Fantasy Football Gab

Just a quick blurb from the Fluke on MAJOR injuries that will affect fantasy play. Beanie Wells hurt his knee. The good news is that he didn’t go back into the looker room. This just improves my position on starting Tim Hightower week 1 in fantasy play.

Byron Leftwich tore his MCL.  Tough call on who they will start at QB. Obviously Dixon is next in line to start. I have some serious thoughts that Pittsburgh might pull the trigger and run to grab Leinhart as some insurance. I honestly believe Dixon will start and will surprise some people. I can’t recommend picking him up but I  would keep a close eye on him especially if you are starting Mr Whiny aka Jay Cutler.

Michael Bush is out 4 to 6 weeks. Man oh Man Oakland has quickly turned back into a disaster situation. I’m so annoyed by this because I really believe they would have a bounce back year. I still am pulling for Cable because I believe he is a legit NFL coach. This injury moves McFadden into fantasy relevance. Feel confident to start him without hesitation.

Montario Hardesty is injured. Not sure if it is his knee or a shinn injury. Either way he left the locker room on crutches. Good news for Harrison owners is that he is the starter. With some competition behind him in James Davis and Peyton Hillis. Lets not forget James Davis made some noise for a week or so in fantasy last year until he landed on the IR. Harrison is startable week one since they are playing KC a team with pitiful defense.

Hope the injury updates keep ya’all current…

At this time of the year everyone is in a mad dash to sure up their rosters. Make your quick adjustments and let it fly. Here are some quick fibbits to help you on your roster day decisions. What’s a fibbit? It’s flukie’s buck the trend advice. Take it for what it is.

MJD is starting to make me and a million more nervous. Last I read he “may” be held out for 2 weeks to start the season. I feel that MJD is going to start week 1 and be productive. I do however worry about weeks 2 and 3. It’s a waiting game with MJD. The cat is out of the hat so the odds of moving him to an unsuspecting owner is low. If you haven’t drafted yet I would shift over to Frank Gore, Michael Turner, or Ray Rice in the 5 spot. You have been warned.

I feel Tim Hightower has his most value right now in week 1. Whisenhunt is VERY loyal to his vets. Whisenhunt is already shaking things up changing QB and heading in the DA direction. He is not going to have DA hand off to Wells week 1. Hightower is still better at picking up the blitz and blocking. Hightower is SURE handed and experienced. Wells is the better back but Hightower is better for this situation. Feel confident to start Hightower if you don’t like your WR2/3 matchups week 1. I’m going to take my own advice and start Hightower over Santana Moss. I think Dmac is going to be gimpy and Washington has Dallas week 1. I’ll take the Hightower VS St Louis matchup ANY DAY over the Moss Dallas play. Hightower will lose value as the year progresses. Wells is going to get his share of time just not until mid season. ***Wells injured his knee after I wrote this piece. The severity has not yet been determined***

Kareem “Huggy Bear” Huggins got the RB2 spot behind Cadillac. If you are daily flukie readers you all know I broke that story EARLY last week. Derrick Ward has been cut and is off to the RB graveyard. I have high hopes for Huggy Bear. Once the Cadillac breaks down the bear moves into the starting lineup. Load up on the Bear if you are short at RB depth.

Hit the panic button if you are going into week 1 with Jay Cutler at the helm. His immaturity is shining through. He is already crying about the play calling. He will be running for his life this year with a HORRIFIC o-line. I see INTERCEPTIONS galore. Do as my staff has done and try to secure another QB anticipating death. Scotty traded for Big Ben the Molester. Not a bad play figuring he can ride out Cutler until he implodes and roll on over to the Molester by week 5.

I heard a rumor that Minnesota is making a late play for VJAX. That team is doing everything in their power to earn a Superbowl birth. I give that owner a lot of street cred. This story is just breaking as I write this. I’ll contact Adam over at vikingsgab to see how true this is. If it happens all you morons who took VJAX might be saved.

I was high on Jahvid Best as you all know. My gut was right and there is a good chance Kevin Smith will be cut from Detroit. This ends ALL speculation of a time share at RB in Detroit. Not that I ever thought there was going to be one. Jahvid Best is going to be a rock star. Feel free to draft him in the mid rounds. He is definately undervalued.

