2010-2011 Fantasy Basketball Prep: Week 2

The first week of the season has come and gone and there's probably someone sitting in first place in your roto league with a 10 point lead. In Head to Head you probably already saw the first sweep of the season, if not a 8-1 shellacking. But, Derrick Rose won't average 33.5 points per game and Josh Smith can't possibly get 4 blocks every game from here on out. So don't be discouraged if you find yourself floundering a little bit. Have faith that you built a quality team, and let the game take its course.

With all of that said, let's take a look at the schedules here in week 2:


Smooth Sailin':

Portland Trail Blazers- The only team with 5 games on their schedule. If your league sets weekly lineups, try to have all of your Blazers in. For sheer numbers purposes, having the extra game can mean a lot. This could mean big things for Nicolas Batum buyers, if he can continue his hot streak.

Los Angeles Lakers- As if the Lake Show needed any help, they have 4 games schedules in week 2, 3 of which are in Staples Center. The latter half is a bit tough with Toronto and Portland visiting, neither of which gives up excess of 100 PPG, but traveling to Sacramento and hosting the Grizzlies will be easy pickin's for Kobe and the boys.

Memphis Grizzlies- Sure they might have to go to LA to face the Lakers, but the rest of their week 2 schedule is as easy as a 4 game road trip can be. Being able to face offensive doormats like Golden State, Phoenix and Sacramento means good things for Memphis. Keep your Grizzlies in your lineup, and more good things could be afoot for guys like O.J. Mayo.


Rough Waters Ahead:

Dallas Mavericks- The Mavs play the Denver Nuggets this week. That's it. Just the Nuggets. Sure, one game is in Denver, and the other is at home, but that is not the recipe to fantasy success. Before you start a guy like J.R. Smith, make sure there aren't options out there that play more than 2 games and one opponent in week 2.
 
Indiana Pacers- Another easy call, with only 2 games on the docket this week. Danny Granger and his crew have looked fairly impressive in fantasy terms, especially the rising Roy Hibbert. But, if you are contemplating between two evenly matched players this week, and one happens to be a Pacer, let him take the bench this week.

New Jersey Nets- Guys like Derrick Favors and Devin Harris have shown that they have some fantasy value hidden in New Jersey. Keeping it buried in week 2 might be a smart idea, however. The Nets take on Charlotte at home, and then travel into Florida to take on Orlando and Miami on back-to-back nights. All 3 of these teams can play stellar defense, and going up against the Magic followed by the Heat could spell disaster for the comeback story of week 1.

Fantasy Basketball Player of the Day: 10/31

Every day that there are games, FSC is going to pick the player that was the most wowing in fantasy world. But before I tell you last night's MVP let's look at the runners-up:

Happy Halloween all! Now that I'm back from a quick weekend getaway, let's get back to the FBPotD:


3rd Place: Dwayne Wade, Heat
Wade may not have scored as many points as his All-Star counterpart, Wade's line looked eerily similar to LeBron's. What made number 3's night better in my mind was the fact that he only turned the ball over 1 time, compared to James' 5. If LeBron doesn't get this TO problem under control, he could be a detriment to roto players with that category.

This Weekend

Hey all!
I'm going out to the woods this weekend with a few friends. So if I never post again, some kind of bear or serial killer got to me. Otherwise, I will be back late Sunday to get back to all of this fun.

If you find yourself needing fantasy advice, remember that you can always reach me at:
bglewis@fantasysportscircle.com
A lot of people have taken advantage of this and so far there have only been rave reviews. No catches. Just personal fantasy football advice at your fingertips.

Also, if you follow me on Twitter (@FSCircle), I will continue posting the Fantasy Basketball Player of the Day there, so you can find out who was the top performer of the day.

Enjoy the weekend,
and may the Pack dominate the Jets *crosses fingers*

The Bean

Fantasy Basketball Player of the Day: 10/28

Every day that there are games, FSC is going to pick the player that was the most wowing in fantasy world. But before I tell you last night's MVP let's look at the runners-up:

3rd Place: Hakim Warrick, Suns
Who would have thought this guy would ever show up on the list? Well, an 18/11 game off the bench on a night with only 2 games will do it.  Going 6 for 7 from the charity stripe helps as well.

Ray Rice: Bust or Buy Low?

Just like in the Maurice Jones-Drew post, if you are a Ray Rice owner (like yours truly) you're wondering what exactly you saw in him at the beginning of the year. With the exception of his week 5 performance against Denver, Rice has yet to top 100 yards or score in any other game. Definitely not what you expected out of a top 4 consensus selection. The only solace has come to PPR owners who have seen mediocre benefit from his 24 catches (including 8 in week 6).

Perhaps the greatest disappointment has been Rice's inability to break off big plays. So far in 2010, the Ravens' running back has only managed a rushing high of 30 yards and has yet to make a reception of 20 yards or greater. In fact, Rice has only busted out 8 rushes of 10 yards or more, a pittance from a guy that last year was ready to make a break for the end zone at any given time. Since it is Halloween, I can only imagine that some civilian has simply dressed up as Ray Rice, and is now parading around, disappointing fantasy owners everywhere.

