Fantasy Football Gab

Well I must admit that it is nice that fantasy football is winding down. I did not do as well as I would have liked but life will go on. I’m streamlining next year. I am cutting back to 3 leagues- 1 keeper league, 1 PPR, and 1 TD only league. I was over committed this year and that effected my performance. By downsizing I hope that I regain my love of fantasy football and return to my dominance.

Speaking of next year I must admit that I am very pleased with the way this website did this year. Thank you to all off my flukie followers. I hope you continue to stop in and check thiswebsite in the off season. I will post sporadically when relevant events occur in the world of fantasy and the NFL.  I am also looking for writers for the following year. If anyone is interested let me know. The more the merrier. More opinions more feedback more useful free information.

I am going to participate in a fantasy pool during the NFL playoffs. So I will continue to post information that is useful thru the NFL playoffs and Superbowl. This league is a little different. You pick 1 QB, 2 WR, 2 RB, 1 K, and 1 DEF. The total amount of points you accrue after  the Superbowl determines the winner. It’s winner takes all and it should be interesting. First time I have tried my hand in anything like this. If anyone has any advice please post. I could use some help with this it is outside of my comfort zone.

I’ll update my strategies midweek. On a side note the Eagles choked. They so annoy me. I am blogging full time over at www.slamdunkcentral.com about the NBA if anyone want to stop by and comment.

So my world is coming down to Devin Thomas, Megatron, Arian Foster, and Donald Driver. Pray for me. Arian Foster and Devin Thomas are the popular waiver wire plays of the week. Of course Brees let down fantasy owners last night when it matters most. Go figure I was one of the owners who was burned. Percy Harvin is a go so I would insert him in every lineup you can. I also have a good feeling about Chris Chambers today against Cleveland. KC might just sneak out a win today. I had this question all week….Beenie Wells or Justin Forsett? I say Wells in TD only league and Forsett in PPR. Good luck to those that are still in the playoffs! I’m praying to the fantasy gods that I survive in at least one league. It would be nice to have another finals berth!

I’m gonna role the dice this week and start Devin Thomas over Pierre Garcon, Matt Forte, or Moats. It’s a ballsy call but I didn’t get one game away from the money in the keeper PPR league without taking chances. Thomas returns the ball so if your league gives ball return yardage its an extra bump. Garcon has been a fantasy stud (until lastweek). I know Thomas was cool last week but against a porous NYG defense I think he will have a big day. I am breaking my cardinal rule by playing an average player on a bad team. I do however feel that the fantasy gods have spoken to me. Pierre Garcon could make me eat my hand tonight. But if previous Thurs night NFL network games have shown you anything they are typically sloppy low scoring affairs. This doesn’t bode well for the Indy offense. I believe they will win but I don’t believe it will happen in convincing fashion. Plus Garcon and Wayne are a bit banged up (as is half the Indy team) so this may open the door for Collie and Baskett.

If you are starting Moats or Forte you have a death wish. Sorry for the pun Chris Henry! On that note why would an NFL WR hop in the back of a pickup truck in the first place?!?!?!?? Chris Henry is the poster child for wasted youth as he died well before his prime.

Moats is splitting caries and it looks like the rookie Adrian Foster is the man to go with this week. Houston is throwing the ball too much for me to recommend any of their running backs. Forte will catch the ball this week but won’t get into the end zone playing Baltimore. This makes him essentially useless.

Moreno is a rock solid start this week as well as Garrett Hartley (kicker). Just check on Hartley’s status Saturday. If he isn’t playing go with Carney. NO’s kickers are valuable in fantasy especially in the playoffs.

Check back Saturday for more pearls of wisdom.

So tomorrow is the day. Are you ready for some football?!?!? No guts no glory. With that being said BENCH Matt Forte. To many people are still riding the Forte pathetic train. Accept the fact that he is a loss and do not waste your season and chance at the dollars! I would rather play Ryan Moats! And that is saying something because Moats isn’t going to get the goal line carries Chris Brown is. If you have Moreno this is the time to gamble. I wasn’t a Moreno believe in the begining of the year but my fantasy running back guru talked me into trading for him. I moved Barber for Moreno. Perhaps the move that saved my season. SO THIS IS THE TIME for Moreno to shine. Moreno over Barber or Forte is the smart play.

