Fantasy Football Daily - Fantasy Points Podcast | Guru and Mr. C Reunited

Episode Date: September 20, 2024

"The Guru" John Hansen and Adam Caplan get you set with an NFL Week 3 preview! Where to find us: httpp//twitter.com/Fantasy_Guru http://twitter.com/caplannfl http://twitter.com/FantasyPts Use promo code - SCOREMORE for 10% off your subscription And read this article on Draft Sleepers - https://www.fantasypoints.com/nfl/articles/2024/mr-relevant-late-round-targets#/ Subscribe to FantasyPoints for FREE - https://www.fantasypoints.com/plans#/ Listen to the podcast here - https://www.fantasypoints.com/media/podcasts FantasyPoints Website - https://www.fantasypoints.com NEW! Data Suite - https://data.fantasypoints.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/FantasyPts Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FantasyPts Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/FantasyPts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey, it's John Hansen. And on this week's episode of the Fantasy Points podcast, the week three preview episode, Brian Drake is out this week. And, oh, no, what do we do? How about we get me and Mr. C together to preview another week of NFL football action? That's exactly what we do is Adam Kaplan joins us for an hour in 15 minutes of week three previews. You know, Adam did the podcast late in the first. the preseason. He told us about Tony Pollard. He told us about Jameson Williams. He told us about

my guy Khalil Shakir gave us a lot of great nuggets. Well, two weeks have passed. We'll check in with Mr. Adam Kaplan to see what he thinks about some of the more surprising occurrences so far in the National Football League. We'll also talk injuries and matchups as usual. So hang tight. Get ready for week three preview action with me, yours truly, and Mr. C. Here are the Fantasy points podcast and you're welcome. Looky, looky. Looky. Look who we got. Mr. C.

Adam Kaplan. We follow him on the Twitter at Kaplan NFL. Of course, weeks one and two were the first two weeks that went by in the NFL that me and Mr. C did not break down all the matchups. So we thought we'd have a little reunion here with Mr. C. Hello. Mr. C, how are you? Yeah, I'm good to see you.

I'm glad to be back, at least for now. We'll see what happens after that. But yeah, look, it certainly has been a long time coming. It's been interesting two weeks. We'll go through these games and we'll go through kind of what I've seen and heard. And kind of interesting, what's the Saints offense has kind of stunned me. I thought it would be obviously much better with Clint Kubiak, but not this. This has been fascinating.

Because every year, they're surprises you can't predict. You know? And that was one I thought was really fun. It's great to see Alvin Camaro was looking for a new deal. We thought he's washed up. We certainly didn't look great last season, but it's amazing when you have a great scheme and the execution is such at a high level that even Derek Carr could play reasonably well.

And Alvin Camaro was not finished, he's playing exceptional football. No doubt. Well, let's get into it here. It's me and Mr. C for the next 60 plus minutes covering week number three. Full disclosure, as always, we release this podcast on Friday morning. We're not going to be watching the game trying to do the podcast. So we do record it Thursday night late afternoon, we'll say. So we'll skip over New England at the Jets.

Although I got to tell you, I'm so happy that Mike Williams scored and made that big play that I did predict at him as my Thursday night special. Well, I'm going to say that. We'll put that on tape. I don't know. We'll see if that happens. But let's move over to the Giants and the Browns. How about Malik neighbors? I mean, I was skeptical, Adam.

I was skeptical because he was expensive. I never disputed. He was a stud. Are we going to make it through the whole year with Malik neighbors? Because if we do, this is a league-winning guy here. Your thoughts. All right. So you and I haven't talked.

So I'm going to give you a little note here. So I have what are called gold star players. I use the fantasy points rankings every year. I don't get them always right. I mean, you know, if someone can tell me what's going to happen, we'll always get them right. but he was one of my gold star players, Malik neighbors. I spent a day in training camp.

They were practicing with the Vikings. I knew Daniel Jones was up and down, more down than up. But Malik neighbors is a special talent. We know rookie receivers more often not don't do well. Some buck the trend. And I thought this guy would buck the trend based on what I'd heard. He's off the good start. I know he's capable of doing better.

So is Daniel Jones. He's so gifted. You got to expect rough with Daniel Jones, right? You got to expect that. Their offensive lines have gone through changes. just not saying Daniel Jones will be good, but I still believe he'll be good. Just like I said to you when we tape that show,

despite how much we've knocked Sam Darnold, I said, Darnold will be good enough for Justin Jefferson. I'm just giving an example. I wasn't as down on Darnold as maybe in years past because I know this scheme really fit him well with the Vikings. So I felt that with Daniel Jones,

yes, he's come back from a major injury. He didn't have a good training camp. I thought he'd be good enough. or we would neighbors would hit what we thought he would hit so i was going to i went for him i tried and every draft is my second receiver every it wasn't going to work i should have known better i should have what i should have done was what i did with jameson williams we will talk about later don't worry about adp just go get him and i regret that i didn't do that but i'm going to be right on neighbors i'm this this guy's a special full he's super competitive by what super competitive oh i'm

look i know but i just i just didn't have a great vibe new york I mean, day ball. Things can get ugly here. There's some bad vibes. I get it. I'm telling you, I'm telling you, Bill Belichick is coach. I think Bill Belichick will be the Giants coach next year. Well, that, that, listen, we'll talk more about that maybe later in the year, but just

getting back to this for fantasy purposes. You know, Browns have a good defense. I know that they've had an up and down showing so far, but they have a really good defense. They're well coached. They've got a good scheme. This could get ugly, but. I like the way they, I like the way they use neighbors. I'm still, I'm okay in this game with neighbors.

I'm fine with it. He's an every week starter. I don't worry about how good this Brown secondary is. He's got a special football player. You know, you don't, you talk about don't bench your studs. Well, I'm not like, we'll get to the Green Bay game. Like, Christian Watson's a guy, probably would start benching because of what, who's strong to him.

But Daniel Jones, to move this along, is good enough. Good enough. Just good enough to get neighbors of full. ball right uh brett oh yeah i would i would agree browns have um ranked top six so far in man coverage rate neighbors has only run 11 routes against man but he has absolutely crushed it uh seven targets so that's a 64 percent target per route share or route run so like if he runs a route 64% of the time he gets a ball against man. That's crazy.

And 21.5 fantasy points, which is more than half of his total. Slayton does well against that too. But not expecting a big bonanza here for Daniel Jones. No, I think it's a low scoring game. And I do want it, well, although you could throw against his giant second.

What I tell you, Jim Schwartz historically is like top three in man coverage. Everywhere he's been, he puts a lot on his corners. And they like it. Look, you had the game against the Colts last year, which was crazy. But overall, it's not easy to throw against them.

But neighbors is kind of a unicorn. And I don't care who he's going against, whatever defense. I don't care how good they are. Man coverage, I'm playing the guy. He's a guy I'll never bench him, matter what the circumstances. What about in Cleveland?

How concerned are you about Jerome Ford? You know, like he was the man in week one, and then he wasn't. What else do you think about the play of Deshawn Watson last week as well. It was a little better. He still moves when he should move. He's still frenetic.

There's some things you have to accept. He's a little better. Hopefully he'll continue to get better. But it was interesting. The SnapShare was very odd. Like, Foreman got out snapped, but he got more carries. I don't have a great feel for why they did that.

I know Ford, Ford's good at you. Ford is good out of the backfield. we've seen this. It's a time share. I was pleasantly surprised with the way Foreman looked last week. I liked that they gave him a good amount of carries. I actually, in my,

I was very conservative of the first two weeks with my free agent money in all my leagues, but I was not this week. I was like, all right, I need a backup running back, a fourth guy in the worst way. So I was like, all right, I'm going to spend it, I spent like in one league, like almost 20% of my free agent money on Foreman. Because they, Kev, I know Stefanski really well,

And I know it starts with a run with him. And yes, they're more 11 personnel because they have to be. But their base is still running the football. And former fits what they want to do. That's why he's still there. How about Amari Cooper? Any thoughts here? I mean, he'll get a good matchup, Cordell, Flott, Deonté Banks.

They're really bad at corner. Banks has not played at the level I thought he'd play at. And Nick McLeod's out or hurt. they're not very good at corner, John. You could throw against them. I just, with DeShan, stay in the pocket and deliver the football. Jerry Judy's shown he could still play.

