FSH NOTEBOOK: QUICK TAKES

Saturday Edition
October 6th, 2012  

David’s Daily Digest
QUICK TAKES

Not Yet A Believer

After watching the Cardinals offensive line failure on Thursday night, I would have to say the jury is still out on quarterback Kevin Kolb. While the former Eagle looked capable and did a good job of getting the ball out quickly and all of his throws had plenty of zip, fantasy owners will still have to worry about his line keeping him upright each week. After 17 sacks in the team’s last two games, the proposition of protecting Kolb does not look very promising. As long as Kolb operates without a dependable run game to support his cause (Cards are ranked 31st in the league), the sack barrage is likely to continue.

I’ll Take his Word

After hearing Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones proclaim his hand is fine and he’s ready to go, I am ready to take his word. Jones broke out in week one like gang-busters with a huge fantasy game (22 fantasy points) and since has been hot and cold. After injuring his hand in week 3 Jones had what would be considered an off day, finishing week 4 with one catch for 30 yards. With the hand healing and the talent that Jones possesses, if he’s says he’s ready to go you have to like his chances, especially with his week 5 matchup against the Redskins 31st ranked defense that has allowed the most touchdown passes in 2012; 11 allowed in four games.

I Like His Chances

Through the first four weeks of the 2012 season, Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has made me a believer in what he is capable of doing. His numbers don’t jump off the board, but they are steady and improving. Manning has averaged nearly 22 fantasy points a game this season and is coming off his best performance last week against the Raiders with 31 (fantasy points). With the Patriots next on the slate with their 25 ranked passing defense, Manning looks primed to continue his hot hand.


By David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Tuesday Edition
October 2nd, 2012

David’s Daily Digest
MY IDP REPORT

Five IDP Fantasy Studs 
You Need to Know

Courtland Finnegan, DB
After a down year in 2011, all Finnegan needed was to be reunited with his old coach Jeff Fischer. Now in St.Louis the Rams physical corner is making noise in this early season with 24 tackles (on pace for more than 90) and already three interceptions (his career best is 5). His six tackles per game and three picks this season make him a solid IDP fantasy option.

Geno Atkins, DT
The Bengals have found themselves a nice immovable object anchor to the defense in the trenches with Geno. In four games this season Atkins has collected 9 tackles, including 6 for a loss, and five sacks. If he can keep this up, he’s on pace for a monster year with career highs in tackles, tackles for a loss, and sacks; he’ll also make many owners happy that snag him now.

Daryl Washington, LB
With a 4-0 start to the season it looks like Desert Swarm is out in full force led by linebacker Daryl Washington. The former second round pick of the Cardinals now in his third year is picking up right where he left off last season and then some. Washington has emerged as a tackling machine this season, on pace to eclipse 100 this season and a terror to opposing quarterbacks with three sacks under his belt. He’s a monster stud well on his way to a huge season with double-digit sacks.

William Moore, DB
The Falcons safety is a big part of the real secret in Atlanta this season, their defense. Moore is having a great start to this season with 21 tackles in four games to go along with 2 picks and a sack. He’s on pace for more than 80 tackles and the way the defense has been playing very aggressive of late, he could add to his takeaway and sack totals as well. With numbers like his, Moore is a very good IDP fantasy option.

Major Wright, DB
The Bears defense is suddenly looking more like its old opportunistic self and one of the reasons could be the play of their young safety, Major Wright. Only in his third year Wright is having a solid 2012 campaign with 14 tackles and three picks thus far. He’s on pace for more than 55 tackles this season and has already equaled his career high in picks. With such an early nose for the ball, Wright could quickly develop into the kind of hawk that pays nice dividends to IDP fantasy owners.


By David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Monday Edition

October 1st, 2012

David’s Daily Digest

Fantasy Notes:

Nicks Looking Shaky This Season

No question Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks was a high value draft pick in most fantasy drafts, but his injury woes are making fantasy owners pay dearly. With the prospect of possibly missing week 5, Nicks has only one strong showing this season in four games (maybe five now). He’s a solid fantasy play when healthy, so owners will just have to ride out the storm and hope he gets right soon.

Hartline has the Numbers

The Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline may not have the flash or the name to draw much attention to fantasy owners, but he certainly has more than enough numbers to make his argument. He’s relatively unknown and unproven, so consistency and reliability will have to be a wait and see, but with 48 targets this season (ranked 3^rd in the league) make his chances look promising. With all those targets, Hartline still only has 25 catches and just one score; he’s not ready for primetime, but he appears to be a strong flex option or low-end WR2 in deeper leagues.

Roddy Still the Big Man on Campus

With all the hype surrounding the beastly phenom wide receiver Julio Jones, this preseason Roddy White was taking a back seat in most fantasy football watercooler conversations. It’s safe to say this elite receiver will not be taking a back seat to anyone this season. As good as Jones is and will be, does not mean Roddy will stop being elite; as he has shown through four games this season (27 receptions, 413 yards receiving, 3 touchdowns). White is still a solid WR1 and should be considered such the rest of the way.

The Marshall Plan is Working

If you drafted wide receiver Brandon Marshall high this fantasy season, you were hoping to see what you just saw on Monday night against the Cowboys. Teamed with his old quarterback (Jay Cutler) it’s go for broke time with Marshall, and if this was your plan it could be working. With 23 receptions, over 350 yards, and 2 touchdowns, Marshall could be well on his way to his best season yet.

Dez Bryant Still Up and Down

The Cowboys big receiver Dez Bryant is capable of playing big and he did have a nice night statistically in Monday night’s loss (8 receptions, 105 yards receiving), but too many drops kept a good night from being great. That’s been Bryant’s problem and something that appears he’ll need to continue to work at growing out of. Bryant remains a very low WR2 option in fantasy, but has the potential of being much more.

Witten Finally Wakes Up

It came much too late in the Cowboys blowout loss to the Bears Monday night, but for fantasy owners it was a nice sight to see tight end Jason Witten involved in the passing game. This one was well out of hand before Witten did his biggest damage, but quarterback Tony Romo was targeting his old favorite early and often. With all the drops the Cowboys receivers had Monday night, Witten probably remains Romo most reliable and steady option; look for this involvement trend to continue going forward.

By David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: SUNDAY MORNING GAMETIME

Sunday Edition

September 30th, 2012 

Sunday Morning Gametime

Some quick fantasy notes for Sunday week 4, who to play and who should stay (on your bench);

I like Cedric Benson a lot today against one of the league’s worst run defenses (Saints). The Packers like to throw the ball quite a bit, but look for Ced to tote the rock near 20 times today on the Frozen Tundra.

Fred Jackson is starting today for the Bills, but is expected to share carries with C Spiller. Coming off the knee injury and only part-time today, if you have a better options leave Jackson on your bench.

The Seahawks defense looked beastly Monday night sacking quarterback Aaron Rodgers 8 times in the first half. Today matched up against the Rams offensive line that has already allowed 12 sacks in three games; expect another solid outing for the Seahawks D. Start them

Tom Brady and wide receiver Brandon Lloyd are off to a bit of a slow start, but gradually this connection has been looking better and better. I am expecting a possible breakout game for Lloyd today; either way he’s a good play and should deliver at least one score today.

The Niners wide receiver Michael Crabtree has been quietly steady this season, leading the team with 19 receptions in three games. He has yet to score a touchdown this season, but facing the Jets without Darelle Revis, that could change. I like Crabtree in your lineup today, he’ll deliver five catches for plus-80 yards and a score.

By David Ortega