Week 13 Pickups

By: Gabriel Harber

Howdy folks and welcome to the last week we’ll share together.  Sad, I know.  I’ll be traveling for most of December which means I’ll be unable to catch the weekend action in a timely fashion.  I’ll have to rough it like my grandpappy did before the interwebs and all that jazz.  Oh well, I’m sure I’ll be replaced by someone far more talented but much less good looking.  Happy trails and see you in the championship.

Pick Ups

Dan Orlovsky:  Out of nowhere came Orlovsky on Sunday, painting us a picture that made us completely forget Curtis.  Yes it was the Patriots, and yes the playoff schedule is brutal, but if you’ve had injury problems or are in a 2 QB league, any starting quarterback sitting on the wire this late in the season is a godsend.  There’s enough talent surrounding him that he should be able to piece together some reasonable stats in the upcoming weeks.

TJ Yates:  Anyone who watched Sunday’s contest knows that the end result for Yates was much more impressive than the final stats indicated.  The athletic talent from North Carolina was asked to manage the game and allow Arian Foster and the defense to win it.  He looked extremely poised and one can only imagine that as he becomes more acclimated to his role that Gary Kubiak will open up the offense for him a bit.  Keep an eye on Andre Johnson’s hamstring aggravation as it could go a long way towards determining Yates’ value.

Donald Brown:  As predicted, Brown has secured the leading backfield role in an offense that suddenly has a little life to it.  The more the Colts receivers continue to improve upon their hot streak, the more value Brown will hold during the stretch run.

Marion Barber:  In my opinion the must add of the week is Barber.  A reeling Bears team has revealed itself to be less than capable of chucking it through the air and suddenly finds itself without its best offensive weapon, and the facilitator of over 50 percent of its total offense, Matt Forte.  I would grab Barber and hope we see a renaissance over the last four games reminiscent of his time in Dallas that earned him the nickname “Barbarian.”

CJ Spiller/Toby Gerhart/Roy Helu:  These three should already be owned in every league, regardless of format.  I’m simply listing them as a reminder so that if one happened to slip through the cracks you can pounce.  I rate them Helu, Gerhart, and Spiller.  Spiller would be second but there are rumors coming out of Minnesota that the Vikings may shut down Adrian Peterson for the season in order to protect their investment.

Demaryius Thomas:  I had a strong feeling that Thomas would step into prominence this weekend, and stopped myself just short of adding him to last week’s pick ups article and my FanDuel article on another site.  I wish I had pulled the trigger as I would have looked like a genius, but now I just look like another idiot.  Regardless of how you view it, it breaks down like this; Thomas is the Broncos purest talent at wideout and is an impressive physical specimen.  Decker, while providing an excellent safety valve for an emerging Tim Tebow, will fall into a natural WR2 role in Denver as Thomas is simply too good to stay silent for much longer.

Reggie Wayne/Pierre Garcon/Jacob Tamme/Dallas Clark:  You may find that over the course of the season some very impatient owners dropped one of these guys (I dropped Garcon after week 10 myself.)  It really says something about how bad a quarterback is when he can take talent like this and render it waiver wire fodder, but that’s exactly what the Curtis Painter era accomplished in Indy.  Now that Dandy Dan Orlovsky is firing rockets (I kid) the Colts offense resembles a living entity once again.  There’s no guarantees here as the playoff schedule is as rough as anyone’s, but there is certainly some sky-high upside should you choose to take the risk.

Visante Shiancoe:  Shiancoe has been mostly quiet this year, but a few factors have me convinced that he’ll be relevant for the last few weeks of the season.  One, Adrian Peterson may be out for the remainder of the season which means a definite uptick in looks for the other offensive players, and two, his schedule.  Once you get past a Lions defense that hasn’t really been intimidating anyone lately, you have one of the softer set of matchups for any tight end in the league over the last four weeks.

Thanks for reading this year folks and have a great holiday!

Be sure to give me a follow here.

Week 12 Pickups

By Gabriel Harber

I trust everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner, and that you made it through visiting with your in-laws without any Ndamukong Suh type incidents.  It was a great holiday for football as the Cowboys once it again made a winnable game unbearably nail-biting, Coach Harbaugh took home a victory, and the Packers smacked that ass once more.  Most of you are heading into the playoffs soon and this weekend could be pivotal for your inclusion or seeding.  Fortunately we’ve got some additions that are good for what ails ya.

