The No Huddle Episode 11-03

It’s week 3 in the NFL, and of course, Fantasy Football.

Comedian Josh Sneed was on the podcast this week. Josh discussed the ups and downs of the season’s first two weeks, plus we talked a little baseball. I also told Josh about my back-up plan for fantasy football, had the NFL labor dispute not been settled. As usual this blog post updates the current of The No Huddle.

Apparently we’ve had an offensive explosion, though looking at our fantasy league it’s hard to tell. Points are up, but that is likely due to the fact that we added a flex position and adopted points per reception (ppr) category. One thing that is noticeably different is the closeness of the games in our league.

In the real world, it seems QBs threw for a record 7,800 yards in week 1, and eclipsed that in week 2 with 7900, according to ESPN’s Mike Greenberg.

Since your league’s scoring system is probably a little different, this might not reflect what’s happening with you and your friends, but in our league the top 10 QBs are:

1. Tom Brady

2. Drew Brees

3. Cam Newton

4. Matthew Stafford

5. Ryan Fitzpatrick

6. Aaron Rodgers

7. Chad Henne

8. Tony Romo

9. Jason Campbell

10. Michael Vick

Keep in mind we award 6 for a TD, where most leagues I believe only give 4. Still I was surprised to see Cam Newton at 3 (we take away 2 for an INT---he's had a few). I may offer Ryan Fitzpatrick in trade for a solid RB. Thoughts? My other QB is Colt McCoy, 19 in the rankings. Do I gamble on Brady’s health? I have no solid starter at RB.

Speaking of RBs

RB Adrian Foster is still dealing with a strained hamstring, meaning Ben Tate will again see a lot of the ball on Sunday. The latest: Foster will not dress for Sunday’s game according to NFL.com.

RB Peyton Hillis is trying to fend of a strep infection and fever. He is still listed as questionable. Montario Hardesty is his back-up.

RB Ced Benson will be suspended for 3 games, but he will likely file an appeal that will allow him to play this Sunday against San Francisco. Many experts say sit him however he is not in a committee and will likely get most of the carries when the Bengals run.

Both Rams RBs are banged up. Steven Jackson is going to be a game-time decision, and back-up Cadillac Williams is being bothered by a hamstring injury.

The Chiefs are working out RBs to replace Jamal Charles. Mike Cox, Jalen Parmele, Dimitri Nance, Sammy Morris and Chris Jennings are all under consideration. Dexter McCluster and Thomas Jones seem to be in the nest position to pick up the carries, but the Chiefs passing offense is so bad, that’s not going to fool anyone as D’s will key on the Chiefs’ backfield.

TE Antonio Gates continues to be bothered by that foot injury that gave him so much trouble last season. This just in via Yahoo!, according to NBC sports Gates will not play. Need a replacement:

Evan Moore, Browns

Benjamin Watson, Browns

Jeff King, Cardinals

Brandon Pettigrew, Lions

Tony Schefler, Lions

The problem is, none of these guys will give you the WR-type numbers Gates does. Also, with Moore and Watson, as well as Pettigrew and Schefler, you have a committee. Give the edge to Moore and Schefler respectively.

QB Tim Tebow tells NFL.com he is not a wide-out, but how fascinating is that if you have a flex position in your league? In Yahoo! he is still listed as QB only, but is eligible for receiving yards.

Tony Romo and Michael Vick plan to start this week. Very dicey choices here. If you have a viable second QB, you may want to use him. Either one of these guys could get knocked out of their respective games.

A great place to get the latest injury updates is NFL.com. The site updates injuries an hour before kick-off.

Good luck in your games. Remember, you can stream, or download, The No Huddle at Podbean, or subscribe in iTunes.

The No Huddle Episode 11-02

It’s week 2 in the NFL, of course, Fantasy Football.

Bil Dwyer was on the podcast this week. Bil’s not a FF player, and he explained why on the ‘cast. He did offer some hilarious observations on the NFL though, which he follows closely. As promised this blog post updates that episode of The No Huddle.

RB Adrian Foster will likely play Sunday. Bad news if, like me, you picked up Ben Tate, though he could see a few carries particularly near the goal line.

