FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Saturday Evening Edition

October 18th, 2014 

 

David’s Daily Digest 

Week 7 Starts/Sleepers

My Favorites for Sunday

The past several weeks I’ve been devoting a lot of my time focusing more on the one week fantasy leagues and taking a closer look at the weekly matchups. Heading into Sunday’s games, there a handful of matchups and plays I am favoring a great deal.

RB-Ben Tate

The Browns are coming off a big win over the Steelers last week, led by their ground game (158 yards rushing, 3 touchdowns) and running back Ben Tate. The Browns ball carrier has been rolling since he returned to action in week 5; Tate has 202 yards rushing and two rushing touchdowns in his last two games. This week with the Jaguars defense on the slate, Tate draws the league’s defense that allows the 4^th most fantasy points to opposing running backs, including 7 total touchdowns. Ben is a must play today.

RB-Justin Forsett

The Ravens running back Justin Forsett has been solid all season and today gets a great matchup against the Falcons defense that allows the most yards rushing to opposing running backs and second most receptions this season. Forsett is coming off his first 100-yard rushing effort last week and with 23 receptions this season; he is the second leading receiver on the team. Forsett is a key cog in the Ravens offense and should be heavily involved on Sunday in a favorable matchup; get him in your lineup.

TE-Jordan Reed

A lot of folks like his skill set and physical ability, but his knock has always been his health. Reed is healthy this week and coming off a nice 8-catch, 92-yards receiving off 11 targets last week against the Cardinals. This Sunday Reed has a tasty matchup against the Titans defense that allows the 8^th most fantasy points, including 5 touchdowns to opposing tight ends. He’s a strong start today.

Week 7 Sleepers

RB-Jerick McKinnon

The Vikings running back will be making his second consecutive start today against a formidable Bills run defense, but his matchup could be a little more favorable than what most think. The Bills have done a good job against the run this season for the most part, but there have been signs of cracks in the armor. Running backs like Matt Forte, Lamar Miller, and George Winn all averaged more than four yards per carry against the Bills this season, suggesting that an elusive speedy back like McKinnon could have similar success. I like the Vikings rookie this Sunday if you are in great need at the position.

WR-Jermaine Kearse

With the sudden trade of wide receiver/return specialist Percy Harvin, the fallout in Seattle could be the rise of some hidden talent. Wide receiver Jermaine Kearse has shown great speed on special teams, but in a limited role on offense fantasy owners have yet to see his true potential. With Harvin gone, we could see a more expanded role for Kearse this week. I like the possibilities; he’s worth watching on Sunday.

That’s my take for week 7.

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Friday Evening Edition

September 26th, 2014 

 

David’s Daily Digest

Talking Fantasy Strategy

Stash’em If You Got’em

After watching the Redskins tight end Niles Paul go down last night with a head injury (diagnosed with a concussion), fantasy owners should pay close attention to next week’s injury report and pick up tight end Jordan Reed. Reed is the natural starter in Washington, but has been out the past several weeks with a hamstring injury. He’s sounds likes he’s still a week away from returning, but when healthy he’s a dynamic pass-catching target in the passing game. He’s a target worth stashing if you have roster room.

Another target for fantasy owners looking for talent waiting to blossom is Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon. This one is a flier that fantasy owners will have to be patience with. McKinnon has play making ability the Vikings run game sorely needs, but he’s yet to see much action thus far this season. With current starter Matt Asiata averaging a paltry 3 yards per carry and just 81 yards on the ground, McKinnon’s time may come sooner rather than later’ stash him with lots of patience.

With the Rams on bye in week four, fantasy owners will have to wait and see what happens under center. The last call from head coach Jeff Fischer indicated he would turn the reigns back over to quarterback Shaun Hill when healthy; this despite the fact that 3^rd year quarterback Austin Davis has continued to improve. Davis is coming off a 327 passing yards, three touchdown effort in week 3 where he also completed better than 70% of his throws. His three touchdowns were his first of the season, but also a big indicator that Davis has potential. It will be interesting to see if the Rams move back with Hill or stay the course with Davis. In two quarterback leagues Davis may not be worth a deuce, but could be worth a stash.

In Cleveland I am liking the looks of running back Isaiah Crowell. In three games he’s averaging better than 5 yards per carry and has scored three touchdowns; the kid is productive. The Browns may have to looks of a crowded backfield with running backs Ben Tate and Torrance West included, which is why Crowell would definitely be worth stashing (if your lineup is not in dire need) at this time until fantasy owners see how the carries will be distributed. Crowell has been too good to linger on the bench for too long, stay patient and the rewards will come.

