Sunday Observations

It was another interesting Sunday in the NFL.

1) Both Aaron Rodger and Brett Favre played excellent games in the afternoon highlight. 7 TDs and over 500 yards between them, and ZERO INTs. Can't play much better on both sides of the ball.

2) Greg Jennings had a mini-break out game, posting 8 receptions, 88 yards and a TD. The reason it could be a break through, is he FINALLY was a big part of the offense.

3) Ugly game for Kyle Orton. Guess the pass defense of the Ravens is not that bad and there is still some pride in that unit.

4) Ray Rice is making his case for consideration in the fantasy back elite, posting another 100+ and a score game.

5) Have to acknowledge the surprising game from Ryan Moats. Did anyone hear if Steve Slaton got hurt or something? Regardless, 150+ combined yards and 3 TDs is an excellent game.

6) Was there a TO sighting in Buffalo?

7) Cleveland really, really stinks. Derek Anderson makes poor decisions.

8) Are the Browns the team that makes RBs healthy? First Ryan Grant... now Matt Forte. 120+ combined and 2 TDs.

9) Solid QB work in the Dallas v Seattle game. 500 yards and 5 TDs, no INTs for Romo and Hasselbeck. Solid.

10) The RBBC in Dallas is killing the value of all three, Barber, Jones and Choice.

11) I was surprised by the lack of production out of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams against the Jets without Kris Jenkins.

12) Quietly, Thomas Jones is posting a really great year. Not bad for a guy who was drafted in perhaps the 4th round in drafts this year.

13) If Reggie Wayne isn't the best WR in the league right now... slap me. Consistently good. Yeah, some of that is Peyton Manning, but Wayne runs great routes and has great hands. Sweet 12 grabs with 147 yards and a score.

14) Michael Crabtree is going to be a special player. No training camp and clearly the best WR on the team. Have to tip my hat to Vernon Davis and Alex Smith, not special numbers, but acknowledging the arrival.

15) Strong game for the entire Eagles Offense. McNabb 3 TDs, DJack 86 and a score, Brent Celek with a solid 60+ and a TD, and Jeremy Maclin with a TD as well, then throw in LeSean McCoy with 90 combined and a TD. When looked at on paper, this team is getting scary good on offense.

16) Congrats to Steven Jackson. He has been putting up an incredible season on a bad team and finally scored, with 150+ yards. Stud.

17) How bad are both St. Louis and Detroit? Sans Jackson mentioned above, there isn't another fantasy relevent player on either team.

18) The Giants are looking very human after a solid start to the year. It is like the Saints beat the snot outta them and now they can stand up. Eli and company are really struggling to post fantasy numbers like they did early in the year.

19) Darren Sproles is still the more dynamic player, but I have to admit (pulling fork out of Tomlinson), it seems LaDainian still has something left... at least against is favor team, the Raiders.

20) JaMarcus Russell still sucks as a QB.

21) Wow, another powerful game for Chris Johnson. 200+ and 2 scores. Are you kidding me? And I have to admit the HUGE mistake I made this draft year, when at slot 3, I picked Matt Forte over MJD. I will be eating crow all year as Jones-Drew stuffs it down my throat to the tune this week of 175+ and 2 scores.

22) VY started for Tennessee and they won, but he is not any more fantasy relevent than he was before they benched him last year. Ala Mike Vick. Seldom posted game fantasy numbers.

23) When will the Jaqs admit David Garrard is an average NFL QB at best? He does nothing to make his team better, much less be a steady fantasy guy. Ask Steve (my opponent this week) how he likes starting him this week with Tom Brady on bye.

24) There is no GREAT QB in the history of the NFL, Brett Favre included, that can play so horribly as Kurt Warner. 5 or was that 6 turn overs against Carolina?

25) DeAngelo Williams is making his case as solid top 8 fantasy back again this year. Guess I was wrong at the start of the year, thinking last year was a fluke, one year wonder. Nice game for Jonathon Steward too.

Today's Hottie: Katy Johnson

To Trade or not to Trade

Here is a trade offer question from a concerned fan.

