Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

Each and every fantasy football contest from here on out has the make-up of a do-or-die outing. With that being the case, the Bruno Boys know you have questions. We address some of these in the Week 15 edition of the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Roundtable.

WEEK 15 BURNING QUESTIONS

1. With the 2009 fantasy football season coming to end it’s time to start thinking about 2010. With that in mind please list your Top-10 fantasy players for the 2010 season in standard scoring leagues?

Bruno Boys Whooley: The clear cut No. 1 barring any serious injuries the rest of the way has to be Tennessee Titans’ running back, Chris Johnson. The guy is a man-beast, averaging 20.6 points per contest on the year. Not only is he the top RB in all of fantasy at the moment, he’s the top overall player. Now, that’s saying something. Following Johnson is a trio of RBs in Adrian Peterson, who has just less than 9 fantasy points once this season, Maurice Jones-Drew, who has excelled in his role as a featured back, and Ray Rice, who has used his dual threat ability to post big day after big day. At No. 5, I have my first QB, but it’s not who many might think. Rather, than Drew Brees or Peyton Manning, I’m rolling with Aaron Rodgers. I mean, the guy has been amazing this year despite being a rag doll for opposing defenses. Just think what he could do if they bolster their O-line. While Rodgers is the first QB I’d take off the board, Brees is not far behind. The Saints’ QB has been phenomenal with just two outings of less than 12 fantasy points on the year, which is why I have him at No. 6. At No. 7, I’m going with a guy who doesn’t get a lot of respect in fantasy circles but who just produces week after week, and that’s the New York Jets’ Thomas Jones. The No. 8 slot is occupied by Steven Jackson of the St. Louis Rams. This whole year, team’s knew he was getting the ball, yet they still couldn’t slow him down. No. 9 is where you’ll find me taking Peyton Manning. After that, I’m going with my first wide out and that’s Houston Texans’ stud Andre Johnson, who rounds off my top-10.

Bruno Boys Cavigs: Can you believe that it’s already December and most fantasy football leagues have just two weeks left? I know I cant, but at the same time I’m already getting all fired up for 2010. If I had to pick a top-10 at this very moment for the 2010 season it would start with Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson. The stats don’t lie and regardless of the match-up Johnson has been able to produce at a high level. After Johnson my list would go like this… 2. Adrian Peterson (Min), 3. Maurice Jones-Drew (Jac), 4. Ray Rice (Bal), 5. Drew Brees (NO), 6. Aaron Rodgers (GB), 7. Andre Johnson (Hou), 8. Peyton Manning (Ind), 9. Steven Jackson (StL), 10. Thomas Jones (NYJ). This is the first time ever that I have included three quarterbacks in my first round but with the NFL continuing to evolve into a pass first league it could really benefit you to get your hands on an elite one. Some of the guys that just missed the cut include Larry Fitzgerald (Ari), Michael Turner (Atl), DeAngelo Williams (Car), Frank Gore (SF), Rashard Mendenhall (Pit), Ryan Grant (GB), Randy Moss (NE), Reggie Wayne (Ind), DeSean Jackson (Phi), Wes Welker (NE), Calvin Johnson (Det), Beanie Wells (Ari), Knowshon Moreno (Den) and Tom Brady (NE).

WEEK 15 LIGHTNING ROUND  (Fantasy Football Questions in a Flash)

Real Deal or One-Week Wonder

1. Chad Henne, QB, Miami Dolphins (31 points in Week 13-14)

Bruno Boys Cavigs: MATCH-PLAY. With Tony Sparano opening opening up the offense Chad Henne has produced. His 31 fantasy points over the last two games are impressive and his match-up this week against the hit-or-miss Tennessee Titans secondary could lead to his third straight double-digit fantasy performance. Still, Henne is not an option that you can plug-in to your fantasy playoff lineup with full confidence.

Bruno Boys Whooley: MATCH-PLAY. Henne has shown some skill over the last four weeks with three double digit performances in that span. Still, he’s not a guy you can trust every week. Not only do the Dolphins have a run first mentality, but Henne’s also working with an inexperienced wide receiver corps.

2. Quinton Ganther, RB, Washington Redskins (21 points in Week 14)

Bruno Boys Whooley: REAL DEAL. Ganther’s not the type of running back that’s going to wow you with his break away speed, but he is a hard-nosed runner that will carry the ball between the tackles for a solid 4 to 5 yards most plays. What plays even more in Ganther’s favor is that the Redskins’ offense is moving the ball of late, and with his two one-yard scores in week 14, he’s shown he can handle goal-line duties.

Bruno Boys Cavigs: REAL DEAL. Ganther was impressive last week as a short yardage runner and as a pass catcher but what I liked the most about him is that he controlled the workload in the Washington Redskins backfield. Despite not having the most ideal of match-up moving forward the fact that there is little competition to cut into his workload makes Ganther a flex play or better from now on.

