Tony Finn
Managing Editor and Director of Operations for Sports Grumblings LLC,
is nationally published covering the National Football League, Major
League Baseball and College Football and has been a FSWA Writer of the
Year finalist. Tony has been involved with fantasy sports in some
capacity since 1973 and has hosted radio and internet broadcasts that
include the 'Dog and Tony Show' with NFL draft analyst D.J Boyer,
'Football Central', 'Finn on Sports', 'Gridiron Gamblers', and is the
Senior NFL analyst for the PBS broadcast of "NFL Intellect". Tony's
columns include 'The Finn Factor', 'Six Days to Sunday' and 'Sunday No Huddle' which are featured exclusively at Sports Grumblings..
Top-10 early season fantasy football disappointments...
The following Top-10 early season fantasy busts are based on production compared to average draft position (ADP).
()= Average Draft Position
1. Steven Jackson -
St Louis - (3) Jackson can't use his groin injury as an
excuse, not according to the Six Days to Sunday staff. He was simply
overvalued in the preseason following a career year in 2006.
Jackson is averaging a respectable 77 yards per game rushing, but his
zero touchdowns and eight receptions over three games makes him the Six
Days to Sunday top early season bust.
Outlook:
Jackson is a wash. He isn't expected to make a return to game day
action until Week 10 and at that point the Rams could very well be
0-10. Entering their Week 6 game in Baltimore, today, the offense has
only three Week 1 starters standing. Most owners that spent a second
overall pick on Jackson are looking up in the fantasy standings.
2. Larry Johnson
- Kansas City - (7) His 55 yards per game on the ground and
zero touchdowns have him averaging seven fantasy points per
game in traditional formats.
Outlook:
I didn't like him in the preseason, passed him up in several drafts
this summer, and don't like him today against a Bengals defense that is
offering up 32 points a game. I have strongly recommended that he be
traded for the last three weeks.
3. Drew Brees
- New Orleans - (54) Brees is averaging 5.75 fantasy points
per game in traditional scoring formats. The 5.75 ppg is absolutely
pathetic for a running back; for a quarterback -- it's fantasy death.
The Saints signal caller has one passing touchdown and nine interceptions
on the season.
Outlook:
Brees is one of the few early season disappointments that has a
favorable outlook. The Saints offense starts to rebound today with a
shootout in Seattle. Reach out to fellow owners and see
what it will take to garner the services of Brees, but do it before he
throws for three TDs this afternoon.
4. Maurice Jones-Drew -
Jacksonville - (38) Believe it or not, the second year tailback
was actually taken in the first-round of some expert drafts the SDS
staff took part in this summer. His 45 rushing yards, seven fantasy
points per game and one total touchdown are dreadful -- but
deserving for those who took him earlier than the fourth round.
Outlook:
Fred Taylor pulled a groin muscle this week. If that injury lingers
Jones-Drew might find a way to contribute fourth-round fantasy numbers.
Expecting first-round numbers from the Jags tailback is idiocy.
5. Thomas Jones - New York Jets - (38) His 40 yards and seven fantasy points per game have been more than disappointing.
Outlook:
The Jets have pulled the unthinkable, churning out a second-year misery
under 2006 coach of the year candidate Eric Mangini. The blame is
currently being laid at the feet of veteran quarterback Chad Pennington,
but it is not all his fault. Jones hasn't been healthy and Brian
Schottenheimer hasn't done a good job playing calling this year.
Jones can only get more productive -- and the Jets have a favorable schedule moving forward.
6. Marvin Harrison
- Indianapolis - (34) Harrison, who missed the teams last game is
averaging a paltry 58 receiving yards and seven fantasy points per
game.
Outlook:
It was jut a matter of time before Father-Time caught up with Marvin.
His outlook is still promising, but he has finally taken a backseat to
younger receivers, Reggie Wayne and versatile TE Dallas Clark.
7. Javon Walker
- Denver - (68) - The Bronco wide out has played in only three games
this year. Walker, who has been suffering lingering effects from a 2005 offseason knee surgery has yet to score and has averaged seven fantasy points
per game.
Outlook: Denver
is falling apart at the seams. The 2-3 Broncos could easily be 0-5 and
the offense isn't the same without John Elway -- duh!
8. Marc Bulger -
St. Louis - (64) - He has lost his offensive line, starting running
back, his healthy ribs and his starting job --- to
Gus Frerotte of all journeyman. Bulger has two TDs, four INT and is
averaging 8.25 fantasy points per game in traditional formats.
Outlook:
No team has suffered more injuries, fantasy relevant injuries, than the
Rams and the outlook is bleak for Bulger and company moving forward.
9. Lee Evans
- San Francisco - (60) Evans and the
Buffalo offense have been a disaster. His 101 total yards receiving and
2.5 fantasy points per game have been the ruin of more than one fantasy
owner.
Outlook:
The weather will only get colder in Buffalo. If Evans was going to be a
fantasy threat he would have had at least one strong performance by
now.
10. Hines Ward - Pittsburgh - (86) Averaging 33 yards and five fantasy points per game.
Outlook:
The bye-week will help the aging veteran right his knee, and his
production should pick up as the team fights tooth and nail for an AFC
North title. The Steelers offense has never been consistent or
predictable under Big Ben -- and that won't change in the near future. I will revisit this category and early season bust list after Week 10. At that time we will see just how wrong or right I was...
--Tony Finn
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