AFL Quickplay Week 3
Andrew Nordmeier
Thursday April 4, 2013
Last week, I was a bit skeptical about Adrian McPherson after he completed his first game with just two touchdown passes. McPherson silenced any skeptics about his ability to fit in this league as he accounted for 10 total touchdowns (eight passing, two rushing) in the Storm's 69-47 win over Cleveland. Tampa Bay might be able to put those kind of numbers week after week so he looks like as good of a start as any at the quarterback position.
A tip of the cap to the highest scoring team this week, arenabowlbound, that put up an eye-popping 246 points. Their team also leads the season standings with 442 points through the first two weeks.
As for the Unemployed Punters, the lineup worked out well except for the goose egg at the fullback spot. The team still managed 215 points this week (fifth best) and 409 for the season (fifth best as well).
With that out of the way, let's look at this week's games and who could be good plays for your team while I also fill out the lineup for the Punters.
This week's games: Spokane at Iowa, Chicago at San Antonio, Jacksonville at Cleveland, Philadelphia at Orlando, Tampa Bay at
Utah and San Jose at Arizona on CBS Sports Network. Pittsburgh and New Orleans are on byes this week. The first game of the week is the Spokane-Iowa tilt at 8:05pm Eastern Friday so lineups need to be in by 7pm Eastern, 4pm Pacific on Friday to meet the deadline.
The three-quarterback strategy is the way to go. MCPHERSON is a definite in the lineup out of the Southern Division. NICK DAVILA of the Arizona Rattlers is another solid pick as he runs one of the league's best offenses (143 points in two games).
The third quarterback is a tough one to pick. ERIK MEYER of Spokane takes another high-octane offense into Iowa against the league's stiffest defense (75 points allowed in two games). Something has to give in this game and it's hard to tell which one will.
The other options that could be used are JOHN DUTTON in San Antonio as the Talons take on Chicago, a team that has allowed 139 points in two games or Jacksonville's BERNARD MORRIS who takes on an equally weak defensive squad in Cleveland. Decisions, decisions.
The answer I am going with is Morris. He's another dual threat quarterback and is second in the league in rushing while throwing for 259 yards and five scores per game.
The Eastern Division gives us options in players from the Soul and the Gladiators. With the Soul being back off of a bye DERRICK ROSS looks like an easy pick at the fullback spot. Yes, people will be piling up on him because of how well he performs but he also helps satisfy the divisional requirement.
The other half of that requirement fills the first of my three wide receiver/offensive specialist slots. That goes to TIGER JONES, also of the Soul. He put up 169 yards and three touchdowns in the first week. That should continue this week against the Predators.
REGGIE GRAY of Chicago has been one of the most consistent wide outs in his division and has put up two good weeks so far. For that, I'll continue to roll with him for a third week in a row.
Since the spot is still there in the Western Division, I'm going to take ADRON TENNELL of Spokane to fill the final wideout spot. Tennell is tied for the league lead with eight touchdowns after two weeks. The other part of the tie, you ask, is Reggie Gray. Tennell's yardage (178) lags behind the league leaders but his receptions are tied for fifth in the league at 17 catches. Tennell also has a rushing score so the dual threat ability is also present there and seems to be the theme of this week's lineup.
At kicker, PHIL MARFUGGI of Iowa gets the call. He should be busy either trying field goals or hitting extra points if the Barnstormers' offense can keep up with the Shock. Marfuggi is one of three kickers to convert a field goal this season. The others are GARRETT LINDHOLM of the Rattlers and GARY CISMESIA of the Voodoo who is on a bye this week.
Good luck to everyone in Week 3 and remember that Deluxe League signups are still being taken through the 12th of April so there's time to get in on that as well.
East Division
1 FB Derrick Ross-PHI
2 WR Anthony Jones-PHI
Central Division
1 WR Reggie Gray-CHI
2 K Phil Marfuggi-IA
Southern Division
1 QB Adrian McPherson-TB
2 QB Bernard Morris-JAX
Western Division
1 QB Nick Davila-ARI
2 WR Adron Tennell-SPO