FANTASY FOOTBALL: RUN TO THE PLAYOFFS

 FOOTBALL  No Responses »
Nov 142012
 

   With only a handful of weeks left in the fantasy football season, owners are starting to put more emphasis on solidifying their lineups.

   We’re entering the last crucial BYE week, which  has many Adrian Peterson and Chris Johnson owners  scrambling to find substitutes.

   There have been multiple injuries to the quarterback and running back positions in the previous weeks, but luckily none of them are elite enough to lose sleep over.

   Unless you’re playing in a 16-team league, you’re probably not starting Jay Cutler, Alex Smith, and Michael Vick anymore.

   I realize they’re all out with injuries, but I highly doubt you had much faith in any of them two weeks ago.

   Running back is the most crucial position to solidify for teams trying to make the playoffs.

   Let’s be honest…when isn’t it?

   The worst thing you could do as an owner is practically give away your best backs in one-sided trades to teams that are in the hunt, if you’re that team that doesn’t have a Jaguars chance of making the playoffs.

   Looking at the the various backfield rotations across the league, it’s almost a gamble itself on picking up the free agents out there on the waiver wire right now.

   Let’s take a look at the backfields that you need to be taking a closer look at this week…

STEELERS

Who to start this week:   Jonathan Dwyer (31% owned)

Who you need to invest in:  Rashard Mendenhall (69% owned)

Analysis : Right now Jonathan Dwyer is the best option for the Steelers, between him and Redman. Mendenhall could’ve played last week if he needed to, but Pittsburgh had enough options to go to. Mike Tomlin has already come out and said that Mendenahll will start if he’s healthy. He is currently listed as probable for this Sunday’s matchup, but we’ll see how long that last as the week goes on. If he does end up playing, you can expect the Steelers backfield to split carries between the two. Mendenhall will be the primary back in any situation, but this might be the last week to invest in Dwyer because of the the simple fact that Tomlin will look to ease Mendenhall back into playing mode.

PACKERS

Who to start this week:  James Starks (5% owned)

Who you need to invest in: Cedric Benson (49% owned)

Analysis:  Alex Green has been a dismal option for owners ever since Cedric Benson went down with an injury. James Starks produced 61 yards off of 17 carries during the Packers’ last outing against the Cardinals, out-playing Green. Mike McCarthy said that Green was the starter going forward, but it looks like Starks is starting to come alive once again in the Green Bay backfield. They’re on the road against the Lions this week, which could pose a problem from a rushing attack standpoint. Green and Starks will still split carries, but expect Starks to get more opportunities when it comes down to crunch time. Cedric Benson is going to be back around the first week of the fantasy playoffs, so it would wise to invest in him now if he’s on waivers in your league. He’s been a reliable dual threat-back in his first season with the Packers, and he can be a quality flex option going into your playoffs. Benson never rushed for 100 yards this season, but he gave owners quality outings as a dual threat. If you have an unreliable play at the flex option, Benson is someone to fill that void.

 SAINTS

Who to start this week:   Chris Ivory (7% owned)

Who you need to invest in: Chris Ivory (7% owned)

Analysis:  Just because Darren Sproles says he’s going to return only 1-2 weeks after his hand surgery, doesn’t mean that it’s actually going to happen. Unless they gave him a brand new robotic hand, that’s not going to happen. If he does go out there, don’t expect him to be very effective. Sproles makes his money catching passes out of the backfield, which hasn’t been that effective this season. The Saints have been winning lately with the ground-and-pound style of attack, with Ingram and Ivory, and that is what they’ll continue to do. Yes they have a stable of backs, but right now you need to invest in Chris Ivory. Fans have been wondering where he’s been all season, but it’s just a matter having enough playing time for all the different running backs. It’s never a bad thing to have too many quality rushers on one team, except from a fantasy perspective. In only 17 carries, Chris Ivory has produced 120 yards and a touchdown in a matter of just two weeks. When you have a stable of backs, you go with whoever has the hottest hand. Right now, the Saints’ best running back is Chris Ivory. Not just because he’s healthy, but the fact that he’s been highly productive. As a fantasy owner scrounging for quality during this late playoff push, you can at least rent some value out of Ivory until Sproles returns.

