Problems

Some perform at such a high level, that even the smallest recession will make the masses forget greatness.

Houston indeed has a problem. Perhaps more than one. With starting quarterback Matt Schaub and running back Arian Foster sidelined with injuries, the Texans (2-6) are on a six-game slide after winning their first two contests. Problems are plentiful in Houston after so much success over the last two seasons. All-Pro receiver Andre Johnson obviously is not one of them.

Johnson finished 2012 second in receiving yards behind Calvin Johnson, but was overlooked by stars like A.J. Green, Brandon Marshall and Dez Bryant, who all had lesser stats.

Fast forward to Sunday, the Miami (FL) alumnus finished the 27-24 loss to the Colts (6-2) with nine catches, 229 yards and three scores. Apparently, the epic explosion wasn't enough, but Andre is not the problem.

Byes: Cleveland, Kansas City, New England, NY Jets

QB 

Nick Foles (Phi @ GB)

E.J. Manuel (Buf @ Pit)

Eli Manning ( NYG vs Oak)

RB

Ben Tate (Hou @ Ari)

Rashad Jennings (Oak @ NYG)

Danny Woodhead (SD vs Den)

WR

Mike Brown (Jac @ Ten)

Tim Wright (TB vs Mia)

Emmanuel Sanders (Pit vs Buf)

TE

Andrew Quarless (GB vs Phi)

Brandon Myers (NYG vs Oak)

Julius Thomas (Den @ SD)

DEF

Indianapolis vs StL

Arizona vs Hou

Tennessee vs Jac

QB

Matt Ryan (Atl vs Sea)

Cam Newton (Car @ SF)

RB

Ray Rice (Bal vs Cin)

Trent Richardson (Ind vs StL)

WR 

Marques Colston (NO vs Dal)

Mike Wallace (Mia @ TB)

TE

Garrett Graham (Hou @ Ari)

Coby Fleener (Ind vs StL)

DEF

Dallas @ NO

Denver @ SD

Cream Rises

The Cincinnati Bengals (6-2) celebrated on the Lions' field Sunday. Victory was the occasion. The backs of their collective minds were occupied, however. Calvin Johnson had a lot to do with it.

The seven-year veteran pulled down nine catches for 155 yards and two touchdowns during the Detroit Lions (5-3) heartbreaking 27-24 loss to Cincinnati, including a 50-yard touchdown reception over three Bengal defenders early in the fourth quarter.
A valiant effort for Megatron, which earns him the league's top Fantasy performance, but in losing fashion. So let's move on, shall we?

Down by ten in the fourth quarter, the Lions put together a 24-point exhibition before the home crowd with  help from Johnson in historic fashion. The Cowboys' (4-4) road trip was spoiled as Johnson corralled 14 catches for a mind-blowing 329 yards and a touchdown in a 31-30 thriller.

Weeks eight and nine will prove to be rather crucial with twelve teams on bye. This week can and will be a pivotal point for owners all across the gridiron of ones and zeroes. Proceed with meticulous caution....


Byes: Arizona, Denver, Detroit, Jacksonville, NY Giants, San Francisco

QB
Nick Foles (Phi @ Oak)
Josh McCown (Chi @ GB)
RB
Mike Tolbert (Car vs Atl)
Daryl Richardson (StL vs Ten)
WR
Timothy Wright (TB @ Sea)
Marvin Jones (Cin @ Mia)
TE
Dallas Clark (Bal @ Cle)
Jordan Reed (Was vs SD)
DEF

Baltimore @ Cle
St. Louis vs Ten

QB
Tom Brady (NE vs Pit)
Matt Ryan (Atl @ Car)
RB
Steven Jackson (Atl @ Car)
Trent Richardson (Ind @ Hou)
WR
Dwayne Bowe (KC @ Buf)
Vincent Jackson (TB @ Sea)
TE
Jermaine Gresham (Cin @ Mia)
Kyle Rudolph (Min @ Dal)
DEF
NY Jets vs NO
Pittsburgh @ NE

Excuses

Expect to be great. Instead of making an excuse and not trying, make an effort. The parking spot farthest away for the store's entrance isn't that bad. Consider it an opportunity for good exercise.

In 2003, a freshman stepped onto the University of Maryland campus. Standing 6' 3", he barely weighed 185 pounds and was recruited as a receiver. He proved he could play multiple positions, including special teams, recording a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash. Although he gained about seventy pounds by his junior season, Vernon Davis never lost any speed, possessing three percent body fat.

