Gridiron Experts

Catching up with NFL roster moves

Saturday was cut down day in the NFL, so in case you missed it, here are some roster moves that could have some last second fantasy football impact:

Arizona- As expected cut QB Matt Leinart, making Derek Anderson the starter.Veteran tight end Anthony Becht was also cut, so you can continue to ignore the Cardinals tight ends altogether.

Atlanta- Jerious Norwood is listed as the 2nd string running back behind Michael Turner, while Jason Snelling is the 3rd stringer. Snelling could  also play a little at fullback.

Baltimore- The Ravens were unable to trade former Heisman Award winner Troy Smith, so he was released. He’ll catch on somewhere. Billy Cundiff has won the kicking battle over Shayne Graham. Demetrius Williams was also released.

Buffalo- Despite the injuries the team has at tailback, The Bills released Joique Bell and Chad Simpson , leaving only a rookie, and two injured veterans at the position. This should be a ringing endorsement for the rookie, C.J. Spiller, who has looked impressive. 2008 2^nd rounder James Hardy was released, so Steve Johnson has won the 2^nd receiver spot.

Carolina- The offense looked awful in the preseason, failing to score a single touchdown in all 4 games. Dwayne Jarrett is still listed as the 2^nd starting receiver. Jimmy Claussen is the back up at quarterback, over Tony Pike.

Chicago- The Bears have apparently already given up on Jaquin Iglesias, who was released. Johnny Knox and Devin Hester are listed as the starting wide outs, backed up by Devin Aromashodu, Rashied Davis, and Earl Bennett. Matt Forte is listed as the starter at tailback, but is expected to liberally split time with Chester Taylor. Fan favorite Dan Lefevour did not make the team.

Cincinnati- The Bengals wasted millions of dollars signing Antonio Bryant this off-season, only to cut him without ever playing a down for the team. Bryant, who is also more injured than previously thought, became expendable with …Continue reading Catching Up With NFL Roster Moves

Keeper League Trading Advice

One of the biggest differences in a standard fantasy football league versus a keeper league is the trading  of draft picks. If your league is stable, and the same people are in it year after year, it might allow for owners who are out of contention to trade off veterans players for future draft picks. Like the NFL, teams are able to stockpile multiple picks and build for the future. It really allows owners to maintain an active interest in their teams where they might normally give up while suffering through a disappointing season.

Injuries, suspensions, under performance …many things can combine to kill your fantasy football year. Sometimes just plain bad luck happens, and your team gets off to a 3-7 start. Normally you just shrug it off, and have to wait 9 long months for the next draft. Unless you’re in a keeper league that allows you to ship off veterans for extra picks for that upcoming season. If you are the beneficiary of some extra selections, what kind of strategy can you use to get the most return on your investment?

Approach everyone- Even if other owners have no players to trade you, or are seemingly uninterested in sending you a bargain, it can’t hurt to explore all options. Maybe they aren’t at all interested in a player that’s looked good in mini camp, and they don’t know…you can get a bargain. Also, by contacting everyone, you can:

Play owners against each other- If you aren’t getting anywhere negotiating a deal, make sure you remind that owner that you have “other deals on the table”, and “need to contact Owner B before I make any commitments”. By reminding everyone that there is competition for your extra draft picks, you might get them to desperately lower their …Continue reading Fantasy Keeper League Trading Advice

No surprise to anyone except the 1st round QB, Cardinals release Matt Leinart.

“I don’t really know what else I could possibly do,” Leinart said Monday. “It probably goes beyond football, beyond the field actually. For me, I am not making excuses. I am not going to complain. For me, I just really want an explanation and I haven’t been given one.”

What an ego, maybe you just suck?

$15 million for one season with the Seahawks- Ouch!

The new regime in Seattle doesn’t have room for T.J. Houshmandzadeh and as of today he is a free agent. Rumors were that Housh wanted to go to the Vikings, but their not interested in him, or at least not interested in trading for him. Housh 32 has a B-Day coming up in a couple of weeks and will need to latch onto a team that is a playoff contender. Being cut for a guy like Mike Williams (former bust player) isn’t going to be great for the ego.

Tailgate Prep Friday’s is a weekly article that showcases a few recipes for you diehard football fans. Throughout the NFL season we plan to show a variety of tailgate favorites and encourage our readers to send in their signature dishes along with shots of you’re party in action.

But first check this out!

Johnsonville.com is running a kick-ass NFL Pool that we think you should all join. The pool is called: “2010 Johnsonville Rush for 2,000 Yards Challenge”  and offers some great prizes! click here to read more and get signed up!

