FSH: MORE FANTASY TALK

September 11th, 2009 9:37pm PST

A Big Arm with Big Hopes

Time to bounce back….

Following the 2008 season there were probably many folks who did not believe that David Garrard was a ready for primetime NFL quarterback despite his strong 2007 season. Well could that be any further from the truth?

Last season was not only one to forget for Garrard, but one the Jaguars would also love to forget as well. Finishing the season with a 5-11 record, one area of big concern for the Jags was the offense and it’s lack of production in the passing game (ranked 15th last season). The passing game only generated 15 touchdown passes (ranked tied for 24th) and averaged only 6.7 yards per pass (ranked tied for 19th). Upgrades are going to be a priority in 2009.

While Garrard’s ineffectiveness (13 interceptions) last season seemed to be a major cause for the offenses deficiencies, the truth of the matter is the real cause was up front. Garrard was a victim of his team’s bad luck. A decimated with injury offensive line and poor pass protection were the biggest culprits for the team’s offensive demise. Garrard was hit and hurried countless times last season and the line surrendered 42 sacks (ranked 25th).

With a new season on the horizon, the team is healthier and seems to be addressing many of these needs from last seasons’ debacle. In the offseason the team acquired veteran receiver Torry Holt, who they believe has something left. Holt will give Garrard that veteran leader and go-to receiver over the middle that he can look to in crunch time. The sudden emergence of wide receiver Troy Williamson (22-yards per catch this preseason) could give the offense that boost it needs to stretch the field. Joining the cause once again this season to help Garrard and the offense will be 6-foot six-inch tight end Marcedes Lewis who can beat the defense down the seams.

Just two years ago, Garrard ranked among the best passers with a 102.2 passer rating. This preseason he’s already shown glimpses of returning to that form with great accuracy (28 of 43 passing, 65 percent completion). Garrard also adds that extra dynamic of mobility rushing for 322 yards in 2008. In the offseason the team addressed their biggest concerns by drafting offensive lineman Eugene Monroe with the 8th overall draft pick. He’s still a work in progress, but his addition will give the line depth and plenty of size (Monroe is 6’5” and over 300-lbs).

2008 is now a distant memory for Jacksonville and quarterback David Garrard. With the 2009 season already underway, it’s time for big arms, to aim for big dreams and reach new heights. Garrard is going to be well overlooked in many fantasy drafts and will fall to the late rounds. With a late round pick he’s a great value QB2 and he’ll offer plenty of upside. (2009 Predictions: 285 of 440 passing, 3,315-yards passing, 24 touchdown passes, 9 interceptions, 205 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns)

By David Ortega


Check back for more “Fantasy Talk”

FSH: ON THE COVER

August 25th, 2009 11:00pm PST

This Week on the Cover….

2009 Fantasy Sleepers

No Rest for the Wicked or This Years Sleepers
Just when you thought it was safe to make the conservative pick, here comes this year’s batch of unknowns ready to turn the fantasy world upside down. Every year fantasy owners can count on several names suddenly appearing in the forefront and becoming fantasy relevant.

It’s never easy to find these players, as many will fade away as quickly as they appeared. The dreaded fantasy sleeper is not an exact science and typically comes with some risk, but if you study your game and pay close attention in many cases these fantasy mirages are not as well hidden as some might think.

The 2009 season is getting close to kickoff and already there a few surprises and some new names that fantasy owners will need to pay close attention too. The Bay area may not be grounds for Tea, but it appears to be rich in coffee, as in running back Glenn Coffee. He’s no threat to unseat Gore in Frisco, but he’s a name you’ll be hearing this season.

In Jacksonville, some early flights have included receiver Troy Williamson, a name that has been all but forgotten until this preseason. Williamson languished in Minnesota for several seasons, but suddenly with opportunity he’s playing like he wants to be a star. It’s early and only the preseason, but already he’s turning heads and catching the eyes of many fantasy owners. If looks are not deceiving; with the strong armed Garrard, Williamson looks to be very promising this season.

And for those with the sweet tooth in Cincy, let’s not forget Oh’Henry. The Bengals number three slot receiver Chris Henry not only looks impressive thus far this season, but he’s making a strong case to be a starter. With this sleeper, we’ve already seen him awake. In 2006 he snagged nine touchdown passes and so far this preseason he appears to be ready to do the same this year.

Even if you’re tired, don’t get too heavy-eyed because these fantasy sleepers are ready to wake in 2009.


Check back everyday for more football!

FSH: MONDAY MORNING HUDDLE

August 24th, 2009 10:37pm PST

[Evening Edition]

No More Blue Mondays

Well it seems every Monday morning has a chance to be a big downer and bring on thosedreaded blues, but times could be a-changing. If you have been paying attention, it’s time once again for Monday Night Football and something to look forward to following a long relaxing weekend.

