September 1st, 2011 Thurssday
David’s Daily Digest
David’s Daily Digest
2011 Fantasy Tidbits
And just for the record, these tid-bits might be more like bite-size or mini-bits, but just the same I am going to share a few notes for thought and observations from the NFL Preseason that is quickly coming to a close. With the 2011 fantasy football season officially on countdown mode and opening kickoff now less than a week away, it’s time to take a quick look at what we have learned thus far or realize we are still clueless.
And just for the record, these tid-bits might be more like bite-size or mini-bits, but just the same I am going to share a few notes for thought and observations from the NFL Preseason that is quickly coming to a close. With the 2011 fantasy football season officially on countdown mode and opening kickoff now less than a week away, it’s time to take a quick look at what we have learned thus far or realize we are still clueless.
Some Quick pointers!
In Detroit, what I am hearing (and seeing) third year quarterback Matthew Stafford is quickly making a believer of many with his stellar play through the first three weeks of preseason; and why shouldn’t he the kid has barely completed a full-season of action in his first three years. While that might be true, it’s hard to deny the stars seem to be quickly aligning for the young Mr. Stafford, 24 of 31 passing, five touchdowns, and a passer rating of 154.0; oh yeah, he also had that Megatron kid to throw to.
It may only be a mirage we are seeing in Washington, but I have to say Tim Hightower (170 yards rushing, 6.8 average) is looking like a new running back behind a line that can actually run block (ranked number one in the preseason). The jury may still be out on Hightower, but his stock has quickly risen in the fantasy ranks, taken 20th in a recent custom fantasy draft (was ranked 48th in USA Today). The jury may still be out and it is a little premature to make any bold predictions, but I think we’ve seen enough to feel confident that Hightower ‘Could’ be more than fantasy relevant this season.
In Houston it seems that tight end Owen Daniels may not be getting as much fantasy love as he may deserve. It was only back in 2008 that he caught 70 balls, third most for tightends and this preseason he has looked pretty good collecting seven passes for 64 yards and a score. Unlike players like Gates, Witten, and Finley, Daniels does not appears to be part of a crowded passing attack and could see plenty of opportunity to move his fantasy stock up higher on most draft boards and cheat sheets.
In Detroit, what I am hearing (and seeing) third year quarterback Matthew Stafford is quickly making a believer of many with his stellar play through the first three weeks of preseason; and why shouldn’t he the kid has barely completed a full-season of action in his first three years. While that might be true, it’s hard to deny the stars seem to be quickly aligning for the young Mr. Stafford, 24 of 31 passing, five touchdowns, and a passer rating of 154.0; oh yeah, he also had that Megatron kid to throw to.
It may only be a mirage we are seeing in Washington, but I have to say Tim Hightower (170 yards rushing, 6.8 average) is looking like a new running back behind a line that can actually run block (ranked number one in the preseason). The jury may still be out on Hightower, but his stock has quickly risen in the fantasy ranks, taken 20th in a recent custom fantasy draft (was ranked 48th in USA Today). The jury may still be out and it is a little premature to make any bold predictions, but I think we’ve seen enough to feel confident that Hightower ‘Could’ be more than fantasy relevant this season.
In Houston it seems that tight end Owen Daniels may not be getting as much fantasy love as he may deserve. It was only back in 2008 that he caught 70 balls, third most for tightends and this preseason he has looked pretty good collecting seven passes for 64 yards and a score. Unlike players like Gates, Witten, and Finley, Daniels does not appears to be part of a crowded passing attack and could see plenty of opportunity to move his fantasy stock up higher on most draft boards and cheat sheets.
The NFL season is set to start very quickly and looking across the board some of the biggest questions fantasy owners will face as they prepare for their drafts this weekend; who is number one, where do you draft Peyton Manning (neck), when do you take Chris Johnson (hold-out), and is New England a good fit for Ochocinco? There’s no right or wrong answer here, just know it’s going to be a lot of fun learning the truths about these questions and plenty more fantasy related topics over the next 16-17 weeks. Fantasy Football 2011 is here and it’s time to play ball, are you ready some football?
By David Ortega
By David Ortega
