Sunday, October 31, 2010

Sunday Hunch

What I need right now is Sunday brunch. with lots of liquids.  And Bacon.

What you need is Sunday Hunch, and what we all need is for me to do a little better than the 50% or worse I've been throwing out the last couple of weeks.  Today will be the day.  I'm feeling it.

I have a hunch Marion Barber is a good start today.  I'm just feeling at least one touchdown against the Jags.

I have a hunch LeGarrette Blount outscores Cadillac Williams today and cements that role.

I also think Beanie Wells is going off in that game.  At least 100 and a score for Beanie.

Lots of people talking up the Saints pass defense and saying Roethlisberger is a marginal start this week.  I'm not buying that at all.  Start Ben with confidence.

I have a hunch Jason Witten is the best Dallas WR/TE to play today.

I was slightly wrong on this last week, but I have good reason to go back to the well.  Danny Woodhead is the Pats RB to play today against the Vikes.

Cheers,
TFAM

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Just thinkin' about tomorrow

Thanks to my brother, we have a fantastic video to share this week.  Let it be known that I will be just as jubilant as these guys were if Jamaal Charles takes one to the house from distance this weekend against Buffalo, or should I say when?

Here is what else I will be following in the NFL this week, which makes the halfway point of the fantasy season.

Six teams are on the bye, so fantasy lineups will be thin, and many guys are brought into play off waiver wires.

Does that make Anthony Gonzalez relevant this week?  I like him with Collie and Clark out.  The problem is, we aren't sure he's fully healthy, and he plays Monday night.  It wouldn't be the worst thing to try and have both Gonzo and Jacoby Jones ready to go, then decide who to play as the game approaches.

I'm still intrigued by Danny Woodhead.  The last time the Pats played the Vikings they threw the entire game (only eight rushes before the game was decided in the 4th).  I'd expect the same this week, which means a lot of Woodhead.

It's about time for one of the Miami backs to become relevant, no?

How does Jon Kitna change what we expect from the Dallas guys?  The Jaguars at home may be the easiest game on the rest of the slate.  It's now or never.  I love Jason Witten this week.

I'm interested in Matt Stafford to see if he can be as good or better than Shaun Hill, and how his presence effects Calvin.

What about the revival of the passing game in Buffalo?  Is Ryan Fitzpatrick the only fantasy relevant Fitz?  I'd still take Larry by a wide margin.  I'd play Steve Johnson this week though.

Not exactly a get well game for New Orleans against Pittsburgh.

How will the Colts running game shake out with no Addai?  What will the split be with Hart/Brown?

What does Troy Smith do to Gore, Davis, and Crabtree?

How long will it take until the Titans are up 17 on San Diego?

There is a lot of buzz about Beanie Wells right now.  You have to like him this weke against Tampa.  I think a huge game is in store.

Speaking of running back in that game.  I think we will get a pretty clear idea of what the Bucs have in store for us in the second half of the season in reagrds to their backfield (Blount/Williams).

Finally, the Favre/T-Jack siutation.  Does Chilly let Favre play the whole game?  If Jackson comes in, can he help the situation of Vikings' fantasy owners?

Cheers,
TFAM

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Sneaky Pickups

I'm there are a lot of names with different values to talk about for pickups this week, and certainly some adds will depend, as always, on roster size.

Sidney Rice and Vincent Jackson could see action in a month.  Now would be the time to be ahead of the curve on these two.  I'm not sure which I'd want more, the one who isn't healthy or the one who is locked in a mutual hatefest with his own team.

Jacoby Jones is interesting.  Kevin Walter was an afterthought in the Texans last game.

LaGarrette Blount is the pickup of the week.  As I wrote yesterday, he went for 11-72 in the second half alone Sunday busting tackles and running hard in the process.  The Bucs are going to be looking toward the future at the end of the season, and I keep writing this, but they play the Lions and Bills in the fantasy playoffs.

Chester Taylor is a very nice add in a TD heavy format with the news breaking this week that the team plans to use him at the goal line.

Anthony Gonzalez is out there in many leagues, and should be added at least for a week to see if he is healthy and good enough to fill the Austin Collie/Dallas Clark void.

