This was to be the fantasy football year where the power was shifted from running backs to wide receivers – why, well a few of reasons – 1. Most of my leagues changed rules so that WR catches were worth more than RB questions, 2. The dreaded RBC (running back by committee) left very few solid running backs and 3. Lineups allowed more flexibility to start 1 RB and multiple WRs.
The old adage “Running Back/Running Back” was replaced by “Nab two solid WRs and a top QB and hope to lucky with a RB in later rounds.” In most of my drafts I did exactly that, grabbing top WRs, who last year were top 10 scorers and hoping for the best with at the running back position.
Four weeks into the season and we have seen countless reasons why you don’t draft a WR too high. Braylon Edwards, Randy Moss, Andre Johnson and Torry Holt were all thought to be “can’t miss” receivers, yet each of those players are underwhelming their owners so far. Torry Holt is the best of this abhorrent bunch. How much better off would you be if you drafted Isaac Bruce or Hank Baskett instead of Holt? As for Moss, you could have picked “Mr. Eighty-Yarder” Devery Henderson or “Big Play” Austin Miles and scored more points. And who could have predicted that Amani Toomer would have been a better selection than Andre Johnson.
And then we have Braylon Edwards, who might be the biggest fantasy disappointment ever, trailing stalwart receivers like Roscoe Parrish and Bobby Wade.
Now it’s early and all of those guys have a chance to redeem, but the point is (and has been since the first fantasy league was formed) good receivers grow on trees and should never be counted on to perform at a consistent level from year to year.
Why is that? Well, first off receivers are by far the most self-centered players on any team. When they do not get the ball, they pout. When they don’t score, they cause problems in the locker room. Eventually their teams give up on them and start relying on new, un-tainted receivers without the baggage.
So in honor (or dishonor) of the wide receivers the weekly power rankings are grouped by a few notable wide receivers from this fantasy year.
On to the rankings:
Braylon Edwards Division – I read that Braylon was planning on 17 TDs this year. Uh, you better get started big boy! I am sure like all receivers he had 17 celebrations planned for each of those TDs. I have an idea for him, start combining. For example, let’s say he was planning a “Robot”, “Air Guitar” and “Moonwalk”, now he can Robot to the Guitar and Moonwalk off to the sidelines. Three down and 14 to go!
How bad is Braylon Edwards been? He is on pace for 44 catches, 380 yards and 4 TDs (oh and 40 drops). Those numbers are roughly what Brandon Marshall (31/398/3) has put up in three weeks. Right now he nothing more than a “poor man’s” Reidel Anthony! Basically, he sucks!
32. St. Louis (0 change from last week) – The first half the Rams put together Sunday is about as well as they can play. What did it get them – a measly 14-6 lead. Firing Linehan is a start, but now they must deal with the real problem – they have drafted so poorly that their roster is devoid of talent. They have a real chance to go 0-16 – the only winnable game left on their schedule is Miami in week 13.
Torry Holt Division – Torry might have simply lost a step and without a threat on the other side of the field the defense can focus solely on him. He is still playing hard, so there is a glimmer of hope. But right now even 60/800/5 is a reach. But there is some hope that Haslett will restore Bulger’s confidence and make Holt viable again.
31. Cincinnati (-3) – It is hard to blame them when Ryan Fitzpatrick is starting. And even with that the Browns barely escaped with a win.
30. Detroit (0) – Matt Millen is gone. Although I am not sure how that helps them on the field, but at least the Lions fans can find a new target for their dismay. How about Roy Williams? Speaking of Roy Williams. . .
Roy Williams Division – It seemed logical that Roy’s numbers would start to fall off with the emergence of Calvin Johnson, but my goodness he has barely registered this year. In my one league where you have to hit minimums to score points, Roy is the 58th best receiver and 180th best fantasy player overall. Inexplicably bad! But with Millen gone, I expect Roy to get going. Yeah, that is the ticket.
29. Cleveland (0) – Yes they won, but with those weapons on offense they narrowly slipped past a Cincinnati team starting a guy at quarterback who should be working on Wall Street.
Randy Moss Division – We have all seen this before, Randy doesn’t like his quarterback so Randy starts pouting, then he stops running his routes and eventually quits altogether. But I ask this question – do you want open the fantasy playoffs against a team that has Moss. I don’t, because I know at any time this guy could go crazy. Yes, he is probably going to be worthless the rest of the year, but I would prefer he ruin another team’s season.
28. Kansas City (+3) – Attention, rumors of Larry Johnson’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. Or maybe that was just the Broncos. Still, this team is just frisky enough that they can play spoiler, especially at home.
