FSH: IDP NOTES

July 21st, 2009 10:30pm PST

IDP Notes:

The strong never sleep, so for those that can keep up with the “what is happening” around the league, here’s more football just for all of the IDP Nation….

DL JOHN ABRAHAM UNHAPPY, BUT EXPECTS TO SHOW
My Fantasy Read: Recent news suggests that the Falcons perennial pass rusher will be in camp despite the rumblings that he is unhappy with his current deal. Happy or not, if Abraham is in camp this is good news for fantasy owners. As long as he plays, with his 16.5 sacks a season ago, he should be a solid defensive end for any IDP league.

LB KARLOS DANSBY DOESN’T SIGN LONG TERM DEAL
My Fantasy Read: The Cardinals again couldn’t come to terms with Dansby to agree on a long term deal. The linebacker will play his second consecutive season with the franchise tag, but shouldn’t alarm fantasy owners. Last season Dansby did lead the team with 119 tackles, including 95 solo. He also added four sacks and a couple of picks making him a decent mid-level selection.

LB SHAWNE MERRIMAN READY TO RETURN
My Fantasy Read: The Chargers should be very excited about the return of their play-making linebacker who is returning from season ending knee surgery a year ago. There are a lot of questions surrounding Merriman’s return; will he be the same impact player and can he return to his pro-bowl form. Merriman entering only his 5th year already has 39.5 sacks in just 43 games, he could be a risky play, but with potentially a huge upside in IDP leagues.


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FSH: IDP NOTES

May 20th, 2009 10:30pm PST

IDP NOTES
[My Take]

The dark side of the ball is not for the squeamish, only the strong survive in this realm. If you're thinking of playing with the big boys and don't want to get crushed, then you better know what's going on in the world of the IDP Nation. Here's the latest activity….

My Take...

DB WALT HARRIS TEARS ACL IN VOLUNTARY WORKOUTS
My Fantasy Read: This is not only a tough blow to the Niners, but could prove to be even greater for Harris. The talk is at 34 years of age, it's likely the team could place him on the injured reserver ending his season and possibly his career. Such an injury at any age is a difficult recovery road, but at his age could prove to be insurmountable. Considering everything, it's pretty obvious Harris will have no fantasy value in 2009.

DB DRE BLY TO VISIT THE NINERS
My Fantasy Read: Well you knew eventually someone would come calling, of course due to injuries. With the loss of Walt Harris, the Niners will be looking for competition and depth at the corner. Bly struggled the last couple of seasons in Denver as did the whole defense. Bly is still a decent corner and should help fill the void created by the Niner's loss. It's doubtful that he'll be a big impact player and probably won't have much value in IDP leagues.

LB PISA TINOISAMOA STILL SEARCHING FOR A NEW HOME
My Fantasy Read: It looks like Tinoisamoa is working the floor in search of his next employer. The former Rams linebacker is too much of a talent to remain on the outside looking in; last season he led the Rams with 104 tackles. Wherever he lands, he's still got plenty left to contribute and should be a decent late round selection in most fantasy leagues.

LB KARLOS DANSBY CLOSE TO REACHING NEW DEAL WITH CARDS
My Fantasy Read: This of course is great news for the Dansby camp, but just as well for fantasy owners. The sooner Dansby gets back to being able to focus only on football, the better off owners will be with one of the leagues premiere beasts in the middle. Last season Dansby ranked among the leaders with 119 tackles.

DL SHAUN ROGERS SOUNDS CONTENT AND READY IN CLEVELAND
My Fantasy Read: Earlier in the offseason it was sounding like high drama in the dawg pound, but apparently the big boy in the middle has cleared any disagreement with the coaching staff. Rogers is a huge talent in the middle and one of the leagues very best against the run. Last season Rogers ranked among the best up front with 76 tackles and four and a half sacks. He's likely to be one of the top DL taken in most fantasy drafts.

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FSH: THE ATL REPORT

May 2nd, 2009 11:37pm PST

THE "ATL" REPORT

Around the League

Retired Brett Favre in the News….
Once again the man with the golden arm is making news. His recent request and granting of his release from New York has raised speculation that Favre could come out of retirement once again. The current word is Minnesota could be the hot spot for the future hall of famer due to his strong ties with Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. That will remain to be seen.

Alex Smith expecting to compete in camp….
The Niners former first round draft pick expects to be ready to compete when training camp starts this summer. Smith is coming off shoulder surgery last November, but is expected to be able to throw with no restrictions by the time training camp opens. Healthy or not Smith will be a long shot to win the starting job over Shaun Hill and likely have little fantasy value in 2009.

Jets keeping options open when it comes to Plax….
While it’s hard to imagine why any team would have any interest now, the Jets appear to be keeping an eye on the Plaxico Burress situation. It sounds like the team could be considering the former Giants receiver if he manages to avoid jail, but it’s not likely. The Jets will also have to consider the possibility of Burress facing a possible suspension from the league. Plaxico is not a fantasy consideration at this time.

Westbrook quiet in Camp (avoids media?)….
The Eagles running back did not talk to the media on Friday during the Eagles mini-camp, although it was noted he was “moving around well.” After an injury laden 2008 season with a severe ankle injury, the Eagles will be planning to limit Westbrook’s reps throughout their mini-camps and likely training camp. Westbrook has been one of the most productive backs in the league the past couple of seasons because of his versatility but his recent injuries are starting to make him a risky play for fantasy owners.