Finally, I don't really know what to do with these two guys, but Steve Johnson has scored five times in his last four games for Buffalo.  I'd rather have him than Lee Evans, I think, and David Gettis came out of nowhere for 8-125-2 against the hapless 49ers.  I'd take Johnson over Gettis, but I would add both if I had the room.  Remember, it's better to be ahead of the curve and be wrong than be behind the curve and wrong (or right, I guess) in fantasy football.  If you were behind the curve last year you missed out on Jamaal Charles and Miles Austin thinking that their breakouts were flukes.  Same with Peyton Hills this year.  Johnson or Gettis could be good.  We just don't know yet.  Heck, I'm behind the curve on Steve Johnson, clearly, and I'm mad about it.

Cheers,
TFAM

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

As Seen on TV

I was just thinking that I need to get a basketball column up in light of the NBA opener tonoght, then figured that none of you care about anything other than football right now.  Am I right?  For now, go get Amare Stoudemire, Kevin Love, Paul Milsap, Blake Griffin and DJ Augustin.  That should tide you over until I get back to hoops.

What did I see in the NFL this weekend?

Let's work backwards.  The Romo injury is a crusher to thw whole Dallas offense except....Jason WittenKitna doesn't have the arm Romo does (and let's be honest, he probably doesn't have my arm right now either), and he immediately started looking inside more than Romo did.  Turned it into Witten's best game of the year.

Still not buying Brandon Jacobs, but he is siphoning value from Bradshaw right now.

Also not buying Brandon Jackson.  Vikings let the Packers run on first and second all night.  They played pass.  Jackson stinks, although he did get a goal line carry.

I'm worried about Tom Brady.  He just isn't piling up fantasy points any more, and it appears Moss' exit has had a negative effect on Welker as well.

Favre will play in New England.  Risky start though.

I love the Buffalo Bills.  They have 30 holes on their team, many of which are at the three most important positions on the field (QB/OL/DL).  So the spend a top 10 pick on the one position where they have a surplus, then don't even play the guy.  Just crazy.

Go get LaGarrette Blount.  He's the pickup of the week.  His entire 11-72 came in the second half and Cadillac is just a third down guy now.  Great speculative add.  He ran hard, broke tackles and looked good.

Jay Cutler.  Wow.  Even his two best plays of the day, the TD to Knox and another long pass, were inches away from being picked.

I liked how Ryan Torain ran hard.  He did fumble multiple times though.  Better clear that up with Shanny around.

Seems like we're going back and forth, but with Barber getting all the carries inside the 10, he's still a 50/50 bet week to week with Felix.

Kevin Kolb's arm is not built for long throws.

I can't even talk about Thomas Jones.  OK, I can.  Here's the deal.  Jamaal Charles gets a carry from first and goal at the four yard line.  He scores.  Thomas Jones takes care of the next drive by needing four carries to get in from the three.  DO WE NEED MORE EVIDENCE?  I hate that Jones busted a long run to inflate his stats.

This isn't a coaching blog, but the challenge usage by Lovie Smith and Brad Childress was historic yesterday, and it cost them both football games.

And finally, how about the Chargers.  Does Norv have Phil Rivers on his fantasy team or what?  They go down by 17 points in the first half every game!

Cheers,
TFAM

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Sunday Hunch

Let's get right to it...

I've been high on him all week, I've written about him a lot, I spent most of the rest of my FAAB budget in my dynasty league on him....Danario Alexander scores again this week.

I think that the Eagles offense is finally grounded in Tennessee this week.

CJ Spiller will outscore Fred Jackson today.

Knowshon Moreno goes over 100 and scores against Oakland today.  Then you have to trade him.

Danny Woodhead scores more fantasy points than BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

Enjoy the games...cheers,
TFAM

Just thinkin' about...today?

I have lifted my two day blog boycott in order to please you, the readers.  But, I'll say this.  If I write about another guy on one of my teams that goes down for 4-6 weeks about three minutes after I write, I may call it quits.

Special shout out to my buddy Johnny for apparently being tight with the Colts training staff.  Maybe he sent them a copy of Silverdust just beofre he sent Austin Collie to the Truffle Shuffle.

Sunday hunch is coming in an hour, but here are the Week 7 NFL storylines to follow for fantasy purposes.

My man Danario Alexander.  One hit wonder?  I think not.

