FSH: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

January 19th, 2010 9:30pm 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 Notes From Across My Wire...

Favre ready to continue his magic....

The 2009 season has been a magical return of the Golden Boy, much to the dismay of many cheeseheads. In his 20th season, Vikings quarterback Brett Favre has had a magnificent run and has carried his great play right into the playoffs. Last week Favre connected on 15 of 24 passes for 234 yards and four touchdowns. The Saints defense is going to have to find a way to disrupt his rhythm or fans will see a lot of the same on Sunday.

Wayne could have a tough day on Sunday...

In their first matchup, mind you Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne did exit early, but while on the field his three catches for just 33 yards were a non-factor. On Sunday he's likely to be shadowed a lot by the Jets cover corner Darrelle Revis. As great as Peyton Manning can be, if he does not have too much bravado to look the other way it could be a quiet day for Wayne. Fantasy owners have to be prepared for a quiet afternoon from Wayne.

Bush could be huge factor in passing game....

The Saints running back Reggie Bush had a huge game on the ground in the divisional round averaging 18 yards from scrimmage each time he touched the ball. There's no question the Vikings priority will be to close the gaps and contain Mr. Bush, but where he could be a huge factor on Sunday is in open space. Don't be surprised to see head coach Sean Payton utilize his running back even more in the passing game to compensate for the Vikings 2nd ranked run defense.

Jones likely to take a back seat on Sunday.....

The Jets have been able to run the ball effectively this post season, but perhaps to the dismay of running back Thomas Jones. In two games this post season Jones has carried the ball 29 times, but it has been rookie Shonn Greene who has seen the bulk of the work load with 44 attempts. The rookie has managed a heft six yards per tote, while Jones has been a pedestrian 2.6 yards per carry. With the rookie running well, Jones is likely to take a back seat against the Colts 24th ranked run defense on Sunday.

IDP Notes....

Colts must use their speed to neutralize Jets ground attack….

All season the Colts have used an explosive passing game and the will of Peyton Manning to get the job done, but on Sunday they will need their 18th ranked run defense to step up. Ranked 24th against the run and allowing more than four yards per carry, the undersized defense will have to use their speed (Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney) on the edges to swarm and disrupt the Jets ground assault. These two pass rushing specialists (23 sacks combined this season) will have to be equally effective against the run game.

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

FSH: MORE FROM THE HUDDLE

January 11th, 2010 11:07pm PST

More From the Huddle

Last weekend was filled with a lot of excitement and surprise with the Jets and Ravens advancing, but it was also a fantasy frenzy for those that follow the other game. Looking ahead remember these players who will continue to make huge impacts....

What I remember from the Wild Weekend

1. It looks like Kurt Warner, the old man in the desert is just starting to heat up in time to make a post season run; 379 yards passing and five touchdowns.

2. The Cowboys have a three-headed attack with Barber, Jones, and Choice, but Felix is the Cat with the biggest bag of tricks; 16 carries for 148 yards, one reception for 30 yards and a 73 yard touchdown run.

3. Red means stop, but the Jets rookie running back only sees green. Shonn Greene broke the ground game open on Saturday with 135 yards and a score and could be looking to do the same in the Divisional Round.

4. No Boldin means more Steve Breaston. The Cardinals third year receiver was targeted nine times, caught the ball seven times for 125 yards with a score and had one carry for another 28 yards.

5. With Warner firing haymakers, expect Whisenhunt to go to the well often. Rookie running back Chris "Beanie" Wells carried the ball 14 times for 91 yards on the ground; one of his best efforts on the ground this season.

6. Despite the lack of a passing attack the Ravens second year runner Ray Rice was dominant on the ground. Rice carried the ball 22 times and rumbled his way to 159 yards with two scores, including an 83 yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage.

7. The Cowboys are quietly one of the hottest teams in the post season and quarterback Tony Romo may be the hottest; in his last seven starts, four 300-yard passing games, 13 touchdowns, only two interceptions, a 5-2 record, including a 244 yard effort with two touchdown passes to defeat the Eagles last Saturday night.

8. He doesn't play like a rookie. The Jets quarterback was poised, precise, and very good on Saturday against a pretty good Bengals defense. Sanchez completed 12 of 15 passes for 182 yards and a score, and led an offense that racked up 353 yards of total offense; not bad for a rookie.

9. The Jets shutdown corner Darrelle Revis could very well be the team's MVP this season (if he's not already). All he does is shut down receivers; Chad Ochocinco caught just two passes for 28 yards. That's just one more catch than Revis who picked off his 7th pass this season (reg and post).

