I learned last year that if you have a star performer with an injury who is questionable and is scheduled to play on Monday night, grab another player (teammate or from the opponent's team) at the same position for your bench.
That way, if it is announced that your star is unable to go right before kickoff, you have another player to insert into your lineup.
Otherwise, you have to play someone else prior to Monday's game or take a risk that might leave you with a zero point performance by your injured guy.
This week, I am watching the Giants' WR Nicks and his bad knee. If he can't play on Monday, I also have the Giants WR Manningham.
Hopefully, Nicks will be a go--I like the Giants having a good offensive showing after a poor showing in Week #1 and playing a banged-up Rams squad.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
On the David Garrard Release
I had another post ready until I saw that the Jags QB David Garrard was released today.
Now, he was not a top fantasy performer, but what does that move mean for other players of the Jaguars?
The stock for RB Jones-Drew certainly should decline some as the pressure will be great on one of the McCown brothers to run the offense.
I'd avoid the team's top receivers including Mike Thomas and Cecil Shorts as the team certainly will try to establish a running game (and then watch defenses clog the box to stop it).
But, making a QB change right before the season opener may provide an opportunity for fantasy owners.
Remember when the Titans did that a few years ago or when the Cardinals dumped Matt Leinart in 2010?
Neither move translated into a successful season.
This could be an opportunity to grab the defense who plays the Jags each week--as it is likely Luke McCown and company will struggle and turn the ball over.
The Jags first five games are against the Titans, Jets, Panthers, Saints and Bengals.
In sum, avoid Jags players at least initially, but look for opportunities for their opponents.
Now, he was not a top fantasy performer, but what does that move mean for other players of the Jaguars?
The stock for RB Jones-Drew certainly should decline some as the pressure will be great on one of the McCown brothers to run the offense.
I'd avoid the team's top receivers including Mike Thomas and Cecil Shorts as the team certainly will try to establish a running game (and then watch defenses clog the box to stop it).
But, making a QB change right before the season opener may provide an opportunity for fantasy owners.
Remember when the Titans did that a few years ago or when the Cardinals dumped Matt Leinart in 2010?
Neither move translated into a successful season.
This could be an opportunity to grab the defense who plays the Jags each week--as it is likely Luke McCown and company will struggle and turn the ball over.
The Jags first five games are against the Titans, Jets, Panthers, Saints and Bengals.
In sum, avoid Jags players at least initially, but look for opportunities for their opponents.
Friday, September 2, 2011
My Fantasty Draft Evaluated
I had my 2011 NFL.com Fantasy Draft late last week, and am happy with the results.
Of course, I never land all of the players that I want.
Picking late in a snake draft (8), limited my first pick options, but I was glad to see RB Mendenhall available.
With the second round pick, I went with probably my highest risk/reward pick in selecting RB Frank Gore. He is valuable while he is healthy, but never seems to escape the injury bug. Passing on about all of the top receivers to grab Gore may haunt me.
I knew WR Nicks would likely not be there when I picked in the late 3rd, and to my regret, he was chosen a few picks ahead of me. With two star RBs, I decided to go with QB Rivers.
I have no problem in waiting to grab a QB later (Big Ben) if I like who is on the board, but this year many of the guys I liked for round 3 were gone.
I was glad to take Rivers and not have to worry about the position though. Last year I got burned by a QB run and was left with QB Kolb--that definitely did not work out.
After going with WR Austin, I was able to stockpile backs--grabbing my planned flex back RB F. Jones, my primary depth guy RB F. Jackson, and RB Wells. I also nabbed WR M. Williams (Bucs) during that span of picks.
The good backup QBs were on the board when I picked RB Wells, but I felt like waiting was a reasonable strategy with QB Rivers good health.
Plus, in a ten-team league, productive QBs can be found later in the waiver pile.
I was tempted to grab QB Stafford though.
For TEs, I landed the Saints sleeper Jimmy Graham and the Bucs's always limping Winslow, Jr.
