Fantasy Football

NFL: Podcast Week Two

Thursday, 15 September, 2011

Zack Cimini, Joe Lopat, and Jabbar Harris breakdown action from week one and give some thoughts on week two.

Week Two Tight End Rankings

Wednesday, 14 September, 2011

By Zack Cimini
notjustagame23@gmail.com

There were plenty of under the radar tight ends that had a larger fantasy role than anticipated week one. Other middle tier tight ends struggled such as Owen Daniels, rookie Lance Kendricks, etc. The rule of thumb is to not get overly jumpy to roam the waiver wire for a tight end. Sure, there may be a few that will break out of no where like Mercedes Lewis last year. Yet, if you waited to draft a tight end then you’ll have to ride out the averages. Here is a look at week two tight end rankings.

1. Antonio Gates
Gates continues to be a viable weekly double digit fantasy point producer. He will likely battle nagging injuries the rest of his career, but that hasn’t slowed him down yet. Facing the Patriots should electrify offensive numbers for numerous Chargers. Expect Gates to have a typical hundred yard outing and at least one touchdown.

2. Jermichael Finley
Finley was the forgotten weapon that makes this Packers team even more dangerous. Carolina’s secondary struggled last week vs. the Cardinals tight ends including Todd Heap. Finley will stretch the field and have a monster day vs. the Panthers.

3. Jason Witten
Witten had a productive first game against the Jets but failed to get in the end zone. He garners plenty of looks from Tony Romo which usually leads to a connection. Romo looks like he will rise to a tier one quarterback, which will pad Witten’s yearly average stats slightly more.

4. Dustin Keller
Last year the Jets were working in new receiver Santonio Holmes and dealing with the second year woes of Mark Sanchez. Towards the end of the 2010 season it seemed as if Sanchez finally got it. With Plaxico Burress in the mix, teams are going to have to pick their poison. Keller already has a natural chemistry with Sanchez. Keller’s matchup against the Jaguars has red zone opportunities written all over it, especially with the Jets struggling with the ground game.

5. Brandon Pettigrew
It’s scary how loaded the Detroit Lions truly are on both sides of the football. As long as Matthew Stafford can stay healthy, Pettigrew will easily finish in the top eight for fantasy tight ends. The Bills absolutely torched the Chiefs over the middle, as tight end Scott Chandler caught two touchdowns.

6. Dallas Clark
It’s rare to see Clark this low on any weekly tight end rankings. The fact of the matter is though that the Colts are lacking heart and a leader at the moment. With rumors circling that Collins may be benched, the free fall to an even worse quarterback appears to be likely. Garbage fantasy points late in games might be the most reliant fantasy numbers you’ll get from Clark.

7. Kellen Winslow
Tampa Bay has the most simplistic red zone offense, yet teams can’t stop the two targets that Josh Freeman throws to. It’s either Winslow or Mike Williams who corrals the touchdowns. With the turnover prone and stagnant Vikings there will plenty of short field opportunities for Winslow and company.

8. Vernon Davis
As bad as the 49ers offense was in week one versus Seattle, I won’t over react and drop Davis out of the top ten. Davis proved last year that he is now a weekly fantasy worthy tight end. Alex Smith may rank in the bottom tier of fantasy quarterbacks, but the one quality he does do is deliver the ball to Davis.

9. Jimmy Graham
Graham brings the extra element to the tight end position than Jeremy Shockey did just based on his athleticism. With the Saints having a few receivers dinged up expect Graham to shoot up the tight end charts.

10. Heath Miller
This is a non typical spot for Miller to be, but the Steelers are going to annihilate the Seahawks. Miller should get in the range of ten to twelve fantasy points this weekend.

11. Owen Daniels
12. Aaron Hernandez
13. Tony Gonzalez
14. Ed Dickson
15. Todd Heap
16. Rob Gronkowski
17. Mercedes Lewis
18. Anthony Fasano
19. Scott Chandler
20. Ben Watson
21. Jared Cook
22. Lance Kendricks
23. Visanthe Shiancoe
24. Zach Miller
25. Jermaine Gresham

Quarterback Rankings For Week Two

Wednesday, 14 September, 2011

By Zack Cimini
notjustagame23@gmail.com

The passing game was supposed to struggle early on this season. Lack of preparation to get the chemistry intact was supposed to give the advantage to defenses. When Chad Henne and Cam Newton both throw for 400 yards, the glaring weaknesses in the NFL definitely aren’t at quarterback. Still, it’s hard in the NFL to put together solid outings on a consistent basis unless you’re one of the regular top tier fantasy quarterbacks.

