Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

WIDE RECEIVER - DUDS

Marques Colston (New Orleans Saints) – It was not such a banner day for the Saints’ passing game as I noted earlier, and while Colston got plenty of attention from Drew Brees with nine balls thrown his way, it just didn’t add up to a big day fantasy wise for the Saints’ number one guy. Colston caught eight of the balls thrown his way, but they were good for just 77 yards. The worst part for his fantasy owners was that he failed to score a touchdown and lost a fumble. What looked to be a dream match-up turned out to be anything but as Colston scored just five points when projected for 13. 

Hallam’s Take: It has been a less than stellar season for Colston, as there is a possibility that he will not get to 75 catches or ten touchdowns. He was drafted as an elite receiver, but has fallen a little short of expectations due to Brees’ habit of spreading the ball around. His value takes a slight hit going into next season with the emergence of Robert Meachem, as he is a legitimate receiver and not a fluky Lance Moore-type from 2008. Still, he will be a very strong WR2 for 2010. 

Donald Driver (Green Bay Packers) – A guy that I really liked coming into the year, Driver is seriously fading down the stretch. Even with the Packers putting up 48 points, Driver was just not a big part of the deal as he had just three catches for only 33 yards and no scores against the Seahawks. Driver should have been able to reach the 11 points expected of him, but was nowhere near that with just three. 

Hallam’s Take: It has now been four straight weeks that Driver has had three catches or less, with his early season success completely out the door. At the end of the season, his numbers won’t look all that bad, but if you think of it as two halves his value takes a hit for 2010. Driver is on a potent offensive team, which should keep his value up for another couple of years, but he will be 35 years old soon and his best days are definitely behind him. 

Mike Sims-Walker (Jacksonville Jaguars) – Sims-Walker’s late season swoon continued in Week 16, as the once popular receiver is no doubt in his owner’s doghouses. Sims-Walker had just two catches for a whopping (sarcasm) 19 yards and did not score a touchdown. He was supposed to put up 13 points against the New England defense, but didn’t even get close with just a single, solitary fantasy point. 

Hallam’s Take: Around Thanksgiving, Sims-Walker was one of the more impressive receivers that had gone undrafted in your fantasy league. Since then, he has had one touchdown, one game in which he has had more than four catches, and one game that he had more than 50 receiving yards. He still will have good value in 2010 due to his early season success, but even against the Browns in Week 17, he likely isn’t a great play. 

TIGHT END - DUDS

Bo Scaife (Tennessee Titans) – Scaife had finally become more of a part of the game plan for the Titans, as he had four catches or more in five straight games prior to week 16. Well, something happened Christmas night, perhaps Scaife was trying to get some very last second shopping done as he was held without a catch against the Chargers. Scaife was projected to score six points, but obviously without a catch, he couldn’t tally any fantasy points either. 

Hallam’s Take: The Titans have had a huge turnaround since inserting Vince Young as their starting quarterback, but it still isn’t enough to help Scaife’s value. He is a decent fantasy tight end, but the fact is there are more and more quality tight ends coming into the NFL every year. Scaife is a bye week replacement at best, but shouldn’t be someone that you start every week. 

KICKER - DUDS

Garrett Hartley (New Orleans Saints) – The Saints might be thinking about calling John Carney back after the game that Hartley had in Week 16. He did connect on the two extra points that he attempted, and he hit a 28 yard field goal. However, with a chip shot for the win against the lowly Buccaneers, Hartley missed, leading to a Tampa Bay upset. This game was supposed to be a blowout and Hartley was supposed to score 11 points, but he finished with less than half that with a five point total. 

Hallam’s Take: Hartley will always have fantasy value because of the fact that he kicks for the Saints, who will always be in a position to score points. They have lost two straight games, but now they have something to play for as they look to create some momentum going into the playoffs. Hartley makes for a solid play in Week 17.

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS – DUDS

New York Giants D/ST (3 stars) – What in the world was THAT? In a completely uninspired effort, the Giants were absolutely embarrassed in their last game in Giants Stadium. The Giants allowed a ridiculous 41 points to a team quarterbacked by Matt Moore. They failed to record an interception, didn’t force a fumble, and sacked Moore just once. They were projected to be a three star starter this week, but if there is something lower than one star, that was the effort that they put up. 

Hallam’s Take: Anyone who says that they saw this blowout coming is just lying to you, as the Giants just came out and laid a total egg. They just haven’t gotten pressure on the quarterback this year, and it has exposed a sub-par linebacking corps and an injured secondary. New York will finish the season against the Vikings, and with them not firing on all cylinders, I would likely try not to play the Giants in the last week of the year. 

Week 17 Rankings:  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  | DEF    (click to read)

Week 17 Start & Sit:  START ‘EM  |  SIT ‘EM    (click to read)

Week 17 Waiver Wire Advice:  PICK THEM UP  |  CUT THEM LOOSE    (click to read)

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