One of the best lessons that fantasy football can teach is how, as Clarence Oddbody, AS2, said in "It's a Wonderful Life," each man's life touches so many others, and if he isn't there, it leaves an awful hole.
Football players can leave that hole by finagling a mid-season trade, as Randy Moss did this week. In fantasy terms, the trade should be good news for Brett Favre, who now has a wide receiver without a bum hip, a history of migraines or a reality TV wife. It may be bad news for Tom Brady, who can't throw deep passes to the draft pick his team received in exchange for Moss. And it may be horrible news for Wes Welker, who was able to catch so many balls over the past few years in part because his teammate was the one drawing all the attention from "shutdown corners."
Another way a football player can leave a hole is by refusing to show up for games or practices, as Vincent Jackson has been doing for months. In this case, the only hole being generated so far is in Jackson's wallet. Antonio Gates certainly isn't missing Jackson. Neither is Philip Rivers. In fact, Legedu Naanee might want to send Jackson a basket of fruit.
Sometimes, you don't have control over when you leave a hole on your team. For example, you can be sacked 9 times in a half because your offensive coordinator has decided that the words "blocking" and "tight end" don't belong in the same paragraph. In fact, you can get concussed so badly that your team has to rule you out for the following week's game. Though it's not fair to call this Jay Cutler's "fault," it's true nevertheless that his absence will hurt every other offensive player wearing a Chicago Bears helmet.
And sometimes, you leave a hole on your team by performing as if your football had a hole in it. That's what Derek Anderson has done so far with the Arizona Cardinals. His loss (and Arizona's losses) may prove to be Max Hall's gain. It may even benefit Larry Fitzgerald (remember him?), but it will definitely be a blessing for Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower, at least in the short term. After all, if Ken Whisenhunt wants to keep Hall upright, he'll call plenty of handoffs and screens until the quarterback gets his feet wet.
Hear that bell ringing? No, it's not you getting your wings. It's a reminder to vote in our polls. The NASCAR polls will close tonight. We'll be back with the results.
Showing posts with label Arizona Cardinals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arizona Cardinals. Show all posts
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Fearless Football Predictions - Week 4
It's Saturday morning, so it's time to grab a coffee (or another beverage; we at the People's Pigskin are not here to judge) and peruse this week's predictions for the People's League. For the second consecutive week, the picks went 2-3, leaving us with a season record of 9-6.
People's Pigskin vs. t-day cuervonatersXXL. The Internet's favorite fantasy football team has only one player on a bye week (Dwayne Bowe) and only one injured player (Knowshon Moreno, who has been ruled out again). Our opponent has three injured players and six players with bye weeks. The numbers add up to another victory for the Pigskin.
Team z vs. Fighting Amish. Both rosters feature running backs with injury concerns. The Amish have Michael Vick, who seems to be unstoppable right now and has already locked up Comeback Player of the Decade honors. His numbers against the Washington Redskins should be enough to buggy whip the Amish to a third win.
Hudson Valley Hawks vs. Chicago VinSethBears. At least one of these 0-3 teams will get its first non-loss of the season. (Yes, they could tie, and that would mean the first non-loss for both teams.) The VinSethBears have not one, but two high-quality receivers listed as questionable. That may be one question mark too many. The Hawks taste victory for the first time this week.
nuckin' futs vs. cowboys romero. My heart would like to say that the Cowboys get off the mat this week. But my head sees big days for both Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald. The head wins, and so do the Futs.
NFL2K10 RedZone vs. Feely Her Up ... This one should come down to the wire on Monday night. The RedZones have two Patriots players facing a Miami defense that just made Braylon "Don't Drop Your Drink" Edwards look like an All-Pro. Those two players should help the RedZones erase a Feely lead and give them the victory.
Remember to vote on the lineup polls. They will close Sunday morning. We'll be back later with the NASCAR predictions.
People's Pigskin vs. t-day cuervonatersXXL. The Internet's favorite fantasy football team has only one player on a bye week (Dwayne Bowe) and only one injured player (Knowshon Moreno, who has been ruled out again). Our opponent has three injured players and six players with bye weeks. The numbers add up to another victory for the Pigskin.
