Larry Fitzgerald

It seems as if almost everyone has come to the conclusion that Larry Fitzgerald is the clear No. 2 wide receiver after Calvin Johnson. However, I’ve seen a few people rank Julio Jones as the No. 2 wide receiver. I think it’s a fair debate to argue that Julio Jones deserves the No. 2 wide receiver ranking.  In fact, I have him ranked No. 2 over Larry Fitzgerald.

Here’s what I don’t like about Fitzgerald. His QB situation. Although he had the same QB situation in 2011 at had a monster season with 80 receptions, 1,411 yards, and 8 TDs, I rather have a receiver with a much better QB throwing him the football. The Falcons could easily be a scoring machine and the team to beat in the NFC outside of the Packers. The Cardinals will struggle to go .500. On the plus side, Fitzgerald had a much better 2nd half with Skelton as his QB compared to Kevin Kolb. All signs point to Skelton getting the starting job, who had much better chemistry with Fitzgerlad than Kolb.

Fitzgerald had a much better statistical season in 2011, but many feel that Julio Jones is going to breakout this season and go nuts this year. Julio Jones’ stats last season are 54 receptions, 959 yards, and 8 TDs (12 games). What I like with both players is their yards per reception. Julio Jones averaged 17.8 yards per receptions (ranked 7th) which is right on par with Fitzgerald’s 17.6 (ranked 8th), but Fitzgerald’s career average is 13.9.

Jones also had a hamstring injury nag him throughout the season which kept him out of 4 games. If Julio would have played in 16 games, his stats could have come out to 72 …

Which TE do I draft first? Jimmy Graham or Rob Gronkowski?

I expect Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski to go in the beginning of round 2. I think these players do deserve to go where they’re getting drafting. A lot of people are saying these players are getting overdrafted. I disagree. After Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, and Julio Jones, I put both Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham over any other wide receiver. Both will have over 1,200 receiving yards and at least 8 TDs.  In 2011, both Graham and Gronkowski had over 1,300 receiving yards and over 10 TDs. Gronkowski edged Graham out in both categories: 1,327 yards and 17 TDs compared to 1,310 yards and 11 TDs.

2011 Statistics

ROB GRONKOWSKI (16 games)
90 receptions, 1,327 yards, 17 TDs (124 targets)

JIMMY GRAHAM (16 games)
99 receptions, 1,310 yards, 11 TDs, (149 targets)

2012 Fantasy Rankings

NFL.com’s composite rankings has Ron Gronkowski ranked #13 and Jimmy Graham ranked #15 with Julio Jones in between. Yahoo has Jimmy Graham ranked #11 and Rob Gronkowski #13 with Larry Fitzgerald in between. Very interesting.

2012 Fantasy Outlook

The bottom line is you can’t miss with either of these guys with an early second round pick. You have to take them over the top WR and RB in the next class after the top 5 RBs, top 5 QBs, and top 3 WRs are off the board. If you’re sitting with the #14 or #15 pick in your fantasy draft, if Jimmy Graham or Rob Gronkowski are there, you take them. I have them ranked #10 and #11 after Darren McFadden and Chris Johnson followed by Larry Fitzgerald and Julio Jones.

You can even make the debate that one of these guys is …

Question:

Week 17 feels like a bye week, it’s very weird. Normally this would be a no brainer, but should I start Aaron Rodgers or Alex Smith? Rodgers might rest quite a bit like he did last week, and at least Smith will play the whole game and it will be against the awful St. Louis Rams defense.

Also, what about Larry Fitzgerald. I know it’s “rest ’em” week, but I have a feeling he’ll get more playing time than is assumed. Or maybe I just need him to. Maybe I can “will” him to play. I’ve already had to sit Vincent Jackson and play Devin Aromashodu in his place, and my other options are Dwayne Bowe and Josh Morgan. Which is why I still have Fitzgerald in there. I’ve also had to sit Tony Gonzalez and sub with John Carlson. I’m assuming that Indy will sit their defensive starters, too, so I’m going to take a chance with Fred Jackson. Any advice on the QB and WR situations, though?

Who in the world would have a championship game in week 17 anyway? My other RB is Chris Johnson, so I’m good there.

Answer:

I would probably go with Smith given the uncertainty of GB players resting. I would also go with Bowe for the same reason. I would rather take my chances with players that will play the whole game then get screwed because a team decides to rest their players.…

Question: Should I start Adrian Peterson even though he is playing banged up?

Here is my current lineup:

QB: Eli Manning
RB: Marshawn Lynch
RB: Roy Helu
Flex: Shonn Greene
WR: Larry Fitzgerald
WR: Stevie Johnson
TE: Jimmy Graham
D: 49ers
K: Gostkowski

BENCH
Adrian Peterson
Antonio Gates
Jets D
James Jones
Laurent Robinson
Willis McGahee
Nate Washington

Should I put in Adrian Peterson? I feel like I should, but don’t know which player to take out. They are all projected to do well, and Peterson is only 85% according to ESPN. Your insight is appreciated.

Answer:

Definitely start Adrian Peterson instead of Roy Helu. He said he’s coming back this week for his “fantasy owners”. I expect AP to be AP. He should be his usual self this week even at 85% and it’s not like the Saints have a good run defense either.

Give your answer to this question below!…

Question: I need some star/sit help for Week 13.

QB
Tony Romo vs. ARI
Cam Newton vs. TB

RB (2)
Chris Johnson vs. BUF
Demarco Murray vs. ARI
Frank Gore vs. STL
Roy Helu vs. NYJ

WR (3)
Larry Fitzgerald vs. DAL
Laurent Robinson vs. ARI
Percy Harvin vs. DEN
Dwayne Bowe vs. CHI
Antonio Brown vs. CIN

Answer:

QB – Romo –  Better matchup and he’s been hot lately.

RB – Gore and Murray have the best matchups.

WR – Fitzgerald, Bow, and Robinson. Robinson has some nice big-score potential against Arizona

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Question: Which WR should I go with for week 10?

Larry Fitzgerald vs. SEA

Stevie Johnson vs. DET

Best answer:

I would sit Larry Fitzgerald. The QB situation in Arizona is too inconsistent, and playing Fitzgerald has become too risky. I would go with Stevie Johnson since Ryan Fitzpatrick has been throwing 40-45 passes a game and Stevie Johnson is his main target. He will tear apart the awful Lions pass defense. I say that Stevie puts up 100+ points.

Leave your own answer in the comments below!…

Question: What receiver should I start in week 12?

I am currently starting Larry Fitzgerald, who plays the Eagles who have had a very solid pass defense all year long. I also plan on starting Antonio Brown vs. CIN. Brown has been on fire and the Bengals have been getting beat the last few games by WRs.

My other options are:

Brandon Marshall vs. WAS
Laurent Robinson vs. BUF

Should I start Brandon Marshall over Larry Fitzgerald or Antonio Brown?

Answer:

I am in the same position. I would sit Larry Fitzgerald, especially with Kolb out. I actually like Laurent Robinson who has played well with Tony Romo all season long with Miles Austin out. If Kolb starts on Sunday, I may put Fitzgerlad back in the lineup. I would actually put in Marshall though. He is going to get his receptions, the only question is if he’ll turn those receptions into any big yards. He is the only thing the Dolphins have going for them.

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