Article #4 9/15/07

Another week under our belt and we are just getting started with our statistics for this year.  Welcome to our fourth edition of The Edge.  Our goal in this weekly column will be to give you an edge in the world of fantasy football.  Unlike typical fantasy columnists, we have developed a statistical model (which is easy to use and free for download here: @ ihavetheedge.com) that we will use as the basis for our recommendations and analysis.

We will focus on finding the “Edge Sleeper” since anyone can tell you LaDainian Thomas, Peyton Manning, Chad Johnson, etc… are good picks.  “Edge Sleepers” are defined as picks not found in the top 5 and mostly likely not in the top 10 by various publications. In the end the goal of a weekly sleeper pick is to find someone on your bench or maybe even available as a free agent to be scoring near the Top 5 for that position.

QUARTERBACK

Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle

The Bengals’ secondary made Derek Anderson look like a hall of famer.  With Shaun Alexander slightly banged up, the Seahawks should rely on Hasselbeck this week.

Vince Young, Tennessee

Young has a favorable matchup against possibly the league’s worst pass defense.  New Orleans hasn’t stopped anyone this season, allowing 288 and 243 passing yards in the first two weeks.  Don’t forget Young’s ability to earn points with his legs as well.

RUNNING BACK

Chris Brown, Tennessee
We picked him last week, and he didn’t perform. No coincident the Titans lost. This week the Titans go up against the lowly Saints defense. The Saints’ run defense is about as good as its pass defense. Both are atrocious.

LaMont Jordan, Oakland
Jordan remains the feature back with Dominic Rhodes continuing to serve his substance abuse suspension. He had over 150 total yards in week one and 159 yards rushing in week two. Expect more of the same against a Cleveland defense that has allowed a 100 yard rusher in each of the first two weeks

WIDE RECEIVER

Marty Booker, Miami
Miami plays the Jets this week. The Jets have more than a QB problem. Kyle Boller, the perennial example of mediocrity, completed 65% of his passes and threw two touchdowns in week two against New York. Marty had a decent game against Dallas including a touchdown.

Joe Jurevicius, Cleveland
Was Charlie Frye that bad, is Derek Anderson that good, or is Cincinnati that bad on defense? Regardless, the Browns go to Oakland, where the Raiders have given up over 250 passing yards the last two games. If the Browns can carry some of the magic from this week to next, Joe should score well in the fantasy world.

TIGHT END

Donald Lee, Green Bay
It’s hard to find sleeper tight ends. However, Brett Favre looks to be in his old form, and he has been giving Lee more opportunities. Lee caught a touchdown in week two.