FSH: SUNDAY MORNING GAMETIME

October 11th, 2009 7:27am PST

Sunday Morning Gametime

What’s the Latest
[ News and Notes]

Galloway to be inactive today against Broncos….
ESPN is reporting wide receiver Joey Galloway will be inactive. For fantasy owners not much concern there, Galloway has yet to find a rhythm with quarterback Tom Brady, but this move would also indicate Wes Welker is likely to go…..

Johnson could be fantasy sleeper today.…
The Chief’s running back has been seeing a steady diet of 20 touches per game the last three weeks. Today Johnson will face the Cowboys

Moreno could see a lot of work against the Patriots…..
The Bronco’s as a team are averaging 32 rushing attempts per game in 2009. Today rookie running back Knowshon Moreno (60 carries) will get the start with running back Correll Buckhalter ruled OUT…….

Hasselbeck is likely to play today against Jaguars…
The Seahawks quarterback practiced this week and is expected to play today, but could be a big risk if he suffers any kind of big hits today. Owners might be wise to look for better options…..

No Jones or Williams today for Cowboys….
With both running back Felix Jones and wide receiver Roy Williams OUT today, backups Tashard Choice and number two receiver Patrick Crayton could play bigger roles today against the Chiefs……

Steelers running back Mendenhall to start again….
With Willie Parker ruled OUT today, second year runner Rashard Mendenhall’s get the start today. Facing a mediocre Lion’s run defense, Mendenhall could be in line for another big day……

Finnegan questionable tonight, likely game-time….
With the Titan’s secondary banged up, they need Finnegan back for tonight’s matchup with the pass-happy Colts. The Colts are putting the ball up with great frequency this season, meaning Titan safety Chris Hope could be in line for a big day…..

Culpepper expected to start against Steelers….
Going up against the Steelers today, Culpepper has very little fantasy value as a starter. The Steeler’s defense has not been dominant against the pass, but with Culpepper’s tendency to hold the ball the Steelers could greatly improve on their eight sacks for the season…..

Check back every week for more “Sunday Morning Gametime”

FSH: WATERCOOLER CHAT

September 23rd, 2009 10:15pm PST

WATERCOOLER CHAT

The Weekly Wavier Wire

Wayne "The Wire" Bosco
(Courtesy of the Fantasy Football Gang)

Now that we have two weeks of NFL action in the books we can make a better read on who is managing to get their jerseys a little more dirty from week to week. According to our pal Wayne here are a few of week three's best waiver wire options;

Week Three

With Marion “the Barbarian” Barber ailing on the Cowboys sidelines, it sounds very possible he could miss action this week. Although he is practicing, back up running back Tashard Choice becomes an interesting and valuable option. If you have room on your roster, this kid could be the goods once he gets on the field. Don’t expect the Cowboys to rush Barber back out too quickly, if he sits Tashard is a great waiver wire choice this week.

The Steelers’s back up running back Rashard Mendenhall is climbing the stock charts this week with Fast Willie Parker still running in first gear. With the team looking to get the running game out of the gates, Mendenhall could see quite a few more carries in week 3. With the Steelers facing the Bengals this week, it could be a great opportunity for Mendenhall to make a little noise.

After two weeks working Josh McDaniels passer friendly offense, quarterback Kyle Orton is not exactly tearing down the house, but he has become more than just a serviceable fantasy QB2. Orton has passed for more than 500-yards and thrown two touchdowns. With a big time receiver like Brandon Marshall we know his touchdowns will increase, but at a pace to pass for 4,000-yards Orton is a steal off the wire.

With the great Wes Welker getting close to returning, don’t expect to hear a whole lot more of wide receiver Julian Edleman (ankle). The one game wonder is likely to take a back seat to the emerging Joey Galloway. When Welker does return, Galloway figures to be the non-starting mainstay in the offense and his five receptions in week 2 could be an indication of his growing involvement. The Patriots offense is typically a highly productive unit and Galloway looks like a solid candidate to benefit.

Another appealing option at the receiver spot is the Chicago Bear’s Johnny Knox. In only two short weeks we have already seen this kid can fly, but the chemistry he is quickly developing with his big arm quarterback is just the beginning of great things to come. He’s looked good so far and will get better, grab him if you can.


“Wayne’s Word”

If your roster is lacking quality depth or is weak at the receiver spot, two options fantasy owners need to jump on are; Steve (no the other one) Smith-NYG and Laurent Robinson-STL. In two games this season, both relatively unknown fantasy receivers have emerged as reliable pass receiving options in their respective offenses. Both look to be the odds on favorites to lead the clubs in receiving and could very well turn out to be PPR gold.

Playing the Fantasy GM

Don-Pietro "The GM" Zamboni

What do you do with these guys?

Always the growing concern of any fantasy GM, what do I do with my high pick when he’s not producing or I know his production is about to take a serious hit. It’s never an easy decision or easy balance, but there are always options. So what do you do with the LT’s, the Matt Forte’s, and the Laveranues Cole’s; let’s take a look;

The GM Game
Owners that drafted San Diego Charger LaDanian Tomlinson could be facing the toughest dilemma of all. In recent years while LT has produced (just not to his level), he has often come at a high cost. With the former NFL MVP sidelined and not practicing, what good will he do on your bench another week. His value has dropped, but it’s still early enough in the season for you to get something for him. Trade him now (but get good value) and avoid the headache.

Unlike the LT dilemma, Matt Forte’s 117-yards of offense and zero touchdowns are nothing to panic about just yet. He’s got a new quarterback and both are still feeling each other out and trying to find balance on offense. Fantasy owners need to exercise self-control and extreme patience. The good sign, Forte has 38 carries in two games and in week 2 he caught five balls. He will be involved in the offense and eventually produce.

