Huddlegeeks.com Weekly NewsletterYour TOTAL Source for Fantasy Football! |
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Huddlegeeks
News and Notes Jan. 1st - 20th
Well,
we've come to the end of another great fantasy football season. There
have been many up and downs and hopefully the Geeks have been able to
help you along the way. Don't think we're shutting things down just because
the season is over though. We still cover the NFL Draft, Free Agency and
much MORE in the offseason! Don't forget, our homepage is always
updated with the latest NFL news on a daily basis.
http://huddlegeeks.com/GeeksLair/2006/teamnews.htm? ******HUDDLEGEEKS.COM
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2.) COMING SOON!! HuddleGeeks PODCASTS!
*Note - You do not need an iPod to listen to the broadcast 3.) Check out our 2006 Free Agent Listing! The Geeks don't stop working when the season is over. Oh, no my friend! We're already taking a look at the players who may be in for a change of scenery in 2006. Will a player who didn't fit into one team's plans be just the player their competitors were looking for? Let the sleeper debates begin! Check out the possible list of Free Agents for 2006 4.) Get ready for the NFL Draft, Huddlegeeks style! The Geeks don't stop thinking football when the season is over. We couldn't call ourselves Geeks if we did! Nope, the HuddleGeeks start looking for the future fantasy stars while they're still in college. *MOCK DRAFT Take a look at where the HuddleGeeks think some of the top college talent will be landing come late April. The Geeks NFL Mock Draft is updated throughout the offseason, up until the night before the actual draft. Check it out right here!
*TEAM NEEDS First, we break down each team before the draft and analyze what each team's specific needs are in the upcoming offseason. Do they need a franchise QB? A playmaking LB? or do they just need to add some depth? The Geeks will slice open each NFL team and give you their professional opinion of what positions they need to address for the upcoming season. CHECK OUT LAST YEAR'S TEAM NEEDS
*DRAFT WRAP-UP For all of you in keep leagues, knowing who the best college talent is could greatly benefit your team each year. The Geeks give you their thoughts on the impact a rookie could make in his first season and also wrap up the entire draft after it's over and give each team a grade on their draft and analyze what kind of impact their draft class could have on the team's fantasy chances in the upcoming season. CHECK OUT LAST YEAR'S DRAFT WRAP-UP
*****************GEEKS TAKE*********************** This is pretty big news, if Culpepper follows through with his alleged demands. How he can think he is deserved of a $2 million dollar raise after going through the 'Love Boat' scandal, playing horribly in 2005 and suffering a major knee injury is beyond us. It looks like Culpepper may be angling for a change of scenery in 2006. It may be difficult to trade the former Pro Bowl QB at this time because of the aforementioned issues and his contract, but stranger things have happened. We'll keep a close eye on this one, since Culpepper has been considered one of the top fantasy QBs out there in recent years. We said this before and we'll say it again; don't rule out a reunion with Randy Moss in Oakland. **************************************************
2.) Both Seattle WRs Darrell Jackson and Bobby Engram are listed as questionable and did not practice on Thurs. Story *****************GEEKS TAKE*********************** Both Jackson (knee) and Engram (back) are hobbled with injuries, but don't plan on this missing the NFC championship game this weekend. This would be the biggest game that these two players have ever played in and we don't think these injuries are enough to keep them out of it. Missing practice time could disrupt the timing of the Seattle passing game and give the Carolina defense a bit of an edge. Look out for Joe Jurevicius to step up in this game if any of these two starters are having trouble performing. **************************************************
3.) Panthers DE Julius Peppers missed practice on Thurs. because of an 'illness'. Story *****************GEEKS TAKE*********************** It was first reported that Peppers was held out of practice because of the lingering effects of a shoulder injury suffered in last week's game vs. the Bears, but the Panthers have come out and said that Peppers, along with many other teammates, have come down with flu-like symptoms. If the team is hit with the flu, it could be bad news for the Panthers and good news for Seattle and RB Shaun Alexander. **************************************************
4.) Chiefs new head coach, Herman Edwards, assures RB Larry Johnson that he is his starting RB in 2006. Story *****************GEEKS TAKE*********************** Good news for Johnson. It would have been very difficult to put him back on the bench after the outstanding year he had. It's easy to say that he won't be able to keep up those kinds of numbers next year, but we've seen Holmes do it for many years in that system so we should expect continued success for Larry Johnson. HC Herman Edwards has shown that he will give his running backs plenty of opportunities so now the only question is whether or not Johnson is the number one overall pick next year for fantasy owners, but we've got all offseason to talk about that. Stay tuned. **************************************************
