FSH NOTEBOOK: THE SATURDAY FANTASY REPORT

February 19th, 2011 Saturday

The Saturday Fantasy Report

Continuing my look back at the 2010 season, here is my list of the best hands in the NFL from a year ago and over the past couple of season. These are your fantasy wide receivers that will continue to dominate the conversation during the offseason and are expected to be at the top of all fantasy drafts in 2011…..

The Elite Class of the Fantasy Wide Receivers

Roddy White (Falcons)
Without question the Falcons leading receiver over the past several seasons, Roddy White has emerged as one of the leagues very best. Over the past four seasons White’s number have been consistent and very good. Since 2007 he has averaged 92 receptions, 1,280 yards receiving per season while scoring 34 touchdowns. In 2010 White set a career high with yards (1,389 yard receiving) and touchdowns (11); he’ll be at the top of many fantasy drafts this summer.

Andre Johnson (Texans)
Like the Falcon’s leading receiver, the Texan’s wide receiver Andre Johnson has been just as consistent and just as good. Johnson has averaged more than 100 receptions, 1,450 yards receiving, and eight touchdowns over the past three seasons. His yards and catches were down due to injury, but this guys has been a monster over the past couple of season and figures to be huge again in 2011; he’s a top three wide receiver in 2011.

Reggie Wayne (Colts)
The Colts leading receiver has been doing it as well and for as long as anyone in this league. 2010 saw no slow down for Reggie Wayne as he set a career high with 111 receptions; his 1,355 yards receiving was his second best effort of his career. Over the past four seasons Wayne has averaged nearly 100 receptions and better than 1,300 yards receiving while scoring 32 touchdowns. Wayne has been a top 10 fantasy favorite for several seasons and should be again in 2011.

Greg Jennings (Packers)
The Packers number one receiver for the past several seasons was very good once again in 2010, with more than 1,200 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns. He’s been consistent over the past four seasons averaging 69 grabs, over 1,100 yards receiving while scoring 35 touchdowns. His numbers are solid and entering his sixth season, he’s a top five fantasy receiver grab in 2011.

Just a step below….

Calvin Johnson (Lions)
Megatron has been a talent in this league since his arrival; in just four short seasons Johnson has already scored 33 times. With just a little more time to marinate and more consistency at the quarterback position he’ll achieve the elite fantasy stud he is destined to achieve; for now Megatron is still a top 10 wide receiver pick in most fantasy drafts.

Dwayne Bowe (Chiefs)
The Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe had a big 2010 season setting a career high with 1,162 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns. Bowe rebounded with his strong 2010 campaign after a disappointing 2009 season. He has shown strong play in the past and looked very good last season; he’ll figure into a top 20 fantasy wide receiver slot in 2011.

On The Rise

Hakeem Nicks (Giants)
The Giants second year wide out had a big coming out season finishing with 79 grabs, over 1,000 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns. Nicks was good in his rookie season and a whole lot better his second time around. His third season could be a charm; after a strong 2010 campaign, Nicks looks like a top 10 fantasy wide receiver candidate in 2011.

Stevie Johnson (Bills)
The Bills young receiver had a breakout 3rd season finishing 2010 with 82 receptions, over 1,000 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns. If the Bills can sustain some stability at the quarterback position with Ryan Fitzpatrick, Johnson could be in for another good season. He looks to be a top 20 fantasy receiver in 2011.

Mike Wallace (Steelers)
The Steelers big play threat catapulted his fantasy stock a big step closer to the top tier. His 1,200 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns make him an easy fantasy favorite to go early in 2011. Look for Wallace to be a top 10 fantasy receiver this summer.


Just my take

By David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: ON THE COVER

February 14th, 2011, Monday

On the Cover

NO FOOTBALL IN 2011?

Labor Talks Rescheduled?

What could be worse than no football in 2011, maybe finding out that Santa Claus is fictional or that SI.com has discontinued their swimsuit issue? How about no fantasy football in 2011? Either way it’s very worrisome to think that come this fall America’s most popular sport could be off the air.

The latest rumblings I have been reading would indicate that the Players Union and the league owners are far apart from reaching an agreement. With the impending deadline for the current agreement to expire, the clock is ticking and there doesn’t appear to be a lot of movement.

