Fantasy Football Week 2: Early Busts To Start, Sit and Dump
With week one of fantasy football in the books, it's time to point out the busts out of the bunch. There's a few players every week who just don't show up for your team and cost you a week.
There were a good number of them out there and if you're like me, you're sitting here wondering how it all went so horribly wrong for your fantasy team. While you try and recover from the sting of defeat, here are the top 10 fantasy football busts for week one.
No. 10: Percy Harvin
1 of 10
Why He Busted: Harvin missed a good part of training camp dealing with the migraines that have plagued him since his days in Florida. He only had one catch for 12 yards in the opener and wasn't much of a factor in the passing attack as Brett Farve looked elsewhere for most of the game.
Why He Could Rebound: Favre is still getting into sync with his wideouts and that takes some time. Harvin was a big factor last season, especially for fantasy owners and with Sidney Rice out he should get more looks next to Bernard Berrian.
Why the Stink Continues: If Harvin continues to suffer through the migraines to the point where they're debilitating, it's going to make him a liability on Sunday's and that connection with Favre simply won't be there and his numbers will show it.
Conclusion: In all, I think Harvin's going to be a solid fantasy player this season. With Rice out, he's going to get more looks by default and throw in his running attack on reverses, he'll get his numbers one way or another. I wouldn't worry too much about the migraines since he's dealt with that for years.
No. 9: Matt Ryan
2 of 10
Why He Busted: Ryan had to throw the ball 44 times. That's not exactly what you'd call his wheelhouse. The running game didn't open things up for him and his numbers suffered because of it.
Why He Could Rebound: If Michael Turner rebounds and starts opening up holes in the defense, Ryan will get better looks and face less pressure than he did on Sunday. Ryan can't do it alone, he's not a Peyton Manning, he needs the help.
Why the Stink Continues: Atlanta just isn't very good and I think they're going to be trailing a lot, which will force Ryan to air it out and he'll make mistakes because of it. The Matt Ryan we're seeing now isn't the Ryan we saw in his rookie season.
Conclusion: Ryan's a serviceable backup or second QB in most leagues and Turner shouldn't be down forever, but I'd keep an eye on the waiver wire or the trade market to see if I could pick someone up to replace him.
No. 8: Thomas Jones
3 of 10
Why He Busted: Jamaal Charles was great last night including his long touchdown run against the Chargers. It's a two back system and sometimes one back overshadows another. It happens and it happened to TJ last night.
Why He Could Rebound: While he suffered because it last night, it doesn't mean he can't benefit from it down the line. If anything, Jones has proven he's a reliable back and he'll get his touches in Kansas City.
Why the Stink Continues: If Charles continues to shine, maybe Jones gets less and less playing time and becomes more of a situational back. That would kill his fantasy value unless he was more of a goal line back.
Conclusion: The Chiefs picked up Jones to lessen the load on Charles and I think they'll use him effectively as the season progresses. However, if Matt Cassel continues to struggle it could spell trouble for the running game.
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No. 7: Michael Turner
4 of 10
Why He Busted: Turner ran into a strong Pittsburgh defense which stifled up the running lanes and forced Matt Ryan to beat them through air. Turner didn't find much running room all day and only got 2.2 yards per carry.
Why He Could Rebound: He won't be facing that type of defense every week and Turner's too explosive of a player to be shut out like that on a week in, week out basis. The Falcons will find a way to free him up one way or another.
Why the Stink Continues: The Steelers laid out a great blueprint to beat Atlanta and if other teams are able to replicate it, Matt Ryan is going to struggle under center because he's not built to be able to win games like that. Teams could key on Turner and shut him down.
Conclusion: Matt Ryan has struggled, but he's not terrible and will keep teams honest enough that it should free up Turner. It was a bad matchup for Turner but he should see success against some of the weaker teams on Atlanta's schedule.
No. 6: Donovan McNabb
5 of 10
Why He Busted: McNabb is recovering from an ankle injury and on top of that he's adjusting to a new system under Mike Shanahan. It didn't help that he was going against a tough Dallas defense either.
Why He Could Rebound: McNabb is going to pick up the system sooner or later and while he doesn't have some of the weapons he did in Philadelphia, he's got some people to throw the ball to. He's too good not to have some success.
Why the Stink Continues: If the ankle sprain lingers or McNabb can't pick up the system for some reason, then it's going to kill his fantasy value. McNabb is injury prone and I'd keep a watch on his health going forward.