Fast forward to 2013, Davis stepped onto the field of Candlestick Park with questions on whether he should play, nursing a hamstring injury. He hauled in eight catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns by the game's end against the Arizona Cardinals (3-4) Sunday afternoon, in victorious fashion. Poor, poor hamstring. Titans, get ready!

No excuses, right? Right?

Byes: New Orleans, Oakland

QB

Sam Bradford (StL @ Car)

Ryan Tannehill (Mia vs Buf)

Andy Dalton (Cin @ Det)

RB

Joseph Randle (Dal @ Phi)

Jacquizz Rodgers (Atl vs TB)

Giovani Bernard (Cin @ Det)

WR

Brian Hartline (Mia vs Buf)

Harry Douglas (Atl vs TB)

Riley Cooper (Phi vs Dal)

TE

Jeff Cumberland (NYJ vs NE)

Dallas Clark (Bal @ Pit)

Delanie Walker (Ten vs SF)

DEF

Miami vs Buf

Pittsburgh vs Bal

Carolina vs StL

QB

Jake Locker (Ten vs SF)

Cam Newton (Car vs StL)

RB

Trent Richardson (Ind vs Den)

Chris Johnson (Ten vs SF)

WR

Dwayne Bowe (KC vs Hou)

Steve Smith (Car vs StL)

TE

Kyle Rudolph (Min @ NYG)

Jermaine Gresham (Cin @ Det)

DEF

Indianapolis vs Den

Baltimore @ Pit

His-story in the Making

Since 1970, only the Texans Matt Schaub and the Lions Matthew Stafford had thrown for 500 yards in a game before Sunday. With 506 yards and five touchdowns, Dallas Cowboys (2-3) quarterback Tony Romo joins them.

Most pessimists would rather focus on the interception he threw in overtime during the Cowboys 51-48 loss to Denver. Or the fact that he is the only quarterback in NFL history to have multiple games with at least five interceptions in the same season (2012). Others would harp on the fact that the 'Boys haven't experienced a winning season since 2009 under Romo's watch.

Surely, the undrafted signal-caller would rather attend to the $119.50 million contract he signed in the off-season. Nonetheless, he is definitely the QB to have on your roster - in Fantasy.
Week six,,,,

Byes: Atlanta, Miami

QB
Joe Flacco (Bal vs GB)
Alex Smith (KC vs Oak)
Colin Kaepernick (SF vs Ari)
RB
Knowshon Moreno (Den vs Jac)
Willis McGahee (Cle vs Det)
Bilal Powell (NYJ vs Pit)
WR
DeAndre Hopkins (Hou vs StL)
Donnie Avery (KC vs Oak)
Josh Gordon (Cle vs Det)
TE
Garrett Graham (Hou vs StL)
Brent Celek (Phi @ TB) 
Greg Olsen (Car @ Min)
DEF

Minnesota vs Car
Denver vs Jac
NY Jets vs Pit

QB
Carson Palmer (Ari @ SF)
Sam Bradford (StL @ Hou)
RB
Eddie Lacy (GB @ Bal)
Darren McFadden (Oak @ KC)
WR
Larry Fitzgerald (Ari @ SF)
Stevie Johnson (Buf vs Cin)
TE
Jermichael Finley (GB @ Bal)
Kyle Rudolph (Min vs Car)
DEF
New England vs NO
Baltimore vs GB

Numero Uno

If daybreak happens each morning when you awake, chances are that tonight when you close your eyes, you can count on one thing to happen when you open them. Absolute reliability.

When Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez retires, he will be a first-ballot and the greatest of all-time at his position. Whenever that is. The 6' 5" tight end is showing no signs of slowing as he dominates defenders nearly twenty years his junior.

Gonzalez was the top-performing player in Fantasy in week four as Atlanta suffered a 30-23 loss to the New England Patriots Sunday in the Georgia Dome.

The California Golden Bear never quit as he caught 12 passes of 14 targets for 149 receiving yards and two touchdowns on the Pats linebackers and safeties. His illumination was in a losing effort, but daybreak cometh.


