Week 4: Busts of the Week
Last week I went 6 for 11 with my busts predictions. Palmer, Graham and TJ proved me wrong; Miller and Smith did not record any action and Moss, Edwards, Grant, Williams, Ocho Cinco and Lewis under-performed. Week 4 brings the first bye, which means time for ailing players to rest, struggling teams to re-think their strategies and trends to emerge.
After this week,( the first bye) we will start to see teams mix things up if the chemistry is not right. Cleveland may very well go with their prized pick,Brady Quinn soon, Bulger is out, and concussion-prone Trent Green is in at St. Louis; other teams will be evaluating things based upon their 4 game performance. Heck, Detroit already ousted their GM Millen this week, what more can we ask for? There are some other players that simply face tough defenses and poor outlooks this week. Oh, and I forgot about the wide outs in the league this year that are falling short of expectations. Two mention-ables this week are Patrick Crayton and Braylon Edwards -- yes Edwards once again.
I sure hope my predictions are wrong because 3 of these 7 players are my starters. Matt Forte and Michael Turner face solid defenses in Philadelphia and Carolina (respectively), and Big Ben is banged up facing Baltimore.
QB Derek Anderson, ---
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It sure seems as if Derek Anderson is on his last leg as starting QB in Cleveland. If Anderson cannot pull something together this week vs. a Cincinnati defense that is improving, Brady Quinn will be thrust into a starting role. Anderson has not clicked with his wide outs this season and the Cleveland offense is just plain brutal so far. Quinn appears to be the heir to this mess once Anderson proves he cannot dig them out. I predict that Anderson will struggle early this week and Quinn may even get some playing time before their week 5 bye. Anderson's stock is tumbling just like Wall St. and I would hope that Quinn was worth the wait.
QB Trent Green, ---
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Green takes over for Bulger starting this week and it is going to be no treat vs. a stingy Buffalo defense. St. Louis (at 0-3) is most likely going to see trouble this week as their offensive line is porous and Trent Green does not need to take any more hard hits. Green has not started since Week 5 of the 2007 campaign and was sidelined with a concussion thereafter. The St. Louis air attack, and for that matter their ground game as well, is suffering this season. Buffalo gives up less than 160 yards per game through the air, so look for Green to be less than productive this week.
QB Ben Roethlisberger, ---
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Big Ben is getting beaten to a pulp back there behind the weak Pittsburgh offensive line. His body has not been beaten up this early in the season to date and now in Week 4 he faces a stout Baltimore defensive line that will be aiming to sack him 8 times as Philly did last week. Roethlisberger is a risky play this week. He is my QB and I am debating sitting him with the match-up and poor condition.
RB Matt Forte, ---
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Matt Forte faces the tough Philly defense this week. Forte demonstrated his receiving abilities and scored his second TD of the season off a reception vs. Tampa Bay. I am viewing Forte as a risk for yardage on the ground this week. Philadelphia is giving up well less than 100 yards per game to running backs and keeping opponents trying to keep pace, which forces the air game. Forte will most likely receive less attempts than his average of 26 through 3 games and could also get shut down in the short passing game.
RB Michael Turner, ---
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As a Michael Turner fantasy owner and general fan, it pains me to say it, but Atlanta seems to struggle immensely when they play tough defenses; they face one in Carolina this week. Ryan, Turner and the rest of the offense only scored 9 points against Tampa Bay in Week 2 and this week could be similar. I would like to think that Turner will rush for over 100 yards and have another multiple touchdown game, but Atlanta is 0-1 on the road and facing a solid Carolina defense. I project 70-80 yards and no score for Turner this week. Tampa Bay is keeping teams to an average of 121 yards per game on the ground and Carolina is holding steady at 113 yards per game surrendered on the turf. Hopefully I am wrong with this pick, but my gut tells me to be cautious this week.
