by Jeff West
September 23, 2003
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"Heading
North" – Players whose fantasy value is rising
As the season began, there was speculation concerning the wideouts in
Washington. Rod Gardner
developed a bit of a rapport with QB Patrick Ramsey at the end of last
season, but the Skins paid top dollar to bring in a potential
one-year-wonder in Laveranues Coles from the Jets.
After three games, it appears that Coles is just what Ramsey wanted
as Coles has 100+ yards receiving in each of the three games he’s played
this year. He's shown the
speed to get deep and the toughness to make a grab in traffic.
You can't get him now without overpaying in a trade, but if you
were one of the lucky ones who grabbed him in the middle rounds of your
draft, enjoy!
The term "lame duck" was applied to Jacksonville QB Mark Brunell as
soon as Byron Leftwich was drafted.
Despite management attempts to move him in the offseason, Brunell
came out and had a very good week to start the season.
In each of the subsequent games, Leftwich has come on for one drive
at the end of the game. In
those two drives, Leftwich has completed all but two passes and led his
team to TDs in each. Brunell now has stitches in his throwing elbow.
He will probably start again in week four, since Jacksonville has a
shot to win the game against Houston, but Leftwich is not far off now and
the return of WR Jimmy Smith in week five will help immensely.
"Going
South" – Players whose fantasy value is slipping
San Diego has had receiver problems all year.
Injuries have already taken their toll on the Chargers and the
season is not yet a month old. David
Boston, despite a decent effort in week three, has been hampered by a bad
heel. Reche Caldwell dislocated a wrist and is out for up to two
months. Tim Dwight sprained a
knee. Eric Parker has been
the only consistent WR for the team.
All this spells trouble for QB Drew Brees.
Many expected too see significant improvement from Brees this year
as he had more weapons at his disposal.
A slow-to-start LaDanian Tomlinson and WR injuries are making
things very difficult for Brees now.
The Buffalo offense may be taking it on the chin for a few
weeks. Clearly the most
impressive team over the first two weeks of the season, injuries at the RB
position resulted in an output of only seven points in week three.
Travis Henry is fighting bruised ribs and may not be ready to go in
week four. His backup, Sammy
Morris, just underwent hernia surgery and won’t be available for at
least two weeks. RB Joe Burns
will get the call in week four if Henry can’t go, and that spells
trouble for Buffalo. Teams
will be able to focus more on pass coverage, taking away opportunities for
Bledsoe, Moulds, and Reed.
When Oakland WR Jerry Porter fell to injury in week one, some thought that
Tim Brown would get more chances and might put up respectable
numbers. After all, he
provided five catches for 64 yards and a TD in week one.
The reality is that he had one reception against Cincinnati and one
against Denver in a game where playing catch-up was a necessity.
While an upcoming game with San Diego would look to be just what
the doctor ordered to get healthy quickly, Brown will continue to
struggle.
"East-West" – Players whose fantasy value is still undetermined
The big coup on the waiver wires this week will be the owners tripping
over themselves to acquire Reggie Wayne.
Wayne received some interest in the offseason when he was named the
number two WR opposite Marvin Harrison. The
thinking was that Harrison would garner all the attention and a savvy QB
like Peyton Manning would find Wayne in single coverage.
It only took three weeks to happen, but Manning found Wayne to the
tune of 144 yards and two TDs against Jacksonville.
If you need help and Wayne is available, it won't hurt to grab
him. But don';t expect to
see those types of numbers consistently.
Just remember the name Qadry Ismail.