We will be accepting and answering any fantasy football questions this weekend before the start of the games, so feel free to get your questions in to us and we will respond in time for you to set your lineups on gameday!
-Tiger
Friday, September 16, 2011
Potential benching for Gosder Cherilus
Gosder Cherilus - T - Lions
The Lions are considering benching RT Gosder Cherilus for Corey Hilliard this week.
Coach Jim Schwartz put Cherilus in a practice rotation with Hilliard after what Schwartz called a "stupid" late-game penalty in Week 1. "I don't comment on depth charts," replied Schwartz Friday when asked about the potential lineup change. The Detroit O-Line was great in the opener, so we don't love the idea of shaking things up. Per Pro Football Focus, Cherilus dominated as a run blocker against the Bucs. He was solid in protection, but was whistled for two flags.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Derrick Mason upset Bill Belichick disrespected him
Posted by Michael David Smith on September 16, 2011, 6:44 PM EDT
In my review of the new NFL Films documentary on Bill Belichick, I noted that the film included a sideline encounter the Patriots’ coach had with Derrick Mason during a 2009 game. I thought the profane exchange between the two of them was just some good-natured trash talk, but Mason suggested today that he was angry about it.
Mason, who played for the Ravens at the time of the incident,weighed in on Twitter today about the exchange with Belichick.
“Just saw that belichick video thing all u ppl are commenting about. He might As well called me boy! Lol total Disrespect,” Mason wrote. “Had I said that to him, everyone would have been in a uproar! I have to much respect for the game to speck to a coach in that manner!”
Frankly, anyone who saw the video can see that Mason’s complaints are preposterous. During the exchange in question it was Mason who approached Belichick on the Patriots’ sideline with the Patriots leading in the fourth quarter, and after their exchange (which ended with Belichick urging Mason to look at the scoreboard) Mason walked away laughing.
So why is Mason speaking up today as if he’s angry at Belichick? It strikes me as mostly an attempt to get a rise out of people. Mason is with the Jets now, and he wants to get in on one of the league’s big rivalries.
Chiefs award Brandon Flowers 5yr/$50m extension
Brandon Flowers - DB - Chiefs
Chiefs signed LCB Brandon Flowers to a five-year, $50 million extension with $22 million guaranteed.
The extension locks up Flowers through the 2016 season. Flowers fell to the second round of the 2008 draft due to concerns with his forty time, but he's emerged as one of the league's top cornerbacks in both coverage and run support. A physical athlete who plays bigger than his size (5'10/187), Flowers is still only 25 years old. The Chiefs will likely move fellow contract-year CB Brandon Carr to the top of their extension priority list. Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson have also recently been locked up long term.
Source: Andrew Siciliano on Twitter
Congratz. Now time to earn that money. Brandon will face off against Calvin Johnson this week as the Chiefs travel to the Motor City for a showdown with the Lions.
Predictable response from Revis to Hill's remaks
Posted by Josh Alper on September 16, 2011, 3:07 PM EDT
Jaguars wide receiver Jason Hill grabbed some headlines talking about the Jets in advance of Sunday’s game and now Darrelle Revis will grab some with his response.
Hill called the Jets “overhyped” and called out Revis in particular as a player whose reputation was much bigger because of the New York stage. Hill went so far as to compare himself to the player widely regarded as the best cornerback in the NFL, although that comparison was undermined by the fact that Hill conceded Revis is a Pro Bowl player while he is still trying to make it to that level.
As you might imagine, Hill’s comments made their way to Revis. And, as you might also imagine, Revis was less than impressed by what he heard.
“I don’t even know who that dude is. What’s his name again? I have no clue. I don’t know who he is, whatever he said is what he said. Whatever his opinion is of us, we’ll find out on Sunday,” Revis said, via Jenny Vrentas of the Newark Star-Ledger. “I don’t care what he says, I don’t know him. He don’t know me, he don’t know the Jets, so he’ll find out on Sunday.”
