FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Friday Edition

September 20th, 2013 

David’s Daily Digest

Week 3 “Man-Crushes”

With two weeks in the books, fantasy owners have an opportunity to really evaluate numbers, trends, and tendencies, but best of all we can use our eyes to determine who we like, who looks good, and who we should forget.

While it may be too early to be so permanent with our analysis I would like to offer my weekly “Man-Crushes.”

I can be fickle at times and a little choosey, but I do consider myself to be quite faithful (are we still talking about fantasy football?).  Looking over the week 3 matchups I see several crushes that I endorse, and it’s not all about looks.

The Falcons travel to Miami on Sunday and with (WR) Roddy White (ankle) still dealing with an injury, my crush on (WR) Julio Jones is huge. Even if White were healthy I still like Jones and believe it’s his time. Last week he turned in a huge performance with 11 grabs for 182 yards; fantasy owners can expect another big day.

The San Diego Chargers have been one of the early surprises this season offensively and with quarterback Philip Rivers suddenly rejuvenated, my crush is on tight end Antonio Gates. Last week the Chargers wily veteran caught 8 passes for more than 100 yards. Sunday Gates will face a defense that allows the 13^th most fantasy points to opposing tight ends, including two touchdowns. Gates will be one of Rivers go-to and should find the end-zone against the Titans.

In Washington the Redskins will be at home this week and with the Lions 15^th ranked pass defense coming to town I have a huge crush on wide receiver Pierre Garcon. The Lions have been pretty good against opposing receivers, but this week on the road I am expecting different results. Garcon is also coming off his best game of the season thus far, so I expect to see him carry this momentum into Sunday.

A couple more notable crushes for Sunday; I like quarterback Matthew Stafford this week on the road, throwing for a lot of yards. He may not get the win, but he’ll post nice numbers. I also like the 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick who should bounce back with a strong Sunday. On the road this week, the Cardinals will have to throw a ton to keep pace with the Saints, as a result I like wide receiver Andre Roberts this week. Running back Frank Gore was stuffed in week two against the Seahawks, but this week he’s not playing the Hawks (playing the Colts). I like a bounce back game for Gore.

These are just a couple of my “Man-Crushes” for week 3.

That’s my take.

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Thursday Edition

September 19th, 2013 

 

David’s Daily Digest

Thursday’s Thoughts

I don’t spend too much free time doing too much thinking, but for some reason when Thursday lands my mind is lost in space and filled with thought (mostly fantasy football stuff, but it still counts).

That’s right, I spend a moment or several every Thursday (during football season) scouting my league line-ups and looking at the game matchups for the NFL Network’s Thursday Night Matchup. And this week they have got a great one. Head Coach Andy Reid and his Kansas City Chiefs will travel to Philadelphia to face his former team; and I don’t think any of them will be inviting him over for dinner.

The Chiefs are off to a great start at 2-0, and although they are facing a questionable Philly defense this road test could still be a big one. Chiefs Quarterback Alex Smith has been efficient, but he’ll need to be a little more than that Thursday if the Chiefs are to match the high-octane Eagles offense led by Michael Vick.

I think this matchup has a lot of interesting sub-plots and twists, and one thing it won’t be lacking is excitement. The Eagles offense has been explosive averaging 33 points per game and I think fantasy owners can confidently play their Eagles starters in Thursday Nights’ contest; (RB) LeSean McCoy, (WR) DeSean Jackson, (TE) Brent Celek, and Vick. For those in deeper leagues (14-16 teams) sitting in a tough spot this week, (WR) Jason Avant (10 targets) and (RB) Bryce Brown (13 touches) could be possible considerations in a flex spot (you have to be real desperate).

The Chiefs don’t offer as much charm and appeal to fantasy owners as the Eagles, but matched up against one of the leagues’ worst pass defenses lends itself some options. Running back Jamaal Charles is always a no-brainer (and Thursday he looks real good), but consider wide receiver Dwayne Bowe a must start for deep leagues and even standard. Looking across the Chiefs side of the ball, even (WR) Donnie Avery offers some value (not a lot, but some as a flex).

Smith is definitely a consideration this week, especially in deeper leagues. He’s a preferred play over quarterbacks like Josh Freeman, Ben Roethlisberger (442 yards passing), Jay Cutler (3 picks this season), Ryan Tannehill (2 TDs this season) and Brandon Weeden (OUT).

This was just what I was thinking.

That’s my take.

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Saturday Edition

September 15th, 2013 

 

David’s Daily Digest

Today’s Line-ups: Thoughts and Notes

The biggest question I have going today is wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals). I suspect that Fitz will play, but the Cards don’t kick-off until 1:05 pm (PST). I like many fantasy owners will have to make a tough decision today. If I can afford to wait until kickoff time to make the call, I’ll wait. Come on, it’s Fitz. This kid is golden if he plays.

Since I am in a bit of a conundrum (I actually can’t wait) I am going to make a change and my suggestion is, so if you are not looking at players like Brandon Marshall and A.J. Green to substitute with maybe you should too.

In many leagues, I was affected greatly by the Vick Ballard season ending injury, this is because I own Ahmad Bradshaw (in several leagues). While Bradshaw is catapulted into the lead role this week he’s still only an RB2/3, especially this week (so I don’t have him starting in all leagues). The Dolphins have a legit defense and his numbers on the ground could be curtailed, so in one league I am starting running back Frank Gore over Bradshaw; a tough matchup as well, but Gore has had success in the past (has rushed for over 80 in two of last three starts versus Seahawks).

The Broncos offense led by quarterback Peyton Manning blew up last week with just about everyone pitching in, everyone except wide receiver Eric Decker (just two catches). My favorite start here is Demaryrius Thomas, who I think will be Manning’s go-to-receiver today, but I believe Decker (7 targets in week 1) fantasy owners should relax because he will get his chances just as he did last week. I would expect 60-70 yards and a score for Mr. Decker in what will likely be another sprint-a-thon for the Broncos aerial attack.

One last thought, quarterback Carson Palmer was probably not drafted as a starter in most leagues, but after one week I am saying he should be starting. Palmer has not had this talented a receiving bunch since his days in Cincinnati. In week one he played very well on the road and I anticipate the same from him today at home. I have him penciled in several lineups today.

These are just a few of my thoughts and notes for today’s Week two matchups.

That’s my take.

~David Ortega