Fantasy Football – Week 4 Pick Ups

By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter

Quarterbacks:

Bruce Gradkowski – Raiders
Bruce took the helm last week at QB last week in Arizona, he pulled in 255 yards and a touchdown. His knowledge of the system helps tremendously. Gradkowski has the ability to scramble as well which makes the veteran worth a look. This week he gets the Houston Texans whose secondary has been ripped for 381 passing yards per game and six touchdowns, Look for decent numbers in Week 4. Right now Bruce & WR Louis Murphy have great which could equal good numbers perhaps over 300 yds passing and 2-3 touchdowns. If you own Tony Romo you should look no further.

Sam Bradford – St. Louis Rams
If I must say, I’m impressed with this young kid, so much so, I picked him up myself this weekend. Right now he is doing fairly well for a rookie and through three games, he’s completing 59 percent of his attempts while averaging 218.3 yards and 1.2 touchdowns per game. His connection with freshly signed Mark Clayton is one to take notice of. Right now he has the confidence of his team and coach which will help when they face Seattle this week. Seattle’s secondary has allowed four touchdowns and 329 passing yards per game to passers. In week 5 the rams get the Lions and if you look down the road they have many favorable matchups on the schedule.

Mark Sanchez – New York
People are on the Sanchez bandwagon right now…rightfully so after his 7.6% TD/Att mark ranks second in the NFL behind only Tom Brady. If you look at Sanchez’s 2009 mark in this dept. it was 3.3%. How’s that for improvement? Sanchez has yet to throw an interception, which shows he’s being smarter with the football. As it stands right now Sanchez is out performing the artist formally known as Mark Sanchez 2009. He’s a better quarterback and leader now than he was during his rookie year for sure. Don’t forget he has the run game to lean on, which is also a nice security blanket. As long as his relationship with TE keeps booming things look good for Sanchez and his fantasy stats.

Ryan Fitzpatrick – Buffalo
As I said last week take a look at Fitzpatrick not bad for his first start. Fitzpatrick was balls to the wall in his first game and the Bills almost pulled an upset. What followed after that was the Bills decided to cut former starter Trent Edwards. Its going to be a tough ride for Ryan, but someone has to do it. Fitzpatrick still has to run a poor offense and doesn’t really have the big weapons to throw to. As of right now the Bills look comfortable with their running back by committee, which could mean fewer point-scoring opportunities for Fitzpatrick.

Charlie Batch / Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh
Somebody must have told Charlie he should be a full time starter before the game because he sure as hell played like one last weekend. Batch’s 3 touchdown performance in Sunday’s game could be deceiving. When we look at the numbers he only threw 17 passes and 3 of those passes went for touchdowns. It would pretty unfair of us to expect this week in and week out from Batch. Just a side note he was also intercepted twice, but did some yards with his scrambling he rushed 5 times for 26 yards. Batch gets a shot to start one more time for the Steelers, If you need him for this week, let him be there for you just for this week. Big Ben Roethlisberger has only one game remaining on his 4 game suspension. If he’s sitting their for the taking, go get him ASAP, if your in need!.

Running Backs:

Peyton Hillis – Cleveland
If its one guy you should have picked up already, its Peyton Hillis. I’m betting right now he is probably owned in your league, but, if not, and your playing with some sorry saps be sure to scoop him up today. Hillis had a huge game last week against a tough Ravens defense. He put in work racking up 144 yds which should now solidify him as thee guy for the Browns. You have to assume Jerome Harrison will steal some carries once he is back and healthy. Just remember that Hillis gets used a lot on 3rd downs too, and is a threat for catching the rock out of the backfield, which makes him still valuable down the road if Harrison challenges for starts.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis / Danny Woodhead – New England
Just when you thought The Wutang of RB’s have finally been dismantled enter Danny Woodhead and BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Last weekend both these guys made their presence known against Buffalo. They combined for 19 carries, 140 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Fred Taylor was out with an injury and Green-Ellis seized the moment and led the Patriots in carries for the second game in a row. Newly signed Woodhead had only 3 carries, but made the highlight reels with a 22 yard touchdown run. Green-Ellis is probably the most likely out of the two worth a bench spot until further notice, but if your in a deep league Woodhead deserves a look.