He had one good game so far. You mentioned Cooper. So more did last week. Now, the thing is, though, and this is not his fault, they got to get, I know, they got to get their off of the tackles back. You saw in week one, they didn't play. Week two, they didn't play.

Yeah, right, right. They got to be able to protect him. Any quarterback needs protection. once they can protect him Deshawn will do better. He's not the quarterback he once was. We all know that. But just be serviceable for fantasy purposes. Yeah, that's a great point. I mean, it really is a great point because we're so

sick of watching bad Deshawn Watson that we kind of ignore some issues like, oh, by the way, like both tackles have been out. You know, even dating back to last year, they had all these problems. Let's move on to the next game here because we'll be here all night if we belabor points. Chicago at India. I mean, how disappointed are you with Caleb Williams? Only two games, but man, he does in fact look like a rookie in the most traditional sense. All right, two things here. This is a West Coast offense. I know everywhere I talked about

the Brown, excuse me, the Bears and Caleb Williams before the season started, said it's going to be a slow star for him. It has been, though, by the way, he threw the ball very well in the first half against Houston. But the average pass a tempo is not quite what I wanted, but he threw it more on time. There's something to build off. If it's still not good enough, I'm not denying that. Overall, it has to be much better.

But he knows he can't be running around and moving around. This is Shane Walden runs a West Coast, so the ball's got to be out. You know, Keenan Allen with his heel injury, here we go again. This is why I voted him in every league. I don't want him. Heal injuries.

You and I know this injury very well. We've talked about this injury for 21 years. It's the death knoll. Remember what Hollywood Brown had the heel injury last year, ruined his season? Yeah. Adunze is a rookie. We have to be careful.

More and Caleb are building their chemistry. So it's a work in progress. So you ask about their offense. I'm just, yeah, it looks like a rookie. It's exactly what I expected. But the kid is super gifted. He wants to be coached, by the way. The word I got, despite what people said about.

him, you know, his father being involved and all this stuff before the draft. What I'm told, he does want to be coached. It's going to take time. So if you haven't a dynasty league, they're going to have a lot of talent around them. I give their GM credit, Ryan Poles. It's just you have to be patient. Just be patient, bear fans and fantasy people. DJ Moore has seen just a 61% catchable target rate so far.

Again, only two games. I think he's a buy low. You just said what you said about Keenan Allen, right? Yeah, yeah. No, Moore's going to be their number one targeted player. There's no question about even with Keenan there. Now, how much more when Keenan gets healthy? We don't know. And then don't forget, they've got Kemet. They've got Vevert. So they've got a great past target group.

Williams has got to run the play like it's supposed to be. Don't move. Throw the football. Because if you watch the tape, I watched the first, I didn't get through the second half tape. I like the way he stuck his foot in the ground. And he did get rid of the football. It just wasn't, he wasn't always taking the right progression, but he did throw the football and he got out of his hand. How about Anthony Richardson? How disappointed are you here with AR? I mean, he is not doing well. I mean, it's like pick your spots. It's like two, three bad series and then one really good. You know what I mean? Very much up and down. He's learning on the job here. I mean, this kind of is his

rookie year too. It is. Don't forget. I'm glad you said that because he missed almost all of last season, three quarters of it, over three quarters of it. So let's understand that. Not making an excuse, but he's got to make up for lost time. Now, if you isolate John, his throws in the first game, it's the best and the worst of Richardson. One of the best throws I've ever seen to pier for a touchdown, who we'll talk about in a minute. And then you see the inaccuracy, overthrows, mechanics, off balance. He needs work.

But again, he's got enormous talent. you just got to hang in there with him. He will. I know last week was a disaster. Just, it was bad, okay? It was bad. And the cheat code only works, John. If he has a bad game passing,

the cheat code only works when he scores on the ground. The cheat code didn't work last week. You know, and the Colts of the Bears have played zone coverage at a top eight rate this season, very zone heavy, ranked top five last year. Michael Pittman gets crushed against zone. he's negative 27% reduction to targets per route run. I don't think you can start anyone, any of these receivers with any confidence.

I mean, I know Pierce is coming through, but it's just what I was hoping for last year, by the way. But their shot plays only in AD Mitchell. Now Josh Downs is probably back. Yeah, Josh Jones will be the slavish. You know, it's interesting. Mitchell in week one, he missed. I don't know if you saw it. Unfortunately, I watched the entire game.

He missed A.D. Mitchell wide open for a touch, like an 80-yard touchdown. It's just, he round free. So you got to hang on at Richardson. I have him in one of the, I think, the NFFC leagues. He's my starting quarterback. I made the decision. He's in there every week.

I mean, you just relax a little bit. It's week two. It's fair what you brought up. He didn't played well. He's got a lot of rust. But the good thing is the pet. You get Josh Downs back, who's a really good slot receiver. He'll be better.

By the way, John, he really needs his slot receiver badly. He needs to get the ball of his hands quickly. and stop what we're thinking. Just get rid of the football. Exactly. Don't you have Richardson in the FPI, the fantasy points invitation? Yeah. Actually, that league too.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. That's, yeah, okay. One of the two or not two of them. But yeah, you're one in one in that league? Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. He was another guy who was targeting. He wasn't a gold star player for me, but he was the guy was definitely going to target if the opportunity was correct.

I don't like drafting quarterbacks early. It's up my voice avoid. Yeah. But I like Shane Steik and a lot as a play caller and a schemer. He just, Richardson's got to play on more under control. But again, we're only through week two. I try not to go overboard with this stuff the first two weeks.

You and I've done this for 21 years. Point out what you see, what you know, and then move on. In my FPI draft, because we're doing two of them, I didn't take my quarterback to the 11th round. What did you get? A proffty. Yeah, he needs, yeah, I'm a little concerned. You're not crushing yet, but.

I do have Iyuk as well. So I mean, fortuitous for yours truly. But we'll get to that. Moving on here, week three previews with me, John Hanson. And Mr. C, Houston at Minnesota. Wow. Man, that Brian Flores, man, he is the man. He just gets these guys playing hard, motivation and scheme.

They're tight, like they're hard to run on. They blitz a lot. you know the the receivers don't have great numbers against you know the kind of coverages and blitzes that they're going to see first of all step digs minus 38 tank down minus 40 and nico collins minus 49 fantasy points per route run against the blitz so your thoughts on eust and texans I mean, Strau's been good, but he hasn't been great either. I don't get a warm and fuzzy feeling watching Straub, but then again, I don't get a warm and fuzzy feeling watching many

quarterbacks so far this year. No, Strout's been fine, but this is such a tough match upon your point. Here's the problem, the sim pressures. Sim pressure means where your linebackers act like they're going to blitz, but they back off and they flood the zones. It's really hard. You don't know what Flores could come with a, he could come in with a scheme where he's a three-man front.

The next week he could have a five-man front. He's impossible to figure out that it's one of these things. You look at the personnel and you go, how the hell is he doing this? It's great coaching. He's really smart. He's like a subant defensively. He's not a good head coach,

but he's a hell of a defense coordinator. Well, I was just thinking about that today. Yeah, go ahead. You're right. I'm just going to say he's, it's really hard to go against him. As special as Strout is, and by the way, as we speak,

we don't know about Nico Collins. there's two minor injuries. And Mixon's got an ankle, which I'm hoping it's not a high ankle. I don't like the way the video looks that worried me. But as so. I don't think he's playing. Yeah, it just doesn't. Yeah.

This week I definitely don't think he's playing. But the point is, I hope it's not a high ankle where he's out multiple weeks. Right. So that that would worry me and Cam Acres getting revived here. But yeah, this is going Cam Acres. What's that? I'm going Cam Acres. He's healthy.

Yeah, the guy's healthy. He's got a lot to prove. He's on a prove a deal. No, what I was saying with Sam Darnel was, just before we move on to the Eagles at Saints game, the reason why I liked him, so what I didn't like him, but what I said is I'm not going away from Jefferson

is because I knew that they, the Vikings liked that he played in the West Coast with Shanahan last season. Yep. Kevin O'Connell is great at developing quarterbacks. He gets the most out of them. And I felt that Donald would be serviceable enough to be good enough to get Jefferson to be a top three fantasy receiver. And that's going to happen.