Sticking with the Rams-Bucs, What are the Buccaneers going to do with their running game?  We should get an idea aagainst a defense that can be had.  The Bucs playoff sked is fantasy friendly to RBs, with the Lions and Seahawks at home.

Ryan Torain, please make up for my horrid trade and continue to produce like a quality #2 RB against the Bears.

Is Danny Woodhead a viable fantasy contributor?

Is Brandon Tate going to rebound, or is he an afterthought?

The Chiefs continue a run against terrible defenses, and I've been hyping their schedule all year.  Just a segway to the weekly Jamaal Charles-Thomas Jones watch.

Can Matt Moore save the Carolina Panther?  It's already on the endangered list, and is about to move into extinction territory.

Chris Ivory has a nice chance to follow up against Cleveland at home.  I'm still not convinced he gets the goal line.

Is Marques Colston even startable any more?  Again, the Browns....

I'm still watching the goal line in Baltimore, and in the same game I have to believe the Bills spent their bye week wondering why they spent a top 10 pick on CJ Spiller if they weren't going to use him.

Cheers,
TFAM

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Trade analysis

I just made my second trade of the year today, and wanted to post my thoughts.  My first trade was last week when a competing owner (and defending champion of the league, so he's no slouch) gave me Ronnie Brown for LaGarrette Blount.  Not sure ahy that happened, and I'm not the biggest Ronnie Brown guy, but Blount was inacitve Sunday, right?

Anyway, I dealt Malcom Floyd and Darren McFadden for Austin Collie and Ryan Torain.  From my side, I had been rolling with LaDainian Tomlinson and Mike Tolbert as my two RBs for the last few weeks since D-Mac went down with his hammy.  I also have the $39 Shonn Greene on my bench (neat).  Obviously, I needed a #2 RB badly, and Torain was the only one I knew of that was being actively shopped.  Floyd hurts to lose, but, let's be honest, I just dealt two injured guys.  Who know when they will retun and what roles they will step into at that point.  My WRs are in decent shape with Andre Johnson, Collie, my man Danario, Dez Bryant and Aaron Hernandez.  I'd love a #2 guy to fit in between my trio of #3's and Andre, and Floyd was that guy.  But, I do have a surplus at QB (Romo, Favre, Eli) from which to deal from at fill that hole, and it's a two QB league so Favre and Eli do have great value.  I just find that it is easier to pry a #2 WR away in a trade than a #2 RB, so I secured the RB and will shop for the WR in a couple weeks after Eli's bye week.

Think I did okay here?  Obvioulsy there is risk.  Torain is no lock, and the opposing owner (who consistently brings it in this league) certainly sold high on Collie.

Cheers,
TFAM

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Sneaky pickups

This is the most interesting week of the year on the waiver wire so far.  I could ask ten people who the pickup of the week is this week and get ten different answers.  If we assume that Ryan Torain is already on rosters, I'm picking up Danario Alexander, James Starks, and Danny Woodhead, all of which I've talked about before in this spot, and I'm picking them all up before I grab Deion Branch.

I also think Patick Crayton is relevant in San Diego, but so much depends on who is in and who is out with injuries against New England this week.

While not so sneaky, I'll give you a reason on each of the three guys I've mentioned above.  Alexander is a physical freak, who is 6'5, fast, and can leap out of the building.  He dominated at Missouri and the only thing holding him back is injuries.  He's healhy right now...

I admit I have never seen Starks play and that I know little about him.  But, I have seen Brandon Jackson and John Kuhn long enough to think that something has to change with the Packers RB situation.  Starks is next in line.

Woodhead is getting more touches than Green-Ellis, and he's doing more with the touches he gets.  He just seems like a Patriots kind of guy, and I'd expect he'll get 10 carries and 5 receptions per game from here on out.

Two sneaky pickups?

I think Jacoby Jones has passed Kevin Walter in Houston.  Jones is another physical freak and he can make plays (six TDs in 2009).  He's also in a contract year.

I still think the Tampa running game is in flux.  Don't count out LaGarrette Blount just becuase he was deactivated this week.  He could resurface and play a major role before it's all over.

