Cardio

Growth has little to do with age. Some grow while most merely get old, unfortunately.
 Sunday was truly a growth period for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline as he set a new franchise record with a 253-yard receiving mark during the 'Fins 24-21 loss to Arizona in overtime. The Ohio State Buckeye pulled in twelve catches, including an 80-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter. Week four was Hartline's to take, catapulting him to first place in the NFL with 455 receiving yards. The seed has been planted for the 6' 2", twenty-five year-old to blossom under Miami sun.
Next stop; Cincinnati.

Byes: Dallas, Detroit, Oakland, Tampa Bay

 

QB

Andrew Luck (Ind vs GB) Although the Packers are currently 6th vs the pass, Luck should accumulate plenty of meaningless stats in the second half on Sunday afternoon.

Matt Cassel (KC vs Bal) Don't be fooled. The Ravens rank 29th in the NFL, yielding 295.8 per game to quarterbacks in 2012.

Christian Ponder (Min vs Ten) The Titans' opposing quaterbacks have a 118.3 rating and have given up ten TD's through the air in the first four games. 

RB

Jackie Battle (SD @ NO) Perhaps the Saints will improve on their league-worst rush defense (186.8 ypg) Sunday night. Until then, Battle should fill in nicely for owners with running backs on bye.

Cedric Benson (GB @ Ind) Benson is averaging double figures per contest in ppr leagues and should get lots of carries in the RCA Dome on Sunday.

Chris Johnson (Ten @ Min) Many owners have given up on CJ2K, but he should have his second consecutive game worthy of starting.

WR

Domenik Hixon (NYG vs Cle) Hakeem Nicks is still nursing his foot, so Hixon is a perfect fit at home against a 28th ranked Cleveland defense, giving up nearly 300 yards receiving per game this season.

Brian Hartline (Mia @ Cin) Some remain skeptical even though Hartline leads the NFL in receiving and is facing a Bengals defensive unit that gives up 264.5 receiving yards per game. Play this kid.

Nate Washington (Ten @ Min) For some reason, Matt Hasselbeck loves Washington. The fact that the Vikings have already given up eleven passing plays over twenty yards is a bonus. 

TE

Owen Daniels (Hou @ NYJ) Daniels will have a Monday night to remember against the NFL's worst receiving defense.

Martellus Bennett (NYG vs Cle) Bennett has double-figure performances in three of the four games this season with just as many scores.

Greg Olsen (Car vs Sea) Seattle has a top ten defense against aerial attacks, but has yet to face a tight end of Olsen's speed and skill set. 

DEF

Chicago @ Jac

Minnesota vs Ten

NY Giants vs Cle

 

 

 

 

QB

Jay Cutler (Chi @ Jac)

Michael Vick (Phi @ Pit)

RB

Michael Turner (Atl @ Was)

DeAngelo Williams (Car vs Sea)

WR

Brandon Marshall (Chi @ Jac)

Stevie Johnson (Buf @ SF)

TE

Dennis Pitta (Bal @ KC)

Fred Davis (Was vs Atl)

DEF

Atlanta @ Was

Pittsbugh vs Phi

The Bye Week Files: Road to New Orleans

Unless you owned Randy Moss in 2010 when he was traded from the Patriots to the Vikings, then to the Titans, bye weeks will effect everyone on your roster.
Before getting into Tazsports' first edition of sleepers for the 2012 Fantasy football season, let's witness a prediction in reality form.

Houston Texans
Arian Foster and company should put up enough points each contest to get the Texans into the postseason. Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips and his unit should propel Houston to a first round bye in the AFC.

Baltimore Ravens
Be more careful. Be more aware. B-more may very well be the top team in the AFC with a slimmed-down Ray Lewis on defense and focused Joe Flacco with a plethora of weapons on offense.

The New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers will conquer their respective divisions, while the Pittsburgh Steelers and NY Jets will steal AFC wild card berths.

