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AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
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The Super Bowl match-up of the Giants and Patriots was the Jets worst nightmare. They have to live in the shadow of the Giants in NYC and in the Patriots’ in the AFC East. Either way they looked bad, especially after they finished with about as much bad press as the Boston Red Sox did.
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There have been grumblings that the Jets’ players would like to sign Peyton Manning to replace Mark Sanchez when and if he’s released by the Colts. Would it make sense for the Jets? Yes and no.
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If you could guarantee that Peyton was going to be his normal self and be able to hold up all year, then it would be hard to pass on. I’m not sure if he alone would be enough to put the Jets over the top, but it would certainly get things pointed in the right direction.
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The problem is, you can’t count on that. The Jets already went down that road when they were Brett Favre’s landing spot. It started off great, but he got hurt and derailed the team. Obviously they would be in a much better place if Peyton went down because Mark Sanchez is more than capable of taking over, but it still would be a blow.
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Peyton Manning is a guy that prides himself getting more reps with his receivers and spending more time in the film room than anybody else. Santonio Holmes doesn’t strike me as a guy that would be willing to go the extra mile with Peyton.
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While Mark Sanchez received a great deal of criticism, especially from his own locker room, was it justified? This is a quarterback that had them knocking on the door of the Super Bowl for two straight years. This year didn’t end so well, but it doesn’t all fall on Sanchez. He completed a higher percentage of passes for more yards and more scores. Yes he threw 18 INTs, but he combined for 32 TDs (26 passing, six rushing).
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He did that with Santonio Holmes and Plaxico Burress disappearing at times.
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Finding a franchise quarterback isn’t easy. Sanchez may never put up numbers like Peyton has, but he’s 25. I can’t think of a bigger confidence booster than having a chance at Peyton and having your ownership and coaches choose you.
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Peyton will find a home, but it probably won’t be in New York.
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Also check out why the Colts should move on Peyton Manning.

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By Mr. Destiny
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Tim Tebow has now won 4 out of his 5 starts despite a poor performance until the last 5 minutes of the game. He literally engineered and accounted for the bulk of a 95 yard drive. Tebow was sitting at a 6 point fantasy day before posting 92 yards total and the winning touchdown. I was patting myself on the back for advising to sit him this week, but 5 minutes was all it took to put a foot in mine and every other doubters mouth. Willis McGahee became an afterthought once he fumbled, ceding way for Lance Ball who took over for most of the game. I can’t imagine that was the primary reason for the benching, so it may be he tweaked the hamstring again. Every once of the Broncos receivers are still no trustworthy as anything but bench fodder, but it would have to be Decker if you absolutely had to start one.
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Shonn Greene exited this one early as well with a rib injury. He was back on the sidelines with his helmet on, but the solid performance of Joe McKnight allowed the Jets to keep him out as a precaution. Once again, it was Mark Sanchez which cost the Jets this game after throwing a pick six in the second half. McKnight’s fumble on the very next play during the kickoff did not cost the Jets, but it allowed the Broncos to hang around until the drama unfolded and Tebow took over. Plaxico Burress was the leading receiver as I projected, finishing with 64 yards on the day. Plax has been Sanchez’ go to guy and just as involved as Santonio Holmes. Given Sanchez’ struggles I actually like Plax more right now because of his red zone targets. Collectively both teams were 6-27 on third downs and each was facing an uphill battle in a game where defense ruled the day.
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Tim Tebow completed two passes last week. I know he won the game but that is just crazy. His own coach admits that he couldn’t run a traditional NFL option but for now the read-option is working. The Broncos take on the Jets tonight and fantasy owners need to decide if he should be in their lineups.
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Tebow has averaged an abysmal 121 passing yards in five games. Despite only completing 47 passes (9.4 per game) he has seven touchdown passes (1.4 per game). One of every 6.7 completions has gone for a score.
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He’s ran in two TDs this year. Typically a rushing TD accounts for 1.5 passing touchdowns. He’s also averaging 63.2 rushing yards per game. Typically rushing yards are worth twice as much as passing yards. If you transform his rushing numbers into passing numbers and add them to his current numbers he is in essence averaging 247.4 passing yards and 2.0 TD passes per game.
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The question is whether or not he can run on the Jets.
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The Jets have allowed 33 rushing yards this year but they haven’t faced a QB with the running ability of Tebow. Romo is mobile but he’s a pass first guy. They faced Brady twice, Joe Flacco, and Philip Rivers. They aren’t exactly going to take off an run. Jason Campbell and Ryan Fitzpatrick can move around in the pocket but they aren’t utilizing designed quarterback run plays.
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The Jets have been in the top ten in run defense the previous three seasons. This year, however, they rank 15th at 116.0 ypg. Although they haven’t allowed a quarterback to run for a touchdown, they have
allowed nine rushing scores. They allowed 11, 11, and 10 for the past three entire seasons.
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Darrelle Revis is a shutdown corner but when a team attempts eight passes (in a win) there isn’t much to shut down.
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The Jets also have time working against them. They played in the Sunday Night game against the Patriots. NFL teams take things one game at a time, and with a match-up against their biggest rival last week there is zero chance they let Tebow even sneak into their head a little.
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There isn’t a ton of film on the Broncos using the option offense and time is limited anyway. Plus, this is an offense that will continue to evolve.
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I don’t think this is an ideal situation to use Tebow but if this is a week that you’re playing without Big Ben, Drew Brees, or Matt Schaub (obviously more than just this week), Tebow is a risk/reward option. You likely could do worse.
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Also check out:

