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Week 8 Live Blog

It's the Bengals' bye week, so I think I'll try out the NFL Network for a while to check out their red zone feature. At some point, though, I'm going to want to follow a specific game.

Here's my Fantasy Factor lineup:

QB: Drew Brees
RB: Steve Slaton
RB: Adrian Peterson
WR: Marques Colston
WR: Vincent Jackson
WR: Larry Fitzgerald
WR: Miles Austin (last second change of heart over Donald Driver)
TE: Dallas Clark
K: Nate Kaeding
DEF: San Diego

Comments

By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 10:07:00 AM		 Wow, did you see Leonard Weaver pull away from the Giants' secondary on that touchdown run? Not a good sign when the fullback can gain separation like that.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 10:11:00 AM		 For at least one throw, it looks like we have bad Eli today.
 
By: Kevin Payne
On: 11/1/2009 10:12:00 AM		 As if it's bad enough living on the east coast and waiting 4 or 5 hours from the time you wake up until football starts, had to wait an extra hour today.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 10:14:00 AM		 Celek has a TD taken away because of a holding penalty. I expect a full bounce back from him this week.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 10:16:00 AM		 And just like that, he gets it back.
 
By: NoWayOut
On: 11/1/2009 10:18:00 AM		 Tell me again why I started Greg Olsen over Celek? Oh yeah that's right I'm an idiot.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 10:23:00 AM		 Frank Gore is such a feast or famine guy, but this week it's already a feast.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 10:24:00 AM		 Is there anything uglier than a Rams' red-zone possession?
 
By: Kevin Payne
On: 11/1/2009 10:25:00 AM		 The GMen/Philly game has 38-35 written all over it. I don't think Eli is done completing passes to the Eagles either.
 
By: NoWayOut
On: 11/1/2009 10:26:00 AM		 I guess everybody "hating" on him was a real motivator. If that's the case I have a laundry list of players I'd like to see hated on.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 10:27:00 AM		 Pathetic attempt at tackling by the Seahawks on the Sam Hurd touchdown.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 10:29:00 AM		 Aargh, another Slaton fumble. That's going to be a big problem.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 10:31:00 AM		 Holy cow - Lovie Smith wins a challenge! And a sketchy one, at that.
 
By: Kevin Payne
On: 11/1/2009 10:32:00 AM		 Moreno another fumble.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 10:35:00 AM		 The Bills have already forced three turnovers.
 
By: Mark Stopa
On: 11/1/2009 10:43:00 AM		 Slaton hasn't been in the game since his fumble. Ryan Moats getting carries.
 
By: Kevin Payne
On: 11/1/2009 10:43:00 AM		 Bonehead play by SL, they intercept Stafford, run into the endzone, and get tackled for a safety.
 
By: Mark Stopa
On: 11/1/2009 10:44:00 AM		 Stopa heart Jairus Byrd.
 
By: Kevin Payne
On: 11/1/2009 10:54:00 AM		 I think my 20-pound dog could tackle Domenik Hixon.
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 11:00:00 AM		 Jeff, are you in love with the Red Zone Channel yet? Hope it's in HD for you.
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 11:01:00 AM		 If the Cardinals keep the save situation, we'll see Ryan Franklin in the ninth.
 
By: Mark Stopa
On: 11/1/2009 11:03:00 AM		 Daniels out, Slaton benched. We're really gonna find out a lot about Schaub today.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 11:10:00 AM		 The Bears are really struggling in the red zone. The Matt Forte owners must be hating life, again.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 11:11:00 AM		 Actually, I don't have access to it - thought I did. I just have the basic Sunday Ticket package.
 
By: Mark Stopa
On: 11/1/2009 11:14:00 AM		 If you have to pump fake on a screen pass, and then throw the screen to that same side of the field, the screen is probably not gonna work.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 11:14:00 AM		 The Niners' pass rush is really getting to Manning today.
 
By: Mark Stopa
On: 11/1/2009 11:17:00 AM		 The Colts have to see that Addai isn't starter material. Donald Brown's value is increasing even as he's inactive.
 
