Studs and Duds for Week 3
By Paul Celmer
March 20, 2007
Week 3 was a wild one, including a incomprehensible deluge of fantasy points
by a fullbacks and a relative drought of QB touchdowns. Was this just a weird
coincidence? A unintended effect of the new substitution rules and better
defensive backs? Or something else entirely. Only time will tell. Let’s
look a the highs and lows of week three, separating the true studs
from the one week wonders, to give you an idea of who you should start in
week 4.
Studs
Josh White
This fullback for the high-powered Dallas Desperado Offense has been a pleasant
surprise this year for fantasy owners. But in Week 3 he kicked it to a
whole new level. Josh “The Juggernaught” White rumbled in for
a record-shattering five TDs and 43 fantasy points. This is over quadruple
what you could reasonable expect from an Arena Fantasy fullback. While
it is doubtful he will ever have another week like this, White will be
solid the rest of the season. He is a stud that is here to stay—start
him in week 4 and beyond.
Dan Alexander
Alexander had a monster week against the Utah Blaze in week 3, having 13
rushes for 33 yards and five rumbles into the Zone. He even caught 3 passes for 38 yards. Clearly, the coach
of the Kats must have given the team quite a speech because everyone played
like it was the last game of their lives during their upset win against
the Blaze. But Alexander’s performance was no fluke. He might not
get another five TDs, but you should start him in week 4.
Rodney Filer
Somewhat lost in the celebrations over Alexander and White’s rushing
records, Tampa Bay fullback Rodney Filer also had a studly week 3 with 10
rushes for 43 yards and four TDs. Filer is third on the season for total
rushing yards despite Tampa Bay’s lack of wins. But fantasy owners
are not overly concerned with wins for real teams. So, while he is not yet
a household name, Filer is an every-week stud fullback. Start him in week
4.
Charles Frederick
This wide receiver for the Kansas City Brigade had another monster game in
week 3 against the Dallas Desperados. It seemed every time Kansas City
had the ball there was the sight of dreadlocks flying through the air.
Frederick went straight up against the Dallas D and had nine catches for
136 yards and two TDs via air, and added another three TDs the hard way
via ground. But either by air or by ground, it is all good for us fantasy
owners. Frederick meant 55 fantasy points—or about a third of your
average team’s fantasy production. Nice. Very Nice. Although week
4 is the Brigade’s bye week, expect similar numbers from Frederick
the rest of the season as long as Philyaw stays healthy and solid.
Bobby Sippio
This stud wide receiver for the Chicago Rush did it again in week 3. Sippio
caught 9 passes for 135 yards and five TDs. He should average three to
four TDs a game the rest of the season. Start Sippio in week 4.
Damien Harrell
This wide receiver for the Colorado Crush is an every week stud. Damien “Highlight
Reel” Harrell had 10 catches for 154 yards and four grabs beneath
the yellow iron in week 3. Interestingly, his quarterback, John Dutton, said
after the game that Harrell was only about 80% recovered from his quad problems.
Scary. In any case, Harrell appears to be on the mend and should have similar
excellent fantasy production in week 4.
Matt D’Orazio
This quarterback for the Chicago Rush led all quarterbacks in fantasy points
in week 3. D’Orazio was 19 of 35 for 245 yards and six TDs through
the air and one on the ground. What is nice about D’Orazio is that
last year he was among the leaders in rushing yards, and he is more likely
to score on the ground than most quarterbacks. And as fantasy owners know,
most leagues give more points for rushing TDs than they do for passing
TDs by quarterbacks. Dorazio got off to a slow start this season, but he
seems to have regained some of the moxy that too the Rush to the ArenaBowl
Champoinship last year. Matt D’Orazio is a good bet to start as your
primary QB in week 4.
Chris Greisen
This stud QB for the Georgia Force is a solid source of fantasy points each
week. Greisen was again highly accurate, throwing 22 of 26 for 242 yards
for seven strikes beneath the yellow scaffolding. Start him in week 4.
Willie Gary
This defensive back for the Georgia Force had 10 solo tackles, 1 assist,
AND a fumble recovery for a TD. This gave Gary a monstrous total of 29
fantasy points. Start Willie Gary in week 4.
Eric Joyce
This defensive back for the Nashville Kats had a fantastic week 3 with 9
solo tackles, 2 assists, and a forced fumble. Nashville played like a
team possessed by a demon in week 3 as they struggled to overcome their 0-2
start. Nevertheless, I think Joyce will continue his strong play. Start
this former NFL player in week 4, but keep an eye out for the return
of
Monty Montgomery as this might reduce Joyce’s numbers.
Jeremy Unertl
This defensive back for the Rush is putting together a very nice season for
fantasy owners. Unertl had seven solo tackles and three assists in week
three for 14 fantasy points. Start him in week 4.
And Now Some of the Low Points: The Duds
Clint Dolezel
It pains me to write this, but this veteran Hall of Fame QB for the Dallas
Desperados had a down week. Dolezel threw for only 212 yards and three
touchdowns. Not horrible, but we hold Dolezel to the highest standards.
Josh White was used to punch it in the last few yards after some nice Marcus
Nash receptions. But look for Dolezel’s numbers to move back up where
they should for week 4.
Shaun King
While his numbers were not truly abysmal, this QB for the Las Vegas Gladiators
did disappoint after his amazing 10 TD performance in week 2. In week
3, King was 18 of 40 for 230 yards and only three TDs. King was getting severe
pressure from the VooDoo defense and was getting visibly frustrated,
and
he was intercepted twice. King’s numbers might recover a bit, but
I see him not being more than a backup fantasy quarterback at this point
and he is not worth starting in week 4.
Ryan Dennard
In week 3 this wide receiver for the Utah Blaze had two catches for thirteen
yards and only one TD. Yes, Dennard had seven TDs last week. But that
does not make him a stud. Like we said last week, Dennard’s numbers will
depend on how healthy Burley is. And in week 3, Burley was active (including
three TDs) and thus Dennard’s numbers fell sharply. While he is still
a decent WR4, Dennard is a clear case of “Beware the one-week wonders.” Kevin Prentiss
Here is another case of the “One-week wonders.” This wide receiver
for the Las Vegas Gladiators had a spectacular week 2 with 9 TDs. However,
this week he fell back to earth. Prentiss had three catches for 41 yards
and only 1 TD. It looks like Etu Molden is the primary target in Las Vegas;
do not start Prentiss in week 4 unless you have no better options.
Andy McCullough
This wide receiver for the Chicago Rush was a victim of Bobby Sippio’s
ball magnetism. McCullough had five catches for 43 yards and no joy in
TD-land. However, McCullough remains a decent WR4 for week 4 when the Rush
go to Columbus.
Up and Coming Studs
Jeff Smoker
This rookie QB coming in for the benched Clint Stoerner had a decent week
3. Smoker finished 19 of 30 for 273 yards and five strikes to the Great
Good Place, with only one interception. Nashville, after starting their
season 0-2, simply willed themselves to win a very tough score-fest against
Utah. But look for Smoker to be a solid fantasy quarterback if you need
bye-week help in week 4.
Paul Celmer, aka The Philosopher of Arena Football, is a member of the Arena Football League Writers Association and a founding member of Arena Football Online. Contact Paul at pcelmer@arenafootballonline.com
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