Fact or Fiction: 9.11.2008
Question 1: Michael Turner is the real deal, not just a flash in the pan.
Chris Vito: Fiction. First off, don't know what your fascination with MT is, but I do think he's a flash in the pan. When I hear 'real deal', I think Bo Jackson, Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith. Those words don't conjure thoughts of a bulky, less-durable RB like Turner. He'll be productive, yes, but he's certainly not the next top-tier back in the game.
Jason Carfagno: Fiction. While I like Michael "The Burner" Turner Overdrive, I don't think that Atlanta offensive line can continue to block like that all season long. That being said, I think he's certainly a startable running back each and every week. He's going to get handed the rock a lot, to take pressure off Matt Ryan. And you know what they say...even a broken clock is right twice a day.
Question 2: A rumor has surfaced that Tom Brady's injury could lure Daunte Culpepper out of his brief retirement. Good move for DC - fact or fiction?
Jason Carfagno: Fiction. Simply fiction because it won't happen. Culpepper will not come out of retirement and sign with the Pats. Although it would be awesome for Randy Moss owners, like me, it will never happen. All DC, as you effectively call him has is the deep ball. He can't throw the slant, the out route that Wes Welker runs so great. It won't happen, Bill BeliDICK will live by Matt Cassel and he'll die by Matt Cassel.
Chris Vito: Fiction. Along the same lines, I'd love to see a Culpepper-Moss connection, and I think it would help any fantasy owner of a Patriots' offensive player... but its just not likely. If you have anyone except Moss, I'd sell, sell, sell, because Matt Cassel isn't Tom Brady.
Question 3: Willie Parker will continue his dominance for the entire season.
Chris Vito: Fiction. There's a reason the Steelers took Rashard Mendenhall in the first round - Parker is not a reliable, durable option for 16 games. He's a good base for fantasy owners, but he doesn't stack up to LT, B West and the other elite backs. On the other hand...I wish I had him on my team
Jason Carfagno: Fiction. As someone who took Mendenhall in our draft, I think his stock is dropped. Parker looked very good on the ground, but let's be honest it was against the Houston Texans, and they aren't much to write home about. I'll be more impressed when he performs a few weeks in a row, consistency, is the key in fantasy football. Parker isn't there yet.
Question 4: The Ravens held Cincinnati to 154 yards of total offense last week. Despite the talk of an aged defense in Baltimore, this is still the same stingy unit we're used to seeing - Fact or Fiction?
Jason Carfagno: Fiction. Although I did mention the Ravens in our video last week, and you stated that the Ravens were old and that Ed Reed was washed up, and so on. But let's be honest they played the Bengals, and there was nothing to write home about with that team. Carson Palmer is all but done, the WRs are in shambles with health issues, and their running back situation is a losing situation. Don't buy high on the Ravens yet, they need to prove themselves a little bit.
Chris Vito: Fact. Any defense that features Ed Reed, a hard-hitting AFC equivalent of Brian Dawkins, is going to be deadly. I'm a big fan of the 3-4 defense, and in the AFC North, with four teams that love to run the ball, I think this is the definite pickup of fantasy leagues all over, especially since most fantasy preview mags had Baltimore rated in the bottom 15 rather than the top 15.
Question 5: The Browns don't have the same magic they did last year.
Chris Vito: Fiction. I don't know if we set out to focus on the AFC North but we've done a good job of it. The Browns have all the same pieces, even adding to their offensive and defensive lines this season in bigtime draft-day trades. It's a winnable division, and with so many fantasy playmakers (Derek Anderson, Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow, etc.) they'll be back. It'll take some time, but it's worth the wait. They're motivated after getting screwed out of the playoffs by a Titans team with the same record.
Jason Carfagno: Fact. The Browns are done. Before there was not a lot to go on with this team. There was no real video on Derek Anderson. Now defenses know what they need to do to stop this team. Braylon Edwards has too many drops to really take a hold of the elite WR spot. Kellen Winslow Jr. needs to stay healthy. Too many questions on that team.
Question 6: Tom Brady has been dropped from nearly 5,000 Yahoo leagues this week. Jeff Garcia is hurt. Vince Young is MIA. Peyton Manning is gimpy. Donovan McNabb is always an injury concern. There just might not be enough fresh, viable signal-callers to go around this fantasy season - fact or fiction.
Jason Carfagno: Fiction. You mentioned three QBs that were hurt and hypothesized about others. Until other QBs go down there will be plenty of signal callers to go around in fantasy league. I mean 32 teams with QBs mean 32 quartbacks. Hell Daren McFadden can play some QB too, maybe LT.
Chris Vito: Fact. A quick scan of our free agents this week turned up Denver's Jay Cutler, who I picked up in light of Brady's injury, and a cavalcade of nobodys. Chad Pennington? Trent Edwards? Matt Schaub? Are these guys players you want to pin your fantasy hopes on? It speaks to the role league expansion can take on the talent pool when someone is paying Damon Huard to get under center.
posted by Jason M. at 12:16 PM
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