🏈 Rest in Peace

Sony Michel, Rashaad Penny, Deep Dives, injuries and remembering Demaryius Thomas.

December 12, 2021

Good morning. It’s the best day of the week, and the one Sunday you won’t see Jonathan Taylor go nuclear against your fantasy team.

Meet Week 14’s bellcow

Rams Trade for RB Sony Michel - FiredUp Network

With Darrell Henderson absent in Week 13, Sony Michel played 97% of snaps and put up 20+ fantasy points. Henderson is out again, and Gary Klein of the LA Times suggested the Rams could use more "heavy" offensive formations going forward.

  • The Rams used OL Joe Noteboom as an extra tight end in “heavy formations” with three tight ends. The result was 121 yards and a touchdown on 24 rushing attempts.

  • This is a no brainer against the run-funnel Cardinals defense. Cards are 30th in rushing yards per attempt allowed (4.7).

Rashaad Penny is another interesting start. Seattle takes on the Texans this week, who allow the most regulation rush atts/game (30.5), while this might be the biggest chance of Penny’s career. 12-14 attempts with 1-2 receptions is in the cards, with potential for more.

Deep Dives

Scuba Diving GIFs - Get the best GIF on GIPHY

You pick up a player before everyone wants to grab them off the waiver wire. These are Week 15’s deep sleepers.

  • Philip Lindsay - After RB Salvon Ahmed tested positive for COVID-19, following Myles Gaskin’s positive on Friday, Lindsay is the top RB left. Both Ahmed and Gaskin are vaccinated and Miami is on a bye, but there’s a chance Lindsay starts next week’s game.

  • Austin Walter - Michael Carter (IR) & Tevin Coleman (concussion) are out this week, making Walter the only non-Ty Johnson option on the Jets. While Carter is eligible to return from the IR next week (but will likely miss more time), and the Jets are facing the Saints run-D (1st in points allowed to RBs) - crazier things have happened.

  • Russell Gage - Per PFF’s utilization report, Gage has three consecutive top-36 finishes and sees elite targets per route run versus man (27%) and zone (26%) coverages. In addition, his 59% open rate against single-man leads the NFL for receivers with at least 200 routes.

  • Keelan Cole - He’s a slept-on WR, but it’s a war of attrition, and he’s (arguably) the most talented WR left. 7 targets/game is reasonable.

Who’s OUT

The Jets placed WR Elijah Moore on the injured reserve, essentially ending his fantasy season.

DET RB Godwin Igwebuike could play the D’Andre Swift role while Jemar Jefferson handles early down.

Who’s IN

Great news for Bengals fans

Rest in Peace

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Thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Demaryius Thomas, who passed away at age 33. Thomas was uniquely talented on the football field -- and truly special in life.

Urban Meyer = Certified D*ckhead

Ian Rapoport discusses Urban Meyer and James Robinson with Pat McAfee

Urban Meyer’s issues have “boiled over, with multiple run-ins with players and other coaches in recent weeks, renewing questions in league circles about whether Meyer could be out after just one tumultuous season.”

  • During a staff meeting, Meyer declared that he’s a winner and his assistant coaches are losers, according to several people. Meyer challenged each coach individually to explain when they’ve ever won and forcing them to defend their resumes.

  • Marvin Jones, a mild-mannered vet, was so angry with Meyer that he left the facility. After staff convinced him to return, Jones had a heated argument with Meyer.

Quick Slants

Tweet of the Day

Good luck today - crush your opponents. We’ll see you Tuesday AM.

- Jake

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