The No Huddle Episode 11-P1

It’s season two of The No Huddle Fantasy Football Podcast!

“Mover” Scott Durbin from the Imagination Movers joined us on the podcast to discuss draft preparation. We also chatted about some of the unique rules the Movers use in their league. And if you haven’t drafted yet, here are five handy tips.

Don’t fall in love

So Reggie Wayne did well for you last year, and he’s still highly ranked. Draft with your head and not with your heart. Look at the situation carefully. Peyton Manning may not be 100% at the beginning of the season. Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie have emerged as targets in the Colt passing game, not to mention Dallas Clark. That being said, I of course drafted Reggie Wayne. He was still the best WR available, and we adopted points per reception (PPR) this season.

Know your league’s rules

Look at the scoring system, particularly for QBs. The default in most online leagues is 4 points per TD for a QB. If your league is 6 points (or higher even), factor that into your draft strategy. QBs are much more valuable in such a scenario.

Don’t wait until the end for a defense

Conventional wisdom says draft Ks and Ds last. Not a good idea, at least for defense/special teams. A good defense in most scoring systems can be worth a decent WR or RB. There are usually only 8 strong defenses, 4 more that are solid to o.k., and the rest that are pretty much rubbish. If people start grabbing Ds in your draft, get one.

Stay informed

Pre-season is meaningless, but you still need to keep up with the news out of training camp. The two things you want to pay attention to are injury reports, and who is moving up or down in a team’s depth chart.

A good TE vs. a top WR

There are about a half a dozen really good TEs that can put up WR-type numbers. Pay attention during your draft. If these guys start to disappear, consider grabbing one, even ahead of a WR. One note though; as with the RB and WR positions in recent years, committees are forming at TE. The Browns and Patriots are good examples. Both teams have two TEs that are utilized extensively in the passing game. Make sure your guy is the clear-cut number one on the depth chart.

Happy drafting. Episode 11-1 of The No Huddle should drop September 5. You can stream, or download at Podbean, or subscribe in iTunes.

The No Huddle Episode 10-F4 Special NCAA Tournament Edition

Our resident basketball expert Chris Dennis helps us with our brackets on a special edition of the podcast.

As promised here is a link to Bob Travers’s blog post. It has some very useful info.

This is another helpful site. Lots of good stats.

And here are my notes:

FINAL FOUR NOTES-2011
The favorite has made 5 of the last 7 Final Fours (Won in 2005, 2007, 2009)

37 of 49 Champions have come from east of the Mississippi River. 13 of those Western wins were UCLA

ACC has made the Final Four 22 times since 1990 winning 8. Rest of US 14. None in 2007, 2008 (NC in 2009 won, Duke 2010)

In the past 31 years Champ has been an:
8-Once 6-Twice 4-Once 3- 5 times

2- 6 times 1- 18 times 5-Zero 7-Zero

Final Four Seed Totals
2001 Our resident basketball expert Chris Dennis helps us with our brackets on a special edition of the podcast.

As promised here is a link to Bob Travers’s blog post. It has some very useful info.

This is another helpful site. Lots of good stats.

And here are my notes:

FINAL FOUR NOTES-2011
The favorite has made 5 of the last 7 Final Fours (Won in 2005, 2007, 2009)

37 of 49 Champions have come from east of the Mississippi River. 13 of those Western wins were UCLA

ACC has made the Final Four 22 times since 1990 winning 8. Rest of US 14. None in 2007, 2008 (NC in 2009 won, Duke 2010)

In the past 31 years Champ has been an:
8-Once 6-Twice 4-Once 3- 5 times

2- 6 times 1- 18 times 5-Zero 7-Zero

Final Four Seed Totals
2001 7 (3,1,2,1)
2002 9 (5,2,1,1)
2003 9 (3,3,1,2)
2004 8 (3,2,2,1)
2005 11 (1,1,4,5)
2006 20 (11,4,3,2)
2007 6 (1,2,1,2)
2008 4 (1,1,1,1)
2009 7 (3,2,1,1)
2010 13 (1,5,2,5)

