Fantasy Stock Market

You know what time it is fantasy fans.  Every Wednesday here at the National Football Post we play the Fantasy Stock Market.  Break out the portfolios because we’re going to analyze which stocks are up (Homeys) and which stocks are down (Iron Mikes).  Week 12 kicks off tomorrow night, so remember to get your fantasy rosters set.

 

STRAIGHT CASH HOMEYS  

1.   Warrick “I Like My Steak Well” Dunn:  Dunn’s stock went skyrocketing through the roof earlier today with the announcement that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have placed running back Earnest Graham on Injured Reserve, ending his season.  Dunn now steps into the role as the featured back in Tampa, where he will likely split some of the carries with Cadillac Williams and the newly signed Noah Herron.  The upside here is that when he sees a significant amount of the workload, Dunn has been very impressive.  In the two games this season in which W.D. has touched the ball 20 or more times, he’s racked up 133 and 118 total yards respectively.  He may not be the savior that your fantasy team is looking for, but with upcoming games against Detroit, New Orleans, San Diego and Oakland, the opportunity for him to pile on the stats certainly does exist. 

 

2.   Lance “Dudley” Moore:  One of 2008’s hottest waiver wire acquisitions, Moore continues to produce for his owners on a weekly basis.  Last Sunday he caught 8 passes for 102 yards and 1 touchdown against the laughing stock known as the Kansas City Chiefs.  Moore now has 52 receptions on the year, has eclipsed 75 yards receiving in 6 of 10 games, and has found pay dirt in each of his three previous outings.  As fantasy bust Marques Colston continues to struggle through injuries and all-around bad play, Moore has stepped up into the spotlight and taken advantage of the highly explosive New Orleans passing attack.  While the Saints still have some tough matchups left on the schedule, games against Chicago and Detroit in weeks 15 and 16 respectively, should lead to a couple of big performances. 

 

3.   Joseph “Here Comes The Pain” Addai:  Addai was the hot topic of conversation on the National Football Post a few weeks ago, because his inability to perform like a first round draft pick was killing his fantasy owners.  After all of the comments and emails, it was advised that the best move for owners was to hang in there, while non-owners should have pounced while the market was favorable.  For those of you who followed this advice, go get yourself a beer because you deserve it.  After seven forgettable performances (he missed two games due to injury), Addai exploded on the scene this past Sunday, racking up 153 total yards and 2 touchdowns on 26 touches.  It was his first 100+ yard rushing game and just his second multi-touchdown performance of the season.  With upcoming showdowns against San Diego, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit and Jacksonville, the party has only just begun.       

4.   Special Homey Shout Out: To T.J. Houshmandzadeh.  I know everyone thinks I should be talking about the performances put up by Lynch and Cassel, by Housh gets the shout out in my book.  T.J. caught 12 passes for a staggering 149 yards and 1 touchdown against an Eagles’ defense that used to be respected.  Keep in mind he did this with Ryan Fitzpatrick as his quarterback.  Great effort Housh.  Thanks for tearing up my Eagles. 

Honorable Homeys:  Marshawn Lynch, DeAngelo Williams, Matt Cassel, Ben Watson, Steve Slaton, Kevin Walter, Peyton Manning, Ryan Grant, Ahmad Bradshaw, Justin Gage, Willie Parker, Brady Quinn, Braylon Edwards

THE MIKE TYSON STOCK PORTFOLIO  

1.   Trent “Enron” Edwards:  I talked about Edwards in my article yesterday, but would be doing all of you a disservice if I left him out of the Iron Mikes today.  What was once a promising, up and coming young stock has now been reduced to the equivalent of single-ply toilet paper after the hideous performance he put up on Monday night against the lousy Cleveland Browns (who won the game, reaffirming how terrible this nightmare really was).  Edwards completed only 16 of 26 passes for 148 yards with 3 interceptions.  What’s worse is that he only averaged 5.7 yards per attempt because he would only throw swing passes to Marshawn Lynch.  Why would he only throw swing passes? Probably because he was terrified of throwing the ball down the field after throwing 3 first quarter interceptions.  Edwards QB Rating and fantasy production has been decreasing for over a month now, meaning his value has pretty much bottomed-out. 

 

2.   Steve “Right Hook” Smith:  Some of you may be surprised to see him here, but Smith’s value has been taking a hit as of late, mostly because of the less than impressive play out of quarterback Jake Delhomme.  After three straight 100+ yard performances, Smith has come back to down to Earth, catching only 7 passes for 68 yards and NO touchdowns over his last two outings.  What’s troubling about these statistics is that Carolina’s last two games have come against power-ranking bottom dwellers Oakland and Detroit.  The good news for Smith owners is that he’s healthy and we all know what he is capable of doing on any given Sunday.  What’s upsetting is that three of his next five games come against Green Bay, Tampa Bay and the New York Giants. 

 

3.   Owen “Has Anyone Seen Matt Schaub?” Daniels:  While Andre Johnson owners are well aware of the decrease in production that comes with Sage Rosenfels at quarterback, Owen Daniels’ owners know that pain times ten.  In the four games prior to Schaub’s injury, Daniels was on a mission, catching 24 passes for 290 yards and 2 touchdowns.  What’s more impressive is that the Texans were 3-1 during that stretch.  Since Schaub went down with a knee boo boo, O.D. has only caught 2 passes for 27 yards and no scores in TWO GAMES (0-2)!!  Apparently, the stats don’t lie.  When you throw the rock to Daniels, you win.  When you don’t, you lose.  Let’s go Sage.  This is simple stuff.

4.   Special Iron Mike Call-Out:  To the San Diego Chargers.  After ten games you’re sitting 4-6 and there is a very realistic chance you won’t be heading to the playoffs this season, after playing in the AFC Championship game last year.  Indy is coming to down this Sunday night.  You up for the challenge?

Dis-Honorable Iron Mikes:  Lee Evans (blame Edwards), Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Defense, all tight ends except for Ben Watson, Laveranues Coles, Kyle Orton, Marques Colston, Joe Flacco, Chris Johnson, Jason Campbell