10. The Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin continues to prove he is big-time; on Saturday against the Eagles he caught seven passes for 82 yards, including a six yard touchdown reception.

Remember to check back for more "From the Huddle!"

FSH: MORE FANTASY TALK

January 6th, 2010 9:37pm PST

MORE FOOTBALL TALK

Wild Card Weekend: A Second Take

This Weekend NFL fans will see what looks like a rematch of last weekend when the Eagles-Cowboys, Packers-Cardinals, and Jets-Bengals tango. In the first two matchups it will be a complete repeat with the Eagles and Packers again hitting the road. The difference in the Jets and Bengals, unlike last week's contest in the Big Apple this one will be in Cincinnati.

The Cowboys will be shooting for the Tri-fecta on Saturday when they face the Eagles for the third time this season. With quarterback Tony Romo (311 yards passing and two touchdowns last week) playing well and the Cowboys defense (four sacks last Sunday) coming to life, the boys from Texas look like favorites to complete the sweep.

The Packers and Jets may have only seen a mirage of the teams they will face this weekend. Green Bay's defense barely faced the Cardinals starting quarterback Kurt Warner who exited early and Sunday night it looked like the Bengals starters took all of the night off against the Jets.

The Cards offense was stagnate with Matt Leinart under center last weekend, but you can bet the Packers secondary will have their hands full with Warner in the huddle on Sunday. The question for Cincy will be trying to muster some offense against the Jets stingy defense and shut down corner Darrelle Revis. Last Sunday Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco was held without a catch and quarterback Carson Palmer managed only one completion for no yards and an interception.

It's not often a team gets a chance during the playoffs to exact some revenge for an earlier loss in the season, but this wild weekend will present three opportunities with the Bengals, Cardinals, and Eagles all looking for that chance.

Check back every week for "More Football) Talk”

FSH: FOOTBALL TALK

January 6th, 2010 9:17pm PST

FOOTBALL TALK

Looking under the hood of

Week 17

Vikings flex some muscle on Sunday...

So much for the worry, on Sunday against the Giants the Vikings offense appeared to have cured all of their offensive ills. Quarterback Brett Favre was back to form completing 25 of 31 passes and throwing four touchdowns, while the ground game pounded out 129 yards, including a score by Adrian Peterson. The defense was also stellar forcing two turnovers, recording three sacks, and limiting the Giants to only 181 yards.

Cardinals don't show much in finale ....

With nothing to play for in Week 17, the Cardinals limited quarterback Kurt Warner to a cameo appearance last Sunday. Warner only threw six passes, but he'll need to throw a lot more if the Cards hope to get past a very good Packers pass defense (ranked 5th) that leads the NFL with 30 interceptions this season. Warner is a savvy veteran quarterback with plenty of weapons and he'll have wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (13 touchdowns) available, but Anquan Boldin (84 receptions) could be a different story with a banged up ankle.

Bengals show very little in finale.....

Whether it was by design or not, the Bengals showed very little in their season finale against the Jets. The performance was so poor it could have many fantasy owners concerned about even considering any starters this weekend. Against the Jets stout defense the Bengals managed only 72 total nets yards, turned the ball over three times, and surrendered three sacks. With quarterback Carson Palmer going one for eleven passing and the offense mustering just five first downs, offense could be a problem on Saturday.

More fantasy Notes

"Inside the Matchups"

The Bengals could have a big problem on Saturday in their rematch with the Jets in the AFC Wildcard round of the playoffs. Last week shutdown corner Darrelle Revis (six interceptions) did a huge number on wide receiver Chad Ochocinco not allowing a single catch in five tries. Whether Ocho plays or not, the Bengals figure to half a tough time completing passes in the direction of Revis. Revis has been stellar all season up against the best and leads the NFL's number one ranked pass defense.

The Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (94 receptions) did not have a big season in the end zone, but he was consistent and one of quarterback Tony Romo's most reliable. Last week against the Eagles Witten was effective catching six passes for 76 yards, including a score. In his last five matchups with the Eagles Witten has been an effective target, so there's little doubt that Romo will be looking his way a great deal on Saturday night.

The Patriots may have suffered a big loss last Sunday with the injury to Wes Welker, but they will still have the NFL's 2007 MVP, quarterback Tom Brady. It was not a Brady-like season, but the Patriots quarterback still finished the year with strong numbers; 4,398 yards passing, 28 touchdowns, and 96.2 passer rating. With Welker out, it will be a lot of Randy Moss (13 touchdowns) and Julian Edelman (10 receptions last week) on Sunday against the Ravens 8th ranked pass defense.

