Chris Ivory, Aaron Hernandez, Patrick Crayton and More: NFL Friday Mailbag

Each Friday, I choose a handful of players that I write "letters" to, discussing their upcoming games.

Sometimes it results in begging for fantasy points, sometimes it results in asking for a less-than-stellar week.

All should be taken with a grain of salt. The letters are not meant to sound selfish or greedy, rather, just expressing my fantasy sorrows. Someone out there should be able to relate.

Chris Ivory, New Orleans Saints

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 03: Chris Ivory #29 of the New Orleans Saints is tackled by Jon Beason #52 of the Carolina Panthers at the Louisiana Superdome on October 3, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Panthers 16-14. (Photo by Chris

Dear Chris Ivory,

I had picked you up last week and then ended up dropping you when I received three players in a trade where I only gave up two.

As I watched you rush for 158 yards and 22 fantasy points, I regretted this decision. I entered this week hoping that Pierre Thomas might actually play a game for me, but quickly decided I would pick you back up.

I’m not holding my breath for next week vs. Pittsburgh, but against Cleveland, I wish you the same success as Mendenhall had last week.

For the sake of my fantasy team.

And for you, of course.

Also, if you could give me an accurate timeline on Thomas’ return, I’d appreciate that as well.

Thanks,

Sarah

Patrick Crayton, San Diego Chargers

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 10: Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers huddles his team together during their game against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 10, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Dear Patrick Crayton,

You and I are going to have a love/hate relationship this week.

In a league where I also have Philip Rivers, I picked you up.

In my other league, I’m playing against both you and Philip Rivers.

However, I’m rooting for you. It’s a shame no one cashed on your six receptions for 117 yards last week, but how about you post similar stats this week?

New England’s defense is weakest against the pass, especially to wide receivers, so you do have a favorable matchup.

Quite often there is a waiver wire rush to pick up a player and they end up being a bust (see Danny Amendola, Demaryius Thomas, Marshawn Lynch, Ryan Torain, Brandon Jackson) save for a week or so. Please don’t be a bust this week.

Thanks,

Sarah

Deion Branch, New England Patriots

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 17: Deion Branch #84 of the New England Patriots catches a pass before a game with the Baltimore Ravens at at Gillette Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Dear Deion Branch,

You were the first to go when waivers ran through in my leagues Wednesday morning.

I admit, I did not put in a claim for you, opting for Crayton instead.

I understand your nine receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown was impressive. However, I can’t help but look back on the first four weeks of this season when you were playing for Seattle.

You had—over four weeks combined—13 receptions for 112 yards with one touchdown.

Does all the credit then go to Tom Brady? Or was it just that one lucky week for you to shine?

I’m going with the lucky week. I am playing against you this week, so if you prove me wrong, I will eat crow on Monday.

Don’t prove me wrong,

Sarah

Visanthe Shiancoe, Minnesota Vikings

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - SEPTEMBER 09: Visanthe Shiancoe #81 of the Minnesota Vikings runs for yards after the catch the New Orleans Saints at Louisiana Superdome on September 9, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Dear Visanthe Shiancoe,

I’m not sure if you’ll get this letter because I’m not sure you’re still playing for the Vikings.

What’s that?

You were out there last week?

Could have fooled me with that donut you put up for fantasy points.

You weren’t even targeted!

You did really well in the first two weeks of the season and then what?

You can’t even blame Randy Moss for the one reception, seven yard performance in Week 3.

What’s that?

You pulled your hamstring?

I’m not impressed. I did not like you on draft day, and here in Week 7, I don’t want you in my line-up (theoretically speaking because I already dropped you, leaving me with just Zach Miller).

I’m sure a desperate Dallas Clark owner will add you to their roster, but not me.

Sorry,

Sarah

Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 26: Runningback Darren McFadden #20 of the Oakland Raiders rushes the football past Paris Lenon #51 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 26, 2010 in G

Dear Darren McFadden,

You’ve come out and said you don’t want to come back and play until you’re 100 percent. I know you’ve practiced this week, but I really think you should hold off a week and not push your hamstring.

Those can be nagging injuries, and for those of us Michael Bush owners, we need all the help we can get.

Denver’s run defense is terrible, and since your quarterback situation is kind of messy (Jason Campbell’s knee injury, Bruce Gradkowski’s shoulder injury leaves… Kyle Boller), all signs point to you guys running.

You don’t get a bye until Week 10, so maybe just sit this one out as well?

Please?

Thanks,
Sarah

Aaron Hernandez, New England Patriots

Andrew Burton/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 19: David Harris #52 of the New York Jets attempts to tackle Aaron Hernandez #85 of the New England Patriots during the first quarter at the New Meadowlands Stadium on September 19, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (P

Dear Aaron Hernandez,

I had Vernon Davis as my starting tight end, and I picked you up off the waiver wire. Possibly against my better judgment, I traded Davis because I trusted that you could carry my team at tight end the rest of the season.

Well, Davis outscored you last week.

He wouldn’t have outscored you had you not dropped those two balls at the end of the game last week.

I am a little concerned Brady will think twice about throwing to you because of this.

I sincerely hope you made it up by practicing hard and catching everything that comes your way.

I have faith in you.

Now, please out-produce Branch this week and prove me right.

Thanks,

Sarah

Austin Collie, Indianapolis Colts

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER - SEPTEMBER 26: Wide receiver Austin Collie #17 of the Indianapolis Colts makes a reception and picks up a first down as as Ryan Diem #71 of the Colts blocks Nate Jones #33 of the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on September 26, 2010

Dear Austin Collie,

Hand surgery? Where did that come from? When Dallas Clark’s injury (and now placement on the IR) was revealed, analysts were saying that you would be the one to benefit the most. Where was the mention of a hand injury? That required surgery?

Between Pierre Thomas and DeSean Jackson, I don’t have room for any more injured guys. No one is even disclosing what kind of surgery it was or giving a realistic timeline (two to six weeks is not a realistic timeline… what if when applying for a job they said you could have two to six weeks vacation time? How annoyed would you be when you get two weeks and your co-worker gets six weeks? Huge difference).

I am afraid I may have to drop you from my roster. While dropping the number one WR in the NFL right now sounds ludicrous, I can’t help it.

I’m sorry. It was a good run.

Sorry,
Sarah

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

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PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 17: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after throwing a fourth quarter touchdown pass while playing the Cleveland Browns on October 17, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh won the game 28-

Dear Ben Roethlisberger,

I drafted Drew Brees in one league, and, in a later round, I drafted you, knowing that by Week 10 (Brees’ bye week), you’d be in top form as an excellent bye week replacement.

I almost started you last week, actually.

You and Brees ended up less than a tenth of a point apart in my league, so either decision would have been fine.

I was tempted again to start you this week vs. Miami, but I can’t pass up Brees vs. Cleveland.

No fear, Big Ben, you will be starting for me… and likely more than just Week 10. Please just keep up the good work (and the throws to Heath Miller).

Thanks,

Sarah