11/23/07
This season is rounding the far turn heading towards the home stretch.
With four weeks left, in most leagues, before the play-off action
begins owners are either struggling to get a play-off spot, struggling
to hold their play-off spot or saying things like, “Wait until
next year.” For the people waiting until next year playing
the spoiler can be fun. It may not be greatly satisfying being
the spoiler; still it beats being depressed, bitter or a non-participant.
For the other people considering the play-offs, it is time to
look at the time frame for play-offs; weeks 15 and 16.
By this time of the season owners should know what players they
have which are dead weight as opposed to those who carry their
weight or more. It is time to jettison the dead beats for players
with a heart beat. They might just secure a championship season.
In this case employing the six P’s should be considered.
After all, Prior Planning
Prevents Poor
Play-Off Performance.
Looking
at week fifteen reveals some gem match-ups for the taking.
San Francisco is a struggling franchise. Despite high expectations
at the beginning of the season The Niners have hardly set a weak
NFC West on fire. Instead their offense has smelled more like
fresh manure than fresh roses. They are hosting the Bengals who
have hardly registered a winning pulse this year. Despite the
lack of offensive out put the Tigers from Cincinnati still have
the ability to light up the likes of bottom dwellers. You might
look to pick up Carson
Palmer or any member of the receiving corps. In addition to
them, consider Rudi
Johnson who has been out with a hammy or the able bodied Kenny
Watson. They may be a readily available bargain now while
their stock is below the radar.
Another interesting match-up in the week is the Pack against
the Lambs of St. Louis. The Packers should be fighting for home
field. Racking up a few yards against these tasty morsels could
be just what the doctor ordered and Chef Favre is just the man
to do it. Greg
Jennings and Donald
Driver have the potential to display greatness. Bargains are
in the offering with running back Ryan
Grant and receiver James
Jones. These are players looking to feed on real meat; the
lambs may just oblige them.
For those who are looking at more high priced goods, they can
consider the match-ups offered to the Colts and Patriots. Sure
the Boston Bad Boys have torn up the league this season. They
might be looking to be the first team to be undefeated for the
regular season since the Dolphins, but their coach is hardly predictable.
Still both the Colts and the Pats are looking at sacrificial teams
in week fifteen. The Colts are against the improved Raiders while
the Pats host the grounded Jets.
Marvin
Harrison may be a bargain at the moment as he is still out
due to knee injury. He has a few weeks to recover making him a
real prospect for an owner. He and Manning should be looking to
get back into sync after a long absence; the Raiders could be
a team to get well against. Joseph
Addai might be out of people’s price range, but his back-up
Kenton Keith
could be a steal. Depending on where his head is at, Dallas
Clark could be a pick up worth taking a shot at. Peyton
Manning may be out of your price league, but if there is a
struggling owner who possesses him, it might be worth taking a
run at acquisition.
By far, the team with the easiest schedule at this critical
point in the season is New England. In week fifteen they entertain
the Jets, while the following week they are up against the Dolphins.
The Pats may be pushing for the undefeated season, or they may
be backing up a bit to give Tom Brady, and some of the Bunch,
a rest. It is too bad the NFL play-off schedule does not mirror
fantasy footballs; then again the Pats may not have such easy
pickings.
Consider looking, and possibly touching some of these players;
week Sweet 16 is just around the corner.
At first glance week 16 looks to be the closest thing to a shoot
out the NFL has to offer. The Rams are in position to be abused
twice. After hosting Green Bay, they are scheduled to host the
Steelers. The state of Ohio hosts a defenseless game between the
Bengals and the Browns. Other match-ups lacking in defense are
scheduled between the Eagles and Saints and the Redskins against
the Vikings. The Niners get back on the low level performance
radar as they host the Bucs from sunny Florida. It looks like
Christmas may have come early for fantasy owners this season;
many teams should be feasting on well-done goose.
Pittsburgh should be looking to sharpen their blades. Their
receiving corps has not really burned up stat sheets this season
so Holmes or Ward might be there for the plucking. Big Ben may
be a bit too expensive for some owners, but if he belongs to someone
looking forward to next year, he might be a quality pick-up for
an owner with a strong number one, in search of an exceptional
number two.
With
rumors abounding about his length of stay in the city of Brotherly
Love, Donovan
McNabb may be ready to put the free agent market on notice
with his last games of this season. Given the ups and downs he
had this season, there might be an owner looking to swap number
five for some quality chafe. In addition to Donovan is the oft
injured Westbrook and a hit or miss receiver in the form of Kevin
Curtis. He quietly exited the Rams, then became McNabb’s “go
to” this season. It might be worth a flier to pick him up from
a disgruntled owner as New Orleans defense this year has resembled
the effectiveness of FEMA. On the other hand, the defense of the
Eagles has not screamed for much in the way of attention either.
New Orleans has not exploded like they did last year. In fact
they have been something in the way of a dud, but there is value
in the form of Drew
Brees, Reggie
Bush and Marques
Colston. Although the offense has had the consistency of oatmeal
this season, one of these players may be just what an owner with
hole is looking for. Like manna from heaven, one of these Saints
could make the off-season profitable.
With Adrian
Peterson being hurt, no concrete prognosis yet, and Washington’s
offense looking as effective as congress, their match-up looks
intriguing as far as the running back position goes. It might
be time to strike while you can as Clinton
Portis and Peterson might be under valued. Grab them as neither
defense can even hold their water. As the game is in the dome
weather conditions should be perfect and the track should be fast.
Trade deadlines are fast approaching in every league. It is
going to be the shrewd owner who is not just happy to make the
play-offs, but wins them. To this end every competitive edge is
required. The smart owner will avail themselves of the opportunity
to pick up a player or two who can provide them with the needed
boost to put them over the top.
Take the time, study your league, then acquire who will help
you to the finish line. It is every owner for them self. Strike
now while the bargains are there and everyone else in your league
is busy worrying about this week. Remember one man’s garbage
is another man’s treasure. The best thing about these jewels
is they are not buried; they are there for the taking.
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