Cheers,
TFAM

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

As seen on TV

Can't believe two things I saw on TV last night.  First Cliff Lee was unreal against the Yanks, and while it is hard to call anything a sure thing, you have to think the Yankees need to win the next three to avoid seeing a Pettitte-Lee rematch in Texas in Game 7.  The other was Chris Johnson turning the fantasy world on its ear by running in a long garbage time touchdown when he had no business being on the field.  You have to love Jeff Fisher if you own CJ.  He wants Johnson to get his numbers.

Here is what else intrigued me about Week 6 in the NFL.

The Packers run game stinks.  John Kuhn can't run it in from the one, Brandon Jackson can't run it in from the one.  I just don't see how Ted Thompson can justify his lack of activity on the trade market to his players and his fans.  Marion Barber, Tashard Choice, DeAngelo Williams, Willis McGahee, Marshawn Lynch....all probably could have been had if the Pack were agressive.  Isn't the time to be aggressive when you have a Super Bowl caliber team that is missing a key part of two?  Is the message to his players and fans the fact that his team isn't Super Bowl caliber?  Have fun with that third rounder in 2011.

Patrick Crayton led the Chargers in targets.  This is very relevant if Nannee, Floyd and Gates miss games.

Danario Alexander showed up in St. Louis.  Huge first half, nothing in the second.  Certainly worth a speculative add.  I've been on him since Missouri.

That's four games and counting for Kenny Britt.

Jeremy Maclin is going to be a fantasy monster with DeSean out of the lineup.  I say he misses a month.

The Saints running game is still in flux.  Betts got the last score, Ivory was the guy between the 20s and we even saw a little Julius Jones.  I don't want to own any of these guys really.  I did see Jones in the backfield inside the five yard line once.

For those of you getting comfortable with BenJarvus as the lead back in New England, Danny Woodhead has 16 touches to Green-Ellis' ten.  Green-Ellis is the goal line guy, but Woodhead may have equal value.

If Eddie Royal misses games, Demaryius Thomas certainly has value again.

The Patriots receivers are going to be hard to predict, and those that were comparing this offense to the Pats' unit before Randy were right.  It's going to be a guessing game from one week to the next.

Peyton Hillis = healthy.  Mike Tolbert = Still the TD guy in SD.

Marshawn Lynch got the goal line in Seattle and is the guy to own there despite Forsett's score.

I'm not buying yet, but Mike Williams decides to show with Branch out the door.  Double digit catches for big Mike.

Arian Foster still gets goal line carries in Houston.  I wouldn't worry too much about Derrick Ward, yet.

Also of note in that game?  A presumably healthy Kevin Walter had zero TARGETS.  Johnson/Jones/Daniels combined for 24.

Cheers,
TFAM

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Sunday hunch

Welcome to Sunday monring, I'm not golfing (though I wish I was), so I'm here waiting for the kickoff of New England-Baltimore, which is the most intriguing of a good slate of games today.  I'm excited to watch Green Bay-Miami and Minnesota-Dallas as well.

Here are a few things I foresee happening in today's slate of games.

I think have a hunch Tom Brady comes out and looks great today against Baltimore.  Start him with confidence.  He'll have over 250 and two scores without a doubt.

Miami plays better on the road than at home, and Green Bay is hurting.  I think the Dolphins play well today, and I like Ronnie Brown to score.

I'd bench Kyle Orton today.  Rex Ryan has to force them to run the football.

Start Ben Roethlisberger today in his forst game back.  I love Mike Wallace today too, and think he gets a long score.

Cheers,
TFAM

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Just thinkin' about tomorrow

As I watch Auburn score their 64th and 65th points of the day, I'm mentally banking the information that we start all of our CFFB players against the Arkansas Razorbacks.  65 points!  Yes, I do play fantasy CFB, and yes, my team is terrible.  It's a pretty crazy game.

Anyway, you likely don't care about the fortunes of the Touchdown Jackrabbits, you want to know what the Week 6 NFL storylines are as far as fantasy football is concerned.  Without further ado...

I think the clear number one fantasy storyline of the week is the New England Patriots.  Brady, Tate, Welker, Green-Ellis, Hernandez, and even Woodhead are going to have to define their new roles for us in the post Moss era.  Against Baltimore, only Brady makes a good start.  The rest we have to wait and see.

Is Peyton Hillis healthy?

Are Mike Bell and Jerome Harrison going to have any impact on their new teams?

Does Ray Rice keep getting the goal line touches for the Ravens?

