NFL Football Column: Tom Howard's Stock Up/Stock Down

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Week 15 Preview: Fantasy Playoffs Rd. 2

Tom Howard

Writer, Fantrax

Stock Up: QBs
Drew Brees vs Tampa Bay: It seems whatever quarterback is playing against Tampa Bay ends up on Stock Up every week, and they don't disappoint. The Bucs are still dead last in passing yards/game surrendered and also have given up 23 passing touchdowns. This game is at home for Breesy as well. And, with New Orleans defense being as bad as it is (see below), Brees will have to put up 30+ points as usual, if they want to get the W.

Josh Freeman at New Orleans: Tampa Bay does indeed have the worst pass defense in the NFL. The Saints are not much better. They are giving up 285 passing yards/game, good for 30th in the league. And have given up 27 passing touchdowns, last in the NFL. Last time these two met, it ws a shootout, and Freeman had a huuuge game. He threw for 420 and 3 tds. And wouldn't you know it, I traded him a few weeks ago to get DeMarco Murray, and now have to face Freeman along with teammate Doug Martin. Awesome.

Andy Dalton at Philadelphia: The second year man out of TCU is quietly having himself a great season. Dalton is tied for fifth in the NFL with 25 passing touchdowns this season, with three games remaining. Having AJ Green to throw the ball to sure does make life easier, and he will lean on his stud receiver. They will both have huge games this week, as Cincy will blow-out the lowly Eagles.

Stock Down: QBs
Aaron Rodgers at Chicago: Let's face it, Aaron Rodgers has not been good for your Fantasy Team lately, at all. Over his last three, Rodgers is averaging 226 passing yds/gm with 3 total touchdowns. That's just not gonna get it done for a popular #1 draft pick in Fantasy this season. And don't expect those numbers to inflate after this week. It's going to be tough playing conditions in Soldier Field, as always. Against a very good defense. In Week 2, Rodgers had 219 yards, one touchdown and one interception, at home. Not looking up for the reigning MVP.

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Headlines

Chargers, OLB Freeney agree to 2 years
Bills' Williams, ex can't settle lawsuit
Bears, 1st-round pick Long agree to deal
Jets' Goodson faces drug, weapon charges
Seattle DE Irvin banned 4 games for PEDs
Free agent DB Woodson to visit Raiders
Jets' Goodson faces drug, weapon charges

Chargers, OLB Freeney agree to 2 years

Bills' Williams, ex can't settle lawsuit

Bears, 1st-round pick Long agree to deal

Jets' Goodson faces drug, weapon charges

Seattle DE Irvin banned 4 games for PEDs

Free agent DB Woodson to visit Raiders

Jets' Goodson faces drug, weapon charges

more ...

NFL Player News

B.W. Webb CB - DAL: May 18, 10:04PM: Cowboys rookie CB... The Dallas Morning News expects fourth-round CB B.W. Webb to "make an impact" this season. Webb wasn't drafted to be a starter, but he should see immediate playing time in nickel and dime packages. The Cowboys view Webb as the eventual replacement for current slot corner Orlando Scandrick. Webb has generated a ton of buzz since minicamp and shouldn't have any trouble finding his way on the field as a rookie.
Larry English LB - SD: May 18, 9:00PM: Chargers LB... The Union-Tribune San Diego confirms OLB Larry English is a candidate for an expanded role. The Chargers are desperate for linebackers with Melvin Ingram (ACL surgery) out for the year. Dwight Freeney was signed on Saturday and will replace Ingram in a pass-rushing role, but English is still expected to see an increase in defensive snaps. The 16th overall pick in 2009, English has been a massive bust to this point. He had a career-low 1.5 sacks in 14 games last season.
Leon McFadden CB - CLE: May 18, 8:10PM: Browns counting... ESPN Cleveland expects third-round CB Leon McFadden to be the Browns' Week 1 starter at right cornerback. McFadden was viewed by most teams as a slot corner during the pre-draft process, but the Browns plan start him opposite Joe Haden in their 3-4 defense. With only Buster Skrine currently ahead of him on the depth chart, he'll be forced into significant playing time as a rookie. McFadden is undersized and will likely struggle in coverage against bigger receivers.
Brian Hoyer QB - CLE: May 18, 7:42PM: Hoyer could... ESPN Cleveland "wouldn't rule out" Brian Hoyer winning the Browns' backup quarterback job. Hoyer's two-year deal contains just $250,000 in guaranteed money, so he still needs to compete for a roster spot. But with the support of GM Mike Lombardi, it's not impossible he could make Jason Campbell expendable if the Browns decide not to carry three quarterbacks. ESPN Cleveland's Tony Grossi believes the Browns will keep both Hoyer and Campbell.
Alex Carrington DT - BUF: May 18, 6:31PM: Carrington made... Bills DL Alex Carrington averaged a pressure every 10 pass rushes last season. Carrington was an underrated force as a rotational lineman behind Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus in the Bills' 4-3 defense, but his role in new DC Mike Pettine's system remains unclear with the addition of Alan Branch. He previously played both defensive end and outside linebacker in Buffalo's 3-4 scheme.
Kelcie McCray S - MIA: May 18, 5:38PM: Dolphins hoping... The South Florida Sun-Sentinel confirms Kelcie McCray is "in the mix" for the Dolphins' free safety job. McCray went undrafted in 2012 and spent his entire rookie season on injured reserve, but the Dolphins are counting on him to take a big step forward now that he's finally healthy. There isn't much in the way of other current options after Miami didn't address free safety in the draft. McCray will compete for a starting role with Chris Clemons and Jimmy Wilson in training camp.
Eddie Royal WR - SD: May 18, 4:14PM: Chargers could... The Chargers could save $1.5 million against the cap by releasing Eddie Royal. Royal and Robert Meachem were signed to multi-year contracts last spring, and both were colossal busts in 2012. Royal was always battling a hamstring injury, and he finished the season with just 23 grabs for 234 yards and a touchdown in ten games played. The Chargers have depth at receiver, and the team could use some money to go get a free agent left tackle like Max Starks.

B.W. Webb CB - DAL: May 18, 10:04PM: Cowboys rookie CB...