Antonio Bryant represents everything I try to keep away from my fantasy football teams in a single word: inconsistency.See, Bryant has done this to me for years, ever since he broke out as a member of the Browns in 2005. I believe in his talent. I know how he can benefit any one of my fantasy teams at any given moment -- like that sweet 47-yard score he caught against Seattle in Week 7. The allure...
But guess what he did the preceding week? One measly catch for 13 yards. That's what you were rewarded with if you ventured to start him as your third wideout vs. Carolina. The week before that? Seven catches for 58 yards -- still not impressive in non-PPR leagues. He's likely to post good numbers against Dallas, but I surely wouldn't count on him unless the matchup was ripe.
Obviously, he's not the only receiver that has tortured fantasy owners this season. Marvin Harrison has posted three starter-worthy weeks as well as three absolutely brutal weeks. Santana Moss has 22 total yards over Weeks 5 and 6, including a big fat goose egg, but he's posted four weeks of stud-tastic stats. You'll notice this volatility more often when it comes to receivers because of the other variables involved (i.e. it's not as simple as just handing it off to a running back).
As far as running backs go, Michael Turner has made a habit of "burning" fantasy squads on alternating weeks: 220, 42, 104, 56, 121, 54 -- those are his week-by-week yardage totals. He kills bad rush defenses, and turns into a rolling meatloaf vs. tough ones. Yet, there he stands in the NFL's top three in rushing yards. But overall stats from you top players won't guide you to a fantasy title -- consistency will. How do you call someone a QB1, RB1, or even WR1 if they can't set your nerves at ease every time you slot them in your starting lineup.
With that in mind, it's time to take a look at some of the Kings of Consistency again -- the underrated forces that I'd take (and trade for) any day over a Bryant or Turner:
Quarterbacks
Philip Rivers -- Hasn't gone a game without a TD pass, and has four weeks with an elite total of three TDs. LaDainian Tomlinson's struggles and the emergence of Vincent Jackson/Malcom Floyd have paved the way for the Chargers to air it out more this year.
Drew Brees -- Yes, I know his consistency label dropped like a rock out of nowhere against Carolina, but keep the faith. Brees will not put up another week like that all season, and the schedule gets very favorable from Week 10-16.
Jay Cutler -- Same deal here. Expect at least a TD in every game and around 200 yards or more. With the Broncos defense taking some hits (notably Champ Bailey), we could see them in
even more shootouts.Kurt Warner -- He was the most underrated fantasy QB at the end of last season, and he's picked up right where he left off this year. He's now strung together five straight weeks with a touchdown or more. The soft division keeps his upside high, too.
Aaron Rodgers -- Between his passing skills and his rushing ability, he's tallied two or more TDs in five of his games, and hasn't gone a single game without a score. Now that he's had the bye week to finally rest, he should be ready to keep rolling.
Was on this list until he got hurt: Tony Romo
Running Backs
Clinton Portis -- Bow down to the fantasy master. He hasn't dipped below 13 points in any week since his second game of the season. He's still got Detroit, Cincy, Dallas and Seattle left on the schedule, so he should keep rolling, but beware of the workload -- 163 carries so far.
Frank Gore -- I know it's tough to ignore his stink bomb vs. the Giants, but he's proven his value as a top-five draft pick in every other week. If there's a nervous owner in your league, go get him. There are five more appetizing matchups left on his schedule, including the Seahawks this week.
Marion Barber -- Same thing here. One awful week against Washington, but he's come through in every other week. With Tony Romo out and Felix Jones nursing an injury, Barber becomes even a bigger focal point. He does have a tougher schedule than Gore though.
Brandon Jacobs -- I'm eating early crow for being weary of Jacobs. He's not only stayed healthy, he hasn't dipped below nine points in any week, and has five TDs over his last three games. I'd still caution against overvaluing a guy who doesn't get a consistent 20 touches a game due to the presence of two other backfield teammates.
Also right up there: Adrian Peterson, Matt Forte, and Steven Jackson is surging. Marshawn Lynch could be.
Next time, we'll look at consistent wide receivers, tight ends and the always-super-fun kickers.
Consistent kickers? Hogwash!
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Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Stop getting all pisd just because he's on your fanasty team. you want some cheese with that wine christ shutup nobody even talks about him. he's still going to be the number 1 WR in tampa even if galloway comes back so chill out. they also got Garcia as the Qb so he's going to get the ball alot because he doesn't ever throw it to galloway so SHUTUP!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God you nerd!!!!! so stop being slow and listen to what the coach says!!!! not much of a fanasty owner are you???? guess not
I played golf with Bruce Coslett in the summer of 2002 and asked him for fantasy football insider info. His lone recommendation was Antonio Bryant - rookie year - and playing for Coslett, who was starting his first season as Dallas Cowboy's Offensive Coordinator . I grabbed Antonio late and thought I had a steal. Needless to say, Bruce and I were both dissapointed. But if your own coach thinks you're a gifted stud and you still suck year after year, what does that say? HUGE UNDERACHIEVER!!