Published: December 14th, 2010 | Tags: Vincent Jackson, Fran Charles, NFL Total Access, San Diego ChargersChargers WR Vincent Jackson joined Fran Charles to discuss getting back on the field this season, the play of QB Philip Rivers and whether he thinks he could be back in San Diego next season.
Posted in: NFL Network
Published: December 13th, 2010 | Tags: Percy Harvin, Bernard Berrian, Brett Favre, Derek Hagan, Jacoby Jones, Percy Harvin, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Tarvaris JacksonBad news if you were banking on Vikings WR Percy Harvin playing on Monday night. Our Steve Wyche reported that Harvin is definitely out, citing a team source.
But when the fantasy gods close a window, they open another, as it leaves an opening for Sidney Rice to catch passes from Brett Favre Tarvaris Jackson. Favre is not expected to play, but come on, this is Favre. He returns from the dead more than the WWE’s Undertaker.
If you rolled the dice on Harvin tonight and need a pickup, Vikings WR Bernard Berrian is an option. Though, not a very good one. Check your league to see if there are any available receivers from the Giants (Derek Hagan), Texans (Jacoby Jones) or Ravens (T.J. Houshmandzadeh) as options.
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Posted in: Fantasy
Published: December 8th, 2010 | Tags: Matt Cassel, Josh Freeman, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Tampa Bay BuccaneersThe Chiefs announced that QB Matt Cassel underwent an appendectomy Wednesday. The procedure was successful, according to the team, and the Chiefs said they expect Cassel to return to work this week.
Wait, what?
As in the Chiefs expect Cassel to play this week? Or do we just take the Greg Brady exact word route, and note that he will just return to work? Most medical websites indicate that recovery from an appendectomy will take four to six weeks. And that’s just for a dude who sits behind a desk. Coming back from an appendectomy and expecting him to “return to work this week” seems like a bit of a stretch.
But we will keep on top of the injury report and the latest from the Chiefs this week.
Cassel was a risky fantasy start to begin with this week against the motivated Chargers, who traditionally play well in December (despite last week’s performance against the Raiders). Now Cassel is an even bigger question mark.
One quarterback that has been on the radar for a while and has some great matchups down the stretch is the Buccaneers’ Josh Freeman, who is available in just over half of NFL.com fantasy leagues.
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Posted in: Fantasy
Published: December 3rd, 2010 | Tags: Mike Tolbert, Mike Tolbert, Ryan Mathews, San Diego ChargersChargers RB Mike Tolbert (hand) was limited in practice on Friday, the first time he was able to practice at all this week. Tolbert is listed as questionable on the Chargers injury report, while rookie Ryan Mathews (ankle) is probable after practicing all week.
Tolbert is the more reliable fantasy option, though a bruised hand limits him in the passing game and the Raiders held him to only 11 rushing yards in the team’s previous meeting. Though, in fairness, the Chargers were put into a large hole in the previous meeting because of special team touchdowns.
Tolbert will be hard pressed to reach the 26 rushing attempts he had against the Colts in Week 12, and because of that, I would use Tolbert as a flex starter in most fantasy formats.
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Posted in: Fantasy
Published: November 30th, 2010 | Tags: Toby Gerhart, Brian Westbrook, Leslie Frazier, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, Toby GerhartSan Francisco 49ers RB Brian Westbrook became the hottest name on the waiver wire this week the moment that starter Frank Gore was lost for the season. But if you miss out on Westbrook, Vikings RB Toby Gerhart is a pretty good option.
Gerhart took over Sunday for RB Adrian Peterson, and coach Leslie Frazier told reporters Monday that an MRI revealed an ankle sprain for A.D. Meaning that Gerhart could certainly get the start this week against the Bills, or, at the very least, figure prominently in the offense. Hey, if you have dealt with any play and ankle injuries this year (looking at you, Ryan Mathews), you know these are troublesome. And Gerhart says that he is ready for the Bills.
And, really, if you are looking for just a one-week replacement at running back, Gerhart would be the better choice here, given the matchup against the Bills. If you are sitting on the outside of the playoffs and you need one back who could put up monster numbers and you can grab just one running back, I like Gerhart better than Westbrook this week.
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Posted in: Fantasy
Published: December 2nd, 2010 | Tags: Mike Tolbert, Norv Turner, Ryan MathewsThe San Diego Union-Tribune reports that Ryan Mathews (ankle) put in a full practice on Wednesday and appears ready to return to work for the Chargers. That means the potential for a backfield timeshare with Mike Tolbert is now staring fantasy owners right in the face.
However, I still see Tolbert as the better option, both for coach Norv Turner and in fantasy football.
He’s clearly been the team’s most productive running back, which was evident the past two weeks. With Mathews on the sidelines, Tolbert rushed for a combined 214 yards and two touchdowns. His nine rushing scores are also tied for the third-most in the NFL.
With a matchup against the Raiders and their porous run defense next on the schedule, fantasy leaguers shouldn’t be shy about using Tolbert as a No. 2 fantasy back or flex starter. Even with Mathews back, I still expect Tolbert to see more work — and all of the goal-line carries.
As for the rookie, I wouldn’t use him unless I was desperate for a flex option in a deeper league.
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Posted in: Fantasy