Actually, Hill might not find out on Sunday. He’s listed as doubtful because of a hip injury, making it all the stranger (or perhaps explaining exactly why) Hill chose to put his opinion into the air.
The last receiver to make a point of calling out Revis was Terrell Owens. T.O. called Revis an “average” corner before last year’s Thanksgiving night matchup and then got held to three catches for 17 yards in a 26-10 Jets win. Owens, who also claimed not to know who Revis was before a Cowboys-Jets matchup in Revis’ rookie year, said after the game that he merely meant the comment as a motivational ploy.
We’re assuming Owens meant to motivate his own team, because Revis isn’t really a player who seems to need any extra carrots to get the job done. We’ll see if Hill made the same mistake this season.
You pretty had to see this response coming a few miles away. Jason Hill is not exactly a star in this league, at least not to this point. For him to try to call out Revis is absurd and comical.
Todd Haley doesn't know if there is an answer for Ndamnukong Suh
Posted by Michael David Smith on September 16, 2011, 1:45 PM EDT
As the Chiefs’ offense prepares to face the Lions on Sunday, one of the biggest questions is how they’ll block Ndamukong Suh.
The bad news is that coach Todd Haley doesn’t know the answer.
“Some of the problems that Suh presents I don’t know there are answers for, to be quite honest with you,” Haley said. “This guy’s a dominant inside player that can really disrupt the game plan if you let him, and you just got to find ways to not allow that to happen.”
Haley acknowledged that he’s worried about the potential for Suh to put a hurting on Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel.
“I’m very concerned about him getting his hands on Matt, or really any of our guys, because he is a big, strong dude that brings it,” Haley said. “As far as him as a player, he’s one of the bright young stars in the league at a position that doesn’t always get a lot of notoriety. I love the way he plays. I love his intensity, his toughness and his ability to make plays.”
Haley just wishes he knew how to stop it from happening on Sunday.
Jaguars' Jason Hill says Revis and the Jets are overhyped
Posted by Michael David Smith on September 16, 2011, 12:33 PM EDT
As Jaguars receiver Jason Hill prepares to face Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis on Sunday, he’s publicly proclaiming that he has nothing to worry about.
In fact, Hill said he believes that the reputation of Revis and the Jets is more about the media coverage they get than about the way they play.
“I think sometimes they get overhyped,” Hill told the Florida Times-Union. “I talked to Drew [Coleman], Drew played there. He says it’s just the aura of New York. They got a big media. That’s not the Jacksonville paper, that’s the big New York Times paper so they get more pub. That’s what it is. It’s a game that we all play. He been playing the game, Revis, just as long as I’ve been playing. This is a game full of good players making plays. He just made a lot more plays on TV than we’ve made being here in Jacksonville. He’s a good player. We respect him. Hopefully he respects us because we’re going to bring it just like they’re going to bring it.”
Hill doesn’t see himself as much different from Revis.
“Him personally, he’s a good player, Pro Bowl player, I’m trying to make it to the Pro Bowl, too,” Hill said. “This’ll be a good game to put some notches on our belts too.”
Right. Because being a Pro Bowl player and trying to make it to the Pro Bowl are the same thing.
But dismissing the Jets as just another opponent seems to help Hill feel confident.
“This is one of 16,” Hill said. “It’s one of 16. that’s all it is. It ain’t no more than that.”
I have a feeling Rex Ryan will be sure his players hear that before Sunday’s game.
I like the confidence of Hill, but he will get shut down this week when he lines up on Revis. Sometimes less is more, and in this case it applies to his mouth.
Bills reportedly are thinking contract extension for Fitzpatrick
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on September 16, 2011, 10:42 AM EDT
Ryan Fitzpatrick could be rewarded soon for his solid run as Bills starting quarterback.
WGR Sports Radio 550 in Buffalo reports that Fitzpatrick and the Bills have talked about a contract extension recently. A deal is not believed to be imminent.