LeGarrette Blount – Tampa Bay
In his game with the Buccaneers, LeGarrette Blount had six carries for 27 yards but he added one touchdown. Cadillac Williams continued to disappoint with 13 yards on six carries. On the season Williams has 55 attempts for 139 yards, which leaves him with 2.5 yards an attempt. Blount looks ready to surpass Earnest Graham as a real deal backup to Williams. Early this season everyone was high on Kareem Huggins to replace Williams if he got hurt or was ineffective. Only problem is Huggins has been bothered by injury and was inactive for the game against the Steelers. Enter Blount…who was able to be effective in his six carries, and looks like he is ready for an opportunity at a chance to be the man be hind the man…or most likely THE MAN.

Kenneth Darby – St. Louis
If Steven Jackson ends up healthy enough to play in week 4, a darby pick up makes no sense. You will def have to watch the status on Jackson and plug and play Darby once you know. If Jackson is out for some time, he is worth checking out.  Between both back ups last week they combined for 26 touches. However Darby did manage to get in the end zone. If your desperate for a Flex play this week, Darby still could get some burn if Jackson is still banged up.

Ryan Torain – Washington
Ryan Torain had 7 carries and 46 yards on Sunday, meanwhile everybody thought Keiland Williams was the guy behind Portis but he had zero carries and only 4 targets. Remember Torain is an old Bronco guy and you have to know that Shanahan favors the kid. From the looks of it, Torain seems ready to be second string back behind Portis. Torain is worth a bench spot in deeper leagues. Since Larry Johnson got cut and Clinton Portis’ wrist injury people jumped on the Keiland Williams bandwagon. Torain could earn regular touches moving forward, especially with Portis averaging 3.7 yards per carry. With the Eagles giving up the 2nd most fantasy points to running backs…he could be an option.

Laurence Maroney – Denver
With Knowshon Moreno out, Laurence Maroney led the Broncos in carries and touches in week 3. Correll Buckhalter was still active and had (7 targets, 4 carries), Maroney led with 3 targets and 12 carries. The Denver Post’s Lindsay Jones expects Laurence Maroney to start and handle early-down work against the Titans this week.Correll Buckhalter is expected to be used on third downs and in “special packages,” but Maroney will lead the backfield in touches. Underwhelming as a runner last week, Maroney is a mere RB2/flex option against Tennessee’s No. 17 run defense

Maurice Morris – Detroit
Morris had six carries for five yards and caught five passes for 36 yards in Sunday’s loss at Minnesota. Morris saw more work than normal because rookie Jahvid Best left the game in the third quarter with a toe injury. Morris saw a lot of passes out of the backfield (he was targeted seven times) and is a player that Fantasy owners may want to take a flier on off the waiver wire early in Week 4 because he’d be in line for the majority of touches in Week 4 at Green Bay if Best can’t go. I don’t think it’s a great matchup, but Morris could have some appeal in larger leagues as a bye-week replacement.

Michael Bush – Oakland
Bush returned to the lineup Sunday and, as expected, played a back up role to Darren McFadden. Bush carried it only 3 times, but it’s worth noting that he did see a goal line carry. It’s amazing how fast the tables have turned in Oakland. For most of the preseason, Bush was being touted as the breakout star while McFadden was injured. Then, Bush went down with an injury right before the season and McFadden has since stolen the show. Oakland has said that it needs both backs to be successful, but its clear they keep feeding the rock to McFadden especially when he’s running hard these days. Bush is still worth holding onto in Fantasy, but is nothing more than a flex option for Week 4.

John Kuhn – Green Bay Packers
Brandon Jackson is not really playing like he wants to be the man out in Green Bay, which leaves room for sleeper Kuhn, a FB hybrid think of him as Peyton Hillis lite, he’s averaged 4.5 yards per carry over that same stretch. Fantasy owners have to expect a bigger role this week against the Lions. Detroit has allowed 5.2 yards per carry, 208.3 total yards per game and seven scores to RBs. For bye week purposes Kuhn is a good option to plug in this week.

Wide Receivers:

Brandon Lloyd – Denver Broncos
Lloyd produced like an elite receiver in Week 3, rolling up the fifth-highest Fantasy point total among all WRs for the week. However, the Broncos have several receivers sharing the load, so it will probably be unusual for the same receiver to have a big performance week after week. Last week Lloyd grabbed six passes for 169 yards and a long touchdown. Averaging a 24.2 yards per catch, Lloyd has become Kyle Orton’s deep threat option. Fantasy owners should consider him a solid No. 3 Fantasy WR heading into Sunday.

Lance Moore – New Orleans
Moore was a hot waiver wire pickup heading into Week 4, and those who remember his flashes of brilliance in 2008 should be licking their chops at the fact Moore will be going against a Carolina team on Sunday that has given up six passing touchdowns in the first three games of 2010. Yes, the Saints have a ton of weapons and Moore will likely have up-and-down stats from week to week as a result, but the fifth-year guy seems to be healthy again after a injury-plagued 2009 season and with this favorable matchup should be started as a low-end No. 3 Fantasy WR or flex option. You have to consider that Moore didn’t play much and went without one target in week 2. He’s worth a bench spot, but if you need help at WR its worth the risk.

