FSH: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

March 9th, 2010 10:07pm PST

David's Daily Digest

[My Take]

More football news and happenings from around the league; here’s the latest I am hearing, reading, and following with my take on things and how they will impact the coming fantasy week……

Player Notes From Across My Wire...

Chiefs re-sign wide receiver Chris Chambers....

Last season Chris Chambers (high-WR3) was a nice compliment to Dwayne Bowe (mid-WR2), when Bowe stayed out of trouble and played. Chambers played in just nine games with the Chiefs averaging nearly 70 yards receiving per game and scoring five touchdowns. With a full training camp and Bowe opposite, he could have a solid 2010 campaign.

Eagles resign wide receiver Jason Avant...

With DeSean Jackson (mid-WR1) and Jeremy Maclin (high-WR4) the Eagles have plenty of speed in the passing game to spread the field. Jason Avant (low-WR4) is not a big receiver, but can give the Eagles more of a physical presence over the middle. With so much talent around him, Avant won't be a big fantasy play, but he'll have his occasional hot hand.

Raiders release wide receiver Javon Walker....

The now former Raider receiver Javon Walker (no value) has not been fantasy relevant since his days as a Bronco. The release is a smart move for the Raiders and could mean the end of Walker's playing days. Walker caught just 15 passes in two seasons with Oakland.

Check back with "Your Fantasy Sports Home" for more Football to digest....

FSH: TUESDAY (FOOTBALL) TALK

November 11th, 2009

TUESDAY FOOTBALL TALK

What to Make of Week 9

Chambers has a new home

It did not take long for Chris Chambers to go from the unemployed to starting in Kansas City. Almost as fast as he was released by San Diego was Chambers claimed by the Chiefs. Once he cleared, the team released wide receiver Bobby Wade and Chambers was quickly inserted into the lineup. Following his impressive debut as a Chief, their is great room for improvement. Chambers only caught three passes and was only targeted four times. It just makes you wonder what might happen once he and his quarterback are in sync.

Broncos Offense has lost its air

It does not take a rocker scientist to see the Broncos offense has no passing attack. The days of the dink-and-dunk are over in the Mile High City if you can not go downtown. The Broncos' passing attack ranks amog those with the fewest big pass plays. In the last two weeks, although the offense has racked up 373 yards in the air, their longest pass play has been a 23 yard toss to a tight end. In the two games the offense has only scored 10 points. Unless Orton and company ignite a little life and get the passing attack off the ground, no air will mean no wins and few fantasy points.

Looking Under the Microscope

Chiefs offense could be on the rise with the arrival of some needed hands. With the acquisition of Chris Chambers (3 catches, 70 yards) and the emergence 1st year receiver Lance Long (seven receptions), and add stud receiver Dwayne Bowe the Chiefs would appear to have their passing attack in place. If these three can develop some chemistry and consistency, quarterback Matt Cassel could suddenly rise from the doldrums of the fantasy doghouse as evident on Sunday; 262 passing yard and two touchdowns. With the Raiders up next, look for Cassel to continue his rise.

More Fantasy Notes

Both Cardinal's running backs Tim Hightower (75 yards) and Chris Wells (72 yards) ran the ball extremely well on Sunday. Two things can be taken from this account, both backs will see plenty of work going forward and the Bears run defense can be had (allowing 119 yards per game and 4.2 yards per carry).

Another notable from Sunday was Packer's running back Ryan Grant. The Pack's ball carrier kind of gets lost in the shuffle playing in the shadow of the team's potent vertical game. On Sunday Grant rushed for 96 yards on 21 carries raising his season total to 621 (ranks 9th in the NFL). This season Grant is averaging just over four yards a carry with four rushing touchdowns.

FSH: THE FANTASY SPORTS ZONE (DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH)

November 6th, 2009 10:37pm PST

The Fantasy Sports Zone

“Diamonds in the Rough”

(Fantasy Sleepers)

As the fantasy season inches closer to the post season there seems to be little time for fantasy owners to rest. With the bye weeks near complete, there a still plenty of piles of coal to sift through for your shiny jewel. Week 9 offers a few interesting plays that could come up quite beneficial for those owners looking to catch some lightning in a bottle.

This week’s gems…

In San Diego…..

