October 27th, 2010, Wednesday
Fantasy Football
Target Practice
In these hands we trust
Week seven marked a week of the big names with familiar faces like Ochocinco, Colston, and Boldin topping the list of most targets on Sunday. Of the top targeted receivers in week seven, nine of the top eleven scored a touchdown with two finding the end-zone twice. Four of the most targeted pass catchers finished the day with double figure receptions and three others caught nine balls apiece. So who were these usual suspects on Sunday…
The Usual Suspects…
On Monday night against the Giants, the Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (13 targets) quickly re-emerged as a fantasy favorite. It was no surprise with Romo injured and out, Witten quickly became Jon Kitna’s safe check down. Witten now has 50 targets for the year.
The Bengal’s Carson Palmer put the ball in the air 50 times on Sunday and wide receiver Terrell Owens (13 targets) was one of his benefactors. Owens finished his day with nine receptions for 88 yards and a score. Owens now has 73 targets (2nd in the NFL) for the season.
Making his case for being the best receiver in the game today, the Falcon’s are doing all they can to support wide receiver Roddy White’s cause. Last week the Falcon’s flyer was targeted 13 times, finishing the game with 11 receptions for 201 yards receiving and two touchdowns. White leads all receivers with 82 targets this season.
Your Target watch….
When you look over the list of the most popular pass catchers (targeted the most) another intangible statistic that should not be over-looked is target efficiency. There’s no question, opportunity lends itself to greater production, but sometimes some players don’t need much to make a splash…
Against the Eagles secondary, Titan’s wide receiver Kenny Britt was targeted 10 times and made the most of every chance he got hauling in seven of those passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns.
The Bills third year wide receiver Steve Johnson was targeted a season high 10 times on Sunday and found great success with his increased opportunity. Johnson caught eight of those throws for 158 yards and scored once.
The Bengal’s passing attack has been coming to life quite a bit in recent weeks and one recipient that has emerged on most fantasy radars is rookie receiver Jordan Shipley. Shipely is returning from a concussion that had him sidelined for a while and last week the former Longhorn bounced back in great fashion. He was targeted a mere six times, but made the most of every throw hauling in all six for 131 yards and scoring once. It was by far his most productive day as a pro.
Season Target Leaders...
(Unofficial numbers)
Last week’s Top 12
- Chad Ochocinco, CIN (16 targets)
- Mike Williams, SEA (16 targets)
- Marques Colston, NO (15 targets)
- Jeremy Maclin, PHI (14 targets)
- Hakeem Nicks, NYG (14 targets)
- Anquan Boldin, BAL (13targets)
- Terrell Owens, CIN (13 targets)
- Roddy White, ATL (13 targets)
- Jason Witten, DAL (13 targets)
- Patrick Crayton, DAL (12 targets)
- Johnny Knox, CHI (12 targets)
- Roscoe Parrish, BUF (12 targets)
October 27th, 2010, Wednesday
David’s Daily Digest
My Fantasy Notes:
DARREN MCFADDEN: THE REAL RUN DMC ON SUNDAY
The Raider’s 3rd year running back was Mr. Fantasy on Sunday, having his way with the Denver defense and scoring four times. McFadden touched the ball18 times on the day and averaged well over 10 yards from scrimmage each time he did. The Raiders number one ball carrier finished the day with 165 yards on the ground and added another 31 yards receiving.
My Fantasy Read:
Michael Bush who? If you weren’t a true believer before Sunday, you better believe Run-DMC is the number one running back in Oakland and looks to be a solid fantasy start every week. Keep him in your line-up
THOMAS JONES SHOWING HIS LEGS STILL HAVE LIFE
In the last four season, both the Jets and the Bears have traded away running back Thomas Jones believing his best days running are behind him. Since he left Chicago he’s had three straight 1,000 yard rushing season and in his first post-Jet season he is well on his way (on pace to eclipse 1,200 yards). This week Jones topped 100 yards rushing for the second straight week and added his third rushing touchdown for the season.
My Fantasy Read:
This was the second straight week that Jones has topped 20 touches for the game and the fourth time this season. The Chiefs have a committee backfield, but like the Jets a year ago, there seems to be enough to go around for Jones to be a safe weekly play in deeper leagues.
HAKEEM NICKS TOYS WITH THE BOYS MONDAY NIGHT
The Giants wide receiver was simple electric Monday night helping to lead the G-men to an impressive and at one point dominant comeback on offense. Nicks hauled in nine passes for over 100 yards receiving and two touchdowns (he has 8 this season, tied for the NFL lead).
My Fantasy Read:
It has not taken long for this second year receiver to blossom into something special. Nicks is on pace for 15 plus touchdowns, 90 plus catches, and 1,200 yards receiving; he’s a number one receiver in any league.
ELI MANNING CAPTAIN’S JET BLUE IN BIG D
The Giant’s signal caller has had his ups and downs this season, but on Monday night he had the passing game flying amongst the clouds. Manning completed better than 70% of his passes, passed for over 300 yards and threw four touchdowns to do-in the Cowboys.