By: Mark Stopa
On: 11/1/2009 11:19:00 AM		 Eagles really stink at covering TE if Kevin Boss is scoring.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 11:23:00 AM		 Gut punch big play for the Eagles, right after the Giants touchdown.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 11:24:00 AM		 T.O. just had another drop, this one in the end zone.
 
By: Mark Stopa
On: 11/1/2009 11:27:00 AM		 I don't think that was a drop by TO. Late throw gave CB time to defend it.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 11:28:00 AM		 Booth review coming on a Roy Williams touchdown.
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 11:32:00 AM		 Any Roy Williams TD should be reviewed on general principle.
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 11:38:00 AM		 That St. Louis touchdown was so sweet, and that's what winless teams *should* try. Have fun. High-return gadget plays. Forget playing not to lose.
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 11:48:00 AM		 I haven't seen much of IND-SF today but keep in mind if Alex Smith can be competent today, he's got fantastic matchups on the way (Tennessee next week).
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 11:49:00 AM		 Really looking forward to all the angry comments I'm going to get about my high ranking for Slaton this week.
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 11:50:00 AM		 The entire Seattle defense should be fined for the Hurd touchdown. He doesn't the swine flu, Hawks.
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 11:52:00 AM		 I told zillions of people not to play McNabb. Hello, angry mob.

As for Slaton, his fumble issues meant assumed risk. That's not on you, Jeff. Plus I'm sure Slaton was ranked high everywhere. On Yahoo he was 5-4-1-6.
 
By: Mark Stopa
On: 11/1/2009 11:54:00 AM		 I almost started Josh Brown at K because of the Lions matchup. That passing TD would have been nice.
 
By: NoWayOut
On: 11/1/2009 11:57:00 AM		 Everybody's an expert on the day after. It is amazing how many people forget those lists are advice. It's your team and the final decision is yours....live with it. I frequently ask for advice but take full responsibliltiy for the final result if it fails.
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 11:59:00 AM		 Ginn - Teddy Scissorhands.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 11:59:00 AM		 Not a good day for Shonn Greene.
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 12:00:00 PM		 I wish everyone were like that, NWO. "I told you, I knew it, I called it" - that's the story of Monday. It serves no purpose. All we can do is watch, analyze, learn, and apply going forward.
 
By: Chris Liss
On: 11/1/2009 12:01:00 PM		 Man, I'm out of rhythm on my kicker pickups. This week is was Jason Hanson everywhere.
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 12:09:00 PM		 Jets lined up for two down 17-12 - far too early to think that way. Alas, a procedure penalty might push them into a kick.
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 12:10:00 PM		 Apparently Malcolm Floyd is going to start today. Norv Turner is always the last to figure it out.
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 12:13:00 PM		 Kelley Washington is going to hurt himself with one of those silly celebrations. Good thing he doesn't catch a lot of passes.
 
By: TRENT13
On: 11/1/2009 12:14:00 PM		 Has Slaton been back in the game since his fumble?
 
By: Mark Stopa
On: 11/1/2009 12:14:00 PM		 Giants kick a FG on 4th and 6 to pull within 23.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 12:14:00 PM		 Pretty weak PI call on Trufant on that throw to Roy Williams - looked pretty much the definition of uncatchable.
 
By: dreamscape
On: 11/1/2009 12:14:00 PM		 Jesus Ted Ginn. Unbelievable.
 
By: Mark Stopa
On: 11/1/2009 12:15:00 PM		 Slaton hasn't seen the field since his fumble.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 12:15:00 PM		 TRENT - nope, he was benched. And Moats has looked good.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 12:16:00 PM		 HOU completely sniffs out the Buffalo fake punt.
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 12:21:00 PM		 Anyone know anyone who started Ryan Moats this week?
 
By: wurion
On: 11/1/2009 12:22:00 PM		 Moats is making a strong campaign for the #1 waiver wire pickup...
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 12:23:00 PM		 Rex Ryan doesn't understand game theory on the two-pointer. Third quarter, it's too early, mack.
 
By: NoWayOut
On: 11/1/2009 12:25:00 PM		 Anyone know anyone who had Moats on their roster...this week anyway?
 
By: NoWayOut
On: 11/1/2009 12:26:00 PM		 He's definately at the top of my wish list for this weeks free agent pickups.
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 12:27:00 PM		 The Bears are dressed as Reeses Peanut Butter Cups today.
 
