There are a lot of plains in Nebraska

Posted on 30. Sep, 2009 by Jesse in Blog

I’ve been away from things for a few days now, just taking some time to clear my head. The kind of time one needs when stretched thin by life’s realities. The kind of time where you surround yourself with those you love and reflect on things long past. It would be wrong to deem those past times as being “better times” just because we now feel loss. They were great times, and we’re wise to re-live them. But we also need to remember the times we’re in right now will soon be tomorrow’s yesterdays. Deep? Maybe, but the kinds of things one ponders while gazing at the plains in Nebraska.

I grew up in the panhandle; that’s what the small-towners in Northwest Nebraska refer to the rectangular shape of the state’s left-most extremity. It’s different there, you can be sure. The towns around are filled with kindly folk who do things the way things ought to be done. A handshake is all you offer as a pledge of your word, and dinnertime has a mandatory attendance policy. See, here people are the most important part of life. Grandsons mow lawns each weekend for Grandmas, men open doors for women, people greet one another with smiles, and a never-ending game of dominoes goes on down at the community center. The rolling plains out the window serve as the perfect backdrop for a simpler way of life.

It’s from one of those small, seemingly insignificant towns that a big story unfolded. Broadwater is barely a dot on the map of my atlas, but it’s the epicenter of my family’s story. My grandma is from there. Met my grandpa there when he had just returned from WWII. They lived in a 400 square-foot house there (with an infant) nearly 60 years ago. It’s in that same town this week my family buried that soldier, in a cemetery on the side of a trademark rolling hill. The man was my grandfather, and he’ll never be forgotten. Partly because he was jokester and loved to tell tales, but mostly because he was our ‘Pa’.

Yes, the story I speak of starts in a very small town. In fact, the story probably wouldn’t be of interest to you, because it’s my family’s story. Tons of chapters, told by different tellers, weave an endless string memories together. I’m seeing, more than ever, that the story is important. I’ve always known that family was to be a priority, but honestly, my own busyness and desire to achieve have often derailed me.

I’m glad it’s quiet here in Nebraska, I think it’s supposed to be. It makes thinking and reflecting a daily ritual, and that’s exactly what I needed. I’m leaving here with a pledge to refocus. Remembering is great, and sometimes it’s all you have left. But taking time to make the memories is just as important. Throw a ball with your kid when he wants you to. Take your wife out to dance. Tell your mother you’re sorry, or you love her. Call that brother you haven’t talked to in years. Reflect.

Good bye Pa, I love you.

When you are out here, you feel it. There is a connectedness between the plains and the people.

Must Start: Felix Jones

Posted on 26. Sep, 2009 by Jesse in Articles

Ok, we’re not off to the best of starts with this Saturday night tradition. Ray Rice wasn’t a bad option in week one, but I whiffed big time on LenDale White last week. I’ll try harder here, and hopefully week three will yield a better result. The premise remains the same: I pick a guy who is probably sitting on your bench right now and explain why you should start him over players you currently have in your lineup.

Without wasting any more time, I give you the third name in this weekly column: Felix Jones, RB Cowboys.

If you haven’t watched Jones closely, let me fill you in on his game. The former Razorback has blinding speed, great moves in the open field, hits the hole with authority, and has been waiting for an opportunity to get extra touches. With Marion Barber looking more and more doubtful with each passing day, Monday night could be Felix’s coming-out party. The fact that Jones is playing the beatable Panthers defense makes this a huge plus, as does the back-to-the-wall nature of this game for the Cowboys. Dallas needs to win badly, and will run the ball a lot to do so.

Jones is an amazing athlete. At 6′0″and 220 pounds he’s big enough to run inside, but has the wheels to beat defenders to the corner with ease. Jones put up 96 yards and a TD last week against a staunch Giants D, and he did so on just seven carries. Jones is averaging over nine yards per carry this season, and should be looking at 15-20 total touches on Monday night. Even if Barber is active, Jones will see a dramatically increased role, and should capitalize. Doubters will quickly point out the presence of Tashard Choice, but Jones will get the goal line work and will be a better fantasy play. Plus, his home-run ability could easily see him rip off a 60+yard TD run like he had last year in week three against the Packers.

You drafted Felix in case Barber got hurt and he had a great matchup. Both cases are true here on Monday night, so don’t let yourself be scared off… Jones is about to pop in a major way. Start him confidently.