Is Derrick Ward going to be the Gary Kubiak poster child in 2010?

Now that we know Pierre Thomas is likely going to be out a few more weeks, is Julius Jones in the mix?

Who is going to emerge in the Tampa running game?

What impact will the Finley loss have on the offense in Green Bay?  Jennings has to start getting it going now, right?

Randy Moss back in the dome.  Brett Favre holding his elbow.  Which one will we be talking about Monday morning?

Marshawn Lynch makes his Seahawks debut in Chicago tomorrow.

With the injury to Mark Clayton, which Rams WRs are going to be worth owning?  We should find out tomorrow, as they'll have to pass to keep up with San Diego.

It appears that Collie and Garcon are both going to play from here on out.  Which one is a better play?  I know which one is more available, and Garcon is a nice buy low.

Finally, the cautious optimism continues with Michael Crabtree in San Francisco.  I still love the talent.

Sunday hunch tomorrow.

Cheers,
TFAM

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Sneaky pickups

So, the whole purpose of this column is to provide information about players who you may be able to grab a week or two earlier than the rest of your league.  This is your place to find who will be the hot pickups two weeks down the road.  Well, this week is pretty slow.  I can't think of one guy I haven't already written about (I still like Tashard Choice) who I'd add right now as a speculative play.  However, I do have some guys I'm watching, so this week I plan to watch and do some more research.

Basically, I just said that these guys are interesting, but I'd only be adding them if I had an unlimited roster.  I guess that makes them sneakier pickups.

Two of my favorite receivers in college football last year are now on the same team and have a nice opportunity for playing time.  Mardy Gilyard and Danario Alexander are both on St. Louis, where injuries have hit the WR position hard.  Gilyard had two catches last week and Alexander was signed off the practicwe squad this week.  Actually, Brandon Gibson may be a nice add too, and Amendola is the obvious guy here .  He had 12 grabs against the Lions, clearly making him a nice add in PPR.

I've seen James Starks of the Packers added a couple of times this year.  Starks is an RB on the PUP (therefore he can't be activated until Week 7), but he is a rookie 6th rounder worth watching because Brandon Jackson is terrible.

I'm also still intrigued by Keiland Williams in Washington.  Ryan Torain did nothing to sell me on his skills this week, and he has dealt with injuries in the past.  Williams appears to be the guy next in line.

I'd tell you about the obvious pickups too, but I'm not sure there are any of tose this week either.  Times are slow.  The recession is far reaching.

Cheers,
TFAM

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

As Seen on TV

Sorry for the delay in posting this week's ASOTV.  I was hustling to the local watering hole last night to get a chair for The Randy Ratio.

Here is what I saw on TV this week in the world of the NFL.

Peyton Hillis looks hurt to me.  I'd be preparing other options.  Love that guy though.

Ray Rice was in at the goal line, finally.  I think he has a decent chance at keeping the role, but be cautious, it isn't a lock.  McGahee looked horrible.  McClain is still there too though.

LaGarrette who?  Big Ern Graham got the goal line for the Bucs.

Sticking with the goal line, Tolbert for San Diego.

And Brandon Jackson didn't get the carry, but he was in the game for the Pack in the backfield inside the five.

I think the stripe belongs to Fred Jackson in Buffalo, but Spiller looks much more explosive.  I wouldn't drop him, as he could be a playoff starter.

I'm STILL not worried about Brett Favre.  The haters calling for T-Jack (Mike Florio, really?) are very wrong.

Nice hands Dustin Keller.  Braylonitis is contagious, I presume.

Jamaal Charles 19 touches, Jones eight.  Something's cooking in KC!  The Chiefs schedule is very nice for Jamaal.

Thumbs up to Mike Bush, who looked good and ran hard.  The same cannot be said for Ryan Torain.  Oops.

Kenny Britt is every bit as good as Hakeem Nicks, he just doesn't have as good of a passing QB.  I'm buying.

Did anyone else notice that the Niners offense looked pretty good once they opened it up Sunday night?  I think Smith, Gore, Davis and Crabtree will still be major fantasy factors in 2010.

LeSean McCoy, yeah, he is clearly a top 10 back.  He just looks the part.  I wish I would have tabbed him over Greene as the breakout star.

Shaun Hill also looked good again.  If he carves up the Giants does he keep the job?  He won't carve up the Giants without Calvin though, who looks every bit like a top five fantasy WR.

