FSH: FOOTBALL FRIDAY

February 26th, 2010 11:07pm PST

Football Friday

An Off-Season of Change

Big Moves and Changes Could Highlight off-season

With names like Brandon Marshall (Broncos) and Anquan Boldin (Cardinals) headlining the list of possible players to be traded or on the move, this offseason is gearing up for a lot of possible "big trades" and changes to take place.

While Marshall and Bolding may be headlining the offseason trade rumors there are also several other possible fantasy impact players like Reggie Bush, Willie Parker, Thomas Jones, and Tony Scheffler that could be on their way out and sporting new looks in 2010. We have yet to hear any substantial talk concerning any of these players, but there are a lot of indicators suggesting a new home is likely this coming season.

There's been no heated discussions recently indicating any imminent moves, but with the Combine now underway, we could Boldin and Marshall's name surface in conversation. While these two seem to be the center of such talk, we have yet to hear of any popular destination.

Of course with Marshall's tie to Chicago (quarterback Jay Cutler) that could make sense, but a deal hardly seems likely since the Bears have very little to offer to Denver in return. Boldin has been the subject of trade for the past season and a half, but the asking price could be considerably steep for some of the interested teams. However recent reports indicate that the Cards are listening and it does not sound far-fetched to believe a deal could surface as soon as next week.

With the Combine underway and rumors continuing to surface, it may be just a matter of days before we start a lot of the anticipated off-season manuevering and posturing by those teams looking to make big changes.

Hot names to watch this offseason;

Michael Vick (could be released)

Kyle Orton (restricted free agent)

Brandon Marshall (could be traded)

Anquan Boldin (could be traded)

Derrick Mason (could resign with Ravens)

Terrell Owens (free agent)

Antonio Bryant (won't return to Buccaneers)

Reggie Bush (not likely to return to Saints)

Thomas Jones (expected to be released)

Brian Westbrook (released)

LaDanian Tomlinson (released)

Darren Sproles (expected to be released)

Tony Scheffler (could be traded)

Bo Scaife (restricted free agent)

Owen Daniels (restricted free agent)

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

FSH: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

February 24th, 2010 11:07pm 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 week……

Player Notes From Across My Wire...

Could Moore be less in Carolina

The Panthers could be in dire straits this offseason trying to rectify their dysfunctional quarterback situation. It doesn't sound like the team is ready to hand the keys to the offense over to back-up quarterback Matt Moore, but after a disastrous 2009 campaign it's hard to imagine they would give quarterback Jake Delhomme (18 interceptions in 2009) another crack. Moore led the team to a 4-1 record down the stretch and tossed eight touchdowns in his last four starts. He won't be at the top of any fantasy owner's draft list, but he could be a decent back up option (if he wins the job).

Austin is not going anywhere

I don't care what the headlines are reading or who is saying what, there's no chance of Jerry Jones letting Austin leave town. If Jones can spend all that cabbage on his eighth wonder of the world, he'll pony up the needed bucks to keep his best receiver in Big D. Austin is coming off a huge breakout season in which he topped 1,300 yards receiving and scored 11 touchdowns. He'll be a late number one or early number two fantasy receiver this summer.

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

FSH: FOOTBALL TALK

February 24th, 2010 9:07pm PST

Football Talk

Looking Back: 2009 Sleepers

The Pleasant surprises

When the fantasy football season opened last August, there were several players that finished 2009 that were not very high on most folks radar; in fact a couple weren't even part of the conversation.

Quarterback

When the Titans closed out their 2008 campaign 13-3 it was pretty clear that quarterback Kerry Collins had earned the starting gig, while Vince Young stood on shaky ground. The former Longhorn and first round draft selection had hit a wall in 2008 and regressed in his development, there were many doubters that believed he could return.

When 2009 opened and the Titans struggled losing their first six games, opportunity came knocking. With the call came the return and re-emergence of Young as a playmaker, a team leader, and a winner. Young led the Titans to an 8-2 record in 10 starts passing for nearly 1,900 yards with 10 touchdown passes. Young also added nearly 300 yards on the ground with two more scores. In his return Young showed much more poise and greater promise. With the starting job now his to lose, 2010 could be shaping up to be a big year for the native Texan.