Fantasy Basketball Player of the Day: 10/27

Every day that there are games, FSC is going to pick the player that was the most wowing in fantasy world. But before I tell you last night's MVP let's look at the runners-up:

3rd Place: Monta Ellis, Warriors
A lot of Monta's success can be chalked up to a game that was a scoring blur. But fantasy doesn't care about how you got the numbers, just that you got them. Ellis racked up an eye-opening 46 points, 3 boards, 2 assists, 1 three and threw in 2 steals as the cherry on top. What sets his line apart from most major scoring nights was Ellis' efficiency. If you own Monta, you are probably sitting pretty at the top of your FG% category since he shot a whopping 75% from the field on 18 for 24 shooting. Throw in quality free-throw shooting (9 for 12) and that's a helluva opening night.

2010 Week 8 PPR Rankings: WR

Need help with a lineup/trade/waiver problem? Check out the FREE help you can get from FSC!

Other Rankings: QB RB WR TE

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent
1	Andre Johnson	HOU	at IND
2	Reggie Wayne	IND	vs HOU
3	Brandon Marshall	MIA	at CIN
4	Miles Austin	DAL	vs NYG
5	Larry Fitzgerald	ARI	vs TB
6	Calvin Johnson	DET	vs WAS
7	Chad Ochocinco	CIN	vs MIA
8	Hines Ward	PIT	at NO
9	Santana Moss	WAS	at DET
10	Marques Colston	NO	vs PIT
11	Wes Welker	NE	vs MIN
12	Terrell Owens	CIN	vs MIA
13	Brandon Lloyd	DEN	at SF
14	Kenny Britt	TEN	at SD
15	Mike Wallace	PIT	at NO
16	Michael Crabtree	SF	vs DEN
17	Dwayne Bowe	KC	vs BUF
18	Greg Jennings	GB	at NYJ
19	Randy Moss	MIN	at NE
20	Mike Sims-Walker	JAX	at DAL
21	Braylon Edwards	NYJ	vs GB
22	Dez Bryant	DAL	vs NYG
23	Mike Williams (TB)	TB	at ARI
24	Austin Collie	IND	vs HOU
25	Steve Smith (CAR)	CAR	at STL
26	Donald Driver	GB	at NYJ
27	Percy Harvin	MIN	at NE
28	Brandon Tate	NE	vs MIN
29	Malcom Floyd	SD	vs TEN
30	Pierre Garcon	IND	vs HOU
31	Davone Bess	MIA	at CIN
32	Danny Amendola	STL	vs CAR
33	Kevin Walter	HOU	at IND
34	Lee Evans	BUF	at KC
35	Dexter McCluster	KC	vs BUF

2010 Week 8 PPR Rankings: TE

Need help with a lineup/trade/waiver problem? Check out the FREE help you can get from FSC!

Other Rankings: QB RB WR TE

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent
1	Vernon Davis	SF	vs DEN
2	Antonio Gates	SD	vs TEN
3	Dustin Keller	NYJ	vs GB
4	Owen Daniels	HOU	at IND
5	Aaron Hernandez	NE	vs MIN
6	Jason Witten	DAL	vs NYG
7	Marcedes Lewis	JAX	at DAL
8	Brandon Pettigrew	DET	vs WAS
9	Chris Cooley	WAS	at DET
10	Kellen Winslow	TB	at ARI
11	Zach Miller	OAK	vs SEA
12	Tony Moeaki	KC	vs BUF
13	Heath Miller	PIT	at NO
14	Visanthe Shiancoe	MIN	at NE
15	Bo Scaife	TEN	at SD
16	Andrew Quarless	GB	at NYJ
17	Jeremy Shockey	NO	vs PIT
18	Jermaine Gresham	CIN	vs MIA
19	John Carlson	SEA	at OAK
20	Tony Scheffler	DET	vs WAS

2010 Week 8 PPR Rankings: QB

Need help with a lineup/trade/waiver problem? Check out the FREE help you can get from FSC!

Other Rankings: QB RB WR TE

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent
1	Peyton Manning	IND	vs HOU
2	Phillip Rivers	SD	vs TEN
3	Tom Brady	NE	vs MIN
4	Tony Romo	DAL	vs NYG
5	Ben Roethlisberger	PIT	at NO
6	Aaron Rodgers	GB	at NYJ
7	Matt Schaub	HOU	at IND
8	Drew Brees	NO	vs PIT
9	Donovan McNabb	WAS	at DET
10	Brett Favre	MIN	at NE
11	Kyle Orton	DEN	at SF
12	Carson Palmer	CIN	vs MIA
13	Vince Young	TEN	at SD
14	Sam Bradford	STL	vs CAR
15	Matt Cassel	KC	vs BUF
16	Chad Henne	MIA	at CIN
17	Mark Sanchez	NYJ	vs GB
18	Matthew Stafford	DET	vs WAS
19	Matt Hasselbeck	SEA	at OAK
20	Alex Smith	SF	vs DEN

2010 Week 8 PPR Rankings: RB

Need help with a lineup/trade/waiver problem? Check out the FREE help you can get from FSC!

