FSH: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

September 28th, 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 season……

News From Across the Wire...

Greg Jennings, WR, Green Bay Packers
Greg Jennings aggravated his wrist injury in Sunday's win at St. Louis, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
My Fantasy read on Jennings: Jenning’s returned and played well, we wouldn’t expect him to miss anytime unless he should re-aggravate the injury more severe…

Felix Jones, RB, Dallas Cowboys
Felix Jones strained his left knee during tonight's game against Carolina.
My Fantasy read on Jones: Back up running back Tashard Choice filled in nicely in replacement of Felix. If Jones’ injury lingers, expect Choice to move into the back up role behind Barber, until Jones is healthy…..

Vincent Jackson, WR, San Diego Chargers
Vincent Jackson is nursing a bruised knee sustained in Sunday's battle against Miami, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune on twitter.
My Fantasy read on Jackson: The was no immediate word of his injury, so it doesn’t appear to be anything that will keep Jackson off the field. Fantasy owners should feel safe starting him every week…..

Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle Seahawks
Matt Hasselbeck is not expected to practice Wednesday while dealing with a rib injury, according to Danny O'Neill's (Seattle Times) twitter page.
My Fantasy read on Hasselbeck: The Seahawks need to get Hass back in the saddle and soon, but his history of injuries could keep him out longer. He’s likely to be questionable all week and a gametime decision, owners will need to monitor….

Terrell Owens, WR, Buffalo Bills
Head coach Dick Jauron intends to get Terrell Owens more involved in the Bills' offense after failing to catch a pass in Week 3 against New Orleans, according to the Associated Press. Jauron said, "We will take more shots. We definitely have to get him more involved in the game no matter what the defense does."
My Fantasy read on Owens: There’s no question scoring seven points against a defense that had allowed 49 points is a problem. With a player like T.O. this offense has to be more productive. Expect Jauron to make changes immediately……

Brian Westbrook, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
According to Eagles' beat writer Brian Seltzer, the Eagles will use a running back rotation going forward this season. The team plans to use both Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy as long as both players are healthy.
My Fantasy read on Westbrook: This was always figured, but now that the team has been able to see McCoy in action we’d expect to see the team actually follow through…..

Jerious Norwood, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Head coach Mike Smith expects Jerious Norwood to be fit to return to the gridiron after the Falcons' Week 4 bye, according to their official team website. He is recovering from a head injury.
My Fantasy read on Norwood: The Falcons look strong and with a healthy Norwood, the team can keep running back Michael Turner on pace and not over worked. Don't expect Turner's workload to change with the return of Norwood……

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

FSH: ON THE COVER

September 28th, 2009 11:00pm PST

This Week on the Cover….

Real or Fraud!!

Are these teams leading a deception….
Through the first three weeks of the 2009 NFL season many of us may think we have seen enough, from Peyton Manning's dominance, to Brett Favre's heroics, and the Raven's look of a complete team, but have we seen enough from other teams that are trying to sell their kool-ade?

In San Francisco, the Niners came one fantastic finish of a play away from a 3-0 start. While it was a heart breaking loss on Sunday, one thing we learned Singletary has changed the culture and has this team playing like they're winners. At 2-1 and the Rams up next, the future for the Niners only looks brighter.

In Denver not many folks may be quite ready to buy what new Head Coach Josh McDaniels is selling, but at 3-0 the price may be right. McDaniels has the new look team playing very well and while the jury remains out for the moment, a week four matchup with the Cowboys could be all that is needed for the Broncos to prove their authenticity.

Sure it was only a fluke play in week one and the only thing that has prevented Cincinnati from being undefeated thus far this season, but that is why they play the games. This is also why head coach Marvin Lewis and his Bengals haven't hung their season on the one play of misfortune. With an impressive week 3 win over their division rivals (Steelers) the Bengals may not have yet climbed over that hump, but they are definitely steps closer to being where they want to go.

While the city that never sleeps continues to get excited, there’s plenty in the Big Apple these days to make Jet fans true believers. Rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez continues to make plays and dazzle the fans in New York, while Head Coach Rex Ryan has his top rated defense playing to the tune of 3-0. Are the Jets contenders, if not they are doing a great job of pretending.


Check back everyday for more football!

FSH: MONDAY MORNING HUDDLE

September 28th, 2009 10:37pm PST

[Evening Edition]

So What I Saw in Week 3

After watching all of the action on Sunday, I saw plenty, but a few things I could not avoid noticing were the Bronco’s new rebuilt defense, the Raiders awful offense, and the Saints can actually run the ball and play defense. There was plenty more to see and note in week 3 like the end of Terrell Owens streak of a least a single catch in a game. It looks like the black hole is not the only place were things go to die, some things can die or come to an end at the hands of quarterback Trent Edwards arm.

Denver defense looks dominant….

It's only week three, but you can only play who they put on your schedule and through their first three games the Broncos have looked strong. In particular Denver's new rebuilt defense has been impressive. What is most eye catching is not just that this team was supposed to be awful, but it's the fashion in which they have won.