5.) The Cardinals have started contract negotiations with QB Kurt Warner. Story *****************GEEKS TAKE*********************** It's expected that Warner will re-sign with the Cards without much trouble. The Cards have plenty of cap space this offseason and signing Warner is one of their top priorities. Warner showed that he still have plenty of gas left in the tank last season after struggling earlier in the year through some injuries. If the Cards can make some improvements on their offensive line, there is no reason to think that Warner can't once against be a quality fantasy QB for you. Just make sure to have a quality backup though, since Warner is likely to miss a game or two due to injury. **************************************************
6.) The assault case against Chiefs RB Larry Johnson has been dismissed. Story *****************GEEKS TAKE*********************** Good news for Johnson and the Chiefs. It is now very unlikely that Johnson wil face any suspensions from the league. Now Johnson can focus on next year and the rest of us can focus on whether or not he should be the number 1 fantasy pick next year. **************************************************
7.) Could there be a David Carr for Ricky Williams trade? Story *****************GEEKS TAKE*********************** There are a ton of rumors surrounding
Ricky Williams being dealt to another team. Some of the teams include: There will be plenty of other rumors as we approach free agency and the draft. Any trade that allows Ricky to start is a good trade for Ricky owners. You can give Ronnie Brown a huge upgrade too. We can't see Denver wanting to pull this trade as they've had great success drafting their own running backs, but the Houston rumor is interesting. Will the trade go down? We doubt it, but we love the idea of David Carr on the Dolphins. **************************************************
8.) Seahawks RT Sean Locklear has been released from jail and should play in the NFC Championship game. Story - Seahawks RT Sean Locklear is being held without bail in relation to a domestic violence charge. Story *****************GEEKS TAKE*********************** The team is taking a bit of a PR chance here by playing a player who was in lockdown over the weekend, but Locklear has emerged as a key cog in the Seahawks offensive line this season. They will need him to open up holes for Shaun Alexander and provide protection for Matt Hasselbeck against the Panthers ferocious defense. **************************************************
9.) Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander is expected to play in the NFC Championship game. Story - Seahawk's RB Shaun Alexander suffered a concussion, but should be ready for the NFC Championship. Story *****************GEEKS TAKE*********************** All signs point towards Alexander playing this week. If you're in a playoff league, you'll definitely want him in your lineup as he is a fantasy stud and a TD machine. Look for him to shake off the effects of the concussion and a cold to produce for you vs. the Panthers tough defense. **************************************************
10.) The Titans will be taking a close look at their RB situation in the offseason. Story *****************GEEKS TAKE*********************** Despite having a formidable pair of running backs, the Titans didn't have a single game with a running back gaining at least 100 yards on the ground. There are a variety of reasons for this, including a new offensive system, but expect the Titans to examine this position closely in the offseason. Chris Brown is expected to stay with the team, but Travis Henry is due a 4 million roster bonus. The Titans won't pay that so for Henry to be with the team, his contract will have to be redone. Both players' fantasy values were hurt last year because they split carrying duties. If Henry isn't with the team next year then Chris Brown's value would go up substantially. **************************************************
11.) Panthers RB DeShaun Foster broke his ankle in the team's playoff game vs. the Bears. Story *****************GEEKS TAKE*********************** Well, the season is over for Foster, but luckily, the Panthers have Nick Goings in reserve. Goings should be able to step up and provide the Panthers some quality production vs. the Seahawks this weekend. He has proved to be a quality back when called upon in seasons past when the Panthers need him and this opportunity should prove no differently. The Foster injury shouldn't affect his value in 2006, as he should be ready for the season, but the Panthers may bring in another back to compete with him because of his injury history. **************************************************
12.) The Chiefs has signed CFL QB Casey Printers. Story *****************GEEKS TAKE*********************** Printers has almost zero fantasy value this year. However, if you are in a keeper league then this is a guy you might want to take a flyer on later in your draft. Trent Green is now 36 years old and although he's playing at a very high level, he's on the downside of his career. Printers is a player that the Chiefs would like to develop and hopefully in a couple of years take the starting duties when Green is done. This signing didn't garner much news so he should be available very late in your keeper draft. **************************************************
