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Sporting News Experts Mock Draft #1

Link Posted by Ladd Biro May 2, 2013 11:46 PM

Greetings, Fools! Believe it or not, we held the mock draft for Sporting News' annual fantasy football draft guide on Monday night. How crazy is that? The 2013 NFL season must not be far off!

Of course, it's way too early to take any mock draft seriously; and my preparation was limited to printing off a set of third-party rankings and using those as a guide. So I'm not exactly at the top of my game and you can bet that my opinions will evolve over the coming months.

For now, here's what I came out with in a 12-team standard re-draft league (starting 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 K, 1 DEF). I had the 5th overall pick.

Round 1: Drew Brees, QB, Saints. Yup, I took him over Rodgers. Did you realize Brees has been the top-ranked QB in fantasy football for two consecutive years? As a Rodgers owner last year, the memory of his late-season slump (4 TD passes total between Weeks 11 and 14) is still fresh on my mind. FYI, AP, Foster, Doug Martin and Rice went in the first four picks.

Round 2: Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars. I was disappointed that MJD was the best RB left on the board by the time my pick came up again. As expected, the elite QBs were gone by now, so I feel vindicated in taking a passer with my first pick. But I am not crazy about hitching my wagon to a diminutive rusher coming off a serious foot injury and playing for a team that rarely scores. My other choices were Matt Forte and Steven Jackson. Maybe shoulda gone with Forte.

Round 3: Roddy White, WR, Falcons. Amazingly, both Brandon Marshall and AJ nearly fell to me here. Roddy may not be the strongest WR1 any longer, but he'll do in a pinch.

Round 4: Hakeem Nicks, WR, Giants. Great value in the 4th round, especially given the dearth of RBs still standing.

Round 5: Darren Sproles, RB, Saints. As it turns out, only Reggie Bush and David Wilson were taken in between my 4th and 5th picks. I was hoping Bush would slide, as I think he's in a great situation in Detroit. Sproles was about the last of the solid fantasy backs left on the table. (Vick Ballard was the next one taken, in the 6th round, if that tells you anything.)

Round 6: Jason Witten, TE, Cowboys. Gronk and Graham gone in the 3rd. Hernandez left with the first pick in the 6th. I took Witten as the next-most reliable TE in the land, though I considered holding out for the ageless Gonzo.

Round 7: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers. If J-Stew finally seizes the workhorse role and leaves DeAngelo in the dust, this will be a genius pick. Yeah, that's probably not gonna happen.

Round 8: T.Y. Hilton, WR, Colts. I haven't gone through all the analysis yet, but don't be surprised if Hilton is one of my sleeper picks this year. He had a great rookie season and should continue to soar in his second year with Luck.

Round 9: Kenny Britt, WR, Titans. Somebody had to do it.

Round 10: Fred Jackson, RB, Bills. F-Jax showed he still has wheels and the ability to be a great fantasy contributor last season. If/when Spiller goes down this year, Freddy will be a strong proxy.

Round 11: Brian Hartline, WR, Dolphins. Could find his groove as second-fiddle to Mike Wallace.

Round 12: Josh Freeman, QB, Bucs. My draft hinges on Brees staying healthy and stellar. I'd better not need Freeman more than once.

Round 13: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Texans. Really excited about this pick. By the time August rolls around, there's no way the first-round rookie will still be available this late. Houston has been looking for a complementary receiver to pair with AJ for years. Hopkins has a chance to be special.

Round 14: Broncos defense/special teams. The 49ers went in the 10th, but the real run on defenses started in the 14th. I was eyeing the Seahawks, but they were snagged right before my pick. Denver has the players to vault into the elite ranks.

Round 15: Willis McGahee, RB, Broncos. Not sure I believe he won't be a key cog in Denver's backfield. Not sure I believe he will be, either.

Round 16: Stephen Gostkowski, K, Patriots. This group knows better than to draft a kicker earlier than this round. I was the first to jump and the rest followed quickly.

Round 17: Michael Turner, RB, F/A. What the heck? He could land in a very favorable spot by the time August rolls around.

So there you have it. Admittedly, this isn't a roster I'd bank on. But no worries; it's only a mock. There's plenty of time to get it right...

Originally published on the blog Fantasy Fools.

Offseason moves of note

Link Posted by Ladd Biro March 2, 2013 02:54 PM

Greetings, Fools. During the long offseason without fantasy football, there's not much news to report until we get to NFL Draft time. So, in an effort to keep track of the ever-shifting landscape of NFL rosters, we'll keep a running tally of all the free agent moves, trades and cuts that could have an impact on the 2013 fantasy football season.

We won't cover players that re-sign with their current clubs, though. Just the moves that involve players being released from, or swapping, teams.

As of March 2, here are the moves that matter:

QBs
Alex Smith, Chiefs -- Though not yet official, 49ers fans won't have him to kick around anymore.

RBs
Michael Turner -- No longer much of a burner, released by the Falcons in a salary cap move.

WRs
Titus Young -- Troubled but talented speedster signed by Rams after being released by the Lions. Alas, his stay in St. Louis was short-lived.

Originally published on the blog Fantasy Fools.

2012 Perfect Draft: The Final Solution

Link Posted by Ladd Biro January 7, 2013 01:28 PM

Hindsight may be 20/20. But hindsight armed with statistics can be brutal.

What seems so obvious now – of course Alfred Morris was poised for a breakout year; didn’t you see him in the preseason? – wasn’t quite so crystal clear to most of us just five short months ago.

It’s all part of our elusive quest for the perfect draft, the Holy Grail of fantasy football. One of these days, I’m going to achieve it. Probably right after I cure cancer, win the lottery and break up with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

Until then, I’ll keep torturing myself – and you – by exploring what could have been had we made all the right decisions during our preseason draft. Yes, dear reader, it’s time for my oft-imitated, always-controversial, yet magically delicious 2012 Perfect Draft: The Final Solution.

As always, we start with a few key assumptions. First, we’re in a 10-team non-keeper league using a standard scoring system that starts one quarterback, two running backs, three wide receivers, and one tight end, kicker and team defense. Second, we are drafting from the middle (fifth) position in a snake format, meaning we won’t have a shot at Arian Foster. Third, since all drafts play out differently, we’ll need a little luck along the way. Finally, our goal is nothing short of total domination and the abject humiliation of our opponents.

Now, with the fifth pick of the 2012 Fantasy Draft, we should have selected…

Round 1. Drew Brees, QB, Saints. Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady would do just fine, but Brees gets the nod for his stellar consistency and superior performance during the fantasy postseason.

Round 2. Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings. Fantasyland’s MVP fell to the third round in many drafts, but let’s not tempt fate.

Round 3. Brandon Marshall, WR, Bears. A.J. Green got off to a better start, but Marshall was more consistent throughout the season and finished stronger. He had only two games with fewer than 90 yards or a touchdown and reached the end zone in nine different weeks.

Round 4. Dez Bryant, WR, Cowboys. Once he caught fire in Week 10, Bryant was arguably the most valuable player on any fantasy roster. He’ll propel us to a title down the stretch.

Round 5. Doug Martin, RB, Buccaneers. He’ll win Week 9 for us all by himself. We now own the No. 1 QB and two of the top three RBs and WRs in the business.

Round 6. Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos. The best part about drafting the Comeback Player of the Year is that we’ll get to complain to our league-mates about how much trouble we have choosing between our two awesome QBs each week.

Round 7. Eric Decker, WR, Broncos. We’d love to deploy both of Manning’s starting wideouts, but Decker can be secured a round or two later than Demaryius Thomas and he’ll deliver nearly as much firepower.

Round 8. Stevan Ridley, RB, Patriots. Easy to overlook in New England’s pass-happy offense, Ridley rode his quiet consistency to a Top 10 ranking.

Round 9. Tony Gonzalez, TE, Falcons. The future Hall of Famer is still an elite fantasy performer, yet he was typically the 10^th tight end taken in the draft.

Round 10. Bears defense/special teams. For most of the season, no other unit even came close. Chicago led the league in turnovers and defensive scoring, and gave up the third-fewest points.

Round 11. Michael Crabtree, WR, 49ers. We’ll probably never start him, but it was nice to see Crabtree finally emerge as a viable fantasy performer.

Round 12. Randall Cobb, WR, Packers. Late-round sleepers are meant to be stashed away for a few weeks, in hopes that they’ll begin contributing by mid-year. Cobb started paying dividends in Week 5.

Round 13. James Jones, WR, Packers. What the heck? He mixed in some stinkers, but nobody caught more scoring passes than Jones.

Round 14. Seahawks defense/special teams. We don’t normally advocate drafting two defensive units, but why let a competitor benefit from Seattle’s elite unit? We’ll even favor them down the stretch over the Bears.

Round 15. Heath Miller, TE, Steelers. Miller had a career year, finishing among the Top 5 tight ends, and he wasn’t even drafted in most leagues.

Round 16. Alfred Morris, RB, Redskins. Our backfield now includes two rookies and a guy coming off major reconstructive knee surgery. Perfect.

Round 17. Blair Walsh, K, Vikings. As usual, several of the best kickers are available in the final round, including the rookie that outshined them all.

There you have it. Just like we drew it up, right?

