Welcome to Week 5 of The Docket, a weekly column that will highlight rule and policy issues effecting players as well as offer strategy and advice on a select few players that you should be targeting or avoiding.
ON TRIAL
This is where we will highlight pressing issues that will have a major impact on your season.
Adrian Peterson (RB, Minn) – One final word in this column about Peterson, there is very little chance of him playing again this season. In fact, I would be shocked if he did play again this year. So if you are hurting for roster space, go ahead and drop him.
Celebration – I’m not talking about the song by Kool and the Gang, but the type of celebration players do when scoring touchdowns. Chief’s defensive player, Husain Abdullah, was penalized for going down on the ground and praying after he returned an interception for a touchdown. As part of the leagues crackdown on excessive, elaborate celebrations, Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 (d) of the NFL rulebook, states that individual players cannot be involved in prolonged or excessive celebrations. Additionally, players are prohibited from engaging in any celebrations or demonstrations while on the ground. However, there is an exception to the rule, which is made when a player goes down to the ground in prayer. So Abdullah should not have been penalized.
But that got me thinking, how much more fun was the NFL when players could celebrate. Watching Icky Woods do the Icky Shuffle was one of the best parts of watching a Bengals game back in the late 80s, early 90s. This year, the Jimmy Graham basketball dunk was banished and you better be sure, the Rob Gronkowski hammer spike will be next.
To reminisce on the fun, here is a sample of what we are missing on Sundays:
GUILTY AS CHARGED
This is where we look at players you cannot trust anymore.
Tom Brady (QB, NE) - We mentioned Brady in our Pending section last week, and his play let us down once again. That the Patriots didn’t have Kenbrell Thompkins or Aaron Dobson active last week, which is a terrible sign of things to come. Danny Amendola and Brandon Lafell are not going to get it done. Don’t drop Brady, but you also can’t rely on him right now, so you need to get another option at QB. If there is nothing available on your wire, take a stab at Kyle Orton.
CASE PENDING
This is where we look at select players who are on the verge of an upgrade or downgrade.
Eli Manning (QB, NYG) – It seems that the Giants and Manning are finally starting to get more comfortable with Ben McAdoo’s up-tempo system. Eli has a very dependable running back in Rashad Jennings and great weapons in the passing game with Rueben Randle, Victor Cruz and the emergence of tight end Larry Donnell. He is also about to get back Odell Beckham Jr who could be a legit offensive weapon. The Giants also have a relatively easy schedule over the next few weeks, so he is a viable starter if you need him. Brady owners, that means you.
LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles (RB, Phil) – The Philadelphia offensive line is decimated and it’s having a massive impact on both of these talented running backs. The Philly line is not opening any holes and is allowing defenses to penetrate deep into the backfield. Fortunately the Eagles get right tackle Lane Johnson back from his four game suspension this week, but they will still be without center Jason Kelce and left guard Evan Mathis. McCoy has just 192 rushing yards on the year, averaging a paltry 2.7 yards per carry. Unless you have another stud option, you are going to have to keep trotting McCoy out and hope he gets things rolling. Sproles becomes more of a matchup play in PPR leagues until we see more consistency.
Sammy Watkins (WR, BUF) - Watkins has had a decent rookie season so far, although not an amazing one. That all may change with Kyle Orton taking over as the Bills quarterback. Watkins had this to say about Orton today: "(Orton) demands what he wants out of us. He's more of a veteran guy. The way he talked, the way he handles business, the way he looks at plays and breaks down defenses, it's kind of different than EJ. He reads it quicker; the ball is coming out faster.” If I’m a Watkins owner, I’m getting excited that he is about to pay serious dividends. If you don’t own him, time to put in that trade request, he’s a sleeping giant.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TE, TB) – Seferian-Jenkins is massive. Literally. He is 6’6”, 260, and ran a 4.56 forty. Although most rookie tight ends don’t make big impacts, he could be the exception, especially with Mike Evan’s being injured and with Mike Glennon taking over quarterback duties. He is an excellent red zone target and safety blanket for Glennon and it wouldn’t be shocking for him to score 8-10 tds this year. Oh, yeah, he also played every snap last week. Pick him up.
THOUGHTS FROM THE BENCH
Here is where we highlight situations or strategies that are worth monitoring.
Trades – You are playing the waiver wire every week, but that’s not enough. You need to take stock of your roster and start scouring other teams rosters for potential trade targets. This is the time of the season to start being aggressive and bettering your squad. Perfect trade target players include: Travis Kelce, Eddie Lacy, Sammy Watkins, Brandon Marshall, Demaryius Thomas, Mark Ingram, Keenan Allen, Phillip Rivers, Jeremy Hill and Golden Tate.
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