Weekly Analysis

FANTASY HIGHLIGHTS FROM FRIDAY NIGHT

Saturday, 9 August, 2014

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Friday night is in the books for week one of the preseason. Here are a few quick notes on fantasy worthy contributors to this upcoming season.

Nic Foles
Ouch. While most starting quarterbacks either sat out or had minimal affect in short stints, Nic Foles put out a dud performance. Two interceptions are not what fantasy owners want to see on nine attempts. I’ll fade this output and look for Foles to put his 2014 early jitters away.

Bryce Brown
Brown had a few opportunities as an Eagle and flourished for a couple of games there. Now he is in Buffalo where a role could open up in similar fashion. Fred Jackson is up there in age and CJ Spiller is not a high carry back. Brown ran the ball for 64 yards on 11 carries Friday night against the Panthers.

Mark Ingram
Ingram was probably the most impressive fantasy worthy player Friday night. He looked leaner overall and took advantage of his eight carries on the night. In all he totaled over 80 yards and scored a touchdown on a nifty 22-yard run. Ingram became a bigger part of the Saints offense during the latter part of 2013. He’ll need to showcase a continuation of a solid effort in the preseason before he gets moved up to RB2 consideration.

FREAK ATHLETICISM A SCARY TUNE FOR NBA GM’S

Sunday, 25 May, 2014

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The attraction of Sportscenter highlights has a brain wash effect for NBA team’s fans and in turn to NBA general managers. Busts are bound to happen but the attraction of a high flyer never goes away. had the attention of every college and the NBA while in high school.

Why? Because he made it look easy and possesses uncanny athleticism. Putting him on the court with college athletes was not an easy transition like people would have thought. He struggled just like most freshman do, but also put together solid games that caught the eyes of the media. Riveting games like the one he had against West Virginia are all reasons to draft Wiggins. As a number one pick is the question.

We all were shocked when Cleveland selected Anthony Bennett a year ago as the number one pick. This time around there would not be any head scratching with Wiggins. Can he live up to the billing and deliver with all the top prospects Cleveland has? Maybe. Time to develop just won’t be a luxury for Wiggins. What we saw a year ago with Bennett will not be replicated in Cleveland. Bennett was often times sat on the bench and did not receive proper minutes of a number one pick. Instead he looked like a project of a second round pick.

Struggles will happen for Wiggins. When they do what will be his signature basketball skill set to rely on? Likely his athleticism. His latest one step vertical leap was showcased all over social media like an art display at an exhibit. It’s social media hoopla. No different than Nik Stauskas showcasing a video of him making numerous three’s in a row, or the numerous others on youtube.

During certain games in the Big 12 conference, Wiggins athleticism did not translate to on court success. His go-to move in college was to use his foot speed to get in the lane and attack the rim. His slight frame and the NBA’s more physical nature will likely take that ability away in the NBA. That and the fact that there will be true power forward’s and centers in the lane to prevent an easy attempt. The Big 12 just did not have too many lane protectors this past season.

People expecting Wiggins to run away with rookie of the year should truly evaluate his season at Kansas. He just is not ready to be the type of rookie that Michael Carter-Williams was last year. Heading to Cleveland may darken his early career than brighten it. Just a half-season ago Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters were in a public tantrum against each other. There likely were more players involved in the Cavaliers pointing fingers sessions.

All of Cleveland’s core and nucleus involves young players. They all want shots just like they did in college and what they’ve shown on the professional level.

The media is profiling how unique of an opportunity the Cavaliers have with getting the number one pick for the third time in four years. It’ll truly be unique when all the players end up on different teams because they couldn’t win with each other as a Cavalier.

They can’t even keep a coach. The fan base is growing anxious for a producer and may not get it.

Potential Fourth Quarter Killers For Week 13

Wednesday, 27 November, 2013

Potential Fourth Quarter Killers For Week 13

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Matthew Stafford
The slide Stafford has been on as of late should come to an end on Thanksgiving Day. Green Bay’s roller coaster at quarterback may be the worst in the NFL at the backup position. Praise was given to how Matt Flynn performed last week but needs to be recognized in put into context. He came in to spell Tolzien in relief duty. Starting should be an entirely different ball game. If Christian Ponder can throw the ball around on the Packers so can Staff.

Ryan Fitzpatrick
Not only has the Colts offense hit a wall over the last stretch of games, but the defense has as well. Tennessee knows they let a golden opportunity slip away on Thursday night football just a few weeks ago against the Colts. With a sizeable lead their run game and offense as a whole became stagnant. As I’ve noted before, Fitzpatrick is one of the streakier quarterbacks in football. He should be able to build off his great performance against the Raiders.