Will there be a dip in fantasy production in week two? Expectantly so. Here are quarterback rankings for week two based upon match ups.

1. Tom Brady
The clinic he put on Monday night is put down as an instant classic performance. As the saying goes, what happens in preseason means nothing. Brady had time to thread the ball wherever and whenever he wanted to. With the freedom and amount of throws vs. the run New England does, it’ll be hard for Brady not to consistently be in the top two or three fantasy quarterbacks each week.

2. Aaron Rodgers
Just because the Packers played five days ago doesn’t mean Rodgers opening night performance should be over looked. Either Rodgers already has a great rapport with his receivers or he found a way to work with his receivers during the lockout. The timing he has in place with Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson is impressive.

3. Mike Vick
A poor completion percentage, but statistically that doesn’t matter in fantasy football. Vick looks as if he won’t have any issues performing with a new contract. Going up against his old team at Atlanta should truly be the unleashing moment for Vick’s return to the top.

4. Tony Romo
Unfortunate errors seem to plague Tony Romo. Analyzing the entire game vs. the Jets though, you have to be impressed with the way Romo played. It looks as if he may be ready to get into the tier one category of fantasy quarterbacks. Replacing Peyton Manning for 2011.

5. Philip Rivers
The San Diego Chargers always raise the level of intensity when they face the New England Patriots. There is an extended past history here. You best believe Rivers is going to want to outshine Tom Brady. It’s his nature to compete. Chad Henne’s dazzling performance is even more of an indicator to boost Rivers for this weekend.

6. Drew Brees
There is a lot of great match ups this week for quarterbacks if Brees is ranked sixth. Chicago is one of a few teams that knows how to game plan and frustrate Brees. The running game never truly got going in week one for the Saints. With a couple of receivers nicked up, Brees could have a tough time having a typical Brees outing.

7. Matt Schaub
The Dolphins don’t get any rest from an offensive attack. Houston ran the ball quite often against the Colts. Mostly to prevent from drubbing the Colts even worse in the total points column. Miami should stay in this game a bit longer. Meaning Schaub should have an aerial attack against the Dolphins poor secondary.

8. Jay Cutler
Cutler never really stretches the field for deep throws, but his yardage numbers add up in chunks. Mike Martz’s system has caught a lot of flack over the years, but it is safe and effective. Matt Forte’s extra YAC is becoming routine to pad Cutler’s stats.

9. Matt Stafford
Kansas City is in for a long season after being embarrassed in a home blowout loss to Buffalo. Detroit’s defense is going to feast off of Matt Cassel’s inability to deliver the ball with accuracy. Expect a lot of short fields and for the Lions to come out and make a statement that they’re a team to be reckoned with.

10. Joe Flacco
Nothing has changed with the way the Ravens defense showed up and stomped an opponent. The difference was in the scoreboard. Instead of a 13-7 victory, the Ravens were able to show some efficiency offensively for a 35-7 blowout. Flacco has shown he can deliver but has been so sporadic throughout his young career. Can he put it together over a full season?

11. Chad Henne
12. Ben Roethlisberger
13. Mark Sanchez
14. Rex Grossman
15. Matt Ryan
16. Josh Freeman
17. Ryan Fitzpatrick
18. Kevin Kolb
19. Kyle Orton
20. Eli Manning
21. Cam Newton
22. Colt McCoy
23. Sam Bradford
24. Jason Campbell
25. Donovan McNabb
26. Matt Hasselbeck
27. Tavaris Jackson
28. Matt Cassel
29. Luke McCown
30. Alex Smith
31. Andy Dalton
32. Kerry Collins

Week One Wonders

Tuesday, 13 September, 2011

By Zack Cimini
notjustagame23@gmail.com

Press the brakes and visualize your computer trying to breakdown and crash right as you login to your fantasy football leagues. Don’t make the unnecessary early season waiver wire adds if you drafted appropriately. There are always those owners that can’t live with what they have and have to make changes right away. Maybe you need to, but don’t go after a one week wonder unless your bench depth is atrocious.

