2011 NFL Monday Night Football Preview, Week 2: New York Giants vs. St. Louis Rams
Eli Manning (Credits Below)
Coming into Monday, we already had a very painful fantasy football day. Early in the morning's action a rather innocuous play might have brought an end to Jamaal Charles' season, and the seasons of all those individuals who took him in the first round. Compounding matters is the fact there is no clear back-up, both Thomas Jones and Dexter McCluster will get run, meaning neither will rise above a low level #2 or a flex option. But that was just the warm-up.
Following that we witnessed the early departure of Arian Foster. His coach said it was "fatigue," but there is wide speculation that he tweaked his existing injury. Hopefully, Arian Foster fans handcuffed him with Ben Tate. This could be a blessing in disguise, remember last year, Ben Tate was going to be the starter until an injury opened the door for Arian Foster.
The Sunday games ended with Mike Kafka trying to lead an Eagles comeback, if you think this means something bad happened to Mike Vick, you are correct. Indeed, Vick was the target of friendly fire when he was concussed by the shoulder pad of one of his linemen.
A brutal weekend, for the record, I own Charles and Vick in various leagues, so I feel your pain. Monday's game is further proof that the football season is a battle of attrition.
We know the Rams' best receiver, Danny Amendola, and best player, Steven Jackson, are probably out. You know you are in trouble when in week two you are relying on the Cadillac for the bulk of your yardage. Chad Bradford was a popular choice for taking it to the next level, but a quarterback needs to have someone to throw it to. The Rams top, "healthy" receiver is the Cadillac, that ain't gonna cut it. There is a silver-lining, Bradford faces a team that rejuvenated "Sexy" Rexy Grossman to the tune of 300 yards and two touchdowns. The Giants helped bring sexy back via their depleted front line which did not have Justin Tuck or Osi Umenyiora, it is unclear if either will be available on Monday.
The Giants may also be without their top play-maker, Hakeem Nicks. He suffered a knee injury last week, he stayed in that game, but additional swelling might keep him out of Monday's affair. If that happens, Mario Manningham and Domenik Hixon should receive a significant bump in looks. The Eagles torched the Rams for over 200 yards on the ground. A lot of that came from Michael Vick; Eli does not present the same challenges. Still, the Rams could not stop LeSean McCoy either. With a banged up wide receiver we could see the Giants really focus on the run.
The Giants could very well have some extra pep in there step with the knowledge that Mike Vick was hurt. I know that sounds bad and players always say they do not want anything bad to happen to their competition, but let's be honest, if Vick is out that NFC East opens up like Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct. As for the Rams, even with a beat up team, hope is eternal in the atrocious NFC West.
Following that we witnessed the early departure of Arian Foster. His coach said it was "fatigue," but there is wide speculation that he tweaked his existing injury. Hopefully, Arian Foster fans handcuffed him with Ben Tate. This could be a blessing in disguise, remember last year, Ben Tate was going to be the starter until an injury opened the door for Arian Foster.
The Sunday games ended with Mike Kafka trying to lead an Eagles comeback, if you think this means something bad happened to Mike Vick, you are correct. Indeed, Vick was the target of friendly fire when he was concussed by the shoulder pad of one of his linemen.
A brutal weekend, for the record, I own Charles and Vick in various leagues, so I feel your pain. Monday's game is further proof that the football season is a battle of attrition.
We know the Rams' best receiver, Danny Amendola, and best player, Steven Jackson, are probably out. You know you are in trouble when in week two you are relying on the Cadillac for the bulk of your yardage. Chad Bradford was a popular choice for taking it to the next level, but a quarterback needs to have someone to throw it to. The Rams top, "healthy" receiver is the Cadillac, that ain't gonna cut it. There is a silver-lining, Bradford faces a team that rejuvenated "Sexy" Rexy Grossman to the tune of 300 yards and two touchdowns. The Giants helped bring sexy back via their depleted front line which did not have Justin Tuck or Osi Umenyiora, it is unclear if either will be available on Monday.
The Giants may also be without their top play-maker, Hakeem Nicks. He suffered a knee injury last week, he stayed in that game, but additional swelling might keep him out of Monday's affair. If that happens, Mario Manningham and Domenik Hixon should receive a significant bump in looks. The Eagles torched the Rams for over 200 yards on the ground. A lot of that came from Michael Vick; Eli does not present the same challenges. Still, the Rams could not stop LeSean McCoy either. With a banged up wide receiver we could see the Giants really focus on the run.
The Giants could very well have some extra pep in there step with the knowledge that Mike Vick was hurt. I know that sounds bad and players always say they do not want anything bad to happen to their competition, but let's be honest, if Vick is out that NFC East opens up like Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct. As for the Rams, even with a beat up team, hope is eternal in the atrocious NFC West.
Written by Chris Summers exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com.
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Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Football Advice, 2011 Fantasy Football, Monday Night Football Preview, New York Giants, St. Louis Rams, Eli Manning, Hakeem Nicks, Danny Amendola, Steven Jackson, Sam Bradford, Cadillac Williams
(September 10, 2011 – Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images North America)
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