Honorable mention: (so far the names listed here each week have tremendously outproduced the headliner in this column, so take note) Ahmad Bradshaw vs Tampa Bay, LeSean McCoy vs Kansas City, Beanie Wells vs Indy, Ray Rice vs Cleveland.

Best of luck to you all this weekend, and thanks for stopping by GoHuddleUp!

Who’s the Manningham now, huh?

Posted on 25. Sep, 2009 by Jesse in Articles

Don’t look now, but two weeks into the season the Giants have two WR’s listed in the top-five for receiving yardage – Steve Smith and Mario Manningham. Yes, Eli doesn’t seem to miss Plaxico Burress at all early in the season (although I’m hearing Plax isn’t faring so well without Eli…) and the Giants have rolled out quickly with a 2-0 start. The younger Manning seems so cool under fire, and now with this youthful band of WR’s, Eli is finally able to lead his way. Of course, questions were rampant this offseason about the Giants WR corps and their individual/collective defeciences. Through two weeks though, it’s all good. But fantasy owners still want to decypher which WR will become a true #1, and I believe we may be getting a glimpse right now. Burress’ blunder may pave the way for another guy who has also made his share of mistakes.

Part of the reason why the Giants WR situation is so befuddling is the relative anonimity and lack of experience of so many of the players. Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith are currently listed as the starters, but are hardly the types of receivers that will keep defensive coordinators up at night. Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden are sexy rookies, but first-year WR’s rarely round into form, and Nicks is already missing time with injury. Sinorice Moss is still hanging around to collect a paycheck, but he’s never going to amount to much at this level. Ahh… but that leaves one final name: Mario Manningham.

Through two games, Mario has been super. Catching a TD in each contest so far, Manningham has risen up the ranks quickly. His 10-catch, 150-yard performance on national TV last Sunday Night may have been the coming-out party, as Eli Manning is seeing Mario’s potential. We should do the same.

Manningham is entering his second pro season, and was largely overlooked by experts and pundits due to a shaky history. He scored lower on the Wonderlic test than a ten-pound turd, and had an ego that immediately repulsed teammates and fans alike. Then there was the alleged marijuana use (which he later admitted to), that caused his draft stock to drop.  Mario ultimately fell to round three, even though he had graded out as a first-round player according to many scouts. Yes, Manningham had some major question marks around him coming out of Michigan one year ago – but he also has talent.

He’s not overly tall, fast, or big, but it seems like Mario Manningham is figuring out how to get open. He’s obviously got both Tom Caughlin and Eli Manning in his corner, which is a great start. Remember, Caughlin groomed two nice young WR’s back in his first pro head coaching gig at Jacksonville; Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell, so the firey coach has experience in building stars at the position. The Giants still have a very crowded group at WR, and I’m sure they will all (except Moss) make some plays this season. I’m just guessing that by the end of the season, Manningham will have made the most.

And that would make all those other teams realize that maybe they made a mistake. A mistake just like the one Buress made, which now serves as the backdrop for Manningham’s opportunity. Mario might just be the man to replace the man who shot himself in the butt. That is, as long as Mario can avoid making any more mistakes of his own.

NFL Newslinks 9/25

Posted on 25. Sep, 2009 by Jesse in NFL Newslinks

The NFL world keeps turning, and we are monitoring the latest developments. As we head into week three, a few stories we’re watching are as follows:

• Saints WR Lance Moore continues to disappoint. Not only is he being outplayed by both Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson, but he’s likely going to miss another game with a sore hamstring.
• Titans coach Jeff Fisher is concentrating on getting the ball to Chris Johnson in space so he can make plays. Fisher saw a tremendous difference in his offensive output over two games when focusing on CJ’s touches.
• Beastly Rams RB Steven Jackson thinks the team should give him more opportunity offensively. He’s calling for more carries against the Packers this weekend, and knows Cedric Benson roasted GB in week two.
• LaDainian Tomlinson “seems destined to miss his second straight game Sunday” after sitting out practice on Thursday. LT continues to battle an ankle injury he suffered in the opener. And he’s washed up.
• ESPN.com’s Matt Mosley says at this point he would be “a little surprised if the Cowboys decided to play” Marion Barber on Monday night. Barber suffered a quad injury while running hard against the Giants last Sunday night. Felix Jones might be about to go off against the Panthers.
• Jamal Lewis (hamstring) sat out practice Thursday for the second straight day. The team is now considering starting rookie RB James Davis in week three. Davis sat out last weekend, but looked explosive in preseason.
• Though Mike Bell has not been ruled out for Sunday’s game, the New Orleans Times-Picayune expects him to miss 3-4 weeks with his sprained MCL. Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas and some other dude named Lynell Hamilton will fill in.
• Wes Welker returned to practice on Thursday, and hopes to play in week three. The Pats offense didn’t look the same last weekend with Welker watching from the sidelines.
• Brian Westbrook (ankle), DeSean Jackson (groin) and Donovan McNabb (ribs) all missed Thursday’s practice. Jackson is the most likely of the three to play on Sunday, and McNabb has basically been ruled out. Westbrook would be replaced by rookie LeSean McCoy if he were to rest.

