Month: September 2009 (Page 20 of 66)

      Giants’ linebacker rips new Cowboy stadium

      September 23, 2009 /

      After his visit to the new Cowboy stadium last Sunday night, Giants’ linebacker Danny Clark wasn’t too impressed by Dallas owner Jerry Jones’ new castle.

      From the Los Angeles Times:

      Clark told Sirius XM satellite radio that the visiting locker room inside the stadium features few creature comforts.

      “There’s not a lot of hot water in there,” Clark said. “[Jones] cut some corners in the bathroom there.”

      Clark also was dismissive of the noise factor created by an NFL-record crowd of 105,121.

      “It wasn’t as loud as you would think 105,000 people would be,” he said. “And for [good] reason. I mean, we did a decent job of making some plays so they weren’t all over the place, but I played in Michigan [Stadium] where there’s 100,000 people. It wasn’t crazy.

      “I played in New Orleans when we reopened the [Super]Dome in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina.

      “That place was twice as loud as this new stadium.”

      I’m not surprised by the noise. Michigan Stadium may house 100,000 screaming fans, but the noise goes straight up because of the way the stadium was built. So it’s not as loud as one would expect. I’ve never been to the new Cowboy stadium, but maybe the way it’s structured limits the noise.

      That said, what Clark said about the bathrooms was freaking hilarious. Hey, Jones had to cut somewhere to get that big ass TV screen in the rafters.

      NFL

      Fantasy Quick-Hitters: Welker, Mendenhall, Forsett and more

      September 23, 2009 /

      Bill Belichick: Wes Welker “was inactive because he wasn’t able to play.” Thanks for the information, Bill. Welker owners should absolutely have Julian Edelman on their roster, especially in PPR leagues. He’s also worth a look for non-Welker owners who have a spot open on their bench. If Welker’s injury lingers, Edelman is startable on a weekly basis. On Sunday, he ran all the same routes that Welker usually does and racked up 98 yards on eight receptions. He was targeted 16 times by Tom Brady. The Pats play in the first round of games on Sunday, so you’ll know early on whether or not to put Edelman in your lineup.

      Mendenhall’s role to grow? HC Mike Tomlin insinuated that it will. Mendenhall had a 39-yard run in the third quarter of Sunday’s game against the Bears, and showed a burst that neither Willie Parker nor Mewelde Moore seem to offer right now. The original plan was some sort of committee, so don’t expect Mendenhall to take over and become a featured back. Even if Parker were to go down, Moore would be in on all third downs at a minimum.

      The Seahawks planning to be without Hasselbeck in Week 3. Hasselbeck has a fractured rib and may not be able to play. Seneca Wallace isn’t a bad backup and has been a productive fantasy player in the past. He wouldn’t be a bad start for fantasy owners in two-QB leagues or for those owners that are in dire straits in standard leagues.

      Cutler: Olsen “might have a 10-catch game coming up.” Don’t panic and cut ties with Olsen. He is still one of the most gifted pass-catching TEs in the league and his numbers will recover. He could have had a big game against the Steelers if not for a great hit along the sideline on a 20-yard catch (that jarred the ball loose) and a slip in the endzone on a sure-TD.

      Justin Forsett coming on. I added him to my list of waiver wire acquisitions. Julius Jones is all right, but Forsett is gaining, and clearly outplayed him on Sunday. The Seahawks aren’t married to Jones, as evidenced by the Edgerrin James signing. Since he has big upside, Forsett is a good guy to roster and is worthy of flex/bye week starts in PPR formats.

      Fantasy Football

      Felton signs one-year deal with Bobcats

      September 23, 2009 /

      Per the Charlotte Observer…

      The Charlotte Bobcats and Raymond Felton’s agent both confirmed this morning that Felton has signed the one-year, $5.5 million qualifying offer for this season, which will make him an unrestricted free agent next summer.

      This amounts to an acknowledgement that the team and Felton couldn’t work out a long-term deal. Agent Kevin Bradbury said Felton isn’t upset by that and wants to remain in Charlotte.

      The solid play of D.J. Augustin has made Felton expendable in Charlotte. Felton averaged 14.2 points and 6.7 assists last year, but shot less than 41% from the field and less than 29% from long range.

      When restricted free agents are unable to work out a long-term deal, it’s a sign that they will be moving to a different zip code within a year. We’ll see if that holds true for Felton.

      NBA, News

      2009 College Football Picks & Predictions: Week 4

      September 23, 2009 /

      Here are my picks for Week 4 in college football.

