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Should You Bench Aaron Rodgers in Week 15 Against the Chicago Bears?

11 December 2012


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Evidently Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has his fantasy owners as a tipping point. After his fourth straight mediocre performance, there are many fantasy owners making alternative plans for Week 15 as the Packers face the Chicago Bears in the Windy City. Is that a wise move?
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Since the Packers’ Week 10 Bye, Rodgers is averaging 228.5 passing yards per game. He has five touchdowns (four passing, one rushing), but just as many turnovers (three interceptions, two lost fumbles) during the stretch. He’s averaging 18 yards per game on the ground, but that is hardly making up for his shortcomings. He has half as many picks in the last four games as he had all of last year.
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With Rodgers in that kind of funk, I can’t blame his owners for being disenchanted with the superstar. So what do you do?
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If you had a first round bye or had the rest of your team pick up Rodgers’ slack this week, it’s gut check time. Should you do the Discount Double Check or should you seek an alternative solution. Obviously, the caliber of your backup quarterback will determine whether or not you can even consider going another direction.
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I wouldn’t just haphazardly replace him with some flavor of the month. This is a player that has thrown 160 touchdown passes to 45 interceptions in the past 75 games. He’s also ran for 17 scores.
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Yes, the weather could be a factor in Chicago, but he’s used to it from playing his home games in Lambeau Field. According to Yahoo’s numbers, Rodgers has 40 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in the 19 games he’s played in when it was 40 degrees or below. Rodgers has 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 18 December starts.
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I can totally understand why you’d want to bench Rodgers given his play of late. If you do, just make sure you can deal with a big game that you left on your bench. He threw five touchdown passes on Christmas last year against Chicago. He threw four on December 26th, 2010 against the New York Giants. He threw for 383 yards and three touchdowns on December 20th against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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In relation to Rodgers, I go with the old adage. Dance with the partner you brought to the dance.
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 | Posted by | Categories: Fantasy Football, NFL | Tagged: Aaron Rodgers, Fantasy Football, Green Bay Packers, NFL |

Should You Ditch James Jones?

30 November 2012


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Wide Receiver James Jones leads the Green Bay Packers with eight touchdown receptions. He’s third on the team in receptions (42) and yards (495) and is tied for second with 67 targets. He did not get a look last week and Greg Jennings is set to return. Is now the time to move on?
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Not so fast.
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Greg Jennings (groin) has made it through practice, but the risk of re-injuring it during a game is significantly greater. Plus, it will likely take some time to get in game shape.
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Besides, Jones is still capable of flashing that big-play ability. If he can get open, Aaron Rodgers will find him.
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Yes, it will be crowded for Jones in Green Bay with Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Jennings, and tight end Jermichael Finley. If you’re a defensive coordinator, Jones is probably the fourth or fifth option that you worry about.
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Jones could find himself in a mismatch and Rodgers will make them pay.
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The Packers have some solid matchups coming up. They face the Minnesota Vikings this week, who have not been the same team since Chris Cook went down. They also face the Vikings in Week 17 for leagues that play the full season out.
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In Week 14 when typical fantasy football playoffs kick off, the Packers do battle with the Detroit Lions. That figures to be a high-scoring affair. You’ll at least want to hold onto James until after that game.
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In Week 15 the Packers travel South to face the Chicago Bears. It’s debatable whether or not you want Jones on your roster for that game.
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In Week 16, the typical fantasy football championship week, the Packers face the Tennessee Titans. That game has some potential for the Packers’ passing game.
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At this point I would say that you don’t necessarily have to play James Jones, but he should at least be on a fantasy roster in most leagues.
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 | Posted by | Categories: Fantasy Football, NFL | Tagged: Fantasy Football, Green Bay Packers, James Jones, NFL |

Is Jermichael Finley Back?

18 November 2012


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Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley caught his touchdown pass since the season opener in the Packers’ Week 11 win over the Detroit Lions. Is he back?
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Not only did Finley snap his scoreless streak, he topped 40 yards for the first time since Week 4.
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Among his catches were a 20-yard touchdown and a 40-yard grab en route to three catches for 66 yards.
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It appears that the bye week came at the right time for Finley. He averaged 16.8 yards in his five prior games. You don’t have to be a fantasy expert to realize that wasn’t cutting it.
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Unfortunately, a lot of the fantasy owners that drafted Finley have dropped him already. Those that did hang on to Finley, likely had him on their bench.
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Before you consider Finley all the way back, keep in mind that he was playing the Lions. They have allowed six touchdown passes to tight ends this season.
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They have also allowed five different tight ends to top 60 yards this year.
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Finley has had a history of success against Detroit. He has four touchdowns in seven games.
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I’m not trying to say his performance was a fluke, but I’m asking you to temper your expectations.
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If Finley is available on your waiver wire, there is good reason to add him. For starters, Aaron Rodgers is easily one of the best quarterbacks in the league.
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Finley also has some solid matchups coming up. He faces the New York Giants, the Minnesota Vikings, the Detroit Lions, the Chicago Bears, and the Tennessee Titans from Week 12-16.
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Perhaps he can salvage his season by finishing on a strong note.
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 | Posted by | Categories: Fantasy Football, NFL | Tagged: Fantasy Football, Green Bay Packers, Jermichael Finley, NFL |

Should You Sell High on Randall Cobb?

