I was always a fan of the tight end position and bemoaned the fact that teams didn’t utilize the position enough. I now find myself wishing to roll back the hands of time and return tight ends to the old-school blocking role.
That’s not happening anytime soon with emerging beasts like Finley, Graham, Gronk and Pettigrew just getting started. Hey, there’s always YouTube.
Let’s set the slate for Week 5 with a nod to the tight end position and quick-hit opportunities to fill your kicker and team defense slots.
Tight Ends
Exclude: Jermichael Finley, Jimmy Graham, Tony Gonzalez, Rob Gronkowski, Brandon Pettigrew, Owen Daniels, Vernon Davis
Week 5 Heroes
Jermaine Gresham, CIN at JAC: Longtime readers know of my affinity for Gresham. He’s emerged as a fantastic No. 2 option for Andy Dalton, posting at least four receptions and 51 receiving yards in three of the Bengals’ first four games. Gresham is a rock-solid starter in Week 5 against the Jacksonville pass defense.
Dustin Keller, NYJ at NE: Everybody plays. Everybody wins. Fantasy owners expect a high-scoring affair in Foxboro on Sunday and for Keller to get back on track following last week’s painful game in Baltimore. Keller caught 16 passes in the Jets’ first three games for a total of 248 yards with two touchdowns. I’ll take that average against the Patriots this weekend.
Greg Olsen, CAR vs. NO: Olsen has become the safety valve for Cam Newton, a perfect complement across the middle to deep threat Steve Smith. Olsen has caught 12 passes for 107 yards in the past two weeks with touchdowns in both games.
This portends to a shootout scenario down in Carolina. The Saints will undoubtedly put up points against the Carolina secondary, thereby forcing Newton into gunner mode once again. Enjoy the high target count from the 6-foot-5 threat.
Kevin Boss, OAK at HOU: I’m intrigued by Boss’ growing role in the efficient Jason Campbell-led passing game. He’s past the knee injury that limited him early in the season, and his role is growing quickly. Boss caught four passes for 78 yards last week against the Patriots. I expect to see Campbell checking down against the strong Houston pass rush and to get Boss involved early and often.
Jared Cook, TEN at PIT: Cook did me proud as a “Ninja” pick last week with his 80-yard touchdown catch and run. He ascends to a slot on the “Heroes” list against the Steelers as the No. 2 target for Matt Hasselbeck. The loss of James Harrison changes the complexion of the defense, and the Steelers have suddenly become susceptible to the run. A date with Chris Johnson forces more attention into the box and opens space across the middle for Cook.
Week 5 Ninja Alerts
Aaron Hernandez, NE vs. NYJ: Do you like to gamble? Hernandez has been practicing this week in preparation for the Sunday afternoon affair against the Jets. I might wait a week to see him work through a full game before inserting, but owners looking for a big hit to right the ship (he was released in a great number of leagues) might turn to the second-year tight end.
Marcedes Lewis, JAC vs. CIN: Lewis dominated the red zone in 2010 and afforded fantasy owners reliable weekly output. He’s yet to make his mark in 2011, but Lewis has returned to full health and his target count has risen (seven in Week 4). I don’t anticipate tremendous output from the Jaguars overall. However, there should be solid opportunities across the middle against the aggressive Cincinnati front.
James Casey, HOU vs. OAK: The loss of Andre Johnson has sent fantasy owners scrambling to the waiver wire to nab a Houston wide receiver. That might be short-sighted. Owen Daniels is the No. 1 receiver during Johnson’s absence, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Casey take on an expanded role. Remember, he caught five passes for 126 yards with a touchdown against the Saints (three receptions in Week 1). It’s a longshot, but the payoff could be huge at the water cooler.
Week 5 Flop Alerts
Dallas Clark, IND vs. KC: Clark’s fantasy value has dropped precipitously with Peyton Manning sidelined. Though he still logs a sizable target count, Clark has been a non-factor. His 46 receiving yards against the Buccaneers established a new season-high total, a sobering reality for fantasy owners who expected a hefty dose of “Hot Route!” calls from Kerry Collins and Curtis Painter.
You can slide him in as a back-end TE1 this week with Kansas City on the slate, but I’m not anticipating a big effort.