Kansas City Ribs
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours, 20 minutes
Serves 6
Ingredients:
3 pounds pork spareribs

For Rub:
1/2 cup brown sugar ,1/4 cup paprika ,1 tablespoon black pepper ,1 tablespoon salt ,1 tablespoon chili powder ,1 tablespoon garlic powder ,1 tablespoon onion powder ,1 teaspoon cayenne
For Sauce:
1 cup ketchup ,1/4 cup water,1/4 cup brown sugar,1/4 cup vinegar, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons paprika,1 tablespoon chili powder, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 1 teaspoon cayenne
Preparation:
Prepare ribs by removing the membrane from the underside of the ribs. Trim off any loose fat or meat. Prepare smoker or grill. You will want to hold a temperature around 200 degrees F. for 4 to 6 hours so plan accordingly. Season with Kansas City rib rub and place on grill or in smoker. While ribs are cooking, prepare barbecue sauce. Heat oil in a …Continue reading Gridiron Experts: Tailgate Prep Friday’s

Editors Picks: The End Of Pre-season

• Browns Montario Hardesty gone with a torn ACL- ProFootballTalk.com
• Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger suspension handed down- Sportingnews.com
• Raiders now turn to McFadden- Raiderspost.com
• Former Buccaneers Derrick Ward to visit Texans- Rantsports.com
• Rex Ryan Is Not DeAngelo Hall’s BFF [Video] -Withleather.com
• Quick Q and A with GridronExperts.com- Fantasyphenoms.com
• KSK 2010 Prekkake: AFC West- KissingSuzyKolber.com
• 20 Classic Sports Posters We Can’t Believe Are Real- FreeFantasyfootballpicks.com
• 10 ways to kill time till the NFL season starts- Guyism.com
• Cheerleaders of 2010 College Football Top 20 : Week 1 -COEDMagazine.com
• Manning, Colts worry about new NFL rule  -Peter King of Si.com

Have a link you want to send us? Email: info@gridironexperts.com

Gridiron Experts Mailbag

Randy S. from Missouri writes: I’m in a 4 player keeper league and have the 10^th overall pick in a 12 man pool. My keepers are P.Manning, Ryan Grant, Ray Rice and Randy Moss. I have been offered the first overall pick in exchange for Ray Rice. I would then keep Marion Barber but have a chance to have two first round picks and draft Ryan Matthews, what do you think?

DC from Gridiron Experts: Don’t do it. It sounds very tempting but Ray Rice is your best Keeper by far. Sure you would get the Chargers new rookie, but what if he only has an average season? Ray Rice is a proven RB that you can’t let go. Remember it’s not the 1^st round, it’s the 5^th round as everybody already has 4 players on their team.

Steve K. from San Jose writes: We have a flex league in our pool and I have three great WR’s. Would it make sense to keeper 3 WR’s ?

DC from Gridiron Experts: If your best keepers are 3 WR’s, then keep’em. You’ll need to spend a great deal of research studying tier two Running Backs, but don’t think you should protect a certain position, just adjust your draft strategy.

Pete in Florida writes: What do you think of the Jamal Charles and Thomas Jones situation?

DC from Gridiron Experts : Thomas Jones is a work-horse, he always looks like he’s in his last season in the summer and his rookie season by the end of the year. They guy can play and will spoil Jamal Charles break out chances. Goal-line situations are almost definitely Jones to keep, he is more proven and a bigger RB.

Do you have a fantasy Question? email: fantasyhelp@gridironexperts.com

we will try and answer your questions each week and post the best one’s every Thursday

Naturally, on the same day I have to do billing for work and am hampered with a day-long migraine, Hard Knocks is on. I apologize in advance for my flippancy, but it’s hard to invest in a show about football practices when your brain feels like it’s trying to escape through your temple (too graphic?). Anyways, let us get right to it.

10:02- Coaches sit around and do their best to make completely cliched commentary seem insightful. It doesn’t work.

10:06- The focus comes back around to Revis for the first time since the first episode, Tim Callishaw (Cowlishaw? Can’t remember from the last time I watched Around The Horn) gets name dropped a few times, and it seems like their front office has less access to Revis than an Around The Horn panelist. Maybe Tony Reali can renegotiate his next contract for them.

10:08- Rex Ryan’s concerned about Nick Mangold’s Taco Bell consumption, as we all are. It seems like everyone has more to say about Nick Mangold than Nick Mangold has to say about anything. Seriously, has he uttered a single word in conversation or to the camera?

10:10- Two left guards are battling for the starting possession. A guy from Haiti and a guy named Slauson. The narrator says the guy from Haiti is inexperienced, then they show us a few conversations between players and coaches expressing this sentiment. Hey, and hour’s a long time.

10:12- In fact, it’s so long we’re treated to watching Marc Sanchez stir coffee for a solid ten seconds  before he asks about someone’s binder. Occasionally, this documentary series can make Rubicon seem fast-paced (Though I enjoy the series, I probably give it more leeway than I should because it’s on AMC. I mean, that linked clip is literally a woman opening a box for two and a half minutes). …Continue reading New York Jets Hard Knocks Episode 4