Fantasy Football: Beware of the next Frisman Jackson
If your fantasy football team stumbles out of the gates this weekend, remember this name: Frisman Jackson.
In 2005, Jackson, a Cleveland Browns wide receiver, had eight receptions for 128 yards and a touchdown in the season opener – just the type of performance that causes a knee-jerk reaction from fantasy owners unsure about their receiving corps.
Jackson proved to be a waste of a fantasy roster spot. He finished the season with 24 catches for 287 yards and never smelled the end zone again.
Far too often, fantasy footballers panic after having a disappointing Week 1. They release a good player who struggled in Week 1 for someone who will more than likely prove to be, well, a Frisman Jackson.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying never to gamble on a relatively unknown player who pops up with a monster game. After all, for every dozen Frisman Jacksons, there's a Maurice Jones-Drew or Ryan Grant – a fantasy stud who emerges from nowhere and turns a good fantasy team into a great one.
The key is to be smart about the players you pick up and release. Don't toss aside a proven or promising athlete who had a lousy season opener so that you can add a player who probably won't pan out.
Before tweaking your roster, ask yourself a couple of questions:
1. Does the player I'm considering adding have a real chance to continue his success?
For example, if Carolina wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett surprises with a big game Sunday, recognize that it would not have been possible if not for the suspension of Steve Smith.
2. Is it really time to give up on the player I'm about to release?
In 2006, many fantasy owners released Buffalo wide receiver Lee Evans after he only had four catches for 44 yards through the first two games.
I know. I was one of them.
Evans, the Bills' first-round draft choice a year earlier, ended up with nearly 1,300 yards receiving and eight touchdowns. I ended up with bruises from kicking myself.
To master the waiver wire, you must find that perfect balance. Rolling the dice here and there can be healthy. Roll them indiscriminately, and you're just begging for a Frisman Jackson.
PLAY
Kurt Warner, QB, Arizona (vs. San Francisco)
Not only did Warner toss 21 touchdowns in the final eight games of last season, he also passed for 484 yards in his only appearance against the Niners.
Selvin Young, RB, Denver (vs. Oakland)
The Raiders gave up 146 yards per game on the ground in 2007, and the Broncos always run the ball well.
Joey Galloway, WR, Tampa Bay (vs. New Orleans)
Galloway has had at least 100 yards receiving or a touchdown in his last seven games against the Saints.
BENCH
Marc Bulger, QB, St. Louis (vs. Philadelphia)
Bulger had a poor 2007 and was less than stellar in the preseason. The Eagles defense has a strong pass rush and added Pro Bowler Asante Samuel to an already good secondary.
LenDale White, RB, Tennessee (vs. Jacksonville)
White only averaged 39 yards rushing in two games against the Jaguars in 2007, and now he's expected to lose about half his carries to rookie speedster Chris Johnson.
Lee Evans, WR, Buffalo (vs. Seattle)
I might have regretted cutting him in 2006, but now I find him to be a frustratingly inconsistent player. And the Seahawks defense allowed the fewest touchdown passes in the league last season.
