Fantasy

Joe Fortenbaugh By Joe Fortenbaugh
Posted November 18, 2008
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Pick Them Up

Tuesday morning means it’s time for your weekly installment of “Pick Them Up.”  With 11 weeks of NFL action already in the books, fantasy playoffs are right around the corner.  Just a head’s up for those of you who missed the article on the National Football Post yesterday, things do not look good for Earnest Graham.  Head coach Jon Gruden announced that E.G.’s injury is worse than originally thought, meaning the possibility does exist for him to miss the remainder of the season (hint, hint:  Warrick Dunn).  In addition, if anybody has a specific topic for an article you would like me to write, feel free to leave a comment or shoot me an email at Joe.Fortenbaugh@NationalFootballPost.com. 

PICK THEM UP

Justin Gage    WR    Tennessee Titans:  The stellar play of quarterback Kerry Collins as of late has increased the value of the players surrounding him, with the current flavor of the week being wide receiver Justin Gage.  Gage got off to a very slow start in 2008, catching only 13 passes for 182 yards and 1 touchdown through the first 9 weeks of the season.  But all of that is in the past as Collins has emerged as a legitimate fantasy QB option that has been beating teams through the air the last couple of weeks.   In his last two games, Gage has caught 8 passes for 194 yards and 3 scores, while averaging a ridiculous 24.3 yards per reception.  The upside here is that the Titans’ remaining schedule includes games against the New York Jets (28th in pass defense), Detroit Lions (23rd), Cleveland Browns (19th) and Houston Texans (17th).  The downside is that with just two quality performances under his belt, Gage may be a risky option in terms of consistent production.

 

New York Jets    D/ST:  Arguably the most underrated fantasy defense in the NFL, if the New York Jets are available in your league, now is the time to pick them up.  They may not seem flashy, but statistics don’t lie.  Besides being red hot (four straight wins), the Jets are currently the 6th ranked fantasy defense in standard scoring formats.  New York ranks 3rd in sacks (33), 3rd in fumble recoveries (10), and 2nd in D/ST touchdowns (5).  In addition, their remaining schedule features games against the 49ers, Bills, Seahawks and Dolphins.  What makes New York such a reliable defense is the outstanding play of running back Thomas Jones, whose play as of late has been nothing short of spectacular.  With a top-notch ground attack, the Jets can move the chains and control the clock, keeping their defense rested and off the field.  Oh yeah, and having Leon Washington returning kicks is an added bonus as well. 

Fantasy Draft Guide

Remarks

21 comments for “Pick Them Up”

  1. anthony
    November 18, 2008
    9:02 am

    hey joe. can you answer my question under the studs and dud page? im on my phone and cant copy and paste. thanks!

  2. Pras
    November 18, 2008
    9:33 am

    Hi Joe -

    Sorry for re-posting -

    I want to pick up Dunn as he seems a good play rest of the way. I have AP, Slaton and LJ at RB.

    Who should I drop to pick him -
    Ginn, Gage, Bradley, and Curtis

    Thanks

    Pras

  3. Joe Fortenbaugh
    November 18, 2008
    9:35 am

    Pras: feel free to post wherever and whenever you like. sometimes its tough to keep track of where all the comments end up.

    I’d drop either Curtis or Gage. The Eagles are a sinking ship and while Gage has been lights out the last two weeks, there is no guarantee this will continue

  4. Pras
    November 18, 2008
    9:36 am

    Hi Joe -

    Do you have an insight as to what’s going on with Phily’s offence. I see so many unsual things going on like using 5-6 receivers in the rotation, not using Westbrook enough, bad play calling, just in general the thing looks like a mess.

    I was thinking of dropping Curtis and Akers (pick up Bryant).

    Thanks

    Pras

  5. Greg
    November 18, 2008
    9:36 am

    Im currently holding onto the last spot for the playoffs so each week is a must win for me. Would you start Justin Fargas over Joseph Addai this week?

  6. Joe Fortenbaugh
    November 18, 2008
    10:01 am

    Pras: Both good moves. Philly is sinking right now and it doesnt look good. There isnt much upside on that team right now.

    Greg: I’d start Addai. He’s coming off a monster game and Indy’s offense has been on a terror as of late. Stick with your top choice.

  7. anthony
    November 18, 2008
    10:06 am

    thanks joe.

  8. Joey in H-town
    November 18, 2008
    10:08 am

    Joe,
    I am in a 12 and 14 team league. Last week, i was low man in both and the only common players i have are Colston, Jackson, and Rivers. Ouch. Officially lobbying to see Steven Jackson and Colston bashed in the stock market. Have a great week.

