Fantasy Football: Michael Vick and 10 Fantasy Studs Who Are Real Life Duds

Your fantasy football team’s success is based solely on statistical production.

However, for a player to be successful in the NFL, they must ooze character, desire and a will to win. This is the greatest difference between the real game and the game of individual statistics we know and love.

These 10 guys put up excellent numbers and find themselves at the top of statistical rankings year in and year out—true fantasy studs.

However, their problems with the law, personalities and priorities, earn them the label of duds in the real world. 

10. Brandon Marshall, Miami Dolphins

Scouts and coaches regard Brandon Marshall as one of the most talented receivers in the league. In spite of having to catch passes from Chad Henne in 2010, Marshall finished with over 1,000 yards receiving.

Marshall has had some serious off-the-field issues as recent as last April, when he was stabbed by his wife in the stomach. He has also faced DUI and numerous assault charges.

Marshall’s questionable actions are likely the result of his Borderline Personality Disorder. While Marshall has been extremely charitable in attempting to help others with the condition, he needs to keep his own case under control to remain successful.

Marshall hardly fits the mold of your typical dud, but his off-the-field issues are undeniable, and his BPD may make his desire to perform at a high level of inconsistency. 

9. Braylon Edwards, San Francisco 49ers

Braylon Edwards is one of those fantasy guys that’s just too good to let sit around in waivers. Though inconsistent, he has been a major red-zone target for the Browns, the Jets and soon to be, the 49ers. He finished with 904 yards and seven TDs last season despite being second on the depth chart to Santonio Holmes.

Edwards’ impressive statistics somewhat mask his on-field inconsistencies. Edwards is notorious for dropping easy passes. While he has improved his pass-catching consistency since leaving Cleveland; fans typically hold their breath whenever a ball is thrown in his direction.

Even if Braylon’s pass-catching woes are behind him, off-the-field issues are undoubtedly preventing him from reaching his full potential.

He has the ability to be one of the league’s elite. However, DWI and assault charges undoubtedly bring his dedication and focus into question. 

8. Peyton Hillis, Cleveland Browns

Hillis came out of nowhere in 2010 to emerge as one of the most productive running backs in fantasy football. The 250-pound, 25-year-old finished the season with 1,117 yards rushing and 13 TDs. He’s gracing the cover of Madden in 2012 and has been going in the second round of most fantasy drafts.

There’s no question that Hillis will be the focal point of the Browns offense in 2011, but he must correct his one major flaw to remain successful. Fumbles. Hillis led the NFL in 2010 with eight.

The fact that he gains a lot of yards and finds the end zone makes his fumbling problem only a minor setback for fantasy owners.

However, for a team like the Browns that needs to play almost flawlessly to be successful, each fumble could be the difference between a win and loss.

7. Eli Manning, New York Giants

There is no denying that Eli Manning is a top 12 fantasy QB. He’s thrown for over 4,000 yards in consecutive seasons and tossed a career-high 31 TDs in 2010. He quarterbacks a balanced offensive attack and is helping a young receiving corps develop into one of the league’s elite.

Eli’s problem is obvious; he throws too many interceptions. Though many of his picks came off  tipped passes, he led the league with 25 last season.

As far as fantasy football is concerned, Eli isn’t a top-tier QB. The main reason he’s on the outside looking in are his constant turnovers. However, if you lose two points for every interception that Eli throws, he’s still a solid starter.

The truth of the matter is the Giants and their fans aren’t moved by Eli’s ability to pass for a lot of yards. They need him to protect the ball, especially if they hope to repeat their success of the 2007 season.

6. Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles

Michael Vick has been going as early as first overall in fantasy drafts.  Though he started only 12 games in 2010, he passed for 3,018 yards with 21 touchdowns through the air. He also rushed for 676 yards and nine scores. When healthy, Vick is the best player in fantasy football.

He is an excellent option at fantasy QB and one of the most fun players to watch in the league. For that same reason, however, he is extremely susceptible to injury. Vick is constantly in the open field, trying to make plays and turn nothing into something.

It’s unfair to call Vick a dud due solely to the fact that he’s an injury risk. However, his off-the-field issues are undeniable. The only remedy for restoring his image, which was destroyed by funding an illegal dog fighting operation, will be winning.

