October 7th, 2010, Thursday
David’s Daily Digest
My Fantasy Notes:
RYAN TORAIN HAS BUSY DAY ON THE GROUND.
Last Sunday against the Eagles, running back Ryan Torain saw some extended action carrying the ball 18 times for 70 yards. The Redskin’s runner also found the end-zone on a blistering 12-yard scamper that included running right over and through the Eagles defensive back Quintin Mikell.
My Fantasy Read:
It appears head coach Mike Shanahan has found himself another gem. Remember Shanahan actually drafted Torain while he was still the head coach in Denver, so you know he is a coaches’ favorite. With running back Clinton Portis down for at least a month Torain is going to get some extended time to showcase his talents. The Packers roll into DC on Sunday with their 24th ranked run defense, so expect to see a lot of Torain.
BRANDON LLOYD TURNS IN ANOTHER BIG DAY.
The Bronco’s wide out followed up his big game in week 3 with another solid performance last Sunday. Lloyd was targeted 18 times against the Titans secondary and hauled in 11 of those passes for 115 yards (his third 100-yard receiving game this season).
My Fantasy Read:
Thus far Lloyd has been targeted a team high 40 times this season (ranks 7th in the league) and unquestionably has emerged as quarterback Kyle Orton’s favorite target. In the past two weeks Lloyd has seen 28 passes his direction and connected on 17 for 284 yards and a score. He’s got a tough matchup on Sunday against Baltimore, but is still worthy of consideration.
TERRELL OWENS BREAKS OUT IN WEEK 4.
The Bengals passing offense finally awoke last Sunday against the Browns defense and wide receiver Terrell Owens finally had a break out game this season. T.O. caught nine passes for 222 yards and a score to lead the offense.
My Fantasy Read:
Owens definitely raised his fantasy value with the great performance on Sunday, but before you go and auction the talented wide out away consider his numbers so far this season. Owens is the second highest targeted wide out in the league. He ranks 5th in the league in yards and his 24 catches rank him 11th. Currently his projected numbers make him look like a 90 catch, 1,400 yard receiving. These are exaggerated numbers, but numbers that may make you at least reconsider for a moment before ditching Owens.
BRAYLON EDWARDS LOOKS PRIMED FOR MONDAY NIGHT.
The 2-1 Jets have a huge matchup coming up on Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings and their 8th ranked pass defense. So far this season wide receiver Braylon Edwards has come up big for the Jets passing game with three straight games with a touchdown.
My Fantasy Read:
Edwards is slowly shaking the nickname and label “stone-hands” that has been affectionately given to him by some of the fantasy football community. In his last two games Edwards has touchdown scores of 67 and 41 yards. He’s only caught 12 passes this season, but with an 18.9 yards per catch average Edwards is making them count. He still lacks some consistency as a favorable play, but he’s worth keeping your eye on.
October 3rd, 2010, Sunday
The Sunday Sports Section
What’s the Latest
The Rams will start Steven Jackson today although the word is his play could be limited, but if there were any doubt about his effectiveness he would probably sit.
The Saints will be without running back Pierre Thomas who will be inactive. With Thomas out veteran running back Ladell Betts is expect to get the start today for the Saints.
The Broncos are not going to have the services of running back Knowshon Moreno who will continue to nurse a hamstring injury. With Moreno on the sidelines it looks like Laurence Maroney could get the start, but he will likely be splitting the load with Correll Buckhalter.
These are just a few notes leading up to week for of the NFL…
Today’s In & Out
Actives/inactives and notes from Twitter for today’s games ….
@Adam_Schefter Texans WR Andre Johnson told people in his organization Saturday that he planned to play today against Oakland despite his ankle injury.
@SI_PeterKing RT @jeffduncantp: Quick updates from the Dome: As expected, John Carney will be the kicker for the #Saints today ... Goodbye, Mr. Hartley.
@FantasyDaddy Pierre (huh huh) Thomas is out today. Betts starting #Saints
@mortreport Active/Inactives overview: Inactive-LB Sean Weatherspoon (Ankle), Michael Jenkins (Shoulder), Calvin Pace (Foot), Pierre Thomas (Ankle), Roman Harper (Hamstring)Robiskie (Hamstring), & Delhomme is #3...Actives-Ray Rice (Knee), Steven Jackson (Groin), Jahvid Best (Toe) and Nick Mangold (Shoulder)
@Adam_Schefter Broncos RB Knownshon Moreno officially inactive, as is CB Andre Goodman.
@espn_nfcwest Julius Jones inactive for Seattle as team keeps Brandon Stokley up for this game. Marcus Trufant active.
@Adam_Schefter A note for @tunasweasel: Jets RB Joe McKnight active for the first time.
@Jay_Glazer Steve jackson coach spags told me he's going to be cautious w him but he starts, as does j best and ray rice. Pierre thomas out.
@Rachel__Nichols Ravens starting DE Cory Redding out with a concussion
@SigmundBloom John Carney is kicking for the Saints today. Craig Dahl starting at safety for the Rams for IDP leaguers. Sean Weatherspoon out.
@mortreport Seneca Wallace starting...Delhomme #3...Robiskie inactive
October 3rd, 2010, Sunday
My Weekly Fantasy
Sunday’s Fantasy Lineup
My Quarterbacks:
This week is a no-brainer with Aaron Rodgers facing the Detroit Lions. Rodgers is coming off his first 300-yard game of the season and looks primed to repeat his Monday night performance today. The Packers signal caller will face a division rival he’s very familiar with and one that he has had great success against. Last year in two meetings Rodgers averaged 353 yards passing per game and threw five touchdowns to only one interception. This season the Lions are ranked 26th against the pass and have already given up three pass plays of 40 yards or more; it looks like a good day for Rodgers and the Pack…….I will also be sticking with Drew Brees in another league. Despite the reports of a knee brace, Brees is a savvy quarterback with a quick release and knows his limitations. I don’t expect to see any Mike Vick imitations today, he should be just fine against the Panthers.
