FSH NOTEBOOK: TARGET PRACTICE

September 28th, 2011, Wednesday

Fantasy Football

Target Practice

In These Hands We Trust

In week 3 there were no hands better than the pair that comes with Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker. Against the Bills, Welker was targeted a league high 20 times in week 3 finishing the game with 16 catches and over 200 yards receiving. While Welker was raking in passes like crazy, Roddy White (Falcons) and Anquan Boldin (Ravens) were seeing many chances as well, but with a lot less success.

White only corralled 9 balls on 17 tries against the Buccaneers, while Boldin was less successful snagging only 7 of 14. The good news for owners, these two look like they have the confidence of their quarterbacks and should be strong candidates to rebound in week 4 with plenty more chances.

A couple of other receivers that have the confidence of their quarterbacks and could quickly become fantasy football household names include wide receiver Nate Washington (Titans), David Nelson (Bills), and Brandon Pettigrew (Lions).

Through the first three weeks of the season Washington (27 targets) and Nelson (27 targets) both rank in the Top 20. Pettigrew is not far off ranking fourth among tight ends with 22 targets. After last weeks’ breakout game against the Vikings with 11 receptions and 112 yards receiving, Pettigrew is quickly becoming a favorite of (Matthew) Stafford.

Top 10 in week 3

1. Wes Welker, Patriots (20 targets)
2. Roddy White, Falcons (17 targets)
3. Anquan Boldin, Ravens (14 targets)
4. Reggie Wayne, Colts (13 targets)
5. Andre Caldwell, Bengals (12 targets)
6. Eric Decker, Broncos (12 targets)
7. Andre Johnson, Texans (12 targets)
8. Michael Jenkins, Vikings (11 targets)
9. Calvin Johnson, Lions (11 targets)
10. 6 players tied at 10 targets

Radar Watch

If the Broncos can quarterback Kyle Orton to look downfield more, wide receiver Eric Decker could suddenly become a fantasy favorite. Decker was among the leaders in week 3 with 12 targets, but the results were only 7 catches for 48 yards. Like Decker, wide receiver Pierre Garcon is going to need more help from the quarterback position if he is going to improve on his 10 targets from week 3. Both look like diamonds in the rough just waiting to shine.

Tight end Todd Heap is healthy this season and was finally utilized a little more extensively in week 3 seeing 10 balls (targets) in his direction. Heap has shown lots of ability in the past, if quarterback Kevin Kolb can make more of an effort to get his tight end involved, Heap has the potential of being a fantasy gem going forward.

One of my waiver wire mentions this week is wide receiver Michael Jenkins (Vikings). He’s not going to suddenly break out of the gate in week 4, but his 17 targets are good indicator he’s one of McNabb’s favorite and will see a steady stream of passes in his direction every week.

My last mention here is Lions rookie wide receiver Titus Young. Last week he broke out with a nice 5 catch, 89-yard performance on seven targets. This week his 4 catches and 51 yards receiving might suggest a slight regression, but to the contrary Young was targeted eight times. As long as Young continues to see his share of throws, he’s going to get better; much better.

Top 10 through week 3 (unofficial)

1. Wes Welker, Patriots (43 targets)
2. Roddy White, Falcons (34 targets)
3. Andre Johnson, Texans (32 targets)
4. Reggie Wayne, Colts (32 targets)
5. Jason Witten, Cowboys (32 targets)
6. Brandon Marshall, Dolphins (31 targets)
7. Steve Smith, Panthers (31 targets)
8. Steve Johnson, Bills (30 targets)
9. Mike Thomas, Jaguars (30 targets)
10. Anquan Boldin, Ravens (28 targets)
11. Calvin Johnson, Lions (28 targets)
12. Darren Sproles, Saints (28 targets)

FSH NOTEBOOK: WATERCOOLER CHAT

September 28th, 2011, Wednesday

Watercooler Chat

Waiver Wire

The wide receiver position in fantasy leagues does not appear to be exceptionally deep this season, so if you are in search of help you may have to look high and low. Normally when looking high you might find depth with teams like the Saints and Patriots, but with both turning to their tight ends more in 2011, searching low may be the way to go.

One of the low places to look could be in Seattle where the Seahawks saw the return of their premiere wide out Sidney Rice. There is some concern at the quarterback position for fantasy owners with (Tarvaris) Jackson under center, but in Rice’s first game back he was targeted 10 times and caught eight passes for over 100 yards. Remember Jackson and Rice have some familiarity playing together in Minnesota and tat already appears to be apparent with two connecting often on Sunday. Rice may struggle to turn in those big games from week to week, but he looks to be a safe WR3 or flex with plenty of upside.

