Fantasy & Reality: Vikes lay a Fantasy egg
This is the column where I sarcastically thank NFL players for turning in bad performances, hurting their Fantasy owners at the worst possible time.
Thanks a heap, Brett Favre and the Vikings.
And, I'm done.
Sure, there are others I could single out, but let's face it: No one let Fantasy owners down like the Vikings did on Sunday night.
Favre was the darling of the media (admittedly, myself included) over the last 12 weeks. He could do no wrong. He was perfect. He could back out of his drive way in his Cadillac Escalade in the middle of the night, motor over a fire hydrant and crash into his neighbor's tree and we'd all say 'great driving!'
The Cardinals didn't see him that way. They were able to put some pressure on him and match it with very good play by their corners and safeties, limiting the yards after catch allowed for Vikings receivers and aggressively going for interceptions. If not for a 31-yard touchdown strike to Percy Harvin when the game was well in hand for the Cardinals, he would have been a complete disaster for Fantasy owners in a week where they desperately needed him to come through.
Favre might have almost been the goat, but Adrian Peterson -- the consensus No. 1 overall pick in standard Fantasy drafts -- was absolutely a bust on Sunday night. Again, the Cardinals defense played a huge role in limiting his effectiveness, but that combined with just 13 carries resulted in a hideous stat line for the star rusher. In standard-scoring leagues, Peterson delivered five points.
Suffice to say, it was a great week to go up against Vikings. Because Favre was hampered for much of the night, Sidney Rice and Bernard Berrian were role players for Fantasy owners. Visanthe Shiancoe scored, but had just 14 yards to go with it. The Vikings DST couldn't even get its paws on Kurt Warner, who played amazingly well by the way. Not even Ryan Longwell could salvage his night -- only Percy Harvin, thanks to his late score, was a success.
And here's the kicker: Because the Vikings lost, the only way they can pick up the top overall seed in the NFC is if they win out and the Saints lose twice in the last four weeks. Additionally, the Vikings would have to lose twice more and the Cardinals or Cowboys would have to win out to have a shot at overtaking Minnesota for the No. 2 seed.
Translation?
The Vikings' loss will likely result in multiple stud players on Minnesota and New Orleans resting late in the season. This will only change if the Saints lose once and the Vikings don't lose again. New Orleans finishes against the Falcons, Cowboys, Buccaneers and Panthers -- those teams will give the Saints their best shot, but there's something really amazing about Sean Payton's crew this season that might very well get them to 16-0. Which may or may not mean rest periods for the studs.
Let's talk Meachem
There's a lot of confusion and controversy out there about the play from Sunday's Saints game at the Redskins in which Robert Meachem scored on a fumble recovery after Redskins defensive back Kareem Moore picked off Drew Brees. Meachem wasn't credited with a touchdown in Fantasy play on CBSSports.com, but instead the Saints DST was given the points. Whether you agree or not, here's our explanation:
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| This strip, recovery and TD by Robert Meachem threw our little world of Fantasy for a loop. (US Presswire) |
Thus, the Saints DST gets credit for the score on CBSSports.com. There's even a precedent: In 2003 Keenan McCardell did the exact same thing for the Bucs in a game against the Colts, and we rewarded the Buccaneers DST, not McCardell.
Still not convinced? Let's simplify the argument: Did Meachem catch the ball, throw the ball, take the ball on a handoff or get the ball on a lateral? In short, did he do anything that a player who plays on offense does to get Fantasy points? The answer is no. The only other way an offensive player can get credit for points in Fantasy Football is on an offensive fumble return for a touchdown, and that can only happen when the ball doesn't change possession. Again, Meachem was technically a defender at the time of the strip and thus was and is considered a part of the Saints defense, or DST.
Now, we know how seriously you all take Fantasy Football. We take Fantasy Football very seriously ourselves. That's why we confirmed the play with the Elias Sports Bureau, the official statistician of the NFL. As per the NFL, Elias does not classify touchdowns as "offensive" or "defensive." Instead, it applies how the touchdown was scored; in this case, a return following a change of possession. How could Meachem possibly get credit for something he did that had nothing to do with his offensive prowess?