My Runningbacks:
One of my concerns today is running back Steven Jackson. The Rams ball carrier was barely a participant this week in practice nursing his groin injury. The word is he will be a gametime decision, so when that happens unless I hear reports that he feels great I may have to look at alternatives. If Jackson is your best option and active you might have to suck it up, but if you can look elsewhere that may be the better play…..…With the Bears traveling to the New York, I like Matt Forte’s matchup. He’ll face the leagues 26th ranked run defense and with 14 receptions and three pass receiving touchdowns this season he’s a solid option out of the backfield……I also have running back Justin Forsett in a number of leagues and recent rumors indicate the Seahawks could be leaning more on the kid as their featured back. He has a very good matchup against the Rams 25th ranked run defense that allows over 5-yards a pop and has surrendered a league high six runs of 20 yards or more…….Another option I am leaning on today is running back Peyton Hillis. After last week’s impressive performance against the Ravens I don’t see the Bengals having much better success. Cincy is ranked 7th against the run, but they are allowing 4.5-yards per carry and I would expect the Browns to lean heavily on the ground game today.
My Wide Receivers:
Today I have some interesting plays to make. In one league I will be inserting the Saints wide receiver Lance Moore. Isn’t the rule, once they have a big game don’t jump on the band wagon because they will probably tank? That may be the case, but I don’t believe it was an accident Moore came up big last week with Reggie Bush out. In 2008 Moore was the team’s leading receiver and I think Brees will continue to look his way often…….I like the Giant’s wide receiver Steve Smith tonight against the Bears 28th ranked pass defense. Manning likes to go to Smith often (29 targets) and the Bears giving up chunks of yards……I rode the Brandon Lloyd train a week ago, but I will likely steer clear today. Lloyd may get a couple of catches today, but the Titans have a strong secondary and Orton has a lot of other weapons to turn to……Against the Colts today I will not be sitting wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker. Based on numbers thus far this season I should, but against the Colts secondary, they could make him a star again. The Colts defense is ranked 20th in the league and allow 12.6 yards per catch (ranked 25th); we like those numbers.
My Tight Ends:
With the Packer’s Jermichael Finley on my roster, I don’t need any other tight ends. He has consecutive games with 100-yards receiving and is second on the team with 17 receptions. With a favorable matchup today against the Lions he could have another big day……..I will also be starting the Redskins’ tight end Chris Cooley today and hoping for the best. The Eagles pass defense has not been terrible this season (ranked 12th), but they have struggled a little with tight ends allowing 15 receptions for 175 yards…….I also have Owen Daniels on my roster, but with his numbers down and listed on this week’s injury report as questionable I will wait for better days.
October 3rd, 2010, Sunday
Sunday Morning Gametime
It was another fun-filled Sunday of NFL excitement last weekend and Monday night was no disappointment either. Some fantasy newsmakers included a few old names like WR-Lance Moore (2-touchdowns), WR-Brandon Lloyd (166 yards receiving), WR-Roy Williams (2-touchdowns) and a few new ones owners will need to get to know soon; Chad Henne (363-yards passing), Kyle Orton (476-yards passing), Peyton Hillis (144 yards rushing), and Jabar Gaffney (12 receptions). With this week being the start of the bye weeks, with only 14 games on the slate fantasy owners will now put their drafting skills to the test. Did you cover your byes with reliable bench support, were you able to find sufficient talent through waivers?
With the kick off to week four just a few short hours from now, these are the players I will be keeping my eye on today (the question is will you be starting any of these?)….
Sunday Games:
The Bills are always a tough matchup for their divisional rivals, but with a struggling offense the Jets should be able to loosen the play-calling belt some today. I will be keeping my eye on several of the gang-green; quarterback Mark Sanchez (Can he make it three straight solid performances), Braylon Edwards (Can he show some humility and just make plays), and Shonn Greene (Against a suspect run defense today, can Green finally show some of last year’s post season magic?).
Speaking of the Bills, even with all this trade talk I will be watching running back Marshawn Lynch. I would expect the team to try and showcase their talent up for trade, but I am not expecting to see a whole lot against a very stingy Jets runs defense ranked 4th in the league.
Tonight when the G-men play host to Da’Bears, I will be keeping a close watch on quarterback Eli Manning. In three weeks he has passed for a truckload of yards (810-yards, 270-yds/game), but also has six interceptions. Against the Bears secondary, he should have some success if his line can do a good job of protecting him.
The Niner’s have not been a favorite this season at 0-3 and looking every bit the part of a winless team, but against the Falcons Alex Smith and company could find some hope. The Falcons defense is ranked 22nd against the pass and with Frank Gore pounding the middle, wide receiver Michael Crabtree could be an interesting play today. Crabtree has been dormant all season, but at some point he’s got to awake.
In Seattle there has been a lot of recent talk about running back Justin Forsett separating himself as the team’s number one back. Today he’ll have a chance to prove the rumors true against a weak Rams 25th ranked run defense. I will definitely be watching closely today.
Another interesting development I will be watching with great interest is the running back situation in Washington. I heard the rumors and made the move this week to pick up running back Ryan Torain, but I won’t be starting him today. I will be keeping an eye on this development to see if he will actually carry more of the running load for the Redskins on the early downs (which is what I am hearing).
