FSH: FRIDAY FOOTBALL DIARY

October 16th, 2009 11:07pm PST

Friday Football Diary

Dear Diary

Better late than Never…
With the 2009 fantasy football season moving right along, it certainly becomes a concern for owners when some of their studs decide to take an early siesta. Such has been the case for players like Eddie Royal, Chris Henry, and Dwayne Bowe, but recent history has shown that patience can and will pay dividends.

Last week all three receivers turned in very respectable outings to lead the turnaround surge. Royal’s 10 catch day was a great sign for fantasy owners that his sophomore jinx could be ending soon and Bowe’s five catches with his third touchdown of the season could be just the beginning of the end of his growing pains (new QB and new offense) in KC. Henry is quietly seeing his targets increase and last week it paid some dividends with 92 yards receiving.

While these three fantasy receivers enjoy what could be seen as a brighter outlook, there are still those stuck in cement;

Still late…

• The Titan’s receiver Justin Gage has seen 37 passes in his direction, yet he’s only averaging about three catches per game and 33 yards receiving…..
• The Raven’s 5th year receiver Mark Clayton has also seen 37 balls thrown his way, but his 17 receptions for 213 yards is very pedestrian…..
• The Bronco’s talented pass receiving tight end Tony Scheffler has been relatively quiet this season with just 10 catches, but it’s his 13 targets that is more concerning…..
• The Bill’s wide receiver Terrell Owens continues to struggle in the offense with just 12 receptions this season, but he has had 27 targets this season…..
• Injuries have played some part in his slow beginnings this season, but the Buccaneer’s receiver Antonio Bryant is still stuck in the mud with only 12 catches this season…..

Ready to Breakout

While some owners will tough it out and wait on those that continue to struggle to get out of first gear this season, here are a few names that appear to be on the cusp of a breakout performance.

Slowly but surely the Bronco’s big-time playmaking receiver Brandon Marshall has been coming on. He has scored in each of his three games and turned in his best performance of the season last week. With the Denver offense starting to show real signs of clicking, Marshall’s day could be coming soon!

The Rams running back Steven Jackson, despite being stuck on a bad team and poor offense he’s been mister steady. In his first five games Jackson has totaled 543 yards from scrimmage, but has yet to score. With a poor Jaguar’s defense next on the slate, could this week be his coming out party?

The Dolphin’s discovered last Monday night along with a national audience that not only are they a pretty good team, but it appears they have a pretty good young quarterback. What they also discovered, with this young quarterback’s big arm, they have a pretty good playmaking receiver in Ted Ginn Jr. Against the Jets, Ginn Jr. was able to get behind the defense for a spectacular 53 yard touchdown stike; perhaps a preview of more to come.

We have already seen the flashes and the catches, now that wide receiver Braylon Edwards is playing somewhere he is happy, owners can expect to see greater things. It’s just a matter of time.

10 Things to Watch for in Week 6

As I always do, I will be watching the games this Sunday and taking notes as I watch for some of the key matchups. Always a great attraction is a clash of unbeatens (Giants-Saints), some heated divisional rivalries (Cardinals-Seahawks, Broncos-Chargers), and a game of the week (Ravens-Vikings). With so much to cover, what will I really be watching;

1. Against one of the leagues stingiest run defenses, can Favre and the Vikings pass their way past Ray Lewis and the Ravens?
2. Will the Ram’s running back Steven Jackson finally blow up this season facing the Jaguar’s 18th ranked run defense.
3. Can quarterback Drew Brees and the Saints find success in the air against the Giants number one ranked pass defense.
4. Can the old man Kurt Warner continue to defy father time with another big Sunday against the Seahawks.
5. After his successful return last week with four touchdowns, can Matt Hasselbeck follow it up with an encore performance.
6. Last week Cedric Benson was the first running back in 40 games to rush for more than 100 yards against the Ravens, can Adrian Peterson be the second?
7. With the Texan’s 26th ranked run defense up next, can Cedric Benson turn in another stud-like performance?
8. The Titan’s secondary is decimated with injury, is this the week that Patriot’s quarterback Tom Brady finally breaks out?
9. Who will run for more yards against the Brown’s 32nd ranked run defense, Willie Parker or Rashard Mendenhall?1
10. The Bronco’s offense has been steady at home the last two weeks, can Marshall and company take their show on the road Monday night?

Check back every week for more “Friday Football Diary”