Seed winner
2001 1
2002 1
2003 3
2004 2
2005 1
2006 3
2007 1
2008 1
2000 1
2010 1

15/2: The last 15 to beat a 2 was Hampton in 2001. (only 3 other times 91,93,97)

14/3: Since 1989 12 14’s have beaten 3’s. 14% (Last year-None, 06-NW State,
05-Bucknell
10-Ohio)

13/4: 13’s win 25% (10 of 40) of the time in the past 20 years. (Two 13’s won in 2008). They didn’t make it out of second until Bradley did in 2006 winning in R2.
2010: 1
2009: 1
2008: 2
2007: 0
2006: Bradley
2005: 1
2004: 0
2003: 1
2002: 1
2001: 2

12/5: 12’s are 17 of 40 (42.5%) in past 10 (2.25 for 4)
2010: 1 for 4
2009: 3 for 4
2008: 2 for 4
2007: 0 for 4
2006: 2 for 4
2005: 1 for 4
2004: 2 for 4
2003: 1 for 4
2002: 3 for 4
2001: 2 for 4

11/6: 11’s are 14 of 40 (35%) since 2001. (1.3 for 4)
2010: 2 of 4 (Wash won in 2nd round)
2009: 1 of 4
2008: 1 of 4
2007: 2 of 4
2006: 2 of 4 (George Mason went to Final Four)
2005: 1 of 4
2004: 0 of 4
2003: 1 of 4
2002: 2 of 4
2001: 2 of 4

10/7: 10’s are 16 of 40 (40%) since 2001 . (1.4 out of 4)
2010: 3 of 4
2009: 3 of 4
2008: 1 of 4
2007: 0 for 4
2006: 2 for 4
2005: 1 for 4
2004: 1 for 4
2003: 2 for 4
2002: 1 for 4
2001: 2 for 4
9/8: 9’s are 22 of 40 (55%) since 2001. 11 of those 20 had a better record than the 8
(2.2 out of 4)
2010: 2 of 4 (9’s won 2)
2009: 2 of 4 (9’s won 2)
2008: 2 of 4 (9’s won 2)
2007: 3 of 4 (9’s won 3)
2006: 1 of 4 (9’s won 1)
2005: 3 of 4 (9’s won 3)
2004: 1 of 4 (9’s won 1)
2003: 3 of 4 (9’s won 3)
2002: 0 of 4 (9’s won 0)
2001: 4 of 4 (9’s won 4)

SINCE 1985 (26 tourns-104)

The 1 seed has beaten the 16 seed all 104 times (100%).
The 2 seed has beaten the 15 seed 100 times (96%).
The 3 seed has beaten the 14 seed 85 times (81%).
The 4 seed has beaten the 13 seed 82 times (79%).
The 5 seed has beaten the 12 seed 69 times (66%).
The 6 seed has beaten the 11 seed 71 times (68%).
The 7 seed has beaten the 10 seed 63 times (61%).
The 8 seed has beaten the 9 seed 48 times (46%).


Questions? Ask away…
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2002 7 (3,1,2,1)
2003 9 (5,2,1,1)
2004 9 (3,3,1,2)
2005 8 (3,2,2,1)
2006 11 (1,1,4,5)
2007 20 (11,4,3,2)
2008 6 (1,2,1,2)
2009 4 (1,1,1,1)
2010 7 (3,2,1,1)

(1,5,2,5)

#1 Seeds in Final Four
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2
2
1
1
2
0
2
4
2
1

Seed winner
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
1
1
3
2
1
3
1
1
1
1

15/2: The last 15 to beat a 2 was Hampton in 2001. (only 3 other times 91,93,97)

14/3: Since 1989 12 14’s have beaten 3’s. 14% (Last year-None, 06-NW State,
05-Bucknell
10-Ohio)

13/4: 13’s win 25% (10 of 40) of the time in the past 20 years. (Two 13’s won in 2008). They didn’t make it out of second until Bradley did in 2006 winning in R2.
2010: 1
2009: 1
2008: 2
2007: 0
2006: Bradley
2005: 1
2004: 0
2003: 1
2002: 1
2001: 2

