Ian Allan's Mailbag
Posted Oct. 22 at 04:04 AM
Publisher Ian Allan fields your questions on strategy, how to run your league, player ratings -- and whatever else you think of. Updated every Friday during the season; Tuesdays and Fridays during the last two months of the preseason. You must be registered and signed-in to submit a mailbag question. After you sign in at the top of the page, the link to submit a mailbag question will become visible.
Question 1:
Lots of rumors in Indy that Dallas Clark, Joseph Addai, and Austin Collie are all going to miss significant time. If that’s true are Gonzalez, Hart and anybody else worth picking up off of waivers?
David Kennedy [STEAMBURG, NY]
A:
You’re on the right track. With Clark and Collie out of the mix, that gives a nice boost in value to Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon. They’ll see more passes now. They’ll probably both be top-10 receivers for the final 10 weeks of the season. And this is the opportunity Anthony Gonzalez has been waiting for. Not only does he get to replace Collie, but with Clark gone, he’ll be heavily used as well. By the time Collie is healthy again, Gonzalez could be firmly entrenched in the lineup. He may be a top-20 receiver as well from this point going forward. At running back, I think you’re looking at a one-two punch of Donald Brown and Mike Hart. If he can stay healthy, Brown probably will get about twice as many touches. The loser in this deal may be Peyton Manning; this could cause his numbers to drop by something like 5-10 percent.
Question 2:
Last week Brandon Tate was the highest rated WR on your redrafter sheet, that was available in our league. I took him. Branch was almost at the bottom of your entire list, even after joining NE. I could have had him. Now Branch is up in the 20s and Tate took a huge dive. What happened here?
David Teague [Mobile, AL]
A:
Looks like I blew it on that one. Sorry. I’ve been watching Branch struggle the last five years in Seattle, and it was my belief that he couldn’t play anymore. I thought the Patriots were just making a pickup to add some depth to their receiving corps. It was a little thin and young after they moved Randy Moss – just Wes Welker, Brandon Tate and Julian Edelman, really, and Edelman is similar to Welker. I thought they were picking up Branch to play a little as a fourth receiver and give them somebody to use if Welker re-injured his knee. My educated guess was that Welker, Tate and tight end Aaron Hernandez would catch the bulk of the passes. But it doesn’t seem to be playing out that way. It looks like Branch, not Tate, will be that second wide receiver. Tate seems to be staying in the same role he’s filled all year. He’ll be their third receiver and return kicks, and it doesn’t look like his role will change at all. Not what I was expecting, obviously. In hindsight, I should have given more weight to the question of why Bill Belichick would give up a fourth-round draft pick that the Seahawks probably would have been willing to simply give away (to get rid of the contract).
Question 3:
I am looking to find a couple of young players at different positions that may find their way into the starting lineup either later this year or even next. Can you give us a list of potential players that may fit this role? Players that you think may have a chance to do something special. I am in a dynasty league and would like to get a jump on the boys!
DAMON DUHON [BATON ROUGE, LA]
A:
A few names, in no particular order: James Starks (the running back Green Bay selected in the sixth round); he should be activated off the PUP list soon. Joique Bell. He ran very well for Buffalo in the preseason; now he’s a backup with the Eagles. Taylor Price, a wide receiver for New England who may play a bigger role next year. I like the two unheralded Carolina backs: Mike Goodson and Tyrell Sutton. I think those guys can play. Those are the off-the-radar names that come to mind. Also check to see if Golden Tate is available in your league; he’ll probably start for Seattle next year.
Question 4:
I am in a 12-team PPR league, with a majority of the top tight ends gone. With Finley done for the season, who do you pick up, Quarless, Lee or Lewis?
John Wissing [DENVER, CO]
A:
I watched a good chunk of the Green Bay game. It looked like their third tight end – Tom Crabtree – was out there a lot more than either Andrew Quarless or Donald Lee. I don’t think any of those three guys will make an impact. Lee and Crabtree, I think, don’t catch the ball well enough, and I don’t think Quarless will play enough. Marcedes Lewis is the best of that group. He’s really stepped up his game for the Jaguars this year, and he’s playing a far more significant role than he has in the past. He’s caught 5 TDs in their six games. I realize they’ll be without both of their top two quarterbacks this week, making him nothing special right now. But I think he’ll continue on and have a solid year.
Question 5:
There quite possibly could not be a more frustrating player to have on your team than Marques Colston. It seems like he does just enough end up with no points in my league (where scoring for receivers does not start until they catch 6 passes or gain 75 yards), yet he still is the leading receiver in New Orleans as far as receptions. The Saints either throw long touchdowns to their other receivers (Lance Moore and Robert Meachem) or look to their tight ends in the red zone. Is Colston even a #2 fantasy WR for the rest of the year or should he now be benched ahead of receivers like Dwayne Bowe or Michael Crabtree?
Nathan Priest [HAGERSTOWN, MD]
A:
Bowe and Crabtree are both heating up. So for now, I would start those guys ahead of Colston. But Colston is still the No. 1 receiver on a team with an awfully explosive passing offense. I’ve got to believe that at some point, he’ll heat up and start putting some points on the board.
Question 6:
Like the Vikings quarterback I keep going back and forth on my situation with my squad. With Roethlisberger back I have a surplus at WR … Nicks, Wayne, Andre Johnson and now Mike Wallace (Mike Williams TB might also have some good games). I have Foster, Jamaal Charles and Shonn Greene as potential starting running backs. Here is my dilemma: I have a deal on the table to trade Andre Johnson strait up for Ray Rice. My gut tells me not to make a move and avoid waffling on game day with who to start. What are your thoughts? Do you go after a deal or ride your squad?
