What We Learned From Wild Card Weekend
January 5, 2009 at 7:16 am | Article by Paul Hickey |
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Wild Card weekend is over, and the Cardinals, Chargers, Ravens and Eagles are moving on. While fantasy football owners competing in playoff leagues had their fare share of entertainment, dynasty owners can take away a few key things.
Edgerrin James can still play…Even though the 30 year old only rushed for a career low 514 yards and three TDs this season, he absolutely came on strong against the Falcons during Wild Card weekend. It’s safe to say the presence of a ground game was the difference in the Cards win over the Falcons, as James’ ability to gain yards on first and second down, allowed Kurt Warner to air it out with ease during the entire ball game. James finished with 73 yards on 16 carries, and showed great burst. Even though Tim Hightower vultured a TD, James is a solid option next week against the Panthers, and looks like he can definitely contribute somewhere in 2009.
Arizona will yield IDP options in 2009…Young defensive backs Antrel Rolle and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie can flat out play. Not only did the 26 year old Rolle finish the 2008 regular season on a huge roll - pardon the pun - racking up four or more tackles in his last 14 games - including 10 solo stops in Week 16 - but he returned a fumble for a score against Atlanta. Rolle has proven that he’s not just a big play threat, and his move to safety helped increase his tackle digits. Look for Rolle to be a top sleeper DB in 2009. Rodgers-Cromartie racked up nine solo tackles and an interception against the Falcons, and he also had four picks in his final seven regular season games. Watch out for DRC in 2009.
Joseph Addai may not be the answer in Indy…The 25 year old had his worst season as a pro, as it was riddled with nagging injuries such as concussions and hammy tweaks. Worst of all, it appears that Addai has lost some of his burst. Even though he totaled 72 yards and a TD against the Chargers, our fear is that he’ll be in a committee next season, with either Dominic Rhodes, or a younger more explosive back. Not that he won’t be a great buy low option this off-season, but dynasty owners need to make sure they don’t pay too much to acquire him.
Darren Sproles is a stud…Not only did the 25 year old 5′6″, 181 pound Sproles tally 672 total yards and six TDs on only 90 total touches, but he lit up the solid Colts run defense (with Bob Sanders) for 150 total yards (105 on 20 carries, and 45 on five receptions) and two TDs on the ground. He’s returning kicks and punts right now, and with an injured LaDainian Tomlinson (groin), expect to eventually see Jacob Hester get some work, but for now Sproles is an amazing NFL playoffs fantasy option. Dyansty owners also need to realize that he’s an unrestricted free agent this off-season, and is just the kind of back that could put up HUGE digits in a committee approach - a la Maurice Jones-Drew.
Le’Ron McClain could be the real deal…You’ll hear and read us say a lot of positive things about Ravens 21 year old RB Ray Rice this off-season, but 24 year old Le’Ron McClain continues to look like the real deal. Not only did he carry the rock 20 or more times during Baltimore’s final five regular season games, finishing with 907 rushing yards and 11 total TDs, but he also was the team’s primary back against Miami, garnering 75 yards and a TD on 19 carries and looking like the front runner for the team’s starting gig in 2009. We won’t count Rice out, as he has Steve Slaton/Maurice Jones-Drew ability, but we’re starting to think Willis McGahee may be released this off-season due to his high salary, and McClain’s solid play.
Anthony Gonzalez will make the leap in 2009…The time of 24 year old Anthony Gonzalez playing third or fourth fiddle in the Colts passing offense is over folks. The third year man from Ohio State will be the team’s second receiver in 2009, upon the deterioration/retirement of Marvin Harrison, and will threaten some of TE Dallas Clark’s digits. AGonzo hauled in six passes for 97 yards and has the skills and work ethic to continue earning Peyton Manning’s trust and attention. We’re going to jock him hard this off-season, and make sure you don’t forget about him despite his early exit from the playoffs and undesirable statistical totals in 2008.
Justin Peelle could be a sleeper TE in 2009…Although his stats didn’t say much in 2008, the continued improvement of Matt Ryan at QB makes the 29 year old 6′4″ career journeyman intriguing. Even though he only hauled in 15 passes for 159 yards and two TDs in 2008, he looked good against Arizona, hauling in three balls for 11 yards and a score. Look for Peelle to be a red zone option in 2009 if Atlanta doesn’t add a TE this off-season.
Ed Reed is back, folks…Since winning the 2004 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, Reed - one the NFL’s most dynamic playmakers - has been plagued with injuries, and hasn’t lived up to his billing in the stat column. This drop from the fantasy radar has caused most owners to forget about him. Well, at the age of 30, the ball-hawker is back folks, and he’s back strong. Reed finished the regular season on a tear, picking off eight passes in his last five games. His two interceptions of Chad Pennington in the wild card match-up against Miami marked the third straight game he has intercepted two balls. Not only did Reed almost have a third pick, but he returned his first one 60 yards for a TD. Despite his tendency to depend on the big play, and his boom or bust reputation, we’re officially endorsing Reed as a top fantasy DB for 2009.
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