FSH: SUNDAY MORNING GAMETIME

November 14th, 2010 Sunday

Sunday Morning Gametime

Quick Injury notes:

With week 10 set to kickoff in just a few hours a couple of notable injury updates to keep in mind today; wide receiver Sidney Rice was not activated off the PUP list yesterday by the 3pm deadline he will not be activated today for the Vikings-Bears game. On the other hand after missing some practice time this week due to migraine headaches, Adam Schefter of ESPN is already reporting Harvin will be active for today’s game.

Quarterback Vince Young took some snaps during Friday’s practice, but his availability is still questionable for today’s game. Head coach Jeff Fischer has been noted as saying Young will be a game-time decision, but some early reports are indicating it will likely be Kerry Collins starting. Even if Young feels good during warm-ups and gets the nod to start, fantasy owners should be concerned about his health getting through the game.

According to some reports the Redskins will likely have running back Ryan Torain in the backfield on Monday night against the Eagles. Torain looks on track to start according to Schefter, while Clinton Portis appears to be doubtful for the contest.

Player Watch

With fantasy leagues entering the stretch run before their playoffs season, one player of note that I like today and should be on most radars is tight end Marcedes Lewis. The Jaguars tight end has really emerged as a viable scoring threat this season with 7 touchdowns through the team’s first eight games. Today against the Texans he should have a great matchup against the leagues 32nd ranked pass defense. Tight ends have scored three times against the Texan’s defense in the last two games; look for Lewis to add to those numbers.

Sunday Games

Acouple of games today that I like to draw a lot of fantasy interest are the Bill-Lions matchup and the Colts-Bengals tilt. Both games should be filled with lots of fireworks and fantasy scoring.

The Lions have the leagues 22nd ranked pass defense and the Bills passing game led by quarterback Ryna Fitzpatrick has been finding new life over the past several weeks. Wide receiver’s Steve Johnson and Roscoe Parrish should be on most owner’s watch list with a heavy dose of targets the last few weeks, while Lee Evans always remains a threat to take one deep. Matching up against the Lions 27th ranked run defense running back Fred Jackson should be in line for some steady work as well.

The Lions have a few weapons of their own and even with quarterback Shaun Hill inserted in place of the injured Matt Stafford, wide receiver Calvin Johnson should remain a strong play. The Bills are the league’s worst run defense, so today should be a great day to start rookie running Jahvid Best.

If you own any Colts players, today should offer plenty of good matchups especially for Manning the passing game. Wide receiver Blair White could be a great sleeper pick here with Gonzales and Collie absent. Let’s not forget tight end Jacob Tamme, who has done a credible job replacing the injured Dallas Clark. Wide receiver Reggie Wayne will find his, but one receiver that should not be over looked is Pierre Garcon. Indy has plenty of options to go around.

The Bengals passing game has been up and down all season, but one constant I like is wide receiver Terrell Owens. He’s one of the league’s most targeted receivers and he’s having a solid season with solid numbers. In today’s matchup with the Colt’s 29th ranked run defense, Cedric Benson looks like a solid start; just hope the Bengals can stay with the run long enough to take advantage.

Either way, these are two mathcups by my estimation that should provide plenty of fantasy scoring and highlights.

FSH: FOOTBALL TALK

February 24th, 2010 9:07pm PST

Football Talk

Looking Back: 2009 Sleepers

The Pleasant surprises

When the fantasy football season opened last August, there were several players that finished 2009 that were not very high on most folks radar; in fact a couple weren't even part of the conversation.

Quarterback

When the Titans closed out their 2008 campaign 13-3 it was pretty clear that quarterback Kerry Collins had earned the starting gig, while Vince Young stood on shaky ground. The former Longhorn and first round draft selection had hit a wall in 2008 and regressed in his development, there were many doubters that believed he could return.

