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Bye Weeks: N/A
Grab a Helmet
Chris
Givens v. ARZ: It’s ironic that everyone’s buzzing about the
resurgent Rams offense only now that they’ve severed ties with
one of the most productive players in franchise history, Steven
Jackson. Most of that chatter is being generated by rookie Tavon
Austin, who brings the element of imminent danger to a long-stagnant
attack. Givens, however, is no slouch in the danger department,
even if he lacks the insane shiftiness of his brand new teammate.
The former Demon Deacon may still be a raw receiver but possesses
elite top-end speed, a trait that helped him notch the sixth best
yards-per-reception total in the league last season (16.6). In
fact, he tallied at least a 50-yard play per game during one midseason
stretch (Weeks 4 through 8). If Austin and Jared
Cook are able to keep defenders honest in the mid-range game,
don’t be surprised to see Givens start hitting those home runs
even more routinely.
Danny Amendola should be Brady's main target
on Sunday.
T.Y.
Hilton v. OAK: Speaking of home run hitters…. It may not be
rare for a team’s #3 receiver to serve as its top deep threat, but
it’s virtually unprecedented for said individual to double as his
squad’s most productive wideout, as well. I mean, wouldn’t that
make him the de facto #1 guy despite what the official depth chart
says? Hilton could certainly pull the trick in 2013 as he continues
to build rapport with fellow NFL sophomore, Andrew Luck. He scored
in every preseason game in which he appeared and showed off the
dazzling big-play ability that helped him notch a 17.2 yards-per-catch
mark in 2012, good for 5th in the league (and one slot higher than
the guy we just talked about). Reggie
Wayne will continue to be the alpha dog in Indy, but I’ve a
sneaking suspicion the aging vet will be overshadowed – at least
from a fantasy perspective – by Hilton this year.
Danny
Amendola @ BUF: About this time last year, the Pats were playing
head games with Wes
Welker, presumably to demonstrate they’d be just fine without
the soon-to-be-unrestricted free agent should he elect to walk at
season’s end. He did and once that messy divorce was finalized,
New England went out and nabbed…well, about the most similar person
to Wes Welker you could find on planet Earth. Though not as talented
as his predecessor, Amendola possesses an eerily similar skill set,
a strong work ethic, and an innate understanding of where quarterbacks
need him to be, why, and when. If the younger Red Raider alum is
deficient in one aspect, it’s durability. He’s already missed more
than five times as many games as Welker (in fewer than half as many
seasons) and will need to prove he can stay on the field before
we consider him a reasonable facsimile. While he’s still healthy,
though, get him in there.
Grab Some Wood
Any AFC East Receiver Not Named Danny
Amendola or Mike
Wallace v. Anyone: Just kidding! Amendola and Wallace
probably aren’t the ONLY receivers who will end up proving useful
this season, but I’d certainly challenge you to find another,
at least this early, you’re certain you can trust every single
week regardless of matchup. Steve
Johnson? Better wait until EJ Manuel proves he belongs. Kenbrell
Thompkins? Better wait until Tom Brady proves he belongs (by
looking the kid’s way when the games count). Jeremy
Kerley and Santonio
Holmes? Just kidding again! I’m struggling to remember the
last time an entire division experienced such a wide-scale power
outage, actually. The pickings are so slim, I can safely say I
fully trust only a single non-Patriot heading into the season.
If you can guess who it is, you’ll know who I spent most of my
auction money on several weeks back (hint: rhymes with “stat filler”).
Greg
Jennings @ DET: It’s hard to interpret Jennings’ bizarre preseason
skewering of ex-teammate, Aaron Rodgers, as anything other than
general crankiness at having to catch passes from Christian Ponder
instead of the surefire Hall of Famer. Because of that, I’m willing
to let him off the hook. I mean, I’d be peeved too if the only
franchise I’d ever played for deemed me too expensive or too old
(or both) and gambled they could get equivalent production for
less money by letting me go. Jennings shouldn’t take it personally,
of course: It’s just the Packer way under Ted Thompson and it’s
hard to argue with the results. It would also be foolish to bet
on Jennings in a new uniform because if there’s one thing we’ve
learned about players forsaken by Thompson since he took the reins,
it’s this: They almost never retain their value after leaving
Titletown. Be realistic about Jennings in 2013.
Michael
Floyd @ STL or Alshon
Jeffery v. CIN: These two guys are being talked about
as potential bust-out candidates for the 2013 season after mostly
wasted rookie years. Floyd spent 2012 attempting to matter on
a team that employed a bunch of quarterbacks who couldn’t get
anyone the ball consistently, including Larry Fitzgerald. Jeffery,
meanwhile, spent his rookie campaign playing with a quarterback
who was perfectly capable of getting people the ball but only
seemed interested in one of them (Brandon
Marshall). Carson Palmer instantly makes Floyd more interesting
and Marc Trestman, if he can get through to Jay Cutler, does the
same for Jeffery. Don’t mistake “interesting” for “exciting,”
by the way. Either player (maybe even both) could take the big
leap predicted for him this year, but why not take a wait-and-see
approach since neither has proven worthwhile thus far?
Good luck, folks!
Quarterbacks 
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