Another struggling passing game where owners may find some light could be in Minnesota with wide receiver Michael Jenkins. The former Falcon was never the go-to receiver, but he is showing lots of potential with the Vikings and is quickly becoming (Donovan) McNabb’s favorite target (17 targets this season ties for team lead). Surprisingly Jenkins is showing sure hands this season nabbing 15 of those targets and with his great speed he has big play capability. He’s a fantasy diamond in the rough, but if you are desperate for help he’s a low risk, high reward as a WR3 or flex play.

“Take of the Week”

There’s no question that if he’s available on the waiver wire, one of this weeks’ best take (out) is Packers running back James Starks. After a disappointing performance last Sunday against the Bears, Starks could be in line for a prime start against the Bronco’s shaky defense. The latest news reports are indicating running back Ryan Grant (bruised kidney) could miss week 4, if he misses that could open the door to a big game for Starks.


Watch List

With the loss of stud receiver Kenny Britt, the Titans have a big void to fill in their passing attack. This week the time inked a deal with former Rams receiver Donnie Avery. Now I am not saying Avery is the answer and will fill that void, but if Avery is healed from his past knee injuries, once he returns to football shape he could give the Titan’s their big-playmaker and deep threat they lost with Britt’s injury. And with a savvy veteran like (Matt) Hasselbeck under center, Avery’s fantasy status could also benefit.

Time for the ”dump”

The Raiders are playing good football at the moment, showing lots of balance with a strong ground game and steady passing attack. With all that is going well in Oakland, there seems to be a missing component or contributor to the success; wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey. DHB has hardly been in the mix and even with all the great speed he possesses, he just can’t seem to get out of the starting gate. In three weeks DHB has only caught five passes and was only targeted three times last Sunday (finished with one catch). As the Raiders continue to roll and get better, the more likely it appears DHB will be left behind. If you invested any confidence in Heyward-Bey this summer, now may be the time to part ways and look elsewhere for help at receiver.

Just My take.

By David Ortega

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

November 26th, 2009

The Fantasy Sports Zone

"Diamonds in the Rough"

(weekly fantasy sleepers)

Players you should watch and some you might want to play now!

No stones go unturned, although this deep into the season some of the shine may be a little faded. Nonetheless with injuries mounting fantasy owners are going to be looking high and low to find this week's gems for Sunday and we've got a couple right here...

This Week's Gems....

In Atlanta....

When the Buccaneers come to town it's time to open up the playbook and take your shots downfield. There's no question that Roddy White is the team's go to receiver, but the speedy deep threat is Michael Jenkins. Jenkins is coming off a decent numbers game last week, but had a few costly drops. So far in 2009 Jenkins has been the fantasy option owners had hoped, but his 33 catches gives us hope. This Sunday he'll be lining up against the leagues 20th ranked pass defense that has allowed 22 touchdowns and 10 pass plays of 40 yards or more. Look for Ryan and Jenkins to hook up deep a couple of times.

In Houston....

Everyone knows about the Texans wide receiver Mr. Andre Johnson, but after watching the Colts 18th ranked secondary get ripped the past two weeks for over 630 yards, fantasy owners had better get acquainted with Kevin Walter. The Texans number two receiver has been quite under used this season, but when used can be an effective secondary option. In the team's first matchup Walter caught five balls for 67 yards with Johnson grabbing 10. While Andre is certainly capable, don't expect the Colts to allow him to run free. Walter should see plenty of targets and have plenty of opportunity to produce on Sunday.

In Tennessee...

You’re not going to see this often, at least not until Titan’s quarterback Vince Young becomes a little more polished, but rookie wide receiver Kenny Britt could be a sneaky play this week. The Titan’s rookie is the team’s leading receiver and since Young’s insertion into the lineup, the offense has shown a little spunk. Last Monday night Britt emerged out of his hibernation with a good night; four catches for 42 yards and a score. This Sunday with the Cardinal’s 27th ranked pass defense and 36 pass plays of 40 yards or more allowed in town, look for another productive week from the rookie.

Worth watching for now....

The Jets are going to have to do a better job of protecting their rookie quarterback with the run game down the stretch and it will start this week against the Panthers. Although rookie running back Shonn Greene is coming off a very unproductive Sunday last week against the Patriots keep your eye on the kid, he'll face a much less disciplined run defense in the 26th ranked Panthers. Greene has been nothing more than a handcuff most of the season behind Thomas Jones, but this could be a week where he sees more work and is much more effective.

