WEEK 4 RESULTS

The Manning Brothers unite!  Part of the reason I liked picking up Eli is that the dismal Giants offense seems to be getting better every week -- I had a hunch they were on the verge of having a monster game.  And, with Victor Cruz getting his first start after a nice Week 3 performance, I just thought it would be fun to have a Manning-Cruz-Donnell trio on Thursday night...

Player of the Week : 

Sometimes fantasy football is more addictive than fun.  This week was FUN.  Larry Donnell caught 3 touchdown passes in the first half.  Victor Cruz had over 100 yards receiving.  And Eli Manning lit it up!  The dynamic trio gave me an 81 - 6 lead going into Sunday...

I'd done everything I could think of to find a replacement for Gore this week.  Between injuries and byes, I had 6 unavailable players, and Gore was my only running back.  In the end, I was forced to start him. But the 49ers surprised me and finally committed to the run -- and good ole Frank did his thing!

BIG THREE
QB	Eli Manning	34.1
WR	Steve Smith	32.9
TE	L. Donnell	30.4

Now THAT'S what a Big Three should look like -- 3 starters over 30 points!  It's pretty miraculous considering the fact I only had 10 available players.  All of a sudden, Team THUNDER is in 1st Place.

Here's a crazy thought.  After picking him up on a whim, I'm not only going to hang onto Eli for now -- I may actually start him over Peyton in Week 5!  I don't think this week's performance was a fluke, as I've watched him get more comfortable with the new offense every week.  Less than two points-per-game separate him and his brother.  AND he has way better matchup.  In fact, he has several favorable matchups in upcoming weeks.

Week 4 Roster Moves : Eli Manning

It's Week 4 : Five byes and several injuries.  Unless I gave up Gore, Tate, or Justin Hunter there's nobody I could really give up for Taliaferro, so "OG" would win the bid at $165.

So it would be Bortles or Eli Manning to replace Peyton.  With Victor Cruz getting the start this week, why not start 3 Giants and see if we can't have some fun.  Giants versus Redskins on a Thursday Night has potential, after all! I figure 50 points from the trio would give me at least a shot of beating a very good opponent.

Well, I certainly couldn't play my Redskins defense against my 3 offensive players -- that would seem like a contradictory effort.  I liked the Chargers match-up against the Jaguars.  Easy pickup.

WEEK 3 RESULTS

I just couldn't start Terrance West.  The Browns running back/handcuff situation seems to be on the verge of disaster.  With Crowell playing so well, he'll be cutting into both West's and Tate's carries. When Tate returns, how much value will he or West really have?

Feeling this was a must-win game, otherwise risking going 1 - 3 with an eminent Week 4 loss, I felt a tiny bit nervous about this one.  Team THUNDER was a clear favorite, but I'm always nervous when my opponent has Monday Night players when I don't.

I was looking for a 40-point lead.  It didn't appear I'd get there prior to the 4th quarter of the of the Broncos - Seahawks game.  Manning only had 5 points but lead a furious comeback and tie the game. Alshon Jeffery and Chris Johnson couldn't make up the difference on Monday night.

Victor Cruz rose from the dead!  With all my injuries and byes in Week Four, he may be due for a start.  Considering the circumstances, I have to be happy with my winning record!

BIG THREE
QB	P. Manning	22.0
WR	Victor Cruz	21.7
RB	Gio Bernard	18.4

2 - 1

I'm conceding a Week 4 loss -- I really am.  It looks like an absolute train wreck!  My only available running back?  Frank Gore.  Seriously.  I can certainly upgrade E.J. Manuel at no cost. I also see a good defensive matchup that might be worth a couple points.  But I really see no way to win unless I spend a few bucks picking up the new running back, Lorenzo Taliaferro and he has a monster game.

And there's the dilemma.  Is it worth it to spend $30-40 on a low-percentage play to produce one win?  Who would I give up?

Week 3 : Roster Moves : E.J. Manuel

Wow, this 12-year veteran Antonio Gates.  First, I dumped him when he got the "Q" next to his name.  Then he goes out and gets 3 touchdowns!  Here's the thing.  I'm going to bid on him.  A lot.

Why?  I have Donnell doing well and Cameron on the way back.  Two Reasons:

1.  He fills in both Weeks 3 and 4 nicely (Four is Cameron's bye).

2.  Trade Bait.  If I get 3 stud tight ends, there are at least 3 teams that desperately need one -- including a couple of rookie fantasy players.