The Pick Ups

Kyle Orton:  The artist formerly known as Neckbeard gets a second second (that’d be a third) chance in Kansas City and falls into a situation with some natural receiving talent.  Dwayne Bowe, Jon Baldwin, and Steve Breaston should all contribute to an offense that looks to be exponentially more effective than they’ve been the last three weeks.  I’m sure many owners dumped Orton when he was benched in week five, and rarely do you find a guy with QB1 potential on the wire right in time for the playoffs.

 Steve Breaston:  His value is directly tied to how Orton performs, but with Matt Cassel (and even Tyler Palko at times), Breaston has excelled.  He’s one of the more underrated receivers in the NFL dating back to his days in Arizona.  If you can snag him before he resumes producing you could end up with a solid WR3 for the rest of the season.  Because of shear yardage production I have to believe he finds the endzone at least a few more times.

Caleb Hanie:  He couldn’t make it happen on the field, but from a fantasy perspective he certainly got the job done.  His three interceptions and sacks were offset by two touchdowns and 50 rushing yards, while he also passed for 254 yards totaling 16.16 points.  I wouldn’t expect him to find as much success through the air every week, but I have to believe he’ll get some check down TD’s to Matt Forte and Marion Barber, as well as cut down on the turnovers as he gets more reps with the first team.  All in all, I’m buying here if I need quarterback help.

Roy Helu: 

• Fact: Helu totaled 164 yards and a touchdown on 30 touches.
• Fact: Shanahan came out and said that Helu will make an excellent #2 running back heading into the future.
• Fact: Shanahan also said that he finally thought Helu was ready for a starter’s workload.

If you have any idea what to make of any of this please let me know.  I just know Helu must be owned if he’s getting touches.

CJ Spiller:  At least we have good old Chan Gailey who, staying true to his word, featured Spiller heavily.  Though he was far from effective, the Bills were also playing against a Jets defense that was backed into a corner with their season on the line.  If you have the roster spot available I would definitely pick up Spiller, especially in PPR leagues. Like I said previously, if he is getting touches then he should be owned.

Jason Avant/Riley Cooper:  The Eagles have a short week which means they may be rolling with the same offensive unit as Sunday’s game against the Patriots, most likely.  Cooper and Avant both played well enough to be owned as long as they’re seeing time and targets, and with Vince Young continuing behind center and playing for a contract I have to believe he’ll be showing the world what he can do.  Avant is the safer pick.

Marcel Reece:  Relegated to a makeshift receiving corps, Carson Palmer’s favorite target on Sunday was fullback Marcel Reece.  Reece, who was a wideout in college, shined in his expanded role and may be in line for a repeat performance given the battered and bruised state of Oakland’s offense.

Greg Little:  After weeks of teasing us as one of the highest targeted receivers in the league, Little finally found the endzone, rewarding owners who’ve stuck with him.  Peyton Hillis was back and added another dimension to the offense that the Browns had been sorely missing, opening the passing game up for Colt McCoy and company.  If you’re in a PPR league I would gobble Little up like Grandma’s leftovers.

I’ll see you back here next week!  Until then, be sure to shoot me any questions you might have on Twitter.

Injury Report for 11/23

By Christian Hardy



November 23rd, 2011
Quarterbacks
- Mark Brunell received first team snaps for the Jets on Tuesday in hopes of motivating Mark Sanchez to play better, just as they did around this time of last year. Rex Ryan says that he doesn't envision ever sitting Sanchez.
- Michael Vick will not practice on Wednesday. He threw some on Thursday, but did very very little.
- Jay Cutler will undergo hand surgery today.
- Kevin Kolb took 35-40 percet of the snaps in practice today. He says that he feels good, but and is optimistic for this week. He also said that it is too early in hte week to tell if he will be able to go on Sunday. Boy, do the Cowboys need him.
- The Texans placed Matt Schaub on Injured Reserve, ending his season with a Lisfranc injury. They replaced his spot on the active roster with Kellen Clemons, after working out five quarterbacks on Tuesday.
- Colt McCoy said that his shoulder has been bothering him for a couple of weeks but it is just general soreness. He said that he will be OK, according to Nate Ulrich on Twitter.
- Head coach Mike Munchak on Matt Hasselbeck, via Jim Wyatt on Twitter: "He has some soreness, but looks better. Will be ready on Sunday."
- Kyle Orton was claimed by the Kansas City Chiefs, according to ESPN. Since the Bears missed out on the Orton sweepstakes, they signed Josh McCown to a one-year deal. UPDATE: The Chiefs still expect Tyler Palko to start one more game, this weekend, against the Steelers.


