FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

December 9th, 2016
Friday Night Edition

Friday's Fantasy Fixx

The Fantasy Playoffs are underway and unless you had the Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce in your lineup last night, with players like Rob Gronkowski (Injured Reserve), Julius Thomas (OUT), and Gary Barnidge (no quarterback) your options may be limited on Sunday. Playing in a multitude of leagues as I do each year, this seems to be one of the dilemmas I am not able to escape this week.

Gary Barnidge has been fantasy irrelevant since the season started and with the return of quarterback Robert Griffin III, there's no guarantee this will change and the risk this week is too great. With Gronk sidelined, fantasy owners can only hope that tight end Martellus Bennett will rise to the TE1 we believed him to be. So far in Bennett's past three games this has not happened; just 6 receptions for 40 yards receiving. Even with quarterback Tom Brady under center, Bennett may be too risky to sit on until Monday night.

Some options that some may be looking at for Sunday are the Redskins number two tight end Vernon Davis. Even with starter Jordan Reed in the lineup Davis has been productive at times, but faced with a tough matchup agains the Eagles (ranked 4th for the fewest fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends). With so much at stake this week, owners may be better served avoiding Davis.

A less than (but still) risky play this week could be the Rams tight end Lance Kendricks. By far Kendricks has been one of the teams leading pass receiving options, third on the Rams with 73 targets this season. And this week Kendricks faces the Falcons defense that has allowed the 5th most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. But like so many other options, Kendricks carries a lot of risk; just 2 catches for 13 yards last week. You have to like his matchup, but always the question "can you trust him?"

Probably my best option that I will lean on heavily this Sunday is the Niners tight end Vance McDonald. Now McDonald is coming off a week where the entire offense was completely ineffective and he only caught 2 balls for 9 yards. Prior to that McDonald had four straight games with at least 3 receptions and 46 yards receiving with two touchdowns. With the Jets coming to town and a defense that has allowed the 6th most fantasy points to opposing tight ends over the past four weeks, including three touchdowns McDonald is undoubtedly a strong play on Sunday.

That’s My Take

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

November 27th, 2016
Sunday Morning Edition

Week 12 Four Horsemen

Looking at today's matchups I have four fantasy plays (QB-RB-WR-TE) that I am particularly confident in that will produce solid fantasy numbers for owners. These are all must starts today;

Quarterback
The Saints quarterback Drew Brees (the number two fantasy quarterback this season) faces a tough matchup against the Rams today, but today he's enjoying home cooking. In the dome Brees has been spectacular passing for more than 300 yards in 4 of his 5 starts. His numbers at home; 366 yards passing/game, 17 touchdowns, and only 4 interceptions. Brees at home is gold.

Running Back
The Dolphins are home today to face the Niners and running back Jay Ajayi will have a chance to slice up a defense that allows the most fantasy points to opposing running backs, including 1,576 yards rushing (most in the league). After two weeks without reaching at least 100 yards on the ground, Ajayi will be good for 100 yards and a touchdown today.

Wide Receiver
The Seahawks will be on the road today, but that won't matter to wide receiver Doug Baldwin. The Seahawks pass catcher has been efficient and effective the past three weeks catching 16 passes off 19 targets for 252 yards and three touchdowns. This week he draws a Bucs defense that allows the 4 most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, including 14 receiving touchdowns (tied for 3rd most).

Tight End
And a surprise pick here is the Browns tight end Gary Barnidge. This may be the only risky play since Barnidge has been a great disappointment this season, as has the Browns offense all-together. Barnidge actually has a good matchup for PPR owners facing a Giants defense that struggles to cover opposing tightends; 55 receptions allowed (tied for 7th most) and 646 receiving yards allowed (tied for 10th most). This won't be a huge game, but it could be Barnidge's best game this season.

That's My Take.

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

October 30, 2016
Sunday Morning Edition

Sunday Morning Gametime

We may be hours from our normal Sunday NFL Kickoff routine, but tune into FOX to catch the Redskins-Bengals live from London. An early score has the Redskins up 10-7, just about mid-way through the 2nd quarter.

Now looking ahead to Sunday's slate of games, just a couple of my own Fantasy Notes for today;

"My Fantasy Notes"

For the Patriots, there is no Dion Lewis this week against the Bills, so if you are a James White owner hang on to him. Even when Lewis likely returns in week 9, there's no guarantee he reinserted right away. Remember, he's missed a lot of football, White will still have value.

