Two questions

I have a couple questions for you guys, and it would be nice if you would respond by adding a comment on here, but my email tfarmer45@yahoo.com also works fine. First, I'm wondering if anyone actually plays in a league that tracks points for Week 17. I was in a league like this a while back, but I think the commish basically screwed up. Wondering if studs and duds for this week would help or not.

Also, I'm looking for some feedback on this blog and the fantasy page on Saturdays. Would you guys like to see it back? What about a fantasy baseball page? Let me know your thoughts.

Lets be Frank

All fantasy football owners know about Frank Gore by now, and you knew all about him prior to this season if you read my preseason studs and duds.

Although this season isn’t over, I’m predicting a monster year for Gore next season, and for the rest of his career really. As Alexander and Larry Johnson age, Frank Gore will be hitting his peak years, and that’s partly why I would take Gore over any other running back besides LaDanian Tomlinson in a keeper/dynasty league.

If you need more reasons, look no further than the 49ers salary cap situation which figures to be one of the best in the NFL next season. San Francisco will be 42.1 million dollars under the cp next season according to Peter King and they expect to have eight picks in the first four rounds of the draft after the compensatory selections are handed out. This is great news for Gore and Alex Smith so jump on the bandwagon now before it gets full.

Results

The final results of the Bulletin Fantasy Challenge Championship Game are in. Woodstock's Ned Higgins beat me 81.92-81.83. That's .09 points. That's two yards. That is disgusting. Once again, thank you Bubba Franks.

If anyone else has any horror stories they would like to share, then help yourself.

Score update

I know some of you are following the Norwich Bulletin Fantasy Football Challenge closely, so here's an update. I hold a 1.23 point lead over Ned Higgins in the Championship game, but he has Chris Chambers going tommorow night and I have nobody. One 15 yard catch and I'm done. I have to hope he gets hurt or fumbles or something to have a chance.

The score righyt now is 81.83-80.6. I would like to say happy holidays to everyone besides for Bubba Franks who cost me 9.1 points this week on a holding call and a dropped touchdown from Brett Favre. I will NEVER forgive you for that Bubba. NEVER.

Tonight’s studs and duds

Studs

Anyone who is lucky enough to watch the game on television tonight despite the greedy minds in the corner offices of the National Football league

Donald Driver – Words can’t describe how bad the Vikings pass defense is. Expect Driver to light them up.

Chester Taylor – He’s back from injury and don’t worry about rust. Taylor should easily get 15 carries and a score.

Duds

Tavaris Jackson - A lot of rookies have had immediate impacts like Ben Roethlisberger last year or Matt Leinart in his first start this season. Don’t be fooled into thinking Jackson will do something similar tonight. Sure the frozen tundra has lost some of its luster in recent years, but it’s not the place you want to make your first NFL start.

Minnesota defense – With the aforementioned rookie signal caller behind center, there could be a lot of three and outs, which would put a lot of pressure on the Vikings defense. Rookie quarterbacks also tend to turn the ball over at inopportune times, so that could set the Packers up for some short drives.

Bad game plan

Rudi Johnson owners must have been drooling over the prospects of playing the Colts defense on Monday night football during fantasy football playoff time. Johnson had a decent game with 79 yards and a touchdown, but there was potential for so much more.

Last week Indianapolis allowed Fred Taylor and rookie Maurice Jones-Drew to destroy them and a week later Johnson only gets 22 carries? What is wrong with this picture? More importantly, what is wrong with Cincinnati’s coaching staff? Granted, the Bengals have one of the best passing games in football, but the Colts have allowed 2,427 yards rushing (almost 400 yards more than anyone else) and a league high 18 rushing touchdowns. Instead of kicking the Colts while they were down, the Bengals elected to let them off the hook by throwing the ball 28 times with Carson Palmer.

A 12-year-olds with enough experience playing Madden on a Playstation could have come up with a better game plan.

Championship time

For those following the Norwich Bulletin Fantasy Football Challenge, I have posted last weekend’s semifinal results so you don’t have to wait until Saturday’s paper.

Ned Higgins 99.49 over Stan Sims Sr. & Jr. 75.41

Tony Farmer 93.11 over Marty Reardon 69.25

Reardon and the Sims duo picked a bad week to have one of their worst performances all season. The victories by Higgins and I puts us into the championship game against each other. Higgins defeated me 127.06-84.25 in Week 7, and I’ll be looking for revenge this weekend.

