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Showing posts with label Begngals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Begngals. Show all posts
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FANTASY IN FOCUS
The New England Patriots defense continues to struggle. Credit that to their inability to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks. This is leaving their largely inexperienced secondary isolated and vulnerable. Opposing teams will continue to employ an aerial attack when facing them. This will only change provided their front seven can start generating pressure on a more consistent basis.
The current scenario is bad for Patriot fans but bodes well for Tom Brady, Wes Welker, & Randy Moss owners. The Patriots are 7-5. They hold a fragile one game lead in the AFC east division. Their remaining games are playoff caliber games. They haven’t had a very effective running game this year. So expect this offense to continue to rely heavily on the arm of Tom Brady. The Patriots upcoming schedule: Carolina, @Buffalo, Jacksonville, & @Houston.
Brady, Welker, & Moss are great options moving forward. Consider benching the Patriot defense if you have a better option.
What is going to become of the Indianapolis Colts offensive unit? Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Pierre Garcon, & Joseph Addai have consistently produced. The Colts stand at 12-0. Head coach Jim Caldwell has said he will be resting his starters once they have clinched a playoff bye. Manning, Wayne, & Clark in particular may see reduced playing time. Owners need to pay close attention to this situation.
The looming question is how playing time will be distributed amongst the backs? Maybe Joseph Addai will get fewer carries? Making way for Donald Brown & Chad Simpson to see increased reps? Watch this situation moving forward.
The 12-0 New Orleans Saints are on a roll. Their QB Drew Brees continues to engineer the leagues top ranked offensive unit.
In week 13 Brees hit WR Robert Meachem on a 53 yard bomb in the fourth quarter to tie the game. Meachem has emerged as this year’s Lance Moore. In recent weeks he has played like a #1 fantasy receiver, out of the #3 spot for the Saints. He has produced 6 TDs in the last 5 games. He is another receiver breaking out in his third year.
The Saints were able to manufacture 33 points against the Washington Redskins. The NFL’s #1 ranked pass defense.
Marques Colston Robert Meachem, & Devery Henderson remain Brees’ most dangerous weapons. I don’t see any of their remaining opponents being able to stop them.
Pay close attention to the running back situation. Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell, & Reggie Bush crowd their backfield. Thomas is the best starting option of the three. That could change if head coach Sean Payton decides to rest some of his guys. Even though he has said his players will be playing down the stretch, in hopes of going 16-0. Regardless of that statement stay tuned, to see what will transpire over the coming weeks.
What happened to the Pittsburgh Steelers? They lost in week 12 at Arrowhead Stadium, to a terrible Kansas City Chiefs team. Pair that with a week 13 loss at Heinz Field, to an Oakland Raiders squad. A defeat that drops the defending champs to a meager 6-6 record.
With the Cincinnati Bengals on the verge of wrapping up that division, the Steelers will be fighting for a wild card spot. This is good news for Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, & Rashard Mendenhall owners. Expect them to post solid numbers down the stretch.
Heath Miller has been non-existent in this offense of late. Roethlisberger should find a way to get him re-involved in the offense.
Like the Patriots it is the Steelers defense that has been their downfall. The impending scenario is how long will Troy Polamalu remain sidelined? He is the heart & soul of this defense. Polamalu’s absence has extinguished the defenses spirit. If he remains sidelined consider using another defense.
The Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers & Donald Driver connection continues to roll. Rodgers remains the top fantasy scoring player in the majority of leagues. Donald Driver has served as a reliable safety valve for Rodgers all season. Driver & Jermichael Finley are Rodgers favorite targets, when his pocket prematurely collapses. But don’t make the mistake of leaving Greg Jennings out of the conversation. He has had a disappointing year to date. Poor blocking for Rodgers has hurt Jennings fantasy value. He is a lethal vertical threat when Rodgers is given the time. The Packers O-line has found some cohesion of late. They looked legit against a stout Baltimore Raven front seven. Owners have no excuses in not starting these guys.