The two reasons combined justify a $66 bid...

Kirk Cousins would be a perfect fit for Week 4 (my big bye week).  I debated on whether to actually bid or wait til he's on free waivers, but in reviewing the other quarterbacks he's clearly the most desirable on waivers and the best option for me -- I feel more comfortable going after him now rather than after another big week.

0 - 3 !  It was a busy week on the waiver wire...

$100 for the old tight end!  Just outbid for Cousins.  And $11 for my defense!  What's going on here?

The good news that leaves only 3 players that can bid more than me.  The bad news is I wonder if I lost a ton of leverage and maybe even an early-season win by not snagging Gates or Cousins (I thought I'd at least get ONE of them).

And so, it's E.J. Manuel as my current Week 4 quarterback...

Manuel goes up against the Texans Week 4.  As for now, I think I'm going to use the exact same lineup as last week.  Why tamper with success?

WEEK 2 RESULTS

So, as soon as I pick up Antonio Gates I find out he's questionable for Week 2.  I couldn't have two questionable tight ends.  I picked up Larry Donnell of the New York Giants and dropped Gates.  Of course Gates would be just fine.  He had 3 touchdowns for 34 points!

I elected to play the rookie Brandin Cooks over Frank Gore and Victor Cruz.  The Giants have shown no indication they're going to move the ball and I can't figure out how the 49ers are going to utilize Gore.  I roll the dice with the rookie...

Fresno State Bulldogs made it easy for me.  He picked up 2 rookies off waivers -- Justin Forsett and Allen Hurns -- and immediately played them both.  Gio Bernard and Peyton Manning led the way...

BIG THREE
RB	Gio Bernard	27.9
QB	P. Manning	21.6
RB	Mark Ingram	19.4

Mark Ingram is making some noise on the bench!  It appears I'll have to start him next week.  Terrance West is raising some eyebrows but his timing is bad -- week 4 is a bye week and then Ben Tate comes back.  Of course the good news?  I'm 1 - 1.

WEEK 1 RESULTS

The 2014 fantasy football season begins!

With the Giants pre-season offensive woes, I elected to start Ben Tate.  After all, I had told some naysayers he'd be a Top Ten back if he didn't get hurt.  I was tempted to start my rookie wide receiver, Brandin Cooks but played it safe with Frank Gore, instead.

It would be a rough start.  Both my Browns players, Ben Tate and Jordan Cameron, got injured in the first half!  Meanwhile, my Ravens defense was putting up a big goose egg against the Bengals.  I fell behind 40-50 points and needed some big games from Manning, Gore, and Wayne.

But it was not to be.  I couldn't recover.

BIG THREE
WR	S. Smith	24.8
WR	B. Cooks	22.5
QB	P. Manning	22.5

Well, it's hard to overcome 2 first-half injuries and a big fat zero by your defense.  I should have known to start Steve Smith and a rookie wide receiver over Frank Gore and Ben Tate?  I guess.

0 - 1

Pre-Season Roster Moves : Graham Gano

Even with one pre-season game remaining, I didn't see much point in waiting with Alfred Blue.  My roster consists mostly of one's and two's on their depth charts.  Brandin Cooks and Justin Hunter are #3's -- but with huge upside.  Alfred Blue, not so much.  Even if he quickly becomes a #2 behind Jonathon Grimes, he probably won't see much playing time.  Time to pick up my kicker...

Gano had a solid first season with the Panthers -- going 24 for 27 in field goals, and 6-6 from 50-yards plus.  But what appeals to me most is his Week 12 bye.

I have three positions with no backup:

Peyton Manning on Week Four.  Barring a significant injury, my next drop will likely be Steve Smith.  Terrance West and Andre Williams are also considerations.

The Ravens defense on Week 11.  If Cameron Jordan (Week 4 bye) turns out to be a complete stud at tight end, I should be able to give up Garrett Graham if I choose to hang onto the Ravens.  If not, I can just trade the Ravens out and use Graham in Week 12's add/drop for a kicker.

Oh, but if only things worked so smoothly.  Have I ever had only 3 add/drops an entire season?

Of course not!

I will say, however, that I've never planned so meticulously for these byes.  I at least hope to cut down on my add/drops significantly this season.