FSH: TUESDAY (FOOTBALL) TALK

July 14th, 2009 9:37pm PST

TUESDAY (FOOTBALL) TALK

Fantasy Football’s Best Kept Secret!

Carolina Panthers: WR-Steve Smith….
The next time you sit down with your chronies to talk some football and the discussion comes up, who is the best receiver in the NFL, listen carefully. You are sure to hear the names, Larry Fitzgerald, Randy Moss, and Andre Johnson, but see if anyone remembers to mention the Panther’s very own Steve Smith?

Sure those others are pretty good, actually very good, but even at 5’9” and a world of athletic talent the speedy Smith more than holds his own compared to his behemoth counterparts who average over six foot, three inches. Over his last three seasons Smith has been among the best performing wideouts in the game averaging over 80 catches and nearly 1,200-yards receiving along with 21 touchdowns. This followed the 2005 season, his best as a pro when the Carolina Panther caught 103 passes for over 1550-yards with 12 touchdowns.

Little can argue his talent, but when you look back at Smith’s 2008 campaign the real amazing feat of his 78 receptions, 1,421-yards (ranked 3rd), and six touchdowns were all completed in just 14 games. Smith finished last season with 18.2-yards per catch (ranked 2nd among receivers with at least 50 catches) and his 101-yards per game was best of anyone in the league. Projected over a full 16 game schedule and Smith is posting some strong numbers (90 catches/1600-yards) to be considered among the three aforementioned.

Since the 2005 season Smith has totaled 0ver 350 catches for well over 5,100-yards with 33 touchdowns. With a full 16 game schedule expected this season barring any suspensions, Steve Smith could very easily and very quietly be one of this season’s biggest secrets. With flashy names like Fitzgerald, Moss, Wayne, Marshall, and even Owens likely to be taken ahead in some fantasy leagues, the smart owners that are patient could easily find this season’s biggest steal fall into their lap as a middle early round receiver.

What will make Smith a great pick for fantasy in 2009, not just what he does, but how he does it. The Panther’s number one target is the epitome of consistency. Last year Smith had only two games with fewer than four catches and in his 14 starts he eclipsed 100-yards eight times, missing two other occasions by just four yards. He also only had two games last season when he finished with less than 70-yards receiving.

I’m sure many of those that stay close to the game of fantasy know Steve Smith is a great talent, but it’s not likely many would argue this fistful of dynamite is better than Larry or Randy. I might not be so bold either, but I dare anyone to argue that he’s not every bit as good, especially in fantasy!


By David Ortega


Check back every Tuesday for more “Tuesday (Football) Talk”

FSH: IDP NOTES

July 14th, 2009 11:30pm PST

IDP Notes:

The strong never sleep, so for those that can keep up with the “what is happening” around the league, here’s more football for all of the IDP Nation….

DL TERRELL SUGGS SIGNs LONG TERM DEAL
My Fantasy Read: The Raven’s locked up one of the leagues best defensive playmakers on Wednesday when they signed Terrell Suggs to a long-term (six-year) deal. Suggs was solid in 2008 with more than 50 solo tackles and eight sacks, to go with two interceptions. His nine passes-defensed also showed his versatility as a three down defensive player. As long as he is a Raven he’ll remain a fantasy favorite and 2009 should be another solid season for IDP owners.

CB DARIUS BUTLER SIGNS WITH PATRIOTS
My Fantasy Read: The 2nd round rookie signed a four-year deal with the team and will join a busy secondary with the likes of Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden. Butler has been impressive throughout the mini-camps, but will need to make noise this summer to be a factor on the field and in fantasy this season. He might need a little seasoning for most IDP leagues.

DL KEVIN WILLIAMS FATE STILL IN LIMBO
My Fantasy Read: The Vikings immovable mountain in the middle is still awaiting a conclusion to his four-game suspension case. Currently his hearing has been delayed until July 22nd. He along with teammate Pat Williams will have to wait until then to learn their fate, if a decision is reached. A big turning point to this whole situation could be the involvement of other major sports weighing in on the behalf of the NFL. Right now it’s not looking too good for the William’s boys to avoid the four game penalty, something fantasy owners will have to consider in the many upcoming fantasy drafts.

