Fantasy football strategy, rankings, and podcasts

7/08/14, What's a Tinga, Using ADP, Missing Bagels

Tonight we enjoyed a couple of Two Brothers bombers that I picked up from their Roundhouse Brewpub/Cafe/Bar/Outdoor Beer Garden/All Around Cool Place. I was able to snag an Irritated Koala, a smoked tea black IPA and a Hop Centric Black, a Black Double IPA. The Hop Centric Black packs a punch at 9.9% abv.

This week we broke down ADP, how to use it, how to tell who is overrated and how to tell who's underrated. We came to mostly the same conclusions as the numbers, and we'll continue to look at this throughout the year.

Bagel jokes aside, we talked about episode two of "The Leftovers", with a perplexing title which we never really got to. Be sure to check out Dave's article about this week's episode here. We also discussed a few other shows going on or coming up soon, but we'll stick with "The Leftovers" for a while longer.

Make sure to join us next week, live at 9pm CST on blogtalk radio (www.blogtalkradio.com/drinkfive). You can now sign up for our newsletter on the side panel of our website. We will send you direct updates during the season including all the info you need to set your lineups. Send us your questions and we'll answer them on the podcast. Ask us on our Facebook page, follow us on twitter (@drinkfive), or send us an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also grab the podcast on iTunes.

Well, it's time we all moved on from super injury Sunday and get down to the business of setting up your week 9 lineups. This week, Arizona, Baltimore, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City and Seattle are all on bye. This is the only week of the year with 6 teams on bye, so this is as bad as it gets.

Tyrod Taylor should return to the lineup this week, and he deserves to return to yours as well, with a decent matchup against Miami, whom they beat up on earlier this season. This time they're playing at home and the Bills should rebound nicely after a bye week. Andrew Luck who is also at home this week, ought to take a seat for this week. After seeing what the Broncos did last week to Aaron Rodgers, you don't want to start Luck.

If you're in need of a flex play, Ryan Mathews should find some running room against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night (if he’s healthy). He's looked like a better fit for the Philly offense (and has the most rushing yards on the team), it's only a matter of time before Chip Kelly admits it. Melvin Gordon, despite lots of touches, continues to do nothing with them. Leave him on your bench this week in favor of Mathews or Matt Jones.

Don't worry about last week's disappearing act by James Jones - that Denver defense is just special. Even against the Panthers, I expect the Pack to return to form, including Jones. Brandon LaFell is starting to return to form, but he needs another week to work the kinks out, so keep him out of your lineup until next week.

Julius Thomas is a guy who has worked out most of his kinks, and after a bye week, should be a fine TE1 option. This is despite their matchup with the Jets. Start him over this week's hot pickup, Heath Miller. Even though Ben is back, I expect him to spread the ball out to his receivers more than having to dump it off to Miller.

Week 10 is in the books and we’re now into the final week of teams being on bye. In Week 11, we won’t have the services of the Steelers, Giants, Saints and Browns. Those guys have played 10 weeks in a row, they deserved this break. It’s certainly a much more convenient break than in week 4.

This week we still like Kirk Cousins, despite his tough matchup vs the Panthers. Now, we’re not crazy, and only advocating him as a QB2. Cousins has a good rhythm with TE Jordan Reed and RB Matt Jones and just got DeSean Jackson back, who should be fully back into the offense this week. As far as QB2’s go, don’t drink the Mark Sanchez kool-aid. Remember, this is Mr. Butt Fumble, so don’t go chasing what you think the Eagles offense is supposed to be and remember that Sanchez is average at best.

Jonathan Stewart may be a smart sit for you this week. The Redskins are in the bottom half of the league giving up points to opposing RB’s, and Stewart hasn’t done much to impress this season, only going over 100 yards once. He’s a heaping pile of “OK”, getting 20+ touches each of the last 5 weeks and never going off with them. His 3.9 yards per attempt tells much of the story, as do his measly 8 receptions. Stewart is simply in Carolina to hold on to the ball and chew the clock. That being said, he’s a borderline RB2/3, so a flex play is still acceptable.

John Brown could be in for a big week if Michael Floyd is out. Brown needs to practice this week, but if he does and Floyd does not, he’s ready to go as a WR2. Carson Palmer throws the ball deep as much or more than any QB in the league, so Brown has a very high ceiling for a low end WR2. On the other hand, you have Davante Adams, who when given 21 targets in a game, still only puts up 7.9 fantasy points. Adams is averaging 10.1 yards per reception, lower than most TE’s and hasn’t scored a touchdown yet. Find someone else to start in place of Adams until he can get going with Rodgers, which seems less and less likely as the season goes on.

Hello, and welcome back to drinkfive.com's fantasy football coverage. We have had a terrific amount of R&R in the offseason and are ready to get back in the saddle as we approach training camp, preseason, and the eventual start of the 2022 fantasy season. A fresh crop of rookies sheds new light on the depth charts of many NFL teams and how we would advise drafting skill position players from those organizations. Take a look at our dynasty rankings for help in analyzing and shaping your fantasy squad for this season and the future. Questions? I'm available at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on Twitter @drinkfive. Good luck as we all get back into fantasy shape. That's beer & BBQ for me, FYI.