Chat, edition two will start at 2 PM. Be there or ... don't be there. Next week, we'll get Evan Silva and Aaron Gleeman into the mix and start setting up a few a week.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 12:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Here are my 100K picks for the week. Thus far, I'm safely nestled into the top 5,000, although I dropped down 2,000 spots last week. I am going heavy this week on Redskins, Seahawks, and Bucs because of matchups. I would have considered some Raiders, but used LaMont Jordan and Ronald Curry in Week 1. I'd stay away from the rest.

QBs: Jason Campbell, Matt Hasselbeck

RBs: Shaun Alexander, Carnell Williams

WRs: Joey Galloway, Deion Branch, Santana Moss - I was very tempted to use T.J. Houshmandzadeh or Chad Johnson against the smurf Seahawks, but there will be other NFC West matchups for them to exploit later.

TE: Chris Cooley

K: Josh Brown

DEF: Panthers

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 12:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Got a chance to watch the Shortcuts version of Houston-Carolina this morning. A couple thoughts from the game.

DeAngelo Williams plays more when the team is behind - Williams had ten looks (targets +touches) in the second half, while DeShaun Foster had five. Foster's second lost fumble in as many weeks won't help him stay on the field. Maybe Williams will be a bigger factor when they head to Atlanta this week.

Houston's line plays better - The Texans were stuffed in Week 1 against Kansas City, but Ahman Green had nice holes to run through. If it was a closer game, Green would have put up big totals. Houston's defensive line, especially Amobi Okoye, also had a big game. This group is for real.

Continue reading "Thoughts on Texans, Panthers" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 11:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)

Josh McCown has surprisingly been a trendy pick in the $100,000 challenge this week, with a matchup against the struggling Browns. The only problem: He may not finish the game.

"You could see them both in a game," coach Lane Kiffin said, referring to Daunte Culpepper and Josh McCown.

It certainly would be nice time to introduce Culpepper. Considering Cleveland's play on defense this season, McCown has a good chance for a fast start Sunday. If he doesn't score a touchdown in the first couple series, though, Culpepper could see his first regular season action of the year.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 10:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

LaMont Jordan isn't the only player to keep an eye on Friday and Sunday morning. Here's some of the future stars to watch for in Evan Silva's Last Minute Decisions column.

James Jones, Packers - Left practice with a hamstring pull, although Packers coach Mike McCarthy sounded optimistic that he could receover.

Greg Jennings, Packers - Hopes to practice Friday.

Brian Westbrook, Eagles - Would love to see him back on Friday.

Zach Thomas, Dolphins - History of concussion problems is a big concern.

Darrell Jackson, 49ers - Make sure he practices Friday.

Plaxico Burress, Giants - Expected to start

Ron Dayne, Texans - His absence would be great news for Ahman Green owners.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 09:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

LaMont Jordan's back injury could present a tricky situation for owners. The number one fantasy back in this short season, I can't imagine Jordan would be on many fantasy benches against the Browns.

Lane Kiffin said Thursday that Jordan's status may not be known until gametime, which is not what you want to hear. Jordan has a 4PM start, and some rosters may not allow the flexibility to wait until gametime.

With that said, Jordan participated in a portion of practice Thursday. The invaluable Inside the Raiders wrote that Jordan got a good sweat in and "should be able to face Cleveland."

My guess at this moment is that he'll start. But it would help immensely to get more information before setting my lineups. Keep following the news closely, and hopefully Jordan owners can make a confident decision by Sunday morning.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 12:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (16)

I was wrapping up Thursday answering some emails when this trade from the profootballtalk.com Fantasy Media Challenge hit the inbox ....

9/20: Alaskan Assassins (ESPN Mag's Seth Wickersham) trade D. Steelers DST to Malicious (CBS' Mike Freeman) for A. Green, S. McNair, and M. Pittman.

First of all, I respect Freeman a great deal. I own and loved one of his books - Bloody Sundays. But this trade is an example why knowing real football doesn't always equate to knowing fantasy football. It takes a few years Mike - don't give up.

I love two things about this trade...

1. Wickersham had the stones to throw in Pittman and McNair, as if Green wasn't enough. Well played.

2. Freeman already owns the Jaguars defense.

I would go on, but these guys have accomplished more as writers than I ever will, and they probably won't love getting called out by some snot-nosed fantasy football dork. Just know Mike, if you are out there, I am always willing to trade. And I've got a guy named Sebastian Janikowski that would fit right in with your team.

***

Finally, a quick link. T.O self-appoints himself Captain. It was only a matter of time.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 05:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Chase Stuart from profootballreference has an interesting look at LaDainian Tomlinson's slow start. He'll bounce back, but Stuart has some stats that make you wonder if LT2's RB1 status is really safe.

The Fantasy Fix is up, and Tiffany fans (aren't we all?) will be disappointed to learn she's at the Dew Tour for the rest of the week. But you can still watch me ramble for a few minutes.

The Week 3 fantasy podcast is up at profootballtalk. Florio and I mix it up for considerably longer than the usual three-to-four minute Fix time.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 05:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Some possible reasons ...

1. The league is catching up Sean Payton's schemes

I'm not smart enough to explain how Payton confused opposing defenses last year, but he out-coached some teams last year. He made Terrance Copper look like Sterling Sharpe. That's not happening anymore.

2. The Saints can't beat the Cover Two

Chicago, Indy, and Tampa all play the Cover Two. Maybe New Orleans will do better against different defenses, although Tennessee is almost certain to play two safeties deep against New Orleans as well.

Continue reading "Why are the Saints struggling?" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 04:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)

One of the Pancake Block commentors Jon, presumably an Adrian Peterson owner, asks whether Peterson will return to the bench when Chester Taylor is healthy.

Jon writes, "I've heard grumblings that AP has a tough time protecting the QB and lacks patience as an inside runner. Plus, his big game was against the Falcons."

Continue reading "What about when Chester returns?" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 02:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)