• Week 11 Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• Week 11 Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• Week 11 Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• Week 11 Fantasy Football TE Rankings
• Week 11 Fantasy Football K Rankings
• Week 11 Fantasy Football DEF Rankings
• Week 11 Fantasy Football Waiver Advice
• Week 11 NFL Picks

Click here to enter the 2011 LestersLegends fantasy football team name contest!
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Michael Vick showed last year that time away from football doesn’t mean that your career can’t get back on track. Vick was better than ever last year and arguable the most dynamic player in the league.
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While they have prison in common, there are some differences. Vick was 30 last year while Plaxico will turn 34 later this month (8/12). In the real world four years isn’t much of a difference, but in football years that is about the average career length of an NFL player. Of course Vick and Plax aren’t average NFL players, but one would have to think to being four years younger gave Vick an advantage. Both in terms of speed and recovery.
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Plaxico will have a similar disadvantage by not getting a lot of reps to work away the rust. Vick wasn’t running with the first team before either of the previous two seasons and Plaxico will have a shortened offseason thanks to the strike. All of the players will be dealing with that so it won’t be as pronounced. Plus, he’ll probably be running with the first team before long, and being a veteran will be able to catch on faster than a newcomer.
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One of the things that Vick seemed to lose in the first year, but regained and then some last year was his speed and quickness. Plaxico’s game isn’t built on speed though. His strength, which is his 6’5″ frame, can’t be taken away from him. Even if it takes him so time to get his legs under him he will still be a threat in the red zone.
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The main issue I have with Plax is that his team isn’t oriented to pass the ball frequently.  Their focus is first on their defense and second on their running game. When the do pass the ball, Santonio Holmes will be the first option. Mark Sanchez is a good, winning quarterback, but isn’t likely to produce an outstanding fantasy season.
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It’s all a matter of when you can get him. Currently his MockDraftCentral ADP doesn’t have him listed and Yahoo! has him in the top 50. If you can get him as your WR4 then it’s probably worth the risk. I don’t know if I would roll the dice on him as a WR3 unless that meant I somewhat ignored the position and focused on getting a solid QB/RB/TE situation.
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What’s your take on Plaxico Burress in 2011?
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Also check out:

• 2011 Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football TE Rankings

Click here to enter the 2011 LestersLegends fantasy football team name contest!
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Mark Sanchez threw for 2444 yards and 12 touchdowns as a rookie. Last year he improved to 3291 yards and 17 touchdowns. He decreased his turnovers from 28 (20 INTs, 8 fumbles) in his rookie year to 18 (13 Ints, 5 fumbles) as a sophomore. His passer rating remained a modest 75.3, which was up from 63.0 as a rookie, but still not what you want from your starting quarterback. His completion percentage remained virtually unchanged (54.8% compared to 53.8 percent) and left plenty to be desired.
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Nobody is worried about him as a starter. After all, not many quarterbacks can boast that they’ve been to the AFC title game in his first two years in the league. Fantasy owners, on the other hand, are more concerned with the numbers he produces.
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Sanchez had a nice three-game span in which he averaged 316.7 yards per game. Of course that was against Detroit in overtime, Cleveland in overtime, and the historically bad Texans. In the other 12 games (not counting Week 17) he averaged 189.1 passing yards. Pretty brutal stuff.
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So will things get better in 2011? On paper I’d say no. The Jets are a run-first team. They put the pressure on their opponents with their punishing defense and stout ground game. The formula has worked well to this point so there is no reason to make a change. Sure, Rex Ryan may allow Sanchez to open things up a bit, but they aren’t turning into a passing team overnight.
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There also is the wide receiver issue. They are bound to lose at least one of Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards, and Brad Smith. There is talk that Randy Moss could join the Jets, but you don’t know what you’re going to get from him. He could be brilliant or he could sabotage the entire operation.
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Sanchez’s Mock Draft Central ADP puts him at 24 making him a low-end QB2. Personally I would probably just roster one quarterback rather than own Sanchez and pick someone up for my starters bye week.
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What are your thoughts about Mark Sanchez?
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Also check out:

