FSH: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

June 2nd, 2009 8:30pm PST

David's Daily Digest
[My Take]

OTAs, OTAs, OTAs, with so much minicamp activity, sure there’s plenty to talk about. Did you see what Harvin is doing in Minnesota? Did you hear about Larry Fitz? Don’t worry he’s okay, but with so much happening around the league, here’s my take on a little sumthin, sumthin…..

My Take...

QB VINCE YOUNG NOT HAPPY IN TENNESSEE
My Fantasy Read: Recently the Titan’s former starting quarterback told a TV station in Baltimore that he’d like to move on if he’s not the starter this season. Amazing that he would feel so brazen to make such a statement, not what you would expect from a player that has been somewhat of a disappointment so far as a pro. Young had shown promise early in his career starting 28 games in his first two seasons, but with Collins resigned and just one start last seasons, fantasy owners are going to have to wait awhile before we see the old Young.

RB LEON WASHINGTON REPORTS TO CAMP
My Fantasy Read: The dynamic special teams returner and backup running back reported to the Jet’s minicamp on Monday. Washington in the final year of his rookie deal is looking for a new contract. It is expected the team will eventually sit down with the kid, but it’s a better move to be in camp than away. Washington had 200 touches last season and totaled 2,336 all-purpose yards. With Thomas Jones getting older, “little” Leon could see an expanded role in the running and short passing game, making him one of the more attractive backups in fantasy.

WR TEDD GINN JR GREATLY IMPROVING THIS OFFSEASON
My Fantasy Read: There are some reports coming out of the Dolphins camp that Ginn Jr has been especially impressive this offseason during team OTAs. Last season Ginn Jr showed flashes as the team’s most talented and gifted receiver. In his first full season as the team’s number one wideout, Ginn Jr led the Dolphins in many of its’ receiving statistical categories. He looks like a solid bet to be even better in 2009 and can be a top-twenty five producer in most fantasy leagues at the receiver position.

WR CHAD OCHOCINCO LOOKING FOR AN UNBELIEVABLE 2009
My Fantasy Read: Just when you thought he might be done, just ask him and he’ll tell you; just like he told the NFL Network he plans to report to the Bengals in unbelievable form. Despite a down year in 2008, Ochocino is still a talented wideout with a lot of great catches left. One of the biggest contributing factors to his fall from football glory was the absence of his field general Carson Palmer. With a healthy Palmer back, Ochocinco could be one of the bigger steals in upcoming fantasy drafts.

RB PIERRE THOMAS EXPECTING TO CARRY THE LOAD
My Fantasy Read: With Deuce McAllister now gone, it appears the lead role as the Saints starting running back belongs to Pierre Thomas. In his two seasons with the Saints, the 5-foot eleven inch running back has averaged 4.8-yards per carry and scored 10 rushing touchdowns. Thomas is confident that he can fulfill the role as the team’s ground and pound runner. Even though he’ll be sharing some touches with the spectacular Reggie Bush, when given the opportunity Thomas can be a solid and consistent weekly play for fantasy owners.


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FSH: ON THE COVER

June 1st, 2009 9:50pm PST

This Week on the Cover….

Two Birds of a Feather…

Since 2004, when Larry Fitzgerald arrived in Arizona, he and teammate wide receiver Anquan Boldin have been spectacular bookend receivers torching opposing secondaries for big numbers. Combined both receivers have been putting up the kind of numbers that make fantasy owners drool every summer.

Boldin arrived in Arizona the summer before, immediately turning heads by setting an NFL rookie record with 101 receptions in 2003. Boldin would also finish his rookie season with 1,377-yards receiving and eight touchdown receptions.

Once paired with Fitzgerald in 2004, the two have become mirrors of one another posting up similar numbers and elevating the Cardinals to new heights. The two have even rejuvenated an aging 37-year old former NFL MVP. In Warner’s last two seasons with both receivers to throw to, he’s completed 57 touchdowns passes; Fitzgerald-22 and Boldin-20.

When you compare the two wideouts over their careers since the 2004 season, they truly are two birds of the same feather. Since the 2004 season over a project 16 game season, Fitzgerald (76 games played) has averaged 89-receptions, 1,257-yards receiving, and 9-plus touchdowns to Boldin’s (64 games played) 100-receptions, 1,279-yards receiving, and 8-touchdowns. When healthy these two can explode making the Cardinals offense seemingly unstoppable and very dangerous to the rest of the NFC West.

