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Professor Wagstaff’s Fantasy Football: Week 8

Eddie — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:48:28 +0000

Wagstaff Advances After Close Call in Survivor League

by Eddie Mayrose

As the second half of the season began for the McGee Survivor League, things looked bleak for our favorite Fantasy Football prof as he and son Tim headed into action without the services of New York Giants‘ RB Ahmad Bradshaw; sitting out his bye week. As feared, the less than impressive tandem of Chris Ivory and Javon Ringer returned less than 5 points. However, in an affirmation of Wagstaff’s theory that wide receivers should be your first round targets in a Fantasy Football Draft, the brothers Johnson, Calvin and Andre, totaled 56 points to carry the day. Now, with just six teams left and all byes behind them, Waggie and Tim have set their sights on last year’s champ, Dr. Pete, in hopes that the league may be theirs.

Fantasy Football News

Unless you’re desperate for a WR, I’d pass on Randy Moss. A change of address isn’t enough to cure what ails him… While the solid play of the Detroit Lions’ defense has coincided with the offensive struggles of the New York Jets, this may be a big week for LaDainian Tomlinson as the Jets always play well on the road… Don’t fall in love with Pats’ RB Darrius Heyward-Bey. He’s nursing a sore shoulder and his 105 yard outburst last week included a 69 yard run…RB Chris Ivory is still the Saints’ only option in the backfield and enjoyed a solid game in his first go-round with the Panthers…Raiders’ WR Louis Murphy is out for week 9 (chest)…An ankle injury won’t be enough to slow Texans’ WR Andre Johnson this week…Have to worry about all three Dallas WR, Miles Austin, Roy Williams and Dez Bryant with Jon Kitna under center.

Fantasy Football Studs

With Jon Kitna trying to acclimate himself to his new role, he’ll rely on the short stuff; making Jason Witten a must-play… Randy Moss won’t be a total loss for the Titans this week, as his presence should open things up for RB Chris Johnson.

Fantasy Football Slippers

Braylon Edwards hasn’t been the focus of the Jets’ offense in a few weeks and has probably worsened his situation by grumbling about it in the media… DeAngelo Williams returns to a struggling Panthers’ offense that couldn’t free up Jonathan Stewart for more than 30 yards last week. Don’t expect much more from Williams.

Fantasy Football Stiffs

Ryan Matthews may be at full strength this week but he’s underperformed all year and doesn’t figure to produce like a lead back… Seattle’s Matt Hasselbeck is recovering from a concussion and facing the Giants this week. Not a productive combination.

Professor Wagstaff’s Fantasy Football: Week Two

Professor Wagstaff — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:32:36 +0000

by Professor Wagstaff

Wagstaff Still Alive (Barely)

The first week of the McGee Survivor League went almost precisely as the Professor expected as both girls, Team Minnesota and S.F. Col’s Guys finished atop the point standings by wide margins. The only prediction that went awry was that I actually survived the first week; much to my surprise. I did, however, manage to finish in the bottom three as my own “Wide Receivers before Running Backs” draft strategy blew up in my face. Could someone in Houston please inform Andre Johnson that the season has actually started? We said good bye to Team Lunz, as our nephew and cousin, Jim, failed to get out of the starting blocks. One down, twelve to go.

No Defense for the Defense

It was an interesting Week 1 as far as DST’s were concerned. No sooner than four teams considered to have solid defenses lost one of their top players for a large chunk, if not all, of the season. Troy Palumalo (Steelers) and Jerod Mayo (Patriots) could each be out for as long as six weeks with knee injuries while Brian Urlacher (Bears/wrist) and Joe Blow (Jaguars/knee) have been lost for the season. Keep them in mind as you set your lineup this weekend.

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Fantasy Football Stars

Based on how well the Bucs ran the ball against the Cowboys last weekend, RB Brandon Jacobs should have a big night in Dallas; especially with Eli Manning still adjusting to life without Plaxico Burress… Atlanta’s RB Michael Turner should start to justify that #2 pick you spent to get him with a big game against a weak Panthers’ D Line… Speaking of weak lines, the Rams may own the worst in the league on each side of the ball. That’s why we love Skins’ RB Clinton Portis to run all over them and the Redskins’ DST to completely dominate.

Fantasy Football Stiffs

Could things be worse for QB Jay Cutler? His Chicago debut was marred by four INT in a loss to Green Bay, and now he faces the Super Bowl champs in the home opener. If the Steelers shut down the run, (when don’t they?), Cutler could be good for another couple of picks… If Jake Delhomme doesn’t have a solid first half against Atlanta, the Panthers’ QB may find himself on the bench. Based on their performance vs. Miami, the Falcons don’t figure to allow DeAngelo Williams a lot of freedom, putting even more pressure on Delhomme to come up big… If you hadn’t figured they’d be here based on our Stars report, we give you the Rams’ DST… A solid Vikings’ defense and the Lions propensity for falling behind make RB Kevin Smith a huge risk this week.

