FSH: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

July 22nd, 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...

WR RONALD CURRY GOES TO THE RAMS
My Fantasy Read: After seven seasons with the Raiders, Curry who had signed this offseason with the Lions was traded to the Rams. Curry was a major disappointment in 2008 finishing with just 19 catches. In back to back seasons from 2006-2007 Curry collected more than 50 balls. Now with the Rams he will be the veteran wideout the team is lacking, but will remain a big question mark for fantasy owners. It would seem Curry has the talent, but after last season does he have the drive?

RB KEVIN JONES COULD RETURN TO ACTION IN 2009
My Fantasy Read: Last year the former Lions running back was signed to give the Bear’s offense added depth in the backfield, but after injuries shortened his 2008 campaign the door was for the rookie Forte. Jones is healthy in 2009 and could see plenty of action, even with Forte designated as the team’s featured runner. Even if Jones plays, he’s likely to not do enough damage to considered fantasy relevant, but might be a smart handcuff for Forte in some deeper leagues.

RB KEVIN FAULK EXPECTED TO PLAY BIG ROLE
My Fantasy Read: The Patriots own Mr. Versatility has really blossomed into quite the productive runner over the past couple of seasons; 109 touches in 2007 and 141 touches in 2008. His six touchdowns a year ago were also a career high. Faulk figures to be heavily involved in the team’s offense, primarily in the short passing game, but it’s not to far-fetched to think he could easily eclipse 150 touches in 2009. Faulk will likely be limited to a RB3 in most fantasy formats, but he’ll have his moments this season that will make him more than relevant

WR MARVIN HARRISON: QUIET ON ALL FRONTS
My Fantasy Read: A recent report from the NFL Network indicated there is very little or no buzz about the former Colts receiver. Harrison was released earlier in the offseason and since has not been heard from. It has literally been quiet on all fronts, no rumors connecting his name with other teams and no comments coming out of his camp suggesting he will play this season. With camps right around the corner, Harrison is an unlikely candidate to start the 2009 season with a new team and therefore has no fantasy value at this time.


Check back for more Football to digest....

FSH: MONDAY MORNING HUDDLE

July 21st, 2009 9:37pm PST

[Tuesday Evening Edition]

Fantasy’s Best Running Back in 2009

Who Stands Head and Shoulders Above the Rest?....
Certainly naming the best pre-draft fantasy running back for 2009 is open to debate, but if you choose to take the safe road, there’s little doubt that the Vikings very own Adrian Peterson makes all the sense in the world.

After a fantastic 2008 campaign (1,700-yards plus and 10 touchdowns), Peterson really stepped into his own and arrived as an elite runner at the highest level. His 20 carries of 20-yards or more were far and away the best in the NFL last season. He also finished 2008 with 363 carries (ranked 2nd) showing his toughness and durability.

Peterson makes a great argument, but while I will not try to sell all of his stock here I am going offer three other candidates to consider and weigh-in with my choice at the end.

Last season saw the emergence of Michael Turner in Atlanta. Turner played several seasons in the shadow of LaDanian Tomlinson down in San Diegeo, but in his first season with the Falcons Turner turned quite a many heads around the league. The back-up runner turned loose scampered his way to nearly 1,700-yards and 17 rushing touchdowns. The Falcons will run the ball in 2009 and even with Jerious Norwood stealing the occasional carry; Turner is likely to reach the 325-plus carry plateau this season and will again see plenty of goal-line trots.

Now a name that is going to be on many folks radars heading into fantasy draft weekend will have to be the Bears own 2nd year running back Matt Forte. What will make Mr. Forte especially appealing in PPR leagues this summer are his 63 receptions a year ago (led all running backs). Forte also managed to find the endzone 12 times (8 rushing, 4 receiving) last season and with some of the changes made this offseason, he could easily become a bigger part of the Bear’s passing game. His 379 total touches last season were among the leaders at his position which should bode very well for fantasy owners this coming season.

There will be a lot of argument for those that have been left out, but one running back that has to be included is the Rams Steven Jackson. Just three seasons ago Jackson posted some ridiculous numbers with over 2,300 total yards, 90 catches, and 16 touchdowns. Jackson has hit a bit of a stumbling block over the past couple of seasons with injuries limiting his action to just 12 games in each of the last two. For the games he did play Jackson has been productive, but if he can stay healthy he has a great chance to be the 2,000-yard man. Last season in 12 games he finished with just over 1,000-yards on the ground and just under 400-yards receiving. Project over 16 games and he’s at 2,000-yards combined.

After a full 2008 season, we have seen what these backs are capable of, and all have proven to be worthy candidates to carry the title. But when you look at this short list, there is only one here that has been special. Even in his shortened season Steven Jackson proved to be a productive fantasy running back.

Health will be his biggest key. If Jackson can manage to play all 16 games, he’s is the Rams offense. Without a real suitable back-up and his great versatility, Jackson is very likely to see over 350 touches this season and could be one of a very few with a legitimate shot at 2,000-yards of offense in 2009.

My pick or prediction, this year’s best fantasy running back will be Steven Jackson.

