San Diego Chargers Fantasy Football Analysis – Week 4

Week 4 – vs Cleveland – W 30-27

QB: Rivers a big game and spread the ball around nicely.  Was on target and really showed off the arm in this game.  So many weapons that he could easily play his way into the top 5 QBs again.

RB: Gordon not as good in this one.  Didn’t get much space and wasn’t able to do much for himself.  Woodhead a good game, doing damage both rushing and receiving.  Is so quick and should continue getting plenty of targets.

WR: Allen a good game making a great TD grab.  Still can’t understand why they go away from him some weeks.  Way too good a set of hands to do that.  Johnson held in check.  Inman made a reappearance and looked good.  Don’t think he’ll play his way into the starting lineup but worth watching if injuries force him in.

TE: Green another good game and showed off the receiving skills.  Gates returns next week so he’ll be shelved for now.  Is good enough to be a star but can’t trust him yet.

OL: Wasn’t great run blocking despite a couple big plays.  Pass protection was pretty strong and that needs to continue.  Probably more important than the run blocking for this team.

Def: Wasn’t really stopping the run at all.  Missed a few too many tackles.  Pressure wasn’t great.  Coverage was also not good enough to keep up with speedy WRs.  Gave up big games to TE and rushing and receiving RBs.  Decent game to #1 WR.

San Diego Chargers Fantasy Football Analysis – Week 2

Week 2 – @ Cincy – L 19-24

QB: Rivers good and really accurate in this one.  Pass rush was getting to him a little too much.  Not his fault.

RB: Gordon is a stud.  Fantastic runner with great vision, patience, and burst.  Solid game in this one.  Woodhead looks great as well.  So quick and finds a crease nearly every carry.  Great PPR game as well.

WR: Allen nearly shutout.  Was blanketed all game and just wasn’t getting separation.  Floyd and Johnson got TDs but Floyd’s was a bit of a blown coverage.  Johnson is looking pretty strong right now.

TE: Green a solid game and certainly has the talent to be a top 10 fantasy TE.  Runs well after the catch and seems to have good hands.

OL: Run blocking was really strong but protection was really shaky.  Got QB hit far too much.  Needs a lot of improvement to help make stars consistent in fantasy.

Def: Pretty ugly.  Couldn’t stop the run at all and got obliterated on the ground.  Was really losing the battle in the trenches.  Got beat by elite WRs as well.  Gave up good games all around.

San Diego Chargers Fantasy Football Analysis – Week 1

Week 1 – vs Detriot – W 33-28

QB: Rivers a strong start of the season again.  Hit a few times but was very accurate and kept the mistakes to a minimum.

RB: Gordon looked very good but not good enough to ensure this isn’t a committee for now.  Great vision shown and moves well in traffic.  Woodhead looked great as well and will likely be a consistent PPR play as long as he’s healthy.

WR: Allen a monster game and looks as good as ever.  Just baffling how he wasn’t getting as many throws last season.  Catches everything.  Johnson looked very strong as well.  Want to see him do it a couple more times but hard to ignore him after this game.

TE: Green a good game with Gates suspended.  Still can’t believe a guy with this talent wasn’t integrated in the offense more last season.  A top 10 TE as long as Gates is out.

OL: Looked good early but faded a little as the game went on.  Overall, probably just above average in both areas and should ensure a lot of consistency in fantasy for the key players.

Def: Did phenomenal job on top tier receiving corps.  Have to be a little hesitant starting WRs against for now.  Wasn’t really stopping the run but other team chose to throw more.  Gave up good games to RBs and TE.

Grading My 2014 Fantasy Football Sleepers

On the one hand, I can happily blame the lack of success of some of my 2014 sleeper picks on injuries and other unforeseen factors.  On the other, this list still looks ugly compared to my bust calls, all of which I essentially nailed and will be grading later.  So, without further delay, let’s do some grading.

