FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Wednesday Edition

October 17th, 2012 

Davids daily digest

Eli Manning has had a pretty good 2012 campaign, but it looks to get a lot better in a hurry this Sunday. The Giants will play host to the Washington Redskins on Sunday and fantasy owners have to be loving this matchup. The Redskins are ranked dead last in the league against the pass and have allowed a league high 15 passing touchdowns. It looks like it could be a big day for Eli.

Good news for Darren McFadden owners, the Raiders appear to be determined to get their playmaker involved. In week 6 Run-DMC finished his game with 30 touches for 98 total yards of offense and with the Jaguars 30^th ranked run defense next on their schedule McFadden figures to be busy once again. The Jags allow more than 160 yards rushing per game and have allowed 7 rushing touchdowns this season. It’s a good bet McFadden visits the end-zone on Sunday, at least once.

The Buccaneers offense awoke from its’ slumber in week six against the Chiefs scoring 38 points. Quarterback Josh Freeman turned in a big game passing for over 300 yards and tossing two scores. This Sunday he could find similar success against a very shaky Saints defense. The Saints secondary is ranked 26^th in the league allowing more than 280 yards in the air with nine passing touchdowns given up. Freeman is on a roll averaging 313 yards passing with three touchdowns in his last two starts; he’s in a groove and could be feeling the funky beat this Sunday against the Saints.

The Bills running back Fred Jackson had his best game a week ago in part-time duty splitting carries with CJ Spiller. Jackson touched the rock 21 times and totaled more than 80 yards with a score. Jackson will be looking to build off that success this week facing the Titans 24th ranked run defense. The Titans allow nearly 130 yards per game and have surrendered 7 rushing touchdowns; Jackson should enjoy considerable success and could make another trip back to pay dirt.

By David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: SUNDAY MORNING GAMETIME

Sunday Edition

September 30th, 2012 

Sunday Morning Gametime

Some quick fantasy notes for Sunday week 4, who to play and who should stay (on your bench);

I like Cedric Benson a lot today against one of the league’s worst run defenses (Saints). The Packers like to throw the ball quite a bit, but look for Ced to tote the rock near 20 times today on the Frozen Tundra.

Fred Jackson is starting today for the Bills, but is expected to share carries with C Spiller. Coming off the knee injury and only part-time today, if you have a better options leave Jackson on your bench.

The Seahawks defense looked beastly Monday night sacking quarterback Aaron Rodgers 8 times in the first half. Today matched up against the Rams offensive line that has already allowed 12 sacks in three games; expect another solid outing for the Seahawks D. Start them

Tom Brady and wide receiver Brandon Lloyd are off to a bit of a slow start, but gradually this connection has been looking better and better. I am expecting a possible breakout game for Lloyd today; either way he’s a good play and should deliver at least one score today.

The Niners wide receiver Michael Crabtree has been quietly steady this season, leading the team with 19 receptions in three games. He has yet to score a touchdown this season, but facing the Jets without Darelle Revis, that could change. I like Crabtree in your lineup today, he’ll deliver five catches for plus-80 yards and a score.

By David Ortega

FSH: SUNDAY MORNING GAMETIME

November 28th, 2010 Sunday

Sunday Morning Gametime

There are plenty of games and big matchups to watch today, even with three already in the books. With just two weeks left in the fantasy season (for most fantasy leagues), today’s games and matchups will be huge for those owners fighting for their post season life. Always playing a big part in the life of a fantasy owner; the injury report….

Today’s injury notes:

The Brown’s kick returner/wide receiver Josh Cribbs (foot injury) is active today against the Panthers 14th overall ranked defense. While Cribbs will play, rookie quarterback Colt McCoy (high ankle sprain) will sit with quarterback Jake Delhomme getting the start.

The Bills will be without their rookie running back C.J. Spiller (hamstring injury) who is listed as inactive. Even with the majority of carries today, it could be a rough day for starter Fred Jackson facing the league’s number one rush defense (Steelers).

The Panthers will have running back Jonathan Stewart (concussion) on the bench, but he will play; starting in his place again running back Mike Goodson. Goodson has been effective as the starter and should continue to see the majority of carries against the Browns.

The Jaguars will have the services of wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker (ankle injury) today, who returns after missing some action. Also active today is running back Maurice Jones-Drew (abdomen injury) who will face the Giants 5th ranked run defense.

The Vikings quarterback Brett Favre (flu symptoms) is expected to start today, but it sounds like he will be far less than 100%. Favre’s illness condition has gotten worse according to reports and he could be experiencing a sinus infection. Don’t expect a little bug to keep him sidelined, but if weakened any he could lose a little zip on his some of his throws today.

Notable Matchups;

With Bernard Berrian being deactivated today, it looks like it could be a very active day for wide receiver Sidney Rice. He’ll have a favorable matchup today facing the Redskins 29th ranked pass defense and as expected the Vikings wide receiver (Rice) will start today.

The Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson is starting to feel more like his old self as his ankle injury he has been nursing most of the season heals. The Titans struggle versus the pass this season ranked 26th and could be in for a long day trying to catch Johnson.

The Redskins will be without running back Ryan Torain (hamstring), so Keiland Williams will get the start once again. It may not be a good idea to jump on the Williams bandwagon today with the Redskins facing the Vikings 7th ranked run defense. Williams is also likely split some carries with recent practice-squad call up running back James Davis.

There’s been some chatter this morning in the Randy Moss camp and deservedly so; the Titans face the league’s worst pass defense. There’s no question it’s a risky play, but with the Texans allowing more than 300 yards passing per game and 25 touchdowns this season, you have to expect Fischer and company will take their shots downfield with Moss.

