FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

December 22nd, 2010 Wednesday

David’s Daily Digest

Fantasy Notes:

AARON RODGERS RETURNS, BUT A BIG RISK
With this being championship weekend in most fantasy formats, now is not the time to be taking chances. The exception may be when you are talking about a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers; you just might have to roll the dice. This is exactly what the Packers may be facing this week as well with their playoff hopes hanging in the balance. Rodgers makes his return after missing one game because of a concussion suffered in week 14. His return is good news for Green Bay, but he will be facing one of the league’s toughest pass rushes (Giants). Rodgers has thrown 23 touchdowns this season, but he has also been sacked 27 times.
My Fantasy Read:
Rodgers when healthy is among the best quarterbacks in the league, but with two concussions already this season another hard hit could easily land him back on the bench. He’s a risky play against the Giants (42 sacks) this week, but one that is well worth it.

JACOBY FORD SEEING MORE ACTION
The Raiders speedy receiver has shown big play capability throughout the season and last Sunday against the Broncos was just another example. Ford took an end around run 71 yards to the house to help elevate the Raiders to a 39-23 win. Ford’s workload has been somewhat up and down this season but last week the rookie was targeted five times, caught three balls for 47 yards to go with his long touchdown run.
My Fantasy Read:
Ford is starting to see a steady diet of looks and touches each week. He has only 22 catches this season, but seven are for 20 yards or more. He has three total touchdowns this season and is averaging nearly 19 yards per catch. As explosive as this kid is (two pass plays over 45 yards, 71 yard touchdown run) he can only get better.

BRANDON LLOYD SHOULD BE A SAFE PLAY
The Tebow experiment is well under way and while it may not have been a complete success, it was not all that bad, especially for Brandon Lloyd fantasy owners. Tebow only threw 16 passes in the game, but the good news for owners five went to Lloyd. The Broncos’ top receiver would finish Sunday with four catches for 79 yards and a very fortunate 33 yard touchdown reception.
My Fantasy Read:
With Tebow under center Lloyd is not going to scare any opposing fantasy owners, but still he should remain a safe play this week against the Texans 32nd ranked secondary. With a game under his belt, expect Tebow to put the ball in the air a few more times this Sunday and we know where he will be looking (Lloyd).

JONATHAN STEWART COULD STRUGGLE THURSDAY
The Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart has been running ragged over the past several weeks averaging 115 yards rushing per game over his last four. Stewart has also been seeing plenty of work with 78 carries in his last four games. Last Sunday against the Cardinals was his best game of the season with 137 yards on 27 carries.
My Fantasy Read:
Stewart has been hot of late, but he has also been facing some of the bottom half ranked run defenses; Cards-30th, Browns-25th, Seahawks-21st. Thursday night he’ll face the league’s best run defense (Steelers) that has not allowed a single 100-yard rusher this season. The Patriots BenJarvus Green-Ellis’ 87 yards in week 10 is the best any runner has done this season against the Steel-Curtain.

FSH: MY WEEKLY SURVIVAL

November 4th, 2010, Thursday

My Weekly Survivors

Week 8 was another solid week for our fantasy team with huge performances from running back Jamaal Charles (23 fantasy points) and wide receiver Brandon Lloyd (22 fantasy points). Kyle Orton was again solid in week 8 as well with 369 yards passing and 18 yards rushing to go along with one touchdown toss. My duds last week were running back Felix Jones (36 total yards) and tight end Tony Moeaki (45 yards receiving). Both were disappointing, but not as much as the Cowboys were last week against the Jaguars.

For the week we tallied 82 points and held court at the number 8 spot in our overall standings. As we move into week nine the picks do not get any easier, but looking at some of this week’s matchups we could be looking to make another push or fall down the trail.

Here are my week nine picks….