Sure folks will argue they should have lost their opener, but it was the defense that kept the Bronco’s in the game and gave the team that opportunity that fell into Brandon Stokley’s hands back in week one. Two weeks later the Bronco’s defense has now thoroughly throttled two inferior foes and the team stands alone atop the AFC West.

Raider’s offense looks awful…..

Sure we can credit the Bronco’s defense for many of the reasons on Sunday, but the fact is the Raider’s offense is just plain bad. Quarterback JaMarcus Russell has only completed 41 percent of his passes and has thrown four interceptions. His 39.8 passer rating ranks amongst the worst for starters in the league. On Sunday the team totaled just 137 yards and ranks near the bottom in many offensive categories; scoring-12.0 (30th), total yards-223.0 (31st), passing yards-119.7 (32nd), firstdowns/gm-13.0 (32nd), and yards/play-4.1 (31st).

Terrell Owens needs to get out of Buffalo….

How this guy has not lost it yet, I can’t imagine. He’s one of the leagues best run-after-the-catch (RAC) in the game today and the Bill’s can’t get the ball in his hands. Granted that Edwards has taken a few shots downfield, what I can’t imagine is why the Bills are not getting the ball to T.O. in the flat or using quick bubble screens and turning him into a runner. Owens has usually been on the wrong end of many situations he has put himself in and he may well have put himself here, but if the offense doesn’t change their gameplan soon he needs to consider a change of venue.

Trent Edwards has no confidence downfield….

You can count the passes and say that Edwards is not afraid to go downfield, but in this case it would seem the numbers lie. Looking at game film, there have been ample opportunities for the bills to strike downfield, but time and time again Edwards will not pull the trigger. And when he does choose to let it fly, he often not only over throws coverage, but his receivers as well. In order to make big plays downfield, you have to give your playmakers a chance to make a play.

Saints can run the ball….

And for those not paying attention, not only can the Saints put up points on the board with their high-flying passing game, but this team can run the ball. In three weeks of action the Saints offense is ranked second in rushing with 170.7 yards per game and an impressive 5.0 yards per carry (ranks 5th). They have also punched it in on the ground five times this young season.

Worst of the worst

This season there are some pretty bad teams playing in the NFL. Without discussion this list would obviously include the winless teams like the Browns, Dolphins, and Titans, but who are the worst teams this year? After watching the Lions finally show some spark with the team’s first win since 2007, could they actually not be the worst in the league.

Against the Broncos on Sunday the Raiders looked pretty bad only able to muster three points and 137 yards of offense. Over in Tampa the Buccaneers could not even conjure up a single point and on Sunday their offense managed just 86 total net yards. While both the Raiders and Bucs could be considered worthy candidates, it looks like the Rams take the honors this week. An 0-3 start, the leagues worst scoring offense (ranked 32nd) and one of the worst defenses (ranked 29th) has the Rams and their fans feeling pretty bad in 2009. If not for the play of running back Steven Jackson, this team would have no offense or any chance to score. Move over Detroit, the Rams are bad and 0-16 is not out of the realm of possibility.

The Jury is still out

While a few teams this season have been early surprises out of the gate, the jury is still out on these teams the Broncos, Niners, and Bengals. While both the Niners and Bengals have managed a couple of impressive wins this season, we’re still reluctant to crown them as having achieved anything. Mind you both are much closer to being the real deal than the Denver Broncos, recipients of the luckiest play in 2009 and beneficiaries of an early soft schedule, it’s still too early to tell. All three teams have played well so far in this young early season, but let’s not jump the gun.

With the Niners playing in the weak NFC West their early wins have yet to prove anything. There is no question that head coach Mike Singletary has this team headed in the right direction and they certainly appear ready to compete for the division.

The Bengals will face a much stiffer test this season with the Ravens off to a hot start, but their recent win over the defending Super Bowl Champion goes a long way. The 2008 Bengal’s team without question was decimated by injury, but this year’s healthier version is loaded with more talent and greater focus. From what we saw on “Hard Knocks” this may not be a mirage we’re looking at.

In Denver what we are seeing could be classified as nothing less than a full-blown metamorphosis or one fantastic illusion. The last time we checked head coach Josh McDaniels was not wearing a cape or holding a wand, but he certainly has some kind of magic act going on a mile high. The undefeated Broncos, aside from the one lucky fluke play have looked steady on both fronts. With a top-10 offense and a number one ranked defense the jury may be out, but it not for long if they keep this up.

10 Things I remember from Sunday Week 3...

1. Joe Flacco and the Ravens look like one of the best teams in the NFL; with a dominant defense, power running game, and now a strong passing game.
2. The Jets are a team to be reckoned with and quarterback mark Sanchez is not playing like any rookie I know.
3. Peyton Manning is king and without a doubt the best quarterback in the NFL today. His dominant performance Sunday night was just a friendly reminder to all.
4. The Redskins may not be the worst team in the NFL, but on Sunday they sure looked like one of them.
5. That quarterback Brett Favre and his heroics are one of the biggest reasons I keep watching the NFL every Sunday.
6. Tom Brady may not be quite back to his 2007 form, but the Patriots are still the Patriots and always tough at home.
7. The Saints are more of a complete team than most thought; add a running game and a defense, Super Bowl talk doesn’t sound so silly now does it.
8. The Texans have a lot of talent on offense, but they still need to play defense to win in this league.
9. The Bills are not going to compete in the East if they don’t learn how to get better; they need to get T.O. more involved.
10. With Earth (Jacobs) and Fire (Bradshaw) in New York, who needs wind. The Giants running game appears to be in fine form.
    

