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If you thought Somali Pirates were out of the news focus and the World was safe from them, you're wrong.
A British couple named Paul and Rachel Chandler were the latest victims of Somali gun gangs who were kidnapped on October 23rd.
The Somali Robin Hoods wanted $7 million or about £4 million (4 million pounds) for the couple, but, informed they were not at all wealthy, the Somali Pirates dropped their "ask" to £100,000 (100,000 pounds).
If you remember the first American brush with the Somali Pirate problem led to a killing of the thugs who kidnapped Americans that was ordered by U.S. President Barack Obama in one of the boldest decisions of his young presidency.
I still say that such events point to the need for more Somali aid:
Monday, November 02, 2009
Bay Bridge open today - BART 24-hour service a success
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The Bay Bridge has reopened this morning and in phases since 9 AM. I frankly hold out hope the repairs hold and this wasn't a rush to place a band-aid on an already damaged structure.
And CalTrans calls the eyebar repairs "enhanced" - let's hope that's not a cute trick at using the right marketing term and it really is stronger than before. One thing is for certain: BART's 24-hour train service was a success and proves that BART can extend train service with the right level of funding.
Remember in my second blog post on this subject, BART's Linton Johnson said that economic and maintenance factors combined to make 24-hour service an impossibility unless CalTrans provided the money for it.
Well that happened and the 24-hour service, provided Friday night and Saturday night, worked like a charm.
In fact, it worked so well I think BART and CalTrans should do this every weekend. Moreover, funding for this should come not just from CalTrans but the Federal Government in some fashion under the rationale of keeping drunk drivers off the road and money out of the pockets of lawyers like Former Speaker and San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, who once hilariously said to party goers including California Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, "Drink. Drink. And drive, so I can represent you!
(Love ya Willie!)
BART's a fun, social vehicle to use in getting too and fro, especially at night after a play or a party. Why create an environment where people who have been out even having a "little drink" can't see an alternative to driving from San Francisco to Oakland?
Yes, AC Transit has great 24 hour service but it's not enough to handle the volume of people who need it on the weekend. I've heard the argument before that there's not enough ridership at night, but that's only because people are conditioned not to use the service as much because it's not available.
BART's trains were packed during the weekend, yes, because of Halloween, but I contend 24-hour service, if it were standard on the weekends, would alter the economy of San Francisco and Oakland. More establishments would stay open longer past the 2 AM bar close deadline and because more people are out and about, its safer to be out and about.
World-class cities have such service. It's about time we got serious and acted like a World-class region; make 24-hour service permanent on the weekends.
Stay tuned.
The Bay Bridge has reopened this morning and in phases since 9 AM. I frankly hold out hope the repairs hold and this wasn't a rush to place a band-aid on an already damaged structure.
And CalTrans calls the eyebar repairs "enhanced" - let's hope that's not a cute trick at using the right marketing term and it really is stronger than before. One thing is for certain: BART's 24-hour train service was a success and proves that BART can extend train service with the right level of funding.
Remember in my second blog post on this subject, BART's Linton Johnson said that economic and maintenance factors combined to make 24-hour service an impossibility unless CalTrans provided the money for it.
Well that happened and the 24-hour service, provided Friday night and Saturday night, worked like a charm.
In fact, it worked so well I think BART and CalTrans should do this every weekend. Moreover, funding for this should come not just from CalTrans but the Federal Government in some fashion under the rationale of keeping drunk drivers off the road and money out of the pockets of lawyers like Former Speaker and San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, who once hilariously said to party goers including California Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, "Drink. Drink. And drive, so I can represent you!
(Love ya Willie!)
BART's a fun, social vehicle to use in getting too and fro, especially at night after a play or a party. Why create an environment where people who have been out even having a "little drink" can't see an alternative to driving from San Francisco to Oakland?
Yes, AC Transit has great 24 hour service but it's not enough to handle the volume of people who need it on the weekend. I've heard the argument before that there's not enough ridership at night, but that's only because people are conditioned not to use the service as much because it's not available.
BART's trains were packed during the weekend, yes, because of Halloween, but I contend 24-hour service, if it were standard on the weekends, would alter the economy of San Francisco and Oakland. More establishments would stay open longer past the 2 AM bar close deadline and because more people are out and about, its safer to be out and about.
World-class cities have such service. It's about time we got serious and acted like a World-class region; make 24-hour service permanent on the weekends.
Stay tuned.
BCS Standings - Cal Golden Bears at 20, TCU over Boise State, USC at 12
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BCS Standings for this week has this: after Saturday's amazing 47 to 20 blowout by the Oregon Ducks, the USC Trojans have fallen from number 5 in the BCS race to number 12, while Oregon moves to number 8.
