FANTASY FOOTBALL PICKUPS: Week 16
By Gayle Saunders
Lets get ready for week 16! The moment you’ve been waiting for should finally be here. I’m assuming you’re in the championship finals like myself and playing for the prize. Now even though I believe in the ”if its not broke then don’t fix it” rule, There might be one or two guys that could help your lineup last minute. Below are some pick ups for this week. As always Good luck this week and stay thirsty my friends!
QUARTERBACKS
Matt Moore -Miami Dolphins - Its safe to say that any QB going up against the Patriots will put up numbers…enter Matt Moore. Don’t front on Moore, as he’s had at least one TD in five straight games with nine TDs in that time frame. The Patriots have given up multiple TDs to six of the last eight QBs they’ve faced. #NUFFSAID
Rex Grossman – Washington Redskins - Grossman again? Yes again! He gets the Minnesota Vikings who have been shredded like taco meat these days. In the last 9 games they’ve given up 25 touchdown passes. Yup I did not studder.
Kyle Orton – Kansas City Chiefs - Last but not least Mr. Kyle Orton is relevant again . Last week he quietly put up close to 300 yards against the Packers and this week he gets the Raiders Defense who have allowed multiple TDs in the last 7 games.
RUNNING BACKS
Donald Brown -Indianapolis Colts - Brown came to life last week against the Titans and showed and proved that he is not a bust. He had 161 on the day and 1 TD. Look at the numbers Brown has had 3 TD’s in the last 4 games. My only concern is he faces a tougher defense this week with the Texans…so he’s a risky start, but if your in need feel free to deploy.
Kahlil Bell – Chicago Bears – Bell had 15 carries for 65 yards and caught five passes for 43 yards with a touchdown in Sunday’s blowout loss to the Seahawks. The fact that the Bears offense has been super shaky and they play the recently Lets get ready for week 16! The moment you’ve been waiting for should finally be here. I’m assuming you’re in the championship finals like myself and playing for the prize. Now even though I believe in the “if its not broke then don’t fix it” rule, There might be one or two guys that could help your lineup last minute. Below are some pick ups for this week. As always Good luck this week and stay thirsty my friends!
QUARTERBACKS
Matt Moore -Miami Dolphins - Its safe to say that any QB going up against the Patriots will put up numbers…enter Matt Moore. Dont front on Moore, as he’s had at least one TD in five straight games with nine TDs in that time frame. The Patriots have given up multiple TDs to six of the last eight QBs they’ve faced. #NUFFSAID
Rex Grossman – Washington Redskins - Grossman again? Yes again! He gets the Minnesota Vikings who have been shredded like taco meat these days. In the last 9 games they’ve given up 25 touchdown passes. Yup I did not studder.
Kyle Orton – Kansas City Chiefs - Last but not least Mr. Kyle Orton is relevant again . Last week he quietly put up close to 300 yards against the Packers and this week he gets the Raiders Defense who have allowed multiple TDs in the last 7 games.
RUNNING BACKS
Donald Brown -Indianapolis Colts - Brown came to life last week against the Titans and showed and proved that he is not a bust. He had 161 on the day and 1 TD. Look at the numbers Brown has had 3 TD’s in the last 4 games. My only concern is he faces a tougher defense this week with the Texans…so he’s a risky start, but if your in need feel free to deploy.
Kahlil Bell – Chicago Bears – Bell had 15 carries for 65 yards and caught five passes for 43 yards with a touchdown in Sunday’s blowout loss to the Seahawks. The fact that the Bears offense has been super shaky and they play the recently embarrased Packers…the Bears could be passing heavily and will probably be playing from behind. (Which translates to catches out of the backfield and extra garbage fantasy numbers)
WIDE RECEIVERS
Demaryius Thomas – Denver Broncos - The young Thomas is starting to put up consistent numbers with 18 catches for 338 yards and three TDs over the last three games. Tebow is looking his way folks and has now become his “go-to” guy. He gets Buffalo this week and is a solid play for sure!
