WEEKLY FANTASY GAMES
Fantasy Football News
.Jets give Ryan,Tannenbaum extensions
Fri, 30 Jul 2010
Update: The Jets handed out a couple of long-term deals Friday in hopes of keeping structure at the top for years to come, as they agreed to a two-year extension with head coach Rex Ryan and a five-year deal with general manager Mike Tannenbaum, ensuring that both will be with the franchise through 2014.
Fantasy Impact: Some people find it presumptuous to give Ryan an extension after one year in which he barely made it to the playoffs, but the guy is a defensive mastermind who knows how to get his players to play hard and will only get better with experience when it comes to in-game management and being a complete head coach. Tannenbaum is a no-brainer. The guy has molded this championship contending squad with savvy draft picks, blockbuster trades, and bold, fearless signings in free agency after taking over a team that had gone 4-12 the year before his hiring. This upcoming season has not particularly been altered by these signings, since Ryan and Tannenbaum were not in danger of losing their jobs prior to the season anyway, but in keeper leagues, you should feel a lot better about drafting the Jets defense high and drafting young players like Mark Sanchez and Shonn Greene, because Tannenbaum will be there to continue to deliver them formidable supporting casts.
Merriman says he won't report to camp on time
Thu, 29 Jul 2010
Update: Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman told the San Diego Union-Tribune Thursday that he won't report to training camp until the organization makes it clear as to what their plans for him are. Said Merriman: "It's not about me wanting more money. I will show what I deserve. I don't have to ask for it. I feel like I've proved what I'm worth, and I will still prove it. To me, it really comes down to, 'Am I on the trading block this week? The third week of the season, am I on the block?' Where is that comfortability for me?...I'm only coming back to be the guy on the defense. I'm not coming back to be a guy. I want to be on a team where someone is going to be building a defense around me."
Fantasy Impact: Merriman's initial request about finding assurance from the organization about what their long-term plans are, including any potential trade involving him is reasonable. However, general manager A.J. Smith is notorious for not acquiescing his player's demands, even when it's likely in the best interest of all parties involved. The last part about wanting a defense to be built around him completely loses what credibility he had in his stance. After racking up 39 1/2 sacks through his first three years in the league, Merriman has accumulated just four over the past two seasons. Additionally, a pattern of bold and demanding statements like these and a reputation for being overly enamored with the southern California social scene would lead many coaches, coordinators, and executives to wonder if he has the leadership and maturity to be a defense's leader and focal point. I believe Merriman has one foot out the door in San Diego and with this offseason's losses of key veteran defenders like Jamal Williams and Antonio Cromartie, you can expect to see a decline in the performance of the Chargers defense.
Edwards front-runner for Bills' QB job
Thu, 29 Jul 2010
Update: Trent Edwards has merged as the leading contender for the Bills' starting quarterback job, as the team opened training camp Thursday. Edwards received a majority of practice time, and opened each of the individual drills by taking the first snap.
Fantasy Impact: Trent Edwards is a good quarterback. He was impressive throughout much of the 2008 season, particularly in the first six games, in a year that was Edwards' second in the league. He struggled in '09 and eventually lost his job to Ryan Fitzpatrick, but this was after undergoing a preseason coordinator change, a midseason head coaching change, playing behind a sub-par offensive line, and throwing to a marginally talented receiving corps, including receivers past their prime (i.e. Terrell Owens). Even with all these hindrances, he still managed to make some very impressive plays. He has ideal size, cannon-like arm strength, and surprising accuracy on his deep throws to complement touch on his short throws. There is no doubt in my mind that he is better than Ryan Fitzpatrick and Brian Brohm, and I am confident that a quarterback guru like Chan Gailey will draw the same conclusion. Gailey's presence also marks the first season in Edwards' young pro career in which he is playing for an offensive-minded head coach, after playing for Dick Jauron and Perry Fewell for three years. I look at Edwards similarly to a young Drew Brees. He struggles in his first few years while playing for a bad team, but I believe the former Stanford Cardinal will eventually find himself in the right situation, be it in western New York or elsewhere, and will thrive as a Pro Bowler. I say take him as a backup, particularly in a keeper league.
Steelers Sign Flozell Adams
Thu, 29 Jul 2010
Update: Jason La Canfora of NFL.com reports that the Pittsburgh Steelers and tackle Flozell Adams have agreed on a multi-year deal. The Steelers are thin at tackle and they expect Adams to come in and start.
Fantasy Impact: Although Adams has lost a step, he is still strong in the running game. The Steelers were an average rushing team last year, ranking 19th overall. With RB Rashard Mendenhall having gained valuable experience last year and the addition of Adams, Pittsburgh will most likely be a better running team.
