Fantasy Rewind for Week 6
COLUMBUS AT NEW YORK
The Justin Wood era started off in New York with a firm "HUH?" as the rookie, taking over for injured Aaron Garcia completed 28 of 40 for 262 yards (including one pass to himself) and 3TDs, while also adding 2 TDs rushing to his total. However, Wood also lobbed 4 INTs, one to end the game at the Columbus goalline. WR Mike Horacek and OS Kevin Swayne posted modest numbers (6 for 52, 1TD and 9 for 74, 1TD respectively) but the real stars for NY were DS DeShane Dennis (7 tackles, 1 INT and a returned extra point) and DS Dahnel Singfield (5 tackles, 1 INT for TD).
Columbus QB John Kaleo posted a slightly amazing 6 TDs in 19 completions, but OS Carl Bond went absolutely unchecked, catching 9 for 190 yards and 3TDs. Columbus DS Jerald Brown picked off another pass (giving him 5 in the last 3 weeks) and BJ Barre picked off two.
AUSTIN AT GEORGIA
Georgia OS Jamil Elliot continues to make people forget completely about Chris Jackson, as he piled up 11 for 145 with a TD (and even added a fumble return TD on the special teams side to go with 74 return yards). WR Derek Lee, however, stole the show, with an efficient 6 for 106 and 3 TDs (and even made a tackle, which is rare for Lee). DS Chris Brown had another exceptional day with 12 tackles (10 unassisted) and K Nelson Garner had his first good outing since week 1, connecting on all 7 of his PATs and a 31-yard FG.
All of that wasn't enough to overcome a late Austin TD run by QB John Fitzgerald, who had 213 yards and passed for 4 TDs, 2 of those to WR Kevin Nickerson, who looked like last year's model with 9 catches for 104 yards.
SAN JOSE AT UTAH
As predicted, the Utah defense was just the salve for the aching San Jose offense, as the Sabercats scored over 60 points for the first time all year. QB Mark Grieb was elated, throwing for 295 yards and 8 TDs. Elite WR James Roe looks fully recovered from his early season concussion, racking up 12 catches for 115 yards and 4 TDs. WR Charles Pauley also pitched in with 4 catches for 97 yards and 3 TDs in the absence of OS Calvin Schenayder, who was a late scratch after being listed as Probable. DS Terrance Joseph had 11 unassisted tackles for the Sabercats and should be on someone's roster.
Utah's offense continued it's fine play, with OS Siaha Burley continuing his primal scream of a season with 6 catches for 76 yards and 4 TDs. QB Joe Germaine made up for his 2 INTs with 362 yards, 5 TDs, a running TD and even made 2 tackles.
NASHVILLE AT ARIZONA
Arizona QB Sherdrick Bonner shredded the vaunted Nashville defense for 309 yards and 7 TDs, but also threw 3 INTs. Three of his TDs went to OS Damien Groce, who caught 9 balls for 94 yards. WR Randy Gatewood finally had another nice game, going for 88 yards and 2 TDs on 8 catches. Gatewood also picked off 2 passes and made 3 tackles, for a spectacularly complete night.
Nashville's DS tandem played well, with DS Kahlil Carter (6 tackles) and DS Delmonico Montgomery (7 tackles and 2 INTs) showing why they are the among the best fantasy point producers. QB Clint Stoerner played well, with 238 yards, 5 TDs passing and 1 running, but seems overly focused on OS TT Toliver, which made TT owners thrilled to the tune of 8 for 132 and 4 TDs.
DALLAS AT CHICAGO
Dallas QB Clint Dolezel (221 yards, 5 TDs, 1 rushing) had an efficient, if not thrilling, day, spreading the ball around to all his receivers. WR Dialleo Burks was the TD leader with 3 on 7 catches and a low 48 yards. Perennial Ironman WR Will Pettis caught the other 2 TDs on 5 catches for 68 yards. WR Bobby Perry deserves special mention for his 9 tackles to go along with 3 for 37 receiving. DS Jermain Jones also had 9 unassisted tackles.
Chicago played from behind all game and would have been lost without OS CJ Johnson, who caught 12 passes for 154 yards and 2 TDs (while throwing a TD pass to WR Buchie Ibeh, as well). QB Matt D'Orazio probably hopes to forget this game and move on towards better performances.