My Fantasy Read:
Manning is not going to post big numbers week in and week out, but he’s got sure handed receivers and a solid ground game to support him. The Giants are on a roll (winners of five straight) and Manning has been solid. In deeper leagues he’s a safe start.
RYAN FITZPATRICK LOOKS SOLID ON SUNDAY
Some football analyst speculated early in the season that the Ravens secondary was the weak spot on the defense. Through the first several weeks of the season that had not looked like the case, but on Sunday the Bill’s quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick had many reconsidering. The Bill’s quarterback torched the Raven’s secondary for 382 yards passing and four touchdowns.
My Fantasy Read:
It may be a little too early to start drinking this cool-aid. The Bills have some talented receivers with Evans, Johnson, and Parrish, but heading into Sunday’s contest they had one of the leagues least effective passing games. Fitzpatrick’s game on Sunday is a nice preview of what may come, but better wait until it gets here before you start betting the farm. 
October 25th, 2010 Monday
This Week on the Cover….
The Best in the West
Sitting at 4-2 atop the AFC West through the first seven weeks of the season, head coach Todd Haley has many believing in the impossible. With little argument, at least for the moment it would be very difficult to argue that the Chiefs are not the best in the west.
A big factor contributing to the success of the Chiefs number one rushing offense has been the talent of their backfield tandem. Running backs Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles are the perfect complement to each other’s style and both are enjoying huge success this season.
Thomas Jones is off to a solid start this season pounding his way to 461 yards rushing with a 4.7 yards per carry average. On the other side Charles has been equally effective slashing his way for 489 yards to the tune of 6 yards per carry. The combination of the two ball carriers has been an effective formula for the Chiefs this season and is clearly one of the biggest reasons they are a game and a half atop the AFC West.
With the passing game showing signs of life over recent weeks, the duet of Jones and Charles is likely to keep singing the sweet melody of ground success in the coming weeks. Both backs are sharing an equal split of touches (Jones 102 touches, Charles 93 touches) this season and appear to be fantasy favorites in the second half of the season, especially with the likes of Denver (2 games), Buffalo, Oakland (2 games), and Arizona left on the schedule.
Check back everyday for more football!
October 24th, 2010, Sunday
What’s Tweetin
The latest news around the NFL from Twitter….
Recent tweets…
@Adam_Schefter Contract negotiations between Redskins and Donovan McNabb are on track, just not fast track. Would be a surprise to see a deal this season.
@mortreport Seems like its an inactive day for CBs, but Nate Clements (Ankle) will give it a go vs the Panthers
@Adam_Schefter TE Antonio Gates' toe, the same toe he once had surgery on, is bothering him. Knows he shouldn't play, but still will try. Very iffy.
@mortreport Bengals CB Johnathan Joseph didnt practice Wed or Thurs and will not play today
@MaioccoCSN 49ers inactives: T. Smith (3rd QB), K.Williiams, C.Maragos, Kristick, Sims, Heitmann, A.Boone, J.Hill.
@jaguarsinsider Todd Bouman will start at QB for the Jaguars while Trent Edwards will be No. 2. Vince Manuwai will open at LG for Justin Smiley.
@JasonLaCanfora Eagles inactives: D.Jackson, Harrison, Lindley, Clayton, Peters, Harbor, Bunkley and Vick (3rd QB) will be in uniform and on sidelines
@Adam_Schefter Falcons CB Dunta Robinson and LB Sean Weatherspoon inactive for Atlanta.
@Jay_Glazer Vick will be the emergency 3rd today and kerry collins starts over young, who still has a hard time w his ankle more than his knee
@JasonLaCanfora Jason Campbell will start for Raiders this week. Recovered from injury he suffered last Sunday
Earlier tweets…
@Adam_Schefter Early signs are it'll be Kerry Collins for Titans, Todd Bouman for Jaguars, Jason Campbell for Raiders. But no decisions final yet.
about an hour ago
@mortreport The Atlanta Falcons plan to make Dunta Robinson inactive today against the Bengals due to the concussion he suffered last week
about an hour ago
@TheRedzoneorg Brian Urlacher suffering from groin pull and sprained thumb http://tinyurl.com/29sa58r #NFL #Bears
1 hour ago
@TheRedzoneorg Dunta Robinson won't play today for Falcons http://tinyurl.com/2479qer #NFL #Falcons
1 hour ago
@markschlereth As per usual I'm going to starbucks and church and shall return with a churchy thought. Have a blessed Sunday.
