FSH NOTEBOOK: SUNDAY GAMETIME

February 6th, 2011, Sunday

Sunday Morning Gametime
(afternoon edition)

Super Bowl Sunday

Injury notes

Just as many thought heading into the Sunday the Steelers will be without their Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey (ankle), who was ruled OUT after not participating in Friday’s practice. Defensive end Aaron Smith (triceps) was also ruled out for Super Bowl Sunday after being limited this week in practice; Evander Ziggy Hood will start in his place as usual.

The Packers are not completely healthy heading into Sunday; linebacker Erik Walden (ankle) is questionable for Sunday, but head coach Mike McCarthy likely won’t decide his status up until warm-ups. Wide receiver Donald Driver (quad) has been limited this week, but there’s no way he missed today’s game; how effective he will be could be a question.

Fantasy Player Notes

The Packers seem to be the hot pick in many of today’s pregame shows and Aaron Rodgers figures to be right in the middle of any success the Pack enjoy. The Steelers boast one of the league’s stingiest run defenses leaving Packers running back James Starks facing an immovable object; in 18 games this season the Steelers have not allowed a single 100-yard rushing game to any opposing back and Sunday is unlikely to be the first. The tight end spot could be a hot fantasy play today with the Steelers secondary really struggling in the post season to cover the position.

Big Ben will be the key for the Steelers’ offense to manufacturer points against the Packers’ defense. This post season wide receiver Mike Wallace has been held in check, if the Packers roll coverage and take away Ben’s favorite target, secondary targets like tight end Heath Miller, Hines Ward, and rookie Emmanuel Sanders could come up big. Miller may be a tough option to roll with, since the Packers have shut down opposing tight ends throughout the playoffs.

My favorites today…

With this game having every chance of being another block-buster shootout like their matchup in December of 2009, I have a few favorites that I like in today’s Packers-Steelers matchup;

Aaron Rodgers could be set to have the game of his career today against one of the league’s best defenses. Last season he passed for nearly 400 yards and accounted for four scores, his day may not be quite as productive, but with a victory it will be even greater.

Jordy Nelson has been a consistent option in the Packers passing attack and should see several passes in his direction.

Greg Jennings is just too good to stop and his recent numbers in his last two playoff games are enough evidence (16 catches, 231 yards receiving).

Rashard Mendenhall will take on more of a featured back roll and will have plenty of touches to generate strong numbers and earn a fantasy start, but it may not be enough to produce the win.

Andrew Quarless may only see a few balls today at his tight end position, but one or two could come up in the red zone.

Final message…..today’s 45th Super Sunday should be a classic, power versus power, playmakers all around, and historic franchises and a collision with destiny, it will be one for the ages. Congratulations to both the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers and good luck today on Super Bowl Sunday!


By David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

February 3rd, 2011 Thursday

David’s Daily Digest

More Fantasy Notes

Could Super Sunday Be a Repeat?

A Look Back at Last Year

The Packers passing offense was explosive in the December 2009 meeting against the Steelers led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers. In a game where their running game was pretty much non-existent (60 yards and 22 came Rodgers) it was Rodgers who provided the spark the Packers would need. Against the Steelers secondary the Packer’s signal caller completed 26 of 48 passes for 383 yards in the air and he accounted for four scores; three pass, one run.

Rodgers was complimented with some great talent in the passing game with players like Greg Jennings, Jermichael Finley, Donald Driver, and Jordy Nelson. Jennings led the group with five grabs for a buck-eighteen and a score. Driver was also effective with three grabs for 76 yards while Nelson caught four balls for another 71 yards. Finley was big in the last seasons’ contest, but with him out in this year’s clash, the Packers could be looking for players like Nelson and James Jones (2 catches, 36 yards, one touchdown in the 2009 matchup) to step up.

On the Steeler’s side, it was quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who provided the most memorable performance completing 29 of 46 passes for more than 500 yards. Like his counterpart, Big Ben operated without much of a run game (65 total rushing yards), but he got plenty of help from his friends as he passed for 503 yards against the Packers.

Big Ben’s biggest asset against the Packers was his trusty old companion wide receiver Hines Ward (7 receptions, 126 yards receiving). Wide receiver Mike Wallace was also the team’s most effective weapon with the long ball catching two passes for 79 yards and two touchdowns; he could be huge impact player on Sunday. The Steelers tight end Heath Miller was also big last season against the Pack posting a career high 118 yards receiving with seven receptions. Santonio Holmes (now with the Jets) also grabbed three passes for 77 yards, so the Steelers will be looking to one of their rookies (Emmanuel Sanders and Aaron Brown) to pick up the slack.