12/5: 12’s are 17 of 40 (42.5%) in past 10 (2.25 for 4)
2010: 1 for 4
2009: 3 for 4
2008: 2 for 4
2007: 0 for 4
2006: 2 for 4
2005: 1 for 4
2004: 2 for 4
2003: 1 for 4
2002: 3 for 4
2001: 2 for 4

11/6: 11’s are 14 of 40 (35%) since 2001. (1.3 for 4)
2010: 2 of 4 (Wash won in 2nd round)
2009: 1 of 4
2008: 1 of 4
2007: 2 of 4
2006: 2 of 4 (George Mason went to Final Four)
2005: 1 of 4
2004: 0 of 4
2003: 1 of 4
2002: 2 of 4
2001: 2 of 4

10/7: 10’s are 16 of 40 (40%) since 2001 . (1.4 out of 4)
2010: 3 of 4
2009: 3 of 4
2008: 1 of 4
2007: 0 for 4
2006: 2 for 4
2005: 1 for 4
2004: 1 for 4
2003: 2 for 4
2002: 1 for 4
2001: 2 for 4
9/8: 9’s are 22 of 40 (55%) since 2001. 11 of those 20 had a better record than the 8
(2.2 out of 4)
2010: 2 of 4 (9’s won 2)
2009: 2 of 4 (9’s won 2)
2008: 2 of 4 (9’s won 2)
2007: 3 of 4 (9’s won 3)
2006: 1 of 4 (9’s won 1)
2005: 3 of 4 (9’s won 3)
2004: 1 of 4 (9’s won 1)
2003: 3 of 4 (9’s won 3)
2002: 0 of 4 (9’s won 0)
2001: 4 of 4 (9’s won 4)

SINCE 1985 (26 tourns-104)

The 1 seed has beaten the 16 seed all 104 times (100%).
The 2 seed has beaten the 15 seed 100 times (96%).
The 3 seed has beaten the 14 seed 85 times (81%).
The 4 seed has beaten the 13 seed 82 times (79%).
The 5 seed has beaten the 12 seed 69 times (66%).
The 6 seed has beaten the 11 seed 71 times (68%).
The 7 seed has beaten the 10 seed 63 times (61%).
The 8 seed has beaten the 9 seed 48 times (46%).


Questions? Ask away…

thenohuddle@gmail.com

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Twitter @thenohuddle

The No Huddle Episode 10-15

Paul Mecurio returned to the podcast this week, and we had hilarious conversation.

If you’re not in the play-offs, or get eliminated this week, remember to keep on eye on games the rest of the way out. For most fantasy owners, the 2011 (if the is one) starts now.

Matt Cassel will start fort eh Chiefs and is a pretty good option against the Rams. The Browns Colt McCoy too is a good emergency back-up if you’re in need.

RB Javid Best is active for the Lions. WR Josh Cribbs is back for the Browns, which bodes well if you’re league gives points for special teams as well as WR production, but he doesn’t get a ton of the latter. With McCoy in he may see a bit more though.

Start everyone in the Jacksonville/Indy game.

The Bears D is finally a solid start again, outdoors in Minnesota. QB Brett Favre is out, Joe Webb will start.

QB Tim Tebow will start for Denver. Obviously not a fantasy start especially in the play-offs, but worth keeping an eye on for ’11.

RB Chris Ivory is out for the Saints, making a good opportunity for Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas.

K Joe Nedney is out for the season. A good replacement shouldn’t be hard to find.

We can’t say this enough. Your starters are your starters. If it’s a close call, look closely at the match-up. Who is playing the weaker D, is there weather and how have they been trending say the last three weeks.

Good luck in your games!

Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, @TheNoHuddle, email thenohuddle@gmail.com



Questions? Ask away…

The No Huddle Episode 1-14

A popular guest indeed, Smitty from Imagination Movers checked in, and the episode got a ton of hits! As you may recall, his colleague “Mover” Scott was with us a few weeks back, so we thought we’d check in with Smitty to see how things were going in their fantasy league. We had a great chat.

