Welcome to Week 12 of The Docket, a weekly column that will highlight rule and policy issues effecting players as well as offer strategy and advice on a select few players that you should be targeting or avoiding.
ON THE STAND
This is where we look at issues that could have an impact on your season.
Adrian Peterson (RB) – If you are a regular reader of this column then you were not shocked by the Adrian Peterson news this week that he is not going to play again this season. “Independent” arbitrator Shyam Das ruled in favor of the NFL on Tuesday, ruling that the NFL can keep Adrian Peterson on the Commissioner's Exempt List, essentially ending any hope for Peterson to play this year. The reason I put independent in quotes is because the NFL, like many big corporations, rarely lose arbitration hearings. If they do lose one, the company will never use that arbiter again, and nobody wants to lose future work. Just remember that in your future dealings with some big corporation, you are better off going to court.
All that said, Das’ ruling was essentially pointless as the league announced they were suspending Peterson for the rest of the season under the leagues new Domestic Violence Conduct Policy just before Das’ ruling came out. The NFLPA is going to appeal the suspension but it is not likely to be successful. Here is the point, and understand this: the league and the Viking’s organization, despite what they may say publicly, do not want Adrian Peterson playing this year. The nail in his coffin was the photo of his battered four year old son and the little remorse Peterson showed for the beating. If Peterson played for a team in Texas, where corporal punishment is a bit more common than in Minnesota, this may have all gone differently, but when the Governor of Minnesota comes out publicly against you, you are done.
If for some reason Peterson were reinstated through some court injunction this year, the Vikings can always just sit him on the bench. As for the future, he’s most likely done in Minnesota, so for redraft leagues, forget him. Oh, and the Viking's signed Ben Tate today of waivers, so there's that too. In dynasty leagues however, if he has been dropped, he is certainly worth an add and a hold since he is a physical freak that probably has some great football left in him.
CASE PENDING
This is where we look at select players who are on the verge of an upgrade or downgrade.
Charles Johnson (WR, Minn) – Johnson is an intriguing talent who is 6’2”, 215 pounds and runs a 4.39 forty with a 39.5” vertical. So Johnson clearly has the physical tools of an elite athlete receiver. Johnson played at a Division II school in college and was selected in the final round of the 2013 draft by the Green Bay Packers, who know a thing or two about scouting and mining hidden talent. Unfortunately he was diagnosed with a knee injury before the season started last year and 2013 was a lost season. He re-emerged with the Cleveland Browns this off-season, but not fully healed from his injury, he found his way onto their practice squad only to be swooped up by the Viking’s in September. When Greg Jennings and Jarius Wright went down with injuries last week, Johnson grabbed the opportunity and caught 6 of his 7 targets for 87 yards. With both players very questionable to play this week and with Cordarelle Patterson at least a year away from making any sort of real impact, Johnson is not a bad pickup to help you out if you need a receiver. Now fully healthy, he could certainly emerge as a legit talent.
Latavius Murray (RB, Oak) – Murray is a big back, standing 6’3”, 230 pounds and has 4.38 forty speed. He played at Central Florida with Blake Bortles before being drafted in the 6th round by the Raiders last year. With the Raiders season in the tank, it is just a matter of time before the Raiders see what they have on their hands. This past week he played 27 snaps rushing for 43 yards on 4 carries and catching 3 balls for another 16 yards. He also held up pretty well in pass protection. Murray is no sure bet, but if you are hurting at running back, he’s worth a flyer for the fantasy playoffs.
Virgil Green (TE, Den) – This one is based on absolutely nothing, but if you are in a league that values the TE heavily and there is absolutely nothing out there, Green is worth an add just in case Julius Thomas takes his time working back from an ankle injury. Green is 6’4”, 249 pounds who has 4.54 forty speed and a monster 42.5 vertical. Green missed the past two games with an ankle injury but has been back at practice this week. While Jacob Tamme is still there, at this point in his career he is just a guy. He was able to haul in only 4 of his 10 targets last week and even tripped over his own feet on one of them. If Green gets a chance, those ten targets that went to Tamme could equal some serious value for Green. Then again, maybe this is the week the Bronco’s finally unleash uber talented rookie wide receiver Cody Lattimer.
CASE DISMISSED
This is where we highlight players that are looking particularly good.
Isaiah Crowell (RB, Clev) – Many of us at Football Guys have been pushing Crowell pretty hard since he was signed as an undrafted free agent rookie this off-season, so we hope you already swooped him up long ago. With Ben Tate cut earlier this week, Crowell has a major opportunity to seize control of this backfield. While we think West will still be involved some, and very well could even start some weeks, Crowell is by far the more talented back and has legit three down talent.
THOUGHTS FROM THE BENCH
Here is where we highlight situations or strategies that are worth monitoring.
The Final Push: The Fantasy playoffs are just around the corner and most leagues have their trade deadlines coming up. Beyond your true studs (such as LeVeon Bell who has a very good playoff schedule) here are some players that have some good matchups weeks 13 through 16 that may be worth trading for:
Quarterbacks
-- Tony Romo – PHI, @CHI, @PHI, IND
-- Matthew Stafford - CHI, TB, MIN, @CHI
-- Ryan Mallett - TEN, @JAC, @IND, BAL
-- Drew Brees – @PIT, CAR, @CHI, ATL
Running Backs
-- Mark Ingram - @PIT, CAR, @CHI, ATL
-- Isaiah Crowell – @Buf, Ind, Cin, @Car
-- Eddie Lacy - NE, ATL, @BUF, @TB
-- LeSean McCoy - @DAL, SEA, DAL, @WAS
-- Charles Sims - CIN, @DET, @CAR, GB
-- Joquie Bell - CHI, TB, MIN, @CHI
-- Arian Foster/Alfred Blue - TEN, @JAC, @IND, BAL
Wide Receivers
-- Golden Tate - CHI, TB, MIN, @CHI
-- Kendall Wright - @HOU, NYG, NYJ, @JAC
-- Odell Beckham/Rueben Randle - @JAC, @TEN, WAS, @STL
-- Roddy White - ARI, @GB, PIT, @NO
-- Marques Colston/Kenny Stills - @PIT, CAR, @CHI, ATL
-- Andre Johnson/DeAndre Hopkins - TEN, @JAC, @IND, BAL
-- Desean Jackson/Pierre Garcon - @IND, STL, @NYG, PHI
Tight Ends
-- Zach Ertz - @DAL, SEA, DAL, @WAS
-- Travis Kelce - DEN, @ARI, OAK, @PIT
-- Coby Fleener - WAS, @CLE, HOU, @DAL
-- Delanie Walker - @HOU, NYG, NYJ, @JAC
-- Larry Donnell - @JAC, @TEN, WAS, @STL
Team Defenses
-- DET - CHI, TB, MIN, @CHI
-- GB - NE, ATL, @Buf, @TB
-- STL – Oak, @WAS, ARI, NYG
-- NYG - @JAC, @TEN, WAS, @STL
Song of the Week
This week I present, London Grammar, out of the UK. Lead singer Hannah Reid has one of the best voices you will ever hear. Check out “Strong” below.
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