So, Fools, this is my last regular column of the season. But don't fret. The fantasy season will be back before we know it. Be sure to follow me on Twitter so you'll know when I've posted news you can use here on the Fantasy Fools blog. We’ll be back to chase the perfect draft again in just a few months.

Thanks for tuning in!

Originally published on the blog Fantasy Fools.

Biro's Heroes & Zeros

Link Posted by Ladd Biro December 31, 2012 04:29 PM

Before we close the books on another exhilarating/frustrating/awesome/humiliating (circle one) fantasy season, let’s take a quick stroll back through 2012 to examine the players we rooted for and against and – with as much objectivity as we can muster – give credit where credit is due.

As always, our annual accolades (and condemnations) have but a few important criteria:

Consistency on a weekly basis is next to godliness.
Production during the fantasy playoffs – for our purposes, NFL Weeks 14 through 16 – is given extra weight. Players who let their owners down at the worst possible time earn our eternal scorn. (Hear that, Victor?)
For the most part, Week 17 is dead to us. (Sorry, Eli.)

Without further ado, I am pleased to present the 2012 Biro’s Heroes & Zeros Awards:

Most Valuable Player: Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings. AD was the common denominator in countless fantasy championships, largely because his services could be secured as late as the third round in most preseason drafts. Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers were all outstanding; but there was precious little light between the three elite QBs. Runner-up:Arian Foster, RB, Texans.

“Peerless Price Memorial” Bust of the Year: Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals. It doesn’t matter that it wasn’t his fault. Fitz played all 16 games and couldn’t even crack the Top 40 receiver rankings. He was unstartable for nearly half the season, which is devastating for a second-round pick. Runner-up: Darren McFadden, RB, Raiders.

Rookie of the Year: Alfred Morris, RB, Redskins. Doug Martin ranked higher, but a huge share of his production came in one game (272 combined yards, 4 TDs in Week 9). Morris gets the nod due to his humble draft status, more consistent production and superior results during the fantasy postseason. Runner-up: Martin, RB, Buccaneers.

Comeback Player of the Year: Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos. Peterson was a Top 10 running back last year. Manning didn’t play a snap in 2011 due to neck injuries, then returned to elite status with a brand new team. Runner-up: Peterson.

Mr. Reliable: Brandon Marshall, WR, Bears. Had only two games with fewer than 90 yards or a touchdown, reached the end zone in nine different weeks, and finished strong. Runner-up: Brees.

Surprise of the Year: Morris. Undrafted in many leagues, and not named the starter until Week 1, Morris ended the season among the elite fantasy tailbacks. Nobody, including the Redskins, saw that coming. Runner-up: Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks.

Best Waiver Wire Acquisition: James Jones, WR, Packers. Scooped up in most leagues after Greg Jennings went down in Week 4, Jones went on to accumulate more TDs than any receiver in the league. Runner-up: Danario Alexander, WR, Chargers.

Mr. Big Play: Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs. Among his six combined TDs were scoring jaunts of 37, 80, 86 and 91 yards. Runner-up:Doug Martin.

Most Devastating Injury Loss: Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars. Knocked out for the duration in his sixth game, the second-round draft pick had no proxy behind him to make up for his loss. Runner-up: Greg Jennings, WR, Packers.

Steal of the Draft: Tony Gonzalez, TE, Falcons. The top tight end in Fantasyland was available in the 10^th round or later in most 10-team leagues. On average, nine other players at his position were selected before the future Hall of Famer. Runner-up: Robert Griffin III, QB, Redskins.

Most Overrated: Matt Stafford, QB, Lions. A consensus Top 5 fantasy passer heading into the season, Stafford generated plenty of yardage, but just six games with multiple TDs through Week 16. He also threw nearly as many interceptions (16) as TD passes (17). Runner-up:McFadden.

“Thomas Jones Memorial” Most Underrated: Stevan Ridley, RB, Patriots. Despite a quiet consistency that led to his Top 10 finish, skeptical owners routinely questioned whether or not Ridley was start-worthy. Runner-up:Eric Decker, WR, Broncos.

Made Chicken Salad from Chicken Scratch: Jamaal Charles. On a team virtually bereft of talent to support him, Charles still managed to produce at an elite level. Runner-up: Cecil Shorts, WR, Jaguars.

Biggest Postseason Disappointment: Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks, WRs, Giants. Both performed well in Week 14, then imploded over the next two games. After a 40-yard outing in Week 15, Nicks was blanked the following game. Cruz had just 36 total yards during that stretch. Runner-up: Torrey Smith, WR, Ravens.

Most Spectacular Bench Performance: Shonn Greene, RB, Jets. After four straight scoreless weeks with no more than 40 rushing yards, Greene lit up the Colts for 161 yards and a TD trifecta in Week 6. Runner-up:Justin Blackmon, WR, Jaguars (7 receptions for 236 yards, 1 TD in Week 11).

Lived Up to the Hype: Robert Griffin III, QB, Redskins. My “Most Likely to Succeed” runner-up in last year’s awards combined a deadly accurate arm with game-breaking running skills to deliver elite results right out of the gate. You’ll pay dearly for him in next season’s draft. Runner-up: Doug Martin.

Most Marginalized by Pathetic QB Play: Larry Fitzgerald. The once-elite wideout’s talents were squandered by a rogue’s gallery of passers, including Kevin Kolb, John Skelton, Ryan Lindley and Brian Hoyer. Runner-up:Dwayne Bowe, WR, Chiefs.

“Frisman Jackson Memorial” Irrational Exuberance Award: Kevin Ogletree, WR, Cowboys. Fantasy enthusiasts thought they spotted the 2012 version of Laurent Robinson as they watched Ogletree amass 114 yards and two TDs in the season opener. The most-added free agent of Week 1 promptly disappeared and was dumped weeks later by his disappointed owners. Runner-up: Bryce Brown, RB, Eagles.

Worst Sophomore Jinx:Cam Newton, QB, Panthers. He found his mojo late in the season; but prior to Week 12, Newton’s owners were cursing themselves for investing a premium draft pick on him. Runner-up:Roy Helu, RB, Redskins.

Team Bust of the Year (a.k.a. They Are Who We Thought They Were): Arizona Cardinals. There isn’t a player on this team that you regret not drafting. And no, the defense doesn’t count. Runner-up:Oakland Raiders.

“Plaxico Burress Memorial” Bonehead of the Year: Titus Young, WR, Lions. Blessed with an abundance of natural talent, Young apparently has the intellect and maturity of a Jersey Shore character. He flashed his potential in Week 8, then was suspended by his coach for the rest of the season just a few weeks later. Runner-up:Jermichael Finley, TE, Packers.

Most Likely to Succeed in 2013: T.Y. Hilton, WR, Colts. Reggie Wayne is getting up there in age, but Hilton has already developed excellent chemistry with his fellow rookie and franchise quarterback, Andrew Luck. That duo should be explosive in their second season together. Runner-up:Justin Blackmon, WR, Jaguars.

As always, I’m open to your feedback on these awards. Feel free to comment below, and be sure to begin your message with “You’re an idiot because…”

Next week: The Perfect Draft: Final Cut, wraps up the season.

Originally published on the blog Fantasy Fools.

Week 17 Heroes & Zeros

Link Posted by Ladd Biro December 31, 2012 06:07 AM

This was a great week to start…

QBs

Aaron Rodgers, Packers – Amassed 365 yards and 4 TDs with no INTs but 1 fumble.

Drew Brees, Saints – Passed for 396 yards and 4 TDs, with 1 INT.

Eli Manning, Giants – Racked up 5 TDs while passing for a modest 208 yards.

Peyton Manning, Broncos – Surgically dismantled the Chiefs for 304 yards and 3 TDs without a turnover.

RBs

Alfred Morris, Redskins – Romped over the Cowboys for 200 yards and 3 TDs, plus 2 catches for 12 more yards.

Adrian Peterson, Vikings – Crushed the Packers with 199 rushing yards and a TD, plus a 2-yard TD reception.

DeAngelo Williams, Panthers – Raced for 210 yards and a pair of TDs.

Doug Martin, Buccaneers – Ran for 142 yards and a TD, plus 4 receptions for 18 yards.

Stevan Ridley, Patriots – Ran for 74 yards and 2 TDs.

Mike Tolbert, Panthers – Ran for just 25 yards but scored 3 short TDs, and caught a 22 yarder.

WRs

Greg Jennings, Packers – Came back to form with 8 receptions for 120 yards and 2 TDs.

Michael Crabtree, 49ers – Had a career day with 8 receptions for 172 yards and 2 TDs.

Andre Johnson, Texans – A dozen catches for 141 yards was sweet for PPR leaguers.

Marques Colston, Saints – His 5 catches resulted in 52 yards and 2 scores.

Reuben Randall, Giants – Caught 4 passes for 58 yards and 2 TDs.

Eric Decker, Broncos – Grabbed 7 balls for 76 yards and 2 TDs.

Demaryius Thomas, Broncos – He also grabbed 7 balls, and generated 122 yards and a TD.

Michael Floyd, Cardinals – Had the best day of his rookie season with 8 receptions for 166 yards and a TD, plus a fumble. Too bad nobody owns him.

TEs

Jimmy Graham, Saints – Turned 9 passes into 115 yards and a TD.

D/STs

Titans – Accumulated 7 sacks, 3 INTs, 2 TDs on INTs and 2 more on punt returns.

