Since most fantasy leagues have their championships this week and a lot of NFL playoff teams rest players in week 17, this will be the last "On The Rise" of the season. Some might say, hey my team is in the finals, I'm all set, well ask the owners who played Aaron Stecker last week if he made a difference. Also, how many owners had Brady, Peyton Manning, Romo, T.O., Moss, Derek Anderson, and are sitting at home this week? My guess is many. One more, how many owners have sent hate mail to Brian Westbrook for pulling up and downing the ball on the 1 yd line?
Anyway, here are some players who could be on the rise this week, and as always they are not listed in value order;
1. WR Anthony Gonzalez Ind-He probably should have been on the list last week but, he had yet to show the consistency I was looking for, that changed this week. Gonzo has averaged 87 yds in the last 4 and scored 3TDs in that span. Gonzalez has benefited from the absence of Marvin Harrison and since earning the trust of Manning seems to have replaced Dallas Clark as the #2 option in the passing game. After Sunday's game Tony Dungy said he will rest some of his players in the next two games, that may not include Gonzalez who can still benefit from the game reps even if Jim Sorgi is slinging him passes.
2. RB Dominic Rhodes Oak-Probably still wishing he was on the Colts, because this season hasn't gone as he hoped in Oakland. With the sprained MCL of "Huggy Bear Jr" Justin Fargas, Rhodes got the reps because Lamont Jordan was inactive. With nothing to play for, there is no need to rush Fargas back, so it looks like Rhodes will get a shot to show something, the Raiders already saw what Jordan had this season and that wasn't much after week 4. Chances are that either Rhodes or Jordan are gone next year. Whomever starts has a tough matchup against Jacksonville who only allows 94.4 ypg.
3. WR Greg Camarillo Mia-The face of the Dolphins first (only?) win of 2007, had 109 yds and a TD, 64 yds on the TD. I wouldn't get too excited for the rest of this season, he is the #4 Wr on the worst team in the league. One thing I find interesting is that he has followed a similiar path to one of this year's breakout WRs, Wes Welker, Both started their careers as #5 WRs for the Chargers, when Cam Cameron took the Dolphins jopb he brought Camarillo with him, following Welker's path to the Dolphins, it is conceivable that either Booker or Hagan are gone next season and Camarillo gets the #3 slot spot next season.
4. TE Kevin Boss NYG-"The Big Boss Man" he caught a TD after entering the game for the injured Jeremy Shockey. Boss is 6 feet, 6 inches, and by watching the Giants receivers drop numerous passes over the past few games, may have the best hands on the team. If you lost Shockey this week, chances are there aren't many TE's on your waiver wire, Boss could end the season like Denver's Tony Scheffler did last season, on fire.
5. QB Chad Pennington NYJ-With the rib injury to Kellen Clemens, Chad becomes fantasy relevant again, however it is a little alarming that the Jets, in their biggest game of the year decided to use their Brad Smith, speed option package before turning to Pennington. I would steer clear of any Jet.
6. RB Darren Sproles SD-Sproles put up 122 yds and 2 TDs in a garbage time for the Chargers in their blowout win.The Chargers wanted to rest LT, who is healthy and even if #2 Michael Turner's shoulder injury causes him to miss time, Sproles is not a good option unless you play in a league that counts return yards.
7. QB Shaun Hill SF-Another guy I wouldn't get too excited about, but after holding a clipboard for the Vikings in 2005 and this season for the Niners, he steps in and completes 75% of his passes, passes for a TD and rushes for a TD, he deserves a honorable mention.
Send Questions or Comments to Tony at: TTOHBLOG@hotmail.com