Team z vs. Fighting Amish. Both rosters feature running backs with injury concerns. The Amish have Michael Vick, who seems to be unstoppable right now and has already locked up Comeback Player of the Decade honors. His numbers against the Washington Redskins should be enough to buggy whip the Amish to a third win.
Hudson Valley Hawks vs. Chicago VinSethBears. At least one of these 0-3 teams will get its first non-loss of the season. (Yes, they could tie, and that would mean the first non-loss for both teams.) The VinSethBears have not one, but two high-quality receivers listed as questionable. That may be one question mark too many. The Hawks taste victory for the first time this week.
nuckin' futs vs. cowboys romero. My heart would like to say that the Cowboys get off the mat this week. But my head sees big days for both Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald. The head wins, and so do the Futs.
NFL2K10 RedZone vs. Feely Her Up ... This one should come down to the wire on Monday night. The RedZones have two Patriots players facing a Miami defense that just made Braylon "Don't Drop Your Drink" Edwards look like an All-Pro. Those two players should help the RedZones erase a Feely lead and give them the victory.
Remember to vote on the lineup polls. They will close Sunday morning. We'll be back later with the NASCAR predictions.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Throwing the Switch
Those of you interested in the People's Pitstop have a couple of hours left to vote on which NASCAR drivers should start for us during Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Kansas Motor Speedway. But now, it's time to discuss one of the many facets of fantasy football that can make you do this.
The best time to be a fantasy football player may be the last few days before the season kicks off. Your team is undefeated, all your players lead the league in points and the NFL is still unpredictable enough to make you think this will be the year. The year you win that coveted trophy, and the the year your team gets to play the big game in the House That Texas Taxpayers Built.
Then the games kick off, and sooner or later, you have to make a choice. Do you maintain faith in the lineup that caught your eye in August, or do you adjust to new realities?
First, let's address the easiest question. You cut your kicker at the first sign of trouble. You don't wait until his team brings in a 46-year-old to try out for the job.
Injuries are also easy -- sometimes. Actually, they range from "injured reserve" easy to "game-time decision" hard. Teams also can make your decision easy by benching your player or giving him his walking papers.
The hard part comes when the player performs poorly but doesn't get sent to the bench. Do you hope that this is the week a player like Brett Favre to play his way out of a slump? Do you assume Rashard Mendenhall will bounce back once his quarterback comes back from his suspension for being stupid? Do you ignore the high draft pick you spent on Larry Fitzgerald and turn to a waiver wire star like Lance Moore?
The truth is that there is no one answer to any of these questions. If there were, there would be far fewer people with opinions touting themselves as "experts," and fantasy football would be far less fun if it were predictable. All you can do is make the decision that you feel is best for you and your team. If your decision turns out to be wrong, at least you can say you followed your heart/gut/instincts. This may make you less likely to want to do this.
The only team that doesn't have this option: the People's Pigskin. We have to do what you, the Internet, tell us to do. So tell us what to do.
We'll be back with the results of the NASCAR polls.
The best time to be a fantasy football player may be the last few days before the season kicks off. Your team is undefeated, all your players lead the league in points and the NFL is still unpredictable enough to make you think this will be the year. The year you win that coveted trophy, and the the year your team gets to play the big game in the House That Texas Taxpayers Built.
Then the games kick off, and sooner or later, you have to make a choice. Do you maintain faith in the lineup that caught your eye in August, or do you adjust to new realities?
First, let's address the easiest question. You cut your kicker at the first sign of trouble. You don't wait until his team brings in a 46-year-old to try out for the job.
Injuries are also easy -- sometimes. Actually, they range from "injured reserve" easy to "game-time decision" hard. Teams also can make your decision easy by benching your player or giving him his walking papers.
The hard part comes when the player performs poorly but doesn't get sent to the bench. Do you hope that this is the week a player like Brett Favre to play his way out of a slump? Do you assume Rashard Mendenhall will bounce back once his quarterback comes back from his suspension for being stupid? Do you ignore the high draft pick you spent on Larry Fitzgerald and turn to a waiver wire star like Lance Moore?