Anquan Boldin’s slow start means nothing

Posted on 21. Sep, 2009 by Jesse in Articles

How’s that for a title? Tells the story in just one sentence, and I’m told that’s a good thing. Still, there are reasons why my title rings true. Those reasons are about to be listed here, in an article about one of the toughest WR’s we have in today’s NFL: Anquan Boldin.

I could start by reminding you all of the violent hit Boldin sustained last season, and how he came back just weeks later to dominate with more metal in his head than Robocop. I could espouse his toughess in playing hard every week despite a legitimate gripe about being underpaid. I could also extol Boldin’s virtue about being a team-first guy who plays hard every snap – a linebacker in a WR’s body. All of these would be true, of course, but none would make a real compelling read. You know that stuff. Boldin is a beast.

Instead, I’m going to tell you all that Boldin’s slow start means nothing. Yes, Kurt Warner looked old in week one, but week two’s solid performance has Arizona looking a lot better just seven days after dirt was prematurely being shoveled on their grave. Boldin played hard again in week two, and his injured hamstring was not bothering him as badly as it did on the prior Sunday. ‘Quan was targeted a team-high nine times in the win over Jacksonville, and amassed a team-high eight catches for 69 yards. When Boldin is healthy, Kurt Warner still prefers him over any other target in the offense. As he continues to round into game shape, watch for Boldin’s numbers to improve dramatically.

A quick look at the Cardinals schedule should be all that is needed to convince you this trend of poor outings will be short-lived. First, Boldin will enjoy back-to-back home games against beatable defenses in Indy and Houston over the next two weeks. Then after that, a cupcake schedule continues, filled with several NFC West cream-puffs and a few other teams with beatable secondaries. In fact, I’d consider only one team on Boldin’s remaining schedule (Minnesota, week 13) an elite defense. A week 14-16 schedule of San Fran, Detroit, and St Louis serves as the icing on what should be a phat, stat producing cake.

Boldin will finish with top-ten numbers, trust me. If he can remain healthy, I honestly think that ‘Quan could be better this season than Larry Fitzgerald. Check the stats for yourself and you’ll see too… when both guys play, Boldin is the one who posts the bigger digits. All of Fitz’ blow up games happen when Boldin is sidelined.

With a competent QB, a tremendous blend of size and speed, and a soft schedule, it doesn’t take a sooth-sayer to see that Boldin’s future still looks bright in 2009. Astute minds would now buy low.

Small ball has arrived

Posted on 21. Sep, 2009 by Jesse in Articles

I’m sure you’ve noticed that the landscape is changing. A shift is underway in today’s NFL, and it’s modifying the way fantasy football players view their traditional cornerstones. The days of the big back are ending (just ask Larry Johnson), and a smaller/shiftier/quicker brand of RB is emerging as part home-run hitter, part multi-purpose threat, and weekly starter in fantasy leagues everywhere.

Chris Johnson of the Titans is the picture perfect example of this trend. Johnson, a pint-sized powerhouse at just 198 pounds, had a monster day on Sunday. Johnson posted a gaudy 284 yards from scrimmage against Houston, and crossed the stripe three times on plays of 57, 69, and 91 yards. That will rack up the fantasy points in a major way.

Big play ability and long TD’s are precisely why the smaller backs are getting more love of late.

Darren Sproles’ fantasy owners know this (that 81-yard catch was beautiful, wasn’t it?), but so does the front office of the Chargers. The fact that SD made Sproles, who stands 5′-6″ and weighs in at just 185 pounds, their franchise player is all you need to know.