Earl Bennett – Chicago
Bennett was inactive for Week 1 but has caught eight passes for 50 yards over the past two weeks. He appears to have the upper hand on WR Devin Aromashodu and should see some decent playing time down the line out of the slot. He and Cutler know each other from their days at Vanderbilt and seem to have a growing rapport. But until Bennett starts producing on a larger scale, Fantasy owners keep a close eye on him he could start producing.

Brian Hartline / Davone Bess – Miami
Marshall is clearly the go-to guy in the Dolphins offense, but with him constantly facing double coverage, Hartline could emerge as a home-run threat. Based on the play calling Sunday, the Dolphins seem to like him in that role. The 23-year-old doesn’t have much experience and will need a few more games like Sunday’s to emerge as a worthwhile Fantasy option, but he’s certainly worth watching when the Dolphins host the Patriots in Week 4. Bess showed a willingness to sacrifice his body on Sunday, making more than one leaping grab that resulted in him landing on his back. He had six catches for 86 yards against the Jets in Week 3, bouncing back from a one-catch, 12-yard performance at Minnesota in Week 2. He has always been a good possession receiver but has gotten pushed down the depth chart with the acquisition of Brandon Marshall. Dolphins QB Chad Henne threw for a career-high 363 yards in this game, so you can’t count on Bess to put up these numbers every week, but he clearly isn’t going to disappear in the offense.

Josh Cribbs – Cleveland
Josh Cribbs has been pretty good on offense so far this season, catching 10 passes for a team-high 143 yards with a touchdown and 32 rush yards on six tries. He even has a 9-yard pass to his credit. But even if he continues to be the Browns’ most productive WR, head coach Eric Mangini said that his reps as a kickoff or punt returner will not be scaled back. Cribbs will face the Bengals in Week 4, a team ranked 13th against the pass. “If he needs a breather, he can get it on offense,” Mangini said Wednesday. Cribbs was limited in practice with an ankle injury but he’s expected to play on Sunday.

Darrius Heyward-Bey – Oakland
Believe it or not but Heyward-Bey is 20th in the NFL in targets. We saw in Week 3 just how bad Oakland wants to get Heyward-Bey the football. He was targeted 11 times. Only problem is he had just three receptions. Heyward-Bey has been targeted more times (26) than teammate Louis Murphy (23), but Murphy has better numbers across the board. Heyward-Bey is still a wait-and-see project for the Raiders. He is worth stashing in larger Fantasy formats, but only start him as a potential sleeper as a bye-week Fantasy replacement for Week 4.

Golden Tate – Seattle
Tate has made some waves in the Seahawks’ return game for sure, and has started to get more and more snaps in the Seattle offense as this season has progressed. The only major concern is getting looks with Mike Williams, Deion Branch, Deon Butler and John Carlson to compete with its kind of tough However the Seahawks will face a Rams defense in Week 4 that has allowed wide receivers to average 16.5 yards a catch this season, the second highest total in the league. Tate is certainly worth stashing away in deeper formats just in case he does become the go-to option for QB Matt Hasselbeck down the road.

Arrelious Benn – Tampa Bay
Don’t be surprised to see more playing time in Week 5 for rookie WR Arrelious Benn, a second-round pick. Benn has played little so far but he did have three catches for 33 yards on Sunday. It’s possible that Benn could start as the Z receiver and rookie Mike Williams at the X.

Blair White – Indianapolis
White was on the field for 42 plays on Sunday in Week 3 against the Broncos and caught three passes for 27 yards and a TD. White would be a decent fill-in for Garcon and Gonzalez, and it appears like he will remain in the mix for the Colts. He’s worth adding in deeper leagues since anyone who catches passes from Peyton Manning has increased value. Remember, it was just a year ago that Garcon and Austin Collie came out of nowhere for the Colts to become quality Fantasy options.

Tight Ends:

Aaron Hernandez – New England
Aaron Hernandez has hauled in 13 of his 15 targets thus far for 211 yards. He is clearly going to be a favorite target of Brady going forward. Hernandez has hit the ground running in New England as a rookie and has had his share of big plays, as his 16.2-yard average leads all Patriots with more than one reception. He looks to add onto those totals in Week 4 against the Dolphins. Miami is allowing TEs to average 10 Fantasy points per week, which is tied for third highest in the NFL. Miami allowed Jets TE Dustin Keller to score twice in Week 3.