This was a great week to play against…

QBs

Joe Flacco, Ravens – Made just a token appearance, passing for 34 yards.

Andy Dalton, Bengals – Notched just 78 yards and 1 TD before being yanked early.

Matt Schaub, Texans – Held to 275 yards and no TDs, plus 2 INTs.

Cam Newton, Panthers – Passed for 248 yards and ran for 34, but didn’t score and tossed an INT.

RBs

Ray Rice, Ravens – Got just 5 yards on his 3 carries.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Bengals – Was active, but you wouldn’t know it by his lack of mention in the box score.

Beanie Wells, Cardinals – Active, but didn’t see the field after mouthing off about auditioning for other teams.

Ryan Grant, Packers – Only 2 yards on 2 carries.

Mark Ingram, Saints – Led his team with 39 rushing yards.

Reggie Bush, Dolphins – Ran for 26 yards and caught 2 passes for 23 yards.

Jonathan Dwyer, Steelers – Combined for just 61 total yards.

Jamaal Charles, Chiefs – Just 53 rushing and 14 receiving yards.
Darren McFadden, Raiders – Underwhelmed again with just 57 rushing yards.

WRs

Torrey Smith, Ravens – Took an early shower, before he could catch a pass.

Hakeem Nicks, Giants – Posted a goose egg.

Sidney Rice, Seahawks – So did he.

Miles Austin, Cowboys – Blanked after getting roughed up early.

Brandon Lloyd, Patriots – 9 yards on his only catch.

Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals – 13 yards on 2 passes. Sadly, it’s what we’ve come to expect.

A.J. Green, Bengals – Just 2 receptions for 26 yards in a cameo appearance.

Danny Amendola, Rams – Another disappointing outcome, with just 27 yards on 4 catches.

Reggie Wayne, Colts – Limited to 40 yards on 4 balls.

Kenny Britt, Titans – Only 21 yards on 2 catches.

Nate Washington, Titans – He got 21 yards on his only catch.

Pierre Garcon, Redskins – Just 46 yards on 3 passes.

TEs

Jermaine Gresham, Bengals – Another no-show.

Scott Chandler, Bills – Blanked by the Jets.

Vernon Davis, 49ers – Had a 5-yard reception on the day.

Jacob Tamme, Broncos – Caught a 13 yarder.

Owen Daniels, Texans – Only 27 yards on 3 receptions.

Originally published on the blog Fantasy Fools.

Sunday morning updates -- Week 17

Link Posted by Ladd Biro December 30, 2012 04:53 PM

Good morning, Fools. I hope you're not contesting a championship today, but there's no reason you have to stop playing altogether, either.

In two of my leagues, we play a Week 17 "Free for All Bowl," in which every team -- including those that missed out on the playoffs -- sets one final lineup. The top overall scorer wins 5% of the pot. It's a good way to keep the fantasy fun going for another weekend, and it gives us another reason to tune in the Red Zone Channel one last time.

So, for those of us with something on the line in today's games, here's the latest skinny from around the league:

Why shouldn't you play a Week 17 title match? Here's your latest reason: Ray Rice is NOT expected to play today, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. With little on the line, there's no reason for the Ravens to risk their star to injury prior to the postseason. While this isn't official, Schefter usually knows what he's talking about.

It could be a big day for rookie RB Bernard Pierce...

No word yet on Flacco, Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin (shoulder); but it sure makes you think a similar stance would be taken on them.

We learned earlier this week that Trent Richardson, MJD, Mike Wallace, Pierre Thomas, Mario Manningham and Mike Nugent were done for the season. Since all but Richardson have been placed on IR, they won't appear on the inactive lists. Jets TE Dustin Keller also won't play today.

Don't count on Jonathan Stewart or Vernon Davis (concussion) to be available either.

However, it appears that Rob Gronkowski will suit up, and at least get a few snaps. It's not clear that he will make more than a cameo appearance, however; so if you have a decent TE alternative, you might be better off taking it. That said, nobody would be surprised to see Gronk spike one in the end zone today.

I was wrong earlier in the week when I indicated that Matt Leinart would be the starting QB in Oakland. That will be Terrelle Pryor instead. The change doesn't make me feel any differently about the Raiders' wideouts, including Denarius Moore. Keep him on your bench.

That's it for now. Inactives come next via Twitter (www.twitter.com/ladd_biro). Have a great Sunday, and good luck to all Fools playing for something!

Originally published on the blog Fantasy Fools.

Saturday injury updates, and more

Link Posted by Ladd Biro December 29, 2012 03:51 PM

Here are a few snippets from yesterday's 4th & Long column on Sporting News, along with a few updates from today's news.

If he plays at all, Trent Richardson is only expected to see spot duty thanks to a bum ankle. Montario Hardesty will get the lion's share of the load in the meaningless matchup with the Steelers. [Update: Richardson has now been declared out.]

Keep an eye on Matt Forte's playing status, as he is likely to be a game-time decision. With no Michael Bush to fall back upon, the Bears certainly need their starter in a must-win game. But his latest ankle injury may prove too painful to overcome so quickly. [Update: Forte has been upgraded to probable.]

After suffering a setback in practice, Jonathan Stewart (ankle) is not expected to be ready for the Panthers' finale. That leaves the workload in DeAngelo Williams' unsteady hands again. I reminded you last week that he couldn't be trusted. Did you listen?

A hip injury has kept Mike Wallace off the practice field all week, and it could force him out of Sunday's contest. That means that we've likely seen the last of the up-and-down speedster in a Steelers uniform.

Those who've been holding onto Rob Gronkowski (arm, hip) in hopes that he would be available for the last game or two of the regular season are about to be very disappointed. He's been a limited participant in practice for the past week, but there's little indication he will be activated prior to the playoffs.

More Saturday updates:

Both Brandon Weeden and Colt McCoy will miss Week 17 for the Browns, leaving the QB role in the hands of the great Thaddeus Lewis. With Trent Richardson also missing in action, could there be a better defensive play than the Steelers on Sunday?

Pierre Thomas is out for Sunday's matchup, but Chris Ivory will be back in the Saints' RB rotation along with Darren Sproles and Mark Ingram.

Why MJD waited until now to undergo foot surgery on his ankle is beyond me. But he did.

The 49ers put Mario Manningham on IR. He's done.

Mike Nugent has also gone to IR. Josh Brown will close out the season as the Bengals' kicker.

Originally published on the blog Fantasy Fools.

Week 17 Starters & Benchwarmers

Link Posted by Ladd Biro December 28, 2012 05:49 PM

Wondering whether or not to start Marshawn Lynch and Dez Bryant, or to bench Brian Hoyer and Austin Pettis? The network bozos specialize in that kind of advice. If you’re looking for help with your realstarting lineup conundrums, read on.

Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 17 of the 2012 season.

Watch ‘em roll

Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks vs. Rams. He’s playing at home, where he is nearly flawless. He’s led his team to 150 points over the last three games. And he’s gunning for the NFC West title against a so-so Rams defense. Yeah, I’d say Wilson is worth a start.

Shonn Greene, RB, Jets at Bills. You may want to bench him if only to keep from having to watch this dreadful game. But Greene is likely to be the lone bright spot for the moribund Jets offense, which will once again be guided by Mark Sanchez. Don’t be surprised to see Greene punch in a couple of goal-line scores against the NFL’s softest run defense.

Reggie Bush, RB, Dolphins at Patriots. Coming off his second-best fantasy performance of the season, Bush should remain in your lineup as he auditions for a new contract. The Patriots are playing for a bye, but their defense is still struggling. Bush will get plenty of touches to reinforce his value to the Dolphins, and other RB-challenged teams.

Torrey Smith, WR, Ravens at Bengals. Smith was clearly feeling no ill effects from his concussion while torching the Giants last week. Though he faces a more formidable foe on Sunday, the Bengals could rest their starters early since their postseason positioning is firm. Fellow wideout Anquan Boldin could also be limited with a bruised shoulder.

Jeremy Maclin, WR, Eagles at Giants. Maclin barely skipped a beat when Nick Foles took the reins, and he should have little trouble reestablishing his rapport with Michael Vick. Provided he is able to suit up – he tweaked his knee in practice earlier this week -- Maclin will be the most familiar face on the field to his new/old quarterback. Meanwhile, New York’s secondary is very generous to opposing receivers.

More thumbs up (excluding the no-brainers): QBs Cam Newton, Tony Romo, Robert Griffin III; RBs LeSean McCoy, Doug Martin, C.J. Spiller, Chris Johnson, Knowshon Moreno, Alfred Morris, Frank Gore; WRs Mike Williams, Pierre Garcon, Stevie Johnson, Miles Austin, Reggie Wayne, Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Steve Smith, Kenny Britt, Eric Decker, Demaryius Thomas, Greg Jennings, Michael Crabtree, Justin Blackmon.

Roll ‘em back

Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Steelers vs. Browns. In a mild surprise, Rashard Mendenhall emerged from his coach’s doghouse to be the Steelers’ most productive rusher in Week 16. With nothing but pride at stake, a committee backfield holds little upside for any of Pittsburgh’s tailbacks.

Beanie Wells, RB, Cardinals at 49ers. After his epic disaster in Week 16 (3 rushing yards, fumble, benching), Wells should be nowhere near your lineup against a 49ers squad aiming for a division crown. The oft-injured RB has already mentally checked out for the season, and he has started talking about playing elsewhere in 2013.

