“Start, Sit & Seth” is the original column of In-Between Media, bridging feel-good lifestyle advice with redraft fantasy football analysis. Consistently following Seth Woolock’s journey as a young creator, this series is now in its fifth season. Join him this week as he shares the story of roof surfing and his Week 2 start/sit selections.
Sometimes the only way to learn is by doing stupid sh*t. At least, that’s how it was for my friends and me growing up.
It’s the summer of 2014. We were nothing more than a group of carefree 16-year-old kids, chainsmoking Swisher Sweets. Though some saw us as the “in-crowd” that had it all figured out, we were as naive about the world around us as our actions. Social media was present but in its infancy stages, meaning no one really cared.
There were still high school fights, woods parties and booze – lots and lots of booze. While I don’t condone underage drinking, I won’t lie and say we didn’t do it. I wish we would’ve waited until we were of age, but we didn’t. We’re honestly lucky that none of us got hurt and that all we walked away with was some unforgettable stories.
This is one of them.
“The Big One”
It was the night of what the town’s youth was referring to as. “the biggest party of the year” – or in our minds – ever. The school’s staple party host recently graduated and wanted to go out with a bang. Rumors of a bounce house and bonfire swirled two towns over in all directions.
And, of course, to never miss an opportunity to try to look cool, my boys and I had to go. So, we told our parents we were staying at each other’s houses and loaded up my best friend’s Jeep Cherokee. Tucked in-between the five of us were two cases of Hamms Special Light ($13.75 for a good time), covered with our sleeping bags.
We parked up the street in the rear of another friend’s driveway, just in case it got busted. We reaffirmed the signal if cops did come (“hooty hoo”), cut through the woods and made our way with our lukewarm beer.
Nine Hours Later
6:00 AM came quick, and four out of five of us were still awake, carrying on into the early morning.
Another of our recently graduated friends approached us, asking if anyone wanted to go roof surfing. Roof surfing is the act of laying flat on your stomach on the roof of a vehicle while the car continues to be driven.
Two of my friends – just happy an older girl was asking them to do something – happily obliged. Somehow, as they were getting ready to say surfs up and takeoff, my instincts kicked in, and I attempted to get them to reconsider.
Next thing you know, they’re pealing down the backroad, hanging 10. Someone was looking after us that morning because no one was hurt, and my friends returned safely from their joyrides.
Not long after their excursion, we cut back through the woods, returning to the Jeep. Our one friend, the true brainiac of the group, slept through most of the night and was now sober to drive us to the local breakfast spot before heading home.
Later That Day
As I was attempting to sleep off the night before, I awoke to the news that some of my friends’ parents got calls from the local state police department, calling in the two daredevils for questioning.
While we made it home without problems, there was a checkpoint set up before everyone else did. It turns out that the rumors of a state trooper living up the road from the party had been true, and he too witnessed the roof surfing. Ultimately, they recognized the vehicle responsible for the roof surfing, and the rest was history.
Though my boys avoided any legal trouble this time, our parents were less than pleased with our actions. They were grounded for the rest of summer, and our days of playing video games in the garage faded faster than we could have ever thought.
Learn From It
Ultimately, we lost valuable time together in perhaps the best summer of our young lives because we did stupid sh*t. We’ll always have the memories of that time in our lives, and night in particular. Yet, looking back now as adults also comes with a sigh of relief that it didn’t end worse.
That wouldn’t be our last running with the law as adolescents, but it was perhaps one we learned from most. It’s a funny story now, but it shaped each of us at least a bit – teaching us what’s right, wrong and just flat-out stupid.
I learn similar lessons with each passing fantasy football season. With most of my leagues in the last half-decade ending in a heartbreaking loss just short of a championship, I choose to seek out the silver linings.
This season, I’m putting those practices to work. I’m being more fluid in drafts, approachable in trades and aggressively spending Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB) early.
I implore readers to also learn from their mistakes – both in life and fantasy football – and apply it to today. Whether that’s roof surfacing or being hesitant to take chances via trade or start/sits – it’s all applicable.
Alright, and here we go.
The following start/sit selections are based on stats, trends and film research, reflecting value in Points Per Reception (PPR) Redraft Leagues.
Quarterback I’d Start in Week 2:
Derek Carr (Las Vegas): Derek Carr had a lackluster Week 1 performance, completing 60 percent of his 37 attempts for 295 yards, two TDs and three INTs. However, he should be able to bounce back as the Raiders gear up to take on the Cardinals in Vegas.