Shane Vereen
With Ridley and Blount in the doghouse Vereen and Bolden are going to be the new tandem that the Patriots utilize here on out. Vereen is no stranger to fantasy success, and should be the main focal point out of the backfield for the Pats offense on a week to week basis. He is their best threat out of the backfield and running the football. As we get into December expect the Patriots to gear up their run game for a playoff caliber offense.

Michael Floyd
Nick Foles has the gaudy statistics to showcase that he might possibly be the ring leader to the best current offense in football. Numbers don’t always equate to how things finish on Sundays. Arizona has been a transformed team since their bye week, thanks in large part to a different Carson Palmer. Palmer has avoided costly turnovers and is starting to gel with the offense. Bruce Arians should have some tricks up his sleeve to showcase this Cardinals offense.

Dolphins Defense
Deciding to start Geno Smith one more time is going to prove to be the coup de grace on the Jets season this Sunday. His downward slides in college were notable, but his current state in the NFL is much worse. Miami has stepped up their defensive intensity and been relentless at attacking the quarterback lately. Just like Smith never could back on track in college after horrific games, I don’t think he can recover for a solid outing as a professional athlete.

Others: Josh Gordon, Big Ben, Matt Ryan, Roddy White, Danny Woodhead, and Golden Tate

Best Catches to Targets From Week Twelve

Wednesday, 27 November, 2013

Best Catches to Targets From Week Twelve

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Knowing who were the main targets on a week to week basis is imperative to position your team and know your opponents strengths. Even at this time of the year you should be paying attention to this crucial category. Here is a look at some best catches to targets from week twelve.

Anquan Boldin
With a healthy Vernon Davis and a better presence on the field at wide receiver in Mario Manningham, Boldin has started to resurge the past two weeks. Maybe Boldin should just get tabbed the Robert Horry of football. He shows up in big moments and is trying to get his team ready for a postseason run.

Pierre Garcon
Even with the Redskins season in peril, Garcon continues to be a weekly fantasy football top wideout. He caught eight of eleven throws from RG3 Monday, which has been a dependable stick stat every week. Though his yardage numbers were a bit low at only 48.

Josh Gordon
Other teams around the NFL have to consider themselves foolish to not have pursued the trade for Josh Gordon before the deadline. Adam Schefter and other NFL insiders had listed Gordon as a possible receiver on the trading blocks. It didn’t happen and throughout having three different quarterbacks Gordon has remained a constant defensive nemesis to stop. He caught fourteen of seventeen targets for over 200 yards receiving.

Brandon Marshall
I’m impressed with Marshall the most out of any receiver in football this year. For one he has kept quiet even during the Bears turn of events from a quarterback and winning standpoint. He plays on every possession and continues to be a monster every week. Sunday he caught ten balls out of twelve targets.

Jared Cook
Cook’s improvement just by signing with the Rams could be seen in the preseason. The Rams made it imperative to take advantage of Cook’s athleticism in their offense. That was something that the Titans hardly did with Cook. He caught four of five targets for eighty yards and a box out touchdown.

Dez Bryant
Antics were left and checked by Bryant against the Giants. He was there for his team and quarterback time and time again. He thrived in the pressure moments the Cowboys usually fail and had nine catches on sixteen targets.

Julian Edelman
The Danny Amendola sightings are becoming as ghost as old Randy Moss tales. Edelman did his best Wes Welker imitation with Welker on the opposing sideline. He hauled in a game high nine catches on eleven targets with two critical touchdowns. The weapons at Brady’s disposal will be key to their playoff run.

Others: Harry Douglas 9 catches/11 targets, Jimmy Graham 5 catches/7 targets, Darius Johnson 6 catches/8 targets, Antonio Brown 6 catches/10 targets, Emmanuel Sanders 6 catches/7 targets, Timothy Wright 8 catches/9 targets, Nate Burelson 7 catches/10 targets, James Jones 7 catches/10 targets, Keenan Allen 9 catches/12 targets, Steve Smith 5 catches/8 targets, Brian Hartline 5 catches/5 targets, Cecil Shorts III 8 catches/11 targets, Michael Floyd 7 catches/7 targets, Jacob Tamme 5 catches/5 targets,

Stretching the Field Post Week Twelve

Wednesday, 27 November, 2013

Stretching the Field Post Week Twelve

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Here is a look at players that had great performances to stretch the field for their quarterbacks in week twelve. Based upon their performances you probably had a bitter beer face when checking your live stat tracker on your smart phone application.