Jaguars TE Mercedes Lewis id listed as doubtful. Hopefully you have a better TE option anyway, as Lewis is often very “streaky” in his numbers, as are a lot of TEs.

Just a hunch here, but it seems like WR Chad Ochocinco may be inspired to put up some numbers Sunday, to quiet the folks who went ape on him for his controversial (?) tweet. Apparently, he stated that he was impressed with his new team. Horror! Veteran players and broadcasters came out of the woodwork to put a verbal beat don on the man. Ocho remaind calm, and hopefully will get more involved in the passing game this week.

The Bengals did the right things at just the right time against the Browns, but are their offensive starters worth a look this Sunday? Yes. Denver is a tough place to play indeed, but the Broncos still look a little shaky. RB Ced Benson is a for sure go, and WR AJ Green is good start if you don’t have superstar to go in that slot on your roster. QB Andy Dalton will start, but he shouldn’t do so for you.

On the Bronocs sideline, RB Knowshon Moreno and WR Brandon Lloyd are questionable.

And it looks like we have a committee forming in Green Bay. RB James Starks is the sleeper favorite, as RB Ryan Grant under whelmed in his first game back since week one of last year.

WR Dez Bryant looks doubtful for Sunday. As for the rest of the Cowboys, yeah, Romo blew it Sunday night, but they all put up solid numbers and should do so again against a highly suspect San Francisco 49ers team.

WR Sydney Rice is out.

WR Santonio Holmes is questionable.

Good luck in your games. Remember, you can stream, or download, The No Huddle at Podbean, or subscribe in iTunes.

The No Huddle Episode 11-01

The No Huddle Episode 11-01

It’s opening weekend in the NFL and, of course, fantasy football.

Costaki was on the podcast using his FF expertise to get us ready for week one. As promised this blog post updates that episode of The No Huddle.

Man oh, Manning

Oh look, turns out Colts’ owner Bill Irsay isn’t crazy, like the players said he was. Peyton Manning will likely miss the opener in Houston. Hopefully, you drafted a strong number 2 QB, because it looks like you’re going to need him. I of course drafted Reggie Wayne as my number 1 receiver. D’oh! Well, Colts back-up Curtis Painter has to throw to someone. Or Kerry Collins does. There seems to be some debate over who will start if Peyton indeed can’t go. At the time of this posting it’s looking like Collins, even though he didn’t take a snap in preseason, while Painter did.

Jag-ged Edge

The Jaguars have cut QB David Garrard. That means Luke McCown will start for Jacksonville. Unlikely anyone had Garrard starting (unless he was your back-up for Peyton Manning), but this does bring down the value of the Jags receivers, and perhaps even RB Maurice Jones-Drew.

Bear Finds New Roost

RB Chester Taylor thought he was cut August 29 by the Bears. He was not, and played in the preseason finale against Cleveland. He was cut September 5, but has found a home in Arizona. Should Beanie Wells not perform to expectations, Taylor could be the tonic. Keep your eye on that situation.

Raven Receiver

WR Lee Evans hopes to start Sunday, though he had been bothered by a sore ankle. Baltimore faces a tough Steeler D of course, so you may want a better option even if Evans can go. In other Ravens/Steelers news Pittsburgh NT Casey Hampton told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the Ravens “talk a lot.” Well done. Thanks for giving Baltimore more motivation.

Offensive Weapon

Will Plaxico Burress be a boom or bust? A guy in our league is convinced he got a steal on this pick. With Braylon Edwards gone to San Francisco Mark Sanchez will have to throw to someone a part form Santonio Holmes, who will probably draw a lot of attention from defenses.

Can Cam?

How long will the Panthers keep Cam Newton in as QB? When Peyton Manning came into the league, the Colts left him in all season, and took their lumps. That worked out pretty well in the long run of course. The Panthers’s other option are Jimmy Clausen, who they had little patience with last year, and ex-Browns, ex-Cardinals QB Derek Anderson.

Good luck in your games. Remember, you can stream, or download, The No Huddle at Podbean, or subscribe in iTunes.