There’s Moore To Love in Carolina: Panthers Set To Host Reeling Saints

Coming into the 2009 Fantasy Football year, nobody would’ve predicted that Steve Smith and Jake Delhomme were going to struggle as much as they both did.

Delhomme was finally benched due to an injury, and the notion that he should’ve been benched a long time ago was as clear as a wine glass in a Cascade commercial.

Steve Smith was another huge early season disappointment as well.

Smith has had pocket times of success: like his eight catch, 134 yard performance against Atlanta in September, and his nine catch, 157 yard performance against Minnesota a week ago. But two great games out of 15 is not what Fantasy fans had in mind when they drafted him.

Now, as the Panthers get set to host the reeling Saints at home, there is new life in Carolina with much Moore to love than earlier this season.

Jonathan Stewart has really come into his own over the past couple of weeks, Mushin Muhammed has seen increased action, the involvement of the tight ends has increased, and even Steve Smith was seeing more action before breaking his arm.

Now, with Smith done for the season and DeAngelo Williams dealing with an ankle sprain, the Panthers will have to turn to Matt and Kenny Moore (no relation) to try and derail the Saints and end the season on a high note.

In Fantasy language, this game offers a bunch of opportunities for points, especially in Salary Cap leagues.

Matt Moore continues to pass very well and provide ample Fantasy points each week while the Panthers will more than likely go with a run heavy attack, something that should make Stewart and possibly Williams a nice pickup if you can afford them.

The Saints are struggling mightily to stop the run over the past couple of weeks with Sedrick Ellis being less than 100 percent, so Stewart and Williams (again if he is ready to go) could see a ton of action.

The Saints offer nothing in regard to Fantasy considering the increased play of the Panthers’ defense. Exasperating that fact is the reality that if the Saints wind up looking like they’re gonna lose, the chances of their starters getting pulled is very high.

Going forward, Matt Moore has a great deal of future fantasy intrigue as explained here , but so does a plethora of Carolina players.

This game could favor a good hard look at Kenny Moore of the Panthers, since Smith is out, and we could also get to see more action from Gary Barnidge the Panthers receiving TE.

Make sure you have your notebooks ready, and if you’re strapped for cash in your Salary Cap league, these players could be a great low end buy for the final week.

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Will Tampa Bay Rise To Greatness in 2010?

Last year, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were a team that flirted with the notion of a possible Super Bowl run under the tutelage of John Gruden; this year was quite the opposite.

At the beginning of the season, the Buccaneers seemed to have rushed the decision to bring in head coach Raheem Morris; they cut their ties with a myriad of veteran players in what appeared to be a “rebuilding” move, and otherwise approached the season a bit haphazardly.

It showed as the season went on.

But if you look at the future of the Buccaneers, there is plenty of potential for improvement, so long as the ownership is willing to loosen their wallets a bit.

The underlying knock against the Bucs’ owner Malcom Glazer is that he is too tight with his spending to afford the team a viable shot at bringing in upgraded talent. I wonder how much of his money goes towards Manchester United in comparison.

The Buccaneers have an aging rushing attack, and receiving corp. that should have at least one other reliable guy, as well as a defense that—in my opinion—is more talented than their current 26th ranking shows them to be.

Then there is Josh Freeman.

Freeman has all the makings of an elite quarterback, but to become an elite passer you must also have a couple of really good weapons you can rely on each and every week; something the Bucs were without most of the season.

Stovall provided some consistency, but he isn’t the long term answer, and Bryant was never healthy enough to begin with. The addition of Winslow was huge, but a TE alone won’t win games.

As a quarterback, Freeman will have to learn to be a better pocket passer, and really put a lid on his penchant for turnovers if he is to rise to the occasion.

So what do the Bucs do now?

Their record will undoubtedly afford them a great position in the draft, but will the Glazers reach out for that pricey draftee that has huge potential?

The free agency market will offer a ton of NFL fodder, but again, will the ownership reach out and offer a worthy contract to land a high caliber player at a needed position?

In addition to all of this, is the rumor of the Bucs reaching out to Bill Cowher , which could make the Bucs another team that is trying the “one and done” philosophy; a move that never seems to work.

