FSH: FOOTBALL FRIDAY

February 12th, 2010 11:07pm PST

Football Friday

Dear Diary

Without question 2009 was the year of the long ball with 12 quarterbacks throwing no fewer than 26 touchdowns. Names like Manning, Schaub, Brees, and Favre head the list of today's NFL gunslingers.

And while many fans were being entertained with the big pass plays, players like Chris Johnson and Steven Jackson were churning out the yards on the ground. At 31, Jets running back Thomas Jones showed little slow down with another solid campaign that included 14 rushing touchdowns.

In 14 games this past season, the Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker had a memorable year catching 123 passes, while the Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson gave fans a lot to cheer about with so many big plays in 2009; Jackson had 10 plays of over 40 yards.

Looking back on 2009 there were quite a few performers that stood out from the rest. Here are my picks for the Studs in 2009.

Fantasy Stars: Looking Back at 2009...

2009 Fantasy Studs

(Quarterback)

Drew Brees (Saints) turned in another big season passing for over 4,000 yards for the fourth straight season. The Saints passer would finish the 2009 campaign with 4,388 yards passing and he would also completed 70 percent of his throws. Brees led the league for the second straight season with 34 touchdown passes.

(Running back)

Chris Johnson was by far the most dominant running back in 2009 turning in a breakout sophomore season with 2,006 yards and 14 touchdowns. Johnson was solid in his rookie season, but the versatile back exploded this past season. Johnson became just the sixth player in NFL history to rush for more than 2,000 yards and added 50 receptions and another 500 yards receiving. His 2,509 total yards also set a record for most yards from scrimmage in a season.

(Wide Receiver)

There were a few notable receivers that had a big year in 2009, but none more than the Texans Andre Johnson. The fantasy beast had another 1,500 yards receiving to go along with nine touchdown reception. Johnson also caught 101 passes in 2009; it was the third time in his career with over 100 receptions in a season.

(Tight End)

The Colts did not lack any firepower in the passing game this past season. One of their best weapons was tight end Dallas Clark. The sure handed receiver had his best season in his career with career highs in receptions (100) and yards (1,106). Clark also posted 10 touchdown receptions.

Noteworthy

Brett Favre not only turned in a notable season for any young gun under center, but at age 40 he defied father-time with 4,202 yards passing and 28 touchdowns to lead the Vikings to the NFC Championship.

Running back Ray Rice proved that he can be a versatile featured back in the Raven's offense. Rice rushed for over 1,300 yards, caught 78 passes, and scored eight touchdowns to lead the Ravens.

The Bronco's wide receiver Brandon Marshall showed star power again in 2009 with over 100 receptions and 10 touchdowns catches to lead Denver.

The Niner's passing offense showed more than a pulse in 2009 with the re-emergence of tight end Vernon Davis as a viable receiving threat. Davis turned in career highs with 78 catches, 965 yards receiving, and a league high 13 touchdowns.

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

FSH: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

February 10th, 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...

Stallworth to become a Lion?...

Earlier reports from Wednesday indicated that former Brown's receiver Donte Stallworth was to work out for the Lions. There was no confirmation from either the team or Stallworth's agent. The Lions are in need at the wide receiver spot, but with Stallworth coming back from a one year hiatus he's a long shot to be the answer.

Fantasy Notes

Addai rebounds in the Big Dance....

Slowed by injuries the Colt's running back Joseph Addai did not have the type of season of a number one running back (altough he did score 13 touchdowns). Addai's durability came under heavy scrutiny this past season, but a resurgence in the postseason may have to an end to that skepticism. After a strong effort in the AFC title game Addai rushed for 77 yards (5.9 yard/carry) and caught seven passes for 58 yards on the big stage. A statement game for fantasy owners to consider for what's to come in the future, perhaps.

Jackson faces an uphill climb in 2010....

After logging 324 carries in 2009 fantasy owners will have to take a hard look at Rams running back Steven Jackson being a true number one fantasy back in 2010. The Rams power back is stuck in the middle of full rebuilding mode in St.Louis and with suspect quarterback play to go with a questionable line, it's going to be tough to duplicate his 2009 season. At 26 Jackson has already logged over 1,500 career carries and it doesn't look like the Rams offense will make great strides in 2010.

