Throw it up.
As I began to log some of the lessons learned in this 2011 season, that adage leapt toward the top of the list. Of course, the age-old teaching of "find yourself a franchise quarterback and block for him" wasn't far behind.
Later this week, I'll put forth a season review. I would love your input on Twitter @swollendome, Facebook (MikeHarmonFOXSports) or via email at swollendomepr@gmail.com.
• What was your most memorable fantasy win or loss this season? What player did you in?
• Did you add a player to your "Will Not Draft" list?
• Who was the biggest disappointment off of your squad? (Chris Johnson owners need not bother.)
• Did your presumed "Keeper" change in-season?
• If you draw the No. 1 pick for 2012, who are you picking?
I'll incorporate your lists and comments (with obvious necessry edits for language) in those remarks.
Happy New Year!
Exclude: Calvin Johnson, Jordy Nelson, Wes Welker, Roddy White, Larry Fitzgerald, Percy Harvin, Mike Wallace, Marques Colston, Hakeem Nicks, Steve Smith, Victor Cruz, Miles Austin, Dez Bryant, A.J. Green, Brandon Marshall
Week 17 WR Heroes
Julio Jones vs. TB: Jones has been a downfield force for the Falcons in the stretch run, producing 18 receptions for 385 yards with four touchdowns since returning from his second hamstring injury. He posted his first 100-yard game (115 yards on six receptions) against the Buccaneers in Week 3. The Buccaneers have allowed the 15th-most fantasy points to wide receivers, but the loss of Aquib Talib has opened the floodgates late.
Malcom Floyd at OAK: Vincent Jackson will probably sit out the finale because of a lingering groin injury. As a result, the high-flying, field-stretching Floyd is on the board as the No. 1 option for Philip Rivers. Floyd has scored in three of the Chargers' past four games, finishing each of those three efforts with at least 95 receiving yards. The Raiders have surrendered 263.7 receiving yards and 1.9 receiving touchdowns per game.
Stevie Johnson at NE: Do I need to elaborate? Johnson caught eight passes for 94 yards with a touchdown in the first meeting with New England. He needs 36 receiving yards to reach 1,000 for the season, and these Patriots still top the league in points allowed to wide receivers. I shan't speak on this any further.
Jeremy Maclin vs. WAS: Maclin posted a strong effort for trusting owners in Week 16 with 72 receiving yards and a touchdown. His season did not live up to expectations, but he can finish strong in this spot. Maclin caught five passes for 101 yards in the first meeting.
Demaryius Thomas vs. KC: Thomas has emerged as the No. 1 option in Denver and will be the subject of many "Keeper" questions in the coming weeks. Since arriving on the scene in Week 13 against Minnesota, Thomas has amassed 22 receptions for 414 yards with three touchdowns.
The Chiefs rank ninth against wide receivers, but Tebow's improvisational skills and Thomas' physicality keeps him on the board as a high-end WR2 option this week.
Torrey Smith at CIN: Smith was virtually erased by the Browns in Week 16. He caught two passes for 38 yards early and went silent for the remainder of the day. Smith remains the No. 1 option for Joe Flacco in Anquan Boldin's absence and already blew up against the then-stronger Cincinnati secondary in Week 11 (six receptions for 165 yards with one of his seven touchdown receptions).
Denarius Moore vs. SD: Moore posted his third big fantasy game of the season in the Raiders' Week 16 win over Kansas City. He caught four passes for 94 yards and demonstrated his speed on the outside for Carson Palmer. I look for an encore with a playoff berth on the line this week against the Chargers, a team that ceded five receptions for 123 yards to Moore in Week 10.
Antonio Brown at CLE: Brown was the star of the night in Week 14 against the Browns when he broke loose for a 79-yard touchdown sprint. I'm not expecting the same heroics, but I also don't anticipate a repeat of last week's tepid performance against the Rams (three receptions for 34 yards). Brown had finished just one of his previous 13 games with fewer than 59 receiving yards.
The Steelers' "Team MVP" eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in that game and remains a strong WR2 option.
Week 17 WR Flop Alerts
Dwayne Bowe at DEN: I don't want to sit him necessarily, but I can't endorse Bowe this week either. He was limited to two receptions for 17 yards by Champ Bailey in the first meeting and has not fared very well against him historically. Bowe rates no better than a mid-WR2 play.
Santana Moss at PHI: Moss is a low-WR2 option in PPR leagues, but he's a risky play in standard leagues for the finale. Since returning from injury in Week 12, Moss has caught two touchdown passes, but has eclipsed 46 receiving yards just once. In fact, he's topped 60 receiving yards just four times this year.
Santonio Holmes at MIA: Do you trust Holmes to find the end zone? That's really the only question when considering him for a roster slot this week. His yardage output has been pedestrian at best throughout the season. Holmes' total of eight touchdown receptions is impressive, but he's eclipsed 60 receiving yards
Brandon Lloyd vs. SF: Lloyd appears as a WR3 option only for this week and likely becomes the odd-man out in many lineup decisions. He's failed to score in four consecutive games and finished three of those contests with 42 receiving yards or fewer. He was limited to a single reception in Week 13 by the 49ers.
Week 17 WR Ninja Alerts
Vincent Brown at OAK: Brown's value for Week 17 against the Raiders is dependent on Vincent Jackson's availability, but the rookie may serve as a sneaky WR3 insertion. He broke through as a solid spot play in Week 10 when he substituted for the injured Malcom Floyd and logged five receptions for 97 yards with a touchdown.
James Jones vs. DET: Jones stuck a dagger into the hearts of many owners in Week 16 with his two-touchdown performance against the Bears (I speak from experience). He's on the radar as the No. 2 option for the Rodgers-Flynn combination against the Lions.
Darrius Heyward-Bey vs. SD: Heyward-Bey has come a long way from the player we watched in 2010. He caught the game-winner (well, effectively) against the Chiefs in Week 16, and the availability of Denarius Moore on the other wing is a nightmare for coordinators. DHB is worth a look-see in the WR3 slot this week.
Michael Crabtree at STL: Crabtree hasn't become a red zone hero as of yet (two touchdowns), but he has become a steady contributor to fantasy lineups down the stretch. He's caught four or more passes in six consecutive games, including four efforts of at least 63 receiving yards (one 100-yard game).
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