Sports Video Blog: Fantasy Draft 1

By Dan Rodgers

This video is of my first fantasy draft of the year which took place last night. We're using FoxSports.com and the breakdown and my roster are as follows:

Starters: 2 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 2TE 1 K, 2 DEF Bench 10 any position

Keeper 1: Andre Johnson, Hou
Keeper 2: Arian Foster, Hou
Keeper 3: Rashard Mendenhall, Pit
Round 1: Mike Wallace, Pit
Round 2: Ben Roethlisberger,Pit
Round 3: Vernon Davis, San Fran
Round 4: Dez Bryant, Dal
Round 5: Dustin Keller, NYJ
Round 6: Mark Sanchez, NYJ
Round 7: Detroit Defense
Round 8: Atlanta Defense
Round 9: DeAngelo Williams, Car
Round 10: Sidney Rice, Sea
Round 11: Heath Miller, Pit
Round 12: Hines Ward, Pit
Round 13: San Francisco Defense
Round 14: Alex Smith, San Fran
Round 15: Matt Bryant, Atl
Round 16: Ryan Grant, GB
Round 17: Visanthe Shiancoe, Min
Round 18: DeMarco Murray, Dal
Round 19: Jake Locker, Ten



I'll be posting other drafts I have later on as they come up, so let me know what you think and if there is someone else I should target, etc.

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Texans, 'Andre the Giant' face Eagles

By Dan Rodgers

It's Thursday again which means some football. The Texans travel to Philly to take on a pissed off Eagles team. Even though Houston receiver Andre Johnson got into a fist fight with Titans defensive back Cortland Finnegan this past Sunday, he will still be playing in tonight's game. Both Johnson and Finnegan seemed shocked that no suspensions were handed out.

Finnegan was especially upset because Johnson lived up to his nickname, Andre the Giant, and landed a few punches. Both players were fined $25,000 even though Finnegan has a history of playing dirty.

The NFL is hesitant to suspend because there are only 16 games.

While Johnson is beyond important to the Texans pass offense, I think Houston might struggle since Asante Samuel is returning to the lineup. Houston's defense is porous and Michael Vick should have his way with the secondary. I expect a few touchdown passes from the QB.

I don't think this will be a blowout and part of that will depend on how Houston's running game does. Arian Foster is the NFL's leading rusher and will need to add to that total to keep the Texans in the game. Philly will be focused on stopping the pass which will allow Foster to have a decent game.

CORRECTION: Samuel is actually not playing, there were reports that he could play tonight. Game should be closer now...

Look for a late touchdown by Houston to cover the spread.

My Prediction: Texans (+8.5) 23 Eagles 31

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NFL Week 5: Games to watch

By Dan Rodgers

Week five has a ton of intriguing match ups and we're definitely in store for some upsets as no spread this week is double digits.

Game 1

Chiefs at Colts - Being the last undefeated team, the Chiefs have something to be proud of. However, they've only played three games. They have a tough match up this week against an Indy team who is beyond furious with the fact that they have two losses already. Look for Indy to come out firing on a weak KC defense. Don't count the Chiefs out though, Indy's defense is extremely weak and they could do some damage. Look for rookie Dexter McCluster to make some big plays for KC.

My Prediction: Colts 28 Chiefs (+8) 23

Game 2

Giants at Texans - This is going to be an extremely good game between a defense that sacked the QB 10 times last week and the No. 1 ranked...rushing offense? That's right folks, Houston leads the NFL in rushing yards, primarily because of the fast start Arian Foster has gotten of to. The Giants will have to slow down an explosive Texans, that will get WR Andre Johnson back this week, and hope to get Matt Schaub out of his comfort zone. The Giants will be missing their starting Center, Defensive End and Linebacker. The Giants might have a chance if they can put up the points, but don't count on that with LB Brian Cushing hopefully returning to the field for Houston. The Texans should improve to 4-1.

My Prediction: Texans (-3) 34 Giants 17

Game 3

Vikes at Jets - This is the MNF game and it has no shortage of storylines, including but not limited to:

• Brett Favre's return to New York
• Moss to the Vikings, will play 17 games this year
• Santonio Holmes returns from suspension
• Revis and Pace return from injury
• Jets 4-0 all-time at home against Vikings

As you can tell, tomorrow night will be a very exciting time in my life and football in general. I think this is a winnable game for the Jets. They are playing great football, while Minnesota struggled the first two weeks of the season. The Vikes haven't found their groove yet, and being in New York, I don't see how the Jets will lose. I like them to cover the spread handily in a revenge game for the Jets organization.

My Prediction: Jets (-4) 24 Vikings 13

Are You Ready for Some Football?

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Fantasy Football, crazy first week

By Dan Rodgers

So, I never told you how my primary fantasy team did in week one. It was a controversial, yet victorious start for my bunch.

As you probably know, Matt Schaub didn't play too much a factor in the Texans game. He only got me about eight points, however, Texans starting RB Arian Foster racked up over 230 rushing yards and three touchdowns. By the way, that was over 50 points sitting on my bench (I know, shoot me now? just wait...)

Jay Cutler did exactly what I expected by throwing for just over 370 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. My bench quarterback, Josh Freeman, did get 20 points, so I have to feel good about that.

Rashard Mendenhall also had about 20 points because of a 50-yard game-winning touchdown run in overtime, but hey, I'll take whatever I can get. I already told you Foster was on my bench, as was Shonn Green and C.J. Spiller (thank gosh). That means that Reggie Bush was starting. I know what you're thinking, but he was projected to do well, and he is a great receiving threat (whatever).