DeAngelo Williams proved last year that despite a size defeciency, these explosive players can excel when used in the correct scheme. Williams himself has gotten off to a decent start despite Carolina’s 0-2 record, but rest assured, his best games are yet to come. The same should be said about Steve Slaton of the Texans, although I’ve been thinking for a while that his numbers would decrease in ‘09.

Other small guys that should have some monster games this season are: Leon Washington, Ray Rice, Ahmad Bradshaw, Tashard Choice and LeSean McCoy.

Players like these are so enticing because they offer a special hope: the big play. One long TD can swing the momentum towards a team (real NFL, or fantasy) tremendously. So, until defenses figure out a way to limit the big plays, watch for more gaudy numbers from the small guys while the large guys continue to look slow and tired.

Small ball has arrived gentlemen, so plan accordingly.

NFL Newslinks: Monday 9/21

Posted on 21. Sep, 2009 by Jesse in NFL Newslinks

So far the new site has been developing quite smoothly. I think the new digs have come a long way, especially when you consider that the URL was only secured about eight weeks ago. I’d like to give a tremendous shout out to my good friends Shawn, Marcio, and of course the venerable Hiro (knower of all good things) for helping me push this thing along so quickly. With that, we’ve got a new person on the content staff (our first “official” member not named “Jesse”) and his contributions will be forthcoming. In fact, Damian was the one who dug up that pathetic picture of Tony Romo you see on the homepage. He’ll be doing some fun photoshop stuff, video stuff, and will helping a bit with writing the NFL Newslinks a time or two each week.

Enough talking, let’s get on to the football… and what an exciting day it was. Wild week 2 of the NFL season just went down, and here are the stories we’re following this week.

• Marion Barber played at a very high level throughout the Cowboys game against the Giants, but went down in the fourth quarter with a quad injury. MRI forthcoming. Felix waiting for the nod?
• Westbrook owners shouldn’t panic too much right now, as the team is saying the ankle re-injury is minor. He’s likely to miss practice all week though, and is hard to trust with Donovan doubtful.
• Frank Gore’s right ankle sprain is not expected to threaten his status for Week 3. Mike Singletary has to be pleased with his effort through two games, and Gore has been electric to watch as well.
• Matt Hasselbeck left Sunday’s game early with a rib injury. Late Sunday night he was released from the hospital, and Hasselbeck says he’s fine.
• Peter King of NBC reports that Donovan McNabb may not play in week two with his broken ribs. This is bad for every Eagles skill player not named “Vick.”
• Brett Favre, the 2-0 QB of the Vikings, injured his hand in Sunday’s win over the Lions. Favre said he was fine after the game, and coach Childress agreed with that assessment.

Must start: LenDale White

Posted on 19. Sep, 2009 by Jesse in Articles

{Editor’s note: Are you friggin’ kidding me? LenDale White is this sites “Must start” of the week? The idea of doing a weekly series seemed good, but two weeks in a row the backfield  mate (last week Willis McGahee) of our selection, not our actual selection (last week Ray Rice), was the guy who went off. I know GHU is better than this. TRY HARDER!-Jesse}

I’m back with the week 2 edition of “Must start” here on GoHuddleUp.com. The premise is pretty simple, so I’m sure you’ll catch on quickly. Each week I pick one guy who may normally sit  I give you Week 2’s must start: LenDale White! I know it’s a big intro, but LenDale is a stout guy, and it seemed appropriate.

Everyone knows that Chris Johnson is the best back in the Titans backfield. That’s not open for debate. But, people are often all too quick to dismiss LenDale because he’s fat and lacks game-breaking speed. Let us not forget, however, that White crossed the goal line 15 times last season and was a viable starter in fantasyland several times throughout the ‘08 campaign. The astute fantasy mind is also quick to point out that White is in a contract year this season, and has lost between 25-30 pounds in hopes of excelling in 2009. These are signs for optimism.

White was stymied in week one against Pittsburgh, but that was to be expected. White should get a pass for last weeks outing, as Pitt’s D is notoriously stout. However, LenDale’s going to be up and running full speed this weekend against a Texans team that yielded nearly 200 rushing yards last week at home against the Jets. The Titans are better than the Jets, and will be very hungry in their home opener after waiting 11 days to get the taste of a loss out of their mouths. Thomas Jones roasted Houston for two rushing TD’s last week, and LenDale could easily do the same this weekend.