When 2009 opened and the Titans struggled losing their first six games, opportunity came knocking. With the call came the return and re-emergence of Young as a playmaker, a team leader, and a winner. Young led the Titans to an 8-2 record in 10 starts passing for nearly 1,900 yards with 10 touchdown passes. Young also added nearly 300 yards on the ground with two more scores. In his return Young showed much more poise and greater promise. With the starting job now his to lose, 2010 could be shaping up to be a big year for the native Texan.

Running Back

For some all they need is opportunity and that is all it took for Fred Jackson to make a statement in 2009. With running back Marshawn Lynch suspended for the first three games in 2009, Jackson took advantage. The Bills running back turned in three solid performances to open the season and earn the starting job. Jackson would finish 2009 having started 11 of the 16 games he played, rushing for over 1,000 yards, and catching 46 passes for another 371 yards. His only knock was his low touchdown total of four, but that could change this coming season if the Bills decide to shake things up in the backfield.

Wide Receiver

With no T.O. and Roy Williams the new number one, when the season opened not many folks had even heard of Miles Austin. It didn't take long for the former Monmouth Hawk to show the NFL world just who he is; 81 receptions, 1,300 yards receiving, and 11 touchdowns should say it all. Austin exploded in week five against the Chiefs with 10 catches and 250 yards receiving and he never looked back from there. With his breakout season in 2009, Austin should be ranked in the early rounds this coming fantasy draft.

Tight end

While my pick here could easily have been Vernon Davis of the Niners for his spectacular season in 2009, he was always a talent that was just waiting to erupt. In Green Bay Jermichael Finley was the real surprise. While his numbers seem somewhat modest (55 receptions, 676 yards receiving, and five touchdowns) he did miss three games to injury. Finley emerged as a strong fantasy option down the stretch and his impressive performance in the post season will likely make him a much targeted fantasy option come draft time.

Noteworthy

Vernon Davis was truly a worthy mention with his big 2009 campaign (78 receptions and 13 touchdowns). Like Davis in San Francisco, the Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles was noteworthy as well. Charles turned in his first 1,000 yard campaign in 2009 with only 10 starts. He finished the season with four straight 100-yard games and scored eight touchdowns (7-rushing, 1-receiving) to lead the Chiefs ground attack. Not to be forgotten is the Vikings wide receiver Sydney Rice who topped 80 catches and 1,300 yards, but fell just short of Austin with eight touchdowns.

A couple of other names worth mentioning because 2010 could be even better would include the following;

Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers (RB)

Cadillac Williams, Buccaneers (RB)

Davone Bess, Dolphins (WR)

Mike Sims-Walker, Jaguars (WR)

Jabar Gaffney, Broncos (WR)

Hakeem Nicks, Giants (WR)

Recapping:

2009 Studs

Drew Brees

Chris Johnson

Andre Johnson

Dallas Clark

2009 Duds

Matt Cassel

Brian Westbrook

Terrell Owens

Jeremy Shockey

By David Ortega

Check back for more notes, thoughts, and “Football Talk.”

FSH: MORE FROM THE HUDDLE

January 4th, 2009 9:17pm PST

More From the Huddle

With the 2009 regular season over, there is plenty to remember and look back on; from the Texan's quarterback Matt Schaub's impressive play to Miles Austin's emergence in Dallas to the electric rookie Percy Harvin in Minnesota. With plenty of highlights to recall and great moments to reflect, these are just 10 of the many things I am going to remember from 2009....

What we remember from 2009 Season

1. The ageless wonder Brett Favre (over 4,000 yards passing and 33 touchdowns) came back for his 19th season and played much of 2009 like history in the making; can he write the final chapter for his magical year in the post-season?

2. Chris Johnson played and ran like a record setter, making most defenses look like either the keystone cops or standing still; he became only the sixth player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards (he also caught 50 passes in 2009). Johnson also set the NFL record for total yards on offense with 2,509 (breaking Marshall Faulk's old mark).

