99.9 The Fan ESPN Radio’s “Fantasy Football Winners and Whiners” podcast will kick off this Wednesday instead of Tuesday, giving us 24 more hours to make sure we know what we’re doing. The show will include a “mailbag” segment, where we’ll give rapid-fire answers to a few fantasy questions from the previous week.
In keeping with FF4W traditions, no puff-ball questions will be entertained—no “I’d start Mark Ingram over Zach Zenner” proclamations where we pat ourselves on the back for nailing another pick. I want to hear the toughest questions you can think of—the kind that keep you up at night. Is there a trade offer you’re racking your brain over? Are you debating whether to drop a sure-fire WR4 for an RB handcuff? Is Mr. Robot really a figment of Elliot’s imagination . . . or is Elliot a figment of Mr. Robot’s?
So message me today, and I’ll do my best to answer on air.
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For those who didn’t see it, yesterday Trevor Siemian was named Denver’s Week 1 starter. I believe it’s bad news for those counting on Demaryius Thomas and/or Emmanuel Sanders to meet or exceed expectations. Earlier this summer the team (I believe) hoped Mark Sanchez would win the job. Sanchez had the experience to jump in Week 1 and at least hold his own until Paxton Lynch became NFL-ready. But now he’ll either be traded or cut.
If Lynch had been named the starter, it would have suggested that he was ready to handle NFL quarterbacking duties. He might have struggled for a few games or even a good chunk of the season. But his development would have been accelerated, putting him on a possible path toward fantasy respectability sooner rather than later. Thomas and Sanders would have benefited as the season progressed.
In my opinion, regardless of what coaches and management said in public, Siemian was the option Denver dreaded entering camp. While his college TD/INT radio of 27/24 might not be a reflection of his potential, he certainly didn’t turn heads this preseason. His #1 status has less to do with him than with his competition. Sanchez flopped, and Lynch is green. If there were a legitimate fourth option, the Broncos would have explored it.
Outside of likely Week 1 starter Case Keenum, Siemian will be on a shorter leash than any other starting QB. On a team that should win most of its games via the backfield and on defense, Siemian will be (at best) a merely adequate game manager. I’m talking 180 yards and a score most weeks. It’s not about shining; it’s about playing conservatively so that the Broncos can play to their strengths.
Beyond a home tilt against the Colts in Week 2, Siemian’s best opportunities to step up will come only in weeks 5, 6, 8, and 10. If he lasts that long.
In keeping with FF4W traditions, no puff-ball questions will be entertained—no “I’d start Mark Ingram over Zach Zenner” proclamations where we pat ourselves on the back for nailing another pick. I want to hear the toughest questions you can think of—the kind that keep you up at night. Is there a trade offer you’re racking your brain over? Are you debating whether to drop a sure-fire WR4 for an RB handcuff? Is Mr. Robot really a figment of Elliot’s imagination . . . or is Elliot a figment of Mr. Robot’s?
So message me today, and I’ll do my best to answer on air.
---
For those who didn’t see it, yesterday Trevor Siemian was named Denver’s Week 1 starter. I believe it’s bad news for those counting on Demaryius Thomas and/or Emmanuel Sanders to meet or exceed expectations. Earlier this summer the team (I believe) hoped Mark Sanchez would win the job. Sanchez had the experience to jump in Week 1 and at least hold his own until Paxton Lynch became NFL-ready. But now he’ll either be traded or cut.
If Lynch had been named the starter, it would have suggested that he was ready to handle NFL quarterbacking duties. He might have struggled for a few games or even a good chunk of the season. But his development would have been accelerated, putting him on a possible path toward fantasy respectability sooner rather than later. Thomas and Sanders would have benefited as the season progressed.
In my opinion, regardless of what coaches and management said in public, Siemian was the option Denver dreaded entering camp. While his college TD/INT radio of 27/24 might not be a reflection of his potential, he certainly didn’t turn heads this preseason. His #1 status has less to do with him than with his competition. Sanchez flopped, and Lynch is green. If there were a legitimate fourth option, the Broncos would have explored it.
Outside of likely Week 1 starter Case Keenum, Siemian will be on a shorter leash than any other starting QB. On a team that should win most of its games via the backfield and on defense, Siemian will be (at best) a merely adequate game manager. I’m talking 180 yards and a score most weeks. It’s not about shining; it’s about playing conservatively so that the Broncos can play to their strengths.
Beyond a home tilt against the Colts in Week 2, Siemian’s best opportunities to step up will come only in weeks 5, 6, 8, and 10. If he lasts that long.