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      Bucs’ Tanard Jackson suspended indefinitely, out at least a year

      September 22, 2010 /
      TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 4: Safety Tanard Jackson #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lines up on defense against the Arizona Cardinals at the Raymond James Stadium on November 4, 2007 in Tampa, Florida. The Bucs won 17 - 10. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

      The NFL has suspended Bucs’ free safety Tanard Jackson indefinitely for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

      From the Tampa Tribune:

      Jackson, who was suspended without pay for the first four games of 2009 for violating the same policy, learned of the suspension after Wednesday’s afternoon workout at One Buc Place, Bucs general manager Mark Dominik said.

      Specifics of Jackson’s violation were not disclosed, but the suspension began immediately and he cannot apply for re-instatement until July 22, 2011.

      “We know that he is suspended for the rest of the year,” Dominik said.

      The NFL’s substance abuse policy primarily covers drugs and alcohol, as performance enhancing drugs are covered under a separate policy. The substance abuse policy does not call for a suspension until a player reaches Stage 2 of the league’s intervention program, indicating Jackson failed for the second time to remain in compliance with the terms laid out for him as a Stage 1 offender.

      “As much as I would like to comment on it, I’m going through a lot and I can’t talk about it right now,” Jackson told the Tampa Tribune shortly after learning of the suspension. “Maybe at another time.”

      Jackson has a load of talent but this is his second suspension in two years and once again the Bucs are left with Sabby Piscitelli at free safety. Piscitelli was almost cut in training camp and if he does wind up back in the starting lineup, expect opposing offenses to consistently attack him in coverage.

      This is unfortunate news for the surprising 2-0 Bucs.

      External Sports, NFL

      Interpreting Mike McCarthy’s comments about Brandon Jackson’s workload

      September 22, 2010 /
      GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 19: Brandon Jackson of the Green Bay Packers celebrates a touchdown run against the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field on September 19, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Bills 34-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

      In the world of fantasy football, there was a bit of an uproar over how the Packers plan to use Brandon Jackson going forward. Here’s Rotoworld’s blurb about the situation:

      Packers coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Joe Philbin have indicated that they don’t see Brandon Jackson as a carry-the-load back going forward.
      McCarthy still plans to have Jackson on the field for a starter’s snap-count, but his carries will be limited. Packers coaches don’t trust Jackson’s body to hold up to the toll of 18-20 touches per game, and he’s still too valuable as a situational passing-down back. Barring a trade, Jackson will continue to split touches with John Kuhn and Dimitri Nance. Those who went “all-in” on their waiver wire budget will be disappointed to learn that Jackson is not going to be a reliable RB2.

      Here’s what Mike McCarthy actually said, via 540 ESPN Milwaukee:

      “Frankly, if you take (a look at) the snaps the way we’ve played here in the past, it has been by committee,” McCarthy explained. “Now, the run game was not because Ryan Grant had the bulk of it, (but) really our plan of how we utilize the running backs as far as how many plays they play in the game is very similar to our approach to the past.

      “(Before his injury), Ryan Grant didn’t play on third down all the time. Brandon Jackson (did). I never had an intent – and will not going further – to see Brandon Jackson carry the ball 30 times in a game. It’s a long season. We’re not trying to play one running back 55, 60 plays in the game and have the other two or three sit on the sideline. We’ve never played that way.”

      As a fantasy owner who dropped all of his bidding bucks on Jackson after Week 1, I don’t really care if he’s the primary ballcarrier, though it should be noted that he did have the most carries against the Bills in Week 2. I just want him to get the most snaps (at least 60%). He’s going to be on the field on third downs, so when the Packers go into catch-up mode or their two-minute offense, he’s going to see a lot of dump-offs in the passing game. This coupled with 10-15 carries in the running game will make him a solid RB2 in 12-team leagues. That’s the plan, anyway.

      There’s nothing that McCarthy said that worries me about Jackson’s forthcoming production. He said he’s not going to carry the ball 30 times a game. We knew this. He’s going to get most of the work, but the other RBs are going to be involved, just like the Grant/Jackson combo that the Packers used over the past couple of seasons.

      External Sports, Fantasy Football, NFL, Rumors & Gossip

      Vincent Jackson still a Charger, now ineligible to play until Week 7

      September 22, 2010 /
      SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 20: Wide receiver Vincent Jackson #83 of the San Diego Chargers prepares to enter the game against the Cincinnati Bengals during the NFL game on December 20, 2009 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

      The 4:00PM ET deadline for Vincent Jackson to be traded has come and gone without the Chargers making a deal. That means V-Jax will face his full suspension and will be ineligible to play before Week 7.

