With most leagues in their playoffs, it’s time to look at the rosters with a fresh eye.
Those players that carried you in those early weeks of the season aren’t necessarily hitting on all cylinders right now. The recent struggles of Marc Bulger, Jake Plummer, Ahman Green, Hines Ward and the Chiefs defense attest to that.
To make matters worse, a lot of owners played underachievers while leaving a mountain of points on the bench. An owner in the playoffs likely has that kind of depth.
This is no accident, people.
Players know you’re sitting around the workplace, feet up, bragging about one of Eddie Kennison’s semiannual touchdowns or complaining about Eddie George getting stopped at the 1, all while they’re enduring high ankle sprains, ligament tears and other things we “oooh” about when it’s replayed, in slo-mo, on “SportsCenter.”
What if a few players got together and decided not to score against, say, the Chargers, just to send Bob on the 14th floor into a fit of convulsions.
Well, Bob on the 14th floor, there is no more margin for error.
Owners have to guess right on their players or go home. A virtual home, anyway.
One way to do this is by looking at statistical splits. Burrowing through a ton of stats can reveal your players’ tendencies when they play at home or on the road, on grass versus turf, or in December. The right choices can extend your December.
Bob’s too.
Divide and conquer
No guarantees, but some splits can be telling. Let’s get rolling …
Your player vs. Michael Vick
Vick isn’t just a big-time scoring threat. He also takes away scoring opportunities from opposing
players by hogging the ball.
Opponents scored just 37 touchdowns in 2002–compared to 40 already this season–when Atlanta held the ball an average of 32 minutes and 2 seconds. The Falcons’ time of possession Sunday against the Panthers: 32:04.
Jeff Garcia, QB, 49ers
With the exception of Week 2, old Jeffy hasn’t put more than a lonely rushing TD on the road or against any opponent that is above .500.
Marshall Faulk, RB, Rams
It shouldn’t be a surprise that Faulk tends to score more indoors and on artificial surfaces, but he also favors a lead. During the past three seasons, Faulk has only scored twice in losing efforts. He has reached the end zone only once this season when the Rams were trailing.
Darnerien McCants, WR, Redskins
For a guy who only has 23 receptions, six TDs ain’t too shabby. When McCants catches at least three passes, he scores. He also has two more scoring grabs in losses than wins. Typical Redskins.
Javon Walker, WR, Packers
The young Packers wideout has scored five times in the last six games. Also, familiarity breeds contempt with Walker. He scored all but one of his seven TDs against division foes.
Tony Gonzalez, TE, Chiefs
No earth-shattering news that Tony Gonzalez is a bigger threat in the red zone (6 TDs) than from beyond the 20-yard line. What is unusual is the fact that T-Gone is untested on turf this season, playing all of his games on grass. The Chiefs head to the Metrodome to face the Vikings in Week 16.
Ricky Williams, RB, Dolphins
If it’s any consolation, Williams is as big an underachiever at home (4 TDs, 3.6 yards per carry) as he is on the road (3,3.1). He has found something he likes in the NFC East, however, scoring three times in two games with the Eagles on tap.
Chris Chambers,
WR, Dolphins
There may not be a player who’s harder to figure out than Chambers. He can put up three scores against the Cowboys in Texas Stadium but get blanked in his last two home games. There’s no apparent method to his madness.
Matt Stover, K, Ravens
Stover’s accuracy and field goal opportunities have steadily increased every month. With the Ravens moving more efficiently under QB Anthony Wright, Stover might start producing like the Wilkins and Vanderjagts of the league.