Just my take.


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

FSH: IDP NOTES

July 21st, 2009 10:30pm 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 just for all of the IDP Nation….

DL JOHN ABRAHAM UNHAPPY, BUT EXPECTS TO SHOW
My Fantasy Read: Recent news suggests that the Falcons perennial pass rusher will be in camp despite the rumblings that he is unhappy with his current deal. Happy or not, if Abraham is in camp this is good news for fantasy owners. As long as he plays, with his 16.5 sacks a season ago, he should be a solid defensive end for any IDP league.

LB KARLOS DANSBY DOESN’T SIGN LONG TERM DEAL
My Fantasy Read: The Cardinals again couldn’t come to terms with Dansby to agree on a long term deal. The linebacker will play his second consecutive season with the franchise tag, but shouldn’t alarm fantasy owners. Last season Dansby did lead the team with 119 tackles, including 95 solo. He also added four sacks and a couple of picks making him a decent mid-level selection.

LB SHAWNE MERRIMAN READY TO RETURN
My Fantasy Read: The Chargers should be very excited about the return of their play-making linebacker who is returning from season ending knee surgery a year ago. There are a lot of questions surrounding Merriman’s return; will he be the same impact player and can he return to his pro-bowl form. Merriman entering only his 5th year already has 39.5 sacks in just 43 games, he could be a risky play, but with potentially a huge upside in IDP leagues.


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

FSH: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

July 20th, 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 DEREK ANDERSON EXPECTED TO BE FINE
My Fantasy Read: It most definitely looks like a true quarterback competition and controversy in Cleveland this summer. Anderson is expected to be fine for training camp and healthy enough to compete with Brady Quinn for the starting gig. Although the team has a lot of cash tied up with Anderson, the younger Quinn might just prove to be the better of the two, but neither have any fantasy appeal at this time.

WR MATT JONES A MAVERICK WITHOUT A HOME
My Fantasy Read: There are rumors circulating mostly out of the Florida area indicating there could some interest in the receiver-project. Matt Jones is a converted quarterback to receiver that never quite blossomed into what the Jaguars hoped, although he did a decent job. There aren’t too many places in need that Jones figures to be the answer, but he could eventually wind up somewhere this summer. Fantasy owners needn’t concern themselves too much here. If Jones is resurrected, at least to start with he’ll likely be nothing more than added depth and have very little fantasy value heading into the 2009 season.

WR BRANDON MARSHALL TO SHOW AT CAMP
My Fantasy Read: The Bronco’s receiver made it a point to say he “would” report to camp, but there is no promise that he will play for Denver. Either way his presence in camp is a good sign this bad-boy is going to be ready for the 2009 season. With the Broncos he’ll be viewed as a top 10 option in fantasy, but his value could take a severe hit if he gets moved, depending on where he goes!

QB BRETT FAVRE THROWING, NO MORE TALK
My Fantasy Read: If it looks like smoke and smells like smoke, then there is a good chance there is a fire. In Minnesota Brett Favre is throwing and it certainly appears he will be playing in 2009. At 40-years of age, it’s a huge gamble to take the aging veteran as anything more than a mid-level QB2, but then this quarterback has never been average. He’ll have talent around him, if he’s got enough left in the tank, Favre could very well be this season’s version of the 2008 Kurt Warner.


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

FSH: SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL NOTES

July 19th, 2009 7:37pm PST

[Monday Edition]

Sunday Night Football Notes

Who is the next Kurt Warner?

Last season a projected back-up leads the way….

If you were slow to follow fantasy last season, maybe you like many others did not realize heading into training camp Kurt Warner was not even the projected starter for Arizona. In 2008, Cardinal’s quarterback Matt Leinart was expected to step forward and be the team’s starter.

Following a strong second-half run in 2007, Kurt Warner had to once again prove himself all over during the team’s training camp and preseason. It all made sense with Leinart being the younger quarterback and heir apparent to being the team’s franchise quarterback. It’s something the team is still waiting for, but in the interim Warner held court, won the job, passed for 4,500-yards, led the Cards to the Super Bowl, and the rest is history.

Looking ahead to the upcoming football season there are a handful of quarterbacks that are going to be overlooked early in fantasy drafts, simply because of what they did or didn’t do in 2008. Players like Marc Bulger, Matt Schaub, and Matt Ryan did not have spectacular seasons a year ago, so heading into the upcoming campaign they could get bypassed and overlooked. Even players like Carson Palmer, Brett Favre, and Matt Hasselbeck whose 2008 season was greatly affected by injury could miss the draft bus in the early rounds.

So, are any of these players worthy of being considered the next Kurt Warner? Well, some certainly seem to have some of the necessary stars aligned for the upcoming campaign. Ryan in Atlanta should make it on a few radars with Roddy White and the arrival of Tony Gonzalez, but only his second year in the league he’ll improve but reaching the elite is probably not on the radar.

In Houston, if Schaub can stay healthy fantasy owners are going to hope he’ll rely heavily on his all-pro wide receiver Andre Johnson. Schaub has also shown ability and has some key weapons, so he’s likely to be one of those hit and miss draft picks. Carson
Palmer and Matt Hasselbeck are likely to fall into this same category coming off injury plagued 2008 seasons. Both have the plenty of talent and some playmakers left to be fantasy relevant, if they can stay healthy.

