Calvin Johnson back in doghouse?
Furrey, not Johnson, may start with Williams out
Mike Furrey has been one of the quieter disappointments in fantasy football this season with only 522 yards and a touchdown. But owners who have hung on all season might have a decent WR3 in points-per-reception leagues for the fantasy playoffs now that Roy Williams is likely out for the season.
After a shaky Thanksgiving day performance, Calvin Johnson appeared to be back in the doghouse against Minnesota. He was in-and-out of the lineup even after Williams' injury, and was only targeted three times all day. On one pass to him, Johnson didn't appear to know he was the hot read on the play and wasn't paying attention.
Furrey is available in nearly three-quarters of all fantasy leagues and looks more likely to enter the starting lineup than Johnson. He caught seven passes on nine targets against Minnesota for 57 yards. I worry about Detroit's pass protection against Dallas and San Diego, but Furrey could catch plenty of underneath routes in those games. Johnson will pick up targets, but he's hard to play at this point in fantasy leagues. Even can't-miss prospects can miss - at least for one season.
Comments
Counting on the #2 or #3 WR from a team like DET seems like an awfully risky proposition for the first week of the playoffs.
Bryant Johnson might be worth that gamble though in my opinion.
Posted by: Shane-O | December 3, 2007 03:03 PM
Once again we are blessed with Lion's insanity. I don't care if Johnson didn't know he was the hot route or not. Mike Martz and Rod Marinelli cannot justify keeping the best athlete on thier team off the field, and not targeting him when he IS on the field. With Roy out the Lions hopes are pinned on the fact that they drafted a superior athlete to be just that. If they are benching him or not targeting him they are wasting yet another pick on a first round wide out...how original!
Posted by: Brendan | December 3, 2007 04:46 PM
Couldn't have said it better myself Brendan
Posted by: brian | December 3, 2007 06:37 PM
agreed 100%
Posted by: poser | December 3, 2007 09:34 PM
Calvin Johnson may be the type of player that now unexpectedly helps teams to championship games this year. Agreed they need to feed him the ball early and often.
Posted by: Scott | December 5, 2007 12:00 PM