(That USC is number 12, and the only team with two losses ranked so high is questionable. More on this later.)
As I said that game would shake up the BCS and it did but not in the way Boise State fans wanted. After all their anticipation of overtaking TCU because of Oregon's win, they find themselves literally on that tush of the Horned Frogs, rated sixth and seventh respectively.
Florida remains at number one, while Texas moves ahead of Alabama (which did not play this week) for the number two spot.
The Cal Golden Bears move up to 20 from 24 after beating Arizona State while Notre Dame goes to 22 after clobbering Washington State.
Here's the Top 25 BCS list for week three:
Florida
Texas
Alabama
Iowa
Cincinnati
TCU
Boise State
Oregon
LSU
Georgia Tech
Penn State
USC
Pittsburgh
Utah
Houston
Ohio State
Miami (FL)
Arizona
Oklahoma State
California
Wisconsin
Notre Dame
Virginia Tech
Oklahoma
South Florida
BCS Standings for this week has this: after Saturday's amazing 47 to 20 blowout by the Oregon Ducks, the USC Trojans have fallen from number 5 in the BCS race to number 12, while Oregon moves to number 8.
(That USC is number 12, and the only team with two losses ranked so high is questionable. More on this later.)
As I said that game would shake up the BCS and it did but not in the way Boise State fans wanted. After all their anticipation of overtaking TCU because of Oregon's win, they find themselves literally on that tush of the Horned Frogs, rated sixth and seventh respectively.
Florida remains at number one, while Texas moves ahead of Alabama (which did not play this week) for the number two spot.
The Cal Golden Bears move up to 20 from 24 after beating Arizona State while Notre Dame goes to 22 after clobbering Washington State.
Here's the Top 25 BCS list for week three:
Florida
Texas
Alabama
Iowa
Cincinnati
TCU
Boise State
Oregon
LSU
Georgia Tech
Penn State
USC
Pittsburgh
Utah
Houston
Ohio State
Miami (FL)
Arizona
Oklahoma State
California
Wisconsin
Notre Dame
Virginia Tech
Oklahoma
South Florida
NY Yankees one game from World Series champion - Kate Hudson A-Rod's lucky charm
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After a 7 to 4 World Series game victory against the Philadelphia Phillies in that city Sunday night, the New York Yankees are one win away from a World Series Championship, and the NY Post has called actress Kate Hudson A-Rod's lucky charm after he hit the go-ahead run in the ninth inning. Which I guess makes Kate Hudson the Yankees' lucky charm.
To me, the Yankees are still proof that payroll money buys wins in baseball. Moneyball's dead. At least for now.
Kate Hudson
After a 7 to 4 World Series game victory against the Philadelphia Phillies in that city Sunday night, the New York Yankees are one win away from a World Series Championship, and the NY Post has called actress Kate Hudson A-Rod's lucky charm after he hit the go-ahead run in the ninth inning. Which I guess makes Kate Hudson the Yankees' lucky charm.
To me, the Yankees are still proof that payroll money buys wins in baseball. Moneyball's dead. At least for now.
Hamid Karzai declared Afghanistan president; we can't trust him
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Hamid Karzai was declared Afghanistan president, according to a CNN email new release. And I have to admit I'm disappointed because I don't think we have a totally honest elected official we're dealing with in Karzai, but we have no choice as his rival Abdullah Abdullah withdrew from the presidential election.
Abdullah Abdullah put up a good fight against amazing odds; few believed he could win an election against Karzai.
But the reason quit was because he believed he would not win a runoff because of he same fraud issues that plagued the country's election to start with.
The basic question is what does he know about the location of Osama Bin Ladin and is he also working with terrorists at the same time he's work with the United States? Morever, Karzai's own people don't take his presidency seriously and he asked for our military presence, so it's as if we're propping him up.
We can't do that.
Rather than committing more troops, we should use more drones in this case. Fight the war from space and really go after specific targets. This deal's a real mess and I can't see a conventional path to success.
Stay tuned.
Hamid Karzai was declared Afghanistan president, according to a CNN email new release. And I have to admit I'm disappointed because I don't think we have a totally honest elected official we're dealing with in Karzai, but we have no choice as his rival Abdullah Abdullah withdrew from the presidential election.
President Hamid Karzai
Abdullah Abdullah put up a good fight against amazing odds; few believed he could win an election against Karzai.
But the reason quit was because he believed he would not win a runoff because of he same fraud issues that plagued the country's election to start with.
