Shiancoe On The Rise?

Fantasy football mavens are always on the look-out for the next big thing. And one player who’s beginning to get some attention? Vikings TE Visanthe Shiancoe.

An alleged fantasy football expert named Brendan Roberts claims to have “stars in his eyes” for Shiancoe. He asserts that the reason Shiancoe isn’t already a big-time tight end is that he was behind Jeremy Shockey on the Giants. He also raves about Visanthe’s physical tools – his good hands and skills in the red zone. And finally, he reasons that Visanthe must be good or else the Vikings would never have given him a five-year, $18.5 million contract. Cause as we know, the Vikings never waste big money on mediocre talent.

I have to say, I like Mr. Roberts’s enthusiasm. It’s refreshing. And I too want to see Visanthe Shiancoe become the next Jermaine Wiggins (as Roberts says he can be). Unfortunately, I remember what happened to Wiggins last year in Brad Childress’s kick-ass offense. Cris Angel himself could not have performed a more stunning disappearing act.

Of course, it’s always possible that Childress has revamped his offense to now include the occasional throw to the tight-end. So maybe Visanthe will end up getting his 40+ catches as Mr. Roberts says he can. At any rate, a lot of people will be picking Visanthe up in fantasy drafts, figuring he’s worth the risk. Like Chester Taylor last year, he’s a career back-up coming to the Vikings with a chance to start. Plus he’s got a cool name. Why the hell not?