The end of the year, the end of the decade, and the end of another fabulous fantasy football season is upon us. There is joy. There is pain. There is triumph. There is defeat. Ok, lots of defeat. After all, there can only be one fantasy football champion crowned in your league, and if you’re not it, then the taste of defeat is all that’ll be left in your mouth all offseason long.

So you’re in a league that uses Week 17 as its championship week. My first question for you…why? As if fantasy football isn’t unpredictable enough, you’re going to have your most important fantasy game fall on the most unpredictable weekend of them all!?! That’s fine…I mean, we all can’t be the decision-making commissioners of every one of our leagues. But honestly, stay away from the Week 17 championship week leagues. They aren’t worth the pain and sorrow that you’ll inevitably suffer by season’s end.

All that being said, for the handful of you that still have something to play for in fantasy land, here now are the High Five and Low Five for the finale of the regular season. Tune in next week for some year-end fun and soon for some early 2010 fantasy predictions. If you’re not preparing for next season now, you’re already behind your competitors!

Last Week’s High Five

Aaron Rodgers, QB: 12 for 23 passing for 237 yds., 1 TD, 0 INTs (He didn’t vault to the top of the fantasy QB rankings with weeks like that.)
Beanie Wells, RB: 17 carries for 68 yds., 1 catch for 25 yds., 1 TD (If you’re in a keeper league, he may be worth holding onto for next season.)
Ahmad Bradshaw, RB: 11 runs for 53 yds., 2 grabs for just 3 yds., no TDs (The entire Giants roster should be embarrassed by their showing last week, Bradshaw included.)
Jerome Harrison, RB: Hefty workload, 39 carries for 148 yds., 1 TD (Harrison has come on strong in the second half of ’09, he could be a force for all of ’10.)
Santonio Holmes, WR: Targeted 12 times, but had just 5 catches for 86 yds., with 1 TD (A solid stat line from a solid fantasy receiver…can’t ask for much more.)

Last Week’s Low Five

Matt Hasselbeck, QB: 19 for 37 through the air, 198 yds., 1 TD, 4 INTs (The Seahawks have completely thrown in the towel, dating back maybe as early as October.)
Knowshon Moreno, RB: 9 runs for just 18 yds., 3 catches for just 17 yds., but had a receiving TD (That TD saves what was otherwise a very lousy performance by the former Georgia Bulldog rookie.)
Reggie Wayne, WR: Just 3 grabs for 33 yds., no TDs (You can’t trust your Colts down the stretch, especially with Bill Polian throwing games to rest his stars.)
Santana Moss, WR: 8 catches for 92 yds., no TDs (A rare decent performance by “the other Moss,” but still no end zone trips lately.)
Dustin Keller, TE: 3 catches for 19 yds., no TDs (He’s been a non-factor in the Jets offense for weeks now…he’s better served as an extra blocker for the talented running game.)

High Five – Week 17

Ben Roethlisberger, QB (Pittsburgh)

Two weeks removed from his record-breaking 503-yard performance against the Packers, Big Ben and the Steelers go up against a young Miami Dolphins secondary, with playoff hopes still intact. The Steelers need help, but with a win over the ‘Fins, Pittsburgh could sneak their way in. He’s got TDs in all but two games this season, and look for Ben to thrive in the Miami sunshine on Sunday.

Jeremy Maclin, WR (Philadelphia)

Coming off a nagging foot injury that sidelined him in Week 15, the Missouri rookie receiver racked up 10 targets and 92 yards last week, extending a streak of 60+ receiving yard games to five. Maclin struggled in his first matchup with Dallas, putting up just 44 yards, but look for a healthy Maclin to be a bigger part of the offense this week in Big D.

Laveranues Coles, WR (Cincinnati)

The entire Bengals team will be playing with a chip on their shoulder Sunday night after getting snubbed with zero Pro Bowl nominees, but Coles will have chips on both shoulders, as he also gets the pleasure of going up against his former team in New York. Coles has been quiet most weeks, not having more than 72 yards in a game all year, but he has seen the end zone in two straight games and I’m sure he’d love to make it three. With the Jets likely to lock up Chad Ochocinco with Pro Bowl corner Darrelle Revis, look for Coles to become a worthy option for Palmer and the Cincy offense.

