The Dynasty Aftermath: Week Six
Welcome to DLF’s Dynasty Aftermath. This staple article is our longest running signature piece as we have a little fun after a tough week at the Dynasty League Football office. You’ll find this article will review the week’s happenings in a variety of ways and help set you up for the coming weeks as we spin around the league in the way we know best.
“This is no longer a vacation. It’s a quest. It’s a quest for fun. You’re gonna have fun and I’m gonna have fun. We’re all gonna have so much fun, we’re gonna need plastic surgery to remove our smiles.” – Clark W. Griswold (edited for obvious reasons)
This is typically the time of year when we start to hear people say, “I hate fantasy football.” This type of statement usually coincides with a disappointing start to the season by a dynasty team they felt would compete this year. While the year may not have started (or even end) as they may have thought, they’re missing the point of this game – having fun. The best part of fantasy football can be its unpredictability and you have to enjoy the journey even if the destination isn’t what you initially intended. I can think of no better example of enjoying the journey better than Clark Griswold in National Lampoon’s Vacation. So, even if things aren’t going your way, stop and enjoy the ride this whole experience provides – if you don’t, you won’t last long in a dynasty league.
In short, treat it like this guy and expect some Vacation references this week in his honor…
[arve url=”https://youtu.be/36OPVI5v7jc”]
Week Six Fantasy MVP
I hate to pick two different players for one award, but I feel like it’s necessary every so often and this week really hits the mark.
I wrote last week that Lamar Miller’s owners needed to be seriously concerned if he didn’t have his breakout game this week against the spiritless Indianapolis defense. He responded well with 149 rushing yards, 29 receiving yards and his first two touchdowns of the season. Had he put up another scoreless clunker, it was going to be time to start re-evaluating him as a weekly no-brainer in your lineup. While he may not be as productive as most hoped before the season started, this was a great step forward.
The second player I have to focus on this week is the now 28-year old Kenneth Lawrence Britt of the Los Angeles Rams. Now in his eighth season, Britt has 30 catches for 492 yards and two scores this year – this puts him on pace for 80 catches, 1,312 yards and five scores this season after putting up a 7/136/2 line against the Lions this week. Anyone who has been in dynasty leagues long enough can remember when Britt was the youngest player in the league and just oozed potential. He’s had an amazing share of ups and downs throughout his career, but looks poised to post his first ever 1,000 yard season. If you’ve held on to him for all these years, you probably fit into one of three categories:
- You’re the most patient person in the world.
- You forgot one of the leagues you were supposed to be managing.
- You are extraordinarily stubborn when accepting defeat.
Regardless, here we sit in 2016 and Kenny Britt is as relevant as he’s ever been. This is what makes fantasy football both exciting and maddening at the same time. It’s just amazing to remember he was like the Cousin Eddie on rosters for years.
Week Six Fantasy LVP
You likely didn’t expect a performance worthy of RB1 status from Tevin Coleman this week up in Seattle, but you certainly thought a flex worthy stat line was coming if you owned him. Instead, you were rewarded with ten rushing yards, one catch and seven receiving yards. Nice!
Coleman is a super explosive athlete and worthy to be started each and every week, despite now posting a disappointing line in two of the last three weeks. This is no time to strap his body to the top of your car. Again, this performance isn’t a cause for concern at all, but just goes to show you need to have a lineup of many options and can’t rely on any one player very often.
[am4show have=’g1;’ guest_error=’sub_message’ user_error=’sub_message’ ]
Lineup Fun
The Unbeatable Lineup of the Week
“Welcome to America’s favorite family fun park!”
QB Drew Brees NO = 465 passing yards, four touchdowns, one interception
RB LeSean McCoy BUF = 140 rushing yards, two catches, two receiving yards, three touchdowns
RB Lamar Miller HOU = 149 rushing yards, three catches, 29 receiving yards, two touchdowns, one huge sigh of relief
RB David Johnson ARI = 111 rushing yards, three catches, 27 receiving yards, three touchdowns
WR Odell Beckham NYG = Eight catches, 222 receiving yards, two touchdowns, one budding relationship with a kicking net
WR Brandin Cooks NO = Seven catches, 173 receiving yards, two rushing yards, one touchdown
WR Julio Jones ATL = Seven catches, 139 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE Rob Gronkowski NE = Seven catches, 162 receiving yards, one touchdown
The Underdog Lineup of the Week
“Eat my rubber!”