The truth is that there is no one answer to any of these questions. If there were, there would be far fewer people with opinions touting themselves as "experts," and fantasy football would be far less fun if it were predictable. All you can do is make the decision that you feel is best for you and your team. If your decision turns out to be wrong, at least you can say you followed your heart/gut/instincts. This may make you less likely to want to do this.
The only team that doesn't have this option: the People's Pigskin. We have to do what you, the Internet, tell us to do. So tell us what to do.
We'll be back with the results of the NASCAR polls.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Fearless Football Predictions - Week 2
Someone call the Pope, because we may have a miracle on our hands.
Last week's predictions for the People's League were perfectly accurate. That's right. FIVE-AND-FRICKIN-OH, BABY!!! That still doesn't mean you should use them for anything other than entertainment purposes. (You listening, Tim Donaghy?) It does mean the bar is set pretty high for the rest of the season. Here goes.
People's Pigskin vs. Hudson Valley Hawks. The Internet's favorite fantasy football team had no trouble cruising to victory last week. And there's no reason for the winning ways to stop here. The Pigskin takes another one.
NFL2K10 RedZone vs. t-bay cuervonatersXXL. Both teams won their week 1 matchups, and both have players in the Monday night game. In the end, though, Vernon Davis will make the difference and lead the RedZone to another victory, no matter what play his coaches call.
Feely Her Up ... vs. nuckin' futs. In addition to Beanie Wells' gimpy knee, the former Beanie's Weenies now have to deal with an injury to Kellen Winslow. Both players are being called "game-time decisions." Those decisions usually don't end up going well for fantasy players. Look for the futs to win here.
Chicago VinSethBears vs. Fighting Amish. The Amish plodded their win to a narrow win last week, but now they have to face Tom Brady. Children may be scared of Brady's Javier Bardem haircut (can't you picture him going out to the coin toss and telling the Jets, "Call it ... friend-o"?), but fantasy players should fear his arm. It will produce enough points to lead the VinSethBears to victory.
cowboys romero vs. Team 9. This one is a puzzler. Both teams lost last week. As of this writing, one plans to start Kevin Kolb (who is out for being concussed), while the other plans to start Ben Roethlisberger (who is still out for being stupid). Still, Marques Coltson should give the Cowboys just enough points to seal the late win.
The lineup polls are still open, but they will close Sunday morning, so please vote now if you haven't done so already. We'll be back with some NASCAR predictions.
Last week's predictions for the People's League were perfectly accurate. That's right. FIVE-AND-FRICKIN-OH, BABY!!! That still doesn't mean you should use them for anything other than entertainment purposes. (You listening, Tim Donaghy?) It does mean the bar is set pretty high for the rest of the season. Here goes.
People's Pigskin vs. Hudson Valley Hawks. The Internet's favorite fantasy football team had no trouble cruising to victory last week. And there's no reason for the winning ways to stop here. The Pigskin takes another one.
NFL2K10 RedZone vs. t-bay cuervonatersXXL. Both teams won their week 1 matchups, and both have players in the Monday night game. In the end, though, Vernon Davis will make the difference and lead the RedZone to another victory, no matter what play his coaches call.
Feely Her Up ... vs. nuckin' futs. In addition to Beanie Wells' gimpy knee, the former Beanie's Weenies now have to deal with an injury to Kellen Winslow. Both players are being called "game-time decisions." Those decisions usually don't end up going well for fantasy players. Look for the futs to win here.
Chicago VinSethBears vs. Fighting Amish. The Amish plodded their win to a narrow win last week, but now they have to face Tom Brady. Children may be scared of Brady's Javier Bardem haircut (can't you picture him going out to the coin toss and telling the Jets, "Call it ... friend-o"?), but fantasy players should fear his arm. It will produce enough points to lead the VinSethBears to victory.
cowboys romero vs. Team 9. This one is a puzzler. Both teams lost last week. As of this writing, one plans to start Kevin Kolb (who is out for being concussed), while the other plans to start Ben Roethlisberger (who is still out for being stupid). Still, Marques Coltson should give the Cowboys just enough points to seal the late win.