I did not like my depth at wideout after settling for WR Manningham and Knox, and had some concerns about my #1 WR Austin, so I planned to look for a trade.
My last two picks were K (Rams' Brown) and 49ers DEF--I play matchups with Team D.
In sum, I was happy with my mock draft results. I am strong at RB as long as Gore stays on the field, and Jones meets expectations for what is supposed to be a good Cowboy team. I have a top 5 QB and solid WRs. The TEs may be good or a weakness, but should be at least solid.
I was able to work a trade at WR, and I'll cover that deal next post.
It will be a pleasure or torture to reread this post again in a few weeks.
Of course, I never land all of the players that I want.
Picking late in a snake draft (8), limited my first pick options, but I was glad to see RB Mendenhall available.
With the second round pick, I went with probably my highest risk/reward pick in selecting RB Frank Gore. He is valuable while he is healthy, but never seems to escape the injury bug. Passing on about all of the top receivers to grab Gore may haunt me.
I knew WR Nicks would likely not be there when I picked in the late 3rd, and to my regret, he was chosen a few picks ahead of me. With two star RBs, I decided to go with QB Rivers.
I have no problem in waiting to grab a QB later (Big Ben) if I like who is on the board, but this year many of the guys I liked for round 3 were gone.
I was glad to take Rivers and not have to worry about the position though. Last year I got burned by a QB run and was left with QB Kolb--that definitely did not work out.
After going with WR Austin, I was able to stockpile backs--grabbing my planned flex back RB F. Jones, my primary depth guy RB F. Jackson, and RB Wells. I also nabbed WR M. Williams (Bucs) during that span of picks.
The good backup QBs were on the board when I picked RB Wells, but I felt like waiting was a reasonable strategy with QB Rivers good health.
Plus, in a ten-team league, productive QBs can be found later in the waiver pile.
I was tempted to grab QB Stafford though.
For TEs, I landed the Saints sleeper Jimmy Graham and the Bucs's always limping Winslow, Jr.
I did not like my depth at wideout after settling for WR Manningham and Knox, and had some concerns about my #1 WR Austin, so I planned to look for a trade.
My last two picks were K (Rams' Brown) and 49ers DEF--I play matchups with Team D.
In sum, I was happy with my mock draft results. I am strong at RB as long as Gore stays on the field, and Jones meets expectations for what is supposed to be a good Cowboy team. I have a top 5 QB and solid WRs. The TEs may be good or a weakness, but should be at least solid.
I was able to work a trade at WR, and I'll cover that deal next post.
It will be a pleasure or torture to reread this post again in a few weeks.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Last Round: Kickers Only?
Just about every fantasy expert will label your draft as "amateurish" or a "mistake" if you do not draft a kicker last.
Yes, kicker performance is difficult to predict from year to year.
Will their team's offense score points and provide kicking opportunities?
What if the kicker plays for a good red zone team--won't that limit opportunities for 3 points?
Does the kicker's team play in a dome? Does he have a schedule that includes indoor and warm weather venues to maximize his accuracy?
I agree that kicker's should be taken last, but with at least one exception.
In a ten team draft, I like to play match-ups with defense. So, I pick my defense late and usually target a team that has a favorable week one opponent (aka lousy offense). Often, the defenses that I want are not with teams that are in high demand.
As such, if I know the defense I want will be available in the last draft round, why not pick a kicker with the next to last pick?
I mean choosing an accurate kicker that plays for a high scoring team.
Is my draft a failure because I went kicker in the next to last round?
I say "no" as I still get use both picks to obtain performers that I wanted.
In sum, picking a kicker prior to the final round is not the best scenario, but saying "never do this" could cost you an opportunity.
Yes, kicker performance is difficult to predict from year to year.
Will their team's offense score points and provide kicking opportunities?
What if the kicker plays for a good red zone team--won't that limit opportunities for 3 points?