3. Even without a quarterback, a passing game (team ranked 32nd), and a defense, that couldn't stop running back Steven Jackson from looking like a man amongst boys for most of the season; 324 carries, 51 receptions, 1,738 total yards, and four touchdowns in 2009.

4. In Philly DeSean Jackson may be the most explosive and dangerous receiver in the game, if his quarterback can learn to dial it in just a little bit better; 63 receptions, 18.5 yards per reception, and nine touchdowns.

5. Wes Welker is a fantasy beast and one of the most sure handed wideouts in the game; 123 receptions, 1.348 yards receiving, 4-touchdowns, and 162 targets (76% success rate).

6. The Giants wide receiver Steve E. Smith was one of this season's best kept secrets finishing 2009 with 107 receptions, 1,220 yards receiving, and 7-touchdowns.

7. A star was born in Minnesota with the arrival of Brett Favre's veteran savvy and golden arm; 4th year wide receiver Sidney Rice set career highs with 83 receptions, 1,312 yards, and 8-touchdowns.

8. The Eagles tight end Brent Celek proved his 2009 post season run was no fluke; he followed up in 2009 with 76 receptions, 971 yards receiving, and 8-touchdowns.

9. Vince Young came back and proved not only could he play passing for over 1,800 yards, rushing for nearly 300, and throwing 10 touchdowns, but that he is also a winner going 8-2 as a starter in 2009.

10. With a 14-2 record heading into the playoffs, home field advantage throughout, 4,500 yards passing, 393 0f 571 passing (68.8% completion), 33 passing touchdowns, and a passer rating of 99.9, ho-hum just another year in the career of Peyton Manning.

Remember to check back with “Your Fantasy Sports Home”

FSH: WATERCOOLER CHAT

December 24th, 2009 - 11:05pm PST

Watercooler Chat

A Wireless Week

For most computer geeks wireless is usually a very good thing, but for fantasy owners it means you have to roll with what you got; sometimes that's not so good. If you're stuck with few choices, but have a chance to tap into the free market here's what our good buddy Wayne "The Wire" Bosco has to offer...

Wayne says...

It's always better to play the hot hand, rather than a cold one which could be the case this week. With Jerome Harrison coming off a career day 286 yards on the ground and set to face a questionable Raiders run defense (ranked 28th against the run), those are plenty of reasons to jump on the Brown's running back's milk-truck. Harrison has not done a whole lot in 2009, but he made a loud statement last week and it's a good bet that the Brown's coaching staff was listening. He should be featured quite a bit on Sunday and could be very good play against Oakland. This game is going to lack a lot of great defense, so there should be plenty of big plays on offense from both sides; including Mr. Harrison.

The Titan's will have a difficult matchup on Friday night against the San Diego Chargers, but there's no question two of the biggest keys for Tennessee will be Chris Johnson and Vince Young. What some folks may not be aware of, rookie wide receiver Kenny Britt will also be a huge key for the Titans. While Britt has cooled off some the past couple of weeks, he'll be an important instrument in the Titans success. With the Charger's starting corners preoccupied with Tennessee's other receivers (Gage, Washington), Britt is going to see some favorable coverages and should be targeted quite a bit in this one. When Young has looked for Britt, the kid has been big with three touchdowns in his last five games and facing the explosive Chargers the Titans will have to throw the ball.

The Colts are not going to head into this Week 16 matchup lightly and if Peyton Mannng has any say, they will play to win. This week's matchup with the Jets will present many challenges, but with New York’s shutdown corner Darrelle Revis pretty much locking up with Reggie Wayne the Colts second year wideout Pierre Garcon could be big. Garcon starting opposite Wayne has played well when called on this season has been quiet the past couple of weeks, but could become a primary weapon against the Jets. Last week Garcon saw only two throws in his direction, but in his six games prior he saw no fewer than eight (averaging more than nine). This should be a matchup for the Colts second year wideout that gets him back on track.

Waynes Weekly "Friendly Word for the wise"...