• 2011 Early Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• 2011 Early Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football TE Rankings

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The AFC East is a division without a dominant running back.
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Tthe class of the division is Shonn Greene, but isn’t that what we expected last year? LaDainian Tomlinson is still in the picture, but he seems to be a peace with not being the featured back anymore. Greene is a powerful runner that should have a solid season. He’s better suited to be an RB2, but if you went WR or QB with your first pick or two, he is capable of putting up RB1 numbers. Heck, he’s capable of putting up top ten numbers. LT should still be owned, but don’t reach because of his name. He’s best suited for PPR leagues. Joe McKnight also could work his way into the mix, but the lockout will probably lead to more of a veteran presence early. Rookie Bilal Powell is best suited for dynasty leagues.
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In New England you have a fantasy mess. BenJarvus Green-Ellis was voted Running Back Most Likely to Regress by his classmates. With Danny Woodhead and rookies Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley the Pats’ running back pool is to murky to rely on. At some point it could sort itself out, but Bill Belichick is not concerned with fantasy numbers. Winning is the name of the game, and he’ll mix and match his RBs as he sees fit.
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Buffalo is a full-blown RBBC. Fred Jackson remains the starter and without OTAs will keep a foot up on second-year back C.J. Spiller. We’ve seen more committees lately that have allowed for two effective fantasy players to coexist so don’t be scared off. Jackson makes a solid RB3 and Spiller a solid RB4. If one of the backs goes down, the other’s value will jump dramatically. Once again Jackson will likely be undervalued on draft day.
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Then we have Miami. We still don’t know what will happen with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. Assuming only one returns, that back will have the advantage on rookie Daniel Thomas thanks to the lockout. Both veterans have excelled in a RBBC so they will be willing to share the carries. Thomas will have to get up to speed quickly picking up blitzes to stay on the field. He very well could end up the top rookie runner this  year and has a bright future in keeper leagues.
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Now that you’ve strolled through the muddy AFC East running back terrain, be sure to wipe your feet.
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Also check out:

• AFC East Quarterback Situations
• AFC North Quarterback Situations
• AFC South Quarterback Situations
• AFC West Quarterback Situations
• NFC East Quarterback Situations
• NFC North Quarterback Situations
• NFC South Quarterback Situations
• NFC West Quarterback Situations

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The AFC East is truly a case of the “haves” and the “have nots”.
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The quarterback position is the most glamorous one in the league, and the Patriots have the most glamorous one at that position. Not only does Tom Brady have the model wife and movie star looks, but he puts up video game numbers. Most quarterbacks would struggle after losing a talent like Randy Moss, but Brady got better. He finished with 3900 yards and 36 touchdowns while throwing just four interceptions. Jay Cutler did that in one game last year. Look for Brady to be the class of the division and among the best in the league again.
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Mark Sanchez doesn’t put up the monster numbers like Brady as he three for just 3291 yards and 17 TDs (13 INTs) last year, but he’s also a winner having been to two consecutive AFC Championships. With their rushing attack Sanchez doesn’t have to carry the team, but he is more than a caretaker. Look for Sanchez to improve once again for the Jets, assuming he gets Santonio Holmes and/or Braylon Edwards back.
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While Ryan Fiztpatrick is a far cry from Tom Brady, he actually was fairly effective for the Buffalo Bills. He threw for 3000 yards and 23 TDs (15 INT) despite playing just 13 games. There were thoughts that the Bills would grab Blaine Gabbert in the 2011 NFL Draft, but Buffalo opted to stick with the Harvard quarterback. He developed a nice rapport with Stevie Johnson, which should continue going forward. Questions remain as to whether or not the Bills will pick up Lee Evans option. If he leaves, it will be a blow to Fitzpatrick. If he stays, Fitzpatrick makes a solid QB2.
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Then there’s Miami. Chad Henne isn’t the answer. There is some talk that the fins will deal for Kyle Orton. He was be a quality QB2 if  he’s reunited with Brandon Marshall. We’ll have to see who ends up getting the nod before we can rate their quarterback situation.