  9. Joe Fortenbaugh
    November 18, 2008
    10:30 am

    Joey: sorry to hear that. I took a hit in that Chargers game as well. I can’t bash S-Jax for being injured, but Colston has a very good shot of ending up there!

  10. Jon
    November 18, 2008
    10:42 am

    Hi Joe, glad you are talking here and not that crazy guy dispensing advise last week. Okay wiver wire for 10 team standard scoring league. Have Lance Moore, Justin Gage, Deion Branch, and Derrick Mason availible…who do you like between those options? What about running backs? I have Derrick Ward, Sammy Morris, Warrick Dunn, JJ Arington, and LerOn Mclain…..I am targeting Sammy Morris and Lance Moore….what do you think ?

  11. Chris in CT
    November 18, 2008
    10:45 am

    Joe, Funny story re: Sunday morning…what a big juicy RV that was!!LOL

    Best FA pickup? Pierre Thomas, Ledell Betts, Justin Gage, Branch, Norwood or Hillis? I am set for the playoffs(AP, Addai, MJD at RB, Fitz, Jennings, Hines at WR), but am looking to add to my depth or looking for a “lotto ticket”. I should always keep tweaking my roster, right? I could also drop Fargas, Mewelde, or Marvin Harrison and pick 2 of these free agents. Any sugestions?

  12. Joe Fortenbaugh
    November 18, 2008
    11:51 am

    Jon: Haha, you got it buddy. I’d have to go with Moore right now. He is putting up consistent numbers and plays on an offense that loves to throw the ball. I’d say Ward, followed by Dunn and then Morris. With the way BJGE has been playing, New England will most likely continue to divide the touches.

    Chris: glad you like it, thanks. the only option i like is Gage and maybe Hillis, but when Tatum Bell starts getting the rock, Hillis will become less valuable. The good news is that you are still stacked at RB and WR, so you will be in great shape come playoff time.

  13. b roo
    November 18, 2008
    11:56 am

    Joe,
    I am commissioner of my league. The guy playing the Steelers D lost by 4 points so that last defensive TD would have given him the win. Do I change the points for him or not?

  14. Joe Fortenbaugh
    November 18, 2008
    12:08 pm

    BROO: nope. the NFL didnt count it as a touchdown, so you cant either. It sucks, but thats how it goes.

  15. b roo
    November 18, 2008
    12:18 pm

    Thanks, I was leaning that direction but wanted another opinion. It would be a slippery slope to start counting non-official points.

  16. MattMan
    November 18, 2008
    1:13 pm

    Joe,
    Looking to trade Westbrook for Lynch straight up given Lynch’s upcoming schedule. If they won’t take BWEST what receiver would be fair?
    Steve Smith
    TO
    B.Marshall
    Desean Jackson

  17. Hellshire
    November 18, 2008
    1:34 pm

    Joe Thanks for all. First Time, Long Time writer/reader. Need RB advice. I have AP, Duece, Mewelde Moore, and Ernest Graham. With Graham talk that he’s done for the season, who do I pick up? I only have to play RB’s, but then I need to be stacked at WR, which Im ok with Fitzgerald, Plax, Breaston and Berrian. Help please

  18. Joe Fortenbaugh
    November 18, 2008
    6:04 pm

    BROO: you got it.

    MattMan: It’s going to be tough to nab Lynch after the game he put up last night, especially since owners have been waiting for this all year. I wouldnt want to give up Brandon Marshall, so your best options would be either Smith or Owens. The Lynch owner wont deal for D-Jax.

    Hellshire: thanks for reading and feel free to comment whenever you want. First off, what running backs are available? Second, you may need to pull of a trade before the deadline hits. Plax should be the guy you send packings.

  19. Scooter
    November 19, 2008
    8:59 am

    Joe,would you get rid of Plex and pick up Bowe? J Stewart or K Smith this week?

  20. Joe Fortenbaugh
    November 19, 2008
    9:39 am

    Scooter: Id start Stewart this because he has Atlanta, while Smith goes up against a stingy Tampa defense. And no, I would not get rid of plax.

  21. Quad
    November 19, 2008
    10:59 am

    Good call on NYJ’s D. Saved me when Tampa had their bye week by scoring like 17 for me. I held on to both of them now that NYJ’s schedule is looking somewhat easy heading down the stretch. Still going to be hard not playing Tampa’s D though, they are holding opposing offenses to such low scores.

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