So much to digest.

As a football fan , what I see in Tampa is more upside than down. Despite the collection of bad losses they’ve sustained, there are also three games where they lost by seven points or less.

The team, led by Freeman, orchestrated a comeback against a vaunted Packers secondary and they are currently riding a two game win streak in which one of those wins were against the Saints.—not too shabby for a team that is supposed to be in shambles.

In the end, if the Buccaneers are willing to open up the bank a bit, and provide themselves with the right upgrades, the 2010 season could be far better than this year.

The Falcons, Panthers, and Saints all went from last to first at some point in their careers; could the Bucs be next?

 

 

 

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Devin Aromashodu, Arian Foster, and Deion Branch: Week 15 Waiver Wire Gold!

As we wind down the football season in Fantasy, it is almost trite to speak of waiver wire pickups—almost!

This week we find three VERY intriguing players that are available and ready to make that final impact on your team that could provide you the extra playoff push you’re looking for.

WR – Devin Aromashodu, Chicago Bears: Aromashodu torched the Packers’ vaunted defense for 76 yards and a single score—I say “torched” cause it’s very difficult for ANY rookie to do that to the Packers.

Cutler has been petitioning for Aromashodu all season long, and now that he is actually playing—thanks to Devin Hester’s injury—we can see why he asked so vehemently. Baltimore’s secondary is nowhere near as good as Green Bay’s so if he can do that to the Pack, just imagine what’s in store for Cutler’s new toy.

RB – Arian Foster, Houston Texans: Unless you live under a bridge, you have probably heard the news circulating around the youngster Foster that coach Kubiak has dedicated the remainder of the season to Foster.

Foster is a sizable back with great outside speed and reliable hands, and considering the Texans have had trouble all year at running back, the kid is not only sure to produce big time, he is also going to make sure he DOESN’T screw things up like his other running back counter parts.

He’s a solid pick up and play this week.

WR – Deion Branch, Seattle Seahawks: This guy just doesn’t seem to go away does he?

Branch will take over duties at starting receiver thanks to Nate Burleson’s ankle injury which appears to be pretty bad.

Branch is expected to miss two to six weeks, which means Branch is the number two guy for the remainder of the season. Branch has always been a solid producer in PPR leagues, and the Seahawks won’t abandon the usage of Burleson’s position, making Branch the most interesting Waiver Wire pickup this year.,

I would recommend picking him up as soon as possible if you are looking for a viable WR3—or even two if you’re in a pinch.

For more Wide Receiver Start-Sit advice that is free—as well as ALL your Start-Sit questions—visit my column here !

Good luck this week everyone!

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Quinton Ganther: Fantasy Sleeper Pick of the Week for Week 14?

The Washington Redskins have announced that Quinton Ganther has taken over the starting running back duties for the team, and for those of you looking to supplement your team at the position, Ganther is a huge sleeper pick for this week.

The Redskins face an Oakland Raider team that basically invites teams to run against them giving up an average of 158 plus yards a game, while the Redskins are hovering just over 100 yards a game on the ground.

But what’s significant about Ganther’s value isn’t just the appalling run defense of the Raiders, rather the passing defense of both teams.

The Raiders have an uncanny ability to shut down the long ball, and considering the Redskins aren’t exactly setting the world on fire with their passing game, Zorn and company could look to play a game of ball control.

The Redskins are no slouches at passing defense either.

The Redskins are ranked fifth overall against the pass, and if you put both team’s aptitude to control the passing attack together, you have yourself a situation that is prime for the ground game to take center stage.

Ganther didn’t just win a starting role; he earned it outright by simply outplaying Rock Cartwright. The team’s coaching staff is very high on Ganther’s talents—something that leaves a very high ceiling for possible Fantasy points.

For most of you, the playoffs start this week; the remainder of you are in your final week of regular season competition, so adding a sleeper pick with a huge upside could be that difference maker you have been looking for.

Ganther could be that player.

For a more comprehensive look at waiver wire pickups and Start-Sit WR rankings, feel free to visit my column here.

Good luck this week everyone.

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B/R’s 2009 Fantasy Football Awards: Cast Your Vote Now!

