NHL: The second line - Week 1

Each week Your Fantasy Sports Guy will take a look at players that are available in many leagues that you should take a look at. These are the players that are not the stars, but the players you need to pick up as free agents to build your championship team.

Center

Josh Bailey – New York Islanders

Good news Islanders fans: Your team isn’t knocked out of playoff contention yet and in fact, they are playing pretty well to start the season. The Isles are 3-1-2 so far and Bailey is a big part of the success. In six games, Bailey has three goals and three assists and is a +2. The downside is he did get injured on Monday but when he is back, take a look at Josh Bailey.

Left Wing

Tomas Kopecky – Chicago Blackhawks

Kopecky is taking advantage of being on a line with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa. The LW has one goal and seven assists in seven games to start the season. Sure, the ‘Hawks lost a lot of offensive firepower this offseason, but they are still tied with Pittsburgh for most goals scored in the league.

Right Wing

Phil Kessel – Toronto Maple Leafs

We knew the Leafs would be better this year, but a 4-0-1 start to top the Northeast Division? Kessel is a scorer and we knew that. The issue is if the RW can stay healthy. It is not surprising that Kessel would be atop the RW list, but he deserves notice for being the main reason the Leafs are off to this hot start. Kessel is an obvious must-start in any league.

For more Fantasy fun, visit my friends at Sports Lab Online Radio at http://blog.sportslabonlineradio.com/

NFL watchers - Week 6

Let’s take a look at a few players that will help you in week six. We are going to focus on sleepers to definitely start in your league in case you are having second thoughts.

Zach Miller – TE- Oakland Raiders

Like Greg Olson, Zach Miller is the guy who reaps the benefits of being the QB’s top target. When Bruce Gradkowski went down last week, Jason Campbell stepped in and propelled the Raiders past the Chargers. His favorite target: Zach Miller.

Louis Murphy – WR – Oakland Raiders

Two Raiders on the same list that isn’t a felony sheet? Yep, and for good reason. If your league gives extra points for YAC, check Murphy out. Last week Campbell hit up with Murphy for two receptions for 61 yards. This week, the Raiders are jumping on the ship and sailing to the other side of the bay to take on the 49ers and their bad passing defense. Weither you like the Raiders for their history, colors, jerseys or past greatness, this weekend you should like them for getting you a victory by starting them.

Greg Olson – TE – Chicago Bears

Jay Cutler is expected to return as the Bears’ starting QB this week against the Seahawks. Olson has been one of Cutler’s favorite targets and the Seahawks’ defense isn’t that great. The Seahawks have been really bad on the road this year and why should this game be any different? Start Olson and rack up his points.

For more Fantasy fun, visit my friends at Sports Lab Online Radio at http://blog.sportslabonlineradio.com/

NFL top performers - Week 5

NFL top performers - Week 5

It’s that time to take a look at the top Fantasy QB, RB and WR from this past week of the National Football League.

Fantasy QB of the week

Tony Romo – Dallas Cowboys

Who would have thought that the Cowboys would be 1-3 through five weeks? The up-and-down ‘Boys have mainly been down this year but at times show glimpses of extraordinary talent and promise. Romo had a great week five going 31-46 for 406 yards and three TDs. Make a note that it was against the Tennessee Titans and they do have one of the worst pass defenses in the league. America’s team is going up against a better, but banged up Vikings D in week six. Romo should definitely be starting in your league.

Last week’s opponent: Tennessee Titans - 2009 passing defense rank - 31

Next week’s opponent: Minnesota Vikings - 2009 passing defense rank – 19

Fantasy RB of the week

Matt Forte – Chicago Bears

Mr. Inconsistent strikes again! Some weeks, Forte looks like L.T. in his prime with his hard running and excellent catching abilities. Other weeks, the only time you see Forte is on the sidelines with his hands on his head after a fumble. Last week, Forte rushed 22 times for 166 yards and two touchdowns on the Panthers. The Panthers certainly don’t have a great rushing defense, but 166 yards is still impressive. In week six, Forte will be going up against a better defense in Seattle but still nothing that should stop you from starting him.

Last week’s opponent: Carolina Panthers - 2009 rushing defense rank - 22

Next week’s opponent: Seattle Seahawks - 2009 rushing defense rank - 15

Fantasy WR of the week

Malcom Floyd – San Diego Chargers

Floyd had a fantasy stud of a game last week. The Super Chargers’ WR had eight receptions for 213 yards and one TD. That racked him up some serious YAC. At first glance, Floyd did this against the Raiders, but take a further look at the Raiders numbers from last year. They were actually in the top ten in passing defenses in the league! Yeah, THOSE Oakland Raiders! Next week the Chargers play the Rams who have a far worse passing D so be sure to start Floyd for that game.

Last week’s opponent: Oakland Raiders - 2009 passing defense rank - 7

Next week’s opponent: St. Louis Rams - 2009 passing defense rank - 25

NFL top performers - Week 4

It’s that time to take a look at the top Fantasy QB, RB and WR from this past week of the National Football League.

Fantasy QB of the week

Kyle Orton – Denver Broncos

No, this is not a misprint and no, I am not referring to a random game that Orton played at Purdue. He really had a great fantasy game if you look at the numbers. Orton was 35-50 for 341 yards with two TDs and one interception. Sure, these numbers were against a pretty weak Titans’ defense, but they are still hefty numbers. Without much of a run game and a few talented receivers with him, is Kyle Orton worth picking up? As of right now, he would look good on your bench and who knows, maybe actually start a couple games for you. Again, this was not an error; we are really talking about Kyle Orton.

Last week’s opponent: Tennessee Titans - 2009 passing defense rank - 31

Next week’s opponent: Baltimore Ravens - 2009 passing defense rank - 8

Fantasy RB of the week

LaDainian Tomlinson – New York Jets

I guess the old man (only 31-years-old) still has something in the tank. Tomlinson looked like the old (meaning young) L.T. last week rushing 19 times for 133 yards and two touchdowns. Yes, the Bills are one of the worst teams in the league and had an awful rush defense last season and look putrid again this year, but you can’t deny what L.T. did. Tomlinson will have a much tougher time next week against a stingy Vikings D in what should be a great Monday night game.

Last week’s opponent: Buffalo Bills - 2009 rushing defense rank - 30

Next week’s opponent: Minnesota Vikings - 2009 rushing defense rank - 2

Fantasy WR of the week

Terrell Owens – Cincinnati Bengals

Orton, L.T. and now Terrell Owens??? Yes, it was a strange week for Fantasy. T.O. and the Bengals exploited one of the worst passing defenses in the game and the result: Owens with 10 catches and a ridiculous 222 yards and one TD. Hopefully he wasn’t on your bench last week, and hopefully you will start him again this week against an improved, but still below average passing Kansas City defense.

Last week’s opponent: Cleveland Browns - 2009 passing defense rank - 29

Next week’s opponent: Kansas City Chiefs - 2009 passing defense rank - 22