Courtesy of: NFL.com
Week one is in the books and it was a good week for this Wordslinger, if I do say so myself. I won the week convincingly in both my home league and the expert league here at The Sports Column. I also made my radio debut on WNST’s Weekend Warriors show last Saturday, promoting all our fantasy content and playing a pick ’em game with the hosts. All in all, it was a great week…with one notable exception. My quest for fantasy domination over one Ross Dunham over at I Hate JJ Redick, stalled before it even got off the ground thanks to a tie score. A TIE!! Believe me, I’m as disappointed in myself as I’m sure you are. You deserve better from The Wordslinger and better I shall be; beginning with this week.
So let’s get right to the picks, accompanied as always by a little commentary on what we were thinking. As a quick reminder, Ross and I will be selecting our team from the pool of flex/fringe type players…so wish me luck!
Jim (1st pick): QB, Michael Vick (vs. SD): We all waited anxiously for this past Monday’s night’s game to see just what this Chip Kelly led Eagles team would do. What I saw was a surprisingly productive passing game, helped by the uber-productive running game. Vick looks energized and, dare I say, excited about football again, and this offensive scheme suits him well. I expect a solid game through the air and continued success on the ground for Vick this week.
Ross: QB, Terrelle Pryor (vs. JAX): Pryor showed on Sunday that he’s fully capable of making plays in the NFL. Coming into week two, the Raiders have the Jags at home in Oakland. I don’t think Pryor will be the type of guy that will throw for 300 yards, but he will get into the end zone somehow each game.
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Ross: RB, Ryan Mathews (vs. PHI): I know what you’re thinking, what the hell is this guy thinking? Well, let’s see. The Chargers are playing the Eagles, and Philly runs 100 miles a minute. With that said, San Diego will want to slow the game down and pound the rock, meaning more touches for Mathews. I like my chances.
Jim: RB, DeMarco Murray (vs. KC): In an attempt to one-up Ross with a “what are you thinking” RB pick, I like Murray this week. Last week showed me two encouraging signs that Murray could be turning a corner and becoming a legitimate fantasy option. One: he saw 28 total touches, meaning even in a “shootout” type of game, he was used regularly. And two: he made it out unscathed. This week against a KC defense that has consistently had trouble stopping the run (last week notwithstanding), I think Murray outperforms expectations.
Jim: WR, Cecil Shorts (vs. OAK): No one is happier to see Chad Henne under center this week than Cecil Shorts. Blaine Gabbert just can’t get the ball to his receivers where and when they need it, but in 4 games last year with Henne at QB, Shorts averaged over 84 receiving yards per game. I think he finds similar success here against Oakland and finds the end zone as well.
Ross: WR, T.Y. Hilton (vs. MIA): Jim you stole my guy; I was thinking the exact same thing about Henne with Shorts (that sounds weird). But my pick will be T.Y. Hilton. The Colts came out and said they want to get him the ball more, and that makes me think he will have a big game similar to one of his outstanding 2012 performances. I’d rather have Luck than Henne anyway, Jim haha.
Ross: TE, Jordan Cameron (vs. BAL): Am I allowed to pick Jordan Cameron again? Because he’s going to have another big game. Cameron is a target machine, and that (usually) translates into success for tight ends. He’s only owned in 63% of all ESPN leagues, so I’d still call him a sleeper (somewhat).
Jim: TE, Greg Olson (vs. BUF): I’ll give you one more week with Cameron, Ross, but if keeps this up he’ll become a must start and therefore off the table in our pick em! For this week, I’ll go with Greg Olsen. He was Cam Newton’s top target last week against a stingy Seattle DEF and this week he gets an easier assignment at Buffalo. He and Cam have quite a rapport and while his ceiling may not be as high each week, his floor isn’t very low either.
Jim: DEF, Cowboys (vs. KC): KC seemed like the preseason sleeper pick to challenge Denver in the AFC West, but frankly their offense doesn’t scare me all that much. If they can contain Jamaal Charles on the ground, I think they’ll lead this game early and force Alex Smith into some mistakes.
Ross: DEF, Raiders (vs. JAX): Another crazy pick on my part considering Oakland’s putrid preseason. However, the Raiders’ defense didn’t look all that bad against Andrew Luck and the Colts. They had four sacks and held Luck to only 178 yards passing. Imagine what they will do against the Jaguars.
Season Standings: Team TSC: 0-0-1
Team IHJJR: 0-0-1
