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Champs and Chumps Week 3

Contributed by: LT Murray IV
Last Updated: Sep 27, 2011 12:00 PM

What an exhilarating Sunday of football! We had breathtaking shootouts( Pats/Bills and Saints/Texans), a glorious comeback(Lions over Vikes), to go with some glorious upset wins for the Raiders and Giants. It was an even better weekend for you if your fantasy team(s) got loose with it. Thats where I come in. This is just a place where you can admir

What an exhilarating Sunday of football! We had breathtaking shootouts( Pats/Bills and Saints/Texans), a glorious comeback(Lions over Vikes), to go with some glorious upset wins for the Raiders and Giants. It was an even better weekend for you if your fantasy team(s) got loose with it. That's where I come in. This is just a place where you can admire the heroics of your game breakers and look on in disgust as your duds are verbally accosted. Enjoy. 




QB Champs

1. Joe Flacco- 389 yds passing 3 td's/0 int. 29 yds rushing

"Joey Ballgame" showed the non believers that he truly throws the prettiest deep ball in the game connecting 3 times with rookie Torrey Smith. If you get a big play bonus in your league, then you're that much more ecstatic. Now that Flacco has 2 deep threats to go along with mid-range soldier Anquan Boldin, and big-play threat Ray Rice out of the backfield, he is a possible top 10 quarterback going forward. It's always nice to go from the chump section to the champ section in one week's time and Flacco did just that. 

2. Eli Manning- 254 yds passing 4td/0 int

So on the week when almost nobody started Peyton's younger brother, the kid goes off for 4 td's and ZERO interceptions against the much hyped up Eagles D. If you had the audacity to start Victor Cruz you're most likely patting yourself on the back right now, but let's be honest here: You didn't start Cruz. All Giant players other then Hakeem Nicks had quality performances and hopefully this sparks Manning to bigger and better things going forward. 

3. Mark Sanchez- 369 yds 2td/1 int, 1 rush td

The "Sanchize" put up some top notch fantasy numbers Sunday afternoon, throwing for 2 scores and running for an additional tub. His day would have been insane if the ref's didn't overturn his touchdown run on 4th down that pretty much ended the game. Did you know that they play all of the Jets's games on the radio here in California now just because of Sanchize? He get's major love from So-Cal and crazy love from his fantasy owners who were brave enough to start him this week. 

4. Drew Brees- 370 yards 3td/1 int 

Who knows what fears lurk in the hearts of opponents? Drew Brees knows. Just when the Texans thought they'd finally made a statement win and shown they were finally for real, Brees brought the fury, and like he often does in 4th quarters, vanquished his opponent on the field, and more then likely his fantasy owner's opponents as well. A very manly performance if I do say so myself. 

Honorable mention- Matthew Stafford, Matt Schaub, Matt Hasselbeck 

QB Chumps

1. Michael Vick- 176 yard 0td/1 int, 31 yards rushing

Another Vick injury and and another Eagles loss. See a pattern here? It's most likely going the same way for your fantasy squad. This has to really huuuuurt if you drafted Vick number one overall or even in the first round. I have serious doubts he plays next week either, and even if he does, will he make it out uninjured? The guy has taken more shots than rapper 50 cent, and is now complaining to the refs. Most of the hits look clean to me, but again, what do I know. Have a backup in place for if(when) Vick goes down again. Vince Young may not be a horrible option in that offense. 

2. Phillip Rivers- 266 yards 0 td/2int

Did I read that right? 6 points??? Against the Chiefs who have gotten utterly throttled the past 2 weeks? Unacceptable Phil. I've never seen Rivers play this poorly before. Some of the throws he's made the past couple weeks have just been atrocious. Since I live 2 blocks from the Chargers's stadium and love my home team, I hope he turns it around and if your a fantasy owner of Rivers then you REALLY hope he get's it going. He will. Have faith . 

3. Josh Freeman- 180 yards 0 td/2 int, 35 yds rushing 1td

Everybody's preseason  sleeper had another rip van-winkle like performance scoring 12 standard points. The big guy saved himself with a QB sneak to not completely brick, but this has gone on long enough! Mike Williams simply isn't getting the rock enough, and the entire offense looks out of sync. When your number one option is running back Earnest Graham, you have a serious problem on your hand. Have you seen the movie "Problem Child?" Yea, that big of a problem. Bench Freeman until further notice. 

4. Peyton Manning

Today it was announced Manning would more then likely  miss the entire season. This is a painful gut shot to the people who drafted Manning with the thought he would only miss a game or two. I honestly feel bad for folks who drafted him, buy hey, life sucks. It huuuuuurts.

RB Champs

1. Darren McFadden- 171yds rsh 2td

If you owned DMC, you were more then likely dancing in your living room or sports bar as you watched him gallantly destroy the Jets vaunted defense. Not many of us "experts" saw this coming and I'd be lying to you if I thought this would happen. McFadden has as much talent as any RB in the league. It's just been the injuries that have killed him. IF he stays healthy, he's the 2011-2012 rushing champion. Lock it up.

