Studs and Duds for Week 16
By Paul Celmer
Week 16 was even more bizarre than Week 15. Some teams took half the day off, while others fought like it was the ArenaBowl. The volatile nature of the statistics during this last week of the regular season is why many fantasy leagues wisely finish their championships by week 14, or 15 at the latest. But we still have some noteworthy performances.
THE STUDS
Damien Harrell
It is hard for this guy to go higher on my list, but in Week 16, when many were taking it easy, Damien "The Highlight Reel" Harrell pushed it all the way. This OS for the Colorado Crush was unstoppable with five catches for 61 yards and 5 TDs. Every time he caught the ball it was for a dance beneath the Yellow Iron. And oh yes, that was not enough. He even recovered a fumble for another TD. In fact, Harrell has forced us to create a new category: Super-stud. This is the way a Stud plays his last regular season game: all out. Harrell is the number one OS for the fantasy playoffs.
Clint Dolezel
This stud QB for the Dallas Desperados did not hold back in Week 16; at least not in the first half. Before the ending whistle for the half blew, Dolezel went 21 for 30 for 210 yards and 6 TDs, And if I am doing my math right, that is a pace that would lead to a 12 TD game. But with Dallas so far ahead by the half, and already owning a playoff spot, Dolezel was given the entire second half of the game off. Of course, he also broke the Arena Football single season passing TD record. Dolezel is a monster. We will all stare in awe as crazy numbers start rolling in when he is fully unleashed in the playoffs. Just watch out for the bye weeks.
Siaha Burley
This veteran stud OS for the expansion Utah Blaze had a great Week 16. Burley had 13 catches for 152 yards and 3 TDs. With Andy Kelly back in form, Burley should continue to do well.
Andy Kelly
This aging, but legendary, QB for the Utah Blaze pulled off a miracle to win his expansion team a playoff berth in Week 16. Kelly's numbers were just this side of studly, going 29 for 38 for 306 yards and 5 TDs. But what was sweet about this victory was that it was against the Kansas City Brigade, the team that had cut him earlier this season.
Dane Krager
This Austin Wrangler has been one of the studliest fullbacks this season, and Week 16 was no different. Dane "The Kracken" Krager put the snow tires on and motored for 6 rushes for 30 brutal yards (including a breakaway 24 yarder), and 3 TDs. Too bad his team is not going anywhere in the postseason.
THE DUDS
Week 16 weirdness struck many a fantasy owner. Here are some of the most notable:
Mike Horacek and Kevin Swayne
This near Super-stud wide receiver/OS pair for the New York Dragons were no where to be seen during the Dragons pummeling by the Dallas Desperados. Were either of the pair listed on the injury report? No. So where were they? Hiding beneath the skirt of the Statue of Liberty, perhaps? This is the kind of disappearing act that the last week of the season is infamous for. Since the Dragons had already a playoff berth won, they apparently decided to take the week off. Just wish they would have told us.
THE SAP IS RISING
It is hard to believe that the sap can still rise in the last game of the regular season, but this is Arenafootball, and anything can happen.
Matt D'Orazio
This enigmatic hot/cold QB for the Chicago Rush has been all hot since being benched a couple of weeks ago. Looks like he woke up and smelled the Java. Bigtime. In Week 16, the Golden One was 18 of 29 for 189 yards and 6 trips to the Zone of End, and lead his team to a playoff berth by defeating the Grand Rapids Rampage. And this was done despite being pulled to give the backup some reps. Of course, the addition wide receiver Bobby Sippio (6 catches for 74 yards and 2 TDs) has not hurt one bit.
Aaron Boone
Well, there was no Chris Sanders in the game, but this rising wide receiver for the Kansas City Brigade had a great Week 16. Boone caught 13 balls for 147 yards and 5 booms into the endzone. It is possible that Boone's down numbers in the last couple of weeks were due to nagging injuries. Look for him to rise fast next season.
James Roe
This once studly Wide Receiver for the San Jose Sabercats had his "I'm still here" game in Week 16. Roe caught 6 for 93 yards and a very nice 4 TDs. (Ben Nelson only had 3 this time.) However, this game was against the suspect defense of a hopeless Columbus Destroyers. Roe's best might be behind him, but he still has flashes of brilliance.
Wes Ours
This studly fullback for Philadelphia was a big part of the Soul's miraculous achievement of a playoff berth. Ours had 8 carries for 13 yards and 4 special deliveries to the endzone. I don't see the Soul going deep into the playoffs, but they did make it.
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