Haynesworth fails conditioning test;barred from practice
Thu, 29 Jul 2010
Update: Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth failed his conditioning test within the set time constraints Thursday, and so will not be allowed to practice. Haynesworth was instructed to complete three shuttle runs within a set time period, but time expired before he could do so. Haynesworth told teammates that he couldn't have completed three shuttles during that time frame even during his All-Pro season of 2008 and he is, in fact, deemed to be in much better shape than he was at this point last year by several Redskins sources. Haynesworth and head coach Mike Shanahan briefly discussed the matter Tuesday, but the relationship between the two remains distant, at best.
Fantasy Impact: I'm thinking back on the day Albert Haynesworth was introduced to the Washington media in his introductory news conference, on the first day of the 2009 free agency season after signing his seven-year, $100 million contract and he said the words, "You're not going to remember Albert Haynesworth as a bust." It just goes to show how you have to take these players' words with a grain of salt and how, for every Joe Namath guarantee that culminates in a Super Bowl victory, there's a plethora of broken promises like the one Haynesworth uttered. I don't see how Albert Haynesworth can possibly be a positive difference-maker on this team as long as Mike Shanahan is the coach and as long as the majority of players who were with the Skins in '09 are still on the roster. I'm not going to completely write off the Redskins defense, because the 3-4 conversion might very well benefit most of the players on the defensive side of the ball, and they certainly have their share of playmakers but if their draft status depends, in your eyes, on Haynesworth making a significant impact then stock them in the back of the shelf.
Saints Place 4 On PUP
Thu, 29 Jul 2010
Update: According to the AP, the defending champs New Orleans Saints have placed 4 players on the active/physically unable to perform list. S Darren Sharper, LB Clint Ingram, and WRs Marques Colston and Robert Meachem are eligible to come off the list at any time, and are expected to be off the list by the first preseason game on August 12th.
Fantasy Impact: All four players are expected to play a major role for the Saints this season. Colston and Meachem are two of QB Drew Brees' favorite targets, and Sharper was one of the league's best safeties last season.
Bradford misses first workout as negotiations continue
Thu, 29 Jul 2010
Update: This year's first overall pick, Sam Bradford, missed the first team workout of Rams training camp as the details of his contract continue to get hammered out between his agents and the organization. Veteran A.J. Feeley will be the starter in the interim and downplayed Bradford's absence when asked about it: "It's not the end of the world. You'd like to have him out here to work with these guys, but he's been through the whole offseason program...Sam's a smart guy, he's bright. I don't see him lagging, I don't see him sitting at home on the couch not doing anything."
Fantasy Impact: It was a good gesture on the part of A.J. Feeley to try to put out this fire, but the fact is that it is a big deal. The track records of quarterbacks who hold out as rookies and try to play catch-up is not good. Philip Rivers is one of the few exceptions, but Rivers also benefited greatly from having Drew Brees in front of him for his first two years and most sources affiliated with the Chargers in 2004 would have agreed that Rivers was not ready when he eventually did report to camp, and that if Rivers had been San Diego's starter in 2004 instead of Brees, the Chargers would not have made it to the postseason. Other examples, like Matt Leinart and JaMarcus Russell, prove that missing so much as a few days of workouts will inevitably land you far behind the competition, especially for someone like Bradford who doesn't have a background in a pro-style offense and who is taking over the NFL's worst team from 2009. My experiences tell me that the top two picks in any April draft generally produce one boom and one bust and I see Ndamukong Suh as the boom. I have a bad feeling about the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma and if you want my take, I say lay off Bradford, even in keeper leagues.
Cowboys Sign Sprinter
Thu, 29 Jul 2010
Update: Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com reports that the Dallas Cowboys have signed WR Teddy Williams. Williams, who hasn't played football in five years, was a sprinter at Texas-San Antonio. He reportedly ran a 9.90 100 meters and was clocked in at 4.31 at the 40-yard dash.
Fantasy Impact: It is unlikely that Williams makes the final roster, but his speed could be used in the return game. Track speed doesn't always translate well into football speed, but the Cowboys liked Williams enough to give him a shot.
Suh Likely To Holdout
Thu, 29 Jul 2010
Update: According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, the Detroit Lions and DT Ndamukong Suh do not expect to have a deal in place prior to the start of training camp. Suh, the 2nd overall pick in April's draft, is not expected to sign until Sam Bradford, the 1st pick, does.
Fantasy Impact: It is critical for rookies to miss as little time as possible, so getting Suh into camp should be a priority. The Lions ranked dead last in total defense last season, and the strong and athletic Suh is expected to make an impact right away. With the addition of the super talented Suh and veteran Kyle Vanden Bosch, the Lions hope to be much more competitive defensively.
Pitts Signs With Seattle
Thu, 29 Jul 2010
Update: Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Seattle Seahawks and G Chester Pitts have agreed on a contract. The deal is for 1-year and could be worth up to $2 million. Pitts has played his whole career with the Houston Texans and got injured last season, resulting in microfrature knee surgery.
