The No Huddle Episode 12-15

We had technical difficulties on the podcast. Well, not on the podcast, but on the host site. We couldn’t get on until Friday. Again no guest this week. Most leagues are down to the final four as it is semi-final weekend.

Listening to a local fantasy football radio show on Sunday morning, the hosts used the term “Semi-Final Weekend,” which I found interesting. That makes next week “Championship Weekend.” A lot of fantasy players like to say they’re going to the Super Bowl, but I’ve always found this to be a bit silly sounding. Yes, the bashers will say fantasy sports in general is silly, but of course that’s the opinion of the uninformed. The name Super Bowl is trademarked by the NFL and the league doesn’t like anyone using it without permission. I’m not sure how NFL.com refers to the fantasy football championship game, but I know Yahoo! CBS, ESPN, and all the rest use the term “Finals” or “Championship.” Hopefully you’re on your way there.

Remember, your starters are your starters. If you have to choose between two back-ups, look at the match-up. Still close? Go with the real team that has the better record. Teams with good records tend to win more games/score more points (smiley face).

Now, here’s what we know injury-wise:

QB Robert Griffin III is out against Cleveland.

RB Ahmad Bradshaw is out meaning David Wilson will get the start.

WR Roddy White is active and will start.

With RB Donald Brown out, Vic Ballard will get almost all of the carries for the Colts. Problem is they don’t run a whole lot.

WR Danny Amendola is active.

Jordy Nelson is out.

Double-check your roster before kick-off, just in case someone suffered a freak injury in warm-ups, or a player was yanked from the starting line-up.

Don’t forget to look at the NFL team stats page. Simply find the team your player is opposing in their category (rushing, passing) and see how that match-up looks against the other player you’re considering.

As always, double-check the official injury report at NFL.com 30 minutes prior to the start of the game your player is in.

Questions? Ask away with an email TheNoHuddle@gmail.com or tweet @TheNoHuddle.

Like us on Facebook Email thenohuddle@gmail.com 

You can find the podcast at Podbean or in iTunes.

Our comedy podcast is available at Podbean as well, and in iTunes.

Good luck in your games!

The No Huddle Episode 12-14

No guest on the podcast. We’re at that time of year when most people are out of the play-off race, so it’s hard to round up guests. That may be a blessing actually. You’ve come this far, perhaps it’s best not to over-think things.

Remember, your starters are your starters. If you have to choose between two back-ups, look at the match-up. Still close? Go with the real team that has the better record. Teams with good records tend to win more games/score more points (smiley face).

Now, here’s what we know injury-wise:

QB, Ben Roethlisberger is active.

QB Tim Tebow is active, but Mark Sanchez will start.

RB Michael Turner is active.

RB Chris Ivory is doubtful, which will mean more carries for Mark Ingram and Pierre Thomas. But that’s still a committee.

RB DeMarco Murray is probable.

RB Donald Brown is out. That means more carries for Vick Ballard against a fairly porous Titans D at home in Indianapolis.

WR A.J. Green is active.

Double-check your roster before kick-off, just in case someone suffered a freak injury in warm-ups, or a player was yanked from the starting line-up.

Don’t forget to look at the NFL team stats page. Simply find the team your player is opposing in their category (rushing, passing) and see how that match-up looks against the other player you’re considering.

As always, double-check the official injury report at NFL.com 30 minutes prior to the start of the game your player is in.

Questions? Ask away with an email TheNoHuddle@gmail.com or tweet @TheNoHuddle.

Like us on Facebook Email thenohuddle@gmail.com 

You can find the podcast at Podbean or in iTunes.

Our comedy podcast is available at Podbean as well, and in iTunes.

Good luck in your games!

The No Huddle Episode 12-13

Philly Dave was this week’s guest on the podcast. Dave questioned how the national media was covering the turmoil in Philadelphia. We also chatted about the post-season in fantasy football and how to prepare.

Speaking of turmoil, we of course had that tragic situation in Kansas City on Saturday. The Chiefs will host the Carolina Panthers as planned. The decision to play was made based on the wishes of the Chiefs players according to CBS Sports. Our thoughts are with the Chiefs organization, the fans, and most importantly, those directly affected by the events that took place.

Something else we have talked about on the podcast, and it comes up a lot this time of year, is what to do when you’re out of it, or there is a team in your league that is out of it, and the owner has given up. Certainly if you’re out of it, you’re likely not reading this or any other fantasy football blog, or listening to fantasy football podcasts. If you are, remember this is the time to see how guys are doing down the stretch, so you have a sense for next season.