Byes: Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Washington

QB
Eli Manning (NYG vs Phi) The Eagles give up 325 passing yards per game, which is second-most in the NFL through four weeks.
Joe Flacco (Bal @ Mia) Although Miami has a solid defense, they yield nearly 300 passing ypg (21st in the NFL).
Terrelle Pryor (Oak vs SD) The Chargers' opposing quarterback rating is 108.9. This should be enough for start if your QB is on bye.
RB
Daryl Richardson (StL vs Jac) The Jaguars are giving up 165 ypg on the ground this season, the league's worst.
Willis McGahee (Cle vs Buf) Buffalo has given up six running plays of twenty yards or more this season. Cleveland should break a couple of big plays on the ground Thursday night.
David Wilson (NYG vs Phi) Wilson will get plenty of touches at home against an Eagles defensive unit that's 26th in the NFL (121.8 rush ypg) versus the run.
WR
Josh Gordon (Cle vs Buf) Gordon is clearly the best receiver on his team, taking on a bottom-ten defense against receivers.
James Jones (GB vs Det) With receivers Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson demanding double-team looks, Jones should get a few one-on-one opportunities.
Tavon Austin (StL vs Jac) During an early bye week, any wide out is worth a play against Jacksonville.
TE
Scott Chandler (Buf @ Cle) Cleveland's defense is strong, especially in the secondary. This should free up targets for Chandler, possibly in the red zone.
Kellen Winslow (NYJ @ Atl) Rookie QB Geno Smith has developed some chemistry with the veteran tight end from Miami.
Charles Clay (Mia vs Bal) Clay has twenty receptions and 245 yards, which is 4th in the league among TE's.
DEF

St. Louis vs Jac
Cleveland vs Buf
Houston @ SF

QB
Andy Dalton (Cin vs NE)
Alex Smith (KC @ Ten)
RB
C.J. Spiller (Buf @ Cle)
Chris Johnson (Ten vs KC)
WR
Stevie Johnson (Buf @ Cle)
Mike Wallace (Mia vs Bal)
TE
Owen Daniels (Hou @ SF)
Jermichael Finley (GB vs Det)
DEF
Chicago vs NO
Seattle @ Ind

Parking Lot Series: One Bye One

The NFL executives who make the schedule woke up one morning and conspired on a way to place Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning at a disadvantage.

"...I don't know why the Eagles are playing off twelve days rest and we're going off of only six days...", stated the Tennessee alumnus earlier this week at a press conference. "We don't care. We'll play in a parking lot." The thirty-seven year-old signal-caller was simply reciting facts and not whining at all. The Broncos host Philadelphia Sunday afternoon in the 'Mile High City'.

Enough about whine and cheese, let's sink our Fantasy incisors into 2013's first bye week, shall we?

Byes: Carolina, Green Bay

 

QB
Carson Palmer (Ari @ TB)
Alex Smith (KCvs NYG)
Terrelle Pryor (Oak vs Was)
RB
Jacquizz Rodgers (Atl vs NE)
Lamar Miller (Mia @ NO)
Bilal Powell (NYJ @ Ten)
WR
Mike Williams (TB vs Ari)
Harry Douglas (Atl vs NE)
Donnie Avery (KC vs NYG)
TE
Brandon Myers (NYG @ KC)
Owen Daniels (Hou vs Sea)
Scott Chandler (Buf vs Bal)
DEF
Indianapolis @ Jac
NYJ @ Ten
Kansas City vs NYG

QB
Matt Schaub (Hou vs Sea)
Joe Flacco (Bal@ Buf)
RB
David Wilson (NYG @ KC)
Rashard Mendenhall (Ari @ TB)
WR
Kenny Britt (Ten vs NYJ)
Hakeem Nicks (NYG)
TE
Coby Fleener (Ind @ Jac)
Brandon Pettigrew (Det vs Chi)
DEF
Chicago @ Det
Atlanta vs NE

Memorable Lifestyle

 

 

One's lifestyle is merely metabolism stressed over and over again for a long period of time. When this metabolic vessel can exist overlapping generations, it becomes a tradition.

 

 

The majority of Fantasy leagues possess an even level of competition. Since luck is located at the intersection of where preparation meets opportunity, Fantasy is about 89% luck, depending on league scoring, settings, etc. The remaining 11% left in the proverbial tank comes in the form of preparation.

 

A solid, committed overall effort can elevate a given lifestyle into a revered tradition.

 

Such characteristics are displayed despite crucial draft picks in key rounds:

Round 7: Pittsburgh (DEF)

Round 8: Randy Moss

Round 9: Isaac Redman

Round 12: Toby Gerhart

Round 13: Chad Johnson

 

Efforts, adjustments and the playoffs were made following such catastrophic results of another draft  game plan nightmare. How much fuel is left? Who wants it more? Best of luck to those who dare to step onto the gridiron of 1's and 0's to experience all the 2013 Fantasy football season has to offer. Continue the distinguished tradition.

