Studs and Duds for Week 15
By Paul Celmer
Week 15, that netherworld betwixt regular season and the playoffs, was as weird as I feared it would be. And, like Tennyson's Lady of Shallott, I am half sick of shadows. But we must press on. And despite the fact that many philosophers of game theory have failed to see it, even in the midst of chaos, there will always be Studs and Duds.
THE STUDS
Damien Harrell
Well, I might be sounding like a broken CD here, but this stud OS for the Colorado Crush did it once again. Damien "The Highlight Reel" Harrell had 9 catches for 129 yards and 4 trips to the Palace of Points. Nothing is more of a sure thing than Harrell. Look for him to continue his monster ways throughout the playoffs.
Eddie Moten
This stud DS for the Philadelphia Soul was on fire in Week 15. Moten snagged three INTs off of Clint Dolezel, a QB who had thrown only 7 INTs all year up until this game. Moten has gotten lost a bit in the variety of disappointments that is the Soul's season, but now is the time to show him some love. And if by some miracle Philadelphia makes it into the playoffs, Moten is a good option at DS for fantasy playoff pool points.
Randy Gatewood
This stud receiver for the Arizona Rattlers went insane in Week 15. Gatewood had crazy numbers once again, catching 5 balls for 68 yards and four TDs via air express. And oh yes, took one home via the subway as well (fumble return). Gatewood is a solid stud.
THE DUDS
After the glorious highs, must always come the horrible lows. Such is life in the Land of Arena Fantasy...
Khalil Carter
This normally studly DS for the Orlando Predators was listed as Probable on the Week 15 injury report with a "left hand" problem. Well, this hand, like that famous hand that guides economies in Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations, went unseen, giving Carter a whopping zero fantasy points. Needless to say, this hurt many a fantasy owner whose leagues were running their fantasy championships in Week 15.
Andy Kelly
Well, I may have spoken too soon on this legendary QB for the Utah Blaze. Perhaps old age cannot be stopped. Kelly was horrible in Week 15, going 13 for 21 with 1 INT and only 1 TD before being replaced by Joe Germaine. Let's hope this is not the way Andy Kelly ends his career.
Chris Sanders
This newly crowned stud QB for the Kansas City Brigade was miserable in Week 15. Sanders was only 6 for 12 with 1 TD before being pulled in favor of veteran Raymond Philyaw. I am sure, however, we will see Sanders again.
Derek Lee
This once stud receiver for the Georgia Force had a terrible Week 15. Derek "Baby Moss" Lee had 6 catches for 57 yards and no TDs. Well, not completely horrible, but not stud numbers. Chris Jackson is the man in Georgia, and Lee has never really recovered from playing second-fiddle.
James Roe
This one-time stud receiver for the San Jose Sabercats might be nearing the end of his run. In Week 15, Roe was only 6 for 51 yards and no TDs (Ben Nelson vultured 3 TDs). However, if you took my advice in last week's column and benched Roe, you were not hurt by this Dud.
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.
Tony Graziani
This one-time Stud QB for the Philadelphia Soul has started to show his age in this disappointing season. Still, he had a great Week 15. Graziani, coming off a torn hamstring, was 23 for 36 for a nice 317 yards and 6 tosses into the beauteous land beneath the yellow iron. And oh yes, did I mention that he ran one in, as well? If Graziani gets the Soul into the playoffs, he might very well be feasting in the sun-drenched fields of the Studs once again.
Bobby Sippio
This wide receiver for the Chicago Rush had his second 6 TD game of the season in Week 15. Sippio caught 10 for an amazing 217 yards and 6 trips to the happy place. He is not yet reliable as an every week stud, but if you like to gamble (and who amongst us does not?), you can give him a try. Certainly keep him in mind for next season as a potential number one receiver.
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