Now, the quad, thank God. is day-to-day. He's got a real shot to play this week. Don't have any setbacks. But I was not, you know me. You know me better than anyone. I usually shy away from guys like Donald who have major issues with processing. But based on what I'd heard, he should be okay. Now, are there going to be some bad games? Yes. Because he, when he gets blitz, sometimes he just stands there and he, then he scrambles and gets hit and fumbles. But I think he'll be okay. Look, they'll get Hawkinson back later. We don't know exactly when Addison will be back. that Jalen Naylor's done a good job.

Nailer's a baller. He's, nailer is a baller. Yeah, he's, yeah, boy, go ahead. By the way,

this has got to be the best bookend tackles that Donald's ever played for. Right, because that's it. Like, you got to protect that guy because the later in the down, the worse he gets kind of a thing, you know, so yeah,

I mean, if you protect them, if you protect most quarterbacks, they'll do well. But yeah, this is a pretty damn good environment for, Sam Darnold. Let's move on.

Nothing else really jumping out to me at this one. It's a tough spot. Tough spot, man. They're going to blitz Stroud. Well, how about your birds, man? Well, actually, no, the one thing is, one I forgot to mention with Nico Collins. You know, people, you don't really realize

how talent this guy is. You know how I was on him, like, immediately when he was drafted and he just sucked for two years. Obviously, having CJ Stroud. Okay, I'm not ignoring that. He has a great quarterback. but he always had it in him. He just was never a consistent player.

And you know what I love about Nico Collins, John? Is he came to work if you got his contract. This is coming from the Texans, someone I talked to. And the contract didn't mean anything. Sometimes the guys get paid, they don't work. This guy works. Did you see the first two weeks with his energy and going after the football? I mean, this kid is really bleeping gifted.

He's better than I thought. That was a, yeah, that was a great. great one for you to get behind. I wish I did. I mean, I should have gotten him in our Giants league, but see, he was so frustrating the first two years. I know the quarterback play wasn't good, but some of it was on him, let's call it like it is. So I'm a believer, man, in Nico. I don't see the stop him, but getting to the Eagle Saints game. So, all right, here's, Jalen Hertz has got a major problem now with moving for, for no reason. He's rolling to his right, John. It was really bad last week against Atlanta. It's, he's not even

getting, their line has been great, by the way. There were like three or four bad blocks, but other than that, he's just moving, John, for no reason. And you want to know why Dallas Goddustod's not getting the football? I just gave it to you. It was the same thing last season. So it's a problem. I mean, for fantasy, he's still been good, but he would be doing way better, John. You know, it's crazy?

He couldn't throw him for over 300 yards last week. So he's leaving plays on the field? Yeah, a ton of them, man. It's not good. Yeah. He's got to play better, man. It's just. I mean, what, I'm Benchard.

I'm done. I mean, he's worthless. I mean, it's not his fault. That's not just him. Okay. It's not him. Yeah, that's fair. What are your thoughts on a potential schism here?

I mean, with the coaching staff. Like, how many more bad showings before there's some sort of problem with Kellynne Moore and Serrani? No, the only, Kellyn is called a good game. It's the only thing with him that I'd like to see. It's the same issue we had last year. Giondra Swift, the backs aren't getting the football in the passing. You saw, and of course, Barclay dropped, had a horrible drop. But Barclay and the Barclay had a great catch in week one.

Backs need to get the ball more. Calloward has a history of the backs getting a football. I'm a little disappointed in that. But let's get to why I think I love the Saints this week. Yeah. Sure, anything could happen. It's the NFL. But the Eagles are getting killed in wide mid zone, absolutely shredded against the run.

And it's specifically against West Coast offensive teams that run mid, mid and wide zone. What do you think Clint Kubiak runs? Wide zone. Oh, they're in trouble. I mean, the data is unbelievable. I didn't just know this for a fact. I didn't even look at the data yet. Is it bad?

I would assume it has to be. No, I mean, the data is unbelievable in terms of how effective Camara has been in the running game. Oh, he looks great. I know. I know. They're dominating man end zone concepts. You know, that's the thing. Yeah. They're absolutely dominating.

Like they've been way ahead of the defenses and all that good stuff. up. And again, that's how Camara just looks, it looks 25 years old out there. It's unbelievable. And by the way, how about Camara this week catching a ball? That looks like a problem for Philly. Stopping Camara in the passing game. It hasn't, teams have not thrown a ton against Eagles linebackers so far. But I saw it in training camp, John. They were atrocious in coverage. I would expect the Camara's a guy I didn't target because I had no feel for how well he could do,

to be honest with you. I got lucky last year in that one league where you and I argued over that one because Captain Checkdown, see, Captain Checkdown hasn't happened yet because Carr doesn't even throw the football at all. They're up so big. They're killing people. I know. It's really odd.

And I expect them to, look, on paper, there should be a blowout based on how bad the Eagles defense has been. Yes, they have to play the game. We'll see what happens. but now I'll say the Eagles have been very stingy in the red zone that's been very strange but they give up tons of rushing yardage John they're getting killed their linemen are getting they're going the wrong way it's just really embarrassing so I love Camarie you got to love this boy he must start this week oh uh Eagles deploying single high shells the sixth most in

the NFL more than they it's crazy John fan show doesn't fan show has always been too deep it's really odd. I don't know why. Yeah. It's running single high. Yeah. Chris Alave crushes that shell, 12th best. Then cover three, Shaheed is average 2.84 yards per route run, 12th best. He is Mr. Zonebeater.

So, I mean, it's crazy. I feel like the Saints could really beat the Eagles in any way they want. I do. I agree with you, John. In fact, this game shouldn't be close. On paper, it should not be close. I'm fascinated to see if Hertz can rebound on the road and then a hostile environment's going to be loud. He's just got to play better, man. Even without, I'm telling you, John, there were a lot of guys open and he didn't deliver. The tape was bad.

So we'll see what happened. So you're liking the Saints here. I love them in this game. I have to pick for Sports Grid. It's one of my, there are four games a week I look at. I think it's, what are they minus? They're only minus three of the Saints, if I'm not mistaken. Philly plus New Orleans minus 2.5.

Yeah, again, it depends which books. So, yeah, I've, so if they're two and a cheese, I even like it better at two and a half. Yeah, I don't bet, but I mean, I have to pick the game. So I'd be stunned if the Saints struggled. It's early, but Eagles do not look good. No, they don't. How about skinny Batman, though?

How great is that guy? He's an absolute stud. One of these weeks, Hertz actually may throw the ball in the middle. I doubt it, but one of these days I'll hit Goddard. We might be 75 years old, but it's frustrating. It is frustrating. L.A. Chargers at the Pittsburgh Steeler. How about J.K. Dobbins?

Absolutely crushing it. I'll start them against anyone. Looks great. Good story. Good matchup for Ladd-McConkie. By the way, Quentin Johnson. A was my number one waiver wire pick up this week. B might be my number one sit this week.

So pick him up and sit his ass down because... Well, I would say this. The Steelers are not good at nickel. That's one way if you're going to throw against them. If McConkey's lining up inside, which we expect, he should win. Yes. Exactly. Yeah, that's what I was told is they're not good at nickel. That's the way you beat them.

100%. I like to actually, I like the Chargers to win this game. I got to give Greg Roman credit. The scheme is because the run scheme looks as great as ever. Dobbs is a great story. He's another guy. I was with the Chargers one day in training camp, but I couldn't get a good feel for it.

Because Edwards, if you remember, Edwards was a leadback to start the season. He started week one. He was ineffective. They went to Dobbson, and it was like, wow. Yeah. Shot out of a cannon. He does.

He looks great. Good for him. Yep, good for him. I didn't even consider him in any leagues. I didn't I stand him to feel for him anyway I did put him in that draft plan a couple of times you know like you know 13th round I need a fourth back with upside yeah let me yeah sure give me jk dobbots you know any other thoughts here I mean naji's uh in this game I think he's looking good and he's on the injury report I'm not just said no he was he was rested yeah he was but by the way he's on a contract year so yeah yeah he one thing we started you and I started you and I started look more a little bit more in the last couple of years with these contract running backs.

He's got a lot of motivation, a lot of motivation. Do you think that Justin Fields is going to keep this job? If they win, he's not giving it up. There's no chance he loses the job. I mean, I know coaches, they don't bench a guy because he's winning. Look, they have no pass a game. They did have a big play taken back last week, I was told, due to penalty. but they need a number two receiver.

