FSH: SUNDAY MORNING GAMETIME

November 28th, 2010 Sunday

Sunday Morning Gametime

There are plenty of games and big matchups to watch today, even with three already in the books. With just two weeks left in the fantasy season (for most fantasy leagues), today’s games and matchups will be huge for those owners fighting for their post season life. Always playing a big part in the life of a fantasy owner; the injury report….

Today’s injury notes:

The Brown’s kick returner/wide receiver Josh Cribbs (foot injury) is active today against the Panthers 14th overall ranked defense. While Cribbs will play, rookie quarterback Colt McCoy (high ankle sprain) will sit with quarterback Jake Delhomme getting the start.

The Bills will be without their rookie running back C.J. Spiller (hamstring injury) who is listed as inactive. Even with the majority of carries today, it could be a rough day for starter Fred Jackson facing the league’s number one rush defense (Steelers).

The Panthers will have running back Jonathan Stewart (concussion) on the bench, but he will play; starting in his place again running back Mike Goodson. Goodson has been effective as the starter and should continue to see the majority of carries against the Browns.

The Jaguars will have the services of wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker (ankle injury) today, who returns after missing some action. Also active today is running back Maurice Jones-Drew (abdomen injury) who will face the Giants 5th ranked run defense.

The Vikings quarterback Brett Favre (flu symptoms) is expected to start today, but it sounds like he will be far less than 100%. Favre’s illness condition has gotten worse according to reports and he could be experiencing a sinus infection. Don’t expect a little bug to keep him sidelined, but if weakened any he could lose a little zip on his some of his throws today.

Notable Matchups;

With Bernard Berrian being deactivated today, it looks like it could be a very active day for wide receiver Sidney Rice. He’ll have a favorable matchup today facing the Redskins 29th ranked pass defense and as expected the Vikings wide receiver (Rice) will start today.

The Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson is starting to feel more like his old self as his ankle injury he has been nursing most of the season heals. The Titans struggle versus the pass this season ranked 26th and could be in for a long day trying to catch Johnson.

The Redskins will be without running back Ryan Torain (hamstring), so Keiland Williams will get the start once again. It may not be a good idea to jump on the Williams bandwagon today with the Redskins facing the Vikings 7th ranked run defense. Williams is also likely split some carries with recent practice-squad call up running back James Davis.

There’s been some chatter this morning in the Randy Moss camp and deservedly so; the Titans face the league’s worst pass defense. There’s no question it’s a risky play, but with the Texans allowing more than 300 yards passing per game and 25 touchdowns this season, you have to expect Fischer and company will take their shots downfield with Moss.

FSH: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

March 1st, 2010 9:07pm 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...

Browns moving toward resigning Cribbs....

The Browns appear to be making progress in their contract talks with return-specialist Josh Cribbs. The special-teamer has proved to be a dynamic kick returner for the Browns and last season was a featured component in the Brown's version of "the Wildcat" offense. Now that the team has expanded their playbook if Cribbs is resigned, he could also prove to be fantasy worthy in 2010.

Westbrook to stay in the East?

According to some East coast reports running back Brian Westbrook has not ruled out signing with any of his former division rivals; the Giants, Cowboys, or Redskins. With an already crowded Backfield in Dallas, the Cowboys don't figure to actively pursue, but the Giants and Redskins could be different stories. With an aging Clinton Portis who doesn’t catch many passes, Washington would seem to make more sense; especially with Shanahan the big Chief in town.

T.O. headed toward Baltimore?

Now that the Bills have announced they will not offer a contract to wide receiver Terrell Owens, let the bidding begin. The Ravens seem to be the current favorite showing interest in T.O. at the moment; remember the Ravens tried to acquire Owens in a trade several years ago (T.O. went to Philly). There's been nothing reported that anything is imminent, but it's a situation worth monitoring. The big play-making receivers would be a great addition to the offense and for the Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. With Stallworth already signed, Owens would be a huge upgrade to one of the leagues less productive units; not to mention a huge boost to Flacco's fantasy stock.

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

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

December 17th, 2009

The Fantasy Sports Zone

"Diamonds in the Rough"

(fantasy sleepers)

Players that you may want in your lineup this week!

It's Fantasy playoffs time everywhere you look. After 14 weeks of NFL action most every head to head fantasy league should now be full swing into the post season. With most traditional formats following the one game elimination process, fantasy owners have no room for error and if Week 15 finds you searching for help, here are some gems for this weekend...

This Week's Gems....

In Denver....

The Bronco's rookie running back Knowshon Moreno is closing in on 1,000 yards rushing for the season. Through 13 games he has compiled 837 yards on the ground and five touchdowns. Over his last three starts the rookie running back has averaged 21 carries and with the Raiders up next, he figures to get at least that many chances. The Raiders are ranked 30th against the run and allow over four and a half yards per carry. In their first meeting Moreno logged 21 carries for 90 yards and a score; don't expect anything less this time around.

