FSH: MORE FOOTBALL TALK

February 13th, 2010 11:07pm PST

More Football Talk

2009 saw a lot of great play by some big stars, but unfortunately many fantasy owners were disappointed by quite a few duds this past season. With players like Carson Palmer, Matt Hasselbeck, Brandon Jacobs, and Braylon Edward failing to live up to even modest expectations the dud list in 2009 was not short.

Fantasy Stars: Looking Back at 2009 (continued)

2009 Fantasy Duds

Quarterback

The former Patriot's quarterback Matt Cassel was not expected to be any kind of savior in Kansas City, but like the Chiefs fantasy owners were expecting a little more. Cassel had a solid campaign in 2008, but his numbers fell off quite a bit in 2009 passing for just under 3,000 yards (ranked 20th) and completing just 55 percent of his throws. His 16 touchdowns were average, but coupled with his 16 interceptions his numbers were pedestrian at best.

Running back

The Eagles running back Brian Westbrook suffered through a forgettable 2009 season, along with his fantasy owners. The talented runner missed half of the 2009 season and finished with just 274 yards (ranked 66th) on the ground. His carries, yards, catches, receptions, and touchdowns, were the lowest totals since his rookie season in 2002. Coming off two concussions this past season, expectations and value are likely to plummet in all fantasy leagues.

Wide Receiver

Although the Bills receiver Terrell Owens showed some big play ability despite poor quarterback play, he was still too inconsistent and dropped too many passes (9 total-ranked 4th most). At 36 years of age, father time may be catching up with T.O. who posted some of his lowest numbers since 1999. Owens caught just 55 passes (ranked T48th) for 865 yards (ranked 33rd) and his five touchdowns were a significant drop off from previous seasons.

Tight end

The Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey may have changed uniforms, but he could not escape his injury past in New Orleans. Shockey missed three games in 2009 and caught just 48 passes (ranked T14th) for 569 yards (ranked 14th). His three touchdown receptions were also very unimpressive ranking him 18th among tight ends (far below where owners drafted him).

Noteworthy

Some will argue that despite his 1,400 yards the Rams running back Steven Jackson was a fantasy dud in 2009. Jackson logged over 300 carries in 2009, but managed just four touchdowns. This would support such an argument.

Another player that should make this list is Bears running back Matt Forte. After his strong rookie campaign (1,715 total yards) Forte followed that up with a dismal performance in his sophomore season. Forte averaged just 3.5 yards per carry, scored just four times in 2009.

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

FSH: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

February 4th, 2010 11:10pm 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...

Tomlinson done in San Diego?....

The Chargers have a lot of decisions to make in the offseason, but according to L.T. it sounds like it has already been decided he won't be back. Tomlinson clearly is not the same player he was, so it does sound likely San Diego won't plan on paying him his big salary due next season. At 30 years of age L.T. intends to play next season, but wherever he lands he'll more than likely figures to be a role player rather than featured.

Terrell Owens a Bengal?....

There's really no rumor here, but maybe mere speculation from the outspoken Bengal's receiver Chad Ochocinco. While Owens contemplates his future and considers a possible return to Buffalo under the "right circumstances," Ochocinco seems sure T.O. will land in Cincinnati. The Bengals have never been shy about taking on players with character flaws, so it makes sense that Owens could fit in, but this sounds more like wishful thinking than anything else. Owens comes with a high price tag and the Bengals have plenty of other needs, still it's a situation worth monitoring.

Game Notes

Shockey returns to practice....

The Saints tight end has returned to practice this week on a limited basis, so it sounds very much like he'll make the start on Sunday. Brees has so many weapons and different options and with backup tight end Dave Thomas doing an admirable job filling in, even if the oft injured Shockey plays he's not likely to be a huge factor. The only area that Shockey could still be effective with his size (at less than 100 percent) is in the red-zone.

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

FSH: FOOTBALL TALK

December 15th, 2009 11:37pm PST

FOOTBALL TALK

Looking under the hood of

Week 14

Brady and Moss not N'sync (yet)....