Jimmy Graham
I don’t ever think a tight end has been in the running for MVP. It’s sort of a surprise to me that Graham’s name has not been mentioned as a possible candidate. Each and every week he has been an almost lock to have on field success for the Saints, almost near the level of Calvin Johnson. Thursday he caught five passes for one hundred yards and a touchdown.

Josh Gordon
Talk about a steal that fantasy owners probably have patted themselves on the back for. Gordon missed games due to suspension just like Justin Blackmon. Except Gordon kept himself out of trouble since his suspension and has terrorized weekly opponents. Gordon had an exceptional game with over 230 yards receiving against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Donnie Avery
His touchdowns may have receded but Avery has still been a decent WR3 or flex option for fantasy owners. Alex Smith doesn’t stretch the field too often but when he does he is looking Avery’s way. Sunday against the San Diego Chargers the duo connected on four catches for over ninety yards.

Mike Wallace
One week for Wallace’s name to appear on this weekly column just isn’t enough. It’s not entirely his fault that the Dolphins haven’t found a way to involve him more. Miami has been one of the poorer teams at protecting the quarterback which has translated into a shorter passing attack for the Dolphins. But if Miami can have success against Carolina’s front seven with the long ball, they need to figure out a way to continue to do so. Wallace caught five balls for over 120 yards Sunday.

Jacoby Jones
What’s been missing from the Baltimore Ravens offense this season? Once you begin to start the list it will continue past the number ten. One area defenses have hindered the Ravens from having success with is with Jones. Sunday the Jets allowed one big play from Jones and it became the dagger in Sunday’s game.

Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter
The Titans tandem at wide receiver became the latest receivers to torch the Raiders secondary. What was more surprising was to see Ryan Fitzpatrick play a complete game. He seems to be settling in with the talent he has in Tennessee which is a huge upgrade from what he had in Buffalo at receiver. Both had well over one hundred yards receiving.

Potential Fourth Quarter Killers For Week Twelve

Wednesday, 20 November, 2013

Potential Fourth Quarter Killers For Week Twelve

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Carson Palmer
Carson has it going the way the Cardinals were hoping he would initially to start the season. Thankfully for Palmer the Cardinals have a winning record and are right in the mix of things for a possible wild card berth. To keep the critics silenced in searching for a replacement at quarterback in the offseason, Carson will need to continue to ignite the Cards offense with the passing attack. He gets another great matchup to do so against the Indianapolis Colts.

Ryan Matthews
San Diego has been a hot potato kind of team. A loss down in Miami and one in Oakland a month ago are going to be two losses that may cost the Chargers a chance at the playoffs. Even if they don’t make the playoffs they have to be pleased with the substantial improvement of the offense as a whole and Matthews. Matthews has been able to stay on the field and is coming off a big game against the Dolphins. With the Chiefs showing vulnerability against the run Matthews should see a heavy dose of carries once again.

Rashard Jennings
The dagger on the Texans season was likely a month ago. But it realistically came to a deafening blow with a home loss to the Oakland Raiders as twelve point favorites. Houston decided to take out Keenum after a subpar three quarters to see if Matt Schaub could revive the Texans. That did not work either. Oakland gets to head back home and play a Titans team that surrendered a commanding lead against the Indianapolis Colts. Oakland will attack the Titans the same way they did the Texans and that is to utilize Jennings heavily. I could see Jennings getting over 150 yards this time around.

Tavon Austin
Could the Rams play spoiler to the Bears recent climb back in contention of the NFC North? It would not surprise me. Chicago has struggled all season long at covering guys with speed at receiver. Austin is coming off his best rookie performance before the bye week with two long touchdown passes and a punt return. Expect the Rams to take a couple of shots with him against the Bears choppy secondary.

Vincent Jackson
Payroll doled out on the defensive side is being harped as a mistake in Dallas. Another team that deserves the hammer is the Detroit Lions. Detroit arguably boasts potentially the best front four in football. Yet they have not been consistent at stopping the run or sacking the quarterback. They allowed the Steelers to march down the field repeatedly, including after a fake field goal inside the ten yard line. After another failed offensive series the Steelers yet again scored a game sealing touchdown. Tampa Bay has newfound confidence and will aim to attack the Lions through the air.

Others: Pittsburgh’s Defense, Saints Defense, Ravens Defense, Marques Colston, Greg Olsen, and Jordy Nelson