Category: External Sports (Page 381 of 821)

Fantasy Football News & Notes: Friday (12/10)

December 10, 2010 / John Paulsen

Percy Harvin looking iffy to play on Sunday. Not only are the migraines an issue, but Leslie Frazier believes it would be tough to get him up to speed in terms of the game plan. I have him ranked #44 this week for that reason. If he were able to go, I’d probably put him in the mid-30’s. Generally-speaking, if you have a decent option, you should go with it this week. The migraines are one thing, but he also has a bad matchup against a good New York pass defense.

Matt Cassel is doubtful for Sunday. I believe this hurts Dwayne Bowe, but Rotoworld argues that Brodie Croyle will target his #1 receiver early and often. He could have a very nice day, but I’m leery anytime there’s a change at QB. Plus, the matchup is bad and he’s coming off a goose egg in W13. He’s a pretty solid WR2 this week, in my opinion.

Mike Shanahan won’t name a starter at RB. Surprise, surprise. Shanahan is wreaking havoc in the world of fantasy football. Signs point to Ryan Torain returning to the starting role, but Skeletor said that he plans to exercise caution since it’s Torain’s first game back. The matchup is very good, so I think Torain can be productive if he gets 12-15 carries, and is fairly likely to score.

Both Steve Smith 2.0 and Hakeem Nicks are listed as questionable. I’m expecting both guys to play based on what I’ve read this week, though I’m not terribly excited about either player. Smith 2.0 will probably be limited in terms of the number of snaps he plays and Nicks seems a little more iffy to play at all. The Vikings are playing better defense later, so I’d only use these players if there aren’t any other good options available. Nicks’ big-play ability is tantalizing, however.

Mike Williams (TB) is listed as probable. Great news for his owners who were no doubt wondering if the talented rookie would be available for his great matchup with the Redskins. I have him ranked #15 and would definitely recommend him this week unless there’s horrible weather in Washington come Sunday. This is also a big boost to Josh Freeman owners who plan to use him this week.

Mike Sims-Walker is probable. I wouldn’t start him this week, but this is good news for David Garrard and Mike Thomas, who won’t have to deal with Nnamdi Asomugha this week, though the star CB is still gimpy with a sore ankle. Even with MSW’s return, the Jags have featured Maurice Jones-Drew with great success the last few weeks, and that trend will no doubt continue against the Raiders, who have had trouble stopping the run this season.

External Sports, Fantasy Football, News, NFL

Cam Newton says he chose Auburn “the right way,” is already using third person like a champ

December 10, 2010 / Anthony Stalter

ATLANTA - DECEMBER 04: Quarterback Cam Newton of the Auburn Tigers stretches before the 2010 SEC Championship against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Georgia Dome on December 4, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

Cam Newton recently told ESPN that Auburn was “best for Cam Newton” and that’s why he chose to play there and not Mississippi State. Not because his dad shopped around his services to the highest bidder.

“I had no dealings with nobody at Mississippi State during the time that I came to Auburn,” Newton said. “But Mississippi State knows it was between Mississippi State and Auburn. And if you’ve been following this, there’s no secret. But I felt that, as a whole, Auburn possessed what’s best for Cam Newton, and that’s why I decided to come here on my decision.”
He said telling Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen — who had been an assistant at Florida when Newton went there two years prior — he would be going to Auburn was difficult. ESPN reported Nov. 9 that Newton had told a Mississippi State recruiter that his father had chosen Auburn because “the money was too much.
“I’m not here to talk about any reports,” Newton said.
“I called Coach Mullen. I told him what I had in my heart at the time. I talked to him and his wife, Miss Megan, and we had an excellent conversation. They wished me the best, and I wished them the best.”

Uh, huh.

Newton may be telling the truth but a couple of things don’t add up here. First of all, did he tell a Mississippi State recruiter that his father had chosen Auburn because of the money or not? If he didn’t and he has nothing to hide, why not deny the report? Instead, he skirts the issue by saying he’s “not here to talk about any reports.”

Granted, maybe somebody instructed him to say anything but I thought honesty was always the best policy? If you have nothing to hide, then scream it from the rooftops until somebody listens.

The other thing that doesn’t add up is why he chose Auburn over Mississippi State. It’s not like Auburn was a powerhouse program before he got there and he already had a relationship with Bulldogs’ coach Dan Mullen. So why Auburn? ~~Was it money perhaps?~~

Anthony Stalter is having a hard time believing that Cecil Newton didn’t ask Mississippi State for cash and when they didn’t deliver, he turned around and got something from Auburn instead. That’s just one outsider’s opinion, but it’s not difficult to connect the dots. The sad part is that Cam is now caught up in something from which he may or may not have benefited. Anthony Stalter is not suggesting he’s innocent, but it sure sounds as though Cecil was the catalyst for this entire situation.

And shame on him (Cecil, not Anthony Stalter) if he was.

College Football, External Sports

Auburn Tigers Cam Newton Cam Newton quotes Cam Newton scandal Cecil Newton Mississippi State Bulldogs

If it’s not about keeping Favre’s streak alive, why play him?