Roman Wilson has a high angle sprain, I'm told. So hopefully, I know he's getting close. They really need him. Van Jefferson had a great training campus has done a thing so far. They need a second receiver, John, in the worst way. But George is looking good, man. He was one of my goals start players.

Oh, he is crushing. I know. You know, the problem with the damn ADP, I've learned my lesson with ADP. Folks, whenever you want somebody, don't worry about it. Go draft them earlier. Just you're going to be, like it, let's say Pickens, 80P was seventh round or six round, right?

Take them in the fourth. Don't worry about it. And I got to do a better job with that. He was one of my gold star players and I didn't do it. I didn't take them earlier like I should. Because these two, the people were drafting with are too smart. They're taking them before. So that's why ignore.

Yes, you need ADP to have an idea where, what were players are going on average. But if you want a player, go get them. I'm so, I'm still beating myself up. He was one of my guys I mean, it's not like he's killing it out there. He's doing well. He's doing solid. Yeah, he is.

And he's a baller, and he is an absolute baller. Yeah, I was way over his ADP. I was in. I was in. I was in. I'm like, look, I understand they're going to be a run heavy team. But they got crap.

I mean, I said he's going to get a 26 to 7% target share. And that's exactly where he is right now. Real quick, uh, from Scott Barrett's great office. end article, the everything report from wrapping up week one or week two. I mean, some of the data here on Pickens is ridiculous. Here it is.

Well, John, just before you say it, what I want to say is when they throw it, it's going to Pickens. That's the point is the progression is going to start with Pickens and end with Pickens. If Pickens is covered and they don't and Fields doesn't feel cut, see Fields is a seat and throw it player. Like I saw that. I was with the Steelers two days in training camp. Right.

The guy, he doesn't trust his eyes always. But the good thing, as you mentioned earlier here, he clearly has good chemistry with Pickens. He does. It's going to Pickens, okay? They don't have a number two receiver. Roman Wilson's got to develop chemistry when he plays. Frymuth isn't getting the ball like he should.

He just got to sign a contract extension. But Pickens is the guy. And his numbers were ridiculous considering how bad the quarterback play was. And the scheme was last season. Think about it. This guy's special. He currently ranks 12th among all. wide receivers in yards per route run.

He is seventh in first downs per route run. He ran 80% of his routes in week one against AJ Terrell, and then 71% of his routes in week two against Pat Sertan. He had a 41 catchover turned, had another 36 yard negated. Yep. It's unbelievable. He's a special. He could have had four catches for 30 yards in week one.

Well, here's the thing, though. He can get his contract redone after the season. that's a little nugget for you folks. You have to wait three years. This year's year three. And believe me, they're going to extend his contract after the season. That's going to happen.

There it is. We're feeling with George this week. Denver at Tampa, are you worried about our guy, Rashad White, who is getting crushed by Bucky Irving in terms of yards before contact? Bucky is creating on his own back there.

Rashad is not. Listen, I know the way coaches think. I know Todd Balls wants to run. the football i'm telling you right shod is no juice at all um we it doesn't look good i know it's two weeks and he's got this minor groin injury but i'm not saying he's going to lose a job but they have to find a number two back with juice and irving is it so yeah it's um it's very look we know who he was he's not like he's exposed another line by the way is this is their line is better than i

think it was last year they got more chemistry i think oh i know um so yeah and you know I'm worried that Rashad lost the juice, bulking up. I don't know. He never had any juice to begin with. Yeah, but he's, I don't think he's as good as he was two years ago. Like, he doesn't look good.

I mean, I'll say this, he doesn't not look good at all. And he's not getting out of his own way. And that's, that's troubling. So, you know,

I drafted him as my flex player. I thought he was a great flex player. And I think that's going to work, but I'm a little concerned, to be honest with you. No, it's not going well. No,

I mean, he was on my list. I, I somehow, not avoided them. Great value. Really good value. Well, not as good as last year, clearly.

We were on him. I mean, that was my guy last year, but, you know. How about Bo Nex, man? Not very good. Not very good. It's not very good. Yeah, what's the word? He basically, he basically moves a lot.

He needs to settle down. He's a guy who plays a little frenetically. The past our group's okay. It's not bad. Now, I don't like the McClintchies on IR that does worry me, a little bit. He needs to settle down. He just needs to, he's got enough arm strength. He's good enough athlete. He needs to play within structure and settle down. That's why he's not look good so far. Big Mike, going to see a lot of Sartan. How about Godwin? I loved Godwin this year.

No, we, we, I, um, in, uh, he that one of the NFFC leagues where I'm really doing exceptionally well, he, it was, you and I talked about this, I think on, on the show we did for your, for the company, the talk on the slot convinced me that I'm like, this guy's incredible in the slot and that's where he's going to line up. He's crushing. Yeah, he's number one right now. Yeah, he's unreal. Yeah.

I mean, I wish I got, I should have got him in more leagues. I feel bad. I didn't, but. I didn't get him and I loved him. I ranked him way over to ADP. I didn't freaking get him, so I'm hating myself for that. What about Giovante? I mean, thank God for week two because it looked dire coming out of week one.

Well, to two and to Champaign's credit, he, did say he knows he's got to get on the ball more like i thought that was good that sean said that he's healthy there's nothing wrong you know last year i was out on him whenever he else was in i just i know the injuries i know the injury that he had last season that he's come back from was devastating um now look that was ugly that was ugly last week for for the run game but um the game was close enough giovante should have gotten the ballmore and and sean talked about that. He was asked about it. But, man, Bo Nex is,

he needs got a long way to go. Yeah, I'm just, I'm just not feeling good about it. Like, not a very good receiving core. I think it's okay. I think it's okay. I mean, Sutton's getting locked down. And now what? You know what I mean? When you're up against a Joey Porter, for example,

now what? I mean, Josh Reynolds, your guy's doing all right? Mm-hmm. Dulcich got what to get. Yeah, he was out last week. Yeah, it's hard. Right. did one week one you mims can run troy franklin isn't playing yet dulcich is actually somewhat healthy although i think he's on the entry report this week but it's okay but so we can move on yeah they're a work

in progress there's no doubt by the way uh tampa is still good on uh against the run uh although vita via is out he's got emcee um by the way you know it's coming up against bow nicks todd balls is an incredible track record against rookie quarterbacks he's it's this this could be not nice. It'll be a checkdown Charlie all day long. Yeah, I just think it's going to be an ugly game. Yeah, yeah. Baker, man,

we've been wrong on Baker in the past. A couple years ago, we liked them. Yeah, I know, but he looks really good. You know what the past target group looks like. Give Liam Cohen credit. It's very close to the scheme he played in last year. It looks good. I mean, so far, so good. It's a little odd.

Evans isn't kind of to good start. I don't know what to think about that, but Godwin's been incredible. Well, Evans was good in week one, right? I mean, it was... What did he do week one? Didn't he score week one? But I'm talking about what the numbers he put up last year. It's only like two weeks ago, and we already forgot. Yeah, he had two trottings. Right. He did score twice. But I'm talking about major numbers like he did last year where... Right, right. I got ridiculed for drafting him last year because he's, you know, he's old or all this, and he just went off.

But he's got, he's going to be fine, Evans, because he's got great chemistry with Mayfield. I'm just blown away by Godwin. This is great. Oh,

I mean, Godwin has caught, was it 15 of 16 targets? I mean, that's tremendous. Man, unbelievable. I mean, he has been a league winner thus far. Let's move on to Green Bay at Tennessee

and recording this on Thursday, late afternoon, Adam. Well, it looks like Jordan loves playing. I mean, he practiced in pads on Thursday. Yeah, he's close with an MCL sprain. Yeah, because, man, Malik Willis, you want to talk about hiding the quarterback? The Peckers round the ball for over 30 times in the first half last week.

They weren't going to let him throw. I thought they did a great job, though. They really did. Hey, that's what you do. I have no problem with it. I mean, he actually completed a couple of balls, though. I know. John, he's, he is, if Willis is playing on benching Christian Watson, that's just the way it is.

Yeah, for sure. Yeah, there's no. Jane Reed, it's, Jane Reed is not, is not, is not, is not Willie Wallace Proof. He's just not. I mean, it's just, no, yeah, no, he's not, no. He's also a little bit banged up this week.

