Archive for October, 2009

Raiders Organization currently on Life Support

Thursday, 15 October, 2009

By Raymond Ayala

The Oakland Raiders have hit rock bottom. If people thought the Detroit Lions organization was bad, enter your 2003 AFC Championship winning Raiders. That was the last time the Raiders even sniffed anything resembling the teams motto of “Generation of Excellence.” That generation of excellence has gone to the gutter, and the loyal fans of the Raiders are struggling with what to do with what already seems like another damned season. The fantasy impact, is plain and simple, don’t have any Raiders on your team.

Jamarcus Russell has been a bust thus far, but I would not give up on him just yet. For 2009, yes he is a dead duck, but in the future I still feel Russell could be a star. It is very rare a quarterback of his size and mobility is available in an NFL Draft. He has the tools, he has the arm, but like the tin man… “If he only had a brain!” After a recent game in Houston, Russell could hardly speak to reporters. Listening to him speak, was like listening to a high school student give a speech in front of a large audience. The guy needs to take some time to learn the playbook, as well as get some help from the Raiders to become a smarter football player. Russell has the tools to be a star quarterback in this league, but the Raiders need to put less emphasis on his physical tools, until he can improve on his mental tools.

Darren McFadden goes down, and so does the Raiders running game. While Michael Bush and Justin Fargas have had their big games, neither should even be thought of as deserving a starting spot in any fantasy league. McFadden has shown yardage increases every game before the injury, but with the terrible offensive line he has, it will be hard for him to have a good game. If you have him, drop him and pick up a backup on a playoff contender over a guy who starts for the Raiders.

Darius Heyward-Bey has been a disappointment. This guy may have speed, but his hands and routes are nowhere near field ready. Heyward-Bey should be returning kicks at this point, and should not even be seeing the playing field other than that. The Raiders will continue to force him out there, but a big game is nowhere in this guys 2009 season. If your in a keeper, hang on to him, but if you are going season to season release him now before it is too late.

The Raiders Organization has a chance to finish the season with just as many felonies on their head coach, as team wins. Head Coach Tom Cable would have been fired from any organization after punching out an assistant, but Al Davis runs the team so he probably just got a contract extension for the deed. The Raiders were once a proud organization that won championship after championship. Now they are the laughing stock of the league, and Al Davis is sitting on his hands doing nothing about it. Until Al Davis appoints someone else in charge, you can kiss any fantasy players from the Raiders goodbye.

2010 Fantasy Baseball Outlook: Starting Pitchers

Thursday, 15 October, 2009

By: Raymond Ayala

The 2009 MLB season introduced us to a new crop of young, up and coming pitchers. No young pitcher surprised more this year then Kansas City Royals pitcher Zach Greinke. Grienke should be the runaway candidate for the AL Cy Young Award this year, and will continue to dominate like he did in 2009. While Grienke gets my number two spot, I am putting a very familiar name at my number one spot. Tim Lincecum was the 2008 NL Cy Young Award Winner, and has a shot to win the 2009 award as well. Even though he only had 15 wins this season, he still led the league with over 250+ Strikeouts. Lincecum has also decided for the time being to go year-to-year with an arbitrator, which equals big bucks for big performances. Lincecum goes into the 2010 season as the best pitcher in baseball, and he is only 26.

My Top 20 Fantasy Pitchers for 2010:

1) Tim Lincecum (SF) – The freak is the real deal.
2) Zach Greinke (KC) – A breakout season exposed him for the pitcher he truly is.
3) Felix Hernandez (SEA) – Only 23 years old, will win a Cy before his 25th birthday.
4) Roy Halladay (TOR) – May not be playing for Toronto, but that doesn’t change the fact that he has the some of the nastiest stuff in the game.
5) Justin Verlander (DET) – Probably will be the best strikeout pitcher in the American League for the next 5 seasons.
6) Cliff Lee (PHI) – His time with Philadelphia has shown what happens when you put an AL pitcher in the NL.
7) Dan Haren (AZ) – Arizona will improve next year, which means Haren’s ridiculous WHIP numbers won’t go to waste in 2010.
8) Clayton Kershaw (LAD) – Kershaw was only 21, and maintained an ERA under 3, get him now before it is too late.
9) Chris Carpenter (STL) – 09 Comeback player of the year will vie once again for the 2010 Cy Young Award.
10) Adam Wainwright (STL) – Repeating 19 wins shouldn’t be a problem for him next season.
11) Matt Cain (SF) – Cain had a 2nd half slump, but still carries a high K/9 rate, as well as a low ERA.
12) Tommy Hanson (ATL) – He was called up late, but his stuff was fantastic.
13) C.C Sabathia (NYY) – Had an amazing 2nd half for the Yankees and a full season of this will guarantee him a Cy Young during his tenure in New York.
14) Javier Vazquez (ATL) – He has been a great asset in fantasy for K’s, now he adds a low ERA to the mix in 2010.
15) Josh Johnson (FLA) – This season was just the start. Next season he is in a contract year and will be fighting with Cain for best contract of 2011.
16) Jair Jurrgens (ATL) – Will be number 3 in a very powerful Braves rotation in 2010; a great gift for Bobby Cox in his final season.
17) Jon Lester (BOS) – Really has started to show signs of being a superstar pitcher, but may always be that really good sidekick.
18) John Lackey (Free Agent) – Pitchers in 1st years of their contracts usually struggle at 1st, but I think Lackey becomes a star wherever he lands.
19) Ubaldo Jimenez (COL) – Was key to the Rockies run down the stretch, and is still very young.
20) Yovani Gallardo (MIL) – The Brewers are expecting this kid to be an all-star next year, as should everyone in baseball.

Five Starting Pitcher Sleepers

1) Brian Matusz (BAL) – This kid is young, but in his short stint with Baltimore put up a win against the Yankees and had plus strikeout ability.
2) Jonathan Sanchez (SF) – The no-hitter last season was no joke. His numbers continued to improve after the All-Star break.
3) Neftali Feliz (TEX) – If you were smart you picked him up as a relief pitcher in 09. In 2010 he should become a K-machine similar to Seattle’s King Felix.
4) Aroldis Chapman (Free Agent) – Chapman defected from Cuba and will get the Dice K treatment, which means no minor leagues.
5) Stephen Strasburg (WAS) – The Nationals will peg him as their opening day starter and he will have 10 K’s in that game. Take it to the bank.

Top Fantasy Players for Weeks Five

Thursday, 8 October, 2009

by Dustin Sullivan

By this time in the season, you need to be checking your rosters daily not only for injuries, but bye weeks come into play and you don’t want to be stuck losing points because you forgot to take that running back out of your lineup on his bye week. So, here we go with the players that will have the biggest impact on your fantasy team for week five. This information will also be useful if you’re in some kind of salary league.

QB: Peyton Manning, Colts – Manning is going up against the 0-4 Titans on Sunday nights. Manning has been one of the best players in the NFL this season and he will definitely put up more than 300 yards against a struggling Titans’ defense. You can also count on Manning to throw for (at least) 3 TD’s. With a receiving core that consists of Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Austin Collie, and Pierre Garcon Manning will have plenty of targets to throw to.

RB: Adrian Peterson, Vikings – There is no way that the Rams defense will be able to stop Peterson from gaining over 100 yards and possible scoring 1-2 TD’s. This could be the best game for Peterson since he is going up against a Rams team that is 0-4 and is the worst ranked defense in the NFL. Look for Peterson to get his number called often early in the ballgame as he will run right through the Rams’ defensive line.

WR: Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs – People may think I’m crazy about picking Bowe, but he’s going up against a Cowboys defense that cannot put pressure on a QB. Look for Matt Cassel to get the ball to Bowe on most passing plays and then Bowe will run right through a depleted Cowboys’ secondary. I think Bowe will accumulate just over 100 yards receiving and catch a couple of TD’s inside the red zone.