I’ll have more fibbets as the days continue in the lead up to fantasy football. I’m mobile so if my spelling in this piece is off gimmie a pass

———editor’s note: Adam at vikingsgab gives a 2.32% chance that VJAX ends up a Viking!

His actual quote on the topic “The Vikings are unlikely to go after Vincent Jackson. They already have one of the biggest payrolls in football for 2010 (thanks to Favre) and giving up picks and a ton of cash doesn’t seem like a likely scenario. VJax will almost certainly be in Seattle this year, or not playing at all”

This is Mr. Manners, here to answer your questions about fantasy football etiquette. Let’s get started:

Dear Mr. Manners,

My leaguemates don’t respond to my trade offers. How many days should pass before it is considered impolite?

Signed, Antsy

******

Dear Antsy,

It an age where everyone and their mother has e-mail, text message accessibility, and internet connectivity on their phone, there aren’t many excuses to not respond to a trade offer within 48 hours. Of course, most people work and some people travel. Heck, some guys enjoy spending their free time with their families! Rather than focus on an isolated incident, look for a pattern. If an individual consistently takes days to respond (or worse, doesn’t respond at all), he is being rude and you may want to look elsewhere for a trading partner.

*****

Dear Mr. Manners,

There is this jerk in my league who is always making fun of me. He crosses a line every time he does it. It is making fantasy football very stressful for me. What should I do?

Signed, High Blood Pressure

*****

Dear Pressure,

Message board taunting and outlandish polls are a necessary part of the fantasy football experience. As long as the perceive insults are directed at the player’s team, I am all in favor of trash talk. “Crossing a line” would be taking shots that are unrelated to a person’s team, such as making fun of someone’s wife or relishing at an owner losing his job, etc. Fantasy football is supposed to be fun. If you ever get to the point where it causes you more anguish than pleasure, it’s time to get a new hobby. I hear coin collecting is a blast!

*****

Dear Mr. Manners,

I get a lot of gruff when I send out trade offers. People accuse me of insulting their intelligence. Is there anything wrong with sending out lopsided proposals with the hope that someone will be interested?

*****

Signed, Trader Joe

*****

Dear Joe,

By all means, if you think you can pull the wool over someone’s eyes, go for it! I don’t think there is anything wrong with sending a bold offer, no matter how wacky it seems. Just because you don’t like a player, doesn’t mean someone else doesn’t. Just keep in mind, however, that if you grow a reputation for peddling crap, you run the risk that in the future your offers will not even be read.

*****

Do you have a question for Mr. Manners?   If so, post it in the Comments section and I will reply in a timely fashion.

I’m a huge fantasy addict. We all know that. That is why I provide you all with such amazing information. Well fantasyknuckleheads is a great site to bounce over to when flukie’s advice isn’t quite enough.

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Quick summation of fantasy football news. Demaryius Thomas is officially a waste of space for Denver in 2010. Drop him and/or ignore him until 2011. Eric Decker holds more value on that team and that value is low low low. The only WR I like on Denver is Gaffney. I stand by my original statements that he will be a low #1 high #2 WR in fantasy play. You all called me crazy when I said it a month ago but all the national fantasy football pundits are beginning to hop on my wagon. There is no clear cut #2 WR on Denver. My money is on Royal but Brandon Lloyd is putting up a good fight. Stokley won’t even make the roster.

MJD is FINE. Stop the panic. He has a sore knee. Relax. Nuff Said.

Green Bay is on FIRE! Finley will be the top scoring TE in fantasy play. James Jones is the #3 WR on the roster and is on the verge of being the #2. WE ALL know Driver is on borrowed time. I hope Driver’s time is short because I am itching to plug James Jones into my fantasy lineup.

Matt Cassell is a DISGRACE. If KC had someone capable behind him he would have been cut already. He keeps getting sacked and his preseason stats are pathetic. For some reason he hasn’t grasped the concept of LOOKING DOWNFIELD.

