I've touted Justin Gage (owned in 22% of CBS Sportsline leagues) as a viable receiver once, and it's a good thing I'm no sissy because I'll do it again.
(HERE'S A CLIP OF GAGE CATCHING A PASS INTENDED FOR BO SCAIFE, WHO GOT NAILED BY FORMER BUCHANAN HIGH AND FRESNO CITY COLLEGE STAR MATT GIORDANO. THE BALL CLANGED OFF GIORDANO'S HELMET AND ABOUT 10-15 YARDS TO GAGE. IT'S PRETTY COOL.)
Hey, I probably was the only one on the planet touting Dan Orlovsky, and he produced more points in his three-week window of fame than Brett Favre. Then Orlovsky got hurt, and who knows if he wouldn't be starting even with Daunte Culpepper in Detroit? So there, take that neysayers.
But getting back to Gage -- who I took some flak for having in my lineup two weeks ago over Steve Breaston -- the receiver has added a new dimension to the Titans run-heavy offense.
Last week he caught four passes for 147 yards, bringing in two touchdowns. Unfortunately, I didn't have him in my lineup. That figures.
It happens to the best of us.
Former Bee sports copy chief John Romero, who I sent T.J. Houshmandzadeh over in a six-player deal a few weeks ago, finally took Housh out of his lineup after a few poor outings. The player he had benched was Chad Johnson, who did have some decent outings on the bench. But then with Johnson in the lineup, Housh is the one who had the good week and Romero, gulp, lost by less than a point. That even was with Lance Moore, who had a big week, on his bench as well.
It's a can't-win-for-losing deal sometimes, this fantasy thing.
But yeah, I had Gage in two weeks ago and he gets four catches for just 47 yards, but he did score a touchdown to get 10.7 points. Breaston, by the way, did have 12.1 on the bench that week.
But last week Gage was the one who's 26.7 points were more than all my receivers and running backs, combined. Seriously.
Tatum Bell (3.4), Tim Hightower (3.5), Lee Evans (0.0), Eddie Royal (4.1), Roy Williams (3.6) were my two RBs, two WRs and Flex. That's 14.6 from my starters.
The bench -- besides Gage -- had Shaun Alexander (0.1), Fred Jackson (4.0), Clinton Portis (7.4), Selvin Young (0.0) and Steve Breaston (1.5). That's 13.
OK, that adds up to 27.6, barely a point more than Gage.
When it rains, it pours, and not knowing if Portis was going to play in addition to Trent Edwards going south in Buffalo to ruin Evans' production and every Broncos running back on the planet getting injured has spelled doom the past three weeks for me -- all losses.
I was in first place, but I think I'll be fine thanks to this newfound Gage lifeline ... plus, I still have Kurt Warner.
This week Gage and the Titans are facing the Jets, who have the fourth-best rushing defense but are only 28th in passing defense. That should be good news for Kerry Collins and Gage and even Bo Scaife.
Portis even gets to play my favorite team, the Seahawks, but who cares how Seattle's doing in this pathetic season? Go Redskins!
My RBs as I see it now are Portis and Hightower over Bell and Young.
The WRs are Royal (vs. the Raiders!!!) and Gage (vs. the Jets).
Who is my flex?
Evans (vs. the Chiefs. Hey, if he couldn't get zilch vs. the Browns, does it matter if he's playing K.C.?), Williams (vs. the 49ers, who have been reinvigorated by Mike Singletary), Breaston (vs. a tough Giants D), or even Bell or Young (provided either of them will play/start vs. the Raiders.)
Help me out.
Share your wise opinion.
Who knows? It might show up in Sunday's edition of The Bee in our column.
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