Fantasy Football Week 9 Sit Em, Start Em: Eli Manning Ready to Air Out the Seahawks?
QB Start – Eli Manning, New York Giants
Manning is tied for the NFL high in interceptions thrown with 11, but stats can be deceiving. He’s had an inordinate numbers of passes deflect off his wideouts and carom directly into the hands of defenders. This doesn’t entirely alleviate his guilt, as he can be prone to force throws and make poor reads, but good fortune hasn’t been in his corner.
Now for the positive: Despite their reputation as a running team, the Giants are continuously opening up the offensive game plan. Manning has thrown nine touchdowns in the last three games and big plays have been the norm (13 20+ yard pass plays).
The Seattle pass defense ranks 27th in the league and is often left exposed by a blitz-happy scheme. They use a myriad of exotic, risky blitz packages that, if they don’t reach home, the veteran Manning should be able to exploit. Manning averages 295 yards in three career starts against the Seahawks.
QB Sit – Jason Campbell, Oakland Raiders
The Oakland offense has been operating at a freakishly high level. They've scored 92 points the last two weeks, and Campbell has three QB ratings over 117.0 in his last four games. With that said, everything the Raiders do is predicated on running the football effectively.
Campbell hasn't exceeded 27 attempts since week one and averages an underwhelming 170.5 yards per game. Against a Kansas City run defense that allows just 96 yards per game and 3.8 per rush, a recipe for trouble is brewing.
When forced to throw without the threat of balance, Campbell posts lines like this: 8-21, 83 yards and 2 INT (loss @ SF). With Louis Murphy still out, they are extremely thin on playmakers at wide receiver. The joy ride ends here, with a thump.
Manning is tied for the NFL high in interceptions thrown with 11, but stats can be deceiving. He’s had an inordinate numbers of passes deflect off his wideouts and carom directly into the hands of defenders. This doesn’t entirely alleviate his guilt, as he can be prone to force throws and make poor reads, but good fortune hasn’t been in his corner.
Now for the positive: Despite their reputation as a running team, the Giants are continuously opening up the offensive game plan. Manning has thrown nine touchdowns in the last three games and big plays have been the norm (13 20+ yard pass plays).
The Seattle pass defense ranks 27th in the league and is often left exposed by a blitz-happy scheme. They use a myriad of exotic, risky blitz packages that, if they don’t reach home, the veteran Manning should be able to exploit. Manning averages 295 yards in three career starts against the Seahawks.
QB Sit – Jason Campbell, Oakland Raiders
The Oakland offense has been operating at a freakishly high level. They've scored 92 points the last two weeks, and Campbell has three QB ratings over 117.0 in his last four games. With that said, everything the Raiders do is predicated on running the football effectively.
Campbell hasn't exceeded 27 attempts since week one and averages an underwhelming 170.5 yards per game. Against a Kansas City run defense that allows just 96 yards per game and 3.8 per rush, a recipe for trouble is brewing.
When forced to throw without the threat of balance, Campbell posts lines like this: 8-21, 83 yards and 2 INT (loss @ SF). With Louis Murphy still out, they are extremely thin on playmakers at wide receiver. The joy ride ends here, with a thump.
WR Start – James Jones, Green Bay Packers
The 26-year old will finally get his opportunity to be the number two receiver, albeit, just for one week. Most football folk would agree that Jones has the talent to be a starter for at least three quarters of NFL teams. But can he step up?
He was shutout last week against the Jets on five targets and kept the door open for Jordy Nelson to steal his snaps. Jones showed what he was capable of a week earlier catching four passes (eight targets) for 107 yards at Minnesota in week seven. Big plays are his specialty.
Over the last two seasons he has receptions of 74, 47, 45, 42, 35, 34 and 30 yards. Make no mistake, however, Aaron Rodgers trusts him to convert a big first down as well, with 13 of his 19 grabs moving the chains.
Against a Dallas defense that has quit on the season (just ask David Garrard), he should make some serious bread.
WR Sit – Braylon Edwards, New York Jets
In spite of Santonio Holmes' return to the team, Edwards has been targeted 23 times over the last three weeks. However, there has been no increase in productivity, as he's hauled in only ten balls.