TE: Dallas Clark, Colts – Clark has quickly become Payton Manning’s #2 receiver. Clark is a consistent pass catcher who can earn you 5 or more yards after the catch. He is also the best red zone TE in the business, and with him going up against the Titans, be sure that he’ll have at least 1 TD catch and go for about 65 yards.

K: Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots – I recently witnessed, in person, this guy in action as he was a vital key in the Patriots’ win over the Ravens. He will be very important again for the Patriots as they take on the Broncos. Look for him to rack up 3 FG’s and a couple of extra points as I think the Patriots will defeat the Broncos in an offensive shootout.

DEF: New York Giants – Well, the Giants will have an easy week as they take on the Raiders. The Raiders will barely get 100 yards of total offense and look for Osi Umenyiora to sack JaMarcus Russell at least 3 times.

MICHAEL CRABTREE HERE TO SAVE YOUR FANTASTY FOOTBALL TEAM

Wednesday, 7 October, 2009

By: Raymond Ayala

He held his ground, until he could hold that ground no longer. Michael Crabtree and his agent Eugene Parker finally caved in to the 49ers demands and signed a fair slot value deal. With this signing the 49ers(3-1) add another weapon to an already stacked arsenal. The 49ers have already seen great offensive production from Vernon Davis, as well as Frank Gore. Though Gore has been hurt, he is expected to return after the 49ers upcoming bye week. Coincidentally that will also make the Crabtree-Era as he is expected to make his debut in that same game. Some may argue that Crabtree is a diva that has yet to prove anything in the NFL yet. Well I am about to tell you five good reasons why you made a good decision if you drafted Crabtree in your fantasy league.

1) Crabtree is the best Wide Receiver to ever come out of college football. Regardless of what you say about his attitude, his stats speak for themselves. In 2 full seasons he had 231 receptions, 3,127 yards and 41 touchdowns.
2) He’s got the perfect wide-receiver frame. Watching clips of him makes you think of Michael Irvin, watching him run his mouth he makes you think of Terrell Owens. Combine the two into one super receiver and you got yourself Michael Crabtree.
3) He plays for a team that is in playoff contention. The 49ers are showing the entire NFL that they are the real deal this year. With early wins against the division favorite Arizona Cardinals, Crabtree could be the key to a double-digit win season for the 49ers. Which means more fantasy points for his contributions.
4) He plays in an offense where the current leading receiver is Vernon Davis, a Tight End. This just shows that Vernon is a good weapon for the 49ers, but Crabtree will be an even better compliment. Crabtree and Davis are probably two of the most athletic people in the NFL, with Patrick Willis a freak in his own right.
5) They paid him big money, so he has to show big play ability. Hey he may fail in the end, but he has one heck of a contract to live up to and my gut tells me he lives up to it. The ball is literally in Crabtree’s court. Even if this season does not pan out, the guy is still 22 years old. I think Hill gets a good repertoire going with him and he finishes the year with 600 yards receiving and 8 touchdowns. Not bad for a guy only playing in 12 games.

Automatic/Don't Do It Week Five

Wednesday, 7 October, 2009

By Ted Cahill

The Brett Favre win in Green Bay news cycle was awfully short as Favre news cycles go.

Just two days later a pair of wide receivers had easily eclipsed the gray beard. First Michael Crabtree signed with San Francisco and will likely be active by Oct. 25. Then the Browns traded Braylon Edwards, the most talented player on their roster to the Jets.

Reasons abound about why Edwards was traded. He didn’t fit in with coach Eric Mangini’s philosophy, Clevelanders never warmed up to the Michigan grad, he simply dropped too many passes, LeBron forced a trade after Edwards punched one of his boys.

I am here to tell you this is all hearsay and rumors. The real reason Edwards got traded? After hitting a home run during batting practice at Progressive Field this year, he wanted to go to the Yankees and see how many he could hit in 162 games at the launching pad in the Bronx.

As if that nugget weren’t enough, we’ll try and get you ready for week five in the NFL. The usual rules apply here. I’m not going to tell you to start Edwards’ fellow alum Tom Brady and sit Chad Henne, his old quarterback in the Big House. I’ll trust you can take care of those on your own.

