FSH NOTEBOOK: SUNDAY GAMETIME

September 18TH, 2011 Sunday

Sunday Morning Gametime

There’s no doubt that the NFL got off to a high flying start in week one and if you are thinking that the offenses might become a little grounded in week 2, don’t hold your breath. With the Bolts of San Diego and Philip Rivers (335 yards passing) traveling to Foxboro to face Tom Brady (517 yards passing) this matchup promises to be filled with plenty of fireworks. It’s not just the high profile contests that will generate lots of fantasy scoring, but there are quite a few enticing matchups today that will garner plenty of attention.

Watch-list

Last week the quarterback Matt Stafford (three touchdown passes) started off with a hot hand on the road against the Buccaneers. This week the young Lion will be at home and have a very tasty matchup against a Chiefs secondary that yielded four touchdowns a week ago.

Like Stafford, I like quarterback Rex Grossman to back up his week one success with another strong outing against a very shaky Cardinals’ secondary that allowed over 400 yards passing in week one. Grossman might not have a ton of yards, but he’ll connect in the end-zone a number of times.

After their dismal start a week ago against the Ravens, I am expecting a big day from Steelers’ running back Rashard Mendenhall. A week ago Mendenhall only gained 45 yards on 12 carries, fantasy owners can look forward to both of those numbers increasing significantly today when the Steelers host the Seahawks.

On Monday the great play of Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall was overshadowed by huge games turned in by the Patriots offense. Marshall was solid out of the gate with seven catches for over 100 yards. He could see similar results today against a Texans secondary that allowed over 100 yards receiving to Colts wide out Reggie Wayne.

One more player to watch today is Browns’ running back Peyton Hillis. Last week against the Bengals Hillis was held in check limited to just 57 yards on the ground. Today he faces the Colts run defense that surrendered 167 yards on the ground last week, so look for Hillis to get things rolling today.

Today’s Fantasy notes:

Today’s 20 Fantasy Quarterbacks (Week 2)

1. Matt Stafford (Lions)
2. Aaron Rodgers (Packers)
3. Tom Brady (Patriots)
4. Drew Brees (Saints)
5. Michael Vick (Eagles)
6. Philip Rivers (Chargers)
7. Matt Schaub (Texans)
8. Tony Romo (Cowboys)
9. Joe Flacco (Ravens)
10. Jay Cutler (Bears)
11. Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers)
12. Kyle Orton (Broncos)
13. Rex Grossman (Redskins)
14. Matt Ryan (Falcons)
15. Josh Freeman (Buccaneers)
16. Eli Manning (Giants)
17. Kevin Kolb (Cardinals)
18. Mark Sanchez (Jets)
19. Cam Newton (Panthers)
20. Donovan McNabb (Vikings)

My Picks Today

My “Four Horsemen”

Matt Schaub; It’s hard not to like a quarterback that gets to face a defense that just allowed over 500 yards passing a week ago.

Rashard Mendenhall; The Steelers were embarrassed a week ago, I expect them to really try to imp0se their will and pound the ball. I am looking for a lot of Mendenhall today.

Stevie Johnson; The Bills are hot at the moment coming off an impressive win last week; they will try to build off this momentum today by attacking the Raiders questionable secondary. I expect Stevie Johnson to see plenty of chances today to find the end-zone.

Dustin Keller; I missed my pick here last week, but today against the Jaguars I like Keller to pick up the slack in the passing game with an ailing Santonio Holmes.

FSH NOTEBOOK: MONDAY MORNING HUDDLE

December 20th, 2010, Monday

Monday Morning Huddle
(Late Evening Edition)

The week 15 experiment didn’t go so well for most teams that were forced to making a quarterback change; Matt Flynn, Rex Grossman, and Tim Tebow all lost their first starts of the 2010 season. Such is the way of the NFL as injuries will always play a big part, but in Denver through defeat comes hope and maybe a glimpse of the future. While Tebow did not win in his debut as a starter, he may have won enough faith in his staff to give him another look; a look at what could possibly be the promise of what is to come?

Maybe, maybe not…

Top Stories

Are the Broncos Ushering in the Future?
It was a little bit of the good, the bad, and the ugly on Sunday when rookie quarterback Tim Tebow made his first start of his NFL career. Although it wasn’t a victory, it’s safe to say it was not a total loss either.

Tebow had an ugly looking 40 yard quarterback keeper, aided by some poor tackling for a touchdown in the first half of Sunday’s matchup against the Raiders. Later in the half he also had an bad looking balloon pass that fell right into the arms of Brandon Lloyd in the back right corner of the end-zone for another score.

Now for some of the good, Tebow did not commit a single turnover on Sunday while completing 8 of 16 passes for 138 yards. The former Florida Gator (Tebow) also took fans back to his college days showing off his running skills while he scampered his way to 78 yards on the ground.

It was not the most prolific performance by a quarterback, but clearly Tebow did add a much needed spark to the offense (23 points). It was enough to impress the coaches and earn a second start, but if the Broncos are hopeful of different results they must open up the playbook and let Tebow play.

With running back Knowshon Moreno questionable for week 16, unless the coaching staff is willing to take off the handcuffs (from Tebow), aside from there quarterback wide receiver Brandon Lloyd (4 catches, 79 yards in week 15) appears to be the only safe fantasy play next Sunday against the Texans.

Just my thoughts.

Fantasy Spotlight

After all the flack this guy took in the media, in the pre-game shows, criticism all week long, and from all of the guys at the NFL Network, this week’s fantasy shout out has to go to Redskin’s quarterback Rex Grossman. On Sunday against the Cowboys, he did a whole lot more than anyone would have given him credit for before the start of the game.

It didn’t all start out pretty for Grossman on Sunday. On the Redskins second possession already trailing in the game 3-0, Grossman was intercepted on an ill-advised throw. That would not be the only bad throw he would make the rest of the game, but the Redskins quarterback would finish the game completing 25 of 43 passes for 322 yards and four touchdowns before he was threw.

The Redskins would fall behind by as much as 27-7, before Grossman would rally the troops and throw three second half scores to tie the game up at 30. While it was a nice statistical game in the box score and for fantasy owners, it should also be noted it was a typical Grossman game; he led his team to four touchdowns and 30 points, but also had three turnovers and they lost.

He’s our Fantasy Spotlight Player of the Week!

Diamonds in the Rough

RB-LeGarrette Blount

Clearly it’s safe to say that rookie running back LeGarrett Blount is no longer a secret. After five straight starts, three 100-yard games this season, 164 carries, and 777 yards rushing he’s working his way up the fantasy boards for 2011. Blount wasn’t even a consideration when the season started and didn’t see his first action until the third week of the season. After seven weeks of play, he had only toted the pill 21 times in three appearances. Since that time he has caught the fantasy world by storm averaging nearly 85 yards rushing per game and 4.7 yards per carry. Blount was a relative unknown buried on the Bucs depth chart when the 2010 fantasy season, but looks to be their starting tailback for 2011 fantasy season (if there is no lockout).

WR-Mike Williams

Like his teammate (Blount), rookie wide receiver Mike Williams has made the most of opportunity this season. Williams didn’t waste any time turning heads as early as the Bucs training this season, and though he has had some ups and downs, he has remained a relatively consistent option in the passing game. Williams has started all 14 games for the Bucs this season while collecting 58 balls and scoring eight touchdowns. As he and 2nd year quarterback Josh Freeman continue to develop their rapport and improve their chemistry, Williams has a chance to become a star in the league. Looking ahead to next season’s fantasy draft, Williams is going to be a much earlier pick for owners as he continues to improve and impress.