Fantasy Football: Missing In Action

Should fantasy owners be concerned about the poor play of Aaron Rodgers?

Aaron Rodgers QB, Green Bay Packers

The guy who I told everyone to take with the No.1 pick in the offseason isn’t even performing like a 1st round pick after 2 games. Through 2 games Aaron Rodgers has looked like an average QB , throwing 3 TD’s to 2 INT’s. While some of his struggles can be attributed to just the certain fall from the record season he had in 2011, there are more issues for his struggles. First off is who Rodgers has played, in Week 1 Green Bay was essentially shut down by the 49ers, arguably one of the best defenses in the decade. The disappointment against San Francisco was followed by a short turnaround to Thursday night against the rival Bears, where Green Bay experimented more with their running game, and were without the services of No.1 WR Greg Jennings. I am not concerned about Rodgers struggles at this time, I still believe he will finish the season as the No.1 QB, and as the No.1 player. I expect Rodgers to have a bounce back game next Monday night against the Seattle Seahawks

Concern Level: NONE

Matthew Stafford QB, Detroit Lions

As I am typing this Matthew Stafford is again struggling vs. the San Francisco 49ers. As I said before about the 49ers. I think they are one of the best in the past decade, so I have no real concern over his struggles tonight. The problem I have with Stafford is the amount of turnovers already this season. Through 2 games Stafford has already thrown 4 INT’s, yet only has 1 passing TD to his stat sheet. We know Stafford has weapons, the name Calvin Johnson should say it all when it comes to that. The problem Stafford is running into is getting it to those targets, and finding them open deep. I am not really concerned right now as they will find it easier to throw deep once their schedule starts to lighten up. Don’t sell low on Stafford, things will get better and you will get right back to winning your matchups every week.

Concern Level: LOW

Chris Johnson RB, Tennessee Titans

Of all the players on this list, Chris Johnson is the guy who I have the most confidence in to continue to disappoint fantasy owners on a weekly basis. Through 2 games this season CJ0K has 19 carries, which is just slightly under his rushing yards (21). This isn’t an issue of going against a top defense, as both the Patriots and Chargers were never known as elite run stoppers. The issue for Johnson comes down to the work he is putting in, and what he is doing with the ball when it’s in his hands. Now I can’t blame this all on CJ, as the Titans offensive line has been horrendous, and their play calling has been painful as well. I was low on Chris Johnson before the season, but even I didn’t expect him to be this bad. All Johnson owners can do now is wait for Johnson to have one good game, then trade him immediately after. I am buying Johnson as a fantasy bust, and wouldn’t touch him if he was offered to me in any trade.

Concern Level: SCARED OUT OF MY MIND

Jamaal Charles RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Coming off a torn ACL injury, maybe I shouldn’t have been as high on Jamaal Charles as I was before the season. Through 2 games Charles has been a disappointment, with only 90 rushing yards and 19 receiving yards in 2 games and zero TD’s. The Chiefs decision to bring in Peyton Hillis has nothing to do with the lack of production, as Charles has never been a goal line back and Hillis has also struggled this season. I think some of Charles struggles can be credited to just recovering from the torn ACL, but entering Week 3 that should no longer be a problem. My only concern with Charles has to do with the Chiefs defense giving up easy points, and forcing the offense to play catch up with the passing game. Charles faces a great opportunity next week against a bad New Orleans Saints defense, which should be the final test in determining where his value will be at for the rest of 2012.

Concern Level: Medium

Marques Colston WR, New Orleans Saints

When it comes to Marques Colston my level of concern really is about as even as you could get. On the one hand you have the fact that without Sean Payton, the Saints are 0-2 and aside from Jimmy Graham and Darren Sprolles, there hasn’t been much to love in this passing game. Through 2 games, Colston has accumulated an above average 8 receptions for 120 yards in 2 games. While those numbers sound decent, when you consider they came against an average Redskins defense and a below average Panthers secondary, it leaves plenty to be desired. There is hope for Colston though, as he fell just inches short of a TD Sunday. Coming off a year in which he had over 1,100 yards and 8 TD’s, the beginning of the season has to be a disappointment for fantasy owners. I am not giving up on Colston yet, just watching his play cautiously, and waiting for him to return to top form.

Concern Level: Medium

Larry Fitzgerald WR, Arizona Cardinals

I don’t know why I keep buying into Larry Fitzgerald as a Top 5 fantasy WR year after year, maybe this year will be the last time. Fitzgerald has once again frustrated fantasy owners this season, and especially after his performance on Sunday (1 reception 4 yards). Now I don’t mean to blame this on Fitzgerald, talent wise he is the second best wide receiver in the league, and with a quality QB he would be the No.2 fantasy WR. I blame a majority of his failures on the QB situation, neither Kevin Kolb or John Skelton has shown the ability to give the ball deep to Fitzgerald, and the Cardinals have done a poor job giving Fitzgerald help alongside him. The bottom line with Fitzgerald though, is that week in and week out I am taking a huge risk by playing him, when there is a strong chance not only will he not record a TD, he may not even go over 50 receiving yards. For those of us that drafted Fitzgerald like myself, all we can hope for is that the Cardinals settle on a starting QB and Michael Floyd evolves into a No.2 WR to take some coverage away from Fitz.

Concern Level: HIGH