Fantasy Football Sleepers

Last year, the Cardinals allowed more TD passes than they threw and were a disaster on the road. That’s why the Professor moved QB David Garrard into his starting lineup this week… With the Jets shooting their mouths off this week, you have to figure they’ll focus a lot of their attention on New England’s Randy Moss; which should allow WR Wes Welker to have a big game… The Vikings should have no trouble throwing the ball against the Lions, who allowed 6 TD passes vs. Drew Brees in New Orleans last week. Look for TE Visanthe Shiancoe to reel in a TD from Brett Favre among his 8 REC… All of a sudden, the Ravens seem to have taken the shackles off of QB Joe Flacco, who threw for 300 YDS last Sunday. He’ll have another big game vs. San Diego…

Fantasy Football Slippers-

Bears’ RB Matt Forte will struggle vs. the Steelers; especially if Jay Cutler turns in another stinker… Have to be worried about Chargers’ QB Philip Rivers. He may be without LaDainian Tomlinson and two of his offensive linemen with the vaunted Ravens’ defense coming to town… I know you used a pretty high pick on Rams’ RB Stephen Jackson but it may be time to move him. The Rams look terrible, especially the O Line, and Jackson will struggle all year… Did you pick up Jets’ QB Mark Sanchez this week? Good. Now, wait at least another week to put him in your lineup as Pats’ coach Bill Bellichick will make life difficult for the rookie on Sunday.

Fantasy Football Draft Preview: Running Backs

Professor Wagstaff — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:28:30 +0000

by Professor Wagstaff

Well, here we are. The first NFL training camp opens on Saturday in Buffalo, perhaps because the Bills can’t wait to immerse themselves in the glow and warmth of newly acquired Terrell Owens. Whatever the reason, the first whistle will also serve to alert Fantasy Owners that their drafts are just a few weeks away. In most of those drafts, running backs will dominate most of the first two rounds so; the position seems as good a spot as any to start our 2009 previews.

Fantasy Football Running Backs

Studs

Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson carried the ball 363 times last year. 363! The NFL’s leading rusher probably won’t carry the same load this season but will still be the first pick in your draft… Michael Turner emerged from LT’s shadow in San Diego and became a superstar in Atlanta. He ran for 220 YDS on Opening Day and never looked back. Ironically, he’ll likely go before Tomlinson in most Fantasy drafts… It took a year but DeAngelo Williams finally showed the panthers the talent they expected when they drafted him. His 1,500 YDS were a team record and 20 TD boosted him to an elite Fantasy ranking… Jaguars’ star Maurice Jones Drew ran for less YDS than anyone in this group but made up for it with better than 500 YDS receiving. Look for his rushing total to increase in ’09 as he’ll no longer be splitting time with the departed Fred Taylor… Not a bad rookie year for Matt Forte, who quickly became the focal point of the Bears’ offense. The addition of Jay Cutler won’t hurt him at all since he’s probably Chicago’s best receiver, as well.

Stars

Talk to Fantasy owners that drafted Marion Barber in the first or second round in ‘08 and they’ll tell you they were somewhat disappointed. Slowed in the final four games by a toe injury, Barber’s production fell off. Healthy now, don’t look past the fact that he still managed 1,300 total YDS and 10 TD… Frank Gore, slowed in the latter part of the season by a concussion, had 1,500 total YDS and 8 TD. A new O Coordinator with a reputation for running the ball will give the 49’ers star a huge boost… Houston’s Steve Slaton went undrafted in many leagues last year (including mine) and was happily grabbed as a FA early on. He’ll be the starter out of the gate this year so, expect bigger numbers… Brian Westbrook suffered through a litany of injuries last season yet, the Eagles star still had 14 TD and 1,300 YDS. He’s had off season surgery on his ankle and knee so, be careful but the risk reward for drafting him is huge.

Sleepers

How does one of the greatest RB in the history of the game end up on a Fantasy sleeper list? When he’s coming off an injury riddled season and he’s over 30, that’s when. San Diego’s LaDainian Tomlinson is Wagstaff’s pick for steal of the draft in ’09 as he’ll probably go late second or early third round in a year where he’ll show everyone how great he is when healthy… Injuries and the emergence of LeRon McLain made for a tough rookie year for the Ravens’ Ray Rice. However, McLain will be moved to fullback while Rice will split time with Willis McGahee… We’re going out on a limb here with Arizona’s Beanie Wells, as he’s slated to split time with Tim Hightower. The thought, however, is that Wells has more breakaway potential; enough to give him the bulk of the carries and some late round value… Given the history, how can you not want a Denver RB? Knowshon Moreno will quickly become the Broncos’ go to guy, especially as they gently work Kyle Orton into the offense.

Slippers

A decent sleeper pick in ’08, LenDale White became nothing more than a short yardage specialist for the Titans as the season wore on with Chris Johnson taking the reins. Don’t get sucked in by his TD total… Age and the Browns’ ineptitude have conspired to rob Jamal Lewis of his Fantasy value. His totals last year were his lowest in four years and the Browns don’t look like they’ve worked out too many of their problems…, Willis McGahee seems to have hit the infamous RB wall; and the Ravens apparently think so, too. They’re looking to work Ray Rice into the rotation… The Colts’ Joseph Addai was a first rounder in most Fantasy leagues last year but struggled mightily. So much so, that Indy used its first pick on Donald Brown, who will definitely take touches from Addai.

Stiffs

Larry Johnson has asked the Chiefs for a trade and will lose touches to Jamaal Charles and Kolby Smith… In Tampa Bay, Earnest Graham is returning from an ankle injury that cost him the last five weeks of an already disappointing season while battling the newly signed Derrick Ward for playing time… In Baltimore, LeRon McLain became a viable option when Willis McGahee went down. However, he’s being moved to FB, making him the Ravens’ third option at best.

Fantasy Football Picks: Wagstaff’s Top 20 Running Backs

Adrian Peterson
DeAngelo Williams
Matt Forte
Michael Turner
Maurice Jones Drew
Steve Slaton
LaDainian Tomlinson
Brian Westbrook
Marion Barber
Frank Gore
Steven Jackson
Clinton Portis
Brandon Jacobs
Knowshon Moreno
Thomas Jones
Marshawn Lynch
Ryan Grant
Joseph Addai
Kevin Smith
Willie Parker