Targets - From Week 13-  12/09/11

TARGETS - FROM WEEK 13

Week 13 crept up like an Indy 500 steak that has been sitting in a warm cooler of water all weekend only to be eaten rabidly at 4 in the morning the night before the race.  Bad idea, trust me.  Well, at least some of our favorite ballers got unhinged this weekend and went into a full blown feeding frenzy.  Let’s take a look at who got fed and who was starved out this weekend…

NOTE*** I’ve added a twist to the PYRO Targets Report.  You see in the RB and QB charts, I’ve included a new column – LOOKS.  For RB’s, LOOKS = Carries + Targets.  For QB’s, LOOKS = Pass Attempts + Carries.  The purpose of the report is to show overall involvement in the offense, and we agreed at PYRO HQ to add this wrinkle in, as it is a better indicator of the data we’re after.   

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 BACKS CARRIES + TARGETS 

The Gravy Train… Until someone knocks the king off the mountain, I’m just going to have to keep putting his name right here.  Arian Foster has unleashed Lasagna Hell on the league, averaging 28.2 Looks per game ( # 1 on the season for RBs).  Even after his hamstrung start, he’s moved into the 3^rd slot for total Looks, behind only MJD and R2D2.  What a monster.  Don’t expect him to get pushed off the mountain top any time soon with all the QB troubles in Houston.

Eating with the Big Dogs…  Toby Gerhart ate it up this weekend.  Who knew? With AP on the pines, Minnesota still mustered up enough offense to give Gerhart 21 carries and 8 targets.  He caught all 8 balls.  Chow down while the getting’s good Tob, cause the Big Dog will be back soon enough, and he’s gonna want his big meat bone back.

Dude, Where’s my Pizza?...  Common sense would dictate that Michael Turner’s groin was the reason he was only able to get his jaws around 14 carries Sunday.  So what’s with the post-game confirmation that he was healthy?  Either way, the small sampler platter from Sunday sure didn’t help his owners lock in a playoff spot.  Turner is 9^th on the RB Looks/G list this season, but landed at 29^th this weekend.  That’s not even enough for a vulture let alone the falcon.

WIDE RECIEVER TARGETS

The Gravy Train…  Just like Arian Foster, someone is going to have to bump Roddy White out of the one hole to take his Gravy Train ticket.  He’s now had 42 targets over the past three games, 14, 13, and 15!  Yum Yum says the Dirty Bird’s owners.  Unfortunately, he only grabbed 4 of those pills this weekend but he did bring one to the house.  Expect more gorging down the stretch.

Eating with the Big Dogs… As good as Aaron Rodgers and Greg Jennings have been this season, the targets haven’t been all that.  Jennings is only 14^th on the WR Targets/G list this season.  He had a biggun’ on Sunday though with 14 targets and turned it into 94 yards with a tuddy on top.

Dude, Where’s my Pizza?...  Didn’t Calvin Johnson have 12 TD’s in week 3?  OK fine, exaggeration, but he did have 9 in week 5 and has only added a few more since.  He’s hanging on to the three spot on the season list, but he was 16^th on the weekend.  This isn’t exactly the time of the year you want your Big Dog to be going hungry.  Come on Calvin, dig up one-a-dem-ol-bones you buried.  Arooooooooo!!!!

TIGHT END TARGETS

The Gravy Train…  Fred Davis has been grubbing on Sundays this year.  He’s 7^th overall on the TE Targs/G list and stuffed 7 targets down his gullet this weekend.  He has been a nice surprise this season and should be a decent play down the stretch. 

Eating with the Big Dogs…  Just like the rest of the GB Crew this weekend, Jermichael Finley was over-served by Chef Rodgers.  I have been clamoring all season for Finley to get more looks, and he finally found the beef on Sunday.  He rewarded the Green Bay faithful with 87 yards and a TD.  

Dude, Where’s my Pizza?...  Kellen Winslow only saw 5 targets this weekend with QB Josh Johnson slinging biscuits.  He’s 4^th overall on the TE Targs/G list, so landing at 18^th this weekend was a bit disappointing.  It’s a bit concerning if Freeman can’t get back on the field, but he is expected to play.  Don’t panic, just put some cheese on that burger boy!

QUARTERBACK THROWING ATTEMPTS + CARRIES  

The Gravy Train…  Matty boy Stafford kept us his fiendish appetite this weekend, unloading 44 Looks to the tune of 408 yards and a tuddy.  He’s 3^rd overall on the season at QB for Looks/G and much like Drew Brees, he’s doing it all with his shoulder.  He has only 17 carries on the season.

Eating with the Big Dogs…  Christian Ponder brought his 229 pound frame ready to eat Sunday.  He’s 22^nd overall on the season list for QB Looks/G, but ate his way up the charts to the three spot for the weekend.  48 Looks is a flat out feast for any QB, let alone a Rook.  He made good on the meal too, firing up 3 passing TDs and 381 yards.  The arrow is pointing way up on this kid.

Dude, Where’s my Pizza…  Sorry Cam, I know you like to eat the pie, but it’s looking like Looks haven’t been on the menu lately.  This is his second week in a row crying for pizza.  Still, after being starved out again, he’s sitting pretty in the 1 hole on QB Looks/G for the season.  15^th this weekend wasn’t exactly what the fat man ordered.  Come on Cam, winter is coming…

by Mike Spike Jønes

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- 12/09/11