Conclusion: McNabb will be a solid backup or No. 2 in some leagues but you'll have to suffer through his growing pains first. Be patient.
No. 5: Kevin Kolb
6 of 10
Why He Busted: He just didn't look comfortable running the offense and the Eagles had no rhythm with him under center. It didn't help that he got his bell rung by Clay Matthews and knocked him out of the game either.
Why He Could Rebound: Kolb has put up some big numbers in the past, albeit against weaker defense but the Eagles do have plenty of weapons for him to use and Kolb does have a good arm. There is hope for him if you're looking for it as an owner.
Why the Stink Continues: He hasn't looked good, at all, this year. He doesn't seem to grasp the offense and he just looks lost out there. I think the Eagles would have been housed if Michael Vick didn't come into the game and you may want to be looking for someone to add to your bench in case Kolb doesn't pan out.
Conclusion: I'm very wary right now if I'm a Kolb owner. He probably won't play this week and when he does come back I'm not sure he'll be successful. I'd handcuff Vick to him ASAP.
No. 4: Jonathan Stewart
7 of 10
Why He Busted: Five touches isn't going to get the job done from a fantasy perspective if you're a Stewart owner. DeAngelo Williams got the bulk of the carries and even if they wanted to give Stewart the ball, they were trailing and had to air it out to try and get back into the game.
Why He Could Rebound: Carolina has no answers at quarterback and they have to run the ball to try and lessen the load on their quarterback. It's a two back system and he's going to get his touches, especially around the goal line.
Why the Stink Continues: If Carolina's trailing in a lot of their games, there won't be time to run the ball and it's going to cut into Stewart's numbers. And I think they're going to be trailing. A lot.
Conclusion: As a Stewart owner myself, I'm a little concerned but not too concerned. The cream usually rises to the top and there's no reason to freak out because of one bad week. Stay with him. He should find some room to run this week against Tampa Bay.
No. 3: Ryan Mathews
8 of 10
Why He Busted: A big fumble found Mathews sitting on the bench watching crunch time as the Chargers fell to the Chiefs. He wasn't playing poorly until then, but he wasn't great either. In my league, he earned 5.7 points. Not exactly living up to the hype.
Why He Could Rebound: San Diego has a great offense and even without Marcus McNeil, have a strong offensive line. Philip Rivers should get the defense on its heels and give Mathews room to run the ball.
Why the Stink Continues: If he can't secure the ball, then he's not going to be on the field. Period. He has to do a better job of earning the coaching staff's trust, especially in close games.
Conclusion: Mathews isn't a bust yet, but if he keeps coughing it up, then he's going to be on the waiver wire in most leagues. I'd be quietly looking for other options in the next few weeks if he doesn't pan out.
No. 2: Shonn Greene
9 of 10
Why He Busted: Two fumbles just ended his night as LaDainian Tomlinson saw the bulk of the carries. The fumbles were bad and they were costly and just something you don't expect from a player like Greene.
Why He Could Rebound: It's a two back system and LT can't carry the load by himself. Greene has shown the ability to be a productive back but he can't put up performances like he did last night or it's going to be Tomlinson getting the bulk of the touches.
Why the Stink Continues: The Jets offense was putrid last night and if they don't trust their quarterback to make plays then teams will be able to stop the run and kill Greene's productivity. If the Jets are that bad offensively all year, then their players are going to be fantasy poison for owners.
Conclusion: Greene is still going to be the guy in New York but keep a close on on their games and in particular, Mark Sanchez. Sanchez has to produce to help open running lanes for Greene.
No. 1: Frank Gore
10 of 10
Why He Busted: San Francisco fell behind so quickly that the 49ers had no choice but to go to the air to try and get back in it. This took away from Gore's touches, which weren't that productive to begin with. Getting 2.2 a touch from Gore isn't something you expect.
Why He Could Rebound: Gore has proven to be a reliable fantasy back in the past and San Francisco won't be laying eggs like that every week. While the 49ers may not live up to the hype, Gore will be able to have big rushing days and produce for fantasy owners.
Why the Stink Continues: If Alex Smith goes back to the quarterback that has been benched numerous times, it cold affect Gore's ability to find room to run and could cut down on the numbers that you expected to get when you drafted him.
Conclusion: I'm not too worried about Gore but he had an awful week when people were expecting big things out of him. Gore is supposed to be a guy who wins you a week and a league and he didn't do that this season and gave a lot of fantasy owners a big fat L to start the year. You should be fine with him going forward though.
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