Just some of my takes for week 4.

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: THE FOUR HORSEMEN

Sunday Edition
November 4th, 2012  

The Four Horsemen

We are going to ride again and for this week I am saddling up some big boys that should have some very big performances in week 9.

My week 9 fantasy picks…

Quarterback (Peyton Manning, DEN)

It appears the Bronco’s have found their missing piece or so it would seem with the way quarterback Peyton Manning has played of late. Last week against the Saints, Manning was able to get the offense out of the gate early and often. Manning has looked effective and is putting up phenomenal numbers this season. With the Bengals (ranked 17th versus the pass) next on the slate, Manning looks set to keep the Broncos rolling. Manning has five straight games of 300 yards passing or more and four straight with three touchdowns. The Bengals defense allows the 11th most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.

Running Back (Arian Foster, Hou)

This pick is a no-brainer. The Bills defense has done a porous job this season against the run, ranked 31st and with Ben Tate already ruled out this sets up running back Arian Foster for a huge day. Foster is not only a threat on the ground, but he can be exceptional out of the backfield in open space. I look for the Texans to not only hand him the rock today, but Foster should be good for 4-6 receptions; he’s going to blow up today. The Bills allow the most fantasy points to running backs.

Wide Receiver (DeSean Jackson, PHI)

The Eagles speedy and big play receiver DeSean Jackson has done very little of that (big plays) this season. Jackson leads the team with 34 receptions and 524 yards receiving this season, but through 7 games he has just one touchdown and just one reception of 40 yards or more (5 in 2011, 8 in 2010). On Monday night Jackson will line up against a Saints defense that is ranked 30th versus the pass, has surrendered 15 touchdowns (just three picks), and allow the most fantasy points to wide receivers. This has the making of a breakout game for Jackson and company.

Tight End (Jason Witten, DAL)

The Cowboys tight end Jason Witten and quarterback Tony Romo have really been in sync the past several games. Witten has been heavily targeted and has posted four straight games with no fewer than 6 receptions and 7 targets. Witten is coming off a monster game last Sunday and with the Falcons up next (Sunday night) he should continue the hot hand. The Cowboys are plagued with injuries at the receiver position; Witten is going to be Romo’s safety blanket all evening. 


By David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

September 21ST, 2011 Wednesday

David’s Daily Digest

Fantasy Notes:

Foster Does Not Practice
What most fantasy folks may have figured, the Texans running back Arian Foster was limited this week in practice and does not look good to play on Sunday. This is great news for fantasy owners that have been teetering back and forth with back up Ben Tate and Foster. It appears Tate will be the starter this week and he should be in most fantasy lineups. Tate has been solid this season racking up 219 yards on the ground and figures to carry the brunt of the load this week against the Saints.

Kenny Britt limited with Hamstring Injury
According to Britt the hamstring injury is the same as the one that hampered him during the preseason, but what I have been reading it does not sound serious or anything to be concerned about. Britt has been a beast in the passing game for the Titans and is now a fantasy must start every week. Next up for Britt the Broncos secondary that was just torched for 385 yards in week 2.

Newton sets his sights for the Jags
It’s starting to look like rather than opposing defenses having a target on the Panthers rookie quarterback each week, Cam Newton is measuring up his gridiron foes for destruction. In just two weeks Newton has passed for over 800 yards and rushed for another 71; he has also accounted for five touchdowns (three passing, two rushing). Newton looks like a dynamic playmaker and this Sunday appears to be another opportunity for him to showcase his talents; if you are not starting him, better get him in your lineup.

Matthews quietly Becoming PPR Stud
Ryan Matthews may be splitting time in the backfield with Mike Tolbert this season, but with his lack of carries (just 24 this season) he is quickly making up for it in the passing game. In the team’s first two games this season Matthews has already collected 10 balls for 135 yards. With that kind of production, Matthews could quickly become a fantasy gem in most PPR formats, especially if he can start finding the end-zone more often.

By David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

September 14th, 2011, Wednesday

David’s Daily Digest

Fantasy Notes:

Foster Sounds-Off, Expects to Play
Just when we thought he might be down, the Texans running back Arian Foster (hamstring) says he expects to play on Sunday after returning to practice on Wednesday. With back-up Ben Tate running effective last weekend against the Colts, if Foster does play he could see his workload tapered back a bit this week against the Dolphins. It’s hard to sit your studs and fantasy owners would have to figure if Foster is out there, he’s healthy enough to produce.

