InGameNow

Who is the 2nd Biggest Bust in Fantasy Football?

October 16th, 2008 | By Jack Newhouse Posted in NFL

Every NFL fan knows that the New England Patriots Tom Brady is without a doubt the biggest bust in fantasy football this season.  He was the #1 QB taken, and a first rounder in almost every draft.  Brady didn’t even make it a half before his season was over.  So, the question must be asked, who is the 2nd biggest bust in Fantasy Football?

The person who wins this award must be a top 50 pick.  Having a 6th-8th round pick not work out is survivable.  Having a first round bust almost guarantees your season ending after week 13 (i.e. no playoffs)

Here are the 10 nominees for the 2nd biggest bust in Fantasty Football. (we will list the contestants in alphabetical order by last name)

Joseph Addai Indianapolis Colts   Addai was a mid first round pick this year.  In five games this season, he has yet to reach 100 yards in a game.  He has 3 games that are bad by any standards (44, 20, and 3 yards rushing).  Season to date, he has less rushing yards than Michael Turner had in week 1.  Worse still, he tore his hamstring in last weeks game and will be on the sideline for 2-4 weeks.  The only people more frustrated with Addai than Colts fans are Fantasy owners that drafted him.

Marques Colston New Orleans Saints   This season, on average, Colston was drafted at the beginning of the 3rd round.  Colston tore a ligament in his left thumb week 1.  To date, he has 3 catches for 26 yards.  While his numbers are pathetic, it needs to be remembered that he was not a top draft pick this year. 

Ryan Grant Green Bay Packers  In 2007, Ryan Grant was the surprise of the second half of the NFL season.  He ran for 100+ yards 5 times, and averaged 5.1 yards per carry.  This season, he was drafted in the middle to end of the 2nd round.  He has not hit 100 yards once this season.  Worse, Grant is averaging just 3.4 yards per carry. 

Steven Jackson St. Louis Rams  The Rams suck this year.  Jackson has 1 td, a long rush of 29 yards, and a rushing average of 3.6 yards.  While Jackson’s poor performance is probably due to his teams poor play, fantasy owners do not get bonus points for that.  Jackson has been totally unacceptable for a top 5 pick.

Laurence Maroney New England Patriots  Yes, Maroney is still in the NFL.  Many Patriots have performed worse this season thanks to Tom Brady’s Injury.  Maroney is one of them.  Maroney was a mid 3rd round pick this season.  He has rushed for only 93 yards over the entire year.  Rookie Matt Forte did that before his first NFL game was over.  Maroney still has not seen an end zone this season.

Willis McGahee Baltamore Ravens  McGahee has played in 4 games this season, has a season high 64 rushing yards in a game (18 last week), and has scored just once.  He holds a 3.2 yards/rush average.  Mcgahee was drafted at the end of the 3rd round this season.

Randy Moss New England Patriots  Brady’s injury killed Moss.  He was the rare wide receiver taken in the first round.  Unfortunatly, Moss had been a bust.  He has 3 games this season where he did not reach 30 yards receiving.  It will be interesting to see if Moss keeps his head in the game for the rest of the season.

Carson Palmer Cincinnati Bengals   The Bengals have been a joke this year.  Starting the season 0-6, nothing has worked for this team.  Even Chad Ocho Cinco can’t get his new name on his jersey.   Palmer has only played in 4 of the Bengals 6 games this year.  One stat that sums up his season, 4 ints and only 3tds.  On average, Palmer was a mid 4th rounder this year.

LaDainian Tomlinson San Diego Chargers  How does a guy with over 500 total yards and 4 td’s through 6 games get included on this list?  Simple, because last season, LT was averaging 122 total yards per game and over 1td per game.  Taken #1 overall, the bar was set very high for LT.  He has been at best above average for a first rounder.  However, people that drafted him are not satisfied.

Brian Westbrook Philadelphia Eagles  Westbrook was taken in the top 5 picks this year.  The Eagles have struggled, and Westbrook has been injured.  Never known for his durability, Westbrook missed both the Bears game and the 49ers game.  The Bears beat the Eagles.  Westbrook needed to play in that game.  While he does have 6 td’s in only 4 games, Westbrook’s yards are less than impressive.

Going Forward, The 10 Most Valuable Fantasy Football Players

October 13th, 2008 | By Jack Newhouse Posted in NFL

Going into the season, every blog in the country puts out some sort of Fantasy Football ranking. InGameNow wanted to call a time out and give our rankings for 10 most valuable players. We do not care where people were initially drafted, what we care about is the 10 best guys for the rest of the NFL fantasy football season.

10. Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys. Going into the year, I thought Dallas would win 14 games and walk into the NFC playoffs with homefield advantage. However, Dallas has lost a few games (i.e. Arizona) and will not be able to lose in week 16 and 17 and still have home field advantage. The NFC East is going to be a dog fight this year. Dallas will not rest their starters during the fantasy football playoffs. Expect Owens to be the best wide receiver going forward.