Atlanta Falcons
The 'dirty birds' possess entirely too many poisonous glands for any anecdote to control on offense and at key positions on defense. The Falcons are the best the NFC has to offer this season.

San Francisco 49ers
The 'Niners have a championship-caliber defense. Although the journey to the playoffs won't be easy, Frisco should move past the tough competition in their division.

The Dallas Cowboys will win the NFC East with their Fantasy-like roster and the Chicago Bears will end up division champs. The Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will hold wild cards in their proverbial hands.

SB XLVII:
San Francisco  20
NY Jets              16  Final
Maybe.

Now, on to sleepers for week four.
Byes: Indianapolis, Pittsburgh

QB

Christian Ponder (Min @ Det)

Carson Palmer (Oak @ Den)

Matt Cassel (KC vs SD)

RB

Tashard Choice (Buf vs NE)

Andre Brown (NYG @ Phi)

BenJarvus Green-Ellis (Cin @ Jac)

WR

Donald Jones (Buf vs NE)

Jon Baldwin (KC vs SD)

Michael Crabtree (SF @ NYJ)

TE

Jared Cook (Ten @ Hou)

Dennis Pitta (Bal vs Cle)

Jacob Tamme (Den vs Oak)

DEF

Cincinnati @ Jac

St. Louis vs Sea

Dallas vs Chi

 

 

QB

Michael Vick (Phi vs NYG)

Jay Cutler (Chi @ Dal)

RB

Chris Johnson (Ten @ Hou)

Steven Jackson (StL vs Sea)

WR

Anquan Boldin (Bal vs Cle)

DeSean Jackson (Phi vs NYG)

TE

Jermaine Gresham (Cin @ Jac)

Jermichael Finley (GB vs NO)

DEF

Philadelphia vs NYG

Chicago @ Dal



BCS: Calm Before the Storm

The pressure is low and conditions to reek havoc are as strong as ever. Opening day is jammed with a cloud of collegiate match-ups that will launch 2012's quest for the 'crystal' on Labor Day weekend.

Thursday will begin an initial tidal wave of games (seventeen to be exact) including the ninth ranked Gamecocks of South Carolina visiting the Vanderbilt Commodores.
Hunker down! Just when things appear to clear up, Auburn will take on No. 14 Clemson and attempt to stop junior quarterback Tajh Boyd in Atlanta. Obviously, there will Tigers everywhere.
Another clash will include two teams ranked in the top twenty-five on Friday night as No. 24 Boise State in their post Kellen Moore-era will test waters of No. 13 Michigan State in their post Kirk Cousins-era.
Naturally, the biggset match-up of week one will take place under the gigantic scoreboard in the weather-controlled Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas where the defending BCS champion (#2) Alabama Crimson Tide will lock tusks with the winningest school of all time in the form of the (#8) Michigan Wolverines.

It is imperative that everyone stock up on survival supplies and remain inside - tuned in. Help is on the way and relief is in sight.

The Brain: Week One

The psyche of many laboratory mice is often unusually aggressive and delusional as a result of the various injections of drug cocktails. The excessive amounts of potassium attack the central nervous system, then the brain, where which the specimen begins to experience unrealistic life ideals and scenarios. Large victories seem attainable. Anxiously scrambling, searching for that first win.

Although most lab mice don't end up in a roadside ditch rocking an eye patch, some could likely find themselves on the wrong end of  a proverbial maze hunting a deadly mix disguised as a cheesy win.

Boundaries, lanes and roles are implemented for a reason. As long as all beings remain aware of their boundaries, inside its lane accepting the given role, life will be spared. Maybe.

As the 2012 Fantasy football season approaches, we at Tazsports would like to extend a good luck wish to all who participate, going forward.

Punch-Drunk With Talent

By now, we should all be familiar with the superstar-laden roster of the United States men's basketball team. There are some teams that feel they may have a shooter's chance to swipe victory from the jowels of the Americans.

Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng intends to improve Great Britain's roster with his presence. The French national team will promote balance, but lean heavily on the services of NBA stars Tony Parker, Boris Diaw and Nicolas Batum for pursuit of the ever-elusive 'W'. San Antonio's Manu Ginobili and former Houston Rocket Luis Scola will compete for Argentina while the world watches. The stiffest competition may reside with the Brothers Gasol, OKC's Serge Ibaka and Spain.

In hindsight, does really matter which roster has the best mix of NBA players? After Thursday night's 54-point thrashing of the Dominican Republic (with Atlanta's Al Horford), the Americans are favorites to win every game in the same fashion. Perhaps Spain will hold the smallest margin of defeat, only losing by 31. Maybe.

Stat Stuffers

This season, although abbreviated, was quite intriguing with at least one game being played every night. As the 2012 fantasy basketball season draws to a close, the time has come to recognize those who may have helped owners win an ever-elusive championship. Here is the cream of the fantasy crop.

PG
Russell Westbrook (OKC)  23.6 ppg, 82 FT%
Brandon Jennings (Mil)  19.1 ppg, 80 FT%
SG
Kobe Bryant (LAL)  27.9 ppg, 84 FT%
Monte Ellis (Mil)  20.4 ppg, 6 apg
SF
LeBron James (Mia)  27.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 6.2 apg, 53 FG%
Kevin Durant (OKC)  28 ppg, 8 rpg, 86 FT%
PF
Blake Griffin (LAC)  20.7 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 54 FG%
Kevin Love (Min)  26 ppg, 13.3 rpg, 82 FT%
C
Dwight Howard (Orl)  20.6 ppg, 14.5 rpg, 2.1 bpg
Andrew Bynum (LAL)  18.7 ppg, 11.8 rpg

Congratulations to those who made magic happen this season in fantasy. Now, let the playoffs begin.

Drum Roll, Please?

When NFL commissioner Roger Goodell approaches the podium on April 26, it's imperative that the first name he will call is senior quarterback Andrew Luck from Stanford. What about the rest of the ordered picks? Here's a sneak peek into the future, Tazsports style. Maestro....

1.  Indianapolis Colts 

Andrew Luck - QB - Stanford

The Colts have glaring issues elsewhere, like defensive tackle, linebacker and secondary. The quarterback position must be addressed first, however.

2.  St. Louis Rams  (Trade with Washington)

Justin Blackmon - WR - Oklahoma State

Linebacker is a dire need for the Rams, going forward, but Blackmon is one prospect a franchise can't pass on.

3.  Minnesota Vikings 

Matt Kalil - OT - USC

With big brother Ryan grooming him, Matt has a leg up on the rest of the class at his position.

4.  Cleveland Browns 

Trent Richardson - RB - Alabama

With the NFL migrating toward the 'running back by committee' philosophy, franchises are reluctant to draft a running back so early in the first round. The consensus will take Richardson every time.

5.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Morris Claiborne - CB - LSU

An aging Ronde Barber lurks in the balance. Why not scoop up the best corner back in the draft and have the wiley veteran take Claiborne under his wing?

 6.  Washington Redskins  (Trade with St. Louis)
Robert Griffin, III  - QB - Baylor

Washington may as well get a QB since they traded away first round picks for the next three seasons. The glaring need at the position doesn't hurt.

7.  Jacksonville Jaguars 

Michael Floyd - WR - Notre Dame

The Jags lack a big, efficient target at receiver. Floyd will prove to be the best in this year's draft at his position.

8.  Miami Dolphins 

Riley Reiff - OT - Iowa

Miami may have more serious needs on the defensive side of the ball, but Reiff is a top ten talent.

9. Carolina Panthers

Quinton Coples - DE - North Carolina

A dominant defensive end from North Carolina remindssome of pro bowler Julius Peppers. The proverbial jury is still out.

10. Buffalo Bills 
Devon Still - DT - Penn State

 The Bills rarely put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, accumulating only 29 sacks (t-30th) in 2011. Still should contribute nicely.

NFL team logos courtesy of  NFL.com.