While these are only projected numbers, the truly do show some of the potential of each of these lethal football weapons. We’ve already seen just how good Fitzgerald can be witnessing last season’s postseason run and no one can argue the toughness of Anquan Boldin watching him bounce back from the vicious hit he suffered in week four.

These two special birds that flock together, hope to stay together, as do all of the fans in the Arizona desert. With the 2009 season fast approaching, it will remain to be seen if these two of a feather can remain together.


Check back everyday for more football!

FSH: MONDAY MORNING HUDDLE

June 1st, 2009 8:47pm PST

[Evening edition]

Boldin has a New Agent

Time for the Cards to take Action....

After last season’s impressive run through the NFC West, past the NFC Championship, onto the verge of winning their first Super Bowl title ever, there’s no question that the Card’s must keep their nucleus intact to have a shot at repeating. With quarterback Kurt Warner pushing 40 years of age, the window of opportunity could be closing for these birds, all the reason why the leagues 4th ranked offense needs to keep its’ best players right where they are.

In the offseason the Cards took their first step resigning quarterback Kurt Warner and with Larry Fitzgerald already inked to a big deal, the obvious next move with Edgerrin James expected to be released would be to fix their situation in the backfield.

What about Anquan Boldin? That was a situation that was supposed to have already been resolved when the team resigned him in 2007. Since that time the Cardinal’s second leading receiver has show dissatisfaction with his current deal, especially compared to the deal Fitz signed.

In recent news the disgruntled receiver who had been following a hard line “new deal or trade me” stance, has fired his agent Drew Rosenhaus. Before Boldin had expressed his dissatisfaction, the Cards were a lock to return the same explosive weapons that carried them all the way to a lead late in the 4th quarter of Super Bowl XLIII.

With Boldin unhappy and management slow to move its’ feet, to many observers it appeared Boldin would be dealt by draft day. Well the draft has come and gone, Boldin is still a Cardinal, still unhappy, and the two sides appear as far apart as ever. That was until the recent news of Boldin firing his agent. Boldin has hired a new agent Tom Condon (not confirmed) and it appears the grays clouds over Glendale, Arizona could be clearing.

With a new agent to deal with, the Cardinals will have a whole new set of cards dealt on the table and it could be just a matter of time before both sides find a common middle ground. There’s no question the Card’s offense can be good without Boldin, but Larry Fitz and company will definitely be better with Q. Together over the past three seasons Fitzgerald and Boldin have averaged combined 169 receptions, 2,293-yards, and 17-touchdowns. Those are just ridiculous fantasy numbers.

If the Cards hope to have the same kind of aerial assault in the desert this season, keeping Boldin in Arizona and on the playing field (including practice) should become a priority (if it isn’t already). With new player representation in play, now is the time for the Cardinals to take action and get Boldin resigned.

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

FSH: SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL NOTES

May 31st, 2009 9:37pm PST

Sunday Night Football Notes

Do the Bears Have Enough?

When the offseason started, probably no one in the Windy City area would have thought the Bears would undergo such a huge change on the offense. Even when the news broke that, then Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler could be traded, likely no one in the Chicago area would have imagined that the he could end up under center for the Bears.

It’s a real mystery how the turn of events led to Cutler’s arrival, but here he is and now the Bears have a true top-flight quarterback. Last season the team ranked 21st in passing and its’ leading receiver was running back Matt Forte who finished 2008 with 63 receptions.

Despite the lack of play making ability at the receiver position, it appears the Bears will be content to roll with their current lineup and one of the leagues best quarterbacks. Cutler is coming off an impressive 2008 campaign passing for more than 4,500-yards and throwing 25-touchdowns. Many feel he’s a huge step forward for the Bear’s offense at the quarterback position, but do they have enough talent at the receiver position for Cutler to be successful in 2009?

Their leading wide receiver is a converted kick-returner, albeit that it is the explosive Devin Hester, but he’s unpolished, unproven, and is still a work in progress. The most accomplished receiver Cutler will have to throw to is probably his new tight end Greg Olsen, but despite all the hype around the former Hurricane he’s yet to live up to expectations.

