FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Saturday Evening Edition

September 6th, 2014 

 

David’s Daily Digest

MY WEEK 1 FAVORITES

No Sleep for the Wicked

So here we are less than 24 hours away from the first Sunday of NFL Week 1 and so begins the season long marathon we all love called fantasy football!

The season officially kicked off on Thursday night with the Packers and Seattle, but the fantasy season will actually kick into high gear Sunday morning. With that, many fantasy owners will be checking the wires for injury updates, taking to social media for line-up advice and searching for the week one sleepers.

Playing in many leagues this season, I am no different always trying to read between the lines, looking for deeper insight for the best plays on Sunday. After conducting my own quick research I have found a hand-full of Sunday wicked plays that I am in great favor of and leaning toward. Okay, maybe they are no wicked, but let's just say I like them.

Running back Steven Jackson nearly fell off the edge of the fantasy world during some fantasy drafts I participated in, going in the 10^th round and later. He’s being overlooked and greatly underrated due to his injury history, with running backs like Joique Bell, Toby Gerhart, and Lamar Miller going off the board in front of him.

The Falcons runner is healthy and sounds like he’s ready to go this week. His matchup against the Saints 19^th ranked run defense does not necessarily spell big day, but playing at home with the return of wide receiver Julio Jones and a healthy Roddy White should open up plenty of holes for the run game. Jackson played in both matchups last season averaging 17 plus touches and 16 fantasy points (standard one point per reception PPR leagues) per contest. The Falcons don’t figure to lean on Jackson too heavily in week 1, but he should see plenty of action and could post solid numbers as a low-end RB2 or flex start.

It’s no secret that Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson is a great talent, but now in the Norv Turner system he could quickly blossom into fantasy stud. Last season Patterson came on late in the season scoring at least one touchdown in each of his final five games averaging 17 fantasy points per game (standard one point per reception PPR leagues). Patterson also showed his ceiling potential with two of those contests with more than 20 fantasy points. Patterson would appear to be the favorite in Norv’s passing game plan and could elevate his fantasy stock to top shelf. Although he has a tough matchup on Sunday against the Rams defense, he’s facing a secondary that allowed the 8^th most pass receptions to receivers last season; he’s get his.

One more fantasy nugget for week 1 is wide receiver Torrey Smith. It’s funny to me that his last name is Smith, because the last time Kubiak was calling plays for an offense in Denver (quite a few years ago) he had a pretty good receiver there named (Rod) Smith. The Ravens wideout is the go-to receiver; he has great speed and nice hands, if he can add some crisp route running to his repertoire with Kubiak calling plays he could suddenly become a fantasy favorite well beyond week 1. At home last season against the Bengals, Smith posted 15 fantasy points (standard one point per reception PPR), so in the new system under Kubiak fantasy owners can expect to Smith featured even more with greater results.

That’s my take for Week 1.

~David Ortega

FSH: MORE FANTASY TALK

September 11th, 2009 9:37pm PST

Ready for his Time

Schaub is hoping for a healthy 2009….

When the Texans acquired quarterback Matt Schaub from the Atlanta Falcons prior to the 2007 season, there was plenty of excitement and reason to be. The team had found its’ quarterback and believed Schaub had the talent to put the franchise on the map.

The 2007 season did not pan out quite as well as fans would have hoped. Schaub missed a total of five games with injury, including the team’s final four. Schaubs first tenure as a starter in the NFL was not a flying success and there were plenty of growing pains as the team would finish 8-8.

Once the 2008 season rolled around the excitement was back and there was plenty to be excited about. In his second season as the team’s starter Schaub looked better than ever and the offense was loaded with plenty of playmakers. Schaub would again miss time with injury in 2008, but it was what he did while he was in that has folks looking at 2009 as a big season for the Texans.

Despite the injuries and missing five games Schaub managed to pass for more than 3,000-yards in 2008. He also showed he does have the big arm and can have those big games fantasy owners and head coaches love to see.

In 2008, Schaub started just 11 games, but managed to throw for over 300-yards in four of those starts. He also passed for more than 250-yards in eight of his starts. In his 11 starts the Texans starter averaged 276.6-yards passing per game. Schaub also showed great accuracy last season completing over 66 percent of his passes and his 92.7 passer rating ranked 7th among starters in 2008.

Schaub has endured a lot to get where he is, but its pretty apparent there is much left for him to do. There’s no question that he has the size and skill-set to be an excellent quarterback in the NFL and he’s already shown fantasy owners he can produce.

Working in a passer friendly system under head coach Gary Kubiak and having a big-time elite receiver to throw to, Schaub has the makings to be an top fantasy passer in the game, so why is this promising act falling so low on the fantasy drafts boards? 10 games missed in the last two seasons have many fantasy owners concerned about taking Schaub too early.

Sure if Schaub is healthy, he’s going to be a gamebreaker for fantasy owners, but given his history he is a big risk with an early pick. As a QB2, he’s going to give fantasy owners maximum value, but the question is will owners wait before grabbing.
(2009 Predictions: 14 starts, 320 of 484 passing, 3,840 yards passing 24 touchdowns, 12 interceptions)

By David Ortega


Check back for more “Fantasy Talk”

FSH: ON THE COVER

Who's in the news this week....

Broncos are set to trade Jay.

Today team owner Pat Bowlen made it public that the team would enterain offers, officially putting the team's franchise quarterback on the trade block. I can't see the team dealing Jay without getting a starting quarterback or lucrative package deal that would include many draft picks and some talent.

I have only read what teams will throw their hats in the ring, but what I have not heard is who the Broncos might approach. A bad deal is never a good thing, so I don't see Denver dealing Cutler just to make him happy. If the team pursues any opportunities, I think they may also consider creating a few of their own.

A couple of places that could make sense for Denver to call, obviously Kansas City for Matt Cassel. This is the guy McDaniels wanted all along, why not call Pioli? Why wouldn't the Chiefs consider a deal for Cutler? Another possible location to call on would be Bowlen's former employee, Gary Kubiak. Cutler would return to a system he knows and understands, and Schaub would be able to step in as the Bronco's starter right away. Denver could also use it's 12th pick to grab perhaps Mark Sanchez at the right price. With Schaub in camp, there's no hurry to rush a rookie into the lineup (ala Leinart in Arizona, but more ideal).

"That's my take" on today's happening...