“I’m focused on playing, that’s all I can focus on right now,” Fitzpatrick told Joe Buscaglia. “Whether it comes or not, that’s for the team and my agent to deal with. For me, all my focus and efforts are going in to beating the Raiders.”
The Harvard product will earn $3.195 million on the final year of his contract in 2011. Since Chan Gailey arrived in Buffalo, Fitzpatrick has a 27:15 TD: INT ratio. He’s coming off a four-touchdown game against the Chiefs.
There is no young quarterback being groomed in Buffalo, so getting Fitzpatrick locked up seems like a wise move.
Incidentally, who says the Bills don’t get any attention? This was our third Bills-related post of the morning.
Just imagine if they get to 2-0.
Dez Bryant unsure if he will be able to play this weekend
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on September 16, 2011, 12:28 PM EDT
Earlier this week, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said flatly that Dez Bryant would play this week. Jones backed off those claims, now saying it’s not a done deal.
“We’re going to have to monitor that and are monitoring it,” Jones said Friday morning via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “He didn’t practice the last couple of days, but we’ll see how he does today and of course we’ve got at least 48 hours before kickoff time. Hopefully he’ll feel better as we get closer to Sunday.”
Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com reports that Bryant missed practice again on Friday because of his quad. He will probably be listed as questionable, but it sounds like we won’t know his status until gametime.
Tommie Kelly tells Bills, "we ain't the Chiefs"
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on September 16, 2011, 9:23 AM EDT
Raiders defensive lineman Tommy Kelly was suitably impressed by Buffalo’s 41-7 victory on Friday.
“Oh yeah, it caught everybody’s attention around the league,” Kelly said via BuffaloBills.com. “Any time you can go on the road and have a victory like that, that’s going to open up a lot of people’s eyes.”
Kelly, who has steadily made his insane contract look slightly less insane, has a warning for Buffalo. The opponent gets tougher this week.
“The thing about the NFL is that happened last week. You’ve got to do the same thing this week. So whatever they did is a nice impressive victory, but they’ve got to come and deal with us now. And we ain’t the Chiefs,” Kelly said.
He’s right. With eight straight wins in the AFC West, the Raiders should puff out their chest. Unlike the Chiefs, the Raiders know who they are: a physical team that will try to beat you down.
This is a tough matchup for a Bills squad that hasn’t exactly exuded toughness over the last few years. Then again, the Raiders need to show they can win a game out of division on the road.
I’m excited to watch this game on Sunday. Winner gets inside position as the AFC’s “early surprise” team.
Randy Moss: "I'm done"
Posted by Mike Florio on September 16, 2011, 9:07 AM EDT
Receiver Randy Moss has never held a retirement press conference. He didn’t even issue a statement in his own words. Instead, agent Joel Segal let it be known after Moss didn’t realize any big-money offers early in free agency that Moss was calling it quits.
Moss finally has spoken on the issue. He golfed in the Boston area on Thursday, and Ian Meropol of WEEI and WAAF morning show co-host Lyndon Byers caught up with Moss in the parking lot, asking Moss if they’ll see him in Gillette Stadium again this year.
“No,” Moss said. “I’m done.”
So why was he in Boston?
“I’m just here golfing, minding my business,” Moss said.
Folks will continue to be skeptical about his retirement. We’ve been told multiple times that Moss would return under the right circumstances, something that Jay Glazer of FOX also reported last Sunday. And Patriots quarterback Tom Brady recently said that he’d welcome Moss back with open arms.
Then again, maybe Brady was “lubed up” when he said that.
Rob Ninkovich lands extension in New England
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on September 16, 2011, 9:31 AM EDT
Once a long snapper that didn’t stick in New Orleans, Rob Ninkovich has carved out a nice role as a starting linebacker in New England.
The Patriots rewarded him for it before Monday night’s game, according to Brian McIntyre. The team signed Ninkovich to a two-year, $4 million extension through 2013 that included a $2 million signing bonus. The deal has since confirmed by multiple Patriots beat writers.
It’s a fair deal for a player that can handle a variety of roles with the team.
