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!

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.

Must start: Ray Rice

Posted on 12. Sep, 2009 by Jesse in Articles

This is the first article in a series that will run throughout the entire season. Each week, I’ll pick a guy who may normally be on your fantasy bench, and I’ll implore you to insert said player into your starting lineup. It’s not a ground breaking idea by any means, but my hope is that it will be useful for fantasy owners and will be entertaining to read.

Week #1’s MUST START: Ray Rice, RB Baltimore

At the conclusion of last season, Rice was arguably the third most valuable RB on Baltimore’s roster. Willis McGahee was widely considered the starter, and FB/RB hybrid Le’Ron McClain was the team’s leading rusher and a consistent fantasy play. All three players have returned this season, but things are certainly not the same.

People around Baltimore have grown tired of Willis’ me-first act, and despite some decent work in the preseason, Rice is expected to see the majority of carries starting in week one. McClain is supposedly being viewed as a fullback first this season, which should limit his carries between the 20’s and provide extra opportunity for Rice as well. I’m sure McClain will still get touches around the goal line, but Rice is a much more versatile option who has home-run ability.

Rice also has a fantastic matchup tomorrow, which is the primary reason he’s been elected as our “must start” of the week. Baltimore should absolutely torch KC, and will be rushing the ball a lot in the second half which will lead to lofty totals for Ray Ray. I’m rolling with Rice in a league this weekend and actually benched Chris Johnson to do so.  Since Johnson’s stat line was mediocre on Thursday night, I’m already feeling OK about the decision.

Rice may not finish with top-ten numbers, but in certain situations he should be great. Sunday is one of those matchups, so don’t think twice. Start Ray Rice in week one without reservation.

Honorable Mention: Cedric Benson vs Denver, Mike Bell vs Detroit, Julius Jones vs Rams, Felix Jones vs Tampa, and Beanie Wells vs San Francisco

Best of luck to all as the season gets started!

NFL Newslinks – 08/12/09

Posted on 12. 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.
• Steve Smith gave the Panthers brass a real scare with a shoulder injury, but coach John Fox still believes Smith will be ready for week one.
• Trent Edwards is looking pretty comfortable in Buffalo’s no-huddle offense. In fact, the team has primarily practiced with the no huddle during the entire preseason, and Edwards is improving.
• The Michael Crabtree holdout situation continues to be an utter standoff. Crabtree may not report at all during the preseason, and could wait to sign until right before the season opener.
• Even though he just reported to camp after signing his new deal, Falcons WR Roddy White should play in the preseason opener this weekend.
• Terrell Owens caught two balls during his preseason Buffalo debut on Sunday night, but he’s now injured. Owens is limping around camp with an injured toe.
• While he’s still behind Ray Rice on the RB depth chart, Willis McGahee may finally be endearing himself to coaches once again.

Willis appears to be working hard once again.

• In an effort to satisfy Leon Washington’s contract demands, the Jets have upped their offer.
• Derrick Mason should be fine after a dislocated finger.

NFL Newslinks 8/2/09

Posted on 02. 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.
• New Viking WR Percy Harvin has been signed, and the club is wasting no time getting him involved. Harvin ran with the first-team offense on Sunday, and was moved all over the field. The Vikings have big hopes for the Florida product.
• A Raiders beat writer used his Twitter account to report that Javon Walker looked good while running routes off to the side during practice. Apparently beat writers in Oakland are drinking heavily. Walker is still on the PUP list and isn’t practicing with teammates.
• Not so fast Brady Quinn lovers, Derek Anderson is still competing for the Browns starting QB position. Apparently Anderson is looking very good in drills and has his swagger back.
• Peyton Manning knows that Reggie Wayne is his top target, but the reigning league MVP is also expecting big seasons from Anthony Gonzalez and TE Dallas Clark. Gonzalez is set to take over the flanker position vacated by Marvin Harrison.
• Ravens RB Ray Rice continues to impress his coaches. Rice has exhibited tremendous power for a 205-pound player, and the coaches are thrilled with his “attention to detail.” Many around the team continue to speculate that Rice will supplant Willis McGahee as the starting tailback.
• Brandon Marshall did show up to Broncos training camp on time, but it didn’t take him long to injure himself. Marshall limped off the field on Sunday with an apparent hamstring injury. No word on weather he slapped his girlfriend afterward.
• As we reported yesterday, Derrick Mason is back with the Ravens. He’s reconsidered, and he will play this season.
• LenDale White says he’s lost nearly 30 pounds this offseason because he stopped drinking Patron tequilla. We’re guessing he also stopped shoveling everything in sight down his pie-hole. Oh, and White is in a contract season.
• The Colts have come to terms with RB Donald Brown. The deal is expected to be signed before practices start on Monday.
• Antonio Gates is looking leaner and chiseled. Apparently the All-Pro TE is up to 263 pounds.