http://www.rtsports.com/ RealTime Fantasy Sports Fantasy Football News en-us Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:42:00 GMT 2009 RTSports.com 60 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048044 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048044 DAVIE, Fla. (AP) - Twice Ted Ginn Jr. left the New York Jets stumbling and lunging, grasping at and gasping for air. With moves like that, maybe he can shake his reputation yet. Ginn scored on consecutive kickoff returns of 100 and 101 yards, an unprecedented feat that took a total of 31 seconds. He's that fast. His many detractors might call him the fastest draft bust in Miami Dolphins history. RTSports.com 2009-11-07T00:04-05:00 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048043 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048043 BEREA, Ohio (AP) -Just hours after Cleveland's fired general manager walked down the front steps in disgrace carrying his belongings in travel bags, two disgruntled fans climbed the same steps inside the team's headquarters for a meeting with the team's camera-shy owner. One of them wore a plastic dog bone hat. He used to go to games dressed as a french fry. Welcome to the bizarre world of the Browns. Once a flagship NFL franchise, now seen as a farce. The Oakland Raiders of the Midwest. RTSports.com 2009-11-07T00:02-05:00 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048042 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048042 ATLANTA (AP) -The Atlanta Falcons are eager to break free of their mostly inglorious past, show they can be a team that consistently puts up winning records and contends for the playoffs. Time to end that losing streak. For the first time in Mike Smith 's two years as coach, the Falcons have lost consecutive games. Certainly, there's no need for panic - Atlanta lost a pair of road games to Dallas (5-2) and unbeaten New Orleans - but this franchise's mostly grim 43-year history raises doubts any time there's the least bit of adversity. RTSports.com 2009-11-07T00:02-05:00 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048041 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048041 NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Jake Delhomme has several reasons to love the Saints. They were the team of his south Louisiana childhood, the first NFL team to put him on a roster, and ever since he left, he's been able to beat them with regularity. The quarterback is 8-2 against New Orleans since joining the Panthers in 2003. RTSports.com 2009-11-07T00:02-05:00 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048040 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048040 ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -When Tom Cable was hired as interim coach of the Oakland Raiders last year, owner Al Davis memorably whispered to a subordinate that he did not know much about him. Davis needed a media guide biography before introducing him. Just over 13 months later, the Raiders have learned quite a bit about their coach - much of it troublesome. From the allegations this summer that Cable assaulted defensive assistant Randy Hanson and broke his jaw, to other disturbing charges that surfaced in the past week that Cable has a history of violence toward women, the portrait being painted of the Raiders coach has been mostly negative. RTSports.com 2009-11-07T00:02-05:00 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048039 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048039 DENVER (AP) -The showdown between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos on Monday night features two of the AFC's top teams, a couple of the hardest-hitting defenses in the league and a pair of the NFL's brightest young coaching minds. Hired when he was 34, Mike Tomlin won a Super Bowl in just his second season in Pittsburgh last year after guiding the Steelers to a division title and a playoff berth in his first season. He is 30-13 since replacing Bill Cowher in 2007, including 5-2 this season. RTSports.com 2009-11-07T00:02-05:00 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048038 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048038 FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) - Vince Wilfork had a quick reaction when he first lined up against Miami's strange formation: Huh? ``It was shocking,'' New England's nose tackle said. ``We really didn't know what they were doing.'' The Dolphins were doing the wildcat, unpacking it for the first time when they visited Foxborough in the third game last season. It worked very well: four touchdowns in six plays in a 38-13 win that ended the Patriots' NFL record 21-game regular-season winning streak. RTSports.com 2009-11-07T00:02-05:00 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048037 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048037 EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -Having been to the playoffs the past four years, the New York Giants have rarely referred to a game as must-win unless it was in the postseason. Things have changed dramatically with three straight losses, and more than one Giant is putting Sunday's game with the San Diego Chargers into the better-not-lose category. Forget that the contest will mark the first time Eli Manning and Philip Rivers face each other since the draft-day trade in which the Giants obtained the No. 1 overall pick from the Chargers for the rights to Rivers, who was the No. 4 pick, and three other draft choices, including one which turned out to be linebacker Shawne Merriman . RTSports.com 2009-11-07T00:02-05:00 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048036 