FSH: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

March 9th, 2010 10:07pm 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...

Chiefs re-sign wide receiver Chris Chambers....

Last season Chris Chambers (high-WR3) was a nice compliment to Dwayne Bowe (mid-WR2), when Bowe stayed out of trouble and played. Chambers played in just nine games with the Chiefs averaging nearly 70 yards receiving per game and scoring five touchdowns. With a full training camp and Bowe opposite, he could have a solid 2010 campaign.

Eagles resign wide receiver Jason Avant...

With DeSean Jackson (mid-WR1) and Jeremy Maclin (high-WR4) the Eagles have plenty of speed in the passing game to spread the field. Jason Avant (low-WR4) is not a big receiver, but can give the Eagles more of a physical presence over the middle. With so much talent around him, Avant won't be a big fantasy play, but he'll have his occasional hot hand.

Raiders release wide receiver Javon Walker....

The now former Raider receiver Javon Walker (no value) has not been fantasy relevant since his days as a Bronco. The release is a smart move for the Raiders and could mean the end of Walker's playing days. Walker caught just 15 passes in two seasons with Oakland.

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

FSH: THE FANTASY SPORTS ZONE (DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH)

December 4th, 200911:57pm PST

The Fantasy Sports Zone

"Diamonds in the Rough"

(fantasy sleepers)

Players you might want to play now!

There is no rest for the wicked or fantasy owners for that matter. With many custom leagues gearing up for the fantasy playoffs, there will be a many critical matchups this week and every point will count. If you don't quite have what it takes this week and are looking for some possibilities here are few to consider...

This Week's Gems....

In St.Louis....

The Rams offense has not had much to look forward to each week other than their amazing running back, but this week there may be some extra smile in the huddle come Sunday. With a more agile and mobile quarterback in Kyle Boller under center the Rams passing offense may have a chance this week to show some life. With the Bears 14th ranked pass defense having allowed 21 touchdowns this and better than 64 percent pass completion this season, the Rams receiver Donnie Avery could be in line to make some plays on Sunday. There's no question the defense will be keyed to stop the run, allowing Avery to see some favorable coverage. Avery has big game potential and looks primed to improve his five touchdowns total for the season.

In Houston....

Only a few weeks ago with the demotion of running back Steve Slaton it seemed the fantasy world was riding the Ryan Moats bandwagon and with good reason, but funny how quickly things change. The recent word on Slaton's status for Sunday, he's not expected to play; the door does not open for Moats, but rather running back Chris Brown. Facing the 26th ranked pass defense the Texans should have little trouble getting the ball into the red-zone. Brown has the bruising running-style and strength to put the ball in the end-zone; last week he powered his way to 56 yards on 11 carries with a score. Expect to see the Texans to move the ball with ease and Brown to pick-up an easy score or two.

In Philadelphia...

In recent weeks the Eagles have encountered a slew of injuries on offense and with DeSean Jackson already ruled out, the door of opportunities opens again. A few weeks ago I mentioned keep your eye on Eagles receiver Jason Avant. When Jackson went down last week Avant filled in nicely catching five passes for 94 yards. Avant was targeted six times last Sunday and has seen 20 balls in his direction over the past three weeks. In that span the Eagles wideout has caught 17 passes for over 270-yards and due to start this week against the Falcons he could be ready for another big Sunday.

Worth Noting for this week....

With most fantasy leagues preparing for the final weekend of their regular fantasy season, owners are having to make some tough decisions. One decision some owners will face is what to do about all of these concussions? One such affected player that will present a huge dilemna is quarterback Kurt Warner. Last week fantasy owners were let down when the 38 year old veteran had to sit because of lingering concussion symptoms. Warner has practiced , but he will be questionable for Sunday night's matchup with the Vikings. The tough choice here is risking a start with a player who could sit or could even be knocked out early. The Vikings do a good job getting to the quarterback, considering his injury you have to consider Warner to be in a fragile state; how many hits can he take. If this week is a critical matchup fantasy owners may be wise to not take a chance with such a risky play.

By David Ortega

Check back every week for more "Diamonds in the Rough"

FSH: THE FANTASY SPORTS ZONE (DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH)

November 18th, 2009 11:30pm PST

The Fantasy Sports Zone

"Diamonds in the Rough"

(weekly fantasy sleepers)

Players you should watch and some you might want to play now!

10 weeks down and there are still more fish to fry. With the second half push underway we are already seeing new faces and some old familiar ones set to make huge impacts down the back stretch. Keep your eyes open on Sunday when the gridiron diamonds shine most bright...

This Week's Gems....

In Miami....

It's really no surprise calling Dolphins running back Ricky Williams a gem, so far this season he has been a solid backup, but hardly worth starting in most cases. Well all that changed when starter Ronnie Brown went down and was placed on IR. Williams is now king of the jewels this week and facing a 25th ranked Panthers run defense that allows over four and half yards per carry can only mean big things this Thursday night. He's going to be a waiver wire favorite this week in those leagues where he is still available.