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

FSH: SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL NOTES

September 28th, 2009 9:57pm PST

Sunday Night Football Notes

Week three Injury round-up


(Monday, Sept 28th update)

Bears:
According to the Associated Press linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer should be able to play in week 4 after leaving Sunday’s game with a rib injury.
Bills:
According to head coach Dick Jauron, both defensive backs Leodis McKelvin (broken leg) and Donte Whitner (injured thumb) will be out indefinitely. McKelvin is expected to be for an extended period while Whitner is having surgery to repair the thumb. He will be evaluated on a weekly basis.
Colts:
According to the National Football Post defensive end Dwight Freeney will undergo an MRI on Monday to exam his right quadriceps. Freeney is noted as saying he “felt something pop.”
Dolphins:
Quarterback Chad Pennington will miss the remainder of the 2009 season after suffering a torn capsule in his shoulder according to ESPN. The Associated Press is reporting that Pennington will seek a second opinion.
Lions:
Running back Kevin Smith left Sunday’s game in the third quarter with a shoulder injury. According to Profootballtalk.com a league sourced says his injury will be “week to week.”
Niners:
Running back Frank Gore left Sunday’s game with an ankle injury and did not return. According to an NFL Network report he suffered a high ankle sprain and is expected to miss at least two weeks.
Patriots:
Running back Laurence Maroney suffered a thigh injury in Sunday’s win over the Falcons. He says he will be fine although he did not play in the second half. Defensive tackle Vince Wolfork also suffered an ankle injury, but his injury is not expected to be long term.
Rams:
Quarterback Marc Bulger injured his shoulder Sunday against the Packers and left the game early. The early report is a bruised rotator cuff according to the team. His availability for week 4 is questionable. Wide receiver Laurent Robinson suffered a broken leg in Sunday’s loss against the Packers. He will miss the remainder of the season.
Redskins:
According to the Associated Press the team expects defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth to be fine after being forced out of Sunday’s game with a strained glut muscle. Haynesworth will undergo an MRI on Monday according to the team.
Titans:
The Nashville Tennessean reports that defensive back Vincent Fuller suffered a fractured arm on Sunday and underwent surgery Monday. He is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Defensive back Courtland Finnegan suffered a hamstring injury as well in the team’s week 3 loss, but the extent of his injury is unknown.

By David Ortega

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

FSH: SUNDAY NIGHT FANTASY FOOTBALL HEADLINES

September 27th, 2009 7:37pm PST

Sunday Night FF Headlines

Who is now making Fantasy News?

WR-Santana Moss has big day in week 3 loss……
The Redskin’s receiver finally broke loose for a big game this season. On Sunday against the Lions, Moss caught 10 passes for 178 yards and scored a touchdown in his team’s loss.

QB-Joe Flacco continues to show off big arm….
The second year quarterback has brought his “A” game this season and a knack for the big play. In week 3 Flacco completed 25 of 35 passes (71%) and threw for 342 yards with one touchdown for the win.

WR-DeSean Jackson makes the big grab.....
The Eagle’s playmaking machine scored on another big pass play against the Chiefs in week 3. Jackson hauled in a 64-yard catch and run for a score on his way to a six catch 149 yards receiving day.

QB-Brett Favre still has some magic left…
The Viking’s quarterback threw the game winning touchdown with just four seconds left on the clock to lift his team to victory. On the afternoon Favre finished with 24 of 46 passing for 301 yards and two touchdown passes, including the game winner.

RB-Maurice Jones-Drew finds the end-zone three times..…
The Jaguar’s running back MJD played like a human pin-ball bouncing off defenders and breaking tackles on his way to a huge game. By the conclusion of Sunday’s contest MJD had finished the day with 119 yards rushing and three rushing touchdowns.

QB-Peyton Manning proves he’s still King…
The Colt’s quarterback and team leader Peyton Manning was simply unstoppable on Sunday night shredding the Arizona defense before its’ home crowd. Manning completed 24 of 35 passes for 379 yards and threw four touchdowns in the big win.

RB-Pierre Thomas needs only one half to score twice…
The Saints running back in his first action this season needed only one half of play to make a fantasy impact. Thomas rushed for a career high 126 yards, all in the second half and scored twice to help lift the Saints to 3-0.

LB-London Fletcher continues to make tackles…
The Redskin’s middle-linebacker continues to gobble up opposing ball carriers. On Sunday in his team’s loss at the hands of the Detroit Lions, Fletcher tallied 16 more total tackles, including 11 solo. His season total is now up to 43.

LB-Elvis Dummerville continues his success on the edge…
The Bronco’s new outside linebacker and pass rush specialist is having himself quite a season. On Sunday Dummerville added another two sacks to go along with five tackles. Elvis now has 14 total tackles and six sacks this season.


By David Ortega

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