Week 11 Friday Mailbag

Question 1: Asked by Zach

Hey so with Schuab being out the rest of the season (most likely) how do you think this affects Andre Johnson?  I Remember Fitzgerald delt with a bad QB and went from a #1 WR to a #2 WR last season… of course they did not have a huge running game like Houston but still, should I worry at all about AJ going forward?  I am in a PPR league.

Answer

You certainly should be worried but I wouldn’t lose sleep over it. You mentioned how Fitzgerald slid last season and I think that is the worst case scenario.  On pure talent alone I do not see him dropping below WR 2 status, no matter how poorly Matt Leinart plays. The two-headed attack of Foster and Tate will clearly be the primary focus of opposing defenses and this should lead to a few deep passes throughout the game.  There really isn’t anyone else with the deep threat capability of Johnson on the Texans roster, so he should be good for a decent yardage total and a score in most every game the rest of the way.

Question 2: Asked by @UofMnumber1Fan

Brandon Marshall or Denarius Moore at WR2?

Answer

I write a lot of cautions against the Raiders’ receivers ever since I started this site and while Moore has admittedly looked really good this season and even with Palmer, I don’t think you can afford to bench Marshall here.  He has been targeted a lot recently and has really started to develop a chemistry with Matt Moore. Last season I wrote about how Matt Moore was able to make Steve Smith a viable fantasy option in Carolina because even though he is NOT a very good QB, he trusts in his top guy and gives him an opportunity to make plays.  The Bills secondary has allowed a lot of yardage all season and with Reggie Bush providing a rushing threat that is worth paying attention to, Marshall will have his chance to make a big play this week.

Question 3: Asked by @Shaban09

Let’s say vick’s out. Do I go with Bradford or V. Young?

Answer

With how mediocre Bradford’s play has been this season I have to say you should play Young.  Philly’s offense is VERY QB friendly and if you remember the recent past, Kevin Kolb was always able to put up good fantasy production as a fill-in. The Eagles just pass so much that the numbers are bound to show up by the end of the game and the Eagles will be able to keep a very similar playbook to what it is when Vick is out there.  In standard leagues, I don’t think Bradford is an own-able QB.