Fantasy Rewind for Week 11
ARIZONA AT UTAH
The Utah defense has been victimized all season, but never has anyone taken it to the extreme the way WR Randy Gatewood did this past week. Gatewood poured a pound of salt on the slug's corpse, catching 13 passes for 149 yards and 7 TDs, adding 3 tackles for an incredible 68 fantasy points. QB Sherdrick Bonner also feasted, with 345 yards and 8 TDs. The Rattlers were a two-man team this night, and really what else was needed? WR Cosmo DeMatteo did pitch in with 6 catches for 88 yards and OS Damien Groce finally returned to the field, cashing in on his one catch for a 32-yard TD.
Utah's offense has never been the problem and they kept pace with the Rattlers until late in the game. QB Jason Gesser likely saw his last start of the season, throwing for a sub-par 160 yards and 4 TDs. WR Tom Pace starred, with 6 catches for 74 yards and 2 TDs, running one in as well. OS Siaha Burley had a disappointing night (3 for 41, 1 TD) and will be glad to get QB Joe Germaine back from injury. DS Justin Taplin recorded 3 tackles and returned an INT for a touchdown.
SAN JOSE AT TAMPA BAY
While it's impressive to watch the Sabercats pound the running game with such efficiency, it's just about equally as disturbing to watch the Sabercats score 52 points without QB Mark Grieb throwing a TD pass. Grieb finished with 223 yards and 1 INT, giving him 9 fantasy points. Like I said, disturbing coming off of a 9-TD week. OS Ben Nelson (6 for 89) and WR James Roe (8 for 75, 2 tackles, INT) seemed to be getting pushed out or knocked down within the 5-yard line all night, setting up the running onslaught. FB Brian Johnson (8 yards) and FB Phil Glover (16 yards) each scored twice, while WR Barry Wagner and FB JaJuan Huddleston scored once apiece. DS Clevan Thomas had 7 tackles, while DS Omaar Smith made 3 solo stops and returned an interception for the TD that sealed the game for San Jose.
Tampa Bay matched the Sabercats score for score, with QB Shane Stafford throwing for 252 yards and 6 TDs, but also throwing two critical interceptions. OS Freddie Solomon was strong, catching 8 balls for 107 yards and 2 TDs. Solomon could be an excellent fantasy contributor down the stretch if he can stay healthy, something that Freddie hasn't had much luck doing lately. WR Lawrence Samuels finished with 6 for 69 and 1 TD, also picking off an errant Grieb throw. The Storm didn't run the ball once, perhaps in protest of the Sabercats reliance on the ground game. DS Jonathan Ordway was busy, with 11 tackles (8 solo) and 4 pass blocks.
COLORADO AT GRAND RAPIDS
Crush QB John Dutton started out the game by going 6 of 7 for 103 yards and 2 TDs in the 1st quarter. Down 35-0 with five minutes left before halftime, the Rampage were already toast. Dutton finished 21 of 29 for 244 yards and 5 TDs, as the Crush played it conservative for most of the 2nd half. OS Damien Harrell had a relatively low key game (7 for 61, 3 TDs) and WR Andy McCullough (4 for 97, 2 TDs) provided a counterbalance. WR Willis Marshall had a good all-around game, contributing 25 rushing yards, 7 catches for 47 yards, 2 tackles and a kick return TD. WR Ahmad Hawkins ran for one TD (8 yards) and returned a fumble for another to go along with 2 tackles, 2 catches and 29 yards receiving. DS Rashad Floyd picked off 3 passes as a compliment to his 5 solo tackles. K Clay Rush was 10 for 10 on extra points and chipped in a short FG to end the scoring for Colorado.
The Rampage started QB Ryan Van Dyke and he experienced definite growing pains, throwing for 191 yards, 4 TDs and 3 INTs. FB Chris Avery had a decent game, with 8 rushing yards and a TD and 2 tackles. WR Timon Marshall was the star for the Rampage, collecting 7 catches for 79 yards and 2 TDs, as well as 6 solo tackles. WR Josh Bush (4 for 29) returned a kickoff and an INT for touchdowns, but OS Anthony Hines (4 for 55, 1 TD) was stymied most of the night. DS Johnnie Harris had 6 solo tackles for Grand Rapids.