Keep an eye on the Thursday games because I will start Greg Jennings, Ahman Green and Brett Favre against Minnesota and Higgins will start Donald Driver, Favre’s favorite weapon.

More studs n' duds

Studs

Braylon Edwards: So you’re worried because Edwards is playing against a tough Ravens defense, huh? Don’t be. Edwards showed Baltimore who was in charge with five catches, 116 yards and a score in Week 3.

Devery Henderson: Feed the hot hand. Henderson and Brees have been on fire lately and you can expect that to continue against Washington this week.

Duds

Matt Leinart: The rookie will look like one this week against Denver. Don’t start him unless you are desperate.

Joseph Addai – I expect the Peyton Manning to throw for a season-high in the attempts category and that’s not good for anyone in Indy’s backfield.

Thursday night fun

Below are my predictions for tonight’s game. Enjoy.

Must start: Frank Gore

Studs: Vernon Davis, Shaun Alexander, Maurice Morris

Duds: Both passing games and both kickers

Sleepers: Arnaz Battle, Bobby Engram

Note: This post was edited 45 minutes before kickoff to refelct changes based on a scary weather report.

Playoff picture

Below are the week 14 scores in the Bulletin Fantasy Football Challenge. This means that Norwich Bulletin Fantasy Football expert Tony Farmer will meet Marty Reardon in one semifinal game and regular season winner Ned Higgins will meet Stan Sims Sr. & Jr. for the other slot. To the eight non-playoff teams, thanks for playing.

Tony Farmer 119.17 – Joe Truman 105.32 *Game of the week
Stan Sims Sr. & Jr. 134.40 – Duane Maranda 79.03
Jemal Davis 77.7 – Rodney Blais 49.06
Marc Romano 90.92 – Don Benjamin 88.43
Frank Chester 126.59 – Marty Reardon 88.76
Ned Higgins 119.85 – Bryon McClellan 55.63

Desperate measures

Below you will find guys to pick up from the free agent pool if you are desperate for a sleeper in your playoffs because of one of the many injuries.

*JUSTIN GRIFFITH – He had 12 carries for 57 yards while filling in for Atlanta’s two injured backs on Sunday and he could be starting next week if those guys don’t heal quick. He is a fullback so his size automatically makes him a decent goal line threat.

*JAMAL JONES - He caught two big passes (one officially) after Marques Colston went out with an injury. So many receivers are coming out of New Orleans, so why not him?

* MIKE KARNEY – I really don’t think there is anything to make of his three touchdown performance last week, but the title of this entry is “desperate measures.”

Are you ready for some football?

Here's a little bit of what I expect Monday night.

Studs: Jeff Wilkins, Torry Holt, Thomas Jones

Duds: Desmond Clark, Rex Grossman

Sleeper: Brian Griese

More weekend advice

*Donald Driver should do some damage to a banged up 49ers secondary, so expect a big day for him, Favre and kick Dave Raymer.

*I expect Lee Evans to have a great day Sunday.

*Jason Campbell will look horrendous against the Eagles so don’t start him or any of his receivers, including Moss. Chris Cooley, might have a decent day though. Jeff Garcia should have a great day against the Skins who have allowed a league high 23 touchdowns and collected a league low five interceptions.

*The Giants’ defense is getting healthy and have a great opportunity against the Panthers, who will likely be starting Chris Weinke. It would be Weinke’s first start in four years and there’s a reason he’s been sitting the bench.

* Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson should both have big games against the Rams, who rank near the bottom of the league in rush defense.

*Sleepers of the week: Joe Nedney and Kevin Faulk.

Weekend tips

I hope nobody is depending on a big game from Peyton Manning or the Colts receivers. If you are, I suggest taking a look at Manning’s numbers against the Jaguars earlier this year: 14-for-31 with 219 yards and one touchdown. Although he did bounce back with a nice game, last season against the Jaguars Manning went 13-for-28 with no touchdowns, an interception and a season-low 122 yards. In other words, Manning has completed less than 50 percent of his passes against Jacksonville two out of the last three times he has faced them. Making matters worse, I expect the Jaguars to give Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew the ball all day Sunday which will stretch the clock and give the Colts offense fewer opportunities.

*There is opportunity for some great offensive production in San Francisco. Ahman Green and Frank Gore should both top 100 yards and each quarterback is in position for their best game of the season. Both defenses are weak and that’s also good news for Dave Raymer and Joe Nedney owners.