My receivers played like crap considering Andre Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald and Devin Hester combined for only 18.8 points. I had Hakeem Nicks on my bench (27.5 points), but it's because I have Cutler starting and I wanted the combo. Cutler threw for a ton of yards like I said, but never threw to Hester.

Tightends, Jason Witten and Greg Olsen, had a combined 7.9 points. Cooley was on the bench because of Olsen, but once again, Cutler didn't throw to him!

Mason Crosby was a huge factor with two FGs over 40 yards and three extra points.

49ers defense was pathetic as they got destroyed by a pedestrian Seahawks offense, and Jets defense is what won it for me (1 INT, 10 points, 2 recoveries, 2 sacks).

The final score was: Me - 120.6 Opponent - 120.2

I snuck away with this one, as he had Jahvid Best and Steve Breaston on his bench. Next week I will have to look deeper into my matchups and take some advice from the "experts". Hopefully, it won't be so close.

Please make any suggestions about my team, players to add/drop, or players to start etc...

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Fantasy Football...is there anything better?

By Dan Rodgers

Besides my birthday, Fantasy Football could be the best time of the year (March Madness is up there also). As the season is only a few days away, most people have their teams drafted, and look to see who has the best match-ups in the first week.

I figured I would post on here my team, well the most important one that I drafted, and you all could either get jealous or tell me how stupid I am. I will put them down as follows, but a few things to remember: this is a PPR league, three player keeper, and I had the seventh of eight picks in the draft.

QB: Matt Schaub - Keeper from last season. He lit it up with Andre the Giant, leading the league in passing yards in 2009.

QB: Jay Cutler - Mid-round pick, has a lot of potential. Mike Martz is his O-Coordinator, so I expect decent stats.

RB: Rashard Mendenhall - First round pick (seventh overall) of draft (remember, kept three guys). Got him more for value than because I really wanted him.

RB: Shonn Greene - Second round pick, has a lot of upside considering the Jets run the ball more than anyone in the NFL (607 times last year).

WR: Andre Johnson - Keeper from last season. Best rated receiver in the league, combo with Schaub, need I say more?

WR: Larry Fitzgerald - Keeper from last season. No one was more pissed off about Kurt Warner retiring than me. Fitz loses some value, but great receivers find the way to get the ball. Hopefully, he'll prove how great he is with Derek Anderson at the helm.

WR: Devin Hester - This is where it gets fishy for me. Hester has the combo with Cutler, and a great matchup against Detroit in week one. My third receiver spot will be a week-to-week thing.

TE: Jason Witten - PPR makes Witten valuable. He is a great redzone target and should definitely have better stats than he did last year.

TE: Greg Olsen - Another combo with Cutler. I'm worried because Martz doesn't typically utilize the tightend in his system, but Olsen is one of the better pass-catchers on the Bears. Second tightend will also be looked at on a week-to-week basis.

K: Mason Crosby - The Packers score a lot. Mason Crosby will get an XP when they score a TD and he's got a hell of a leg to knock down the long FGs.

DEF: NYJ - The best defense in the NFL last year looks much improved (if Revis plays). Plus, it lets me root for my Jets.

DEF: San Fran - This is my "sleeper" defense. While big names were going off the board, I snagged them fairly late and I look for them to have a good year behind defensive-minded Mike Singletary.

BENCH:

QB: Josh Freeman - One of the "Draft Day Hail Mary's" in my fantasy magazine.
QB: Jason Campbell - Some say Oakland was the change he needed...haha.
RB: Arian Foster - Starting back in the Texans high-powered offense.
RB: C.J. Spiller - Electric rookie, worth a chance.
RB: Reggie Bush - See Spiller, take out rookie.
WR: Hakeem Nicks - Great size and strength, could emerge as Eli's #1 target.
TE: Chris Cooley - Still a top TE, McNabb loves to throw to his TE
DEF: Washington - My sleeper defense...

NFL Week 14: The Down and The Dirty *mini edition

By Dan Rodgers

Don't worry everyone, this should be the last mini edition.

Week 14

The Down

This could be the toughest week I have had yet involving the distribution of the award because of the ridiculously bad play by numerous players this week. Rams replacement QB Keith Null threw for five interceptions (which seems to be somewhat of a fad this season), the Chiefs wonderful new QB Matt Cassel threw for four intercepti0ns, and Bucs rookie Josh Freeman threw for three interceptions and only 93 yards. against the Jets stifling defense. These three quarterbacks were remarkably terrible this past week and deserve to be recognized for their wrongdoing. I couldn't pick just one for the award so I'll let you decide for yourself.

*Other notable terrible performances -
Steven Jackson(STL): 18 carries for 39 yards
Carnell Williams(TB): 11 carries for 14 yards

The Dirty

There were also three offensive players that caught my eye. Two of the efforts were in a losing manner but that doesn't take anything away from it. On Sunday night, Eli Manning exploded on the Eagles defense for 391 yards and three touchdowns. During the one o'clock games, Andre Johnson recorded 11 receptions for 193 yards and two scores. Not to be over shadowed, Brandon Marshall broke the single game reception record with 21, to go along with 200 yards and two scores of his own. Okay, I lied, there is one more person who deserves some recognition: the opposition to Eli, DeSean Jackson. He only recorded six receptions, but logged 178 yards and a touchdown. However, on top of this he added a 72-yard punt return touchdown.

*Other notable downright crazy performances -
Brian Orakpo(WAS): 5 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 forced fumble
Dashon Goldson(SF): 6 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 interception

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