Mid-Season Report: NFL FFA

Mid-Season Report: NFL FFA

Stingrays (5-3)

The play of your wideouts and Tony Romo has gotten you to this point – now you’re without your quarterback and second-best receiver – I think a decline down the stretch is inevitable. What you got is a questionable quarterback situation; I think neither David Garrard nor Chad Henne provides stability. Javhid Best and Jamaal Charles are high risk, high reward-type players, with Best hitting a wall and Charles splitting carries. Aside from Roddy White, Gonzo is your next-best receiver, and if he scores he’s only stealing them from White. Perhaps your early success can translate to a playoff berth, but it is not encouraging at all.

Louisiana Lightning (5-3)

I love everything about this team, including the head coaching position filled by Raheem Morris. What I don’t love is your wideouts, which is a big time concern going forward. You have sure things in A-Rodge, Peyton “Running up” Hillis and All Day. Heck, every Dustin Keller ranks among the league best at tight end. Michael Crabtree has shown flashes, and Brandon Lloyd is playing out of his damn mind; but I don’t trust either of them to be your top receivers.

Outlaws (2-6)

They say this is a quarterback-driven league, and your team’s success, or lack thereof, demonstrates that point perfectly. The interception-ridden Jay Cutler and Brett Favre provide little stability at quarterback. It does not get much better when your best available running back is LaGarrette Blount. Donald Driver is hurt and Wes Welker has proven worthless without Randy Moss in the same uniform. I guess what I am saying is that you can head into the offseasn a little earlier this year.

Chrisnics (1-7)

It’s a disappointing season when Ryan Fitzpatrick has overtaken Matt Schaub for the quarterback spot. It’s just as disappointing to see Brandon Jackson as your most productive running back. You have 2002’s most productive wide receivers in Randy Moss and Terrell Owens, so if we invent a time machine you’re taken care of. Imagine you had a time machine to fix your draft.

Red Menace (6-2)

The puzzle is almost completed, Red Menace. Chris Johnson and Run DMC are wreaking havoc on the NFL; D-Jax, Megatron and Hakeem the Dream combine for an outstanding wide receiving core. The only thing lacking from taking this team to an elite level is the quarterback spot. Vince Young can win games, but he cannot win fantasy games. Perhaps Shonn Greene’s name value or a sell-high candidate like Dez Bryant or Mike Sims-Walker can be trade bait. Regardless, there is definitely an enough talent to earn you a postseason berth.

Boston Blazers (5-3)

If we are buying into Carson Palmer’s outstanding play of late, then we are certainly buying into the Boston Blazers’ chances of making some noise in the playoffs. Led by Ahmad Bradshaw, the Law Firm and LT in the running game, and Antonio Gates, Reggie Wayne and the Marshall Plan as receivers, the Blazers may be the deepest, most productive team in the league. Palmer was the biggest question mark, but he has turned things around for the best. It’s a great day to be a Blazer, as he has to be a favorite for the Super Bowl this season.

Brooklyn Comets (3-5)

Three wins is more of an aberration than anything. Without a stud quarterback, running back or wide receiver, it is a surprise you’re not completely out of the playoff hunt yet. Neither Mark Sanchez nor Colt McCoy should be starting fantasy quarterbacks; Maurice Jones-Drew has so far put his name among top 2010 bust candidates and your best wideout ranks as a clear-cut WR2. I know it isn’t over until it’s over, but boy does it look over now.

Nevada Roadrunners (5-3)

Perhaps the Nevada Roadrunners is a team poised to make a run down the stretch. With Michael Vick returning to quarterback, the team gets another dynamic scoring threat. We expect Rashard Mendenhall to continue shredding defenses, and maybe even Knowshon Moreno can come on to provide stability at the RB2 spot, the biggest area of concern. I like how Anquan Boldin and Dwayne Bowe are starring in their respective offenses, and if Percy Harvin can continue staying hot without Randy Moss in purple, this team has a lot of weapons.

Lancaster Bombers (4-4)

A team run by the Hoodie and his disciple, Josh McDaniels; it pretty much screams sketchiness. At .500, Lancaster Bombers has the talent to perfectly embody its record. Eli Manning and Kyle Orton have both had their shares of ups and downs. Andre the Giant may be the most consistent player in the lineup, which is not that impressive given there is barely an adequate running back on the roster. If we’re relying on Brandon Jacobs to carry us to the postseason, we might as well check out now.

Augusta Gnats (3-5)

There is a lot of potential on this team, but sometimes that can be a one-way street. Tom Brady is certainly someone we expected a lot more out of coming into the season, but the departure of Moss from the Patriots had really hindered Brady’s productivity. Beanie Wells has nothing spectacular to speak of in his season this far; and it is the same story for Stone Cold Miles Austin, who was surpassed by Lance Moore as the most productive wideout on this team. There is a lot of name value on this team more than anything, and that doesn’t sound like a playoff-bound team.

Waveriders* (6-2)

If Brad Childress is coaching your team, it’s a testament to you to have six wins at this point in the season. Or maybe it’s a testament to having Peyton Manning pilot this team. I am wrong – it’s definitely a credit to Steve Johnson and his 48 total points scored this season, good for second-best on the team to Manning. If you would have told me Johnson would score that many points so far, or if you would have told me who he was, I would have been impressed. While those two keep hot, it’s the Burner carrying your team’s rushing attack. You’ll have to hope either Ray Rice rebounds or Ryan Torain returns healthy from the bye week; Ryan Mathews is not ready for starter considerations. And with Johnson and Ochocinco as your top two wideouts, you’ll have to find a WR3 to keep the wins coming.

Ragdolls (4-4)

Mike Shanahan opted to p lay Sexy Rexy over Donovan McNabb last Sunday; I think we all could have out-coached him there. However, he didn’t destroy the confidence of your quarterback, as Drew Brees has rebounded from a shaky start to be dynamic this season. Led by running back tandem of LeSean “The Real” McCoy and Arian Foster, your team sports a top duo in the league, something every playoff team needs. If Marques Colston can get hot, it may save your wide receiving core, which is honestly the biggest weakness on the team. If you can find a decent WR2, make the move – otherwise it may be hard to make noise in the playoffs.

Roosters (4-4)

This is a great 4-4 team. Philip Rivers is playing out of his damn mind, Frank Gore is running all over defenses and the combination of Greg Jennings, Mike Wallace and Austin Collie have separated themselves as consistent weapons week in and week out. If King Felix Jones can emerge as a decent RB2 option, expect this team to take the step from a .500 club to a playoff contender, and a team that can easily shake things up.

Road Dogs (3-5)

The injury to Kenny Britt may have ended the playoff chances for Road Dogs, but there is certainly enough talent on the roster to make it interesting. With Big Ben and Matty Ice both hot at quarterbacks, there is some trade bait to make any necessary moves. First area of concern: running back. Jonathon Stewart is loaded with talent, especially with DeAngelo Williams hurting, but until Matt Moore can show he can beat defenses with his arm they are going to load up the box versus Stewart. Earnest Graham and Javon Ringer are not viable options; Mike Tolbert is a risk as well. I think trading Larry Fitzgerald for his name value can be a season-maker. Fitz is dealing with a revolving door at quarterback, so perhaps some thinking he can break out will be willing to part with a running back. Santonio Holmes and Jeremy Maclin can easily pick up the slack in the meantime. The season is from over at 3-5, as there is always a move or two to improve your team.