FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEK 13

December 5, 2005 7:00 am

Yo, Ko-Ro
Who knew Brad Johnson could throw a ball 50 yards in the air? Who knew that Koren Robinson wouldn't drop every third pass thrown his way? Robinson has quietly worked his way into the starting lineup, displacing Nate Burleson, and is producing as well as any Viking receiver. He's also the team's designated downfield threat, a position formerly reserved for Randy Moss.

Prior to the game, a source close to the Vikings told me that the team planned to throw at whichever receiver was being "guarded" by overrated corner R.W. McQuarters. Robinson was that guy for much of Sunday, as he led the team in receptions and yards. Unfortunately, the Vikings won't match up against McQuarters again, but they will see the miserable St. Louis secondary next week.

Cardinal Receivers
Arizona has two of the league's top five receivers. Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin both have great hands, and they're equally capable of scoring touchdowns. It's how they score that differentiates them. Boldin is the NFL's best receiver after the catch. He has scored three touchdowns that virtually every other receiver would not have managed, including last week's jaw-dropper. Then there's Fitzgerald, whose height and leaping ability makes him the perfect end zone target. Keeper leaguers, under no circumstances should you release either of these guys. If Denny Green brings in a capable quarterback next offseason, they're both capable of 15 touchdowns.

Payback
Remember a few weeks ago when Braylon Edwards created some controversy when he publicly campaigned for Charlie Frye to replace Trent Dilfer. Edwards told reporters that Frye would bring a spark to the offense, and better downfield passing. His comments sparked discussion (and some derision), but through one game, he looks prescient.

The good news is that Frye rewarded Edwards for his confidence by looking his way throughout Sunday's game. The bad news is that the extra work led to Edwards getting a few more passes than usual, one of which resulted in very nasty-looking injury at the end of the game. Karma is fickle, indeed.

With Edwards likely out for the season, Antonio Bryant becomes an intriguing pickup. Frye looks to be a capable downfield passer, and Bryant could post good numbers as the Browns will play teams ranked 17, 21, 18, and 9 against the pass.

Bull's Eye for Fletcher
The Colts have used two tight ends for years. First it was Marcus Pollard and Ken Dilger. Then, in recent years it was Marcus Pollard and Dallas Clark. Last offseason, Pollard left for Detroit, which means that Clark was splitting time with…um…well, nobody of note. Until recently, that is.

It's taken a while, but Bryan Fletcher has worked his way past Ben Utecht and Ben Hartsock. And, he's cashing in on the playing time. He has scored in each of the past three games, and his playing time is increasing. In tight end mandatory leagues, he's a guy to consider.

It's Been a Nice Run
For years, fantasy owners have given Brett Favre a free pass for his erratic play. Sure, he'd throw more interceptions than Arizona State threw games, but most fantasy owners don't care about the interceptions, especially when he's racking up 30-plus touchdowns in a season. But this year, it's all different for Favre. His scoring numbers are heading for a five-year low, and his 21 interceptions put him on pace for a career-worst 28 picks on the season. And, I won't even get into his six fumbles.

Even in leagues that don't subtract for interceptions, having 28 drives derailed certainly puts a dent in an offense's productivity. How many extra touchdowns would he have scored without all those interceptions? How many field goals have gone unkicked because his interceptions have prematurely ended drives?

Sure, the injuries to Robert Ferguson and Javon Walker are partial culprits, but his play is a lot worse than those injuries can explain away.

Iron Pyrite?
Chicago kicker Robbie Gould made four field goals on Sunday despite frigid Chicago conditions. He's tempting to pick up because the Bears' offense is good enough to get close, but not always good enough to finish drives. He's reasonably competent, hitting 15-of-20 field goal attempts, in just 9 games. And remember, one of those games was played in 40 mile per hour winds.

The bad news is that Gould's schedule works against him considerably. Next week, he'll travel to Pittsburgh, a stadium notorious for cold weather and swirling winds. Then, he'll be back kicking in Chicago, which is just as bad. Then, to complete the grueling trifecta, he's at Green Bay in week 16, when any late December game could be below zero.

Fraud Taylor
For two straight weeks, Fred Taylor has been listed as "probable" on the injury report, practiced all week, and then been inactive on Sunday. After another 100-yard game, from Greg Jones, Taylor had better start playing through pain pronto. Jones' powerful running style is well suited for Jack Del Rio's smash-mouth style. Taylor may find himself in a split-carry situation when he returns.

Saint Nick
Nice Rackers' season is in jeopardy, and you're wondering if you should pick up his replacement Nick Novak, who had a good game last week. The quick answer is hell yes. Even more than accuracy or aptitude, kicker success is primarily predicated upon the number of attempts they're allowed. Rackers led all kickers in attempts, and not coincidentally, points.

Without competent running, the Cardinals' offense will continue to stall out near the stripe, and Novak will get just as many attempts as Rackers.

 

Quick Hitters
- Last week I talked about the Panthers' switch from Stephen Davis to DeShaun Foster. It's now official. Foster got 24 carries, and Davis got five.

- I've mentioned this many times this year, but here it goes again: Eric Moulds is worthless as long as J.P. Losman is at the helm. Moulds had no receptions last week. Lee Evans has caught five of Losman's seven touchdowns.

- Does anyone know the name of the super hot chick in the tight jeans on the Razr ad?

- Hey, Jamal Lewis, your game last week was inexcusable. I'm calling it a career, even if you're not.

- All season, some company has been running a commercial that spends 28 seconds showing two hot girls and a guy all dressed in silver dancing to some techno song, with no reference to whatever product they're pushing. After viewing it hundreds of times over the course of the season, I had to force myself to carefully watch the final two seconds of the ad to see that it was for Bridgestone. This has to be the least effective use of ad money I can remember.

- If Mark Brunell can't post great stats against the Rams, there's no reason to start him in any other game this year.

I've always enjoyed hearing CBS's play-by-play guy Kevin Harlan, but he's even better with basketball, including on the Xbox 360 game NBA2k6.

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