By David Ortega

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

FSH: FOOTBALL DIARY

December 26th, 2009 10:45pm PST

Football Diary

Dear Diary

Championship Weekend

For many fantasy leagues this is the biggest weekend of the fantasy season; Championship Weekend. There is no more tomorrow and no room for error. Fantasy owners will need to check those critical matchups for this weekend as well as check the injury reports; you have to know who's in and who's out.

With one obstacle left to hurdle, this is not the weekend to get careless. A couple of quick injury notes;

Sit (injured)

DeAngelo Williams (ankle)

Devin Hester (not expected to play)

Pierre Garcon (out for Sunday)

Michael Turner (did not practice)

Justin Fargas (doubtful for Sunday)

Leonard Little (unlikely to play)

Start

Jonathan Stewart (expected to start)

Larry Fitzgerald (practiced Friday)

Austin Collie (Garcon is out)

Albert Haynesworth (will start)

Fantasy Notes:

The Niners running back Frank Gore has been the hot foot the last couple of weeks. In his last two starts Gore has ran for 274 yards on the ground and added five receptions and a touchdown. He should find plenty of holes on Sunday against the Lions 24th ranked run defense.

The Dolphins running back Ricky Williams has had a great 2009 campaign for fantasy owners with 13 total touchdowns this season. In his past two games Williams has managed to find pay-dirt while averaging over 100-yards of offense. He should be another solid start this Sunday against the Texans run defense (ranked 17th) that allows over four yards per carry and has surrendered 14 touchdowns on the ground.

The big news in Indy is the absence of Pierre Garcon this weekend. With the Jets cover corner Darrelle Revis likely to blanket Reggie Wayne, Garcon figured to be a good play on Sunday. Now all of that will fall to rookie wide receiver Austin Collie who has managed to score in three straight games; Sunday could be four.

10 Things on My

Sunday Watch-List

1. With a new quarterback under center and the 30th ranked pass defense, can wide receiver Terrell Owens have a big day?

2. Can Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles make it three straight 100-yard games; he faces the Bengals 3rd ranked run defense.

3. Who will run for more yards on Sunday, the Raiders Michael Bush or the Browns Jerome Harrison?

4. The Packers Aaron Rodgers has been hot and cold the past couples of weeks; can he get warmed up this week in Lambeau against the Seahawks 29th ranked pass defense.

5. The Texans quarterback Matt Schaub has been on fire the past couple of weeks; can he keep the torch burning against the Dolphins 23rd ranked pass defense.

6. Can the Ravens 6th ranked pass defense slow down the big arm of the Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

7. With DeAngelo Williams sidelined, can Jonathan Stewart follow up his second start this season with another 100-yard effort?

8. With the playoffs approaching, can Kurt Warner and the Cardinals passing game get back in sync; he has not passed for over 300 yards in five games.

9. Will the Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis shutdown the Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne?

10. Can the Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo keep the Cowboys on the right track and notch a second win in December?

Check back every week for more "Football Diary"

FSH: MONDAY MORNING HUDDLE

December 21st, 2009 9:57pm PST

[Late Night Edition]

Monday Morning Huddle

Just some thoughts from Sunday

As we watched the games being played on Sunday in Week 15, it was not hard to note of couple of obvious facts that fantasy owners will be thinking about when looking ahead to 2010.

Looking at 2010

Can't Misses...

After watching his performances thus far in the fantasy playoffs, its safe to say that Matt Schaub has proven he is fantasy royalty; 25 touchdowns and eight 300-yard passing games in 2009, and has started every game this season for Houston.

With three 300-yard passing games in his last four starts and a total of seven this season, fantasy owners should be convinced that quarterback Tony Romo is among the fantasy favorites. If not, his 23 touchdowns this season with just seven picks should be more than enough to state his case.

Fantasy owners that had wide receiver Roddy White in their lineups on Sunday found out the hard way, a tough lesson learned. Do not start a fantasy receiver matched up with the Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis. White finished the day with just four catches for 33 yards. This will be something on fantasy owners "what to avoid" watchlist for 2010 (or it should be).

What I Saw in Week 15

Manning is still determined....

The Colts quarterback Peyton Manning doesn't look like he wants to sit out and the way he's playing he can still do a lot of damage even in one half of play. Fantasy owners might be concerned about how much he'll play in Week 16, but even if he's limited last Thursday night against the Jaguars Manning still scored 16 fantasy points in the first half alone. Even though the Colts will face Darrelle Revis and the Jets, Peyton still has a too many weapons to choose from; he should be a safe play.

