FSH: IDP NOTES

September 3rd, 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….

IDP News From Across the Wire…..

Kelvin Hayden, CB, Indianapolis Colts
Kelvin Hayden is hopeful that his hamstring injury will heal in time for him to play in Week 1 against the Jaguars, according to the Indianapolis Star. He said, "I am very confident I will be ready on Week 1. Since the injury occurred, I feel like I am making progress every day."
My Fantasy Read on Hayden: Hayden sounds like a good shot to play week 1. The Colts corner is solid and a big IDP fantasy option when healthy. He’s a good mid-round pick in fantasy drafts……

Rey Maualuga, LB, Cincinnati Bengals
Rookie Rey Maualuga is expected to be the Bengals' starting strong-side linebacker in Week 1, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
My Fantasy Read on Maualuga: The Bengal’s rookie linebacker figures to be a busy IDP option. At strong-side Maualuga should be a decent play, but best drafted as a back-up in fantasy leagues……

Chris McAlister, CB, Baltimore Ravens
The Bears have inquired about former Ravens' cornerback Chris McAlister, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
My Fantasy Read on McAlister: The Bears are in need of lots of help in the secondary, but McAlister hardly looks like a permanent fix. He has no fantasy value at this time…..

B.J. Raji, DT, Green Bay Packers
Rookie defensive tackle B.J. Raji left the Packers' final preseason game on Thursday with an apparent leg/ankle injury, according to the Twitter page of beat writer Tom Pelissero.
My Fantasy Read on Raji: Raji should do well in the middle, but will likely fill the role of being more of a clogger and gap filler against more accomplished O-lineman. He could be a productive fantasy DL, but owners will want to play it safe and draft him much later……..

Antonio Pierce, LB, New York Giants
The Newark Star-Ledger reports that linebacker Antonio Pierce will play in Thursday's preseason game against the Patriots. He has missed practice time recently and the team's last two games with a sore foot.
My Fantasy Read on Pierce: The Giants linebacker is a solid IDP option coming off 95 tackles in 2008. He’s a mid-rounder in drafts and is expected to be ready for week 1……

Zach Diles, LB, Houston Texans
Zach Diles will be the Texans' starting weak-side linebacker this season, according to the National Football Post.
My Fantasy Read on Diles: The Texan’s linebacker is destined to have a great campaign in 2009. In eight starts a year ago he finished with 66 tackles. Expect big numbers this season and take him early in fantasy drafts…….

Leonard Little, DE, St. Louis Rams
Leonard Little "probably" will not play in the Rams' preseason finale on Thursday as he deals with an aching knee, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
My Fantasy Read on Little: The Ram’s veteran defensive end is not the player he once was. Last season Little started just five games, finished the year with only 18 tackles and missed two games. Even though he did manage six sacks along the way, his value will be limited and he’s only worth a late draft pick in fantasy leagues…….


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FSH: IDP NOTES

May 14th, 2009 10:30pm PST

IDP Notes:

In case most folks have not noticed I can’t tell fantasy football is still about three months away (for some early draft) and the NFL does not kickoff until September. If you were here with me, you’d think tomorrow were draft day and fantasy starts Sunday. We still have plenty of time to prepare, so here’s my latest take from the IDP Nation.….

DL B.J. RAJI COULD COMPETE AT NOSE TACKLE
My Fantasy Read: The Packers number one 2009 draft selection is being pegged as the favorite in the middle despite the presence of 2008 starter Ryuan Pickett. Raji is a load and will take up considerable space, but at his size and build he serve more as a gap filler and have limited value for fantasy owners in IDP leagues.

LB BARRETT RUUD SITTING OUT FOR NOW
My Fantasy Read: The Buc’s leading tackler from last season has not reported to any of the team’s OTAs this offseason, but he says “everything’s fine.” It doesn’t sound like much now, but Ruud is in his final year of his rookie contract. As long as he’s on the field he’ll remain a solid IDP start in most any fantasy league.

DL SHAUN ELLIS RETURNS TO THE FIELD
My Fantasy Read: The Jet’s defensive lineman is coming back from offseason surgery. He’s currently limited in practice, but is expected to be back in time for camp. Ellis played well in 2008 and should be even better under Coach Ryan’s new system. Ellis will be a mid-level IDP favorite on the defensive line for fantasy owners in 2009.

DL JASON TAYLOR RETURNS TO THE DOLPHINS
My Fantasy Read: There’s nothing like “home, sweet home.” The defensive lineman returns to his former team in Miami, but will play a situational role coming from the sideline. Taylor enters his 12th season at age 34 and following an injury plagued 2008 season where he only started eight games, the sideline could actually be his friend. Taylor is still very well skilled and athletic, coming off the bench as a situational pass rusher will keep him healthy and extend his season. He’s not a top tier fantasy IDP, but he’ll be worth picking up in 2009.

LB DERRICK BROOKS NOT COMING BACK TO TAMPA
My Fantasy Read: Unfortunately for the former stud standout in the Tampa 2 defense, linebacker Derrick Brooks could be looking at having to hang’em up in 2009. The free agent is not generating any interest and the team has confirmed they have no plans to bring him back. It’s sad to say, but Brooks will likely have little or no fantasy value in 2009.

DL LEONARD LITTLE HOPE TO BOUNCE BACK IN 2009
My Fantasy Read: The Rams former third round pick in the 1998 NFL draft is coming off an injury riddled 2008. Last season Little started just five games and recorded just 18 tackles (six sacks). He’s missed a total of eleven games the last two seasons. He’s now close to full strength, but at 35 his durability will remain a question going into 2009. If he can stay healthy, he figures to have a prominent role in Spagnuolo’s defense and could be a solid IDP play this coming fantasy season.

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