FSH: IDP NOTES

September 15th, 2009 10:30pm PST

IDP Notes:

The strong never sleep, so for those that can keep up with the “what is happening” around the league, here’s more football just for all of the IDP Nation….

IDP News From Across the Wire…

Brian Dawkins, S, Denver Broncos
Brian Dawkins (hand) did not practice on Wednesday, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette.
My Fantasy Read on Dawkins: The Bronco’s new safety was a beast on Sunday recording 11 tackles (including seven solo). His presence was particularly big in support of the run as the Broncos limited Cincinnati to just 3-yards per carry. Dawk is a ball-hawk and if he’s healthy he’s a player; check his status later in the week….

B.J. Raji, DT, Green Bay Packers
B.J. Raji (ankle) was a full-participant in Packers practice on Wednesday, according to the team.
My Fantasy Read on Raji: For the most part the Packers interior defensive line did a credible job Sunday night stuffing the run only allowing 2.8 yds/carry. Adding Raji to the mix will definitely make an already pretty good looking run defense even better. The Packers team defense stock just went up a few points…..

Adalius Thomas, LB, New England Patriots
Adalius Thomas was limited in Wednesday's practice while nursing a foot ailment, according to the Patriots' official team website.
My Fantasy Read on Thomas: With a rookie quarterback on the menu, the Patriots would love to have Thomas on the field Sunday. He’s typically one of your big IDP playmakers and should start, but if he’s slowed by injury he could be limited. Check his status later in the week….

Paul Posluszny, LB, Buffalo Bills
According to the team's official website, Bills' linebacker Paul Posluszny underwent successful surgery on his broken arm on Tuesday. Posluszny is expected to be back at some point before the halfway point of the season.
My Fantasy Read on Posluszny: The Bill’s defense at times looked terrific Monday night, except when Brady was dissecting the middle of the defense. Posluszny’s absence will be felt in the middle, fantasy owners that draft team defenses may want to check the waiver wire soon while the Bill’s linebacker is sidelined…..

Champ Bailey, CB, Denver Broncos
Champ Bailey (ankle) did not participate in practice on Wednesday, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette.
My Fantasy Read on Bailey: There are no reports indicating Bailey is in any danger of missing action this weekend. Expect to see the Pro Bowler on the field Sunday facing a very suspect Brown’s passing offense….


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FSH: IDP NOTES

August 13th, 2009 10:30pm PST

IDP Notes:

The strong never sleep, so for those that can keep up with the “what is happening” around the league, here’s more football just for all of the IDP Nation….

IDP News From Across the Wire…


Cato June, LB, Houston Texans
Cato June has been unable to practice for the last two days due to a swollen knee, according to the Texans' official website.

Troy Polamalu, S, Pittsburgh Steelers
Troy Polamalu is gearing up for a big 2009 campaign, according to the National Football Post. He said, "I am light years ahead of where I was last year when I did not practice at all during camp (due to a hamstring injury)."

B.J. Raji, DT, Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers and B.J. Raji have finally agreed to a long-term deal, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Larry English, LB, San Diego Chargers
Larry English missed another day of practice Thursday while dealing with a strained hamstring, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

James Hall, DE, St. Louis Rams
Along with fellow veteran Leonard Little, James Hall has been one of the standouts at defensive end in Rams camp, according to ESPN.

Chris Long, DE, St. Louis Rams
ESPN reports that defensive end Chris Long has "(looked) solid, but hardly dynamic" at Rams camp so far.

James Laurinaitis, LB, St. Louis Rams
ESPN.com is reporting that James Laurinaitis has been named the starting middle linebacker for the Rams by coach Steve Spagnuolo. Laurinaitis was the team's second-round pick out of Ohio State.

Mike Brown, S, Kansas City Chiefs
Mike Brown has not pushed Bernard Pollard for the starting gig at strong safety in the early going of training camp with the Chiefs, according to the Kansas City Star. Brown said, "I am definitely out here competing but I realize my role."

Bob Sanders, S, Indianapolis Colts
Bob Sanders has been ruled out for Friday's preseason opener against the Vikings, according to the Indianapolis Star. He remains on the PUP list while recovering from his off-season knee surgery.

Aaron Maybin, DE, Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo News is reporting that the Bills are moving closer to signing first-round pick Aaron Maybin. Both sides have been talking, and the team hopes they can get the deal done this week so Maybin can play in the final three preseason games.

Mark Anderson, DE, Chicago Bears
Mark Anderson, the Bears' "co-starter" at both left end and right end, has drawn praise this preseason after a disappointing 2008, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Brian Cushing, LB, Houston Texans
Updating a previous report, Texans' linebacker Brian Cushing has been diagnosed with a sprained LCL, according to the Houston Chronicle. Cushing is expected to be full strength for the season opener.

Antoine Bethea, S, Indianapolis Colts
The Associated Press reports that Colts defensive back Antoine Bethea is out indefinitely with a broken hand.

Ron Bartell, CB, St. Louis Rams
Rams' cornerback Ron Bartell sat out Wednesday morning's practice with a minor hamstring injury, according to the team's Twitter page. Bartell is expected to be available to play Friday in the team's first preseason game.



My Fantasy Read….

Cato June was a starter for the Bucs last season, but the Texans are pretty loaded at linebacker position. June will be competing for a job this season and remains a risky IDP until he locks down the gig….

Polamalu is one of the league’s premiere safeties and biggest playmakers. If he feels great, don’t hesitate to snatch him up in your fantasy drafts….

The Packers have their rookie defensive tackle (Raji) in camp now and while he should improve the interior defensive line, he has more the look of gap filler than playmaker. He could be a risky option to draft early…..