Even though Tom Brady has passed for more than 300 yards in two of his last four games, over that stretch Moss has not caught more than five passes for more than 67 yards in any one of those games. Even though the two seem to be slightly disconnected, they have managed to hook up 69 times, including nine times for scores this season. With Moss coming off one of his worst games to date, it would be too premature to write off "The Freak." The Patriots are still in the hunt for the post season and will be one of the AFC's more dangerouse teams with Moss and Wes Welker (105 receptions this season). Brady and his deep threat may be out of step, but it's just a matter of time before these two again find their rhythm.

Warner and Cards got plucked Monday night....

The Cardinals were expecting to lock up the division on Monday night, but instead they found themselves right in the middle of a buzz-saw. One of the Cardinals short-comings this season has been their struggling ground game and now suddenly it has a case of fumble-itus. On Monday night the backfield coughed up the ball three times and in its last three games has rushed for less than 86 yards. With the unreliable rushing attack, this could be a big indication that the Cardinals will have to turn to Warner and the passing game going forward. Warner has had his struggles, but before the Monday night fiasco he had thrown 14 touchdowns in his previous five starts. Expect Warner to lead the way down the stretch and throughout the post season.

More fantasy Notes

Although the Colts don't appear to have much to play for from this point going forward, don't expect Peyton and company to ease off the gas. This is a team capable of doing as much damage in a single half as most teams do in a full game. That will be the concern of many fantasy owners looking toward Week 15, but one they may not need be so worried about. The Jaguars defense(ranked 26th against the pass) is in shambles with injuries and poor play. This Colts team is lead by Peyton and the passing game and he could easily post winnable fantasy numbers by half, so owners should not consider sitting him this week.

The Cowboys defense struggled terribly against the vertical attack of the San Diego Chargers and remember the Saints are no breeze either. With (WR) Marques Colston and (TE) Jeremy Shockey presenting very easy to find targets with their huge stature, and the Saints very animated about their pursuit to keep winning fantasy owners can bet Brees will be "bringing it" to the Boys on Saturday. The Saints quarterback has turned into a touchdown maker with 13 scoring throws in his last four starts. His (Brees) recent play make Colston, Meachem, and Shockey inviting plays this week too.

The Eagles are facing a tough divisional matchup on Sunday against the Redskins, but don't expect them to wander to far from the formula that is working well. On Sunday night against the Giants, without Brian Westbrook and rookie receiver Jeremy Maclin McNabb has made the most of what he has and got the most from his best weapon; DeSean Jackson. The Eagles second year receiver has been electric this season with eight touchdowns of 50 yards or more. Jackson leads the club with 947 yards receiving and will undoubtedly be targeted heavily against the Redskins. Fantasy owners can expect Reid to keep the plan simple; put the game in the hands of his playmakers. McNabb has been solid the past five weeks throwing eight touchdowns and averaging 290 yards passing per game.

By David Ortega

Check back every Tuesday for more “Tuesday (Football) Talk”

FSH: ON THE COVER

October 19th, 2009 11:00pm PST

This Week on the Cover….

(Photo by AP/Bill Feig)
The Best Team in the NFL

Saints Keep Marching….

Is there really any argument at this point? At 6-0 and coming off a dismantling of the then 5-0 Giants, the Saints appear to be not only the class of the NFC, but the best team in the NFL.The two biggest differences this season leading the charge for the Saints is an improved running game giving the offense better balance and a much improved defense.

The running game is anchored by a solid 1-2 punch of Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell. Running back Reggie Bush adds more big play out of the backfield to an already explosive passing game. Quarterback Drew Brees is at the center of the Saints offensive juggernaut. Last week against the league's number one pass defense, Brees merely proved why he is one of the best, passing for 369 yards with four touchdowns. His awesome array of receiving weapons (Colston, Moore, Henderson, Meachum) looks to be unstoppable by simply overwhelming opposing defenses.

With a dynamite offense, this year’s Saints are much more balanced with an improved and solid defense. The Saints defense ranks 9th overall, but their biggest key stat this season has been the takeaway. The boys from the Bayou lead the league with 11 interceptions and their plus nine turnover ratio is best in the league.

Some may argue that the Saints are not the best yet in the league, but you can’t deny that right now they are SUPER and part of the January conversation.

Check back everyday for more football!