Lorenzo Neal drawing interest from Raiders….
The bruising full back still has plenty left in the tank to open holes. If the Raiders can sign the 17-year veteran, there’s no question his addition could help bolster a pretty good rushing attack (ranked 10th in 2008). Neal was an effective lead blocker for LeRon McClain in Baltimore last season and can do the same for the Raider’s backfield. Neal has no fantasy value as a player, but his presence will elevate those around him in the run game.

Dansby and Cards to start talks of a new deal….
The Cardinal’s linebacker and leading tackler in 2008 fired his first agent when a deal did not get done earlier this offseason. His new agent will be working hard to get a new deal done soon. It’s not likely the two sides won’t get a deal done; Dansby is one of the best players on the Cardinal’s defense. He should once again be a strong IDP play in fantasy leagues in 2009.

Mini-camps opened and many no shows….
With mini-camps opening all over the league, it’s an opportunity to catch some of this year’s top drafted classmen in action with their new team. In New York quarterback Mark Sanchez is drawing a lot of interest, just as is quarterback Matthew Stafford the Lion’s top pick. Perhaps the most notable players in camp are those that are not in camp. Here’s a list of some of those that were the classic no-show;

SD-(WR) Malcom Floyd (did not show)
STL-(DL) Leonard Little (hamstring injury)
PIT-(WR) Hines Ward (recovering from surgery)
MIN-(WR) Percy Harvin (illness)
PHI-(WR) Kevin Curtis (recovering from surgery)
ARI-(WR) Anquan Boldin (hamstring injury)
WAS-(WR) James Thrash (neck injury)
PIT-(LB) Larry Foote (did not show)
CAR-(DL) Julius Peppers (did not show)
SEA-(DL) Patrick Kearney (recovering from surgery)
NYJ-(RB) Thomas Jones (did not show)


Check back every week for more “Around the League”

FSH: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

May 1st, 2009 11:30pm PST


David's Daily Digest
[My Take]

The draft is nearly a week old and many of the faces we saw last weekend are now in camp with their new teams getting ready for the upcoming NFL season. While we still have a ways to go, it will be interesting to follow the progress of the many that are expected to make noise in 2009. Well there's not a lot of noise being made just yet, but here are some newsmakers worth noting and my take on what to expect....

My Take...

WR KEVIN CURTIS HAS A SECOND SURGERY
The Eagles wideout underwent a second procedure on his sports hernis. According to Andy Reid, it was merely a follow-up. Curtis is expected to be ready for training camp. With the addition of Jeremy Maclin, Curtis could be looking to rebound big this season and return to his 2007 form when he caught 77 passes for over 1,100-yards.

WR ANQUAN BOLDIN HOPEFUL FOR TRADE
The Cardinal's disgruntled receiver has not made any committments to reporting to training camp in July. He's still unhappy about not getting a new deal and it sounds like his stance of wanting out of Arizona remains. Regardless if Boldin leaves or stays, he'll still be a top 15 wide receiver in fantasy in 2009. His value could rise or fall a little depending on where he ends up.

WR TORRY HOLT LOOKING TO REBOUND IN 2009
The Jaguar's new receiver is hoping to rebound in 2009 after a sub-par performance last season with the Rams. Holt is a hard worker, but it's hard to imagine he'll return to form and produce the same type of numbers he did as part of the "Greatest Show On turf." The Jags are a more conservative offense, run first then pass. Holt may have a good campaign this coming season, but his biggest impact will be making big catches on third down and helping develop some of the younger talent in camp.

QB KURT WARNER EXPECTED TO BE READY
The Cardinal's quarterback is recovering from his arthroscopic hip surgery, but he's expected to be ready at the start of training camp in July. Warner had a big year in 2008 and with Larry Fitzgerald the best receiver in the game today, he should be a solid once again in 2009.

WR DJ HACKETT COULD BE HEADED TO DC
The Redskins invited Hackett to their three-day minicamp and have offered him the veteran-minimum one year deal. Last season Hackett was a complete bust in Carolina not seeing much action and only playing in nine games. He only started two games and caught just 13 passes, but if he ends up in DC, he could turns things around playing under his old offensive coordinator and now Redskin's head coach Jim Zorn.


IDP Notes:

The "Bad Boys" of the NFL are keeping busy these days like their offensive counterparts. Here are just a few noteworthys with my take what you can expect from the Dark-side.....

LB DERRICK BROOKS SEEING LITTLE INTEREST
The former Buccaneer has not received many calls since his release by the team. Brooks was hopeful to play another season, but that looks like a stretch for the 15-year veteran. He could end up finding work by the time training camps start, but he'll hardly be worth drafting in IDP leagues.

LB KARLOS DANSBY A LATE ARRIVAL
The Cardinal's linebacker was a late arrival to minicamp, but he is with the team practicing. There was some thoughts that his late arrival could be a reflection of his desire to get a long-term deal done. It will likely get done soon enough, so IDP owners can relax and expect big numbers from Dansby in 2009.

DL JASON TAYLOR STILL PLAYING THE WAITING GAME
It looks like Taylor will have to wait a while before he even finds out where he'll end up. Recent reports are the Dolphins are in no rush and while the Patriots may have some interest nothing seems imminent. It's too early to be concerned about Taylor's draft value in IDP leagues. It does seem certain he will play in 2009, but owners will have to remain patient.

LB SHAWNE MERRIMAN RETURNS TO THE FIELD
The Chargers pass rush specialist returned to the field on Friday for the first time since having surgery to repair his torn LCL and PCL. Merriman is expecting a big season and if he's healthy, he likely will. He could be one of the top grabs at the linebacker position in most IDP leagues this summer.


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