Roddy White, WR, Falcons vs. Buccaneers. Atlanta is Exhibit A for why fantasy titles should never be contested in Week 17. With nothing to play for, Matt Ryan and his fellow starters could see just a few token series. While the Bucs’ secondary is certainly capable of allowing big strikes to this prolific attack early on, that’s an awfully risky proposition for owners of the Falcons’ fantasy stars. Especially those of White, who is nursing a knee injury.

Jordy Nelson, WR, Packers at Vikings. Nelson (hamstring) is expected to return to the Packers’ lineup this weekend, but think twice before slotting him back in yours. With Greg Jennings near 100 percent, Green Bay’s receiving corps is deep enough to allow the team to ease Nelson back slowly. They’ll need him at full strength for their postseason run.

Denarius Moore, WR, Raiders at Chargers. Matt Leinart is expected to start at QB for Oakland. What more do you need to know to convince you that all Raider wideouts should be off the table?

More thumbs down: QBs Matt Ryan, Andy Dalton, Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Schaub, Philip Rivers, Sam Bradford; RBs Michael Turner, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Trent Richardson, Darren McFadden, Mikel Leshoure, Matt Forte, Vick Ballard, Ryan Grant, Rashard Mendenhall; WRs Hakeem Nicks, Larry Fitzgerald, Mike Wallace, Jeremy Kerley, Sidney Rice.

TAKING A FLIER

Michael Vick, QB, Eagles at Giants. What better way for Vick to convince the league that he deserves another starting gig next season than by showcasing his running and passing skills against his division rivals? He and Andy Reid have all the motivation they need to excel in this contest, and it helps that the Giants’ defense has been even worse than normal lately.

DON’T BE THE BONEHEAD WHO…plays next year’s title game in Week 17. If that’s what you’re doing this weekend, you’ll see (again) that too many key players are either resting or completely checked out. Most self-respecting fantasy leagues wrap up in Week 16 while all their players are still going full tilt. The regular season finale is a better time for a consolation game or a “Free for All Bowl” – one last league-wide contest where the top overall scorer wins a small share of the pot.

Originally published on the blog Fantasy Fools.

Fantasy stars shine bright in title round

Link Posted by Ladd Biro December 24, 2012 05:08 PM

Did you go over the fantasy cliff yesterday?

I sure did. Twice.

Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Calvin Johnson got the snowball tumbling down the hill on Saturday night, and by the time Reggie Bush piled on, my boys were buried so deep they couldn’t dig themselves out.

Tom Brady and Aaron Hernandez failed to negotiate an agreement to meet in the end zone, and Dez Bryant’s shoulders just weren’t broad enough to carry my entire team.

And yet, in a cruel twist of fate, Dez was the main culprit in the demise of my other title-contending team. His 224-yard, two-touchdown mastery of the Saints’ secondary helped my opponent overcome Adrian Peterson’s modest outing. Ray Rice came through for the bad guys as well; but Eli Manning, Victor Cruz and Tony Gonzalez left the door wide open for an epic upset by my squad in Sunday night’s showdown.

Sadly, despite another bravura performance by Marshawn Lynch – and Aaron Rodgers’ earlier shellacking of the Titans – Frank Gore and Michael Crabtree left the Fantasy Fools just five points shy of a championship.

Am I bitter that the Rams wideout whose name shall never be spoken again in my household actually had a minus sign in front of his score? Let’s just say that if I had named one of my sons Daniel, we’d be headed to the courthouse today to change it.

Congratulations to those celebrating a well-earned victory today. And to those whose hopes and dreams were dashed at the foot of the fantasy cliff, well, the 2013 draft is just eight short months away.

FREE AGENT PICKS AND PANS

The fact is, you shouldn’t be competing for a title in Week 17. But if you are, or if you have a consolation matchup to play for, here is one player that might help you, and one that who would look better in someone else's lineup.

Catch ‘em while you can

Doug Baldwin, WR, Seahawks. As electrifying as Russell Wilson has been, and as many points as Seattle has been scoring, you’d think their wideouts would be fantasy studs. But Wilson doesn’t throw for a ton of yards (no 300-yard outings to date). Baldwin is arguably the most gifted of his receivers, and his 53-yard, two-touchdown performance showed what he can do when fully healthy. Consider grabbing him, if only as a preemptive move to keep him out of your opponent’s lineup.

Don’t be fooled

Ryan Grant, RB, Packers. It was fun, for old time’s sake, to see Grant do the Lambeau Leap. Twice, even. But those scores came in garbage time of a 55-7 blowout, DuJuan Harris found the end zone earlier (the first rushing TD of the season for a Green Bay RB, believe it or not), and Alex Green (concussion) could return to the backfield in Week 17.

Originally published on the blog Fantasy Fools.

Week 16 Heroes & Zeros

Link Posted by Ladd Biro December 24, 2012 04:59 AM

This was a great week to start…

QBs

Drew Brees, Saints – Passed for 446 yards and 3 TDs.

Aaron Rodgers, Packers – Threw for 342 yards and 3 TDs and ran for 11 yards and a fourth TD, with zero turnovers.

Matt Ryan, Falcons – Passed for 279 yards and 4 TDs, plus 25 rushing yards, without a turnover.

Tony Romo, Cowboys – Accumulated 416 yards and 4 TDs in a losing cause.

Russell Wilson, Seahawks – Just 171 passing and 29 rushing yards, but 4 TDs with only 1 INT.

Peyton Manning, Broncos – Passed for 339 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT.

Joe Flacco, Ravens – Passed for 309 yards and scored 3 total TDs, without a turnover.

RBs

Jamaal Charles, Chiefs – Raced for 226 yards and a TD.

Reggie Bush, Dolphins – Scored 3 TDs while running for 65 and catching 4 passes for 42 yards.

Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks – Ran for 111 yards and a TD, plus 19 yards and a TD receiving.

Ray Rice, Ravens – Ran for 107 yards and caught 6 passes for 51 yards and a TD.

Shonn Greene, Jets – Ran for 38 yards and 2 short TDs, and took 2 passes 42 yards.

Ryan Grant, Packers – Found his Fountain of Youth, rushing for 80 yards and 2 TDs, and hauled in a 34-yard pass.

WRs

Dez Bryant, Cowboys – Took 9 receptions 224 yards and waltzed into the end zone twice.

Roddy White, Falcons – Torched the Lions for 153 yards and 2 TDs on 8 receptions.

Calvin Johnson, Lions – Made history with his 11-catch, 225-yard performance.

Mike Williams, Buccaneers – His 7 catches were good for 132 yards and a TD.

Jeremy Maclin, Eagles – Notched 116 yards and a score on 8 passes.

James Jones, Packers – Racked up 100 yards and a TD on 7 receptions.

Doug Baldwin, Seahawks – Scored twice on just 4 catches for 53 yards.

Demaryius Thomas, Broncos – Hauled in 9 balls for 102 yards and a TD.

Eric Decker, Broncos – Hauled in 2 TDs of his own on 6 receptions for 65 yards.

Marques Colston, Saints – Was great for PPR leaguers, with 10 catches for 153 yards.

D/STs

Bears – Had 4 sacks, 3 turnovers, scored 2 TDs and held the Cards to just 6 offensive points.

This was a great week to play against…

QBs

Carson Palmer, Raiders – Knocked out of the game after passing for 31 yards.

Matt Stafford, Lions – Accumulated 443 yards, but no TDs and 1 INT.

Matt Schaub, Texans – Just 178 passing yards without a score.

RBs

Arian Foster, Texans – His 29-combined-yard collapse made everyone sick, including himself. Oh yeah; he fumbled, too.

Beanie Wells, Cardinals – Ran for 3, count ‘em, 3 rushing yards. And fumbled!

Frank Gore, 49ers – Stuffed for just 28 yards in primetime.

DeAngelo Williams, Panthers – Proved my contention that he can’t be trusted, even in excellent matchups, rushing for just 19 yards and taking 2 receptions for 29 yards.

Darren McFadden, Raiders – Limited to 33 rushing yards, and 3 catches for 15 more.

Michael Turner, Falcons – Rushed for 41 yards and only 16 yards on 4 receptions.

Chris Johnson, Titans – Ran for 28 and caught 2 passes for 13 yards before exiting with an injury.

Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants – Held to 39 rushing and 8 receiving yards.

Jonathan Dwyer, Steelers – Out-rushed by Mendenhall, with just 39 yards.

WRs

Hakeem Nicks, Giants – Blanked.

Jeremy Kerley, Jets – Zippo as a receiver, but ran for 2 whole yards.

Danny Amendola, Rams – Squandered an awesome matchup with just 5 yards on 2 catches, and a lost fumble.

Sidney Rice, Seahawks – 14 yards on his only catch.

Denarius Moore, Raiders – Just 12 yards on 3 receptions.

Brian Hartline, Dolphins – He did the same on 2 catches.

Mike Wallace, Steelers – Limited to a 13-yard play.

Nate Washington, Titans – His 2 catches went for 15 yards.

Victor Cruz, Giants – Only 21 yards on 3 receptions.

Golden Tate, Seahawks – Two receptions were good for 27 yards.

T.Y. Hilton, Colts – Only 34 yards on 2 receptions.

