Targets - During Week 6 Games-  10/20/11

TARGETS - DURING WEEK 6 GAMES

Book It!  Week 6 of the 2011 NFL season is down the drain and owners are starting to eyeball the halfway point of the season.  It’s time to really start thinking about how the second half plays out and cornering the market at the trade deadline.  Targets should help provide some clarity, let’s break down week 6.

If you’re a first timer just checking in for this weekly report, here’s how we break it down…

The Gravy Train…

The Gravy Train showcase is to “target” the guys who will be regulars at the top of the list throughout the season.  Rain or shine, this crew will find a way to be here most weeks.  These are your work horses that can you can ride to your league’s playoff door.

Eating with the Big Dogs…

This section showcases guys who had a great feeding by their offensive coordinators this week but who will see the top of the list infrequently.  Or, a fresh face on the rise that has shown he just may belong with the Big Dogs. 

Dude, Where’s my Pizza…

Here’s where we highlight this week’s batch of players that normally should be fed but we’re starved out over the weekend.

RUNNING BACK CARRIES + TARGETS 

The Gravy Train… Only one top fiver off the season leader board landed this week’s top five – Michael Turner.  This Big Dog’s legs are tree trunks and he left defenders eating bark all afternoon.  At least Mike Mularkey fed someone this weekend.

Eating with the Big Dogs…  Ahmad Bradshaw is averaging just over 16 carries a game so far this season but he gobbled up 26 totes in week 6.  He capitalized big time for his owners with a 100 yard day and dragged three into the big dog house for tuddies.    

Dude, Where’s my Pizza?...  When AP gets 12 carries in a game, as an owner, you just have to scratch your head.  Did I really sign up for that?  Ponder will hit the field this weekend and we hope he can keep defenses honest for AP’s sake.

WIDE RECEIVER TARGETS

The Gravy Train…  Brandon Marshall is averaging over 10 targets a game and he chowed down on 13 Monday night.  One of these days baby TO is going to line up with a real NFL QB and when he does, give me a second helping of that.  Despite his inability to find the end zone, Brandon Marshall is a sick talent.  Andrew Luck anyone?        

Eating with the Big Dogs… Michael Crabtree doubled up his weekly helping of targets this weekend.  He is averaging just over 7 targets per game, but sank his teeth into 15 this weekend.  The problem was he only grabtree’d 77 yards.  It’s a good thing this kid held out for every dollar as a rookie; he’s not going to see money like that again in his career. 

Dude, Where’s my Pizza?...  Mike Thomas was averaging 9.4 targets a game going into week 6 and he only saw 6 head his way on Sunday.  Despite being number five on the season leader board for targets, he’s almost fantasy irrelevant.  If his targets drop, he’s a drop.  Sunday he had 4 catches for 36 yards, and 0 TD’s.  He just might be the best counter argument to PYRO’s steadfast belief in target importance.

TIGHT END TARGETS  

The Gravy Train…  Brandon Pettigrew had another monster target day this week with 14.  He is now in second place on the season leader board for TE targets and the arrow is pointing up.  I don’t see him overtaking Jimmy Graham for the one spot, but he’s a very strong candidate to keep his number two status.  His fantasy point production is down considering his targeting, but it will catch up if he keeps getting fed at this rate. 

Eating with the Big Dogs…  Fred Davis is averaging 6.6 targets per game and is currently at the 17^th spot on the season leader board after this week’s Sunday Buffet.  He saw 11 targets while Chris Cooley exited the game early.  Cooley fractured a finger and will miss significant time.  You can point Davis’s arrow way up with Cooley on the pines.  Grab him if he’s available.

Dude, Where’s my Pizza?... Hard to imagine Alex Smith throwing 32 times and only looking for Vern twice, but that’s what happened.  He is being extremely underutilized in this offense, which is really surprising considering the style of football they’re playing.

QUARTERBACK THROWING ATTEMPTS + CARRIES  

The Gravy Train…  Three of the top five for the season lead on pass attempts showed up this weekend, Stafford, Brees, and Brady.  If you have one of these three, chances are pretty good you are in contention at this point.  Eat it up owners. 

Eating with the Big Dogs…  I’ve been waiting to see Sam Bradford climb this weekly leader board and I’ll say it again, an NFC West QB that plays indoors is going to get his due before it’s said and done.  I know a lot of Bradford drops have been popping, but this kid may take a run at the big dog table.  Brandon Lloyd should help.    

Dude, Where’s my Pizza…  14 for 22 out of Matty Ice?  Come on Mike Mularkey, that’s leaving your poor man out to melt without a biscuit.  Me so hungry! 

by Mike Spike Jønes

Listen & subscribe to our Pyro® Weekly Podcasts: http://pyromaniac.buzzsprout.com

Follow Pyro® on Twitter: https://twitter.com/pyroman1ac 

Like us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/pyromaniac

- 10/20/11