Random Thoughts after 2.1428 Weeks

Rarely do I really get worked up over a poor performance, but my teams have had more than their fair share of bad performances in the first two weeks. My biggest disappointment so far has got to be with Joe Flacco. Granted, he faced two of the tougher pass defenses in the league, but his numbers have been such a bust that I'd love to offload him but can't find any takers. He's become a matchup QB only and that means that I'm in trouble. Consider the fact that Tampa Bay QB Josh Freeman has 4 TD's and 1 INT. Flacco has the opposite with 1 TD and 4 picks. His depressing 48.1% completion percentage is horrible and only compounds the fact that he can't get off enough passes to offset those picks. He has a couple of decent matchups coming up, but tougher days lie ahead.



Alright - here's something a little more uplifting than Joe Flacco's poor start. As a Packer fan, I've really enjoyed watching Clay Matthews play some amazing defense this year. As a fantasy fan, I thought it was a unique situation that Clay Matthews' father had Kevin Kolb on his fantasy team in Week 1 and Clay knocked him out of the game. How's that for fantasy karma? Congrats to Clay on the Defensive Player of the Week for Week 2 where he gobbled up 3 sacks and 5 tackles against the Bills.



Not many people saw the 2nd coming of Jahvid Best against Philly. Week 1 saw him carry the ball 14 times for 20 yards which is a pathetic 1.4 yards/carry but he managed to see the endzone twice which made him a good start. His amazing performance last week opened up a lot of eyes. I was one of the unfortunate people who had Best on my bench last week and my reward was a close loss. Best will be in my lineup this week against a middle-of-the-road Minnesota defense.



I know that there are only 2 weeks in the books, but frankly I'm starting to worry about Maurice Jones-Drew and Ray Rice. Each was my first pick in two different leagues and both have been complete busts so far. Granted, Rice played against the Jets and the Bengals which aren't easy matchups. Rice should rebound this week and bring back that fantasy dominance against the Browns who are giving up an average of 129 yards on the ground after the first two weeks. MJD should be back to normal as well against the Eagles, who surprisingly are 23rd in the league against the run and the pass. Jahvid Best tore them up so MJD should be able to dominate them as well. If either fails to capitalize on their matchups this week, my concern is going to grow.



Michael Vick has been named the starting QB in Philly and he has absolutely earned it. Head coach Andy Reid backtracked on earlier comments and came to his senses saying "When someone is playing at the level Michael Vick is playing, you have to give him an opportunity. This isn't about Kevin Kolb's play. You're talking about Michael Vick as one the best quarterbacks in the NFL right now." Vick definitely brings an extra dimension to that team and he's going to force defenses to prepare for both his arm as well as his legs. It is certainly going to be an interesting game in Week 4 when Donovan and the Redskins come to Philadelphia. Reminds me of Favre coming back to Green Bay for the first time. I'm expecting a shoot out.



Braylon Edwards will apparently dress but not start this week against the Dolphins after getting caught driving while under the influence today. His blood-alcohol level was .16 - twice the legal limit. After showing flashes of brilliance this past week, it's disappointing to see such a stupid decision. Rex Ryan hasn't indicated how much time, if any, Edwards will get against Miami, but it's probably best to bench him this week.



I've been watching the progress in the Vincent Jackson trade. A deal was supposed to happen by Wednesday at the latest, but the San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting that the Chargers may be dragging their feet. There are some solid parameters of a deal in place for one team and other teams have tentative deals. The Vikings are still the most aggressive team and will likely pull off the deal if they are willing to give in to San Diego GM A.J. Smith's demands.



If I were to ask you which of the following scenarios is most likely to happen, what would you say?



1) The world is going to end on December 21, 2012.

2) I'm going to suit up for the Packers, win the lottery, and fix our country's economic woes all in one week.

3) Larry Johnson, a one-time #1 pick in most fantasy drafts, will get released from the Washington Redskins.



Yes - that's right. Number 2! I'm proud to announce that Aaron Rodgers will be my backup after I cash in my Powerball ticket and pay back our debt to China while employing more people than Walmart. What? Not gonna happen? Well, I don't believe in the Mayan calendar legend so I'm left with option 3. What a terrible way to go when you're the backup to Clinton Portis and can only manage to eke out 2 yards total on 5 carries. No word yet on whether or not there are any takers out there for Johnson.



What a terrible two weeks for Reggie Bush. First he gives back the Heisman and then he fractures the upper fibula in his right leg in Monday night's game. He shouldn't need surgery but he'll be out for up to 6 weeks and there's no telling what kind of fantasy shape he'll be in when he returns. The poor guy doesn't even have Kim Kardashian to nurse him back to health. He's a tough guy though and I'm sure he'll be ready to go come Halloween when the Saints face the Steelers. Get well soon Reggie.



I'm a bit concerned with the backfield in Carolina. They should have ripped it up last week, but left fantasy owners in the dust. It will be very difficult for the two of them to reach 1k yards again.



As bad as much of my pessimistic news is, nothing is as bad as watching your #1 pick leave the game with an injury and then watching his backup rip off a total of 186 yards and reach the endzone three times. Ugh. I don't own Michael Turner in any of my leagues so I take comfort in the fact that I didn't have to watch that, but I feel for those of you who had to.



Let's raise our glasses to a better Week 3. Cheers.

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