Mark Sanchez typically finds Edwards on one big play per game, usually on a predetermined deep ball, but he's limited otherwise. Sanchez is not skilled enough to utilize him consistently, missing a number of openings for big yardage.
Alas, he averages an unacceptable for his talent level 54 yards per game. In a run dominated offense with a tunnel vision quarterback, it would be no surprise if Edwards is losing patience.
The Lions are filled with journeymen and youth in the secondary, but have managed to hold their own ranking 16th against the pass.
The 26-year old will finally get his opportunity to be the number two receiver, albeit, just for one week. Most football folk would agree that Jones has the talent to be a starter for at least three quarters of NFL teams. But can he step up?
He was shutout last week against the Jets on five targets and kept the door open for Jordy Nelson to steal his snaps. Jones showed what he was capable of a week earlier catching four passes (eight targets) for 107 yards at Minnesota in week seven. Big plays are his specialty.
Over the last two seasons he has receptions of 74, 47, 45, 42, 35, 34 and 30 yards. Make no mistake, however, Aaron Rodgers trusts him to convert a big first down as well, with 13 of his 19 grabs moving the chains.
Against a Dallas defense that has quit on the season (just ask David Garrard), he should make some serious bread.
WR Sit – Braylon Edwards, New York Jets
In spite of Santonio Holmes' return to the team, Edwards has been targeted 23 times over the last three weeks. However, there has been no increase in productivity, as he's hauled in only ten balls.
Mark Sanchez typically finds Edwards on one big play per game, usually on a predetermined deep ball, but he's limited otherwise. Sanchez is not skilled enough to utilize him consistently, missing a number of openings for big yardage.
Alas, he averages an unacceptable for his talent level 54 yards per game. In a run dominated offense with a tunnel vision quarterback, it would be no surprise if Edwards is losing patience.
The Lions are filled with journeymen and youth in the secondary, but have managed to hold their own ranking 16th against the pass.
RB Start – Peyton Hillis, Cleveland Browns
I was not particularly kind to Hillis in one of my earlier Start/Sit installments, but will put my grudge aside this week. Hillis, a true punishing runner, has been banged up the last few games and his workload and performance have dipped dramatically.
Granted, the Falcons and Steelers are top flight run defenses, but he never even got out of the starting block (10-28, 12-41). If he's not running with a full head of steam, he's simply not useful. He found more success against the Saints two weeks back (16-69) and with a bye week to rest his bones should regain battering ram form in week nine.
The Patriots are tied for ninth in rush defense, but have been the beneficiary of large leads and opponents abandoning the run. They allowed 134 yards on 5.6 per carry against a pedestrian Buffalo rushing attack, so they can be pushed around.
Hillis has also been extremely valuable as a pass catcher out of the backfield, with games of six and seven receptions and a high of 49 yards.
RB Sit – Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins
As the "Wildcat" has gradually faded into the night, so has the fantasy prowess of Ronnie Brown.
Traditional running plays just don't pack the same punch. Brown has yet to reach the 20-carry plateau, the 100-yard mark or reach the end zone since week one (one TD). He's averaged below four yards per carry in four consecutive weeks, including two weeks of 2.5 or less.
His ground partner, Ricky Williams, gets less work but has been undoubtedly the more effective back.
How long until the workload evens out?
Brandon Marshall and Davone Bess have carved up yardage in the passing game, but until they find success in the red zone stopping the run will remain the priority. Baltimore does not possess the same tenacious front as in years past (13th), but coming off a bye they should step up to the challenge.
I was not particularly kind to Hillis in one of my earlier Start/Sit installments, but will put my grudge aside this week. Hillis, a true punishing runner, has been banged up the last few games and his workload and performance have dipped dramatically.
Granted, the Falcons and Steelers are top flight run defenses, but he never even got out of the starting block (10-28, 12-41). If he's not running with a full head of steam, he's simply not useful. He found more success against the Saints two weeks back (16-69) and with a bye week to rest his bones should regain battering ram form in week nine.