27. Oakland (0) – What a mess. Al Davis is officially insane. Even in the mist of all this hysteria the Raiders found a way to lead two very good teams in the fourth quarter. Maybe “the Cable guy” can get this team to finish.
26. Houston (0) – I am not ready to write them off just yet. They have four straight home games coming up that will give them chance to climb right back into the AFC South race. Just maybe the hurricane concerns and the disarray that came with it have caused this team to under-achieve.
Andre Johnson Division – He is too young to have the type of diminishing numbers he is experiencing. I expected this to be the year where, if healthy, Johnson would ascend to the upper echelon. That is not going to happen, but I bet he starts putting it together and ends up in the top 25 (currently 53rd). Maybe next year is “the year” (sorry Cubs fans).
25. Atlanta (-3) – The Falcons are good enough to beat the really bad teams, but nowhere ready to compete with the better NFL teams.
24. San Francisco (-3) – We can quiet down the “return to glory” talk about the 49ers. Again this is another team maybe a year or so away from being significant.
Plaxico Burress Division – Just when you think everything is going swimmingly, Plaxico pulls a “Plax being Plax” (anytime referred as “Name being Name” you are either certifiably crazy or just plain stupid or both). He got a new contract, the team is coming off a Super Bowl championship and playing great football, how can he be such an idiot? I have a feeling the one day Plax will look back on his career and wonder why he isn’t mentioned in the same breath as greats like Rice, Carter and Monk. The only guy stopping Plax is Plax.
23. Arizona (+5) –The performance against the Jets is as bad as it gets. And to make matters worse they lost their leading receiver during garbage time. The smart play was to burn the clock, stick your tails between your legs and head for home. Fortunately, Boldin wasn’t seriously hurt.
TJ Houshmandzadeh Division – For those owners who didn’t sell high after TJ’s big game, shame on you! Housh will get his the rest of the way, but certainly will not put up the numbers worthy of his draft position.
22. NY Jets (+3) – It is going to take more than a one game effort against a half engaged team. Mangini still looks lost.
21. Minnesota (-6) – They are staring at 1-4, making them the biggest under-achieving team of the year.
Desean Jackson Division – I will admit I was ready to sell high on this guy. Now I think he might end the season in the top 15 and be much better than anything owners could’ve hoped for. Getting Curtis and Brown back will only help him.
20. Miami (+4) – The bye week did wonders for them – up four spots. They’re better than expected, but cannot compete with the better teams.
19. Baltimore (+1) – I am coming around on them, their defense is back to a championship level and Flacco gives them exactly what they need from their quarterback. At some point, however, they will need a contribution from McGahee.
Marcus Colston Division – The jury is out on his season, but with Brees playing at a high level and the development of the other receivers look for Colston to be a major factor when he gets back.
18. Seattle (+4) – They come out of their bye week healthy and a mere half game behind the Cardinals. The other two teams (the Rams don’t count) in this division are going to regret not burying them while they had the chance.
Terrell Owens Division – Owens is putting up nice numbers, but something isn’t right with him. He disappears when teams get physical with him. Sure he might throw up that 7/120/3 game for you in the playoffs, but check out the Cowboys opponents for the fantasy playoffs – Steelers, Giants and Ravens. Yikes!
17. Carolina (0) – They have the talent to contend, but as has been the case since their Super Bowl run in 2003 you never know what Panther team will show-up from week to week.
16. Chicago (+3) – They own two of the better wins in the NFL this year – at Indy and home against the Eagles, but in between they lost to Carolina and Tampa Bay. So goes it when Kyle Orton is your quarterback.
15. New Orleans (+1) – I still love this team, but I wonder if the defense will hold up. Even with the injuries, they could easily be 4-0. There are a fringe contender.
Hines Ward Division –I was ready to admit a mistake on Santonio Holmes after the Ward’s first two weeks, Hines was not ready to pass the torch. Uh, not so fast my friend – if you haven’t sold high on Ward you missed the boat. He is what he is – a decent low #2 or high #3, nothing more nothing less.
14. Green Bay (-6) – Finally, after waiting a little over a year this team looks to be mediocre like I thought they would be all last year and expected them to be this year.
13. Denver (-9) – That’s what I thought! A terrible loss to the ChiefsIt took four weeks but the league has adjusted to Cutler. Let’s see where they are after the next three weeks (Bucs, Jags and Pats).