QB

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E.J. Manuel – Grade: F

Benched but should have been playing by season’s end over the struggling Orton, in my opinion.  The final game he played he saw at least 4 of his first 8 passes flat-out dropped by his receivers.  Don’t be surprised if Manuel is named the starter going into next season and ends up a top 20 fantasy QB.  His scrambling ability will give him an edge over some other QBs if he gets the opportunity.

Jake Locker – Injured

Too bad for Locker that he just can’t stay healthy.  Like many, I like what I see in him at times but it’s hard to believe he’ll be able to start and stick in there for a full season.  He’ll be playing for another team in all likelihood next season but will probably be holding a clipboard most of the way.  Good luck to him and here’s hoping for better times in his future.

RB

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Ray Rice – DNP

We all know the story.  Ignoring that, I’ll defend the pick of the Ravens RB as a sleeper since Justin Forsett finished as a top 10 fantasy RB.  Their problem in 2013 was clearly their offensive line and the hiring of Gary Kubiak was a fantastic change for this running game.  No reason to think that changes next season unless Kubiak finds himself as a head coach again.

Chris Johnson – Grade: F

Finished 34th among RBs as two key factors hurt him most of the way: Chris Ivory’s health and the Jets’ atrocious QB play.  Stunningly, Ivory made it through the season, something few expected, I would assume, given his history.  And the QB play was simply awful and led to the Jets playing from behind in a lot of contests.  Still looked good at various times throughout the season but a RB committee on a bad team is rarely going to be a good thing for fantasy purposes.  Maybe next year…

WR

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Keenan Allen – Injured Late – Grade: F

Started to come on a bit in the second half of the season and amazingly still finished in the top 50 despite missing the final two and really 3 games of the season.  Had he scored 10 points in each of the final 2, he would have cracked the top 30 WRs.  The Chargers offense just became rather erratic this season and guessing who was going to be the fantasy stud each week became a headache.  I still like Allen and think he was underused this season but we’ll have to see how he is when he returns next season hopefully fully healthy.  The guy is too capable of making great plays to get the limited targets he got this season.

Jeremy Maclin – Grade: A+++

Tapered off a bit only scoring 2 of his 10 TDs in the final 8 weeks of the season but still finished as the 9th best WR in fantasy standard scoring.  Not a bad value for a guy typically projected well outside of the top 20 WRs coming into the season.  As I stated in my projections, I thought he was going to be a better receiver than DeSean Jackson in Chip Kelly’s offense and that was true (although only very slightly).  Good for him that he stayed healthy.  The question about that now is: can he stay on the field two season in a row?

Marques Colston – Grade: F

Finished the season pretty strong but, as his owners know, there were some brutal parts in the beginning and middle that were hardly bearable.  Did look healthier than he was last season but it’s hard to imagine at this moment that he’ll return to the Saints and be a key fantasy factor over the likes of Cooks, Graham, and Stills (who I already kind of like as a sleeper next season).  Colston will have to land in a dream situation to be considered a top 30 WR going into next season’s drafts.

TE

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Garrett Graham and Ladarius Green – Grades: F

I don’t feel too bad about the Green pick since so many assumed he was going to take over for the seemingly ageless Gates this season and that obviously never happened.  But the Graham result was just stunning to watch all season.  The Texans just decided to never use the TE in the passing game and it will be hard to even consider the position again as long as the coaching stays the same.  Graham didn’t play bad.  He simply was never looked at.  Raise your hand if you saw that one coming…

Def

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Buffalo Bills – Grade: A+++++

Finished as the second best fantasy defense and was awesome this season.  Jim Schwartz proved his prowess and showed why he got a head-coaching gig in the past.  Have to rank this pick as my best sleeper but kind of disappointing that it’s a defense.  Kind of wish I hit bigger on some other positions…

San Diego Chargers Week 12 Fantasy Analysis

Week 12 – vs St. Louis – W 27-24

QB: Rivers a nice game with a lot of short throws giving his receivers room to make plays after the catch.  Not sure why this offense doesn’t look like this more often.

