PAFFL.com

Andre Johnson's rights for $5

The Fightin' Irie accelerate their activity with the "Irie deal of the day", this one with the Jack Trippers who had been quiet up to this point.

Steve Smith for Randy Moss

The Fightin' Irie continue their torrid pace of reshaping their squad with another deal this morning with the unusually quiet but picking up steam Team Kitty.  But the highlight of the day was a one for one deal between the Naughty Thoughts & South Whore Jibbers. 

2008 NFL Rookie Values Redux

Ok, I did this right after the NFL draft in April but following OTA's & mini-camps, and the stupidity of veterans (such as Cedric Benson) a lot has changed since then.  So I wanted to take another pass at this.             

RB Share Situations - New Blood from the 2008 NFL Draft

The NFL draft always brings some surprises but one guarantee you can always count on is new blood, an infusion of 250+ players who are young, healthy and hungry to make it in the NFL.  In a professional sport that carries a career expectancy of approximately 3.2 years for a drafted player, many joke that NFL stands for 'Not For Long'.  For fantasy leaguers, particularly dynasty league participants (where you keep players for longer than a single year), the NFL draft represents new blood, players who shift current player's values and new opportunities for fantasy success.  One trend that people will start talking about a lot more, and expect to see this all over the 2008 fantasy football guides that get published in June, is the NFL shift to Two Back systems where one running back maybe gets a majority of the carries between the 20's and then another one comes in for the goal line work, short yardage or third down opportunities.  The NY Giants won the super bowl with this strategy, and New England has employed it during their reign the past eight years to great success. So while having competent backups has always been the goal, the NFL is moving towards a trend of literally have two guys who could be considered the starter.  For fantasy this means fewer true 'featured backs' and more ambiguity as to who is the 'right' guy to start week to week.

Shaun Alexander for Jacoby Jones & performance bonuses

The Pomona Stoned Hens and Salem Beavercats consummate a trade deadline deal. 

The Pomona Stoned Hens receive RB Shaun Alexander from Salem Beavercats for WR Jacoby Jones ($7, 2009) and performance bonuses.

The performance bonus is more of a clause - for every game Alexander doesn't start his nfl game, Pomona receives $1 from the Beavercats. However for every game Alexander plays, the Beavercats receive $2 for every 5 paffl point interval he scores.  The maximum Pomona can receive is $5 and the maximum the Beavercats can receive is $10.  So each party is protected against the extreme ends of Alexander's potential performance the rest of the season.

Kevin Walter & a rookie pick for Hines Ward

I.M.T. and the PA Short Bus have consummated a trade deadline deal.         

I.M.T. deals veteran WR Hines Ward ($46, 2007) to the Short Bus for WR Kevin Walter and SB's 2008 rookie pick. 

Week 10 Waiver Wire / Free Agent Pickups

Each week I attempt to compile a diverse list of potential Waiver Wire / Free Agent pickups for week 10 of the NFL season.  I play in a 16 team league where we start 9 players (no defense, only 1 kicker) so we're always looking for that #3 QB or RB who emerges to be the final piece on a playoff run. 

Each week I attempt to compile a diverse list of potential Waiver Wire / Free Agent pickups for week 10 of the NFL season.  I play in a 16 team league where we start 9 players (no defense, only 1 kicker) so we're always looking for that #3 QB or RB who emerges to be the final piece on a playoff run. 

Week 9 Waiver Wire / Free Agent Pickups

Below are a list of potentially valuable Waiver Wire / Free Agent pickups for week 9 of the NFL season.  Maybe some of these guys aren’t worth a damn in shallow leagues but what’s the fun in dropping Marvin Harrison b/c he’s out a week for a guy like Wes Welker who is available as the #3 receiver in New England.  Ok, Welker shouldn’t be available in ANY league format but you get the point.

Hot Waiver Wire / Free Agent Pickups for Week 8

Here are the my hot free agent / waiver wire pickups for week 8 In my fantasy league we have 16 teams which start 9 guys each (no defense, 1 Kicker, 1 TE, 2 RB, 2 WR & 1 QB with 2 flex spots).  So these may not be relevant to all fantasy leaguers but most are valuable guys who either will immediately have value or will in weeks ahead.   Most of these are valuable regardless of league format. 

Maurice Jones-Drew for Hines Ward & Jerious Norwood?

I.M.T. and the Salem Beavercats consummated a 6 player trade. 

I.M.T. receives RB Jerious Norwood ($36, 2010), RB Ahman Green rights, K David Akers ($7, 2008), WR Hines Ward ($46, 2007) , $10, & the #11 rookie pick by dealing to Salem Beavercats RB Maurice Jones-Drew ($26, 2008), WR Santonio Holmes ($22, 2008) and the #10 rookie pick. 

QB's Who Are Feeling the Pressure

Another good fantasy related post from our friends at SportProjections.com, this one is the starting NFL QB's who are likely feeling the most pressure to perform in 2007.  Funny how Rex Grossman finds himself on every one of these lists, but then again he deserves it for having the most lopsided performances in a single NFL season of all-time. 

NFL QB Team by Team Analysis

NFL.com's Michael Fabiano analyzed all 32 NFL team's Quarterback position for fantasy production.  He didn't go into as much detail as some may like but for the majority (AKA no keeper leagues) of fantasy leaguers it'll be a good overview by team. 

Texans holding the most 'Dead Money'

As noted by Pat Kirwan of NFL.com, the Houston Texans are carrying more than $30 million in dead money, meaning that 27.5 percent of their cap total is charged to players who aren't even on the roster. That includes big-time charges for defensive linemen Gary Walker ($5.5 million) and Robaire Smith ($4.17 million), offensive tackles Todd Wade ($5 million) and Zach Wiegert ($2.95 million), quarterback David Carr ($4 million) and wide receiver Eric Moulds ($3.75 million). With the cap set so high, such "dead money" doesn't hurt quite as much as it once did, but it's still a painful lesson on how bad decisions come back to haunt a team.

