In this article KFFL breaks down fantasy football busts of the week. Some high-level players will be included, because you need to know when is time to sit a player even though it may not seem appropriate. Primarily, however, we will address the midrange to low-end fantasy options that you rack your brain over each week. Read on to learn which of these players that you wouldn't want in your lineup.
Owen Daniels, Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Fantasy value: Midrange No. 1
- Daniels has 116 yards and one score on 10 receptions over the first two weeks of the season.
- It's tough to read much into the job Jacksonville did against this position last week - the Arizona Cardinals don't exactly have world-beating tight ends.
- Still, in Week 1, the Jags held Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark to just four receptions for 39 yards. They haven't allowed a score to this position in their first two games.
- In two games last year, Daniels totaled just nine receptions and 112 yards against Jacksonville. He also failed to find the end zone. In two contests versus them in 2007, he caught six passes for 81 yards but did score once.
Visanthe Shiancoe, Minnesota Vikings vs. San Francisco 49ers
Fantasy value: Low-end No. 1 or bench
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Shiancoe? Don't think so
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It hasn't been a great start for Shiancoe; he has just four catches for 27 yards over the first two games. He does have one score, though. He has been targeted just seven times in the two games.
- Don't expect much from him this week, either. San Fran has allowed just three receptions and 23 receiving yards (fourth fewest) per game to this position since the season started.
- Athletic linebacker Manny Lawson did a good job shadowing the Seattle Seahawks' John Carlson last week.
- Minny's prerogative has clearly been to run the ball this year. They are averaging the fewest passing yards per game in the league.
- Shiancoe caught just two passes for a paltry 11 yards against the 49ers in 2007.
NEW - Zach Miller, Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos
Fantasy value: Weak No. 1 or bench
- Miller, one of the top receiving targets in Oaktown, was held stat-less in Week 2 after a 6-96-0 Week 1. The Raiders have once again struggled to field a consistent passing game.
- The Broncos haven't let tight ends beat them through the first two games of '09; they have yielded the fewest receptions (1.50) and the third fewest receiving yards (16.0) per game while being one of numerous teams not to have seen a tight end cross their goal line.
- Despite their easy schedule, Denver's defense overall has shown improvement in their 3-4 scheme under new coordinator Mike Nolan.
- Miller lost oxygen against the Mile High club last season, catching just seven passes for 75 yards in two games against a worse incarnation of their defense.
NEW - Greg Olsen, Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks
Fantasy value: Weak No. 1 or bench
- The athletic pass catcher has averaged 6.0 targets per game but hasn't done much despite a passable 3-41-0 game in Week 2. It seems as if quarterback Jay Cutler hasn't gelled well with Olsen just yet despite seeing three looks in the red zone (once inside the 5).
- Seattle doesn't cower away from enemy tight ends, though the two teams they faced aren't big on using the position. Regardless, the Seahawks have allowed only 3.50 receptions and 42.5 yards per contest against tight ends and have not yielded a touchdown to them.
About Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.
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