DSD Fantasy Falafel
                                                    Fantasy Football Week 3

                                    By: Collin "Kool-Aid" Kilpatrick

 

September 17, 2008 - Is J.T. O'Sullivan a Reliable Fantasy QB?

Two weeks of NFL regular season are in the rear-view mirror. I have to say my favorite play of the season so far was DeSean Jackson throwing the ball behind himself at the one-yard line against the Cowboys on Monday night. DeSean, can't you wait until you're four yards into the end zone to celebrate? Maybe a Cal education isn't what it used to be.

1. Favre Favoring Chansi Stuckey?

Funny things happen in football. Some guys make big plays. Some don't. Some players get into the end zone. Some don't. Call it the mystery of quarterback chemistry, but some guys just shine in the promised land.

Week 1 saw Chansi Stuckey of the Jets catch two passes from Brett Favre for 37 yards and a touchdown. But the Jets were playing the Dolphins, so it seemed like a fluke. After a repeat trip to the end zone (and four catches for 43 yards) against a solid New England defense, Stuckey is starting to get more attention. Can the first-year player out of Clemson be Favre's best friend in the end zone? Only time will tell. But next week the Jets face the Chargers defense, a defense that has allowed a combined 59 points in two weeks. If you're a gambler, Chansi is a good bet for your third wideout position this week.

2. Is O'Sullivan the Answer in San Francisco?

Don't look now, Bay Area fans, but the 49ers are actually moving the ball. Maybe J.T. O'Sullivan is the answer. Maybe not. But right now he is looking like an upgrade over the dismal Alex Smith. I say this with personal bias and hesitation, but if you need a backup QB, you want to look at J.T. O'Sullivan. Last week, O'Sullivan went 20 for 32 for 321 yards passing and a touchdown.

By the way, he also knows Mike Martz's system very well.

What's interesting here is that, despite the big passing numbers from O'Sullivan, Frank Gore still had 99 all-purpose yards and a TD. It looks like this San Francisco offense MIGHT actually do something this season.

Getting back to O'Sullivan, the most promising stat here is his 65.4% completion rate through two games. That compares well to Peyton Manning's 61.5% and Donovan McNabb's 63.6%. Stay tuned on O'Sullivan's channel.

3. What's the Deal in San Diego?

Ok, there is a lot to be said about the San Diego - Denver game on Sunday. It was a great game. But of fantasy note, I want to take a look at LT's toe injury and Darren Sproles' 317 all-purpose yards (not to mention his two trips to the end zone). If #21 takes extra time to get over his turf toe, then look for Sproles to have a couple more big games. Even if Tomlinson is back, Sproles should see at least a couple more carries per game after his great Week 2 performance.

I think Darren Sproles wanted to show people that letting Michael "Burner" Turner walk was the right move after all. Like Dante Hall and Devin Hester before him, Sproles can be this season's X-factor. If you get points for return yards in your league, then Sproles is a must have. Even if you don't, he may tally a few return TDs to round out what he does on offense.

Sproles' 7.6 yards per carry in Week 2 was solid and his 72 receiving yards on two receptions was a nice bonus. Watch the LT situation and if you have Mr. San Diego, consider keeping Sproles anyway, as a 'just in case'. Believe me, it's the safe move.

I usually don't like to talk too much smack. But I also wonder sometimes how I keep my job. Maybe it's because, dating back to last year, I'm 3-0 in regular season fantasy football match-ups against my editor. If my computer is sabotaged by a debilitating computer virus, you'll know who it came from. Otherwise, I'll see you here next week for more fantasy advice, including three Week 4 situations to keep an eye on.

Did I mention 'Go Bills'?

- Collin "Kool-Aid" Kilpatrick

 

 

 

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