The 2009 fantasy football season is coming to an end, and whether your playoffs start this week or next, we can all agree that this has truly been a crazy year.

In one of the most unpredictable season I can remember, it wasn’t just the fantasy studs that came through. It wasn’t just the running backs or receivers that served up a hot plate of fantasy fodder.

Players literally came out of the wood work.

The tight ends stole the show for most of the season. And if you were paying attention, there were a couple of quirky situations that either made or broke your team.

Now, with the close of the season fast approaching, I thought it would a great idea to incorporate the B/R community in our very own Fantasy Awards Ceremony for 2009.

Here’s how it works:

1. Simply put in the comment section who you think should be Fantasy MVP for each position—RB, WR, TE, QB, and overall IDP player.

2. I don’t want to base this solely on stats. Try to make this situational, for instance—was there a player that you picked up that put you over the top, or helped you win your division? Who was that one guy who really stood out for you this year? After all, this is an individualistic award ceremony.

It’s too easy to just go by stats alone.

3. If I get enough responses from the community, I will do a follow up article with the results. So, if you’re already reading, take some time and cast your vote!

Alright, that about does it folks. It is now in the hands of the fantasy community.

For a complete WR Start-Sit WK 14 ranking and free Start-Sit advice, feel free to visit my column here!

 

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Fantasy Football’s Top Five Matchups For Week 13: A Must-See!

With fantasy football playoffs right around the corner, it’s that time of year where we all need to buckle down and trust not only our instincts as managers, but also the myriad of key matchups out there to exploit.

Usually, a no-brainer start is NOT what a manager wants to hear about, but, at this time of year, it’s most pertinent.

Here we will break down the top five matchups of this week and then some.

Everyone ready?

 

Denver at Kansas City

The Broncos are in push mode and there is very little room for error, so taking advantage of “easy” matchups is something the Broncos are going to want to do.

The Chiefs have two key issues as a team:

1. They can’t cover at all.

2. They can’t tackle at all.

This makes Brandon Marshall a huge nightmare for the Chiefs.

Marshall should be good for at least 110 yards and two scores, while Chris Chambers and the rest of Kansas City will be as useful as a fork in soup.

 

New Orleans at Washington

The Redskins tout the No. 1 passing defense, despite never facing a team like New Orleans, and that ranking will be torn to shreds with the fire power the Saints enjoy.

It’s one thing to say that Drew Brees and Marques Colston are a sure thing—which they are—but to add in the emergence of Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson in recent weeks, makes just about anyone on the Saints’ roster a must start, while the Redskins’ roster is a must-sit.

 

New England at Miami

Speaking of the Saints, the Patriots will come into Miami with a huge chip on their shoulder, thanks to the drubbing the Saints put on them, making Wes Welker and Randy Moss must-starts.

The rest of Miami will do literally nothing.

Greg Camarillo and Devon Bess will have their hands full dealing with a very competent Saints’ secondary.

The only weapon the Dolphins have of any worth is Ricky Williams, who will see the end zone at some point, but outside of that, this is about as lopsided as Cousin Eddy’s hair part.

 

Detroit at Cincinnati

The Lions can’t cover, and they can barely stop the run with a makeshift linebacker corp comprised primarily of rookies.

Ochocinco has been relatively quiet as of late, but expect that to change, and don’t be afraid to start Cedric Benson .

The sentiment around Benson is to sit him because of the hip injury which is baloney. Don’t be a crowd-follower; start him with confidence.

Calvin Johnson, on the other hand, should be sat, considering the Pro Bowl-caliber corners the Bengals have, and the fact that he is not 100 percent—neither is Stafford.

 

San Diego at Cleveland

Well, I mean, really, you can just pick whomever you want here so long as they don a Chargers’ jersey.

The Browns are about as bad as it gets in just about every aspect of football, and they bring nothing to the table short of shame and disgust.

Vincent Jackson will get back on track, L.T. and Sproles will get some love, and Antonio Gates will be a nightmare for the Browns coverage package, even if Brandon McDonald is roaming around.

Remember, thinking outside the box at this point will give you an edge in your league, and point-and-shoot starts are the name of the game.