Furthermore, we contacted the NFL just to make sure we were interpreting the play and its result the right way just as we said it in the second paragraph of this section. The NFL agreed that it was all correct from a rules standpoint.
If you're still confused or disappointed (or angry), we suggest you take it up with your league's commissioner. We have been made aware of some leagues that are awarding Fantasy points to Meachem, and that's certainly an option for leagues that set its own rules. For instance, if offensive fumble returns for touchdowns count in a league and that league's commissioner disagrees with our ruling and the ruling of the Elias Sports Bureau and the National Football League, then by all means the points can be credited. Some commissioners might opt to take the points away from the Saints DST because the New Orleans offense began the play and the defenders, so to speak, were on the sideline. That is an option as well -- and that's what's great about playing in customized leagues at CBSSports.com: You are in control.
Ultimately, we believe any Fantasy points given to Meachem directly for this play is unfair. That's our stance and we're sticking by it.
Fantasy & Reality
Quick observations about the misconceptions (Fantasy) and truths (Reality) during the week's action.
Fantasy: Brandon Jacobs won't be able to run on the Cowboys. I don't know if I buy this whole "Cowboys fall apart in December" theory, but they sure couldn't do much to stop Jacobs after nearly everyone else the Giants took on this season did. Jacobs picked up a goal-line score following a Marion Barber turnover, then chugged 74 yards on a short screen for a touchdown on a play where Cowboys defenders looked more like ghosts than football players. You ever let someone score on purpose in a football video game by moving the defenders away? That's pretty much what it looked like when Jacobs scored on his catch-and-run. He's going to be a headache for owners going forward given the Giants' schedule.
Reality: Anyone could have torched the Steelers secondary on Sunday. The football universe owes the Raiders an apology for not giving them a chance at Pittsburgh in Week 13. The things they did well -- use play-action and give excellent pass protection -- set up Bruce Gradkowski to hit targets deep against a Steelers secondary that was out of place all afternoon. And, it's no coincidence that the Raiders were able to do this well without dedicating a spot on the offense to Darrius Heyward-Bey. The Redskins' secondary has been warned: they're going to get all they can handle next week.
Fantasy: Chris Redman is a suitable replacement for Matt Ryan in Fantasy. We've seen Redman play well in a pinch as well as after a week of practice, thus we cannot believe how badly he struggled against the Eagles. His passes were way off base and he did not handle the Eagles' blitz well. That's not good with the Saints next on his list. Roddy White might have gotten a big game thanks to 15 yards receiving and a touchdown in the fourth quarter when the game was out of hand, but I'd be nervous about starting him so long as Matt Ryan is hobbled.
Reality: Vincent Jackson is a risk. Sure, we're like four weeks late with this news, but it's obvious that defenses are covering him in an effort to take him away from Philip Rivers. Even the Browns did it on Sunday, and everyone tends to put up inflated numbers on the Browns. Not Jackson, whose heavy coverage is creating other opportunities for the Chargers' receiving corps. So long as this continues, Antonio Gates' totals will be high and Jackson's will be what they've been, which isn't much. Rivers has thrown for 1,066 yards and seven touchdowns over his last four games -- Jackson has none of those scores and only 147 of those yards. Dallas is up next for the Bolts.
Fantasy: Kevin Walter is a solid No. 2 Fantasy receiver for Week 13. He had history on his side and had the matchup on his side. Both proved to be faulty for owners to trust -- between a poorly mismanaged game by the Texans and Rex Grossman filling in for Matt Schaub for a spell (that'll make the Jaguars' secondary look better), Walter's stats were limited. Big disappointment.
Reality: Jerome Harrison is going to win some people their Fantasy leagues. The Browns have to take note of what Harrison gives them as far as a versatile back. Sure, he's not the best running back in the league, and maybe he's more of a third-down guy, but he's going to see plenty of reps when the Browns fall behind in games late in the season. If you weren't following me on Twitter (@daverichard), you didn't know about Harrison as the must-get Fantasy guy off waivers last week.
Strategy Session
My Fantasy season is over. What can I do to improve for 2010?
I've got news for you. If you like football and particularly like Fantasy Football, then you're like me -- your season is never over.
