Ask Papa Weimer: Week 6

I’m back fellas, and with better advice than ever before. I got a hair cut (just the sides, don’t grow it up top anymore – know what I mean Lucky? Haha – haha) and a massage so you can only imagine how ready I am to share my fantasy knowledge with the rest of you. Let the games before the games begin!

Tory Mills from Sanitary Service says, “Papa, sorry to bother you with TE advice, but I was just wondering, which guy do you think would do the best work for me until Shockey returns to the Saints? I am thinking that my four best choices are John Carlson, Dustin Keller, Daniel Graham, and Zach Miller. You have a lean on any of these?”

You bet Tony, I like Miller. I think the Raiders are going to play worse without Kiffin running the show, because now it means that Al Davis is completely running the team, and that’s never a good thing. However, that means more passing, and while Davis would love to see Russell toss the ball 60+ yards on every single play, the truth of the matter is that Russell’s favorite target is a big sure handed tight end by the name of Zach. I think Keller has lots of upside, but the fact that he has to compete for touches with the “starting” TE in New York makes him a chancey start any given week. John Carlson started off really well, but with Engram back and Branch probably back for good here in a week or so, I think he loses his targets a little. Still, I expect him to be the 2nd best option in the group you listed. Graham is an interesting one, I’ve always liked Daniel, and his great blocking means that defenses can’t put good coverage guys on him all the time. He has all the ability to be a Top 10 TE, so if Scheffler is out for an extended time, he’s worth a shot. Still, I like Miller the most, and Carlson and Graham are close at 2 and 3. Keller’s upside is the greatest, but he’s a back-up TE that gets half the TE throws if he’s lucky. Good luck Tony.

Tom Thumb from the State of Shatty Sports Teams asks, “Should I pick up Bobby Engram, really, or will he just get injured in a dominoes accident? There are three other receivers I kind of like out there, but Engram seems like the best value in a PPR league. Let me know what you think, here are my other choices. Steve Breaston, Dominek Hixon, Javon Walker. Thanks in advance…”

Tom, I’m guessing of Washington State, it’s not easy being rained on all day and then dealing with the Hawks, Mariners, Sonics… err… Thunder, Huskies, and Cougars, I know, but you have to hold on tight, Western Washington, or anywhere on the West Coast for that matter, is a bad place for sports. People have better things to do than follow a bad team out there, and thus you get bandwagon monkeys every single year. I know, I’m from there – well I live there anyway. As for your question, yeah, I think I’d risk my waiver wire money on Bobby Engram. He’s a good receiver, especially good in that check down short pass go nowhere frustrating to watch take no chances play not to lose offense they run in Seattle. IF he stays healthy, I think he’s the best option here. I like Breaston, and think he has decent season long value as the #3 in Arizona, and more value as the #2 until Boldin gets back. But, I think Engram will get more looks than him, and in a PPR league those catches get big. Hixon has a lot of talent, but with all those options in New York I don’t see him getting the ball all that much. He’s a great get if Burress gets hurt, and just wait for that to happen. Javon, well, I don’t know what to say except I wouldn’t touch him with a ten foot pole. I hope he turns it around, but until he shows some sign of a heart beat, I’d let him rot in Oakland where receivers often go to die.

Three for Thursday

1. Who is the next coach to go and how will it effect your fantasy players? The most likely to go? Lets go with Marvin Lewis. I know that Marv seems to be allowed to say and do what he pleases in Cincinnati, but it’s not such a stretch to see this guy go. He can’t get some guys on the team to buy in, he’s struggling with some big name players, and while that is all the reason in the world to see him be the next to go, nothing is more telling than the signing of Cedric Benson – oh Bungles. Benson has been destined to be a Bengal since he got into the league, no? I can’t wait to see Marvin’s last game as the man in Cincinnati – starting at receiver, Chris Henry!!! At running back, our favorite, Cedriiiiiic…. BENSON!!!! Oh yes, I think Marv just walks out the door and gets into Greyhound bus driving at that point. If Marvin leaves I think you get a little boost from your Bengals offensively. Just a relief from some big name guys I guess, a change, a much needed change. We’ll see, but it doesn’t look good for our not so favorite Marvin. 

2. Seahawks back at it? Don’t risk it all on the Hawks right off the bat. I know on paper they look a lot better with Branch and Engram running the outsides, but neither of these guys have played football in a while, and it takes a little while to get right back into the swing of things. Still, Branch isn’t a bad bye week option right now, and Engram has the tools to do what he always does. The Hawks throw the ball a lot, and I think they can do some work in New York this week – just don’t expect TO type numbers. 

3. A guy I really like right now is Ryan Torrain. I just get this feeling that this might be the last week to acquire Ryan before the rest of the guys in your league beat you to it. Nobody is getting a lot of carries in Denver, and it wouldn’t be unlike Mike to, as soon as Ryan is ready, just start giving him 20 carries a game. If that’s the case, he’s a sure thing starter. 2nd half guys, ala Ryan Grant last season, are good options to have. They are fresh and looking to prove their worth. A beast runner in that offense could be deadly.