Targets - From Week 3-  09/27/12

TARGETS FROM WEEK 3

Week 3 of the 2012 NFL season is over, so let us take a look at who got fed the ball the most and who was starved out of fantasy football opportunity this weekend…

We’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 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.

Quarterbacks (Pass Attempts + Carries):

The Gravy Train….

Peyton Manning slinging the rock over 50 times is something we became used to while he was in Indy, didn’t expect to see that very many times however. He attempted 52 passes and only completed half of them, something sort of unheard of for the elder Manning. He has been given full reigns of the offense by the Broncos but just hasn’t shown that crispness one became accustomed to during his time with the Colts.

Eating with the Big Dogs….

So much for letting the rookies grow slowly, these guys are being thrown to the wolves and producing. RGIII is looking like a top tier fantasy QB. I have touted the guy since college but he has exceeded my expectations by far. The others have also been slinging the rock but no one has been as effective fantasy wise as Griffin.

Dude Where’s my Pizza….

Josh Freeman may have seen 28 passing attempts but he looked anemic. Completing only 10 of those passes for 110 yards.  For those of you who worry about YPA his was UNDER 4. We see fantasy beast in the waiting with his live arm and running ability but this guy has been horrific since last season. We might end up changing this section to Dude where’s Josh Freeman if he doesn’t show up again soon.

Running Backs (Rushing Carries + Receiving Targets): 

The Gravy Train…

Upon looking at the season looks you can see why Arian Foster was drafted first overall in many leagues. This guy has 90 looks through three games, blowing the next two guys out by 17 looks through three games, he is just seeing the ball more than any other running back. Look for Arian to continue this trend and look good doing it.

Eating with the Big Dogs…

Hello Jamaal Charles, welcome back to fantasy prominence and dominance. Peyton Hillis went down with an injury and Charles picked up the extra carries. What did he do with these looks, Oh just put up 288 total yards. His knee looked great on a 91 yard score as he looked explosive and fast. Charles had a tremendous day and those who benched him are certainly hurting this week.

Dude Where’s my Pizza….

After rushing for 125 yards in week 1 Stevan Ridley has been in decline. Danny Woodhead saw more touches on Sunday night and wasn’t effective he did however find the end-zone. I’m just not seeing the love for Ridley even though he looks like the more effective RUNNER.  Belicheck is starting to torture fantasy owners more than Mike Shanahan. 

Wide Receivers (Receiving Targets):

The Gravy Train…

AJ Green had an amazing day. Sanu to Green is something you probably never expected to hear but it happened in a big way, just a small part of Green’s 12 look, 9 catch for 183 yards and a score on the day. The Bengals seem to be one of the more aggressive teams in the NFL when it comes to trying to stretch the field with their best receiver.

Eating with the Big Dogs…

Santonio Holmes saw 14 targets and showed up in a big way producing a stat line of nine catches for 147 yards. He did what he could to put the team on his back and bring them to the promise land. This is the sort of game you expect to see from a guy with the talent of Holmes, sad thing is he doesn’t show it enough to earn a constant spot in your line-up.

Dude Where’s my Pizza…

Laurent Robinson here… I did some great things as a number three target last year, and this year as a supposed number one I see a whopping 1 target. I like the money and all but I need some more love on the field, show me the love Blaine. SHOW ME THE LOVE!

Tight Ends (Receiving Targets): 

The Gravy Train….

Tony Gonzalez has been doing this a long time. He is still a man amongst boys when going across the middle.  He saw 12 targets and more than teammates Roddy White and Julio Jones. It’s hard to imagine how many times he will see more targets than the two of those but he will always be a consistent performer in this newly high-powered Falcons offense.

Eating with the Big Dogs….

Greg Olsen showed up Sunday in a big way.  In his two prior games he had seen a total of five targets. In this game he saw a tremendous 14! He caught half of the targets for 7 catches and 98 yards. Not many times will Olsen lead the tight ends in targets but he looked awfully good this weekend.

Dude Where’s my Pizza….

Rob Gronkowski saw 3 targets Sunday Night. With Aaron Hernandez out you expected to see an uptick in his targets but they seem to have been distributed to Welker and Edelman. Heck, new signee Kellen Winslow saw only 1 less target than Gronk this weekend

by Stagg Party

- 09/27/12