Other Rankings: QB RB WR TE

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent
1	Chris Johnson	TEN	at SD
2	Maurice Jones-Drew	JAX	at DAL
3	Arian Foster	HOU	at IND
4	Adrian Peterson	MIN	at NE
5	Frank Gore	SF	vs DEN
6	Steven Jackson	STL	vs CAR
7	Rashard Mendenhall	PIT	at NO
8	DeAngelo Williams	CAR	at STL
9	Felix Jones	DAL	vs NYG
10	Beanie Wells	ARI	vs TB
11	Darren McFadden	OAK	vs SEA
12	Jahvid Best	DET	vs WAS
13	Ryan Torain	WAS	at DET
14	Fred Jackson	BUF	at KC
15	Marshawn Lynch	SEA	at OAK
16	Pierre Thomas	NO	vs PIT
17	Jamaal Charles	KC	vs BUF
18	Cedric Benson	CIN	vs MIA
19	Thomas Jones	KC	vs BUF
20	Joseph Addai	IND	vs HOU
21	LaDanian Tomlinson	NYJ	vs GB
22	Ryan Mathews	SD	vs TEN
23	Jonathan Stewart	CAR	at STL
24	Brandon Jackson	GB	at NYJ
25	Ricky Williams	MIA	at CIN
26	Knowshon Moreno	DEN	at SF
27	Ronnie Brown	MIA	at CIN
28	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	NE	vs MIN
29	Brandon Jacobs	NYG	BYE
30	Marion Barber	DAL	vs NYG
31	Cadillac Williams	TB	at ARI
32	Michael Bush	OAK	vs SEA
33	Shonn Greene	NYJ	vs GB
34	Justin Forsett	SEA	at OAK
35	Javon Ringer	TEN	at SD

5 Tips for your Fantasy Basketball Draft

I really should have added in (Last Minute) between the "5" and "Tips" in this title. There are less than 2 and a half days until LeBron and crew (or should I say Dwayne Wade and his sidekicks) tip off against Shaq and the Celtics. That's less than 60 hours for you to do your fantasy draft and get your roster set for the next 17 months. Ok, maybe more like 7. But like I said as football and baseball approached, draft day is what sets the fantasy season into motion. So, if you are sitting down on Sunday (like me) or Monday, or God forbid anytime after Tuesday, here are a few things to keep in mind as you print out your spreadsheets and highlight your sleepers. (Not one of the 5 tips: Linas Kleiza should be one of those highlighted guys).

1. Settings is Key- I start every fantasy draft the same way. I ask myself the question, "What are this league's rules?" and, "How should I use these rules to my benefit?" These two answers could be the key to turning your team into a champion. If you're playing head-to-head, Dwight Howard gets a huge boost. Whereas, if its roto, I wouldn't take Superman if he came with X-ray vision (one of my top 3 superpowers). Leagues without turnovers give young guns who run the floor a lot more value. Its little league-specific keys like these that make the transition from a good team to a great team possible.
2. Don't Overplan and Panic- Trying to plan out too far ahead will only cause disappointment. I did a mock draft the other day, and in 14 rounds, the guy I was targeting got selected directly in front of me 4 times. I see a lot of fantasy owners write down a list of guys they want in each round, only to panic when they get pick-jacked. A panicked owner makes bad decisions. Don't be that guy who picks Marcus Camby in the 2nd.
3. The Best Available is Best- Ask any current or former GM out there (minus Isaiah Thomas of course) what their draft strategy is, and it is always "I'm taking the best guy available at my spot, regardless of position". If it works for their teams (minus the Knicks of course), why not let it work for yours? In the early rounds, don't stress about if you're getting too many rebounds, or not enough 3-pointers, that's what the rest of the draft is there for. Get whoever you think has the best potential to be great with your first few picks, and let the rest of your picks fill out the categories you need.
4. See the Whites in their Eyes- In other words, stay close to your opponents. Keep track of what they're doing and act accordingly. Here's an example: Say you're sitting at the 10 spot in a 12 team draft and you desperately need a big. Paul Millsap is there, and you're high on him, but so is Aaron Brooks, and he's your breakout player this year. Most of the time, you'd pick Millsap to make sure you get some boards. However, since you've read this post, you notice that the owners at 11 and 12 have only picked PFs and Cs. Because of that, you pick Brooks, and after the other two guys select guards, Millsap is still there waiting for you. Instead of getting one, you get two great players, all because you paid attention to your opponents' selections and needs.
5. Go Big or Go Home- This is my personal favorite. I like to challenge myself to make one really risky pick per draft. There is a difference between crazy and risky, however. In the middle to late rounds, try to pick a guy with a huge risk that could pay off for a huge reward. This year it could be a guy like Yao Ming or Greg Oden because of their injury concerns, or someone with character problems like Gilbert Arenas. If they pay off, it could cover up any mistakes or major injuries you face.

And while it doesn't fit in the top 5, this tip is one you should always keep in fantasy basketball: Have Fun. That's what its all about. Enjoy the game, and win some money, pride or bragging rights while you're at it.

Week 7 Kings and Jokers

Each week, I am going to post my top 4 predictions for breakout players (the Kings), as well as the 4 guys I think will fall flat on their fantasy faces (the Jokers).

The Kings:

King of Spades: Joe Flacco QB, Ravens
The Buffalo Bills are the perfect cure for any QB has been underachieving. There's nothing like a match-up with a sloppy defense to wake up an arm. The Ravens have shown glimpses of being a stellar offense, and this is the week they will put it together. Flacco just has too many offensive weapons to not breakout this week.

King of Diamonds: Thomas Jones RB, Chiefs
I just dealt Jamaal Charles and junk for MJD, because I am fed up with Todd Haley. Charles is obviously the more explosive RB, but he is as stubborn as policemen in a line for free donuts, and continues to chug right along with Jones as the main ballcarrier. Take advantage of that against a stumbling Jacksonville team.

