FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

Friday Evening Edition

September 12th, 2014 

 

David’s Daily Digest

Week 2 Values

Diamonds or Coal

After one week you are already rethinking your fantasy football draft aren’t you? Well let’s not go into panic mode just yet. The season is young and we’re only one week in; there are plenty of fixes available and plenty of diamonds in the rough to find.

I was able to take in quite a few games last weekend and let’s just say I saw plenty and took notes. Players like Steve Smith (24.8 fantasy points*) in Baltimore and Jake Locker (23.4 fantasy points*) in Tennessee were pleasant surprises with their week one performances, as well as Arizona’s Carson Palmer (24.3 fantasy points*) and Houston’s DeAndre Hopkins (18.9 fantasy points*). These all were players that were likely taken later in drafts and not started in week one, but plays that could help your fantasy team in week two.

Diamonds…

A couple of more diamonds found from week one that could give your lineup a needed boost would include the Falcons wide receiver-return man Devin Hester. With his six targets in week one, Hester was clearly a part of the passing game and he took advantage of those opportunities; the speedster hauled in 5 passes for 99 yards. This kind of production could land Hester in your lineup this Sunday as a nice flex option.

This week the Niners will be at home to face a Bears defense that allowed over 190 yards rushing in week one. Starting running back Frank Gore should benefit from the week two matchup, but don’t expect the Niners to overwork the 31 year-old ball carrier. Rookie running back Carlos Hyde has been impressive and productive rushing for 50 yards and a score off seven carries in week one. The Niners will definitely run the ball on Sunday and Hyde should figure in nicely with double-digit carries; he should be a solid flex this week.

In week one the Cowboys defense had trouble keeping up with the Niners tight end Vernon Davis (two touchdown receptions in week one). This week former Niners tight end Delanie Walker will get his shot at the Cowboys secondary. Walker is coming off a nice week one performance (3 receptions, 37 yards receiving, and a touchdown) and could follow it with a solid week two. Fantasy owners looking for tight end help should insert Walker here.

Coal….

The Rams offense looked anemic in week one only producing 6 points. One of the reasons for the deficiency is their lack of a running game and absence of wide receiver Kenny Britt. There was some talk during the preseason suggesting Britt could make a rebound in 2014 and while we are only in week one, three targets and zero receptions is definitely not the start he or fantasy owners was looking for. Britt should not be owned until we see some presence of a receiver and consistency.

These are just my takes for week 2.

*standard one point PPR

~David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: THE FOUR HORSEMEN

Sunday Edition
November 11th, 2012  

The Four Horsemen

Last week my horsemen were gangbusters riding high led by quarterback Peyton Manning and his 25 fantasy points (standard scoring). Wide receiver DeSean Jackson (16 fantasy points) and running back Arian Foster (17 fantasy points) also helped pace this small brigade.

Week 10 presents some key matchups, but we’ll be expecting nothing less than solid performances from our four riders as they get set to mount up in just a few short hours.

My week 10 fantasy picks…

Quarterback (Eli Manning, NYG)
Last week it was big brother, this week we are looking for little brother Eli Manning to step up with a huge performance this week. Eli and company are on the road today to face the Bengals 18th ranked pass defense. Manning is coming off a very poor performance and will look to rebound. The Bengals allow the 12th most fantasy points to quarterbacks; Manning will be looking to raise that number.

Running Back (Stevan Ridley, NE)
The Patriots are at home today and the Bills are coming to town. This is great news for running back Stevan Ridley. The Bills are ranked 31st against the run, they allow nearly 170 yards on the ground every week and have given up a league high 14 rushing touchdowns. Ridley has been fantastic in the run game for the Patriots and will see plenty of carries today. He has over 700 yards rushing this season and averages 4.7 yards per carry. His five touchdowns pace the Patriots ground attack; expect Ridley to pace the team today.

Wide Receiver (Kenny Britt, TEN)
The Titans are on the road to face the Dolphins 30th ranked pass defense today and wide receiver Kenny Britt can’t wait. Finally as close to 100% health as he has been all season, Britt will also see the return of his starting quarterback Jake Locker. Locker is the younger and stronger arm under center for the Titans, and he should enable Britt to take advantage of the Dolphins secondary that allows the 4th most fantasy points to wide receivers. It's time for Britt to return to form.

Tight End (Zach Miller, SEA)
The seldom used tight end Zach Miller could suddenly erupt into a fantasy gem today when the Seahawks meet the Jets. Miller has only 8 targets in the last games, but that could change today. The Jets defense allows the 3rd most fantasy points to tight ends and this season have surrendered 6 touchdowns. Miller has just one touchdown grab this season, but he could add to that total today.