For a more detailed look at wide receiver starts, free Start-Sit advice complete with a link to some very tasty unknown Waiver picks that are virtually unowned, please click here for my column.

Good luck this week, everyone!

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The Great Packer Debate Continues: Which Side Are YOU On?

With the completion of 10 games, and a mere six to go, the Packers face a major crossroad in their quest for the postseason.  The Packers are not only defined by the upcoming competition, but also the collected injuries that they have sustained.

In a season already inundated with offensive injuries, the ever rising and improving defense suffered its worst blow to date when the team learned that outside linebacker Aaron Kampman and cornerback Al Harris would be out for the season.

Outside linebacker Brad Jones and cornerback Tramon Williams will now assume the starting roles for the Packers.

This is the latest in the ongoing saga of the Green Bay Packers. A saga that began with a sentiment that Rodgers was going to lead the team to continued glory, only to be marred by a severe lack of protection.

A saga that was only furthered by the expectation of Favre not only coming back to Lambeau, but facing the Packers—and his former student—as a Viking.

A saga that is still somewhat supported by poor play at various positions, a lack of accountability on the part of the coaching staff, and an overall feeling of playing beneath themselves with each passing week.

Although the negative happenings have been highlighted, there are plenty of positives to speak of: This team is not out of the race just yet.

A good team will play as well as the 22 starters that grace the field, whereas a better team will acclimate themselves to the ever changing landscape of the NFL. Although the Packers don’t always do it pretty, they have stepped up in the face of many injuries.

But now it’s crunch time.

With four games left on the road at Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Arizona, the Packers will look to improve upon their current 2-2 road record.

With two games left at home against the Ravens and Seahawks, the Packers will look to continue their home-field success.

When you look at what the Packers are truly capable of, none of these games are out of reach!

In order to close the season in dramatic fashion—in lieu of the recent events surrounding injuries—the Packers will have to buckle down and simply play solid, no frills football; it starts with the Lions on Thanksgiving day.

The Lions will look to exploit a Packer secondary that appears to be weakened with the exodus of Al Harris, but the upgrade in Tramon Williams is that he is a better man-on-man cover player.

The Ravens—their hardest challenge against a solid running team to date—will look to ride Ray Rice and his ability to run over any team he faces. But the Packers have already dealt with Adrian Peterson twice and shut him down. If they can shut AP down, Rice shouldn’t pose too much of a problem.

The Bears—amidst their slumping performance as of late—will also look to bounce back into the playoff race riding the added threat of Greg Olsen, but the Packers defend well against even the greatest of tight ends.

The Steelers—the team that poses the biggest threat—are armed with a myriad of weapons equal to the Packers, and if the Steelers can control the ball more they will have the advantage.

The Seahawks—a team in huge defensive disarray—will look towards their rising star in Justin Forsett as a counter to the Packers coverage. But if the Pack can contain the outside passing threats, and Forsett, the game will easily sway in their favor.

And finally, the Cardinals are a very tough team to face on their own turf. They have more weapons than the Packers.

The Cardinals can run, pass, and defend. This game could be a defining moment for the Packers should they falter anywhere along the way.

It is easy to say where the improvements need to be, despite seeing signs of said improvements in recent weeks. With the addition of the current injuries, however, the Packers have to feel like they are at square one all over again.

But starting at square one only means you have nowhere to go but forward; you have nothing left to do but build.

Idealistically, the Packers could wind up 12-4 on the season. Or if things go the other way, the Packers could wind up 7-9 on the season. But most will agree that the Packers, in their current state, are looking at no better than 9-7.

The Packers are currently sixth overall in the conference, with the Giants and Falcons hot on their trail, but they are only one game behind the fifth spot in the conference.

In my opinion the Packers are good for 11-5, with a worst case scenario of 10-6 earning a low wild card bid. The playoffs will be a totally different monster to deal with, especially when the team is devoid of two of their star defensive players.

Either way the saga continues, with a new chapter being written in Packers lore; only time will tell whether this story has a happy ending.

So, that leaves us with YOU the discerning Packers fan. Let’s see where everybody stands, and I want to know what your thoughts are: Where will the Packers wind up at season’s end, and how will they fare over the next six games.

