Freak of the Week - Week 1

Hindsight - The Old Guys: Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell

Every year the fantasy football experts love to trumpet the next big thing.  We see all of the pre-season coverage going to the sexy new selections with their "upside".

Well once again its the old guys, the players who don't have an upside because they have been good for so long that carried the day in week one.

Jimmy Smith had 7 catches for 130 yards and 2 touchdowns, proving that he can score from distance (30 yards) and in the red zone (7 yards).

McCardell had an even better day in some ways as he capitalized on the absence of Antonio Gates.  Keenan hauled in 9 passes for 123 yards and his own pair of scores.

You've got to like it; from written off to written up, those are my Freaks.

StingRay - Larry Fitzgerald

I have been high on Fitzgerald all throughout the off-season and despite numerous arguments with my fellow freaks I felt he would be the go-to guy over Anquan Boldin.

Well, in week one Fitzgerald caught 13 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown while  Boldin had 4 receptions for only 62 yards.

Larry's big time performance led me to a victory which was sweet since Daunte Culpepper was my quarterback. Next week Arizona will play the visiting Rams and I expect another big game from Fitzgerald.

Smokin' Joe - Chris Baker

Who led all tight ends in scoring week one? Chris Baker. Who is Chris Baker? The Jets signed Jeb Putzier to a multi-million dollar free agent contract this off-season but the Broncos matched it. The Jets then signed free agent Doug Jolley to be Pennington's man in the middle. I know one guy who drafted Jolley as a backup in three different leagues only to have him lose his job to a little known 4th year player named Chris Baker.

Chris Baker's 2004 season numbers: 18 catches, 182 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Baker's Freaky week one numbers: 7 catches, 124 yards and 1 touchdown.

The Jets lost but it's not your fault...nice job Chris you are my Freak of the Week. 

The Sandman - Willie Parker

With Duce Staley and Jerome Bettis both out with injuries, the Steelers turned to Willie Parker this week and he delivered. Parker had 22 carries for 161 yards and a touchdown. Throw in a 48 yard reception and he ended up with over 200 total yards. Not bad for a third string running back.

This performance should earn Parker another start this week against the Texans. One thing is for sure, another performance like this and those injuries to Staley and Bettis might need a little more time to heal.  Parker was my “Sleeper of the Week” so I hope everyone took my advice and started him. 

Freak of the Week 2005 Archives

Coming Soon!

Freak of the Week 2004 Archives

Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9

Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14 | Week 15 | Week 16 | Week 17

Freak of the Week 2003 Archives

Week 16 | Week 15 | Week 14 | Week 13 | Week 12 | Week 11 | Week 10 | Week 9 | Week 8

Week 7 | Week 6 | Week 5 | Week 4 | Week 3 | Week 2 | Week 1

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