CHICAGO AT PHILADELPHIA
Philadelphia QB Tony Graziani added to his disappointing season by going down in this battle with a hamstring injury. Graziani was 17 of 30 for 249 yards and 2 TDs prior to leaving the game and should not be depended on for stats. QB Matt Sauk took over, throwing for 71 yards and 2 TDs, leading the Soul to an overtime decision. WR Mike Brown had a fine individual effort, with 4 catches for 32 yards, 1 TD, 13 rushing yards, 2 tackles and an INT. FB Wes Ours (12 rushing yards, 2 TDs) and FB Chad Dukes (rushing TD) both scored on the ground, as did WR Sean Scott, who also had 8 catches for 106 yards and a TD. WR Rob Milanese scored twice on 5 catches for 88 yards. DS Eddie Moten had 5 solo tackles and intercepted Chicago's 2-pt attempt in overtime to win the game for Philadelphia.
There was a Michael Bishop sighting in this game. Perhaps the Rush will use Bishop (2 rushes, 1 TD) as designated Short Yardage TD Guy going forward, but I wouldn't put much stock in that notion. However, QB Matt D'Orazio has been completely unimpressive lately, finishing this game with 259 yards, 4 TDs and 2 INTs. WR Etu Molden played in his second straight game, catching 10 balls for 105 yards and a TD, and seems to be healthy. Put him in your lineup, if you must, but proceed with care. OS CJ Johnson (7 for 72, 1 TD) returned a missed field goal attempt for a touchdown and even added a tackle. WR Woody Dantzler caught 2 passes for 56 yards, both for TDs. DS Jeremy Unertl had a fine game, with 10 tackles (7 solo) and an INT.
DALLAS AT NEW YORK
Ok, who among you thought that the Dallas vs New York matchup would produce only 12 more combined points than the Kansas City Brigade would score? Put your hands down now, because no one believes you for a minute. Dallas was averaging 5 defensive stops per game, and equalled that number by halftime by shutting out the Dragons. QB Clint Dolezel threw for 257 yards and 4 TDs, but constantly overthrew open receivers. OS Terrill Shaw had a good game, ending with 7 catches for 133 yards, a TD and one TD rushing. WR Will Pettis was not at his best, recording 6 catches for 61 yards and a TD. WR Dialleo Burks also caught 6 balls, his going for 51 yards and a TD. DS Jermaine Jones only had 2 tackles but returned a key INT 47-yards for a TD right before the half.
Dragons QB Nick Browder was harrassed all game, finishing with 273 yards and 4 TDs, but also throwing two picks. WR Mike Horacek overcame a finger in the eye and a blindside block to finish with 6 catches for 145 yards and 3 TDs, all coming late in the game. All other receivers for New York were non-factors, as the Dallas pass rush disrupted Browder for the duration. WR Will Holder had another fine defensive effort, with 6 solo stops and a fumble recovery.
LOS ANGELES AT KANSAS CITY
It only took 11 weeks, but finally the Brigade are viable fantasy stars. The Brigade scored 21 straight 4th quarter points to break open a close game, and their offense had everything to do with that surge. QB Chris Sanders has been wonderful since taking over the reigns and took apart the Avengers defense, throwing for 275 yards and 7 TDs, forcing one into the endzone on the ground, as well. Sanders and the Brigade have nothing to lose and could be key fantasy contributors in the stretch run. WR Aaron Boone has been unstoppable the past two weeks and came out of this one with 13 catches for 157 yards and 5 TDs, giving him 24 catches for 286 yards and 7 TDs over the past two weeks. OS Jerel Myers (6 for 35) caught 2 TDs and ran for one in a good effort.