Adam Bjork [SAVAGE, MN]
A:
I would make the deal. Rice is higher on my board, and you would still have plenty of talent at wide receiver. Nicks, Wayne, Wallace – those are all guys you can start every week. It would also allow you to diversify a little out of that Houston offense. The Texans may be 4-2, but I have a feeling they’ll end up at 7-9 or 8-8 at the end of the season.
Question 7:
C.J. Spiller continues to be high on your redrafter. He has done next to nothing this year. What are you seeing that I am not?
David Teague [Mobile, AL]
A:
I’m not sure if I would say “next to nothing”. Spiller has ability. He has elusiveness and the speed to get around the corner. He ran for 3 TDs in the preseason, including a pair from 20-plus yards. He returned a kickoff for a touchdown at New England. He’s caught a touchdown. He had another kickoff return touchdown nullified by a penalty. He showed excellent speed while getting around the corner for 19-yard runs against the Patriots and Jaguars. He just needs to get the ball more, and I expect that will happen more moving forward. Is the team around him good enough that he’s going to be a productive, superstar back this year? No. But I think he can help fantasy franchises.
Question 8:
My question involves a trade I'm considering offering. Given the Moss trade (and the subsequent re-acquisition of Branch), I wonder if the changes in the Pats scheme would involve Woodhead enough to warrant me offering a struggling Colston in exchange for him. We start 3 WR plus a flex, and I also have A. Johnson, Wallace, Garcon and stashed S. Rice. At RB , I have been starting Foster and LT (I like my team w/ Romo at the helm). I like that Woodhead can be started as either a RB or WR.
Randy Jackson [LONE TREE, CO]
A:
Woodhead is a neat little player. I think he can adequately replace Kevin Faulk. And with the Patriots not having a big-time tailback, I think he’ll be a consistent part of their offense. I don’t, however, envision him putting up good enough numbers to outproduce Colston. Colston has been a disappointment so far, but he’s still the No. 1 receiving option on a team with a top 3 passing offense. I suggest you hang onto Colston and hope he turns things around.
Question 9:
Love your insights and articles. Would you trade Mendenhall for MJD? Our RB scoring: TD (10 pts) and milestone yardage (10 pts for 100 yds, then 5 pts for every additional 50 yds). He's throwing in Marcedes Lewis (I just lost Finley to IR but I do have Moeaki from KC and Watson from Cleveland)
DEO GARLOCK [RALEIGH, NC]
A:
Nah. I’d keep Mendenhall. He’s playing a lot better than Jones-Drew right now, and the team around him is a lot better. Lewis has done a few nice things, but I’m sure you’ll find a serviceable tight end at some point. Tony Moeaki might be that guy.
Question 10:
I am in a Dynasty league and am considering stashing away either Mark Clayton or Donnie Avery until next year. Which one of the two do you think is more viable in the future for the Rams?
DENNIS RUEBEL [GREEN BAY, WI]
A:
I’d go with Clayton. He was surprisingly effective before his injury. As well as Sam Bradford is playing, however, it’s a safe bet the Rams will heavily bolster that position in the offseason. They’ll bring in some new talented new receivers in the offseason – guys who will be expected to start.
Question 11:
In a yardage league, and I've been offered Steven Jackson and Anquan Boldin for Arian Foster and Pierre Garcon. I thought this was a big win deal for me until the latest with the Indy receiver situation. With Clark and Collie out for an extended period, does that make Garcon much more valuable, and therefore this trade not so good for me? Or would you still take Boldin and Jackson over Foster and Garcon?
Jason Brater [ANN ARBOR, MI]
A:
The pairs of players look pretty similar to me. With Foster, there’s the concern that Derrick Ward will start eating into his time; plus that team could kind of fizzle out – it’s got a lot of problems on defense. But Jackson isn’t much of an upgrade; he’s had a lot of injuries and hasn’t scored many touchdowns in recent years. I see those guys as similar. At wide receiver, with Garcon getting the boost from the injuries to Clark and Collie, I see him as being very similar in value to Anquan Boldin. If you want to go straight off the ballpark numbers, than I have Boldin-Jackson as being worth just a little more.
Question 12:
What about adding a feature to your redrafter where you suggest some waiver wire pickups? These can be guys that would be good for a week or two or for the rest of the season. Whatever happened to the little preview you would do where you would tease "a no name WR to start this week"? I miss that on the redrafter and the weekly sheet.
Marco Tavares [BILLERICA, MA]
A:
I’m looking at the production of each team and individual player every week, constantly revising the overall board. So when you get that product on Tuesday, with the re-worked (redrafter version) Cheat Sheet, the expectation is that you’ll go down each position and determine the best 2-3 available players in your league. Sometimes I will miss on those suggested pickups (like with Brandon Tate and Deion Branch last week). Most of the time, hopefully, those rankings will be on the money. I will try to remember the teaser questions on more weeks.
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Question 1: Lots of rumors in Indy...
Posted by JOHN MACPHEE | Oct. 23 at 02:42 PM
I have an opportunity to trade Ronnie Brown, RB for M. Vick,QB. This proposed trade will leave me with A Foster, Bradshaw and Ivory in a PPR 12 man league. Go ahead with trade or not?
Question 1: Lots of rumors in Indy...
Posted by DAVID DIGREGORIO | Oct. 27 at 03:42 AM
I am in a league which gives $1000 to bid on free agents. I have $900 left, with 6 weeks left to use it. Given my position, how much money would you invest in Blount? My RBs are Mendenhall, D Williams, B Jackson, Portis and Choice. Who would you drop to pick up Blount, Portis or choice? Thanks.