Running Backs
- James Starks was limited in practice with foot and knee injuries. He is listed as questionable and is expected to be a game-time decision.
- Adrian Peterson will be in a boot until Thursday. If he is not able to practice by Friday then he will be inactive on Sunday.
- Darren McFadden watched practice according to head coach Hue Jackson, per Paul Gutierez on Twitter.
- Joseph Addai returned to practice and said that he is "ready to play".
- After Fred Jackson was ruled out for week 12 earlier Wednesday, head coach Chan Gailey said that he doesn't know if Fred Jackson will return this season. Some experts and myself speculate that, rather than a calf strain, he may of torn the muscle in his calf. For a guy that is already 30 years old, it just got a lot worse. In the mean time, CJ Spiller will take over lead-back duties and is most definitely worth a pick up. UPDATE: Fred Jackson was placed on Injured Reserve with a broken fibula.
- Montario Hardesty will start on Sunday if he is active.
- Felix Jones is questionable for tomorrow against the Dolphins.
- Former Cowboys and Redskins running back Tashard Choice was claimed on waivers by the Buffalo Bills. I'd expect him, after this week, to slip in and share carries with CJ Spiller until Fred Jackson returns.
- Montario Hardesty was limited in practice this week and he said that he will play as long as there are no setbacks in practice.
- Willis McGahee was a full participant in practice. 


Wide Receivers
- Jeremy Maclin (shoulder) was a limited participant at  practice, while Desean Jackson plans to sit out with a foot sprain. Maclin said the shoulder is still painful and the hamstring is not yet one hundred percent. Both Maclin and Jackson said "we'll see" in regards to their status on Sunday.
- AJ Green said that he will practice on Wednesday. He is on track to start on Sunday, according to Rotoworld.
- Denarius Moore was seen in a protective boot on Wednesday.
- Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss, who has missed the last four games with a hand injury, practiced today and said his hand is "ready".
- Jacoby Ford could be out of a walking boot before tomorrow. If Heyward-Bey (neck), Denarius Moore (ankle) and Ford were not able to go, then their three receiver sets would feature TJ Houshmandzadeh, Louis Murphy, and Chaz Schilens.
- David Nelson and Naaman Roosevelt did not practice today with undisclosed injuries that are thought to be health issues. It is nothing serious, and both expect to play.
- Julio Jones is expected to practice tomorrow. He did not practice today.
- Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders practiced fully today and is expected to play this week.
- Malcom Floyd did not practice.

Tight Ends
- Vikings tight ends Visanthe Shiancoe (hamstring) and Kyle Rudolph (quad) both missed practice on Wednesday.


Defense/Others
- Cowboys CB Mike Jenkins has been ruled out for tomorrow. This will be his fourth consecutive game on the sideline.
- Eagles CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie missed practice on Wednesday and is on track to miss his second straight game with his high ankle sprain against the Patriots on Sunday.

Week 11 Pickups

By: Gabriel Harber

The past three weeks have shown exactly why having a good backup plan is imperative, both in the NFL and on our fantasy teams.  Let’s say for example you were sitting pretty at 6-2 just a few weeks ago.  You had Jay Cutler, Jeremy Maclin, Julio Jones, and Ahmad Bradshaw all producing at high levels and with the combined power of your other studs you felt confident in your chances of making a championship run.

Flash forward to the aftermath.  You’re spiraling downwards quickly, about to be 6-5 and clinging to the final playoff berth with a matchup against the league’s best team looming next week.  At this point it doesn’t matter how well you play the wire, you’ve lost a significant chunk of production and you’re left wondering what you could have done differently.

Don’t be that guy.