While this 37-36 shootout between the Packers and Steelers featured plenty of offense, there was some evidence of defense displayed by the Packers who sacked Big Ben five times. Surprisingly with 94 passes thrown and a total of 131 offensive plays called there were no turnovers in the game.

Sunday will likely not turn out to be exactly like the matchup we witnessed in 2009, but it certainly has all the makings of a great one.

Keep Your Eye On

A couple of notable points to keep in mind, although both team struggled on the ground, there were three rushing touchdowns scored; running backs James Starks (Packers) and Rashard Mendenhall (Steelers) should definitely see a couple of chances at the goal-line on Sunday.

The Steelers pass defense struggled through the post season gainst opposing tight ends allowing 11 receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown. The Packers tight end Andrew Quarless has been quiet throughout the playoffs, but has a chance to make a difference on the big stage.

Heath Miller has not made much noise in the post season, and while you can’t forget his big game last season against the Pack, you must note the Packer’s secondary has been stifling against opposing tight ends in the playoffs; six catches for 62 yards in three games.

By David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

February 2nd, 2011 Wednesday

David’s Daily Digest

Fantasy Notes:

Who’s Hot

Mendenhall Carrying the Load
The Steelers running back has been enjoying plenty of fantasy success this post season with three rushing touchdowns in the two games. Mendenhall has been carrying quite the load for the team’s ground game averaging 25 touches per game in the playoffs. He has also added 167 yards on the ground and 45 yards receiving.

Jennings Too Hot to Stop
The Packers playmaker has been on a recent tear averaging eight catches and over 115 yards receiving in his last two games. With 17 total receptions and 239 yards receiving in the post season, Jennings leads all receivers, but he has yet to find the end-zone.

Rodgers Keeps on Rolling
Since the end of October Rodgers has been a hot fantasy commodity and fantastic on the field; he has 22 touchdowns and just four interceptions. In his three starts in the post season Rodgers has passed for 790 yards and thrown six touchdowns while completing 71 percent of his passes; his passer rating in the playoffs is 109.2.

Nelson is Making a Little Noise
After a quiet Wild Card weekend, the Packers number three receiver has become a steady contributor to the passing game. In his last two starts wide receiver Jordy Nelson is averaging six receptions and 73 yards receiving per game; he’ll be on player watch come Super Sunday.

Starks Keeps Churning Out the Yards
The Packers rookie running back has been steady throughout the playoffs averaging 23 carries and nearly 90 yards per game with one rushing touchdown. Running back James Starks leads all NFL ball carriers in the post season with 263 yards on the ground; he figures to play a big role on Super Sunday.

James Harrison Has Been a Terror
The Steelers bad man has not only been delivering big hits in the preseason, he has also been wrecking havoc for opposing quarterbacks. Linebacker James Harrison has three sacks to go along with 14 total tackles in just two playoff games.

The Wild Man Has Been Playing Like a Beast
Linebacker Clay Matthews has been on a rampage in the playoffs racking up three and a half sacks with 13 total tackles. Matthews finished the year with 13 and half sacks, he’ll likely be in Big Ben’s ear most of day on Super Sunday.

Who’s not

Wallace Has Yet to Breakout
The Steelers big play-making threat, wide receiver Mike Wallace has yet to make noise this post season. In two games he has just four catches and 26 yards receiving with no touchdowns; regardless he’ll certainly be under a watchful eye by the Packers secondary on Super Sunday.

Quarless A Non-factor Up to This Point
The Packers starting tight end Andrew Quarless, who was inserted into the lineup to replace the injured Jermichael Finley has yet to be a factor in the playoffs. Quarless has caught just four passes for 41 yards and he was held without a catch in the NFC Championship.

By David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: SUNDAY MORNING GAMETIME

January 30th, 2011, Sunday

Sunday Morning Gametime
(afternoon edition)

Super Bowl XLV Countdown

Injury notes

The Steelers are looking like a team that may have a few concerns as the Big Dance approaches. Following their big win against the Jets in the AFC Championship the Steelers realized their victory may have come at a significant cost with the possible loss of rookie center Maurkice Pouncey. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Pouncey is listed as doubtful and is not expected to play in the Super Bowl.

The Steelers could also miss defensive end Aaron Smith who remains questionable for the Big Dance. Smith suffered a triceps injury that has sidelined him most of the season, but the team is hopeful he can play on February 6th. Even is Smith is healthy enough to go, he’d likely split time with Ziggy Hood who has played exceptional in his spot.