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048036 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -This could be the week Matt Cassel keeps his jersey clean. Cassel has been sacked 24 times in six starts, including 19 the last four games, and has been hurried and knocked down even more often. The Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4) could offer him some relief when they host Kansas City (1-6) on Sunday. RTSports.com 2009-11-07T00:02-05:00 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048035 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048035 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Alex Smith and Vince Young have crossed paths on several occasions at NFL functions. They've offered each other some encouraging words during the difficult times, like after each lost his starting job. The once highly touted quarterbacks' NFL fates have taken a similar bumpy road, and now they're both back behind center, ready to square off Sunday when Young's Tennessee Titans come to San Francisco to take on Smith and the 49ers. ``That's how we are as quarterbacks. We stick together,'' Young said. ``I have much respect for Alex. I saw him a while back and he always has inspiring words for me, and I give him the same inspiring words when I see him. I know what he was going through, and I'm pretty sure he knows what I was going through. We both were being very patient and just waiting for when coach makes that move. And when we get in there, we want to make the best of it.'' RTSports.com 2009-11-07T00:02-05:00 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048034 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048034 CINCINNATI (AP) - Ray Lewis took aim and a delivered a jarring hit intended to do more than break up a pass. In his bruising style, the Ravens linebacker was trying to wrap up a win. Didn't work out that way. When Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco - one of Lewis' longtime friends - smacked the ground and lost his tiger-striped helmet, a yellow flag landed at the point of impact. The high hit drew a 15-yard penalty that aided Cincinnati's drive for a last-minute touchdown and a 17-14 win in Baltimore last month. RTSports.com 2009-11-07T00:02-05:00 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048032 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048032 TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -Rookie quarterback Josh Freeman wiped the sweat off his forehead, took a deep breath and answered another question about taking over the offense of the only team yet to win a game in the NFL. Ready or not, the 17th pick in this year's draft will make his first start for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, facing the Green Bay Packers (4-3) on a day the Bucs (0-7) will reflect on the past while looking to the future. Hall of Famer Lee Roy Selmon will become the first inductee into the Ring of Honor at Raymond James Stadium, and the Bucs will don throwback creamsicle uniforms and helmets that are an ugly reminder of the franchise's winless inaugural season in 1976. RTSports.com 2009-11-07T00:02-05:00 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048031 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048031 A movie about Baltimore Ravens rookie Michael Oher is due to hit the theaters later this month, with actor Quinton Aaron playing the role of the rags-to-riches offensive lineman out of Mississippi. Oher's teammate, veteran center Matt Birk , was asked to guess who would be cast in a movie about himself. ``As a kid, Alfred E. Newman,'' said Birk, a 6-foot-4, 309-pound redhead. ``Then as a young man, Carrot Top, for his physique. And then later on in life I would be played by Ron Howard.'' RTSports.com 2009-11-07T00:02-05:00 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048029 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048029 ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -It wasn't that long ago, in the springtime of the Buffalo Bills ' offseason, when T.O.-mania was in its infancy. A buzz of hope bloomed around town that this franchise might finally be relevant again. Where have all the good times gone? ``That's self-explanatory,'' defensive tackle Marcus Stroud said. ``They went with the losses.'' RTSports.com 2009-11-07T00:02-05:00 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048028 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048028 EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) - Brett Favre 's unfathomable season in Minnesota could be analyzed like a corporate earnings report. Through two quarters, the Vikings are meeting - or beating - expectations. How, then, will Favre fare in the next half of the 2009 season given his recent performances of fading down the stretch? The answer won't come until later, but Favre could not have done more to fuel confidence in his ability to hold up. RTSports.com 2009-11-07T00:02-05:00 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048027 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048027 PHILADELPHIA (AP) -They have played each other with both a Super Bowl and a playoff spot at stake. There was the ``Bounty Bowl,'' Emmitt Smith getting stuffed, Eagles fans cheering for a motionless Michael Irvin, and Terrell Owens stoking controversy for each side. Dallas and Philadelphia have lined up against each other 99 times in games that have forged one of the most heated rivalries in the NFL. Somehow it seems fitting the 100th meeting would have something significant on the line. RTSports.com 2009-11-07T00:02-05:00 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048025 