 CARDINALS

Who to start this week: LaRod Stephens-Howling (24% owned)

Who you need to invest in: Beanie Wells (47% owned)

Analysis: LSH has been a good substitute after Wells and Williams went down with injuries, but that run will soon come to an end. He’s doesn’t exactly blow you away with his stats, which is why the Cardinals will look to go back to Beanie Wells as soon as he is healthy. Wells is back at practice and slated to return next week against the Rams, so it would be wise to invest in him now. He’s not an elite back, but he’s a lot better than what you’re settling for as substitutes during these tough BYE weeks. This is more of a risky/desperation move at the flex position, but keep in mind…we are talking about the Cardinals.

 Posted by at 6:28 pm

FANTASY FILES: WEEK 9 PICKUPS

 FOOTBALL  No Responses »
Oct 302012
 

   The midpoint to every fantasy sports season can be a trying time for any owner.

   You’re going to be faced with one of two scenarios: you either started the season red hot out of the gates and find yourself slowing down or vice versa.

   Believe it or not, it’s best to be the team that doesn’t get off to a good start.

   Hear me out. If you’re the worst team in the league, record-wise, you can have the edge when it comes to the waiver order and picking up the key free agents that you’ll need to build for the  long haul.

   What you have to do a good job at, as an owner, is being selective on who you pick up.

   You’ll be fine, as long as you follow the rule of the thumb: you should want every player on your roster to be a potential starter for your team.

   Those miracle waiver wire pickups tend to slow down as this point in the season, because teams are starting to learn how to prepare for them, so temper expectations.

   If you’re not happy with this first half of the fantasy season, then it’s time to take a hard look at your team and realize that you need to make some drastic changes.

   Let’s take a look at some players that are getting hot at the right time and can be stable contributors during your playoff push…

Cecil Shorts (3% owned) Much like Randall Cobb, Cecil Shorts has been the beneficiary of injuries to the starting receivers on his team. Laurent Robinson has missed multiple weeks with injuries early in the season, opening opportunities for Shorts to stand out. In the past two weeks, he’s caught 12 passes for close to 200 yards and a touchdown. He did that against the Raiders and Packers, which should give owners confidence as he prepares to take on the Lions and Colts in the upcoming weeks. While Robinson is hurt and Justin Blackmon continues to struggle, Shorts will be the number one options in Jacksonville. Maurice Jones-Drew is going to be out for an indefinite period, so the Jags offense will have to run through someone. Get shorts in your lineup as a strong flex option and a viable number two receiver.

Miami Dolphins D/ST (15% owned) In seven games this season, the Dolphins have forced eight interceptions and executed three fumble recoveries. Between the defense and the special teams, this unit has also scored two touchdowns. They are an underrated unit that can help fantasy owners that are hurting for some stability at the position. If you’re a Jets, Eagles, or Ravens defense owner and you’re just not sure what to think about those units at this point in the season, then you might want to consider the Dolphins D/ST. They have a solid run defense and pass rush, but aren’t a lights out unit just yet. The only thing that concerns you going forward with them is the fact that they haven’t played the Patriots yet. Those two matchups are probably going to put them in a difficult spot as a starting option for owners, but otherwise can be a viable and sneaky pickup.

Titus Young (50% owned) This could be a tough spot if you’re trying to pick him up, but Titus Young can help any team right now. If he’s available in your waiver wire, you should start viewing Titus Young as the second best option in the Lions defense. Right now, teams are putting more attention on Calvin Johnson than normal, leaving plenty of opportunities for Young. He’s caught 15 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns these past two weeks, against two top defenses in the Bears and Seahawks. He’s battled injuries for more of the early parts of the season, but those are non-factors at this point. The thing that you like most about Titus Young is the fact that he can contribute as a great PPR league option, he can stretch the field, and he’s efficient in the red zone.  If he’s available, nab him.

WATCHLIST

 LeGarrette Blount (28% owned) The trade deadline is on Thursday and there are tons of rumors swirling about where backup certain backup running backs could be heading. We know about two major names in DeAngelo Williams and LeGarrette Blount.  The two teams that jump out at you that could be buyers are the Arizona Cardinals the Green Bay Packers. Blount has been in Greg Schiano’s doghouse since day one and you have to think that he’ll do whatever it takes to get some return value for him. Doug Martin has been blowing up these past two weeks, leaving Blount even more expendable. In the snaps that he’s gotten this season, Blount has been very effective. Don’t think that just because he’s not starting that it means that he doesn’t have something to offer. Keep an eye on his situation leading into Thursday.

 Posted by at 4:42 pm

FANTASY FILES: WEEK 8 PICKUPS

 FOOTBALL, LATEST SPORTS NEWS  No Responses »
Oct 232012
 

   Many fantasy owners took a haymaker to the face this week due to the immense amount of key players out on their BYE week.