White has scored four TD’s in the past two seasons against Houston, including a two score effort last year at home in week three. I’d expect a similar line this year: a pair of scores and some decent yardage to boot. Not bad from a guy you were going to leave on your bench, eh?

Honorable mention: Michael Bush vs Kansas City, Correll Buckhalter vs Cleveland, Sidney Rice vs Detroit, Lee Evans vs Tampa {Editor again: Buckhalter would have been a better choice. -Jesse}

Best wishes to all in week 2 fantasy action.

Mr. September

Posted on 19. Sep, 2009 by Jesse in Articles

Every year Tony Romo starts out looking really enticing for fantasy owners and Cowboys fans alike. He’s the picture perfect playboy, and QB of America’s team. He loves the limelight, and dates starlets as the envy of adolescent men everywhere. Then, just as predictably, he falters down the stretch.

We all know Reggie Jackson is Mr. October, but October baseball actually means something. Romo’s problem as Mr. September is that nobody remembers September at all when the Super Bowl kicks off in February. Some around the Cowboys organization swear that things will be different this year. They believe that the team will be more Romo-centric without Terrell Owens in the mix, and that as a result Romo will finally succeed. We’ll see.

Nevertheless, we can’t deny that Romo is awesome in September. He has tossed 22 TD’s in nine career games in the NFL’s opening month, and has an impressive 8-1 record in those game. But still, like any good QB, his season will be deemed a success or a failure based solely upon the outcome of the Cowboys final game.

So for the time being, the skeletons will remain in the closet. It’s September now, and Tony knows how to smile when the cameras are on him early. This weekend’s primetime showdown with the Giants should be no different. Remember, Mr. September torched the G-Men for 345 yards and 4 scores just two years ago in the home opener, which was also broadcast on Sunday night.

I only wonder if this pic was taken of Tony while he and Witten were vacationing two years ago with Jessica in Mexico. If you’ll remember, that was also before a pretty big game against the Giants, and things didn’t go so well.

Of course not, that was January.

LosT aLoT

Posted on 17. Sep, 2009 by Jesse in Articles

Let me first acknowledge the best running back of the new millennium has undoubtedly been LaDainian Tomlinson of the Chargers. His do-everything mentality has resulted in an assault on the record books that wowed NFL fans and kept defensive coordinators up late at night. In short, Tomlinson has had an amazing run. But make no mistake about it, that run is over.

After the club tabbed Darren Sproles as their franchise player, many thought LT would get the axe this offseason. Rumors about an eventual move to New Orleans proved to be relatively unfounded, and ultimately Tomlinson and the club agreed to rework his deal to keep #21 in the powder blue. At the time I thought the Chargers overpaid badly. Tomlinson is getting $7.7 million guaranteed this season, and may still end up cut at the end of the year if he doesn’t produce. Personally I see no way LT stays in SD beyond 2009, as his deal would cost the team an additional $5 million next year. It’s just too much coin to pay to a guy who’s certainly lost a step.

Let’s be frank. As great as LT has been when healthy, he can’t play through pain at all. Who could forget the 2007 AFC Championship game where he sat with a minor injury while Philip Rivers played on a torn ACL? Then last season, Tomlinson got dinged down the stretch and was basically replaced by the aforementioned Sproles for the team’s playoff run. Face it Chargers fans, LT is soft. Now, even when Tomlinson is healthy, his explosion is gone and his signature jump cut just allows quicker defenders to get to him easier. LT’s not doing anything to change my mind either, as a minor ankle injury sidelined him throughout the team’s opening game, and has him highly questionable for week two. Sproles will see a lot more action going forward.

I don’t have Tomlinson in a single one of my four fantasy football leagues, because I never believed the offseason hype about him returning to his prime. LT has simply had too many touches and collisions in the NFL to ever be close to what he was before. At age 30, the guy looks undeniably slower than he was at 28. Remember like a week ago when Tomlinson tried to tell reporters that he, not Adrian Peterson, is the best back in the league?

Adrian’s backers don’t even have to dignify that statement with a response. Just watch them both play and it’s obvious the torch has been passed. RB is a young man’s position, and LT is no longer a young man. Bold prediction: LT won’t even be wearing an NFL jersey by 2011. But I’m guessing he’ll still sit at home and watch his Visio with his helmet on, just for fun. Either way, Tomlinson will be doing a lot more sitting in the future than we’ve grown accustomed to him doing.

You’ll always have the memories San Diego. Just like Lions fans do with Barry Sanders.