*Javon Walker owners who were cheering the benching of Jake Plummer are nowhere to be seen now. It will be very interesting to see what Walker does against a good defense (San Diego) Sunday. If he struggles again, you may want to consider benching Walker in the playoffs.

*Another game that should be full of offensive production and fun to watch is the Sunday night game between New Orleans and Dallas. With or without Joe Horn or Marques Colston, I expect the Saints to be throwing deep all night and the Cowboys should have plenty of success running. Once again, I expect another good day for both kickers.

Power play

I really like the Steelers defense tomorrow night against the Browns. Some might be wondering why I’m endorsing starting Pittsburgh after it needed a late rally to beat Cleveland 24-20 just three short weeks ago. Well not only are the Steelers a good start, I believe they will have one of the three best defensive performances by weeks end.

First off, 14 of those 20 points came off of special teams and defensive plays so the Steelers defense really only allowed six points that day. Second, the Browns will either be starting an injured Charlie Frye or Derek Anderson who would be making his first career start. This is the kind of news that gets defenses fired up.

In that last meeting the Steelers collected four sacks, which is pretty impressive considering they were trailing much of the game. Expect a different script this time around as the Steelers will be the ones leading and their defense will benefit tremendously. Last week the Steelers put up a dominant performance against the Bucs and you can expect much of the same tomorrow.

Notes from Sunday

*The Jay Cutler decision was a mistake. The unfortunate thing for Broncos fans is that there is virtually no chance Jake Plummer is re-named the starter because Denver coach Mike Shanahan needs to save face. For Javon Walker owners like myself, this is very bad news.

*Ben Utecht found the endzone for the first time this season as I predicted, but his moment of glory was stripped from him by the men in stripes. Bad call.

*Maurice Jones-Drew continues to make owners look smart while simultaneously being a thorn in the side of Fred Taylor owners. The undersized change of pace back has now scored a touchdown in three-straight games and in five of his last seven contests.

*Matt Jones had a great day with six catches and 128 yards, but I think anyone who claims to have a solid understanding of Jacksonville’s passing attack is a liar.

*Rex Grossman has fallen apart so fast. If Brian Griese doesn’t get the start soon, I think Grossman ought to invest in a body guard.

The thorn

It seems every time I play Brian Westbrook he burns me. It doesn’t matter if it’s a playoff game in a serious league or a meaningless game in a for-fun league, because Brian Westbrook will go off and dominate my team.

I haven’t actually done this, but if you look up Westbrook’s five greatest games of his career I would be willing to bet I played against him in important leagues in all five games. It’s a helpless feeling like. It’s kind of the baseball fan of a team with no closer, you know a loss is coming and it will be painful, but you just have to watch.

I bring this up for a couple reasons. One, the fantasy world is loaded with slang words like “handcuffs” borrowed from everyday language. I think it’s about time we made a word for that one annoying player who always hurts you. I suggest that word is “thorn” so do your best to spread it. I also bring this up because I play Westbrook Monday night with a marginal lead so when he goes off, I want you all to be thinking about me.

Lastly, I want to know who your thorn is. If you have any stories of one particular person destroying your hopes over and over, let’s hear it.

Check forecasts

Sometimes weather.com can be a fantasy owner’s best friend. Obviously passing attacks and kicking games will be hampered by snow and wind so keep that in mind while I break down some forecasts for this weekend’s contests according to the aforementioned website.

Seattle at Denver – Mainly sunny with a high of 30 degrees (No worries).

New York Jets at Green Bay – 30 percent chance of snow, high of 26 degrees (Keep an eye on this one).

San Diego at Buffalo – 10-20 MPH winds, “a slushy accumulation of around one inch” 40 percent chance of snow. That doesn’t sound good, Lee Evans, J.P. Losman and Phillip Rivers owners.

Minnesota at Chicago – Scattered snow flurries, 10-15 MPH wind. (doesn’t sound too bad).

Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh – No precipitation expected.

Thursday games

I don't think NFL fans are upset enough about this whole Thursday night game for Direct TV customers only deal. I am livid. How the NFL could totally leave millions of customers in the dark every Thursday for the rest of the season is beyond me.

I use the word customers because that's what we are. Chances are if you're reading this you have a half dozen or more items in your home which have an NFL logo on it. If you do that means you've given the NFL some of your hard earned cash. They pay you back by taking games away from you. Not cool.