Week 4 Thoughts and Observations

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 5:18 am

Originally posted by mattjb:
Did Sidney Rice leave the game yesterday? those catches came fairly early then nothing. I haven't heard of any injury for Rice. Williams got hurt late in the game, but I didn't hear anything about Rice.

Money · Post by **Money** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 5:26 am

Tom,

Great Stuff. IF it weren't for the impending Monday night game next week against the Bears, I'd already have begun salivating over the Lions / Packers Thanksgiving Day game in Detroit. That game becomes very relevant for the first time in many years.

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 5:28 am

Originally posted by Money:
Tom,

Great Stuff. IF it weren't for the impending Monday night game next week against the Bears, I'd already have begun salivating over the Lions / Packers Thanksgiving Day game in Detroit. That game becomes very relevant for the first time in many years. Absolutely. I really like what the Lions are doing in terms of building their team. I loved the skill-position moves they made last season and they are much stronger up front defensively now too. If they keep Stafford healthy and improve in the secondary they will become a legit Super Bowl contender. I'd like to see them get a RB complement for Best at some point too.

Glenneration X · Post by **Glenneration X** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 5:35 am

Originally posted by Tom Kessenich:
quote:Originally posted by mattjb:
Did Sidney Rice leave the game yesterday? those catches came fairly early then nothing. I haven't heard of any injury for Rice. Williams got hurt late in the game, but I didn't hear anything about Rice. [/QUOTE]Atlanta made adjustments to gameplan Rice out of the game realizing that he was Seattle's only legitimate weapon. It's certainly a concern moving forward that they were able to accomplish this so effectively.

Glenneration X · Post by **Glenneration X** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 5:39 am

Tom, great stuff as always. I also look forward to this thread every week.

What are your thoughts on Washington's RB situation moving forward? Is it officially Torain's ball now or are we doomed to another guess who's lead back for Shanahan week after week chess game once again? Does Helu ever get a shot at lead back?

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 5:47 am

Originally posted by Glenneration X:
Tom, great stuff as always. I also look forward to this thread every week.

What are your thoughts on Washington's RB situation moving forward? Is it officially Torain's ball now or are we doomed to another guess who's lead back for Shanahan week after week chess game once again? Does Helu ever get a shot at lead back? Sounds like they view Helu as more of a change-of-pace RB and not a lead RB. Given how this is Shanahan, anything's possible, of course.

I think we're doomed to guessing every week given how Shanahan operates. I don't trust Torain to stay healthy so that's another element to the equation. But if I had to pick one guy right now it would be Torain. Emphasis on right now.

I don't trust any of those RBs to be consistent fantasy producers. More importantly, I don't trust Shanahan to pick one guy and stick with him consistently.

[ October 03, 2011, 11:47 AM: Message edited by: Tom Kessenich ]

mattjb · Post by **mattjb** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 8:33 am

Not sure I agree on Denarius Moore going forward.

Only 3 catches on 5 targets this week and the touchdown was in garbage time. Plus with Ford back I see his role being limited.

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 9:04 am

TDs are gold in fantasy as we all know. Moore has now scored in three consecutive games. Despite a tough matchup in Week 3 and minimal involvement in Week 4 he still found the end zone. That's impressive in my opinion and while I don't expect him to score every week (only Calvin Johnson does that), I do think the fact he can deliver without massive targets to be a huge plus in his favor.

mattjb · Post by **mattjb** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 2:47 pm

don't look now, the Colts have a pulse.

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 2:29 am

Here are my thoughts following last night's game:

Colts
Yup, they have a pulse. Painter clearly has shortcomings but the last two weeks have proven conclusively he should've been the starter and not Collins. The Colts are at least fighting now whereas they were dead before with Collins.

From a fantasy perspective, Wayne's value has plunged since he and Painter can't get on the same page. Garcon's value obviously has risen significantly since he seems to be a guy Painter will target. Clark is still a low-end TE. I'd put him in the 10-15 range at the position. Collie continues to show he was a Peyton Product and can't be started. Addai is quietly having a solid year.

Buccaneers
Josh Freeman rarely puts up huge numbers but he almost always has a solid game. That makes him a solid QB2 but I don't see QB1 upside because they've removed the vertical element from the passing game. It's all about dump-offs and intermediate routes. Since Tampa Bay is winning, I don't see that approach changing anytime soon.

The radical change in approach has killed Mike Williams. Last season, Freeman took several shots downfield a game to Williams but that no longer is happening. Freeman also isn't looking for Williams in the Red Zone. All of this has turned Williams from a strong WR2 into a so-so WR3. He's easily one of this season's biggest disappointments to date.

Winslow is OK but nothing special at TE but Blount remains a strong RB2 even without the benefit of many receptions. If the Bucs continue to play small ball with the passing game that should put Blount in position to close out several games this season and as we've seen the last two weeks, his power running style can overwhelm a defense late in the game.