The Steelers have a few other notables listed, but no one appears to be in any danger of missing Super Sunday. Troy Polamalu (Achilles), Bryant McFadden (groin), and Emmanuel Sanders (toe) all practiced on Friday and are listed as probable. The biggest concern here would be Polamalu, who was relatively quiet in the AFC Championship; when he is healthy and plays well the Steelers defense has thrived.

The only noteworthy injury at this point for the Packers leading up to Super Sunday is linebacker Eric Walden’s ankle. He sat out of Saturday’s practice to rest the sore ankle, but is fully expected to be ready and would start opposite Clay Matthews Jr.

Fantasy Player Notes

With the Big Show looming ever so closer now (less than a week away), it time to start dissecting matchups and taking a closer look at some of the players that could rise up in the big stage and make a huge contribution.

The Packers passing attack goes four deep at the wide receiver position making all four (Jennings, Driver, Nelson, & Jones) viable plays for Super Sunday. Another pass receiving option that could become a huge factor during the course of the game would be tight end Andrew Quarless.

In last year’s shootout between the Steelers and the Packers, then starting tight end Jermichael Finley was a significant factor in the passing attack. Finley finished the game with nine receptions including a touchdown and against the Jets (tight end) Dustin Keller grabbed eight passes. Quarless is no Finley, but at 6’4” and 250-lbs he can be a very effective redzone target.

The Steelers are not consider to be a passing team, but they will have plenty of weapons should they need to go to the air. One of their lesser known weapons that could make a name for himself on Sunday is rookie wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. The kid is second on the team with five catches for 74 yards in the playoffs and has as many targets as Mike Wallace (10). With coverage rolling toward Wallace, Sanders could find a few openings.

Looking Ahead to 2011

Later today in Hawaii many football fans are going to have a chance to see a lot of next season’s fantasy studs showcase their talents. Names that are making their first appearance in the pro bowl and that should be catching the attention of fantasy owners would include;

RB-Arian Foster,…he led the NFL in rushing (1,616 yards rushing in 2010) in just his second year and scored 18 total touchdowns (16 rushing, 2 receiving). Foster also added 66 receptions and 604 yards receiving making him a very attractive overall top fantasy pick in 2011.

RB-Jamaal Charles….following his impressive 2009 season the Chiefs starter came back with a huge 2010 campaign to earn his first trip to the Pro Bowl. Charles finished 2010 with 1,935 total yards (1,467 rushing, 468 receiving) of offense with eight total touchdowns (5 rushing, 3 receiving); he will be a 1st round fantasy pick in 2011.

WR-Brandon Lloyd…..he makes his first appearance to the Pro Bowl this season finishing 2010 with career highs in receptions (77), yards receiving (1,448 yards), and touchdowns (11). He will be an interesting fantasy draft pick, since his quarterback situation could change.

TE-Marcedes Lewis…he emerged as a viable and legitimate redzone scoring threat catching 10 touchdown passes in 2010. Lewis also finished his 2010 campaign with career highs in all three categories; receptions (58), yards receiving (700), and touchdowns (10). He will be a highly rated fantasy TE next season.

By David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: MONDAY MORNING HUDDLE

January 24th, 2011, Monday

Monday Morning Huddle
(Late Evening Edition)

Well the NFL is now down to its’ final two with both the Packers and Steelers coming out victorious in their respective championship matchups. Although I am not surprised to see these two teams heading to Dallas for a February 6th showdown I won’t try and be one of those people that say I had this pick all along. I did however get this matchup right in my friendly and innocent office pool; I actually had three of the four teams in the championships as well (only the Jets were the surprise attendee).

Watching both games was quite thrilling, but it seems the entertainment did not stop at the conclusion of the late game (AFC Championship) with all the media buzz and twittering tweets that took place regarding the disappearance of Jay Cutler. In all fairness to Jay, it does appear he was really hurt and from what I had read in the numerous articles and tweets, I don’t think anyone questioned that fact.

There has been so much already said and written, so I don’t want to get myself all caught up in the uproar here (you can read my lead story “On the Cover”). What needs more speaking of is the two great games that were played, watched, and have now set up what could potentially be one of the greatest Super Bowl matchups in history.

