Must Start: Pierre Garcon

Posted on 10. Oct, 2009 by Jesse in Articles

Ok, so I admit, the first four weeks of this column were an abject failure. I called out Ray Rice in week one, and McGahee blew up. I called out LenWhale White in week two and Chris Johnson goes crazy. Week three was the Felix Jones prediction, and Jones promptly gets hurt. I then tabbed Rashard Mendenhall as the guy I’d write about in week four, but busyness sidetracked me, and I never wrote the piece. I did, however, tell you a while ago that Mendy was going to be the man. Does that count?

Well anyway, I’m back to attempt my hand at a weekly column one more time. The premise is still the same: I pick a guy who is likely on your fantasy bench today, and tell you why you should start him tomorrow. With both fingers crossed, I give you Pierre Garcon, Colts WR.

For those of you who haven’t heard yet, Peyton Manning is a very good NFL quarterback. He’s also on fire this season, passing for more than 300 yards in all four of the Colts games so far this season. Manning is playing at an MVP level yet again, tossing nine TD’s and just three picks while getting the Colts off to a 4-0 start. Yes, Peyton produces.

But it takes more than just opportunity to get me to dub Garcon as my “Must Start” of the week. Pierre ain’t no softie. Since Anthony Gonzalez’ injury, Garcon has made the most of limited opportunities. He’s scored twice in a three game stretch, and has also posted 30+ yard receptions each week. At 6-foot, 210 pounds, Pierre has a great NFL body. Honestly, the guy kinda reminds me of Anquan Boldin. Big, powerful legs propel him, and single coverage seems inevitable with Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne attracting all attention. I’m going to be bold here, but I see Garcon pushing Gonzalez back into the slot when he does return. Pierre is just solid.

Of course, I love Garcon this week because the Colts play the Titans in prime time. Tennessee is a mess in the defensive secondary, ranking dead last in yards allowed, and yeilding 10 passing TD’s through four games. Peyton Manning should embarrass them thoroughly, especially on national TV. Get Garcon into your lineup this weekend, and enjoy him. After all, his value will take a hit when Gonzalez returns a few weeks from now.

Others I considered: Marshawn Lynch against the Browns, LeSean McCoy against the Bucs, Miles Austin against the Chiefs, and Jerome Harrison against the Bills.

Lets all cross our fingers together.

NFL Newslinks 8/3/09

Posted on 03. Aug, 2009 by Jesse in NFL Newslinks

• It’s August now, and that means we’re off to the races. Training camps have already begun, and GoHuddleUp has you covered. Our Newslinks will keep you abreast of the latest developments, so come back often.
• With Derrick Mason’s return, any speculation about Broncos WR Brandon Marshall heading to Baltimore now come to a crashing halt. Marshall continues to miss time in Denver.
• Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen denies the team has any interest whatsoever in Michael Vick. Apparently Bowlen has no plans on meeting with Ron Mexico.
• Reggie Bush missed practice on Monday afternoonwith swelling in his surgically repaired knee. Still, it’s sounding like Bush has looked explosive when actually on the field.
• The Eagles had a stellar offseason, but they got some very disappointing news on Monday when they found out that they had lost starting MLB Stewart Bradley for the season. Bradley suffered a torn ACL.
• ESPN analyst Adam Schefter believes that Falcons WR Roddy White could end up holding out “a little while. At least.” White is asking for more money, and is refusing to report to camp.
• Braylon Edwards continues to sit out with a mysterious injury. Rumors indicate that Edwards injured himself while playing hoops. That won’t endear him to coaches anytime soon, but at least he isn’t dropping passes.
• Larry Johnson appears to have had a major attitude overhaul this offseason. He’s happy to be with the Chiefs, is working hard, and is fitting in nicely.                                                                  
• Could a happier LJ produce better in 2009?
• Tony Romo knows he has critics, but he’s not letting that bother him. Instead, he’s working on the finer pointsin his game.
• Devin Thomas is looking to redeem himself for a lackluster rookie season last year in Washington. He’s on the right track. Thomas is currently starting at WR opposite Santana Moss.
• As we reported via Twitter earlier tonight, Marshawn Lynch will be suspended for the first three games of the season. He’ll be replaced by Fred Jackson, and Dominic Rhodes will also see time.
• Plaxico Burress is screwed.
• Eagles rookie WR Jeremy Maclin just got paid.
• Kellen Winslow feels the Tampa offense is quite complex, and is having a bit of a hard time adjusting. But his testicles aren’t swollen to the size of coconuts, so he’s all good.

Getcha popcorn ready

Posted on 18. Jul, 2009 by Jesse in Articles

Say what you want, but T.O. has always been entertaining

Over the past decade, very few NFL players have reached the level of infamy Bills WR Terrell Owens has. From his days as a 49er, when he outed then QB Jeff Garcia, to his tour in Philly where he accused Donovan McNabb of folding in the Super Bowl, Owens has always loved him some him. Never shy when camera’s are around, most observers have had a hard time believing anything T.O. says. Who can trust a guy like Owens anyway? From the Drew Rosenhaus “Next Question” episode, to sit-ups in the driveway, to an attempted suicide rumor with the Cowboys, Owens has always put on a show.

Now, with the 2009 season approaching, he’s putting on a show of a different kind. Owens’ reality TV Show is set to lift off on Monday night on VH-1. He swears that the cameras have captured the “reality” behind one of the most misunderstood players in NFL history. The show supposedly lets the viewer in on Owens, the man, instead of the human drama machine we know as T.O.

I’ve never been much of a reality TV guy. Save for a few seasons of Survivor, I’d prefer to watch sports or news on the tube. Although, I will want to see Owens’ show. See, T.O. has something magnetic about him. That special “what’s he going to do next” factor that just keeps people enthralled. I’m guessing it’s pretty entertaining, because Owens has always shined in the limelight. Remember the sharpie? Still, his VH-1 special is just the beginning.  This 35 year-old WR will have our attention again all season long.

Owens is set to make his Bills debut on National TV, under the bright lights of Monday Night Football. Yep, in week one his Buffalo squad will face off against Randy Moss’ New England Patriots. Have his skills diminished? Only time tell, but Owens did put up nearly 3,600 yards and 38 TD’s during his three year run in Dallas. Is his supporting cast going to catre to his diva image? Hard to say, but with Lee Evans, Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson around, defenses wont be able to key solely on Owens.

It’s to early to tell whether or not T.O. will succeed in Buffalo this season. We’ll have to wait and see. But one thing is for sure… it’s bound to be entertaining. I’ll pop a batch of Redenbachers on Monday night for the VH-1 kickoff, and I’m guessing the show won’t end until the Bills are officially eliminated from the playoffs. Love him or hate him, Owens makes us take note.