The basic question is what does he know about the location of Osama Bin Ladin and is he also working with terrorists at the same time he's work with the United States? Morever, Karzai's own people don't take his presidency seriously and he asked for our military presence, so it's as if we're propping him up.
We can't do that.
Rather than committing more troops, we should use more drones in this case. Fight the war from space and really go after specific targets. This deal's a real mess and I can't see a conventional path to success.
Stay tuned.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Taylor Swift and A Swastika? Still no official apology from Swift
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Two weekends ago, Taylor Swift attended Katy Perry's party and posed with A.J. English, a Hollywood model who for some still not well explained reason happened to have a t-shirt on that sported a big, fat Swastika on it.
While Taylor Swift's publicist has issued a "Swift didn't know what she was doing" statemwent and English has publicly appologized and said he's not a Nazi, Swift herself has not gave one statement explaining that she's sorry, shocked, or even actually cares that she was in a photo with a guy wearing a t-shirt with a Swatika!
Moreover, Internet reaction seems to be "Oh, she's just this cute girl who didn't know any better. It's ok."
Like heck it is. There's an old saying that if we don't pay attention to history, we're doomed to repeat it. I've come to the conclusion that we just don't seem to care at all about establishing standards of engagement that prove we've advanced beyond the hatred of yesterday.
If we had, there would be incredible pressure for Taylor Swift to say something, just as their has been for Kansas City Chiefs Running Back Larry Johnson, who was suspended by the team for homophobic comments.
Is it OK to let her go because she's 19, white, pretty, and blonde? How far do we allow this to go before we have another girl group like Prussian Blue, who compared themselves to the Olsen sisters but said "We're proud of being white, we want to keep being white. We want our people to stay white"?
Taylor Swift can go a long way toward righting a wrong just by submitting a statement. Why she's not done so is really surprising to me but maybe we're just becoming desensitized to hate because we're exposed to it so much online and on television that we're becoming too permissive.
We have a so-called Louisiana "judge" Keith Bardwell, who openly expresses his dislike for interracial marriage and is still (as of this writing) practicing in Tangipahoa Parish outside New Orleans. Sure, I'm all for free-speech, but I'm not for someone in a governmental, legal position using his power to carry out racism and deliver a racist message.
Then we have couch potato conservatives like Michelle Malkin speaking out against diversity - and she's Asian!
Think about this folks: here's a woman of color basically saying she likes that the GOP's mostly white rather than a gathering of different-looking kinds of people share the same ideas. In other words, the GOP should not work to have anyone of color in it.
Malkin's attacked Asian activists in the pages of the website VDARE, an online place noted for White Supremacists views.
By her silence, Swift runs the risk of being thrown into the same public perception box as Malkin. Well it's a risk because as I stated, quite a few people seem to want to give her a break without asking for a statement of apology or at least a freaking tweet!
I would think enough's, enough, but maybe I'm in the minority in more ways than one, , liberals are more wimps than I thought, and America in general's prone to make the same errors of racism as in the past. Whatever the case, that we don't as a society take a harder line against even the appearance of a Swastika in a photo of a major celebrity is shameful.
Shame on you, Taylor Swift. Shame on you. And to think I came to your defense in the Kanye West issue.
I'm almost sorry I did.
Two weekends ago, Taylor Swift attended Katy Perry's party and posed with A.J. English, a Hollywood model who for some still not well explained reason happened to have a t-shirt on that sported a big, fat Swastika on it.
Taylor Swift and AJ English
While Taylor Swift's publicist has issued a "Swift didn't know what she was doing" statemwent and English has publicly appologized and said he's not a Nazi, Swift herself has not gave one statement explaining that she's sorry, shocked, or even actually cares that she was in a photo with a guy wearing a t-shirt with a Swatika!
Moreover, Internet reaction seems to be "Oh, she's just this cute girl who didn't know any better. It's ok."
Like heck it is. There's an old saying that if we don't pay attention to history, we're doomed to repeat it. I've come to the conclusion that we just don't seem to care at all about establishing standards of engagement that prove we've advanced beyond the hatred of yesterday.
If we had, there would be incredible pressure for Taylor Swift to say something, just as their has been for Kansas City Chiefs Running Back Larry Johnson, who was suspended by the team for homophobic comments.
Is it OK to let her go because she's 19, white, pretty, and blonde? How far do we allow this to go before we have another girl group like Prussian Blue, who compared themselves to the Olsen sisters but said "We're proud of being white, we want to keep being white. We want our people to stay white"?
Taylor Swift can go a long way toward righting a wrong just by submitting a statement. Why she's not done so is really surprising to me but maybe we're just becoming desensitized to hate because we're exposed to it so much online and on television that we're becoming too permissive.