The Packers can still win the NFC north title. They need the Vikings to lose 3 out of their last 4, and they need to win outright. Every week is a big game.
At times Dom Capers has been able to orchestrate this young defense into NFL elitism. Rookies Clay Mathews Jr. & BJ Raji have played extremely well. Mathews Jr. is a fun one to watch. He flies all over the field and has a knack for the ball. Raji has been able to plug gaps and get a solid push up front. Combine that with perennial ball hawk Charles Woodson and you have a formidable defense in the making. Don’t make the mistake of sitting this defense.
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FANTASY SNAPSHOT - Running Back Updates
There were some key RB injuries in week 10.
Cincinnati Bengal Cedric Benson left the game with a strained hip flexor. Rookie Bernard Scott filled in with 13 carries for 33 yards. He also had 1 catch that went for 21 yards. Not a very impressive stat line. But he was running against the Steelers. The Bengals play the Oakland Raiders in week 11. The Bengals say Benson will be ready to go week 11. Provided that changes Scott becomes a great fantasy play.
Seattle Seahawks Julius Jones is severely banged up. He spent the night in the hospital as he was experiencing bleeding in his lung. He also has a broken rib. Jones will be out for at least the next two weeks. His replacement was second year RB Justin Forsett. He made the most of his opportunity. Running for a career high 123 yards on 17 carries. He added 5 receptions for 26 yards. Unless you’re stacked at RB pick him up. He is an elusive back that the Seahawks are in need of. Not to mention head coach Jim Mora has taken a strong liking to him.
Atlanta Falcon RB Michael Turner suffered a high ankle sprain. It is being reported that it isn’t a severe sprain. It is really a question of how much time Turner will be missing.
My guess is that Jason Snelling will get the start in week 11. He has been averaging 4.9 yards per carry on the season. Head Coach Mike Smith praised his hard running style.
Jerious Norwood is still listed as questionable with a hip injury.
The team will be signing Aaron Stecker in the coming days. To serve as a #2 or #3 back.
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The Larry Johnson Sweepstakes - I Mean Door Prize
When you are 75 yards short of the all-time rushing record for your NFL team and they place you on waivers, you have to know you messed up! That is where Larry Johnson is right now. No team claimed him and his 2+million dollar contract, which was really no surprise. Now however, will someone take the risk on him, his attitude, and his paltry 2.7 yard per carry average. We have seen the turn around for Cedric Benson and the Bengals rushing game, so will a team take a chance on him? The answer will be yes, so lets take a look at a few spots where he could fit in.
New England Patriots: The obvious choice and current NFL half way house. There seems to be a common consensus that Belichick can take on problem cases and turn them into contributing players. His success with Cory Dillon and Randy Moss have proven that a well run system can tame even the toughest of beasts. There really is no standout back in New England, and it seem to be running back by committee. A possibility at best for Larry to be a Patriot.
Cleveland Browns: Let's face it the Browns are a mess. The season is a wash, and it is time to develop Brady Quinn. Jamal Lewis only has a bit left in the tank and Larry Johnson could fit in with Jamal just fine. The Browns really have nothing to lose in singing Johnson. If there is any upside at all it could help them improve the run game and help Quinn get used to helming the team full time.
Green Bay Packers: With an offensive line that is a mess, and Aaron Rodgers running for his life, the Packers could help their situation with a good number 2 back. Brandon Jackson has been a disappointment at number 2, and has now lost the job to an aged Ahman Greene. Ryan Grant is ok, but is not a punishing back. With Larry Johnson running in cold weather games, it could be a good fit if he can still lay out the punishment.
Oakland Raiders: Why the hell not. Do I really need to say any thing more? Well at least Johnson and Cable share a love of violence, and Fargas is somehow again their leading rusher.
Larry will get another chance, but will he do something with it or continue to twitter away what's left of his NFL career?
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