June 23rd, 2009 11:30pm PST
IDP Notes:
LB CLAY MATTHEWS HEALTHY AND READY TO COMPETE
My Fantasy Read: The Packers top draft pick this past April says he feels fully recovered from a pulled hamstring that had slowed him earlier during the team’s OTAs. Now healthy Matthews appears to be a sure bet to crack a starting spot this season. He’s expected to play outside linebacker in Dom Caper’s 3-4 defense and should be a solid IDP play for fantasy this season.
LB BRIAN CUSHING EXPECTED TO START FOR TEXANS
My Fantasy Read: The SC standout drafted 15th overall in the 2009 draft will start at strong-side for the Texans. Recent reports on the former Trojan indicate he’ll need to improve his footwork and pass defending skills this summer. Its’ likely Cushing could be relegated to two-down duty. If he struggles against the pass, his fantasy stock could take a slight dip if he has to leave the field on third down.
DL JEVON KEARSE HAS BEGUN INDIVIDUAL DRILLS
My Fantasy Read: The Titan’s pass-rusher is recovering from knee surgery and doesn’t figure to be full strength until training camp. Since his early days in Tennessee, the Freak has not been the same with injuries slowing him down from 2002 to 2007. Last season Kearse was able to start all 16 games, but recorded only three and a half sacks. This season he’s expected to play in more a limited role, which will diminish his fantasy value. He’s likely not worth drafting in IDP leagues, but could be a consider later in the season.
LB TED BRUSCHI UNDECIDED ABOUT FUTURE AFTER 09
My Fantasy Read: The Patriot’s aging veteran linebacker has slowly but surely seen a decline in his production over the past few seasons. Whether or not he plays beyond the 2009 schedule won’t change his value this coming season. Bruschi has lost a lot of stock with his numbers taking a nose dive since 2006, he’ll likely be an IDP casualty in fantasy drafts this summer.
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May 17th, 2009 5:37pm PST
IDP Notes
With more OTAs scheduled this coming week, there is still much to catch up on and keep track of. Many names will be present at some of this weeks mini-camps and there may be a few absent in Tampa and San Diego, here's my take on some of the current IDP happenings from around the league for owners to digest....
DB RODERICK HOOD STILL LOOKING FOR EMPLOYMENT
My Fantasy Read: Hood was cut by Arizona earlier in the year and is currently set to meet with Detroit on Monday. The former Cardinal is still a talented corner that could latch on with another team as part of their nickel package. Hood is more a coverage defensive back and won't collect too many tackles. If he does play in 2009, he'll have very limited fantasy value in any IDP league.
DL JEVON KEARSE LOOKING FOR EXTENSION WITH TITANS
My Fantasy Read: The Titans defensive end will turn 33 this season. He's on the tail end of his career, so he's not likely to see any multi-year extension from the team. Over the past three seasons Kearse has finished with just three and a half sacks. Injuries and age seemed to have caught up with "the Freak." He's not the player he once was and without big Haynesworth in the middle, Kearse is likely to be even less effective. He's probably not worth drafting or picking up in most IDP leagues, at least not at the start of the 2009 season.
LB SHAWN MERRIMAN NOT PARTICIPATING AS A PRECAUTION
My Fantasy Read: After losing the dominant pass rushing playmaker for basically the entire 2008 season, the Chargers are not taking any chances with linebacker Shawn Merriman. He'll likely sit out the teams OTAs this offseason as a precaution, but return with the team when camp starts in late July. If healthy, Merriman is one of the elite pass rushers in the game, IDP owners will likely have to wait and see how he looks when camp starts before ranking him.
LB VERNON GHOLSTON LOOKING GOOD IN THE OFFSEASON
My Fantasy Read: The Jets linebacker has looked very good this offseason in Coach Ryan's new 3-4 scheme. Gholston lacked a little of the toughness expected at the position, but should get more opportunity this year. With the new defense, Gholston should have a chance to start and spend much more time on thefield. He may be looking good, but it's a little premature for IDP owners to be jumping on his bandwagon.
DL JARVIS MOSS LOOKING FORWARD TO CHANGE TO 3-4 DEFENSE
My Fantasy Read: There has been a lot of skepticism with the hire of new head coach Josh McDaniels, but that doesn't seem to bother Jarvis Moss, the teams former 2007 first round pick. Moss has not lived up all that was expected of him, but with a new coach, a new position, he's hoping for a new start as are fantasy owners. In his first two seasons he's only collected three and a half sacks. Unless he shows great promise right away, he might not even survive minicamp with the Broncos.
Check back for more football to digest everyday! 