Pierre Garcon Pierre Garcon Pierre Garcon. Did I type his name enough? Look at his last 5 weeks in PPR leagues: 11, 14, 16, 17, 19 points. It doesn’t take a PhD to see that those numbers keep going up! I’m rolling with what I know. I’m puting the money where my mouth is! I’m running a 3 WR set: Donald Driver, Calvin Johnson, and Pierre Garcon. I firmly believe this is my best chance to win. I know WR’s and I’m a betting man. I am so confident in Garcon that I am benching Forte, Moats, and Braylon Edwards to play Garcon. This is as no brainer as fantasy football ever gets! GARCON!

I’m not a big kicker fan but I believe Garrett Harley is a stud! If he is out there he is worth the fees! Pick him up because he could be the difference. All the little moves matter when it comes to the playoffs. I picked him up and I’m playing him! I benched Cundiff for him. This should tell you something.

Good luck Flukie Followers. I hope that you pull off the victory! Any questions I’ll be up early for my fantasy football playoff implications. Feel free to post or email.

Sorry for my prolonged hiatus. Had some issues to work through but all is now well. Andy Reid got an extension. Why do I feel like this is the 2nd coming of Jerry Sloan. His Jazz are always good. Sometimes they make the finals but never win the big thing. The Eagles I fear have the same destiny. While on the Eagles I feel DJax is a ROCK solid A+ start. He has recovered from his mini concussion and is good to go. He is the only Eagles I feel comfortable starting in the fantasy playoffs this week.

It’s been a rough year for me in fantasy sports. I only made the playoffs in one league. Thankfully the one league I made it is the highest payout. NEWSFLASH: Do not start ANY Chicago BEARS playoffs for the rest of the year. The Bears are struggling. Cutler is playing horrific and Forte is playing sub par. Knox is inconsistent and Devin Hester isn’t a true #1 WR due to height restraints and erratic QB play. The worst part is that I’m stuck starting Forte against GB. Let’s hope I get lucky.

On the WR front Garcon is a great play this week. I have been up and down with regards to his play this year. But it looks as if Garcon has become a favorite of Manning deep passes. Denver will be keeping a close eye on Wayne so this will mean increased targets for Garcon and Collie. I hope that Dallas Clark finds the ball again. If I’m going to be successful I need Clark to get back to posting #1 WR numbers.

LT is a great start this week. Dallas has MAJOR problems defending the RUN and I’m feeling the LT train this week. Hop on just in time for the playoff run! Brandon Jacobs did reappear last week but I do not trust him during the most crucial moment of fantasy playoffs. Don’t play Jacobs unless you have balls of steel. Moreno is a safe play this week. Not in love with him but he has come on strong of late. Indy isn’t great against the run and McDaniels seems to have Denver back on track. Add to the fact Moreno is now on the field more then ever and catches balls he is a playoff play. Gotta gamble when it matters if you want the big payday!

I’ll take questions so feel free to post and email. Enjoy our favorite time of the year. Nothing better then getting ready for Christmas hoping for the big fantasy payday to pay off those credit cards!

Don’t got too much for ya this week folks. Not gonna lie I’ve been obsessed with the NBA this week. Since I’m pitiful in my fantasy leagues this year. I’m only going to make the playoffs in 2 out of 5 leagues so I’m a touch bitter at the moment. If you want to read my NBA thoughts feel free to hop on over to www.slamdunkcentral.com and give a shout out! I’m into the Sacramento Kings at the moment. A sick joke since I’m no longer king of fantasy football. Now that I’m done my pity party lets get back to the blog at hand- fantasy football!

Big B is out this week. Be afraid of the passing game in Pitt this week. It’s great for Mendenhal though. Enjoy that play! I see him having a big week. I also see all Philly players going off this week it is a great week for Shady Mccoy, DJax, Avant – yes I said AVANT!, and Maclin. Eagles route the Skins mark my words. Cedric Benson is going to play so be tentative but feel like he is a safe play. Of course check with www.rotoworld.com an hour before kickoff to confirm.