3. Chris Jennings, RB, Cleveland Browns (13 points in Week 14)

Bruno Boys Cavigs: MATCH-PLAY. Jennings was impressive in Week 14 against the Pittsburgh Steelers but with the news that Joshua Cribbs will be seeing some additional action at running back it kind of kills his fantasy football value. Jennings very well could run wild against the lowly Kansas City Chiefs run defense but there is no guarantee that he get’s the touches to do so. Put him on your watch list and play this situation by ear.

Bruno Boys Whooley: REAL DEAL. While I find it difficult to put any trust in any member of the Cleveland Browns, Jennings has me a believer thanks to his 73 yards and a score on 20 carries against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the NFL’s No. 1 ranked rush defense.

4. Devin Aromashodu, WR, Chicago Bears (13 points in Week 14)

Bruno Boys Whooley: ONE WEEK WONDER. Prior to his eight catches in week 14, Aromashodu had just two receptions on the season. The problem is that there are just too many receivers ahead of him in Chicago in Devin Hester, Johnny Knox, and Earl Bennett. Granted those guys aren’t superstars, but they do hold more promise than Aromashodu.

Bruno Boys Cavigs: ONE WEEK WONDER. You can’t argue with his eight reception for 76 receiving yards and a touchdown performance of Week 14 but if Aromashodu was the real deal it wouldn’t have taken a Devin Hester injury to get him on the field. Stay away unless he continues to produce at a high level.

5. Greg Camarillo, WR, Miami Dolphins (11 points in Week 15)

Bruno Boys Cavigs: ONE WEEK WONDER. His seven receptions for 110 receiving yards was encouraging but it’s not enough for me to suggest you rely on Camarillo with your season on the line. Consider him in the deepest of leagues but don’t expect a repeat performance anytime soon.

Bruno Boys Whooley: ONE WEEK WONDER. The 110 receiving yards he had in week 15 gave him his first double digit outing on the year, and that should tell you all you need to know about the Dolphins’ receiver for fantasy purposes.

WEEK 15 MATCH-UPS  (Who’ll Have the Better Week?)

1. Pierre Thomas (NO) vs. Marion Barber (Dal)

Bruno Boys Whooley: BARBER. With just one double digit game in his last six outings, I know choosing Barber is a gamble here. But, I really believe the Dallas Cowboys are wise to the fact that their best chance at winning this football game is to get their ground game going against the New Orleans Saints 18th ranked rush defense and keep Drew Brees and Co. off the field.

Bruno Boys Cavigs: THOMAS. Both of these options will play second fiddle to their teams pass happy offenses but the deciding factor in my opinion is the fact that Pierre Thomas plays a bigger role in the passing game. Despite having just 19 carries over the last two games Thomas still has 33 touches (14 receptions) during that span and he has been the more consistent yardage player over the past six weeks.

2. Vernon Davis (SF) vs. Brent Celek (Phi)

Bruno Boys Cavigs:  DAVIS. Both tight ends should play at a high level but Vernon Davis has propelled himself into the elite tight end in the business and his 11 touchdown receptions lead all NFL wide receivers and tight ends. This week he takes on a Philadelphia Eagles defense that ranks dead last at defending the tight end position and that means one thing…TD-VD!

Bruno Boys Whooley: DAVIS. Both of these tight ends are supremely talents, meaning the match-ups determine this match play. While the San Francisco 49ers have allowed the fifth fewest fantasy points to the tight end position on the year, the Philadelphia Eagles have allowed the most. Hence, the choice is easy. It’s Davis.

3. Brady Quinn (Cle) vs. Matt Cassel (KC)

Bruno Boys Whooley: QUINN. Sorry, but I can’t just trust a QB that has posted a goose egg in each of his last two outings like Cassel has. At least, Quinn, prior to his mere three points against Pittsburgh, had weeks of 28, 12, and 20. Even with Dwayne Bowe back in the mix, Cassel will struggle.

Bruno Boys Cavigs: CASSEL.  The emergence of running back Jamaal Charles and the return of wide receiver Dwayne Bowe combined with a favorable match-up could turn Matt Cassel into a one-week wonder in Week 15. You’d have to like taking a chance to start the first year Kansas City Chiefs quarterback but it could pay huge dividends.

4. Roddy White (Atl) vs. Darrelle Revis (NYJ)

Bruno Boys Cavigs: REVIS. White hasn’t been all that impressive of late and Revis has been the true definition of “lockdown” corner back.  Revis has put the clamps on Andre Johnson, Terrell Owens, Randy Moss, Marques Colston, Steve Smith (Car), Mike Sims Walker and many others this year. When it’s all said and done you can add Roddy White to that list.

Bruno Boys Whooley: REVIS. When a stud wide receiver and cornerback match-up, the two are on an island and it’s all about survival of the fittest. Throughout the year, Revis has proven that he has what’s needed to survive. The wide receivers that have gone against him, not so much.