The two sides (League and Players’ Union) met last week only to cancel a scheduled bargaining session, although the current rumor has the two rescheduling. There’s doesn’t seem to be any promising developments at this time, but like most fans we are all hopeful the two sides can negotiate and reach an agreement.

It’s been more than 20 years since the league was disrupted with any labor strife; back in 1987 players went on strike, the owners brought in replacement players. With the deadline fast approaching, both sides far apart on many of the big issues, it’s looking like a tremendous uphill climb for the show to go on.

It may take some luck, a gesture of good faith, and some fancy parlor tricks for someone to get these two in the same room to take a hard look to see and understand, any kind of disruption is not only a huge financial loss for the two sides, but also a greater loss for the many fans of and for this great nation.

The game of American football is more than just a professional or recreational sport many folks enjoy watching and playing, for the loyal season-ticket holders, the fantasy football gamers, the average armchair quarterback, and the youth of today, the game is our passion; a passion that lives and breathes within us all and comes to life every late summer and leads us to one of the most celebrated Sundays of the year; Super Bowl Sunday.

Hopefully the League and player’s Union will realize and get a deal done soon.


By David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

February 14th, 2011 Monday

David’s Daily Digest

The Most Notable Fantasy Players of 2011

The 2010 season produced a long list of new names to the fantasy world, names that owners will be coveting greatly come fantasy draft day. These are just more the studs we’ll be talking about on fantasy draft day 2011.

RB-Peyton Hillis (Browns)
The Browns not only found a starter in running back Peyton Hillis, they found a superstar. Hillis was merely a back-up and special teamer in Denver, but did show some flash back in 2008 when given the opportunity. This past season he was handed the reins and ran with it he did. Hillis finished the 2010 season with 1,177 yards on the ground and 11 rushing touchdowns. More of a power runner he still averaged 4.4 yards per carry and caught 61 balls for another 477 yards receiving. With numbers like he produced this past season, Hillis appears to be a strong top 10 fantasy candidate in 2011.

WR-Mike Williams (Seahawks)
The Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll rediscovered a college jewel and brought him to Seattle when he signed wide receiver Mike Williams. Maybe all he needed was a little motivation, but whatever it was, Carroll found the formula and Williams was reborn. The Seahawks wide receiver bounced back from the abyss in 2010 to snag 65 balls for 735 yards and two scores. Not bad for someone who had not caught a pass in over two seasons. His numbers weren’t spectacular, but he played well enough at times for folks to take notice; he could be a top 25 fantasy receiver in 2011 (especially PPR leagues).

WR-Hakeem Nicks (Giants)
The Giants 2nd year receiver exploded in 2010 with a huge season catching 79 passes for 1,052 yards receiving, and 11 touchdowns; led the team in all three categories. Nicks was a big time play-maker last season; with great hands and great speed he can only get better. Nicks will undoubtedly and rightfully fall into the top 10 for wide receivers in this summer’s fantasy drafts.

RB-Mike Tolbert (Chargers)
The Chargers less notable, but more productive running back Mike Tolbert earned his way onto the fantasy radar last season. With rookie Ryan Matthews banged up for quite a bit of the season, Tolbert was given more opportunity to carry the rock and he did it well. Tolbert was an effective running option in San Diego tallying 182 carries for the season. He also collected 735 yards on the ground and scored 11 touchdowns. He’ll see a slight decrease in touches next season if Matthews stays healthy, but he’s still fantasy worthy in deep leagues.

TE-Aaron Hernandez (Patriots)
The Patriots tight end enjoyed a pretty good rookie campaign, but it was one that could have been much more productive had he remained healthy. Hernandez played in 14 games last season recording 45 receptions for 563 yards and six touchdowns. With a healthy campaign in 2011 and Tom Brady tossing the pill, Hernandez should be a possible top 10 option for fantasy owners.

WR-Mike Williams (Buccaneers)
The other Mike Williams over in Tampa was not too bad himself last season. In fact the rookie was sensational catching 65 balls for 964 yards and 11 touchdowns. These numbers were not quite the level of the elite, but they were more than good enough to have owners looking at him much earlier in fantasy drafts this summer. With an up and coming quarterback (Josh Freeman), Williams looks like he can be a very good fantasy player in 2011.


Check back for more of my digest and more notes on fantasy players in 2011.

By David Ortega