1 hour ago
@SFFcom Bucs TE Stevens arrested on drug charges: Update: According to Adam Schefter, Bucs TE Jerramy Stevens was arrested... http://bit.ly/b6O6ZQ
1 hour ago
@JasonLaCanfora Eagles source tells me Mike Vick will "probably" be the No. 3 QB today, though decision not yet final
1 hour ago
@Adam_Schefter Colts WR Anthony Gonzalez, who some thought would replace Austin Collie, recently tweaked his ankle. http://is.gd/gfWq5
1 hour ago
@SNFSideline On Friday, the NFL issued a memo to each head coach regarding players with "records" at risk for elevated discipline
1 hour ago
@janesports I'm only going to whisper this. (Shaun O'Hara seems to have turned a corner on the ankle thing...Shhhhh.... http://es.pn/dy1G41) #NYG
1 hour ago
@Adam_Schefter Buccaneers TE Jerramy Stevens will not play today after he was arrested last night for drug possession.
1 hour ago
@michaelombardi Dunta Robinson of the Falcons won't be able to play today as a result of his hit on DeSean Jackson last week. Both players wont play today.
1 hour ago
@greggrosenthal Happy seventh sunday. Lot of evenly matched games. Like Chargers, Packers, Cowboys, Titans, Panthers.
1 hour ago
@JasonLaCanfora Rain shower is over. Could be more to come though. Pretty overcast still. I'm on GameDay Morning in 10 minutes. Bet it rains as it on cue
1 hour ago
@JasonLaCanfora JGetting a nice little shower here in South Florida. Looks like its gonna blow through. 30 percent chance of rain this afternoon
1 hour ago
@Sportschick First 2 mentioned...RT @rb_31 @Sportschick I need two Mathews, Ivory, and Bush
1 hour ago
@Sportschick Ward...RT @AdamKelley11 @Sportschick NonPPR.. Can only play 1.. HWard, Driver, or DBranch??
1 hour ago
@Sportschick Ur first 3 listed...RT @BucsNation4Ever @Sportschick need 3 Rbs too - A. Bradshaw, R. Matthews, M. Forte, R. Torain, and the Lawfirm
1 hour ago
@nflnetwork IT’S GAME DAY! Start your Sunday with NFL GameDay Morning (9am-1:00pm ET), the 1st NFL pre-game show!
2 hours ago
@SigmundBloom I own Nicks in a lot of leagues and Im not benching him
2 hours ago
@SigmundBloom On Hakeem Nicks - I believe he will play, but risk of ?able status drops him down to WR2 level - still if you are underdog, play him
2hours ago 
October 24th, 2010, Sunday
My Weekly Fantasy
Sunday’s Fantasy Lineup
Some quick notes for today’s lineups….
My Quarterbacks:
With Kyle Orton matching up with the Raiders today, I am going to stick with my bigger guns; Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees. Orton does not have the most difficult matchup today against the Raiders, who have allowed 12 passing touchdowns this seaso, but they just don’t give up a lot of yards…..Like Orton in Denver the Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers should enjoy some home cooking today and he’ll have a most favorable match-up against the Patriots (ranked 29th against the pass). Brees is at home today against the Browns and you have to always like Drew in the Dome….Rodgers has a marquee match-up tonight at Lambeau against the Vikings. In his last meeting at home against the Vikes, Rodgers passed for nearly 300 yards and threw three touchdowns.
My Runningbacks:
Across the board, one start that I like today will be the Bronco’s Knowshon Moreno today against the Raider’s 30th ranked run defense. Moreno is finally healthy and should return to good form today against a defense that allows five yards a tote and nearly 150 yards a game on the ground….an every week must-start, Steven Jackson owners should be licking their chops today as the Rams running back, though on the road should have a big day today. Jackson faces the Buc’s defense that is being torched for more than 150 yards a game on the ground…..the Browns have a tough road matchup today in the Superdome, but you can bet they will be using Peyton Hillis and their ground game to do everything they can to keep the ball out of Drew Brees hands. They might not have a lot of luck with that, but Hillis will still have a very productive day.
My Wide Receivers:
The Packers are not going to see many yards on the ground tonight against the Vikings stout run defense, so that just means more work for Greg Jennings and the receiving corp. The Vikings are ranked 6th against the pass this season, but they don’t put a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks (six sacks this season) and they allow nearly a 65% completion percentage of passes….the Eagles Jeremy Maclin has been hot since Kolb’s insertion into the lineup. In his last two games Maclin has 13 receptions for 254 yards…..amazingly enough, Dwayne Bowe was a waiver wire pick-up this week and a starter today. Bowe is coming off a huge game with two scores and faces the (Jaguars) league’s 28th ranked pass defense; he should have a nice encore performance today.
My Tight Ends:
The Falcons had been playing steady and consistent play-off like football before their throttling last week at the hands of the Eagles. This week at home in the Georgia Dome, I expect Matt Ryan and company to right the ship. One of Ryan’s keys will be his tight end Tony Gonzales. Tony G. is not likely to see a large chunk of yards, but with three touchdowns already this season he’s a great red-zone candidate today…..on the other side of the field, I like the Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham (22 receptions, 2-touchdowns) to have plenty of opportunity to find the end zone. In the last three games the Falcons have allowed 16 receptions and 146 yards to the opposing tight end position.
