Consider adding Chargers WR Jackson

Posted: October 21st, 2010 | Michael Fabiano | Tags: Michael Fabiano, Vincent Jackson

NFL insider Jason La Canfora reports that Vincent Jackson will report to the San Diego Chargers on Friday, Oct. 29. He will be forced to sit out three games due to his Roster Exempt status, so Jackson won’t be eligible to play in an actual game until Week 12.

Considered a No. 1 fantasy wideout before his holdout, however, Jackson is well worth adding and stashing if you have the roster room. After all, it looks like he’ll be back on the field in time for the fantasy playoffs.

– Michael Fabiano

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Goodell discusses player safety during live chat

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell chatted live with fans on NFL.com Thursday, spending much of the chat discussing the league’s committment to player safety, the rules involing illegal hits and enforcing those rules during games.

Here’s a sample of some of the questions answered by Goodell:

Kelsey, North Carolina
Have you given any thought to donating the money from illegal hit fines to solving the neurological issues faced by retired players on both sides of the ball?

Goodell: Yes, Kelsey. In fact, player fine money that our office collects goes to the NFL players assistance trust and charitable initiatives supporting youth, education and sports-related medical research. We are investing in other ways in the overall concussion issue.

Chris, Kentucky
Do you think the new “hit rule” will change the game?

Goodell: Chris, it is not a new hit rule. The rule has not changed from the rule that was adopted this past spring by the membership after careful study by the competition committee. It is intended to take techniques out of the game that have had a higher risk of resulting in injury. We’ve done this over several decades to make the game safer while still maintaining the integrity of the game.

Andrew, Toronto
Mr. Goodell, You have stated player safety is one your highest priorities. Why then do you insist on extending the regular season by two games? There is a huge difference between meaningless exhibition games regular season games.

Goodell: Unfortunately, players get injured in preseason games. You always have to do what you can to make the game safer for the players. That includes the offseason, preseason, regular season and postseason. We are working closely with our players to do it right. We’re not proposing a change in the 20-game format, but fans have been outspoken in a lack of interest with our preseason. It’s similar to what we did in 1978 when we went from 14 regular season and six preseason to the existing 16 and four.

Daniel Lonergan, Missouri
Mr. Commissioner what are your thoughts on all the crazy responses about the illegal hits? Especially from James Harrison?

Goodell: Daniel, I have spoken to several players, including James Harrison and Brandon Meriweather, in the last 24 hours. I certainly respect their opinions and value their input. I appreciate the fact they call to give me their perspective. We recognize the game is fast, but we will continue to have our number one priority to be creating rules that will protect player safety and enforcing the rules we have in place.

Victor, Fresno, Ca
What are your thoughts on fans who say the NFL will be flag football in a couple of years?

Goodell: I couldn’t disagree more. Our game continues to be exciting and tough with record popularity. For decades we have made changes to the game and eliminated techniques that have made the game safer, and the reaction has been similar — that it will change the game forever. You can look at changes such as removing the clothesline, chop blocks, crack-back blocks and horse collar tackles, that have all improved the safety of the game. The game continues to flourish.

Here’s a link to the full chat transcript.

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Redskins TE Cooley limited in practice

Posted: October 20th, 2010 | Adam Rank | Tags: Washington Redskins, Chris Cooley, Fred Davis

Redskins TE Chris Cooley was limited in practice on Wednesday, taking part in light drills. But there is a hope that Cooley can practice on Thursday.

Cooley is no stranger to head injuries, having admitted playing with concussions. In fact, he said in a recent radio interview that he had lost a whole day because of concussions.

But you have to wonder if he will be able to get past the new concussion screening policies. This is something that most fantasy enthusiasts will need to monitor. Cooley owners should make sure to have TE Fred Davis as a backup plan, if you have not done so already.

– Adam Rank

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Adding Lynch gives Seahawks leg up in NFC West

One of the most intriguing teams in my mind right now is the Seattle Seahawks.

I watched the Seahawks get a big win, and an uncharacteristic win, on the road last week in Chicago. The team is an interesting storyline right now, especially in terms of how one player — Marshawn Lynch – can make such a big difference.

I really think the addition of Lynch clearly puts Seattle on the path right now in the very mediocre NFC West. Matt Hasselbeck may be the best quarterback in the division, and they’ve found a big receiver in Mike Williams (who had a career-high 10 receptions against the Bears), but the addition of Lynch gives them a big back between the tackles to play alongside the explosive Justin Forsett.