Earnest Graham is my pitiful play of the week if you need a RB. I was in love with Moats but somehow he is bac in Kubiak’s doghouse. Speaking of Houston I see them beating Indy by double digits. YES, I am predicting that the Colts will lose. I feel VERY confident about this. So it is an above average play for Slaton/Johnson n company. If you need a WR I again am feeling Garcon. Garcon has had steady point increases over the past 4 weeks – 9, 10, 14, and 16 pts in a PPR league. Gotta ride the hot hand so Garcon is a go.  Chris Chambers is a good play this week in a revenge game against his past life in SD. Need a few more tips role over to www.football.razzball.comand get some more theories on the land we call fantasy football. I’m gonna go catch some more Jazz/Blazers. ON a complete random side note I can’t wait to see Bubba-Chuck, aka the Answer back in Philly. Looking forward to some more Iverson.

I don’t have much this week guys. I’m in a bit of a funk. Of my 5 leagues I only have a chance of the playoffs in 3. In my TD only league I’m 4-5-1, in my dynasty league I’m 6-4, and in my PPR league I’m 4-6. So I’m in a must win situation in 2 out of 3 of those leagues.

I shook it up in my last week of trading since this week is our trade deadline. I rolled the dice and gave up Drew Brees (who has a SWEET matchup) to get Mendenhal, Moreno, and Cutler. This trade was in my PPR league where I’m 4-6. I’m playing the team in the league that has the best team on paper. So the odds of winning this week are low. They say “any given Sunday” so lets hope that phrase comes true this week. Especially because I’m kicking myself for starting Johnny Knox over Garcon last week. If I didn’t make that boneheaded decision I would be 5-5 and in control of my destiny. Instead my odds are as bad as the Eagles odds were last year in making the playoffs. Miracles happened for them. Doubt it will for me.

So if you are in a keeper or dynasty league I have a WR for you. His name is Early Doucet. He is the 3/4 WR on ARI. Boldin will most likely be moved this offseason and Breaston is a free agent next year. Urban has fallen out of favor of late as Doucet had 3 balls thrown his way last week. I dropped Buckhalter on my keeper team to make room for Doucet. Buck holds minimal value as his ankle is gimpy right now. This is the same type of gamble as stashing Sammie Stroughter and Mike Thomas.  The only difference is that ARI is a legit passing offense. JAX is a run first team with MJD and TB is well TB (a disaster in the making).

A good fried of mine keeps rambling that Beanie Wells is for real. I’m still holding my breath but I thought I would at least humor him and put it in print. Moreno is a good play this week as Buckhalter is hurt. SD is 23rd against the run which also bodes well for Moreno. Orton wants to play though that appears dicey at the moment. Either way if Orton or Sims plays more balls will be steered Moreno’s way to take some of the pressure off the QB play. Moreno is in for a breakout week. At least I hope since my fantasy season depends upon it. That being said I’m only starting Moreno in one league. I don’t want to put all my eggs in one basket.  Jamal Lewis is also an above average play this week. The Browns are inept but the Lions aren’t much better. If you have Benson or are in need of a RB for the week Lewis is worth the play.

I was wrong about Caldwell last week. I still like Caldwell but I would be remiss if I were to start him again. Go with Garcon, Collie, Chris Chambers, and Lance Long if you are in need of a WR play.

Good luck to you all and I hope for my sake I win in all 3 leagues I still have a chance.

James Jones is no longer the play of the week. Jordy Nelson is back and that will effect Jones value. If you were starting him bench him. If you have Garcon play him. If you are really up “bleeps” creek Sammie Stroughter is the new waiver wire play of the week.

Antonio Bryant isn’t playing today so Stroughter will be the most productive WR on TB. Granted that isn’t saying much but it is something.

Big Drama went down in one of my leagues over a player dumping players with questionable trades. The player also has a 2-7 record. This league does have a penality for a last place finish. So he was just trying to improve his team. That was my initial take.

Here were the trades:

2-7 team trade Anquan Boldin and Rashard Mendenhall to “blank” for Andre Johnson.