The norm has been an early rise and back to the grind, but with the NFL getting set to hit the Prime-Time on Monday’s, there is less for we sports fanatics to be blue over. No more dreading the return to the office, cause everyone knows once the lunch whistles blows at noon, we are only thinking about one thing; just a few short hours until “Monday Night Countdown.”

Hey, the job may pay the bills, but there’s no question the NFL quenches our thirst for great entertainment on Monday Nights and this season looks as exciting as ever;

2009 NFL Monday Night Schedule

Week 1
MON, SEP 14 TIME (ET) TV LOCATION
Buffalo at New England 7:00 PM ESPN Gillette Stadium
San Diego at Oakland 10:15 PM ESPN Oakland Coliseum
Week 2
MON, SEP 21 TIME (ET) TV LOCATION
Indianapolis at Miami 8:30 PM ESPN LandShark Stadium
Week 3
MON, SEP 28 TIME (ET) TV LOCATION
Carolina at Dallas 8:30 PM ESPN Dallas Cowboys Stadium
Week 4
MON, OCT 5 TIME (ET) TV LOCATION
Green Bay at Minnesota 8:30 PM ESPN Metrodome
Week 5
MON, OCT 12 TIME (ET) TV LOCATION
New York Jets at Miami 8:30 PM ESPN LandShark Stadium
Week 6
MON, OCT 19 TIME (ET) TV LOCATION
Denver at San Diego 8:30 PM ESPN Qualcomm Stadium
Week 7
MON, OCT 26 TIME (ET) TV LOCATION
Philadelphia at Washington 8:30 PM ESPN FedEx Field
Week 8
MON, NOV 2 TIME (ET) TV LOCATION
Atlanta at New Orleans 8:30 PM ESPN Superdome
Week 9
MON, NOV 9 TIME (ET) TV LOCATION
Pittsburgh at Denver 8:30 PM ESPN Invesco Field
Week 10
MON, NOV 16 TIME (ET) TV LOCATION
Baltimore at Cleveland 8:30 PM ESPN Cleveland Browns Stadium
Week 11
MON, NOV 23 TIME (ET) TV LOCATION
Tennessee at Houston 8:30 PM ESPN Reliant Stadium
Week 12
MON, NOV 30 TIME (ET) TV LOCATION
New England at New Orleans 8:30 PM ESPN Superdome
Week 13
MON, DEC 7 TIME (ET) TV LOCATION
Baltimore at Green Bay 8:30 PM ESPN Lambeau Field
Week 14
MON, DEC 14 TIME (ET) TV LOCATION
Arizona at San Francisco 8:30 PM ESPN Candlestick Park
Week 15
MON, DEC 21 TIME (ET) TV LOCATION
New York Giants at Washington 8:30 PM ESPN FedEx Field
Week 16
MON, DEC 28 TIME (ET) TV LOCATION
Minnesota at Chicago 8:30 PM ESPN Soldier Field

Monday’s Fantasy Player Watch

It may only be preseason, but if you are heavily into fantasy football and watching all the games on the NFL Network, then already you have noticed a few names that are standing out.

With word coming from the Bay Area suggesting that Mr. Frank Gore could be heavily featured this season in the team’s offense, the fantasy spotlight is on back-up running back Glenn Coffee. In the team’s two preseason games Coffee has not only impressed head coach Mike Singletary, but he has been most impressive by the numbers. Coffee leads the league this preseason with 196-yards and has faced quality talent in both his stints. Some may not like reading too much in the preseason, but you can’t overlook what this kid is doing. Gore may be in line for a big year in San Francisco, but owners should consider Coffee potentially a great handcuff.

Another head turner this preseason is a beast of a man in Bengal’s receiver Chris Henry. Just three years removed from a being a prolific number three slot receiver when he scored nine touchdowns, Henry appears to be back and ready to make noise in 2009. So far this preseason, Henry seems to have recaptured his 2006 form catching 11 passes for 155-yards and two touchdowns. Since we have seen this type of production in the past, if Henry can walk the straight path this season owners should realize he is a must watch and a potential solid WR3 target in fantasy drafts.

Another big playmaker that burst into the spotlight this past weekend is the Jaguars wide receiver Troy Williamson. And yes this is the same Williamson that was basically non-existent and irrelevant for three years in Minnesota and saw very little action his first season in 2008 with Jacksonville. Now in his second season under Del Rio, Williamson appears to be flourishing and could be on the doorsteps of a big season. In two games this preseason the Jags new deep threat leads the NFL with 221-receiving yards and a 32-yards per catch average. With the passing game being retooled this offseason, Williamson looks like a strong candidate to start in Jacksonville and appears to have a great chance at a very promising fantasy season.

With the preseason action in full-swing and reaching the mid-point, we’ll have plenty more players to watch for the coming fantasy season, so be sure to ‘stick around.’


Remember to check back for more "Monday Morning Huddle!"