Roto Arcade - Fantasy

  • Brad and Andy return live this week to answer your questions and discuss their flames, lames and deep names for Week 11. Submit your questions for a very special Wednesday night edition of the "Fantasy Freak Show" via email (Please include name/city) at freakshow670@yahoo.com.You can also dial the studio line starting at 8:30 PM PT/10:30 PM CT/11:30 PM ET at 312-644-6767 or text us at 67011. You can also follow the show, and the Noise, via Twitter.


    Each week the Noise highlights eight somewhat obscure, unobvious names who he believes are destined for flame madness or lame sadness. Being an accountability advocate, he will tally his hits and misses and post the results, whether genius or moronic, each week using the scoring system posted here.

    More Noise: Turkey T.O. Not Cooked Yet

    FLAMES (Started in 60 percent or fewer of Y! Plus leagues)

    Jay Cutler, Chi, QB (Noise QB Rank: 9, Start: All Leagues, 45% started)

    Matchup: at Min

    Barrages of poison-tipped darts have been blown at Cutler by the local and national media over the past few days. In their eyes, the Chicago fire of 1871 was less of a disaster. Everyone has donned their Freudian hats in an attempt to explain the quarterback's ungraceful, Grossmanesque downfall. Some have idiotically gone as far as calling him an "average player." The overthrows and misreads are entirely on No. 6 – mechanically he is certainly flawed – but without a suitable stable of receivers and even average offensive line, failure is hard to dodge. Many would say his matchup with Minnesota is less than desirable. Jared Allen and his QB harassing cohorts should have a field day. But the Vikings are susceptible to the pass. On the season they've allowed 258.3 passing yards and 1.4 touchdowns per contest to signal callers. More importantly, the Norsemen have picked off just one pass since Week 5. Cutler will be pestered. The running game will undoubtedly struggle. The Bears, who defensively are a mess, will likely be playing from behind. If the admonished passer can establish an early cadence and find Matt Forte in the flat, the cooker will depressurize, at least temporarily.

    Fearless Forecast: 28-48, 304 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, 13 rushing yards, 23 fantasy points

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  • Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:02 pm EST

    Fantasy Freak Show pregame, Week 12

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    Please join us for a special WEDNESDAY NIGHT edition of the Yahoo! Fantasy Freak Show on The Score WSCR-AM 670. We'll be on the air beginning at 10:30 pm CT, previewing Week 12 matchups, responding to your pesky questions. Tonight's musical guest will be 38 Special. And if they can't make it, Kenny Rogers. (Unless he's dead. Not sure).

    Email your questions now to freakshow670@yahoo.com, or wait until showtime and give us a call at 312-644-6767. Or if you're a coward, send a text to 67011. Emailers, please include your name and city.

    CLICK HERE TO LISTEN LIVE TO WSCR-AM 670

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    Photo via Getty Images

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  • Wed Nov 25, 2009 5:23 am EST

    Court Report: Where's T-Mac?

    T-Mac says he's ready, but the Rockets disagree; that intrigue, plus updates on Biedrins, Rip, and Tyrus in your late Tuesday bullets...

    • Tracy McGrady went through his first full practice of the season Monday without any complications, meaning he's at least a bit closer to seeing the floor than he was previously. That's about as much clarity as the situation got in the 24 hours or so since. McGrady admitted that he needs to work on his fitness level and get back in game "rhythm", but added that he feels ready to go whenever the Rockets want him to:

    "I feel I can play, but the coach and the GM obviously feel different. They run this team and until they feel I'm ready to play, then I guess I'll be watching."

    The team (by way of assistant coach Elston Turner) reiterated its stance in regards to getting him back on the active roster, treating this first practice like the start of his training camp:

    "What athlete, what former All-Star, wouldn't want to play? He's gone through a major surgery and he is coming back and it's a process to get him back on the court full time. But when you're building a team, there's chemistry that develops so when he does come back we would like him to be back -- instead of in a week, out a week. He went though through the workout today, he started and he finished but it’s still a process and we have to bring him back slowly."

