Sunday, September 11, 2011

FSH NOTEBOOK: SUNDAY MORNING GAMETIME

September 11TH, 2011 Sunday

Sunday Morning Gametime


It’s week one of the NFL and plenty to get excited about with some key matchups, many personnel changes and a new season at hand. For fantasy owners there are a lot of questions to pose heading into week one and many answers to be found; is this the year of Stafford, how good is Stafford, what about the Colts’ receivers without Manning, and how much action with Chris Johnson see? These are just a few of many we hope to have answered today.

Watch-list

Today’s fantasy watch-list should also include quarterback Donovan McNabb’s impact in Minnesota, does he have anything left in the tank. There should also be plenty of interest in wide receiver Lee Evan’s arrival in Baltimore; will he be able to stretch the field? Let’s not forget about another subtle change that has fantasy interest, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck in Tennessee; can he bring stability to the position and help revive the Titans offense in a division that now looks up for grabs.

Today’s quick notes:

The Eagles will take their 2011show on the road today visiting the St. Louis Rams and they will have the services of recently acquired wide receiver Steve Smith. It remains to be seen how involved Smith will be coming off of injury, for fantasy owners this is a wait-and-see situation.

The Texans will likely be preparing for a running-back-by-committee game plan as it is being reported that Arian Foster is not expected to play today. With their number one sidelined running backs Derrick Ward and Ben Tate will split carries and the Texans passing game could receive a boost.

The Colts will roll into the 2011 football season with a new field general under center, quarterback Kerry Collins. There’s no question Collins is a capable leader and quarterback, but can he command these troops in Indianapolis to near the same level as Peyton? That’s a tall order for any quarterback and with the change, for fantasy owners you will have to devalue all Colts receiver some until we can see what Collins can bring to the table.


Notable Matchups;

The Rams second year quarterback Sam Bradford is looking to have a very good sophomore season and by all counts he should, but today against the Eagles he will face a stiff test. With the additions of Cullen Jenkins (DL), Nnamdi Asomugha (DB), and Dominique Rogers-Cromartie(DB), this could be one exam he could struggle to find the answers today.

Listening to some of the early reports, it sounds like the Texans will be making plans without running back Arian Foster, but they may not need him. Quarterback Matt Schaub and the Texans will face a depleted Colts offense without Peyton Manning and could be primed to strike; add wide receivers Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter, and tight end Owen Daniels and the prospects look good.

The Chargers will look to start fast in 2011 and will have tight end Antonio Gates on the field today against the Vikings. Gates has been one of the league’s best tight ends and will present a lot of matchup problems for the Vikings; he could have a big game today.

The Giant’s defense is battered leading into week one and will be tested today by Mike Shanahan’s and his Redskins’ running game. Tim Hightower the team’s new starter should see a heavy dose today and could be very effective. Hightower could also make an impact in the short passing game, remember he caught 63 balls back in 2009.

My Picks Today

My “Four Horsemen”

QB-Matt Stafford; I have him in several leagues and believe he will stay upright this season. He starts in Tampa today and with some nice complimentary weapons and “Megatron” on the perimeter, he should kick start things in high fashion today.

RB-LeSean McCoy; One of the league’s top running backs, but receiving very little fanfare in the early part of the season. I like McCoy out of the backfield a lot today against the Rams.

WR-Roddy White; The talk this preseason has been Julio Jones, but you can bet quarterback Matt Ryan remembers his favorite target (White). With Jones receiving a lot of notoriety, White could remind folks why they had not better forget about him; he could be big today against the Bears.

TE-Owen Daniels; there’s little chance that the colts will be able to stop Andre Johnson, but you know they will have to throw a safety over the top and roll coverage his direction; and when they do tight end Owen Daniels will step up. Lets’ not forget just three seasons ago Daniels caught 70 balls for over 800 yards.

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