We have a so-called Louisiana "judge" Keith Bardwell, who openly expresses his dislike for interracial marriage and is still (as of this writing) practicing in Tangipahoa Parish outside New Orleans. Sure, I'm all for free-speech, but I'm not for someone in a governmental, legal position using his power to carry out racism and deliver a racist message.
Then we have couch potato conservatives like Michelle Malkin speaking out against diversity - and she's Asian!
Think about this folks: here's a woman of color basically saying she likes that the GOP's mostly white rather than a gathering of different-looking kinds of people share the same ideas. In other words, the GOP should not work to have anyone of color in it.
Malkin's attacked Asian activists in the pages of the website VDARE, an online place noted for White Supremacists views.
By her silence, Swift runs the risk of being thrown into the same public perception box as Malkin. Well it's a risk because as I stated, quite a few people seem to want to give her a break without asking for a statement of apology or at least a freaking tweet!
I would think enough's, enough, but maybe I'm in the minority in more ways than one, , liberals are more wimps than I thought, and America in general's prone to make the same errors of racism as in the past. Whatever the case, that we don't as a society take a harder line against even the appearance of a Swastika in a photo of a major celebrity is shameful.
Shame on you, Taylor Swift. Shame on you. And to think I came to your defense in the Kanye West issue.
I'm almost sorry I did.
Meb Keflezighi is first American winner of NY Marathon
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In an era that's seen African runners literally dominate the global running competition, an American finally won a marathon.
Meb Keflezighi is the victorious athlete in this year's New York City Marathon.
Who's Meb Keflezighi?
Meb Keflezighi is 34 years old and hails from Mammoth Lakes, California. According to his website, Meb's married to Yordanos Asgedom and the couple has one child. Meb Keflezighi's the first American man since Alberto Salazar to win the Big Apple Marathon; Salazar won in 1982.
In an era that's seen African runners literally dominate the global running competition, an American finally won a marathon.
Meb Keflezighi is the victorious athlete in this year's New York City Marathon.
Who's Meb Keflezighi?
Meb Keflezighi is 34 years old and hails from Mammoth Lakes, California. According to his website, Meb's married to Yordanos Asgedom and the couple has one child. Meb Keflezighi's the first American man since Alberto Salazar to win the Big Apple Marathon; Salazar won in 1982.
San Francisco 49ers - Niners play well, lose to Colts, 18 to 14
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The San Francisco 49ers lost to the Indianapolis Colts 18 to 14 in a game that can be defined by one play: a halfback option pass from Colts running back Joseph Addai to Wide Receiver Reggie Wayne in the fourth quarter.
The play exemplified how well the Niners defense played, as they shut down the Colts running game and controlled the Peyton Manning-led passing game for much of the contest, leading 14 to 9 to the half and holding their opponents away from the end zone. Trickery was one answer to overcome the excellent performance of the squad for much of the game.
I give 49ers Defensive Coordinator Greg Manusky credit for crafting a very creative game plan. The Niners used two-down lineman formations, sets with all the defenders standing up, standard three-down lineman alignments, and four and five man fronts. In short, they threw the "kitchen sink" at the Colts.
But give Peyton Manning, who is now the most successful active quarterback according to CBS sports, credit for studying what the 49ers were doing and finding a weakness. The Colts strategy was evident in one play in the third quarter when Manning baited the Niners cornerbacks into press coverage with a fake audible call, then successfully threw a fade pattern to Pierre Garcon.
Manning worked to force the Niners to play man coverage, thus pitting the secondary against their fleet set of rookie wideouts.
Manning finished the game with 347 yards and in the process went over 4,000 completions for his career.
Niners QB Alex Smith played well, throwing 32 times and completing 19 passes for 198 yards. First round rookie Michael Crabtree showed that he's again better than many believed, with six receptions for 81 yards. In just two games he has more catches than his Oakland Raiders rookie rival Darrius Hayward-Bey who had just 4 coming into the San Diego Chargers game today, and caught just one more pass; Crabtree has 11 receptions in two straight games.
The San Francisco 49ers now have a three game losing streak but seem to have found an identity: Alex Smith allows the offensive to call a wider variety of passes and out of more formations. He's a textbook, fearless thrower.
But the problem offensively is the "run-to-set-up-the-pass" approach. It's backward.
With a defense as talented as the Niners have, and Smith's adept passing talent, the organization should use the pass to set up the run and work to establish a big lead, then use Running Back Frank Gore to eat yardage and run out the clock.
But to do that, the Gold and Scarlet needs a more diverse passing attack.
More on that later this week.