The lineup polls are still open, but they will close Sunday morning, so please vote now if you haven't done so already. We'll be back with some NASCAR predictions.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
The Worst Words to Hear
What are the worst words that a fantasy football player can hear?
You might think they would be "out for the season." There's no denying that the phrase can hurt you almost as much as it does the athlete himself, but all it means for you is that you need to run out and get his backup before he becomes the "Pickup of the Week." A few clicks of the mouse, and you're done.
A far worse phrase for anyone in the fantasy football universe is this one: "game-time decision." That's the one that will have you racing home, turning on every television set in the house and hitting the "refresh" button on your computer relentlessly until the team either releases its inactive list (if the team is having mercy on your soul) or takes the field (if the team is the New England Patriots, who like to treat their injury reports this way.)
Some injuries are harder to forecast than others. One thing that has helped in this regard is the NFL's new stance on concussions. If Kevin Kolb, for example, can't pass his test in time, the Philadelphia Eagles have no choice but to start Michael Vick and hope HE doesn't get injured.
But most of the time, fantasy players have to guess whether the word "questionable" means the athlete should be able to gut it out on game day (as Todd Heap hopes to do with his shoulder) or whether that athlete will be scratched late enough to make you question your sanity. The People's Pigskin benefitted Sunday when Beanie Wells went from "coach anticipates him playing" to "inactive," even though he kept the "Q" on our box score page. It's the sort of thing that can happen to anyone, even if you are paying attention.
Moral of the story: Don't take a player's status for granted, and don't believe everything an NFL head coach says.
There are still a few hours to vote on the polls for the People's Pitstop lineup, but if you haven't voted on them, please do so now. We'll be back with the results.
You might think they would be "out for the season." There's no denying that the phrase can hurt you almost as much as it does the athlete himself, but all it means for you is that you need to run out and get his backup before he becomes the "Pickup of the Week." A few clicks of the mouse, and you're done.
A far worse phrase for anyone in the fantasy football universe is this one: "game-time decision." That's the one that will have you racing home, turning on every television set in the house and hitting the "refresh" button on your computer relentlessly until the team either releases its inactive list (if the team is having mercy on your soul) or takes the field (if the team is the New England Patriots, who like to treat their injury reports this way.)
Some injuries are harder to forecast than others. One thing that has helped in this regard is the NFL's new stance on concussions. If Kevin Kolb, for example, can't pass his test in time, the Philadelphia Eagles have no choice but to start Michael Vick and hope HE doesn't get injured.
But most of the time, fantasy players have to guess whether the word "questionable" means the athlete should be able to gut it out on game day (as Todd Heap hopes to do with his shoulder) or whether that athlete will be scratched late enough to make you question your sanity. The People's Pigskin benefitted Sunday when Beanie Wells went from "coach anticipates him playing" to "inactive," even though he kept the "Q" on our box score page. It's the sort of thing that can happen to anyone, even if you are paying attention.
Moral of the story: Don't take a player's status for granted, and don't believe everything an NFL head coach says.
There are still a few hours to vote on the polls for the People's Pitstop lineup, but if you haven't voted on them, please do so now. We'll be back with the results.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Last Word? Try Opening Salvo
Everyone circles a certain date on the NFL offseason calendar: the day by which all teams must whittle their lineups to 53 players. "Cut day" is known far and wide as the date when many football dreams die, as well as the day when players learn whether they are "safe," or at least as safe as a player ever can be in this league.
It's also the day when we fantasy players are supposed to have some sort of clarity about who's part of a team's plans and who's not. Matt Leinart wasn't part of the plan for the Arizona Cardinals. Ditto for T.J. Houshmandzadeh and the Seattle Seahawks.
This year, "cut day" was Saturday, September 4. But it was also the day when some NFL teams seemed to start forming their plans for the 2010-11 season.