Nate Burleson – Detroit Lions - With Megatron playing across from him he finally got his swag back last weekend with seven catches for 81 yards and a TD against the Raiders. If you play in a PPR league feel free to give this guy a play.
Derrius Heyward Bey - DHB put up sick numbers last week vs the lions with eight catches for 155 yards and a score against the Lions. Any Raider fan will tell ya he’s hot & cold and when he’s hot he’s HOT. He had a decent game the last time he face the Chiefs so fee free to deploy as a flex play or WR3. He’s a risky play though you’ve been warned.
Jabar Gaffney – Washington Redskins – Last week Gaffney caught a team high six passes for 85. The week before he hauled in six passes for 92 yards with a touchdown. The facts folks… Gaffney has caught at least five passes and 72 yards in four of the last five games. He has a good matchup against a weak Vikings secondary.
TIGHT ENDS
Brent Celek – Philadelphia Eagles - Some people (which is odd) have not picked up on Celek yet. He’s been a solid play ever since his coming out party against the Cowboys. Last week he had a monster game vs the Jets where he had five grabs for 156 yards and a score. The sad part is he almost had another score on a 73 yard catch & run. He is being targeted heavily these days over the middle and on TE screens. He needs to be picked up if he’s out there in your league.
Jared Cook – Tennessee Titans – Cook finally showed some decent numbers last week when he had nine catches for 103 yards on the Colts D. You have to hope that the Titans get pass heavy vs the Jags for Cook to duplicate these numbers! If in need and your a gambling man look Cook’s way.
DEFENSE
Washington Redskins- You saw what the Redskins defense did to the Giants right? The Redskins played tough and had three sacks and three interceptions. When your facing a team whose lost 6 consecutive games like the Vikings and has turned over the ball 16 times in that time fram… its a no brainer folks!
Tennessee Titans - I know they came up lame against the Colts …BUT the Jaguars have only scored more than 14 points one time this season. Let me remind you were in the 16th week. Numbers don’t lie. Packers…the Bears could be passing heavily and will probably be playing from behind. (Which translates to catches out of the backfield and extra garbage fantasy numbers)
WIDE RECEIVERS
Demaryius Thomas – Denver Broncos - The young Thomas is starting to put up consistent numbers with 18 catches for 338 yards and three TDs over the last three games. Tebow is looking his way folks and has now become his “go-to” guy. He gets Buffalo this week and is a solid play for sure!
Nate Burleson – Detroit Lions - With Megatron playing across from him he finally got his swag back last weekend with seven catches for 81 yards and a TD against the Raiders. If you play in a PPR league feel free to give this guy a play.
Derrius Heyward Bey - DHB put up sick numbers last week vs the lions with eight catches for 155 yards and a score against the Lions. Any Raider fan will tell ya he’s hot & cold and when he’s hot he’s HOT. He had a decent game the last time he face the Chiefs so fee free to deploy as a flex play or WR3. He’s a risky play though you’ve been warned.
Jabar Gaffney – Washington Redskins - Last week Gaffney caught a team high six passes for 85. The week before he hauled in six passes for 92 yards with a touchdown. The facts folks… Gaffney has caught at least five passes and 72 yards in four of the last five games. He has a good matchup against a weak Vikings secondary.
TIGHT ENDS
Brent Celek - Philadelphia Eagles - Some people (which is odd) have not picked up on Celek yet. He’s been a solid play ever since his coming out party against the Cowboys. Last week he had a monster game vs the Jets where he had five grabs for 156 yards and a score. The sad part is he almost had another score on a 73 yard catch & run. He is being targeted heavily these days over the middle and on TE screens. He needs to be picked up if he’s out there in your league.
Jared Cook - Tennessee Titans - Cook finally showed some decent numbers last week when he had nine catches for 103 yards on the Colts D. You have to hope that the Titans get pass heavy vs the Jags for Cook to duplicate these numbers! If in need and your a gambling man look Cook’s way.
DEFENSE
Washington Redskins- You saw what the Redskins defense did to the Giants right? The Redskins played tough and had three sacks and three interceptions. When your facing a team whose lost 6 consecutive games like the Vikings and have turned over the ball 16 times in that time frame…its a no brainer folks!