The San Francisco 49ers lost to the Indianapolis Colts 18 to 14 in a game that can be defined by one play: a halfback option pass from Colts running back Joseph Addai to Wide Receiver Reggie Wayne in the fourth quarter.
The play exemplified how well the Niners defense played, as they shut down the Colts running game and controlled the Peyton Manning-led passing game for much of the contest, leading 14 to 9 to the half and holding their opponents away from the end zone. Trickery was one answer to overcome the excellent performance of the squad for much of the game.
I give 49ers Defensive Coordinator Greg Manusky credit for crafting a very creative game plan. The Niners used two-down lineman formations, sets with all the defenders standing up, standard three-down lineman alignments, and four and five man fronts. In short, they threw the "kitchen sink" at the Colts.
But give Peyton Manning, who is now the most successful active quarterback according to CBS sports, credit for studying what the 49ers were doing and finding a weakness. The Colts strategy was evident in one play in the third quarter when Manning baited the Niners cornerbacks into press coverage with a fake audible call, then successfully threw a fade pattern to Pierre Garcon.
Manning worked to force the Niners to play man coverage, thus pitting the secondary against their fleet set of rookie wideouts.
Manning finished the game with 347 yards and in the process went over 4,000 completions for his career.
Niners QB Alex Smith played well, throwing 32 times and completing 19 passes for 198 yards. First round rookie Michael Crabtree showed that he's again better than many believed, with six receptions for 81 yards. In just two games he has more catches than his Oakland Raiders rookie rival Darrius Hayward-Bey who had just 4 coming into the San Diego Chargers game today, and caught just one more pass; Crabtree has 11 receptions in two straight games.
The San Francisco 49ers now have a three game losing streak but seem to have found an identity: Alex Smith allows the offensive to call a wider variety of passes and out of more formations. He's a textbook, fearless thrower.
But the problem offensively is the "run-to-set-up-the-pass" approach. It's backward.
With a defense as talented as the Niners have, and Smith's adept passing talent, the organization should use the pass to set up the run and work to establish a big lead, then use Running Back Frank Gore to eat yardage and run out the clock.
But to do that, the Gold and Scarlet needs a more diverse passing attack.
More on that later this week.
THE FANTASY FIXX week 8
THE FANTASY FIXX
Target Practice: Week Eight in the NFL-By David Ortega
For Football Reporters Online
It’s always tough to find the right receivers each week for your fantasy matchup. One of the keys is not just what a player has done, but in a lot of cases you have to consider the potential of a player when you look their matchup. Another factor that needs to be included into this equation is which players are getting their number called most.
Look Who’s Hot….
Over the past two weeks there’s been no receiver as hot as the Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin, but when you dig a little deeper this really shouldn’t be much of a surprise. Sure no one expected Austin to break out with 19 catches for 421 yards in his last two games, especially after he was targeted only four times in his first three. Over his last three games Austin has seen 31 balls thrown in his direction and with his apparent big-play ability, don’t expect this trend to change much. Austin is now a fantasy favorite in Dallas and looks like a solid WR2 going forward.
In case some of you have missed the bus, Chad Ochocinco is back as one of the elite receivers in the game. With a healthy quarterback Ochocinco is now amongst the leaders in receptions (39) and yards (573), but more importantly he’s being targeted at a heavy pace (64 targets this season) so don’t expect a drop in his numbers anytime soon.
Who’s worried….
For those owners that might be worried about their stud receiver Roddy White, there is no cause for concern. Although his numbers may seem a little down from a year ago, it’s only a matter of time before he starts putting together those top five numbers we’ve seen the last two seasons. The signs are there if you look closely; White has managed to score in three straight games. And while he’s only had a total of 106 yards in his last two starts, his four games this season with at least 10 targets is a good indication that we can expect more soon from “Big Roddy.”
Another receiver from down south that could be a cause for concern for some owner should be no concern at all. Last season the Saints receiver Marques Colston was a major disappointment missing five games and starting just six. Colston was expected to follow up his huge 2007 season with another, but it did not pan out. This season Colston is healthy and a lot is expected of the Saints big receiver. So far his explosiveness has been sporadic simply because the Saints have so many weapons, but don’t be fooled. Colston is still the number one receiving option in the Bayou and his 21 targets the last two weeks should indicate such. With a touchdown in back to back starts, this coming Monday night matchup with Atlanta is looking very tasty, so owners should be licking their chops.
Keep your Eye on these gems…
Making his NFL debut this past Sunday, rookie receiver Michael Crabtree wasted little time making an impact. Crabtree was targeted six times and caught five balls for 56 yards. The important key factor, Crabtree was targeted three times in the second half and caught all three passes from Alex Smith (the Niner’s new starting quarterback). With the switch at quarterback taking place Crabtree looks like a much better option with Smith throwing to him; keep your eye on the rookie.