If it looks like someone has given up--- a player on IR is active for example--- contact your commish as soon as you can. Have him or her notify the rest of the league, and either have the commish set a roster based on projections, or ask the other owners what they think should be done.

Now, here’s what we know injury-wise:

QB Tim Tebow is inactive, though he is only on 4% of rosters in Yahoo! and it’s likely the same on other sites.

WR Danny Amendola  is inactive, but don’t look to other Rams receivers to put up monster numbers, at least not with any degree of reliability.

WR Percy Harvin is out.

RB DeMarco Murray will see limited action today. Felix Jones will see the bulk of the carries, but his numbers will then be limited.

Don’t forget to look at the NFL team stats page. Simply find the team your player is opposing in their category (rushing, passing) and see how that match-up looks against the other player you’re considering.

As always, double-check the official injury report at NFL.com 30 minutes prior to the start of the game your player is in.

Questions? Ask away with an email TheNoHuddle@gmail.com or tweet @TheNoHuddle.

Like us on Facebook Email thenohuddle@gmail.com 

You can find the podcast at Podbean or in iTunes.

Our comedy podcast is available at Podbean as well, and in iTunes.

Good luck in your games!

The No Huddle Episode 12-12

Dan Koabel was this week’s guest on the podcast. We talked about jockeying for a playoff position and how we were going to be able to watch the games Thursday. We were at the same house and has it turns out, we were not able to watch the games, but instead kept checking our phones.

By the way, there are NO more BYES, just in time for your playoff run. Where are you in the standings? Have the playoffs already started figuratively? With two games to go, everyone in our league is mathematically alive, though #12 would need A LOT of help. Two have clinched, but are seeking the all-important first round bye.

If you have been eliminated, don’t throw in the towel; that’s not fair to the other teams. It is not unsportsmanlike though, to play a few hunches, or maybe test out some match-ups. As long as you do it with the best intentions.

CBS Sports is reporting that the NFL has placed microchips in the pads of some players in order to measure distance traveled, speed, left/right motion, and other physical movements. The data collected could help fantasy football in terms of statistical analysis.

Now, here’s what we know injury-wise:

QB Jay Cutler will start!

QB Colin Kaepernick will start for the 49ers.

WR Plaxico Burress (no, you’re not reading a post from 2009) was signed by the Steelers this week, and will see action particularly in the red zone. They are playing the lowly Browns, so if you’re desperate for a WR this may be an option.

WR Antonio Brown is out.

WR Julio Jones will play only if the Bucs/Falcons game becomes a shoot-out. Otherwise he’s going to rest his sore ankle. He is listed as active, however.

RB Darren Sproles is probable.

Don’t forget to look at the NFL team stats page. Simply find the team your player is opposing in their category (rushing, passing) and see how that match-up looks against the other player you’re considering.

As always, double-check the official injury report at NFL.com 30 minutes prior to the start of the game your player is in.

Questions? Ask away with an email TheNoHuddle@gmail.com or tweet @TheNoHuddle.

Like us on Facebook Email thenohuddle@gmail.com 

You can find the podcast at Podbean or in iTunes.

Our comedy podcast is available at Podbean as well, and in iTunes.

Good luck in your games!

The No Huddle Episode 12-11

Mark Challifoux was this week’s guest on the podcast. We discussed what to do when your team is out of it.

Your BYES for this week: Minnesota, New York Giants, Seattle, and Tennessee

If you use Yahoo! you may have experienced some trouble last Sunday. Our league did. Only one owner was affected and eh wisely emailed the commish (me) with his roster move. I was able to retroactively set his roster.

It’s surprising this hasn’t happened before and it reminds us all to have a back-up plan. An email to your commissioner being the first line of defense. Most of the major sites will allow commissioners to adjust rosters even after kick-off. If you can’t get the site to work, text, call, or email your commissioner. As log as there’s a time-stamped communication, no one should gripe.

To assuage concerns going forward, Yahoo! set up a FAQ to explain how they are handling various scenarios. They still don’t know what caused the outage, by the way.

To make it up to fans they are offering a complimentary football weekly Scouting Report for the remainder of the year.

This is a big deal for Yahoo! as it may push people to competing sites. If you already use another site, let us know if there have ever been any serious issues or blackouts.