King of Clubs: Chris Ivory RB, Saints
The PT Cruiser is still dealing with a bum wheel, and Ivory has jumped at the chance to be a feature back. After blowing up in week 6, and leading the entire league in rushing, I have seen enough to advise a start of the young Saint.
[Somewhat irrelevant tangent: My girlfriend's parents recently went to New Orleans and saw multiple sets of naked women. In October. That makes no sense. This is why I will some day live in New Orleans, and my theory for why the Saints won the Super Bowl last year.]


King of Hearts: Buster Davis WR, Chargers
The Chargers' pass catcher situation looks like the hospital where Lieutant Dan is in Forrest Gump. There are limbs falling off everywhere. However, Phillip Rivers is still there, and the Patriots' pass D is still bad. Someone is going to have to benefit through the air. Patrick Crayton will be the trendy pick, but I like what I've seen from Davis thus far, and think extra playing time could really benefit the former 1st round pick.

The Jokers:


Jay Cutler QB, Bears
The Redskins are a scrappy bunch, who aren't going to give up a lot of points. A death sentence for a quarterback. Especially for one who has struggled to get a single block, and has to look across the line at guys like Brian Orakpo.

DeAngelo Williams RB, Panthers
The 49ers are a bad football team, but its not because of their rush defense. The Panthers have had a week to prepare, but I don't think it will mean much for DWill. He hasn't done much this year, and this won't be the start.


Ricky Williams/Ronnie Brown RB, Dolphins
If I were playing the Steelers I would be more worried about getting my head knocked off than gaining yards. I'm sure Ricky and Ronnie would rather not be the reason James Harrison retires.


Brandon Lloyd WR, Broncos
The island of Asomugha has been less than deserted thus far, but Lloyd will be overmatched against the Raiders. The Broncos' running game should finally thrive, and Orton should see good numbers, but Lloyd should be out of your lineups while he fights with Nnamdi.

Thanks for taking the time to read this article! If you have questions about who you should start or sit don't hesitate to ask. Check out this post for more info.

Personal Fantasy Football/Basketball Help

Thanks to all of you who have participated in this! I'm glad I could help!

If it weren't baseball playoff time, the title would have America's pastime in it too. But for now, the fantasy world is focused on football and basketball as one progresses and the other is gearing up to go. If you are playing either of these games, it is inevitable that you will come to a question that you need a second opinion on. Whether it is who to start, or if a trade is in your favor or whether or not to use your waiver claim on the new hot pickup, you will want someone to look over your ideas and tell you what they think.

If you're like me, you will go to the major websites and pose a question on a message board. But, most of the time, these people are just trying to spit out the fastest answer possible, in the hopes that you will return the favor. What if I told you that there was a way to get one-on-one help from a reputable source, who will take the time to analyze the move in-depth for your team? Is that something you might be interested in? I sure would be. And the best part is its all FREE. I just want to make a better connection with my readership. That's why I'm offering my personal e-mail address for you all to send your burning fantasy questions.

So if you've got one, send me the details to: bglewis@fantasysportscircle.com or hit me up on Twitter @FSCircle and I will give you immediate help.

My cell phone and I are waiting.

The Year of the Broken Tight End

First off, boy does that title sound dirty. Ok. Child's sense of humor out of the way. And away we go.

So your draft goes according to plan, and you look down at your lineup thinking, "How could I possibly NOT win a championship this year?". You follow that up with, "My tight end slot is set with (Dallas Clark/ Antonio Gates/ Jermichael Finley/ Brent Celek), that's for sure. Of course, only Jermichael Finley's fate is set, but Gates and Clark are both battling major injuries and Celek could go back to the doghouse if Andy Reid sides with Michael Vick at QB. Clark's fate looks especially grim with rumors swirling that the Colts are hiding a season-ending injury from the rest of the league.

The Red Cross of Premier Tight End Owners

That's 4 of my top 7 TEs for the year, all dealing with some kind of issue. Vernon Davis and Dustin Keller are not meant to be the best tight ends out there. But hey, crackheads aren't supposed to be rich, and that didn't stop Lindsay Lohan. Crazier things have happened. So if you are one of these lucky owners, like myself thanks to Dallas, lets take a look at the TE options remaining:

Trade Targets:
These are the guys you can probably get from someone harboring multiple TEs in case of emergency. Just throw 'em a cheap RB or WR and you have your TE stopgap.

• Aaron Hernandez- Someone probably stashed him, so why not take advantage of the Moss trade and get a guy who Brady will look to often?
• Heath Miller- The return of Big Ben could spell great things for the Steelers' TE.
• Marcedes Lewis- Might be a starter on a lot of teams, but he wasn't very hyped this preseason. Could very well be riding someone's pine behind Tony Gonzalez.
• Greg Olsen- Two weeks with zero catches might scare you away, but I think he is a buy low who just had one bad week and one shaking his head at Todd Collins.

Waiver Fodder:
For the owner with limited resources, simply looking for a quick fix off the wire.

• Brandon Pettigrew- A physical specimen. Starting to get a lot of targets in the Lions' O, which is normally behind.
• Jermaine Gresham- A beast just like Pettigrew, just with less downfield targets. A great PPR player if you are in need.
• Tony Moeaki- A great fit in KC. Last week, he should have scored. Damn you Vrabel!
• Bo Scaife- He sure looked like he connected with Kerry Collins. If Vince Young ever gets hurt, he could be a great pickup.