Miles Austin may be the best WR in fantasy.  That TD was superb.

Felix Jones is the new man in Dallas.  Does Barber still get the stripe at least?

Malcom Floyd is no fluke, and no sell low.

Brandon Lloyd has 22 catches, 419 yards and 3 TDs in his last three games.  I'd sell on Lloyd.

Cheers,
TFAM

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Sunday Hunch

I'm hitting the golf course this morning, and I should be back online around 11:15, with plenty of time to check in with lineup questions.  For now, the hunch.

I think Ladell Betts is clearly the RB you want in the Saints backfield this week (over Ivory).  I'm starting him in a league.

Sticking with the same game, I think Max Hall is startable in a two QB league against the Saints, and I think he gets 200 and 2, play Fitz with confidence.

No way am I starting Kyle Orton or any Bronco player on the road in Baltimore.  The bucking Broncos stop here.

I said it last week and I shied away due to weather.  I'm going back to the well.  Start Lee Evans this week.

Mike Tolbert outscores Ryan Mathews (again) this week.  Mathews may be in serious trouble value-wise.

Cheers,
TFAM

Just thinkin' about tomorrow

So, I'm a Brandon Tate guy, I have been for over a year, and the one week where he becomes valuable I get beat out on my FAAB bid on him by $4 in my dynasty league.  I bid $37 and some other schmoe went to $41.  Now, if he's good, I have no chance at ever owning him.  Drat.

Another development in my dynasty league has been me thinking about dealing Jamaal Charles.  I can pull the trigger if I want right now, but I'm just not sure if it is the right time to sell or not.  The Chiefs schedule is so easy all year...

Speaking of east schedules, last year I wrote a column describing just how awful the Raiders run defense had been.  Most notable in that study was the fact that number two backs, such as Shonn Greene and Darren Sproles were racking up points just as easily as number ones.  So, we start off this week's look at the games by wondering if...

Are Mike Tolbert and Ryan Mathews both fantasy starters against the Raiders tomorrow?  Are they both top ten guys?  The Raiders are surely up to their old tricks, with Derrick Ward and Arian Foster giving them the one-two last week.  Also notable is the lashing Chris Johnson AND Javon Ringer gave them earlier in the season.

What other storylines am I following this week?

What is up with those Titans these days?  Vince is struggling, CJ is off his game.  Can they figure something out in Dallas?  Can they utilize Kenny Britt's considerable talents?

Obvioulsy the Randy Moss thing is huge Monday night.  But I'm also interested in the Jets ground game versus the Vikes run defense.  Love that matchup.  Also, how much does Santonio effect Edwards?

Can't wait for the Charles-Jones-Haley watch.

I really want to watch Max Hall, mainly because I need to see if I should buy low on Fitz.

We should learn a lot about Kevin Kolb this week.

Can Michael Bush carry the load?  What about Ryan Torain?

How are the carries in Tampa going to shake out between Blount and Williams?

Is Felix Jones really going to get more touches than Marion Barber?

Can Kyle Orton throw on Baltimore?

Is Freddy Jackson worth anything?  How much run will Spiller get without Lynch?

Cheers,
TFAM

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Sneaky pickups and trade fallout

Wow.  It makes sense.  The Pats love second and third round picks.  Randy Moss is clearly disinterested due to his contract situation.  The Vikings lost out on Vincent Jackson.

Randy Moss is coming to Minnesota.

In the short term (i.e. this year), it is a great move for Moss' fantasy value.  He'll be motivated by the change of scenery and he'll be a top five WR the rest of the way.  He'll be testing Revis' hamstring again Monday night.  Long term, I'm skeptical, but, who cares?

The Pats fallout from this deal is that Brandon Tate becomes a not so sneaky pickup.  He'll start without Moss there, and I've been touting Tate for two years now, saying that when he gets the chance, he'll be golden (not Golden Tate).  Tate isn't Moss, but he'll be fantasy worthy.

On the Vikings side, Sidney Rice's value takes a hit when he returns, and Bernard Berrian is now droppable.  Favre's value rises, and Harvin's stays the same. Same with AP.

The other trade fallout.  Just a hunch, but do the Pats go after Vincent Jackson?

