Saturday, September 18, 2010

Fantasy Football: Nowak's Week 2 studs and duds




After a wild and wacky week 1 in fantasy football things get really interesting in Week 2.

This week perhaps the biggest stud, or potential top fantasy football producer, will be Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick. Starter Kevin Kolb is out with a concussion, giving Vick a shot as a starter.

Vick is looking at this as a chance to show he can still be a strong starter and should provide huge numbers, including rushing yardage. He rushed for over 100 yards as Kolb's replacement in week 1.

Another player who should excel is Oakland back Darren McFadden. After being a dud the past couple of seasons he had a solid performance last weekend with 95 yards rushing and 55 yards receiving. He should produce even better numbers going up against the St. Louis Rams this week.

If you can get Minnesota receiver Greg Camarillo off your waiver wire, grab him. After last week's lackluster aerial performance by the Vikings, QB Brett Favre has been working as a unit and individually this week with his receivers to try and get some rhythm. One guy he seems to be on the same page with is Camarillo. Camarillo could be this year's version of Sidney Rice, at least until Rice returns in Week 7 or 8 from injury. I see at least 10 catches and 90 yards for Camarillo this week and a touchdown.

If you have receiver Nate Washington, don't hesitate to start him despite facing the tough Pittsburgh defense. Washington is obviously Tennessee's No. 1 guy at receiver. The Steelers will have to pay extra attention to back Chris Johnson and that could open up several opportunities for Washington.

Other guys to key on for some productive numbers are quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan, backs Shonn Greene, Matt Forte and Brandon Jackson and receivers Andre Johnson, Dwayne Bowe and Mike Williams (Tampa Bay).

One potential dud to avoid this week is Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer. After the Bengals swept the Baltimore Ravens in 2009, watch Ray Lewis & Co. tear apart the Bengals' offense unit. The Ravens are on a mission this year to get to the Super Bowl and will take no prisoners in that effort.

Except for maybe receiver Larry Fitzgerald, I would stay away from all Arizona players this week. The Cardinals travel cross country to Atlanta and have a history of struggling big time when taking those long trips.

I would also avoid Jacksonville QB David Garrard who travels cross country to face a tough San Diego defense.

Other potentials duds to avoid this week are backs Fred Taylor and C.J. Spiller and receivers Lee Evans, Braylon Edwards and Bernard Berrian.

http://www.cbssports.com/

http://www.espn.com/

http://www.yahoosports.com/

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Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Fantasy Football: Week 1 duds, duds and more duds

Like the person above, you study hard and do your research and sometimes fantasy football players that stink up the joint just take a lot out of you.......

http://www.espn.com/, http://cbssports.com/, http://www.yahoosports.com
Each Tuesday during the fantasy football season we'll recap the previous weekend's fantasy football production and this week's theme - studs that were duds.

When we draft our fantasy football teams we expect the players selected in the first, second and third rounds to be the players that consistently produce huge fantasy points. Week one was a huge downer for anyone who owned the following players who were all drafted quite high in most drafts.
Sure, these players will likely produce bigtime this coming weekend and beyond. But what a way start.....
The biggest disappointment had to be Houston wide receiver Andre Johnson, the first receiver taken in every draft I've seen.
While the Texans put up some decent fantasy numbers, Andre Johnson only had three receptions for 33 yards.
OTHER DISAPPOINTMENTS:
RB Michael Turner: 42 yards rushing/1 reception for 7 yards

RB Ryan Grant: 45 yards rushing (injured)

RB Ryan Mathews: 75 yards rushing, 1 fumble

RB Ray Rice: 43 yards rushing, 2 receptions for 19 yards

RB Shonn Greene: 18 yards rushing, 1 fumble/1 reception for 9 yards

RB C.J. Spiller: 6 yards rushing/4 receptions for 8 yards

WR DeSean Jackson: 4 receptions for 30 yards

WR Dwayne Bowe: 1 reception for 13 yards

TE Jason Witten: 3 receptions for 27 yards

QB Kevin Kolb: 24 yards passing (concussion, likely out indefinitely)

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Sunday, September 12, 2010

FANTASY FOOTBALL: WHAT TO MONITOR IN WEEK ONE

On Saturday in the New Haven Register we listed my top 10 players to start and sit. That list is below.
The fantasy key today on NFL's opening day Sunday is to monitor certain teams and players.
I've been singing the praises of the Oakland Raiders the past two months and I believe they start surprising people today. Keep an eye on new QB Jason Campbell who is the catalyst for my optimistic sentiment. He should have a solid day but also watch back Darren McFadden and receivers Louis Murphy and Darius Heyward-Bey. These guys should have a great day today.
Most people are gushing about the Green Bay Packers and many handicappers have the Pack winning easily over the Philadelphia Eagles. Ain't gonna happen in my opinion.
Sure, the Packers will get their fantasy stats. But Eagles new QB Kevin Kolb, tight end Brent Celek and receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin want to prove there is life after Donovan McNabb. These Eagles should get double-digit production today.
Lastly, keep an eye on the Chicago Bears. I am convinced new offensive coordinator Mike Martz will have this team on fire with his aggressive passing schemes. QB Jay Cutler, back Matt Forte and receiver Johnny Knox will have a huge day today as well.


10 PLAYERS TO START, 10 TO SIT
10 Players to start: Quarterbacks – Matt Schaub, Kevin Kolb; Running backs – Ronnie Brown, Matt Forte, Cedric Benson, Darren McFadden, Ryan Matthews; Receivers – Roddy White, Johnny Knox; Tight end – Brent Celek.
10 Players to sit: Quarterbacks – Josh Freeman, Dennis Dixon, Trent Edwards; Running backs – Clinton Portis, Knowshon Moreno, Justin Forsett; Receivers – Hines Ward, Lee Evans, Donald Driver, Nate Washington.