Mike Hermanson

In Week 2, my starters fared well for the most part. Mike Vick was 4th among QB’s with 21 points, while Darren McFadden played a great game; however, he only got 14 points, as he didn’t score a touchdown. Dwayne Bowe wasn’t as good of a pick, scoring just four fantasy points. Two out of three. For the Practice Squad, all three had horrific weeks: Carson Palmer had just six points, Rashard Mendenhall also had six (down from 19 the previous week), and Larry Fitzgerald had just eight points. Now here are the guys to watch this weekend.

Starters

Louis Murphy, WR, OAK @ ARI

Murphy is a little-known second-year receiver out of the University of Florida. His rookie season he spent most of his time on the second unit, getting just 34 receptions. With Jason Campbell out, Bruce Gradkowski has become the Raiders quarterback, and last week Gradkowski looked to Murphy six times, once for a touchdown. While Murphy will have to establish himself as a more consistent receiver to become a week in and week out starter, Arizona is so bad this year even Bruce Gradkowski should be able to torch them. In other news, this game features the two worst teams in the league that are 1-1. Both beat St. Louis: Oakland 17-13, and Arizona 16-14. This one will be ugly. Whoever wins this one will have an equal or better record than the Colts. Wow.

Alex Smith, QB, SF @ KC

I think in a past life, Alex Smith played for the baseball version of the Harlem Globetrotters as the man who could throw a 110 mph fastball. It seems every time Smith sees an open receiver he throws it as hard as he possibly can at them. (Back to the Globetrotters of baseball, we’ll call them the Brooklyn Seamsplitters; I’m thinking it would be more interactive than the Globetrotters. It would only be for 100-200 fans and they would go to a smaller, made for the Seamsplitters field, rather than just watching in the stands of a normal park. I’m thinking there would be Alex Smith with super speed fastballs, some guy who could curve a ball 2 ways, a man who hit homers with the other end of the bat, plus all fielders would not have gloves but would use their body, like soccer. All these players would interact in set-up plays.) Anyway, I guess Smith’s receivers are getting used to his super-speed because Smith looked great in San Francisco’s final drive against the New Orleans Saints. Smith was 5-6 for 63 yards in just 53 seconds, looking like the elite quarterback he was supposed to be. I think this could be a big week for Smith for two reasons: one, San Fran needs a win to stay in the playoff hunt. At 0-2, they can’t keep losing if they want to be in the playoffs. And second, Kansas City isn’t good. They did beat the Chargers, I’ll give them that, but the Chargers are notorious for being awful in September. They are 5-7 in their last 12 games in September. Then, last week the Chiefs beat the awful Browns by 2 points. I’m not buying into them. Smith should be good this week.

Ray Rice, RB, BAL vs. CLE

Rice was a first round pick in virtually all fantasy drafts, sometimes even in the top-3. So, what happened to him? With 16 points, he’s 22nd in ESPN’s fantasy rankings behind Jason Snelling, Peyton Hillis, Mike Tolbert, and Reggie Cleveland. I bet you didn’t know who all of those running backs were, and they’re ahead of a top-3 pre-season running back? And for those of you saying, “I know all those running backs,” there’s no way you do because Reggie Cleveland was a pitcher in the MLB. I just added him in there for fun. But back to Rice: “When is he going to start acting like my first round pick?” you’re asking. This week, I’m answering. Rice has been fighting injuries the first two weeks, and he claims, “My ankle’s great.” I believe him, and even if he’s lying, he’s playing the Browns, and a one-legged Ray Rice could go for 100 yards and a touchdown against the Browns. Rice has also had to play against two good defenses his first two weeks (Jets and Bengals), another factor hurting his fantasy numbers.

Practice Squad

Michael Vick QB, PHI @ JAC

The most exciting new top dog in the NFL, Vick could be the most overvalued fantasy player right now. While Vick played well against Green Bay, it was in a game the Packers had on cruise control. Vick then played an average game against the awful Lions. Half of Vick’s points in Week 1 came on the ground, and in Week 2, the Lions were just awful. DeSean Jackson will not be able to find massive holes against most defenses like he found in his 45-yard touchdown grab. With normally stubborn Andy Reid changing his mind from starting Kolb (Monday) to starting Vick (Tuesday), there is more pressure than ever on Vick. While Jacksonville isn’t great, Vick is definitely a tentative starter this week, and rather than seeing the Falcons’ Vick, we may be reintroduced this week to the rusty Vick that recently spent 18 months in jail.

Jahvid Best, RB, DET @ MIN

ESPN’s No. 1 running back is putting up ridiculous stats this year, with 40 fantasy points last week. However, at a closer look, 15 of those came on a screen pass from Shaun Hill. Minnesota’s defense is much stronger than Philadelphia and plays like that won’t happen against the Vikings. Best hasn’t been consistent this year, getting most of his points on a few big plays. While Minnesota’s offense is awful, their defense has to be even better to make up for it. Without a touchdown, Best isn’t a guarantee for rushing yards (20 in Week 1, 78 in Week 2), and therefore he won’t be scoring many points. This defense could cause Best’s first bad week.

Donald Driver, WR, GB @ CHI

With nine points in each of his first two weeks, Driver isn’t exactly a bold pick to not be huge this week. But most fantasy owners who have Driver have him as their No. 2 receiver, or in the RB/WR slot.  If you can trade him, try to get some lesser known, better receivers for your squad. Driver is a classic fantasy player built on his name. Most fantasy owners know Donald Driver as an elite receiver because at one point he was. He’s had 1000-yard season every year since 2004. However, he’s 35. For an NFL wide receiver, that’s old. Greg Jennings has replaced him as the Packers No. 1 receiver, and Jermichael Finley has emerged as another target. I expect this to be Driver’s declining year before he becomes completely washed out. He will be remembered as a great, consistent receiver, but I think his 1000-yard days are behind him. Look to this week’s starter Louis Murphy as maybe a replacement for Driver, or players like Nate Washington or Dez Bryant.