November 28, 2011

Week 12 Pickups

By Gabriel Harber



I trust everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner, and that you made it through visiting with your in-laws without any Ndamukong Suh type incidents.  It was a great holiday for football as the Cowboys once it again made a winnable game unbearably nail-biting, Coach Harbaugh took home a victory, and the Packers smacked that ass once more.  Most of you are heading into the playoffs soon and this weekend could be pivotal for your inclusion or seeding.  Fortunately we’ve got some additions that are good for what ails ya.

The Pick Ups
Kyle Orton:  The artist formerly known as Neckbeard gets a second second (that’d be a third) chance in Kansas City and falls into a situation with some natural receiving talent.  Dwayne Bowe, Jon Baldwin, and Steve Breaston should all contribute to an offense that looks to be exponentially more effective than they’ve been the last three weeks.  I’m sure many owners dumped Orton when he was benched in week five, and rarely do you find a guy with QB1 potential on the wire right in time for the playoffs.

 Steve Breaston:  His value is directly tied to how Orton performs, but with Matt Cassel (and even Tyler Palko at times), Breaston has excelled.  He’s one of the more underrated receivers in the NFL dating back to his days in Arizona.  If you can snag him before he resumes producing you could end up with a solid WR3 for the rest of the season.  Because of shear yardage production I have to believe he finds the endzone at least a few more times.

Caleb Hanie:  He couldn’t make it happen on the field, but from a fantasy perspective he certainly got the job done.  His three interceptions and sacks were offset by two touchdowns and 50 rushing yards, while he also passed for 254 yards totaling 16.16 points.  I wouldn’t expect him to find as much success through the air every week, but I have to believe he’ll get some check down TD’s to Matt Forte and Marion Barber, as well as cut down on the turnovers as he gets more reps with the first team.  All in all, I’m buying here if I need quarterback help.

Roy Helu: 
  • Fact: Helu totaled 164 yards and a touchdown on 30 touches.
  • Fact: Shanahan came out and said that Helu will make an excellent #2 running back heading into the future.
  • Fact: Shanahan also said that he finally thought Helu was ready for a starter’s workload.
If you have any idea what to make of any of this please let me know.  I just know Helu must be owned if he’s getting touches.

CJ Spiller:  At least we have good old Chan Gailey who, staying true to his word, featured Spiller heavily.  Though he was far from effective, the Bills were also playing against a Jets defense that was backed into a corner with their season on the line.  If you have the roster spot available I would definitely pick up Spiller, especially in PPR leagues. Like I said previously, if he is getting touches then he should be owned.

Jason Avant/Riley Cooper:  The Eagles have a short week which means they may be rolling with the same offensive unit as Sunday’s game against the Patriots, most likely.  Cooper and Avant both played well enough to be owned as long as they’re seeing time and targets, and with Vince Young continuing behind center and playing for a contract I have to believe he’ll be showing the world what he can do.  Avant is the safer pick.

Marcel Reece:  Relegated to a makeshift receiving corps, Carson Palmer’s favorite target on Sunday was fullback Marcel Reece.  Reece, who was a wideout in college, shined in his expanded role and may be in line for a repeat performance given the battered and bruised state of Oakland’s offense.

Greg Little:  After weeks of teasing us as one of the highest targeted receivers in the league, Little finally found the endzone, rewarding owners who’ve stuck with him.  Peyton Hillis was back and added another dimension to the offense that the Browns had been sorely missing, opening the passing game up for Colt McCoy and company.  If you’re in a PPR league I would gobble Little up like Grandma’s leftovers.

I’ll see you back here next week!  Until then, be sure to shoot me any questions you might have on Twitter.

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