Henne No Stranger To Emergency Starts
The Miami Dolphins planned to groom Chad Henne to become their starting quarterback in 2010. Instead, Henne got 20 minutes of a 23-13 loss to the Chargers and one week of practice to prepare for his first start after Chad Pennington dislocated his shoulder and tore his labrum.
Many football fans outside of Miami, Ann Arbor, Mich. (where Henne played college ball at UM) and West Lawn, Penn. (his hometown) had all but forgotten about the fourth QB taken in the 2008 NFL Draft. So when Henne turned in an energized 38-10 pasting of the Buffalo Bills in his first start last week, Miami’s first win of ’09, many were left wondering how Henne could lead such a charge with so little preparation.
Those who had followed him since his Michigan days already knew the answer to that question: this wasn’t the first time Chad Henne had to take an offense’s reins in an emergency. Heck, the last time he was a college true freshman given only 48 hours notice. Michigan entered the 2004 season ranked 8th in the country with Big Ten Conference and national title hopes within reach. However, starting quarterback Matt Gutierrez began feeling soreness in his throwing shoulder during the week leading up to the Wolverines’ season opener against Miami (OH). The diagnosis: a torn labrum. Gutierrez would be lost for the season. So, with just two days taking first-team reps, Chad Henne led Michigan to a 43-10 win over Miami (OH). And while the Wolverines finished the season with a disappointing three losses and ranked 12th in the nation, Henne enjoyed his best statistical season as a collegian.
Playing alongside star running back Mike Hart and wide receivers Braylon Edwards, Jason Avant and Steve Breaston, Henne tied Elvis Grbac’s UM single-season record for TD passes with 25, to go along with 2,743 yards passing.
Henne and the Wolverines struggled to handle expectations in his sophomore campaign. The team entered the season ranked 4th, only to finish unranked with a 7-5 record.
But in 2006, Henne led Michigan back to elite status through the first 11 games of the season. Starting with a preseason ranking of 15th, the Wolverines upset then-third-ranked Notre Dame in Week 3. In the game, Chad Henne completed 13 of 22 passes for 220 yards, threw three
Surprisingly Good Fantasy Defenses
One of the most unusual subjects thus far in fantasy football is the amount of points D/STs are putting up, and the D/STs who are doing it. In the past, the amount of points D/STs scored in fantasy football was similar to kickers. Through the first four weeks of this season, this is all but untrue. This season the top D/STs rank, in fantasy points, closer to receivers such as Reggie Wayne and Vincent Jackson (Non-PPR). Is it the emphasis that defenses win championships? Is it the bad quarterback play? It could be what’s in the Kool-Aid, or should I say, Gatorade these defenses drink. Whatever the answer may be there are definitely new teams at the top of the ranks. This is the great thing about the NFL, you can go from worst to first in a matter of a year.
San Francisco 49ers If you are too young to remember him as a player, I’m sure you heard and saw in last years press conference Mike Singletary’s intensity and tenacity. Whether you’re outnumbered in a bar fight or need someone to lead a team that lacks discipline and respect, he’s THE man you want. His ability to turn around one of the worst teams in the NFL just by taking over the reins exemplifies his demand for respect. The troubling aspect to me about Mike Singletary is that people say he’s old school. Come on, old school? Tecmo Bowl couldn’t have been that long ago, right? Although he may be old school, this mix of young and old players on defense gains more and more confidence every week. They have a great centerpiece in Patrick Willis who is having an MVP first half, leading his team in tackles (37), sacks (2.5), and interceptions (2). Being in the NFC West, and playing the remaining majority of their schedule against offenses that rank at the top of giveaways and sacks allowed, will play a key role in the continued fantasy success of the 49ers D/ST.
New Orleans Saints Gregg Williams could run for mayor of New Orleans. The quickness he has implemented in his defensive schemes and the ability to translate those
Posted by DC | Posted on 10-10-2009
Category : Sleepers & Player Rankings
Tags: Fantasy sleepers, Waiver Wire
Nothing kills a fantasy owner more than taking a chance on a player that produces terrible numbers. Most people kick themselves over playing the wrong guy and tend to hold a grudge against those one-week blunders. Here are a few players you might want to give a second chance to, due to decent match-ups.