QB Case Keenum LA = 321 passing yards, seven rushing yards, four total touchdowns, one interception
RB Jay Ajayi MIA = 204 rushing yards, one catch, three receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Terrance West BAL = 87 rushing yards, four catches, 36 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB James White NE = 19 rushing yards, eight catches, 47 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Kenny Britt LA = Seven catches, 136 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Golden Tate DET = Eight catches, 165 receiving yards, three rushing yards, one touchdown
WR Kendall Wright TEN = Eight catches, 133 receiving yards, one touchdown
TE CJ Fiedorowicz HOU = Six catches, 85 receiving yards, one touchdown
The Disappointing Lineup of the Week
Just when you think you might have it, something like this happens.
[arve url=”https://youtu.be/ACErRwaQ04c”]
QB Carson Wentz PHI = 179 passing yards, two rushing yards, one step back
RB Tevin Coleman ATL = Ten rushing yards, one catch, seven receiving yards
RB Arian Foster MIA = Three rushing yards, two catches, 12 receiving yards, one backseat to Jay Ajayi
RB TJ Yeldon JAX = 21 rushing yards, one catch, five receiving yards
WR Tajae Sharpe TEN = No catches
WR Travis Benjamin SD = Three catches, 17 receiving yards
WR Michael Crabtree OAK = Two catches, ten receiving yards
TE Dwayne Allen IND = One catch, nine receiving yards
Gut Checks
I’d be worried if I had Carson Wentz as my QB1. Later, yes. Right now, dangerous.
I’d be worried if I wasn’t at least exploring the market if I owned Ezekiel Elliott. He’s not going to drop off, but if I could get one of the best two or three receivers in fantasy, that’s a conversation I’d want to have just based on positional longevity.
I’d be worried if I owned Antonio Gates. I always thought a new tight end in San Diego would emerge after he left, not before. I was wrong.
I’d be worried if I was relying on any Eagles running back.
I’d be worried if I thought Justin Hunter was going to re-emerge. Roster worthy, I guess. A guy who should be expected to do a Kenny Britt on us? Likely not.
I’d be worried if I owned Tajae Sharpe. Sustained success for rookie receivers is tough and he needs to be benched until further notice.
I’d be worried if I owned Arian Foster. His trade value from a non-contender is just about zero.
I’d be worried if I thought Colin Kaepernick was back on track. The numbers looked fine, but he was still pretty erratic.
I’d be worried if I expected consistent performances from any Patriot outside of Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. If every team was New England, fantasy football would be dead.
I’d be worried if I owned Todd Gurley. We now have 119 carries for 346 yards on the season, good for a 2.9 yards per carry average. I get it. The Rams offensive line isn’t good and teams stack the box against him. Still, you’d expect someone with this kind of talent to have one run longer than 16 yards this season and he still doesn’t. This is no time to sell, but I’m starting to raise an eyebrow.
I’d be worried if I owned TJ Yeldon. The verdict is in and he’s really just not that dynamic or special. The Jags could very well be in the market for a running back like Leonard Fournette or Dalvin Cook in the next draft as Chris Ivory isn’t likely a long-term solution, either.
I’d be worried if I owned Blake Bortles. He posted great numbers last year as the Jags came from behind, but it looks like he hasn’t progressed much this season at all.
I’d be worried if I owned Tony Romo. I won’t be a bit surprised to see him in a different uniform next season. The Cardinals, Jets, 49ers, Browns, Bears, Jaguars, Dolphins and a whole host of other teams could be in the market for a veteran presence.
I’d be worried if I was counting on any Browns player outside of Terrelle Pryor. That, in itself, is amazing to type. He’s like the human Walley World right now.