Yeah. And by the way, Tennessee's D is balling. Yeah, well, they, they change her scheme a little bit. It's a little bit more aggressive under Dernard Wilson. It's different than the Shane Bone scheme. So they're more aggressive. And I know really hasn't done great so far. he's done okay. But I told the D-Hop

it wasn't even close. The past the game goes to Ridley. Now, if the Tennessee quarterback, Will Levis could actually play respectable football, which he hasn't played like, so far, Ridley will be really good. Will Levis is so far away from playing competent football, he's

he needs to settle down and throw the damn football, man. Just relax. No, I hear you. I got some data on Ridley that is very encouraging. And you were right about what you said. You told us that D-Hop, basically not to put words in your mouth, but you kind of told us that D-Hop might be dust.

And, you know, through two games, that certainly looks to be the case. Calvin Ridley currently atop the league in Air Yard share, 60% because D-Hop can't run. He's averaging an insane A-DOT of 23.3. And he can still run, man. That was a great touchdown. I did not like him last week.

That was a great touchdown by Ridley last week. He's balling. By the way, Ridley could run. He's going to be their non-rout runner. See, the thing is, John, Will Elvis could throw the football. He's got a really good arm, and I saw it in training camp for two days. I was with him. The problem is he's so up and down.

He overthinks out there. He's just processing as good as you need it to be. Yeah. And Jeff Halfley is more aggressive. than his predecessor Joe Barry with Green Bay. They run a different scheme now. So I'm not, really I'm playing him every week,

but we're not there yet because, excuse me, Leves has got to play better football. Yeah, I mean, like, forget about D-Hop, forget about Chiggy, it's Ridley or bust.

What about the backfield? You were once again correct on Tony Pollard, you know, I actually got to a point. I tried to tell you, there's no competition. It was Pollard's won.

The other kids won, We love Spears. I love Spears. But Pollard's a better football player. That's what they think. Spears is a change-up only. He'll never be their starter unless Pollard gets hurt. Now, Spears also has an ankle injury.

But what their hope is, it could be like Pollard, 15 to 17 touches, Spears 8 to 12. When it gets rolling, if they're not behind, if they're playing better football. But that's the other wrench that gets thrown into it. They're behind because the quarterback's not playing well. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. I will say, I'm not sure if it was your tidbit, but while I did oversell Spears, there's no doubt.

I actually did rank Pollard somewhat considerably over his ADP, and I actually started taking them because, you know, the hype on Spears, it wasn't all me, the hype on Spears was pretty damn good. I tried to shoot it down the best I could. I tried to see. You did. No, you did. You know, you got to anyone.

I drafted them in the FPI. I freaking drafted them in the FPI. Oh, man. Nice. Yeah, seventh round pick in the 14 teams. Hang on. I'm going to say this about Spears. Don't cut them.

I have them. Oh, God, no. Don't cut them. They want to get Spears at the ball. There's a way they can do it. They've got to stop falling behind, and the quarterback's got to play better. This is the problem with this stuff. If the quarterback plays like bleep,

it throws everything out. You can't run your offense like the way they'd like to run it. Levis has got to play better football. I know it's only two weeks, but this has got to stop. And I'll tell you what, I know Mason Rudolph is not a great quarterback hit, a really good training camp.

He's better. Will Levis. Well, let's see what happens by midseason. If this stuff continues, he'll wind up being benched. Yeah, he has to be. You know, I mean, Will Levis has way more upside. I know he's very talented,

but you got to play like it. He's not playing like it. No, exactly. No, he's a tease. I saw that coming a mile away. Carolina at the L.A. Raiders. Oh, by the way, this is great for Adam Thielen with Dalton. This is really good.

I am, because I overdrafted Thelan like a dummy because he was so good with me last year. What about Deontz? What's that? And Deonti too, yes, but Dalton likes to throw, like to possession receivers. I follow this group pretty closely. And I love this for Thielen. And their numbers last year were pretty good, if I'm not mistaken. So, yeah.

And Deontes are a shock plate guy. So, yeah, look, everyone, you upgrade, well, they're only two guys. So you upgrade those two guys, really. So. Thiel and actually ran a team high 53 routes last week ahead of Deontag. So, yeah, to your point, they're both looking a lot better. The Raiders are looking a little bit better. This is the week, though.

And I was wrong for ignoring Alexander Madison. but if you do not start Zemir White this week, just cut them. I know. This is the week, right? Dying with Zemir. I'm going to, I'm an idiot. I just, I, I,

okay, it's only two weeks and maybe I'll turn out to be right. But knowing Antonio Pierce, my old buddy from the S piano, I talked to. Yeah, yeah. He's your boy. That's why you draft as Zemar White because Antonio Pierce wants to play football like it's 1988. No, I know, although he kind of correct. Well, he didn't want to hear that when I talked to him about that.

He was, yeah, but he goes, look, he wants explosive plays, but he wants a physical run game. No, but I didn't reach for Zemir. I haven't been my third back, but I needed to be my third back. Like, could you do better? Yeah. How about Brock Bowers? There's another one. Another guy.

I'm, wow. Holy. I see, well, John, there has to be. These rookie tight ends putting up massive numbers two years in a row now. It's kind of throwing us off because we've been doing this for 30 freaking years. Yes, but to justify the draft pick, they have to be a 12. personnel team. So that puts him on the field all the time. And he's such a matchup nightmare for defense because he's such an athlete. You got to go with it. I mean, he's been great. It's going to

continue because. Yeah, I know. Because DeVante doesn't run very well. He's just a great player, but he's not explosive. And Myers is a possession receiver. He doesn't run all that well. Brock Bauer's, no linebacker could cover him. I just wish I, I just was worried about Gardner and Minchu played really well as well. So was I. And Mayor is still around, you know. He's a wide tight end. Yeah, he moved into a white tight end roll I was told. So I'm kind of pissed at myself, not drafted in Bauer. Nobody wanted Brock Bowers, by the way, and all the dress I was in. I know. Oh, no. That, that's a take. That's number one take back, no doubt. Yeah, I would like to go back for sure. To your point about Adams, our ass metric, average separation

score is not great on Devante. But Carolina runs cover three. more than half their dropbacks and Adams does crush cover three. So I do think it'll be an Adams game. So maybe not a Brock Bowers game this week. Maybe. Because are they going to really have to throw it that much against Carolina? Maybe not.

No, but here's the hope. It's funny you say that. With Dalton, the passing game's going to take off. It actually could be a more competitive game. Oh, yeah. It's true. That is definitely true. And that's why I'm starting a feeling in every league I have him.

I have them. It's like my fifth receiver. he's going to be my flex. I'm moving his ass up because I need some points. I got mixing hurt. I got also injuries this week. So I'm playing them. Miami at Seattle, speaking of injuries,

obviously no two of your thoughts on how devastating that is. And then Ken Walker, you know, here we go again. This guy cannot stay healthy. It's always got these oblique issues. Yeah, oblique. Just so you know, because I've had oblique, it's your midsection. and it's you always worry that it could turn into a sports hernia or a muscle core injury,

as Dr. William Myers would tell me. But, yeah, so let's get to Miami first before we get to Seattle. So Skylo Thompson is an athletic quarterback. He doesn't have a very good arm, short to intermediate. He needs to speed things up a little bit. He doesn't play with the kind of, when two a process is really well, the ball comes out and it's on time. Thompson, the reason why he dropped so far, I think he was, what, a seventh round pick. He's just, he's sort of like a, I hate to bring this up.

Jeff Driscoll for people really file the NFL. You know Jeff Driscoll really well. Athletic? Yeah, he's been around 15 teams or something. Guys still play. Remember they moved to a receiver, moving back to quarterback. He's an athletic rollout. I don't remember that.

What's that? Yeah. I don't actually remember that. Oh, yeah, Driscoll's a superior athlete. He just doesn't. Yeah, yeah. But Scarlett Thompson is a smart kid. He's athletic.

he likes to roll out. You know the throw the ball well enough. And I've got Waddle in two leagues. I'm going to plan because I spent a whatever second or third-round pick on him. I'm screwed. I know it. I just got to suck it up and hope for the best. You think they'll,

you think he'll support Janu? Because I did love Jono last year. Yeah, short area. Yeah. Yeah, short area. Yeah, Johno, boy, had a good train camp, I was told. It was terrible in week one. He does look good.