In case you are Sponge Bob’s best friend “Patrick” and you live under a rock Antonio Bryant was cut from the Bengals. This opens  the door for Jordan Shipley to be the possession receiver. He may have slight value in PPR leagues. Keep your eye on him the first couple weeks.

The WR situation in Washington is turning into bizzaro world. Somehow someway Joey Galloway is still lining up as the #2 WR. I can’t help but wonder in Keyshawn isn’t jealous Galloway is still in the NFL?  From what I’m reading out of the Washington Post Devin Thomas might be cut. FFtoolbox is confirming the story as well. I will pee myself if Dmac’s starting #2 is Galloway. What goes around comes around. Can you tell I’m a bitter Eagles fan?

Brett Favre is so old he is getting lubricant injections in his ankle. With his mess at WR I feel that his numbers will be down from last year. He is still a serviceable QB in fantasy but have a legit fantasy QB on the bench just in case his age finally catches up with him.

Greg Camarillo may become a valuable fantasy player on Minnesota. Especially if you are a doubting Thomas when it comes to the so called solution they have found for Percy’s migraines. I’m looking to stock up on some GCam action.

I’ve had a busy weekend so I’m not as up to speed on fantasy as I need be. Once I sort the information coming my way I’ll give the rest of my useful knowledge.

Driving home from work I was having one of my classic fantasy battles. The topic was Arian Foster and Jonathan Stewart. The bet? Which player will have a greater amount of points? My answer was simple- Fantastic Foster!  The fight was your typical fantasy battles. Mr “F” would argue how Stewart is going to be a top 15 back and how is in on the perfect running back tandem. That is all true but sometimes circumstance plays more into fantasy play the actual skill.

Do I believe that Jonathan Stewart is the more skilled player? Absolutely! But because DWil is still there Stewart’s value is reduced. Arian Foster landed in the perfect storm. Tate is out for the year and “Mr Metal” has turf toe. Foster was left out in this last preseason game during 3rd downs. This just adds to his value. I’m in shock that I am writing this about a Kubiak RB but the situation forced Kubiak into a one RB show. Foster is valuable this year and I stand by my thoughts. Foster will finish the year as a top 10 RB. He will finish higher then Stewart in either a TD only or PPR league. I stake my flukie reputation on it.

While speaking of circumstance Best fell in the best circumstance. Kevin Smith is coming back from a torn ACL and is not quite back to speed. Detroit is going to have the most improved offense in 2010. Best is going to be a major part of this offense. He has TONS of speed. With an upgrade at WR in Burleson and Scheffler (I know he is a TE but Detroit is running 2 TE sets and Scheffler is lining up as a WR) Calvin Johnson will no longer be triple teamed. This means that Best will be able to RUN WILD! RUN BEST RUN!

So I type with absolute confidence that Best will be the Best and Foster will be bleeping fantastic. You heard it here first.

Here Are 5 Video Games I’d Like To Play:

1. Wii Fit-zgerald

Get in shape with Larry Fitzgerald and learn yoga and other relaxation techniques that help him cope with playing for the worst quarterbacks in the NFL.

2. BioShockey

Solve the mysteries of the underwater civilization before the whiny, tattooed inhabitants give you a massive headache.

3. Pokemon Gould

Train for your draft day by trying to pick up (i.e. collect) as many kickers possible. Can you catch ‘em all?

4. Mortal Kombat: Deadly Eliance

Shang Tsung is at it again, but this time he has brought his deadliest weapon yet! Fight your way through 16 levels of blood and [Frank] gore to battle a [New York] giant named Eli.

5. RoethlisBerger Time

Survive through countless levels of deadly obstacles such as chicks with mace, a cranky-pants parole officer, and Roger Goodell as you travel the offseason on a motorcycle from the fiery pits of hell.

I just wanted to give a quick blurb on the multiple fantasy injuries. I’m shocked we have this many injuries that affect fantasy play this week.

Donte Stallworth – Broke a bone in his foot and will have surgery immediately. He most likely won’t be out for the year but any value he had is now completely lost.

Clinton Portis – He sprained his ankle. Doesn’t look serious and I have no doubts that he will be ready to go week 1. His value is still rising and I would still feel confident drafting him late in drafts.

