Lineup calls: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | D/ST
It’s only Week 3 of the NFL season, and we’re already getting ourselves acquainted with backups across the league.
Injuries have already thrust a number of new running backs into the spotlight. Brandon Jackson was THE waiver wire darling heading into Week 2 following Ryan Grant’s season-ending injury.
Jason Snelling and Mike Tolbert rise up for Week 3 as potential secondary options to Michael Turner (injury) and Ryan Mathews (fumbles, blocking deficiencies and injury).
The bigger story of NFL 2010 is being written in several cities across America. Local columnists are putting together the “Pro/Con” lists while assessing the quarterback options on the local team’s roster. We haven’t reached the quarter-pole of this new season, and several coaches have already pulled the plug on their starters from the opener.
• Ryan Fitzpatrick takes over for Trent Edwards in Buffalo.
• Bruce Gradkowski takes over for Jason Campbell in Oakland.
• Jimmy Clausen replaces Matt Moore in Carolina.
Other quarterbacks are looking over their shoulders. Derek Anderson has a potential replacement on the roster in Arizona. David Garrard might have been on the outs in Jacksonville had Luke McCown not sustained a season-ending injury.
I’ll save the long-winded diatribe about the Philadelphia quarterbacking situation for another time. I’ll just say that I believe Andy Reid likes his chances in a very uneven NFC East right now with the rejuvenated Michael Vick under center. Fantasy owners are licking their chops with thoughts of Vick terrorizing the Jaguars in Week 3.
What about Vince Young? Was the Week 2 benching just a wake-up call or do we have a larger issue?
Does he make this week’s “Lineup Calls?”
Top 10 Quarterbacks
Quarterback Sleepers
Mark Sanchez at Miami
No, I’m not constructing the Sanchez fantasy bandwagon following his strong Week 2 effort. However, I am optimistic that the Jets continue to open up the passing game this weekend against Miami. After all, the Vikings did move the ball fairly well in Week 2, even though they weren’t able to punch it in. Sanchez passed for 437 yards with three touchdowns and zero turnovers in two games against the Dolphins as a rookie.
Shaun Hill at Minnesota
Hill posted a strong effort in comeback mode against the Eagles last season. He passed for 335 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Hill is a moderately intriguing option this weekend against the Minnesota secondary, particularly when you can check down to Jahvid Best and let him fly. He’ll make his share of mistakes and probably absorb sacks along the way, but the final numbers should be solid.
Bruce Gradkowski at Arizona
I insert Gradkowski here following the early Wednesday report that the veteran backup would replace Jason Campbell as the top option against the Cardinals. Gradkowski sparked the Raiders to a win, albeit over the Rams, in Week 2. He completed 11-of-22 attempts for 162 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Gradkowski offers a downfield threat that was missing during Campbell’s brief tenure under center for Oakland, thereby putting Louis Murphy and Darrius Heyward-Bey on the fantasy radar (keep an eye on Chaz Schilens’ recovery). I know you’re not starting Gradkowski unless you’re desperate in a two-QB league. I just wanted to show a little bit of love to my friends who support the Raiders.
Sam Bradford vs. Washington
Bradford hasn’t been able to put the Rams over the top just yet, but he’s acquitted himself quite nicely through two weeks. He’s averaged 210 passing yards in those games with three touchdowns, four interceptions and five sacks. Of course, the last piece of the equation is what leaves me nervous overall. The St. Louis offensive line may have trouble slowing down the Washington front.
Still, I’m optimistic that Bradford’s able to find space in the Washington secondary. Tony Romo moved the ball well in Week 1, and we certainly saw what Matt Schaub was able to piece together last week. Before you start Tweeting about my comparing Bradford (at this stage) to these quarterbacks, I’m not. I’m merely anticipating that Bradford will have to open up the passing game, and that’s a beautiful thing in this fantasy realm.
Quarterback Flops
Matt Ryan at New Orleans
Ryan bounced back from an anemic Week 1 against the Steelers with a strong effort in the Week 2 obliteration of the Cardinals. He completed 21-of-33 attempts with 225 yards and three touchdowns with one lost fumble. I anticipate an effort somewhere between his Week 1 low (shut out of the end zone) and last week’s brilliance. Ryan struggled terribly in his start against the Saints in 2009, completing 19-of-42 attempts for 289 yards with three interceptions and a single touchdown (three sacks). To be fair, two of those three interceptions came as the game got away from the Falcons. Still, the ball-hawking Saints present a difficult challenge for the third-year signal caller. Ryan’s a back-end QB1 or high-end QB2 this week.
Matt Hasselbeck vs. San Diego
Hasselbeck posted a strong Week 1 effort against the 49ers in the resounding 31-6 victory. He then failed miserably in Week 2, passing for 233 yards with three interceptions and a single touchdown in the blowout loss to Denver. Seattle returns home for Week 3, and perhaps the team can channel some more of the “Win Forever!” attitude. I’m not banking on it, as the Chargers have dominated the Chiefs’ and Jaguars’ passing attacks through two weeks. I shan’t dismiss Hasselbeck altogether, but he’s no better than a QB2 this week.
Josh Freeman vs. Pittsburgh
Freeman’s been one of the top breakthrough stories through two weeks, leading the surprising Buccaneers to a 2-0 record. He’s thrown four touchdown passes with one interception and 77 rushing yards (three sacks). Freeman’s hot start made him one of the popular waiver wire pickups heading into Week 3, and I do agree that he’s got decent long-term prospects.
Like everyone else, I love the rapport Freeman’s developed with Mike Williams and Kellen Winslow. However, this is a terrible spot against one of, if not THE, top defensive units in the game. Freeman’s ability to extend plays with his legs does offer a glimmer of hope on some level, but how did that work out for Young? And, as much as we like Carnell “Cadillac” Williams, he’s no Chris Johnson.