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048025 CHICAGO (AP) -There's no truth to the notion Jay Cutler will turn green with envy, if not Cardinals red, at the sight of the receivers on the other side when the Chicago Bears host Arizona on Sunday. No offense to Larry Fitzgerald or Anquan Boldin , he likes what he has. ``I think we're fine in that area,'' Cutler said. ``I think we have three or four very reliable if not above-average guys who can go out there and make things happen. They're a young group. I think that's may be their only fault, but they're not playing like they're young. They're doing good things out there.'' RTSports.com 2009-11-07T00:02-05:00 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048024 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/0800048024 INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -The Houston Texans spent all decade dreaming of this opportunity. All they really wanted was a chance to establish themselves as a playoff contender and finally take down their old nemesis, the Indianapolis Colts . On Sunday, they could do both. At 5-3 and on a three-game winning streak, Houston looks like the only AFC South team capable of challenging Indy for division superiority - and it's never had a better shot to beat the Colts. RTSports.com 2009-11-07T00:02-05:00 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/kffl-110892 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/kffl-110892 In this article KFFL breaks down fantasy football busts of the week. Some high-level players will be included, because you need to know when is time to sit a player even though it may not seem appropriate. Primarily, however, we will address the midrange to low-end fantasy options that you rack your brain over each week. Read on to learn which of these players that you wouldn't want in your lineup. Note: All statistics are from Week 5 to Week 8, unless otherwise noted. Fantasy football busts: Place kickers Mason Crosby, Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Fantasy value: Midrange No. 1 Crosby has attempted 3.00 field goals per game over the last month (three games). However, his accuracy hasn't been there with just seven makes of those nine attempts. He hasn't missed an extra point in that time, though. That should help against the Bucs, who are allowing 4.33 extra points per game to this position in the last month (three games) - the most in the league in that time. Extra points might be Crosby's only way to contribute this week; the Buccaneers have allowed just 0.33 field goal attempts per game over the last month. Green Bay should score a ton of points, just not many through the uprights. NEW - Nate Kaeding, San Diego Chargers at New York Giants Fantasy value: Midrange No. 1 Kaeding has been hit or miss this year with his attempts: In three games he has one or fewer attempts while in the other four he has four attempts. When he gets them, he has been accurate, connecting on 15 of 18 on the year. The Giants have allowed 4.00 extra point attempts per game. Field goals have been a different story, though, with just 0.75 attempts allowed per game. It's hard to sit or release Kaeding, who has been one of the top kickers this year, but you shouldn't expect a big week from him in New York. Nick Folk, Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles Fantasy value: No. 1 or bench Since Dallas' Week 7 bye, Folk has attempted five field goals, connecting on four, and has converted all nine of his extra point attempts. Those points coincide with the Cowboys' turnaround on offense. The Eagles have allowed just 4.8 kicking points per game over the last month. The other important averages: 1.25 field goal attempts and 1.75 extra point attempts allowed per game in that time. RTSports.com 2009-11-05T15:40-05:00 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/kffl-110891 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/kffl-110891 In this article KFFL breaks down fantasy football busts of the week. Some high-level players will be included, because you need to know when is time to sit a player even though it may not seem appropriate. Primarily, however, we will address the midrange to low-end fantasy options that you rack your brain over each week. Read on to learn which of these players that you wouldn't want in your lineup. Note: All statistics are from Week 5 to Week 8, unless otherwise noted. Fantasy football busts: Tight ends Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers Fantasy value: Midrange No. 1  Shockey has been one of the most consistent targets in New Orleans' offense; he has between four and six receptions in every game this year. Last week he finished with 72 yards on five receptions. Against Carolina last year, Shockey enjoyed one of his better games, finishing with five receptions for 50 yards. The Panthers have allowed the fewest receptions (2.25) and receiving yards (19.3) per game to this position over the last month. They've also allowed just one receiving touchdown to the position in that time. The Panthers' D has improved over the last month, partly due to adding defensive tackle Hollis Thomas and free safety Sherrod Martin to the starting lineup; Carolina forced fix turnovers from the Arizona Cardinals last week. They might not be able to stop the Saints' offense, but they could slow them down. NEW - Brent Celek, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys Fantasy value: No. 1 or flex Celek has racked up 15 receptions, 202 receiving yards and one touchdown catch in the last month; included in that is a game where he finished with eight receiving yards. He had at least 