Top Stories

Packers Continue the Ride to Dallas

The Packers entered Soldier Field with two goals in mind, establish the run and beat the Bears. While the numbers don’t jump off the sports pages, running back James Starks accomplished exactly what the Packers offense needed to generate enough scores to beat the Bears. Starks only totaled 74 yards on the ground, but his 22 carries were more than enough to be effective to keep the Packers balanced and the play-action in effect. Starks also jammed a four yard run into the end-zone in the second quarter to help the Packers build a 14-0 lead. With the running game doing just enough, quarterback Aaron Rodgers was able to operate from the pocket with his arm and his legs. Rodgers completed 17 of 30 passes for 244 yards with two interceptions (one off a deflection) and he also scrambled seven times for 39 yards and a one–yard touchdown run. The Packers would need help from their defense to close out this win and would get it in the form of an interception return late in the game by (of all people) defensive lineman B.J. Raji. The score was the difference in the game and gave the cheeseheads a not so pretty win, but one they will take every time.

Mendenhall Bullies His Way Through the Jets Onto Dallas

The Steelers looked like a team of destiny early with running back Rashard Mendenhall shredding the Jets run defense for nearly 100-yards in the first half. Mendenhall would carry the ball 27 times and finish the game with 121 yards and a one-yard touchdown dive in the first quarter to lead the Steelers ground attack. With Mendenhall running the ball very well early, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was able led the Steelers to a first half 24-3 lead, and a lead they would not relinquish. Roethlisberger’s numbers were nothing to swoon over, he completed just 10 of 19 for 133 yards and had two interceptions, but he was able to use his feet to make a few plays rushing for 21 yards and scoring on a two-yard scamper. The Steel Curtain would do their part in the AFC Championship tilt sacking quarterback Mark Sanchez and forcing a fumble that would be scooped up by cornerback William Gay and returned for a touchdown. Like the NFC title game this win for the Steelers was not a pretty one, but it’s one they will keep and the one they needed to move onto their record-tying eighth Super Bowl appearance.

Notables;

With the Packers and the Steelers set to face one another in Super Bowl XVL in Dallas on February 6th, a couple of notable players that should keep the fantasy football faithfuls’ attention…

Packer’s wide receiver Jordy Nelson didn’t see a great many targets on Sunday (just five), but he was the second most targeted receiver for Green Bay and finished Sunday with four catches for 67 yards. Nelson has 12 catches and 146 yards receiving this post season (2nd on the team).

Tight end Heath Miller did not see many balls on Sunday (no Steeler receiver did), but he was targeted four times to lead the team and finished the day with two catches for 38 yards. In their last matchup against Green Bay a year ago, Miller had a career high 118 yards receiving.

Wide receiver Donald Driver was quiet on Sunday with just one catch for nine yards, but he was targeted five times and has 12 catches for 141 yards in the post season (no touchdowns). Last year against these same Steelers he caught three balls for 76 yards.

Just my thoughts.

Fantasy Spotlight

Unfortunately for the Jets Mark Sanchez, he was the only starting quarterback on Sunday to not throw an interception, but it wasn’t enough to earn him a victory. After surviving a near disastrous first half (trailing 24-3), Sanchez only in his second year in the league, regrouped and led his team to a second half comeback.

Sanchez rebounded in great fashion looking like a savvy veteran under center in the second half against the Steelers. Facing the Steelers vaunted Blitz-burgh pass rush (48 sacks in 2010) Sanchez would complete 13 of 18 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns to lead the second half rally that would fall just short.

On the evening Sanchez finished 20 of 33 for 233 yards with the two scores and a passer rating of 102.2 (highest of the day by far).

He’s our Fantasy Spotlight Player of the Week!

Diamonds in the Rough

TE-Andrew Quarless

With the Packers set to face the Steelers on February 6th, tight end Andrew Quarles could become a more significant player in the Packers passing game. On Sunday against the Jets the Steelers defense struggled to cover the Jets tight end Dustin Keller who grabbed eight passes for 64 yards. Also. Last year against the Steelers, Packer’s tight end Jermichael Finely was big with nine passes for 74 yards and a score. Quarless is not Finley, but with 21 receptions and 238 yards receiving this season he could offer some production in the pass game on Super Sunday.

WR-Emmanuel Sanders

The Steelers passing game was anemic on Sunday against the Jets secondary, but against the Packers it could find some life. Big Ben (503 yards passing in 2009 against Packers) has been notorious for holding the ball and giving his receivers a chance, so a player like rookie receiver Emmanuel Sanders (5 catches for 74 yards in the post season) could become a factor. Sanders only caught one ball on Sunday, but he was targeted three times and has been (targeted) 10 times in the post season (second on the team).

By David Ortega