2. Ryan Mathews- 98 yds rsh 2 tds/ 51 yards yds rec

Wow, what happened to Mike Tolbert getting the short yardage touchdown carries? No more, un-uh! Mathews is now a surefire 2RB. Not only is he a big play waiting to happen in the running game, but no linebacker can come close to covering this jack-rabbit when he goes out for a pass. Buy, buy, buy!

3. Fred Jackson- 74 yds rsh 1 td/ 87 yds rec

As C.J. Spiller owners cry themselves to sleep at night imagining Spills in Jackson's spot and what kind of numbers he would put up, the smart fantasy players who drafted Jackson late are popping champagne(or soda if your under 21) and rejoicing their genius. In an explosive offense like this, Jackson should continue to light it up. Lucky you, if he's yours. 

4. LaDainian Tomlinson- 38 yds rsh/ 116 rec 1td

L-Tizzle is back? No, most likely not but while Greene is struggling yet again, Tomlinson continues to produce. I would definitely recommend picking him up if available or trading someone a backup for him if they happen to have another need. Maybe Greene just isn't ready for the big show. This veteran wants to win and he knows it's most likely his last chance at a title. Respect your elders!

5. Ahmad Bradshaw- 86 yds rsh/ 53 yds rec 1 td

Don't you love the tenacity this horse runs with? In a game where nobody really gave the Giants a chance, Bradshaw put on a nice display of running and catching in helping lead New York to victory. I was begging for the Giants to get Bradshaw involved in the passing game last year as he just seems perfect for it, but they refused my requests to coach the offense. Now that they are down Steve Smith and without any relevant tight end, Bradshaw should see a lot more targets in the passing game. A decent 2 RB, but a lovely Flex.

Honorable mention-  LeSean McCoy, Daniel Thomas, MJD

RB Chumps

1. Rashard Mendenhall- 37 yds rsh

Against the Colts defense no less? That's downright embarrassing. It's hard for me to respect the man. Not because he believes America was behind the planes striking the twin towers, but because he looks like the 3rd best running back on his own team this season. Maybe last season's pounding has taken a tole on the big lug. On the other hand the offensive line is pretty banged up, so maybe it will turn around for Mendy. I hope so, for your sake........

2. Michael Turner- 20 yds rsh

My goodness, it's a star studded edition of RB chumps this week. 20 yards rushing? You're kidding me Burner? Now, this is a guy I avoided in drafts but he has put up decent numbers the prior 2 weeks of the season, so who knows what will happen next. I'm selling if I owned him. In a game that finished 16-13, there should be no way in hell Turner only gets 20 yards. The Falcons are really trying to air it out this season and it's just not working. Tough week for the Falcons. Really tough week for Turner. 

3. Steven Jackson- 23 yds rsh

What do you know? Another dud by Steven Jackson. I'm truly shocked(I'm not). The Ravens defense came out with some scary intensity on Sunday and Bradford was forced to throw early and often based on their large deficit. Jackson should have rested another week in order to get back to full strength, but how he predicted the whipping his Rams would take at the hands of the Mighty Ravens? Ouch.

4. DeAngelo Williams- 18 yds rsh/ 17 receiving

This chump is really earning that money isn't he? As I ask every single week, why were the Panthers so dead set on re-signing this dud? Williams is a guy who needs 18-25 carries a game to get into a rhythm and more then likely break a long one. With Newton throwing the ball 40 times a game and monsoon's occurring, things just aren't going DeAngelo's way. I feel for this chump. I truly do. No I don't. 

5. Frank Gore- 42 yds rsh

Go back to my pre-season rankings and see where I put this washed up vet. I was harassed for weeks. What do I hear now? Crickets. Gore looks completely useless this season and is now dinged up, opening the door for impressive rookie Kendall Hunter. San Francisco had all the leverage and still gave Gore decent money. It's like they were doing him a favor for his past work. I guess you have to respect it. That or wonder about the highly questionable decision making that is going in San Fran's front office. Bringing Sean Salisbury out of retirement might have been a better option then starting Alex Smith this year. Gore has a spot on this list in reserve if he attempts to play next week. That's what chumps do. 


WR Champs
1. Wes Welker- 217 yds rec 2td/ 19 yd s rsh

If you owned the Welkster in a ppr league, I'm assuming you won. That was truly a performance for the ages right there. Welker continues to amaze and produce at an extremely high level. Looks like a career year is in store for the little guy. Could be a good sell high. 

2. Torrey Smith- 152 yds rec 3td/ 10 yds rsh

The kid with the blazing speed exploded in a major way in week 3 of this young NFL season. This is why B-more signed Lee Evans and drafted Smith. They have lacked the deep threat for years and it's been their downfall. Smith is most likely a risky play going forward, but I don't see why he couldn't burn the defense every couple weeks for a bomb. Mike Wallace does it. He did tweak a hammy so add him but don't plan on starting him next week. 