NFL.com's AFC South Team's Fantasy Overview...

NFL.com's Michael Fabiano is publishing overviews of each division by team of their fantasy value including schedule strength (against run & pass) and listing of each team's top 5 fantasy performers.  I've listed the top 5 for each team below and the overall summaries are good.  Some of this is academic but for fantasy nuts, its worth diving into the details.  This is for the AFC South.

WR Jacoby Jones, #73 Overall Pick, Houston Texans

Houston Texans selected Lane College WR Jacoby Jones with the #73 overall selection (#9 in the 3rd round) in the 2007 NFL draft. Jones is a high risk, high reward type pick in the 3rd round that you would say is too risky to take any higher but would prefer to take in the 4th or 5th round.  A former track star with some size, Jones is still raw and likely will take time to develop.

Houston Texans selected Lane College WR Jacoby Jones with the #73 overall selection (#9 in the 3rd round) in the 2007 NFL draft. Jones is a high risk, high reward type pick in the 3rd round that you would say is too risky to take any higher but would prefer to take in the 4th or 5th round.  A former track star with some size, Jones is still raw and likely will take time to develop.

Houston Texans selected Lane College WR Jacoby Jones with the #73 overall selection (#9 in the 3rd round) in the 2007 NFL draft. Jones is a high risk, high reward type pick in the 3rd round that you would say is too risky to take any higher but would prefer to take in the 4th or 5th round.  A former track star with some size, Jones is still raw and likely will take time to develop.

Houston Texans selected Lane College WR Jacoby Jones with the #73 overall selection (#9 in the 3rd round) in the 2007 NFL draft. Jones is a high risk, high reward type pick in the 3rd round that you would say is too risky to take any higher but would prefer to take in the 4th or 5th round.  A former track star with some size, Jones is still raw and likely will take time to develop.

Houston Texans selected Lane College WR Jacoby Jones with the #73 overall selection (#9 in the 3rd round) in the 2007 NFL draft. Jones is a high risk, high reward type pick in the 3rd round that you would say is too risky to take any higher but would prefer to take in the 4th or 5th round.  A former track star with some size, Jones is still raw and likely will take time to develop.

Matt Schaub Traded to Houston

ESPN & NFL.com's Adam Schefter reports by day's end, the Atlanta Falcons will trade backup QB Matt Schaub to the Houston Texans, according to NFL sources. The Texans will reportedly swap 1st round choices with Atlanta this year and surrender a second-round draft pick both this year and next. 

Ahman Green Signs with Houston Texans

NFL Network's Adam Schefter is reporting that the Houston Texans have reached agreement with RB Ahman Green on a multi-year agreement. The deal is for 4 years $23 million with $6.5 million guaranteed. ESPN is reporting this story as well.

Texans extend WR Andre Johnson

ESPN's Len Pasquarelli reports In a move which could assure that WR Andre Johnson plays his entire career in a Houston Texans uniform, and also creates salary cap room for 2007 that will permit officials to pursue some free agents, the team on Saturday signed its best player to a six-year contract extension. The deal is worth $60 million and includes $15 million in guarantees.

Mike Sherman named Texans Offensive Coordinator

The Houston Texans named former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike Sherman as their new offensive coordinator.  Sherman demonstrated a good sense for the west coast style offense while running the Green Bay offense, though head coach Gary Kubiak will likely maintain play calling responsibilities. 

David Carr Done in Houston?

Has David Carr, the number one overall NFL selection in 2002, played his last game in Houston?  PFW reports that there is less than a 50/50 chance that HC Gary Kubiak will bring him back, instead opting to draft a young QB and sign a veteran like Jake Plummer.  Plummer would be a good fit in Houston which has some offensive weapons and would be familiar with the system. 

Domanick Davis now Williams?

The Houston Texans RB Domanick Davis has officially changed his name to Domanick Williams.  According to a story in ESPN, Williams (formerly Davis) also has a new attitude, clothes and an approach to life.      "A new name, a new haircut, new clothes -- let's hope he has a new knee," Texans cornerback Dunta Robinson joked upon hearing the news.

Morning Game Observations

Observations from NFL Week 10 Morning games. 

Green Bay Packers beat the Minnesota Vikings 23-17 -

• QB B. Favre - he put up a strong effort against a tough defense with 2 td's & 330+ yards.
  
• WR D. Driver had (or was close to) a career day w/ 190+ yards receiving & a 82 yard TD
• RB A. Green didn't do much against the NFL's top run defense rushing for 55 yards on 22 carries
• QB B. Johnson had a better day coming off back to back poor performances, throwing for 257 yards & a 40 yard TD pass.  However he did throw a pick and lost a fumble continuing a trend that will likely result in Brad Childress making a switch in the next week or two.
• RB Chester Taylor had a workmanlike 75 yards on the ground and 20 yard receiving but didn't score. 
• Minnesota WR's again were inconsistent w/ newcomers Bethel Johnson w/ 75 yards & Billy McMullen surprising with 60 yards & a TD (40)

Texans may sign Bush prior to Draft

The Houston Texans may announce the signing of USC RB Reggie Bush as early as Thursday evening, according to NFL.com Adam Shefter. Apparently both sides have agreed to the parameters of an agreement and significant progress has been made.

Adam Shefter also speculates that the Green Bay Packers maybe switching their interest to TE Vernon Davis with the 5th overall selection. That would provide Brett Favre another receiving weapon but given that they already have Bubba Franks and have greater needs at other positions, such as WR, LB, OL its unlikely they would go in that direction.