Start

Any healthy Cowboy at Kansas City
The Cowboys draw the lucky assignment of the Chiefs this week. Kansas City is one of the more pitiful teams, especially on defense in the league. Feel confident running Tashard Choice, the Dallas defense and Jason Witten out there. Even if Tony Romo doesn’t know it’s fourth down, he should be fine.

Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers at Detroit
With Willie Parker on the shelf last week with turf toe, Mendenhall reminded everyone why the Steelers took him in the first round. He is that talented and Pittsburgh probably won’t risk Parker this week unless he’s 100 percent.

Matt Schaub, Texans at Arizona
The Cardinals are giving up the third most passing yards in the league. That’s great news for Schaub, who has had to shoulder more of the burden than expected due to Steve Slaton’s slow start. Arizona has given up 100 yards and a touchdown to a wide receiver two weeks in a row. Andre Johnson should make that three.

Chad Ocho Cinco, Bengals at Baltimore
Baltimore has as stout a run defense as you’ll find in the NFL. With that in mind, Carson Palmer will be dropping back a lot Sunday. The artist formerly known as Chad Johnson will get the majority of the targets this week and will get his yards.

Sit

Kevin Smith, Lions vs. Pittsburgh
Smith isn’t fully healthy and this is not the week to be dinged up before the game. Pittsburgh has been the hardest defense to score fantasy points against and is giving up 3.6 yards per carry.

Roddy White, Falcons at San Francisco
White hasn’t been quite as good this year as last and this week he matches up with Nate Clements, one of the elite shutdown corners in the league. Atlanta is likely to use Michael Turner more this week, meaning fewer chances for the Falcons’ top receiver.

Kyle Orton, Broncos vs. New England
Denver’s strong running game was allowed Orton to sit back and throw only 29.2 passes per game. It won’t be easy going for anyone in a Broncos’ uniform this week. Denver also will likely try to run the ball more and keep Tom Brady off the field.

Tennessee Defense vs. Indianapolis
The Titans have already given up 300 yards though the air three times this year. Now with Peyton Manning in town, 400 seems within reach. Tennessee just isn’t generating the pass rush needed to keep Manning off his game.

Matchup to Watch: Ronnie Brown vs. Bart Scott
Without Chad Pennington, Miami’s running backs have been forced to step up. They now face one of their toughest tests against the rejuvenated Jets defense. New York allows more than four yards per carry, but will that be the case when they stack the box against Brown?

Handicapping Week Five

Wednesday, 7 October, 2009

By Zack Cimini
Notjustagame23@gmail.com

This week Vegas has set many lines at touchdown spreads or above. Going with the favorites is always risky but for this week the matchups are very favorable. We do have a few against the grain picks though, just like our Denver selection last week.

Last weeks spread record: 9-5

Minnesota -9.5 at St. Louis- Pick Minnesota
We’re surprised this line isn’t higher. Well it is at St. Louis. This game has all the elements of a blowout shutout. How embarrassing would it be for the Rams to have consecutive games with no points?

Dallas -9 at Kansas City- Pick Dallas
The Chiefs have nothing going on either side of the ball. We currently have the Chiefs and Rams as the worst two teams in football. They’ll prove it again this weekend.

Washington at Carolina -3.5- Pick Washington
This could be a trap game due to how bad the Redskins have looked. Are they playing far below they’re capabilities and are just needing that drive or quarter to kick it into gear? Both teams offensively have looked abysmal especially with the passing offenses. Look for Carolina to get their bread and butter going with the best running back tandem in the NFL. On the opposite side of that though is Albert Haynesworth one of the best run pluggers in the game. That’ll put the pressure on Delhomme’s arm and we all know what happens in those situations.

Tampa Bay at Philadelphia (-14.5)- Pick Philadelphia
So many points to have to put out there on the Eagles side, but they’ve been scoring at a rapid pace. Tampa Bay has had one of the worst defenses statistically dating back to last year, and are currently experimenting with an unproven starter. It’s hard to take all those points but secure a half point and gear up for a blowout.