In St.Louis, the Rams Marc Bulger has certainly regressed over the past couple of seasons. With young receivers abound, a questionable offensive line, and their offense likely to be anchored by the legs of Steven Jackson, Bulger is a long shot to have a bust-out season.

Like some of the aforementioned players, Favre steps into a situation where he’ll be surrounded by playmakers, but at 40-years of age how many actually believe he’s going to step in and be a playmaker for the Vikings. Last season there was clear evidence of this veteran quarterback feeling the weight of a long and distinguished career. Even when the Vikings open camp, it will hardly be a stroll in the park for Brett Favre.

How will Favre fare this season? Is he a lock to start and even if he does how will he do? I can’t imagine that too many are buying heavily into his latest comeback and this could become quite apparent this summer when Favre’s fantasy value is likely see the former Packer slide into a mid-level QB2 selection (much like Warner last season).

Unlike Warner last year, Favre is likely to be handed the reigns to the offense this season, but after his demise down the stretch a year ago there has to be a lot of skepticism about how much he really has left in the tank. Health is likely to be the major concern for the aging vet, but only time will tell.

With players like Peterson, Berrian, and Harvin surrounding the former three-time NFL MVP, the stage is certainly set for a repeat of a Warner-like return to fame. If Favre is indeed healthy and can recapture some of that boyhood imagination and enthusiasm, not only will Viking fans be in for a treat this season, but fantasy owners could be as well.

A lot remains to be seen, but if you believe in good stories and great finishes we could be in for something quite special in 2009. Nonetheless, training camps are set to open in less than a week and its time for another year of fantasy. The other season of miracles!

By David Ortega

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

FSH: SUNDAY NIGHT FANTASY FOOTBALL HEADLINES

July 19th, 2009 9:37pm PST

Sunday Night FF Headlines

Who’s making Fantasy News this Past Week?

Brett Favre’s arm looks fine to Childress:
Well according to Childress Favre’s arm looks fine, but what about the rest of the 40-year old quarterback. The Golden Boy was great at one time, but it’s long odds that he can come back from retirement and do it again. If he’s healthy and survives training camp, he likely be the Vikings starter, but with All-Day in the backfield, expect Favre to serve as a solid QB2 in fantasy this season.

Bucs are expected to be a heavy run-first team in 2009:
Recent reports across the wire would suggest the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be a run-first team in 2009. This should bode well for both Earnest Graham and Derrick Ward, who will most likely see an equal share of work. Unless one of these two comes out of camp well ahead of the other, the ground game of the Bucs will likely be featuring a two-head monster this season.

Vikings expect to get Percy Harvin the ball:
It sounds like part of the Vikings plans on offense this season will be to get the ball in the hands of their playmakers, which would include Percy Harvin. Harvin is an explosive talent that the team is hoping can make an impact, but from the fantasy perspective it’s likely his touches will be limited. At best fantasy owners can hope for a hit and miss option that will on occasion pay huge dividends, but not enough to make Harvin worth any more than a late round addition in drafts.

Marshall planning to attend camp is a good thing:
Recently on the NFL Network, Bronco’s wide receiver stated that he would attend training camp as expected by the team. On the surface this is good news for the organization, but in the entire telecast Marshall sounded very non-committal to the team and organization. Bronco fans and fantasy owners are not out of the woods just yet as there still seems to be a hint of a chance he could be traded.

Derrick Mason retires, so who will Flacco throw to:
With Mason out (if he does retire), who’s left in Baltimore? There has been a little speculation that Mason could be posturing for a long term commitment from the team. If Mason is gone, the Ravens are left with Mark Clayton, Demetrius Williams, and Kelley Washington hardly a who’s who of number one wideouts. If this is what Flacco has to work with in 2009, he’s going to be one of the quarterbacks to avoid in fantasy drafts.

A free Tony Romo now more focused:
In stunning news across the TMZ wire, Tony Romo is a free man following his break-up with famed singer Jessica Simpson. Will Tony now be the player many expected him to be? It’s hard to say, but not because of “no Jessica.” Romo is and should continue to be a low-end QB1 in fantasy. The loss of T.O. hurts, but with Witten and Williams, Romo should still post solid passing numbers in 2009. He could fall some spots, but will be more than a worthy grab as a late round quarterback pick-up.

Matt Cassel signs big deal in Kansas City:
The Chiefs are wagering quite a bit on the arm of Matt Cassel, but it’s not to say fantasy owners should follow suit. Cassel performed very well under a young offensive mind (Josh McDaniels) in New England and in Kansas City he should have the same advantages working with Todd Haley. While that may seem apparent, fantasy owners should not be to hasty to jump on the band-wagon. Last season Cassel was a mid-level QB2 for the Patriots and in KC this season without the comforts of a Tony G. (TE), he’s at best the same again.


By David Ortega

Check back every Sunday for more “Sunday Night FF Headlines!”