Running Back

For some all they need is opportunity and that is all it took for Fred Jackson to make a statement in 2009. With running back Marshawn Lynch suspended for the first three games in 2009, Jackson took advantage. The Bills running back turned in three solid performances to open the season and earn the starting job. Jackson would finish 2009 having started 11 of the 16 games he played, rushing for over 1,000 yards, and catching 46 passes for another 371 yards. His only knock was his low touchdown total of four, but that could change this coming season if the Bills decide to shake things up in the backfield.

Wide Receiver

With no T.O. and Roy Williams the new number one, when the season opened not many folks had even heard of Miles Austin. It didn't take long for the former Monmouth Hawk to show the NFL world just who he is; 81 receptions, 1,300 yards receiving, and 11 touchdowns should say it all. Austin exploded in week five against the Chiefs with 10 catches and 250 yards receiving and he never looked back from there. With his breakout season in 2009, Austin should be ranked in the early rounds this coming fantasy draft.

Tight end

While my pick here could easily have been Vernon Davis of the Niners for his spectacular season in 2009, he was always a talent that was just waiting to erupt. In Green Bay Jermichael Finley was the real surprise. While his numbers seem somewhat modest (55 receptions, 676 yards receiving, and five touchdowns) he did miss three games to injury. Finley emerged as a strong fantasy option down the stretch and his impressive performance in the post season will likely make him a much targeted fantasy option come draft time.

Noteworthy

Vernon Davis was truly a worthy mention with his big 2009 campaign (78 receptions and 13 touchdowns). Like Davis in San Francisco, the Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles was noteworthy as well. Charles turned in his first 1,000 yard campaign in 2009 with only 10 starts. He finished the season with four straight 100-yard games and scored eight touchdowns (7-rushing, 1-receiving) to lead the Chiefs ground attack. Not to be forgotten is the Vikings wide receiver Sydney Rice who topped 80 catches and 1,300 yards, but fell just short of Austin with eight touchdowns.

A couple of other names worth mentioning because 2010 could be even better would include the following;

Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers (RB)

Cadillac Williams, Buccaneers (RB)

Davone Bess, Dolphins (WR)

Mike Sims-Walker, Jaguars (WR)

Jabar Gaffney, Broncos (WR)

Hakeem Nicks, Giants (WR)

Recapping:

2009 Studs

Drew Brees

Chris Johnson

Andre Johnson

Dallas Clark

2009 Duds

Matt Cassel

Brian Westbrook

Terrell Owens

Jeremy Shockey

By David Ortega

Check back for more notes, thoughts, and “Football Talk.”

FSH: MORE FROM THE HUDDLE

February 23rd, 2010 11:07pm PST

More From the Huddle

Fantasy Radar

Like (Knowshon) Moreno and (LeSean) McCoy, there are several rookies that could make the leap to the forefront of fantasy football in 2010. While Moreno and McCoy are not locks, they have a stronghold to be featured backs this coming season and make a serious impact in fantasy.

Others that may strike some serious interest coming fantasy time should include the Titan's wide receiver Kenny Britt. In his rookie campaign Britt caught 42 passes and showed some bog play potential with four pass plays of 40 yards or more. With an entire offseason to work with quarterback Vince young, Britt figures to improve next season and could be challenge for the number one spot. He'll be a starter and should warrant at least a nice high number three fantasy wide receiver rating.

Taking a deeper look at the receivers, after a nice post season run in Indianapolis rookie Austin Collie looks ready to challenge for a starting role in 2009. Collie led all rookies (tied with Percy Harvin) with 60 receptions this past season and also scored seven times. Playing with Manning under center Collie will be a solid fantasy option and could rank much higher if he wins the starting gig opposite Reggie Wayne.

Much like Collie, the Vikings receiver Percy Harvin made a big impression in 2009. The Vikings rookie caught 60 balls and ranked 3rd among all rookies with 12 pass plays of 20 yards or more this past season. Whether it's Favre returning or Sage Rosenfels under center, Harvin is going to offer great value in fantasy this coming season. He's already proven to be a playmaker and figures to only get better.

There are going to be more 2009 rookies that fantasy owners will need to take a hard look at this summer, as we move past the Combine and closer to the 2010 NFL Draft I will continue to offer my thoughts on many of this season's potential Sophomore Sensations!

