One hit wonders, Part two
The NFL players who put you in position to make the fantasy playoffs may not be the players who will deliver you the championship.
Of course, I'm alluding to the notion that the fantasy stars who shined brightest early in the season may not be the best players to start late in the season. The randomness of who will deliver when it matters most is staggering.
Consider the one-week wonders who make this list includes a seldom-used receiver on the Titans, a third-string running back on the Browns, and a quarterback who has been better known as a wide receiver with the Vikings this season.
Week 9: Lavelle Hawkins, WR, Titans
(5 Receptions, 63 yards, 1 TD)
A scarcely used wide receiver for the first three years of his career, Hawkins enjoyed a greater role in the Titans offence this season due to the early injury suffered by Kenny Britt.
His finest game came in the Week 9 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Hawkins hauled in his first NFL touchdown for one of his five receptions that day.
Since then Hawkins has had some bright moments, but has not scored another touchdown. He has played himself into contention for a meaningful role on next year's club, but has contributed very little for fantasy managers the remainder of the season.
Week 10: Ed Dickson, TE, Ravens
(10 Receptions, 79 yards, 2 TD)
A large reason the Ravens endorsed Todd Heap's departure this off-season was the anticipated development of second-year tight end Ed Dickson. The 2010 third-round pick out of Oregon hauled in just 11 receptions last season with one touchdown.
In a hard-fought defeat to the Seahawks in Week 10, Dickson finally seemed to take that next step to becoming a key part of the Ravens passing game. He hauled in a career-best 10 receptions for 79 yards with two scores. Fantasy managers hopped on his bandwagon thinking this was the start of something special.
While Dickson has remained relevant in reality with touchdowns in each of his last two games, his fantasy production remains volatile. In fact, Dickson has failed to register as many as 50 yards since his Week 10 performance nor has he hauled in more than three grabs in a game since then.
Week 11: Chris Ogbonnaya, RB, Browns
(115 rushing yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 19 yards)
This has not been an easy season for the Cleveland Browns. The team entered the season with reason for optimism; hoping to build off a fine 2010 campaign from running back Peyton Hillis and anticipating improvement from second-year quarterback Colt McCoy.
Instead, injuries have limited both Hillis and McCoy. Even backup running back Montario Hardesty could not avoid the injury bug for a second straight season. As a result, Ogbonnaya had an opportunity to get some meaningful playing time.
Ogbonnaya made the most of it. After rushing for 90 yards against the Rams on Nov. 13 the Oregon product followed with a spectacular all-around performance comprised of 134 total yards with a touchdown in a win over the Jaguars.
The good times did not last as Ogbonnaya was phased out of the increased role once Hillis regained his health. With Hillis possibly playing elsewhere next season, Ogbonnaya is a name to remember in the Browns backfield for next season.
Week 12: Vince Young, QB, Eagles
(400 Passing yards, 1 TD, 40 Rushing yards)
The third pick of the 2006 draft, Vince Young had some highs and lows while playing with the Titans. When he signed with the Eagles during the off-season, fantasy managers immediately thought of Michael Vick, and how the similarly mobile quarterback resurrected his career in Andy Reid's system.
When Vick went down with an inevitable injury, Young enjoyed a few spot-starts. Though he was plagued by eight interceptions in three starts, Young did attract the attention of fantasy managers when he racked up 400 passing yards on Nov. 27 against the Patriots.
A closer evaluation of the performance reveals that the Eagles were simply playing a game of catch-up led by the aerial attack. In fact, Young unleashed 48 passes in that contest.
After tossing four interceptions in a deflating loss to the Seahawks the following week, Young was dumped on the fantasy football waiver wire while Vick recovered and reclaimed his starting gig.
Week 13: Robert Meachem, WR, Saints
(3 Receptions, 119 yards, 1 TD)
There were many targets on the receiving end of Drew Brees' passes this season, and former first-round pick Robert Meachem was among them. While Meachem does have six touchdown receptions, he has proven unreliable in fantasy football.
His best performance came on Dec. 4, against the Lions when he came away with 119 yards on just three receptions. However, the volatility is disturbing. Meachem boasts three games with 70 or more yards compared to eight games with fewer than 30 yards.
Perhaps Meachem will have a larger role in the Saints offence next season should Marques Colston sign elsewhere, but for now he cannot be depended upon on a week-to-week basis.
Week 14: Jake Locker, QB, Titans
(282 Passing Yards, 1 TD, 36 rushing yards, 1 TD)
On Dec. 11, Titans rookie quarterback Jake Locker put a scare into the Saints by leading a comeback that ultimately came five points short. While throwing for 282 yards with a touchdown and rushing for 36 yards with an additional touchdown, Locker did not turn the ball over once.
In fact, Locker has yet to turn the ball over in his NFL career. Granted, playing time has been hard to come by for the Titans first-round pick. Despite nabbing him with the eighth overall pick, the Titans have been conservative with their eventual franchise quarterback. Locker has played an apprentice role throughout the season behind the reenergized Matt Hasselbeck.
Locker may finally get another chance to play this weekend. Otherwise, fantasy managers will have to use the small sample from this season as a harbinger of what's to come from the former Washington sensation in the future.
Week 15: Jerricho Cotchery, WR, Steelers
(272 Passing Yards, 1 TD)
Just two years ago Jets veteran Jerricho Cotchery capped his fourth consecutive 800-plus receiving yards season. However, last season Cotchery's production took a major hit as the Jets acquired Santonio Holmes to pair with Braylon Edwards. This year, Cotchery moved to Pittsburgh, Holmes' old stomping grounds.
Once again Cotchery is in a limited role, playing behind Mike Wallace. Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders. However, the 29-year-old Cotchery turned back the clock in Week 15 with five receptions for 93 yards while making the most out of an opportunity to play more with Sanders injured.
Alas the good times did not last, as Cotchery failed to haul in a single grab from backup quarterback Charlie Batch the following week while Hines Ward replaced him as the third receiver.
These days Cotchery makes his finest contributions by offering his experience during practice sessions, rather than on the field on Sundays.
Week 16: Joe Webb, QB, Vikings
(84 Passing Yards, 1 TD, 34 Rushing yards, 1 TD)
I vaguely remember falling in love with Joe Webb last season. With a spot in the playoffs on the line, I turned to a quarterback who also enjoyed wide receiver eligibility in my fantasy league. Though Webb never did throw for a touchdown, he did rush for two while also passing for 125-plus yards filling in for the injured Brett Favre.
The Vikings clearly were not as excited about the performances even though Webb did keep them in the game in both starts (including an upset win at Philadelphia). The team drafted Florida State star Christian Ponder early in the 2011 draft, and after struggling with veteran Donovan McNabb under centre, they turned to Ponder as their week seven starter.
Ponder has performed well this season, but once again a Vikings starting quarterback has dealt with injuries late in the season. In came Webb in Week 16, and though he only tossed five pass attempts, the 2010 sixth-round pick out of UAB completed four of them including a touchdown to Percy Harvin. Webb also followed the growing trend of mobile quarterbacks in the NFL, rushing for 34 yards including his second touchdown of the season.
There is little chance that Webb will enjoy an honest chance as a starting quarterback in the NFL, but he surely has made his name in the fantasy football record books.
He'll likely get the start Sunday against the Bears.