The Chargers offense will visit the Meadowlands on Sunday and while the environment may not be the most inviting, don’t expect that to deter Rivers and company from doing what they do best. San Diego has the 4th ranked passing offense and Philip Rivers leads the way with 11 touchdown passes and 2,036 yards passing. With a lot of attention likely to be paid to Jackson and Gates, Sunday could be a great opportunity for the team’s newest starting receiver Malcom Floyd to break out. The Giants will again be without cornerback Aaron Ross and Floyd with only 11 catches this season does have a hefty 23-yards per catch average.

In Green Bay……
The Packers have a great matchup on Sunday against the lowly and winless Buccaneers. With a patented passing attack that includes Jennings and Driver, the Bucs just don’t have the depth to match up with the Packers fire power. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers will likely have his pick all day and more than likely he’ll be looking for the weakest link which could get matched up with wide receiver James Jones often. The Packers number three receiver has yet to have a big day this season, but Sunday could be his day. With only seven catches this season, Jones is averaging nearly 23 yards and has two touchdowns. He’s a good bet to improve those numbers.

In New York……

With the Charger’s 27th ranked run defense in town on Sunday, back up running back Ahmad Bradshaw could see some extended and effective work. This season Bradshaw has only carried the ball 89 times, but he has scampered his way to 476 yards and scored four times. The Chargers defense is surrendering 132 yards per game and over four yards a carry. Bradshaw has been bottled up the past couple of weeks, but could catch a break this weekend get loose.

Worth keeping your eye on for now….

When the Chargers released wide receiver Chris Chambers earlier in the week it did not take long a team to claim him off waivers. Don’t think the Chiefs brought Chambers just to take up space; he’s going to be utilized right away. With an outstanding receiver already lining up on the other side in Dwayne Bowe, the team needs a reliable number two receiver to open things up. There is no question that Bowe is going to command a lot of respect on Sunday from a suspect Jaguar secondary, so fantasy owners should expect to see a lot of action go Chamber’s way. The new Chief has not been fantasy relevant since 2007, but Sunday we could see his re-emergence. He’s one worth keeping your eye on.

Remember to check back for more "Diamonds in the Rough!"

FSH: TUESDAY FOOTBALL TALK

November 3rd, 2009 9:37pm PST

TUESDAY (FOOTBALL) TALK

What to make of Week 8

Chambers out, but not closed….
The Chargers released the veteran receiver, but it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Though Chambers is a talented receiver in his own right, Rivers likes to go vertical and loves to throw to his gaint receivers. With Chambers standing at all, but 5’11” he was dwarfed by his receiving corp teammates. Buried on the depth-chart behind a pair of 6’5” wideouts, his release may have come at a good time. Just barely out on the open market Chambers has already been grabbed and could looking to reignite his fantasy value in a Chiefs uniform. Stay tuned for this one.


Rice is the man in Baltimore…
There is no longer any debate, discussion over. While many teams in the NFL embrace the running back by committee formula, the Ravens no longer appear to be a believer in that theory. Over the past several weeks there were tell-tale signs indicating that second year back Ray Rice was the featured ball carrier, but his 28 touches on Sunday against the Broncos proved his case without a shadow of a doubt. In his two previous starts Rice had his number called 21 and 22 times, but on Sunday he finished with 28 touches (23 carries, 5 receptions). As far as fantasy goes, his 874 total yards and five touchdowns also put him in rare company this season.


Miles Austin has arrived….
In case you haven’t been noticing the playmaking receiver in Dallas these days is not Roy E. Williams, not Terrell Owens, and not even tight end Jason Witten. From out of nowhere 4th year receiver Miles Austin has arrived under the big top in Big-D to lead the Cowboys aerial attack. Austin has caught 21 balls for 482 yards and five touchdowns in his last three games. Now implanted as one of the starting wideouts in Dallas fantasy owners can make ready for a big second half from a receiver who had only caught 18 passes in 37 career games prior to the start of the 2009 season.

Looking under the microscope

While there was so much debate in the offseason surrounding the Cutler trade to Chicago, the biggest question had to be who would Jay throw to. After looking over the past eight weeks of football it becomes clear; it’s not a former teammate, a surprise rookie, or a projected all-pro potential tight end. Over the past three weeks wide receiver Devin Hester appears to be blossoming into the role quite comfortably. Both he and his quarterback seem to be developing a very good chemistry with Cutler looking his way 27 times over the past three weeks. In the same span Hester has caught 21 of those balls for 265 yards and one touchdown. The 4th year receiver from the University of Miami still has some work to do with his route running, but there now seems to be little doubt about who Cutler will be throwing to these days.