Kellen Winslow, TB at SF: Winslow has logged a total of 17 receptions through the first weeks of the season. However, he’s yet to record a touchdown reception and has finished three straight games with 44 or fewer receiving yards. That front-seven for San Francisco is strong, so don’t expect a lot of free releases in space for Winslow. He’s a solid, albeit unspectacular, option in PPR leagues.
Zach Miller, SEA vs. ATL: Don’t get excited about the high target count (six) in Week 4. Miller remains a secondary component in the Seattle passing game while the offensive line gets healthy. To that end, Miller is banged up with a knee issue as well. Look for him to serve primarily as a blocker against the strong New York pass rush this week.
He may eventually live up to the post-acquisition promise. It won’t happen in Week 5.
Kickers to Ride on a Bye
Rob Bironas, TEN at PIT: The Steelers will play without James Harrison in the heart of the attack. Pittsburgh was run over by Arian Foster and faces a daunting task in the person of Chris Johnson. I don’t expect a high point total (I picked the Steelers to win the game on FOXSports.com), but I do anticipate numerous appearances by Bironas. He kicked four field goals in the Titans’ Week 2 win over Baltimore.
Jay Feely, ARI at MIN: The Vikings can be passed upon downfield, but Minnesota remains strong against opposing runners. As such, I’m anticipating stalled drives and opportunities for Feely (a Twitter favorite) to post another big day (two field goals and three PATs in Week 4).
Adam Vinatieri, IND vs. KC: Vinatieri was long cast off by fantasy owners as merely a PAT kicker. The shift to Curtis Painter is putting Vinatieri on display more frequently as a field goal provider. He’s converted seven field goals in the past three weeks with five PATs. Look for Joseph Addai to log a heavy workload on the ground and for Vinatieri to finish off the drives.
Kickers on the Pine
Connor Barth, TB at SF: Jim Harbaugh has his team playing efficient football offensively, and the defense ranks seventh in points allowed at 18.8 points allowed per game. The 49ers’ ability to shut down opposing running games limits the opportunities for Barth in one of the most interesting games of the week.
Robbie Gould, CHI at DET: I’m undecided on this game. Part of me believes that the Bears will finally achieve some success downfield. The more rational side of me fears that Ndamukong Suh introduces himself to Jay Cutler early and often. The Lions rank eight in total defense, allowing 19 points per game.
Defenses to Ride on a Bye
Cincinnati at JAC: I love this Cincinnati defense. I might be the only one, but I like this spot against the Jaguars. The Bengals are playing well against the run, allowing just 3.1 yards per carry and rank among the leaders in pass defense.
San Francisco vs. TB: The 49ers have played lights-out football against the run, limiting opposing defenders to 74 rushing yards per game with zero touchdowns. The may be opportunities downfield in the passing game with Preston Parker or Arrelious Benn, but I’m not expecting much from the Buccaneers following the cross-country flight on a short week.
Tennessee at PIT: Rashard Mendenhall isn’t expected to play, and Ben Roethlisberger is limited because of his foot injury. Roethlisberger’s ability to extend plays is in question for this contest against one of the league’s top pass defenses. Safety Chris Hope broke his arm and will miss 4-6 weeks, but Jordan Babineaux is a capable backup. This could become a battle between Shaun Suisham and Rob Bironas with contributions from the defenses.
Defenses on the Pine
Chicago at DET: All you need to do is go back and watch highlights of Steve Smith’s playtime in the field during Week 4 to know why the Bears appear in this slot. The Bears have been run over thus far (Jahvid Best’s contribution comes through the air), but it’s all about the arm of Matthew Stafford. Unless Julius Peppers can get pressure off of the edge, this could get ugly.
San Diego at DEN: The Chargers are tied for 10th in total defense at 21.3 points allowed per game and have generated five turnovers and eight sacks. I still fear Kyle Orton and the downfield passing game, particularly on the road. The potential for a big day is here for San Diego, but Orton will keep gunning.
New York Jets at NE: Tom Brady. I know that the Jets rank second in pass defense. That ranking will change quite a bit this week following the trip to Foxboro. Look for Brady to continue his dominance and quiet the chirping of the New York cornerbacks.