Let your opinions, and voices, be heard Packer Nation!

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Fantasy Football, Week Eleven Bumps and Bruises: Are You Covered?

As Week Eleven yawns its presence before us, one of the biggest concerns for managers out there right now is the hefty list of running backs unable to go, leaving most Fantasy teams scrambling to adjust.

If that’s not enough, there are almost an equal amount of backups that are hurting just as much, which means if you are one of those managers, you have some serious issues to deal with.

For the past two weeks, running backs were the most searched position in Fantasy and rightfully so with players such as Clinton Portis, Brian Westbrook, Cedric Benson, Michael Turner, Correll Buckhalter, Chad Simpson, and Ronnie Brown  on the mend.

In addition, players such as Jerious Norwood, who is unlikely to have an effect—if play at all—Reggie Bush who is dealing with knee swelling, Ladell Betts who is healthier than last week, but facing a difficult Cowboys run D, and Darren McFadden who is still struggling to find is mojo, are making things far more difficult than most expected this time of year—the most crucial part of the season.

The good news is, with the vast amount of marquee running backs not playing this week, the combination of extra work being assumed by the receivers, and the emergence of some no name running backs should work nicely together to help put a tourniquet on the bleeding.

The Big Four to Keep in Mind

The Bengals will undoubtedly go with Bernard Scott, but I wouldn’t count out Larry Johnson since he will probably get some carries in the game due mostly to his knowledge of the Raiders D. Just don’t consider him a starter unless you have nobody else to play.

The Falcons are hurting tremendously with both Turner and Norwood out. Jason Snelling will be the featured back all day which could be a huge waiver wire sleeper pickup , but you can also expect Roddy White to see a lot more balls being thrown his way.

The Colts are typically a team that, if need be, can survive without a running back. Considering Joseph Addai and Chad Simpson are both out—the time for Donald Brown to show his stuff is now—laid before him like a blue and white carpet. He could be a nice one-week grab if he is still out there. Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark will no doubt be a huge part of the offense this week.

The Dolphins suffered their biggest blow of the season yet in losing Ronnie Brown , but considering Ricky Williams has been playing rather well, you can safely pick him up or start him if you are in need.  Don’t be surprised if Greg Camarillo sees a few more looks since he was at one time the No. 1 possession receiver for Miami.

Again, when there are significant injuries to the top running backs, it is their respective receivers that will see more work. Whether it is in real game time, or in garbage time, it’s those receivers you should consider giving the nod, even if they don’t appear to have a favorable matchup.

And don’t forget the backup running backs—even if some of them are third stringers. Some of these guys coming in to alleviate the pain are already talented enough to provide Fantasy sustenance, you just don’t hear enough about them to believe that.

If you would like a full breakdown of Start-Sit Receiver Rankings, please visit my column here.

And as always, good luck this week all!

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The Favre Drama: Our Fault, or His?

The halfway point of the NFL season is preparing to be a faded afterthought for most NFL fans, and as we begin to usher in the latter half, media outlets are still being inundated with article, after article regarding Favre, and the drama that has become synonymous with the old graybeard gunslinger.

Whether you’re a Viking fan basking in his unheralded talent to lead a team—any team it sometimes seems—to victory, or a Packers fan seething at his departure, and coined “betrayal”— classic—or if you’re just an innocent NFL bystander caught up in the melee centralized mainly in the NFC North, the all too familiar news of Favre has become a bit overwhelming.

But who is to blame.

Sure, Favre appeared to dupe everyone with the press conference show of tears the first time around, as well as the comments made about Thompson.

Then there was the curious cell phone calls to not only Childress, but also Mangini, that eventually landed him in the big apple.

And of course, for those of you with a short memory, the last minute acquisition by the Vikings neatly presented to the public with a nifty limo escort to the practice field.

But although all of these things warrant a great deal of questions, and even jaded emotions, are they enough to justify the ever apparent obsession? Is all of this truly his fault?

To me, this isn’t about betrayal, or a shady character getting over on—not only the NFL fans but the entire NFL—or even a bitter, Wrangler jean wearing, old timer from the south.