MEANWHILE…

RB Demarco Murray will likely miss the Cowboys game against the Browns. RB Felix Jones has been putting up decent numbers, even though he has gotten relatively few carries as the featured back---- this just in, Murray is OUT.

RB Rashard Mendenhall is starting.

WR Wes Welker is expected to play.

WR Andrew Hawkins is out for the Bengals

WR Julio Jones will start even though he didn’t practice all week.

WR Pierre Garcon is expected to start against the Eagles.

TE Aaron Hernandez is expected to start as well.

TE Owen Daniels is expected to start.

Don’t forget to look at the NFL team stats page. Simply find the team your player is opposing in their category (rushing, passing) and see how that match-up looks against the other player you’re considering.

As always, double-check the official injury report at NFL.com 30 minutes prior to the start of the game your player is in.

Questions? Ask away with an email TheNoHuddle@gmail.com or tweet @TheNoHuddle.

Like us on Facebook Email thenohuddle@gmail.com 

You can find the podcast at Podbean or in iTunes.

Our comedy podcast is available at Podbean as well, and in iTunes.

Good luck in your games!

The No Huddle Episode 12-10

Dan Koabel was this week’s guest on the podcast. He won our league last year, rather easily, but missed this year’s draft; the only owner to do so. How has it affected his season?

We also discussed making sound decisions, sticking with them, and not second-guessing or regretting choices. Someone on your bench scored 30 points? O.K. But what did the match-up look like going in? If it was a toss-up between him and another player, then you can lament it a little. However, you have to choose someone.

WR Percy Harvin is out.

WR Antonio Brown is out.

RB Ahmad Bradshaw is expected to play.

RB Darren McFadden is out.

RB Darren Sproles is out, likely for the rest of the season.

RB Demarco Murray is out. Felix Jones will likely get most of the carries, though he has been underwhelming to say the least.

RB Ben Tate is out, paving the way for a pretty substantial day for Arian Foster

QB Brady Quinn is out, and Matt Cassel again start for the Chiefs. Avoid this start if you can obviously.

Your BYES for this week: Arizona, Cleveland, Green Bay, and Washington

Don’t forget to look at the NFL team stats page. Simply find the team your player is opposing in their category (rushing, passing) and see how that match-up looks against the other player you’re considering.

As always, double-check the official injury report at NFL.com 30 minutes prior to the start of the game your player is in.

Check out some fun videos on the history of NFL team colors.

Also, the NFL website has a series called the N 'if' L.

Questions? Ask away with an email TheNoHuddle@gmail.com or tweet @TheNoHuddle.

Like us on Facebook Email thenohuddle@gmail.com 

You can find the podcast at Podbean or in iTunes.

Our comedy podcast is available at Podbean as well, and in iTunes.

Good luck in your games!

The No Huddle Episode 12-09

No guest on the show this week due to a trip to Vegas.  And by the way, it is really hard to won even a three team parlay. That being said…

Your BYES for this week: New England, St. Louis, New York Jets, and San Francisco 49ers.

QB Ryan Tannehill will likely start against the Colts. It’s a decent match-up if you have a QB on a bye. WR Brian Hartline though is likely out.

Michael Vick looks like somewhat of a sleeper pick at New Orleans. He’s projected by most FF experts to only get around 20 points, but with LeSean McCoy probably running all over the Saints D, that could open things up for the receivers. Also, Vick should be able to get quite a few yards on the ground.

WR Calvin Johnson could be limited in today’s game. That could mean more targets for Titus Young against a below average Jacksonville D.

RB Darren Sproles is out, probably for several weeks. Pierre Thomas will see most of the touches, but the Eagle run D is pretty solid allowing 110 yards rushing and two TDs. Keep an eye on Mark Ingram.

RB Donald Brown is questionable for the Colts. Vick Ballard is a great option though.

RB Demarco Murray is out, but the experts say Felix Jones simply isn’t a viable replacement. I disagree. He won’t get you Murray-type numbers, but the other backs in the Cowboys stable are unproven. And it’s slim pickins on the waiver wire.

Don’t forget to look at the NFL team stats page. Simply find the team your player is opposing in their category (rushing, passing) and see how that match-up looks against the other player you’re considering.

As always, double-check the official injury report at NFL.com 30 minutes prior to the start of the game your player is in.

Questions? Ask away with an email TheNoHuddle@gmail.com or tweet @TheNoHuddle.

Like us on Facebook Email thenohuddle@gmail.com 

You can find the podcast at Podbean or in iTunes.