December 10, 2010 / Anthony Stalter

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 05: Brett Favre of the Minnesota Vikings is assisted by medical staff against the Buffalo Bills defense at the Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on December 5, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Leslie Frazier said something on Friday that has me scratching my head. (It’s not lice – I’m clean.)

He said that he wouldn’t play Brett Favre for just one snap or one series to keep his consecutive games streak alive. He said, “I wouldn’t do that. We wouldn’t do that. And I can tell you Brett wouldn’t want it that way. I can tell you this: If we decide to play Brett, it’s with the mindset that he’ll play the game, and play well.”

Frazier went on to say that he doubts whether Favre would play through the “tremendous pain” he suffers when he starts his throwing motion. Yet we’ve seen this all before. Brett can barely stand up on Friday, but he starts on Sunday. Brett is in too much pain to even tie his shoelaces on Saturday, but he’s in uniform and under center on Sunday.

My question is, why play him if he’s not even close to 100%? I realize he’s never healthy and he’s played through injuries countless times before, but is the 2010 version of Brett Favre at 60% better than a fully healthy Tarvaris Jackson? Even the staunchest Favre supporters and harshest Jackson critics can’t say yes to that, can they?

I believe Frazier when he says that he wouldn’t play Favre to keep his consecutive starts streak alive. But I have a hard time understanding why Frazier still believes that Favre gives the Vikings their best chance of winning. He’s compiled a 69.6 QB rating this season and has thrown 18 interceptions to just 10 touchdowns. While he’s still completing over 60 percent of his passes (60.4%), the Vikings are converting just 35.76 percent of their third down opportunities and have a turnover margin of –0.9.

Granted, I understand those last two stats aren’t all Favre’s fault. But he’s the quarterback. He’s what makes the offense go and if he can’t keep drives alive and is failing to protect the ball, then get him out of there. Furthermore, if his health is factoring into his shoddy decision-making, then playing him makes little sense.

I realize Jackson isn’t the answer and his receivers bailed him out on a couple of bad throws in last week’s win over the Bills. But at least he’s healthy, mobile and hungry. Two of those descriptions don’t fit Favre and I’m starting to wonder if the third one does either.

External Sports, NFL

Brett Favre Leslie Frazier Minnesota Vikings Tarvaris Jackson

If they’re not going to use him, why did the Titans put a claim in on Moss?

December 10, 2010 / Anthony Stalter

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Randy Moss shows his frustration as he watches the game from the bench against the Houston Texans in the first half at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas on November 28, 2010. The Texans defeated the Titans 20-0. UPI/Aaron M. Sprecher Photo via Newscom

Want to know how irrelevant Randy Moss has become? It wasn’t until the fourth quarter of Thursday night’s game between the Titans and Colts that I realized he wasn’t on the field. And even then, one of the horrendous NFL Network announcers had to mention something for me to notice.

For only the second time in his career, Moss wasn’t targeted in a game as Tennessee fell to Indianapolis, 30-28. In five games with the Titans, he has just five catches for 62 yards, which of course begs the question: Why did the Titans claim him if they weren’t going to use him?

According to coach Jeff Fisher, the reason Moss didn’t see much action last night was because he and Kenny Britt play the same position.

“Well, (Britt and Moss) are playing the same position and so we try our best to rotate them both, but Kenny was feeling good and he made some plays for us,” Fisher said. “… It’s just that Kenny was a starter here and he came back (from a hamstring injury). He fought back. I’m pleased with everything Randy has done. He’s been great with the guys and great in the locker room and he’ll continue to play.”

On the surface, what Fisher said makes sense. Britt had an injury, returned, and earned his starting job back from the newcomer.

But the newcomer isn’t some street free agent that the Titans signed – it’s Randy freaking Moss. And even if Moss is on the downside of his career, it’s up to Fisher and his coaching staff to figure out how to best utilize the talent on their roster.

Are you telling me that it’s not worth having Moss streak towards the end zone and Kerry Collins throwing him a jump ball when the Titans are down two scores at the end of the game? Is that what Fisher is saying? That because Kenny Britt (the same Kenny Britt that has been in and out of Fisher’s doghouse the past two years) plays the same position that Moss is rendered useless? Come on.

I wonder what Bill Belichick or Andy Reid would do if they had both Moss and Britt on the same roster. I highly doubt you would have heard either of them say, “Well, they play the same position so that’s why we left Moss on the bench for four quarters.” They would find ways to get both of them on the field at the same time because that’s what good coaches do.

It’s ridiculous the way Fisher and the Titans have handled Moss and I wonder if this isn’t Fisher’s way of sticking it to the front office. As in, “Hey, you want me to use this guy? I’ll show you…Randy, sit your ass on the bench.”

If that’s the case, then maybe it’s time for the longest-tenured head coach to move on. I’m not saying that the mess in Tennessee is all Fisher’s fault, but sometimes change is for the best.

External Sports, NFL

Indianapolis Colts Jeff Fisher Kenny Britt Randy Moss