FSH NOTEBOOK: SUNDAY GAMETIME

Sunday Edition
October 7th, 2012
  

Sunday Morning Gametime

Some quick fantasy notes for Sunday week 5, who to play and who should stay (on your bench);

The Browns are down a couple of receivers today, including Mohamed Massaquoi, so expect to see rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden riding the legs of rookie running back Trent Richardson. The Giants allow more than 4 yards per carry and nearly 120 yards on the ground, start Richardson today.

The Packers will travel to Indy today, but will be without the services of wide receiver Greg Jennings. Facing the Colts secondary that has only one pick this season and struggles to get pressure on the quarterback, Rodgers will still have plenty of weapons including wide receiver James Jones. Jones should be considered a safe flex play today.

While the Falcons defense has been improved this season, there have been some leaks in their ground defense. With a full endorsement from his head coach Mike Shanahan, running back Alfred Morris should find a few holes today against the leagues 29th ranked run defense.

The Packers may rely more on their ground game today and with a banger like Cedric Benson, the team has plenty of confidence to get him the rock. Running back James Starks is inactive once again, so lining up against the leagues 25th ranked run defense it will be the Benson show. He’s a nice RB2 start today.

Just as expected with Nicks and Barden on the shelf today, Hixon looks to be the hot play in Jersey against the Browns. Expect to see Eli look for Hixon often today against the Browns suspect secondary. Hixon is a great flex or low-end WR2 in deeper leagues today.


By David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Sunday Edition
October 7th, 2012  

David’s Daily Digest

The Hot Plays for Week 5

The Bengals tandem of quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver AJ Green could be licking their chops today as they prepare to face the league’s 30th ranked pass defense (Miami). Green is off to a great start this season with 428 receiving yards and three touchdowns and Dalton is leading the league’s 8th ranked pass offense. Put this equation together and if the Bengals “O” line can protect Dalton today, these two should have a big day.

The Vikings play host to the Titan’s today and wide receiver Percy Harvin should benefit greatly facing the league’s 27th ranked pass defense. Harvin has been a big part of the Vikings offense this season with 30 receptions for 299 yards, but in four games he’s yet to find the end zone. That could all change today, the Titans secondary have allowed 10 touchdowns this season, second most in the NFL.

The Giants wide receiver Domenik Hixon is coming off a nice six-catch 114 yard performance last week against the Eagles. With Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden sidelined, Hixon will figure big in the Giants passing game plan today and facing the Browns 28th ranked pass defense he could be looking at another nice outing. The Browns have also surrendered 9 passing touchdowns this season, so Hixon has a good chance of finding the end zone today.

The Bronco’s quarterback Peyton Manning is coming off his best effort year-to-date (31 fantasy points) and this week he’ll see the league’s 25th ranked pass defense. The Broncos line does a pretty good job of keeping their quarterback upright and Manning does a great job of getting the ball out quick. He has the look of a hot play this week.


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

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

September 13th, 2011 Tuesday

David’s Daily Digest

Fantasy Notes:

TE Fred Davis on the Rise
With normal starter Chris Cooley admitting he’s not completely 100% and receiving props from his head coach for a nice effort on Sunday, it certainly sounds like tight Fred Davis could see his playing time increase. Davis saw plenty of action on Sunday and took advantage of his six targets, catching five balls for over 100 yards. Expect Davis’ stock to continue to rise along with his playing time.

Ochocinco gets lost in the Shuffle
It may be a little concerning for fantasy owners with Ochocinco only seeing three targets on a night whenBrady passes for over 500 yards. What you have to keep in mind, the Patriots like to run a lot of double tight-end sets and Hernanez is quickly becoming a very dangerous weapon in the slot. It’s too early to panic though, Ochocinco is still plenty talented and Brady is still plenty capable of getting the ball to all of his weapons. Remember number 85 is the new guy and it may take a little time for him to find his place; but rest assured the Patriot are working on it.

Fantasy Owners safe with Orton?
It appears to be the case for the moment as Broncos head coach John Fox reassures there is no quarterback controversy in Denver. Orton may be safe, but if the Broncos are going to succeed fantasy owners better not count on more games like Monday night; 50 pass plays and 13 run calls. Whether Orton keeps his job or not, fantasy owners are going to need a better effort if they are going to stick with the Broncos’ quarterback; two costly turnovers and just one score.

Hakeem Nicks could miss Monday Night
Nicks suffered a knee injury in the team’s loss on Sunday to the Redskins. If Nicks is unable to play against a depleted Rams secondary on Monday, wide receiver Domenik Hixon could be a nice fantasy fill-in. Hixon has great speed and explosion and could be a nice fix for fantasy rosters a little thin at the wideout spot.

Just my Tuesday takes.

By David Ortega