Since Saturday, there have been plenty of reports about plenty of players. Some of the stories are absolutely useless to the average fantasy players. In one Yahoo fantasy league, I happen to have Tom Brady, whose name had a "breaking news" icon next to it this evening. The news that Yahoo felt fantasy players needed to know? The New England Patriots are reportedly close to signing Brady to an extension. The effect of that potential deal on this year's fantasy teams? None.
There was also news about a certain Heisman trophy winner (this one, not this one) potentially being stripped of that trophy. The effect of that on this year's fantasy teams? None. As we learned on "cut day" when two former winners got the axe, the NFL hasn't taken a player's trophy case into account for a long time.
Now, on to the post-cut developments that will affect fantasy teams. First, Darrelle Revis made a lot of fantasy players happy by deciding not to extend his holdout into the regular season. So, yes, those of you who drafted the New York Jets defense/special teams way too early can breathe easier.
If you spent a late pick on the Washington Redskins defense, it's time to scan the waiver wire. Albert Haynesworth, the $100 million malcontent who has spent the preseason ticking off his coaches, may soon be out the door. Since all he'd probably draw is draft picks, he will leave a hole in the middle. Whether a hole would be better than Haynesworth is up to fantasy players.
Oh, and as far as Houshmandzadeh, Leinart and Troy Smith are concerned, all three have new homes now. Houshmandzadeh will probably get significant playing time Monday night, while the other two are only a play like this away from being relevant in fantasy football again.
It just goes to show that fantasy football is a seven-days-a-week hobby. Plan accordingly.
We'll be back with a look at this week's NASCAR track.
It's also the day when we fantasy players are supposed to have some sort of clarity about who's part of a team's plans and who's not. Matt Leinart wasn't part of the plan for the Arizona Cardinals. Ditto for T.J. Houshmandzadeh and the Seattle Seahawks.
This year, "cut day" was Saturday, September 4. But it was also the day when some NFL teams seemed to start forming their plans for the 2010-11 season.
Since Saturday, there have been plenty of reports about plenty of players. Some of the stories are absolutely useless to the average fantasy players. In one Yahoo fantasy league, I happen to have Tom Brady, whose name had a "breaking news" icon next to it this evening. The news that Yahoo felt fantasy players needed to know? The New England Patriots are reportedly close to signing Brady to an extension. The effect of that potential deal on this year's fantasy teams? None.
There was also news about a certain Heisman trophy winner (this one, not this one) potentially being stripped of that trophy. The effect of that on this year's fantasy teams? None. As we learned on "cut day" when two former winners got the axe, the NFL hasn't taken a player's trophy case into account for a long time.
Now, on to the post-cut developments that will affect fantasy teams. First, Darrelle Revis made a lot of fantasy players happy by deciding not to extend his holdout into the regular season. So, yes, those of you who drafted the New York Jets defense/special teams way too early can breathe easier.
If you spent a late pick on the Washington Redskins defense, it's time to scan the waiver wire. Albert Haynesworth, the $100 million malcontent who has spent the preseason ticking off his coaches, may soon be out the door. Since all he'd probably draw is draft picks, he will leave a hole in the middle. Whether a hole would be better than Haynesworth is up to fantasy players.
Oh, and as far as Houshmandzadeh, Leinart and Troy Smith are concerned, all three have new homes now. Houshmandzadeh will probably get significant playing time Monday night, while the other two are only a play like this away from being relevant in fantasy football again.
It just goes to show that fantasy football is a seven-days-a-week hobby. Plan accordingly.
We'll be back with a look at this week's NASCAR track.
Friday, September 3, 2010
NFL Polls and Notes
Those of you interested in helping the People's Pitstop set its lineup for Sunday night's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway still have a few hours to vote on those polls. And those fantasy football fans who are interested in helping the People's Pigskin set the top of its draft board have some new polls available under the NASCAR ones.
So far, you, the Internet, have decided that and Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Ray Rice and Frank Gore should be the top five players on our draft board. You also decided that Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers should be our top quarterbacks, that Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne and Brandon Marshall should be our top wide receivers, that Dallas Clark should be our top tight end and that the New York Jets should be our top defense/special teams.