Stevie Johnson, Bills – Took 4 catches for 44 yards, and lost a fumble.

TEs

Tony Gonzalez, Falcons – Held to a 9 yarder.

Aaron Hernandez, Patriots – He had a 13 yarder.

Scott Chandler, Bills – It was a 25 yarder for him.

Owen Daniels, Texans – His 3 receptions went for 27 yards.

Vernon Davis, 49ers – Just a 27 yarder before exiting with a concussion.

Originally published on the blog Fantasy Fools.

Sunday morning updates -- Week 16

Link Posted by Ladd Biro December 23, 2012 04:57 PM

Good morning, Fools. Congratulations if you're still reading this! It's championship Sunday (in most leagues), and many of you are off to a splendid start after last night's Falcons-Lions tilt.

As for myself, I'm in two fantasy Super Bowls. In the first, I came into the weekend feeling pretty invincible. That is, until my opponent unleashed Ryan, Julio and Megatron on me. Holy PPR, Batman! I'm down 85 points on Sunday morning! Fortunately, I have Brady, AJ Green and Amendola set to go, and the bad guy doesn't have a lot of firepower left; so I'm not running up the white flag just yet.

In my Sporting News Experts League, I'm playing against a very strong No. 1 seed. But he got off to a terrible start with Gonzo and Matt Bryant. My Jason Hanson took care of them. Perhaps the fantasy gods will look favorably upon me there.

Anyway, enough about me. You care about you, right? Here's what you need to know to help set your championship lineup:

RG3 is fully expected to play. Start him if you've got him.

Ahmad Bradshaw joined the Giants on their short trip to Baltimore. They play in the later game, so you'll need to have a backup plan if you're planning to start Bradshaw. I don't like David Wilson if Bradshaw suits up; and after last week, I'd avoid him if possible even if the rookie is the starter.

Shady McCoy is expected to be "monitored" in his return from a concussion. Since this isn't a knee or ankle injury, the monitoring they'll do is to make certain he's not taking any more shots to the head or feeling woozy. If I was still alive in my league where I took Shady first, I'd be starting him. Bryce Brown can be electric, but he's terribly fumble-prone. Andy Reid wants to win his last home game. Who would you give the ball to at the goal line? I'm convinced that as long as Shady is mentally alert, he'll get the ball.

Jordy Nelson has already been ruled out. That's good news for Randall Cobb and James Jones owners. Wish I thought it would boost Greg Jennings' chances; but after two weeks of mediocre returns, I'm not counting on it.

Sidney Rice will be a game-time call on Monday night. Taking on a tough 49ers secondary, you'd be better off with a safer option anyway.

Rob Gronkowski didn't make the trip to Jacksonville (though it sounds like Tebow will be soon; but I digress).

Remember, Dan Carpenter was just placed on IR. Nate Kaeding will kick for the Dolphins today.

That's it for now. Good luck today to all Fools! I'll be tweeting the inactives and other late-breaking news today.

And also, Merry Christmas to all!

Originally published on the blog Fantasy Fools.

Snippets from 4th & Long

Link Posted by Ladd Biro December 22, 2012 04:37 PM

Here are some snippets from Friday's 4th & Long column for Sporting News.

All signs point to Robert Griffin III (knee) suiting up this weekend; and with the Eagles on tap, he will be a must-start. In Week 11, he torched them for 200 passing and 84 rushing yards, plus four TDs and no turnovers.

A concussion will most likely keep Alex Green out of the Packers' backfield on Sunday, but surely you weren't counting on him anyway, right? Green's absence would leave the modest rushing workload to Ryan Grant and DuJuan Harris. Thanks, but I'll pass.

An illness is keeping Steven Jackson out of practice this week, but there's little worry it will force him from Sunday's game. The Bucs' run defense was a shell of its stingy self last weekend against the Saints, so the Rams' workhorse makes a solid, though not terrific, starting option. [Update: S-Jax was back at practice Friday.]

It's too soon to say whether Ahmad Bradshaw will be back Sunday, but it's certainly hard to trust David Wilson given his mediocre output last weekend. I like Bradshaw's chances against the Ravens. Wilson, not so much. [Update: Bradshaw practiced Friday and is looking more and more likely to play, though nothing will be certain until the inactive list comes out.]

Don't expect Jordy Nelson (hamstring) to be available this weekend. Now, if only Greg Jennings could be trusted. [Update: Jordy is now listed as out for Week 16.]

Though Rob Gronkowski is back at practice on a limited basis, the tea leaves seem to suggest that the Patriots will hold him out until Week 17, at the earliest. Of course, if he plays, you start him. But I wouldn't bet on it. [Update: Both the Boston Globe and the NFL Network are reporting that Gronk will not play Sunday, though nothing official has been announced yet. Love me some Hernandez!]

The Dolphins just placed Dan Carpenter on injured reserve due to a groin injury. The well-traveled Nate Kaeding has been signed to replace him.

Other Saturday updates:

Jonathan Stewart (ankle) will be a game-time call on Sunday. His return would sour me even further on DeAngelo.

No surprise here: MJD has been ruled out for Week 16.

Torrey Smith (concussion) is now expected to play Sunday; but he's been pretty mediocre lately. I'm sitting him.

Brandon Pettigrew is officially doubtful for tonight's game. He ain't playing.

Originally published on the blog Fantasy Fools.

Week 16 Starters & Benchwarmers

Link Posted by Ladd Biro December 21, 2012 06:10 PM

Wondering whether or not to start Adrian Peterson and Andre Johnson, or to bench Christian Ponder and Kevin Ogletree? The network bozos specialize in that kind of advice. If you’re looking for help with your real starting lineup conundrums, read on.

It’s championship time! Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 16 of the 2012 season.

Watch ‘em roll

Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys vs. Saints. Don’t be scared off by the Saints’ shutout of the Bucs last week. That was an aberration. Romo has been putting up consistently solid, if not stellar, numbers during the Cowboys’ late-season roll. Dez Bryant’s finger is holding up just fine, and New Orleans’ pass defense remains one of the most vulnerable in the land.

Vick Ballard, RB, Colts at Chiefs. Though he has accumulated only two touchdowns all season, Ballard has firmly established himself as the workhorse of the Indy backfield. Following a solid 105-yard outing against the Texans, the rookie is an excellent flex play against a Chiefs defense that coughed up more yardage to both Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson than either has accumulated in a game all season.

LeSean McCoy, RB, Eagles vs. Redskins. McCoy is expected to return to his starting role now that he is fully recovered from his concussion. Though Bryce Brown will notch some carries, the rookie has a well-documented case of fumblitis that should limit his workload. McCoy carries risk, but the upside is too great to leave on your bench.

Danny Amendola, WR, Rams at Buccaneers. Though still fighting through a nagging foot injury, Amendola is a must-start Sunday after his impressive rebound performance in Week 15. No secondary is more generous to opposing receivers than Tampa Bay’s.

Brandon Lloyd, WR, Patriots at Jaguars. The veteran virtually disappeared for most of November, but his two best performances of the season have come this month; against some pretty stingy defenses, at that. Lloyd is a good bet to maintain his momentum when he faces off with one of the NFL’s most hospitable secondaries.

More thumbs up (excluding the no-brainers): QBs Robert Griffin III, Matt Schaub, Sam Bradford, Andrew Luck; RBs DeMarco Murray, C.J. Spiller, Knowshon Moreno, Michael Turner, Stevan Ridley, Darren McFadden, Matt Forte, Reggie Bush, Alfred Morris; WRs Dez Bryant, Pierre Garcon, Miles Austin, Cecil Shorts, Eric Decker, Demaryius Thomas, Jeremy Maclin, Anquan Boldin, Randall Cobb, Wes Welker, Antonio Brown, Reggie Wayne, Lance Moore, Steve Smith.

Roll ‘em back

Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks vs. 49ers. Few quarterbacks are hotter than Wilson right now, but his primetime tilt with the formidable 49ers defense should give you pause. Wilson’s worst game of the season (122 passing yards, no TDs) came in Week 7 in San Francisco. While he should top those figures, he’s unlikely to produce a fantasy bounty.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB, Bengals at Steelers. The Law Firm probably played a key role in getting you this far; but just as your stakes get higher, Green-Ellis’ road gets bumpier. He only managed 69 yards in his first matchup with the Steelers, and you can bet they’ll make the Bengals’ workhorse fight for every yard again.

DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers vs. Raiders. Just when he sucks you into believing you can trust him, Williams inevitably puts up a stinker to remind you why you’ve benched (or even released) him more often than not. Despite riding a solid two-game surge, Williams should be reserved against an Oakland defense that just held Jamaal Charles to 28 combined yards last Sunday.

Danario Alexander, WR, Chargers at Jets. I wouldn’t put it past Alexander to have a solid rebound after his no-catch meltdown in Week 15. That said, I also wouldn’t be surprised if the Jets’ Antonio Cromartie puts the clamps down on him again. While there’s upside here, the risks are just as real.

Sidney Rice, WR, Seahawks vs. 49ers. Unlike his quarterback, Rice has been decidedly mediocre over the past two weeks, against favorable competition. The 49ers pose a much stiffer challenge this weekend. Don’t expect much better than the two receptions for 32 yards he posted against them in Week 7.