 



 

Before everyone runs into freeway traffic wearing a white mink and red derby, let us briefly take a look over our left shoulder to how things finished in 2012...

QB
1.  Drew Brees (NO)
2.  Aaron Rodgers (GB)
3.  Tom Brady (NE)
4.  Cam Netwton (Car)
5.  Robert Griffin III (Was)
6. Peyton Manning (Den)
7. Matt Ryan (Atl)
8.  Tony Romo (Dal)
9.  Matthew Stafford (Det)
10. Andrew Luck (Ind)


RB
1.  Adrian Peterson (Min)
2.  Doug Martin (TB)
3.  Arian Foster (Hou)
4.    Ray Rice (Bal)
5.   Marshawn Lynch (Sea)
6.   C.J. Spiller (Buf)
7.   Trent Richardson (Cle)
8.   Alfred Morris (Was)
9.   Jamaal Charles (KC)
10. Frank Gore (SF)



WR
1.  Calvin Johnson (Det)
2.  Brandon Marshall (Chi)
3.  A.J. Green (Cin)
4.   Dez Bryant (Dal)
5.   Andre Johnson (Hou)
6.   Demaryius Thomas (Den)
7.   Wes Welker (Den)
8.   Eric Decker (Den)
9.   Roddy White (Atl)
10. Reggie Wayne (TB)

TE
1.  Jimmy Graham (NO)
2.  Tony Gonzalez (Atl)
3.  Jason Witten (Dal)
4.   Heath Miller (Pit)
5.   Rob Gronkowski (NE)
6.   Brandon Myers (NYG)
7.   Greg Olsen (Car)
8.   Dennis Pitta (Bal)
9.   Owen Daniels (Hou)
10. Jermaine Gresham (Cin)


DEF
1.  Chicago
2.  Seattle
3.  Denver
4.   New England
5.   Cincinnati
6.   San Diego
7.   Arizona
8.   San Francisco
9.   St. Louis
10. Houston

Champ vs Champ

Twenty-two of the most talented players in college football and the NFL represented the BCS National Championship during the 2000's.
The 2005 Texas Longhorns defeated the USC Trojans 41-38, in dramatic fashion, erasing a twelve-point fourth quarter deficit to capture the title. Two years later, the 2007 Florida Gators suffocated a high-powered Oklahoma Sooners offense to claim the crown by a score of 24-14.

Hypotheticals play the starring role in this scenario as two of the most talent-laden rosters of the BCS era square off on the field of -- TazSports.
As luck would have it, the '07 Gators win the coin toss and elect to go on offense first.

MATCHUPS:

QB - Vince Young vs Tim Tebow
Vince Young, Pro Bowler with the Tennessee Titans has a better winning percentage than quarterbacks Tony Romo, Eli Manning and Drew Brees. Tebow simply refused to lose during his Heisman-winning season.

RB - Chris Ogbonnaya, Selvin Young, Jamaal Charles vs Chris Rainey, Jeff Demps
The backfields were full of speedsters on both teams. Pro Bowl tailback Jamaal Charles was a freshman with the 2005 Longhorns.

WR/TE - Limas Sweed, Quan Cosby, Jordan Shipley vs Percy Harvin, Louis Murphy, Riley Cooper, Aaron Hernandez
The consensus will just award this match up to the Gator receiving corp of 2007. Anyone disagree?

DL - Brian Orakpo vs Brandon Spikes
When he's not appearing in Geico commercials, Brian Orakpo is collecting awards for All-Rookie squads (2009), sacks and Pro Bowl invitations. Brandon Spikes has 200 total tackles and five forced fumbles in his five seasons in the NFL.

CB - Cedric Griffin, Aaron Ross vs Janoris Jenkins
Griffin has been a productive defensive back for two NFL teams while Aaron Ross is a two-time Super Bowl champion. Jenkins had 64 total tackles and 4 interceptions with three returned for touchdowns in 2012.

S - Michael Huff vs Major Wright
Michael Huff went to the Pro Bowl in 2010 and has 11 total career interceptions. Wright has increased his performance in tackles and interceptions in each of his three NFL seasons. Wright seems to edge out the eight-year veteran Huff with half the NFL experience.