Vick won a playoff game for the Falcons earlier in his career, but he needs to prove he can get past the divisional round. With all of the Eagles offseason acquisitions, expectations will be higher than ever. 

5. Vincent Jackson, San Diego Chargers

When Vincent Jackson is healthy and contributing, he is a top-tier fantasy receiver.

In 2008 and 2009, Jackson combined for 2,265 yards and 16 TDs. At 6'5", he uses his size to take advantage of undersized defenders and is a dream for any QB given the privilege of throwing to him.

There’s no question that Jackson was underpaid heading into 2010, but his decision to hold out cost him significant playing time.  He held out a ridiculous 10 games last season. He was also suspended for violating the league’s personal conduct policy as the result of his second consecutive drunk driving incident.

Jackson will likely have an excellent season for fantasy owners in 2011 as he’s in a contract year. However, the Chargers need to recognize and understand that Jackson will be playing for a contract rather than his teammates.

4. Kenny Britt, Tennessee Titans

Kenny Britt has emerged as a viable option at WR2 in most leagues. He finished 2010 with 775 yards and nine TDs in just 12 games. 2011 will be just his third year in the NFL, and he’s already establishing himself as one of the league’s elite.

Having Matt Hasselbeck running the offense this season should only improve on Kenny’s success.

Britt has talent, but like Braylon Edwards, his off-the-field issues have the potential of holding him back. Britt was arrested four times during this offseason alone. Twice Kenny Britt had lied on his driver’s license applications, and he’s also been charged with unlawful resistance, theft by deception and attempting to elude police.

He is still relatively young, but Britt will need to dramatically improve his character. Even if he has trouble with the law and the Titans front office, he is a concrete fantasy receiver.

3. Reggie Bush, Miami Dolphins

One of the more electrifying players in the NFL, Reggie Bush has contributed to fantasy teams since his rookie season in 2006. He accumulates yards both on the ground and through the air, and outside of an injury-riddled 2010, he averages eight TDs a season.

The hype that surrounded Bush following his 2005 Heisman campaign was colossal. The former USC running back was considered the next big thing at the position. When the Houston Texans passed on him with the No. 1 overall pick, in favor of defensive end Mario Williams, they were ridiculed. Experts and analysts predicted that passing on Reggie Bush would be catastrophic for the franchise.

Catastrophic it wasn’t, though the hype that existed heading into 2006 seems to resurface with each new fantasy draft. In deeper leagues, Bush’s playmaking ability makes him valuable off the bench and in the flex-position.

In real life, he’s been a major disappointment. The Texans front office made the right move.

2. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger is a top 10 fantasy QB. He finished 2010 with 3,200 yards and 17 TDs in just 12 games. This season, his Steelers have one of the easiest schedules in the league.

They face the Bengals and Browns twice and will also face the lowly NFC West. As receivers Mike Wallace and Emmanuel Sanders continue to develop, he’ll have a great chance to move into the top five in 2011.

Roethlisberger has already proved that he can succeed in big games, but his personality leaves a lot to be desired. He’s been a part of two major sexual assault cases, losing endorsements as well as respect around the league.

Big Ben’s off the field issues are only a problem for fantasy owners if he faces suspension. In real life, they hold much greater weight.

1. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys

Tony Romo is considered one of the better values at QB in 2011. He can be had late in the third and early in the fourth round in most 12-team leagues, which allows fantasy over to focus on running backs and receivers in the earliest rounds. With a bevy of weapons at his disposal, he has a chance one of the leading scorers this season under new head coach Jason Garrett.

At the QB position in fantasy football you’re looking for yards, touchdowns and consistency. There’s no question that Romo provides you with all that and more. At the QB position in the NFL, you want a leader and a guy that performs his best under pressure.  Romo’s playoff pedigree tells the story.

In 2006, he botched the hold for the game-tying extra point. In 2007, he threw an interception against the Giants on what could have been a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter. In 2008, he threw three interceptions as the Eagles dominated the Cowboys 44-6.

He won his first round game in 2009 but turned the ball over three times in a loss the following week to Minnesota. To put it simply, Romo chokes under pressure. Not a major issue for a fantasy QB, but a thorn in the side of the Cowboys that Dallas fans can’t ignore.  

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