Wednesday, February 23, 2011

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

February 23rd, 2011 Wednesday
David’s Daily Digest


It May Not Be Miller Time, but It’s IDP Time

After spending a little time looking back at the skill players of 2010 who get most of the attention from the fantasy world, I thought it was time to pay some props to the bad boys of the gridiron. Last season saw no shortage of the fantasy worthy individual defensive players and here are the linebackers that made their bones crushing quarterbacks….

The Pass-rushing Linebackers…..

LB-DeMarcus Ware
The Cowboys pass rushing linebacker DeMarcus Ware turned in another solid campaign last season registering 15.5 sacks and 66 total tackles. Ware has been a solid IDP’er throughout his career having not missed a single game in his six seasons at the pro level. His 15-plus sacks last season was the fifth straight time he has reached double figures in that category. He’ll be a top IDP fantasy draft pick in 2011.

LB-James Harrison
The 2008 defensive player of year had a very good year in Pittsburgh last season. James Harrison, noted quarterback hunter turned in another solid season in 2010 churning out 100 total tackles and recording 10 and a half sacks. Harrison also added six forced fumbles and two interceptions to help led one of the league’s most fierce defenses to the Super Bowl. As long as his wallet is fat it’s not likely the fines he keeps collecting will slow him down, he’s a top IDP pick in 2011.

LB-Clay Matthews Jr.
Man or beast, it doesn’t matter because either way Clay Matthews Jr is just that good. A runner up in the race for defensive player of the year, Matthews is coming off a fine 2010 campaign that saw him sack the quarterback 13-plus times and total 60 tackles. Matthews also chipped in a pair of forced fumbles with a pick to lead an upstart Packer’s defense to another NFL championship. Clay Jr was a force for the Packers defense in 2010 and should be once again in 2011; he’s unquestionably a top tier linebacker choice in fantasy.

LB-LaMarr Woodley
While Harrison gets all the notoriety for the vicious hits, his counterpart and teammate LaMarr Woodlyey quietly goes about his job racking up nice numbers for himself. In 2010 Woodley registered 10 sacks, 50 total tackles, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. He’ll never have the reputation of a Harrison, but Woodley is very good and should be a high second tier fantasy pick in 2011.

LB-Tamba Hali
The Chiefs found a rising star in linebacker Tamba Hali. In 2010 he led his team with 14 and a half sacks while forcing four fumbles; he also contributed 52 total tackles last season. Hali is coming off his best season and with a young up and coming defense he figures to only get better. Last year was the first time in his five seasons that Hali had double digit sacks; he has the look of a second tier IDP linebacker in 2011.

LB-Cameron Wake
The Dolphins Cameron Wake came from literally nowhere in 2010. His 2009 rookie was hardly worth a mention, but after starting all 16 games in 2010 he put together a very nice sophomore season; 14 sacks, 57 total tackles, and three forced fumbles. Cameron looked very talented on the edge a year ago and hardly has the appearance of a one year wonder; keep him in your sites as a late top tier or early second tier linebacker in fantasy

Others worthy of mention…

These are just a few names that should not be overlooked early on in fantasy IDP drafts, when looking for a good linebacker; the Chargers Shaun Phillips was solid with 11 sacks and 55 total tackles in 2011. Over in Baltimore the Ravens have a gem of a pass rushed in Terrell Suggs; 11 sacks and 68 total tackles a year ago. The Raiders Kamerion Wimbley also deserves some notoriety for his nine sacks and 58 total tackles last season.

This was just a glimpse at the IDP package for 2011, I will be following up with the other positions over the next couple of weeks as well as developing my early rankings for the 2011 season, so keep checking back.