By: NoWayOut
On: 11/1/2009 12:29:00 PM		 mmmmm....peanut butter cups. Thanks Scott now I've gotta make a snack run.
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 12:30:00 PM		 Ricky Williams looks 25, doesn't he? Before every carry I think they tell him there's a hash brownie in the end zone.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 12:30:00 PM		 After Halloween yesterday, we actually have too many snacks around here.
 
By: wurion
On: 11/1/2009 12:34:00 PM		 Is Addai lining up in the Wildcat? He threw a touchdown and missed a 2pt conversion?
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 12:34:00 PM		 For a guy having a bad season in real life, Joseph Addai continues to be useful and consistent for the fantasy peeps.
 
By: Mark Stopa
On: 11/1/2009 12:39:00 PM		 Bills have no first downs in second half.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 12:42:00 PM		 This is not a repeat. Just two games within 10 points, though the Jets are driving.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 12:48:00 PM		 Remember when Willis McGahee was getting carries all over the place, and scoring touchdowns? Now Le'Ron McClain is getting red zone carries.
 
By: Mark Stopa
On: 11/1/2009 12:50:00 PM		 Come on, Jeff. Don't be so pessimistic. Looks like a great finish is coming in Rams/Lions.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 12:50:00 PM		 Miami has 30 points, and Brown/Williams have done virtually nothing.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 12:52:00 PM		 By great finish, you mean a 12-10 finish with a minute left in overtime?
 
By: Mark Stopa
On: 11/1/2009 12:54:00 PM		 Crazy how these teams that were behind couldn't even do anything in garbage time. Orton. Fitzpatrick. EManning. DAnderson.
 
By: rscully
On: 11/1/2009 12:57:00 PM		 Touchdown, Steve Jackson!
 
By: Chris Liss
On: 11/1/2009 1:02:00 PM		 Mangini punts on 4th and 1 down 24 with 3 minutes left.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 1:02:00 PM		 Niners really screwed up the clock management - call the timeouts when you're on defense and you're trailing peeps, it isn't all that hard. They should have called at least one of their two remaining timeouts before the 2:00 minute warning.
 
By: Mark Stopa
On: 11/1/2009 1:02:00 PM		 Miami, good use of timeouts.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 1:04:00 PM		 Stopa - yes. Absolutely.
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 1:09:00 PM		 The Browns can't continue to start Derek Anderson. Not that anyone has faith in Brady Quinn, but Anderson has entered the Leaf Zone.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 1:10:00 PM		 One throw, one INT for JaMarcus Russell.
 
By: herbilk
On: 11/1/2009 1:37:00 PM		 THROW THE BALL, RODGERS!!!!
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 1:41:00 PM		 No kidding, that was a total coverage sack.
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 1:46:00 PM		 Vikings rewarded for having stones at the goal line, going for it on fourth and short. Who knew Brad Childress would get it?

Troy Aikman is throwing up all over himself with the analysis, but that's nothing new.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 1:46:00 PM		 One minute into the second quarter, Jacksonville hasn't attempted a running play. Because you wouldn't want to get MJD going or anything....
 
By: dreamscape
On: 11/1/2009 1:48:00 PM		 I'm guessing MJD is going to get in another post game rant.
 
By: herbilk
On: 11/1/2009 1:49:00 PM		 It's not even coverage, it's just Rodgers complete inability to throw the ball to any WR who isn't wide open. Great, he'll finish with 25 TDs and 6 interceptions. He'll light up the Browns and the Lions of the league. Then against a good secondary he's like a deer caught in the headlights. By far, the most conservative QB in the league.
 
By: NoWayOut
On: 11/1/2009 1:50:00 PM		 Not only have they not attempted a running play they only have 5 plays period.
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 1:54:00 PM		 Sacks are more about the quarterback than the common fan and media accepts. See Brady vs. Cassel, for one example.

Rodgers gets hung out to dry by his line a lot, but he's to blame for a lot of the sacks, too.
 
By: herbilk
On: 11/1/2009 1:55:00 PM		 THROW THE BALL!!!!
 
