Inside The Targets – Week 4

10/05/2009 12:04 PM -  Craig Davis

Looking at the NFL boxscores don’t always tell the entire story. You have to dig much deeper to see which players are being targeted more than you might think and where they’re being targeted before you can get an honest idea as to how involved each player really is…

- Bears WR Johnny Knox was targeted 8 times, including two in the red zone and one inside the 10-yard-line. Meanwhile, Earl Bennett was targeted just twice.

- Lions WR Calvin Johnson, not surprisingly, was targeted 12 times. When he starts catching TDs hes’ going to be invaluable. TE Brandon Pettigrew was a bit of a surprise, having 10 balls thrown his way which was second highest on the team. Two of those came in the red zone.

- Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco had 11 passes thrown his way but just three receptions. 2 of those went for TDs. 3 red zone targets and two of those inside the 10 yard line are definitely intriguing.

- RB Brian Leonard was second on the team in targets with seven and two of those came in the red zone. Definitely worth looking into as he caught six of those passes… in a PPR league that’s the equivalent of a TD.

- Waiver Wire Watch: The Cleveland Browns gave us three players to keep in mind for Week 5 vs. Buffalo. Muhammad Massaquoi had 13 targets, hauling in 8 catches for over 100 yards and seven of those 13 targets were deep passes. TE Steve Heiden has apparently taken over for Robert Royal, doubling him in pass targets this weekend (8 to 4). Heiden also had a TD reception. RB Jerome Harrison had seven targets and five receptions to go along with his 100+ rushing yards.

- I’m not sure why I’m telling you this… but WR Louis Murphy had 10 targets for the Oakland Raiders. When JaMarcus Russell is throwing the ball, does it really count?

- The Houston Texans continue to amaze me with their play-calling… throwing the ball to RB Steve Slaton just two times (he caught them both and took one to the house).

-  TJ Houshmandzadeh received the most targets (11) in Seattle Sunday, but Seneca Wallace clearly tried to spread the wealth with 8 going to Nate Burleson, 6 to Deion Branch and 6 to TE John Carlson. Until Matt Hasselbeck returns, it’s going to be tough to start any of these guys as anything more than a WR3.

- For what it’s worth, Austin Collie had more targets (7) than Pierre Garcon (4) and also had a TD. It’s just one week and I’d suggest waiting before spending any money to acquire Collie.

- Nate Washington has arrived, with 12 targets and seven receptions, including a TD. Too bad Kerry Collins sucks or this might mean something.

- Mike Sims-Walker is clearly the WR1 in Jacksonville, getting 11 targets, 7 receptions and two TDs. Walker had three of those targets in the red zone and two in the end zone. Could be the top waiver wire pick of the week if he’s still around.

- I don’t think we can call Giants WR Steve Smith “the other Steve Smith” any longer. I think he’s going to end the season with better numbers than THEE Steve Smith from Carolins. Manning targeted Smith an amazing 16 times… and you all know how well he did. And don’t sleep on Mario Manningham… despite just one reception he was second on the team with 8 targets.

- Dwayne Bowe clearly isn’t 100% as evidenced by his 4 targets and one catch Sunday.

- Patriots RB Sammy Morris had a season-high 5 targets.

- Bucs TE Kellen Winslow has lost just about all his fantasy value (3 targets) with Josh Johnson at QB.

- Chris Cooley continues to improve his fantasy value, with a team-high 10 targets Sunday vs. Tampa while the next closest was Santana Moss with 4.  I wonder if Jim Zorn realizes Clinton Portis can actually catch the ball… zero targets Sunday.

- Lance Moore must still not be 100% healthy because the Saints targeted him only one time.

- Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch combined for 11 targets Sunday vs. Miami.

- Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown had just one target between them, but Brown did carry the ball 9 times in the red zone.

- Glen Coffee might not have had the best game statistically, but he did lead the team in targets (7). As he gets more comfortable in this offense, his numbers will improve.

- For the first time this season, the Dallas Cowboys spread the ball around to multiple receivers… Miles Austin led the way with 8 targets, Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton had 7 each, Tashard Choice had 6, Sam Hurd had 5, and Jason Witten had 4. Too bad Tony Romo was the one throwing the ball.

- Eddie Royal had as many targets (6) as Brandon Marshall, but it’s clear that Marshall knows how to go up and get and ball and he knows what to do with it when he catches it.

- Hines Ward (11) was targeted twice as much as Santonio Holmes (5). Heath Miller was second on the team in targets (9) and caught two TD passes.

- For the second time in four games, Chris Chambers (8) was targeted more than Vincent Jackson (7). Antonio Gates led the team in targets (12), receptions (9), receiving yards (124) and touchdowns (2). What baffles me is that Darren Sproles only had one ball thrown to him all game.