Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

We have finally made it Bruno Boys Nation. Week 11 is at hand and what that means in most leagues is pretty simple. You have three more games to secure a spot for your Week 14-16 fantasy football playoffs. While I hope that all of you are still in it, I do realize that it just simply is not possible for that to hold any truth. If you are out of the playoffs you still want to try to play spoiler. If your team is so far gone you probably shouldn’t even be reading this article. Obviously play on the season for the integrity of the league but start focusing your attention on finding some gems for next year at the running back, wide receiver and if possible, the quarterback positions. For those that are still in the playoff hunt though, you will want to pay special attention this week to the Bruno Boys weekly rankings as well as our Live Q and A and Forum boards. This is no time to relax, even if you have a huge lead and are assured a spot in your playoffs. With that being said let’s get to the point and nail the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Week 11 Tight End Rankings.

1. Dallas Clark (Indianapolis Colts) @ Baltimore

By far the most productive tight end for the 2009 fantasy football season, Dallas Clark had his worst week since the season opener as he went for only six fantasy points in Week 10. That is right, that was his worst week in over two months! So in other words, even if Clark does not turn into the top play this week at the tight end position he certainly won’t hurt you. Enjoy Clark and his career year and start him with confidence even against a Baltimore Ravens defense that has been stubborn against the tight end this year..
Point Projection: 13 points

2. Antonio Gates (San Diego Chargers) @ Denver

While the touchdowns have not been there this year, having just two on the season, Antonio Gates has been a yardage machine, averaging 74.2 per week. That is excellent especially if you play in a league that rewards bonuses for yardage. Despite the tough match-up against a Denver Broncos defense that allows just 3.8 fantasy points per game to the tight end positions, Gates remains and always will be a must start. Play him with extreme confidence.
Point Projection: 12 points

3. Brent Celek (Philadelphia Eagles) @ Chicago

Do you want consistency? In each of his last three weeks Celek has had 9-12 fantasy football points, making him an intriguing option this week against the Chicago Bears who have allowed six touchdowns to opposing tight ends on the season. If you own Celek you are starting to reap the rewards. Enjoy the ride as it looks to continue with the loss of Brian Westbrook possibly for the season. This will lead to Celek most likely becoming quarterback Donovan McNabb’s primary safety valve.
Point Projection: 11 points

4. Vernon Davis (San Francisco 49ers) @ Green Bay

After putting together a stretch of stellar games on a regular basis, Vernon Davis flopped in Week 10 against the Chicago Bears. Don’t let that scare you off though as his last game against the Green Bay Packers he had 3 receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown. Davis, who ranks second at the tight end position with 89 fantasy points, should bounce back and play as a top TE1 this week in a must win game for the San Francisco 49ers.
Point Projection: 10 points

5. Heath Miller (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Kansas City

The Kansas City Chiefs are a team in a big mess having just lost both Larry Johnson and Dwayne Bowe from the starting lineup. This will likely lead to the Chiefs defense ending up on the field much more than normal. One of the beneficiaries to that will be Heath Miller who had been hot during the middle of the first half of the season but has plummeted as of late. Look for a bounce back week and for Miller to score his first touchdown since Week 6.
Point Projection: 10 points

6. Tony Gonzalez (Atlanta Falcons) @ New York Giants

While plenty of people suspected Tony Gonzalez to tear it up this year, we warned you to be cautious. Heading into Week 11 you can see why. Although he has put up a very impressive 55.7 yards per contest he is not the type of player that he showed that he was last year with the Kansas City Chiefs. None-the-less, despite facing the New York Giants, Gonzalez should perform just fine. If you own Gonzalez he needs to be in your lineup; that is unless you have one of our top five options.
Point Projection: 9 points

7. Kellen Winslow (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) vs. New Orleans  **CHECK INJURY STATUS**

Kellen Winslow is one of the better tight ends in the game and his 50.4 yards per game along with five touchdowns on the year proves that. Although he faces a tough New Orleans Saints defense that consistency should continue, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to be relying heavily on Winslow with rookie quarterback Josh Freeman under center. Even if he fails to score a touchdown for the second straight week Winslow should have enough yardage to make for a solid TE1 play in Week 11.
Point Projection: 8 points