By: dreamscape
On: 11/1/2009 1:55:00 PM		 Vince Young actually looking like a quarterback.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 1:55:00 PM		 There's the excitable Gus Johnson that we all know and have mixed feelings about.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 1:57:00 PM		 "Sidney Rice was a young guy when he came into this league..."
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 1:58:00 PM		 Adam Schefter says Owen Daniels is out for the year. Damn.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 2:01:00 PM		 Torry Holt gets picked off by the ref, Garrard throws an INT as a result.
 
By: Mark Stopa
On: 11/1/2009 2:06:00 PM		 MJD finally gets a carry and it's an 80-yard TD
 
By: NoWayOut
On: 11/1/2009 2:07:00 PM		 Gee who'd thunk it...you give the ball to MJD and good things happen. Finally!!!
 
By: dreamscape
On: 11/1/2009 2:07:00 PM		 Jacksonville finally gets a clue
 
By: NoWayOut
On: 11/1/2009 2:15:00 PM		 Who knew clapping was taunting?
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 2:15:00 PM		 Well-designed play to spring Steve Smith.
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 2:20:00 PM		 Steve Smith, Mr. November. Too bad he sank fantasy teams for two months.

I'd trade him tomorrow if the market shows confidence.
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 2:21:00 PM		 Torry Holt could learn a lot from Wes Welker, who uses the ref as a pick.
 
By: djbrown
On: 11/1/2009 2:25:00 PM		 has there been a Larry Fitzgerald sighting?
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 2:25:00 PM		 Looks like the Panthers went back a year instead of an hour.
 
By: Mark Stopa
On: 11/1/2009 2:31:00 PM		 When did the Cardinals become so dink and dunk?
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 2:31:00 PM		 Bizarre pair of play calls with 45 seconds left, 2nd and 10, with a timeout left.
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 2:37:00 PM		 The Cardinals have little faith in their pass blocking, especially the tackles. Hence, you gotta throw short.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 2:39:00 PM		 We've secretly replaced Kurt Warner's brain with that of Jake Delhomme's.
 
By: dreamscape
On: 11/1/2009 2:40:00 PM		 MJD back again for more fun
 
By: dreamscape
On: 11/1/2009 2:41:00 PM		 What a silly line. 5 carries 172 yds 2 TDs
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 2:50:00 PM		 Vince Young just made a helluva play to keep a drive alive, before Chris Johnson took it to the house a play or two later.
 
By: NoWayOut
On: 11/1/2009 2:52:00 PM		 I want me some dueling RBs. How about an MJD vs Chris Johnson "Battle of the Running Backs".
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 2:55:00 PM		 The Packers secondary should walk home after that Harvin touchdown.
 
By: NoWayOut
On: 11/1/2009 2:55:00 PM		 Don't challenge that DelRio!! I want another MJD 80 yards TD.

By the way did I ever mention I have MJD on my money league team.
 
By: herbilk
On: 11/1/2009 3:00:00 PM		 The Harvin TD is a perfect example of a pass that Aaron Rodgers would never throw. "Hey, there are three guys around that one guy, I can't attempt that pass."
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 3:03:00 PM		 Haven't watched a lot of JAC-TEN. How does Vince Young look? What sort of throws are they asking him to make?
 
By: Chris Liss
On: 11/1/2009 3:08:00 PM		 pretty half-assed QB draw by Aaron Rodgers.
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 3:10:00 PM		 If I'm the pack, I eschew that second field goal. Play for the touchdown, if you don't get it, hope you turn the pin into something.
 
By: Scott Pianowski
On: 11/1/2009 3:17:00 PM		 It doesn't reflect well on Jeff Fisher if the Titans win today while Vince Young plays well. Fisher went 0-6 pre-Young, and only made the change kicking and screaming.
 
By: NoWayOut
On: 11/1/2009 3:20:00 PM		 Stepped out a for bit there. I haven't watched every down JAC-TEN but from what I've seen VY hasn't looked bad, I wouldn't go as far as saying he looks good. Fisher and Co. have done a good job of keeping things simple for him and don't ask him to do too much. Their not asking him to air it out downfield. He did have a good throw to Nate Washington for the first TD though.
 