Jeremy Shockey – New Orleans
After two terrible games to open the season, Shockey went off for seven catches, 78 yards and a touchdown in a Week 3 loss to the Falcons. The Saints will continue to throw the rock, but to who is the only question. With the way QB Drew Brees spreads the ball around, Shockey is going to continue to have a roller-coaster season in 2010, so view him as a No. 2 Fantasy TE for the time being.

Seattle Seahawks Defense/Special Teams
Leon Washington’s amazing runbacks and the Seahawks D ability to get turnovers has Seattle into the position’s top-five. Another big turnout could put them on map this week. Rookie Sam Bradford and the Rams overall are improved at offense. However, pass protection is still a concern. The rookie quarterback has been sacked six times. Defensive end Chris Clemons, who has recorded two sacks in three games, could get busy. Don’t get it twisted, Seattle will give up the yards vertically, but with all the turnover, sack, and return TD possibilities, you cant pass them up.

A History of Rap: Jimmy Fallon, Justin Timberlake & The Roots

Power Rankings – Week 4

Week 4 is coming up and we still have surprise teams that are unbeaten. The Steelers, Chiefs and Bears all find themselves unbeaten an we have some changes in this Weeks rankings! Read more

Every Little Step with Mike Tyson & Wayne Brady

Fantasy Sleepers for week 4

This week’s Sleepers are a pair of rookie running backs from the NFC, who might force themselves in a feature role in the near future.

LeGarrette Blount – Tampa Bay
In his game with the Buccaneers, LeGarrette Blount had six carries for 27 yards but he added one touchdown. Cadillac Williams continued to disappoint with 13 yards on six carries. On the season Williams has 55 attempts for 139 yards, which leaves him with 2.5 yards an attempt. Blount looks ready to surpass Earnest Graham as a real deal backup to Williams.

Early this season everyone was high on Kareem Huggins to replace Williams if he got hurt or was ineffective. Only problem is Huggins has been bothered by injury and was inactive for the game against the Steelers. Enter Blount…who was able to be effective in his six carries, and looks like he is ready for an opportunity at a chance to be the man be hind the man…or most likely THE MAN.

Blount is a big back who is 6′0 and 247 pounds and has decent speed (runs 4.62 40) At Oregon he rushed for 1,002 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Ducks in 2008 on just 137 carries (7.3 yards per carry).

With last weeks goal line touchdown, Blount could potentially become a goal-line vulture, bringing him some value. Right now you have an opportunity to get this guy before everybody buys in. If you have a open spot on your bench, why not take a shot on adding this guy. From what I see at the moment…he looks worth the risk.

James Starks – Green Bay
Right now when you look at the running back situation, no running back stands out at the moment. Enter…James Starks. Right now he is on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and isn’t eligible to be activated after Week 6 against the Dolphins.

Starks is no stranger to injury and he might as well get the injury prone tag for the moment. In 2009 he missed the entire college season, but if the kid can stay healthy he could push Brandon Jackson to start when he returns.

At the moment it doesn’t look like the Packers are going to go out and deal for back, as the fantasy world thought they would. The University of Buffalo tailback is 6′2 and 218 pounds and runs a 4.5 40. In three seasons, he rushed for 3,140 yds 698 carries and 34 touchdowns. He’s also not a bad option catching the rock out of the backfield as he had 127 receptions for 898 yards.

If you’re looking for a dark horse keep your eyes on Starks remember its a couple of weeks away before he even gets a shot. But if your afraid to scoop him up now make sure you keep tabs on him before its too late.

Jaguars claim Trent Edwards off waivers

By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter
The Jaguars claimed recently waived Bills QB Trent Edwards on Tuesday . They confirmed that linebacker Alvin Bowen was waived to room on the roster for Edwards.

Right now the Jaguars are at (1-2) and have been unhappy with inconsistent play from David Garrard in their past two games. Garrard recent stats: He completed 28 of 53 passes and has thrown five interceptions and been sacked eight times in the losses.

The Jaguars seemed ready to make the move to backup Luke McCown however he had a season-ending knee injury in Week 2. They recently signed savvy vet Todd Bouman and Keith Nuill in the past week.

Trent Edwards was selected by the Bills in the third round of the 2007 draft. He spent 4 years in Buffalo and went 14-18 as a starter. Edwards was benched the day after going 11-of-18 passing for 102 yards with two interceptions in a 34-7 loss at Green Bay on Sept.19. He showed little improvement one week after going 18-of-34 passing for 139 yards and one touchdown in a 15-10 loss to the Dolphins.

