Month: November 2006 (Page 10 of 29)

Fantasy Football: Waiver Wire Watch, Week 12

**Remember, it’s a short week, so be sure to finalize your roster moves earlier rather than later**

QUARTERBACKS

Here is a list of players that may be available on your league’s waiver wire, in order of relative value:

Tony Romo, Steve McNair, Phillip Rivers, Jason Campbell, David Carr, Aaron Brooks, David Garrard, Charlie Frye, Trent Green, Alex Smith, Joey Harrington, Chad Pennington, Matt Leinart, Vince Young, J.P. Losman, Brad Johnson, Bruce Gradkowski

Jason Campbell threw two TDs in his first game as a starter and looks to be a decent play down the stretch…Trent Green was pretty quiet in his first game back as the starter, but the Raiders have an underrated pass defense, so he should improve as the season wears on…The Eagles aren’t certain who is going to fill in for Donovan McNabb. Jeff Garcia was the first one off the bench, but reportedly, Andy Reid may use A.J. Feeley as the starter.

RUNNING BACKS

Travis Henry, Anthony Thomas, Wali Lundy, DeAngelo Williams, Ladell Betts, Arlen Harris, Sam Gado, Maurice Jones-Drew, Jason Wright, T.J. Duckett, Cedric Benson, Leon Washington, Mike Bell, Justin Fargas, Jerious Norwood, Michael Turner, Brandon Jacobs, Zack Crockett, Maurice Morris, Najeh Davenport

Arlen Harris looks to be first in line if Kevin Jones misses any time due to injury. The team didn’t have an update because tests were still being conducted. That doesn’t sound good…Jason Wright got the bulk of the work with Reuben Droughns out, but he’ll go back to the bench if Droughns returns…The Texans are happy to split the carries between Sam Gado and Wali Lundy, which limits the value of both players. Still, the Houston running game is doing well enough right now that either guy is a decent spot start given the right matchup…LaMont Jordan is out for the rest of the year, so look for Justin Fargas to get most of the work with Zack Crockett taking over at the goal line.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Mark Clayton, Reche Caldwell, Chris Henry, Marty Booker, Santonio Holmes, Mike Furrey, Wes Welker, Arnaz Battle, Devery Henderson, Doug Gabriel, Terrance Copper, Ernest Wilford, Marty Booker, Eric Parker, Jerry Porter, Patrick Crayton, Sam Hurd

Mark Clayton continues his strong play as Steve McNair’s favorite target and shouldn’t be on your league’s waiver wire after this week…Likewise, Reche Caldwell has emerged as Tom Brady’s favorite target (for the moment). It’s tough to count on any of the Pats receivers, but Caldwell is a decent play going forward…It looks like Marques Colston is day-to-day going forward, so Devery Henderson shouldn’t be as hot of a waiver wire pickup as he would be if Colston was confirmed out for the next few weeks…Terry Glenn returned to action putting to rest rumors that he may be done for the year. Patrick Crayton and Sam Hurd will resume their supporting roles.

TIGHT ENDS

Jerramy Stevens, Owen Daniels, David Martin, Bo Scaife, Vernon Davis, Randal Williams, Alex Smith, Eric Johnson

Randal Williams (a converted WR) has been productive since he took over the starting gig from Courtney Anderson, catching eight passes for 102 yards over the past two weeks. He should be a decent spot starter down the stretch.

Monday Night Football Recap: Jacksonville 26, NY Giants 10

Jaguars 26, NY Giants 10
How come nobody talks about how Eli Manning has regressed as a quarterback? He has the second worst competition percentage on third downs than any other quarterback in the league. He was horrid in Jacksonville, absolutely putrid. He threw interceptions, he fumbled he even threw a ball underhanded. I’m sorry; I guess I just expect a little more from the guy who demanded that one organization didn’t draft him so he can play for the city of his choice. New York should have hung on to Philip Rivers.

Jacksonville really took it to the Giants tonight. David Garrad is playing smart and after watching him tonight, I actually believe he gives the Jaguars a better chance to win over Byron Leftwich. He’s more mobile and seems to play smarter and more consistent than Leftwich. And I’m shocked that Fragile Fred Taylor has lasted this long into a season without getting hurt.

I thought the NFC was turning the corner and starting to be more competitive against AFC teams. Guess I was wrong. I think the difference is in the coaching staffs. It seems like the AFC squads have better schemers and game planners. Bill Belichick, Brian Billick, Tony Dungy, Mike Shanahan and Herm Edwards always have their teams prepared well. I think the NFC has more motivators than great football minds. Don’t get me wrong, Mike Holmgren and Bill Parcels are solid, but I’m less impressed with guys like John Fox, Jon Gruden and Andy Reid these days as far as schemers.

College Football Power Rankings

Anyone tired of all the controversy surrounding the BcS yet? Playoffs anyone?

1. Ohio State (12-0)
Previous Rank: #1
Buckeyes 42, Wolverines 39. Troy Smith – 29 for 41 for 316 yards and four touchdowns. Jim Tressel’s game plans. ‘Nuff said.

2. Michigan (11-1)
Previous Rank: #2
That vaunted Michigan defense that everyone talked about got shredded for 503 yards, including 187 on the ground. The Wolverines offense deserves credit for racking up nearly 400 yards and 39 points on a tough OSU defense, but why was Michigan’s game plan to get into a shootout with arguably the most explosive offense in the country?