Laveranues Coles Division –He’s back! OK, maybe a bit pre-mature to anoint him a legit top-10 guy. How far did Coles fall, he was dropped in one of my leagues. Given his draft position and early season woes, he could be a major player for some lucky owner.
12. Washington (+2) – In the NFC east anytime you can win on the road it is a job well done. Zorn, who at the beginning of the year looked over-matched, did a number on Wade “yippee” Phillips. He isn’t the first but they way they took it to the ‘Boys was very impressive.
11. Jacksonville (+2) – They are an overtime and 51-yard field goal at the buzzer away from being 0-4. That is the NFL-2008 for you. Garard is finding a groove, but you still have to question their inability to establish a running game against an average Houston run defense.
Reggie Wayne Division – A sleeping giant. Wayne has been very good, but he has the potential to be great the rest of the way. You just know he has a couple of those “no effing way” games where posts “11 for 200 and 3″ type numbers. You just hope it isn’t against you in a key regular season game or in the playoffs. Check out weeks 14 and 15 for the Colts – Begnals and Lions. Look out – behind you!
10. Indianapolis (+2) – The bye week will do them wonders. Manning gets healthier, as did Dallas Clark and Addai is off the rag, it’s all good! And without Sanders they will need every offensive weapon they have.
9. New England (+2) – Yes, this is too high for them, but I have to believe the great Belichek got things worked out during bye week. And their schedule is still a joke.
Larry Fitzgerald/Greg Jennings Division – I couldn’t separate these two super consistent receivers. No matter the situation, when you look up both of these guys put up numbers that keep a fantasy team in every game. If you own one of them, you are as giddy as Wade Phillips at a hoedown. If you own them both, you’re truly blessed.
8. Pittsburgh (-1) – An ugly win against the Ravens, but isn’t that the Steelers calling card. Word on the street is that at halftime of the Ravens game they were calling Franco and Rocky to see if either could suit up for the second half. Yet they found a way to win a game they had no business winning.
7. San Diego (+2) – The two tough losses appear to be a distant memory. They found a way to close the deal on Pittsburgh and now appear ready to lay claim to the “best team in the AFC’ over the next couple of weeks.
Santana Moss Division – The classic “sell high” guy. I cannot trust this guy especially with my fantasy season on the line. So far he looks like the real deal, but I can easily see teams adjusting and him floundering in the second half.
6. Tampa Bay (+4) – I still say at the end of the year they will be on the out of the playoff picture, but for now they have earned the spot.
5. Buffalo (0) – New power ranking rule – “Any team that trails the Rams at halftime shall not move up the rankings”. They might be the worst 4-0 team in the history of the NFL. Think back to the 1993 Saints, 5-0 and missed the playoffs.
Anquan Boldin Division – Fortunately he did not suffer a major injury on that vicious, cheap hit (how funny, I remember a day, sonny, when that type of hit was common place in every NFL game. It’s time to break out the flags for these guys!). He might miss a week, but that is a mere bump in the road as I expect him to return and continue to post huge numbers.
4. Philadelphia (-1) – Is there any doubt that a healthy Bryan Westbrook scores from the one late in that Bears game? That loss cost them the top spot this week. No worries, they are legit and will be there in the end.
3. Dallas (-2) – Trailing by three, with five mintues left in the third quarter the Cowboys completely abandoned the running game. Huh? They ran the ball exactly one more time. So what kind of coach allows that to happen? Oh yeah, Wade Phillips. I know Wade probably doesn’t even know the game plan, but for goodness sake where was he to interject and demand a few running plays. What was he distracted by “all you can eat” night at Bob’s BBQ? Pathetic! I am just a little bitter that my two loser pool (9K pot) picks bit the dust in this game.
Brandon Marshall Division – Last week I told a buddy of mine that Marshall is the only sure thing WR in the league right now. The guy looks un-coverable this year. He said before the season he wanted to catch 150 balls, well he is on pace to catch 155 (an NFL Record). He is also on record yardage pace – 1,990 and he is good for a TD every week. In addition, he was drafted anywhere from the late 3rd to early 5th in most drafts, what a steal!
2. Tennessee (+4) –They can run on anybody and their defense is nasty. Right now, they are the team to beat in the AFC.
1. NY Giants (+1) – I am surprised. Wouldn’t it be ironic if the Giants ran the table and then lost in the Super Bowl to the Patriots? Not likely to happen since they play in the toughest division, but I do see them getting to 6-0 with games against the Seahawks, Browns and 49ers. Then the schedule gets brutal – at Pittsburgh, Dallas, at Philadelphia and Baltimore. Funny thing is, I can still see them missing the playoffs.