Visanthe Shiancoe, TE (Minnesota)

No tight end has more touchdown grabs than the English-born Shiancoe, who hauled in his 10th TD on Monday night in the Vikes’ OT loss to the Bears. Shiancoe now has 4 TDs in his last 6 games, and while he does appear on the injury report yet again with a thigh problem, he hasn’t missed time at all this year, having been on the report several weeks prior. The Giants give up more fantasy points to opposing tight ends than any other squad, so look for Shiancoe to have some success on Sunday against the G-Men.

San Francisco, Defense

The Niners are out of the playoff picture in the NFC, but that doesn’t mean head coach Mike Singletary will let up on his young team. San Fran’s defense shined last week in a 20-6 win over Detroit, forcing 3 fumbles and 3 interceptions on the day. This week, it may get even easier for the Niners, as they go up against the St. Louis Rams, a team that San Francisco shut out in Week 4, scoring 3 defensive touchdowns in the process.

Low Five – Week 17

Peyton Manning, QB (Indianapolis)

Sure, I could add Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Phillip Rivers, or any other star player on a team with nothing to play for this week into this week’s Low Five and call it a day. But I chose Peyton Manning for one reason, and one reason only…I despise the man. You can’t get away from the guy. You try to watch a non-Colts game, his ugly mug pops up during every commercial break. You try to watch a non-football sporting event, same thing. You try to watch a non-sporting event on a non-sports channel, ditto. You try to read a book with the TV off, don’t be surprised if Peyton’s horse face doesn’t magically appear on the page, just as the plot thickens.

Manning was pulled last week in the third quarter against the Jets, so don’t be surprised if they pull him after the third offensive series this week in Buffalo. Sit this guy on your fantasy bench. Start Alex Smith, start Matt Moore, heck, start Curtis Painter…they will all have bigger and better days than the NFL’s golden boy.

Matt Cassel, QB (Kansas City)

With just 3 TDs and 8 INTs in his last 4 games, Matt Cassel has simply stunk up the joint as of late, offering little to no fantasy value to anyone. This week he goes up against a still hungry Denver team, vying for a playoff spot. Cassel put up his worst game of the year the last time he faced the Broncos, throwing for just 84 yards and 2 interceptions in the Week 13 loss. Cassel isn’t even worth a second thought this week. Bench him, drop him, kick him to the curb.

Derrick Mason, WR (Baltimore)

This could be the end of the road for the veteran receiver, if Baltimore somehow doesn’t advance to the playoffs in the AFC. Mason, who retired briefly in the preseason before coming back for another go at it, actually had a very solid year for the Ravens. He is battling a nagging knee injury that has him listed as questionable for the regular season finale in Oakland, but you’ve got to believe he’ll do all he can to get on the field and play. He’ll likely be matched up against Pro Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha if he does play, so temper your expectations for Mason and the Baltimore passing game for Sunday.

Donald Driver, WR (Green Bay)

Turning to another veteran receiver, Driver has been the best receiver on the Packers roster all season long…a roster that includes previous #1 receiver Greg Jennings. The longtime Packer is just 4 yards shy of posting his sixth straight 1000-yard receiving season, which shouldn’t be a problem against the Cardinals in the desert on Sunday. Driver’s production has tailed off though as of late, with no TDs in the last 3 games and 33 yards or less in 3 of his last 4 games. Driver will make his 1000-yard mark, but don’t look for much more from the vet this week.

New York Giants, Defense

The Giants got torched for 41 points in an embarrassing loss to the Panthers Sunday in their last home game at Giants Stadium. They helped make inexperienced quarterback Matt Moore and backup rusher Jonathan Stewart look like gridiron gods, leaving the G-Men on the outside of the playoffs for the first time in six seasons.

New York travels to Minnesota to face Brett Favre and a Vikings team that will look to rebound from their Monday night loss to Chicago, as they try to right the ship before hopefully an extended playoff run. You can’t trust the Giants’ defense this week, and going into next season, I can’t see how they rank any higher than the middle of the pack…a far cry from the top-5 defense they have been the past few years.

© Brian Kintz for Sports of Boston, 2010. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Fantasy, Featured.

Let me be the first to welcome you to the boring doldrums of the sports calendar. Hoops are on hiatus, pucks are on ice, and even baseball’s now at their mid-summer snooze. Unless you’re a raging WNBA fan, there’s just very little action to feast your eyes on these days. (And hey, all you WNBA fans, all 7 of you, you can save time and stop reading now, there’s nothing here for you.)

