FFI: FIRE & ICE

FFI: FIRE & ICE
September 13th, 2007


Your Weekly update of players who are hot (on Fire) and their “stock is rising” and those who are not (Ice cold) with their “stock sinking!”

FIRE

After an exciting week of football several players set themselves apart from obscurity and took a definite step towards the top of fantasy stardom.

Quarterbacks on the rise…

Many experts have been critical of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who was stuck playing in a very conservative system during the Cowher Era. Now begins the Tomlin Era and we can see that the Steelers are going to let Big Ben air it out. The result was four touchdowns in week one and looking ahead to week two Roethlisberger should have great success against a Bills secondary that not only allowed more than 300 yards passing in week one, but will now turn to untested defensive back Ashton Youboty to replace corner Jason Webster (IR)!

He may be no Elway, but the Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler appears poised to do an admirable job following his week one performance passing for more than 300 yards. In week two Cutler will face a Raiders secondary that was lit up for over 300 yards in their opener. The addition of a solid running game to support his passing efforts should afford Cutler the time he will need to find his sure handed receiving corp of Walker, Stokley, and the emerging youngster Brandon Marshall.

Running backs on the rise….

With all the speculation surrounding the Vikings running back Chester Taylor this week, if he will play, the real focus should be on their rookie running back Adrian Peterson. Whether Taylor plays or not, Peterson will likely see more of the action in the running game and passing game. Peterson broke loose for huge gains in week one and now he will face the Detriot Lions in the Silverdome on Sunday. It really won’t matter who this kid faces as long as he gets the rock, good things will happen. Against the Lions in week two Peterson should have another nice day of total yards.

For many fantasy owners that were forced to pick up Chris Brown in their draft as insurance or lack of better options, the pay-off in week one was incredible. Brown has always appeared to have this breakaway ability and big-game potential, but injuries and inconsistencies have made him less than desireable in recent seasons. After his tremendous preformance in week one, Brown will draw the Colts, a defense not noted for run-stuffing. With the defense concerend with stoping the Titans mobile and unpredictable QB, Brown could have another solid effort on Sunday in week 2.

Wide Receivers on the rise…

With the Bills secondary being torched in week one by the Broncos, you can expect to see the Steelers follow suit in week 2. One match-up Pittsburgh will be trying to line-up is wideout Santonio Holmes against the Bills young corner Ashton Youboty. Holmes was solid with a big play touchdown in week one, and there is no question the Steelers will try take advantage of his size and get him the ball in the red-zone in week two.

ICE

Just like those who rise to the top, there are those players in week one that may have fallen off the map heading into week two.

Quarterbacks with value sinking…

It may be to early to be thinking of trading JP Losman, but if you drafted the Bills quarterback you can not be happy with his first two match-ups this season. Last week he faced a tough Broncos secondary that held him to less than 100 yards passing and as he enters week two he’ll face a Steeler’s defense that recored 6 sacks last game.



Runningbacks with value sinking…

The New York Jets struggled last week to run the ball against the Patriots and one of the reasons one the ineffectiveness of running back Thomas Jones (calf). Jones has 14 carries for 42 yards last week for a 3-yard average. Jones has been hampered with a calf injury that has him limited in practice. This week he’ll face a stellar Raven’s defense, so the prospect of playing well at less than 100% does not look good.

If you are need of a starting running back stay away from the Cowboys running back Julius Jones. In a contract year, it appears to be that nothing has changed. Jones usually starts, but the back-up runningback Barber gets significant time on the field, especially goal-line opportunities. In a year that he needs to prove himself, Jones hardly created any attention with 66 quiet yards on Sunday night. The Cowboy’s other back gained one yard less with five fewer carries. Expect this trend to continue with Jones sharing the load and getting fewer chances to score each week.

Check for more updates and analysis.

~David G. Ortega
FFI