Fantasy

Joe Fortenbaugh By Joe Fortenbaugh
Posted December 3, 2008
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Fantasy Stock Market

After a brief hiatus, the Fantasy Stock Market is back.  It’s time to break out the portfolios, because we’re going to analyze which stocks are up (Homeys) and which stocks are down (Iron Mikes).  Week 14 kicks off tomorrow night, so remember to get your fantasy rosters set.  Good luck to everyone who has a playoff game this weekend. 

                           

STRAIGHT CASH HOMEYS  

1.   Carnell “It’s a Cadillac” Williams:  The “It’s a Cadillac” moniker is a reference from the movie “The Great White Hype” when Jamie Foxx is standing outside of the MGM Grand trying to explain what a “Merlot Brougham” is (great movie, by the way). Stupid movie references aside, Cadillac Williams stock is hot on the streets right now.  Relegated to the PUP list (Physically Unable to Perform) early in the year, Williams made his return to action this past Sunday against the Saints in an all-to-common Florida monsoon, carrying the leather 4 times for 20 yards and a score.  While the numbers may not be uber-impressive, head coach Jon Gruden’s post game comments certainly were.  Gruden said he plans on getting the Cadillac more involved in the offense in the coming weeks, just in time for fantasy owners to shore up their benches heading into the playoffs.   

 

2.   Dustin “Bulls Eye” Keller :  A bulls eye must be what Keller rocks on his jersey, because Favre looks for him more than Plax looks for “discreet” hospitals.  DK’s stock has been steadily climbing as he is becoming one of quarterback Brett Favre’s favorite targets.  Through the first eight games of the season, Keller only caught 13 passes for 147 yards.  Those measly numbers are now a thing of the past.  In his last five outings, Keller has made 27 grabs for 313 yards as he continues to operate as Brett Favre’s safety valve when the deep passing game heads south or the pocket breaks down.  Upcoming games with San Francisco, Buffalo, Seattle and Miami should help this trend continue. 

 

3.   Davone “The Opportunity Seizer” Bess:  Bess has been getting a lot of attention on the Post as of late, mostly because you guys are playoff bound and looking to add depth to your rosters.  Well done.  DB spent most of 2008 on the sidelines, relegated to special offensive packages that limited his action.  That is no longer the case.  Starting wide receiver Greg Camarillo was lost for the season due to injury two weeks ago, opening up the door for Bess to step in and show the Dolphins what he could do.  In his last two outings (the only games in which he got some serious burn), Bess has hauled in 11 passes for 171 yards.  Quarterback Chad Pennington is starting to target him more, meaning Bess should close out 2008 on a strong note.  He may not be a viable starting option in smaller leagues, but he is worth a pick-up if you have some dead weight you can afford to drop. 

Honorable Homeys:  Donovan McNabb, Jason Witten, Chris Johnson & LenDale White, John Carlson, Mark Clayton, Shaun Hill, Brandon Jackson, Domenik Hixon & Amani Toomer, Leon Washington, Bernard Berrian

THE MIKE TYSON STOCK PORTFOLIO  

1.   “Harris Smith”:  Never heard this name before?  That’s ok.  Neither had New York-Cornell hospital until Plaxico Burress came hobbling in after blasting himself in the thigh with a bullet.  “Harris Smith” was the alias Burress used to avoid detection.  Clever.  I wouldn’t recognize a Super Bowl hero in my town either, mostly because my town (Philly) has never won a Super Bowl.  I still say his alias could have been better.  At least Michael Vick came up with “Ron Mexico.”  That was a sweet name.  In any event, Burress is finished for the season and will be sitting on his can for the next few months trying to recover from his hamstring/gunshot injury.  He should look into buying this product if he gets uncomfortable. 

 

2.   Clinton “Southeast Jerome” Portis:  Portis’ decrease in stock value can be attributed to a multitude of injuries he has suffered over the last month.  If you take away the 143 yard performance CP put up against the Seahawks two weeks ago, his last three games have seen him carry the ball 39 times for only 141 yards and no scores.  In fact, Portis hasn’t found the end zone since Week 7 against Cleveland.  The good news is that two of “Southeast Jerome’s” final four games come against Cincinnati and San Francisco.  The bad news is that this weekend is not one of those games.  Portis and the Redskins head to Baltimore on Sunday night to take on the Ravens.  Keep in mind that Washington hosts Philadelphia in Week 16, which should make for some good old fashioned NFC East football.   