By David Ortega

Sunday, February 20, 2011

FSH NOTEBOOK: SUNDAY NIGHT GAME NOTES

February 20th, 2011, Sunday
Sunday Night Game Notes


Scouting the Combine


The annual football combine is less than a week away and the importance of the annual event for fantasy owners is getting to know their rookie class. With more than 300 participants expected to part take in the five day event, it’s going to be tough to sort through the 2010 class, but here are some of the notable collegiate arms that will be at the Combine and their numbers from 2010;

Passing yards

Ryan Mallet-Arkansas, 3,869 yards passing, 32 touchdowns (ranked 5th)
Taylor Yates-North Carolina, 3,418 yards passing, 19 touchdowns (ranked 14th)
Blaine Gabbert-Missouri, 3,186 yards passing, 16 touchdowns (ranked 21st)
Colin Kaepernick-Nevada, 3,022 yards passing, 21 touchdowns (ranked 27th)
Greg McElroy-Alabama, 2,987 yards passing, 20 touchdowns (ranked 29th)
Andrew Dalton-TCU, 2,857 yards passing, 27 touchdowns (ranked 35th)
Cameron Newton-Auburn, 2,854 yards passing, 30 touchdowns (ranked 36th)
Ryan Colburn-Fresno St, 2,817 yards passing, 23 touchdowns (ranked 38th)
Tyrod Taylor-Virginia Tech, 2,743 yards passing, 24 touchdowns (ranked 46th)
Jake Locker-Washington, 2,265 yards passing, 17 touchdowns (ranked 67th)

“Sunday’s Heroes”


2010 Fantasy Heroes

NFL Leading Passers (touchdowns)
Tom Brady (Patriots), 36 touchdowns
Drew Brees (Saints), 33 touchdowns
Peyton Manning (Colts), 33 touchdowns
Eli Manning (Giants), 31 touchdowns
Philip Rivers (Chargers), 30 touchdowns
Aaron Rodgers (Packers), 28 touchdowns
Matt Ryan (Falcons), 28 touchdowns
Matt Cassel (Chiefs), 27 touchdowns
Carson Palmer (Benglas), 26 touchdowns
Joe Flacco (Ravens), 25 touchdowns
Josh Freeman (Buccaneers), 25 touchdowns

NFL Leading Rushers (touchdowns)
Arian Foster (Texans), 16 touchdowns
BenJarvus Green-Ellis (Patriots), 13 touchdowns
Rashard Mendenhall (Steelers), 13 touchdowns
Adrian Peterson (Vikings), 12 touchdowns
Michael Turner (Falcons), 12 touchdowns
Peyton Hillis (Browns), 11 touchdowns
Chris Johnson (Titans), 11 touchdowns
Mike Tolbert (Chargers), 11 touchdowns
Brandon Jacobs (Giants), 9 touchdowns
Michael Vick (Eagles), 9 touchdowns

NFL Leading Receivers (touchdowns)
Dwayne Bowe (Chiefs), 15 touchdowns
Greg Jennings (Packers), 12 touchdowns
Calvin Johnson (Lions), 12 touchdowns
Brandon Lloyd (Broncos), 11 touchdowns
Hakeem Nicks (Giants), 11 touchdowns
Mike Williams (Buccaneers), 11 touchdowns
Antonio Gates (Chargers) 10 touchdowns
Rob Gronkowski (Patriots), 10 touchdowns
Stevie Johnson (Bills), 10 touchdowns
Marcedes Lewis (Jaguars), 10 touchdowns
Jeremy Maclin (Eagles), 10 touchdowns
Mike Wallace (Steelers), 10 touchdowns
Roddy White (Falcons), 10 touchdowns

NFL Leading Receivers (Receptions)
Roddy White (Falcons), 115 receptions
Reggie Wayne (Colts), 111 receptions
Jason Witten (Cowboys), 94 receptions
Santana Moss (Redskins), 93 receptions
Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals) 90 receptions
Andre Johnson (Texans), 86 receptions
Brandon Marshall (Dolphins) 86 receptions
Wes Welker (Patriots), 86 receptions
Danny Amendola (Rams), 85 receptions
Marques Colston (Saints), 84 receptions

By David Ortega