Quarterbacks

Chad Henne
Give Henne credit. All preseason he was the quarterback getting bashed the most. His outings during preseason were horrendous but he has shown in the past he can put some decent games together. With Miami’s backfield dinged up week one, the pressure was on Henne to deliver. He put up monster numbers and who knows that may be the game that gets his confidence going. Yet expecting a 400 yard passing game, and nearly sixty yards rushing with a touchdown classifies as a one week wonder.

Cam Newton
Rookie in all, Newton shrugged that off for a first start for the ages. It set the tone for his career, but no rookie goes through his first season without the typical rookie woes. They’re coming and they’ll come in bunches.

Rex Grossman
It’s not that Grossman hasn’t been a suitable quarterback for the Redskins in the preseason and start of this year. In fact, Grossman is a solid number two fantasy quarterback for your roster. In no possible ways though should Grossman be even thought of as a possible look, not even in deep leagues. His past track record speaks for itself.

Running Backs

Ben Tate-
There’s nothing like hype and more hype coming to fruition. Foster couldn’t make the start, and instantly the handcuffing of Foster for Ben Tate gave owners their gem a chance. Tate delivered with a hundred yard game and a touchdown. Foster isn’t going to miss the season. There are just too many Texans backs that will get carries. Even Derrick Ward will be somewhat of a factor.

LT-
Days of LT being a fantasy factor are increasingly coming to a halt. Last year he revived with a fresh new start as a Jet, but tailed off as the season wore down. It looks like the Jets are going to decrease his early season workload this year, and hope he has gas left for a playoff stretch run. His combined yards were solid week one, but he doesn’t have the speed left anymore to be a consistent pass catching threat weekly.

Wide Receivers

Kenny Britt
One thing about Matt Hasselbeck is that he may get things done on the field, but they never look pretty. Britt went almost the entire first half with barely any stats, only to explode in the second half. He is a big play receiver that will surely make more this year. With Hasselbeck though his numbers will decline by a good percentage.

Ted Ginn Jr
The return specialist is just that. It’s crazy to think that Miami drafted him ultimately as a receiver threat, and now he is just primarily a return specialist. It’s reverse for all the other super star specialists. They start out there and then get moved to more and more plays at wide receiver.

Doug Baldwin
If you have a Seattle player on your fantasy team, you’ve probably been the recipient of a joke or two in your fantasy league. It has to happen to somebody. Baldwin got enough catches and a touchdown to get desperate fantasy owners the quick trigger to want to ponder a move. Don’t get caught up in that.

David Nelson-
Tight ends did not have too great of a week one, and that may cause impatient fantasy owners to flock to the waiver wire in search of a replacement. Buffalo has their guy in Ryan Fitzpatrick, but they’re not going to light up the scoreboard like they did week one. Fitzpatrick is a game manager that makes the right throws when needed. Nelson is not worth a fantasy roster spot.

Post Week One: You’ve Got To Be Kidding Me

Tuesday, 13 September, 2011

By Zack Cimini
notjustagame23@gmail.com

Losing is going to happen in fantasy football just like it does in all sports. All the variables that drive NFL coaches crazy, will also drive you nuts. A missed field goal, dropped touchdown, a fumble/interception by one of your players, and the worst, a dud performance from one of your sure studs.

Here is the first installment of You’ve Got To Be Kidding Me for week one of the NFL season.

Quarterbacks

Donovan McNabb-
This doesn’t happen to a quarterback that has been one of the better over the last ten years. McNabb’s latest newest setting got off to an atrocious start. There were likely some of you out there that started McNabb just on prior years supporting him. You would of expected a shootout between the Vikings and Chargers. Instead McNabb couldn’t get forty yards throwing the football. Add an interception to his stat column and you might as well of started a bottom tier tight end and got the same amount of points.

Philip Rivers-
Once again the Chargers got off to a slow start. Rivers put up a 300 yard passing game, but being an upper echelon fantasy quarterback you would expect more from him week one. Especially going up against a Vikings defense that is expected to be towards the bottom in the NFL.

