Football Diary

Football Diary-By David Ortega for Football Reporters Online
[Saturday Edition]

Dear Diary

The Pursuit of Excellence

One down and one more to go this week. Earlier on Thursday night the Colts continued their pursuit of excellence remaining undefeated. It took a late 4th quarter drive by Peyton Manning the Colts to hold off the upstart Jaguars, but that has been characteristic of this team all season long. Now tonight we'll get to see act two with the Saints and the Cowboys.

Like the Colts the New Orleans Saints have been making it fashionable to pull out late game comebacks and rallys, and for fantasy owners it has truly been a committee responsible for the work. Drew Brees (3,832-yards, 32 touchdowns) is the only constant in the Saints offensive attack and has proven to be one of the best fantasy players the past couple of seasons. This season in the team's run for perfection, Brees has used a committee of receivers to get the job done that include' Marques Colston (9 touchdowns), Robert Meachem (8 touchdowns), Devery Henderson (43 receptions), Jeremy Shockey (48 receptions), Dave Thomas (22 receptions), and Reggie Bush (39 receptions).

The committee does not stop there with both running backs Mike Bell (598 yards rushing) and Pierre Thomas (713 yards rushing) being significant contributors on the ground this season. Not only is it difficult for fantasy owners to know which Saints dice to roll, but tonight for the Dallas Cowboys their defense will face a monumental task in trying to stop this Saints offense.

Brees has been spectacular that past couple of weeks, passing for 296-yards, 419-yards, and 371-yards, while throwing a total of 10 touchdowns. The Cowboys secondary had fits trying to cover the Charger's receivers last week and they won't catch any kind of a break this week. This one could get ugly fast.
(Editors note: this was written prior to last night's Late result: Dallas Beat New Orleans)

Fantasy Notes:

The Broncos super-stud receiver Brandon Marshall has gone from the doghouse to the outhouse and has now arrived in the penthouse. In his last three starts he has 34 receptions for 380 yards and three touchdowns and will have a good matchup on Sunday against the Raiders. In the first meeting Marshall caught five balls for 67 yards and a score.

The Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles has been running the ball well over the past month. In his last five games Charles is averaging 91 yards rushing and over five yards a carry. He has also scored a touchdown in his last three starts and has five total in his last five starts. He has a favorable matchup this week against the Browns 29th ranked run defense.


10 Things on
My Sunday Watch-List

1. The only chance the Bills will have Sunday, they have to get the ball into the hands of Terrell Ownes, can they?
2. Last week against the Steelers Josh Cribbs and Chris Jennings combined for 160 yards on the ground; how will they do against the Chiefs?
3. The Jets running back Thomas Jones has been solid in 2009 and will undoubtedly be featured on Sunday against the Falcons; will he top 100-yards for the sixth time this season?
4. Last week an injured Matt Schaub stepped up and tossed for 365 yards. Can the Texans quarterback do it again?
5. The Titans running back Chris Johnson has been on a tear with Vince Young under center. Young will play Sunday and I will be watching Mr. Johnson.
6. On Monday night Kurt Warner and the Cardinals passing game could not get off the ground. I expect to see great redemption on Sunday against the Lions 32nd (last) ranked pass defense.
7. The Broncos rookie running back Knowshon Moreno has yet to top 100-yards this season; he should get plenty of carries to do just that on Sunday against the Raiders.
8. With Westbrook and Maclin, can McNabb and Jackson light up the Niners secondary just as they did the Giants last week?
9. Last week the Steelers dropped their five game in a row, can Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay offense make it a six-Pack!
10. And like all of the NFL nation I too will be watching Ochocinco and the Bengals on Sunday as we all remember Slim!!