Even though our favorite game is heavily influenced by factors outside our control, we needn’t be helpless.  There are a few simple steps you can take to give your team the highest chance of succeeding through adversity.  Place extra emphasis an acquiring high value handcuffs.  Research and find out which guys have shown promise in practice, training camps, and pre-season games and target them as throw-ins in your trades.  Scour the waiver wire for high upside players that only need a depth chart breakthrough to be great.  Stop holding onto that WR5 because you “just know” he’s due and fill your bench with speculative home runs.

Or you can just call Brett Favre, I heard he’s available.

Blank Stare

(Do not, under any circumstances, text him.)

Pick Ups

Jacoby Ford:  With the Darrius Heyward-Bey banged up (thoughts and prayers go to him) and a hopeful return date of next weekend for Ford, the window to pick up Ford uncontested is likely closing.  Carson Palmer looks for him when he’s on the field which should be more than enough for you to trust him too.

Kevin Smith:  Obvious add is obvious. 201 totals yards, three touchdowns. That is all.

Matt Moore:  Head coach Tony Sparano spoke about an emotion and fire that Moore was exhibiting during Sunday’s victory.  Now I’m no expert (at anything) and I didn’t stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night, but there is something going on with the Miami Dolphins the past month that defies conventional wisdom.  Moore is playing at another level, managing games and daggering when necessary.  He had a career day yesterday with Brandon Marshall being a non-factor.  That’s impressive and an indicator of a player who isn’t forcing mistakes.  If you find yourself in quarterback damage control mode Moore is the guy for you.

Vince Young:  Michael Vick is banged up, and has a history of being banged up.  Young has been nothing but a winner his entire career (except that time when he was benched, and stopped producing) and as long as Vick stays hobbled I expect to him to make the most of every opportunity thrown his way.  If you’re in a keeper league this is a no brainer addition, as Young will likely be a starter somewhere next season.

CJ Spiller:  Fred Jackson has a calf bruise and that means that as unimpressive as Spiller has been, he’s still worth a pick up.  The Bills have been lining him up in the slot at times, adding a little icing on the cake for PPR’ers.

Riley Cooper:  Vince Young trusts Cooper, as is evidenced by the twelve targets tossed his way and the fact that Young looked to him with the game on the line.  DeSean Jackson is still in the doghouse and Maclin may not be cleared to play for a few more weeks.  If you need a fill in, Cooper versus New England looks as tasty as the Thanksgiving leftovers you’ll be eating as you watch.

Jared Cook:  This one’s tricky, as his value hinges almost completely on Mike Munchak’s decision at quarterback.  The Titans have a real shot at a playoff run, two games behind division leading Houston who is rolling with Matt Leinart the rest of the way.  The season concludes with a showdown at Houston that could potentially decide the division.  If the Titans stick with Hasselbeck then Cook loses much of his appeal, but should they choose to move forward with the future then Cook gains safety valve value for the talented young gunslinger.  Keep a close eye on the news coming out of Tennessee.

Nate Burleson:  The Lions (specifically Matthew Stafford) are throwing the ball as proficiently as they have been all year, and Burleson has been heavily involved the last two contests as defenses continue to load up on Calvin Johnson.  Throw in the newly established running game and you’ve got a recipe for success.

Backflips for Barber

Marion Barber:  The news out of Chicago is devastating.  Jay Cutler will miss at least the rest of the regular season.  I expect the Bears to limit Caleb Hanie by employing a two-headed monster approach in the running game, which is what Chicago has came out and said that they want to do.  Barber has shown he’s more than capable as a goal line back, and I would expect his touches to increase to around the 12-15 mark now.

Jake Locker:  Looking impressive in his first extended action, Locker almost led the Titans out from the claws of defeat this weekend.  He showed exceptional athleticism and poise as he threw bullets to Jared Cook, Nate Washington, and Lavelle Hawkins for long gains.  As mentioned above, look for the word coming out of Titans camp for news on what to do here. However, head coach Mike Muchak did say after yesterday’s game that

Toby Gerhart:  Peterson will likely sit a game, and that means a large workload will necessarily fall into Gerhart’s lap.  He’s shown speed and power in limited touches, but hasn’t really seen much action.  This is most likely a direct result of late season fumbles that placed him in coach Leslie Frazier’s doghouse last season.

I’ll see you back here next week!  Until then, be sure to shoot me any questions you might have on Twitter.