Check back with "Your Fantasy Sports Home" for more Football 411……

FSH: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

July 13th, 2009 10:30pm PST


David's Daily Digest
[My Take]

More football news and happenings from around the league; here’s the latest I am hearing, reading, and following with my take on things and how they will impact the coming fantasy season……

My Take...

QB ALEX SMITH STILL IN THE MIX IN FRISCO
My Fantasy Read: The Niners head coach is putting a large vote of confidence in his 5th year quarterback, but it still remains to be seen if Alex Smith has enough to overtake Shaun Hill this summer. Smith played well during the OTAs, but he’ll have to show a lot more in training camp. He’s a long shot to win the job and won’t hold much fantasy value otherwise.

RB LEON WASHINGTON A POSSIBLE NO-SHOW?
My Fantasy Read: It’s sounding more and more like Washington could hold out this summer. With entire Jets backfield unhappy rookie running back Shonn Greene could slide to the forefront this summer. That could be a bit of a stretch but something worth watching, as the Jets will no doubt be a run first team this season with first year head coach Rex Ryan and a rookie quarterback.

WR DERRICK MASON RETIRES AFTER 12 SEASONS
My Fantasy Read: The Raven’s leading receiver the last two seasons announced his intent to retire this offseason and while nothing has been made official the imminent loss of Mason could be huge for the Ravens offense. Last season Mason proved to be rookie quarterback Joe Flacco’s security blanket, but with a lot of inexperience at the position his absence this season will be sorely and noticeably missed by fantasy owners.

RB FRED TAYLOR EXPECT TO START FOR PATRIOTS
My Fantasy Read: The Patriots appear to have a full house in there backfield and on paper it would seem to be a crap shoot to figure out exactly who will be relevant and who won’t. Early indications are Laurence Maroney could be odd man out, with Fred Taylor tabbed as the team’s starter. Even if Taylor starts, he’s likely to lose a lot of work to the team perennial versatile scat-back Kevin Faulk and significant fantasy value along the way.


Check back with "Your Fantasy Sports Home" for more Football to digest....

FSH: ON THE COVER

July 13th, 2009 11:00pm PST


This Week on the Cover….

Long Live the RBBC!!

The Dreaded Running-Back-By-Committee…
Definitely not a fan favorite of fantasy football, considering there are only a few places where there seems to be enough to go around. In Carolina and Tennessee last season, there seemed to be enough balls shared to benefit from drafting either of the teams number one or two running backs, but that is not likely to be true in too many other places especially in 2009.

With the RBBC becoming ever so popular to help preserve the health of the teams featured backs, a few places where this approach is likely to destroy fantasy teams and should be avoided include; New England, Arizona, New York (Jets), Baltimore, and Denver. In all these cities, there is every indication that these teams will employ the services of a rotating backfield making it very difficult for fantasy owners to gauge which play will serve them best from week-to-week.

While this philosophy will not be followed to the same extent in every city, a couple of places where this fantasy killer could show its’ ugly mug might include cities like; Dallas, Kansas City, Tampa Bay, Oakland, and Washington.

The Cowboys are loaded with talent (Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and Tasard Choice) and it just may be that difficult for Jason Garrett to keep some of it on his bench. The Redskins have seen Clinton Portis breakdown once too often, running back Ladell Betts could see a significant increase of touches in 2009. The Bucs, like the Cowboys are filled with talent (Earnest Graham, Derrick Ward, and Carnell Williams) and might struggle to keep all three horses fed. The Raiders are still another team that can boast loads of talent (Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden, and Michael Bush), but the inability to commit to any one back.

No matter how you slice it, the RBBC is not good for fantasy, but could be the wave of the future of the NFL with injuries playing such a big part. The big key for fantasy owners is to understand the style of offense where this philosophy thrives and where it may also rear its ugly head out of necessity.

If you play fantasy football beware the RBBC, but also do your homework!


Check back everyday for more football!

FSH: MONDAY MORNING HUDDLE

July 13th, 2009 9:37pm PST

Ground Game Alive Up North

The NFC North Bodes Well in 2009....
It really could be too early to many any assertions as to which division bodes the best backfields in the game today, but what the NFC North may lack in flash, it makes up with talent.

