Studs and Duds for Week 13
By Paul Celmer
Here I will use my analytical prowess to chart you a course through the fantasy constellations, and I will provide you insight into those that exceeded or failed to meet expectations. With a little bit of the Philosopher's spin added, of course.
Let's take a look at selected week 13 players that were expected to be studs and came through, and, alas, those that failed miserably.
THE STUDS
Chris Sanders
This replacement quarterback for the Kansas City Brigade is the newest member of the Stud Club, going 24 for 30 and 295 yards and no interceptions on his way to tossing 6 beneath the yellow scaffolding and running in two, for a total of 8 TDs. This combination of air and ground attack testifies to his toughness, especially when in the red zone. Despite his truncated season, Sanders is tied for most rushing TDs in the AFL. But that only tells part of the story, as watching Sanders carefully you can see that this is a guy who stays very cool, even while playing with great passion. He makes great decisions, and he has developed such fantastic chemistry with his receivers, which allows him to spread the ball all over the field. Not being reliant on just one stud receiver bodes well for his future stud-potential. Sanders is going to be someone to watch for a long time to come. Enjoy the golden fields of hay, Week 13 King of the Studs... you have earned it.
Damien Harrell
Sometimes old news is good news. This stud OS for the Colorado Crush had another very productive game in Week 13. Damien "The Highlight Reel" Harrell caught 8 for 79 yards and 3 TDs. Despite the loss, Harrell caught his 46th TD pass of the season, matching an AFL record. But the season for this stud is far from over. If I were a scoreboard, I would be afraid. Very afraid.
Mike Horacek
This every-week stud receiver for the New York Dragons came off a great Week 12 to have a good Week 13. Mike "The Horror" Horacek caught 10 for 134 and 3 TDs as the Dragons defeated the Avengers, 70 to 61. At age 33, it appears Horacek still has some gas in the tank.
Chris Jackson
This perennial stud OS for the Georgia Force did his thing again with 11 catches for 122 yards and 4 trips to the land beneath the yellow nets. Chris "Spiderman" Jackson abused defenders despite the Force losing to the red-hot Desperados, 59 to 62. Jackson is having a career year and, after Damian Harrell, CJax the surest bet in Arena Football.
Terrill Shaw
This wide receiver for the Dallas Desperados has become one of Clint Dolezel's favorite guys to play catch with. Dialleo Burkes seems to have been forgotten on the offensive side of the ball in Dallas, as Shaw once again had a stellar Week 13, catching 11 for 182 yards and 3 TDs. Look for Shaw's numbers to stay high as the Desperados won't hold anything back, even though they have clinched a playoff berth.
THE DUDS
After the glorious highs, must always come the horrible lows. Such is life in the Land of Arena Fantasy...
Shane Stafford
This QB for the Tampa Bay Storm had been one of highest scoring quarterbacks in the realm of Fantasy Arena Football. But in Week 13, Stafford completed only 20 of 40 passes for 241 yards and a mere two touchdowns. This sickly performance resulted in the Storm scoring only 13 total points in the loss to the Orlando Predators. This pitiful performance by Stafford was due in part to the amazing defense the cross-state rival Predators threw at him. Look for Stafford to come back strong next week; he must avenge this humiliation as only a true stud can.
Aaron Boone
I can't tell you how many emails I received clamoring for Aaron Boone to be placed with the Studs. But, thankfully, this column is not a popularity contest. We have a rigorous scientific formula (outlined in a previous column) that separates the wheat from the chaffe. And the truth is, Aaron Boone just ain't ready to be in the same category with Chris "Spiderman" Jackson, Mike "the Horror" Horacek, and Damien "Highlight Reel" Harrell. Don't get me wrong, Boone is good, and has the potential to be a stud. Did you see his catch at midfield and subsequent breaking through a throng of defenders? Boone's run after the catch made the old Steve McQueen move "The Great Escape" look like a tea party. So Boone has talent. But this week he had one lousy TD. Let's see if he can finish the season strong.
Siaha Burley
This normally studly OS for the Utah Blaze had a disappointing game in Week 13. Burley had seven catches for 101 yards and only 1 TD, which while not truly horrible is not all that great either. So maybe he can be this week's Centaur. With Kelly at the helm, Burley should be fine down the stretch.
THE SAP IS RISING
Neither fish nor fowl, there are some good things that defy the Aristotelian mania for categorization. The players in this list were not expected to be studly, yet stepped-up bigtime. Will they continue to produce? You have to judge these in a case-by-case analysis.
Andy Kelly
In the biggest upset in a week of upsets, this veteran Quarterback of the Utah Blaze hit 27 of 37 passes for 314 yards. Kelly hit The Zone 4 times through the air, leading the Blaze to victory over the favored defending Arena Bowl champs, the Colorado Crush. Kelly now has 16 TDs and two victories in two games with the expansion Blaze and appears to have made the most of his mid-season move out of Kansas City. In addition, the offensive line of the Blaze seem to be able to afford Kelly much more time to throw than the Brigade ever could. Kelly is as mobile as a mailbox, but when given protection he can still be among the best. This guy has paid his dues (cue up Queen), time after time, and should be allowed to enter the land of the Studs if he defies the odds and pulls the Blaze into the playoffs.
Bobby Sippio
Looks like this wide receiver for the Chicago Rush has finally found a place to call home. Sippio had truly bizarre numbers in this game, with 8 catches for 161 yards and 6 TDs. Sippio is a late-season spark playing with a chip on his shoulder who has a chance to burn brightly these last few weeks.
Matt D'Orazio
This QB for the Chicago Rush came in to replace Michael Bishop, the QB that had previously replaced him. Got that? I am not sure what is going on in Chicago, but the Golden One responded well to his 1-week benching. In Week 13 D'Orazio was nearly flawless, passing for 309 yards and 8 tosses into the Good Place. And, oh yeah, he did his best Michael Bishop imitation and ran one in as well. While the Rush's season might be over, D'Orazio should have a job next year.
Nick Browder
This replacement QB for the New York Dragons has had his ups and downs. Week 13 was all ups. Browder exploded for 342 yards through the air and 7 TDs. Browder is not a bad option if all your normal studs are banged up, but he is not a consistent source of points.
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