Now that Kevin Curtis is out for a while, rookie receiver Jeremy Maclin will have a chance to earn his stripes. On Monday night Maclin was not spectacular, but his numbers were interesting. The rookie caught just five balls for 53 yards, but he was targeted by McNabb seven times. Over his past four games Maclin has seen a steady diet of passes in his direction averaging just over seven per game. We have yet to see the consistency, but he’s already shown the big game potential. Now that Curtis is down, Maclin can settle in and we could see more from this kid in the coming weeks.
Here is the breakdown for fantasy pass catchers (targets) this season;
Through Seven weeks:
Top-10 Targeted Pass-catchers
Player Targt Recpt FPTS
1.Johnson, Andre WR HOU 70 38 84
2.Moss, Randy WR NE 66 43 77
3.Smith, Steve WR NYG 65 45 81
4.Ochocinco, Chad WR CIN 64 39 82
5.Fitzgerald, Larry WR ARI 63 41 72
6.Welker, Wes WR NE 62 46 70
7.Smith, Steve WR CAR 58 27 35
8.Wayne, Reggie WR IND 57 39 82
9.Daniels, Owen TE HOU 56 39 76
10.Holmes, Santonio WR PIT 56 30 53
[points based on traditional scoring]
Check back every week for more “Fantasy Fixx”
“FRO’s Favorite Five” Frankie’s Favorite Fantasy Picks Week 8
“FRO’s Favorite Five”
Frankie’s Favorite Fantasy Picks
Week 8
By Frankie Underwood, Senior Fantasy Writer at www.footballreportersonline.com Email questions and comments to Frankie@footballreportersonline.com
In every one of my leagues my starting QB is in his bye week. And in every league I am picking up Detroit QB Matt Stafford and hoping that he and WR Calvin Johnson both start. The Lions have had two weeks to prepare for there week 8 opponent the St. Louis Rams. Except for the Washington game, the Rams have been blown out every week. Now if Stafford doesn’t play Culpepper could carry the load also. Other waiver wire QBs with decent match ups this week are M. Bulgar at those same Lions, V. Young at home against the Jaguars, and R. Fitzpatrick at home in a shoot out or blow out with Houston.
Coming completely out of left field, I will promote Tennessee Titans RB LenDale White. Surprised? Look at these scenarios that home come together for White this week. The Titans are at home after two weeks preparing for an opponent, after they were embarrassed by a pitiful performance in a blow out loss. Additionally, they are winless against an opponent they usually dominate, who beat them handily earlier this season. Lastly the Titans are starting a new QB this week and they should be leaning even heavier on the running game. As another alternative both Raiders backs could show up as long as the rest of the team can keep it close.
Devin Hester of the Chicago Bears is my WR this week. For some teams he may be an every week start but for some he is not. Hester is at home against a Cleveland Browns defense that is struggling on all levels. Hester participates on all those levels at least some in every game. Whether it be with a reception, a run, a wildcat pass, or even a return I have a feeling Hester will score at least one touchdown. The other WR I want to throw out there was almost my main guy this wee but I could not bring myself to do it, Terrell Owens. Owens has been a secondary option since Fitzpatrick took over for Edwards, but I got a feeling he shows up in a big way this weekend.
Since I’m going on instinct as much as, if not more than, stats this week I’ll throw Dustin Keller’s name into the mix. Keller started hot, but has dropped off almost completely these last few games. This weekend Keller’s NY Jets will play a Miami Dolphins team that they have already faced once this season in a tight game. The Dolphins run a ¾ defensive front. As I have stated before most ¾ teams can be hurt by tight ends down the middle of the field. For my second TE option I leave you with GB’s Donald Lee, If he doesn’t have to sit back and help pass protect, he could be effective.
I will go back to the Detroit Lions and St. Louis Rams game to get my Defense for this week. One of these two defenses should have a nice game, and because of the extra week of prep time I’ll go with the Lions. St. Louis’s O-line has struggled, their WRs are consistently hurt, and their QB seems to end up that way. Jim Swartz would like to use this game to give a glimpse into how his defense of the future will play. The Jaguars Titans game is another game where one of the defenses will show up, I’m picking the Titans but who knows.
Last Weeks Favorite Five
Matt Cassel – 1 TD 97 yards and 3 INTs, Not what I expected
Donald Brown – Injured, but his replacement scored.
Sam Aiken – 1 TD 66 yards, I love it when a plan comes together!
Heath Miller – 38 yards, Sorry.