In New Orleans....

The Saints are an interesting play week in and week out for fantasy owners. Every week we know that Brees and the passing game are going to take off, but the question always remains; who will catch the rock. It's been pretty much a guessing game all season long, but on Saturday against the Cowboys they'll be no second guessing. Last week against the Chargers the Cowboys secondary struggled mightily with the deep ball, so you can bet the Saints will do what they do best and attack deep. While it's been a merry-go-round with Brees and his recievers, clearly the Marques Colston (nine touchdowns) and Robert Meachem (8 touchdowns) have been his best deep threats this season. Expect Drew to go vertical quite a bit and both to be the beneficiaries of a couple of deep tosses. This week both should be safe plays with each finding the endzone.

In Arizona...

The Cards should have very little trouble on Sunday against the 2-11 Detroit Lions. One of the keys for the offense will not only be the arm of quarterback Kurt Warner, but the legs of rookie running back Beanie Wells. This should be a game where the offense has little trouble, so depsite Well's recent woes with holding onto the ball the Cards should be able to stay committed to the run. When Wells wasn't losing the ball last Monday night against a tough Niner's run defense he carried the ball 15 times for 79 yards and a score. The Lions ranked 24th against the run and allow well over four yards a carry; you do the math.

Worth Noting for this week....

While Josh Cribbs was stealing all the headlines in the Browns upset win over the defending Super Bowl Champion Steelers, running back Chris Jennings was quietly turning in a solid performance of his own. Cribb's effort may have overshadowed Jennings 20 carries for 73 yards and a score, but nonetheless the rookie running back was impressive. He's more than likely still floating on the open market and with a matchup against the Chiefs 28th ranked defense looks like he could be a great sleeper pick for Week 15.

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

FSH: WATERCOOLER CHAT

December 16th, 2009 - 11:05pm PST

Watercooler Chat

No Wire for Hire

For most owners they have managed to get this far into the season on the weight of the team they drafted, but injuries can add up and take their tolls. Even without the waiver wire fantasy owners can still find a few gems floating about the free agent market, you just have to know where to look. If pickups are still available here are a couple of names that can still offer value to those in pursuit of fantasy greatness...

Wayne says...

With the Redskins normal starter Clinton Portis all but ready to shut it down for the season the team has found it's replacement for the moment, running back Quinton Ganther. In his first start last Sunday the Redskins back was hugely productive totaling 93 yards from scrimmage and scoring two touchdowns on the ground. Ganther is averaging 4.2 yards per carry this season with 33 carries and on Sunday he'll face the New York Giants defense. While the Giants defense is ranked 9th against the run, they have shown a few leaks in previous weeks.

The Raiders have been banged up in the backfield all season long, but they finally have their prized running Darren McFadden back in the lineup. The explosive runner will have a bit of a tough matchup this week against the Broncos, but in the past several weeks their defense has not been as formidable as the first matchup between these two teams. The Broncos are ranked 15th against the run this season and allow nearly four yards per carry. In their first meeting McFadden was held to 45 yards on the ground, but last week the second year back needed only 11 touches to total 105 yards.

Waynes Weekly "Friendly Word for the wise"...

The Browns offensive attack has been lacking quite a bit this season, but last week they found something that clicked well against a pretty good Steeler's defense' Josh Cribbs. Cribbs is a special teamer that plays a lot of slot, but most recently has been running the Brown's version of the "Wildcat" offense. Last week Cribbs totaled 96 yards of offense with 87 of those coming on the ground. With the upstart Browns traveling to Kansas City (ranked 28th against the run) we'd expect nothing less than to see a lot more the "Brown-cat" and a lot of Josh Cribbs in the open field.

Player Watch for Week 15

Once again here a few players of note that fantasy owners should consider riding or hiding for the coming weekend of games. Keep these players on your watchlist, you just may want to give them a hard look come Sunday;

(Start) Jamaal Charles

The Chiefs new running back of the future seems to be hanging onto the wheel with both hands making to most of his opportunity. Charles has rushed for more than 600 yards this season, including two 100-yard efforts in his last five starts. Against the Browns 29th ranked run defense this Sunday, he's a good bet to make it three.

(Start) Cedric Benson

Last Sunday trailing most of the game, the Cowboys still managed nearly 100 yards on the ground against the Chargers defense. The Bengals starting running back Cedric Benson has already proven he can run against anyone, so owner should not make the mistake of second guessing this one.

(Sit) Roddy White

There's no question White is a tough sit and unless you have better options you will be inclined to start, but on Sunday he will undoubtedly be matched against the Jets cover corner Darelle Revis. That's not good. Tony G. is more than likely going to be a huge start this week.

(Start) Knowshon Moreno

The rookie running back has emerged as the teams primary ball carrier, dominating the number of touches over recent weeks. With backup Correll Buckhalter likely sidelined this week he'll have even more opportunity to damage against the Raiders 30th ranked run defense.

Check back every week for more “Watercooler chat”