RB: Mathews looked great and had big game.  Oliver still involved in the passing game and will have some big plays from time to time.  But Mathews looked really good here.

WR: Allen a big game making some great plays after the catch.  Floyd did little.  Royal a nice PPR game.  Floyd will suffer the most in a game where they keep looking short like this.

TE: Gates did little along with Green.  Just didn’t need to throw their way as others were wide open often on the outside.

OL: Strong game against a hot front 7.  Did everything well and surprised with how good they looked.

Def: Helped by struggling QB and a lot of timely penalties.  Okay against the run and solid against the pass.  Gave up good games to RB and #2 & #3 WRs.  Held everything else in check.

Half-Season Grades for My 2014 Fantasy Football Sleepers

Time to take a look at how my sleepers have done up to this point in the season.  Not very pretty as this list has been marred by injuries and other factors.  But they’re my picks and you got to own up to this stuff so here goes.

QBs

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E.J. Manuel – Grade: F

I actually still think he has the talent to be a good QB and know, without a doubt, a big part of his benching has to do with the simple fact his receivers dropped a ton of balls, particularly in his last game before the benching.  I found it kind of funny when ESPN was showing highlights of him to announce he had lost his job, they would show the throw he made to Mike Williams that hit down field him in stride and in his hands and bounced off of them as he clearly can’t catch the ball.  I don’t know what his future will be but I think he could reemerge as a starter, either with the Bills or elsewhere.

Jake Locker – Grade: D

The injury bug bites Locker again and now the Titans have decided to move on and see what their future might be with Mettenberger.  Still like his ability but it just seems like he will never be able to handle the punishment a starter has to take in the NFL.  It’s a shame and here’s hoping for the best for Locker.

RB

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Ray Rice – No Grade

We all know the story.  But I will say this about this pick: the Ravens running back has been a big sleeper this season.  Most people projected Rice outside of the top 20 at RB and Forsett is currently 9th in scoring at the position.  I stated the real problem last season was the O-line in Baltimore and Kubiak was going to fix things.  He has and, if Rice’s issues hadn’t arose, I’d give myself an A for this pick.

Chris Johnson – Grade: D

Been up-and-down so far for Johnson as he has shown some nice flashes, including last week against KC, but isn’t wrestling the starting job away from Ivory.  The ability is still there but, with the QB struggles the Jets have suffered through, there just isn’t a ton of upside with many players on this offense.

WR

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Keenan Allen – Grade: F

Just a colossal disappointment thus far.  He’s currently third in scoring at WR…on his own team.  Ugh.  Has done little even with some good match ups throughout the season.  Part of the problem has been the somewhat surprising play of teammates Malcom Floyd and Antonio Gates as the ball has been spread around to them more than expected.  But Allen has still been a burden for those that drafted him and it’s hard to believe that changes now.

Jeremy Maclin – Grade: A

As I stated, I believe he’s a better receiver, especially in the hands department, than DeSean Jackson and he has been a monster this season.  Currently third in scoring at WR despite being projected outside the top 30.  Nailed this pick and it’s nice to get one right…if only one…

Marques Colston – Grade: F

I think every fantasy owner has come to hate the Saints WRs this season as they have been the most boom-or-bust group in the league.  You get the feeling each one could be consistent if Brees would just throw them the ball consistently.  Colston has disappointed and it’s really hard to trust him at all.  He does have a nice second half schedule but putting him in your lineup is just such a risk.  Got to hate it right now if you own him.

TE

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Garrett Graham and Ladarius Green – Grade: F

Graham has been a bit of a shock as the TE position just hasn’t been a part of the offense in Houston.  One of the most underused positions on any team in the league so far.  Green has not seen the field much as Gates drank from the Fountain of Youth and has been strong this season.  The expected fall didn’t come and Green hasn’t been given many chances.  I suppose if you are in the market for TE handcuffs, he’s a star!

Defense

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Buffalo Bills – Grade: A

Currently 5th in scoring and the two teams directly in front of them have not had their bye.  Continues to be a stud unit and should be the rest of the way despite a couple tough match ups.