LOS ANGELES AT ORLANDO
Finally, a nationally televised AFL game that doesn't involve the Soul. Orlando ran all over the Avengers, with FB Marlon Moye-Moore cashing in twice (and adding a receiving TD as well). It was by far Moye-Moore's most complete game of the year. FB Kevin Nagle added a nifty 25 yard TD run (that's half the field!) and WR Javarus Dudley came out of nowhere to post 29 rushing yards, a rushing TD and 4 catches for 52 yards. DS Jerroid Johnson continued his fine play with 8 tackles and a pick.
Avengers QB Sonny Cumbie started hot, slumped badly and then settled down, throwing for 4 TDs and running one in, as well. Cumbie will be a good one with some more game experience, and The Jungle is not the easiest place to get your second start. All three L.A. receivers had good days: WR Kevin Ingram (8 for 66, 2 TDs), WR Greg Hopkins (10 for 123, 1TD) and OS Tony Locke (6 for 106, 1TD)
GRAND RAPIDS AT COLORADO
The Grand Rapids/Colorado game was one of huge performances. Unfortunately for the Rampage, most of those huge performers were on the Crush sideline. OS Damien Harrell should be declared an illegal weapon and his 9 for 149 and 5 TD day must have left many Rampage defenders wishing they were selling cars. QB John Dutton showed why he is one of the elite QBs in the AFL, tossing 8 TDs in only 19 completions and racking up 283 yards. DS Rashad Floyd woke up from his early season funk by tallying 14 tackles (13 unassisted). And on a negative note, Colorado K Clay Rush seems to have finally gotten the boot. Rush was a great kicker at one time, but had his struggles this season.
Grand Rapids was not without their own huge numbers, as WR Anthony Hines (playing at OS with Aaron Bailey out) had 12 catches for 169 yards and 4 TDs of his own. That's a monstrous stat line. QB Chad Salisbury threw for 350 yards in a losing effort with 6 TDs of his own and 1 on the ground. WR Timon Marshall was the quietest of the bunch, with only 9 for 93 and a TD (185 all-purpose yards) to his name.
TAMPA BAY AT KANSAS CITY
As if Tampa QB Shane Stafford couldn't already claim he was the best fantasy QB in Arena ball, now he goes and adds 3 rushing TDs in one game to his resume. Stafford lit the Brigade defense up for 256 yards and 4 TDs, all of the TDs going to WR Bobby Sippio (9 catches for 129, INT) who is proving himself as one of the best free agent signings of the year. WR Lawrence Samuels had a quiet day, with only 3 catches for 31 yards, which had to disappoint many owners. K Bill Gramatica even hit all 9 of his point after attempts and added two long FGs.
The Brigade offense finally showed signs of life after last week's 19 point effort, with QB Andy Kelly leading the way with 278 yards passing and 6 TDs. OS Steve Smith finally had a good day, with 11 for 124 and 4 TDs and soon to be star WR James Jordan returned from injury (4 for 59, 1 TD) and good things could be on the horizon for Brigade owners. (And I was dead wrong on FB Dawan Moss, who rushed for 15 yards and 2 TDs... those FBs get me every time with their Chaos Theory.)
PHILADELPHIA AT LAS VEGAS
Each year the hype surrounding the Soul is deafening and each year the added pressure only leads to a letdown. This year seems no different, as the Gladiators were in control the whole game, led by the incomparable OS Marcus Nash, who collected 6 catches for 65 yards and 3 TDs, all in the first half. QB Jason Fife was coolly efficient and composed, with 5 TDs in only 174 passing yards (and a fluke 35-yard QB sneak TD to end the game). WR Joe Douglass was a star for Las Vegas, with 2 running TDs and a 47-yard INT return for a TD.
I still believe Philadelphia QB Tony Graziano is a top QB, but his 4 second half TDs couldn't dent the Gladiators lead (Grazi finished with 346 yards and 6 TDs, but never looked quite in control). OS Marcus Knight had a good day (10 for 176, 2TDs) but WR Sean Scott was absent again (3 for 28, 1 TD) and must be worked back into the offense for the Soul to be successful.
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