I give the Seahawks a great deal of credit for isolating Lynch and realizing they could get him for a pretty good price, and knowing just what a huge difference it would make on their team. There had been limited interest in Lynch because of some of his history, but he’s an intriguing young man.

Adding Lynch was just what the Seahawks needed offensively, and it really gives them one of the more balanced offenses in the league to go along with a defense that’s playing well right now.

One piece of that balance is the offensive line, and I have to note how impressed I was with rookie LT Russell Okung. The Seahawks did some things to help on Julius Peppers, but more than a handful of times Okung was matched-up one on one, and Peppers didn’t get a sniff. Peppers is playing well, so I credit most of this to Okung.

The Seahawks had played Okung, who missed the first three games with an ankle injury, only sparingly the previous week against the Rams, specifically so that his first game wasn’t on the road against Peppers. He only had about 10 days of practice before the Seahawks felt confident in him facing Peppers.

Things are very interesting in Seattle.

– Brian Billick

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Posted in: NFL Network  

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Was Dunta Robinson’s hit legal?

The NFL took its stance on several helmet-to-helmet hits during Week 6, fining three players a total of $175,000 on Tuesday. One of the players involved, Falcons CB Dunta Robinson, was fined $50,000 for his hit on Eagles WR DeSean Jackson that knocked both players out of Sunday’s game with injuries.

Robinson released a statement following the NFL’s announcement, saying he will appeal his fine.

“I am disappointed by the NFL’s ruling, I recognize the goal is to protect all players — from the Pee Wee level on up — however, this was a bang-bang hit situation where I did not lead with my helmet, and therefore I will appeal,” Robinson said in a statement. ”Although it was a violent hit, my hit did not violate the NFL’s rules, and I was playing the game the way I always have. I am not a dirty player and have never been characterized as one.”

You can view Robinson’s hit here, and make a judgement for yourself. Robinson’s hit on Jackson was violent, but whether it was illegal or not is certainly debatable, if not controversial.

In fact, three of our NFL Network analysts agree that Robinson’s hit was legal under the written rules.

“He leads with his shoulder, but not to the head area. He goes to the chest of Jackson,” Solomon Wilcots said. “That’s a bang-bang play. You can’t legislate this play, nor does he go to the head.”

“This is a violent hit to a defenseless player, however, it’s legal,” Mike Mayock said. “Was it a violent hit? Yes. Was he defenseless? Yes. However, [Robinson] leads with the shoulder into the sternum. … The way I see that hit, is you can’t legislate that hit out of football. I disagree with the interpretation there.”

While agreeing with the league’s stance, Charles Davis also believes Robinson’s hit was legal.

“I think he should appeal,” he said. “I don’t think he led with his head, I think he hit the receiver in the right spot, and did everything he could to protect himself. That’s the one I don’t get.”

– Frank Tadych

Posted in: NFL Network  

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Chargers’ Gates, Mathews, Floyd miss practice

Posted: October 20th, 2010 | Adam Rank | Tags: San Diego Chargers, Antonio Gates, Nate Kaeding, Ryan Mathews, Malcom Floyd, Kris Brown

A number of key Chargers missed practice on Wednesday. And to make matters worse, it was raining in San Diego, too.

Chargers TE Antonio Gates, RB Ryan Mathews and WR Malcom Floyd were absent from practice Wednesday, and even coach Norv Turner conceded that missing the first day makes it harder for the rest of the week. Although he was optimistic that Gates and Mathews are going to return to practice Thursday.

Turner, of course, was initially hopeful that Gates would be able to play Sunday against the Patriots. Floyd is most likely going to miss this week.

The Chargers also signed K Kris Brown, indicating that Nate Kaeding will not play.

– Adam Rank

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Saints RB Ivory a solid sleeper in Week 7

Posted: October 21st, 2010 | Michael Fabiano | Tags: Reggie Bush, Michael Fabiano, Chris Ivory

The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that Pierre Thomas (ankle) and Reggie Bush (knee) both missed practice on Thursday and “will almost certainly be unable to play” in Week 7.

That leaves fantasy owners to use Chris Ivory, who’s value is on the rise coming off a solid 154-yard performance against the Buccaneers. With a home matchup against the Browns next on the slate, Ivory should be seen as a very attractive flex starter in most formats.

The hardworking Tiffin product is still a free agent in close to 80 percent of leagues on NFL.com.

– Michael Fabiano

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