RADIO
Week 9 was another fun week, which featured some ridiculous fantasy studs, and obviously plenty of fantasy duds. Unfortunately, we have to talk about those fantasy duds, because we can't continue using them on a consistent basis at this point, can we?
While Drew Brees has thrown 10 touchdowns over the past two weeks, it's time to talk about two quarterbacks who have been on the opposite end of the spectrum. There's obviously plenty of reason to be concerned with quite a few players at multiple positions, but we're going to hit on five total quarterbacks and tight ends who are sending out warning signals as we head into Week 10.
Let's dive into it with a man who had a four-touchdown performance just three weeks ago. Seriously.
Quarterbacks Sending Out Warning Signals
Ryan Tannehill – QB, MIA
How you go from throwing four touchdowns and no interceptions in one game to throwing zero touchdowns in the next two games is completely lost on me. Unfortunately, that's what's new in the life of Ryan Tannehill. While Tannehill led the Miami Dolphins to a victory over the Houston Texans in that Week 7 explosion, his poor play against both the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills has played a large role in the team losing both of those games.
What is worth noting is that both of those terrible games, that featured no touchdowns and two interceptions, were on the road. The Dolphins are once again on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday. Trouble is brewing in Miami, and it's disappointing after such an impressive showing three weeks ago.
Kirk Cousins – QB, WAS
Oh, Kirk Cousins, you almost had me. Before the Washington Redskins' Week 8 bye week, Cousins' "you like that!" moment is one that almost made me truly believe in him. He threw for 317 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions during the incredible comeback victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was as though Cousins had turned the corner and was ready to do some serious damage. Well, that apparently wasn't the case, and he proved that to us in Week 9.
Yes, the Redskins played the powerful Patriots in that game, but Cousins completed just over 50 percent of his passes (22 of 40) for 217 yards, one touchdown and one interception. It was a pretty brutal showing for Cousins, and it's a safe bet that he probably got taunted just a bit by Patriots fans after his infamous celebration, which is obviously on YouTube.
Tight Ends Sending Warning Signals
Julius Thomas – TE, JAX
After a strong game against the Houston Texans in Week 6, where Julius Thomas caught seven balls for 78 yards and a score, it looked like he was finally over his preseason injury. Then, he caught one ball for four yards the very next week. No reason to sound the alarm, as it was just an off week, right? Wrong.
Jacksonville went into their bye in Week 8, and Thomas was essentially non-existent once again in Week 9 against the New York Jets. He caught just three balls for 14 yards on eight targets. The fact that he received eight targets is nice, but something's gotta give here. Thomas was highly-touted heading to the Jaguars in free agency, but has failed to impress. The alarms are going off like a high school fire drill, and Thomas has us all concerned.
Jordan Reed – TE, WAS
Let me start this by saying that Jordan Reed basically saved his fantasy day (and probably the day of fantasy owners) with his touchdown in Week 9. If it weren't for that score, Reed would have had an absolutely brutal showing against the Patriots. He wrapped up his day with three catches for 18 yards and the score. Reed isn't at Julius Thomas-level yet, but there are reasons to be concerned right now.
The good news for Reed owners? He gets a great matchup with the New Orleans Saints and then with the New York Giants two weeks later, so he should have big games again soon. If he doesn't, that very distant alarm that's going off on Reed is going to start getting a lot louder.
Gary Barnidge – TE, CLE
After topping six catches in five of the previous six games heading into Week 9, Gary Barnidge finally had an off day. Could it have something to do with the fact that Johnny Manziel was under center instead of Josh McCown? Probably, as Barnidge and McCown have shown a great connection up to this point. The problem for Barnidge wasn't targets, as Manziel looked his way seven times, but it only resulted in two catches for 35 yards.
The good news for Barnidge is that head coach Mike Pettine said that McCown will start in Week 10 if he's healthy, according to Pat McManamon of ESPN. Expect Barnidge to get back to his productive ways if this is the case, but if not, it's obvious that the warning signals won't go away immediately for the veteran tight end.