QB-Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
After watching David Garrard light up the Cowboy’s secondary for four touchdowns passes, I am expecting a huge game from Packer’s quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The Pack lack any consistency on the ground and they will more than likely follow the Jags blueprint to take down the visiting boys from Texas.
(Projected: 31 points/ 335 yards passing, three touchdowns)

RB-Benjarvus Green-Ellis, New England Patriots
The Patriots displayed a strong balanced attack last week against the Vikings and even showed a lot of grit with their new found ground game. Even though the Browns do boast a pretty good defense, I like “the firm” of Benjarvus Green-Ellis to grind out some yardage and at least grab one score.
(Projected: 16 points / 85 yards rushing, 20 yards receiving, one touchdown)

RB-LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles
The Texans exploited some soft coverage underneath Monday night against the Colts with their running backs and I think the Eagles will take advantage. McCoy is a versatile back that will be utilized in both the run and pass; I am looking for a big game for the Eagles runner.
(Projected: 19points/ 90 yards rushing, 45 yards receiving, one touchdown)

WR-Patrick Crayton, San Diego Chargers
The Charger’s are losing pass catchers left and right, and in week nine it looks like it will come down to Patrick Crayton. One of the team’s newest receivers Crayton is sure to see plenty of chances on Sunday against a very suspect Texan’s secondary.
(Projected: 16 points/ 105 yards receiving, one touchdown)

WR-Steve Smith, New York Giants
The Giants seem to be on a roll, winner’s of five straight and a big reason has been the balanced play of their offense. One of the keys to their pass game has been the sure hands of wide receiver Steve Smith. In his last three starts he has been heavily targeted connecting on 21 passes for 260 yards receiving and two touchdowns. With Hakeem Nicks blowing up on the other side, Smith will likely see more favorable matchups and coverage going forward; result another big Sunday.
(Projected: 16 points/ 105 yards receiving, one touchdown)

TE-Jacob Tamme, Indianapolis Colts
He was a secret entering Monday night’s matchup against the Texans, but this week he’s sure to become another household name in Indianapolis. Tight end Jacob Tamme likely won’t see nearly as many balls in his direction (if the defense has learned anything), but you can bet quarterback Peyton Manning will find him when he needs to.
(Projected: 11 points/ 55 yards receiving, one touchdown)

K –Mason Crosby, Green Bay Packers
The Cowboys defense looked pretty awful last week against the Jaguars and there’s little reason to expect any improvements this week. With the Packers struggling some on the ground they may have to settle for a couple of kicks instead of touchdowns on Sunday.
(Projected: 12 points/ three field goals, three extra points)

My Previous starts

Week 1 (Total points-77)
QB Donovan McNabb (WAS)
RB Matt Forte (CHI)
RB Carnell Williams (TB)
WR Jeremy Maclin (PHI)
WR Jabar Gaffney (DEN)
TE Zach Miller (OAK)
K Joe Nedney (SF)

Week 2 (Total points-68)
QB Michael Vick (PHI)
RB Ahmad Bradshaw (NYG)
RB Rashard Mendenhall (PIT)
WR Nate Washington (TEN)
WR Greg Jennings (GB)
TE Chris Cooley (WAS)
K Nick Folk (NYJ)

Week 3 (Total points-87)
QB Tony Romo (DAL)
RB Darren McFadden
RB Ray Rice (BAL)
WR Austin Collie (IND)
WR Dez Bryant (DAL)
TE Brent Celek (PHI)
K Lawrence Tynes (NYG)

Week 4 (Total points-58)
QB Eli Manning (NYG)
RB Maurice Jones-Drew (JAX)
RB Frank Gore (SF)
WR Mark Clayton (STL)
WR Brandon Marshall (MIA)
TE John Carlson (SEA)
K Jeff Reed (PIT)

Week 5 (Total Points-72 points)
QB Drew Brees (NO)
RB Steven Jackson (STL)
RB Thomas Jones (KC)
WR Donald Driver (GB)
WR Calvin Johnson (DET)
TE Marcedes Lewis (JAX)
K Mike Nugent (CIN)

Week 6 (Total Points-83 points)
QB Peyton Manning (IND)
RB Ryan Torain (WASH)
RB LaDanian Tomlinson (NYJ)
WR Hakeem Nicks (NYG)
WR Kenny Britt (TEN)
TE Dallas Clark, (IND)
K Sebastian Janikowski (OAK)

Week 7 (Total Points-93 points)
QB Philip Rivers (SD)
RB Adrian Peterson (MIN)
RB Michael Turner (ATL)
WR Larry Fitzgerald (ARI)
WR Dwayne Bowe (KC)
TE Tony Gonzales (ATL)
K Matt Prater (DEN)

Week 8 (Total Points-82 points)
QB Kyle Orton (DEN)
RB Felix Jones (DAL)
RB Jamaal Charles (KC)
WR Brandon Lloyd (DEN)
WR Deion Branch (NE)
TE Tony Moeki (KC)
K Stephen Gostkowski (NE)