Matt Ryan-
Too put up as many throws as Ryan did and not throw for a touchdown is a true fantasy disappointment. The Falcons seemed to move the football decently, but just couldn’t muster an effective complete drive. Ryan hit a bunch of different receivers but couldn’t come up with any momentum type plays on the road. He has shown to be an amazing quarterback at home, but he has to move past his road woes issues.

Ben Roethlisberger
Big Ben hasn’t had too many awry games in his career, but this one will shoot to the top. Coming off a Super Bowl loss, the Steelers came out flat all around. Leading with Roethlisberger, who couldn’t facilitate his freestyle pocket plays like he is used to. He was facing the Ravens who were obviously angry with the way their season ended last season.

Eli Manning
He opened his mouth to reporters stating that he believes he is in the company of quarterbacks like Tom Brady, etc. With most attention on Peyton Manning missing a game, some of it should be spotlighted on Manning’s rusty start. Not many quarterback can stat that they have a duel backfield threat and depth to the position the Giants have.

Running Backs

Steven Jackson-
Fantasy owners of Steven Jackson went out of their seats when they witnessed Jackson’s fifty yard touchdown as if he were running with rookie legs. Being teased with a fantasy field day was all you would get. Jackson tweaked his hamstring and looks like he may be out for a few games.

Arian Foster-
You blast your own MRI exam of your hamstring injury on twitter, and act like it’s a minor non issue. Jokingly he also mocks fantasy owners who were concerned over his injury. Well Arian your non presence on the field week one was the reason why.

LeGarrette Blount- Not a way to start off the 2011 season after taking over the starting running back position. Blount did face a formidable Lions defensive line, that showcased they are going to be a force to reckon with all season. Blount was an absolute non factor, as if he was back on the Titans practice squad.

Chris Johnson-
ROI on Johnsons week one has left fantasy owners tumbling in desperation. How many weeks will it take Johnson to adjust? Money isn’t an issue anymore for Johnson, and the pressure to live up to his new contract could pose all types of concerns. Rushing for a pathetic twenty eight yards put Johnson as one of the worst statistical fantasy backs of week one.

Frank Gore-
Gore had one of the premier matchups of the week for a fantasy running back. Owners were drooling weeks before the season in anticipation of the points they were going to get from Gore. Gore got the carries but could not crack the end zone or find many holes to gain yards through.

Shonn Greene-
Start calling Greene the Robert Horry of the NFL. He shows up and puts his effort out in the playoffs only. LT has aged another year, and Greene was expected to take on more of a burden in 2011. More games like Sunday and Greene will get more and more into a time share with LT. He has to step it up on a weekly basis.

Wide Receivers

Vincent Jackson- Philip Rivers rough start didn’t bode well for Jackson. Even when Rivers got things going, Jackson was not much involved. He only gained three fantasy points in standard leagues, and five in PPR leagues. It’s highly disappointing to see those type of numbers from a quarterback-receiver tandem that are near the top in the league.

Dwayne Bowe- When one has a quarterback that is inconsistent, it makes it extremely hard to decide when to start that player. It looked like Matt Cassel had solved his inconsistency woes towards the second half of last year by connecting with Bowe and spreading the ball out. That skyrocketed Bowe’s fantasy value for 2011. Now that is in extreme jeopardy as Cassel might end up with the least amount of yards per game of any quarterback.

Waiver Wire Week One

Monday, 12 September, 2011

By Zack Cimini
notjustagame23@gmail.com

Get out the air horn and belt out at the same time, CAM NEWTON IS THE REAL DEAL. What a show he put on, in an all out treasure performance. It’ll go down as the debut of debuts. No matter what sport in the next ten to fifteen years, when a rookie’s first game is underway, Newton’s will be at the top of the bar. Play after play, throw after throw, Newton stayed undeterred, calm, and poised. Delivering rocket throws with his ahem, non accurate arm.