'05 Texas     31
'07 Florida  45  F

Glass Slipper Madness

How hard would it be to dribble-drive to the right side baseline, crossover to the lane and pull up to drain a fourteen-foot jumper in clear pumps? Easy. As long as it's before midnight.

The quest to win six consecutive games in the grandest tournament on the planet begins on March 19 and will end with the Final Four in Atlanta on April 8.
Some teams will have an inside track on the 2013 NCAA tournament. Here's the inside track on some of those teams:

Michigan Wolverines

Sophomore point guard Trey Burke is said to be one of the nation's best. His seven assists per game is the result of having talented players like junior guard Tim Hardaway, Jr. and Glenn Robinson, III as teammates. The Wolverines are explosive, although they lack size, this group is the best since the Fab Five of the nineties. Michigan will be a No. 1 seed in the big dance.

Indiana Hoosiers

Briefly, the Hoosiers are officially back. They can defend in transition, run the floor and they have size and some depth. Seven-foot sophomore Cody Zeller is a problem, averaging 16.6 points per game. Junior guard Victor Oladipo is easily the solution. Indiana will be hard to defeat in any tournament.

Duke Blue Devils

Some say senior forward Mason Plumlee is campaigning for Player of the Year, posting 17.6 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Who can argue otherwise? Meanwhile, senior guard Seth Curry is shooting nearly 42 percent from three-point range as he takes aim from the logo and beyond (16.9 ppg). Duke's 'X' factor is head coach Mike Krzyzewski, as it is every season. Good luck to the rest of the field.

Miami Hurricanes

Head coach Jim Larranaga has put together the best unit in the program's history, climbing atop the ACC and the nation. Sophomore Shane Larkin shoots three-pointers at the rate of 43.7 while senior guard Durand Scott leads the 'Canes, scoring 14 points per contest. Need size? How about 6' 10", 292 pound senior Reggie Johnson? We shall see, apparently.

This year's NCAA tournament should bring excitement, disappointment and intrigue. Most of all, there will be upsets. Hopefully, no one's horses will turn into mice at the stroke of midnight. Unfortunately for many teams, this will be the case.

Who Has It Better Than Us?

From 49ers corner back Chris Culliver's comments on gay athletes to accusations of deer-antler spray consumed by Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, there's one small detail that's being overlooked - a rather important game is to be played and no medium clip will matter on Sunday evening at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.

Numbers such as Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco's eight touchdown playoff campaign without an interception or San Francisco signal-caller Colin Kaepernick's 200-plus rushing yard performance during the playoffs won't make much of a difference. Even the glaring fact that the 49ers finished second in the NFL in defense while the Ravens found themselves outside the top ten (12th) by season's end will be an afterthought once the ball is booted from the tee.

In a match up where both defenses are sound, (one more than the other) components such as special teams play and turnovers will play a contributing role in the outcome.
Will veteran receiver Randy Moss prove that he is truly the (2nd or 3rd) greatest in NFL history? Will safety Ed Reed experience his first Super Bowl victory? Perhaps the real question is will a game plan be implemented for Kaepernick? And if so, will it be successfully executed?

Harbaugh Bowl? Maybe. Jim and John (18 months apart) can only do so much from the sidelines with headsets being the only equipment each coach will sport. It will be up to the players to decide which brother will receive the multi-colored confetti shower while hoisting the Lombardi trophy.

49ers     27
Ravens  20  Final
Maybe.

Immediately after the Super Bowl has ended, we will collectively take a look ahead to the 2013 season. Here at TazSports, you'll get a small preview with a list of 2012's top Fantasy performers.

 

 

 

 

  

QB
1.  Drew Brees (NO)

2.  Aaron Rodgers (GB)

3.  Tom Brady (NE)

* Russell Wilson (Sea)

RB
1.  Adrian Peterson (Min)

2.  Doug Martin (TB)

3.  Arian Foster (Hou)

* Daryl Richardson (StL)

WR
1.  Calvin Johnson (Det)

2.  Brandon Marshall (Chi)

3.  Dez Bryant (Dal)

* T. Y. Hilton (Ind)

TE
1.  Jimmy Graham (NO)

2.  Tony Gonzalez (Atl)

3.  Jason Witten (Dal)

* Kyle Rudolph (Min)


DEF

1.  Chicago

2.  Seattle

3.  Denver

* St. Louis

* Denotes top sleeper for 2013