Indianapolis Colts – 1 TD, 3 Sacks and 2 INTS, also only give up 6 points. Not bad.
Frankie’s Favorite Fantasy Picks
Week 8
By Frankie Underwood, Senior Fantasy Writer at www.footballreportersonline.com Email questions and comments to Frankie@footballreportersonline.com
In every one of my leagues my starting QB is in his bye week. And in every league I am picking up Detroit QB Matt Stafford and hoping that he and WR Calvin Johnson both start. The Lions have had two weeks to prepare for there week 8 opponent the St. Louis Rams. Except for the Washington game, the Rams have been blown out every week. Now if Stafford doesn’t play Culpepper could carry the load also. Other waiver wire QBs with decent match ups this week are M. Bulgar at those same Lions, V. Young at home against the Jaguars, and R. Fitzpatrick at home in a shoot out or blow out with Houston.
Coming completely out of left field, I will promote Tennessee Titans RB LenDale White. Surprised? Look at these scenarios that home come together for White this week. The Titans are at home after two weeks preparing for an opponent, after they were embarrassed by a pitiful performance in a blow out loss. Additionally, they are winless against an opponent they usually dominate, who beat them handily earlier this season. Lastly the Titans are starting a new QB this week and they should be leaning even heavier on the running game. As another alternative both Raiders backs could show up as long as the rest of the team can keep it close.
Devin Hester of the Chicago Bears is my WR this week. For some teams he may be an every week start but for some he is not. Hester is at home against a Cleveland Browns defense that is struggling on all levels. Hester participates on all those levels at least some in every game. Whether it be with a reception, a run, a wildcat pass, or even a return I have a feeling Hester will score at least one touchdown. The other WR I want to throw out there was almost my main guy this wee but I could not bring myself to do it, Terrell Owens. Owens has been a secondary option since Fitzpatrick took over for Edwards, but I got a feeling he shows up in a big way this weekend.
Since I’m going on instinct as much as, if not more than, stats this week I’ll throw Dustin Keller’s name into the mix. Keller started hot, but has dropped off almost completely these last few games. This weekend Keller’s NY Jets will play a Miami Dolphins team that they have already faced once this season in a tight game. The Dolphins run a ¾ defensive front. As I have stated before most ¾ teams can be hurt by tight ends down the middle of the field. For my second TE option I leave you with GB’s Donald Lee, If he doesn’t have to sit back and help pass protect, he could be effective.
I will go back to the Detroit Lions and St. Louis Rams game to get my Defense for this week. One of these two defenses should have a nice game, and because of the extra week of prep time I’ll go with the Lions. St. Louis’s O-line has struggled, their WRs are consistently hurt, and their QB seems to end up that way. Jim Swartz would like to use this game to give a glimpse into how his defense of the future will play. The Jaguars Titans game is another game where one of the defenses will show up, I’m picking the Titans but who knows.
Last Weeks Favorite Five
Matt Cassel – 1 TD 97 yards and 3 INTs, Not what I expected
Donald Brown – Injured, but his replacement scored.
Sam Aiken – 1 TD 66 yards, I love it when a plan comes together!
Heath Miller – 38 yards, Sorry.
Indianapolis Colts – 1 TD, 3 Sacks and 2 INTS, also only give up 6 points. Not bad.
Earners and Bums for week 8 (Studs & Duds)
Earners and Bums for week 8
(Studs & Duds)
By David Ortega for Football Reporters Online
(photo: Vernon Davis Press conference at the NFL draft by Dr. Bill Chachkes)
As the season continues to progress fantasy owners are more and more likely committed to and locked in with their big-name fantasy studs like; Andre Johnson, Tom Brady, Randy Moss, and Adrian Peterson. With each passing week the concern is always knowing what players are making the grade and paying their dues.
We’re back again this week to tell it like it is and set the record straight, letting fantasy owners know which players are earning their keep and which are just bumming us out.
Here were the Studs (Earners) and Duds (bums) for Week 7;
The Earners (Studs)
(Min 16 fantasy points)
These are not your normal every-week fantasy starters, but as well as these studs are playing they just might need to be. Fantasy owners need to keep watch of these “Earners” and in some cases get them in the lineup quick!