13.) Who will be the Bears feature RB in 2006? The questions are already starting. Story *****************GEEKS TAKE*********************** We knew this question would come up, but the day after the season end, WOW. We think Cedric Benson will be the main back in the Bears offense in 2006 unless injuries rear their ugly head. Thomas Jones was the main ingredient to the Bears terrific season, but Benson was the 4th overall pick in the draft and will be given every opportunity to be the main man in the Bears backfield. **************************************************
14.) Vikings QB Brad Johnson says he wants to start for a team in 2006. Story *****************GEEKS TAKE*********************** It's good to see that Johnson still has the fire to compete, but new head coach Brad Childress says he's not going to trade him because of the increasing value for quality backup QBs in the NFL. Johnson gave the Vikings some qualilty production in 2005 when he stepped in for Daunte Culpepper and led the team on a run that fell just short of the playoffs. It's yet to be seen how Culpepper will come back from severe knee injury that he suffered this season, so Johnson may be a quality late round pickup when draft day rolls around. **************************************************
15.) Bengals QB Carson Palmer's knee injury could be considered 'career threatening'. Story *****************GEEKS TAKE*********************** Much has been made of the fact that the doctor said that this injury could be career ending. We aren't doctors but we'll play fantasy doctors for a moment. Don't go cutting Palmer in your keeper leagues just yet. In keeper leagues rookies are drafted and then they sit on our rosters for a year until they get their chance to start. Treat Palmer like a rookie. Keep him on your roster even if he doesn't start the season. When he's healthy, Palmer can carry your fantasy team so it's worth keeping the roster spot. Also, keep an eye on Jon Kitna. He suddenly becomes a player that the Bengals must resign this offseason. **************************************************
16.) Chargers QB Drew Brees says the team wants to work on a long-term deal. Story *****************GEEKS TAKE*********************** Word is that the Chargers CAN keep both Brees and Rivers on the roster, not that they WILL keep them both. The Chargers like Brees and if he didn't suffer the injury at the end of last year then you would probably see Rivers on another team. However, we get the feeling that the Chargers want to resign Brees and see how the rehab is going. If it's going well, then you could see them explore the option of trading Rivers. If the rehab isn't going too well then Rivers is a great insurance policy for the Chargers. What we do know is that if the Chargers were to franchise Brees like they did last year, then the Chargers would have around 20 million invested in their two quarterbacks. Yes, they can keep both of them, but we doubt that they want to keep both of them. **************************************************
17.) The Eagles give agent Drew Rosenhaus permission to seek a trade for WR Terrell Owens. Story *****************GEEKS TAKE*********************** Good Luck Drew! We don't think any team will make a serious trade offer and will most-likely wait for the much-maligned WR to be released. It will be interesting to see who takes a chance on this problem child, but some team is sure to do so. There is no doubt that he will be a fantasy threat, no matter what team he lands on, but it will be tricky to determine where to take him in next season's fantasy draft. **************************************************
18.) QB Jon Kitna says he will explore free agency. Story *****************GEEKS TAKE*********************** Kitna went from being on the fantasy equivalent of the planet Pluto to one of the most sought after quarterbacks this offseason. Cincinnati would really love to have him back in case Carson Palmer isn't ready to go at the beginning of the season. There is also talk that Baltimore will take a run at him. If Kitna becomes a starter somewhere then he will have fantasy value. It's been a couple of years since he started but he threw for almost 3600 yards and 26 touchdowns in his last year of starting. **************************************************
19.) The Ravens have a big offseason decision to make about their running backs. Story *****************GEEKS TAKE*********************** If you talk to Lewis he's pretty sure that the team wants him back and he even threw out the 'franchise' label. Jamal, you will not be franchised, which would pay Lewis around 6.5 million for a year. This could be one of those situations where the team lets the player explore his options and let him find out that there isn't as much interest in him than what he originally thought. Personally, we think that the Ravens are more interested in Chester Taylor. They thought so much of him that last year they matched a 3 million offer from Cleveland to keep Taylor. Keep an eye on this situation. If Taylor becomes the starter then his fantasy value skyrockets from where it was last year. **************************************************
20.) Titans WR Drew Bennett has arthroscopic knee surgery, but is expected back for minicamps. Story *****************GEEKS TAKE*********************** This will probably amount to no big deal. He's expect to be back for minicamps so by the time the regular season rolls around Bennett will be 100 percent. The Titans are very thin at receiver so they will be counting on big things from Bennett, like more than the 4 touchdowns he got last year. We will watch is progress closely. **************************************************
