The Q&A About DA

I've had some time to mentally digest the whole Browns potential choke as well as the pending quarterback situation. Note that I refuse to call the loss to the Bengals a full-on "choke" until this week is over. If Indianapolis beats Tennessee and the Browns make it into the playoffs, they will be lucky. If the Titans come out on top and Cleveland is sent packing, then I will whip out my best Spike Lee. But until that time, nary a word.

I received an email today asking me of my opinion on the Derek Anderson issue. Let me say first that not only will he start this coming week, but he should. Whether or not the Browns plan on re-signing the quarterback, or offering him up in a trade, you always want to maximize potential trade value. Starting Brady Quinn would not only spur a potential controversy, but it will further depress DA's value - as if the lawn chair job against Cincinnati wasn't enough.

I never thought I would say this, but Braylon Edwards could actually be a voice of reason. From the Plain Dealer:

"I can't see him doing that this late in the season and cause any controversy or anything like that [with] how we've played all year," receiver Braylon Edwards said. "There have been some chances for Quinn to get in, if that were going to be the case. He didn't take them then. I don't see him taking them now."

Now, looking forward to next year a bit - being that this game means relatively nothing in terms of the season as much as it does for individual player value - I say test the waters. The investor in me thinks that no matter what, flipping a sixth round draft pick into an earlier pick (first rounder? wishful thinking?) is a no-brainer. Three years ago, if someone told Phil Savage that he could do this, he wouldn't even think twice. Sell discipline is as key in investments as it is in sports - except there's no such thing as unrealized gains in football. (Eat shit, Uncle Sam!)

The Browns have a future quarterback, yet one of the worst defenses in the game. Yes, it is always great to have depth - just ask the guy who drafted Larry Johnson in fantasy football this year and took a bunch of receivers afterwords. However, you also want to maximize the potential that you put on the field. If the Browns have to settle for starting a defensive line that would struggle to make it on the field at all had they be rostered by a different team, they should reallocate some of their resources - assuming the price is right.

TO and the Return of the Picks!

Now these Thursday games hurt me a bit because I have very little time to adjust my fantasy football lineup during the week. Thus, I missed out on about 20 points from Green Bay running back Ryan Grant, scoring twice with a bevy of yardage.

One player who is a mainstay in the linuep, and thankfully, is Mr. Terrell Owens. I turned the game off at half time and Owens had already garnered 147 yards and a touchdown. Not too bad. And big thanks to Fan IQ for this pic...



No word on if the popcorn is considered a prop, or if T.O. was just hungry. Either way, he continues to be OK with ME!

And now to the picks. It's been a few weeks, but it may have been for the better as my fiancé went 13-3 in her first week making some selections. But hey, whatever brings in the money.

Jacksonville (+6.5) over INDIANAPOLIS
I liked this one a lot better when it was at 7, but I'm not going to let a little movement scare me away. Indy barely beat Kansas City on the road a few weeks ago and will be facing a defense that may just win the division - assuming they can win this one straight up. Thankfully, that's why we get points.

New York Giants (-1.5) over CHICAGO
It's like the battle of the awful quarterbacks. Since we'll just go ahead and net them out, you have to just go with the team that has the better supporting cast. Of course, if the G-Men decide that they'll be cute and kick the ball to Devin Hester all day, then this is pointless. Assuming common sense is a bitch sometimes, but if I think they'll win straight up, 1.5 isn't much to give. I hope.

ST. LOUIS (-3) over Atlanta
St. Louie looks a hell of a lot better lately than the 2-9 that their record shows. They've won two of three, they have Stephen Jackson back, and they're playing Atlanta for crying out loud. Thinking here is the line was set so low because the Rams have a back-up QB playing. Vegas obviously hasn't watched Marc Bulger much this season.

San Francisco (+3) over CAROLINA
So I pick up Arizona's defense last week in my league because they're playing a Niners team that put up about 15 combined points over the past month. That worked really well. If Frank Gore looks anything like he did last week, it'll be enough to cover. Good thing that no one will have to actually witness this game outside of the Tanner Family and Charlotte. Yes. That was a Full House reference. You love it.

Good luck, all.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Doing the no-work-thus-no-blogging thing for the next day or so. Just wishing anyone that stops over in the next 24 hours a Happy Thanksgiving.