The Niners are basically playing for pride now, but their quarteback could be playing for a whole lot more; a strong finish. Quarterback Alex Smith has not quite sold the idea he's the team's future, but a strong finish could go a long way. With the rookie Michael Crabtree one of his favorite and best targets, it safe to say he (Crabtree) will likely play a big part in the success of the passing game down the stretch. A late arrival this season Crabtree has been a very positive addition to the team's passing attack and with his quarterback looking to make a statement, expect Crabtree to be a huge beneficiary. Despite playing in just nine games Crabtree is amongst the team leaders in receptions, yards, and touchdowns for wide receivers. With Smith continuing to call his number, expect the rookie to see his numbers greatly improve.

Player Watch for Week 15

Once again here a few players of note that fantasy owners should consider riding or hiding for the coming weekend of games. Keep these players on your watchlist, you just may want to give them a hard look come Sunday;

(Start) Jermichael Finley

The Packer's tight end has been better than consistent with 21 receptions and three touchdowns in his last three games. He's a huge target in the red-zone and quarterback Aaron Rodgers is looking his direction more and more.

(Start) Vince Young

The Titans quarterback Vince Young has been a fantasy keeper over the past several weeks averaging more than 20 fantasy points in his last three starts, including three touchdown passes last week. There's no reason to believe he shouldn't do more of the same against the Chargers 15th ranked defense on Christmas night.

(Sit) Thomas Jones

As reliable and solid as running back Thomas Jones has been all season, this game could simple be a case where he just won't get any opportunity. The Colts offense is just so impressive they could easily turn the Jets offense to one dimensional by jumping out big real quick. Thomas is likely a long shot to see more than 15 carries in this one.

(Start) Michael Bush

The Raiders running back Michael Bush has to love his chances this Sunday against the Browns defense after watching highlights of Jamaal Charles shredding it for 150 yards on the ground. Bush is coming off a season high effort of 133 yards of his own and should do well in Cleveland.

(Sit) Knowshon Moreno

The Broncos backfield will likely be a little crowded on Sunday with the return of running back Correll Buckhalter. With the Eagles 10th ranked run defense on the slate fantasy owners shouldn't expect a great effort from rookie running back Knowshon Moreno.

(Start) Pierre Thomas

The Saints lost their bid on perfection, but they won't just lay down the rest of the way. They need to get back to winning with their balanced attack and with Buccaneers (ranked 30th against the run) in town Pierre Thomas should be featured even more on the ground this Sunday.

Check back every week for more "Watercooler Chat"

FSH: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

December 22nd, 2009 11:30pm PST

David's Daily Digest

[My Take]

More football news and happenings from around the league; here’s the latest I am hearing, reading, and following with my take on things and how they will impact the coming fantasy week……

Player Notes From Across My Wire...

Young has elevated his game...

The Titans quarterback Vince Young is still a dangerous runner outside the quarterback, but over the past several weeks he has looked very strong and played very well from inside the pocket (three touchdown passes this past week). In the past month Young has resembled more of a poised pocket passer, than a scrambler. This will be something fantasy owners will be watching as he finishes up the 2009 campaign and something they may want to remember looking toward 2010.

Rivers truly playing like an MVP....

The Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has really been playing as well as any other quarterback in the league. The team is currently riding a nine game win streak and Rivers 18 touchdowns in that stretch has been a big part. What makes Rivers so good and so dangerous for opposing defenses is his tremendous confidence in his own ability and his superb touch on the deep ball.

Manning still looks like a sure play....

The Colts may appear to have nothing left to play for except pride, but you could not tell Peyton Manning that. On Thursday night he was battling just like it was the AFC championship in Foxboro, minus all the snow. With a perfect 14-0 record, the playoffs just a few short weeks away, you can't tell me the Colts don't want to win and keep winning. Manning (33 passing touchdowns in 2009) has been spectacular all season and sometimes better than that in a single half; he looks like a safe play again for Week 16 (but check his status later in the week).

