NFL Newslinks 10/14

Posted on 15. Oct, 2009 by Jesse in NFL Newslinks

A lot is happening leading into week six, and it’s honestly hard to keep things straight. Still, our NFL Newslinks help you clear your head and re-focus on the stories that actually matter. So without further ado, the latest edition of Newslinks for your reading pleasure.

• Jerricho Cotchery (hamstring) did not practice on Thursday. He isn’t expected to play this weekend, and will be replaced by David Clowney.
• Correll Buckhalter says his ankle is at 90 percent and that he expects to play on Monday night against the Chargers. Knowshon Moreno is still expected to get his second career start.
• Eli Manning (foot) took more than half the snaps Giants practice Thursday, and should be fine on Sunday. Manning played effectively despite this injury in week five.
• Antonio Bryant (knee) was limited in Bucs practice Thursday, and continues to be a bust this season. Bryant is severely overpaid.
• Cowboys running backs coach Skip Peete said that Marion Barber’s quad injury could bother him for up to 10 weeks. Although Pete isn’t a doctor, this can’t be viewed as a positive development.
• Calvin Johnson (knee, thigh) and Matthew Stafford (knee) both missed Thursday’s practice. Neither are a lock to play on Sunday, but practice on Friday should be a strong indicator.
• Willie Parker (turf toe) will wear a special left shoe in practice this week and try to play with it Sunday against Cleveland. Still, Rashard Mendenhall appears to be the future at the RB position in Pittsburgh.

NFL Newslinks 10/10

Posted on 10. Oct, 2009 by Jesse in NFL Newslinks

Week 5 of the NFL season is just about to pop off. There are injuries to watch, situations to monitor, and a fresh batch of Newslinks seems in order.

• Roy Williams has been listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game. Williams is suffering from ribs he injured late in last week’s loss against Denver.
• Jerricho Cotchery was unable to practice on Friday and Saturday, and is a question mark for Monday night against the Dolphins. If Cotch can’t go, look for the recently added Braylon Edwards to see significant action.
• Eli Manning participated in the Giants’ regular Saturday morning walkthrough.Manning injured his foot last weekend against the Chiefs, and is still listed as questionable for week 5.
• Jamal Lewis was limited in Friday’s practice for a third straight day as he continues to battle hamstring problems. He may play on Sunday, but will share with Jerome Harrison.
• Matt Hasselbeck is listed as probable for Week 5 and is due back in the lineup Sunday against the Jaguars. Sorry Seneca Wallace fans, you’ll have to wait at least one quarter for Hasselbeck to get hurt again.
• Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said rookie Knowshon Moreno is “totally ready to go with the whole game plan.” Correll Buckhalter has been ruled out, and Knowshon will get his first pro start against the Pats.

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.

Close call for Knowshon

Posted on 17. Aug, 2009 by Jesse in Articles

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to be out in Denver, Colorado enjoying the beautiful mountains. While I’m not an avid Broncos fan, I was paying very close attention to the club’s preseason tilt with the 49ers. See, I play in a highly competitive dynasty fantasy football league, and I used the first-overall selection a few weeks ago on Denver’s rookie RB Knowshon Moreno.

I was eager to see Knowshon on the field, as I believe the guy has tremendous talent and upside. Getting a glimpse of my future cornerstone had me giddy, and I’d heard a rumor that coach Josh McDaniels was even considering starting the Georgia product despite the fact that he’d had just four days of practice after a brief holdout. I’d even been sizing up a #27 jersey to bring back home to MN with me; a sweet souvenir from my weekend in the Rockies.

I was a tad disappointed when I had to watch Correll Buckhalter and LaMont Jordan for the first two series’ of the game, but eventually Knowshon got his chance. My heart was racing as I watched him explode up the middle for a nine yard gain on his first carry. Yeah, that’s why I opted for him over Beanie Wells I thought, psyched to see my stud in action. Moreno’s next run went for five yards, and he pushed the pile with impressive might. However, he took a helmet to the knee in the process and came up gimpy. I told myself that it would be ok, that he’d just walk it off.

Knowshon stayed in the game and actually ran the ball one more time for four more yards. But he came up limping again, and headed to the sidelines. My stomach was in knots, and I honestly felt a tightening in my chest. Sometimes I absolutely hate fantasy football. I edged myself to the front of the couch and eagerly waited to see him on the sideline. After a few other plays, I caught a glimpse of a #27 jersey, walking behind coach McDaniels, but obviously with a hiccup in his gate. Surely the club would just bench their top rookie now, just to be sure.

But no, McDaniels put Moreno back into the game.

After one play, he was in obvious pain, and headed directly to the locker room. The club didn’t even get the guy a cart. Honestly, I was shocked at the blatant disregard for care of Knowshon’s future and I was now in the meat grinder waiting for any potentially dreadful news. Of course an MRI would be needed the next day to check on his outlook, and that meant a rough night of sleep was in store for yours truly. Josh McDaniels needs to pull his head out, quick.

About three o’clock the next day I was waiting for my plane at Denver International Airport when I saw some great news come across the crawl on a nearby television. Knowshon had been diagnosed with a minor knee sprain, and will only miss a week or two. There was no joy in it for me; no happiness. Only relief that my top selection wouldn’t become the next Ki-Jana Carter just a week into his pro career.

I’ll wait patiently for Knowshon heal up now. I’m thinking he’ll probably be back in for the final preseason game, and will likely take some time to work up to a full workload. I’m starting to temper my expectations on the rook just a bit though, as Denver’s schedule is brutal this season and Buckhalter/Jordan/Peyton Hillis are all going to get touches too. I still believe Moreno has the potential to be a future stud, so I’m thrilled he doesn’t face a year-long rehab from a torn ACL. Still, this situation just reminded me how quickly things can change in today’s NFL.

And how quickly my stomach can turn because of it. Fantasy owners, play at your own risk.