Throughout all of his summer interviews and predraft interviews he answered questions appropriately but with emphasis on getting better each time. Those workouts and hard work advanced his weaknesses that were just on display in college eight months ago, to near flawless execution. Was it a mixture of the Cardinals attacking too much with pressure, and leaving the secondary exposed? Maybe. Newton though made plenty of tough throws and right reads. Right reads being key. As many rookies overlook wide open receivers consistently.

It was an amazing start to week one, and owners are for sure to scurry their way to right click and add plenty of players. At the top being Newton. Who else should be looked at.

Quarterbacks

Cam Newton-
Newton possesses all the attributes you could want. A younger 2001 Daunte Culpepper. Slimmer, faster, and possibly a better arm. He already shows the natural pocket presence that leads you to believe he will only get better. If you already had Newton as a fantasy player, all you were expecting was 200 yard games POSSIBLY, and additional points from rushing. Not anymore. He’ll obviously tail off in some games, but he is going to be a monster for years to come.

Ryan Fitzpatrick- Why he continues to not get his proper credit is beyond me. He did well last year by dropping back and putting the team on his shoulders week after week. He blossomed over the 2010 season and has the Bills believing. Four touchdowns and proper management of every drive at Kansas City was very impressive.

Mark Sanchez- Only 64% owned in Yahoo leagues, Sanchez showcased a solid week one outing. He may not have too many 300 yard passing games, but he should see an increase in the touchdown category. He has too many weapons to throw to and should be a viable backup fantasy quarterback at the least. With Shonn Greene performing bust like in the regular season again, the Jets might have to rely on Sanchez’s arm more than they thought.

Running Backs

Cadillac Williams- Steven Jackson’s exit after an galloping touchdown run, makes room for this waiver wire pickup. Cadillac Williams has been through his fair share of injuries over the years, but hasn’t lost his toughness. He stepped in well with nearly ninety yards rushing and fifty receiving. He is likely available in the majority of leagues and is worth stashing on your bench if you’re thin on backs.

Jacquizz Rodgers- You can already see the funk of the Falcons offense, resulting in some changes. One that likely will happen is finding a way to get Rodgers on the field and more touches. He is the scat back type that offenses love to mix in. Watch for increased plays from Rodgers over the next few weeks. He did some damage as a pass catching receiver Sunday.

Delone Carter- Whispers were circling just a week ago when Carter eclipsed Donald Brown on the depth chart. It seems that there are some big changes ahead for the Colts, not just in the loss column. Carter could end up overtaking this job before long.

Derrick Ward- Dependant on if Arian Foster’s hamstring injury lingers, Ward could be a decent impact guy. The Texans love to rush the football, so the top two backs always have great fantasy value.

Wide Receivers

Jason Avant- Avant just keeps staying productive as an Eagle. With the Eagles loving to throw the football, Avant has always had fantasy value. This year there are many variables to see that increase. The Eagles are more explosive, and the concerns with the athletes above Avant on the roster chart.

Jason Hill- Luke McCown is going to be the typical Jay Fiedler type at quarterback. Handing the football off enough not to lose the game and drive his coaches crazy. With an effective ground game as the Jaguars have, it’ll create openings for McCown to deliver some throws. Hill didn’t catch a touchdown but caught enough passes to warrant waiver wire attention.

Jabar Gaffney- Gaffney is a journeyman that keeps on handling his business. Could the decision to start Rex Grossman last season truly of been the proper call? Grossman seems to have found his niche with the Redskins, which boosts all Redskins receivers up a tad from a week ago.

Brandon LaFell- Newton’s yardage average was assumed to be near 200 yards a game at best. Was his four hundred yard game above average? Clearly. But teams will go back to doubling Steve Smith like they did years ago. When that happens, LaFell will become an increased target.

Randall Cobb- Cobb could be a one week wonder. Based on what we have all seen from special teams super studs the last few years, you’d have to expect for Cobb to get on the field more. Even with all the Packers receiving weapons, Cobb poses as a fantasy worthy pickup in deeper leagues.

Ed Dickson- Joe Flacco has always been very comfortable with his tight ends. Todd Heap was the main guy for the start of Flacco’s career. Now it’s Dickson, who even though has been a Raven, really never got involved as a pass catching tight end. Those doubting Dickson being effective as a fantasy worthy tight end may want to reshift, as he can be this years Mercedes Lewis.