FSH: MY 2010 FANTASY RB'S

September 8th, 2010, Wednesday

Running with the wind

Top Fantasy Running Backs:

2009 was a record setting season for the Titan’s running back Chris Johnson, the class of the NFL runners. The speedster from East Carolina University shredded opposing defenses last season to the tune of 2,006 yards becoming just the sixth player in NFL history to do so. He was no secret a year ago, but fantasy owners can bet opposing defenses this season will be game planning to stop his attempt at a repeat.

Joining Johnson perched atop the fantasy list of running backs this season is the Vikings man among boys, running back Adrian Peterson. With another impressive NFL campaign (over 1,300 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns in 2009) under his belt, is there any reason to doubt that “All-Day” will be better in 2010? The word on the “fantasy street” Peterson could be utilized more in the passing game this season.

Rising to the top….

Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens…

In his second season the Raven’s running back Ray Rice started 15 games and catapulted his way to top of fantasy galore. Rice toted the rock 254 times in 2009 for over 1,300 yards and added another 702 yards receiving on 78 receptions. His eight touchdowns were nothing to scream about, but his overall production ranked him second in total yards only to Chris Johnson. With all the weapons added this offseason to the Raven’s offensive lineup, Rice should be set for an encore performance in 2010.

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars…

The Jaguars small ball of thunder, running back Maurice Jones-Drew started all 16 games a year ago turned in his biggest season in the NFL with over 1,760 yards of offense and 16 touchdowns. Mojo is a dynamic and versatile scat back with big play potential. Over the past two seasons he has recorded more than 50 receptions in each and has shown great toughness and durability missing just one game since arriving to the NFL four seasons ago.

Ready to breakaway…

The Jets running back Shonn Greene has stepped into the starting gig behind one of the league’s best offensive lines. In 2009 the Jets ran the ball over 500 times, so even with the arrival of a potential Hall-of-Famer (LaDanian Tomlinson) Greene should see plenty of action to be a highly productive fantasy option. The Jet’s starting running back won’t turn many heads in PPR leagues, but he should still be a solid number one running back option in most fantasy leagues running behind a line that produced 21 scores on the ground in 2009 .

2010 Sleepers…

It’s not taking long for this year’s rookie class to make some noise in NFL backfields, already in Buffalo running back C.J. Spiller showed enough to get the starting nod in week one. He’ll be one to watch not only this weekend, but this season. Another running back drawing attention and worth keeping an eye on will be the Lion’s Jahvid Best. Like Spiller, Best won the starting gig this season with his strong play during the preseason. Neither offenses (Bills, Lions) are built quite like best in the league, but both backs should be featured quite a bit and could earn their way onto several fantasy rosters by midseason.

A third running back with Sleeper potential this season is the Bronco’s running back Knowshon Moreno. The 2^nd year back will start this season and if he can stay healthy he shouldn’t have any real competition in the backfield to steal any production. Moreno was a slight disappointment a year ago, but this season he should be featured quite a bit more and could have a big sophomore campaign.

These are just a few of the noteworthy backs for 2010. Here’s how my top 20 round out for the upcoming season.

My 2010 top 10 Running Backs

1. Chris Johnson, TEN

2. Adrian Peterson, MIN

3. Ray Rice, BAL

4. Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX

5. Frank Gore, SF

6. Shonn Greene, NYJ

7. Steven Jackson, STL

8. Michael Turner, ATL

9. Ryan Grant, GB

10. Rashard Mendenhall, PIT

11. DeAngelo Williams, CAR

12. Joseph Addai, IND

13. Pierre Thomas, NO

14. Knowshon Moreno, DEN

15. Clinton Portis, WAS

16. Cedric Benson, CIN

17. LeSean McCoy, PHI

18. Ryan Matthews, SD

19. Justin Forsett, SEA

20. Matt Forte, CHI

FSH: MONDAY MORNING HUDDLE

March 1st, 2010 9:37pm PST

[The Evening Edition]

Monday Morning Huddle

Scouting the Combine...

With the skills positions on offense wrapping up on Sunday it's time to start talking about what we saw and what we are hearing. Are there any "Diamonds in the rough" that could become fantasy impact players in 2010.

Scouting isn't exactly a perfect science, but at the very least it can offer some good watercooler chatter for the Monday morning quarterback. In some recent scribing on the "world wide web" it sounds like the National Post is endorsing this year's class of running backs.

With a variety of backs showcasing at this year's combine it will be interesting to see what needy teams (Lions, Redskins, Dolphins, Giants, Texans, Chargers, Patriots, & Vikings) will pull the trigger early. Players like C.J. Spiller (Clemson), Jahvid Best (California), Toby Gerhart (Stanford), and Jonathan Dwyer (Georgia), appear to be a few of the hot prospects that could go early. Others to note would include Joe McKnight (USC), Dexter McCluster (Mississippi), and Montario Hardesty (Tennessee).

Despite the plethora and variety of versatile backs that will be available in this year's draft, not many experts are projecting any to go early (in the top 10) in the annual April event. Seattle appears to be a favorite to pull the trigger without a bonafide featured back currently residing in their backfield.

With a pair of small-sized scat backs (Justin Forsett, Julius Jones) the Seahawks could be in the market for a between-the-tackle style power back that could make some instant fantasy noise as a goal-line back; of course we will have to wait and see.

More Fantasy Notes:

Finley will start in 2010

Last season the Packers second year tight end Jermichael Finley came on strong down the stretch catching 38 balls in his last seven games (started six). Finley averaged nearly 60 yards per game in that stretch and scored four times. In 2009 he shared time with Donald Lee, but in 2010 Finley (recently named the starter) is expected to be an every-down tight end. As a starter some folks are projecting a big 2010 season for Finley, thinking he could easily be a top-10 fantasy tight end (even as high as a top-5).

Check back with "Your Fantasy Sports Home" for more Monday Morning Huddle.....