He looks good. Well, something, you know, something, was going on with him in New England. I hope, you know, I think everything can get with him. But he's healthy. He looks good. He looks good for Atlanta health-wise, but the quarterback play was atrocious. I think, to answer your question so we can move on to Seattle, because I can say good stuff there. I think, Jono, if you need two tight, if you're keeping two tight-in, some leagues I do

where I have a, like a 20-man roster, like NFFC, I think he's serviceable enough to consider starting. Now, do you want to wait and see how him and Skyler Chopson do together? Probably so. But there's a chance to answer your question. No doubt. Rahim Oster looks like he's trending toward returning to Devon A. But what do you have? Yeah.

Didn't take long for most of it to get hurt. What do you have on Seattle? I was actually into Gino this summer, believe it or not. I saw that, but here's one of my gold star players. Smith and Jigba, this is one of my guys. Okay. Here's what happened. Because I kept my mouth shut and didn't say it on any point.

platform I was on. Whatever his ADP was, he was there. And I just screwed up and I felt like no one will take him because people kind of find out who I like every year. I shut my damn mouth. But because I wasn't on the channel when we were drafting. I was like, no one's going to know.

But I did say on your show that he's going to outproduce lock at the season. And when I was with the Seahawks for two days, I was like, holy sugar wow when I saw him in training camp because I saw what I knew Ryan Grubb was heavy 11 personnel

because my buddy who knows him explaining me his offense I was like holy smoke it's even to be better and I thought so I said to myself don't say anything I wanted to give you when I did your shows it's the one player I was not giving out other than to say I think he's going to do better than Lockett I wasn't going to tell people

how all in it I was so to move this forward the ADP was so like I don't know what it was 80 or 9th, 10th round or something? It was a 101. I'm looking at it right now. Ninth round, okay. 10th round? Yeah.

Nobody wanted him, right? I had him in 98. Okay, there's really no hype on him. So again, again, if you want a player, stop worrying about 80p. So that's my number one goal in me drafting next year. Draft the guys you want. Don't worry about ADP. I get, I sort of, what do you call it?

I'm a slave to ADP, whatever, whatever term you want to use. Yeah, but you're also. I mean, I do it too, but it's just greedy. Yeah, it's really bad. But I'm greedy. You know, like, oh, I would love this player in the fifth round. I really love him in the seventh. That's it.

I should have taken the seventh. Stop worrying about what people think. I just draft the damn guy. I felt, he's one of my gold star players. I had your sheet. So I have my highlight it, right? Right. I had five players this year as my gold star players.

He was one of them. I got three of them this year. but that was not one of them. And I'm going to lose this. This is going to kill me because, dude, he's going to, he's killing it. Just like I's not, okay, he's doing better. I thought like he's really killing it. Well, maybe next year you need to make this a thing, you know, like you have five gold star players that you name every year.

Well, I'm talking to you. I don't go, John, will you scream at me? Just say, dude, stop being married at 80P. It's really bad, man. It's like me and tennis when I don't follow through. I have a coach. So I told him I want to be coached hard. So he knows to get all my shit.

She's my language. Yeah. So this one was really bad this year. But the next team, I'm not missing to my guy this year. It was my number one guy. Jamison Williams. Yep. Yeah.

You've been, you know, you've been chasing this upside for a number of years. I was in. I was in, baby. I was in. I never, what I did was, I just, I drafted him last year because in the 14th round

because anybody won. I was like, all right, you know, he's got upside. We'll see what happens. So I just really never played him. I drafted him so hard,

so much high. This is the one player I drafted a higher than 80P. Because I had such strong reports on him as maturity. Nobody knows this, but he's had major maturity issues over his career, you know? Not like bad, real bad,

but he needs to, it was just the attention to detail. Like, the coaches love that he blocks really well. Yeah, yeah, But that's good. But route running, just doing his job the way it's supposed to be done.

Yeah. I mean, there's a lot of things going on there. John, to be honest, for the first years, it wasn't consistent. But the stuff that I got in August, I was like, whole, because I saw the lions for two days or day in training camp. And I got some good stuff. I was like, all right, I'm good. No, could I be fooled?

You and I've been full, been bamboozled for 21 years. You hear stuff. And the exact opposite happens. Right. But, and by the way, after the season, he could get his contract standard. So. All right. All right.

Well, I think it'll be a big. Yeah. Yeah. We have some good data on, on your boy and our boy, Jameson. Okay. Real quick, where the hell was that? Well, actually, it's bad data on Amman Raw. Cards deploy cover three, seventh highest rate, Brown, averaging 1.5.

5 YPR, which isn't great. Jamison, I don't know, I don't know what his data is, but he is right now 11th in first read target share. So he's top 12 in terms of commanding a healthy percentage of the first reads, which is, that's kind of saying something with Sam Laporta and Maura on the team. Yeah, just to understand though, Gannon's running Fangio. They run a ton of cover three. it's hard to throw over that.

It's really hard. So what they're going to have, Ben Johnson, the other thing I'd found out is, they started, Goff started throwing outside the numbers a little bit more in training camp, and you saw it so far for like the first time in a long time, he's actually thrown outside the numbers a little bit. Yeah.

I felt good about Jameson, but the problem is this scheme. I'm not saying not to play him this week. I'm playing them nor what. But I'd be surprised if it goes off like it has the first two weeks, because it's really hard to throw over cover three. this scheme is it's the what

Jonathan Gannon is running is Woody ran in Philly he keeps everything in front of you that's the job of it yeah yeah well I mean the data is good on them against cover three it's maybe one or two big plays

and run after the catch I can't even recall but the data is pretty good um San Laporta man we were not doing that one wow so I guess we're not drafting

Brock Bowers next year as well after uh an unbelievable start to the rookie career or the career. But cars have been really good against tight ends for what it's worth. Yeah, well, our guy, Kincaid, didn't do anything, week one. And now, week two, I mean, it was the Rams. The Rams is Colby Parkinson. I mean, you know, whatever.

But they were good last year, Arizona, actually. They were pretty good. Yeah. I think it'll be a big Jemir Gibbs game, like the Lions coming off of losses. They run. He looks fine. They need to get him the ball more in space. I'm a little nonplussed on the lack of explosive plays with him in the past game.

I want more, you know? Yeah. So. He is averaging the fourth most yards after contact among 31 running backs with 20 carries. Let's go. Of course, Monty gets the yards before contact. That's what he does. But I want explosives.

I want wheel around here. I want explosives with our guy Gibbs. I think we'll get it this week in the running game. Kyla Murray off to a great start. Yeah. Well, week one, he didn't actually play well. For fantasy, it was great, but he didn't play great in week one. True.

Week two is obviously more spectacular. Good to see him in Marvin Harrison, Jr. I was, you always used to love that line, like Fred Flintstone slumping in your chair. When getting a goose aide for Morgan Week, Marvin Harrison Jr., week one, I'm like, am I really going to be wrong in this guy? But hey, we two is better. Might he be a little volatile? Yeah, I could see that.

I could see that. You know, the Lions are way better corner this year. You can't pick on them like you did last year. Not as much. They'll run. Murray will run because they play a lot of man still. Don't they, the Lions? Yep, they do.

Aaron Glenn's a big man coverage guy. Yep. Yeah, exactly, exactly. Tray McBride hanging in there. Yeah, so things are Jim Connor. Doing pretty well. James, of course. Lions are tight against the run.

Hang on. Get Benson in a dynasty, folks. I'm begging you. But Conner's injury history, by the way, Conner's on last year of his deal. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. They're trying to work him in. His mission has not been great, though. I know.

I know they're trying to work him in, but I'm just telling you. He's their future running back. Get him now while he's not doing well. The best time to trade in dynasty. is when guys aren't doing well that you know are going to be good eventually. Absolutely.

Let's go to the Ravens and the Cowboys here, the week three matchup podcast with a surprised co-hosts here, Mr. Adam Kaplan, Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys. Ravens 0 and 2. Dallas blitzes a lot. I think Lamar will run. Zay Flowers, Mr. Checkdown. What are your thoughts on Mark Andrews?