Derek Anderson, QB-Cleveland Browns
It’s not the most appealing of the Week 5 matchups but there is fantasy value to be had. We started the Derek Anderson bandwagon last week and we’re riding him through stop No. 2. Neither of these teams will be going to the Super Bowl but that’s not what this is about. Last week, Anderson finished with 269 yards passing, one touchdown passing, one rushing and one interception. The Buffalo Bills passing defense is pathetic right now. They are limited by injuries to a number of starters and up front, they can’t generate much pressure, and with Braylon Edwards gone a young receiver that actually wants to be there will take his spot. Look for Anderson to be more confident this week and build on his Week 4
performance.
Marshawn Lynch, RB-Buffalo Bills
The NFL odds show that the Buffalo Bills are a six-point favorites at home this week, and considering how poorly they played last week, you might wonder if they should be favored against anyone these days. Nonetheless, for fantasy purposes, look for Marshawn Lynch to have a breakout game this week against the Cleveland Browns. Lynch returned from suspension last week and really struggled to find any running room as the Miami Dolphins keyed in on him last week. But this week the Browns are visiting, and in two career games against Cleveland Lynch has averaged just over 100 yards rushing and 4.6 yards per carry.
With Trent Edwards really struggling right now, look for the Bills to lean more on the running game this week.
Dallas Cowboys Defense
Posted by Diesel | Posted on 08-10-2009
Category : Sleepers & Player Rankings
Tags: Fantasy sleepers, Waiver Wire
Digging Deep on the Waiver Wire- Did you screw up your bye weeks? Or is your line-up in the medical ward? Take a look at a couple deep waiver wire sleepers that might help you out.
Andre Caldwell, WR- Cincinnati Bengals
Take note of the NFL betting lines for the Cincinnati and Baltimore game this week, as it gives hints about how Vegas thinks this game will go down. If your fantasy league counts return yards, Andre Caldwell could be in for a big day. The Ravens are an intimidating match up for Cincinnati playing at home. Against a beatable pass defense, Joe Flacco should continue his big season. Since the Bengals will probably fall behind early in this game, they’ll have to pass, and Andre Caldwell trails Chad Ochocinco by one reception for the team lead.
In the Bengals’ tight comeback win against Pittsburgh a few weeks ago, Palmer looked for Caldwell with the game on the line; he may do so again this week. In return yardage leagues, Caldwell should gain extra points running back kickoffs, as the Ravens will score plenty.
LenDale White, RB- Tennessee Titans
Some have dumped the big back to the wire after the 0-4 downward spiral. LenDale White’s odds of being a true fantasy factor this season are as good as Tennessee’s current Super Bowl odds, but he could have value as a touchdown vulture this week. The Colts’ run defense remains soft up the middle, and while Chris Johnson will get the lion’s share of the carries, the Titans may let portly White batter the Colts in short-yardage situations.
In Week 2, the Dolphins gashed Indianapolis for 239 rushing yards; four different running backs had two or more carries and Ricky Williams had 19 to Ronnie Brown’s 24. If the Titans are smart, they’ll make better use of White this week than they have all season.
enough to keep him down. There are many like him: Chester Taylor, Fred Jackson, and Donald Brown are a few examples, but Rice is the lucky one. Against the Bengals, he had a combined 143 receiving/rushing yards and one touchdown. McGahee and McClain combined for 3 carries for 4 yards and 4 receptions for 14 yards. It’s clear (well, almost clear): Rice has moved passed McGahee. Rice has had an amazing start with 5 touchdowns and should start to steal away a few more carries from the seasoned vet. Ray Rice is the real deal; his low powerful frame and his ability to keep his balance slightly resembles a guy who once played in Detroit. If he is getting the majority of the carries, he’s a must start.