In the Windy City the Bears may just have one of the leagues most versatile backs in 2nd year running back Matt Forte. Last season as a rookie, Forte led all running backs with 63 receptions and finished with over 1,200-yards on the ground. He will be one of this season’s top running backs selected in fantasy drafts and will have even more value in PPR leagues.

The Packers have a very gifted runner in Ryan Grant who despite being slowed a bit last season with injury finished the year with over 1,200-yards. In his last 26 games played, Grant has rushed for 2,132-yards and scored 13 total touchdowns, including nine games with over 100-yards rushing.

The Lions most likely will be bringing up the rear of this division, but could very well be carrying some highly underrated talent. Running back Kevin Smith is not going to set any NFL records in 2009, but last season as a rookie Smith started the teams final eight games and rushed for 671-yards, while scoring four touchdowns. He also added 39 receptions in his rookie season. Not content with the rookie’s performance the team added running back Maurice Morris to add some competition in the back field.

While both Chicago and Green Bay can boast some serious talent in the backfield, the class of this division is undoubtedly the Viking’s own Adrian Peterson. In his first two seasons “All-Day” has rushed for over 3,000-yards, scored 22 rushing touchdowns, and averaged more than 5-yards a tote. Probably the more impressive statistic is only 24 games started, but hardly a concern for fantasy owners. Last season the Viking’s starter played in all 16 games and started 15.

Once again, many may argue this is not the best the leaugue has to offer, but what it lacks in showmanship it has in more than enough in “gets the job down.”

Remember to check back for more "Monday Morning Huddle!"

FSH: SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL NOTES

July 12th, 2009 7:37pm PST

Sunday Night Football Notes

Here Comes Fantasy 2009

Six Months in the Making….
For some of us, it’s never too soon, but finally nearly six months in the making and it’s that time again. Fantasy Football 2009 is here and with many leagues drafts set to commence as early as over the next couple weeks, fantasy magazines are hitting the stands. Don’t forget to pick your copy up!

It didn’t take long for the diehard fan to trudge his way through the NFL offseason, with Free-agency, the NFL Draft, mini-camps, and plenty of player-signings. The past several months of the offseason seem like a blur, but if you have been following the happenings week-to-week, you have not lost site of what is important; Fantasy Football.

Now that the countdown has begun and we are only about two weeks away from training camps opening across the league, maybe it would be a good idea to do a quick review of what we know, what we should watch for, and what to avoid.

What We Know:
With training camps right upon the fantasy football legion, we know who are number ones will be heading into camp this season. Under center, following his blistering 5,000-yard passing escapade, the Saints quarterback Drew Brees will ring in as this season number one fantasy quarterback. Following his first NFL rushing title season, the Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is likely to top all boards as the number one running back taken in fantasy. In the desert following his awesome display throughout the playoffs, very few will even try to argue that the Cardinal’s wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is not number one. With no T.O. to get in the way, the Cowboy’s tight end Jason Witten should elevate this game in 2009 to hold up the preseason hype of being the best at his position.

What to Watch:
In Denver, if the Bronco’s can manage to hang onto their top receiver quarterback Kyle Orton could benefit greatly as a mid-level pick with tremendous upside. Despite all the loud talking, one receiver that should be paid attention to this preseason will be the Bengal’s own Chad OchoCinco. With Palmer healthy, Chad is a Pro-Bowler with plenty of upside, if he can keep it straight this season. Last postseason may have just been a small preview of his potential, but the Eagle’s tight end Brent Celek is going to be one worth watching.

What to Avoid:
This season there is going to be some tricky situations developing around the NFL that could raise some difficult choices for fantasy owners. The dreaded RBBC is back and in New England this could prove to be the death of a salesman or fantasy owner; too many backs to consider, none offering enough upside to invest. Cleveland, Detroit, Arizona and New York (Jets) could also be tricky places to find any consistency with one back. Another situation to avoid, stay away from the Dolphins, Buccaneers, Titans, Ravens, and Raiders receivers, mediocrity and inconsistency could plague the passing games here.

While these are only my musings and thoughts on the matter to date, fantasy football is finally here, so we’ll have plenty to discuss in the coming days and weeks!

By David Ortega

Check out more “Sunday Night Football Notes” every week!