Fantasy owners set for championship weekend
Sports Talk: Fantasy Report
Mark Peterson, Staff Reporter
Issue date: 12/13/07 Section: Sports
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One major drawback of fantasy championships being decided in week 16, especially week 17, is teams resting their players.
Teams who have divisions and wild card playoff spots clinched are inclined to heavily limit their most productive skill position players to rest them for the real playoffs and avoid injuries.
Two years ago, fantasy teams would power through the season with Peyton Manning, but the Colts clinched everything so early. Manning barely played the final two weeks of the regular season.
These fantasy owners would have to then look to the waiver wire and have their true fantasy football prowess tested.
Earnest Graham, ever heard of him? Many fans probably have not, but all fantasy players know who he is by now.
The Buccaneer tailback has certainly picked up the slack since taking over for the injured Cadillac Williams in week four.
With two touchdowns in Sunday's loss to Houston, Graham has reached the end zone in five consecutive games, and now very quietly has nine on the season.
Graham still isn't a lock for a 1,000 yard season, but his owners shouldn't care. With Mike Alstott not having played a down this season, there have been no vultures in the backfield to steal any of Graham's glory.
If there were an MVP award for "Most Valuable Pickup" in fantasy football, Graham would be a strong contender for this year's award.
One of the most overlooked positions in fantasy football is the tight end. Both in fantasy and reality, the tight end can be key.
When a running game is ineffective and star receivers are covered, a pass-catching tight end can be a quarterback's best friend.
In the final minutes of the Cowboys and Lions game, Tony Romo led his team on a hurry up drive in the final minutes with no timeouts. When they got to the goal line, who did he throw to? Tight end Jason Witten.
Moments later, when the Chargers were trying to cap a late comeback against the Titans, who was on the receiving end of a jump ball in the end zone? Tight end Antonio Gates.
Not all tight ends catch touchdowns, but having a double-digit point scoring tight end can be the difference between winning and losing your matchup.
You may have gotten to the playoffs with a serviceable tight end like Vernon Davis, but look at the rosters of championship teams in 2007 and you will likely find someone like Gates or Witten at the tight end position.
If you are in need of tight end help, Chicago's Greg Olsen is an emerging weapon in the Bears' offense.
Olsen has been available in a significant amount of leagues throughout the season. His numbers aren't outstanding yet, or close to reliable.
But with no dominant weapons around him, Olsen is always capable of stealing a few catches and occasionally reaching the end zone.
Another pickup that propelled some fantasy owners into the playoffs was journeyman running back Reuben Droughns. Despite rushing for just over 250 yards on the season, Droughns has scored six touchdowns, more than first-rounders Steven Jackson or Rudi Johnson.
Droughns was a decent injury fill-in pickup in week 12, rushing for 46 yards and a touchdown. He followed the next week with another rushing touchdown, but only 25 yards rushing. With Brandon Jacobs back in the mix, Droughns saw few carries Sunday against Philadelphia. It was mildly fun while it lasted, but it's time to drop Droughns if you're still carrying him.
If you're relying on Donovan McNabb at quarterback for your championship matchup, you may want to reconsider. McNabb was decent in his return against the Giants, managing to throw a touchdown and no interceptions.
However, this is not the McNabb of 2003 or 2004. Nobody is saying McNabb can't be productive, but he simply cannot be trusted for a big game on any given Sunday. Fantasy owners in need of a fill in at quarterback don't need to look deep. No names often have big passing days in the NFL.
It isn't the power of the star player that wins championships, it's the power of the stats.
This past Sunday, Sage Rosenfels filled in at quarterback for the Texans, and threw for 209 yards and three touchdowns.
Rosenfels' numbers count just as much as Tom Brady's. Look for a no name free agent who has a great matchup this weekend if your quarterback is unreliable.
Fantasy teams can sometimes get to the championship without good quarterback production, but very few can win it.
Mark Peterson is a senior majoring in journalism. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the Equinox.
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