Schaub on his way to the next level.....

With a strong finish (back-to-back 360-yard passing games) to a very good 2009 campaign, the Texans quarterback Matt Schaub is very much lobbying for fantasy elite consideration. Schaub has not only played well this season with over 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns, but he has started every game this season for the Texans. With Andre Johnson to throw to, it's going to be hard to see Schaub slip too deep in next season's fantasy drafts.

IDP Notes....

DeMarcus Ware returns in a big way….

After consecutive losses to open the month of December, what the Cowboys needed was inspired play if they had any hopes of upsetting the undefeated Saints. That is exactly what they got from linebacker DeMArcus Ware who was questionable to even play after suffering a neck sprain the previous week. Sprain or not Ware was definitely a pain the Saints neck, in particular quarterback Drew Brees. Ware harrassed Brees all night sacking the pro bowl quarterback twice and forcing two fumbles. Ware now has 11 sacks and five forced fumbles this season.

Check back with "Your Fantasy Sports Home" for more Football to digest....

FSH: SATURDAY SPORTS PAGE

December 5th, 2009 11:00pm PST

The Saturday Sports Page

The Football Section

NFL Week 13 Matchups

Here are the key notes for owners to pay in mind when action kicks off on Sunday for Week 13....

Philadelphia @ Atlanta

The Eagles will be without wide receiver DeSean Jackson, while the Falcons will not have quarterback Matt Ryan and could be without running back Michael Turner.

Tampa Bay @ Carolina

The Panthers will start journeyman quarterback Matt Moore on Sunday, who has not started a game since 2007. The Buccaneers running back Cadillac Williams is not on the injury report and is hoping for a big game against the leagues 26th ranked run defense.

St. Louis @ Chicago

The Rams running back Steven Jackson has not practiced all week, but is expected to play although he will be a game-time decision. Jackson is the leagues 2nd leading rusher and face the Bear's 24th ranked run defense.

Detroit @ Cincinnati

The Bengals will have the services of running back Cedric Benson who makes his return to the lineup on Sunday. The Lions defense rank 19th against the run and 32nd overall.

Tennessee @ Indianapolis

The Titans have won five straight since Vince Young has been under center. Young had a career day last week passing for 387 yards and has thrown a touchdown in each of his last three starts.

Houston @ Jacksonville

The Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew has rushed for over 1,000-yards this season and has already scored 13 rushing touchdowns. The Texans run defense is ranked 22nd in the leauge and has allowed 14 scores.

Denver @ Kansas City

The Broncos rookie running back Knowshon Moreno is averaging nearly 90 yards on the ground in his last three games. The Chiefs defense is allowing over 130 yards on the ground per game.

These are just some of the notes from Sunday's matchups. Be sure to check back every week for Saturday's Sports page.....

FSH: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

November 27th, 2009 10:30pm PST

David's Daily Digest

[My Take]

More football news and happenings from around the league; here’s the latest I am hearing, reading, and following with my take on things and how they will impact the coming fantasy week……

Player Notes From Across My Wire...

Vince Young has the Titans rolling….

Since the insertion of Young under center the Titans have rolled off four straight wins. Young has been doing with a combination of his arm and his feet. He's not posting big numbers, but he's limiting mistakes. In his four starts Young has turned the ball over only twice while passing for 623 yards, throwing three touchdowns, and completing 66 percent of his passes.

No Big Ben could be costly….

The Steelers could be heading into their big week 12 showdown against their fierce division rivals the Baltimore Ravens without their starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Big Ben suffered a concussion last Sunday and current word indicates that the Steeler's quarterback will sit despite practicing all week. This was Ben's fourth concussion since 2006.

Jackson expected to be a Game-time….

The good news is running back Steven Jackson did some individual work on the sidelines during Friday's practice. Jackson has been a real warrior this season, so it's hard to imagine he'd sit Sunday. There's no question the Rams are being cautious, but better check his status during warmups on Sunday.