8. Visanthe Shiancoe (Minnesota Vikings) vs. Seattle

While the yardage has not been there for Visanthe Shiancoe this year, he has still been a touchdown machine as he already had six on the season. He only has one touchdown in his last three games so it’s just about time for Shiancoe to get his short yardage score. Playing against the formidable Seattle Seahawks tight end defense should not stall him from doing so. Start Shiancoe with confidence and hope he can catch touchdown No.7 on the season.
Point Projection: 8 points

9. Greg Olsen (Chicago Bears) vs. Philadelphia

Greg Olsen followed up a 71 yard, three touchdown performance in Week 9 with a 75 yards performance in Week 10. While the touchdowns were not there, the seven receptions were. His receptions have increased in each of the last three weeks and now he faces a Philadelphia Eagles defense that should pose very little trouble. Another week like the past two weeks and you can start considering Olsen a solid TE1 play, but if he struggles this week in a good match-up that will be very discouraging. Still, he should be used as a low-end TE1 in Week 1
Point Projection: 7 points

10. Jeremy Shockey (New Orleans Saints) @ Tampa Bay

There are so many weapons in New Orleans that Drew Brees can’t utilize them all a ton, which is why you see a good receiving tight end on a great passing team struggle to do well from week to week. You could get a great game out of him or you could get a very below average one. Going off of his career though, in three games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers he has averaged 40.3 yards and zero touchdowns. Rank Shockey as a lower-end TE1 with the potential at a solid week but he doesn’t see enough targets to explode.
Point Projection: 7 points

11. Ben Watson (New England Patriots) vs. New York Jets

In a big game against the Indianapolis Colts, Ben Watson only had one reception for 36 yards. That was very discouraging considering that he has the talent to do much, much more. But when you need movement downfield it is Randy Moss that is targeted. This week he faces the New York Jets in which he has put up two touchdowns in seven career games. A decent receiving yardage afternoon with the possibility of more if Tom Brady decides to go his way is what to expect.
Point Projection: 7 points

12. Jason Witten (Dallas Cowboys) vs. Washington

We could sit here and dissect what Jason Witten will do this week, but to be honest his game has taken a downturn this year. Normally a top tight end, Witten has only one touchdown this year and has failed to reach 50 receiving yards the past three games. If you play in a PPR league he still holds some good value as he is averaging more than five receptions per contest. But until he can start stretching the field again he is no more than a low-end TE1 option.
Point Projection: 6 points

13. John Carlson (Seattle Seahawks) @ Minnesota

While plenty of people have been dogging John Carlson’s play this year it has to be noted that he has had to block often due to his offensive line being banged up and that in fact he has outperformed what he had done last season. His yards per game average is up, his touchdowns are on pace and his receptions are at a better pace as well. This week he faces a Minnesota Vikings defense thats rates worst in the league against the tight end. A solid week with possibly more is expected from this second year pro.
Point Projection: 6 points

14. Dustin Keller (New York Jets) @ New England

After starting at a much slower pace than what was anticipated by the fantasy football world, Keller has come on as of late. During the past two weeks he has combined for 134 yards and a touchdown; numbers that were expected of him heading into 2009. Times will be tough facing the New England Patriots, but as long as Mark Sanchez doesn’t fall into a tailspin facing the Patriots, Keller should see enough targets to have a shot at putting up TE1 numbers.
Point Projection: 6 points

15. Will Heller (Detroit Lions) vs. Cleveland

Last week it was pretty obvious that if the Detroit Lions offense was going to move forward they would need to find some production from someone besides Kevin Smith and Calvin Johnson. It appears that both of their tight ends, Brandon Pettigrew and Will Heller have become those options. Heller had 33 yards and a touchdown against a mediocre Minnesota Vikings tight end defense and while the Cleveland Browns averages are much better against the position, they still will have their troubles. Look to Heller if you are in need of a tight end for a one week play as we feel he has a shot to make it two weeks in a row with a touchdown.
Point Projection: 6 points