In Cleveland....

It hasn't been very often this season that the Browns offense (ranked 32nd) enjoys a favorable matchup being ranked as one of the worst, but that could be the case Sunday. The Browns will be playing at of all places Detroit, one of the leagues worst defenses ranked 31st. One of the areas the Lions struggle with the most is the pass and in particular the deep ball. Well the Browns have a talented kid in wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi. He leads the team with 358 receiving yards and nearly 18 yards per catch. He and Quinn will need to get on the same page if they are to take advantage of a Lions secondary that have allowed 20 passing touchdowns this season.

In Buffalo...

Considering there are a few tough matchups this week for some quarterbacks facing tough defenses, some owners may have to look elsewhere for relief. An unlikely candidate that could strike lightning this week is the Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Just named the starter this week he faces the leagues 26th ranked pass defense that has allowed 16 touchdowns and only sacked the quarterback eight times (last in the NFL). With time any quarterback in the NFL can be a star, but give them Lee Evans and Terrell Owens and good things may happen.

Worth watching for now....

Even coming off a huge week 10 performance, it may be a little too premature to sell the farm and jump on the Jason Avant bandwagon, but it's not a bad idea to keep watch of this kid in Philly. The Eagles are loaded with weapons from Jackson to Celek, to Maclin, putting Avant near the bottom of the feeding chain.

Despite all of this what will work heavily into his favor are a couple of things, he's experienced, he familiar with the offense, and after last Sunday he's clearly capable of having a big game. One reason to pull in the reigns for a moment; this was week 10 and the first time we had heard from Avant since week two. The biggest reason to keep your eye on Avant is the Eagles pass happy offense; 57 pass plays last week and without Westbrook this could become the trend.

Keep checking for more of them gridiron gems every week…

FSH: THE FANTASY SPORTS ZONE (DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH)

September 25th, 2009 11:37pm PST

“Diamonds in the Rough”

(Fantasy Sleepers)

Players you should watch and few to grab!
Continuing with our weekly watch of potential breakout candidates, those that can stop the bleeding, and the gems needed to get you over the hump in your drive for a fantasy football championship, let’s take a look at what week three in the NFL may bring.

Now that we've entered the third week of the NFL some of this season's bumps and bruises are starting to take their toll. In places like Dallas and Philadelphia new faces are getting a chance to shine in the spotlight.

In Dallas….
Perhaps the biggest spotlight will shine in Texas in the house that Jerry built under his mammoth size suspended video screen. With normal starting running back Marion Barber likely to be sidelined, it's not back up Felix Jones folks should watch (we know what he can do), but rather the number three running back Tashard Choice. The Cowboys other choice in the backfield has shown ability in the past and with his good size, speed, and versatility fantasy owners can expect to see him featured in the team's gameplan as much as (Felix) Jones.

In Philadelpia…
With an ailing Brian Westbrook and the hapless Chiefs in town, we could see a couple of sleepers emerge from the Eagles offense alone. In week two quarterback Kevin Kolb put the ball in the air 51 times, while he won't follow that game plan this week he could still have equal success. Against a suspect defense and plenty of playmakers Kolb figures to be at least a decent fantasy insert.

Looking at the same matchup, a key factor to watch will be the health of running back Brian Westbrook (questionable). If Westy is limited or doesn't play, this could be a great opportunity for the rookie LeSean McCoy. The rookie runner has seen only limited carries, but facing a soft interior Chief's defense (ranked 21st against the run) he could find some running room. The versatile back should also see plenty of chances in the short passing game as the Eagles will try to get McCoy into open space. If this one goes one way in favor of the Eagles early, expect the team to feature more McCoy late.

Lastly the third spotlight on an Eagles offense that posted over 460-yards of offense in week 2 is wide receiver Jason Avant. Against the Saints last Sunday the Eagle's receiver was targeted 8 times catching seven of those for 79-yards. Avant also found the endzone last week and will have ample chances this week against the Chiefs defense to score.

Worth keeping your eye on for now…

Although this week is not a favorable matchup for the kid, with running back Jamal Lewis likely to be shelved this Sunday, rookie running back James Davis could see his first extensive action this week against the Ravens. We aren’t expecting a big game, but we think he’ll do some nice things and definitely be worth eying down the road.

After playing well in the Raven’s first two contests, former starting running back Willis McGahee has turned into a touchdown machine this season with four in his first two games. It’s Ray Rice who will be starting, but this could be a very good week to get McGahee into your lineup with the Ravens facing a questionable Brown’s run defense (ranked 31st).

Two more potential diamonds waiting to shine in Minnesota are wide receivers Percy Harvin and Sydney Rice. Harvin has already emerged as one of quarterback Brett Favre’s favorite receivers. Both Harvin (2 touchdowns) and Rice (leads team with 10 targers) appear to be main staples in the VIkes passing game and with the Niners (ranked 3rd against the run) in town, Favre may have to rely more on both this week.


Remember to check back for more "Diamonds in the Rough!"