Mr. Fantasy Guru,Recently, I lost Chris Cooley to his freakish ankle injury(such an accidental play) and now the other owners are coming out of the woodwork trying to make a trade with me. I did choose his back up, Fred Davis. He had a solid night against the Eagles and they talked about how good he was. I have a pretty solid team and Cooley wasn't really giving me a whole lot up to this point. Anyway, these are the trades that were proposed:

1) Heath Miller for my Donald Driver
2) Vernon Davis and Donald Brown for my Ray Rice
3) Shockey and the other Steve Smith for my Derrick Mason and Donald Driver

I am against trading the players I drafted anyhow, but I don't think any of these trades give me back even close what I'm giving up.

What do you think?

Well, first, I ain't a guru, just a fan with an opinion, but thanks for the status. The pick up of Fred Davis was a good move. Making a trade from a position of desparation is never good, now you are not desparate. Let's look at each of these options at their face value.

1) When you look at this offer, you might think immediately that Driver is worth more than Miller, but in reality, Miller has more fantasy points than Drvier. He also has been hot of late, scoring 4 TDs in the last 4 weeks. This trade might make some sense from a future perspective, as Miller has been very consistent with at least 5 grabs in almost every game. Driver is hot now, but I think defenses will start rolling more coverage Driver's way and others will take up the slack.

2) Ray Rice is a top 5 fantasy back right now. No way I make this trade. I would need a top 3 TE and an either top 15 RB or a one with a solid potential. Neither Davis or Brown represent enough value.

3) I wouldn't make this trade either. Driver and Mason represent too much value when compared to Shockey and Smith.

So, from my view, offer #1 could be ok, seems almost an even exchange. And as far as making trades, no one knows everything at draft time. Surprises always happen during the season and any team can be improved with intelligent pick ups and prudent trades. Let me know what you decide!

Today's Hottie: Sarah Coggin

Counter Point

Jay Clemons write a pretty entertaining column for SI.com. And like most fantasy guru's or experts or whatever you want to call them, you never agree with all of what they say. Jay writes before the weekend games on guys who are a lock for good performances. Here is this week's column and my comments:

QB Locks For 275 Yards and/or 3 TDs
1. Donovan McNabb vs. Giants - Not sure I am on board with this one
2. Peyton Manning vs. 49ers - Bank Manning each and every week
3. Jay Cutler vs. Cleveland - I think my grandmother could shred the Cleveland defense
4. Tony Romo vs. Seattle - I think he will do ok, but not great, could easily reach the yardage mark
5. Philip Rivers vs. Oakland - The Oakland D is a bit stronger than folks think, Rivers won't get there.
6. Aaron Rodgers vs. Minnesota - If the weather holds, it will be another shoot for Rodgers and Favre
7. Kurt Warner vs. Carolina - Warner is heating up and has too many weapons, I am good with this one.
8. Drew Brees vs. Atlanta - Locked in.

RB Locks -- 120 Total Yards and/or 2 TDs
1. Ray Rice vs. Denver - Rice is too versatile not to reach 120 combined yards
2. Marshawn Lynch vs. Houston - An RBBC back, and Fred Jackson is the better all around back anyhow
3. Brandon Jacobs @ Philadelphia - With Bradshaw hobbled, if Jacobs gets 20+ touches, he can do this
4. Thomas Jones vs. Miami - Another ground dominated game, Jones should do well
5. Frank Gore @ Indianapolis - I have seen Gore on the bench list for others and I am with them as SF will be playing catch up
6. Marion Barber vs. Seattle - Barber is too inconsistent for my tastes and shares carries with two other capable backs
7. Steven Jackson @ Detroit - Lock this one in, and throw in a TD finally
8. Kevin Smith vs. St. Louis - I am not a Smith fan, but he could get the yardage I suppose
9. Ronnie Brown @ N.Y. Jets - Lock is in, and maybe put Ricky Williams in too
10. Maurice Jones-Drew @ Tennessee - Locked. Too many ways for MJD to get the ball
11. Chris Johnson vs. Jacksonville - The yardage is a lock I think
12. Pierre Thomas vs. Atlanta - I have seen him listed on a bench list too, but if the Saints get the lead, they like to run Thomas in the second half