Mark Clayton – He has a concussion but we all know that concussions are part of the game. He will be ready to go week 1 and by default has become the #3 WR in a potent offense. Though I still feel he has minimal if any fantasy value.

DeSean Jackson – He is fine. He had a “neck sprain” and was taken out just in case. Andy Reid says he will be right back at practice on Monday. This is not a true injury so need to be alarmed.

Michael Bush – He broke his thumb. This is BAD news. Oakland just can’t get a break this year. I thought Oakland was going to have a big bounce back year. That is no longer the case. Run for the hills if you are still a Raiders fan. With Bush out McFadden’s value skyrockets. I felt Bush was going to be a great pick for myself in fantasy play. Alas, injuries are part of fantasy play and I have been stung.

Jason Campbell – He left the game after being popped. They are saying it is a “Stinger.” Don’t be alarmed he wil be just fine by opening day. Though I don’t see him having much value with Bush, Schilens, and Heyward-Bey all being hurt. Ok, Bey isn’t hurt….he just gets fatigued.

Steve Slaton – He has turf toe. Not that it matters because Foster was a beast last night. Can I dare say that Kubiak is going to have a one back system? Hell is freezing over.

Of the games last night the only one that interests me is the race between Derek Anderson and Matt Leinhart. The talking heads are saying the race is too close to call. If I was a betting man I would put my money on Anderson. Keep a close eye on the situation. Larry Fitz is still there and if Anderson wins the starting job that is a HUGE boost for Fitz and Anderson becomes a legit fantasy backup QB.

Here at fantasyfootballgab we don’t believe in reinventing the wheel. FFarmory has spent countless hours researching and doing team previews for fantasy play. So instead of wasting my own countless hours I will pass the links along to their great fantasy team previews:

AFC South
http://ffarmory.com/teams/tennessee-titans#4637-2010-tennessee-titan-fantasy-outlook
http://ffarmory.com/teams/jacksonville-jaguars#4636-2010-jacksonville-jaguars-fantasy-outlook
http://ffarmory.com/teams/houston-texans#4634-2010-houston-texans-fantasy-outlook
http://ffarmory.com/teams/indianapolis-colts#4633-2010-indianapolis-colts-fantasy-outlook
 
AFC North
http://ffarmory.com/teams/pittsburgh-steelers#4239-2010-pittsburgh-steelers-fantasy-outlook
http://ffarmory.com/teams/cleveland-browns#4230-2009-recap-cleveland-browns
http://ffarmory.com/teams/cincinnati-bengals#4150-2009-recap-cincinnati-bengals
http://ffarmory.com/teams/baltimore-ravens#4126-2009-fantasy-recap-baltimore-ravens
 
AFC East
 http://ffarmory.com/teams/new-york-jets#4648-2010-new-york-jets-fantasy-outlook
http://ffarmory.com/teams/miami-dolphins#4650-2010-miami-dolphins-fantasy-outlook
http://ffarmory.com/teams/buffalo-bills#4651-2010-buffalo-bills-fantasy-outlook
http://ffarmory.com/teams/new-england-patriots#4649-2010-new-england-patriots-fantasy-outlook
 
AFC West
http://ffarmory.com/teams/san-diego-chargers#4621-2010-san-diego-chargers-fantasy-outlook
http://ffarmory.com/teams/oakland-raiders#4618-2010-oakland-raiders-fantasy-outlook
http://ffarmory.com/teams/denver-broncos#4617-2010-denver-broncos-fantasy-outlook
http://ffarmory.com/teams/kansas-city-chiefs#4601-2010-kansas-chiefs-fantasy-outlook
  
NFC North
http://ffarmory.com/teams/green-bay-packers#4599-2010-green-bay-packers-fantasy-outlook
http://ffarmory.com/teams/detroit-lions#4598-2010-detroit-lions-fantasy-outlook
http://ffarmory.com/teams/minnesota-vikings#4593-2010-minnesota-vikings-fantasy-outlook
http://ffarmory.com/teams/chicago-bears#4592-2010-chicago-bears-fantasy-outlook-analysis

