Who is at risk for a sophomore slump in the 2012 Fantasy Football season?

You never know what you are going to get in a sophomore fantasy football player.  For God’s sake, 85% of American don’t even know the dance moves to the National Anthem, so how do you expect to get things right in a fantasy football draft?  I understand.  I am here to help.  Now lets break this dance party down with some fantasy football words of wisdom from CT.

Do you remember Steve Slaton?   

Yes, Steve Slaton from West Virginia and former Houston Texan "star" running back -before Arian Foster.


Slaton burst onto the the scene for the Houston Texans in 2008 rushing for 1282 yards and 9 touchdowns.  In 2009, Slaton was a hot commodity in all fantasy football formats as a first round selection.  He rewarded those fantasizers with 437 yards and 3 touchdowns.  


The Steve Slaton that brought this particular lofty praise from fantasy football bulletin board legend fantasy4u in 2009: (fantasy4u and meatstick were legitimately the bulletin board names these clowns used)


“I agree with meatstick, Slaton is a better player that Brady strait  up.”  [sic]

First, don’t be a “meatstick.”

Second, don’t take advice from someone that answers to “meatstick.”  


So who will have the 2012 Steve Slaton slump?

I’m here to help you - without the help of meatstick and fantasies4u.

The 2011 NFL season made Torrey Smith a familiar name in fantasy football circles.  The wide receiver from the University of Maryland finished the season with 50 receptions, 841 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns.  This was good for an average of 8+ fantasy football points per game in standard scoring systems.  

Not bad.



However, 2012 may not be as kind to those that were fortunate to have Torrey Smith in their starting lineups in week 3 and week 11 of the 2011 NFL season.  Smith accumulated 311 yards and four of his seven touchdowns in those two weeks against the St. Louis Rams and Cincinnati Bengals.  Two weeks, 50% of his fantasy football production.  Last time I checked the NFL season was 16 games.  So for those of you that consider Torrey Smith top 25 talent at the wide receiver spot, be careful.   After the week 11 game against the Bengals, he had one game over 50 yards receiving.   Smith undoubtedly possesses big game potential and he possesses the Houdini gene - which makes him my top candidate to slump in 2012.

Who will be this year's Milli Vanilli in NFL Fantasy Football circles?

Another great candidate for a sophomore slump in 2012 is Demarco Murray of the Dallas Cowboys.  Murray put up excellent rookie running back numbers that included 897 yards rushing to go along with two touchdowns on 164 carries.  Pretty good production for the former Oklahoma Sooner star.  

So what is not to like?  

Two rushing touchdowns on the season and one gigantic game against the St. Louis Rams.  On October 23, 2011, Demarco Murray set a Dallas Cowboy rushing record with 253 rushing yards on 25 carries.  DeMarco has the scent of Milli Vanilli all over him - so let someone else Blame it on the Rain.  

It would be too easy to pick on Cam Newton as my 3rd and final sophomore slump choice.  

I’m not going to do that.

My 3rd and final sophomore slump candidate is New England Patriot QB Ryan Mallett.  

Most would argue Mallett could only improve on his zero completion on zero attempts for zero yards in 2011.  I dare to differ.

If Ryan Mallett is playing in 2012, that means either Tom Brady is injured, Bill Belichick has gotten soft, or my main man meatstick was right about Tom Brady all along and Steve Slaton is better.  Regardless of the reason, Mallett will have no impact on the 2012 fantasy football season, much to the dismay of Texarkana, Texas town folk.

The bottom line?  

You don’t have to take your fantasy football advice from me, however, my advice is probably better than fantasies4u and meatstick.

Anyhow, I need to go relax in my jacuzzi filled with scotch and slip into my bunny rabbit one-sy for a good night’s rest.

Until Next Time,

Craig Turley
@That_Dude_CT