Back From The Dead - McGahee & Walker
October 22, 2008 at 9:43 am | Article by Paul Hickey |
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I know what you’re thinking, because I’ve been thinking the same thing since Sunday evening. The great thing about the NFL and fantasy football is that players get second chances all the time. Whether it be coming back from injuries, off-the-field issues, bad play - or all three. In the case of Willis McGahee and Javon Walker, will the third time be the charm?
Any dynasty owner who invested significantly in Ravens 27 year old RB Willis McGahee or Raiders 30 year old Javon Walker heading into the 2008 NFL season has been severely disappointed. Not only that, but any seasonal owner who took a flier on them, definitely hasn’t seen it pay off - until now.
Both McGahee, who had a second chance last season landing in Baltimore after talking his way out of Buffalo, and Walker, who used up strikes one and two in Green Bay and Denver, respectively, have third chances to prove that they can still be productive.
A week after Le’Ron McClain and rookie Ray Rice seemed to be pushing McGahee out the door in Baltimore and creating their own little 1-2 punch for OC Cam Cameron, the former three time 1,000 yard rusher posted an impressive 105 yards and a TD on 19 carries against an underrated Miami Dolphins defense. He did so playing through pain in his surgically repaired knee, and did fumble at the end of a 35 yard reception in the second half. It’s risky to think McGahee can keep this up folks. He has a match-up against the traditionally tough Raiders defense in Week 8, although they did allow more than 150 yards on the ground to Thomas Jones in Week 7. My advice to McGahee owners is to bail on him within the next three weeks. Use the fact that he finally got back on track to actually get something for him. The schedule, the injury issues, and the presence of two other capable backs will keep him from being a consistent fantasy option.
Look, I love that the guy got another chance at fantasy glory just as much as you do, but trust me, take his solid Week 7 as a blessing and use it to get rid of him for another player that can really help your team consistently - like Tampa’s Earnest Graham, New York’s Thomas Jones or Detroit’s up and coming rookie Kevin Smith.
As for Javon Walker, less than a month ago, it was looking like this guy might not even make it on the field in the National Football League ever again. He had only five catches for 59 yards heading into Week 7. Then, out of nowhere, he hauled in five passes for 75 yards and a score. However, his next four match-ups are not friendly, against the Ravens, Dolphins, Falcons and Panthers - and this isn’t the same player physically that caught 69 balls for 1,089 yards and six TDs in Denver in 2006. It isn’t the same player mentally, either.
Bringing it full circle for Walker owners, this guy still plays for the inept Raiders. Look, seasonal owners are likely thinking about adding him via the waiver wire. I’m here to tell you that’s a waste of time and a precious roster spot. Dynasty owners have likely held out hope and kept him on their roster and are likely thinking that this could finally be the beginning of something special. Well, I’m here to poop your party and tell you it isn’t. However, you can turn this into a positive, folks. Sell Walker now, since he’s finally salvaged his value a bit with a decent performance. Use his past numbers to make a case to another owner in your league to try and get a guy like Houston’s Kevin Walter, Minnesota’s Bobby Wade or best case scenario, San Francisco’s Josh Morgan.
I’m not trying to rain on the parade of McGahee and Walker coming back from the dead here. I’m just trying to help fantasy owners in all different types of leagues make these positive Week 7 performances work for them in the best way possible - and that, without a doubt, is to sell high on both guys while you still have a chance.
This article is also featured on Athlon/Grogan’s Fantasy Football, your spot for Cheat Sheets updated daily, and Fantasy tools to manage your team all year long.
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