Fantasy Impact: After signing G Ben Hamilton earlier this off-season, the Seahawks did not really need Pitts. But if he recovers from surgery he could provide insurance incase someone gets hurt.
VY not to be suspended for strip club fracas
Thu, 29 Jul 2010
Update: NFL.com's Jason LaCanfora is reporting that the NFL will not discipline Titans quarterback Vince Young for an altercation he was involved in at a Dallas strip club in June.
Fantasy Impact: In the wake of the Ben Roethlisberger suspension, it is important to have assurance of as many starting quarterbacks as possible being active and ready for Week 1. This could have potentially been a huge distraction for Jeff Fisher's ballclub, but between Young learning he will not be suspended and Chris Johnson's deal getting worked out, the Titans offense should be ready to fire on all cylinders. With second-year receiver Kenny Britt poised to continue the big strides he's been making since arriving in the league, and Young coming off a fourth season that proved vital in his development into a franchise pocket passer, I would say take Young as a low-end starter unless you can get someone with more proven consistency, in which case you should definitely make him your backup.
Dockett Won't Hold Out
Thu, 29 Jul 2010
Update: A league source has told Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com that Arizona Cardinals DT Darnell Dockett will not hold out of training camp. Dockett, who has been unhappy about his contract, recently hinted on his Twitter account that a hold out was a possibilty. Dockett is scheduled to make $3.75 million in 2010 and $4 million in 2011.
Fantasy Impact: After the Cardinals defense took hits this off-season loosing LB Karlos Dansby and S Antrel Rolle, Dockett is one of the unquestioned leaders on the team. Dockett had one of his most productive seasons last year with 7 sacks, and the Cardinals can not afford to lose him to a holdout.
Coles A Jet Again?
Thu, 29 Jul 2010
Update: The New York Jets will work out WR Laveranues Coles on Friday, reports Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com. Coles has two prior stints with the Jets and a third one is a possibility. One thing that the Jets will definitely look at is Coles' concussion issues.
Fantasy Impact: Coles had his least productive season last year since his rookie season recording just 43 catches for 514 yards and 5 touchdowns. The Jets will look at Coles to provide depth, especially for the first four games of the regular season, when Santonio Holmes will be suspended.
Burgess A No-Show
Thu, 29 Jul 2010
Update: Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com is reporting that New England Patriots DE Derrick Burgess has not been seen at the team's facility and wasn't at practice. Head coach Bill Belichick said all players under contract are at camp, which makes the situation interesting since Burgess signed a 1-year deal with the Patriots this past May.
Fantasy Impact: Burgess had 5 sacks for a Patriots team that struggled with sacks, recording just 31 as a team. If the 10-year veteran Burgess is not on the roster this season, the loss would not be a great one as the Patriots hope to get younger on defense.
Brunell signs with Jets
Thu, 29 Jul 2010
Update: NFL.com's Jason LaCanfora is reporting that the Jets have signed veteran quarterback Mark Brunell to a two-year contract in the veteran minimum range. The Jets have been searching for a backup with Brunell's experience, to help second-year franchise quarterback Mark Sanchez, throughout the offseason and with the restrictions of the final eight playoff teams' free agency activity having been lifted last week, New York got its guy.
Fantasy Impact: This is one of those moves that will fly under the radar of a lot of fans, but that should pay big dividends for the Jets and their young quarterback. Many successful quarterbacks have had a veteran to help show them the ropes of preparation and execution early in their careers (Tom Brady had Drew Bledsoe, Philip Rivers had Drew Brees, Chad Henne had Chad Pennington who had Vinny Testavarde, Eli Manning had Kurt Warner, etc.) and its no coincidence that Drew Brees had the best season of his career and won his first Super Bowl last year in his only season with Mark Brunell as his extra set of eyes and ears. Sanchez was robbed of this influence last year, as the only other quarterbacks on the roster were Kellen Clemens, Erik Ainge, and Kevin O'Connell; three guys who combined for less career starts than the 15 Sanchez had accumulated by the end of the year. Brunell has a similar skill set to Sanchez; both are undersized, athletic guys who rely on keen instincts and awareness to keep defenses guessing and Brunell will aid in Sanchez's development as coordinator Brian Schottenheimer expands the team's playbook. I still don't like Sanchez enough to draft him as a starter, but I feel a lot better about making him my backup.
Haynesworth A Backup
Thu, 29 Jul 2010
Update: According to the AP, Washington Redskins DL Albert Haynesworth will start training camp as a backup. Head coach Mike Shanahan said that if Haynesworth passes his conditioning test, he will have to work his way up to a starter. Haynesworth held a boycott against the Redskins for not wanting to play in the newly implemented 3-4 defense.