More thumbs down: QBs Colin Kaepernick, Philip Rivers, Jay Cutler, Andy Dalton, Ryan Fitzpatrick; RBs Bryce Brown, Mark Ingram, Montel Owens, Beanie Wells, Jonathan Dwyer, Alex Green, Ronnie Brown; WRs Larry Fitzgerald, Torrey Smith, Josh Gordon, Mike Williams, Jeremy Kerley, Kenny Britt, Golden Tate, Denarius Moore.

TAKING A FLIER

Brandon Gibson, WR, Rams at Buccaneers. Even with Amendola back in the lineup, Gibson has seen plenty of targets from Sam Bradford. In this ultra-favorable aerial matchup, there’s room for both wideouts to soar. Rookie Chris Givens remains a legitimate long-ball threat, but Gibson is a steadier option with a nose for the end zone.

DON’T BE THE BONEHEAD WHO…overlooks the Saturday night matchup. There’s no Thursday nighter, but the Falcons are squaring off with the Lions a day earlier than normal. This is no time to lose focus!

Originally published on the blog Fantasy Fools.

Week 15 Heroes & Zeros

Link Posted by Ladd Biro December 18, 2012 03:23 PM

This was a great week to start…

QBs

Russell Wilson, Seahawks – Hogged most of the glory for himself, with 205 passing yards, 92 rushing yards and 4 combined TDs.

Drew Brees, Saints – Shellacked the Bucs with 307 yards and 4 TDs.

Colin Kaepernick, 49ers – Passed for 216 yards, 4 TDs and 1 INT, and ran for 28 yards.

Aaron Rodgers, Packers – Threw for 291 yards and 3 TDs with zero turnovers.

Matt Ryan, Falcons – Passed for 270 yards and a TD trifecta, without a turnover.

Sam Bradford, Rams – Tossed 3 TD passes along with 377 yards and an INT.

RBs

Adrian Peterson, Vikings – Rumbled for an extraordinary 212 yards and 1 TD.

Beanie Wells, Cardinals – Notched 3 TDs while running for 67 yards.

Alfred Morris, Redskins – Ran for 87 yards and a pair of TDs.

Danny Woodhead, Patriots – Rushed for 61 yards and 2 TDs, and added 5 catches for 23 yards.

DeAngelo Williams, Panthers – Ran for 93 yards and caught 2 passes for 51 yards and a score.

WRs

James Jones, Packers – Took 5 passes to generate 60 yards and 3 TDs.

Michael Crabtree, 49ers – Snared 7 passes for 107 yards and a pair of TDs.

Julio Jones, Falcons – Hauled in 6 passes for 74 yards and 2 TDs.

Andre Johnson, Texans – Collected 11 passes for 151 yards and a TD.

Eric Decker, Broncos – Caught 8 balls for 133 yards and a score.

Brandon Lloyd, Patriots – A PPR league hero with 10 catches for 190 yards.

Calvin Johnson, Lions – Also made PPR leaguers happy with 10 receptions for 121 yards.

TEs

Dennis Pitta, Ravens – Tallied 125 yards and 2 TDs on 7 receptions.

Aaron Hernandez, Patriots – Hauled in 10 passes for 92 yards and a TD.

Heath Miller, Steelers – Turned 7 passes into 92 yards and a score.

D/STs

Cardinals – Accumulated 2 sacks, 4 turnovers, 2 defensive TDs and held Detroit to 10 points.

Sebastian Janikowski, Raiders – Connected on field goals of 20, 30, 41, 50 and 57 yards.

This was a great week to play against…

QBs

Josh Freeman, Buccaneers – Passed for 279 yards, but turned it over 5 times, with no TDs to offset the fiasco.

Matt Stafford, Lions – Couldn’t get it going despite 50 pass attempts, with 246 yards and 3 INTs.

Eli Manning, Giants – Tossed 2 picks and just 161 yards, without a TD.

Carson Palmer, Raiders – Didn’t turn it over, but didn’t score either, and passed for only 182 yards.

RBs

Jamaal Charles, Chiefs – Just 10 yards on 9 carries, plus 3 catches for 18 yards.

Stevan Ridley, Patriots – Not a part of the game plan, with just 23 yards on the night, and a fumble.

Ryan Mathews, Chargers – Limited to 30 total yards before breaking his clavicle (again).

Ray Rice, Ravens – Held to a season-low 41 combined yards.

Doug Martin, Buccaneers – Only 35 combined yards.

Bryce Brown, Eagles – Just 45 total yards.

Alex Green, Packers – Ran for 35 yards and held to 6 yards on 2 catches.

WRs

Danario Alexander, Chargers – Blanked by the Panthers.

Andrew Hawkins, Bengals – Shut out by the Eagles.

Anquan Boldin, Ravens – Skunked.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, Raiders – Yup. Him too.

Brandon LaFell, Panthers – Played, but held catchless.

Kenny Britt, Titans – Just a 7 yarder in primetime.

Jeremy Kerley, Jets – Caught an 11 yarder.

Demaryius Thomas, Broncos – Only 13 yards on 4 passes.

Torrey Smith, Ravens – Caught a 14-yard pass before exiting with a concussion.

Reggie Wayne, Colts – Took him 3 balls to accumulate 14 yards.

Roddy White, Falcons – Limited to 16 yards on 2 balls.

Victor Cruz, Giants – Just 15 yards on 3 receptions.

Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals – Ruined by rotten QB play again, with just 22 yards on 4 catches.

Hakeem Nicks, Giants – He managed 40 yards on his 3 receptions.

Josh Gordon, Browns – Only 27 yards on 3 catches against one of the league’s softest pass defenses.

Malcom Floyd, Chargers – Had 39 yards on 2 receptions.

TEs

Jacob Tamme, Broncos – Shut out.

Vernon Davis, 49ers – Collected a 10 yarder.

Martellus Bennett, Giants – Caught a 15-yard pass.

Originally published on the blog Fantasy Fools.

Weekend of extremes defies explanation

Link Posted by Ladd Biro December 17, 2012 05:25 PM

I always hesitate to chalk up any weekend’s fantasy outcomes to luck – especially when I emerge on the winning side – but Week 15 seemed disproportionately off-kilter.

For every Adrian Peterson who raced to one of the most prolific games of his storied career, there was a Ray Rice posting his season low. While Alfred Morris continued his quest for Fantasy Surprise of 2012, Jamaal Charles and Stevan Ridley no-showed. Bryce Brown’s bubble popped a week ago, but there’s no logical explanation for the flop by Doug Martin.

Drew Brees, Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick notched four touchdowns apiece, while Josh Freeman, Matt Stafford, Eli Manning and Carson Palmer couldn’t manage one between them.

Eric Decker was the bomb, but teammate Demaryius Thomas fired a dud. Julio Jones and Andre Johnson delivered when it counted, while Roddy White, Victor Cruz and Reggie Wayne picked a lousy time to have their worst games of the season. James Jones and Michael Crabtree soared, but Anquan Boldin and late-season hero Danario Alexander were skunked.

It was a feast or famine kind of weekend for title-contending teams. In most cases, even 20/20 hindsight offers little comfort. New Orleans hadn’t posted a shutout in 17 years, rendering Freeman’s and Martin’s implosions nearly unfathomable. The Chiefs are truly awful, but so is the Raiders defense. The Giants haven’t been shut out in the regular season since 1996.

All that is little consolation for those left hanging today. But we survivors would be wise to tone down our chest-beating a tad. It’s not every day our opponents’ studs roll out such epic stinkers.

FREE AGENT PICKS AND PANS

To win a fantasy championship, it helps to start with a great draft. But filling in your roster throughout the season with the right free agents is also important. Here's one player worth considering for your championship run, and one who would look better in your opponent’s lineup.

Catch ‘em while you can

Dennis Pitta, TE, Ravens. The third-year receiver posted a career-best 125-yard, two-touchdown outing in an otherwise dismal game for the Ravens. That makes five TDs over the last seven games for Pitta. With fellow tight end Ed Dickson (knee) sidelined, Torrey Smith leaving Sunday’s game with a concussion, and the Giants on deck, Pitta could be a valuable addition for those owners vying for a title in Week 16.

Don’t be fooled

Curtis Brinkley, RB, Chargers. Yet another broken clavicle has sidelined Ryan Mathews for the duration, leaving the Chargers backfield in the hands of Brinkley, Jackie Battle and Ronnie Brown, who sat out Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury. Mathews would have been a mediocre starting option were he healthy. His backups don’t belong on any playoff roster.

Originally published on the blog Fantasy Fools.

Sunday morning updates -- Week 15

Link Posted by Ladd Biro December 16, 2012 05:46 PM

Good morning, Fools. Got a late start as church ran a little long, so I did my tweeting before blogging.

Here's a quick run-down on what you need to know for this all-important weekend of playoff football:

RG3 is inactive, so Kirk Cousins takes the helm for the Redskins. While he looked good in limited action last week, I would be very wary of counting on Pierre Garcon with Cousins under center and Browns shutdown CB Joe Haden shadowing the wideout.

In fact, I swapped out Garcon with Dez Bryant, now that he is definitely playing. With Steelers CB Ike Taylor out, I like his chances today against a reeling pass defense. Dez isn't postponing finger surgery to be a decoy. I'm trusting him in my playoff lineup.