Roddy White remains the Favorite
Despite all the hype surrounding the arrival of rookie wide receiver Julio Jones in Atlanta, it appears fantasy owners can take solice in knowing that Roddy White remains the number one. On Sunday against the Bears, White was targeted a team high 13 times (tied for most targets in week 1). Jones will see his share going forward, but White is still quarterback Matt Ryans’ favorite.

IDP Notes

Sugar Ray is “Sweet” as Ever
This may be his 16th season in the league, but Raven’s linebacker Ray Lewis is playing as sweet as ever. Against the Steelers on Sunday Lewis turned in a gem with six tackles, including one for a loss, one forced fumble, and a pick as the defense was just dominant. As long as he remains healthy, Lewis looks solid in the middle and a great fantasy play against the Titans in week two.

Suggs is a Beast on Sunday
There was no one who was badder, and no one who was better than the Ravens’ defensive end Terrell Suggs. The former Arizona State Sun Devil dominated the line of scrimmage this past Sunday recording three sacks (leads the NFL) and two forced fumbles. He could have another stellar game against a Titan’s offensive line that struggled last week and yielded a pair of sacks.

Just my Tuesday takes.

By David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: WATERCOOLER CHAT

September 14TH, 2011, Wednesday

Watercooler Chat

It’s Wednesday or more popularly known as “Hump day” and being the middle of the week, it’s Waiver wire time for most fantasy leagues. If week one caught some of you fantasy owners by surprise, then you might be looking to the waiver wire to get back over the hump.

If your waivers have yet to process in your league, then there’s still time to make the necessary moves to pick up those players that figure to have an impact in Week 2. Last week taught fantasy owners a lot about who is ready, who looks good, and who should be on your watch list, but there’s still plenty more to learn and fortunately for most time to act.

Week 2 Player Watch

Under center

It was only one week, but I would have to say that Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne may have done enough to quiet most of his critics, at least for the time being. His 400 yards passing on Monday night won’t earn him a starting spot on any fantasy teams just yet, but he may be worth stashing away as an insurance policy down the road in deeper leagues.

The Brown’s young passer Colt McCoy was also a nice fantasy play in week one with over 200 yards passing and two scores, if you had him in your lineup. I like McCoy and believe he’s going to get better. It’s not likely that too many folks did start McCoy, but if you are thin at the spot he’s definitely one to watch in the second half of the season; especially with matchups against the Jaguars, Bengals, and Cardinals down the stretch.

In the backfield

The current word going around is Steven Jackson is not expected to play on Monday night against the Giants. If you watched the Rams on Sunday you knew Jackson was an early exit and his replacement Carnell Williams (150 yards of offense against the Eagles) filled in admirably. It’s not certain how long Jackson might be sidelined, but even if for only the one game Williams is worthy of a fantasy roster spot. He figures to see the brunt of the load and will contribute in the passing game.

The Texans may see the return of running back Arian Foster on Sunday against the Dolphins, but that’s no reason to pass on back up Ben Tate. The 2nd year back out of Auburn was a man-child on Sunday against the Colts carrying the rock 24 times for 116 yards. With Foster expecting to return, Tate may not come close to his week one totals, but he could still see plenty of work against the Phins. The Texans ran the ball 41 times in week one and could do more of the same against the league’s 32nd ranked defense. Tate looks to be a solid handcuff (for Foster) and nice flex play this week in deeper leagues.

Split wide

Now it’s definitely something to watch, but let’s not jump all over the bandwagon just yet when it comes to theSteelers’ 2nd year receiver Antonio Brown. He only caught two passes in week one, but don’t let his numbers mislead you. Against the Ravens on Sunday Brown was targeted 9 times, but it was also a game in which the Steelers trailed most of the way and fell behind big. Every week doesn’t figure to follow the same pattern, but there’s no question Big Ben was looking for the kid. If you have the room on your roster, Brown would definitely be a consideration to fill the spot.

The Giants not only fell in week one to the Redskins, but it may have cost them their leading receiver Hakeem Nicks (knee). Although his injury is not considered serious, he is listed as questionable for Monday night’s matchup against the Rams. If Nicks does miss anytime, a sleeper pick off the waiver wires could be number three receiver Domenik Hixon. Hixon has great speed and plenty of big play ability. This could be a tough one since the game is not until Monday, but if if he gets the call he could be a nice sneaky play of the waiver wire; at the very least a possible handcuff for Nicks.

Just my take.

By David Ortega