The Patriots are tied for ninth in rush defense, but have been the beneficiary of large leads and opponents abandoning the run. They allowed 134 yards on 5.6 per carry against a pedestrian Buffalo rushing attack, so they can be pushed around.
Hillis has also been extremely valuable as a pass catcher out of the backfield, with games of six and seven receptions and a high of 49 yards.
RB Sit – Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins
As the "Wildcat" has gradually faded into the night, so has the fantasy prowess of Ronnie Brown.
Traditional running plays just don't pack the same punch. Brown has yet to reach the 20-carry plateau, the 100-yard mark or reach the end zone since week one (one TD). He's averaged below four yards per carry in four consecutive weeks, including two weeks of 2.5 or less.
His ground partner, Ricky Williams, gets less work but has been undoubtedly the more effective back.
How long until the workload evens out?
Brandon Marshall and Davone Bess have carved up yardage in the passing game, but until they find success in the red zone stopping the run will remain the priority. Baltimore does not possess the same tenacious front as in years past (13th), but coming off a bye they should step up to the challenge.
TE Start – Aaron Hernandez, New England Patriots
After seven weeks of failure to reach paydirt, owners are beginning to cut bait with Hernandez (71% Yahoo ownership). Not a wise decision.
Only a handful of tight ends possess the game-breaking athleticism of the Florida product (seven catches of 20+ yards), and explosive potential from a TE is a rare commodity, whether he lives up to it or not. He had a rough outing last week against Minnesota catching two balls for 33 yards on three targets, but he's proven that a bounce back should be anticipated.
Hernandez has been a consistent yardage producer all season and is DUE to find the end zone. The Browns have allowed a touchdown to tight ends in each of the last two weeks (Heath Miller and David Thomas).
TE Sit – Owen Daniels, Houston Texans
Daniels posted his first useful game of the season in week six (5-79), but one game doesn't make an awakening. He returned to barren ground in week eight, targeted just three times catching one ball for eight yards.
The Colts have a quick linebacking core but, as has been the case all year, he's having a really difficult time getting separation. The 2009 OD won't be arriving this season, so stop searching. He should be affixed to your bench (or waiver wire) until displaying some semblance of consistent play.
*Daniels missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday with a hamstring injury.
After seven weeks of failure to reach paydirt, owners are beginning to cut bait with Hernandez (71% Yahoo ownership). Not a wise decision.
Only a handful of tight ends possess the game-breaking athleticism of the Florida product (seven catches of 20+ yards), and explosive potential from a TE is a rare commodity, whether he lives up to it or not. He had a rough outing last week against Minnesota catching two balls for 33 yards on three targets, but he's proven that a bounce back should be anticipated.
Hernandez has been a consistent yardage producer all season and is DUE to find the end zone. The Browns have allowed a touchdown to tight ends in each of the last two weeks (Heath Miller and David Thomas).
TE Sit – Owen Daniels, Houston Texans
Daniels posted his first useful game of the season in week six (5-79), but one game doesn't make an awakening. He returned to barren ground in week eight, targeted just three times catching one ball for eight yards.
The Colts have a quick linebacking core but, as has been the case all year, he's having a really difficult time getting separation. The 2009 OD won't be arriving this season, so stop searching. He should be affixed to your bench (or waiver wire) until displaying some semblance of consistent play.
*Daniels missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday with a hamstring injury.
Written by Adam Ganeles exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Check back weekly for Adam's NFL Sit 'Em, Start 'Em
Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Football Advice, Fantasy Football, NFL, Adam Ganeles, Sit Em, Start Em, Week 9, Eli Manning, Jason Campbell, Peyton Hillis, Ronnie Brown, James Jones, Braylon Edwards, Aaron Hernandez, Owen Daniels, New York Giants, Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, New England Patriots, Houston Texans
Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Football Advice, Fantasy Football, NFL, Adam Ganeles, Sit Em, Start Em, Week 9, Eli Manning, Jason Campbell, Peyton Hillis, Ronnie Brown, James Jones, Braylon Edwards, Aaron Hernandez, Owen Daniels, New York Giants, Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, New England Patriots, Houston Texans
The Author