San Diego Chargers Week 7 Fantasy Analysis

Week 7 – vs KC – L 20-23

QB: TOP was lost badly and hurt all numbers.  Rivers wasn’t at his best here.  Accuracy just wasn’t as good as usual.  Still managed to do okay but a little disappointing at home.

RB: Oliver solid but no TD.  Still playing so well that the team has no reason to rush other RBs back from injury.  Should keep the job even when they do return.

WR: Allen solid but not great.  Not getting any long throws and should.  Floyd decent and continues to make plays.  Both are high risk/high reward right now.

TE: Gates another big game making a great TD grab.  Green no where to be seen.  May no longer need to worry about him stealing Gates’ targets.

OL: Strong game but had some trouble with good D-line, especially pass blocking.  Still a pretty good game all-around.

Def: TOP hurt.  Gave up big game to RB and decent game to #1 WR but held everything else in check.  Played pretty well considering Reid coming off bye week.

San Diego Chargers Week 6 Fantasy Analysis

Week 6 – @ Oakland – W 31-28

QB: Rivers another huge game.  Week D with no pass rush or coverage skills helps.

RB: Oliver a huge game and looks like a stud right now and seems to have the body to be an every-down back.  Will still lose touches when Mathews and Brown return but deserves the bulk of the work at this point.

WR: Floyd another big game and seems to be the clear #1 at this point.  Making big catches when it’s needed.  Allen did little in this one.  Just not sure he is getting open.  Royal grabbed another long TD but got injured.

TE: Gates got an easy TD but got little else.  Green a nice game and this situation is a bit of a headache at this point.  Hard to be really confident starting one or the other despite Gates’ great play this season.

OL: Strong game all-around.  Pass rush got through a little bit but not enough to matter.  Run blocking looked solid here.

Def: Not great anywhere because of O-line beating them in the trenches.  Got run on by McFadden for a bit and torched by Carr to WRs.  Didn’t handle WR speed well.

San Diego Chargers Week 5 Fantasy Analysis

Week 5 – @ SD – W 31-0

QB: Rivers continues to be great.  As long as he gets time, he’s pretty much match up-proof.

RB: Brown got injured and wasn’t doing much before he went down.  Oliver dominated both running and receiving.  Had monster game and looks like he could definitely take the Woodhead role and be very good.  Draughn no threat.

WR: Floyd was decent getting a long grab to help his totals.  Allen and Royal both did little.  The big lead led to a ton of runs.  Not to worried about their production in this one.

TE: Gates 2 TDs and a huge game.  Should be noted: 1 TD came after a very nice Green TD grab was called back on a penalty.  Green still not forgotten.

OL: Excellent game considering D-line.  Run blocking wasn’t as good as numbers indicate if you take away one big run by Oliver.  Still decent considering opponent.

Def: Completely shutdown everything with the help of terrible QB play.  Has been almost dominant at home so far.

San Diego Chargers Week 3 Fantasy Analysis

Week 3 – @ Buffalo – W 22-10

QB: Rivers solid in the windy conditions.  Even hit a couple deep balls.  Very accurate considering situation.  Was rushed a bit and handled it.

RB: Woodhead injured and on IR.  Brown averaged 2 yards a carry.  Made good catches.  Oliver may get a closer look.  Looks like he has some ability but need to see more.

WR: Allen held in check.  Wasn’t getting open.  Floyd grabbed 2 long passes.  Royal got 2 TDs but still the 3rd WR and a huge gamble.

TE: Green had a good game getting a lot of throws.  Gates strangely only 1 catch.  Wasn’t getting looked at in favor of Green.

OL: Average against pass rush.  Terrible run blocking.  Rarely opened anything and let RB get hit in backfield a ton.

Def: Pass rush was pretty good.  Got picked apart on short/check-down throws.  Covered WRs pretty well but QB throws in wind made it easy.  Run D was average, at best.