The NFL has become a year-round game. We have four more weeks of the regular season, then the postseason gets rolling. If you stop paying attention now, you'll have to play catch-up later on. For instance, a serious injury to someone in December or January might make for a tough Draft Day decision in July or August. Plus, football happens to be a lot of fun to watch, so why part with it?
After the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl, we'll be just weeks away from the NFL Combine where the next wave of Fantasy talent will be on display -- and it will be a huge wave.
Then free agency is right around the corner, which might prove to be interesting this season because of the unique Collective Bargaining Agreement rules set to take place. If there's no new agreement between the league and players, there will be no salary cap -- or salary floor -- in 2010. We'll see some expensive contracts agreed to, and some expensive players suddenly unemployed. But we'll also see players who are supposed to become unrestricted free agents transform into restricted free agents because of the labor laws in place just for this coming offseason. We could see an onslaught of trades, not to mention an onslaught of unhappy players hitting their prime who won't get paid outrageously.
When that settles down, the NFL Draft ramps up. Again, it's a rich draft with plenty of impact players. We are all aware of the roles many rookies played this season -- it's nothing compared to 2010.
We'll be on top of all of this every day during the offseason, even in May and June when there will be a few minicamps sprinkled in. Videos, columns, Q&As, podcasts, chats, you name it. Preparation for the 2010 Fantasy Football season starts as soon as your 2009 season ends -- and the people who have stuck around and fed their Fantasy craving during the winter and spring will tell you that it pays off to pay attention.
Parting shots
• Our Fantasy Football Playbook Podcast is must-listen material this week. We're going into detail on how seriously we took the Meachem play and the subsequent decision, and the lengths we took to come to our decision. And, Jamey Eisenberg will play the saxophone by virtue of our wild Jay Cutler wager. Plus we'll do our jobs and recap Week 13 and look forward to Week 14. We're helping thousands of people win their leagues by working hard daily -- you should be a part of it.
• Polish up that resume, Gary Kubiak. You're going to need it. And I'll tell you this -- after his awful playcalling against the Jaguars on Sunday, plus how he mismanaged his running backs this season, I'm not sure he'll even be an offensive playcaller in 2010.
• When Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said he'd "unleash hell," did he mean on his own team?
I know, I know ... the Steelers won it all last year and have six rings, they deserve a pass. Plus they're not out of it this year. Besides, Fantasy owners of Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes and Rashard Mendenhall cannot complain.
• Jerry Jones talks about the CBA after the owners and the NFL Players Association agree to not talk about it, and then the Cowboys lose. Sounds like karma to me.
• The Cowboys might be melting in December, but at least Tony Romo's still playing real well. So far.
• Jason Elam would look pretty good in a Redskins uniform right about now, wouldn't you say?
• Kudos to the NFL teams who have correctly handled the players who have suffered concussions. The play of Roethlisberger and Warner in Week 13 is proof that at least a week off after taking a hit to the head is the absolute right thing to do.
• Welcome to the NFL, Chad Henne. Looking forward to seeing more of that in your future. Glad to see the Dolphins have embraced passing.
• Justin Forsett continues to make his case, Julius Jones continues to tread backward. I don't see what Jim Mora sees.
• My Top three list of head coaching candidates that would be first-time head coaches if hired:
1. Russ Grimm, O-line coach/assistant head coach, Arizona: Long-time readers know how I feel about him. He definitely deserves a chance and has the credentials to do it.
2. Mike Zimmer, defensive coordinator, Cincinnati: Has done an incredible job of taking several raw defenders and meshing them together quickly, and did it with personal grief this year after his wife unexpectedly passed away.
3. Leslie Frazier, defensive coordinator, Minnesota: The Cover 2 defense is going out of style, but Frazier has a good group in Minnesota and could probably build a strong defense fairly quickly anywhere.
I tried to make this a list of top five candidates but couldn't name two others in good faith. Also, Gregg Williams would easily top this list but he's been a head coach before (Mike Nolan, too). That should tell you just how in demand the crop of "mega coaches" like Bill Cowher and Mike Shanahan will be come January.z
Got a football gripe or a Fantasy misfortune to vent about? Or even something good to brag about? Drop Dave a line at dmfantasyfootball@cbs.com and put Attn: Fantasy & Reality in the subject field and include your full name, hometown and state. Or, shout it out to Dave on Twitter at @daverichard.