It’s appropriate Ninkovich signed the deal right before playing Miami. He broke out last year with a big performance on Monday Night Football.
Hakeem Nicks on track to play on MNF
Hakeem Nicks (knee) plans to return to individual drills in Friday's practice and "see where it goes."
Coach Tom Coughlin said Nicks "made good progress" Thursday, so he's headed in the right direction. Nicks confirmed that the swelling in his knee has continued to go down. Per ESPN New York's Ian Begley, Nicks will make the call on his status for Monday's game. If he feels the same as he did Thursday, he will be on the field.
Source: Bob Glauber on Twitter
Stevie Johnson misses practice but expected to play Sunday
A "nagging groin injury" kept Bills WR Steve Johnson from Thursday's practice.
The injury originated in training camp and popped up again this week. Johnson was given the day off for rest, but coach Chan Gailey says his No. 1 receiver will be good to go for Sunday's game against the Raiders. Even if the injury is minor, it's a situation to monitor. Johnson will have to practice fully Friday to remain Rotoworld's 17th-ranked receiver for Week 2.
Despite early reports, Bush will not carry the load in Miami
Coach Tony Sparano is aiming for a 70-30 backfield snap split between Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas.
Game situation will play a hand as well, but Sparano is cognizant of the injury risk if Bush sees every carry but one -- as he did against the Patriots in Week 1. Thomas (hamstring) is expected to play this week after practicing fully the past two days, but he's not going to be rushed into a major role. For fantasy purposes, Thomas is merely a "handcuff" to Bush.
Source: Miami Herald
Turner gaining confidence in Matthews, but Tolbert is still the choice
Ryan Mathews - RB - Chargers
Coach Norv Turner expressed confidence that Ryan Mathews is "certainly capable of carrying the load" if Michael Tolbert goes down with an injury this season.
Mathews stayed in to block on just 2-of-30 snaps in Week 1, but Turner insists his confidence has grown in the second-year back's pass protection. It's just that Tolbert is the more trusted of the two, which leaves him as the default back in third-down, two-minute drill, and red-zone personnel groups. Mathews' fantasy output will remain inconsistent as long as Tolbert stays in San Diego.
Source: NBCSanDiego.com
Polamalu fined $15k for horsecollar tackel on Rickey Williams
Posted by Michael David Smith on September 16, 2011, 6:48 AM EDT
The Steelers have complained about the Ravens playing dirty on Sunday, but it was a Steelers player who has been fined for a personal foul in the Ravens’ 35-7 win.
Safety Troy Polamalu was fined $15,000 for a horse-collar tackle on Ravens running backRicky Williams.
Players often complain about it when their paychecks are docked, but Polamalu declined to do so.
“I’m not a big fan of people being really vocal about the fines,” he said.
However, Polamalu did want Williams to know there was no harm intended.
“It definitely wasn’t on purpose,” Polamalu said. “I’ve never intentionally tried to horse collar anybody.”
Arian Foster's anti-awesomeness is nearly gone
Posted by Mike Florio on September 15, 2011, 10:35 PM EDT
There’s nothing like watching a guy’s replacement gain 116 yards to suck the anti-awesomeness out of a hamstring.
Four days after running back Ben Tate made a huge splash in his NFL debut, Arian Foster seems to be ready to return to action.
Foster practiced again, and both player and coach seem to be ready to insert Foster into the lineup on Sunday at Miami.
“Much better,” coach Gary Kubiak said of Foster’s hamstring, via quotes distributed by the team. “This was our work day, but he looked good. As long as everything’s smooth tomorrow, it should be ready to go.”
“I felt wonderful,” Foster said. “When I was running with the football, it felt really good, my hamstring did. . . . It’s more mental than anything getting back from an injury like that and today I took a huge step forward. It felt good. I burst when I needed to burst without hesitation.”
With Derrick Ward not practicing due to ankle and shoulder injuries, Foster and Tate could be carrying the load against the Dolphins.
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