The Curious Case of Danny Woodhead

Fantasy basketball season is upon us, in fact my draft is tonight. And if there is one thing which fantasy basketball has (besides excessive whining and hideous neck tattoos) which fantasy football lacks, its position eligibility. Just about every power forward can qualify as a center, and there are a plethora of SG/SF type wings in the NBA. However, you can count on one hand the players in the NFL who qualify for multiple fantasy positions, and there is only one who actually matters, Danny Woodhead. Due to the strange fact that he started the season as a WR with the Jets, he now possesses the rare position of RB/WR in fantasy since the Patriots have put him in the backfield. And let me tell you this, he sure has been impressive standing behind Tom Brady. 

So far the Wes Welker look-alike has managed to score double-digit fantasy points in standard formats in each of his three real games with the Pats (and he's been even more effective if you play PPR). Not only did he find the end zone in each of his first two games as a rival of his former team, but he managed over 100 yards from scrimmage in week 6 against a strong Ravens defense. In other words, this guy is fo' real.

So where do we go from here? Well...

• If your league is shallow, I don't know how much value Woody holds. He IS still a Bill Belichick running back and that comes with a lot of headaches.
• If your league has 12 or more teams, I would definitely recommend picking him up for a small FAAB bid or as a free-agent pickup (aka don't waste a good waiver slot).
• If you get extra points for receptions, he instantly gains a bit more value, since he seemed to be Brady's safety valve last week now that Moss is out of town.
• And if your league is heavily dependent on TDs, Woodhead becomes a huge target. Spend wild. Wideouts are tough to predict their scoring habits. So if you can get a guy who will get goal line touches out of the backfield and plug him into a WR slot, it could be golden.

 Having a guy who can play multiple positions could definitely pay off in the future. When picking up Woodhead, not only do you get a guy who can fill whatever slot on your team that might be faced with a lot of byes in the near future, but a player who has shown he can consistently produce when given the chance. Plus, even though attitude doesn't score any points in fantasy, it sure is fun to have a scrappy guy like Danny Woodhead on your roster that you can root for.

Maurice Jones-Drew: Bust or Buy Low?

If you look at the bottom of the standings in your league, I can pretty much guarantee that one of the bottom 3 teams (most of the time THE worst) has Maurice Jones-Drew on their team. MJD's line looks like what I would expect out of him over four weeks. Unfortunately, its taken him 6 weeks to get there, and he has only found pay dirt once. Blasphemy! This is a guy who has scored over 12 TDs the last two seasons. Why the sudden drop off?

 It could be that hes just off to a slow start, just biding his time, in which case he would be an excellent buy low candidate. In 2008, he came out of the gate ice cold. But that was with Fred Taylor in town, still taking the majority of the carries. At this point last year, MJD was averaging 110 yards from scrimmage a game, and most importantly, he crossed the end zone an average of 1.3 times per game. That kind of a line puts to rest any slow starter theories, but does it eliminate Jones-Drew as a buy low target?

In my eyes, no, but make sure you aren't selling out your squad for him. Let's start with why he has caused so many of his fantasy teams to tank, David Garrard and the Jags' passing game. Through six games, he has managed the exact same amount of rushing yards as he did in '09, but the rest of his numbers pale in comparison to his past self. His TDs, receptions and receiving yards have all taken major hits, all due to the fact that opposing defenses are crowding the line and challenging David Garrard to throw the ball, a challenge he has yet to succeed at.

As witnessed in Monday night's debacle with the Titans, teams have been able to solely focus their efforts on MJD and the running game, as David Garrard and the excuses they call wide receivers struggle to repeat their success from last year. I believe that if Garrard (or dare I say Trent Edwards), Sims-Walker and his distant cousin Mike Walker find a way to finally move the ball through the air, the Jags will not be stuck on their side of the 50, and maybe MJD can finally get some goal-line work.

MJD's future value rides solely on the shoulders of the Jaguars passing game. I think they can slowly improve through the air, I mean keep in mind, David Garrard was a Pro-Bowler last year. When things start clicking, MJD will start to get more and more chances to score, as well as more catches on check-downs. So here's my advice, find a disgruntled owner and see if you can't get the Jags' star for a relatively low price. If you can move a guy like Rashard Mendenhall or even Joseph Addai and a lesser star on your team, go get MJD before he starts to finally find the end-zone. Its only a matter of time.

2010 Week 7 PPR Rankings: WR

Note: Can't decide who to start this week? Need some help picking between two players? Check this out.

Other Rankings: QB RB WR TE

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent
1	Roddy White	ATL	vs CIN
2	Miles Austin	DAL	vs NYG
3	Brandon Marshall	MIA	vs PIT
4	Randy Moss	MIN	at GB
5	Anquan Boldin	BAL	vs BUF
6	Larry Fitzgerald	ARI	at SEA
7	Chad Ochocinco	CIN	at ATL
8	Hines Ward	PIT	at MIA
9	Marques Colston	NO	vs CLE
10	Wes Welker	NE	at SD
11	Hakeem Nicks	NYG	at DAL
12	Santana Moss	WAS	at CHI
13	Greg Jennings	GB	vs MIN
14	Jeremy Maclin	PHI	at TEN
15	Terrell Owens	CIN	at ATL
16	Kenny Britt	TEN	vs PHI
17	Mike Wallace	PIT	at MIA
18	Steve Smith (NYG)	NYG	at DAL
19	Michael Crabtree	SF	at CAR
20	Donald Driver	GB	vs MIN
21	Mike Williams (TB)	TB	vs STL
22	Dez Bryant	DAL	vs NYG
23	Dwayne Bowe	KC	vs JAX
24	Brandon Lloyd	DEN	vs OAK
25	Malcom Floyd	SD	vs NE
26	Davone Bess	MIA	vs PIT
27	Brandon Tate	NE	at SD
28	Legedu Naanee	SD	vs NE
29	Percy Harvin	MIN	at GB
30	Danny Amendola	STL	at TB
31	Mike Williams (SEA)	SEA	vs ARI
32	Johnny Knox	CHI	vs WAS
33	Derrick Mason	BAL	vs BUF
34	Jabar Gaffney	DEN	vs OAK
35	Demaryius Thomas	DEN	vs OAK

