Monday Morning Hangover: Week Seven

Jeff Haverlack Posted On October 22, 2012

Editor’s Note: Make sure you check out the lower left on the DLF Home page – you’ll discover our Member Corner articles are back and better than ever.

Every Sunday we’re featuring the Sunday Six Pack that covers the day’s biggest storylines. We follow this up each and every Monday with the Monday Hangover, which looks back on those stories and covers what we learned. These back-to-back articles are sure to get you primed, pumped and informed throughout the entire season. In addition, reading these articles will ensure you understand the dangers of not paying attention or drinking too much on Sundays.

Can #1) Adding the Green in Green Bay

Alex Green dominated the carries once again with 20 rushes for a total of 35 yards and also added four receptions for 29 yards. However, despite the 24 touches, Green could only muster just those 64 total yards. In a high powered offense that forces defenses to play on their heels, 1.8 yards per carry isn’t going to get it done. Perhaps even more surprising was that James Starks, now healthy from a bout of turf toe, didn’t register a single carry. Looking forward, what’s on tap for the Green Bay backfield? In weeks eight and nine, the Packers will host both Jacksonville and Arizona, which should go a long way toward providing some level of success for the struggling run game. Either way, you can expect that Starks will begin seeing work, if only at a minimum in the near term. Until Green becomes more productive, or another back emerges, treat any runner in the backfield as no more than a RB4, startable only as your last flex play.

Can #2) Skelton Crew

While John Skelton wasn’t terrible under center, he was far from good. His final numbers were 25-for-36 passing for 262 yards, with a 1:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He also lost a fumble. Unless you started Andre Roberts (7/103/1), you were left with a bad taste in your mouth. Even Larry Fitzgerald could only pull down four receptions for 29 yards, again creating a start-sit conundrum in week eight. Things don’t get much easier next week as the the Cardinals will host the 49ers on Monday night. The NFL’s top ranked defense isn’t likely the answer for Arizona’s struggling passing attack. Now 4-3 on the season with three consecutive losses and Kevin Kolb likely to miss multiple additional weeks, there aren’t many options left for Cardinals Head Coach Ken Whisenhut other than hoping that Skelton can pull it together. Fantasy owners should expect much more of the same in the next two weeks. Don’t get overly excited if the Cardinals do, indeed, sign Vince Young, either.

Can #3) Flash Gordon

Moments of magic, moments of misery. Josh Gordon made it three straight weeks when he reeled in a 33 yard touchdown pass from Brandon Weeden. He would only catch one other ball on the day on his way to a two reception, 59 yard effort. But as pretty as his 33 yard snatch for a touchdown was, it was eclipsed by by an ugly drop that would have been the go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Gordon allowed the ball to bounce off his hands as he glided into the end zone and the Browns wouldn’t recover. Perhaps pressured by the emergence of Gordon, fellow receiver Greg Little turned in his best performance of the season, hauling in six receptions for 52 yards and a juggling touchdown. At 21 years of age, it’s obvious that Gordon has plenty of star power potential and should continue to develop. Until that occurs and his reception totals increase, expect a large dose of inconsistency combined with intriguing big play ability.

Can #4) Nerves of Steel

In a minor break-out performance, Jonathan Dwyer put together a night worthy of some level praise, frequently breaking arm tackles at the line of scrimmage and consistently getting into the secondary. He’s anything but elusive and doesn’t appear to possess a second gear, but channeling his inner Jerome Bettis will be welcomed in the Steel City. On the night, Dwyer carried the ball 17 times for 122 yards, while giving way to Chris Rainey on most third down situations. With Isaac Redman and Rashard Mendenhall both recovering from nagging injuries, it’s unclear just what Dwyer’s role will be going forward, but his performance keeps him in the mix for carries. Additionally, realize that he’s a young 23 and will be a restricted free agent in 2013.

Can #5) Ram Tough

A legitimate time share appears to be in play in St. Louis. Steven Jackson is still commanding a lion’s share of the carries, but we’re not far from a true 50/50 ratio soon. Regardless of Daryl Richardson’s current status as primary or secondary ball carrier, he has quickly relegated Isaiah Pead to a waiver wire product in shallower leagues and even potentially deeper leagues as well. He’s undersized at 5’10” and 196 pounds, but you wouldn’t know it from his running style. He’s the heir apparent to Jackson and with rumors beginning to swirl that Jackson may be on the trade block, it could be sooner rather than later. Stay tuned.

Can #6) Spiller Time

For all intents and purposes, we have an evenly split time share again in Buffalo, confirmed by strikingly similar touch totals on the day. CJ Spiller amassed 12 carries for 70 yards while also bringing in six receptions for 32 yards. Fred Jackson had nine carries for 71 yards backed by eight receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown. Whether fantasy owners want to believe it or not, the timeshare is in and you can expect it for the remainder of the season unless the injury bug bites. Jackson is a valuable redraft target while Spiller continues to be an attractive dynasty one. It’s risky to rely on either while the hot-hand approach is in effect, but both are likely to remain viable RB2 candidates.

Author
Recent Posts

Jeff Haverlack

Co-Founder at Dynasty League Football

Appreciative husband and proud father who poorly attempts to balance family life with his passion for creating the largest, most helpful and most impactful fantasy community on the planet! DLF was created for the community and we're committed to each member within it! Hope anyone playing this great game will call DLF home in some way!

You can find Jeff on Twitter at @dlf_jeff

Latest posts by Jeff Haverlack (see all)