Fantasy Impact: After signing a huge deal prior to last season, Haynesworth played in just 12 games and had 4 sacks. His play however made the Redskins a top-10 defense and opened up opportunities for players like Andre Carter and Brian Orakpo, who both had 11 sacks a piece.
Dolphins Sign Ex-Saint Grant
Thu, 29 Jul 2010
Update: Steve Wyche of NFL.com reports that the Miami Dolphins and DE Charles Grant have agreed on a contract. The deal could reportedly be worth up to $4.5 million over 2 years.
Fantasy Impact: Grant had 5.5 sacks prior to getting injured for the Saints last season. Although the Dolphins have switched from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense, Grant will continue to play the DE position.
Clausen Signs With Panthers
Thu, 29 Jul 2010
Update: The Associated Press reported on Wednesday that the Carolina Panthers and rookie QB Jimmy Clausen have agreed on a 4-year contract. The deal includes $2.53 million in guarantees, and it means the Panthers will have all rookies into camp on time.
Fantasy Impact: After releasing QB Jake Delhomme this off-season, the current starter is Matt Moore, who threw for over 1,000 yards in 7 games this past season. While Clausen is not expected to start the season as the number on quarterback, a change could be made if Moore struggles.
Brunell Now A Jet
Thu, 29 Jul 2010
Update: According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the New York Jets have signed free-agent QB Mark Brunell to a 2-year deal. The 17-year veteran will be Mark Sanchez's backup.
Fantasy Impact: With the signing of Brunell, this could be the end of the road for QB Kellen Clemens as a Jet. Clemens was a 2nd round pick in 2006 and has not developed like the Jets wished he would. Brunell can be a great mentor for Sanchez.
Raiders, McClain Come to Terms
Thu, 29 Jul 2010
Update: A league source told ESPN's Adam Schefter that the Oakland Raiders and LB Rolando McClain have agreed on a contract late Wednesday night. The 5-year deal is worth $40 million, with $23 million guaranteed. The rookie was the 8th overall pick this past spring, and is the 3rd 1st-round selection to sign so far.
Fantasy Impact: After trading starting LB Kirk Morrison to Jacksonville during the draft, the Raiders proclaimed McClain the starting MLB. The Raiders ranked just 29th against the run last season, and McClain is expected to help and improve that ranking.
Gates Gets Extension
Thu, 29 Jul 2010
Update: A source told ESPN's Chris Mortensen that the San Diego Chargers and TE Antonio Gates have agreed to a 5-year extension. The extension is worth $36.175 million, with $20.4 million in guarantees.
Fantasy Impact: With the uncertainty of WR Vincent Jackson's availabilty due to a contract dispute, Gates will be the go-to guy in San Diego. Gates, arguably the league's best TE, had an excellent season last year with 79 catches for 1,157 yards and 8 touchdowns.
No Suspension For Young
Thu, 29 Jul 2010
Update: The Tennessean reports that the NFL will not suspend Tennessee Titans starting QB Vince Young. Young was involved in an altercation at a Dallas strip club on June 13th.
Fantasy Impact: After a horrendous 0-6 start with Kerry Collins starting at QB, Young was plugged into the starting lineup and the Titans finished their last 10 games with an 8-2 record. If the Titans hope to compete in the tough AFC South, Young will have to show more of the same he did last season.
Vikings, Griffen Agree on Contract
Tue, 27 Jul 2010
Update: Gregg Rosenthal of ProFootballTalk.com reports that the Minnesota Vikings and rookie DE Everson Griffen have agreed on a contract. While many draft experts projected Griffen to be a 2nd round pick, he fell to the 4th where the Vikings snatched him up.
Fantasy Impact: Although Griffen will not start ahead of Jared Allen and Ray Edwards, he will likely see playing time at some point this season. The Vikings finished last season with the most sacks at 48, and adding another pass rusher never hurts.
Schobel Pulling a Farve?
Tue, 27 Jul 2010
Update: According to ESPN blogger Tim Graham, Buffalo Bills DE Aaron Schobel is reconsidering retirement. Although Schobel skipped all off-season workouts and hinted at retirement, he is now leaning towards coming back. He is expected to make a decision within the next 10 days.
Fantasy Impact: Schobel has spent his whole career as a 4-3 DE, however the Bills have implemented the 3-4 defense this season, which puts Schobel at a disadvantage if he decides to come back. Nevertheless, the Bills could use all the help they can get on defense, and Schobel had a productive 10 sacks last season.
Bigby Accepts Packers Offer
Tue, 27 Jul 2010
Update: ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that safety Atari Bigby has finally signed his restricted free-agent tender with the Green Bay Packers. Bigby decided to not holdout and will make $1.704 million next year.
Fantasy Update: The Packers ranked 2nd in the NFL in total defense last season, and would have a hard time replacing Bigby if he chose to sit out. Bigby and Nick Collins together form one of the league's best and most underrated tandems at the safety position.
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