By David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: FANTASY FIVE

Friday Editions
November 9th, 2012  

FSH Fantasy Five

Week 10 Fantasy Picks (all positions)

This week’s picks digs a little deeper for some fantasy players that can offer help to those owners affected by the Byes this Sunday. There are certainly no-brainers and must plays up and down the boards this week, but if your lineup is lacking a few of those options these are some players worth consideration in week 10.

Week 10 fantasy help;

Jonathan Dwyer, RB
The Steelers running back Jonathan Dwyer returned to a full practice on Friday and looks set to return to action on Monday night. Dwyer would seem to be the favorite to start coming off his two 100-yard game performances, but even if he ends up just splitting expect him to be very effective against the Chiefs 23rd ranked run defense. The Chiefs also allow the 6th most fantasy points to running backs.

Kenny Britt, WR
The Titans big receiver Kenny Britt has been getting healthier each week and after completing a couple of days of full participation in practice he looks ready for Sunday. Britt has been mostly quiet this season and a non-factor, but facing the Dolphins 30th ranked pass defense this Sunday could be his coming out party. The Dolphins surrender the 4th most fantasy points to receivers this season and it looks like Britt will have quarterback Jake Locker under center this week; could the stars be aligning?

Jacquizz Rodgers, RB
It seems anytime you face the Saints defense, your skill players have an opportunity to play big. When the Falcons meet the Saints on Sunday running back Jacquizz Rodgers will have a chance to test that theory. The Saints defense ranks dead last in the league and allow the most fantasy points to running backs. Rodgers has gradually become more a part of the offense this season and could see plenty of extra work on Sunday; the more work, the bigger the points.

Greg Olsen, TE
The Broncos defense simply struggles with opposing tight ends. Last week the Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham post season highs in catches (6) and yards receiving (108) against the Broncos defense. This week the Panthers tight end Greg Olsen will get his shot at the Denver defense. Olsen is second on the team with 53 targets this season, but has yet to post a 100-yard receiving game. The Broncos defense allows the 4th most points to tight ends, so Olsen chances of a big game look good.

Danario Alexander, WR
The Chargers newest addition to their passing attack is wide receiver Danario Alexander. The former Ram receiver made his debut last week and wasted little time getting involved recording three catches for 61 yards. Alexander is already on a few radars this week with the team planning on getting him more involved. And with the Bucs next up on the schedule Alexander looks poised to make some noise. The big 6’5” receiver will face the Bucs secondary that has allowed the 3rd most fantasy points to wide receiver and he should have lots of success.


By David Ortega

FSH NOTEBOOK: FANTASY FIVE

Friday Edition

September 21st, 2012  

FSH Fantasy Five

Week 3 Wide Receivers

Now that we have had two weeks to take a look at what we are working with, here are my quick fantasy five receivers for week 3;

Julio Jones, ATL

Julio Jones was quiet Monday night against the Broncos, but this wideout is far too talented to be held down two weeks in a row. I expect the Falcons to make every effort to get this monster started early and often. Look for the beast to be unleashed for a big game on Sunday.

Michael Crabtree, SF

In the first two weeks of the 2012 season, one thing we have learned is Alex Smith is not the same old Alex Smith. The Niners quarterback has looked stead and effective and one of the reasons has to be his reliable number one target Michael Crabtree. In two games this season Crabtree leads the team with 16 targets. He’s definitely high on Smith’s radar and after watching what the Colts were able to accomplish against the Vikings secondary, look for Crabtree to enjoy his best Sunday of the season.

Donnie Avery, IND

The Colts number two man, wide receiver Donnie Avery has quickly developed into an Andrew Luck favorite. In two weeks he has put solid numbers as the team’s second option and looks to improve this week against suspect Jags secondary. With Luck looking as sharp as he has in this young season expect Avery to have another productive Sunday; he's a solid flex this week.

Mike Wallace, PIT

Despite his late arrival to camp this preseason, the Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace has still managed to find the end zone in each of the first two games this season. He’s yet to post any big yardage numbers, but that all could change this week against the Raiders. With Antonio Brown leading the Steelers in receiving the Raiders secondary will have to account for him and that could mean good news for Wallace owners. The Raiders struggle to bring pressure to the quarterback meaning this could be a good week to see Wallace and Big Ben challenge the defense deep with the home run ball. I like Wallace this week on the road in the Black Hole.

Kenny Britt, TEN

The Titans best receiver Kenny Britt is still working his way back to complete health, but this week he’s not expected to be limited and should see plenty of time on the field. This could mean great news for fantasy owners, but it may be a little too soon to put all your chips in the middle. The Titans face the leagues number six ranked defense, but the Lions also allow the sixth highest passer rating to opposing quarterbacks. If the Titans quarterback Jake Locker can stay upright, Britt could be in line for a big day; I like Britt as a good flex option this week.

By David Ortega