And so instead of focusing on the sports world on the fields, courts, and ice across this great country, what better time than now to turn your attention to the fantasy sports world…namely, fantasy football. You know, the hobby that warms your heart and rejuvenates your soul. Or, more likely, the hobby that kicks the crap out of you, your wallet, and your manhood (or womanhood, ladies are welcome, I don’t mind beating them too, their cash money looks just as good in my wallet as cash money from a dude does).

So for this week’s fantasy football appetizer, we turn our focus to the new kids on the block. No, not Donny, Joey, Danny, Jordan, and Jonathan (I swear I had to look up their names, I swear I didn’t know them by heart…ok, maybe I did.). I’m talking about the players who changed zip codes in the offseason. Guys with new teammates, new contracts, new lockers, and new, heightened expectations.

Heading into last season, really the only player who fit into this category that made any impact on the fantasy football world was Atlanta’s Michael Turner, who now, after a breakout year last season, will most likely be picked within the top two or three selections of your draft. While none of the gents I’ll mention below are worthy of a pick quite that early, there are definitely more faces in new places who will make fantasy fireworks this season.

And so now, I present to you the second installment (first installment right here) of “The Starting 11,” highlighting the top eleven fantasy players on new teams. Bon apetit!

The Starting 11 – Top Faces in New Places

1. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Seattle

Housh may be 32 years old this season, but his relocation to the Pacific Northwest will undoubtedly provide the spark that will rekindle the former Bengal’s flame. T.J. is coming off a bust of a season last year in Cincy, where his 904 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns probably had you pulling your hair out if you had Housh in your lineup. With QB Carson Palmer sidelined much of last year, and Chad Ochenta y Cinco (if he’s changing his last name, let’s at least get it right, “85″ in Spanish isn’t “Ochocinco,” you dope!) virtually nonexistent last season, T.J.’s production suffered, as backup Ryan Fitzpatrick just couldn’t deliver the ball to Housh as he should have. This year, Houshmandzadeh will be pretty much the only offensive show in town. The only other skill players on the Seahawks’ roster are the likes of Julius Jones and Deion Branch, names that don’t scare anyone. Look for Matt Hasselbeck to rely on T.J.’s down-the-field abilities, especially late in games playing from behind, and watch Houshmandzadeh rebound with a monster year for you in fantasy land.

2. Terrell Owens, WR, Buffalo

There will be drama. We all know that. We all expect that. But T.O. can still produce, and will produce, in his new home up in Buffalo. After a year where he was one of only seven players with double-digit touchdown catches, you’ve got to believe his production will continue up north. Being on a one-year deal doesn’t hurt the cause either, as T.O. generally has his best seasons when in the last year of his contract. Look for Owens to thrive with Trent Edwards behind center, and watch his teammate Lee Evans also light it up on the fantasy scoresheet as well.

3. Tony Gonzalez, TE, Atlanta

After twelve uber-productive seasons in Kansas City, the future Hall of Famer takes his talents to Hotlanta to fly with Matt Ryan and the Falcons this coming season. While Gonzalez won’t be Ryan’s primary target on offense, with the likes of Roddy White and Michael Turner as younger and more talented options, Gonzalez will likely see more red zone chances than in previous years, and will surely continue to be a top-3 fantasy tight end at least for one more year.

4. Derrick Ward, RB, Tampa Bay

Derrick Ward made the most of his contract year with the Giants last season, racking up over 1000 yards on the ground in a backup role to Brandon Jacobs. This season, Ward will run wild in the Tampa Bay backfield as the Bucs’ feature back, likely earning the majority of touches over incumbents Earnest Graham and Cadillac Williams. Graham may steal a few red zone touches away from the speedy Ward throughout the year, but Ward should have no problem putting up another 1000-yard season for Tampa this coming season. Ward will make the Giants very sorry they let him go.

5. Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago

After a tumultous offseason, the winds of change have blown Jay Cutler to the Windy City. After being swapped from Denver to Chicago for Kyle Orton and a sack full of draft picks, the former Pro Bowler comes to a Bears team that doesn’t have the same weapons as his Broncos team had last year. However, Cutler’s talent can’t go unnoticed. Watch for the new Bears’ franchise passer to take some pressure off second-year rusher Matt Forte, while making wideout Devin Hester a bona fide top-10 fantasy receiver. Don’t draft Cutler too high, but he’s still a great low-end #1 option at the QB spot.