 

3.   Kyle “Bring Back Rex” Orton:  Relax, Chicago.  I’m just kidding.  Nobody wants to see Grossman back under center.  Not even Grossman.  After ripping through the first seven games of the season and actually cracking the top 10 rankings for fantasy quarterbacks, Orton has fallen off hard.  In his last four starts, KO has only completed 49 of 97 passes for 526 yards, with 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.  Remember, those stats are from his last FOUR GAMES.  While he was once a viable fantasy starter capable of big time production, Orton is now a question mark when it comes to the starting lineup.  Until he shows you he can get it done, leave him on your bench.

Dis-Honorable Iron Mikes:  Matt Cassel, Jacksonville (all of them), Philip Rivers, Jason Campbell, Ryan Grant, Cleveland’s offense, Trent Edwards (welcome back), T.J. Houshmandzadeh,…..i’ll leave some blank so you guys can get in on the fun and throw out your suggestions 

Fantasy Draft Guide

Remarks

21 comments for “Fantasy Stock Market”

  1. Joey in H-town
    December 3, 2008
    3:37 pm

    Joe,
    How can you not have B West as at least an Honorable Homey? Even though you predicted them to go in the tank yesterday, you are still a Philly guy, shame shame.

    Also, Reggie Wayne, where the hell are you? I know you had some bad weather but you did drop a TD pass and havent done much in the last couple of weeks. You aren’t an Iron Mike yet but get your crap together.

  2. Jackie Chan
    December 3, 2008
    3:42 pm

    I’m gonna drop Gage for Hixon. What do you think?

  3. Big James
    December 3, 2008
    3:53 pm

    Can’t believe it has come to this but this is for the playoffs. Who should I start? Thanks!

    Joseph Addai vs Bengals
    Peyton Hillis vs Chiefs

    Also:
    Indy D vs Cincy
    or
    Tampa D vs Carolina

    POINTS:
    6pts for every TD
    1pt for every 10 yds rushing
    3pt for 100 yds rushing
    5pts for 200+ yds rushing
    -2 for fumbles

    1pt for evry 10 yds receiving
    3pt for 100 yds receiving
    5pts for 200+ yds receiving
    -2 for fumbles

  4. Jerry
    December 3, 2008
    4:00 pm

    Joe,

    I need to win this game to make my fantasy playoffs. Who do you start?
    PICK 2: S.Jackson, Hightower, L.White

    Also PICK 1: Welker or Royal

    Thanks!

  5. Joe Fortenbaugh
    December 3, 2008
    4:07 pm

    Joey: both good calls. I didnt want to be a homer by putting both McNabb and Westbrook in there.

    Jackie: i’d do it

    Big James: i answered this question in “Start Em vs Sit Em”

    Jerry: I’d start Royal, Jackson and hightower. I know White gets TDs, but its never a sure thing and he doesnt rack up very much yardage

  6. Jake
    December 3, 2008
    4:42 pm

    Joe,

    I can see it now in 2009…

    Ron Mexico to Harris Smith, touchdown Detroit Lions!

    Harris goes back to his Michigan stomping grounds, Ronnie’s checking out 8-mile for some abandoned apartment to start up his underground dogpound! I could see him also nailing some stray cats and giving them a false name… catch my drift, I’m sure Harris can!

  7. Chris in CT
    December 3, 2008
    5:07 pm

    Joe,
    Do you think Ledell Betts is a good speculative pickup? Or will Portis the warrior continue to answer the bell every week?

  8. Joe Fortenbaugh
    December 3, 2008
    5:09 pm

    Jake: please tell me that never happens. If that turns out to be the case, I’m not sure I’ll be able to watch.

    Chris: yes i do. if you have room on your bench to make a move, Betts is not a bad insurance plan/risk. Portis has been taking a beating. If Betts would ever become the full time guy, he could put up some decent numbers.