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  • Brad and Andy return live this week to answer your questions and discuss their flames, lames and deep names for Week 11. Submit your questions for a very special Wednesday night edition of the "Fantasy Freak Show" via email (Please include name/city) at freakshow670@yahoo.com.You can also dial the studio line starting at 8:30 PM PT/10:30 PM CT/11:30 PM ET at 312-644-6767 or text us at 67011. You can also follow the show, and the Noise, via Twitter.


    On Wednesday, "Courage," a white turkey from Princeton, North Carolina, will be spared from Ted Washington's dinner plate in an annual ceremony conducted by the President. After receiving his pardon, the fortunate fowl will be whisked away to Disneyland where he will serve as grand marshal of the Thanksgiving Day parade before establishing permanent residence in Mickey's Frontierland.

    The flightless bastard simply doesn't deserve it.

    Most analysts unanimously agree he was placed in a situation any average bird could excel in – plentiful feed, ironclad fence, nourishing farming environment and, most importantly, a competent caretaker. Only products from USC come from more nurturing programs.

    This year's Most Valueless Turkey, Terrell Owens, unlike the emancipated gobbler, may not possess a fleshy wattle or be surrounded by ideal circumstances, but he's certainly a better candidate for a presidential pardon than the Butterball from NC.

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  • Tue Nov 24, 2009 12:14 pm EST

    Early Position Ranks, Week 12

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    You'll find our deadly accurate Week 12 ranks below, in the traditional Arcade spreadsheet colors (black, gray, mouthwash blue). Most serious fantasy matchups will be decided on Monday night when New England visits New Orleans. All other games are merely appetizers.

    Thursday's menu features a big pile of ick (GB at DET, OAK at DAL, NYG at DEN), but it's obviously not without fantasy merit. Let's rank, then discuss…

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  • Tue Nov 24, 2009 12:01 pm EST

    Caught on Tape: Week 12 fantasy pickups

    The market for bootleg fantasy videos is out of control. Profits are threatened. In fact, according to recent FSTA estimates, the fantasy industry lost tens of billions of dollars in 2008 due to the illegal distribution of pirated sit/start videos. True fact.

    Please, stop buying low-resolution fantasy DVDs from the dude at the expressway exit. You'll find video of the highest quality (and the usual sketchy advice) right here...

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    Almost went with Rams WR Brandon Gibson(notes) there, following the 17-target week. But he wasn't exactly sure-handed in Week 11 and Kyle Boller(notes) will be his quarterback on Sunday. 

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  • On Sundays, I watch football and take notes. On Mondays, I come here and whip up a ghoulash. Sit down for a spell and let's digest Week 11.

    There's a lot of fantasy frustration buzzing about with the Pierre Thomas situation in New Orleans, but don't pin all the blame on Sean Payton. Save a little bit for yourself, PT owner.

    Our numbers racket isn't limited to scouting the players – our make-believe thing is about situations, game flow, coaching tendencies and the like. Yes, Thomas sure looks like the best back in New Orleans, he's jumped off the screen for two years now. But let's stop acting surprised when Thomas doesn't get a host of carries in any given game. Thomas is averaging just 13 carries per start in 2009, and he hasn't hit the 20 mark yet. For whatever reason, Payton doesn't want to burden Thomas with a heavy workload, and he keeps funneling scoring chances to his other backs (that's Mike Bell leaping to glory above, and Reggie Bush was on a touchdown binge before sitting out in Week 11).

    Mind you, if Bell keeps doing the airborne thing 2-3 times a game, he'll have a hard time staying healthy for the balance of the year. And perhaps Payton is just looking to keep Thomas fresh, mindful of the fact that the Saints might have to play full-out for all 17 weeks to secure the NFC's top seed. Heavier touch counts might be ahead for Thomas if things break right, but at this point in time, it doesn't look like Payton will go in that direction by choice. Accept it for what it is.

    Kansas City's victory over Pittsburgh was a fun game and it added some juice to 2009 Survivor, but let's not misread the flukiness factor at play. Pittsburgh had 27 first downs, KC had 13. The Steelers outgained the Chiefs, 401-214. While you credit the Chiefs for forcing three turnovers and scoring on special teams, it's more important to be able to matriculate the ball down the field (or stop the other guys from doing the same). Look for order to be restored next week – San Diego will beat Kansas City soundly.

