Studs and Duds for Week 14
By Paul Celmer
June 6, 2007
Week 14 is the week that things start to get weird in the fantasy world.
There are already teams that have locked playoff spots, and inevitably, some
of these teams take their foot off the gas pedal just a little bit. This
can mean disasters for Fantasy Owners hoping to make it into the playoffs.
So while we will review some of the studs, there were also many complete
duds to look at—Too many.
Studs
Aaron Garcia
As we mentioned last week, Garcia is at the absolute top of his game
now, and he is fighting hard for every win. Garcia was 28 of 42 for 305
yards and eight TDs. Unfortunately, despite Garcia’s solid play,
the Dragons lost in week 14. Nevertheless Garica is a must start no matter
what the Dragon’s playoff status might be as Garcia is motivated
to make the best of his truncated season and bomb opponents until the
last whistle is blown.
Kevin Swayne
It is déjà vu all over again in Dragonland as not only
Garcia, but Swayne also nearly repeats his stats from week 13. Swayne
had nine catches for 97 yards and a glorious five dances beneath the
yellow iron. The Garcia-Swayne hookup is unstoppable right now. Look
for similar numbers in week 15 as long as Horacek is still out.
Will Pettis
This wide receiver for the Dallas Desperados is one of the last true
Ironmen in ArenaFootball. And in week 14, it was all old-school smashmouth
ball. Pettis had 9 catches for 191 yards and four TDs. And just for
fun, he had an additional rushing TD and three tackles, and an INT.
Start Pettis the rest of the way, especially now that Marcus Nash is
out.
Derrick Lewis
Lewis has been quietly putting together a solid season with the troubled
Austin Wranglers and deserves some time in the valley of the Studs.
In week 14 Lewis had 8 catches for 113 yards and five TDs. Don’t
look for numbers like this in week 15, but Lewis should be a decent
WR3.
Raymond Philyaw
This veteran stud QB has done a fantastic job of managing a balanced
ground and air attack all season for the surging Brigade. In week 14,
however, it was mostly air. Philyaw was 29 of 39 for 322 yards and
eight TDs. He did, however, throw two interceptions. Philyaw is a solid
fantasy QB2 and is worth starting in week 15 if you have no better
options as he is heating up.
Duds
Damian Harrell
The streak of over seventy game with a TD reception is over. It pains
me to say this, but Damian “Highlight Reel” Harrell earns
king of the Duds in week 15. Harrell was a victim of an uncharacteristically
poor performance by his QB John Dutton. Harrell had only 9 catches for
9 yards and no joy in the Zone of End. Harrell was roughed up a bit in
week 14, and came up from a tackle or two looking at his right knee.
This super-stud appears to still be suffering from some lingering leg
injury. Avoid starting him in week 15.
Bobby Sippio
Once again Sippio was listed as Probable. And once again, he did not
play. As we said last week, the Rush appear to be holding Sippio in
reserve for when they need him. He is listed as probable again this
week, but do not start him unless you can afford a zero going into
your fantasy playoffs. Wait for him to get at least a decent half of
a game under his belt before putting him back into your lineup.
Billy Parker
After posting fairly decent numbers last week, this DB for the New York
Dragons was nowhere to be seen in week 14, posting a big zero fantasy
points. He is not listed on the injury report, but avoid using him
in week 15 unless you have no better options.
Boo Williams
This former veteran of the outdoor game posted a big zero fantasy points
in week 14. Williams was injured during the game but is not listed
on the injury report for this week. Avoid starting him.
T.T Toliver
T-squared is normally a dependable WR2. However, in week 14 he scored
an improbably zero fantasy points. While he is not listed on the injury
report, double-check his status before starting him in week 15.
Derek Lee
Many owners had Lee in their lineups last week as this wide receiver
for the Georgia Force has been exceptional. However, he put up a big
zero after being a late addition to the Injured Reserve list. He'll miss the next four weeks at a critical time for fantasy owners.
Nate Coggins
The big N-Cog has been a defensive force for the Wranglers, but was a
late scratch in week 14. He is listed as Out for week 15.
Dialleo Burks
This former XFL standout had a great season last year. Yet he was on
the refused to report list for most of this season as he was finishing
up a semester at college.Burks put up only 8 fantasy points in week
14. However, look for his numbers to improve a bit over the next few
games.
Sap is Rising?
Brett Dietz
Dietz, the mid-season replacement QB for the Tampa Bay Storm, was coming
off a terrible week 13 performance. Dietz more than bounced back in week
14, throwing 23 of 30 for 315 yards and eight TDs. But don’t expect
numbers like this anytime soon again. Stash him on your bench as a decent
backup the rest of this season, and consider him a sleeper for next season.
Lang Campbell
Has Austin found a Quarterback? They did for week 14, at least. Lang
Campbell was on fire, throwing 19 of 30 for 250 yards and eight TDs.
Campbell is still too inconsistent to consider him anything more than
an emergency QB3.
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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