      Last week I went 3-1 straight up and just 1-3 against the spread, so gamblers – fade at will. (By the way, those are also my season totals because I didn’t make picks for the first two weeks, although I probably would have gone 8-0 so feel free to give me the undeserved credit.)

      Arkansas at No. 3 Alabama, Saturday, 3:30PM ET
      Arkansas certainly has an offense capable of hanging with most opponents given the vertical weapons they have in Greg Childs, Jarius Wright and Joe Adams in the passing game. But ‘Bama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart should throw a variety of looks at Razorback signal caller Ryan Mallett and use blitzes to help generate a rush. The Tide lack a pass-rushing presence on their defensive line, but their secondary is experienced and should handle whatever Bobby Petrino throws at them on Saturday. I expect ‘Bama to take away Michael Smith, Broderick Green, Ronnie Wingo and the Arkansas’ running game and force the Razorbacks to become one-dimensional. With Julio Jones expected back this week after missing last Saturday with a knee injury, the Razorback defense could be in trouble. ‘Bama will look to take control of this game in the second half with a balanced offensive approach and pull away in the fourth quarter.
      Odds: Alabama –17.5.
      Prediction: Alabama 41, Arkansas 20.

      No. 9 Miami at No. 11 Virginia Tech, Saturday, 3:30PM ET
      The Canes are quickly becoming one of the more talked about programs in the nation this year courtesy of quarterback Jacory Harris. Thanks to an improved pass protection and his ability to see the entire field, Harris played exceptionally well in Miami’s wins over ranked opponents Florida State and Georgia Tech, respectively. But the key to a Canes’ victory will be running the ball to set up Harris and the passing game. Frank Beamer’s squad has not done a good job of stopping the run so far this season and if Miami can get versatile running backs Javarris James and Graig Cooper some running room early on, they might set up Harris to make big plays in the passing game. Defensively, Miami could be burned by Tyrod Taylor’s running ability if it doesn’t stay disciplined when shooting gaps. Taylor, who has been more patient as a passer this season, needs to use his legs if he sees that the Canes are too aggressive up front. Miami must also contain running back Ryan Williams, who has been excellent filling in for the injured Darren Evans. While Blacksburg is one of the toughest places to play in college football, Randy Shannon has his team playing with a swagger and they won’t be intimated on the road. This is going to be a thrilling game and one that might come down to the wire. I’m going with the hot team, however, and predict a win for Miami.
      Odds: Miami –2.5.
      Prediction: Miami 24, Virginia Tech 20.

      Continue reading »

      College Football

      Defensive Team By Waiver Wire (DTBWW): Week 3

      September 23, 2009 /

      The strategy behind DTBWW is that each week, you pick up a defense, usually one playing at home against a bad offense. And each week, you get pretty good numbers out of your DT position. To see how this approach performed last season, click here.

      Last week, I recommended three DTBWW picks. Let’s take a look at how they performed:

      #1 Falcons: 1 SK + 1 FR + 1 INT = 3 fantasy points
      #2 Redskins: 7 PA (6) + 1 SK + 1 FR = 8 fp
      #3 Broncos: 6 PA (8) + 4 SK + 1 INT + 2 FR = 15 fp

      So far, my #1 pick is averaging 3.5 fantasy points (not good), my #2 pick is averaging 11.0 points (very good) and my bonus pick is averaging 10.0 points (very good). The overall average is 8.2 fantasy points.

      Here are this week’s recommendations. All teams are available in at least 40% of ESPN fantasy leagues. If the Packers are available in your league, I’d start them (against the Rams) before any of these teams this week.

      Pick #1: Broncos (@ OAK)
      Through the first two weeks, the Broncos own the #2 fantasy defense. Is this going to last? Probably not. But after two great matchups with the Bengals and Browns, the Broncos get another potentially good matchup with the Oakland Raiders.

      Pick #2: Redskins (@ DET)
      Washington’s defense is solid, yet unspectacular. In the last three seasons, the Redskins have finished no higher than 19th in fantasy defense. But last week they held the Rams to just seven points, and this week they get a tasty matchup with the Detroit Lions.

      Bonus Pick: Cowboys (vs. CAR)
      Believe it or not, the Cowboys have failed to register a sack or create a turnover through two games. But with Jake Delhomme coming to town, that should change. I’d expect the Cowboys defense will be fired up and ready to play after a tough loss against the Giants last week. Wade Phillips is a good defensive coach, so he should be able to turn things around.

      Fantasy Football

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