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    Here's your Eagles-Bears recap in 100 words or less, because the blogger would like to move on. L'Ours est mort. Vive l'Ours!

    Jay Cutler threw four fewer interceptions in Week 11 than he did in Week 10, but Chicago finished on a disturbingly similar note. Cutler's final pass was picked, guaranteeing a four-point loss. He overthrew Greg Olsen, Devin Hester and Johnny Knox on routes that should have gone for touchdowns. Eagles RB LeSean McCoy had an excellent game (20-99-1), despite losing a fumble. DeSean Jackson scored again from 40-plus. Asante Samuel suffered a stinger that requires an MRI. The turf was in terrible shape for no obvious reason. For the fifth time this season, Matt Forte gained less than 3.0 YPC. 

    There. Hope you learned something. Let's bullet…

    http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_fantasy_experts__21/ept_sports_fantasy_experts-133494223-1258991730.jpg?ymyREQCDf1HKAEAlSteve Slaton will start for Houston on Monday night against the Titans. For now, Ryan Moats returns to the sideline. You probably won't believe this, but Slaton fumbled twice against Tennessee back in Week 2 and he ran for just 2.0 yards per carry. [Houston Chronicle]

    http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_fantasy_experts__21/ept_sports_fantasy_experts-133494223-1258991730.jpg?ymyREQCDf1HKAEAlLadell Betts reportedly tore both his ACL and MCL in the loss to Dallas, ending his season after a pair of useful games. Clinton Portis (concussion) is not expected to be active in Week 12, so veteran Rock Cartwright becomes the week's most obvious fantasy pickup. Expect Washington to add some uninteresting depth at running back this week. [Adam Schefter]

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  • Sun Nov 22, 2009 8:33 pm EST

    Court Report: Week 5 Dashboard

    Schedule Breakdown

    Four-game teams: DAL, DEN, LAC, MEM, MIL, MIN, NJN, NYK, ORL, PHI, POR, SAC, SAS, TOR

    Three-game teams: ATL, BOS, CHA, CLE, DET, GSW, HOU, IND, LAL, MIA, OKC, PHO, UTH, WAS

    Two-game teams: CHI, NOR

    Also see: Basketball Monster's ease rankings and Rotowire's value meter

    Pickups/Plug-ins

    • Chris Andersen – For all the talk of how disappointing Andersen's production has been, he's still averaged 6.8 boards and 1.4 blocks in just 22 minutes while dealing with knee tendinitis. The knee is getting better and, from a matchup standpoint, you can't do any better than the Nuggets in Week 5 (NJN, @MIN, NYK, MIN).

    • Anthony Morrow – Morrow has been up and down since joining the Warriors' starting five, but overall he's been solid in November (13.2 points on 56/56/90, 2.3 threes, 4 boards, and 1.1 steals in 32 minutes) and the playing time isn't going anywhere. Week 5: @DAL, @SAS, LAL

    • Mike Dunleavy – Dunleavy could be back on the Pacers' active roster as soon as Wednesday, and now is the time to grab him if he's on the wire in your league. Be prepared for minimal production in the early-going, but the payoff down the line is what we're after here. Week 5: @TOR, LAC, DAL

    • Randy Foye – Foye should get plenty of run while Mike Miller is sidelined (four to five weeks), even if it's DeShawn Stevenson who gets the call as the starter. There's only so much usage available after the team's big three get their share, but his playing time should be largely unchallenged. Week 5: PHI, @MIA, CHA 

    • Beno Udrih – Different week, same story here. In seven games as a starter, he's averaged 17.1 points on 52-percent shooting, 1.3 threes, and 5 assists in 37 minutes, and Kevin Martin still has a ways to go before he'll return. Week 5: @MEM, NYK, NJN, NOR

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  • Sun Nov 22, 2009 11:57 am EST

    Fantasy Football Live, Week 11

    If you're in need of last-minute advice for Week 11 (lineup decisions, financial dilemmas, recipes, etc), please consult the accredited experts of Fantasy Football Live. The show kicks off on Sunday at noon ET.

    Click here to submit questions.

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Andy Behrens

Roto Arcade is a fantasy sports blog edited by Andy Behrens. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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