  9. Thawville
    December 3, 2008
    7:39 pm

    Joe - Good stuff as always. Quick question. As Commissioner in our fantasy league I need your advice. As background, we limit waiver pickups per team to 5 per year - except if the player goes on “Injured Reserve” - then they get a free one. One team has Plaxico and is out of waiver pickups. I noticed the Giants didn’t put Plaxico on Injured Reserve but rather on the Non-Football Injury list. What exactly is that? Our team owner wants to get a free waiver pickup. The spirit of our Fantasy I/R rule was to not penalize teams that had a legitimate player injured (not Lawrence Philips, Peter Warrick types). What are your thoughts on this? Should we could “Non-Football Injury” the same as “I/R” or can I justify a difference? Thanks.

  10. Thawville
    December 3, 2008
    7:40 pm

    Sorry - meant “Should we treat “Non-Football Injury” the same as “I/R” or can I justify a difference?”

  11. Joe Fortenbaugh
    December 3, 2008
    7:55 pm

    thaw: great question. Both IR and NFI operate very similarly, however, have two different meanings. The only difference is the way in which the player was hurt. IR meaning “on the field-football related” and NFI meaning it took place off the field, like Brandon Marshall slipping on a “McDonald’s Bag”.

    I wouldnt allow the extra transaction. Had Plax been placed on IR for the hamstring, it would be ok. But since he was dumb enough to shoot himself and get shelfed for the season, he could not fall under IR. Hope that helps

  12. Thawville
    December 3, 2008
    8:16 pm

    Thanks much. I’m sure I’ll get some heat but that was my line of thinking too. I’ve been Commish of our league for 13 years and every year something new tests us. I’m waiting for one of these “free kicks” to produce points and create the next crisis. Thanks again.

  13. Joe Fortenbaugh
    December 3, 2008
    8:47 pm

    you got it thaw. its always something, isnt it?

  14. b roo
    December 3, 2008
    9:33 pm

    Lamest Homeys you’ve ever put up. Wouldn’t play any of those guys from here on out.

  15. b roo
    December 3, 2008
    9:45 pm

    Thaw,
    Why limit waiver pick ups? Most leagues run waivers every week with no limit. It makes no sense to impose some arbitrary limit. Open it up, let people go after free agents/waivers. Makes things more competitive and more fun and more realistic. The real NFL doesn’t do that…

  16. Thawville
    December 3, 2008
    10:07 pm

    Good question. Primarily it goes back to legacy when we started the league back in 1995. Everything was done manually (no internet) so doing mega waivers was a pain. The rule has held up though over time… I think mostly because it defines the character of the league we want. We like to encourage trades and emphasize the importance of the draft. Having multiple hoarding of prospects and constant flipping of players kind of takes away the strategy of Fantasy sports itself.

  17. charlie
    December 4, 2008
    1:59 am

    Joe,

    Would you start K Akers in rain v. Giants or K Bryant v. Carolina on Monday night? I figured Akers will get plenty of attempts, but the rain scares me.

  18. Joe Fortenbaugh
    December 4, 2008
    8:02 am

    Charlie: I’d probably go with Matt Bryant. he is currently ranked second for kickers in standard scoring formats. Additionally, its not just the rain, but the swirling winds at the Meadowlands that should raise concern. Akers has stuggled in North Jersey in the past.

  19. Todd
    December 4, 2008
    8:42 am

    Joe,
    P. Hillis or F. Gore this week. I also have T. Jones. First week of my playoffs.

  20. Jackie Chan
    December 4, 2008
    8:47 am

    What do you think about starting Pierre Thomas over Portis this week? The other back I’m starting is C.Johnson. I also have Barber on the bench.

  21. Joe Fortenbaugh
    December 4, 2008
    9:28 am

    Todd: I like Hillis over Gore, since the Jets have a nice run defense. However, Thomas Jones is the best start of the group.

    Jackie: I’m not so sure about Thomas. Reggie Bush was finally listed as “full participaton” in practice, for the first time in over a month. I would expect him to get the bulk of the touches.

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