Kro's Nest: Week 5

 A look-in to the fantasy world of a New York Giants fan who's juggling between three teams and relying on his bitter rivals for success. 

By Jon Krouner Disclaimer: The following views expressed are those of Jon Krouner. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Extra Point or its broskis.

In true Kanye West fashion, our “Watch the Throne” column comes out two-months after the album’s release. Below are five quotes from the album that I compare to the world of fantasy football. We here at Extra Point recommend that you wear a $1,000 white linen t-shirt while you read this. You know, for effect. 

“I wish I could give you this feeling: I’m plankin’ on a million.” – Jay-Z

(AP Photo)

Here is the weekly portion of the column where we discuss Chris Johnson (or lack thereof). CJ held out of camp, got a fat contract as a result and has yet to hit pay dirt this season. Last week against the Browns’ 24^th worst-rushing defense in football, CJ showed signs of life by rushing for 101 yards on 23 carries and bumping his season average up-to 2.9 yards per carry. Fullback Ahmard Hall returns this week from a 4-game suspension to hopefully clear some running lanes for CJ2K. Despite losing Kenny Britt for the year, Hasselback has the Titans passing game running full throttle. I like CJ to go off this week against the reeling Steelers and if not, next week’s bye will allow CJ to get his legs under him. Again, don’t get cute, keep plugging in CJ despite him plankin’ on his millions.

Side note: Players, especially RBs are going to be banged up all season. That’s the nature of the NFL but if you hear that one of your starters is playing than you need to stick with them. Don’t go with James Starks over Beanie Wells simply because Wells is a game-time decision. Don’t bench Frank Gore for Mark Ingram because Gore was listed as questionable. Everyone’s hurt, it’s the NFL.

 “I’m liable to go Michael. Take your pick: Jackson, Tyson, Jordan, game six.”-- Jay-Z

Here is the weekly portion of the column where we discuss Michael Vick. I’m sure I can’t be the only fantasy owner out there who benched Vick last week (For Fitzpatrick) for fear of Vick going down with yet another injury. Vick responded to the benching (yes, to me specifically) by throwing up a career-high 416 yards, 2 TDs and 75 rush yards to boot. My advice: Don’t get cute. Start Vick until further notice. Don’t play matchups which are a guessing game anyway. You drafted Vick to do what he did last week. He’s liable to go Mike Vick every week.   

“I’m out here ballin’ I know you hear my sneaks.” – Jay-Z

(AP Photo)

Cam Newton is ballin’ out there, even in monsoons. But he’s probably rotting on your bench because you drafted a top 10 QB. If you have Brady, Brees or Rodgers then you’re not starting him. But if you have Rivers, Stafford or Romo then you’re making tough decisions every week on whether to start Cam. My advice is to bite the bullet and trade Cam to a team that is starting someone like Eli, Joe Flacco or Matt Ryan. You are not, repeat not, going to get fair value for Cam (or the QB that you decide to trade). No one is going to overpay for a QB when they have a serviceable one. I still advise that you trade a QB for a 2^nd-tier RB or WR (and a throw-in). There is no point in carrying an extra QB just because you don’t want to get underpaid. This is bad business and Jiggaman would not approve. Unlike Kanye, in fantasy football you can only have one Benz. 

QB Ranks going forward: Brady, Rodgers, Brees, Stafford, Cam, Romo, Rivers.

“When you Earn-hardt as me eventually you hit a big wall” – Jay-Z

(AP Photo)

This, friends, is a play on words from the self-proclaimed monster of the double entendre. Jay-Z is likening a personal slump to Dale Earnhardt’s death which occurred on the final lap of the Daytona 500 in 2001. 

I believe that there will be a league-wide slump in which all offenses hit a wall at some point this season. The bye weeks should give defenses time to adjust and get healthy. Brady, Brees and company will come down to earth to some extent.

However, I think the Bills and Lions offenses will be hit especially hard. Calvin Johnson has eight TDs through 4 games continuing his record-setting pace. Yet the Lions continue to fail to show any semblance of an effective rushing attack. Jahvid Best is their leading-rusher with 190 yards on 60 carries for 3.2 YPC. Is Calvin Johnson good enough to beat double-teams all season? He just might be but trading him for a solid RB/WR combination wouldn’t be the worst idea.

The Bills came back to earth slightly last week as Ryan Fitzpatrick suffered his worst performance of the season (20-34, 199, 0) in the Bills loss to the Bengals. Fred Jackson scored his fourth rushing TD of the season but only racked up 66 yards rushing. Jackson is still averaging 5.8 yards per carry but I expect this whole offense to be slowed down from its explosive pace. Right now is high time to trade Jackson for any number of underachieving players throughout the league. Unless you expect the Bills and Lions to keep it up, then you’re on your own.

“Lift off, like you know me by now, know me, know me by now.” – Kanye West

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s…Kanye singing. This column would not be complete without the dulcet (auto) tones of one Kanye West. Anyway, certain players are just about to take off, if they already haven’t. Eric Decker (WR, DEN) is one of four WRs to have four TDs and one of two WRs to have multiple two TD games. Eric Decker has gone off, but I think defenses are just now figuring out that they have to commit to slowing Decker in the passing game. This should open up the field for Brandon Lloyd who had a solid 8/136/0 effort at the Packers last week.  (All bets are off with Tebow).

There’s a very similar situation going on in Atlanta right now as Julio Jones has shown that he demands attention. I expect Jones’ and running mate Roddy White both to see increased production in the weeks to come. These guys have laid the groundwork for big seasons by taking this Kanye line to heart: “You need to crawl before you ball”.

Other Ballers Nearing Lift-Off: Felix Jones (RB, DAL), Dexter McCluster (RB/WR, KC), Stevan Ridley (RB, NE), Mike Williams (WR, TB), Isaac Redman (RB, PIT)

Well, I know when to leave when the heat is coming. Until next week.