Does the kicker's team play in a dome? Does he have a schedule that includes indoor and warm weather venues to maximize his accuracy?
I agree that kicker's should be taken last, but with at least one exception.
In a ten team draft, I like to play match-ups with defense. So, I pick my defense late and usually target a team that has a favorable week one opponent (aka lousy offense). Often, the defenses that I want are not with teams that are in high demand.
As such, if I know the defense I want will be available in the last draft round, why not pick a kicker with the next to last pick?
I mean choosing an accurate kicker that plays for a high scoring team.
Is my draft a failure because I went kicker in the next to last round?
I say "no" as I still get use both picks to obtain performers that I wanted.
In sum, picking a kicker prior to the final round is not the best scenario, but saying "never do this" could cost you an opportunity.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Bad Luck Could Mean Best Excels
The unfortunate news that Lions rookie RB Mikel LeShoure tore his left Achilles tendon and will miss the 2011 season is significant for fantasy players.
Obviously, second year RB Jahvid Best's fantasy value has soared at the news.
I was high on Best anyway as my 3rd or 4th RB. I like the Lions' offense, and think that a healthy and fast Best (unlike the unhealthy RB from last year) will post high yardage totals in 2011.
Plus, consider this.
Why did Peyton Hillis get overused by the Browns last year?
What do the Saints Chris Ivory and the Texans Arian Foster have in common with Hillis?
These three top fantasy runners of 2010 all got their shot after injuries to teammates.
So, it makes sense that Best could use the bad luck of LeShoure to enjoy a banner season for the Lions this year.
It certainly makes him worth drafting.
Obviously, second year RB Jahvid Best's fantasy value has soared at the news.
I was high on Best anyway as my 3rd or 4th RB. I like the Lions' offense, and think that a healthy and fast Best (unlike the unhealthy RB from last year) will post high yardage totals in 2011.
Plus, consider this.
Why did Peyton Hillis get overused by the Browns last year?
What do the Saints Chris Ivory and the Texans Arian Foster have in common with Hillis?
These three top fantasy runners of 2010 all got their shot after injuries to teammates.
So, it makes sense that Best could use the bad luck of LeShoure to enjoy a banner season for the Lions this year.
It certainly makes him worth drafting.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Nice Call Dan
While reading Pro Football Weekly's Fantasy Football Guide 2011, I was impressed by something that Associate Editor Dan Parr said.
In defending his rating of the Philadelphia Eagles team defense (13) as higher than almost all of the other writers, he stated this:
I can't remember anyone talking about Asomugha to the Eagles until it happened. The focus was Jets, Jets, Jets...
Nice call Dan.
Now that is good analysis.
In defending his rating of the Philadelphia Eagles team defense (13) as higher than almost all of the other writers, he stated this:
"...Don't forget Philadelphia is a potential landing spot for free-agent CB Nnamdi Asomugha."
I can't remember anyone talking about Asomugha to the Eagles until it happened. The focus was Jets, Jets, Jets...
Nice call Dan.
Now that is good analysis.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Plax to the Jets: Good for Me
Plaxico Burress signing with the Jets is great news--in a purely selfish way.
Plax signing with the other New York team means he did not resign with his former team.
As a Giant, he was a fav target of Eli Manning and would potentially have stolen red zone targets and touchdowns from the current top receiver there: Hakeem Nicks.
No Plax, means Nicks is still an appealing target for fantasy drafts in the second round as the overall #4 wideout or better (depending on who you agree with).
Nicks had a big year last year, and I expect the same in 2011.
Plax signing with the other New York team means he did not resign with his former team.
As a Giant, he was a fav target of Eli Manning and would potentially have stolen red zone targets and touchdowns from the current top receiver there: Hakeem Nicks.
No Plax, means Nicks is still an appealing target for fantasy drafts in the second round as the overall #4 wideout or better (depending on who you agree with).
Nicks had a big year last year, and I expect the same in 2011.
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