By Dan O’Shea
After just two weeks, I’ve decided it’s already time to hate the NFL, and how coaches, game plans and business distractions screw up otherwise brilliant fantasy football strategy.
Take, for example, the sudden fall of Patriots receiver Wes Welker, one of the top-ranked WRs in the preseason (and ranked higher by me than most) because he led the NFL in catches last year even in an offense that distributed a high percentage of its passes to its tight ends. Welker has long been a favored third-down target of one of the best QBs in the game.
However, through two games this season, he’s still lacking a score, and there are indications that the Pats just aren’t using him as often as they once did.
Much of this has been chalked up to coaching decisions and game plans that have sent Welker to the bench for many snaps in favor of other receivers, though the other circumstance is that the Pats reportedly don’t want to give Welker a new contract and are phasing him out of the offense.
The results thus far have not been pretty: Only 14 yards receiving on three catches in Week 1, and 95 yards receiving but only five catches in Week 2.
The Week 2 yardage rescued anyone who started Welker, but other indicators remain negative.
An injury to Aaron Hernandez, one of New England’s sharp TEs, suggests Welker could be busier in Week 3 and possibly beyond, but unless the Pats trade Welker soon, he will become a blown draft pick.
I would suggest holding onto Welker for now, but I wouldn’t start him if you have a more consistent WR option, or unless the match-up seems golden.
Expert Wire
* Yahoo! Sports reports on Falcons running back Michael Turner, who had a DUI this week, adding concern to his dismal performance so far this season.
* SI.com has hot waiver wire pick-ups for panicking owners.
* Bleacher Report ranks TEs for Week 3, with match-ups and the Hernandez injury in mind.
* CBS Sports’ Trade Value Chart has a deal for you: RG3 for Slim Shady.
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Dan O’Shea is our man in fantasyland. He welcomes your comments.
Posted on September 19, 2012