Tag: Sidney Rice

Is Sidney Rice Legit?

Sidney Rice caught a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings and now has three touchdowns in his last four games.

Analysis: Sidney Rice is producing in the touchdown department but he is only averaging 3.75 receptions per game over his last four contests. That simply does not cut it in PPR leagues especially when he does not have an 85 plus yard receiving game this year. His targets have been suspect and it should not come as a surprise since the Seattle Seahawks attempt the fewest passes per game in the NFL. Rice has only been targeted 22 times in his last FOUR games while guys like T. Y. Hilton have been targeted 17 times in the past two games and even Josh Morgan has been targeted 20 times in his last two games.

As previously stated, Sidney Rice does perform well in the touchdown department as he ranks 21st in the NFL with 4 touchdown grabs. His teammate Golden Tate has played nearly as well this year(less yards but 5 TDs in 8 games) and is available in ninety-five percent of leagues. So, is Sidney Rice legit? Kind of, but here is the key stat- he’s only had 60 or more yards twice in nine games and he’s also only had five or more receptions twice in nine games this year.

Last Call On Titus Young

Titus Young is set to break out as he steps into the number two wide out role in Detroit.

Analysis: Nate Burleson is out for the year with a broken leg and Titus Young is the unquestioned number two in Detroit. With that in mind, Titus Young came to play Sunday. The second year wide out had the first 100 yard game of his career and his second two touchdown game as a pro on Sunday. We all know the Lions love to sling the rock and Titus Young recorded nine receptions on nine targets Sunday. He may only be owned in about half of fantasy leagues but he is a WR3/FLEX option with the potential for more. Young has caught 15 balls for 181 receiving yards over the past two games and in doing so made himself a PPR league stud. Prior to week seven Young had only one game where he caught more than two balls(week three).

With what is out there on the wire you have to like your chances with Titus Young over guys like Cecil Shorts and even Sidney Rice. It’s last call on Titus Young.

NFL- Fantasy Value Down

With the addition of Sidney Rice to the Seattle roster, the 6-5 230 pound Mike Williams will no longer be the number one wide out on the squad. Mike Williams had a great year in 2010, catching 65 balls for 751 yards in just fourteen games played. He figured to be the perfect sleeper in fantasy drafts this year but it is no longer the case. Before the trade Williams was rated as a borderline WR3/WR4 but now he is certainly a mid tier WR4. With Sidney Rice you’re getting an explosive playmaker and an even better red zone target than Williams. Rice’s value now appears to be a top 25 wide out and a WR2 with the potential for more if he stays healthy.

Deion Branch was another sleeper that was going to have himself a huge fantasy campaign with a full season with Tom Brady. But fast forward to August 2011 and you have another WR4 who will not be getting the looks in the red zone to be fantasy relevant on a consistent basis. The addition of Chad Ochocinco doesn’t hurt the Patriot tight ends as much as it does Branch. This is just another case of a potential sleeper gone bad due to trades and/or free agency.

NFL- Fantasy Value Up

Major moves with the Vikings and Titans have made their impact felt on the fantasy world.

Analysis: With Donovan McNabb coming to Minnesota and wide out Sidney Rice leaving, Percy Harvin’s fantasy value has risen considerably. Harvin now becomes the Vikes’ go-to-guy and a borderline WR2/WR3 in standard and PPR leagues. Harvin’s ADP in mock drafts has been in the 65-70 range but now you should not hesitate to pick up the burner before Michael Crabtree at pick sixty. If Percy can stay healthy he may be looking at his first 1,000 yard season.

As Matt Hasselbeck signed with the Titans no man on the squad could more happy with the move than Kenny Britt. Obviously Britt may be disciplined for his arrest during the lockout but it is unlikely that he will and if he isn’t his fantasy value just got a huge boost. Britt caught nine touchdowns in just twelve games last year and while he isn’t a PPR league beast his standard league numbers will be more than solid. Expect double digit touchdowns and around 1,000 yards from Britt in 2011. He is certainly one of the biggest winners in these first few post lockout days.

NFL: Free Agency can’t come soon enough

 

 

The NFL draft filled some clubs needs, but not all teams, and not all holes. Once the labor talks have ended, Free Agency will be fast and furious. To be eligible for unrestricted free agency, a player must have six years of playing experience.

Limited free agency in early March included San Diego signing safety Bob Sanders, Washington picking up safety O.J. Atogwe, the Panthers adding tight end Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans coming to terms with defensive lineman Shaun Rogers and the Patriots trying to fill the Richard Seymour vacancy from a year ago with his college teammate at Georgia, Marcus Stroud.

Many teams are in need of a quarterback and there’s not exactly a deep pool of signal callers. Teams like Washington, Miami, Buffalo, Seattle and Arizona failed to address the need in the draft.  Baltimore’s Marc Bulger, Houston’s Matt Leinart, Tennessee’s  Vince Young and Seattle’s’ Matt Hasselbeck are expected to garner the most interest. Veteran Redskins QB Donovan McNabb and Cincinnati’s Carson Palmer are not expected to return to their current teams and may end up being the most sought after. When all is said and done, it may resemble the movie Trading Places.

There is no shortage of running backs, with Miami’s duo of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, San Diego specialist Darren Sproles and Cincinnati workhorse Cedric Benson possibly on the move.

A real mixed bag at wide receiver led by veterans Terrell Owens, Steve Smith and Randy Moss. The younger set of former high draft picks; the Jets tandem of  Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes along with my favorite, Minnesota’s Sidney Rice. How about Plaxico Burress? Who will give the troubled former Giants star a second chance.

Three offensive tackles with a solid pedigree, Baltimore’s Jared Gaither, Washington’s Jamaal Brown and Matt Light of the Patriots will be heavily pursued as immediate starters.

The premiere defensive lineman in free agency is Green Bay end Cullen Jenkins. Those looking for linebackers will be taking a long look at Washington’s Rocky McIntosh and San Francisco veteran Takeo Spikes.

The most sought after free agency will undoubtedly be Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. The entire NFC East is said to be lining up to bid on Oakland’s shut down cover man. Other corners certain to attract interest include Washington’s Carlos Rogers and the Jets Antonio Cromartie.

Free Agency will not be limited to veterans. Clubs have had time to review and analyze top college talent that slipped through the draft. We will visit that another day.