The Bears are not without talent, they do have some skilled players that can make plays, like Brandon Lloyd who has shown flashes. Lloyd biggest deficiency is his lack of consistency. Last season Lloyd had a two game stretch where he caught 11 passes for 190-yards and a touchdown, then missed five games, and completed a stretch of six games in the second half of the season where two catches were the most in any game (tallied seven catches during the stretch).

There’s no doubt Cutler brings the Bears offense immediate credibility and playmaking at the quarterback position, but without top flight talent on the outside the passing game will be limited. Hester will have his moments, but will likely struggle to be consistent and the offense is going to be a work in progress as the nucleus builds chemistry.

Surprisingly the Bears seem content to keep what they have, even if it’s not a lot. With several free agents available and some big names floating around in trade rumors, we’ve yet to hear the Bears link to anything. Content or not, this is what they have and they will have to rely mightily on the rocket arm of Jay Cutler.

Cutler’s arm wasn’t big enough to lift the Broncos into playoff contenders, but they were a team without a defense. In Chicago he’ll have the benefit of having a better defense and a team that might not require as much of him. With the lack of playmakers on offense to make the playoffs, he’s still going to have to be very good; but will it be enough?

By David Ortega

Check out more “Sunday Night Football Notes” every week!

FSH: THE ATL REPORT

May 31st, 2009 6:37pm PST


THE "ATL" REPORT

Around the League

Thomas Jones still seeking new deal….
The Jets leading rusher last season has finally joined the team on the practice field for their current OTA workouts, but don’t be fooled Jones is still looking for a new deal. He had missed the previous voluntary workouts hoping to have his contract renegotiated, but that has yet to happen

Raven McClain getting fit for his role….
The Ravens leading runner a year ago with over 900-yards on the ground and 10 rushing touchdowns is quickly adapting to his new role in Baltimore. LeRon McClain will be asked to block more this season for the Ravens as their starting full-back. So to better prepare for his role, McClain has added 20 pounds to his frame. He’ll be a better fit as a lead blocker, but could still be used effectively in short-yardage and goal-line situations.

Todd Heap limited during OTA workouts….
The Raven’s starting tight end is currently being limited to individual drills due to a lower back injury. The past couple of seasons Heap has been a huge disappointment in Baltimore the past couple of seasons. In 2008 nagging injuries limited him to just 35 receptions, although he did play in all 16 games. This followed a 2007 campaign that saw Heap miss 10 games. If Heap can not shake the injury bug, he could lose his spot as the started to newly acquired TE L.J. Smith (signed in the offseason).

Harvin and Vikings could be going Wild in 2009
The Vikings are quickly trying to cash out as much value from their 1st round selection in the 2009 Draft. Rookie wide receiver Percy Harvin has been lining up in several different positions during the team’s recent OTA practices. It appears the coaches are going to make every effort to get Harvin as many touches as possible and in a variety of ways. He’s been returning kicks, punts, lining up in the slot, and in the backfield in the “Wildcat” formation. The team is specifically designing plays for Harvin in an effort to take advantage of his playmaking skills.

Brandon Marshall seeking new deal, Really?….
The Bronco’s leading pass catcher the past two seasons, has been as big a disappointment off the field as he has been a success on. In 2008 Marshall led the team with 104 receptions and over 1,200-yards, but after receiving a one game suspension at the start of the season he could not leave his off the field troubles behind when the season ended. Marshall has been involved in seven reported incidents off the field and could face another possible suspension at the start of this season. He is now asking for a pay raise from the team and wants to renegotiate his rookie contract which is in the final year. Really?

Driver looking to renegotiate his deal in Green Bay….
The Packers aging but still capable veteran receiver is looking to renegotiate a new deal in Green Bay. Driver has been absent from the teams voluntary workouts, but it’s being reported this is not reflective of his desire to get a new deal. Driver was the team’s second leading receiver with 74 receptions and just over 1,000-yards. He’ll likely have to wait until the team deals with resigning Greg Jennings, the team’s leading receiver.

Crabtree not expected to join team until Training camp….
Remember Crabtree was a non-participant at the NFL combine earlier in the year due to a foot injury that required surgery. The team is likely being very cautious about not bringing him back on the field too soon. The explosive receiver out of the University of Missouri was selected 10th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft and is expected to compete for a starting job in San Francisco.


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