Fantasy Football

March 5^th is the first day of free agency, which NFL betting fans know is always a free agent frenzy. There will be an interesting dynamic thrown into the loop this year as for the first time in a long time, the NFL will have an uncapped salary season.

Free agency this year will bring a shorter crop of young prospects as many of them will now be restricted for one more year because of the league rules. Nonetheless, here is a rundown of some key free agents.

Chad Pennington of the Miami Dolphins would like to return to Miami, but he’ll likely only have a backup role there. Coming off another season-ending injury, Pennington may be facing a backup role anywhere he goes. He is still a serviceable starter for some teams and he would be among the better backups if he was forced into a No. 2 role.

Another team could lose a player who started the year as a No. 1 contributor at a position after being supplanted by a good young prospect, and that’s the Pittsburgh Steelers running back Willie Parker.

Those who bet on NFL know that Parker’s days were numbered as soon as the Steelers spent a first-round pick on Rashard Mendenhall. Parker could be an enticing commodity to some as a speedy complementary back.

On defense, we all know that the 3-4 defense has been quite the fad in the NFL and a lot of teams looking for a playmaker might take a look at Julius Peppers. The recent rumor has been that he’s a good fit for outside linebacker in that set up but don’t be …

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START ‘EM IN WEEK 6:

1.) Rashard Mendenhall — Time to keep on riding Mendenhall.  After great games against the Steelers in Chargers, he now has the Browns.  He has 3 TDs in the last two games and an average of 137 combined yards in those contests.  What a great late-round pickup since you could count on Willie Parker getting injured at some point in the season.

2.) Brian Westbrook/LeSean McCoy — Westbrook got you a TD last week against the Bucs, but neither back put up big yards since the Eagles aired it out against the Bucs.  Andy Reid was a little upset with the lack of the ability to run.  He should be able to get the running game going against the Raiders 31st ranked run D.  You obviously want to start Westbrook, but I also think there’s enough room to get McCoy some quality fantasy points if you have a flex spot on your team.

3.) Cadillac Williams — Williams is either hit or miss.  He can either give you 100 yards or 10 yards.  He’s not a “must start” but he is if you don’t have a good RB option this week.  The Panthers give up over 150 rushing yards per game.  The Bucs should turn to the running game this week against the Panthers since Josh Johnson is still developing as a QB.

4.) DeAngelo Williams — He should rebound after a poor outing against the Redskins when he was held to just 41 yards on 20 carries.  The Bucs run D has been spotty this year.

5.) Thomas Jones/Leon Washington — Both players get the nod against the Bills, …

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NFL WEEK 5 START ‘EM:

1.) Marshawn Lynch — You didn’t want to start Marshawn Lynch last week at Miami, but at home against the Browns, the Bills gameplan should be a LOT of Marshawn Lynch.  Expect this game to be Marshawn’s “welcome back” in the NFL.  I’m anticipating over 100 combined yards from Lynch.

2.) LeSean McCoy/Brian Westbrook — I would start both players.  Westbrook should be back with the Eagles, but since he’s coming off the injury, I’m sure the Eagles will split the load 50/50 between both backs.  With a favorable matchup against the Bucs, the Eagles gameplan should consist of running the ball a lot and there is enough room for both backs to put up quality numbers.

3.) Tim Hightower — Against a poor Texans defense, Hightower should be able to get involved in the gameplan.  Although he may not rack up rushing yards, he’ll provide enough receiving yards and should reach the century mark in combined yards.

4.) Rashard Mendenhall — With Willie Parker out against the Chargers, Mendhenhall came in and had his break out party.  191 combined yards!  165 rushing yards on just 25 attempts (5.7 YPC) and 26 receiving yards.  He also ran for 2 TDs.  Against the Lions, they’ll be in for another healthy dose of Mendenhall.

5.) Clinton Portis — Looks like Portis’s days as an elite RB may be over.  He had a chance to prove to fantasy owners that he is a valuable RB against a poor Bucs defense.  Although he posted 98 yards on 25 carries (3.9 YPA), he is averaging only 70 yards a game and hasn’t seen the endzone …

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START ‘EM IN WEEK 4

1.) Darren McFadden — A bit disappointing through 3 games, but he should have a monster day against the 32nd ranked Texans run defense and overall defense.

