When looking over last week's starts and sits, I must apologize yet also pat myself on the back. My starts all played solid outside of Paul Richardson, while the stretches to bench guys like Kenny Stills and Bryan Burnham not only bit our loyal readers, but yours truly, as well.
Well now it's time to get serious. No more ups and downs. Just positives. So as we look forward to Week 4, here is a look at how we did in Week 3:
Last Week's Wide Receiver Starts:
Josh Boyce, TCU vs. Louisiana Monroe: 7 catches, 134 yards, TD. Grade A
Nick Toon, Wisconsin vs. Northern Illinois: 5 catches, 75 yards, 2 TD. Grade A
Keenan Allen, California vs. Presbyterian: 6 catches, 85 yards, TD. Grade A-
Ryan Swope, Texas A&M vs. Idaho: 6 catches, 74 yards, TD. Grade A-
Paul Richardson, Colorado vs. Colorado State: 4 catches, 24 yards. Grade D
All Hawaii receivers vs. UNLV: Considering we were high on Darius Bright and Royce Pollard and they struggled, this grade is lower than the A we would have given for the fact Billy Ray Stutzmann caught nine for 136 and Justin Clapp caught nine balls, two of which went for scores. Grade B.
All Baylor receivers vs. Stephen F. Austin: Kendall Wright, Lanear Sampson and Jerod Monkall scored and Wright caught eight for 100+. Terrance Williams sat out due to an ankle injury. Grade A-
Last Week's Wide Receiver Sits:
Kenny Stills, Oklahoma vs. Florida State: 7 catches, 125 yards, TD. Grade F
Van Chew, Syracuse vs. USC: 3 catches, 46 yards, TD. Grade C+ Rashad Greene, Florida State vs. Oklahoma: 3 catches, 70 yards, TD. Grade D+
Dwayne Frampton, Arkansas State vs. Virginia Tech: 6 catches, 59 yards. Grade A-
Bryan Burnham, Tulsa vs. Oklahoma State: 3 catches, 68 yards, 2 TD. Grade F
Start Em! Wide Receivers (BCS)
Emory Blake, Auburn, vs. Florida Atlantic: Every week Blake makes a play. He is averaging 21 yards per catch with three scores, and no one will have a chance on the FAU defense to stop him. He is a matchup nightmare, and his speed makes him an electric receiver. A solid WR3 in all formats.
Marvin McNutt, Iowa vs. LA-Monroe: The Iowa passing attack showed some signs of life late against Pittsburgh, and McNutt should now prosper and find plenty of space to make plays this weekend. He does have 313 yards receiving but just two scores. Expect that to double this weekend for McNutt.
Sammy Watkins, Clemson vs. Florida State: Some people may see this matchup and say must bench. After FSU was abused by Kenny Stills and Ryan Broyles, Watkins, a true freshman stud, needs to be in lineups. He is already approaching 300 yards and with four scores is making an immediate impact. With a powerful and explosive offense, expect a shootout this week in which Watkins further solidifies himself as a must-start.
Conner Vernon, Duke vs. Tulane: Vernon has had a solid start to 2011, catching 20 balls and scoring twice. This is a matchup start, as Tulane does not have a solid defense, despite their great play against UAB, so I would feel comfortable playing Vernon this week. I'm expecting 5-6 catches for 75 yards and a score.
All 120
Cole Beasley, SMU vs. Memphis: Beasley is a PPR machine, catching a bushel of passes the last two weeks, and while he has not found the end zone, he is due. Against one of the worst defenses we have ever seen in Memphis, expect another 10 catches for over a hundred yards and a score for the Wes Welker clone.
Tyler Shoemaker, Boise State vs. Tulsa: Tulsa is playing without G.J. Kinne, so I do not expect this game to be close. However Shoemaker, who is coming off a three touchdown day, should find plenty of room to explode for a score or two against a Tulsa team that let Oklahoma State march up and down the field on them. Play Shoemaker with confidence this weekend.
Sit Em! Wide Receivers (BCS)
Dwight Jones, UNC vs. Georgia Tech: Jones has had a solid season so far, catching 20 passes for 336 yards and four scores, however sometimes you just have a feeling. He is very hit or miss, so this week we take a chance and say it is a miss week.
Jermaine Kearse, Washington vs. California: Despite the name recognition, Kearse has had a quiet 2011 so far, only catching eight passes. While four have gone for scores, the quarterback play has been spotty and we cannot trust him as a week in, week out starter.
Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers vs. Ohio: The Ohio defense is better than you may think, just ask Marshall which was dominated by the Bobcats. Sanu is averaging less than 10 yards per catch and with the Rutgers offense struggling, he has only scored twice. Bench Sanu for this week and hope he bounces back.
Sterling Griffin, USF vs. UTEP: Yes Griffin has 20 catches this season but has just one score, and while USF may blow out UTEP, we expect the rushing attack to be the key to the rout. He is a solid long term prospect, but for fantasy purposes, do not let the 20 catches fool you in non-PPR leagues.
All 120
Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech vs. Mississippi State: Patton has had a solid start to the season with 388 yards and three scores, but against Mississippi State, coming off two tough losses, they will be mad, angry, pissed, and any other language you want to use. This is a good week to bench Patton.