Week 7 Observations

Another interesting week in the NFL. Players on the move. Teams picking up their first W. Let's get into things of note from week 7 around the NFL.

Percy Harvin - Lord have mercy the Jets got Percy. Not only is this a god send for Jets fans, as they finally have a play maker on the outside to compliment Decker, but it's a boost for Percy Harvin fantasy owners as well. For whatever reason, he just was not being used as much as I think he should have been in Seattle. This is a guy with gamebreaking ability that you need to gameplan around (and for on the defensive side of the football). With the Jets having an offense that has been flat at times, I expect them to try and get the football into Harvin's hands wherever they can, whether that's on jet sweeps, bubble screens, or on pass plays downfield. I am expecting a bump in his productivity.

Shane Vereen - There was concern that Branden Bolden or James White might be filling the void left by Stevan Ridley, but Vereen saw the majority of the work, rushing for 43 yards on 11 attempts. He was also heavily involved in the pass game, catching 5 balls for 71 yards and two touchdowns (a career fantasy performance). While the NE RB situation is always a crapshoot, we didn't see much outside of Shane Vereen this past week against a strong Jets run defense.

Tom Brady - You think Brady was pissed about people saying he didn't have it a few weeks ago. Since the KC debacle on Monday Night Football, Brady's lowest fantasy output is 20 points. The Pats have always tended to play their best football later in the year, and I think it is safe to say Brady is returning to form.

Chris Ivory - Rex Ryan needs to designate Ivory as their guy. I don't like this by committee approach where no one is held accountable. There is no doubt Ivory has been the better runner and you can do worse than Chris Johnson in third down/passing situations. Name a starter and stick with him.

Atlanta Falcons - Perhaps top five in the league in terms of skill positions on offense, they can't block anyone. Lost another offensive lineman to an ACL tear this past week, they're signing anyone over 6'2" and 250 pounds in the city of Atlanta to block at this point. And that defense cannot stop anyone, the Falcons are in trouble.

Kyle Orton - If he does not have a mustache, did the game winning toss to Sammy Watkins with one second left really happen?

Jerrick McKinnon - Looks to have solidified himself as the guy in Minnesota going forward. Really high on this kid, I like his future in Minny considering it is looking more and more likely that AP may be on his way out.

Cordarelle Patterson - One of the largest wastes of talent in the NFL, how can this guy not figure out route running? Get open man.

Carolina Panthers defense - Anybody remember the GB Packers D a few years ago when they were second in the league on their way to a Super Bowl victory? Well that defense was worst in the league in some statistical categories the following season and just flat out terrible at times with much the same personnel. Same situation happening in Carolina right now, this team was absolutely shredded Sunday. Riverboat Ron's gotta right the ship down there in Carolina as the NFC South looks to be WIDEEEE open.

Cam Newton - Actually expected him to have a nice game here as the Packers have had trouble with running QB's in recent years (Russell Wilson, Colin Kaepernick). Rushed for a TD while throwing for only 200 yards after his huge performance last week, I want to see Cam return to form because he is fun to watch.

Cincinnati Bengals - If you know what to think about this Bengals team please let me know, because I just don't get it. Look like Super Bowl contenders one week and the Raiders the next.

Ahmad Bradshaw - Six receiving touchdowns through 7 games this year, is this a sustainable pace for the oft-injured back? I actually think so with the way the Colts offense is putting up points. They do not have any especially tough defenses to play for the rest of the season.

Jacksonville Jaguars - The JAGSSSSS!! Get off the snide knocking off Cleveland at home this past Sunday. Denard Robinson comes out of nowhere to post a 127 yard rush day.

Cleveland Browns - See Cincy Bengals above. Just when you think this team might be for real, they throw up this stinker. Bryan Hoyer 16 for 41. Yikes...

Russell Wilson - Just a monster right now. Love to see him running the football and love his prospects moving forward. Just all around a great ambassador for the game of football.

Quick shout out to John Fassel, Rams special teams coach, and Jeff Fisher for having the biggest stones in the NFL.

Pierre Garcon - Minus the big play, pretty ineffective once again. Could be a result of Cousins' poor play but just has not performed all year after being a target monster last season.

Larry Donnell - Up and down up and down. Grabbing some great catches making some good plays, drops the football. Recovers to make another nice play just to drop the football again. Coughlin is notorious for having a zero tolerance policy on fumbles, needs to hang onto the football.

Odell Beckham Jr. - Might we be seeing the emergence of one of the game's next big stars. Certainly has the physical attributes. I like his upside for the rest of the season with Cruz out and going forward.

Stepfan Taylor - TD's management cannot be happy with Taylor vulturing two touchdowns from Andre Ellington. If Taylor continues to get some goal line looks, may be worth a pickup and plug in coming bye weeks.

Peyton Manning - Congratulations on breaking Brett Favre's record, might be the best to ever do it under center.

Ronnie Hillman - Montee Ball welcome to dumpsville, it is looking more and more like this will be Hillman's job moving forward.

Everyone Steeler WR not named Antonio Brown - So disappointing. For a team that throws the football pretty effectively, anyone not named Antonio Brown on this team has been terrible this season. I don't know how this guy still gets open when you can essentially leave everyone else but LeVeon Bell uncovered. The long TD for Martavis Bryant was the lone nice play outside of Brown, who even had to throw for a TD in this game.

Arian Foster- I love what Murray is doing this season but don't overlook Foster this year. Came back from significant back surgery to put up some more than respectable numbers with Ryan Fitzpatrick under center. Has assumed a large workload, taking some pretty significant hits, but has shown some durability (knocking on wood for you Condor). I love watching this guy run the football, so I hope he stays healthy the rest of the way.

That's week 7 for me broseidons, let me know what I missed. Also don't look now, but if Kaier keeps this run up he is a lock for manager of the year this season. Good work from the Dirtdogs!