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

FSH: MORE FROM THE HUDDLE

February 10th, 2010 9:07pm PST

More From the Huddle

My Take on the Big Dance

Just like one of the 150 million plus viewers from this past Sunday's Super Bowl I was fully entertained with a great matchup between a pair of golden arms and two highly talented teams. There's no question I like many felt the experienced team would come out on top, but my heart was completely in favor of a Disney ending.

Let's take nothing away from either side, both teams did a great job to get where they were and deservingly so. When the Saints and Colts were the two last left standing at 13-0, it was already written this would be a great matchup of two very good teams.

Drew Brees and company did little to disappoint navigating their way through the NFC playoffs, averaging 38 points per game. The Colts and Peyton Manning were much of the same on the other side outscoring their opponents 50-20 during their AFC post season run.

The big dance was billed to be a big shootout and while it lacked a little explosion, it did not disappoint. Throughout the game, both teams were able to flex their offensive muscles; Saints scored 31 points, Colts totaled over 400 yards of offense.

Both Brees and Manning sliced and diced the opposition with precision passing. Manning completed 68 percent of his passes with 31 completions total, while Brees was even better completing 82 percent of his throws with 32 completions. This was a game that was more evenly matched that what some might have thought, it would be a game so closely fought that it would come down to who would blink first and make the first mistake.

Unfortunately for Manning, late in the fourth quarter it was he who blinked and made the seeming fatal throw that did the Colts in. In a game that was supposed to be all about the offense, it was the Saints defense that stepped up and made the big play to decide this one. The deciding play just showed that the Saints have a complete team, high powered offense and a ball-hawking defense.

After watching Sunday's climatic conclusion, the first thoughts that came to mind, we could very easily see both of these two teams return again in 2011. The Saints have a nucleus that is loaded with talent (can't see the owner letting this team come apart). After watching Brees do what he has done the last couple of seasons 2011 looks very realistic for a return visit by the Saints.

The Colts have Peyton Manning, and despite his flub in the Super Bowl he is unquestionably the biggest reason they even made it to the big dance and a big reason why they'll be a favorite to return. Manning threw 45 passes on Sunday and while he would like to have that one mistake back, he wasn't the only Colt to flub a few throws. There were a couple of throws that the Colts receivers let number 18 down, including Wayne's drop at the goal line on the Colts final play.

There's no question the Saints won this one, but this game was much closer than the 14 point margin. Manning was knocked down on Sunday, but never count him out; he and the Colts will be back and we'll be ready in 2011 for Saints-Colts II. (could happen)

By David Ortega

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

FSH: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

February 8th, 2010 9:10pm 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...

McNabb in Denver, really?...

A recent story posted on Bleacher report suggests that ESPN is reporting the Broncos have had multiple discussions with the Eagles inquiring about their 33-year old quarterback; they among two other teams. Clearly there is some concern about Kyle Orton being the long term answer in Denver, but for now this is no more TMZ-type speculation than anything else. It would be a huge shock to see Eagles head coach Andy Reid part with his quarterback (McNabb) that has taken him to five NFC Championships.

Brees and Saints: Can they make it two in a row?....

There's no reason to think that the New Orleans Saints don't have the right ingredients to make it back to the big dance again. Since head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees have teamed up, the Saints offense has been a fantasy football heaven. If they Saints can manage to keep a lot of what they have already intact, there's no reason to think that Brees won't lead the NFL's number offense again in 2010. This season the Saints were number one in scoring and yards. Who Dat say back-to-back?

Fantasy Notes

Westbrook likely to fall deep next season....

Despite the inconsistent play of Eagles rookie running back LeSean McCoy it’s highly unlikely that Brian Westbrook would return to the backfield as a featured runner. Too many injuries over the past couple of seasons have seemingly caught up with the 30-year old running back. With a couple of concussions this past season Westbrook's career could be in question, but if he does return for his 9th season, he's likely to fall deep down the fantasy depth chart. In 2009 he only played eight games finished with 274 yards rushing and just two touchdowns; his worst numbers since his rookie season.

