Surprises of 2007 coming up short
In five years on this job, I can't remember a trio that came out of nowhere more than Derek Anderson, Ryan Grant, and Earnest Graham last season. They went from off-the-radar to every-week fantasy starters in a matter of weeks. They weren't up-and-coming prospects or fallen sleepers with pedigrees; Graham and Grant were fourth-string running backs and Anderson started the year as a backup on a hopeless-looking team.
This year, they have fallen back to Earth. Graham remains a stellar running back, but Warrick Dunn is stealing his catches. He's lived up to his draft value well enough, but he's on pace to put similar numbers to last season. The difference: he only started ten times last year. I'd guess his owners are content, but not thrilled with him.
Grant and Anderson have been far more disappointing. I think the Browns need to beat Baltimore for Anderson to keep his job. I doubt they will. Despite a recent uptick, Anderson is 24th in fantasy points-per-game at quarterback. He trails Jeff Garcia and Matt Cassel. He was top-six last year.
Grant, like Anderson, is fighting for his career. He's played like a backup this season and needs to prove in the final nine games that he's the Packers' running back "of the future." The local rags are already saying he could be a bust, big contract and all. I would trade him now in dynasty leagues because I don't know what his role will be next season.
I may use some of this theme in the Morning After. So give me a break if anything repeats there.
Comments
Gregg,
Rashied Davis is nowhere to be found in your rankings this week, despite having 3 other Bears WR's listed. Some are talking him up as a big time sleeper play this week.
Oversight, or intentional?
Posted by: Bill | October 31, 2008 02:59 PM
Greg , what is all this hype about a rookie rb named Ryan Torain. He is a unproven rookie who came from a raggedy college and he has never taken an NFL snap, but yet everybody proclaims this guy to be the next big Bronco back. I don't see it. Can you give some insight please.
Posted by: mark | October 31, 2008 11:47 PM
Its time for Brandon Jackson to get a shot at carrying the load at RB in Green Bay. Greg I think you should start beating the drum here the same way alot of media members have been calling for hightower to take over for edge.
Posted by: Packer Backer | November 1, 2008 12:54 AM
I need some help, BIG TIME. I have 2WR slots, 2RB slots and 1 flex slot. I have to choose between RB'S: C.Johnson, E.Graham and M.Lynch and WR's R.Wayne, B.Marshall and P.Buress. Which 5 do I start?
Posted by: Greg | November 1, 2008 04:51 PM
Greg, love your work. I have a potential theme for you to research. I would title it "Where have the RB's gone?" Outside of Portis, Barber III, Gore and Bush (before he got hurt), running backs have been a non-presence this year in fantasy football. After the rb's I mentioned above, which running backs have shown any consistency? S-Jax? Peterson? Why does everyone draft a rb in the first round, to only have a 25% chance that he actually shows up?
Posted by: Casey | November 1, 2008 11:59 PM
So wait, you write your morning after the morning before?
Posted by: Barrett | November 2, 2008 01:55 AM
What has happened to the Dallas defense? I picked up Miami this week to fill in. Is Dallas worth keeping?
Posted by: Brian | November 2, 2008 09:27 AM