OFF THE TEAM
Four players whose non- production has has become a fireable offense
Patience is a virtue, but too much can be a detriment, even in fantasy football. If a player isn’t producing, you have to cut bait at some point.
For these players, all ranked in the top 20 at their position on draft day, that point is now. Feel free to drop them.
WR Keenan Allen, Chargers
Allen was a stud as a rookie last season, finishing 17th in scoring among wide receivers and averaging 8.8 points. This season, he’s averaging four points per game. Quarterback Philip Rivers has been spreading the ball around, and Malcom Floyd and Eddie Royal have become his big- play receivers. Meanwhile, Allen, slowed by a quad injury, has watched his yards per catch drop from 14.7 last season to 10.6.
RB Doug Martin, Buccaneers
We’ve seen Martin in different kinds of games, and he has done next to nothing in all of them. In a close game against the Steelers, he scored 11 points. Playing with a big lead against the Saints, he scored six. In a blowout loss to the Ravens, he scored four. He’s averaging 2.9 yards per carry, and Bobby Rainey looks a lot better.
RB C. J. Spiller, Bills
Spiller has just one more touch than Fred Jackson ( 82- 81), and Jackson has gotten a lot more out of his, outgaining Spiller 472- 340. Making matters worse, Anthony Dixon was given seven carries Sunday. The coaches appear much more confident in Jackson ( 52 snaps Sunday, despite an ankle injury) than Spiller ( 12), who isn’t playing to his immense talent.
RB Zac Stacy, Rams
The last straw came against the 49ers on Monday, when Stacy was limited to eight carries ( 17 yards) in a game that wasn’t out of reach. He already was losing touches to Benny Cunningham, but then Tre Mason entered the fray with five carries Monday. The Rams’ schedule does Stacy no favors, either. Five of their next six games are against teams with top- 10 run defenses.