3. Florida (10-1)
Previous Rank: #3
Urban Meyer is one of the loudest supports for bringing a playoff system into college football. Meyer can officially change his title from head coach of the Florida Gators to head coach of the Florida Gators and the Voice of the People.

4. USC (9-1)
Previous Rank: #4
The Trojans are like the pesky little sibling to a Florida program that just wants them to vanish. If USC beats Notre Dame this weekend, that would make four ranked opponents, including three in a row, that the Trojans have beaten this year. That’s one more win over a ranked opponent than the Gators have. However, USC did lose to an unranked Oregon State team while Florida suffered its only loss to a once highly ranked Auburn program. I can feel the aggravation building from Gator Fan now.

5. Arkansas (10-1)
Previous Rank: #5
The Razorbacks are an interesting team. Arkansas certainly doesn’t wow you other than Darren McFadden, but yet the Razorbacks still find ways to get it done every week. Nothing suggests that Arkansas is a better team than Florida, yet that’s exactly why the Razorbacks might have one more upset in their bag of tricks.

6. Notre Dame (10-1)
Previous Rank: #8
Now here’s a dilemma. If the Irish beat USC in Southern Cal this weekend, one could make a strong argument that ND has every right to play in the national championship. However, the Irish’s one loss was to Michigan and how could ND get in over a Wolverines team that completely embarrassed them in South Bend earlier this season?

7. Texas (9-2)
Previous Rank: #7
So, Kansas State blows out Texas, but then plays hapless against Kansas. That just re-affirmed to me that if Colt McCoy doesn’t get hurt against the Wildcats a few weeks ago, we might be talking about an OSU-Texas rematch instead of OSU-Michigan.

8. LSU (9-2)
Previous Rank: #8
I should probably move the Tigers down a few pegs considering they almost lost to Ole’ Miss. The problem is that I don’t know who is really better behind LSU.

9. West Virginia (9-1)
Previous Rank: Unranked
Do I put a West Virginia team ahead of Louisville, because the Cardinals beat the Mountaineers? Or do I put a Rutgers team ahead of Louisville, because they beat the Cardinals? No and no. First of all, after watching this conference the past few weeks, it should be determined that only one Big East team should be ranked in the top 10 at any one time. And second of all, the Cardinals lost to Rutgers, who turned around and lost to Cincinasty for heaven’s sake. I truly believe that with Pat White and Steve Slaton, WV tops Louisville on neutral ground.

10. Wisconsin (11-1)
Previous Rank: Unranked
With all the hype surrounding Ohio State and Michigan this season, the Badgers have gone virtually unnoticed. Wisconsin has quietly put together a solid season, with its only loss coming to Michigan on the road. Freshman bowling ball P.J. Hill has quite a future in the land of the cheese.

Rodgers out for season

In the interests of full disclosure, the Green Bay Packers are my team. I grew up in Wisconsin and, over the years, I’ve experienced all of the highs and lows of the franchise.

For some reason, I found the following headline extremely funny:

Favre’s OK, Rodgers Out For Season

For those that missed the news, Brett Favre had to leave Sunday’s game with an injured nerve in his throwing elbow and Aaron Rodgers saw his first extended action of the season. At some point in the second half, Rodgers broke his foot.

It looks like Favre will return next week to keep his consecutive starts streak alive at 252 games (playoff games included). That equals over 15 full seasons where he hasn’t missed a start.

The guy who is supposed to replace him can’t play a half without breaking his foot.

Couch Potato Alert (11/20)

It’s Thanksgiving week and that means football this Thursday. Unfortunately, the best game of the day is the Broncos/Chiefs tilt on the NFL Network, which many cable systems don’t carry. As you’re eating leftovers on Friday, be sure to tune into the LSU/Arkansas battle, a game that has national championship implications. (BCS-haters should root hard for the Razorbacks.) In college hoops, the Maui Invitational runs Mon-Wed and all the games are on ESPN. On Wednesday, there’s a marquee matchup between Gonzaga and North Carolina as part of the preseason NIT. The best game of the week in the Association is the Clippers/Lakers battle Tuesday night. This rivalry heated up during the Clippers’ emergence last season.

NFL
Mon, 8:30 PM: NY Giants @ Jacksonville – ESPN
Thurs, 12:30 PM: Miami @ Detroit – CBS
Thurs, 4:15 PM: Tampa Bay @ Dallas – FOX
Thurs, 8 PM: Denver @ Kansas City – NFL Network

College Football
Thurs, 7:30 PM: (18) Boston College @ Miami – ESPN
Fri, 12 PM: Texas A&M @ (11) Texas – ABC
Fri, 2:30 PM: (9) LSU @ (5) Arkansas – CBS

NBA
Tues, 10:30 PM: LA Clippers @ LA Lakers – NBATV
Wed, 7:30 PM: Miami @ San Antonio – ESPN
Wed, 10 PM: Utah @ Sacramento – local
Fri, 8 PM: Dallas @ San Antonio – ESPN
Fri, 10:30 PM: New Jersey @ Phoenix – ESPN

College Hoops
Mon-Wed: Maui Invitational – ESPN
Wed, 7 PM: Butler @ (21) Tennessee – ESPN2
Wed, 9 PM: (23) Gonzaga @ (2) North Carolina – ESPN2

If you’re wondering what events are broadcast in HD, be sure check out the HD Sports Guide.

« Older posts Newer posts »