Rams Fantasy Corner: Renewing the faith in your Rams fantasy plays?

Week one left us with a lot of questions about the Rams Fantasy viability. After getting off to a great start fantasy wise it took all of two plays for Steven Jackson owners to put fist-to-wall.  Little did fantasy owners know that this was only the first on many dominos to fall. Some due to injury and others to just out right bad play.

Outside of Cadillac Williams start any Ram this week at your own risk. The risk factor is not a result of the opponent, though the Giants are no push-over. It stems from simply just not knowing what you are going to get out of any one particular Ram. Injuries have also forced players into new roles. Cadillac for one and Greg Salas to name another. Will the bright lights of Monday Night Football have an impact? Can they handle the increased work load or are they better served as back-ups?

The popular thinking this week is that if Rex Grossman can throw for 300+ yards against the Giants, why not Bradford? My reaction to that is, what exactly has Bradford done or shown to think he’ll air it out. It is a lot harder to dink and dunk your way to 300+ and eight drops by your WR’s isn’t going to help. Do not forget Spagnuolo’s role here. If he activates Danario Alexander a good fantasy game is much more within reach. The lack of Amendola could make him look further downfield or it could mean more carries for Cadillac and Norwood.

Perhaps yet again the most intriguing play this week is TE Lance Kendricks. As expected he took advantage of the Eagles linebacker, but as Will points out, unexpectedly he did not deliver the results. Well it looks like the opportunity is there again this week if Kendricks is up to the challenge. The Redskins TE combo (though mostly Fred Davis) hauled in 7 passes for 126 yards last week. If he can step it up he can help you put up points, help the Rams win and make all of us who touted him last week look a little bit better.

As for the rest of the Rams, fantasy points are there for the taking...if you are bold enough.  Offensively the Giants defense gave up solid fantasy points in week one to the QB, TE, WR and RB positions. Defensively the Redskins came away with 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception and a defensive TD. The interception and touchdown were on the same play.  Compared to Vick, Eli Manning will appear as stuck in cement (not too much a stretch really) so Robert Quinn, Chris Long and the Rams defense should get their shots.

If you have read this far then I commend you. You are a risk taker, so why not read a bit further for some quick notes on who might do what on Monday.

Cadillac Williams: Impressive in wk 1 against philly. Will get the bulk of the carries while sharing the RB duties with Norwood this week. He also proved last week more than capable of catching passes out of the backfield. He's the guy and looked pretty good last week but the Giants stopped the run well in Week One.

Sam Bradford: Rex went for over 300+ and 2 TD’s. Giants gave up 4 passing plays of 20+ yards. Not exactly throwing against Samuel, Nnamdi and DRC either.  Injured his right index finger. He's expected to start the MNF game. He's day-to-day (DTD). He was able to practice on Wednesday which is a good sign and the matchup is favorable but injuries are hurting them left and right.

Josh Brown: One of Best legs in the league and Rams aren’t exactly putting up the TD’s. Missed one last week.

Lance Kendricks: Giants gave up 7 catches for 126 yards to the Redskins TE in wk 1. Should have scored last week but at least opportunities will be there and Giants gave up 7 catches for 126 yards to the Redskins TE in wk 1.

Steven Jackson: Not likely to play

Danny Amendola: Out

Danario Alexander: If active could make a big play or two. Not to mention open up the short routes underneath for Salas and Kendricks.  Think it was a mistake not dressing him for the game.

Mike Sims-Walker: Giant secondary has issues but he had only 4 targets and 1 catch last week so hard to trust. Also not sure which pages of the playbook McDaniels will go off of this week.

Brandon Gibson: Pretty active last week and the Giant secondary has problems so has a chance. Was able to get behind Nnamdi deep twice so the potential is there.

Greg Salas: Sam Bradford targeted Amendola a team-high 120 times (seven a game), leaving behind a bevy of balls to be spread amongst the remaining healthy receivers. The Rams are heaping a lot of responsibility on and showing confidence in their fourth-round rookie.

Rams D: Eli does have a tendency to throw a INTs (25 last year), he had one returned for a TD last week. Certainly have a chance if desperate as Giant O-line has issues and Manning was sacked 4 times in Week One. But with Bartell out and Mikell & Fletcher banged up it’s not worth it.

IDP

Chris Long: 2 tackles and 1 sack in week 1 and NY’s O-line is having issues. And as noted above Manning is a stationary target compared to Vick.

James Laurinaitis : 6 tackles in week 1 and always in on the action. Look for high tackle numbers and could come away with an INT.

Quintin Mikell: ESPN Fantasy Projection: Advanced metrics -- the few in football that can be truly trusted -- suggest that Mikell is one of the savvier safeties in the league when it comes to a balance of run and pass capabilities. Strong week one with 4 tackles, 1 sack and 1 FF.

Craig Dahl: His lack over converage ability hurts the Rams but helps the Fantasy owner as it usually leads to more tackles. 9 last week and NY will try to pass on the Rams.

Bradley Fletcher: 4 tackles last week. Fletcher (toe) was a limited participant in practice Thursday. If he’s okay to play will have a chance to make plays as NY will try and pass on the Rams.

Robert Quinn: Could be active if he plays. Quick speed on the end will help him get to a very slow Eli Manning. Sack potential.