2010 Week 7 PPR Rankings: RB

Note: Can't decide who to start this week? Need some help picking between two players? Check this out. 

Other Rankings: QB RB WR TE

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent
1	Chris Johnson	TEN	vs PHI
2	Maurice Jones-Drew	JAX	at KC
3	Ray Rice	BAL	vs BUF
4	Adrian Peterson	MIN	at GB
5	Steven Jackson	STL	at TB
6	Frank Gore	SF	at CAR
7	LeSean McCoy	PHI	at TEN
8	Rashard Mendenhall	PIT	at MIA
9	Pierre Thomas	NO	vs CLE
10	Jamaal Charles	KC	vs JAX
11	DeAngelo Williams	CAR	vs SF
12	Matt Forte	CHI	vs WAS
13	Ahmad Bradshaw	NYG	at DAL
14	Michael Turner	ATL	vs CIN
15	Peyton Hillis	CLE	at NO
16	Ryan Mathews	SD	vs NE
17	Felix Jones	DAL	vs NYG
18	Beanie Wells	ARI	at SEA
19	Cedric Benson	CIN	at ATL
20	Marshawn Lynch	SEA	vs ARI
21	Fred Jackson	BUF	at BAL
22	Ryan Torain	WAS	at CHI
23	Michael Bush	OAK	at DEN
24	Brandon Jackson	GB	vs MIN
25	Ricky Williams	MIA	vs PIT
26	Knowshon Moreno	DEN	vs OAK
27	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	NE	at SD
28	Cadillac Williams	TB	vs STL
29	Marion Barber	DAL	vs NYG
30	Ronnie Brown	MIA	vs PIT
31	Brandon Jacobs	NYG	at DAL
32	Darren McFadden	OAK	at DEN
33	Tim Hightower	ARI	at SEA
34	Jonathan Stewart	CAR	vs SF
35	Correll Buckhalter	DEN	vs OAK

2010 Week 7 PPR Rankings: TE

Note: Can't decide who to start this week? Need some help picking between two players? Check this out.  

Other Rankings: QB RB WR TE

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent
1	Antonio Gates (if healthy)	SD	vs NE
2	Vernon Davis	SF	at CAR
3	Brent Celek	PHI	at TEN
4	Tony Gonzalez	ATL	vs CIN
5	Jason Witten	DAL	vs NYG
6	Aaron Hernandez	NE	at SD
7	Zach Miller	OAK	at DEN
8	Kellen Winslow	TB	vs STL
9	Chris Cooley	WAS	at CHI
10	Marcedes Lewis	JAX	at KC
11	Tony Moeaki	KC	vs JAX
12	Heath Miller	PIT	at MIA
13	Jeremy Shockey	NO	vs CLE
14	Visanthe Shiancoe	MIN	at GB
15	Jermaine Gresham	CIN	at ATL
16	Bo Scaife	TEN	vs PHI
17	Andrew Quarless	GB	vs MIN
18	Todd Heap	BAL	vs BUF
19	Kevin Boss	NYG	at DAL
20	John Carlson	SEA	vs ARI

2010 Week 7 PPR Rankings: QB

Note: Can't decide who to start this week? Need some help picking between two players? Check this out. 

Other Rankings: QB RB WR TE

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent
1	Drew Brees	NO	vs CLE
2	Tom Brady	NE	at SD
3	Phillip Rivers	SD	vs NE
4	Aaron Rodgers	GB	vs MIN
5	Tony Romo	DAL	vs NYG
6	Eli Manning	NYG	at DAL
7	Ben Roethlisberger	PIT	at MIA
8	Kolb / Vick	PHI	at TEN
9	Brett Favre	MIN	at GB
10	Kyle Orton	DEN	vs OAK
11	Joe Flacco	BAL	vs BUF
12	Matt Ryan	ATL	vs CIN
13	Donovan McNabb	WAS	at CHI
14	Jay Cutler	CHI	vs WAS
15	Carson Palmer	CIN	at ATL
16	Vince Young	TEN	vs PHI
17	Sam Bradford	STL	at TB
18	Bruce Gradkowski	OAK	at DEN
19	David Garrard	JAX	at KC
20	Alex Smith	SF	at CAR

Buy Low, Sell High: Weeks 3-5

We are slowly moving our way through the fantasy football season. If you're sitting at 0-5, you'd better break the glass on the fire extinguisher, because you've got a major problem on your hands. If you're sitting pretty at 5-0 or 4-1, there's always room for improvement. That's what this segment is here for, to let you know who you should buy low on and who to sell high on. I hope this can turn your dud into a stud or your contender into a champion.