9. LaDainian Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers. I am hesitant to include LT on this list. However, this is purely a playoff play. Any rational league has their playoffs in weeks 14, 15, and 16. LT faces Oakland in week 14 and Kansas City in week 15. If you make it to the playoffs, and have LT on your squad, expect him to be good for back to back games of 20+. However, this is a big if. Tomlinson has been a dud this year. Who knows if you can get to the playoffs with him.

8. Steve Slaton of the Houston Texans. What were the odds that Slaton would be ranked ahead of a healthy LT? Slaton was probably the best pick in this years fantasy draft. He has played in 5 games this year, scoring 17 or more points 3 times. Detroit, Cincinnati, and Cleveland are all on his schedule during the regular season. He is a must start week 11 against Indy. In their first matchup this year, Slaton scored 21 points against Indy.

7. Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys. Romo should be the best QB in the league going forward. Owens, Witten, and Barber offer Romo too many weapons not to be included on this list. He is the best QB in the NFL when the game is not a “big game.” Dallas will not have a big game in the regular season. Romo may choke in January, but he should be solid for the next 2 months. (editors note….we just found out Romo is out for 4 weeks. We found this out 20 minutes after the post went up. What can we say, we are not smart!)

6. Matt Forte of the Chicago Bears. Forte has had a huge season so far for Chicago. His weekly point totals are impressive for both a Bears running back and a rookie (21, 11, 20, 8, 17, 16). Kyle Orton and Devin Hester have improved greatly this season, taking some of opposing defences attention. Forte should be able to put up great numbers going forward.

5. Reggie Bush of the New Orleans Saints. Outside of a horrible game against San Francisco, Bush has been on fire this season. He has been a triple threat this season, with success in rushing, receiving, and as a return man. Going forward, he should have an easier time when Colston returns from injury. Bush could be a scoring machine when New Orleans faces Atlanta in the first week of the fantasy playoffs (week 14). I would rank Bush even higher in a points per reception league.

4. Frank Gore of the San Francisco 49ers. Jets, Dolphins, Rams. Those are Gore’s opponents in week 14, 15, and 16. He will single handedly carry a team through the fantasy playoffs. Nobody has been more consistent than Gore.

3. Ronnie Brown of the Miami Dolphins. Brown was slow out of the gates in week 1 and 2, but this was expected. He returned from serious season ending surgery last year, and needed time to get back to 100%. While 4 td, 41 point games are unlikely in the future, Brown should continue to get better, offering tremendous upside potential.

2. Michael Turner of the Atlanta Falcons. Think fans in San Diego are frustrated that the Chargers did not keep Turner? Week 1, Turner rushed for 220 yards and 2 td’s. The entire city of San Diego threw up. Matt Ryan and Michael Turner made Hotlanta forget Ron Mexico. Turner has two major things going for him. First, he is has a significant amount of NFL experience. Second, his legs are fresh. He did not get many carrys with the Chargers. His fresh legs should keep burning teams this season.

1. Clinton Portis of the Washington Redskins. Portis is coming off back to back to back 100 yard games. If he was in NBA jam, the announcers would say “hes on fire!” Portis faces Cincinnati in week 15 and Philadelphia in week 16 (the fantasy football superbowl week). Portis killed Philly already this season, rushing for 145 yards and a TD.

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly, NFL Power Rankings

October 6th, 2008 | By Jack Newhouse Posted in NFL

2008 has started as the hardest year in NFL gambling history. Teams people wrote off are doing great, and powerhouses are playing horrible. InGameNow has ranked all 32 teams

The Good (teams that COULD make the Playoffs)

The New York Football Giants Why list the Giants at the top? Easy. Defending Champs + 4-0= #1

Tennessee TitansFirst team to 5 wins. Great D. Another easy choice.  Who cares that Collins is currently steering the ship.  The Titans D is unbelievable.  It would be fitting that Vince Young sits on the bench to watch his team go undefeated this season.

Dallas Cowboys  There are 6 teams at 4-1.  Ranking these guys is not easy.  Dallas looks like the most complete team.  Romo to TO yesterday showed they are doing great.  Dallas is the highest scoring team in the NFL this season.  Many say this team is the best in the NFL…. if not for a 2 pt loss to Washington, I would agree.

Pittsburgh Steelers  Big Ben can win.  They have done it before.  Plus, the rest of their division has a combined record of 3-10.  This team should win 12 easily. 

Carolina Panthers  Bears fans are greatly disappointed that in 5 games, Muhsin Muhammad has done more than he ever did in a full season for Chicago.  WIlliams, Stewart, Smith, and Muhammad balance Carolina’s offense, causing nightmares for opposing defensive coordinators.