If you look at the good side Edwards has a second opportunity with the Jaguars, who happen to be playing the Bills on October 10th. You gotta love reunions!

Edwards Highlights in Buffalo

Note to NFL: Peyton Hillis demands your respect

By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter

Im a big fan of turning negatives into positives and after a loss to the Baltimore Ravens this past weekend, we’re talking 0-3 in Cleveland. However there’s been one shining star amongst the Browns and his name is Peyton Hillis.

Sometimes you have to give credit where credit is due, and Peyton Hillis is demanding respect in every which way. Once upon a time there was once a back name Jerome Harrison. Harrison hit the fantasy football world by storm late last year, the only problem is he hasn’t become the number one option that everyone thought he would become in Cleveland after Montario Hardesty went down due to injury.

Peyton Hillis came into his own this weekend and did something pretty rare: He rushed for over 100 yards on a Ravens Defense. Baltimore is known for being physical and intimidating, and Peyton Hillis matched the physical play of the Ravens and then some. Hillis ran for 144 yards and 1 touchdown on 22 carries and averaged 6.5 yards per carry and had a 48-yard at the end of the third quarter.

Before the game against the Ravens’ Terrell Suggs didn’t know who Hillis was.

“Never heard of him before in my life [before the game],” Suggs said. [After the game] “I know who he is now.”

As a highschool senior in Arkansas, he rushed for 2,631 and 29 touchdowns on 261 carries. He was awarded the Landers Award, given to the top high school football player in Arkansas. He decided to stay in state and attended the University of Arkansas, which ultimately lead him to being the lead blocker for Darren McFadden. That opportunity to become a lead back for the Razorbacks never came. Hillis had a limited number of carries (4.7 per game) and his average yards per carry during his career was an impressive 4.7 and he also added in 12 rushing touchdowns while catching 11 touchdowns out of the backfield.

In the 2008 draft, Peyton was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 7th round. Like previous times, Hillis role in the offense was very limited, until injuries gave Hillis an opportunity. In the four game stretch at the end of the year that he played, Hillis rushed for 305 yards on 57 carries with five touchdowns. An injury ended Hillis’s rookie campaign in Denver that year but fans were excited to get him back for the next season. Along comes new coach Josh McDaniels. Hillis gets 13 carries total in his second season. In 2010 McDaniels packages Hillis in a trade for Brady Quinn the following offseason.

Some people say that things happen for reasons, and whatever the reason Peyton Hillis is making it his season to shine. It might be time to see Peyton Hillis finally be a featured back this season, especially with the way the offensive line are blocking for him. Look for the Cleveland Browns to bring the running game to Cincinnati with them this weekend.

Hillis Highlights from his Broncos Days

Terrance Newman gets decleated by Kelvin Hayden

By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter
Terrance Newman gets rediculously decleated on this punt return, you can almost feel this one, thats how bad he got hit on this…with the strength of a silverback gorilla Kelvin Hayden completely destroys Terrance Newman!

Pat White gets knocked out by Ike Taylor!

By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter
One of the scariest moments of any Dolphins’ games last year was when Ex-Dolphins’ QB Pat White was hit by Steelers DB Ike Taylor. He layed motionless on the field before being lifted onto a stretcher. Thank god he only had a mild concussion from this hit.

49ers fire offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye

By Gayle Saunders
Follow Him on Twitter

A day ago head coach Mike Singletary said Jimmy Raye would be the offensive coordinator for the rest of the season, in today’s news Raye was fired by the 0-3 49ers. Change of heart?

Quarterbacks coach Mike Johnson will now call the plays. Johnson becomes the 8th offensive coordinator in eight seasons. Assistant Jason Michael was promoted to quarterbacks coach. It’s understandable why quarterback Alex Smith has struggled at times when there’s been no consistency at the offensive coordinator position.

Other notable moves this week, The 49ers plan to make changes on their defense by sitting LB Takeo Spikes and safety Michael Lewis. San Francisco 49ers who are 0-3, were a popular pick to win the NFC West this year. They were routed yetserday and only scored just 10 points.

Currently the The 49ers are currently 20th in total offense, however they are 31st in the NFL in points per game with 12.7 points. San Francisco also has a minus-5 turnover ratio this season.
As a whole right now the theme for the offense has been inconsistency. Alex Smith has been inconsistent, as well as the receivers. The only one who’s been constant force is running back Frank Gore.

Singletary Postgame: 49ers vs. Chiefs

Next Page »