I’d be worried if I wasn’t paying attention to the maturation of Michael Thomas.
I’d be worried if I owned Jordan Reed. I’ve had the article title, “Reed Option” all ready to go for about two years in anticipation of one last concussion ending his career. I’d hate to see it come to that, but every time he comes back I just shake my head and hope for the best.
I’d be worried if I owned Tyler Eifert. You ever feel like he’s just going to be listed as “questionable” his entire career?
I’d be worried if I wasn’t paying serious attention to the connection between Cole Beasley and Dak Prescott.
I’d be worried if I owned Antonio Brown. You figure Big Ben sits this week and they have a bye next week. With Landry Jones at the helm, expect to get by for two weeks without much help from Brown.
I’d be worried if I owned CJ Anderson. The time share between Anderson and Devontae Booker seems to be gaining some steam.
I’d be worried if I still thought Greg Olsen shouldn’t be in the tight end tier with Rob Gronkowski.
I’d be worried if I owned Melvin Gordon. Just sayin’. Again.
I’d be worried if I had never seen the original Vacation movie. Otherwise, this won’t make you chuckle.
Rusty Griswold: “Wow dad, we must have jumped that rail by like 50 yards.”
Clark: “Nothing to be proud of Russ…”
[pauses as Rusty walks away]
Clark: [proudly] “… 50 yards…”
I’d be worried if I owned Ryan Tannehill. We just had yet another week without much production even in a win.
I’d be worried if I owned Allen Robinson. You have to start him every week, but it’s fair to start wondering if last year was a bit overinflated.
I’d be worried if I owned a single kicking net and let it go on a first date with Odell Beckham, Jr.
I’d be worried if I somehow thought this was a turning point for Torrey Smith.
I’d be worried if I was playing against Coby Fleener. This is the Fleener we were all hoping for in Indy but instead got the Wagon Queen Family Truckster.
I’d be worried if I had given up on Matt Jones.
I’d be worried if I owned Tyler Lockett. This was supposed to be the year he was a legitimate receiving threat, yet he’s only posted 11 catches for 152 yards and is on pace to finish with a significantly smaller impact in every important statistical category.
I’d be worried if I was still holding on to Andre Johnson. If locker room leadership counted in fantasy football, he’d be a WR1. It doesn’t.
I’d be worried if I owned Aaron Rodgers. I know it’s still early and we likely need to RELAX, but he doesn’t look like the same dominant force we’ve come to know and love.
I’d be worried if I was still waiting for the big Virgil Green breakout.
A Look Ahead to Hot Names on the Waiver Wire
Remember, we focus on the lesser names here. There’s really no need to be telling people of your skill level to pick up players you undoubtedly have like Spencer Ware, Chris Hogan, Mohamed Sanu or Tyrell Williams. We’re also not going to list obvious names you likely have rostered like Wendell Smallwood. Pay close attention because we tend to be ahead of the curve.
1.) Antone Smith, RB TB
I was asked last week to go even deeper and this one fits. I’ve always been a fan of Smith and he’s certainly on your league’s waiver wire. He’s a ways away from playing time, but the Bucs are also pretty beat up.
2.) Mike Davis, RB SF
It seems clear Davis is the backup to Carlos Hyde, not Shaun Draughn.
3.) Geno Smith and Bryce Petty, QBs NYJ
There is very little magic left in Fitzmagic. Smith is next and Petty shortly after. It’s going to be a long year for the Jets.
Previous suggestions: Jalen Richard, Quincy Enunwa, Cole Beasley, Tyreek Hill, Dwayne Washington, Jeremy Kerley, Jacoby Brissett, Cody Kessler, Fozzy Whittaker, Colt McCoy, Kenny Britt, Kenneth Farrow, Trey Burton, Colin Kaepernick, Orleans Darkwa, Raheem Mostert, Trevone Boykin, Cameron Brate, Zach Zenner, Terron Ward, Eddie Royal, Brice Butler, Xavier Grimble, Chester Rogers, Cameron Meredith, Jacquizz Rodgers, Andrew Hawkins.
[/am4show]
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