Buffalo Bills  Lynch and Evans have been a great 1-2 punch this year.  Hopefully Edwards will have a quick recovery with his concussion.  Buffalo’s biggest weakness is agreeing to play Miami at the Rogers Centre.

Washington Redskins  If this was college football, Washington would have the best Strength of Schedule.  Winning at Dallas and at Philly is impressive.  Plus, having 2 other wins at home against the NFC west leading Arizona Cardinals, and New Orleans, is very impressive.  Clinton Portis might be the most underrated running back in the league.

Denver Broncos   Will this be Jay Cutlers year?  How long can Brandon Marshall keep this pace up?  Is Denver lucky, or good?  Denver beat SD 39-38, New Orleans 34-32, and Tampa 16-13.  It worries me that the Broncos have won 3 of their games by a combined 6 points (and some Ref help!)

Chicago Bears  Orton might actually be an average NFL qb (something Rex could never say)  He has a 16-8 record in games he has thrown a pass in.  The Bears D looks healthy, Hester is starting to figure out the WR position, and Forte is by far the most impressive rookie running back.  Bears are in a weak division, one which they could surprisingly win.

New England Patriots   How good is New England?  This year, NE lost the 2007 NFL MVP in the first quarter of the first game, and still is 3-1.  The loss of Tom Brady moves the Pats from the best team in the league to a team living on a playoff prayer.  Still, this is a team that could be playing in January.

Arizona Cardinals  The NFC West sux!  If Arizona can beat the 49ers, they will win the division and make the playoffs.  While the Cardinals are not a good team, they could still be 7-9 and in the playoffs

The Bad (teams that need to win now to turn it around)

Tampa Bay Bucs   Chucky has his team playing well this year.  As a Chicago fan, I have 0 faith in Brian Griese.  He is a joke.  Eventually, Griese will drink this team into the ground.

San Diego Chargers  Are the lights out on this team?   LaDainian Tomlinson has been a huge bust (especially as the #1 overall FFB pick).  Gates has had a horrible season.  Hopefully he will get healthy and take some heat of LT.  The loss of Shawne Merriman is huge.

Green Bay PackersAfter two weeks, Wisconsin had forgotten all about #4.  Aaron Rogers was 2-0, and the Packers looked unstoppable.  Now, the Pack has lost 3 in a row, the defense is porous, and the brats in northern Wisconsin are not tasting as good as they usually do. 

Atlanta Falcons.  Who needs Ron Mexico?  Mike Turner is making LT look like a bitch, leading the league in both yards and TD’s.  Rookie QB Matt Ryan reminds us it is possible to win straight out of college.

New Orleans Saints  Reggie Bush has stepped up huge in Marques Colston’s absence.  If Drew Brees can keep the team afloat until Colston and Jeremy Shockey return, the Saints could go marching into the playoffs.

Philadelphia Eagles  Could the Philadelphia Eagles be the first team to win 9 games AND finish dead last in their division?  Donovan McNabb is less than impressive this year.  If not for LT, Brian Westbrook would be the biggest bust in fantasy football.  The Eagles have an impossible divisional schedule this year.  Do not pencil them in for the post season.

New York Jets  There will be lynchings in Green Bay if Favre makes the playoffs and Green Bay does not.  Favre has been solid this season.  His 6td game was very impressive.  It will be interesting to see if the Jets keep improving this year. 

Baltimore Ravens  Once again, the Ravens have one of the best Defenses in the NFL.  While Fallco has been at best average, the Ravens have won some games.  This team does not deserve to make the playoffs.  However, with Cleveland AND Cincinnati in their division, they just might make it.

Indianapolis Colts  This year, Sunday night football kicked off with the Bears kicks the Colts ass.  We can mark that point as the end of the Peyton Manning dynasty (some incorrectly mark it with Eli winning the Super Bowl)  Jo Addai has been a joke, Marvin Harrison is over the hill, the offensive line is swiss cheese, and Manning is not scaring any D.  When was the last time the Colts were outscored by their opponents through the first 4 games of the season?

San Fransico 49ers  Things I have learned about the 49ers this year.   1.  Isaac Bruce is still alive.  2.  J.T. O’Sullivan is a great QB.   3.  The NFC west is the worst division in football.

Jacksonville Jaguars  Jax has been a big disappointment this year.  Many people had them being competitive.  It looks like they are at best a long shot for the playoffs. 

Miami Dolphins  Through 4 games, the Dolphins have doubled last years win total.  They are running a very unorthodox offense, and it is working.  Miami’s best win came against New England.  Last year, this would have been as likely as the sun not rising one morning. 

The Ugly (teams that have no chance at making the playoffs)

Minnesota Vikings  Adrian Peterson is averaging an impressive 5.1 yards per carry.  Vikings fans will spend the entire year wondering what would have happened if they had traded for Brett Favre.