Before we go around the horn, a little advice. If you’re out of the play-offs or get eliminated to today, you still want to pay attention to what’s happening. The moment you are knocked out, you’re 2011 season begins. Guys like RB Mike Goodson in Carolina, the Rams offense, the Browns etc. Keep an eye on how guys play here late in the season, and who emerges. More on 2011 in the coming posts and on the podcast.

Now, going around the horn:

The big news of course is that the Vikings-Giants game, which had been moved to Monday night, is in jeopardy again. The roof on the Metrodome has partially collapsed and stadium officials say there is no way the game can be played Monday or even Tuesday in that building. It now looks like the game will be moved to Ford Field in Detroit, as the Giants have no cold weather gear with them, ruling out a game in the University of Minnesota’s outdoor facility.

So that means a day of rest for QB Brett Favre, and then a shorter week for both teams going into your play-offs.

Other than that let’s make it simple. Your starters are your starters. Check nfl.com an hour before game time for actives/inactives and don’t look back. Good luck in your games!


Questions? Ask away…
Remember, to like us on Facebook, follow us on twitter @TheNoHuddle, e-mail thenohuddle@gmail.com

The No Huddle Episdoe 10-11

Mark Challifoux returned to the podcast, and spoke to us while on the way to Indianapolis to do a last minute gig.

We did the round-up, so here is the late breaking news:

WR Sidney Rice has been activated by the Vikings? Will this cut into Percy Harvin’s numbers?

RB Reggie Bush will probably play for the Saints Sunday.

RB Ryan Mathews is doubtful for the Chargers, TE Antonio Gates is questionable, but it is safe to say you should start another TE.

RBs Joseph Addai and Mike Hart are out.

RB Kevin Smith is out for the season.

Jets WR Jerome Cotchery is out, and WR Michael Sims-Walker is unlikely to play.

As always go to NFL.com around noon Sunday for the most up-to-date report.

The marquee match up would have to be Colts at Patriots which most of the nation will see. This is always a shoot-out, and all offensive stars should do well. WR Reggie Wayne leads the league in receptions, but has had trouble finding the endzone. On the other hand TE Jacob Tamme as stepped in nicely for the injured Dallas Clark. The patriots meanwhile seem to be spreading the ball around, a la the New Orleans Saints. Still no deep threats on the passing game though.

Check out our friends at NFL Review UK for predictions with a Midland’s accent!

Questions? Ask away…

The No Huddle Episode 10-10

The return of Costaki on the podcast! He had some insight, as well some great jokes. As you may know, he does the NFL Review segment for the Bob & Tom Radio Show, as well as for a few other stations around the country.

Your byes this week:
Packers, Saints, Raiders, Chargers

As promised, the round-up appears here in the blog.

Tennessee at Miami. Here are two offenses heading in opposite directions. The debut of Randy Moss in Titan blue should help stretch defenses, and take some pressure off of RB Chris Brown. Miami looks set to go with the streaky Chad Pennington. Be weary.

New York Jets at Cleveland. Yet another tough test for the steadily improving Browns. Look for lots of running from both squads, and a low scoring game.

Cincinnati at Indianapolis. If QB Carson Palmer could get his throwing motion straightened out you could see a track meet like the Bengals found themselves in in Atlanta a few weeks ago. Indy’s D is soft on the run, so RB Ced Benson could be a wise start.

Houston at Jacksonville. The Jags found their offense in Dallas two weeks ago, and now face a poor pass defense at home with the Texans. Seems too good to be true given the Jags ups and downs.

Minnesota at Chicago. Brett Favre says he’ll play, but how much more can he take, especially in this division game? Well, if anyone can…Jay Cutler is an ok start at QB if the byes have left you thin.

Carolina at Tampa Bay. The Bucs may have lost in the A-T-L, but they now face a terrible Panther team. It’s a home game for Tampa, which can only improve their numbers. Good week for your Bucs.

Detroit at Buffalo. Battle of the underachievers. Both clubs are headed in the right direction, which sadly, isn’t producing wins. Fantasy-wise, players on both teams are trending upwards, and both defenses are shaky.