6. Matt Cassel, QB, Kansas City

While one AFC West quarterback hit the road, another one entered the division with a pile of hype alongside him. Matt Cassel, the wonderboy who kept the Pats’ ship afloat last season after Tommy Boy’s knee injury 7 minutes into last season, leaves New England to become the Chief of the Chiefs, a young team in the middle of retooling under new GM Scott Pioli. Cassel, now fresh off signing a lucrative contract, will aim to prove the world he’s worth his new $63 million deal, so look for Cassel to air it out whenever he can for KC. The Chiefs did lose All-Pro Tony Gonzalez, but they still have several weapons in their arsenal, led by youngster Dwayne Bowe. So, Cassel could have a repeat performance of last season. Like Cutler, don’t draft Cassel too high. He’s still relatively inexperienced after all, but Cassel could start for your fantasy team and not hurt you.

7. Torry Holt, WR, Jacksonville

After two straight seasons with 94 catches, Holt’s production took a big nose dive last season in St. Louis, dropping to just 64 grabs for the Rams. Now he moves to the Jags, hardly considered to be a passing offense. But Maurice Jones-Drew can’t handle the ball every play (or can he?), so when David Garrard drops back to pass, Holt will be on his mind first, for lack of a better option. Temper your expectations on him this year, but the veteran receiver could act as a great sleeper pick and bye-week fill-in during the later rounds of your draft.

8. Laveranues Coles, WR, Cincinnati

In past years, I would fill my roster with as many Bengals as I could. The same can’t be said lately though, especially after last year’s stinker of a season from Carson Palmer, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and Chad #85. It’s sad when Cedric Benson is your team’s shining star. So drafting Laveranues Coles this season, in his first year with Cincy, comes with huge risk involved. Coles matched his career high last season with seven touchdowns in New York, and if Mr. Ochocinco mentally checks out on the Bengals again, Coles could have a big year in store with Palmer back under center. Key word: could. Take a chance on him if he’s still on the board in the later rounds as a #3 WR option.

9. Dominic Rhodes, RB, Buffalo

Marshawn Lynch’s 3-game suspension to open the upcoming season gives new addition Dominic Rhodes added value in your fantasy draft right from the start. While Lynch is on the shelf, look for Rhodes to split time with third-year rusher Fred Jackson. Rhodes won’t be shoved to the side come Week 4 either, as his hands in the receiving game should play well into Buffalo’s offensive game plan this year. After a solid year backing up Joseph Addai in Indy, look for Rhodes to put up similar numbers this season in Buffalo behind Lynch.

10. Fred Taylor, RB, New England

I usually stay away from drafting Patriots running backs because what Bill Belichick does with them from game to game is anyone’s guess. But no one can deny the potential impact veteran Fred Taylor brings to the New England backfield. The Pats are loaded with rushing options, with Laurence Maroney and Sammy Morris returning from injury, Kevin Faulk back for his 11th season, and the young BenJarvus Green-Ellis hoping to get more work this season. But the 33-year-old Taylor has history on his side, and he’s hungry to make a real impact here on a potential Super Bowl contender. The Patriot offense may not turn to the running game come red zone time, but if it’s yardage and carries that tickle your fancy, Taylor could be worth a shot in the late rounds.

11. The Minnesota Starting QB to be Named Later, QB, Minnesota

We all know what we’re in for here… days or weeks from now, everyone’s favorite Southern Mississippi hillbilly is going to announce his return to the NFL, this time wearing the purple and gold of the Minnesota Vikings. Whether Brett Favre does come back or not, whichever new QB takes the reigns on this playoff squad from a year ago has the potential to rock your fantasy world. Even if Favre’s comeback is just a tease (here’s hoping), the Vikes brought in another viable option in Sage Rosenfels. Rosenfels did a nice job in relief of Matt Schaub last season and is more of a pocket passer than Favre or last year’s starter Tarvaris Jackson. Keep your eye on this situation, as whichever guy earns the starting job could be worth a pickup in the late rounds as your fantasy team’s backup signal caller.

Honorable Mentions

• Kyle Orton, QB, Denver
• Correll Buckhalter, RB, Denver
• Bobby Engram, WR, Kansas City
• Joey Galloway, WR, New England
• Kellen Winslow, TE, Tampa Bay

© Brian Kintz for Sports of Boston, 2009. | Permalink | 2 comments
Filed under: Fantasy, Featured.