3. Victor Cruz- 110 yds rec 2td

Cruz made not one, but two fabulous plays on Sunday. It makes you wonder how he didn't win the slot receiver job a month ago. His tackle breaking ability was fantastic as he stiff armed and ran over people on both scores. You have to consider adding this freak to see if he has more plays like this in store. Congrats Victor, you were a true champ this week. 

4. Calvin Johnson- 108 yds rec 2 td

My God! Megatron makes opposing db's wet their bed's the night before game day. Can you imagine trying to cover this altered-beast one on one? Two touchdowns a week sounds about right to me, and like I keep saying, as long as Stafford is healthy, Johnson is the number one overall receiver. Word is bond. 

5. Mike Wallace- 144 yds rec 1td

Does anyone go deep as often as Mike Wallace? There is seemingly no db in the NFL who could catch this gazelle from behind, so once he get's it he's gone. Looking like a top 5 receiver. Looking like a champ. 

WR Chumps

1. Reggie Wayne- 24 yds rec

Let's just say Weezy-Wee is not enjoying the Colts's quarterback situation right now. Kerry Collins missed Wayne on multiple occasions where he was wide open. It was truly a sad sight for Wayne owners across the world. I would recommend trading him but most people will try to low ball you. Might be smarter to just hang on to him and hope Painter and him share a connection. The one only two men can share. "That's my quarterback."

2. Vincent Jackson- 63 yds rec

The up's and downs are too much for us V-Jax! With no Gates, most of us fully expected Jackson to easily top 100 yards. Nope. No touchdowns either. This is Jackson's second time on the chump list and he's looking like a reach as a 3rd rounder at this point. Step it up big dog. Your chumpness is contagious. 

3. Hakeem Nicks- 25 yds rec

If you had told me Manning threw 4 touchdown passes I would have guessed that at least two of them were to Nicks. He was facing constant double teams and Manning was able to exploit the other match-ups. Great, that still doesn't make Nick's owners feel good. This guy was ranked as a top 5 receiver going into the season and has yet to really show us why. Could a matchup with Arizona be the key?? Let's hope so. Nicks is too good to be a chump. Even for a week. 

4. Brandon Marshall- 43 yds rec

Chad Henne. Chad Henne. Chad Henne. God, that guy is horrible. I'm counting down the days until Marshall demands a trade. How can he look Henne in the eye and not backhand him? Expect another up and down year for B. Marshall. 

5. Mike Williams(TB)- 43 yds rec

I continue to wait for any explanation as to why Williams isn't getting the pill at least 8 times a game. He has shown that he is solid gold anywhere near the end-zone and is a big time play-maker. I have an idea. It's Josh Freeman's fault. Freeman looks lost so far this season and until he figures it out, keep expecting garbage from Mikey. 

TE Champs

1. Jermichael Finley- 85 yds rec 3 td

This is the game we were waiting for. A true freak of nature. Respect his gangster.

2. Rob Gronkowski- 109 yds rec 2 td

Gronk had the expected huge game and will continue to be my number one ranked TE until Hernandez comes back. This kid can play a little bit. 

3. Jimmy Graham - 100 yards rec 1 td

The steal of fantasy draft's everywhere. Expect more of the same every week going forward. 

4. James Casey- 126 yards rec 1 td

This certainly came out of nowhere didn't it? Casey looked legit though, but I still can't see a reason to pick him up unless Daniels get's hurt. Still, the idea's intriguing, as it alway's is when someone plays like a champ. 

TE Chumps

1. Dallas Clark- 12 yds rec

A 5th or 6th round pick who is unstartable at this point? Um yea, that hurts. 

2. Kellen Winslow- 20 yds rec

Like a chump(hey). like a chump(hey). You remember that Limp Bizkit song right? Oh yea, me neither. I never liked those tools........I'm lying, but I'm not lying when I tell you that Winslow played like a total chump. Once again, blame Freeman. I blame him for everything bad that happens to me in life. 

3. Marcedes Lewis- 15 yds rec

Things are getting ugly in Jacksonville. Time for Del-Rio to shake the spot. Should be L.A.'s next team. Blaine Gabbert could be a nice fit in L.A., with his beautiful golden locks. He would be anyway, if he wasn't a horrible quarterback. Lewis is not start worthy right now. 

Defensive champion

1. Baltimore Ravens

Textbook Ravens performance. 

Defensive Chump

1. New York Jets

What's it like getting run all over? Ask the Jets's defense. 

Honorable mention- San Diego Chargers

Kicker of the Week

Dan Bailey

SIX FIELD GOALS??? Rookie of the year anyone???


The rules have changed, but the game is still the same. Check back in next week for another round of champs and chumps. Have a super week guys. 






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