By David Ortega

Check for more notes, thoughts, and football banter "From the Huddle"

FSH: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

February 23rd, 2010 11:07pm 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 week……

Player Notes From Across My Wire...

Peppers to hit the market

It didn't take long for someone to show interest in the former Panther Julius Peppers. Word on the street is the Bears will pursue Peppers. The Bears have an aging defense, but if healthy with the addition of Peppers they could be very good. Peppers is coming off a very good 2009 season and should still have plenty left to be an IDP difference maker in Chicago.

Westbrook to lose his wings

Although it has not been made official, it has been reported that Westbrook will be released by the Eagles. The former Eagle is a similar prototype to the recently released Tomlinson and will likely seek a similar situation; a back-role on a contender. It's already being reported Minnesota could be a possible destination. Other places that could salvage some fantasy value for the 30 year old running back could include; (just speculating) Pittsburgh, Green Bay, Houston, New England, Cincinnati, Chicago, and even Denver.

Folk signs with the Jets

Talking about kickers is never a favorite subject, but since this is news my only comment; if Folk struggled to hold a job kicking indoors at Dallas this marriage in the windy outdoors of New York could be short-lived. Folk won't be rated very well come fantasy draft time.

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

FSH: MONDAY MORNING HUDDLE

February 22nd, 2010 9:37pm PST

[The Late Edition]

Monday Morning Huddle

NFL Free Agency: Where will they Land?

The NFL offseason is in full swing and it's time to start looking at where some of this year's biggest names may land. With some big names available it will be interesting to see where some will end up and just what kind of impact they will have in fantasy this coming season.

Heading the list of this off-season’s free agents is wide receiver Terrell Owens. After one season in Buffalo it appears the outspoken receiver will not be returning to the frigid Northeast. Owens turned in one of his poorest seasons as a pro since his rookie days, but despite the drop off in production in the right place he can still be a factor.

Owens recorded five pass plays of 40 yards or more in 2009 ranking in the top 10. A home like Chicago, Cincinnati, Baltimore, or possibly even a return to San Francisco could be a good fit for a comeback season if you are T.O. The Ravens and Niners offer the most stable situations which run the less risk of T.O. dividing the locker room, while Chicago and Cincinnati may be high risks.

A recent report on Yahoo indicated Cincinnati is unlikely, but you never know about the others. If T.O. can find the right marriage for 2010, he could still be a productive low number two or high number three fantasy receiver.

Another big name that has recently entered the free agency market includes long time San Diego Charger LaDanian Tomlinson (released). Now that one of the league’s most dynamic scorers has found his way to the free market, where does he end up?

L.T departs San Diego after playing nine seasons for the franchise. With 138 career rushing touchdowns, over 12,000 yards rushing and at 30 years of age there may not be too many destinations rushing his front door, but it's hard to imagine Tomlinson not back on the field in 2010.

A couple of places that (pure speculation) could come calling for the right dollars and situation include; Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, or even New England. Albeit all three places would be looking for a role player (pass receiver out of the backfield) and not offering a huge contract, but all three are expected to contend for a Super Bowl in 2010. Most likely at the top of L.T.'s list these days is that missing ring.

Tomlinson is not likely to find a home as a featured rushing back, but his 530 career receptions make very versatile and suitable for many different systems in the league. In the right system (like New England) he could still possibly be a worthy low number three running back (especially in PPR leagues).

Here are some of the big names available this offseason (with my spin on where they could land);

Chad Pennington, Dolphins (back-up somewhere)

Kyle Orton, Broncos (likely retained by Denver)

Leon Washington, Jets (likely to stay in New York)

Willie Parker, Steelers (won't start in Pittsburgh, could move on)

Pierre Thomas, Saints (expected to stay in New Orleans)

Derrick Mason, Ravens (should return to Baltimore if he doesn't retire)

Miles Austin, Cowboys (will stay right where he is)

Brandon Marshall, Broncos (likely to be anywhere, but Denver)

Vincent Jackson, Chargers (will more than likely stay in San Diego)

Tony Scheffler, Broncos (Kansas City needs a tight end)

For a complete list of potential free agents (provided by the Associate Press)

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d81561ba1&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

Check back with "Your Fantasy Sports Home" for more fantasy talk everyday.....