More fantasy Notes

One of the biggest notes from this past weekend had to be the emergence of running back Ryan Moats in Houston. With starting running back Steve Slaton handing the ball away like a concert flyer (has fumbled seven times this season), the door has been swung wide open for Moats. On Sunday he seized the day rushing for 126 yards and scoring three times. His performance was so strong the question is raised “should Moats start?”


While some fantasy owners may have run out of patience, those that stayed the course with Bears running back Matt Forte reaped big rewards on Sunday. In Forte’s two previous starts he had totaled just 109 yards with zero scores. Sunday was a different story for the Bear’s back as he carried the ball 26 times, caught a couple of balls, totaled 121 yards and scored two touchdowns. Welcome back Matt Forte!


With his fumbling woes in 2009, the Texan’s running back Steve Slaton pulled the biggest disappearing act on Sunday finishing the day with just three touches for 11 total yards and one turnover.


By David Ortega

Check back every Tuesday for more “Tuesday (Football) Talk”

FSH: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

November 2nd, 2009 11:30pm PST

David's Daily Digest
[My Take]

More football news and happenings from around the league; here’s the latest I am hearing, reading, and following with my take on things and how they will impact the coming fantasy week……

Player News From Across the Wire...

Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders
Jerry McDonalad of the Contra Costa Times is reporting that running back Darren McFadden is targeting November 15 as his return date from arthroscopic knee surgery.
My Fantasy read on McFadden: The Raider’s injury prone second year back has been a disappointment. When he returns don’t expect a heavy load to start, he’s likely going to share duties with Fargas…..

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers is dealing with both a sprained foot and sprained toe (on the other foot) in the wake of the Packers loss to the Vikings on Sunday, but should be good-to-go in Week 9 against the Buccaneers, according to ESPN.
My Fantasy read on Rodgers: The Packer’s quarterback is as tough as they come, even if less than 100 percent expect him on the field and expect him to produce…..

Brian Westbrook, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Brian Westbrook (concussion) is expected to resume practicing on Wednesday, according to the Dallas Morning News.
My Fantasy read on Westbrook: The Eagle’s running back is back to his old tricks of getting hurt; he’s not likely reliable enough to insert, better wait til he starts producing…..

Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Jamaal Charles "appears to be in line to start" at running back for the Chiefs this weekend, according to the team.
My Fantasy read on Charles: The Chief’s second year back will likely start, but owners should hold off before inserting. Charles is a better fit for the offense, but this is still a bad offense…..

Chris Chambers, WR, San Diego Chargers
Veteran receiver Chris Chambers has been released by the Chargers, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
My Fantasy read on Chambers: Don’t expect Chambers to remain unemployed. The Rams, Jaguars, and even the Dolphins need help. He’s certainly likely to land somewhere, but his value will depend on where he goes and if he can start right away…..

Jake Delhomme, QB, Carolina Panthers
The Rock Hill Herald reports that the chest injury that briefly forced Jake Delhomme from the Panthers' win over the Cardinals on Sunday shouldn't affect his Week 9 status.
My Fantasy read on Delhomme: The Panther’s quarterback is not a fantasy consideration at this time, but if the ground game continues to prowl he could get better down the road; for those thin at the QB position this could be something to follow….

Willie Parker, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Willie Parker missed Steelers practice on Monday with an illness, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
My Fantasy read on Parker: The Steeler’s running back has lost favor in the fantasy world and Pittsburgh. Mendenhall looks like the clear starter now, Parker has been reduced to a role player and has little fantasy value at present time…..

Trent Edwards, QB, Buffalo Bills
NFL.com reports that quarterback Trent Edwards could be back in the lineup after the Bills return from their bye week for Week 10's game in Tennessee. He has missed the last two Bills games due to a concussion.
My Fantasy read on Edwards: There’s nothing here worth getting too excited about for fantasy owners. Since his departure not much has changed for the offense and not much can be expected to change if he returns……

Owen Daniels, TE, Houston Texans
The Houston Chronicle has confirmed that Owen Daniels' knee injury is a torn ACL, and that the star tight end will miss the rest of the 2009 season.
My Fantasy read on Daniels: The news came down and it was bad. Owens is done and fantasy owners that drafted him as their number one were on they way to a big year, but now they have to look to the Donald Lee’s and Visanthe Shiancoe’s to pick up the slack….

Check back with "Your Fantasy Sports Home" for more Football to digest....