Favre’s constant departure, and re-emergence into the NFL has been about what he loves to do most—play football.

The Packers thought it was time to move on, and give their QB of the future a chance, yes they may have interfered with Favre going to a rival team—something we won’t ever truly know—but that leaves him without fault in the matter, should those allegations really be true.

The Jets had already committed to bringing in Sanchez if they found him available in the draft, and with all the other moves in personnel, and Favre’s injury, the situation was handled in a gossamer type fashion that left Favre the odd man out.

All of this is popularly considered to be hi in to finally getting to Minnesota to exact revenge against the Packers, and TT.

Really? A professional football player that is already enshrined in the HOF for all intents and purposes, an individual who has shattered every record available to break, a man of his level of leadership went back home, and sat at his kitchen table drawing up Phase Three of his diabolical vengeance mission?

C’mon.

The drama that surrounds Favre, and the continuance of his “saga” rest within the countless articles being ushered out over, and over again by the same people who write more about him than any other topic looking to increase read count.

It is this type of topic that is even creating full blown arguments—watch there’s bound to be one here I’m sure.

As true football fans, we should realize that the man simply wants to play football, nothing more, and it is us who should let him play. His offseason antics are a thing of the past, Aaron Rodgers is the man in Green Bay, which means Favre needs to be let go, and the drama that surrounds him is something we all must remember is a creation by us more than it is by him .

I know this will be the last article of this type regarding Favre I ever write, and it was only my second, what about you?

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Are Green Bay’s Playoff Hopes Delusions Of Grandure?

Being outdueled and outplayed twice against the Minnesota Vikings, and the apparent inability to compete with the better teams in the NFL, there are growing concerns about the Packers.

They may not be able to improve upon their inequities, let alone earn a playoff appearance.

Failure to provide adequate protection to Rodgers, an anemic—and sometimes non-existent—ground game, trivial penalties, and questions surrounding Mike McCarthy’s coaching skills have fans wondering what it’s gonna take to elevate to the next level before it’s too late.

The Packers were speculated to be among the elite in the NFC with their myriad offensive weapons. But it has been an offense that, at times, has been anything but elite.

But even with a record of 4-3, the chances of a postseason berth are not out of reach.

Even with the problems on the offensive line, the Packers can still move the ball, and the receivers have done a better job after a few weeks of the dropsies.

Aaron Rodgers also showed more movement inside the pocket; something that wasn’t a reality through the first five games.

But for the Packers to step up and consider a bid for a postseason berth, there a couple of key issues that still need to be dealt with.

 

Aaron Rodgers : Rodgers can pass just as well as any elite QB in the league, but his penchant for holding onto the ball is actually getting worse.

I can understand the kid wanting to make something happen but sometimes that something is as simple as throwing the ball away while on the run, or making quicker decisions.

Good quarterbacks play it safe; great quarterbacks will take chances. They make risk plays work and hold the ball less which is something Rodgers still needs some work on.

 

The Running Game: The Packers aggressively pursued a trade for Grant and instead brought back Ahman Green. But I don’t care if you have John Riggins back there, if you don’t run the ball, your ground game can’t get better and opposing defenses won’t take you seriously.

Grant hasn’t really been setting the world on fire outside his performances against inferior teams, either.

He often fails to finish or even run through his runs. He also just looks flat. The addition of Green, a onetime Green Bay favorite and feature back, could be the fire Grant needs to get going. Either way, the Packers ground game must get better going forward.

 

The O-Line: The O-line is still a problem but thankfully, they are getting better—slowly. Last week the Packers put T.J. Lang on Jarred Allen, alone, about 75 percent of the time. That’s bad coaching, not poor rookie play. If the blocking schemes aren’t working then adjustments have to be made now before things really get out of control.

The other problem with the O-Line is the depth, which makes the emphasis on health a key issue. If the Packers are having this type of trouble from the starting line, chances are the bench will be a nightmare.

Taking everything into account, there is still a good chance of the Packers making the playoffs. But with teams like New Orleans, Minnesota, Philadelphia, and even Arizona looming, the Packers will have to turn things up a couple of notches now if they’re aspiring about a deep playoff run.

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