The Cardinals come into Week 2 after allowing the most passing yards (360), touchdowns (five) and best QB rating (144.2) in the season’s opening week. Granted, it was against Patrick Mahomes. But Carr’s weapons are superior to Mahomes’ and should provide significant mismatches against this Arizona defense, making this an easy start/sit decision.
Quarterback I’d Sit in Week 2:
Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams): Until further notice, I can’t recommend starting Matthew Stafford. Stafford fell flat in Week 1, finishing as the QB30. This comes on a 240-yard performance, resulting in three interceptions to one touchdown. Maybe it was the poor offensive line play without Andrew Whitworth, the lack of chemistry with new No. 2 WR Allen Robinson or the elbow. But something looked off with Stafford in Week 1.
While this should be a get-right game for the Rams at home against Atlanta, I’m not sold. The Falcons held Jameis Winston to a modest performance last week before scoring two late touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Cornerback A.J. Terrell looked like the real deal for most of that game. The Falcons disrupted Winston to the tune of four sacks and a 30.8 percent third-down conversion rate.
There are better options in Week 2 with higher ceilings, perhaps even across the field in Marcus Mariota with his rushing upside.
Running Back I’d Start in Week 2:
Cordarrelle Patterson (Atlanta): Despite having a big Week 1 performance, Cordarrelle Patterson is not in enough starting lineups or highly ranked this week across the industry. Some are concerned with the matchup this week against a Rams team in So-Fi Stadium that just came off an embarrassing Week 1 performance.
While I would never downplay the disruption Aaron Donald can cause to an offensive line, keep in mind that the Rams allowed Devin Singletary to rush for six Yards Per Carry (YPC) in Week 1.
Patterson himself rushed for 5.5 YPC in a 120-yard rushing performance. He also currently leads the league in broken tackles at the position with 10, ahead of next-best Jonathan Taylor with nine. With Damien Williams absent from practice this week and Tyler Allgeier inactive last week, it should be another heavy-usage game from Patterson.
Running Back I’d Sit in Week 2:
Damien Harris (New England): If there’s a team I want no part of moving forward, it’s the New England Patriots. Preseason reports that the offense was struggling following the departure of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels appeared true last week. The Patriots totaled just seven points in their season opener against the Miami Dolphins.
We’re still not certain who is calling the plays or who will see pass-catching duties now that Ty Montgomery is on Injured Reserve (IR). However, chances are that it will be Rhamondre Stevenson in thrid-down sets as Harris just has 25 career receptions.
The Patriots face the Steelers in Pittsburgh this week, following a defensive performance where they limited Joe Mixon to three YPC, despite 27 rushing attempts. Unless Harris can manage a TD in a low-projected total game, he’ll likely disappoint managers again this week.
Wide Receiver I’d Start in Week 2:
Curtis Samuel (Washington): Welcome back to fantasy relevance, Curtis Samuel. After an injury-plagued 2021 season that never let him be a start/sit decision, Samuel made a splash last week. He caught eight of 11 targets for 55 yards and a touchdown. Additionally, Samuel worked out of the backfield, rushing four times for 17 yards.
This week the undefeated travel to the Motor City to take on Dan Campbell’s Detroit Lions. While the Lions were formidable last week against the Eagles, they allowed 38 points and 143 Yards After Catch (YAC), with 63 going to A.J. Brown. This plays into Samuel’s skillset as he seemingly led Washington last week with 48 YAC.
If you claimed Samuel off the waiver wire this week, he can safely go right in your starting lineup. He had a sound 87.8 percent route participation and a 26 percent target share in the opener.
Wide Receiver I’d Sit in Week 2:
Robbie Anderson (Carolina): Like his former teammate Samuel, Robbie Anderson also returns to the fantasy fold following a five-reception performance resulting in 102 yards and a trip to paydirt.
What’s important to note is that most of Anderson’s yards came on a 75-yard go route. Also, their Week 2 opponent, the Giants, biggest play allowed in Week 1 against the Titans was 31 yards. And that was in a game with Derrick Henry and big-play rookie Treylon Burks.
I expect big plays to be a bit more limited on Sunday for Baker Mayfield and company. I also don’t see Anderson regularly out-targeting Christian McCaffrey and D.J. Moore. With still so much on the line early in the season, I’m turning to safer options in Week 2.
If you have a feel-good story that you would like to share for an opportunity to be featured in an upcoming edition of “Start, Sit & Seth,” please reach out.
And for more fantasy football and uplifting content, especially start sit advice, you can find me on Twitter @Between_SethFF.