You'll have until Sunday evening to vote on the newest football polls. They will close shortly before the People's League draft, which is scheduled for 9 p.m. EDT. By the way, we still need three players to sign up for this league. Any takers? Click here.
In the meantime, here are a few stories fantasy football players should be following as the regular season (mercifully) approaches.
Pittsburgh pitfalls: The good news is that Ben Roethlisberger didn't do anything egregious over the last few months, so he will miss only the first four games of the season. The bad news is that Byron Leftwich may not be so lucky.
Leftwich, the quarterback still best known for getting a lift from his linemen, was expected to fill in for Roethlisberger during his suspension. But that was before Leftwich sprained his knee Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers. That means either Dennis Dixon or Charlie Batch will get the starting spot. For fantasy football fans, it means you might want to downgrade Pittsburgh's receivers (and running backs, since defenses will be less nervous about stuffing the box) until Batch/Dixon proves that they can get the job done.
Denouement in the desert: We knew the Arizona Cardinals would have a hard time filling the dancing shoes of Kurt Warner. What we did not know was that Matt Leinart, the former Heisman Trophy winner who has watched Warner for the last few years and presumably has absorbed Ken Whisenhunt's system, would fail to hold off Cleveland Browns castoff Derek Anderson. By the time you read this post, Leinart could be traded to another team or on the street.
If you have Larry Fitzgerald on your team, it's OK to be nervous. If you have Beanie Wells or Tim Hightower, it's OK to salivate over the handoffs they might be getting next week.
Game 4's not for them: The National Football League is considering switching from a four-game preseason to a two-game one. Those who are probably in favor of that right about now include LenDale White (out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon),Montario Hardesty (out with a torn ACL) and Albert Haynesworth (who played the whole game and probably wishes he were injured Thursday night).
In happier news: Patrick Crayton has a new home, while Vincent Jackson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh may soon get theirs. Stay tuned.
We'll be back later with results from the NASCAR polls.
So far, you, the Internet, have decided that and Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Ray Rice and Frank Gore should be the top five players on our draft board. You also decided that Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers should be our top quarterbacks, that Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne and Brandon Marshall should be our top wide receivers, that Dallas Clark should be our top tight end and that the New York Jets should be our top defense/special teams.
You'll have until Sunday evening to vote on the newest football polls. They will close shortly before the People's League draft, which is scheduled for 9 p.m. EDT. By the way, we still need three players to sign up for this league. Any takers? Click here.
In the meantime, here are a few stories fantasy football players should be following as the regular season (mercifully) approaches.
Pittsburgh pitfalls: The good news is that Ben Roethlisberger didn't do anything egregious over the last few months, so he will miss only the first four games of the season. The bad news is that Byron Leftwich may not be so lucky.
Leftwich, the quarterback still best known for getting a lift from his linemen, was expected to fill in for Roethlisberger during his suspension. But that was before Leftwich sprained his knee Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers. That means either Dennis Dixon or Charlie Batch will get the starting spot. For fantasy football fans, it means you might want to downgrade Pittsburgh's receivers (and running backs, since defenses will be less nervous about stuffing the box) until Batch/Dixon proves that they can get the job done.
Denouement in the desert: We knew the Arizona Cardinals would have a hard time filling the dancing shoes of Kurt Warner. What we did not know was that Matt Leinart, the former Heisman Trophy winner who has watched Warner for the last few years and presumably has absorbed Ken Whisenhunt's system, would fail to hold off Cleveland Browns castoff Derek Anderson. By the time you read this post, Leinart could be traded to another team or on the street.
If you have Larry Fitzgerald on your team, it's OK to be nervous. If you have Beanie Wells or Tim Hightower, it's OK to salivate over the handoffs they might be getting next week.
Game 4's not for them: The National Football League is considering switching from a four-game preseason to a two-game one. Those who are probably in favor of that right about now include LenDale White (out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon),Montario Hardesty (out with a torn ACL) and Albert Haynesworth (who played the whole game and probably wishes he were injured Thursday night).
In happier news: Patrick Crayton has a new home, while Vincent Jackson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh may soon get theirs. Stay tuned.
We'll be back later with results from the NASCAR polls.
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