I kind of like them in this game. What do you think? Yeah, I knew it would not last with Likeley because as much as I liked them this year as a, you know, if you have two Ted ends, you know, if you needed to have two, I thought, hang on one second. I will say while you're looking that up,

that likely does crush zone coverage. Okay. Okay. And they do play a lot of zone. That's good. But I think you've got to be careful with likely, with your expectations, is my point. Oh, sure.

Oh, sure. Yeah, you can't expect production every week. It's just not normal. And plus, Andrews is being paid a lot of money to catch the football. Week one, maybe he was blocked. I don't know what the sir was week one. I'm sure there was a story about him maybe staying in line a little bit more. Yeah, he's coming off that car accident a little bit.

Sure, sure. But he's, thank God he's fine. But when you look at this matchup here, I know Mike Zimmer a little bit. I'm not saying they're going to cure the run defense, which was horrendous last week. But the Lamar, the Lamar Derek Henry thing has not been quite what I thought it would be. I know it's only two games. I expect at some point it's going to really take off.

Hopefully they could find it what they need to do because I know they really are high on it. Right side of that line is not ready for prime time. That's a good point. It's not really good. In fact, one of them they were kind of switching off and on one of the guards. and Ronnie Stanley's got an ankle injury. I'm always worried about his health.

Maybe that's part of it. And we have to talk about that, make that point. But they don't look great so far. Their defense has been dominant. And let's not forget, they have a new defense coordinator. Zach Gore, 32 years old, the youngest defense coordinator, by far in the National Football League. That matters.

So it's going to take some time. Cowboys, what are your thoughts here? I mean, Lamb's been fine. Cook's had a good week one. I felt good in week two. But Tolbert looked great. I know the game got a way. from them. Yeah, he looks good. It's not a guy you would

usually use, but... He does, yeah. Yeah, so Zeke looks stiff as hell, Dowdell, you know, there... It does. Yeah, so if Ferguson got an outside shot, you know, to play this week, I wouldn't expect it, but he's got

a shot. So... Ravens have allowed the second most receptions per game two tight ends for two weeks for what it's worth. I mean, if Ferguson goes, I got to think he's good because Schoonmaker was good last week, Why would you risk playing Ferguson if he's... It's got to be good.

Now, you know, as we speak, we've got to get through some practices here. Friday. Yeah, we got to get some more practice time. But there's, look, this is something that I'd watch. And Dallas, DAC will be fine. Once he gets Ferguson back, he really needs to. He really does, man. Ferguson probably would have had a big game last week, honestly.

Sam Fran at L.A., how worried are you about the Rams? I mean, come on. It's bad. John, you got all these backups playing now. At the wide-verseer position. Johnson's it, when you look at the Rams, man, it's like you've got a bunch of number four receivers as his starters now. Ty Johnson, who's not a bad player, Demarcus Robinson.

Jordan Whittington is an interesting kid. But it's not good, man. You got to back off everybody. Obviously, they're going to have to lean towards the run more than Sean wants to. I mean, how are they going to move the football? I mean, Kyron Williams is getting the ball. He's averaging 2.5 yards of carry, though. I mean, they might commit to him even more, but I just, wow.

I mean, if he doesn't score, I'm not seeing it. I could see him being like Mr. 20 carries for 66 yards. You know what I mean? No, that's, they got to lean on. Hopefully, Corm gets a little work. But they're ugly. And then you got, on the other side, you got no McCaffrey, no CMC.

Juan Jennings, by the way, starting now for Debo with a calf injury. Hopefully, you hate calf injuries for receivers, John. That's always something that concerns me, you know? Jennings is freaking good, though, man. The big body guy, yeah, possession receiver. He can play a little bit. Yeah. What do you think of McCaffrey here?

geez, it's just like water. Hopefully you passed on them. No, but you made a great point when you never want to have to worry about this every week. Yeah, I don't even want to talk about it. That's as much as I want to talk about it. Jordan Mason looks great. Jordan Mason looks great.

He's such a perfect fit for that scheme. Yeah, I'm annoyed. But anyway, what do you got to do? And then IUC rocket ship starting now, I would say. Has to, because remember, he didn't practice in training camp. So, yeah, yeah, he's got it. He now is, a guy. He has to be. He is. This is it, baby. He'll see a lot of Trudevius White this week,

by the way. He's been roasted. Yeah. Yeah. Let's move on here. Week three podcast here, the late week edition, previewing the action. KC. at Atlanta. Your thoughts on the backfield, No Pacheco. Kareem Hunt signed. I'm still going P. Ryan for now. I'm not even convinced. Carson I'm not even convinced that's a real person. That sounds like a fake name. No, just kidding. But what do you think of the back? He's a full.

He's really a full back. Yeah. I, because they sign Hunt, they must think he's got something left. I spend, you know, I sort of overspent because they need someone.

He can catch and he can block. They don't have a timeline for him to play. They're just going to get him practices. We can see how he looks. It's, look, you see, you don't have Hollywood Brown,

right? they're just it's going to be compressed again john i think it's it's worthy's a limited player i know he did great in week one certainly i'm a little concerned with mohomes right now to be honest with it without pacheco yeah i mean it's crazy it's not good it's not good and i mean rice has been incredible right i know he was great chalcy not incredible that was odd are you about kelsey that that i'm not worried that that can't happen again i haven't found out what the tape looked like so i don't why he didn't get the ball. But that was, that was really, that, that, that was really, that, that, now, now, well,

I say that, the, the Falcons have the too tall safeties of the National Football League. They, they, they took away the middle of the field in week one. Goddard got open last week, but Hertz didn't deliver against Atlanta. Yeah. But, but you got to get Kelsey the football. Andy's not going to let this continue. Jesse Bates and Justin Simmons. Yep.

The neutralizing tight ends as far. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It won't be easy, but. Granted, it's Goddard and Fryermuth, but yeah. No, Goddard could play. It's the quarterback who's got to get in the football.

But anyway, all right. Cousins look better. They got them under shock on more. Wasn't great the first half, more comfortable the second half. Good to see Mooney get the ball on the post route. That was good. Yeah, that's kind of what we thought. Yeah.

London scored late. Now, the weirdness of that, Algear, Robinson killed. at week one. It was just like I told you what happened. There was no, there was no, there's not a time share. Yeah. Because they didn't have a time share in training camp. I don't know what happened in week two. Robinson's killing it. And I don't know if he got out of, it was weird. Like maybe he got out of breath, maybe needed a breather. And they started playing Algeria for a while. That was odd. I don't

understand that. His snap share went from 90% to 74 for week one to two. Not that it's bad, but I'm just saying it was really odd though. He took a series and a half off. I'm like, why is he on the sideline? I don't know. I don't know what, I don't know what was going on. He looked awesome, by the way, he goes. He looked unbelievable. Carrey share dipped a little. Listen, I was not, see, in fantasy, we can't hold grudges.

I know Bijan disappointed everybody, okay? Arthur Smith is not a good schemer, okay? Zach Robinson, as I told you on your show before the season started, everything I got was good on Zach Robinson. I know it didn't look at every one. This week, this past week was better. He's a rookie coordinator, give him time. he's using Bijan well.

Still need a little bit more in the past game. I'm not worried about Bijan like everyone else seem to be. I'm not. I'm not. Oh, God, no, no, no, no. He varied to your point about the passing game. His route share did climb in week two. Need more. But he needs to get the ball more in the past game

because he's elite as a pass catcher. I'm telling you, it'll happen. I just don't hold grud. When a guy's an elite football player, I look at scheme and play caller first. yeah you had the weird thing when he was ill it didn't play i don't what the hell that was i know i know i heard what that was i i don't know i'm not going to repeat it uh but i did hear what it was and it's it's it's it's it's a it's a little funny well it never got out but okay but anyway

i'll text it to you all right all i know is this kid is a stud and it's he's going to be fine so let's move Yeah. It's not a concern. Jacksonville at Buffalo to wrap it up here. By the way, no go on Drake London this week. Do not because you know what Spagnolo is now doing? He's just taking out top guys with often OJ. Trent McDuffie. So, O.J. McDuffie shout out there from the 90s. Jacksonville at Buffalo. Oh, man, Dougie P. Well, here's the problem. Trevor Lawrence himself is not very good. Doug's not calling the plays. It's, um, press Taylor. It's bad. It's,

he's not good either. He's very bad. It's not good. I'm going to be nice. Okay. It's not, it's not good. They don't have a feel for the passing game right now.