NFC South
http://ffarmory.com/teams/atlanta-falcons#4632-2010-atlanta-falcons-fantasy-outlook
http://ffarmory.com/teams/tampa-bay-buccaneers#4628-2010-tampa-bay-buccaneers-fantasy-outlook
http://ffarmory.com/teams/carolina-panthers#4626-2010-carolina-panthers-fantasy-outlook
http://ffarmory.com/teams/new-orleans-saints#4623-2010-new-orleans-saints-team-fantasy-outlook

NFC East
http://ffarmory.com/teams/dallas-cowboys#4644-2010-dallas-cowboys-fantasy-outlook
http://ffarmory.com/teams/philadelphia-eagles#4645-2010-philadelphia-eagles-fantasy-outlook
http://ffarmory.com/teams/new-york-giants#4646-2010-new-york-giants-fantasy-outlook
http://ffarmory.com/teams/washington-redskins#4647-2010-washington-redskins-fantasy-outlook
 
NFC West
 
http://ffarmory.com/teams/san-francisco-49ers#4638-2010-san-francisco-fantasy-outlook
http://ffarmory.com/teams/seattle-seahawks#4643-2010-seattle-seahawks-fantasy-outlook
http://ffarmory.com/teams/arizona-cardinals#4640-2010-arizona-cardinals-fantasy-outlook
http://ffarmory.com/teams/san-francisco-49ers#4638-2010-san-francisco-fantasy-outlook

I hope this information helps you during this crucial week of fantasy drafting. NFL Football is almost here!

So now that I have gotten my soft side out (my previous piece) lets get down to business. I had the 5th draft position and somehow someway Adrian Peterson fell to me. I’m surprised but stranger things have happened in a TD only league. No need to explain the AP pick onto round 2.

In round two I took Calvin Johnson. I’m not a big CJ fan this year (I know many of you are) but I couldn’t pass him up as the 17th overall pick. With any luck the addition of weapons in Detroit will stop CJ’s constant triple teams.

In round three I was able to grab Roddy White. I’m shocked he fell this far in a TD only league. He was a no brainer at that spot. Especially since I went into the draft targeting Arian Foster. I figured the “old guys” wouldn’t have read up on Foster and that I would be able to grab him late.

In round four I grabbed Johnny Knox. A bit of a reach here but I firmly believe that he is the #1 in Chicago. I know that some of my readers believe Aromashdu is the #1 but I can’t pass up on Knox’s big play potential. I did take some insurance later on in case my hunch was incorrect.

In round five I snagged Jermichael Finley. I’m shocked that Gates and Clark went off the board before him so I had to take the opportunity and reach for a TE. I typically don’t believe in the TE position in PPR leagues. However in a TD only a TE can make or break you. Hence getting Finley in round 5 is a steal.

I was floored that I was able to grab two great RBs in round six and seven. In six I grabbed Pierre Thomas and in seven I grabbed Arian Foster. My RBs are solid, my WRs are good, and my TE rocks. Now, imploring this stragedy does leave you exposed at one position – QB!

In round 8 I had to bite the bullet and get a QB. The guys in this draft were smart enough to see I needed a QB so two teams took backup QBs in Favre and Ryan to try to turn the screws on me. I came out with a tolerable QB in Kolb. I’m a big Kolb believer. Lets not forget my breakout QB picks of the year are Kolb and Flacco. I do have some concerns in Kolb in a TD only league. Vick may vulture some scores in the red zone so it may hurt my TD production from Kolb. Since that was a main concern I grabbed Stafford in round 9 to secure the QB position in case Kolb falters.

The rest of my team rounds out with my man crush Jabar Gaffney, Mike Williams TB, Mohammed Massaquoi, and Ricky Williams. As you can see I loaded up on WRs with upside in case Johnny Knox tumbles. With a Mike Martz offense you never know who is going to shine week to week.

In classic flukie style I didn’t draft a Kicker but I did bite the bullet and take the Cincy D. I now have the Cincy D in every league I’m in. I am not a big believer in Defenses. Heck, half the time I just play D by matchups. This year may be different however because I believe the Cincy D has improved tremendously. They were good last year now I feel they will be great.

So I hope this gives you some help if ya’all have a TD only draft this weekend…