There is only one recurring storyline that truly matters in fantasy football, and that is Mike Shanahan continues to hate your fantasy team. We were stunned on the Fantasy Live set when we heard a report that Tim Hightower was going to be the starting running back for the Redskins, which caused Dave Dameshek to quip, "So that means we should all start Roy Helu, right?"
If only Dave was kidding.
Actually it was Ryan Torain who received the majority of the attempts, but he managed only 22 yards on 10 carries against the team that had allowed the most points to fantasy running backs heading into Week 6. And Hightower? Not even an attempt.
The takeaway here is two-fold:
First, Torain is going to be the guy to start as long as he is healthy. Torain was Shanahan's guy going back to their days with the Broncos, and despite the calls for the "hot hand" he will likely be the guy for the rest of the season.
And secondly, Mike Shanahan hates your fantasy team. I mean, now he is outright lying to us. Where is Congress when you need it? Has the time come for us to "occupy" Redskins Park -- much like those Wall Street demonstrations?
We need to stand united.
Here are some of the other fantasy storylines of Week 6:
So long, Rex, the fantasy relevant quarterback
You don't want to panic after one game, but Rex Grossman getting pulled for John Beck should pretty much end his career as a fantasy-useful quarterback. The matchup was not good for Grossman, and many of you were advised to keep Grossman on the bench (or even more), but there are many more fantasy options out there. Like Colt McCoy, who ended Sunday afternoon as the sixth best fantasy quarterback. (And a quick nod to Michael Fabiano, whose bold prediction was that McCoy was going to have more fantasy points than Matt Schaub.)
Pat Schumur might hate your fantasy team, too
Fantasy enthusiasts were up in arms when Peyton Hillis was on the sidelines during the second and third quarters, before making a cameo in the fourth. Now, some might call shenanigans (or the fantasy version which should be changed to Shanahanigans), but Hillis tweaked his hamstring. No word on whether it was Hillis' agent who called for his benching, but we will just assume it was doctor's orders to bench Hillis. Oh, and if it has not become perfectly clear, it is time to grab Montario Hardesty off the waiver wire.
The Packers might be throwing the ball even more
The Packers had a favorable matchup against St. Louis, which was ranked dead last against the run but neither James Starks nor Ryan Grant were able to do much from a fantasy perspective. Part of the problem figures to be the loss of Chad Clifton (hamstring). Stay away from the Packers runners if possible in the coming weeks as Green Bay will likely throw on every down like it is the Arena League. Instead, make sure to add Jordy Nelson and James Jones if they are available on the waiver wire.
Cam Newton will still make mistakes
The Panthers rookie threw three interceptions and those of you starting Newton are just going to have to get used to it. But even with a dismal performance (interception, no touchdowns), Newton did add 50 rushing yards and a touchdown. That made him more valuable than Eli Manning on Sunday, who only seemed content to hand the ball off repeatedly to Ahmad Bradshaw.
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