Archive for October 2013

Kimberley A. Martin of Newsday reports that New York Jets quarterback, Mark Sanchez, has surgery to repair the torn labrum in his right shoulder.  The surgery, performed by Dr. James Andrews (does this guy clone himself), presumably ends his 2013 season.

#eagles QB @MikeVick likely to get MRI on Monday but I'm also told Vick likely out at least next wk against Tampa and Maybe 2 weeks.
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) October 7, 2013

As you would expect, RB David Wilson was not practicing with the Giants on Tuesday. In uniform, but no helmet, no work.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) October 8, 2013

Owen Daniels' injury is a non-displaced fibula fracture. That is likely to keep him out 4-6 weeks. Tough blow for #Texans.
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) October 8, 2013

Per league source, Rob Gronkowski is expected to be cleared this week and it is likely he will play on Sunday against the Saints.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) October 8, 2013

How many times a quarterback is throwing the ball to your receiver, tight end, or running back can be a good reflection of how important that player is to the offense. Players who are targeted more frequently have their quarterback's trust, which teams need to win football games. In addition to target count, catch percentage is important to consider when looking at who you can trust to start on your team going forward.

The Falcons and Dolphins are off this week; I don't mean to suggest that the Dolphins had any viable fantasy starters when they were playing anyways. If you have been starting guys like Matt Ryan or Julio Jones you're going to have to look elsewhere for help at these positions. Also, not a whole bunch of injuries this week going to rattle your roster: Owen Daniels, the biggest heart-breaker among top performers.

Sunday is here, and that means a lot of football. A reminder to owners to check their team's for bye week players. The big names not playing this week include; Adrian Peterson, Doug Martin, Vincent Jackson, Antonio Brown, Alfred Morris, and RGII. Here's a look at some players who might be able to fill in for you, and some who might already be on your bench.

Buffalo Bills safety, Jairus Byrd, and his 2013 NFL season started out full of turbulence.  In the weeks since he signed his franchise tender and reported to Bills' camp, Byrd has yet to play a meaningful down of football.  As Josh Alper of NBCSports reports, Byrd wanted to play Thursday night but was grounded by his head coach.

Start Victor Cruz vs. Eagles. In four career game against the Eagles, Cruz averages 6 catches for 100 yards per game, and 5 total scores. Philadelphia's secondary is suffering from injuries early in the season and Cruz is going to continue to dominate, till proving to be Eli Manning's favorite target. This game is going to be a shootout to prove which team is truly the worst in the NFC East. The Eagles are allowing 225 receiving yards per game to wide-outs, and 2 touchdowns.

Start Josh Gordon vs. Bills. Buffalo has allowed a league-high 936 yards to wide-receivers this year, and Brian Hoyer has seemed to have found his wings under Rob Chudzinski.

Start Maurice Jones-Drew vs. Rams. This is the week all you MJD owners have been waiting for. The Rams are allowing 130 rushing yards per game to opposing running backs and the Jaguars are going to realize that their best offensive weapon for the last 8 years is still hangin' around, even if the Jags aren't.

Start Ray Rice vs. Miami. The Dolphins are giving up almost 75 receiving yards per game to opposing running backs, in addition to over 85 yards per game on the ground. It seems as though John Harbaugh is moving on from the delusion that Joe Flacco will carry the Ravens back to the playoffs. It's time for Rice to resume his place as the rock that Baltimore can ride. I'm expecting at least 20 fantasy points in PPR formats from Rice this week.

Start QB Terrell Pryor vs. Chargers. Assuming Pryor gets the start, he's definitely the hot hand in black and silver. The Chargers secondary has proven themselves as one of the worst in the league, allowing a 69% completion percentage to opposing QBs and a staggering league-high 26 fantasy points per game.

Start QB Eli Manning vs. Eagles.

Start QB Matt Stafford vs. Packers. In his last three games against Green Bay, Stafford has scored 8 times and averaged over 350 yards per game. Should be a good day for fantasy players on both teams as this game is likely going to be a shootout.

New England Patriots quarterback, Tom Brady, is leading his banged up Brady bunch against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday and although his Patriots are 4-0, Mike Florio of NBCSports reports that Brady knows the offense will be better once a few of his favorite targets come back from injury.

A few weeks ago Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and quarterback Joe Flacco had a media love fest each claiming one another was the best or going to be the best to ever step between the sidelines.  Now what happens when Flacco tosses passes only the Buffalo Bills' secondary can catch, you criticize your tight end.  As Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun reports, that is exactly what head coach Harbaugh did.

Cleveland Browns quarterback, Brandon Weeden, has a pulse.  It appears Weeden is cleared to play as he was full participation in practice on Monday.  However, Browns quarterback, Brian Hoyer, is set to start Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills but as Mary Kay Cabot tells us, Weeden feels otherwise.