WR Locks -- 110 Total Yards and/or 1 TD
1. Anquan Boldin vs. Carolina - With Breaston in the fold, either Boldin OR
2. Larry Fitzgerald vs. Carolina - Fitzgerald will reach the mark, but not both
3. Roddy White @ New Orleans - If Atlanta gets behind, White will get his
4. Vincent Jackson vs. Oakland - Jackson has been one of the hottest WRs this year and should continue, but I am not sure if Asomugha is playing, if he is temper this a bit
5. Miles Austin vs. Seattle - When will the Miles Austin show slow down? This week.
6. Mohammed Massaquoi @ Chicago - The Chicago D is not great, but I just don't see a decent QB option in Cleveland right not to throw him the ball
7. DeSean Jackson vs. N.Y. Giants - I think the Giants shut him down with pressure on McNabb
8. Derrick Mason vs. Denver - Denver has turned into a top defense, I don't see Flacco having time and will checking down to Rice more often than not
9. Brandon Marshall @ Baltimore - I am counting on Marshall to give Denver a couple big plays
10. Marques Colston vs. Atlanta - I think you can lock this one in
11. Lance Moore vs. Atlanta - Could happen, but this is a crap shoot with the secondary Saints WRs, could easily be Devery Henderson too.
12. Kenny Britt vs. Jacksonville - I like this pick up, Young has to throw it to someone.

Today's Hottie: Lacey Lynn

Counter Point

Matthew Berry is one of the most visible fantasy 'experts' on the planet due to his ESPN gig. And while he might be entertaining, I tend to disagree with him. That is what makes it fun to read and react to his column written on Friday each week "Love / Hate". Catch his thoughts here. Here are my thoughts on his thoughts.

Players Berry "Loves"

Lee Evans - This one ain't gonna happen, even if the Texan have given up points to visiting WRs
Matt Forte - If Ryan Grant can post 150 on the Browns, Forte can post 100+ right?
Devin Hester - I am starting Hester this weekend.
Matt Hasselbeck, TJ Housh, Nate Burleson - I predicted a shoot out for the Seahawks one other time, they will not burn me again
Kevin Smith - I have never been sold on this guy, even against the Rams
Danny Amendola - Who in the hello is this guy? deep sleeper? Well if you count comatose!
Kyle Orton / Brandon Marshall - Surprisely, the Ravens are vulnerable in the air, but this one is 50/50
Derrick Mason - This one pans out ONLY if Joe Flacco has time
Frank Gore - Gore was invisible last week, and the 49'ers will be behind, and will need to hit the air to try and keep pace... Gore disappears again this week
Austin Collie - He had one game really worth mentioning, it will remain that way... UNLESS Reggie Wayne is sidelined.
Ricky Williams - It is Ronnie Browns turn this week... and if you take away the long TD run, Ricky's day last week would have been more normal, like 75% of what Brown posts.
Jerricho Cotchery - Miami has pounded the ground game and still found a way to lose, but I think they will get over on the Jets like a few weeks ago, and I think it will be lower scoring, so not a great day for JC
LeSean McCoy - He is going to start, but I think the Giants will bottle him up.
Kevin Boss - iffy at best
David Garrard and Mike Sims-Walker - Yeah, I could see decents days for both here against the woeful Titans.
Justin Fargas - If you are stuck, look elsewhere, anywhere...
LaDainian Tomlinson - I hate to say it, but the best back in powder blue is named Darren
Sidney Rice - I agree, a must start
Donald Driver - As long as Jennings is drawing the coverage and Rodgers has enough time, Driver will continue his roll
Jeremy Shockey - Not certain on this one... he has a good week last week, due for a down one
Pierre Thomas / Mike Bell - One maybe, but not both... RBBC

Players Berry "Hates"
Marshawn Lynch - I have to agree, besides, Fred Jackson is the better player
Terrell Owens - Stick a fork in him, he is done
Kevin Walter - He is a MUST start on my team if Andre Johnson is out
Knowshon Moreno / Correll Buckhalter - I agree with this one, the Ravens are still stiff against the run
Vernon Davis - I am still in shock that he has finally arrived, but I would play him
Shonn Greene - Thomas Jones is still the primary, and Miami is solid against the run
Ted Ginnn - One more chance... I would give him one more chance, play him
Donovan McNabb - The Giants will give him fits, so I think Berry is right here
Ahmad Bradshaw - If he is hurt, then this is a no brainer... duh
Steve Smith - Yup, sit him until the Panthers find a new QB
Phillip Rivers - mmmmm, I would play him, against the Raiders... I would play him
Ryan Grant - Yeah, he is on my bench against the Vikings
Greg Jennings - He is on my bench until he gets more than 5 targets in a game
Tony Gonzales - Start him, you can't sit a must start TE

Look for more Hate next week!