The Avengers loss was disappointing but key players still came through with good fantasy efforts. QB Sonny Cumbie finished with 248 yards and 6 TDs, while WR Greg Hopkins (8 for 50, 1 TD, 5 tackles, INT) did very well for owners. OS Tony Locke (3 for 53, 1 TD) had a barely existent day, but WR Kevin Ingram was a star, with 8 catches for 77 yards and 4 TDs. K Remy Hamilton hit all seven of his extra points and a 20-yard FG.
NASHVILLE AT LAS VEGAS
QB Clint Stoerner returned to the Kats lineup, and although he only threw for 179 yards and 3 TDs, his presence was enough to spark the Nashville team to a big road win. WR Alonzo Nix hauled in 5 balls for 96 yards and a TD to lead all receivers (also returning an onside kick for a TD), with OS TT Toliver (2 for 41, TD) a distance second. The Kats slammed the ball on the ground against the Gladiators, with FB Frank Carter (33 yards, 2 TDs, 2 tackles) and FB Dan Alexander (14 yards, 1 TD, 3 tackles) controlling the game. WR Jarrick Hillery also added 9 rushing yard and a TD. DS Monty Montgomery had 8 tackles (5 solo) for Nashville.
Las Vegas was behind 29-7 before they knew what hit them. QB Jason Fife ran for 23 yards and threw for another 252 with 6 TDs in the attempt to bring the Gladiators back to within striking range. OS Marcus Nash shrugged off a slow start to catch 7 passes for 85 yards and 2 TDs. WR Junior Lord made himself known with 4 catches for 69 yards and 2 TDs, but this was Nashville's day. DS TJ Hill and DS Chris Canty both had 5 solo stops for the Gladiators.
ORLANDO AT COLUMBUS
Another defensive struggle caused stunted fantasy statistics for two of the teams that had been producing well leading into the week. QB Joe Hamilton had been on fire, but could only come up with 228 yards and 3 TDs against Columbus. WR Javarus Dudley (8 for 88, 2 TDs, 2 tackles) met expectations, but WR Jerrian James (5 for 53, 1 TD, 5 tackles) was saved by his defensive effort and OS Jimmy Fryzel (6 for 36, no TDs) was just kept under wraps. FB Marlon Moye-Moore was listed as Doubtful, but came up with 10 rushing yards and a TD.
Columbus held the Predators to six 2nd half points, but still couldn't overcome their own faulty play. QB John Kaleo threw for 230 yards and 5 TDs, but also tossed 2 INTs. WR David Saunders continued his recent good play by collecting 3 TDs on 8 catches for 90 yards. OS Marcus Knight seems to be catching on in Columbus and finished with 8 catches for 63 yards but failed to score. OS Thabiti Davis only had 3 catches (36 yards) but went for 2 TDs. WR BJ Barre (1 for 25 receiving) had a great game defensively, with 13 tackles (9 solo) and a fumble recovery. DS Brandon Hefflin was non-existent, with 2 tackles after consecutive double-digit tackle games. DS Jerald Brown also came through with a sub-par 4 tackles after winning Defensive Player of the Month.
GEORGIA AT AUSTIN
So many games this week seemed to feature outstanding defensive efforts, and this one was no exception. The Georgia defense held Austin to 29 points, with DS Chris Brown leading the way with 10 tackles. The Force also had a sack, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 INTs and numerous hurries. DS Nick Ward had 6 solo tackles for the Force and DS Nate Coggins had five. QB Matt Nagy was sharp, connecting on 23 of 30 passes for 266 yards and 3 TDs, sneaking in two on the ground as well. OS Chris Jackson continued his hot streak with 12 catches for 117 yards and a TD, also returned a missed FG attempt 50-yards for a TD to close out the first half. WR Derek Lee (6 for 104, TD) also stood out for the Force.
Turnovers plagued the Wranglers. QB John Fitzgerald was unusually sloppy, throwing for only 218 yards and 2 TDs, with two game-killing INTs. OS Derrick Lewis was the lone bright point for the Wranglers, corralling 10 passes for 147 yards and 2 TDs. Austin continues to use WR Kevin Nickerson as a short pass option (6 for 41, no TDs, 10 yards rushing) and may have to open up the offense some if they hope to retain solid playoff hopes.
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