Darren McFadden is fully expected to play later this afternoon, and I'm counting on him to excel against the lowly Chiefs.

Ahmad Bradshaw is out, leaving the backfield in the hands of last week's shining star, David Wilson. I like his chances against the Falcons' vulnerable run defense.

Also, Hakeem Nicks is active and should be in your starting lineup, unless your other options are truly elite.

Ditto the above re: Roddy White.

Danny Amendola will play for the Rams, and he has a nice matchup with the Vikings. But he's no sure thing (he caught one 38-yard pass in Week 12 last time he tried to come back), so I would only risk him in your lineup if you're playing in a PPR league.

Jordy is inactive again. Hopefully this is the week Greg Jennings returns to form.

Sidney Rice should play in Toronto against the Bills, but I'd be very wary.

You know Dwayne Bowe has been placed on IR, so that settles that issue.

That's it for today. Good luck to all Fools!

Originally published on the blog Fantasy Fools.

Snippets from my Sporting News column

Link Posted by Ladd Biro December 15, 2012 09:19 PM

Here are a few snippets from yesterday's 4th & Long column for Sporting News' Fantasy Source, followed by other updates from around the league:

Jay Cutler (neck, knee) appears set to play in the crucial divisional matchup with Green Bay. That's great news for Brandon Marshall owners, and Cutler's presence will open the running lanes up a bit more for Matt Forte. Few fantasy squads are relying on Cutler's direct contributions, but there's no denying his value to the players around him.

The loss of Fred Jackson (knee) for the duration of the season should boost C.J. Spiller's value a bit, but in truth, Spiller has been the main man for a couple of weeks now, and the results haven't been quite as salty as we expected. Nevertheless, he remains a must-start against the Seahawks when the teams clash in Toronto this weekend.

I've managed to make the second round of the playoffs in one league despite selecting Darren McFadden with my second draft pick. Run-DMC's fragility has once again spoiled his season, but he wasn't even that effective when he was operating at 100 percent. Still, like Charlie Brown lining up to kick a football held by Lucy, I'm inserting McFadden into my starting lineup in hopes that he'll redeem himself against the soft Chiefs run defense. Coach Dennis Allen has said that the tailback's ankle is okay, and he'll be "a full go" Sunday. Please, Lucy; don't yank that ball away!

Those who jumped on David Wilson earlier this week after his masterful 327-all-purpose-yards breakout game should be tracking Ahmad Bradshaw's status very closely. Current speculation is that Bradshaw (knee) may not even make the trip to Atlanta, which would open the door to a healthy workload for the electrifying rookie. However, if the veteran toughs it out (as he's been known to do throughout his career), Wilson's starting value will be significantly diminished.[UPDATE: Bradshaw has subsequently been ruled out. Start Wilson with confidence.]

Some things used to make sense to me. For instance, as a young Ladd I answered affirmatively to the iconic question "Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the Fandango?" Today, I have no clue what that means. I'm similarly befuddled that Maurice Jones-Drew (foot) is still owned in more than 90 percent of fantasy leagues. You can't even see a little silhouetto of the man, so what exactly are you waiting for? MJD is already disgruntled over his contract status, so why would he risk further injury by returning to a 2-11 team?

I'm not sure why Cecil Shorts would rush back from his concussion, either, especially after seeing how repeated blows to the head landed teammate Laurent Robinson on IR just a few weeks ago. Even if he plays, Shorts is a risky start against a Dolphins pass defense that has held up well against the likes of Tom Brady and Colin Kaepernick in recent weeks. Shorts won't be 100 percent, while Chad Henne has cooled off significantly since his Week 11 outburst.

All signs point to Dez Bryant risking permanent digit disfigurement and playing Sunday against the Steelers. There's something inherently risky about starting a wide receiver with a broken finger, but with CB Ike Taylor (ankle) out, Bryant's prospects for continued success are heightened.

I sure thought Greg Jennings (groin) would contribute more than he did last week. Then again, I've been expecting more from Aaron Rodgers lately, too. Jordy Nelson (hamstring) is all but certain to miss another week [UPDATE: Nelson has been ruled out for Week 15], so Jennings will get another chance to reward his patient owners against a reeling Bears defense. Whether or not you start him all comes down to your available alternatives. Jennings is the ultimate high-risk, high-reward prospect.

If Dwayne Bowe (ribs) doesn't play again this season, will anybody notice?

Don't be surprised if Sidney Rice misses the contest in Canada, eh? Though he has shed his walking boot, his foot has kept him out of practice all week and he'll likely be a game-time decision. [UPDATE: Rice now appears to be on track to play. But he comes with some risk.]

Danny Amendola (heel, foot) will also be an 11th-hour call. Only PPR-leaguers should consider him if he suits up for the Vikings game. Otherwise, the risk-reward ratio skews negative. [UPDATE: Amendola now listed as probable for Sunday's contest.]

A balky knee has Roddy White in question for Sunday's matchup with the Giants. You know you have to play him if he is active, but there's an outside chance the injury won't subside in time. [UPDATE: Roddy missed Friday's practice, increasing his chances of missing the first game of his career.]

If Jared Cook (shoulder) or Brandon Pettigrew (ankle) is your tight end, you need to make alternative arrangements. With Bowe out and no other viable weapon in the Chiefs' receiving corps, Tony Moeaki is a free agent sleeper to consider.

Other Saturday updates:

Jonathan Stewart (ankle), Chris Ivory (hamstring), Davone Bess (back) and Rob Gronkowski (arm) will not play in Week 15.

Ronnie Brown (hamstring) is doubtful, giving a slight boost to Ryan Mathews' mediocre value this week.

Hakeem Nicks (knee) is now listed as probable.

Originally published on the blog Fantasy Fools.

Week 15 Starters & Benchwarmers

Link Posted by Ladd Biro December 13, 2012 08:12 PM

Wondering whether or not to start Ray Rice and Calvin Johnson, or to bench Brady Quinn and Braylon Edwards? The network bozos specialize in that kind of advice. If you’re looking for help with your realstarting lineup conundrums, read on.

It’s playoff time! Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 15 of the 2012 season.

Watch ‘em roll

Josh Freeman, QB, Buccaneers at Saints. Freeman had his best game of the season in the first matchup between these division rivals (420 yards, 3 TDs), and he has continued to perform at a near-elite level since that Week 7 outburst. Meanwhile, no team has coughed up more passing TDs this year than New Orleans.

Mikel Leshoure, RB, Lions at Cardinals. Though he’s splitting carries nearly evenly with Joique Bell, Leshoure remains the lead tailback, and Detroit’s best goal-line option. Facing an Arizona run defense that has been mauled by the Seahawks and Jets over the past two weeks, Leshoure could be headed for an epic outing on Sunday.

Alfred Morris, RB, Redskins at Browns. No one will be surprised if Robert Griffin III suits up for this contest, but Morris will inevitably be leaned upon more heavily than usual in either event. RG3’s sprained knee will presumably limit his mobility, leading to more carries for his fellow rookie against the subpar Cleveland run defense.

Lance Moore, WR, Saints vs. Buccaneers. He accumulated nine receptions for 121 yards in Tampa Bay in Week 7. Look for similar returns, including an end zone visit, for Moore against the league’s softest pass defense.

Josh Gordon, WR, Browns vs. Redskins. Cleveland is quietly riding a three-game win streak, and Gordon has accumulated 18 receptions for 262 yards and one TD during that span. The rookie speedster now faces a Washington secondary that has surrendered an NFL-worst 27 passing TDs (sharing the futility mark with New Orleans). Cha-ching!

More thumbs up (excluding the no-brainers): QBs Cam Newton, Andy Dalton, Carson Palmer; RBs Steven Jackson, Reggie Bush, Doug Martin, Matt Forte, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Trent Richardson, Knowshon Moreno, Darren McFadden, Chris Johnson; WRs Marques Colston, Steve Smith, Pierre Garcon, Mike Williams, Reggie Wayne, Eric Decker, Andrew Hawkins, Danario Alexander, Michael Crabtree, Randall Cobb.

Roll ‘em back

Andrew Luck, QB, Colts at Texans. The rookie has had a stellar debut season, but he has not been a consistently reliable fantasy passer. He’s coming off a mediocre outing against Tennessee’s poor secondary, and now must take on a proud Texans defense with a chip on its shoulder. Advantage, Houston.

Ryan Mathews, RB, Chargers vs. Panthers. Though Carolina’s run defense is below average, Mathews has been equally unimpressive. With just one TD to date (way back in Week 5), he offers little upside to playoff teams gunning for a championship.

Vick Ballard, RB, Colts at Texans. On the positive side, Ballard is no longer competing for touches with Donald Brown, who has been placed on injured reserve. But Andrew Luck is a capable TD poacher in his own right. Meanwhile, Ballard will be facing the league’s second-ranked run defense that was just humiliated by the Patriots on national television. With playoff seeding on the line, expect the Texans to rebound strongly at home.

Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals vs. Lions. How bad are Arizona’s QBs? Over the past four weeks, they have targeted their All Pro wideout 37 times, but have connected on just six passes for a pathetic 67 yards. This week, Ryan Lindley gets another opportunity to squander Fitzgerald’s talents. Don’t even think about it.

