Studs and Duds for Week 14
By Paul Celmer
As the season winds down, records get broken. But that is not all that breaks. The ability to predict fantasy output starts to break down, as teams who have clinched playoff spots start to throttle back a bit, while those teams out of contention start to experiment a bit for next season. But there is help out there. Look to Arenafootballonline.com, and especially our Start'em and Sit'em, Fantasy Rewind, and Studs and Duds, for the best insight into how to maximize your fantasy points down the stretch.
THE STUDS
Andy Kelly
Welcome home, Andy. This stud replacement QB for the Utah Blaze torched the Arena in Week 14. Kelly was methodical in his dismantling of the Las Vegas Gladiators, as he went 25 for 33 for 312 yards and no INTs in the win. And oh yes, did I mention that he made 9 trips to that special place that he has frequented a league record 762 times in his 13 year career? Kelly is a good fantasy option for the next two weeks. But can he pull off the ultimate trick: getting the Blaze into the playoffs.
Damien Harrell
This stud OS for the Colorado Crush gets more amazing each week. Damien "The Highlight Reel" Harrell had 15 receptions for 172 yards and 5 TDs. He now has 51 touchdown receptions on the season, breaking the single-season record. And he has also tied the AFL single-season total touchdown mark. He is like no other.
Clint Dolezel
This stud QB for the Desperados is desperately (or should I say, desperadoly) chasing Andy Kelly's all-time TD record. And in doing so, he again had a tremendous week, passing for 290 yards and 7 TDs. Dallas, under the offensive play calling of Dolezel, is 12-2 for the season and have clinched a Division title. Beyond the stats, it's noteworthy that Dolezal decided to run a QB keeper on a 3rd and 1 against the Rattlers, getting the first down. These sorts of little plays show Dolezal's determination and toughness. Dolezel is the top QB in many Arena fantasy leagues now, and should be throughout the playoffs.
John Dutton
This stud QB for the Colorado Crush had another monster game. In week 14, Dutton was 29 of 39 for 345 yards and 9 huge trips to the Zone of End. Dutton had only one interception as he led his team to a 75-54 punishing of the Orlando Predators. The only thing that concerns me about Dutton is his reliance upon one super-stud receiver. But as long as The Highlight Reel Harrell is out there, Dutton is unstoppable. The Crush look good enough to make a run at repeating as ArenaBowl champs.
Siaha Burley
This star OS for the Utah Blaze has seen his fortunes rise since Andy Kelly has come into his orbit. Burley had 7 catches for 138 yards and a respectable 3 TDs. Burley should be good the rest of the way with Kelly throwing to him.
THE DUDS
After the glorious highs, must always come the horrible lows. Such is life in the Land of Arena Fantasy...
Matt D'Orazio
The enigmantic QB for the Chicago Rush has flashes of brillance, but at times has fallen to abysmal lows. Week 14 was one of the lows. The Golden One threw for a brutal 1 for 2 for 7 yards, and absolutley no trips to the Happy Zone. And oh yes, he also had whopping -7 rushing yards. But going backwards was not enough to prevent D'Orazio from a vicious sack that took out his ankle and removed him from the game. Check his injury status before thinking about him again.
Michael Bishop
In a first for this column, Week 14 saw two Dud quarterbacks from the same team. Michael Bishop, in for the Chicago Rush's injured Matt D'Orazio, alas, did not step up to the plate that fate had served him. Bishop went 28 for 42 with 1 INT and only 2 TDs. Leading your team to a grand total of only 20 points is not the way to become a stud. What is worse is that the halfime score was a ugly 42-7 in favor of the opposition. But in Bishop's defense, the Georgia Force defense he was up against was hitting on all cylinders. Perhaps Bishop deserves another chance. But perhaps just one.
James Roe
Normally this stud receiver for the San Jose Sabercats is money in the bank. That is, until the Sabercats flip that little switch that turns them into a rushing monster. This week, the Sabercats had five TDs on the ground. Obviously, all this running cuts into the number of TDs through the air. In Week 14, Roe had a respectable 7 catches for 78 yards, but only 1 TD. Ben Nelson vultured the other TD thrown by Mark Griev. Because of the Sabercats penchant to rush for the glory, I would not use Roe going down the stretch in any fantasy leagues.
Jermaine Jones
This stud DS for the Dallas Desperados had an off Week 14. Jones had only three tackles and 1 INT. Look for him to bounce back in Week 15.
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.
Kevin Swayne
This studly OS for the New York Dragons had a fantastic Week 14, catching 8 for 66 yards and 5 big TDs. Swayne is the ultimate competitor; one year he played non-stop, going from Arena football, to the XFL, then the NFL, and then back to the Arena. He has had a few nagging injuries in the past, and Mike Horacek has cut into his numbers some this season, but Swayne is a guy to watch as the Dragons continue to fight to get into the playoffs.
Anthony Hines
While it might be a bit late in the season for sap to rise, this WR for the tough-at-home Grand Rapids Rampage deserves some love. Hines went caught 10 for 134 yards and four tours of the land beneath the yellow iron. Hines seems to have developed chemistry with QB Chad Salisbury (7 TDs in Week 14), and deserves some attention down the stretch.
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