The 3M Report: Week One
So, what exactly is the “3M” report? Well, it’s been posted under different titles and viewed on multiple sites in the past, but from the very first time I pounded the letters on my keyboard into submission in the name of football, this article has always been my favorite to write. It’s a game day compilation, a fantasy football hodgepodge and my own gridiron manifesto looking back at all the “mayhem, magic and mishaps” from each week (hence the name 3M Report). I’ll blend my 42 years of football intuition with 28 years of FF experience to hopefully bring our DLF faithful an insightful and entertaining NFL perspective each and every Monday morning. So without any further delay, let’s take a closer look at all the eye catching, head scratching developments from week one.
Amid the deafening noise of CenturyLink Field and the relentless Seattle pass rush, Green Bay’s rookie center Corey Linsley held his own and performed admirably Thursday night in his NFL debut. Linebacker Clay Matthews also appeared healthy and played his normal aggressive, competent role as defensive disruptor. Those two, however, were the lone bright spots in the trenches for the Packers on either side of the ball. Sure it’s only week 1 and it was on the road in Seattle, but it’s tough to take the Packers as serious contenders with so many weaknesses on both interior lines.
In a recent DLF preseason predictions article I wrote this – “The Seahawks may have a run first mentality, but quarterback Russell Wilson is too savvy, too shrewd and just too talented to ignore the game changing ability this wide receiver brings to the offense. As long as Percy Harvin stays healthy, he’ll post WR1 numbers at a discounted draft price.” Let’s face it, Harvin brings a missing dynamic to the Seattle offensive attack. If he stays healthy (big “if,” I know) defensive coordinators around the league will have a tough time sleeping at night. Few players attract the defensive attention or create alignment confusion like Harvin does pre-snap when he’s sent in motion across a formation.
Jacksonville wide receiver Allen Hurns was apparently channeling Kevin Ogletree‘s week 1 performance from 2012. The undrafted rookie form the University of Miami hauled in four receptions for 110 yards and two scores.
I know it’s only the second year for these two players, but I can’t help but feel Cincinnati’s Tyler Eifert and Washington’s Jordan Reed are quickly vying to become the Jonathan Stewart of tight ends.
Some beat writers have been hinting Mark Ingram could emerge as the top option in a crowded New Orleans’ backfield and Ingram continued the same tough inside running in week one that was evident during the summer. Ingram has been more decisive this season, rushing with a nice combination of power and precision that was lacking in 2013.
While we’re talking about the Saints, we all knew rookie wide out Brandin Cooks was electric, but in his first professional game, Cooks displayed veteran like composure and reinforced the fact he plays bigger than his size suggests.
Every time I think I finally have a firm grasp on the NFL, strange things happen to knock me back to reality. Devin Hester‘s five catch, 99 yard performance for the Falcons, Justin Forsett racking up 70 yards and a touchdown on the ground for the Ravens and E.J. Manuel completing 16-of-22 passes for the Bills during a difficult overtime victory in Chicago all qualify as a reality check.
Anyone who has read some of my previous work knows I’ve been on the Cordarrelle Patterson soap box since his days at Tennessee. His peripheral vision and open field skills are second to none and set him apart from other wide receivers. Most open field threats set up would be tacklers one defender at a time, but Patterson has the unique ability to set up multiple defenders at once with vicious angles and uncanny cutback moves. He still has room to improve as a wide receiver, but he’s already a game changing threat every time he touches the ball.
For fantasy purposes, a limited Rob Gronkowski is still a very viable FF option. “Gronk” looked stiff and really couldn’t sink into any routes, but he still saw 11 targets including multiple third down and red zone looks.
Did Joe Flacco really throw 62 passes? I know Mr. Flacco is a seven-year veteran with a Super Bowl ring in tow, but he spent three quarters playing like a rookie in his first NFL game.
Obvious fact – A.J. Green has a graceful, effortless stride…..and yet I’m still amazed every time I see it. A.J. Green is the silky smooth greyhound of awesomeness.
Lamar Miller has been a dynasty darling since the Dolphins drafted him, but the running styles of Miller and fellow Miami running back Knowshon Moreno are strikingly different. There is a maturity to Moreno’s game and he’s much more patient than his counterpart. The former Bronco keeps his head up, always looking for a crease and he moves toward daylight with decisiveness and a commitment to whatever yardage is available. Miller may be a solid complement to Moreno, but unless Knowshon gets injured, he’s easily the lead horse in this South Florida backfield.
Was it my imagination or were there more loose helmets rolling around the field on Sunday? Every time I looked up it seemed like someone’s helmet had been separated from a player’s head. I hope the NFL isn’t using discount chin straps just to save a few bucks.
