I’m trying to channel Matt Cassel right now. No, not his impressive first-year stats nor his surprising back-to-back 400+ yard games. And no, not the excellent chemistry he’s dialing up with Randy Moss and Wes Welker, or the Pats fans he’s winning over. But his singular focus on the here and now. My husband is currently finishing up his PhD and is on the job market (Any of you looking for a brilliant economist? He comes with a wife with superior fantasy football info...tempting, isn’t it?) – and where we are going to be living come next summer is a bit up in the air, particularly with this scary economy. So when I read about Matt Cassel, who becomes a free-agent very shortly, tell Peter King that he “honestly doesn’t think about it. I just want to keep playing, and let that take care of itself when the end of the year comes,” I can’t help but be wowed by his outward lack of stress. I think Cassel and I have a lot of the same questions about next year: Will I be leaving my current job and city and if so, am I going to like the new job I get? Will I enjoy living in a new city? Will I be compensated well? Cassel doesn’t seem to be concerned, so I think I just need to play the game one week at a time, too, baby.
Another arena where we all need to play it a week at a time? The end of the fantasy football season. I don’t know how many of you are fighting to stay alive and make it to the playoffs but I think with my 7 leagues, I run the gamut: in some leagues, I’m making the playoffs without a doubt, in others I am on the line, and in even others I don’t have a chance in hell. So I feel your pain here, fantasy friends. I thought I’d offer up a handful of players that I think will struggle this week. Now remember, you might still have to play these guys – it all depends on who else you have in your lineup.
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Tyler Thigpen (Kansas City Chiefs) – Okay, I’ve been debating with myself all week about whether I should start Thigpen or Cassel this week. I finally concluded that Thigpen is set for a downer of a week. I think I said this very publicly on the NY Times last week, too, but this week I really mean it. The Oakland pass defense is surprisingly effective – my Broncos felt the impact of Chris X. Johnson (who doesn’t want their middle initial to be “X”?!) and Nnamdi Asomugha last week and frankly, I envision the Chiefs running the ball quite a bit, which will limit Thigpen’s opportunities to showcase his recent awesomeness again.
New Orleans Saints Running Backs – I know, Pierre Thomas is a tempting treat to grab off the waiver wire what with his 2 TD performance in Week 12, but consider a few things: Reggie Bush is claiming a Week 13 return is likely for him, meaning that Bush, Thomas and McAllister will make for a crowded backfield – add in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who are a formidable foe for running backs and you’ve got a messy running situation. I don’t think I want a piece of any of these guys this week.
Thomas Jones (New York Jets) – Call me a Broncos maniac, but I think after the Jets’ big win against the Titans last week, and the way that Denver has sort of imploded on offense lately, that the Jets might be overlooking this matchup with the Broncos. But have you noticed how well the Broncos run defense has stepped up over the past few weeks? And how many times Leon Washington has snagged carries and TDs away from Jones lately? I think the combination between those two elements means Jones is in for a rude awakening relative to expectations, even if the Bruno Boys have him ranked as their top rated Week 13 running back!
And on the flip side, guys who should be busts but will surprise – I’m going with two Redskins here. I have faith in Clinton Portis and Chris Cooley being able to put up nice numbers even against the Giants. Portis is just a manimal – he’s done phenomenally well against both weak and strong run defenses and continues to impress despite his matchups. And Cooley keeps steadily putting up 50+ yards – I think he might just squeeze in a TD this week, too.
Enjoy this holiday week; I know I’ll be taking the time to bring a little zen-like Matt Cassel thoughts to my week. So Happy Thanksgiving to all – may your week be full of family, friends and football!
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Past "A Librarians Touch" Articles (click to view)
Best & Worst of 2008
Week 17 Sneaky Fantasy Football Options
Championship Week Defenses
Finding the Week 15 Gem
Revisiting the Top 10 Running Backs
Taking It One Week At A Time
Predicting Playoff Studs
Second Half Players to Avoid
Second Half Handcuffs
Finding the Week 8 Bye Week Fill-In
Which Top 10 Running Backs will remain strong in 2008?
Shop Em, Don't Drop Em
Bye-ing into a Team D/ST
Forecasting Streaky Players
Fantasy Football Hindsight from Week 1
Hidden Potential Among Rookies
Fantasy Football Draft Day Trends
Creating Fantasy Football Tiers
Pick your Kicker with some Statistical Perspective
Optimizing Your Tight End
Beyond the Obvious with IDP's
Committing to a Running Back Committee
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Sara Holladay, owner of Fantasy Football Librarian, will be writing a weekly feature called "A Librarians Touch" on the Bruno Boys website on every Wednesday throughout the football season. Remember to check back next week to read what Holladay has on her fantasy football mind.
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