There's no mystery in New Orleans....

With all the committees on offense that the Saints running, countless receivers, multiple running backs in the backfield, there is no real mystery here. The only reliable fantasy play in New Orleans is their quarterback Drew Brees. Although Brees only scored 13 fantasy points on Saturday night against the Cowboys, in his last five games Brees is averaging more than 25 fantasy points. Like the Colts the Saints could be limiting the play of their starters, but like his counterpart in Indy Brees could do just enough damage for owners in a single half. It would be very difficult to sit him.

Quick Notes:

The Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles could very well be a early round draft pick in most fantasy leagues next season. He's making a great argument in any case with two consecutive 100-yard rushing games and six straight games with at least one score.

Marshall continues to be the Broncos primary and in some case only weapon in the passing game. In each of his last four games he has caught six or more passes and has scored in his last three. For the season Marshall has 93 catches for 1,081 yards and a career high 10 touchdowns.

10 Things I remember

1. The Bills inept offense continues to struggle with the pass regardless of who is under center. Once again wide receiver Terrell Owens was a non-factor catching just two passes for 20 yards.

2. On Sunday the Browns ran all through the Chiefs defense, but it wasn't the Cribbs-Jennings show. On Sunday it was all about Jerome Harrison as he ran for 286 yards to help the Browns win their third game this season.

3. The Jets focused on the run (29 runs) Sunday against the Falcons, but could never get the ground game out of the gate. Running back Thomas Jones led the team with 19 carries for 52 yards.

4. To answer the question, can Schaub be special two weeks in a row; with 367 yards passing, a touchdown pass, and a win on the road yes he can.

5. It doesn't matter who Chris Johnson faces in 2009, there is no stopping the Titans running back. Johnson totaled 159 yards (104-rushing, 55-receiving) on Sunday to help lead Tennessee back to a .500 record.

6. Kurt Warner's performance Sunday against the Lions was hardly any kind of redemption, but his 233 yards passing and two scoring throws were enough for the Cards to win at Detroit.

7. It wasn't the kind of day fantasy owners were expecting from the Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno, although he did total 81 yards for the day.

8. Even without a couple of his horses, the Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb has plenty of weapons to target; 306 yards passing and two touchdowns (one passing, one rushing).

9. It wasn't a six pack being served at Heinz Filed on Sunday as the Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger out-duel the Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers passed for 383 yards and three scores, while Big Ben tossed up five bills (503 yards) and three scores of his own in the win.

10. The Bengals honored their fallen teammate on Sunday with a valiant effort against the Chargers. Led by Carson Palmer (314 yards passing, two touchdowns) and Chad Ochocinco (105 total yards, one touchdown) the Bengals battled this one down to the wire, but came up just short when Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding booted a 52-yard game winner with less than a minute to play.

Remember to check back for more "Monday Morning Huddle!"

FSH: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

December 16th, 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 Notes From Across My Wire...

Forte and ground game won't catch a break...

The Bears ground has been quite nothing to speak of lately. Bears running back Matt Forte has found it difficult all season to get out of the backfield. In 13 games this season Forte has rushed for more than 100 yards one time this season and carried the ball more than 25 times just once. Fantasy owners shouldn't expect to see a whole lot of work on the ground this Sunday against the Ravens.

Gonzo could play huge role Sunday....

The Falcons will be traveling north-ward to play the Jets this Sunday and with shutdown corner Darrelle Revis likely to be fixated on Roddy White, this could be a good week for Tony Gonzalez owners. The Pro Bowl tight end has enoyed some recent success with Chris Redmen under center. With White locked down, look for Redman to target his big tight end frequently.

Thomas should keep the chains moving....

Who says life after 30 has to be all down hill. Quarterback Brett Favre is the epitome of just the opposite, while Jets running back Thomas Jones has also become living proof. In his post 30-Era the Jets ball carrier has 11 100-yard rushing games and scored 26 touchdowns; not bad for an old man. This week against the Falcosn weak run defense he'll only add to those impressive numbers.

IDP Notes....

Woodson is Packers defensive MVP….

What does the Packers cover corner not do for this defense. Charles Woodson has only been a special kind of player this season leading the defense with eight interceptions, including two returns for six. Woodson has also totaled 61 tackles, four forced fumbles, two quarterback sacks, and one imposing presence on the island. He's not only a must start every week, he's a keeper in almost all formats.

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