In other news, the Seahawks dealt for Marshawn Lynch, so it appears my upcoming "Free CJ Spiller" campaign is shelved for the time being.  Both he and Fred Jackson get a boost.  We'll have to wait until Sunday to see how that backfield is going to shake out.

In Seattle, Lynch likely becomes more valuable than Forsett, as he should get the goal line.

As for pickups, this week it's Mike Bush, Mike Bell, Tate, Kenny Britt and the obvious one, Ryan Torain.

Cheers,
TFAM

Monday, October 4, 2010

As seen on TV

With week 4 (mostly) in the books, and Darrius Heyward-Bey still resting on the laurels that brought my fantasy team a catch for two yards on the Raiders first offensive play and nothing since (really, I'm still waiting), it's time we dissect what we learned during yesterdays action.

No more questions from me on LT, but did you see Shonn Greene topped 100 as well?  That doesn't make Greene useful against anyone but Buffalo or Oakland, but it's worth noting.

Also worth noting?  Start everyone against the Bills...backup running backs, third tight ends, punters, etc.

Oh, and don't take the Bills and the points.

Peyton Hills is a first, second and third down back.  Also, he gets the goal line.  Team Cheerios and I are both smitten.

Team Cheerios is the all-caucasian fantasy football squad.

I'm not sure when Pierre Thomas will return, but I know I'd rather have Ladell Betts than Chris Ivory in his absence.  Betts was in the game in situations inside the 10 yard line, and he was the guy getting the receptions.

Correll Buckhalter got just as much red zone time (if not more) as Laurence Maroney yesterday.

The Lions finally started moving the ball in the second quarter, when they started to throw to Calvin Johnson.  Ding!  Man, coaches drive me crazy.

I don't see how the Browns can go back to DelhommeSeneca Wallace is just better.

Larry Fitzgerald has half the value now that he had in the preseason.

Justin Forsett is a nice buy low guy.  I can't remember seeing a Seahawks goal line carry this year, but I think they'll be his.

Cheers,
TFAM

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Sunday Hunch

As always, here are my Sunday morning, against the grain hunches that I have regarding what is going to happen in the fantasy football world this week.

By my unofficial count, I'm batting .667 on the hunch so far this year.  I'll take that.

I think Lee Evans has a nice game today in Buffalo against the Jets.  I like Fitzpatrick more than Edwards, and Evans can get deep on the Jets corners.

Staying on the page of receivers that have been gag-worthy so far in 2010, I think Mike Crabtree shows up today as well and is worth a start.  The new OC helps.

John Kuhn will outscore Brandon Jackson this week against the Lions.

Provided he starts, Kenneth Darby is a great play this week at home against the Seahawks.  Down with S-Jax.

Finally, I've converted (which is probably the time to play Greene....but), and I think LaDainian Tomlinson is a top 10 running back this week.  I'd start only Foster, CJ, Turner and Gore as locks ahead of LT.

Cheers,
TFAM

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Just thinkin' about tomorrow

As we turn the corner into October, the NFL has reached bye week season (which, incidentally, is going to cause me to field the worst lineup in fantasy football history in my dynasty league this week), and fantasy football has reached backup running back season.  Which second stringers will be in play tomorrow?  Here are the storylines I'll be following for week four.

What's the story with Andre Johnson's ankle?  As an owner of AJ on two of three squads, I'm almost hoping he sits it out to heal.  The Raiders are a tough matchup.

Who will step up in the Broncos receiving corps?  Its a four way toss up right now and we're seeking clarity.

Just how many more fantasy points will Jamaal Charles score than Thomas Jones this week?  Wait, they have a bye?  At least that means they'll see equal touches.

Will Peyton Hillis keep it going against Cincinnati?

Ryan Mathews, Jahvid Best and Ray Rice are likely to play.  Are they past their injuries?

Speaking of Mathews, is Mike Tolbert going to be a goal line vulture?

The Packers running game should get rolling against Detroit, will it be Jackson or Kuhn?

Paging Calvin Johnson...

What impact will the coordinator change have on the 49ers offense?  I think Crabtree could get it rolling.

Buffalo had no trouble with New England's defense, that's good for Miami, right?

Who's the running back in New Orleans?

I'm looking forward to seeing some Kenneth Darby.

Hunch tomorrow.

Cheers,
TFAM