So who’s in your Fav Five?
At Fantazzle, you have the luxury of selecting a whole new team each week. But does that mean you have to? Not really. Your team is always going to be different week to week, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have some core guys that you depend on all season long. It’s these guys that may carry you to wins and cash each week at Fantazzle. So who are they? Who are your core guys? Well, I don’t know who most of you use on a regular basis, but I know I have a “Fav Five” that I have relied on just about ever Sunday (I’m doing my best to lay off a Charles Barkley reference here). So before I get to my Fav Five, I should probably give you some insight on my criteria. Admittedly, my criteria may have its faults, but that’s for you to decide:
- Numbers – Obviously the guy has to put up top 5 type numbers at his position on a consistent basis. He can have an off week here and there, but he’s got to be relatively consistent.
- Reliability – He has to be a guy that the team relies on to win games. In other words, the guy can have all the talent in the world, but if his team can win without him, he’s not in my core.
- Workhorse – he’s got to get touches. A quarterback obviously doesn’t need to worry about that, but as for receivers and running backs, he’s got to touch the ball frequently.
- Intangibles – Believe it or not, I think guys who are respected by their teammates have a better chance of putting up numbers. Respect is usually gained when the prolific player is “off the ball”, as in, not actually carrying it. Examples would be selling out with a tough block downfield, diving for an overthrown ball or hustling to pick up a fumble. All of these examples typify leadership qualities that a lot of elite players have. These qualities can increase a player’s touches and ensure that he’s on the field in critical situations.
So, without further adieu, her are my Fav Five:
- Drew Brees – This guy has leader written all over him. He also happens to be leading the league in most major quarterback categories. For starters, he has the most pass attempts in the league so far with 304. Even better, he’s got a 69% completion percentage (1% behind the league leader, Kurt Warner). He’s also second in touchdowns with 15 (Rivers leads the league). Oh, and one more thing, he’s on pace to throw for 5,000 yards this season (he’s already got 2,563). These are Super Tecmo Bowl type numbers here. It’s bananas. This guy has to be on your roster almost every week in any of the Fantazzle formats.
- Andre Johnson – Man Child, Man Beast, Captain Awesome. I could give this guy a myriad of nicknames, but at the end of the day, he’s just another guy in my Fav Five. This guy is a physical specimen (man-crush alert) and he’s putting up ridiculous numbers right now. He leads the league in receptions (56) and receiving yards (772). He’s a little short on TD’s this year with a mere 2, but given his reception rate, I suspect that number will rise in a hurry. Another great thing about Andre is that he can kill you with the long bomb or the dink and dunk drives down the field. He gets a case of the “dropsies” from time to time but he can pretty much catch anything thrown within 10 feet of him. Add his talent to Schaub’s emergence this season and he’s a clear stud (at a certain point, I realize I’m going to start sounding non-hetero, but I’m willing to make that sacrifice for Fantazzle).
- Larry Fitzgerald – Another physical specimen who rivals Andre in the talent department. The difference between Fitz and every other WR in the league is that Fitz can get higher than anyone. He snatches balls out of the air with more frequency than any WR I have ever seen. He’s also blessed with an offense that puts up serious points (mostly because they have no defense). Through 8 weeks Fitz has compiled 661 receiving yards on 43 receptions. He’s also managed 5 TD’s which is tied for the league lead.
- Frank Gore – The interesting thing about the Niners is that they are clearly a “one trick pony” and yet Gore (aforesaid “pony”) still manages to put up serious Fantasy numbers. He has been underutilized by the offense as illustrated by his 136 carries (17 carries per game at 4.6 yards per carry through 8 weeks), but his carries should got up slightly with Singletary at the helm. Add to that, O’suckavin getting benched and you might actually have a steady offense that can punch it in the redzone. Gore has 4 rushing TD’s which isn’t great but that number would probably be doubled if JTO wasn’t so turnover prone. Because most running backs have been inconsistent this year, it’s nice to be able to rely on a guy like Gore.
- Clinton Portis – This guy fits all of the Fav Five criteria outlined above (numbers, reliability, workhorse, intangibles). He has put up ridiculous rushing numbers through 8 weeks. He already has 944 rushing yards which is almost 300 yards above the leagues second leading rusher (Adrian Peterson). 300 yards folks. That’s a season for some running backs. Portis has been very reliable this season and has played through some pain (most recently an ankle sprain and hip flexor). He also leads the league in rushing attempts which makes him a clear workhorse. As far as intangibles, just watch Portis sell out in pass blocking and you’ll realize that he leaves everything out on the field. Portis is benefiting from great play by Jason Campbell which means defenses can’t load the box like they did in the Gibbs era (part deux). Portis is rolling right now and should be in most people’s Fav One, let alone Fav Five.
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So who is in your Fav Five? There are certainly others that could be considered. Personally, I had issues with leaving out a number of players including rising stars like Greg Jennings, Roddy White, Brandon Marshall, Marion Barber and Michael Turner. Either way, at Fantazzle, you can roll with a completely new unit each week or you can rely on some of your favorite players all year long. Just win baby. PouringReign.