KC at Denver. The Chiefs keep on doing it, but without great fantasy numbers. The Broncos are a mess.

Dallas at New York Giants. Start all Giants. WR Miles Austin and TE Jason Witten for Dallas, and that’s about it.

Seattle at Arizona. Another feast or famine contest. The usual suspects are good to start, like WR Larry Fitzgerald, but most other players on both teams are a huge question mark.

St. Louis at San Francisco. Al Madrigal said last week his 40ers would rally ‘round QB Troy Smith, and would turn things around. St. Louis has some attractive options, beyond the obvious RB Steven Jackson.

New England at Pittsburgh. Benching Tom Brady may have worked out foe me, as I can’t see him putting up the numbers Atlanta’s Matt Ryan did Thursday (my other QB). But it is Tom Brady, and he did put up a respectable amount of points in that debacle at Cleveland last week. The Steelers offense seems to have gelled. The D of course is a must start.

Philadelphia at Washington. Are the Redskins in turmoil, and how does that affect the numbers? And does Mike Vick drag down the numbers of RB LeSean McCoy. Not necessarily. McCoy has been a great safety valve when the pressure is on.

Questions? Ask away…
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The No Huddle Episode 10-09

The play-off races are heating up. Hopefully you’re still in the running. Lot’s of tough decisions this week.

Your byes this week:
Broncos, Jaguars, 49ers, Rams, Titans, Redskins.

Comedian Al Madrigal joined us this week on the podcast to discuss the 49ers potential QB controversy. He brought in surprise special guest Kevin Christy who hosts a FF show on Direct TV channel 101. Be sure to check out Al’s new YouTube video.

On to week 9:

I’m not looking for Tom Brady to have a big in Cleveland. Maybe 200 yards and a TD. This of course means he’s going to go nuts on the Browns secondary and I’ll be reposting these words next week. The trend is he’s been doing o.k. on the road this season.

If you’re all about the emerging Lions offense hold off a week. The Jets roll into Ford Field. The Jets offense? Hmmm. Step lively, but they should recover against a suspect Detroit D.

What a mess for San Diego. Playing a week Houston pass defense, but having almost all of their top receivers, including TE Antonio Gates. WR Patrick Crayton may be an option, and may be available in your league. I’m going with Indy TE Jacob Tamme for now, unless I see that Gates will play before kick-off. Still…

Chicago visits Buffalo and the improving, yet still winless Bills. Buffalo’s offensive players are probably a safe a start, same with the Bears. Don’t see either set of players piling up tons of points.

Arizona at Minnesota. The Viking defense ain’t what it used to be, though the Crads aren’t a great road team. Still it’s an indoor game which helps their offense. A banged up Brett Faver is suspect, though a Randy Moss-less offense brings everyone’s value back up.

Tampa Bay at Atlanta in a battle for first place. Should be a high scoring affair. This is one where I expect lots of players to put up double-digit stats. But probably not as I am starting QB Matt Ryan (over Tom Brady).

New Orleans at Carolina. The Panthers D hasn’t been horrible, it’s their O that’s killing them. QB Drew Brees, an obvious must start, is a bit banged up. The rest of the Saints offense is a roll of the dice as usual.

New York Giants at Seattle. Both teams can play flawlessly, both can underwhelm. Start your big starters; look elsewhere for back-ups.

Indy Colts at Philly Eagles, in what should be a pretty high scoring game. The Colts D is tough, but they are on the road, and do give up big plays, only to come back and stuff the opposing O, and sack the QB. The Eagles are coming off a bye and should be in good shape al around.

Kansas City at Oakland in the surprise bowl. Both teams doing well, but not putting up huge offensive numbers. Oakland has been rushing well, but it’s the special teams that’s been doing it for them. The Chiefs just hang in there every week until they win.

Dallas at Green Bay. This one speaks for itself. Start Miles Austin for the Cowboys and all Packers.

Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. I actually think the Bengals will win this game. Poorly as they have been playing, they seem to have the Steelers number. That being said offensive players on both sides should have a solid game.


Questions? Ask away…

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