By David Ortega

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

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

October 21st, 2009 10:37pm PST

The Fantasy Sports Zone

“Diamonds in the Rough”

(Fantasy Sleepers)

Players you should watch and perhaps a few to nab!

With the free agent pool thinning just a little bit each week, it’s time to start looking back at some familiar faces to step up as well. Your fantasy sleeper is not just the unknown that no one has ever heard of, he’s also that guy that has been quiet for a while and drifted off everyone’s radar. We also can’t forget that stud that has yet to have his time to shine; could this be his week to breakout?

Week six weeks in the past and plenty of action lying ahead this coming Sunday, who will be lucky gems in week number seven or just damn good?


This week’s gems…

In Pittsburgh…..
There’s no question that the Steelers of 2009 are a passing team with 57 percent of their plays called being the pass. Roethlisberger has suddenly become another Tom Brady putting up ridiculous passing numbers and his wideouts are becoming more productive. One receiver that has yet to really take off has been rookie wideout Mike Wallace. At times Wallace has made some big plays, but he has yet to see a steady does of balls in his direction. Over the past two weeks he’s averaged just five targets in each game, but if the Steelers continue to have success in the air those numbers could grow. It’s very simple too, as long as this is the winning formula for head coach Mike Tomlin and his Steelers, expect this trend to continue and Wallace’s chances to get better.

In Chicago……
The production has not been there yet this season, but the numbers keep telling us that tight end Greg Olsen is on the verge of doing some big things and soon. Coming off the bye week Olsen caught five passes for 57 yards and a score; not a mammoth game, but a start. The key stat you won’t see in the box score were the 11 passes Cutler threw in his direction. Olsen is not at the level of a TE1 yet, but he has 36 targets thus far this season. Give him a little time, he’ll get there.

In Dallas……
With the Cowboys returning from their bye week you would expect the team to be healthy, but it’s sounding like Barber and Jones could still be less than 100 percent. With Barber (thumb) dinged, his touches could be limited and Jones apparently injury prone these days, Tashard Choice could actually be the running back of choice this weekend. The Cowboys number three running back has earned himself some added spotlight and even with the other two as healthy as they’ve been this season Tashard should see plenty of opportunity. In week five Choice rushed for 92 yards on just eight carries. He may not do that every week, but then again he looks like a favorite to see more than eight carries on Sunday.

In Atlanta……
It’s been a quiet season for the Falcons receiver Michael Jenkins, but this week he’s got a pretty favorable matchup with the Cowboy’s secondary (ranked 26th against the pass). With the front four not getting a lot of pressure on the quarterback the Cowboys have been little susceptible to the long ball;15 pass plays for 20 yards or more this season. With the defense keying on Roddy White, Jenkins could be a sleeper pick this week in some deeper leagues that could be thin at wide receiver.

In San Francisco……
Coming off a poor performance in week five, the Niner’s quarterback Shaun Hill could catch a break this weekend at home against the Texans. Facing the Texan’s front four that struggle to get to the quarterback (only seven sacks), Hill will have a full compliment of weapons with the return of running back Frank Gore and the arrival of wide receiver Michael Crabtree. This will be the best looking unit Hill has had to play with this season and against the leagues 20th ranked overall defense he could be in line for a nice game. Starting Hill could be a gamble, but looking for a bye week fill, he won’t be the worst option available.

Worth keeping your eye on for now….

With the 0-6 Tennessee Titan’s season all but over, you have to wonder at what point do you start planning for the future? In recent weeks it has become apparent that quarterback Kerry Collins has lost his effectiveness and with a young arm like Vince Young lying in wait, when do you turn over the reigns? We have seen two VY’s in the past, one that caught the league by storm and made plays and then one that was a complete train wreck. The difference this time around could be less pressure and more opportunity to develop and get better. When Young arrived he showed a lot of promise and ability to make plays. If given opportunity, he could be a fantasy football wildcard down the stretch.

With the arrival of wide receiver Michael Crabtree come the hopes of great things. This is a diamond that has a lot of potential to shine, but it also happens to be one that could shine bright right away. The feeling is Crabtree is a tremendous talent and a lock to be very good at this next level. The Niners aren’t going to waste any time, this Sunday the rookie is expected to start and everyone will get to see how talented he is right away. There’s going to be bumps in the road and some growing pains, but this jewel is a keeper and worth picking up now; playing right away could be a different story.

Remember to check back for more "Diamonds in the Rough!"