Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

Another week has nearly come to a close here in the NFL, and with it, as per usual, has come another batch of story lines to examine. In Whooley’s Weekly Words, I, Bruno Boys Whooley, tackle just a few of the more interesting items to catch my eye from the weekend. This week, I’ll be discussing the New England Patriots’ Passing Clinic, the continued maturation of Matt Moore, and a few other names fantasy owners should be familiar with for the 2010 season.

Patriots’ Passing Perfection

Had you blinked on Sunday, you may have missed the New England Patriots’ utter dismantling of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Even with the Patriots lighting up the scoreboard for 35 points, the game took a mere two and a half hours. That, though, was all the Patriots needed to send a message to the rest of the AFC that their passing game is back on track. Sure some critics may argue that the Jaguars pose little in the realm of pass defense, ranking 27th in the league prior to Sunday’s action, but even the top-rated New York Jets’ pass defense would have had trouble slowing down the Pats in week 16.

Looking like his 2007 record-breaking self, quarterback Tom Brady was succinct in slicing up the Jags’ secondary as he completed 23 of his 26 pass attempts for 267 yards and four TDs with no interceptions, numbers that translate to a lofty QB rating of 149.0. The key to Brady’s success on Sunday? Rather than force anything, the Patriots’ quarterback took what the defense gave him, which often times was an open Wes Welker as the receiver hauled in 13 of Brady’s passes for 138 yards receiving. The quarterback, though, didn’t forget about his other weapon in Randy Moss. Sure, he and Moss connected on just four throws for 45 yards, but three of those completions were in the end zone.

A potent Patriot’s passing attack just in time for the playoffs could mean bad things for the rest of the AFC.

The Maturation of Matt Moore

With 8 TDs to 18 INTs in 11 games played this season, it seems safe to say that Jake Delhomme does not have a stranglehold on the Carolina Panthers’ starting quarterback job for next season. But, that doesn’t mean the Panthers’ QB of the future is not on their roster. The Panthers may not need to look further than third-year quarterback Matt Moore, who is taking full advantage of his latest test run with the team.

Moore, who went to Oregon State, got a brief tryout back during his rookie year in 2007, though the results weren’t that impressive as the QB completed just 56.8% of his passes for 730 yards, 3 TDs, and 5 INTs for a QB rating of 67.0 in nine games played. This time, however, things have been different. While on the sidelines since his 2007 debut, Moore seems to have been taking notes, as he’s been able to read defenses much better this go around. He’s also showing more patience in the pocket and an increased accuracy as he’s completed 61.7% of his passes.

With all those things going for him, the results have been a pleasant surprise for both the Panthers’ and those fantasy owners that have taken a gamble on Moore, most likely in two-QB leagues. The QB may not be racking up huge yardage totals as he has gone for over 200 yards passing just once this season, but he is limiting his mistakes with just two interceptions in six games played, while hitting pay dirt with 7 passing TDs, including six over his last two games. As a result, Moore should be under center for Carolina in 2010, making him a solid bye week option for fantasy owners in all leagues next year.

Radar Worthy

Just as is the case with Moore above, here is a list of some other guys that should remain on fantasy owners’ radar’s for the 2010 season:

QB Chad Henne (Miami Dolphins) - Ronnie Brown’s injury earlier in the year forced the Miami Dolphins to turn to a more traditional offensive game plan, and surprisingly, Chad Henne, has delivered. The Dolphins’ QB has produced double digit outings in each of his last four games and has thrown for over 300 yards in three of those contests.

QB Alex Smith (San Francisco 49ers) - All but left for dead the Niners’ QB, after restructuring his contract in the off-season, has gotten another chance to showcase his talents, and with the Niners’ placing him in a spread offense, the results have been positive. On the year, Smith has thrown for 2,128 yards, 17 TDs, and 12 INTs in 10 games played.

RB Jerome Harrison (Cleveland Browns) - With Jamal Lewis hanging up the shoulder pads following this year, someone will need to take his place in the Browns’ backfield. With over 30 carries in each of the Browns’ last two games, a span that has seen Harrison run for 434 yards and 4 rushing TDs, Harrison seems like the likely man for the job.

RB Justin Forsett (Seattle Seahawks) - Despite the fact that he is the more talented back, Forsett spent the majority of 2009 playing second fiddle to Julius Jones. During the off-season, after evaluating the game tape, Jim Mora and crew should realize Forsett is the guy they should be playing.

RB Shonn Greene (New York Jets) - The rookie running back didn’t have the impact many envisioned he’d have in 2009, but he has shown signs of his explosiveness (19 carries for 144 yards and 2 scores against the Oakland Raiders in week 7). As such, look for the Jets to get him more involved in the offense next season, making him a solid flex option.

WR Michael Crabtree (San Francisco 49ers) - Many fantasy owners make the mistake of looking at a guy’s overall numbers to determine his draft value. Doing so, though, will greatly hurt owners’ evaluation of Crabtree. A hold out who didn’t make his debut until week 7, Crabtree has demonstrated that he has the talent to be a solid wide receiver in the NFL for years to come. Next year with a full off-season to learn the offense, Crabtree should be a high-end WR2.

WR Hakeem Nicks (New York Giants) - Now that the Giants have had a chance to see what the rookie wide out can do, look for him to come out of camp as the team’s starting wide out opposite Steve Smith next season, just giving him more and more opportunities to beat teams deep.

WR Braylon Edwards (New York Jets) - He may never be able to repeat his amazing 2007 season when he hauled in 16 TDs, but Edwards has shown some life since being traded to the New York Jets, and with a full off-season to build on his rapport with Mark Sanchez, he should become a solid WR2 play for 2010.

TE Fred Davis (Washington Redskins) - Davis took over the starting tight end duties for the Redskins when Chris Cooley was lost for the year, and he’s done his best Cooley impersonation since. While he was held out of the end zone in week 16, Davis had been a riding a streak of four games with a score. Even with a healthy Cooley, you can bet the Redskins will find a way to utilize Davis’ talents.

TE Jermichael Finley (Green Bay Packers) - A basketball playing tight end, sound familiar? Finley will continue to be a large part of the Packers’ passing attack in 2010, making him an elite tight end option.

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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