Buy Low:

Hines Ward WR, Steelers
An average line of 3/40 and a single touchdown this year make Hines Ward owners really question why they are, well, Hines Ward owners. Of course, this is also with guys like Dennis Dixon and Charlie Batch throwing him the ball. A wideout is only as good as the QB throwing him the ball. (I'm looking at you Larry Fitzgerald). Unlike his counterpart in Arizona, Ward's QB situation is drastically improving from here on out. I've said it many times on this site, but I'll say it again. Big Ben will come back and shine as he attempts to play his way back into the people's hearts. He could still top 3,000 yards passing in these last 12 games, a lot of them in the direction of Hines.

Ryan Mathews RB, Chargers
Mathews was supposed to be the golden boy this year in San Diego. 5 weeks pass, and now he is struggling to get more carries than a guy who looks more like an eating champion than a running back. The one stat that makes me think Mathews' is sure to take a turn in the right direction is his 5.1 yards per carry. Norv Turner can do what he like with his carries, but sooner or later Mike Tolbert gaining 12 yards on 11 carries will not cut it anymore. Tolbert should stay entrenched in his role as the goal-line back so if you're in a TD heavy league, Mathews isn't much of a target, but he should catch on fire in the yards and receptions categories as he starts to see more playing time.

Sell High: 

Terrell Owens WR, Bengals

Two great weeks and everyone starts to think TO is back to his early 2000s form. TO has been pretty hot and cold, and that is without having played the real meat of the Bengals' schedule. Owens might prey on the weak this season, but when Pittsburgh twice, the Ravens, Jets, etc. watch his production suffer. If you are a TO owner, and don't mind the potential 20 yard weeks, then go ahead and hold onto him because he might have 1 or 2 more 150 yard explosions in him. But if you can get a more consistent WR who won't lose you weeks, I'd prefer that option over TO every time.

Calvin Johnson WR, Lions

Megatron has been a touchdown machine this year, I guess that's because he is a machine. But that's about all he's done. With a measly 5/60 line per game this year, Johnson has definitely failed to live up to his 2nd round billing in fantasy drafts. Throw in the fact that he is starting to show the signs of nagging injuries that are oh so common with Calvin, and you have a recipe for a very underachieving WR. Take the chance while you have it, and dish the Lions' only WR threat while his total fantasy points still look pretty.

Week 6 Kings and Jokers

Each week, I am going to post my top 4 predictions for breakout players (the Kings), as well as the 4 guys I think will fall flat on their fantasy faces (the Jokers).

The Kings:

King of Spades: Mike Wallace WR, Steelers
If you aren't playing the Steelers' passing game this week, boy, are you missing out. This will be the week of Big Ben's triumphant return. He has had two whole weeks to prepare, and a lot longer to sit around and get motivated to show what he can do. The Browns' have allowed the 6th most fantasy points to wideouts, and Pittsburgh has two great ones. Both Hines Ward and Wallace should be in for big days.


King of Diamonds: Vince Young QB, Titans
Nothing cures a fantasy QB's slump quite like a meeting with the Jacksonville Jaguars. So far Vince has yet to go for more than 180 passing yards in a game this year, and leave it to the Jags to cure that ailment. On Monday night, Young will shine and show that he can be a 300 yard passer, probably hooking up with Chris Johnson for 100 yards through the air.

King of Clubs: Pierre Garcon WR, Colts
The flying Frenchman has been all but invisible so far in 2010, but this could be his week. Garcon made a slight impact in the Colts' week 5 match-up, and the 'skins aren't exactly airtight against the passing game, giving up a league high 87 catches to opposing receivers. Peyton is known for finding a new flavor of the week whenever he plays, and I have a gut feeling that Garcon's relative obscurity this season means this could be his breakout week.


King of Hearts: Pierre Thomas RB, Saints
Wait. Two Pierre's in one Kings section? That can't be true. This isn't soccer. Or losing at war. This is football. All French jokes aside, as long as PT plays this week (which it looks like he will), he is in for a big week against the Bucs. Tampa has given up over 530 yards in just 4 games. Not to mention the fact that they have allowed backs to amass an average line of 4/30 in the passing game. With the Saints' running game looking pathetic with Betts (not to be confused with Ebony) and Ivory, I think the Saints will depend heavily on PT.

The Jokers:



Tom Brady QB, Patriots
Kyle Orton really ripped the Ravens last week, which was a complete eye-opener. But the Ravens still rank 4th in the least amount of points allowed to QBs, despite the Orton air show. Tom Brady might not be as lucky. Going into his first game without his star receiver, Brady will have to hope that Brandon Tate and Aaron Hernandez can create enough room for Wes Welker to operate. I don't know how fast I'm willing to drink that Kool-Aid.



Knowshon Moreno RB, Broncos
I feel terrible for the Knowshon owners out there. Drafting a premier back from a team that has historically stuck to the ground game seemed like a good idea. Oh how have the Broncos changed. With the Jets coming to town, Moreno should be on everyone's bench this year, unless you play in a 30 team league. Even then, I'm thinking about it. The Jets give up mediocre numbers through the air, but are dominant against rushers. Look for the Broncos to continue their trend of sticking to the air, and Moreno suffering the consequences.


Rashard Mendenhall RB, Steelers

The Browns have a surprisingly competent fantasy rushing defense, having not allowed a score on the ground thus far. If your league is heavy on yards (which I imagine would be zero fun) then Mendenhall could be a star, but Cleveland is lethal around the goal line. Rashard could probably be a mediocre play this week, but a lot of major sites *cough* ESPN *cough* have him ranked as a top 10 RB. A guy who most likely won't get in the end zone is the last player I want being my RB1.