8 November 2012


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The odds were favorable that Randall Cobb would benefit from Greg Jennings’ injury. Not many could have predicted just how good he would be. Should you sell high on him?
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Cobb’s value is at an all-time high after scoring a pair of touchdowns against Arizona, giving him five touchdowns in his past three games and six in his past five.
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Since Week 4 Cobb has averaged 67.3 yards (75.3 total yards) and a touchdown per game.
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Cobb should continue to get plenty of action coming out of the bye. There is some concern going forward.
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Jordy Nelson missed Week 8′s game against Jacksonville and was knocked out of Week 9′s game against Arizona early. Jordy averaged eight targets the first six weeks so his return will cut into Cobb’s looks.
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Additionally, Greg Jennings could return around Week 14. I don’t expect Jennings to be anywhere near we’ve come to expect, but he will obviously take some looks away too.
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Then there’s Jermichael Finley. He has been a dud for the past five weeks. When the Packers are at their best they not only have their wideouts going, but they are taking advantage of Finley’s size and speed combination. If he starts seeing more looks there will be less pieces of the pie to go around.
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So is this a doomsday scenario for Cobb? Not exactly. The Packers are potent enough to produce several fantasy options. You may just have to deal with some weekly uncertainty.
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You can certainly put feelers out there to see what you can get for Cobb. It may not help you in the short-term, but you could possibly position yourself better for the fantasy playoffs.
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If you deal deal Cobb, make sure you get a decent haul.
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 | Posted by | Categories: Fantasy Football, NFL | Tagged: Fantasy Football, Green Bay Packers, NFL, Randall Cobb |

Should You Add James Starks?

2 November 2012


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It is hard to get too excited about a running back that has six carries and one reception on the year, but if Green Bay shakes up their backfield there could be an opportunity for James Starks to reclaim some fantasy relevance. Should you add him?
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If you are in a league where the running back landscape has been picked over like a carcass it may not be a bad idea.
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Starting running back Alex Green has struggled since taking the starting job over from the injured Cedric Benson. He is averaging a mere 2.9 yards per carry.
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Green has shown the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield with four receptions in each of the past two games. I think he will continue to work on passing downs, but the days of 20+ carries could be numbered.
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The Green Bay Press Gazette is suggesting that Starks will be more involved this week, and that last week’s lack of involvement was due to a stomach flu that keep him out of practice.
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If Starks is able to make the most of his opportunities this week, perhaps he can assume more of the early down work.
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Make sure you don’t make any rash decisions thinking that you’re getting an every down back. The best case scenario for Starks is a timeshare.
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That said, if you are in a jam, maybe he’s worth the roll of the dice. Obviously if he has a big game this week he’ll be a hot commodity. Maybe you can beat the rush and add him early.
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 | Posted by | Categories: Fantasy Football, NFL | Tagged: Fantasy Football, Green Bay Packers, James Starks, NFL |

Will Joining the Packers Give Cedric Benson a Boost?

17 August 2012


H. Marc Larson/Press-Gazette
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Cedric Benson found a pretty good landing spot when he signed with the Green Bay Packers. They are easily one of the most potent offenses in the league. While their offense revolves around the arm of Aaron Rodgers, Benson could give them some nice balance.
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The move was made out of necessity. James Starks, who was expected to carry the load, is dealing with a turf toe injury. Injuries like that typically linger. When the Packers are in the second season, which all indications lead me to believe they’ll be in the playoffs, they will need a workhorse back. Starks was the guy during their Super Bowl run. Perhaps, it will be Benson this year.
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Benson is not an exciting back. Then again, in the Packers offense where you have to respect the pass so much, he could find life easier. Despite his lack of flash, Benson has had his share of success. Benson has three straight 1000 yard seasons, averaging 1143 yards per season over the stretch. While he hasn’t been a TD machine during his career, he has averaged 6.7 per season over the past three.
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Benson will never confuse anybody for a pass-catching back, but he has averaged 20 catches for 123.7 yards since 2009. He has averaged just 3.8 yards per carry over his career, but he has been good enough to move the chains.
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Benson will turn 30 this year, but his mileage really has only been heavy the past three years. With 1529 career attempts, there is still tread on the tires.
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I would not want to rely on Benson as a starting fantasy running back, but there will be weeks when he can be plugged into that role. He is not a sexy pick by any means, but is a decent RB3.  He’s a workhorse that can answer the bell as often as needed, playing in a potent offense. The value is still there.
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 | Posted by | Categories: Fantasy Football, NFL | Tagged: Cedric Benson, Fantasy Football, Green Bay Packers, NFL |

Can James Starks be a Fantasy Football Stud?

16 June 2012


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After helping to lead the Green Bay Packers to a Super Bowl victory, running back James Starks entered last year with some promise. Unfortunately injuries and Ryan Grant’s return led to just 133 carries.
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Starks had one fewer carry than Grant, but finished with 19 more yards and 0.1 more yards per carry. Grant had one more touchdown than Starks, but James had three more explosive 20+ yard plays. It continued to be a mixed bag in the passing game as Starks caught more passes (29 to 19), but Grant had more yards (268 to 216) and a touchdown.
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Starks is just 26 though and has less wear on his tires (162 career carries). Grant, who is still looking for a new home in 2012, will turn 30 in December and has 924 career carries. Like it or not, it’s Starks turn to play the lead role.
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Obviously the Packers are a pass-oriented offense so I will temper my expectations, but they should continue to have one of the most explosive offenses in the league. Without any serious competition for carries, Starks could be a solid RB3 and possibly even a borderline RB2.
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I don’t see a high touchdown output from Starks. When they get near the goal line it’s Aaron Rodgers time. Still if Starks can pile up the yards and break the occasional long one, he could put up solid numbers.
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Given his current Mock Draft Central ADP of 104, he could prove to be a very nice value pick for fantasy owners.
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Don’t go too crazy for him, but when you’re looking for RB depth, keep Starks in mind.
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 | Posted by | Categories: Fantasy Football, NFL | Tagged: Fantasy Football, Green Bay Packers, James Starks, NFL, Ryan Grant |

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