What am I thankful for? Well, lately it's been Terrell Owens who has nearly single-handedly won me a few fantasy football matchups.

He may be a sonuvabitch, but dude can sure rack up those TDs! Happy holidays, all.

Jason Webster Resurrection?

The Buffalo Bills have been one of the NFL's better stories of this season. Many pundits had them pegged to be one of the worst teams in the league. The team decided to prove a few people wrong by rolling to a 5-4 record - good enough for second in the AFC East behind some team from New England.

Opening day saw them lose one of four games as they lost to Denver 15-14. Cornerback Jason Webster broke his forearm in that game and was subsequently placed on the Injured Reserve, ending his season.

However, if you're one of those guys that uses Yahoo!s forecasting system for your fantasy leagues, they've pegged Webster to put up nearly nine points this week as the Bills take on the New England Patriots.

Check it out here...


So, if you're a risk-taker, you can plug the injured (and inactive) Webster into your lineup and see if he can achieve his forecasted six tackles and one-tenth of an interception.

In fact, I suggest you forward this on to all of your IDP leaguemates and suggest they do just that.

Josh McNeil Has Fun

I'm going to admit that I'm not the most educated when it comes to college football. I live in Ohio, so we get inundated with Ohio State and the rest of the mediocre-at-best Big Ten.

I also know that those in the SEC are not fans of the Big Ten, obviously due to the variance in competition that respective teams have to face.

I, however, am now a fan of the SEC, and the University of Tennessee in particular. OK, just their center.

From EDSBS, a little police blotter news regarding Josh McNeil:

Several hours after the University of Tennessee football team thumped its opponent on the field Saturday, UT center Josh McNeil was quizzed by police about a broken window at his apartment and the three intoxicated women in his bed.

You can bet your ass that Peyton Manning never had such accomplishments. Eli may have had three dudes. Maybe.

(Quick Note: Upon finding McNeil's picture, there is no evidence of what the three females looked like. It may have not been too pretty - if it even matters. Thus the use of "Fantasy Football" tag)

UT Football Player is Intercourse Hero [EDSBS]

D.J. Hackett Is Dedicated

A little quick blurb for all of you fantasy football fans out there. One of this season's biggest sleepers coming into the year was Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.J. Hackett.

Unfortunately, Hackett went down with an injury early in the season after amassing only seven yards through the air. Well, it looks like the road to recovery has been fruitful, and 'Hawks head coach Mike Holmgren expects Hackett to be game ready for week eight.


The only problem I see is that this coming week is in fact "week 8," and Seattle is on their bye. With that said, I'd consider waiting until next Sunday to give Hackett a whirl, but it couldn't hurt to add him now if he was dropped!

D.J. Hackett Player News [Yahoo]

Morning YouTubeness: Purple Jesus

While Monday's are typically awful, I'd have to argue that this one may not be so bad. Well, unless you're one of those guys that swapped Adrian Peterson for Sammy Morris right before game time in your fantasy football league.

Peterson tore up the vaunted Chicago defense for 361 all-pupose yards and three touchdowns. He made half of the team look like they were standing still for the majority of his 20 carries. NFL players don't average 11 yards per carry through an entire game. Especially rookies. Against Chicago. Except one man. Purple Jesus.

Check out the run that takes place about 50 seconds in. Absolutely sick. Enjoy.



Bad. Ass. [Kissing Suzy Kolber]

Morning YouTubeness: The Comeback

I have to admit, I turned this game off after the Indians/Yankees game had ended. Mostly due to the fact that I was extremely bitter out of getting zero production from my fantasy trio of Terrell Owens, Lee Evans and Marshawn Lynch.

Thankfully, someone posted a video of all of the essential plays that allowed one of the better comebacks of the season. Best part is hands down Mike Tirico's "And the Cowboys win! No!"

If you're a Cowboys fan, enjoy. If you're a Bills fan, there's always next week. Oh, you're on a bye? Even better.

Morning YouTubeness: Champ Bailey, Route Runner

Happy Monday, all. Rough weekend for some - including those who took the 'under' on the Browns/Bengals game. 700+ yards of offense?

Speaking of rough, check out this defensive stand by the Broncos yesterday, capped off by Champ Bailey running a better route than half of the wide receivers in the league. The guy is amazing. If your fantasy team has a receiver playing the Broncos any time soon, you may as well just chalk one up for the other guy.