Cleveland Browns  It is a crime a team with Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards has only scored 46 points this year.  Expect to see Domer Brady Quinn get a lot of playing time this year.

Seattle Seahawks   Without Julius Jones, Seattle would be a joke.  Hasselback can only do so much with his 5th and 6th wr’s starting.

Oakland Raiders  Al Davis is crazy.  All ready fired Lane Kiffin.  Will be interesting to see how long it takes him to follow Steinbrenners lead and step away.

Kansas City Chiefs  Who would have thought that the Chiefs would be better than FOUR teams?!?!  The Chiefs have no offense, and a horrible D (they just lost 34-0 against the Panthers).  Larry Johnson rushed for two yards this week.  He is career is over.

Houston Texans  Andre Johnson has to be sick each day he shows up to work.  He started his career with David Carr.  Now Schaub is proving Johnson could be the biggest waste of talent this decade (and not due to Andre’s fault)

Cincinnati Bengals  Chad Ocho Cinco.   Nuff said.

St. Louis Rams   Might not win a game this year. 

Detroit Lions   Who ever wins the Super Bowl this year will have the second happiest fans in the league.  Detroit is in nirvana now that Millen is gone!

Will The Real LT Please Stand Up?!?!

September 23rd, 2008 | By Jack Newhouse Posted in NFL

Last night, the San Diego Charger’s LaDanian Tomlinson finally made his fantasy owners happy, getting into the end zone twice.  He was 0-fer in the previous two weeks.

In looking at LT’s stats this year, I say he is a total bust as the overall #1 pick. 

week 1: 10 fantasy points  (97 yards rushing, 15 yards receiving)

week 2: 3 fantasy points (26 yards rushing, 14 yards receiving)

week 3: 20 points (67 yards rushing, 20 yards receiving, 2 rushing td’s)

DUMP LT NOW!!!!!!!!

LT breaks another 4 yard gain

In 3 games, his longest rush is 14 yards, and his longest reception is 16 yards.  Take advantage of last nights scores, and punt on this fantasy bust!

Chargers Save Their Season

September 22nd, 2008 | By Ryan Hogan Posted in NFL, Uncategorized

The Chargers needed a win and got it. The Jets needed a win but forgot to bring the defense with them from New York.

The San Diego Chargers defeated the New York Jets 48 to 29 on Monday night and avoided a 0-3 start. Since 1990, only three teams have made the playoffs after beginning the season 0-3, the Chargers being one of them. LaDainian Tomlinson, hobbled by a toe injury, entered the game without a touchdown. He scored two against the Jets. Philip Rivers overcame an early pick-six to finish with 250 yards, three touchdowns and a very efficient 19 for 25.

Charger’s defense, which allowed an average of 437.0 yards of offense in its first two games, gave up only 308 to the Jets. Bolt’s cornerback Antonio Cromartie had a spectacular 52-yard interception return for touchdown and Quentin Jammer recovered a fumbled that lead to another score. The Chargers registered 3 sacks.

Brett Favre threw 2 interceptions but finished the game with respectable numbers, 30 for 42 for 217 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Jets amassed only 41 yards on the ground. Jets offense seemed to struggle with the dink and dunk game, Favre obviously not up to speed on the playbook or the timing. The offense looked sharper when Favre dropped back into the shotgun and flung the ball around to his receivers.

The real story for the Jets wasn’t Favre and the offense, but their defense. New York’s porous “D” allowed 20 first downs, 357 yards of total offense and 9 for 13 on 3rd down. Despite holding the Chargers to 3.1 yards per rush, Jets still allowed L.T. and Darren Sproles to combine for over 100-yards rushing. For most of the game, Chargers moved the ball at will.

It was a wild contest that saw two interceptions returned for touchdowns, three onside kicks (one of them recovered) and numerous big plays. Jets gained 291 yards on 9 kickoff returns. Despite the excellent field position, the Jet’s struggled in the red zone and converting on only 3 out of 6 chances.

San Diego Chargers' Eric Weddle (#32) celebrates his interception with teammates.

Nike Sparq Commerial: Can You Name All the Pro Athletes?

August 30th, 2008 | By InGameNow Posted in Uncategorized

So I finally ‘caught’ Jacoby Ellsbury in the Nike Sparq ad that launched a few months ago but still is all over the tube. It’s a star studded commercial with pro athlete after pro athlete in the 30 second clip. Can you name them all? It freaking took my 5 months to even spot Jacoby!

My Better is Better then your Better with Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy,Boston Red Sox outfielder and former Oregon State Beaver Jacoby Ellsbury, as well as Steve Nash, LaDainian Tomlinson, Adrian Peterson, Matt Holiday, Kevin Durant, Landon Donovan, Abby Wambach, Hope Solo, Ryan Powell, Kyle Harrison and Diana Taurai.