21.) The Lions may make a move to acquire Titans QB Billy Volek. Story *****************GEEKS TAKE*********************** This would be a great move by the Lions if they could pull it off. Volek needs an opportunity to show what he can do as a full-time NFL QB and Detroit may be a good place to show his skills. We think Volek has an opportunity to be a big sleeper for the 2006, depending on the team he lands on. He could really increase the fantasy value of guys like Roy and Mike Williams in Detroit and could be the signal-caller Detroit has been looking for, for the past 10 or so years. It's very early though, and we're sure there will be multiple teams interested in the services of Volek this offseason. **************************************************
22.) The Dolphins say they are open to the idea of trading RB Ricky Williams. Story *****************GEEKS TAKE*********************** This is one of those situations where what's good for the team isn't what's good for us fantasy owners. Sure, the Dolphins would be open to trading Ricky, but what is his value? If no one wanted to part with a second round draft pick to acquire Edgerrin James last year, then we can't see anyone parting with anything better than a third round pick for Ricky. We think that the Dolphins will stick with both Ricky and Ronnie this year which really hurts the fantasy value of both. **************************************************
23.) New Vikings coach, Brad Childress, says that Daunte Culpepper is his franchise QB. Story *****************GEEKS TAKE*********************** Childress is making the right move here. It's yet to be seen if Culpepper's 2005 performance was an aberration or a sign of things to come in the post-Randy Moss era in Minn, but he has to stick by his young and talented QB until he finds out for himself. Culpepper will also be coming off a severe knee injury and will need support from the team to come back. It will be interesting to see how the injury and a new coaching staff will affect the fantasy value of Culpepper. We think you may want to hold off and let someone else take a gamble on him in 2006. Returning from injury and having his third different offensive system in three years could really affect him next season. **************************************************
24.) The Bucs want to keep QB Chris Simms in town. Story *****************GEEKS TAKE*********************** Simms showed the Bucs a lot this year and there is a lot of interest in keeping him around to see what more he can do. As a fantasy prospect, we think his potential is limited. If given the option of him and Brian Griese, we'd have to go with Griese and that's not saying a lot. The Bucs need more players than Joey Galloway to step up on offense for the Bucs QB to be a serious fantasy threat. **************************************************
***************The Coaching Carousel******************* 1.) Surprise, surprise, Norv Turner has been fired by the Raiders Story 2.) The Saints have let go of head coach Jim Haslett. Story 3.) The Rams have fired HC Mike Martz. Story 4.) The Viking have fired HC Mike Tice. Story 5.) The Vikings have hired former Eagles OC Brad Childress to be their head coach. Story 6.) The Eagles have named Marty Mornhinweg as their new offensive coordinator. Story 7.) Dick Vermeil has retired as coach of the Chiefs. Story 8.) New Chief's coach, Herman Edwards, says he will not change the Chiefs offense. Story 9.) The Texans have parted ways with HC Dom Capers. Story 10.) The Packers have fired HC Mike Sherman. Story 11.) The Packers will be naming Mike McCarthy their new head coach. Story 12.) The Packers have hired Jeff Jagodzinski to be their offensive coordinator. Story 13.) Defensive coordinator Jim Bates will not be returning to the Packers in 2006. Story 14.) The Cardinals have hired a new offensive line coach. Story 15.) Mike Mularkey has resigned as head coach of the Buffalo Bills. Story 16.) Bill Parcells has signed a two-year extension with the Cowboys. Story 17.) The Jets will be naming Eric Mangini their new head coach. Story 18.) The Saints have hired Sean Payton to be their head coach. Story 19.) The Niners are expected to name Norv Turner their new offensive coordinator. Story 20.) The Lions have hired Rod Marinelli as their new head coach. Story 21.) The Patriots have name Dean Pees their new defensive coordinator. Story 22.) The Rams are expected to name Scott Linehan their new head coach. Story 23.) The Chargers have fired offensive line coach Carl Mauck. Story 24.) The Redskins have hired former Chiefs offensive coordinator Al Saunders to run their offense. Story 25.) The Chiefs have promoted Mike Solari to offensive coordinator and have retained three other offensive assistants. Story
Remember to stay up on all your Fantasy Football News with Huddlegeeks.com, your TOTAL source for Fantasy Football. Huddlegeeks.com, where football isn't a sport, it's an OBSESSION!! |
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Deep Sleeper of the Week CAR WR Drew Carter Geek to Avoid Pitt RB Willie Parker
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Fantasy Factoid.. Chiefs RB Larry Johnson has averaged over 151 yards per game in the last six games and scored 11TDs!! Can you guess who the No. 1 pick of next year's fantasy draft will be???
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