What's Your Fantasy?

Alright kids... Plug time.

You should all know Dennis Velasco by now, as he's dropped by this place a few times to post some wholesome goodness. And if you're thirsting for more, swing by About.com as he continues to drop some science on the game of basketball while he sits in a plush office overlooking the Soho District*.

And even if that's not enough, I urge you all to head to The New Pamphleteer. Dennis joined forces with David Sandora to put together The Pocket Guide To Fantasy Football.

In this guide, you'll not only get strategies and player predictions, but these guys were kind enough to let me provide the top 100 overall players, as well as the top 20 in each position for you to draft this fantasy season - complete with commentary. While most industry magazines cost over $7 and are full of advertisements, you can get this guide for almost half the price while it includes nearly 70 pages of non-stop information.

The testimonials do not lie:

"Whether you're a fantasy football rookie or an experienced veteran, you'll learn plenty about how to succeed, and more importantly, have fun playing the game." —James Quintong, SI.com Senior Producer/Fantasy Sports

Sandora is the sports editor for Metro New York, and Velasco is pretty much "The Man" when it comes to fantasy sports. Couple that with myself being an all-around nice guy, and I defnitely recommend picking up a guide for yourself. Thanks for listening.



*Could be completely made up...aside from the About.com stuff

Couldn't Have Put It Better

If you watched the debacle that was the ESPN Fantasy Draft last night, you witnessed some pretty rough stuff.

WTO put together a nice run down of what took place.

I'll save you the time. Just click on that link and take a gander. You won't be disappointed.

Morning YouTubeness: Take Two

I was torn between saving this for tomorrow or posting it today. After you watch it, you'll understand why I couldn't wait.

Morning YouTubeness: Akers San

Another day, another kicker. Who knew David Akers was so deep? Enjoy.

Morning YouTubeness: Nuge!

'Morning, folks. Sip some coffee and enjoy this little clip of former Ohio State Buckeye and current New York Jet Mike Nugent. Fixed or not, I'm digging it.



(via Dan Shanoff via NFL Fanhouse)

And Then There Was One

Shortly after being inducted into the ESPN Fantasy Hall of Fame, Tampa Bay Bucs running back Mike Alstott has decided to hold a press conference today, likely announcing his retirement from the game of football - obviously ending on a high note.

Alstott has recently been placed on the injured reserve due to injuries to his neck and vertebra. Alstott, 33, said his neck felt sore after training camp opened, but unlike the soreness in the rest of his body, his neck's soreness didn't subside.

"I guess one thing, you don't mess with the neck, huh?" Alstott said. "There's always situations where it can be worsened by playing. That's why you have IR, and that's why you don't play the rest of the year, because it is a severe injury and it's a situation you don't mess with.

This unfortunate announcement will likely mean that Panthers running back Nick Goings will be the only white running back to make a final roster this season. Goings, himself, saved a few fantasy owners back in the day when he rushed for six late-season touchdowns in 2004. As of this post, he's still waiting to be inducted into ESPN's fantasy hall.

Stay strong, Nick. Your time will come. DeShaun Foster's knees told me so.

Clinton Portis Has A Secret Admirer

With the NFL about to begin the first weekend of preseason play (sorry Hall Of Fame Game, you're not as popular as you should be) that means two things. One, well...Football is FINALLY upon us. And two, fantasy football is also knocking at the door.

Love it or hate it, fantasy football is something that is pretty much synonymous with the game itself. I mean, what could possibly be more fun than "drafting" a bunch of football players that you don't know, hoping they put up "points" for you each week - ultimately vaulting you in to the playoffs...which just so happen to start before the acutal playoffs?

Answer: Drafting people that you do know. Just ask Chris Cooley.

Dan Steinberg over at the D.C. Sports Bog reports that Cooley, an avid fantasy football player (who just so happens to play real football) drafted his teammate Clinton Portis in the NFLPA league this year. Before all of you fantasy freaks go apeshit for Cooley reaching on Portis - it was a second round selection, after drafting Frank Gore in the first.

I said that might be a tad early for Portis; "but I wanted him, because I like him," Cooley said.

Great guy. He also took the Redskins defense, which is odd considering that I didn't know you could draft something that doesn't exist. Zing!