Oakland at NY Giants (-16)- Pick Oakland
Eli Manning is expected to go but no one knows how well he’ll be able to plant and throw on that foot. Last week against the Chiefs the Giants jumped out on Kansas City but did allow them to score some points and hang around just a tad. Oakland’s defense is a few notches better than the Chiefs and other teams they’ve faced. We like the Raiders to limit the Giants big plays and get just enough offensively to cover this wide margin of a spread.

Cleveland at Buffalo (-6)- Pick Buffalo
This should prove to be a huge home edge factor here. Buffalo is coming off an embarrassing loss to the Dolphins and are on the brink of a team blowup. They’ll hold that off one week with a solid matchup against the Browns. Derek Anderson just doesn’t have enough options to throw too and just lost Braylon Edwards. It’ll take Chansi Stuckey a few weeks to a month before he can be comfortable with the Browns offense.

Cincinnati at Baltimore (-8.5)- Pick Baltimore
The Bengals will be able to throw the football on the Ravens who have been surprisingly susceptible in that area. What has been missing from the Bengals offensively is big plays down the field. If they have to keep throwing the intermediate routes all day that will play into the hands of the Ravens ball hawking speedy linebackers and secondary. It might take a quarter or two for things to look smooth but the Ravens should pull away in the second half.

Pittsburgh (-10.5) at Detroit- Pick Pittsburgh
The Steelers will make a statement early and show why they are defending Super Bowl champions. This should be the lock blowout of the week.

Atlanta at San Francisco (-2.5)- Pick San Francisco
Probably the toughest game to cap this week. This game will ride on Shaun Hill’s ability to keep hitting his newfound favorite target in Vernon Davis. The fact that Shaun Hill has yet to lose a home game as a 49er is also a strong reason to give a slight edge to the 49ers.

New England -3.5 at Denver- Pick New England
The true strength of the Denver Broncos will be on display this week. With everyone talking about them now they’re going to feel the pressure to defeat the Brady bunch. In the last few weeks Brady has seemed to calm down just a bit in the pocket and is delivering more throws we’re use too.

Houston at Arizona -5.5- Pick Arizona
They’re two elements that the Cardinals have too worry about in this game, which they’ve had two weeks to prepare for. One is that their shaky secondary can hold and limit the Texans big plays to Andre Johnson. Two is pass protection to ensure Warner is not on his back and getting pressured often which could cause a fumble or two. We expect the Cardinals to get an impressive win here to stay right behind the 49ers.

Indianapolis -3.5 at Tennessee- Pick Colts
Peyton Manning is on his way to notching another MVP. With Brees settling down the last few weeks you’d have to say Manning would be the leader currently. Guess where the Titans have been hurting the worst? In the secondary where they’ve had numerous injuries and have been forced to go with not just backups but third stringers. Manning is on his A game right now and even though a hungry Titans team needs a win badly, they’ll get another loss and be 0-5.

NYJ -2 at Miami – Pick NYJ
This should be a defensive non typical high scoring affair that we’re use to seeing on Monday nights. The Jets know that they’re defense should be fine in shutting down Miami’s offense and Chad Henne gaining his second start. They were one of the better teams last year at shutting down the wildcat and now will have Rex Ryan’s brains to pick away at it. Flashback to the first round of the playoffs last year and remember who was on the opposing sidelines with the schemes that shutdown the Dolphins completely. Yes, Rex Ryan and the Ravens.

Currently OTB
Jacksonville at Seattle
Hasselbeck is expected to go this week and linesmakers are just waiting for the official announcement. Jacksonville should be a 4.5 to 6 point favorite, and will side with the Seahawks and their 12th man crowd here. Jacksonville has some question marks with injuries on the offensive line and are still just a bit shaky and inconsistent as a team. Seattle should get enough balance offensively too keep them in this game. In the fourth quarter they’ll pull it out and get a big home win.