As often as the Texan’s quarterback Matt Schaub keeps cashing in, he’s going to find his name added to another list very quickly titled “Weekly Stud.” Against a very tough Niner’s defense Schaub passed for 264 yards and added two more touchdowns to his league leading total of 16. (22 fantasy points)
It seems the Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo had lost some of his fantasy appeal, but on Sunday against a very good Falcon’s pass rush he may have just gotten some of it back. Romo was solid completing 21 of 29 passes for 311 yards passing and three touchdowns. The Cowboy’s quarterback was also fleet of foot scrambling his way for another 31 yards. (33 fantasy points)
With the Jets Leon Washington going down on Sunday, open the door for rookie running back Shonn Greene. The kid from the University of Iowa toted the rock 19 times for 144 yards on the ground and cashed in twice for scores. (26 fantasy points)
Some of you may have thought he was on his way out, but it looks like Dolphins running back Ricky Williams still has plenty to do before he leaves the game. Against the Saints Williams only needed nine carries to rumble 80 yards and find the end-zone three times. (27 fantasy points)
Finally breaking out in 2009 as the Bear’s number one receiver, Devin Hester turned in a solid afternoon on Sunday against a pretty good Bengal’s secondary. Hester caught eight passes, scored a touchdown and recorded his first 100-yard receiving day in 2009. (16 fantasy points)
After watching his breakout performance in week six, no one expected Miles Austin to complete a repeat in week 7. That is exactly what Austin did this past Sunday catching six passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns. (29 fantasy points)
After his performance on Sunday, Niner’s tight end Vernon Davis will be officially move to the “starting fantasy tight end” list. Against the Texans Davis caught seven passes for 93 yards and three touchdowns. With the quarterback change in the bay area, this could become a regular occurrence for Davis; having a productive afternoon. (27 fantasy points)
Players not quite earning their way to this honorable mention, but drawing some looks this past week include; Hakeem Nicks (80-yds, 1-Td), Sidney Rice (10 catches, 136-yds), Chris Wells (77-yds, 1-Td), Lee Evans (75-yds, 1-Td), and Darren Sproles (99-yds, 1-Td)
The Bums (Duds)
(Less than 5 fantasy points)
These are your week 7 fantasy studs that did not live up to the hype and may require a second look before submitting your lineup in week 8.
All that money they spent to get quarterback Matt Cassel may not have been well spent when you look at his numbers from Sunday. Cassel only completed 10 of 25 passes for 97 yards and threw three interceptions. (five fantasy points)
On Monday night against a tough Eagles defense running back Clinton Portis was very ineffective on the ground. Portis carried the ball just 14 times and managed just 43 yards in a game that the Redskins fell behind quickly. (four fantasy points)
The Niner’s running back Frank Gore coming back from an ankle injury that forced him to miss a couple of games, couldn’t shake the rust on Sunday against the Texans. A relatively ineffective runner, Gore netted just 47 yards of offense on 13 carries and two receptions.
The Cowboys ferocious pass rush on Sunday disrupted the Falcons air attack and limited the number of looks that went in Tony Gonzalez’s direction. The tight end caught just four passes for 37 yards against in week 7. (three fantasy points)
One of the Bear’s best pass receiver’s continues to struggle out of the gate. Tight end Greg Olsen managed four receptions on Sunday, but could only muster 24 yards. (two fantasy points)
The Jet’s second year tight end Dustin Keller was expected to be a key component to the passing game, but over the past couple of weeks he’s look more like a forgotten piece. Keller managed just one catch for 26 yards against the Raiders on Sunday. (two fantasy points)
So much for Roy E. Williams filling the shoes of T.O.; it looks like Miles Austin wears that size. While Williams continues to disappoint with just one grab for 16 yards on Sunday, owners need to consider keeping him on the bench.
More Duds that may or may not be starting in your lineups every week, earning at least a mention for their poor production last week include; Eli Manning (3-Ints), Jay Cutler (3-Ints), Terrell Owens (13-yds), Braylon Edwards (14-yds), and Kellen Winslow (9-yds)
WEEK 8 FANTASY SLEEPER
WEEK 8 FANTASY SLEEPER-By William Queen For Football Reporters Online
Don’t double take, because Chicago Bears receiver Devin Hester has apprehended the title of this week’s fantasy sleeper.
Devin Hester has turned himself into more than just a dangerous return-man. In previous years he was merely a player that you knew not to kick to. Well the tide has turned. Lining up as the Bears #1 receiver, Hester is perhaps the biggest deep threat in the NFL.
Coming off his first 100-yard game (receiving that is) in his career, knowing Hester, he won’t slow down one second against the Browns this Sunday. His receptions have increased in recent games, not one corner can keep up with him, and he’s facing a defense that’s allowed more big plays than any other team in the NFL; there’s not much working against him.
How much will he be on the field? More than two thirds of the game is my guess. The Cleveland Browns have only scored 4 offensive touchdowns all year, so the Bears offense shouldn’t have any trouble getting the ball back.
So you better improve your 40 time, because Chicago Bears receiver Devin Hester will be blazing down the sideline this Sunday.
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