Julius Jones not looking good for Sunday….

The Seahawks running back suffered a rib (lung) injury two weeks ago and could miss his second game in two weeks. Jones is still in pain and was limited in practice this week. If Jones sits, 2nd year back Justin Forsett would start and be an every-down back.

Warner’s still a big question for Sunday.....

With the league and teams being even more proactive about preventive action, depsite practicing all week the Cardinal's quarterback Kurt Warner (concussion) is still questionable for Sunday. All signs are pointing toward Warner playing, but the team is planning on being cautious. Warner has sustained by his records five concussions over his career.

Check back with "Your Fantasy Sports Home" for more Football to digest....

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!"

FSH: SUNDAY NIGHT FANTASY FOOTBALL HEADLINES

August 9th, 2009 9:37pm PST

Sunday Night FF Headlines

Who’s making Fantasy News this Past Week?

RB Frank Gore excelling in camp, poised for big 2009…..
The Niners featured back has been looking good this offseason. Gore is a versatile back as a runner and pass receiver with a tremendous upside. If the Niners running back can remain healthy, he could be looking at a big season. He’ll likely climb as a high end RB2 (possibly a low RB1 in deeper leagues) in most fantasy drafts.

WR Brandon Marshall will not play in preseason opener….
The Bronco’s elite receiver is not expected to play in the team’s preseason opener August 14th. It is speculated that his leg injury could be related to his offseason hip surgery. Fantasy owners should monitor this situation. Marshall is missing valuable practice time and this injury could be more serious than what is being told. He could be a risky earlier round pick in fantasy.

WR Roddy White inks big deal with Falcons…
Fantasy owners across the world can breathe a sigh of relief. With White expected to join camp, his fantasy stock value should return to its normal value. White has been on the rise the last couple of season with two back to back 80-plus catch and 1,200-yard plus seasons. He’s a legitimate top ten receiver and will likely be taken as a WR1 in most fantasy leagues.

WR Owens gets involved right away in Hall of Fame Game…
The Bills wasted little time showing the football world what exactly their intent will be this season with their newest addition to their offense. In the opening series Owens caught two passes, showing good hands and better footwork. T.O. looked nimble and certainly hasn’t lost a step. He’s going to be an early receiver selection in fantasy drafts, but how early he should go will be debatable.

QB Vince Young struggles in first action of 2009…
The Titan’s back-up quarterback Vince Young did not look sharp throwing the ball. He was errant and at times was not in sync with his receivers. Young did however look quick and mobile and threw one touchdown. He’s no threat to take the starting job anytime, but he’s working with a lot of tools that overtime could get him back out there. His value at this time is limited to keeper leagues and larger leagues with 12 or more teams.

WR Calvin Johnson suffers hand injury, not serious…
The Lions third year receiver suffered a couple of jammed fingers, but the injuries are not believed to be serious. The elite talented receiver has emerged as a bona-fide WR1 in fantasy following his tremendous sophomore season. With the addition of rookie QB Matt Stafford and his big arm, Megatron could easily finish as one of the top three receivers in fantasy this season.

RB Knowshon Moreno already running with first team…
The Bronco’s rookie running back joined the team on Sunday and already begain running snaps with the first team. If he can make up for lost time, Moreno is too talented to not be on the field. In McDaniel’s “Patriots West” offense, Moreno could be a very productive back. We expect to see Hillis figure in the mix, so it’s hard to measure Moreno’s production level, but he figures to be a very safe RB3 in most fantasy leagues.

RB Willie Parker being slow, but close to return…
The Steeler’s featured back Fast-Willie-P has been sidelined with back spasm, but it is being reported he is close to returning. While Parker has all the talent in the world, he is considered primarily a ball-carrier and has little value in PPR leagues. Fantasy owners may want to monitor this back injury, his value could fall some and he could be a much better value pick in the mid rounds.


By David Ortega

Check back every Sunday for more “Sunday Night FF Headlines!”