58 receiving yards in each of his other games. Dallas has allowed just 3.33 receptions and 36.0 receiving yards per game to this position. They also haven't allowed a receiving score to this position since Week 4. They've done a good job against some solid tight ends, too. Dallas held the Atlanta Falcons' Tony Gonzalez to just four receptions for 37 yards. The Seattle Seahawks' John Carlson had just three receptions for 36 yards against them, too. RTSports.com 2009-11-05T15:40-05:00 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/rtfs-629 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/rtfs-629 Not sure how this is happening at the halfway point of the season, but there aren't a ton of injuries to report this week. Sure, we have some guys dinged and a few out for the season, but for the most part, the list of marquee players is surprisingly small for this time of the year. We know this can change in a hurry, though, so enjoy it while you can. Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions . Johnson already is taking part in practice this week, which is a good sign. The Lions are cautiously optimistic Johnson will be ready to go this week. His knee injury is progressing pretty well. At this point, expect Johnson to play, barring a setback late in the week. Donald Brown, RB, Colts . Brown remains slowed by a shoulder injury. He thought he could play last week, but was held out of action. Brown seems to have a decent shot at returning, but nothing is certain until we see how much he is able to practice this week. Consider Brown a game-time decision for Week 9. Joseph Addai would get almost all of the work at running back if Brown is out, again. RTSports.com 2009-11-05T13:53-05:00 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/rtfs-628 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/rtfs-628 Every season there are a few waiver-wire gems that turn out to be difference-makers for fantasy teams. Last season guys like Eddie Royal and Pierre Thomas were the big pickups for fantasy teams. Royal was good from about day one, serving as a top No. 2 receiver for fantasy teams. Thomas wasn't a big factor until later in the season, but was a top-five fantasy back the second half of the year. If you can find a guy like that during the season that you didn't draft, it can give you a big advantage over the other teams. Why do I bring this up now? Well, Ryan Moats is a guy many think could fit this bill. We will touch on him later in the column but here is a tease - we aren't so sold on him. A few guys that have been great pickups for fantasy teams this season, though, are Giants receivers Steve Smith and Mario Manningham, running back Rashard Mendenhall and receiver Miles Austin. For now, Smith is leading the way for his consistency this season. But Austin seems the guy most capable of carrying a fantasy team any given week. He could have a finish like Thomas last season. Either way, if you got one of these guys, it gave your roster a nice boost. Nothing is ever certain with waive-wire grabs, though. Not everyone pans out (i.e. James Davis, Byron Leftwich). Just keep that in mind. There is a reason these guys are on waivers to begin with. RTSports.com 2009-11-05T13:52-05:00 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/rtfs-627 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/rtfs-627 Who would have thought at the start of the season that a Week 9 matchup between Baltimore and Cincinnati would have such high stakes attached to it? And even if you DID have that kind of foresight, who would have thought that the Bengals would currently be holding the upper hand? Well, that's exactly what we have. Right now, Cincinnati sits at 5-2 atop the AFC North. In fact, they are tied with Pittsburgh, and it's hard to see how any teams could be more similar at this point: They are both 5-2, Cincinnati has scored 163 points, Pittsburgh has scored 167; and the Bengals have allowed 128 points while the Steelers have allowed 129. RTSports.com 2009-11-03T17:38-05:00 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/rtfs-626 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/rtfs-626 The pass-happy NFL took a backseat to some huge rushing performances in Week 8. We had several backs carry their team to victory, which was a shift from the pass-first trend that has ruled the day most of this season. Before the Monday night game, there actually was just one 300-yard passer (Peyton Manning), and he didn't even score a touchdown. We did have some quarterbacks post some good touchdown totals, though, as four quarterbacks had three or more scores. But rushing still ruled the day Sunday. We had six 100-yard rushers with four of those guys rushing for 149 or more yards. There even was a 200-yard rusher (Chris Johnson). These guys carried fantasy teams this week. We also had six backs with two or more scores. We still don't see the newfound rushing success as a trend, though. Teams should continue to throw often, but don't be surprised to see a few more big rushing games take place as the weather gets cold. Rushing games usually get a little more of a workout during the bad weather months. RTSports.com 2009-11-05T13:52-05:00 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/rtfs-625 http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/rtfs-625 The following is a list of all the inactive players for Week 8. It will be updated continuously until the start of the games. 1:00 Games Cleveland : CB Anthony Madison, OG Billy Yates, PK Billy Cundiff, QB Brett Ratliff, RB Chris Jennings, CB Gerard Lawson, TE Greg Estandia, TE Robert Royal. RTSports.com 2009-11-02T19:34-05:00