      According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Vikings made a “last ditch-effort” to try and trade for Jackson, but San Diego GM A.J. Smith declined the offer. It’s rumored that Smith was looking for both a second round pick and a third round pick for Jackson, but Minnesota was only willing to offer a second rounder and a conditional pick in 2011.

      It’ll be interesting to see how the Vikings’ offense continues to fare without Sidney Rice after they decided not to acquire Jackson, who may wind up sitting out the reminder of the season. Percy Harvin is reportedly dealing with migraines again, so the receiver situation in Minnesota is getting bleaker by the day.

      External Sports, NFL

      2010 College Football Week 4 Odds

      September 22, 2010 /
      Alabama Crimson Tide running back Mark Ingram smiles on the sideline during the second half of their NCAA football game with the Duke Blue Devils in Durham, North Carolina September 18, 2010. REUTERS/Jim R. Bounds (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

      We’ve still got a couple of days before another Saturday in college football kicks off, but here are some point spreads that jumped out at me in this weekend’s slate of action.

      No. 19 Miami vs. Pittsburgh +3.5, Thursday, 7:30PM ET
      This is a pretty even matchup across the board, which is why I like PITT getting the points at home in a nationally televised game. The only thing I caution is that the Panthers just lost star defensive end Greg Romeus to an injury and have been dealing with some off-field issues. But truth be told, that’s why I like them even more. The Hurricanes have won six straight over the Panthers and the public is going to be all over Miami. This line could move up to +4 or even +4.5 by kickoff and again, this is more of an even matchup than people think.
      LEAN: PITTSBURGH +3.5

      No. 24 Oregon State +17 vs. No. 3 Boise State, Saturday, 8:00PM ET
      I always hesitate fading Boise State in nationally televised games against good opponents (and in the case of Oregon State, a ranked opponent) because they like to use these opportunities to showcase themselves to BCS voters (see the Virginia Tech game in Week 1 as a prime example). But Oregon State is no joke and went toe-to-toe with TCU in the opening weekend before eventually falling, 30-21. I think odds makers have the line set high because in the last meeting between these two teams, the Broncos crushed the Beavers, 42-14. But there’s something about getting 17 points with a ranked team that intrigues me.
      LEAN: OREGON STATE +17

      No. 12 South Carolina +3 vs. No. 17 Auburn, Saturday, 7:45PM ET
      Maybe they were looking ahead to this game, but the Tigers were fortunate to get a win last week against Clemson at home. Auburn has won three of their past four games by a field goal dating back to a thrilling overtime win over Northwestern in the Outback Bowl last season. Seeing as how they’re a little beat up right now, I like the Gamecocks getting points here, although keep in mind that they’ve lost four straight since last beating the Tigers in 1933.
      LEAN: SOUTH CAROLINA +3

      No. 1 Alabama -7 vs. No. 10 Arkansas, Saturday, 3:30PM ET
      I keep going back and forth on this one, but now that ‘Bama is back at full strength offensively with Mark Ingram I have a slight lean towards the Tide – even in Fayetteville. Last year, Arkansas’ quarterback Ryan Mallett threw for just 160 yards in a loss to the Tide. ‘Bama has also won three straight games in this series and although I hesitate laying a touchdown on the road against a good Razorback team, I like the Tide as of right now. (Although I admit this will probably be a game I scratch off my list and just enjoy the action on Saturday.)
      LEAN: ALABAMA –7

      Continue reading »

      College Football, External Sports

      Think Ryan Fitzpatrick might be good for Lee Evans?

      September 22, 2010 /

      ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 9: Lee Evans #83 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates during the game against the Miami Dolphins on December 9, 2007 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

      Lee Evans hit the waiver wire in a couple of my leagues, and it got me wondering — would he be worth a pickup now that Ryan Fitzpatrick is the starter in Buffalo?

      Looking back to 2009, Evans averaged 3.0 catches for 36 yards and 0.43 TD with Trent Edwards at QB and 2.6 catches for 40 yards and 0.44 TD with Fitzpatrick.

      In other words, there wasn’t much of a difference who was playing QB for the Bills — Evans’ numbers were about the same.

      That said, I wouldn’t be opposed to picking him up if I had an open roster slot just to see what happens over the next couple of weeks. Buffalo has a fairly easy schedule for the rest of the season and Evans is just 29 years old, so it’s not like he’s over the hill. However, he hasn’t been fantasy starter-caliber since the 2008 season (63-1017-3), so one wonders what kind of upside he really has at this point. It’s important to note that last season (by far the worst of his last four), he was playing second fiddle to Terrell Owens.

      If he just went back to his 2007 and 2008 averages — 3.7 catches for 51 yards, along with his career 0.4 TD per game average — he’d post 11.2 fantasy points per game. Those are WR26-type numbers. That makes him a decent WR3 option, which means he should be owned in most leagues.

      External Sports, Fantasy Football, NFL

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