tj houshmandzadeh

NFL Picks Insider Uncovers Three Valued Receivers for Your Fantasy League

In today’s Free NFL Picks we’ll take a look at the three best undrafted Fantasy Football wide receivers. now that the NFL season has kicked off and fantasy teams throughout the country have been drafted, it’s time to start winning. Did you wake up this week and panic when you realized that Mike Wallace was one of your starting WRs? Mike Wallace may be a solid fantasy starter with Big Ben throwing to him, but that won’t do you much good for the next four weeks as Dennis Dixon auditions for a future in the UFL. if you’re at all concerned about your depth at WR, read on as we will take a look at the three best WRs that are still available.

Fantasy Edition NFL Picks #1. Mohamed Massaquoi

Despite having Quinn and Anderson throwing him ducks, MoMass emerged as the Browns number one WR in the second half of last season. while that distinction may be dubious at best, keep in mind that the Browns will now have Jake Delhomme looking his way. Although I’d stay away from drafting Delhomme at QB, he’s still the guy that helped make Steve Smith a fantasy football gem. not only will MoMass not be available in most leagues by week 3, but he will be starting. unless you’re Pastor Terry Jones, add Mohamed before he starts burning up the charts.

Fantasy Edition NFL Picks #2. Devin Thomas

There’s a reason Donovan McNabb was drafted early. while Santana Moss is owned in just about every league out there, anybody who has had the misfortune of having him on their roster in past seasons knows that he’s a gigantic fantasy dud.

Santana Moss isn’t a number one WR in fantasy football or on the field. In fact, if anyone stands to benefit from the addition of McNabb, it is their young speedster Devin Thomas. Thomas was banged up a bit in preseason and may miss week 1, but before the first pumpkin of the season is carved he’ll be McNabb’s main target. McNabb is going to put up big numbers this season and he’s going to do it throwing to someone. That someone is Thomas. if you can wait a week or two and have room on your bench, make sure to pick him up.

Fantasy Edition NFL Picks #3. Jacoby Jones

NFL Picks for quarterback Matt Schaub and receiver Andre Johnson were off the board by round three in every fantasy draft in America so Jacoby Jones remains overlooked. Jones has played himself into the number two slot on the Texans right beside Andre Johnson.

Just as Anquan Boldin and TJ Houshmandzadeh benefitted from DB magnets, Larry Johnson and Chad Ochocinco, expect Jacoby Jones to put up similar numbers. Schaub passed for over 4,700 yards last season. Even with Johnson catching the majority of his passes there’s still more than 3,000 yards to spread around. while Johnson spends his Sundays being double and triple teamed, Schaub will find an open set of hands to place his balls with Jacoby Jones.

Cash is back for Yanks…B’s end slide

NEW YORK (AP) — the new York Yankees continued their front office stability when GM Brian Cashman re-signed with the club for three years one day after his previous deal expired. Cashman’s teams have made the playoffs in 13 of his 14 seasons on the job, winning 11 AL East titles.

BOSTON (AP) — the Boston Bruins got rid of a bit of their early season Stanley Cup hangover. Johnny Boychuk and Daniel Paille (PY’-ay) scored 47 seconds apart to break open a tie game in the third period, and the Bruins ended a three-game losing streak in their 5-3 win over Ottawa.

NEW YORK (AP) — Edmonton Oilers defenseman Andy Sutton was suspended five games by NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan because of an elbow to the head of Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog (LAND’-ehs-kawg) delivered last Friday. Sutton will lose about $57,000 pay during the suspension.

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — the Oakland Raiders have signed wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (hoosh-mihn-ZAH’-dah), reuniting him with his former quarterback Carson Palmer. Palmer and Houshmandzadeh were teammates in Cincinnati for six seasons and both had their greatest NFL success when they were together.

NEW YORK (AP) — They were supposed to hang a championship banner in Dallas Tuesday night but right now there is no great hope for an NBA season any time soon. Tuesday was the original start date to the NBA season, but talks to end the lockout have stalled and a person familiar with the situation tells the associated Press that no further talks had been scheduled.

2007 NFL Team Previews – Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals followed an 11-win 2005 season with a disappointing 8-8 record last season. Cincy had nine players arrested in a nine-month period through January. With the defense improving and the same explosive offense, the Bengals should be a contender once again in the AFC North.

OFFENSE

Carson Palmer threw for over 4,000 yards last season. now he’s more than a full season removed from major surgery on his left knee, so the sky is the limit in ’07. Palmer is intelligent, accurate and has a cannon for an arm.

Running back Rudi Johnson is the workhorse in this offense. Johnson did some flexibility training in the off-season and also dieted to improve his speed and quickness. He’s a punishing runner, but lacks that homerun speed. We’ll see how his off-season work helps in that area.

Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh are one of the best starting receiver duos in the league. Johnson is the flashy, speedy deep threat, while Housh is the sure-handed, precision route runner. Chris Henry, normally the team’s number three receiver, has been suspended for the first half of the season. Tab Perry and Antonio Chatman will have to fill the void. Tight end Reggie Kelly gives Palmer some solid protection and is a better receiver than most people think.

The interior of the offensive line took a hit with the departure of left guard Eric Steinbach and the retirement of center Rich Braham. but Pro Bowl right tackle Willie Anderson and left tackle Levi Jones return. Bobbie Williams is also back at right guard. Andrew Whitworth will need to step up at left guard. Eric Ghiaciuc, Ben Wilkerson and Alex Stepanovich will compete for the starting job at center.

DEFENSE

Robert Geathers is the third-down pass-rush specialist. Geathers recorded 10.5 sacks last season. Bryan Robinson is the run-stopping left end who usually comes out in third down passing situations. Justin Smith comes in on the nickel defense and plays both end positions to make room for Geathers.

Michael Myers and John Thornton man the middle of the line. Myers is a strong run-stuffer, but isn’t much of a pass-rushing threat. Thornton is quick, but wears down more often than not.

Ed Hartwell steps in as the leader of the linebacking corps. Hartwell, a punishing hitter and great run-stopper, will start on the outside. he could move to the middle if he struggles. Ahmad Brooks will benefit from Hartwell’s experience. Brooks will start in the middle. he made as many mistakes as he did big plays last season. Expect improvement from Brooks this season. Rashad Jeanty will be the strong-side starter.

The secondary must improve. this unit tied for 31st in passing yards allowed last season. Expect first-round draft pick Leon Hall, who’ll initially be the nickel back, to take the starting left corner job away from Deltha O’Neal by the midway point of the season. Johnathan Joseph enters his second pro season as the starting right corner. Joseph turned a lot of heads last season and will continue to improve.

Ballhawking free safety Madieu Williams returns, as does strong safety Dexter Jackson. This’ll be their second season together, so improved play should result from improved communication. Jackson may get pushed by fourth-round draft pick Marvin White. White is known to be a hard hitter who punishes receivers coming across the middle.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The coverage units are solid, but more consistency is needed. Tab Perry and Antonio Chatman are expected to win the kickoff and punt return jobs. Shayne Graham has been a solid kicker and has shown improvement on kickoffs. Punter Kyle Larson was fifth in the league in net average (38.6) and eighth in gross average (44.5).

PREDICTION

The Bengals will follow up a disappointing ’06 season with a return to the top of the AFC North. Palmer is back to 100% and the offense is explosive enough to make up for any shortcomings the team may have defensively. I see an 11-5 finish, putting them back on top as AFC North champions.