NCL Week 4/5 Review

It looks like the perpetually circle-jerking duo of Brett Favre and Randy Moss will finally get to play catch for the Minnesota Vikings. With Favre morphing into the 2010 version of Steve DeBerg and Moss bitching about his lack of targets, it will be feast or famine for the Vikes and fantasy owners alike. You've got to feel better about the prospects for both Favre and the Vikings nonetheless.

Patriots Giving Up?

While 'The Hoodie' bristled at claims that he was giving-up on the season with the Moss trade, there is little doubt the the Pats' offense will be different without #84. Brandon Tate, the talented, yet injury-riddled WR for the Pats' has stepped into the Moss role in practice since the trade. Tate, a recent Efurd pick-up (and potential 'Pick-Up of the Week' candidate) looks to reap fanatsy rewards. That said, I look for the entire offense to get a boost; everyone from Welker, Emmelman, Hernandez and Tate will have the Moss looks spread their way. As for the Patriots playoff chances? They're a wild card contender unless the Sanchize falls apart in New York.

Popping Jelly's Cherry?

It's no secret that Justin's first season in the NCL is a disaster, and I figured he could potentially go winless this year. Well, that was until he had my squad with Brady on a bye week and Mike Vick nursing sore ribs after being the recipient of a goal line Hulk Smash.

UPDATE-Here's the formula for a Kelly NCL Victory: Sam Bradford-((Tom Brady)-(Jermichael Finley))+ Eli Manning/Texans Pass Defense=Jelly Victory. Shit: I was the one to lose to him this year. My entire roster is officially on the block.

Injury Time

So long Jermichael Finley. And Aaron Rodgers is getting his ass kicked every week, which lead to a concussion which may or may not keep him out for Week 6. Andre Johnson's high ankle sprain isn't getting better this year, The Diabetes Kid has been out. Rough stretch with a lot of pick-ups needed to sure-up rosters.

Dents in the Camo?

Jace was one of my preseason picks to win the NCL, and to this point he has not disappointed as he sits atop the NCL after 5 weeks. That said, Aaron Rodgers is hurt and can someone starting Brandon Jackson and potentially Chad Henne seriously make a run? Now I assume Rodgers will return and post decent numbers, even with the aforementioned loss of Jermichael Finley; but will Jace's once fabled stable of RBs toting Brandon Jackson and Marshawn Lynch get it done?

Same Old Boobs

Well, it's week 5 and Bobby's where he normally is; near the bottom of the NCL. Will Boobs be perpetually rebuilding? If Ryan Matthews isn't all he's cracked-up to be, Boobs has a long road to prominence.

Pick-up of the Week

This has been a fairly active week, with a variety of moves being made by a number of teams. Martin's grab of chronically disappointing Kenny Britt shows the most upside of any pick-up this week. Britt looked good in Week 5, as VY finally targeted Britt to the tune of two touchdowns.

NCL WEEK 3 REVIEW

Three weeks are in the bag, and everyone in the NCL has a win save for Jelly who could legitimately go winless this season. Not only is Jelly losing, but he's getting sliced worse than Nicole Simpson after a good steak as his opponents have racked-up more points than any other team in the league. While there are admittedly favorites to this year's title, the race is wide open (like Nancy...you get the point). Seven to eight teams can be optimistic that if everything breaks right, the largest pot in NCL could be theirs.

Rookie of the Year

I've got to be honest; Austin's got a rock-solid team. A pair of bruising backs, a performing Tony Romo, and even though he's getting hit by a self-inflicted 'BYE' week disaster he could still take down Metz this week. And he's even stashed Sidney Rice on his squad, staying true to his 'homer' ways.

Week of the Pick-Up

With the amount of waiver moves made this week, the 'transaction pot' looks to be one of the better ones in recent memory. Apparently, a lot of teams think they're still in it. Hell, I've even made five moves and I've got ZERO chance of winning.

Trade Winds Blowing?

It's early, but when are we going to start to see trade action pick-up? As the weeks wear on, teams in desperation mode will start exploring other rosters to improve. Early rumors have Michael Vick available, and Wall is exploring options for his roster as well. And don't sleep on Boobs; he's good for at least one trade a year.

NFL NOTES

-On the topic of Michael Vick, I guess one has to ask, "Is he for real?" The Washington defense will provide Vick's first real test this year as a starter. If the numbers come in Week 4, Vick could be considered a top-5 fantasy QB start.

-The Jaguars are a mess, and without a decent QB their running attack hasn't been near what was expected in the preseason. MJD has struggled through the first few weeks, and while Reef is surely concerned, his roster of 8 million running backs provides a nice security blanket for alternative starts.

-One of last years breakout fantasy receivers, Steve Smith (NYG), isn't being targeted as much in New York's Eli-led passing attack. The beneficiary? Hakeem Nicks, who has so far proven to be a viable deep threat. I guess being slow and small may finally catching up to Smith.

FANTASY PICK-UP OF THE WEEK

Jelly's grab of Benjarvus Green-Ellis is the pick-up of the week. Since Jelly won't be winning much else this season, it's fitting he'll get at least this nod. Fred Taylor is hurt, Maroney is gone and Kevin Faulk is out for the season. Green-Ellis could be New Englands first viable fantasy RB option since Corey Dillon.