It's an, Ingram now. I mean, Doug's got to get in there, man. What's that? Doug's got to get all up in there. He should take the play calling back, but putting a hammer down. I don't like what I'm seeing. I don't like what I'm hearing.

I just don't like the vibes are bad. You know, you're a big vibes guy. Yeah, they are. Our vibes are not good. Yeah. I don't. How about Christian Kirk? Christian Kirk is, is like 14th in A dot.

Like out of 180 guys. Like, he's getting a ball down a way down the field. Like, that's not really his game. I know he's an intermediate. He's really intermediate guy. I get it. Right. I do like him this week to bounce back. Terran Johnson's out.

And Lawrence does, yeah. Lawrence does get two deep safeties. He actually does. The problem with Kirk is, John, he got evaporated last week. And that worries me that Prestialler doesn't understand to free him up. He was so good two years ago. You're right.

I know. There's a big litmus test. Yeah. Because the bills are really tough on the outside. They kind of funnel it inside. With Toronto Johnson. Yeah. If he doesn't do it this week, then we're screwed.

And Brian Thomas is another regret. I should have given him more love. I can't believe how he's being utilized. Well, he could always run. See, it's too early. Is this a product because the other guys aren't getting the football? It's really, I'm not sure yet on Brian. Yeah.

I'm not sure yet. It's too early. Well, coached, I know that, but I just don't know yet. Yeah, that's fair. I mean, Gabe hasn't been a boss either. Gabe's been all right. They're paying them good money. I mean, he's, I don't, yeah, it's not a great matchup because that usually,

it's, matter who the corners are, it's usually tough to throw against Buffalo. Mm-hmm. So. Well, real quick, our guy, Khalil Shakir, getting it done. You know, he was my mini-gold star guy. They were roasting me on some show. They were making fun of me because I'm way too high on Shakir. I never said to draft him high.

I just said he's, nobody wants them. Just, yeah, I was very high on him because I thought he's a great value. and he's he's a guy that's going to move around to free him up. You're not going to put up massive numbers, but he's a good, like, third or fourth fantasy receiver, absolutely. His ADP was 142. Yeah, I mean, that's all I said. I had him at 94.

I mean, I was almost 50 spots higher. Yeah. I'm not really bragging here because he's not crushing it, but he's so good. And they're not going to kill. I want to say this, John, they're not going to be, they're not going to kill teams every week. Like last week, Alan had, Josh on had 19 throws, 13 completions. Of course, he cares like it killed. But he still had, by the way,

he had five of the 13 completions. That tells you a lot. He does. He gets, he's missed a third down conversion, too, no doubt. He's a Jack Doyle of receivers, man. You need, you need someone to get open a third down. He's going to get open. We nailed that one. What about Dalton Kincaid, man? I mean, it's early. I'm not panicking. People, again, they didn't have to throw last week. Yeah, that's true. I'm hoping the game will be more.

See, this is the problem. The Jaggars look terrible so far. Look, if they're up, Joe Brady's a more conservative play caller than Brian Daibble was for Buffalo. So if they're up big, they're taking the air out of the tires, man. He saw it last week.

James Cook getting it done, run heavy, we're looking good. Yeah. They don't want to, probably, they don't really want to be run heavy, but if they continue to be, be up on teams, what are you going to do? You don't throw the football.

Finally, the DC commandos at the Bengals. Start all your Bengals. DC secondary is dreadful. Chase could go for 200 if they really wanted to. Burrow was much better. And your impressions so far of Jaden Daniels? I mean, he absolutely looks good,

but he's just getting hit a lot. I'm worried about that. Yeah, and they don't have a left tackle. Brandon, what's is it Brandon Coleman? Who's their third rounder? Yeah, Brandon Coleman. I don't know how ready he is. Brandon Coleman.

Yeah. So they have an average offensive line talent. It's well coach, but it's just don't have a lot of talent. Give Daniels as a rookie. Like he's a really sharp kid, really hard worker. Great vibes around the team, by the way, with him. Ben Senate, you want a dynasty. Once Erch retires, he'll be, Senate will be the guy.

By the way, Brian Robinson looks really good. good he does he really does he really truly does uh you know who else looks pretty good is that he does has a change he's got his role we thought he would have exactly to the tee you know he's got the dros down change up and that's it robinson's the primary first or second down back and um i i just like that they don't really have a number two like i know zakia starts but he's just he's just a guy you know it's her mcclorn going to get going here it's only just a couple of plays Yeah, their past game's been low-octane. It hasn't looked.

I know it doesn't look like a Cliff Kingsbury offense yet. Just give it some time. I joked all summer that through week five, Jack Ertz will be your tight-end nine, and through week two is your tight-end eight. So use them while you can. Final one here. Well, let me go two.

Do you have any interest in our guy, Flash Gaseki? I actually do. I can't believe it. I've bashed this guy. John knows this. I've been more critical of him than most players in our 21 years

are doing shows together. I just would bash like it because I knew all the information. Because he fools you. Well, no, he was, but what I said was finesse players. He was the first hybrid finesse player.

So I had enough information on it. I'm like, it'll never happen. I don't care what's out there. One guy who was arguing on Twitter, and I just, I didn't, I kind of muted him like five years ago. This guy's telling me I don't want I'm talking about. Like, okay. Right.

Whatever. You're right. You don't talk to anybody, but you're telling me I'm wrong. okay so the guy is so finesse but here's why higgins is hurt chase didn't practice in training camp gisicki's a veteran he is an athlete he is and borough would like to throw out of the tight end they just have not had him help giving him help and gisigis on a one-year deal it all added up that he could be a little bit of a surprise no i wasn't going to draft him but i i i'm like I needed someone because one of my tight ends got her and I'm like,

you know what? This guy's on a one-year deal, I think. He's got something to prove. I'm going to, you know, why not? If he's suffered in, I backed him last week. I backed him last week because I was afraid of them trying to take out Jamar Chase that they kind of did.

So I'm like, somebody's got to step up. I mean, it's going to have to be flashed to sickie because the other guys aren't really getting open. Real quick, one-year deal for $2.5 million. There you go. Yeah. This is it, baby. can we do it flash gisicky we'll find out and then can chase brown do a little bit more because

there's another yeah i'm a little bit yeah i'm just to say i wrote in the good vibes bad vibes i know i like chase brown but it's obvious that zach moss needs to be the the early down back you know so i kind of contradicted myself there i don't understand i'm a little bit nonplussed you know i'm a little bit surprised i know it's only two see this is the problem which try to make definitive still learn a lot and and i'm a little bit like and i was a big chase brown guy he wasn't a gold star for me he was a sort of a hot like a i put like a mark next to his name on your chee-che silver silver and i'm like damn am i going to be wrong on this guy i can't believe it yeah he didn't done anything so they love him though they love him explosive you know

he helped me in so many leagues before he got hurt last year he actually got hurt twice he's a good player i i don't it's early it's just one of these it's too early i'm not gonna i'm not to panic yet. We love that line panicking. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, they, they've been a kind of close lower scoring games a little bit. Like, let's get them, it won't happen this week or next week, but, you know, once in a while can we get him in a little bit of a shootout here?

But yeah, I'm definitely underwhelmed. Like, he's the reason why we have benches. You've got to knock his ass down your personal depth chart. Mr. C is always way up there on our personal depth charts in terms of, of NFL information people. I know you have to run. We've been doing this for an hour 15, as promised. So I will wrap it here.

We thank the great Mr. C, Adam Kaplan, and all the listeners here, Mr. C, how else do they keep up with you here? Yeah, I appreciate. I appreciate everyone who's seemingly text,

or not texting, setting messages on Twitter every day. One of you, you're not going to work together. I haven't really responded. I apologize because I didn't have an answer. So let's, I hate to say,

I didn't have an answer. Right, right. But here's an opportunity. We'll take whatever we can get at this point, you know, of us working together. But I appreciate it. No, I miss doing the shows together, man. It's it is what it is. But yeah, we, you could get all my sleepers this year, unfortunately, because we weren't working together.

No, but you did come on. You did those two podcasts. You gave out some great info, man. You really did. You really did. So we thank you for. all the great info and the efforts. We'll revisit.

Oh, we'll revisit. We'll do business. So I'll wrap it up here for Adam Kaplan. I'm John Hanson. Good luck in week number three. We'll catch you next time here at tannasypoints.com.