The Chargers are another team loaded with talent at the linebacker spot, but we are hearing too many good things about Larry English to think he won’t see plenty of action. He may not warrant a starting play on your fantasy roster, but he’s worth drafting late especially in dynasty and keeper leagues…..

The Rams rookie linebacker James Laurinaitis will be an immediate IDP impact fantasy stud this season already locking down the starting middle spot on the defense. He should be worthy of an early round selection in my drafts…..

For those playing in team defense formats, with Sanders still on the PUP the Colts defense (ranked 11th in 2008) may be one you want to avoid early in fantasy drafts…..

The sooner the Bills and rookie linebacker Aaron Maybin can get a deal done, the better for fantasy owners. Maybin will continue to slide down the boards as he holds out of training camp. If a deal can get done soon, Maybin’s fantasy value will only rise….



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FSH: IDP NOTES

June 9th, 2009 11:30pm PST

IDP Notes:

With OTAs in full swing, there's lots to cover on both sides of the ball. Here's more to digest and my take for the IDP faithful...

DB CHARLES TILLMAN RETURNS TO PRACTICE
My Fantasy Read: The Bear’s playmaking corner returned to the field for the first time since having surgery to repair his injured shoulder. Tillman is still recovering, but is expected to be at full strength in time for training camp. Tillman is the leader of the Bears secondary and a perennial playmaker in the league. Last season he finished second on the team with 93 tackles and his four fumble recoveries and three picks make him an IDP favorite in fantasy.

DL VINCE WOLFORK IS A SPECIAL GUY IN NEW ENGLAND
My Fantasy Read: Whenever your employer calls you “special” it has to say something about you as a person and player. Wolfork might get a lot of hand shakes and accolades for being a great team player, but fantasy owners are more impressed with his solid numbers in the middle. Last season the Patriots run stuffer collected 66 tackles and two sacks, making him one of the few solid IDP defensive tackles for the 2009 season.

LB AARON CURRY LOOKING IMPRESSIVE IN SEATTLE
My Fantasy Read: The Seahawks rookie has looked impressive this offseason according to head coach Jim Mora. The team has yet to begin any contact during the minicamps, but this could be an indication that Curry is ahead of the curve and could be an immediate impact player in fantasy this season. Owners will have to watch the reports from the Northwest as soon as the pads go on.

DL BJ RAJI SEEING TIME WITH THE FIRST UNIT
My Fantasy Read: The Packers top selection from this year’s NFL draft is logging a lot of time with the first team. Raji figures to be a constant fixture in the middle and along the defensive line for the Packers, but fantasy owners are going to have to wonder if he’s going to be an occupier or stopper. As long as he is on the field, he figures to have more upside, but it remains to be seen if he can be dominant in the middle.



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FSH: IDP NOTES

May 14th, 2009 10:30pm PST

IDP Notes:

In case most folks have not noticed I can’t tell fantasy football is still about three months away (for some early draft) and the NFL does not kickoff until September. If you were here with me, you’d think tomorrow were draft day and fantasy starts Sunday. We still have plenty of time to prepare, so here’s my latest take from the IDP Nation.….

DL B.J. RAJI COULD COMPETE AT NOSE TACKLE
My Fantasy Read: The Packers number one 2009 draft selection is being pegged as the favorite in the middle despite the presence of 2008 starter Ryuan Pickett. Raji is a load and will take up considerable space, but at his size and build he serve more as a gap filler and have limited value for fantasy owners in IDP leagues.

LB BARRETT RUUD SITTING OUT FOR NOW
My Fantasy Read: The Buc’s leading tackler from last season has not reported to any of the team’s OTAs this offseason, but he says “everything’s fine.” It doesn’t sound like much now, but Ruud is in his final year of his rookie contract. As long as he’s on the field he’ll remain a solid IDP start in most any fantasy league.

DL SHAUN ELLIS RETURNS TO THE FIELD
My Fantasy Read: The Jet’s defensive lineman is coming back from offseason surgery. He’s currently limited in practice, but is expected to be back in time for camp. Ellis played well in 2008 and should be even better under Coach Ryan’s new system. Ellis will be a mid-level IDP favorite on the defensive line for fantasy owners in 2009.

DL JASON TAYLOR RETURNS TO THE DOLPHINS
My Fantasy Read: There’s nothing like “home, sweet home.” The defensive lineman returns to his former team in Miami, but will play a situational role coming from the sideline. Taylor enters his 12th season at age 34 and following an injury plagued 2008 season where he only started eight games, the sideline could actually be his friend. Taylor is still very well skilled and athletic, coming off the bench as a situational pass rusher will keep him healthy and extend his season. He’s not a top tier fantasy IDP, but he’ll be worth picking up in 2009.

LB DERRICK BROOKS NOT COMING BACK TO TAMPA
My Fantasy Read: Unfortunately for the former stud standout in the Tampa 2 defense, linebacker Derrick Brooks could be looking at having to hang’em up in 2009. The free agent is not generating any interest and the team has confirmed they have no plans to bring him back. It’s sad to say, but Brooks will likely have little or no fantasy value in 2009.

DL LEONARD LITTLE HOPE TO BOUNCE BACK IN 2009
My Fantasy Read: The Rams former third round pick in the 1998 NFL draft is coming off an injury riddled 2008. Last season Little started just five games and recorded just 18 tackles (six sacks). He’s missed a total of eleven games the last two seasons. He’s now close to full strength, but at 35 his durability will remain a question going into 2009. If he can stay healthy, he figures to have a prominent role in Spagnuolo’s defense and could be a solid IDP play this coming fantasy season.

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