Cecil Shorts, WR, Jaguars at Dolphins. Shorts is on track to return from the concussion that sidelined him in Week 14, but he’s a very risky start against a pass defense that has held up well against the likes of Tom Brady and Colin Kaepernick in recent weeks. Shorts won’t be 100 percent, while Chad Henne has cooled off significantly since his Week 11 outburst.

More thumbs down: QBs Tony Romo, Jay Cutler, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Joe Flacco, Nick Foles, Chad Henne; RBs Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram, DeAngelo Williams, Beanie Wells, Montel Owens; WRs Jeremy Maclin, Stevie Johnson, Anquan Boldin, Sidney Rice, Brian Hartline, Malcom Floyd, Jon Baldwin.

TAKING A FLIER

Lions defense vs. Cardinals. Looking for a boost from your defense? It’s hard to imagine a tastier matchup than the Lindley-led Cardinals, who made Seattle look like the Purple People Eaters last Sunday. Detroit has been a fantasy also-ran, but they have enough playmakers to do some damage against the NFL’s JV squad.

DON’T BE THE BONEHEAD WHO…blindly plugs David Wilson into your starting lineup expecting a second monster performance. No doubt, he’d be an excellent play if Ahmad Bradshaw (knee) is sidelined; but we likely won’t know the veteran’s status until closer to game time. As an explosive backup, Wilson offers some upside against the Falcons; but given the possibility of limited touches, you’d be wise to stick with a proven performer with more than one stellar game on his resume.

Originally published on the blog Fantasy Fools.

Week 14 Heroes & Zeros

Link Posted by Ladd Biro December 11, 2012 04:43 AM

This was a great week to start…

QBs

Tom Brady, Patriots – Just missed 300 passing yards (296), but his 4 TDs will do just fine, thank you.

Cam Newton, Panthers – Threw for 287 yards and 2 TDs, and ran for 116 yards and another TD, with no turnovers.

Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers – Passed for 285 yards and 3 TDs, plus 31 rushing yards and 2 turnovers.

Philip Rivers, Chargers – Pulled one out of his hat, with 200 passing yards and 3 TDs against the Steelers.

Nick Foles, Eagles – Had his coming-out party with 381 yards and 2 TDs through the air, plus 27 yards and a TD on the ground.

Eli Manning, Giants – Connected on 4 TD strikes while passing for 259 yards and giving up 2 picks.

RBs

Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks – Notched a TD hat trick while rumbling for 128 yards (on just 11 carries!).

David Wilson, Giants – The rookie broke through with 100 rushing yards and 2 TDs, and took a kickoff to the house.

Adrian Peterson, Vikings – Rushed for 154 yards and 2 TDs, plus 16 receiving yards.

Knowshon Moreno, Broncos – Ran for 119 yards and a TD, plus 4 catches for 48 yards.

Jamaal Charles, Chiefs – Raced for 165 yards and a TD.

Darren Sproles, Saints – Had 56 rushing and 38 receiving yards on 4 catches, and scored both ways.

WRs

Brandon Marshall, Bears – Made PPR leaguers extra happy with 10 receptions for 160 yards and a TD.

Mike Wallace, Steelers – Hauled in 7 passes for 112 yards and 2 TDs.

Roddy White, Falcons – His 9 receptions produced 117 yards and a TD.

Danario Alexander, Chargers – Overcame the league’s stingiest defense with 7 catches for 88 yards and 2 TDs.

Victor Cruz, Giants – Turned 8 balls into 121 yards and a TD.

Jeremy Maclin, Eagles – Caught 9 passes for 104 yards and a TD.

Vincent Jackson, Bucs – Reeled in 6 passes for 131 yars and a score.

Anquan Boldin, Ravens – Needed only 3 passes to accumulate 78 yards and a pair of TDs.

Brandon Lloyd, Patriots – Collected 7 passes for 69 yards and a TD, and fell on a fumble in the end zone for a 2^nd TD.

Kenny Britt, Titans – Reeled in 8 passes for 143 yards.

TEs

Aaron Hernandez, Patriots – Took 8 catches and created 58 yards and 2 TDs.

D/STs

Seahawks – Thoroughly dismantled the Cardinals, accumulating 8 turnovers, 3 sacks, a shutout and 2 defensive TDs.

This was a great week to play against…

QBs

Matt Schaub, Texans – Passed for just 232 yards with no TDs and 1 INT.

RBs

Bryce Brown, Eagles – The late-season hero turned goat, with just 12 combined yards.

C.J. Spiller, Bills – Limited to 37 yards rushing and a 15-yard reception.

Fred Jackson, Bills – Only 30 combined yards.

Beanie Wells, Cardinals – Managed 18 rushing yards in a blowout loss.

Chris Johnson, Titans – Ran for 44 yards and caught 3 passes for 15 more.

Mikel Leshoure, Lions – Just 49 yards in the Sunday nighter.

WRs

Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals – 2 stinking yards!

Chris Givens, Rams – Only 25 yards on 3 balls.

Nate Washington, Titans – Caught a 15-yard pass on the day.

Sidney Rice, Seahawks – His team scored 58 yards, but he was limited to 2 catches for 35 yards.

Golden Tate, Seahawks – Even worse than Rice, with just 6 yards on 2 balls.

A.J. Green, Bengals – Doesn’t get much worse for Green than 44 yards on 3 catches.

Torrey Smith, Ravens – Inexplicably held to one 21-yard pass completion.

Greg Jennings, Packers – Just a 27-yard catch in his second game back.

Brian Hartline, Dolphins – His 2 receptions equaled 34 yards.

Lance Moore, Saints – Just 26 yards on his only catch.

TEs

Brent Celek, Eagles – Caught a 1-yard pass before leaving with a concussion.

Vernon Davis, 49ers – His sole reception totaled 4 yards.

Jermichael Finley, Packers – Only 16 yards on 2 balls.

Jacob Tamme, Broncos – Just 2 for 24.

Owen Daniels, Texans – Same for him.

Antonio Gates, Chargers – Handled 3 catches for 31 yards.

Originally published on the blog Fantasy Fools.

Fantasy gods smile on some, smite others

Link Posted by Ladd Biro December 10, 2012 06:57 PM

Bryce Brown giveth, and Bryce Brown taketh away.

Just when it appeared that the explosive rookie would carry his ecstatic owners to the Promised Land, Brown put up a stinker of epic proportions. With just 12 combined yards on 14 touches, the Eagles’ tailback couldn’t blame an injury; and he didn’t even lose a fumble. He simply got bottled up by the Buccaneers’ defense and, with that, doomed countless fantasy teams to an early exit.

Then again, if you teamed him with Marshawn Lynch – who needed just 11 touches to generate 128 yards and a TD hat trick – you probably survived. Add in the sucker punching of the Cardinals by the Seahawks defense (eight turnovers, three sacks, two defensive scores and a shutout) for good measure, and Brown’s implosion was a mere speed bump on your road to victory.

The first weekend of the 2012 fantasy postseason also featured stellar performances from Cam Newton, Adrian Peterson, Knowshon Moreno, Mike Wallace, Danario Alexander and several others.

But those counting on heroics from Chris Johnson, C.J. Spiller, Larry Fitzgerald, Torrey Smith and just about any top-flight tight end were sorely disappointed. Even the great A.J. Green let down his team, and his owners, with just 44 receiving yards and an inconceivable drop of a sure-fire touchdown pass.

A rash of injuries to Robert Griffin III (knee), Jay Cutler (neck), Fred Jackson (leg), Ahmad Bradshaw (knee), Dwayne Bowe (ribs), Jared Cook (shoulder), Brent Celek (concussion) and Brandon Pettigrew (ankle) could have ramifications for many teams in crunch time, reminding us why it’s essential to have depth at every position if your goal is a championship.

Indeed, the fantasy gods can be generous, and they can be cruel. Just ask Bryce Brown.

FREE AGENT PICKS AND PANS

To win a fantasy championship, it helps to start with a great draft. But filling in your roster throughout the season with the right free agents is also important. Here's a look at players worth considering for your championship run, and one who would look better in someone else's lineup.

Catch ‘em while you can

David Wilson, RB, Giants. The rookie speedster had his long-awaited coming-out party with 100 yards and 2 TDs on the ground, punctuated by a 98-yard kickoff return score. Wilson will surely get more opportunities to dazzle, especially if Ahmad Bradshaw’s balky knee continues to limit him.

Kenny Britt, WR, Titans. If yours is one of the 30 percent of leagues in which Britt is a free agent, grab him. He’s on a stellar three-game roll, with a very favorable schedule laid out before him.

Don’t be fooled

Anthony McCoy, TE, Seahawks. The first Seattle receiver to accumulate 100 receiving yards in a game this season, McCoy made his mark in a contest in which his team scored 58 points. Look for his second 100-yard performance the next time Seattle breaks the half-century mark.

Originally published on the blog Fantasy Fools.

About the author

Ladd Biro was named 2010 "Football Writer of the Year" by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. Ladd's nationally syndicated columns have appeared in more than 20 publications -- including the Dallas Morning News, San Francisco Chronicle, Philadelphia Inquirer, Chicago Sun-Times and Sporting News magazine -- since 2003. During the NFL season, he can be heard nationwide on Sporting News Radio as host of the weekly "Fantasy Files" program, dispensing his unique blend of wit and wisdom. Since 2009, all his written fantasy content can be found on the Fantasy Fools blog.