The Fantasy Nosebleeds

Wonder-pick?

Three number one's. Three number one's! The late Ray Charles could see that Vince Young should have been the number one pick in the 2006 draft. Vince Young has led his Tennessee Titans' to three straight comeback victories while three former number 1 draft picks watched from the sidelines. Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, and David Carr could do nothing but broil in sportsman's animosity. Houston Texans' owner Bob McNair deserves a mulligan for the drafting of Mario Williams over not just Reggie Bush, but Houston folk hero Vince Young. I must say, it is not Mario Williams' fault though. Regardless, the Texans' will have to revisit this nightmare twice a season as long as Vince Young is not lame, limp, or lazy. As for Jeff Fisher, where is his contract extension?

Enough with the pinpointing of error's, those are easier to address than success, it's now time to get back to our seats in the fantasy nosebleeds.

Vince Young is currently lighting up fantasy scoreboards as well. He is ranked 14th among all quarterbacks in fantasy scoring. In his last 8 games, Young has been averaging 20.32 fantasy points per week. Only Drew Brees, Carson Palmer and Peyton Manning have put up similar or greater point totals in their last 8 games. I just wouldn't get caught up in the moment and depend on him in the playoffs, with Jacksonville and Buffalo on tap the next two weeks.

A 'Millen' Reasons to stay away

Kevin Jones will be out for the remainder of the 2006 season, so you may be looking at the Detroit Lions' depth chart for a replacement for the playoffs, since Jones was a huge, out of nowhere contributor for all of his owners.

First, let's examine the run defenses the Lions will face in the last three games of 2006. The Lions play in Green Bay, at home against Chicago, and in Dallas to wrap up their season. Green Bay is ranked 17th against the run, allowing an average of 120 yards per game and just about one touchdown a game to opposing running backs. Chicago is ranked 11th against the run but tonight will be a good measuring stick to see how DT Tommie Harris' injury will impact this front seven. The Bears have only allowed 5 rushing touchdowns all season. Dallas is ranked 6th against the run, allowing only 96 yards per game. Can these three team's be run on? Yes. Will Detroit run on them successfully, don't bet the big bucks on it.

Arlen Harris and Aveion Cason will share the rock in a running back by committee in Jones' absence. Both running backs were roster favorites from offensive coordinator Mike Martz's days in St. Louis. In week 12 action, where Kevin Jones missed the game versus the Dolphins on Thanksgiving Day, Arlen Harris and Aveion Cason combined for only 21 yards on 10 carries against a stout, very stout Miami run defense. Harris and Cason have never really gelled for any stretch at any time during their careers. Granted, opportunities were few, but why expect Italian leather when you know you will get pleather made in Thailand? Would you also put your fantasy football season on the line with Arlen Harris or Aveion Cason? If you do, you will be seating with me in the fantasy nosebleeds. (Matt Millen had nothing to do with this piece, but I though the sub-topic was funny, didn't you?).

One for the Birds

With injuries and poor performances from fantasy heavy or middleweight quarterbacks, like Tom Brady, Jake Delhomme, Matt Hasselbeck, and Marc Bulger, you might need to grab a new quarterback for that "just in case" scenario. Look no further than Jeff Garcia. In 3 games, he has 8 touchdowns compared to 0 interceptions. He is completing 60% of his passes and has a passer rating of 97.4. With the Giants, Cowboys, and Falcons on tap for the remainder of the season, Garcia is looking like a sexier play for all of you that have owned the major name duds.

Quincy Romo?

As expected, Tony Romo once again looked like an average quarterback. He made one big play last week and was annointed as the new Troy Aikman by all major news and media outlets. Minus the Thanksgiving day route, Romo has thrown 9 touchdowns and 9 interceptions on the season. He should have one more interception than touchdown but Terrell Owens caught a deflected pass and scored. That pass was one of the worst placed balls I have seen all season. I think Romo is progressing though. I just am sane enough to realize that A.J. Feeley went 5-1 before, and earned a big paycheck just to bust later. Kyle Orton won how many games for the Bears last year? And Cowboys fans, please, when you revisit your recent history, you seem to skip from Aikman straight to Romo, but the narcotic-abusing Quincy Carter once led a streaking Cowboys squad to the playoffs as well. Don't get too big for your britches yet, or you will be stuck in the nosebleeds next to me, Arlen Harris, and Aveion Cason.

Of course, I will and have already heard the argument that numbers don't tell the whole story. That statement is absolutely right. I like Tony Romo. I hope he doesn't turn out to be a Jeff Hostetler, but a Tom Brady. Please stay tuned and don't miss my special Christmas Eve column on Tony Romo, it will be a winner!

This day in History

On this day in history, the sensational standout QB Charlie Ward from Florida State won the Heisman Trophy. This versatile star would walk off the football field and into Madison Square Garden for the New York Knicks. Also, today is Errict Rhett's birthday, remember him? The boundless hype he received after the 1995 season was unbearable.

This has been me, myself, and I from the fantasy nosebleeds.