2.) Clinton Portis — After being a great fantasy back in 2008, Portis has been struggling.  Start him against the Bucs this week and if he doesn’t get going against this 31st ranked run D, then you know he may not be worth starting for the rest of the year.

3.) Cedric Benson — The Bengals are facing the Browns, so you obviously want to start him.

4.) Tashard Choice — With Barber questionable and now Felix Jones out with an injury, the spotlight is solely on him.  He’s proven he can catch out of the backfield, which Romo likes to do frequently if his receivers are covered.

5.) Willie Parker — Time for Wast Willie Parker to get going against a Chargers defense that has been spotty against the run.

6.) Justin Gage — A matchup against the 32nd ranked passing D should give the Titans a W and pad his stat sheet.

7.) Earl Bennett/Devin Hester/Johnny Knox — I like any receiver playing the Lions so all these Bears WRs are a go.

8.) Mike Sims-Walker — The Titans have been awful against the pass and Garrard is giving Sim-Walker a lot of looks.

9.) Brandon Marshall — Marshall is back to producing and he was up against lock-down CB Awesome-ungha [sic] last week.  Against a shoddy Cowboys pass D, this should be his big breakout game.  I’m thinking triple-digit yardage.

10.) Lee Evans — A bit dissappointing so far, but he’s probably …

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– Brian Westbrook is out.  LeSean McCoy will get the start and is fantasy worthy.

– Randy Moss will play.  Wes Welker is inactive.  I am still a fan of the Falcons +4.5 with Welker being out.  My favorite game is still Saints -6 though.  Leodis McKelvin will play, but he’ll be on a bum ankle.

– DeSean Jackson is active.  Kevin Curtis is inactive.  Jeremy Maclin will start opposite of DeSean Jackson.  Kevin Kolb is the starting QB for the Eagles.

– Dwayne Bowe has been ruled out.…

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START ‘EM:

1.) Matt Forte — I’m a fantasy owner of Matt Forte and if you are, like I am, you’re probably frustrated with him.  Not many yards, no TDs, and an awful yards-per-carry average.  I don’t blame the guy.  He didn’t have an easy start with the Packers and Steelers.  Look for a big game this week against the Seahawks, who gave up over 200 yards and 2 TDs to Frank Gore last week.

2.) Steve Smith — The Giants WR will be a fantasy steel this year.  He runs great routes and is developing great chemistry with Eli Manning.  Against the Bucs, who are struggling against the pass, he looks to have another huge day.

3.) Chansi Stuckey — He came out with an impressive game against the Texans, but couldn’t really get going against the Patriots.  He now has the Titans, who were destroyed by the Steelers and Texans passing game.  I think the Titans D gangs up on Cotchery, which leave Stuckey with a lot of looks.

4.) Maurice Jones-Drew — Can he put up Chris Johnson like numbers against a weak Texans run D? Likely over 120 combined yards with a TD or two.

5.) Tim Hightower — The Colts got lit up by the Dolphins run game and they’ll be vulnerable to this pass-catching RB.

6.) Ahmad Bradshaw — The Giants are using him a lot and against the Bucs, he has a very favorable matchup.

7.) Ronnie Brown — A no-brainer after last week’s performance against the Colts.  Another favorable matchup against the Chargers.

8.) Felix Jones — With Barber possibly out or at least getting less carries, …

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FANTASY STUDS:

1.) Chris Johnson – 197 rushing yards, 87 receiving yards, 3 TDs

2.) Andre Johnson – 149 yards, 2 TDs

3.) Frank Gore – 207 rushing yards, 2 TDs, 37 receiving yards

4.) Marques Colston – 98 yards, 2 TDs

5.) Ronnie Brown – 136 yards, 2 TDs

6.) Vincent Jackson – 141 yards, 1 TD

7.) Darren Sproles – 124 receiving yards, 26 rushing yards, 1 TD

FANTASY DUDS:

1.) Randy Moss – 24 yards

2.) Santana Moss – 35 yards

3.) Matt Forte – 29 rushing yards, 33 receiving yards

4.) Steve Slaton – 34 rushing yards, 25 receiving yards, 2 fumbles

5.) Reggie Wayne – 37 yards…

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