A healthy Julio Jones and Roddy White make for a very happy and productive Matt Ryan. And don’t sleep on tight end Levine Toilolo (3/19/1) at tight end for the Falcons. Tony Gonzalez finished 2013 with 121 targets (7.6 per game) and while Toilolo won’t see those lofty numbers, there are certainly additional targets in store for him as Ryan and company become more comfortable with the 6’8″ tight end from Stanford.
As long as Matt Cassel is under center for the Minnesota Vikings, Greg Jennings is a solid WR3 for fantasy football purposes.
Welcome to the big time Brian Quick. Many fantasy football pundits, including yours truly, thought Kenny Britt would have a bounce back season in 2014 and impose his physicality on the St. Louis passing game. In week one, however, it was Quick who finally flashed the athleticism we’ve been waiting for since he was drafted back in 2012. Sure, the Rams lost the game, but it was still nice to see Quick produce a solid stat line (7/99) for the first time in his career.
Talk about a Jekyll and Hyde performance by both the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers. Down 27-3, the Browns came roaring back with tons of heart and a relentless rushing attack, only to fall short on a last second Pittsburgh field goal. Ben Tate once again proved he’s a fragile lead back, but rookies Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell stepped in and delivered a more than capable showing.
Chip Kelly must feel like a kid on Christmas morning. Not only did his Eagles put together a solid second half comeback against the Jaguars, but he also got to play with his new toy – the mismatch monster known as Darren Sproles. While I don’t think Sproles will hurt LeSean McCoy‘s value moving forward, I do believe we may have underestimated just how valuable Sproles can be with Kelly drawing up the plays on Sundays.
It looks like Arian Foster still has a little gas left in the tank after all.
I’m pretty sure listening to all the talk about the dominant Seattle defense for a few extra days created a giant sized chip on the shoulders of the 49ers defenders.
As for the Cowboys…..UGH. Tony Romo clearly wasn’t himself as he looked rusty and completely out of sync. Chalk it up to a lack of off-season preparation and preseason work as Romo rehabbed from back surgery. It looks like it’s going to be a long season for the Cowboys and a rusty quarterback only exacerbates their problems on the defensive side of the ball.
Delanie Walker may be “smurf sized” for a tight end, but the six foot Titan is as crafty as they come, especially in the red zone. Justin Hunter’s dynasty owners can also feel pretty good tonight that Nate Washington didn’t go off for one of his 120 yard, two score games.
Last season, Ken Whisenhunt helped Eddie Royal find the end zone eight times as the offensive coordinator of the San Diego Chargers. Many hoped “Whiz,” now the head coach of the Titans, would have the same impact on speedy wide out Kendall Wright. Well, Sunday Wright scored his first touchdown of the 2014 season – that’s already half of his two touchdown total for all of 2013.
I should know better by now, but Antonio Brown continues to surprise me. No. I’m not talking about the “cleats to the helmet” move Brown broke out on Sunday, but rather his ability to create separation regardless of the opposition or coverage. I think I fall victim to the “big receiver love” that resonates throughout the dynasty community, but Antonio Brown is a FF difference maker with the complete trust of his quarterback. I need to start valuing him accordingly regardless of his size.
Who says Kelvin Benjamin needs his best buddy Cam Newton at quarterback to be productive? Benjamin is stiff/rigid through his routes and doesn’t sink his hips when cutting, but he’s a big, powerful target with solid body control on a team desperate for a receiver to rise to the challenge. A stat line of 6/92/1 with Derek Anderson under center only confirms Benjamin’s value in this offense.
It’s sad when Andrew Luck is more decisive running the ball and faster to the pylon than Trent Richardson.
The Broncos seem to be so good at “reverse peaking.” They always start the season red hot and laser sharp, a testament to Peyton Manning’s leadership and attention to detail.
If you’re Denver’s opposition you can prepare all you want for Julius Thomas, but it’s near impossible to replicate his athleticism during practices leading up to the real thing.
Toughest loses on Sunday? The Bears, Chiefs and Rams all had home games they probably should have won, but all three teams played far below expectations. The Patriots loss to the Dolphins in Miami, however, sent shock waves through the AFC East. The Patriots placed a strangle hold on that division for the better part of a decade and a loss to a divisional opponent this early in the season sets a resonating tone of vulnerability for the boys from Gillette Stadium.
That wraps up this edition of the 3M Report and a look back at week number one of the NFL season. Until next Monday, here’s hoping all your fantasy starters perform well and stay injury free.
Follow Leo Paciga on Twitter – @FFhoudini
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