Tennessee Titans - I know they came up lame against the Colts …BUT the Jaguars have only scored more than 14 points one time this season. Let me remind you were in the 16th week. Numbers don’t lie.
Brent Celek epic hurdle
New Kids On the Block
By Gayle Saunders
follow him on twitter: GayleESaunders
When you think of the Eagles teams in the last ten years and the players who have helped build the winning dynasty, you have to think of the key players who played a significant role in the basic team structure. There are no more “emotional leaders” in Brian Dawkins, “mean & nasty guys” in Jon Runyan, “blind side saviors” in Tra Thomas, “Old school leaders” in Troy Vincent, “Blue collar” favorites as in Duce Staley to lean on. The savvy veterans are all gone. Donovan McNabb is now one of the last men standing of the core group followed by David Akers, Sheldon Brown, Quintin Mikell, and the surprisingly re-signed Jeremiah Trotter.
The most promising thing you have to notice is what Andy Reid has done with the New group of talent. The fact is…he is winning with new blood. When they decided to get rid of their cornerstone Left and Right Tackles in Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan, Eagles Nation held their breath. The offense also lost All Pro Guard Shawn Andrews to season ending surgery, who was on his way to replace Jon Runyan. The hole at right tackle made way for Winston Justice to start. The biggest question was how would Jason Peters and Winston Justice hold up throughout the 2009 season?
Jason Peters (27 yrs old) was brought over via trade with the Buffalo Bills at the beginning of the season. The late blooming Winston Justice (25 yrs old) and starting right guard Nick Cole (25 yrs old) were back ups last year and now find themselves in starting roles. Winston Justice has had an amazing turn around as of late, which has even awarded him with a new 4 year contract extension.
The Next Generation
If you look at the Eagles draft this year, 3 of the first 4 draft picks have assumed the role of starting positions. 1st round pick Jeremy Maclin, who is just 21 yrs young has filled in nicely as starter Kevin Curtis has been injured since week 2. With the multiple injuries to Brian Westbrook, 2nd round pick LeSean McCoy also 21 yrs old, has played a significant role in the Eagles success in the running game as well as Andy Reids beloved screen game. With great hands out of the backfield and a north and south running style, McCoy has filled in just fine.
Tight End Brent Celek, who is 24 yrs old took the place of injury prone LJ Smith, who the Eagles were waiting to blossom into a legit play making tight end. Now that LJ Smith is gone, the Eagles now believe they have found that in Brent, who in his first year as a starter is ranked in the top eight at TE’s with 65 rec 754 yds and 7 tds. He’s also earned himself a 6 yr contract extension and is making a push for a Pro bowl selection.
Having free safety Brian Dawkins for several years was a luxury for Andy Reid and the Eagles. The reality is that Dawkins is gone and rookie Macho Harris (23 yrs old) a 5th round selection out of Virgina tech has taken the reigns. Sometimes you might not hear enough about his stellar play, but sometimes when they arent calling your name out in the secondary it’s a good thing. Macho is definitely playing sound ball in the secondary, as well as on the special teams.
Big time players make big time plays.
Last but not least, Desean Jackson (22 years old) has been nothing but electrifying in his career. He showed flashes of greatness last season and came on strong during the Eagles run in the playoffs. This year its only gotten better for Eagles fans as Jackson has found plenty of ways to get in the end zone. He now shares the record for touchdowns of more than 50 yards in a season at 8 and is on pace to break that NFL record this year. Desean has a great shot at making the pro-bowl this year as a receiver or at returner, his 18.9 yards per catch leads all NFL players with 20-or-more receptions. He also leads the NFL with a 17.8 punt return average, which is also the highest average for a single-season in team history.
In the last decade the Philadelphia Eagles have made the playoffs seven times in the last nine years. If the Eagles continue to develop the younger players in the nest, Its safe to say that they can expect continued success in the city of brotherly love. Hats off to the Eagles front office for making the smooth transition into the next generation.