The same can be said of Bengal’s wide receiver Chris Henry. Through two games the lanky wideout has just two receptions, but does have a touchdown. Quarterback Carson Palmer is still working his way back to his old form. As he gets better, so will his awareness and with Henry standing at 6’4” Palmer will find him. Henry is not an every week starter just yet, so patience again will be the key.

The same can’t be said for wide receivers Laveranues Coles and Lance Moore. Coles is really struggling this season in his new home with just three catches. His last two seasons in New York were average at best and after nine seasons in the NFL it appears his best days could be well behind him. Last season Moore emerged as a favorite in the Saints offense, but he’s been slow to heal with recent injuries and Colston’s healthy return has not helped. If you are carrying these two, you might need to check out this week’s waiver wire. Lastly in this addition of the GM game, running back Correll Buckhalter appears to be running on borrowed time. With Knowshon Moreno’s healthy return in week 2, Buck could be looking at his workload being lightened soon. Moreno appears to be the favorite in Denver, so it could be time to shelve Buck or if you didn’t draft the rookie trade Buckhalter to the guy who did. Everyone loves handcuffs.

Keep checking back for more football....

By David G. Ortega

FSH: TUESDAY (FOOTBALL) TALK

September 22nd, 2009 9:37pm PST

TUESDAY TALK

What to make of Week Two

Looking under the microscope….
With so much big play action taking place this past Sunday, some of the more critical elements to notice may have gotten lost in the haze. We’ve noted some of the bigger performances, but as we again look back over Week 2 of the NFL, let’s take a closer look under the microscope and see what it all means.

The Jets upset the Patriots;
The biggest thing we have to take from this outcome is; one the Jets are real contenders rookie quarterback or not and two, Sanchez is no ordinary rookie. On third down this season Sanchez is 17 of 23 passing (73.9%) for 228 yards and a scintillating 119.5 passer rating. The kid is not going to garnish too many fantasy accolades, but he’s consistent and a safe play.

Joey Galloway catches five passes;
With Welker sidelined, expect to see Galloway get worked more into the offense over the next several weeks. Edelman looked to be the flavor of the day, but going forward Galloway should prove to be the more consistent play. Galloway still has some of his speed and is a safer bet for the occasional big play, he’ll make a nice waiver grab.

Barber pulls up lame Sunday night;
The smart move for the Cowboys will be to allow Barber to get healthy before returning; enter Mr. Felix Jones. While many fantasy owners will be excited about the potential of Jones being the featured back, the waiver wire could be busy with owners targeting number three running back Tashard Choice. Choice figures to see his share of action with Barber potentially sidelined a game or two.

Brett Favre is more than a game manager in week 2;
It could be that no opposing defense has found a way to stop the Vikings ground attack or maybe they just played Detroit. Either way, Brett Favre silenced some of his critics by playing a near flawless game against the Lions. Albeit, it was the Lions Favre was still a sultry 23 of 27 passing for 155-yards and two scores; a little more than just a game manager.

Kurt Warner is nearly perfect against the Jags;
Heading into the 2009 season, there were a couple of notable so-called fantasy football experts saying that Warner’s performance last year, was last year. The old man doesn’t have anything left in the tank. Nice call. It looks like Kurt’s passing numbers may not repeat (4,500-yards, 30-touchdowns), but his current pace puts him in line for 4,248-yards and 24-touchdowns; I’ll take that anyday.

Schaub responds to the fantasy football community;
Well Matt didn’t actually say anything literally to anyone, but if many of you fantasy owners were anything like a couple that I play with in the homes leagues, benching Schaub for Favre or Edwards. I think Matt spoke loud and clear on Sunday. He needs to be in the lineup every week.

Bronco’s run for 186 yards in week 2;
So much for the pass heavy offense in Denver. While McDaniels is likely to continue to throw the ball (averaging 33.5 passes per game) expect the balance attack trend to continue. In the team’s first two games, rookie running back Knowshon Moreno now leads the entire backfield with 27 touches. I think it’s safe to assume Moreno is going to emerge as the team’s main weapon on the ground and possible out of the backfield (he has 2 catches for 22-yards receiving, all last Sunday).

Fantasy Notes:

For most fantasy owners, panic mode is officially over. Players like Marques Colston, Steven Jackson, Matt Schaub, and Terrell Owens snapped out of their opening weekend funk to deliver some tasty week-two productivity. There are still a few that haven’t quite reached par, but for now the fantasy universe seems right.

Despite the struggles on the ground, Lions running back Kevin Smith has remained a productive fantasy commodity the first two week with nine receptions for 62-yards, to go along with his 103-yards on the ground and one rushing touchdown. Not a huge fantasy impact, but serviceable.

Working well in the Raven’s running back by committee Willis McGahee has found fresh legs. In the team’s two games McGahee has rushed for 123-yards, caught six passes for another 41-yards, and scored three rushing touchdowns. Quietly he has become a factor in fantasy.

After a successful two man committee in the Tampa backfield in week one, fantasy owners were sorely disappointed with the non-productive three-headed nightmare in week three. Only Cadillac Williams had a noteworthy day and his production came in the passing game. Williams finished the afternoon with seven receptions for 56-yards and a score. Williams seems to be the most consistent of the three, but with no catches in week one not sure if it’s safe to assume consistent numbers in the passing game.

The Jet’s back up running back Leon Washington has yet to have a big game of find the end-zone this season, but with his 17-touches per game, he getting consistent chances to make something happen. He’ll hold more value for owners in a flex position, but in deeper leagues he’s not the worst RB2 option to start week in and week out.


By David Ortega


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