debacle is how many opportunities the referees and the league had to “get it right.” First, the league could have chosen to go into the season with the regular officials, say, working without a contract instead of locked out. Second, the replacements could have correctly NOT called both the phantom roughing the passer and horrendous defensive pass interference penalties on the final drive. Third, the two refs on the field in the corner of the endzone could have conferred to determine what the actual call on the field was (one signalled TD, the other, interception) before Seattle fans and media rushed the field. Fourth, the replay official could have made the right call and ended the game as it actually did: with a Green Bay win. But, at no point did anyone in any position of authority attempt to simply “get it right."
Here, today, we are fixing that. My goal this week, and every week, is to “get it right” when it comes to rankings. To that end, I will strictly adhere to my Mission Statement:
MY MISSION STATEMENT
What frustrates me above all else are so-called fantasy advice columns that fit into one of two categories:
1) They refuse to stray from conventional wisdom, often until it’s weeks too late to save or help your season or
2) They only offer rankings commentary on the “big-name” guys that everyone knows to play anyway. Gee, Adrian Peterson will have a bounce back week and I shouldn’t bench him for Danny Woodhead? Thanks!
Each week I will examine what I consider to be the most pressing issues facing fantasy owners. I will try to focus only on issues that you may actually be concerned with, namely: marginal flex players, tough matchup decisions, and above all else, how to assimilate new information from the previous week. This is a column of the people, by the people, for the people. And as long as I’m offering oaths, I promise to always tackle the difficult questions as I see them, not be chained by conventional wisdom, and not allow traditional or draft-position bias to affect my weekly rankings.
Week 3 Top 75
1. Arian Foster
2. Ray Rice
3. LeSean McCoy
4. Marshawn Lynch
5. Jamaal Charles
6. Calvin Johnson
7. AJ Green
8. Adrian Peterson
9. Maurice Jones-Drew
10. Jimmy Graham
11. Rob Gronkowski
12. Frank Gore
13. DeMarco Murray
14. Julio Jones
15. Doug Martin
The Big Boys
No, I’m not suddenly jumping aboard the Larry Fitzgerald train. Sorry. It was one nice week against a team he habitually puts up nice weeks against. I want more consistency which, as you’ll see by my omission of Fitz in the top-15, I don’t believe is coming. Marshawn Lynch IS the Seattle offense, and should have a good day against Saint Louis. Welcome back Jamaal Charles! Last week I wrote about Charles: “Honestly, this is the week for Jamaal Charles. Can he overcome the soreness and put his injury behind him? If he doesn’t do it in New Orleans, I will have to seriously downgrade him for the rest of the year.” Guess what... he did it in New Orleans. I really loathe having Peterson and Jones-Drew in the top-10, but honestly I think they belong there, at least for this week. Long-term, I’m not huge on either guy. AJ Green, the stud. He’s playing like the best WR in fantasy right now, but it’s hard to move anyone above Megatron, who looked just fine when Shaun Hill stepped in for Matthew Stafford. No, I’m not worried about Gronk, and yes, Martin finds himself here due in equal part to 1) matchup and 2) lack of anyone else I’d really want to play above him.
16. Michael Bush
17. Roddy White
18. Andre Johnson
19. Victor Cruz
20. Percy Harvin
21. Trent Richardson
22. Cedric Benson
23. BenJarvus Green-Ellis
24. Hakeem Nicks
25. Brandon Lloyd
26. Brandon Marshall
27. Greg Jennings
28. Demaryius Thomas
29. Larry Fitzgerald
30. Tony Gonzalez
More Statements
Yes, that is the list of Wide Receivers I’d start this week over Larry Fitzgerald. It ends with Demaryius Thomas. I really liked Tony Gonzalez last week and he put up great numbers. I expect more of the same against a paper-thin Carolina team. Aaron Rodgers clearly looked more comfortable this week with Greg Jenning on the field, and while Brandon Marshall doesn’t have a great matchup this week, Dallas did lose Barry Church for the season, which should help marginally. The notable absentee from the top-30? Ryan Matthews. The entire Chargers team had a bad week, and after Matthews’ early fumble, Norv Turner was already talking about reducing his workload. I’m staying away from Matthews as best I can.
31. Alfred Morris
32. Jordy Nelson
33. Steve Smith
34. Wes Welker
35. Vernon Davis
36. Dwayne Bowe
37. Miles Austin
38. Ryan Matthews
39. Darren Sproles
40. Marques Colston
41. Reggie Bush
42. Michael Turner
43. Steve Johnson
44. Mikel Leshoure
45. Stevan Ridley
I Believe...
...that Alfred Morris is legit, but has a bad matchup. That you play everyone against the Saints. That Atlanta-Carolina may be a shootout. That Jacquizz Rodgers is coming. That Marques Colston begins his turnaround this week. That Reggie Bush might play, but it’s not the best matchup to be banged up for. That Mikel Leshoure might be too low, here. That you should have sold high on Stevan Ridley.
46. Ahmad Bradshaw
47. DeSean Jackson
48. Dez Bryant
49. Steven Jackson
50. Tashard Choice
51. Torrey Smith
52. Vincent Jackson
53. Martellus Bennet
54. Johnathan Stewart
55. Chris Johnson
56. Dennis Pitta
57. Eric Decker
58. Malcom Floyd
59. Antonio Gates
60. Ben Tate
Question Marks
Supposedly, Ahmad Bradshaw is starting. I guess you have to believe the Giants for now, but keep an eye on it over the weekend. If not, Andre Brown would actually move inside my top-40. Steven Jackson looked really bad last week, and has a subpar matchup against Seattle. Don’t sleep on J-Stew, he’s definitely the better back in Carolina and the Panthers will admit that to themselves at some point. Chris Johnson at 55? Yikes. I want to believe, but last week was just further confirmation that you’re better off benching him. Antonio Gates, please come back! Yes, I do believe the Chargers’ TE will eventually be start-worthy. Potentially even as soon as this week against the Chiefs. But for now, I’d still play Pitta and Bennet over him. If Fred Jackson AND CJ Spiller both miss Sunday, then Tashard Choice needs to move inside the top-30, so check back on the Buffalo RB situation frequently.
61. Jermichael Finley
62. Santonio Holmes
63. Andre Brown
64. Pierre Thomas
65. Kyle Rudolph
66. Michael Crabtree
67. Kenny Britt
68. Brandon Pettigrew
69. Brandon LaFell
70. Anquan Boldin
71. Jacquizz Rodgers
72. Denarius Moore
73. Fred Davis
74. Bilal Powell
75. Nate Washington
Final Thoughts
I still think Kenny Britt is the Titans receiver you want, despite Washington’s amazing performance last week. Sooner or later, Bilal Powell will overtake Shonn Greene on the depth chart. I’m not sure if it will be this week, but if I had to use a Jets RB, I’d pick Powell. I think Fred Davis is the main beneficiary of Pierre Garcon’s continued absence. Jermichael Finley looked alright last week in Seattle and has a peach of a matchup. Kyle Rudolph scores touchdowns, Michael Crabtree racks up catches. I think Brandon LaFell is still worth rostering, and if you need a potential breakout in a deeper league, I’d give him a shot.
As always, best of luck in week 4! You can find me on twitter @petethegreekff for trade, lineup, and other questions, or random rants, pats on the back, etc.
