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.

NFL Newslinks 10/2

Posted on 02. Oct, 2009 by Jesse in NFL Newslinks

It’s been a bit of a rough week for me personally, but I’m getting reconnected right now at a bar in downtown Denver. I’m posting these Newslinks now, as they are the stories I’ll be dialing in on over the next 36 hours. Enjoy!

• Brett Favre continues to be limited in practice due to a sore foot. But there’s no way #4 is going to miss the Monday night showdown with the Packers, so we can really ignore this story altogether.
• It’s looking more and more like Jamal Lewis won’t play again this weekend. He has a sore hamstring, and has been listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Bengals. Jerome Harrison should start in Lewis’ place.
• Marion Barber’s quad is healing, and it appears Barber will play on Sunday against Denver. Barber has practiced both Friday and Saturday, and will share RB duties with Tashard Choice as long as Felix Jones remains sidelined.
• Wes Welker is improving, and may be able to play on Sunday despite his troubled knee. Welker’s team mate, Randy Moss, has been removed from the injury report and will play for sure.
• Dwayne Bowe  is listed as questionable for Week 4 with a hamstring, and will be a game-time decision Sunday against the Giants. He was limited in Friday’s practice.
• After his first good game of the season last week, Willie Parker may have to sit out this week. Parker is struggling with turf toe, and is expected to miss the game on Sunday night against the Chargers.
• LaDainian Tomlinson fully participated in practice for the third straight day Friday and is expected to play Sunday night. He injured his ankle in week one, and has had to miss two straight.
• Clinton Portis did not practice on Friday and is listed as questionable for Week 4. He’s struggling with calf and ankle injuries, and is a game-time decision.

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.

James Davis is arriving

Posted on 26. Aug, 2009 by Jesse in Articles

Last year fantasy freaks everywhere overpaid for Jamal Lewis after the former 2000-yard rusher had salvaged a sliding career with a stellar 2007 campaign in Cleveland. Lewis had been playing for a new contract, and as a result, put up solid numbers. However, the astute fantasy mind knew that type of effort wouldn’t continue. And it didn’t. Lewis’ second season in Cleveland was uber-forgettable as he averaged a career low 3.6 yards per carry, and scored a measly four TD’s. Last season it appeared evident that Lewis had lost a step, especially when you consider that his longest run of the season was less than 30 yards. This offseason Lewis has been plagued by more of his trademark ankle problems, and at 30 years old, it appears the bruising back may be running out of steam.

Enter impressive rookie RB James Davis.

Davis was selected in the sixth-round out of Clemson to compete for playing time, and he’s making the most of his opportunity so far in preseason. Davis ripped off an impressive 81-yard TD in the preseason game this past weekend, and has been earning an increasing amount of reps with the first team offense in practice. It’s easy to forget that one year ago, Davis was thought of by many as a future-first round talent. After a disappointing final season in college, Davis’ draft stock slipped significantly. But his talent is still there.

Some fantasy minds had thought that fourth-year RB Jerome Harrison would factor into this backfield equation heavily this season, but Harrison has been injured throughout preseason, and has spent a lot of time riding the stationary bike during practices. That’s not the way to impress new HC Eric Mangini.

Every year a late-round RB makes a surprising impact. Last season it was Steve Slaton of the Texans who showed up in a major way for fantasy owners. This year, I believe that guy could be Cleveland’s James Davis. Snag him late and cross your fingers. With the studly offensive line the Browns boast, a solid season is just one Jamal Lewis injury away. So really, it’s just a matter of time.