Today's Hottie: Amanda Isabelle

To trade or not to trade?

One reader forwarded this trade option. The league is a 12 team re-draft, with two RB starters, two WR starters, a TE starter and a flex position. Here is the deal: Kris needs a TE with Chris Cooley going down with injury on his 4-3 team.The other team needs WRs help on a 5-1 roster. In return, Kris would get Steve Smith (NYG) and Jason WittenTeam B would get Donald Driver and Derrick Mason

I would tell him not to make this trade. First, Jason Witten has not gotten on track this season for whatever reason and Steve Smith has tailed off since his hot start early in the year. Donald Driver has turned into the number 1 option in Green Bay with coverages rolled to Greg Jennings. With JerMichael Finley injured, Driver's production should not slip. Derrick Mason will be steady if not spectacular for Baltimore as he is the only reliable WR option in town right now.

If I were in Kris' shoes, I would look to the waiver wire for a TE (Ben Watson is available I am told) and see if the trade could be modified to include a decent RB option. In return, offer these two WRs and perhaps a lower level RB with some upside.

If you have any trade thoughts, just drop a line to acmeff@gmail.com and give me as much detail as you can. Out!

Today's Hottie: Chelsea Brooke

Keeper League Strategy

Ok, we are through week seven and the season is starting to unfold. For some players who have a marginal team with a poor record, perhaps the playoffs are starting to look out of reach. If you are in a keeper league, especially deeper keeper leagues where you keep 3 or more players, you might to start looking towards next year, without completely tanking this year. How do you do that? Trades or pick ups.

Let's talk pick ups first. If there is a guy injured on the waiver wire, who normally would be on a team, now is the time to pick him up. Think Tom Brady last year. He was sitting on the waiver wire in most leagues until later in the seaon when some savvy owner picked him up and stashed him on their bench with the idea to keep him this year. Two year ago, one sharp owner I know picked up Michael Turner leading into his break out first season with Atlanta.

The second move you could make is to make a block buster trade. If there is a contending team out there that needs depth, make a move on their super star, thinking to set yourself of for a solid keeper for next year. Who has Adrian Peterson or Peyton Manning? Would a three-for-one deal of some of your tier 2 or non-keepr players make sense for them? Look at it from there perspective and if you would make the deal, why not try offering it.

These are just a couple thoughts for making moves for a poor team

Today's Hottie: Jennifer Chamberlin

Ramblings

Injury Impacts - early injury updates from the weekend and their impact.

If Andre Johnson's chest injury puts him on the side lines, keep your eye on Kevin Walter, but more importantly, watch Steve Slaton and Owen Daniels. All three are due for an up tick, but Slaton will see the most, as teams roll coverage to Daniels and Walter, and check downs to Slaton will be more likely.

Jermichael Finley is out for a few weeks at least. I wouldn't put a lot of stock in Donald Lee or new-comer Spencer Havner, but I would look for some increases from, and I know I sound like a broken record, but Greg Jennings. And with Jordy Nelson injured, James Jones is putting on a roll. Expect that to keep going.

Leon Washington is done for the year with a broken leg. Shonn Green stepped right in and had an exceptional game along side Thomas Jones. Jones will still be the primary back, but expect a significant side-kick roll from Green.

What's up? - Some players whose stock is up and are worth notice.

Michael Crabtree - He played most of the game and was really involved in the game plan. While 5 receptions and 56 yards is not outta this world, putting him on the field with the resurgence of

Vernon Davis and the surprising Alex Smith... dare we say a return to the glory years of the 80s and 90s? NOT!

Ricky Williams - Has anyone noticed the production Ricky Williams is putting up this year? He is a solid top 15 fantasy back as a back up to Ronnie Brown, who is a top 5 threat so far. Start him if you got him, even if you own Brown already. (the Jones/Green combo in New York bears watching in this light too).

Miles Austin - He is too obvious to even talk about. So is Owen Daniels.

Sidney Rice - Quietly, Rice is out performing much more ballyhooed teammate Percy Harvin. He is Brett Favre's favorite target, which bodes well for the rest of the season for Rice.

Today's Hottie: Meredith