Today Browns quarterback Josh McCown makes his return. It's not real big fantasy news, unless you own tight end Gary Barnidge. The Browns big pass catcher has fallen off this season, ranked as the 14th fantasy tight end. Last season Barnidge finished 2nd amongst fantasy tight ends and much of his damage was done with McCown, so his stock is up today.

"Injury Notes"

The Packers wide receiver Davante Adams is listed on the injury report this week, but from all reports I am readng it sounds like he is playing. If healthy today against the Falcons, he's worth taking a shot as a flyer this week. Whenever you have quarterback Aaron Rodgers throwing the ball, your receiver has a chance.

Running back Lamar Miller will be playing banged up today, but it's not a good matchup for Fantasy owners. Miller and the Texans draw the Lions who allow the 11th fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs. Miller when healthy has been solid and with his upside, he's a risky play today that owners will have a tough time sitting. If he's active he should be in your lineup.

That's my take.

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

October 15th, 2016
Saturday afternoon edition

Week 6 Tight End Radar Watch

So it's waiver wire and free agent pick up time for week 6 of the Fantasy Football season and I am just taking a look at some of the Tight End options that could be available in most leagues.

Before I throw out some names for week 6, here's my current top and quick take for week 6;

1. Rob Gronkowski...he's got Brady back, nuff said
2. Greg Olsen...big game last week and without Cam.
3. Jordan Reed...playing like a top 5 this season.
4. Kyle Rudolph...finally pass game includes the big target
5. Delanie Walker...Titans leading receiver with 225 yards
6. Travis Kelce...big target in the red zone.
7. Jimmy Graham...numbers are on the rise.
8. Hunter Henry...the rookie is making strides
9. Martellus Bennett...already great chemistry with Brady
10. Zach Miller...leads team with 3 touchdowns


So Beyond the top 10, let's take a quick look at a couple of names that could be available and offer some value to fantasy owners needed help at the position.

Last year Gary Barnidge sprung his way up the top 10 notables at Tight End, finishing the year with 79 receptions and 1,043 yards receiving, with 9 touchdowns. This season he's been off to a slow start and absent from the top 10 thus far, but if you've been paying attention the offense has been working Gary back into the picture; 15 targets in his last two games. Questions are the quarterback position could limit his production, but he's worth watching.

Over in Pittsburgh, the Steelers don't have Heath Miller over the middle, but they have a new gunslinging tight end in Jesse James. The 2nd year tight end has been up and down this season, but over the course of five games he's accumulated 26 targets, 18 receptions, for 128 yards, and three scores. His numbers 11th ranked fantasy points numbers don't jump off the board, but he's definitely a worth watching prospect.

One more prospect that should keep fantasy owners pre-occupied is Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta. Over his past four games, Pitta is averaging better than 8 targets per game and has accumulated 25 receptions for 220 yards receving. He's yet to find the end zone, but that seems to be just a matter of time. His numbers put him in as the 16th ranked fantasy tight end and well worth fantasy ownership interest. 

These are the tight ends that should be owned and closely watched for weekly play.

That's my take.

~David G. Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

September 18th, 2016

Sunday

Sunday Spotlight

I am just spotlighting a couple of Sunday plays this week that I happen to fancy.

After his week one dud, fantasy owners are probably ready to toss the Browns big tight end, Gary Barnidge to the side, but hold on there. Last week was with Robert Griffin III under center and this week there has been a change. With the likely season-ending injury to RGIII in week one, the Browns will have journey-man quarterback Josh McCown under center this Sunday. For fantasy owners of Barnidge, with McCown calling the signals there is hope.

Last season with McCown throwing to him, Barnidge was a weekly top-10 fantasy play and a big reason for the tight end finishing as one of fantasy's top tight ends. Last week Barnidge was a big goose end only seeing two targets, owners can expect a big reversal this Sunday. He should be plenty involved in the pass game and his large frame makes him a solid red-zone target.

His Sunday line; 6 receptions, 75 yards and a touchdown.

The Giants will be playing host to the traveling Saints today and if you own any Giants get them in your lineups today; even the waterboy could get in for a score. While the popular plays will be the regular starters, one play I am high on is the return of wide receiver Victor Cruz.

Last week Cruz found the end zone against the Cowboys and this week I expect a return trip against the Saints. Cruz could see a few more targets than the four he saw last week facing a Saints secondary that was abused last week for over 300 yards in the air. With Odell Beckham Jr drawing a lot of the attention, I look for Cruz to slip into the top 20 this week with a solid receiving day.

His Sunday line; 5 receptions, 80 yards, and a touchdown

That's my take

~David G. Ortega