by John U. Miller IV
I heard some analyst on the radio say Matt Forte reminded him of Marcus Allen. I can see it. They’re both 6’2. They’re both striders who can eat up yards in a hurry if they get a crease. Allen wasn’t as thick but he had that extra gear (early in his career). Forte is more physical, though he has the same knack for avoiding brutal hits. That talent helped Allen play 16 years and accumulate over 3,500 touches. Steven Jackson and Marion Barber need to study Allen more. Anyway, Forte and Allen also share the same versatility as receivers, and both love to sniff out the end zone.
Forte gets my vote for Rookie of the Year. Did you know Forte has only lost 1 fumble in 296 touches? That puts him 2nd all-time behind ex-Bears RB Anthony Thomas, who had 300 straight touches with 0 fumbles in 2001. Incidentally, Thomas won the ROY award that year, beating out LaDainian Tomlinson.
Jerricho Cotchery has 1 TD and no 100-yard games in the last 5 weeks. Same for Laveranues Coles. They seem to do just enough to warrant a start every week, but they aren’t making a real difference. These guys need to step up and help their fantasy teams tomorrow. The 49ers might be without CB Nate Clements, one of the 5 best corners of the decade. No excuses.
ESPN’s Gregg Easterbrook pointed out that Green Bay has a realistic hope of winning its division at 5-7; but Washington cannot win theirs at 7-5.
More on the Greatest Fantasy Performances (blog entry below)… I dug up a pre-1999 gem. Corey Dillon rushed for 246 yards, had 30 receiving yards and scored 4 TDs vs. Tennessee in 1997. That’s 52 points in basic scoring! Then Ebel331 from the Forums found this one: Jerry Rice/1995 vs. the Bears – 14 catches for 289 yards & 3 TDs. That’s 48 fantasy points!
The Giants have beaten 6 straight teams that have winning records. That hasn’t been done since the Minnesota Vikings in 1972.
The Chargers lost their best defensive player early – Shawne Merriman – and simply folded the tent.
The Giants lost their best defensive player early – Osi Umenyiora – and simply got better.
I have a big decision to make in my 19-year local fantasy league. Total-points league, we franchise one player per year. My choices are Drew Brees, Chris Johnson, Matt Forte, or DeAngelo Williams (Yes, I’m winning the league). Here’s the deal: We give big bonuses for TD distance, the longer the better. We also don’t credit yardage unless you hit 300 yards passing or 100 yards rush/rec thresholds, then you get another huge bonus. In other words, 273 yards passing doesn’t help you. Neither does 81 yards rushing. Hitting these 300/100 thresholds consistently makes the difference. So who do I protect?
Christmas gift idea for your buddy, brother, brother-in-law… maybe even Dad if he likes action movies: Pre-order “The Dark Knight” on DVD.
West Coast teams are 1-17 on the East Coast this year.
Professor Andrew Brandt at the Georgetown University Law Center commented on Vikings DTs Kevin & Pat Williams’ federal injunction to reverse their suspensions: “Research and precedent would predict that in federal court this injunction will not prevail due to the fact the Policy on Anabolic Steroids and Related Substances was collectively bargained, and courts will try hard to stay out of issues that were bargained in good faith.” The Williams Wall successfully staved off suspension this week, but if the federal judge rules against them next week it will cost them the Wild-Card playoff game, should Minnesota be in it.
True story: Brett Favre failed two physicals when Green Bay acquired him from Atlanta in 1992. Team doctors said there might be a degenerative hip problem. Packers GM Ron Wolf had the power to overrule a physician’s ruling and did just that, signing off on the trade. It doesn’t seem like a huge gamble now – but think about this: In addition to the hip tests, Favre had a reputation for drinking heavily his rookie year in Atlanta, and Wolf was giving away the 19th overall draft pick?
Rumors about Larry Johnson going to the Patriots in 2009 are everywhere. They do have an extra 2nd round pick. LJ fits the mold, a disgruntled Pro Bowler nearing age 30 who falls right in line with the loyal Belichick troops – just like Corey Dillon and Randy Moss.
Behind the Stats:
Even after the 4-TD Turkey Day buffet, Donovan McNabb is 10th in TD passes with 18.
Bengals QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is 3rd in QB rushing with 219 yards. He didn’t play until week 4.
Saints RB Pierre Thomas has 7 TDs, 24th n the NFL – and more than Joseph Addai, Antonio Gates, Hines Ward, or Reggie Wayne.
Isaac Bruce needs 201 receiving yards in 4 games to pass Tim Brown’s 14,934 career mark – and rank 2nd all-time behind Jerry Rice.
Over the last 6 weeks the only TE with more fantasy points than Dustin Keller is Tony Gonzalez.
This year only Drew Brees, Kurt Warner, and Jay Cutler are on pace for 4,000 yards. Last year a record 7 QBs did it.
Last year only 6 RBs rushed for 1,000 yards *and* caught 40 passes: Tomlinson, Westbrook, Portis, McGahee, Gore, & Addai. This year there are 6 backs that will definitely achieve that feat: Matt Forte, Chris Johnson, Frank Gore, Marshawn Lynch, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Steve Slaton. Thomas Jones could be #7 if he catches 13 more passes and Marion Barber could be #8 if he gets 130 more rushing yards.
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