2-7 team trade Bernard Berrian and Vicent Jackson for Ronnie Brown and T.J. Houshmandzadeh

So my flukie followers? Do any of you see a problem with the trades? I think the trades themselves can be justified. I’m curious if anyone feels that the trades are worse because the person who made the trade was 2-7? Does this play a role? It is a non veto league so the trades will stand. I personally don’t see much of an issue with the trades on the surface. Am I naive? Readers I’m looking for some feedback here.

Week 10 is a very important week for fantasy players. Win or go home that is my mantra. The SF CHI game was one heck of a boring game. My impressions? Thank goodness I don’t have Cutler and I’m estatic that I played Forte and he gave me 24 pts in my PPR league. I feel like I robbed a candy store! This does give me an edge. Since Forte did so well I can feel confident benching my other mediocre RB’s (Buckhalter/Moreno and Barber) and go into a 3 WR set with Donald Driver, Braylon Edwards, and Calvin Johnson. If Forte didn’t do so well I most likely would have benched Edwards and started Moreno. I do think Calvin Johnson is too good of a player to bench and I think the drama on the sidelines is a good thing! Typically after an event like that they try to get the “stud” the ball so he calms down…ala TO in Dallas.

James Jones is a great play this week with Jordy Nelson out. He will see a good amount of balls thrown his way. Especially because DAL will be busy trying to tie up Driver and Jennings. If you need a WR #3 then James Jones is your guy. If Buckhalter is out there (which he is in 44% of sportsline leagues) he is worth a spot start this week. DEN is going to get the running game moving again and WAS is the perfect team to do it against. They are 24th against the run.  My love of Pierre Garcon has wained. He may be an ok start but Collie is the clear #2 now in Indy. I’m benching Garcon and rolling with Caldwell. Caldwell will be on the field more now with the Chris Henry injury. Caldwell also has a knack for the endzone. My man crush has now shifted to Caldwell.  Those looking for a QB I think Sanchez is a safe play this week since JAX is 24th against the pass. Edwards also has fantastic numbers against JAX so this adds to Sanchez’s value.

I’ll post more later today about the “Drama” and “Etiquette” of fantasy football trades down the stretch run.

Well Moats did play. He should have had 2 TD’s if he didn’t fumble the ball on the 1 inch line. He played a decent game with 12 pts in a PPR league. Though Slaton stole a TD late in the game. The Moats/Slaton experiment didn’t work out as well as I would have liked but it was a respectable situation. It’s good news for Moats owners! He does have fantasy relevance and was not a one week wonder. I started Moats over Barber and he did give me a whole 2 points more! I’ll take what I can get. In the 3 leagues (of my 5) that I needed a win I got a win. At least I’m in the hunt in 3 leagues! I’m starting to smell the money!

So can someone explain to me what is the matter with Calvin Johnson? I no doubt believe he has the talent but for some reason I cannot explain why he didn’t get the looks from Stafford. He seemed to have the speed that we are accustomed to. I am hoping it is just a rust factor with the dynamic duo of Stafford and Johnson. With any luck they will be back on the same page against Cleveland. Nothing better to get the pistons firing then a pathetic Cleveland team.

Westbrook being out surprised some owners. Though they were given enough notice most played McCoy who did a-ok as the primary back. Though the Eagles themselves didn’t show up and Dallas beat them. Someday I will understand Andy Reid’s horrible decisions and play calls.

Football.razzball.com has a nice review of surprise fantasy football players from this week. The one I’ll mention is Lance Long. He has a great name! Anyway he is a WR on KC that I never heard of until this week. KC has OAK this week and if he can lead the team in receiving again we might have something. I’m also shocked that KC didn’t use Charles more?!? What is wrong with this head coach? His play calling and mindset is definitely off. I feel bad for KC fans because I do not believe that Haley is the answer. They would be better off with Herm Edwards at the helm! Chris Chambers also reappeared with two TDs. He instantly becomes the #2 WR on this sad KC team so he may have slight fantasy value down the stretch as a bye week replacement. If someone dropped him you might want to put a claim in for him (don’t burn a high waiver wire position for him).

Tonight should be a good game. We will see if Denver is truly for real againt a solid Pittsburgh unit. On a complete side note a player in one of my leagues dropped the NYG D to pick up TEN D. I thought he was nuts but the TEN D put up 18 pts. Sometimes gutsy calls like that work out. Congrats on a nice pickup.