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

FSH: MONDAY MORNING HUDDLE

February 8th, 2010 - 4:25pm PST

[afternoon edition]

Monday Morning Huddle

The Last Dance: A Dream Fulfilled

The final dance was not over-billed or super-hyped, but it was everything most football fans hoped for; entertaining and thrilling!

The Saints delivered a long awaited championship to a city that was overdue for a celebration. Rising from the ashes of disaster in the city of New Orleans, the Saints completed a magical ride that started back in 2005 following the wake of hurricane Katrina.

Katrina brought much disaster and despair to the southeast region of Louisiana, but what she could not do was destroy the hope and faith of those that believed the city could and would one day rebound. An unlikely face in this movement took on the shape and form of an NFL team; the New Orleans Saints.

A young head coach (Sean Payton) and a cast-away quarterback (Drew Brees) stepped to the forefront of this cause, to bring hope, a new day of promise, and a championship to a city that only a few years ago had little and none.

Brees' journey began when he left San Diego in 2006 and signed with New Orleans; around the same time the residents of New Orleans were trying to get out of the devastated area and wondering if they'd ever return. Brees took on the fight with his new team, to not only help rebuild, but to help the folks return to their home, and to bring the team back New Orleans.

During the rebuilding process, the Saints would play their home games in San Antonio throughout the 2005 season. It would not be until 2006 on Monday night against the Atlanta Falcons that the Saints would make their triumphant return to the Superdome.

Like all fairy-tales, this story does have a happy ending, but it was not a short story, but a long journey. The Saints and Drew Brees had their ups and downs, but like the people of New Orleans and southeast Louisiana, perseverance paid great dividends in the end.

The Saints started out the 2009 season as one of the two hottest teams in the NFL winning their first 13 games. Despite losing their final three regular season, the team and a city would not be denied their destiny.

The Saints defeated a pair of potential hall-of-fame quarterbacks (Warner-Favre) in the playoffs to arrive in South Florida to square off with another (Manning) in the big dance. Like two prize fighters feeling out one another early, the game took on a slow pace unlike what many had expected.

It wasn't until the second quarter that Brees and company found their rhythm and would then realize their dream. Brees started shaky, but from the second quarter on he was masterful, completing 32 of 39 passes for the game, passing for 288 yards and throwing two touchdowns to bring to the city of New Orleans its first Super Bowl title.

Brees led the NFC's best team with a 13-3 record to an emotional and well deserved Super Bowl victory, but more than that he led many others (survivors from Katrina) and a country in many ways to a higher place, a promised land, for a brief moment to a world where dreams can come true if you believe.

Not only did the city rebuild, not only did folks return, not only did the Saints return to New Orleans, but they also brought with them a championship. Like the Saints returning what their Super Bowl title means, it returns the hope, faith, and belief that great things can happen, even in the wake of such devastation and disaster.

Together great people (like Brees, the Saints, the folks of New Orleans and Southeast Louisiana) can accomplish great things, as great as anyone's imagination!

By David Ortega

Quick Notes:

The Saints quarterback Drew Brees (32) and Colts quarterback Peyton Manning (31) combined for 63 completions, most ever in a Super Bowl.

Both Dallas Clark (9) and Reggie Wayne (11) were targeted often on Sunday, but a costly drop by Wayne in the closing moments of the 4th quarter ended any chance for a Colts comeback.

The Colts running back Joseph Addai played extremely well averaging nearly six yards a carry against the Saints defense. Addai would finish with 77 yards on the ground, including a touchdown. He would also add seven receptions for another 58 yards receiving.

Drew Brees spread the ball around effectively against the Colts secondary finding eight different receivers. Leading the way for the Saints passing game were Marques Colston and Devery Henderson, each with seven receptions.

Super Bowl XLIV set a record as the most watched Super Bowl ever with an estimated 153.4 million viewers enjoying the Sunday spectacle.

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