Roddy White WR, Falcons
Probably the most consistent WR this year, White has been spectacular. Going up against the Eagles could change that, as they have only given up 14 points per game to wide receivers. In a game being played in Philly, there should be a lot of noise and a lot of pressure on Matty Ice. I don't know how cold-blooded he will stay when he struggles to connect with his star wide receiver.

Thanks for taking the time to read this article! If you have questions about who you should start or sit don't hesitate to ask. I'm always ready to answer.

2010 Week 6 PPR Rankings: WR

Other Rankings: QB RB WR TE

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent
1	Andre Johnson	HOU	vs KC
2	Roddy White	ATL	at PHI
3	Reggie Wayne	IND	at WAS
4	Miles Austin	DAL	at MIN
5	Calvin Johnson	DET	at NYG
6	Brandon Marshall	MIA	at GB
7	Randy Moss	MIN	vs DAL
8	Wes Welker	NE	vs BAL
9	Hakeem Nicks	NYG	vs DET
10	Anquan Boldin	BAL	at NE
11	Malcolm Floyd	SD	at STL
12	Desean Jackson	PHI	vs ATL
13	Hines Ward	PIT	vs CLE
14	Marques Colston	NO	at TB
15	Santana Moss	WAS	vs IND
16	Steve Smith (NYG)	NYG	vs DET
17	Kenny Britt	TEN	at JAX
18	Dwayne Bowe	KC	at HOU
19	Mike Wallace	PIT	vs CLE
20	Brandon Lloyd	DEN	vs NYJ
21	Greg Jennings	GB	vs MIA
22	Mike Sims-Walker	JAX	vs TEN
23	Michael Crabtree	SF	vs OAK
24	Louis Murphy	OAK	at SF
25	Dez Bryant	DAL	at MIN
26	Donald Driver	GB	vs MIA
27	Jeremy Maclin	PHI	vs ATL
28	Johnny Knox	CHI	vs SEA
29	Braylon Edwards	NYJ	at DEN
30	Legedu Naanee	SD	at STL
31	Austin Collie	IND	at WAS
32	Pierre Garcon	IND	at WAS
33	Davone Bess	MIA	at GB
34	Brandon Tate	NE	vs BAL
35	Danny Amendola	STL	vs SD

2010 Week 6 PPR Rankings: TE

With the departure of Moss, Hernandez's future looks bright.

 
Other Rankings: QB RB WR TE

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent
1	Antonio Gates	SD	at STL
2	Dallas Clark	IND	at WAS
3	Vernon Davis	SF	vs OAK
4	Dustin Keller	NYJ	at DEN
5	Brent Celek	PHI	vs ATL
6	Tony Gonzalez	ATL	at PHI
7	Zach Miller	OAK	at SF
8	Jason Witten	DAL	at MIN
9	Kellen Winslow	TB	vs NO
10	Aaron Hernandez	NE	vs BAL
11	Owen Daniels	HOU	vs KC
12	Chris Cooley	WAS	vs IND
13	Jeremy Shockey	NO	at TB
14	Marcedes Lewis	JAX	vs TEN
15	Visanthe Shiancoe	MIN	vs DAL
16	Greg Olsen	CHI	vs SEA
17	Heath Miller	PIT	vs CLE
18	John Carlson	SEA	at CHI
19	Brandon Pettigrew	DET	at NYG
20	Bo Scaife	TEN	at JAX

2010 Week 6 PPR Rankings: RB

Was Week 5 a fluke? Or a sign of good things to come?

Other Rankings: QB RB WR TE

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent
1	Chris Johnson	TEN	at JAX
2	Frank Gore	SF	vs OAK
3	Maurice Jones-Drew	JAX	vs TEN
4	Ray Rice	BAL	at NE
5	Adrian Peterson	MIN	vs DAL
6	LeSean McCoy	PHI	vs ATL
7	Steven Jackson	STL	vs SD
8	Matt Forte	CHI	vs SEA
9	Arian Foster	HOU	vs KC
10	Jamaal Charles	KC	at HOU
11	Rashard Mendenhall	PIT	vs CLE
12	Ahmad Bradshaw	NYG	vs DET
13	Pierre Thomas	NO	at TB
14	Jahvid Best	DET	at NYG
15	Ryan Mathews	SD	at STL
16	Michael Turner	ATL	at PHI
17	Peyton Hillis	CLE	at PIT
18	Brandon Jackson	GB	vs MIA
19	Felix Jones	DAL	at MIN
20	Michael Bush	OAK	at SF
21	LaDanian Tomlinson	NYJ	at DEN
22	Thomas Jones	KC	at HOU
23	Ricky Williams	MIA	at GB
24	Joseph Addai	IND	at WAS
25	Ryan Torain	WAS	vs IND
26	Knowshon Moreno	DEN	vs NYJ
27	Marshawn Lynch	SEA	at CHI
28	Ronnie Brown	MIA	at GB
29	Marion Barber	DAL	at MIN
30	Shonn Greene	NYJ	at DEN
31	Justin Forsett	SEA	at CHI
32	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	NE	vs BAL
33	Donald Brown	IND	at WAS
34	Brandon Jacobs	NYG	vs DET
35	Darren Sproles	SD	at STL