   It was possibly the worst week for owners that have Roddy White, Dwyane Bowe, Jamaal Charles, Matt Ryan, and Peyton Manning. Those guys have been making tremendous impacts for fantasy owners this season.

   The most impressive one is Jamaal Charles, who has shown no signs of slowing down during his bounce-back campaign.

   The problem this past weekend was when Maurice Jones-Drew owners received a goose egg, after their first round running back when down with an injury. Luckily, he’ll only be out for a week.

   Owners were investing a lot of stock in Rashad Jennings going into drafts, but now he’s become a realistic option as a starter.

   In the season opener, Jennings started the game, but MJD made him an afterthought in a matter of minutes.

   This is a similar situation to last week’s rental system with Felix Jones. The only difference is that Jones’ value could actually last longer than just one week.

   As we approach the heart of this fantasy football season, owners are starting to invest in sub par names from the waivers.

   We all knew what kind of talent Josh Gordon had coming out of his troubled college career, but Brandon Gibson of the Rams is actually one of the top options to own this week.

   Ever since Danny Amendola went down with an injury against the Cardinals, Gibson has become Bradford’s favorite target in St. Louis. Even in the event that Amendola returns, Gibson should maintain decent value.

   If you’ve been following the Packers’ wide receiver situation, you’ve already bought on the James Jones and Randall Cobb bandwagons as long as Greg Jennings is out.

   We all knew that Cobb was fast, but we didn’t know that he and Jones could develop into reliable options.

   Up until this past game, James Jones hadn’t dropped a single pass on the season. That’s on top of going into St. Louis with a three week streak of scoring two touchdowns per game.

   By Week 8, you’re going to see a lot of recycled waiver players, it’s just going to be a matter of who is worth keeping for the long haul.

  Let’s take a look at some of the more reliable names to invest in this week…

Rashad Jennings (13% owned) The Jags lost Gabbert and MJD last week, so it’s going to be the Chad Henne and Rashad Jennings show in Green Bay this weekend. Luckily for MJD owners, he’s only out for week, so they can either choose to rent Jennings this week or owners that are desperate at running back might want to rent him. What can Jennings do for you? Simply just be an average running back. Why would you want him? For a couple of reasons: he doesn’t have any competition for carries in the backfield, the Jags offense isn’t exactly a stellar passing attack, and he’s a dual threat-back. I’m just saying, you could do worse out there fishing in waivers for the likes of LaRod Stephens-Howling and  Jonathan Dwyer. The Packers defense isn’t exactly a sure things on a weekly basis, Jennings will have to play a big role in any type of productive offense that the Jags attempt to have, and he’s simply a one-week rental. If you’re fishing for help at your second RB spot or FLEX, you may want to consider him.

Stephen Hill (15% owned) We saw Hill in our post-draft recommendations, but owners chose to jump off that bandwagon as soon as he went down with an injury. He’s healthy and has assumed a larger role than what he expected coming into the season. Now that Santonio Holmes is out, Hill is the top target in the Jets’ mediocre offense. He’s caught seven passes since returning from injury, including a touchdown in New York’s blowout win against the Colts. They’re back home against the Dolphins this week and Hill will be called upon early and often.  Miami will be looking to shut down Shonn Greene and the running game, forcing Sanchez to throw the ball more. Hill has had two weeks to warm back up, so expect a big day from him at home against the Dolphins.

Brandon Gibson (30% owned)  Someone in your league might of already picked him up by now, but there’s a chance that Gibson could be available. He’s caught 12 passes in the past two games, against Miami and Green Bay, which is great news for fantasy owners. Gibson isn’t going to be your top receiver, but he can be an effective one. Danny Amendola is going to be out for another four weeks, including their upcoming BYE week, which should be enough time to use him as a reliable option. Once Amendola comes back, it could be a toss up on whether or not Gibson can stay productive. As long as he is Sam Bradford’s top target and rumors of Steven Jackson being trading are going around, invest in him while you can.

WATCHLIST

Daryl Richardson (11% owned) I know he’s been here before, but there are rumors swirling around the league about the Rams shopping five players before the trade deadline in two weeks. How does this affect Richardson? Steven Jackson happens to be one of those players. If you’re a Steven Jackson owner, you can expect him to be decreased to a third down back. Daryl Richardson has the ability to be a solid option, it’s just a matter of getting carries. The Rams are looking to invest in him and so should you.

 Posted by at 12:45 pm
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