By: NoWayOut
On: 11/1/2009 3:27:00 PM		 Sneaky play for those who are in IDP leagues on ESPN. Spencer Havner carries TE and LB eligiblity. Man you think that TE/WR eligiblity Colston had on Yahoo was something, this is way bigger at least until Finley returns.
 
By: herbilk
On: 11/1/2009 3:43:00 PM		 The problem is that Havner will see his playing time cut significantly when Finley comes back. He had all of two receptions prior to Finley getting injured in the first quarter last week. Now, it may still be worth it to play him at LB, but it won't be as good as this.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 3:43:00 PM		 Jacksonville punts down 17 in the 4th quarter, with 8:00 minutes to play. Anything shorter than 15 yards to go, why punt? You're not going to get three more possessions anyhow.
 
By: NoWayOut
On: 11/1/2009 3:45:00 PM		 herbilk- It's definately a short term move, but if your team is struggling it would be something to look at until Finley is cleared to play again.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 3:50:00 PM		 I'm not sure going for 2 was the right call there by the Packers; it's the 4th quarter, but 10+ minutes is a lot of time.
 
By: herbilk
On: 11/1/2009 3:50:00 PM		 why go for two? An XP still keeps it within one score. Now they need two scores. How is the risk worth the reward in that instance?
 
By: Mark Stopa
On: 11/1/2009 3:50:00 PM		 Raiders third and long, trying for tying TD. Two Raiders WRs run into each other and fall down five yards downfield.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 3:56:00 PM		 Perfect, get the SD win for the Survivor pools, but still get the OAK cover. Now we need some blood by having Carolina hang on.
 
By: Mark Stopa
On: 11/1/2009 3:56:00 PM		 Why do I think this is setting up for a Favre last-minute, game-winning drive?
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 3:57:00 PM		 Hah, Jacksonville just punted again with a minute left - not exactly sure why, but it's appropriate.
 
By: Mark Stopa
On: 11/1/2009 3:59:00 PM		 Finnegan obviously makes a difference for TENN, but I agree about Fisher, Scott. It's similar to Miles Austin making Wade Phillips look bad. How could he have Young on his bench when the Titans were getting killed every week?
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 4:01:00 PM		 Delhomme out with an injury, Matt Moore in.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 4:02:00 PM		 By the way, I like how the buy low on Greg Jennings crowd got vindicated today.
 
By: Chris Liss
On: 11/1/2009 4:18:00 PM		 Vince Young played well, but he's not why they won. The defense dominated Jax who had 139 passing yards, and basically just two huge plays all game. They would have won with Collins today, too. I think Fisher deserves credit for sucking it up, even though the owner meddled, didn't sulk and got his team ready like a pro. Should he have made the move to Young three weeks ago? Maybe - I probably would have. But Young quit on his team last year, and there's also a locker room/political side of things, too. And Collins was the right guy for them last year. Going forward, VY is an interesting play - they let him run a little bit, too which was good to see.
 
By: Erickson
On: 11/1/2009 4:21:00 PM		 Warner had a bad day, but so did the AZ OL.
 
By: taborp
On: 11/1/2009 6:04:00 PM		 I don't take the Slaton ranking this week as badly as having him so high in the pre-season. When I drafted, he was the 4th QB on the cheatsheet, and he's tanking two of my teams. He's got a lot of talent, but the fumbles are maddening. There doesn't seem to be much help from the coaching staff, other than targeting Slaton in practice. They should consider making him change how he holds the ball. I don't think Moats is the long-term answer, but I bet we see a lot of him now.
 
By: Chris Liss
On: 11/1/2009 8:10:00 PM		 Actually, I was thinking the opposite - look what Moats did in that offense today - that should have been Slaton. So it justifies his ranking this week and in the preseason. There's no way we could have predicted he'd fumble his way out of the job. He had two all of last year.
 
By: taborp
On: 11/2/2009 12:08:00 AM		 Leave it to a lawyer to make the argument that Player B's performance justifies Player A's lofty ranking. ;) It's only a one game sample for Moats, but if anything, it highlights how bad the call was on Slaton. Slaton had 7 weeks, and he only broke 4 yards per carry once. The only thing salvaging Slaton's production were his catches, and Moats did ok on that front as well. I don't think Moats is anything special, but maybe that shows just how poorly Slaton was playing in what should be a good situation for him. The unpredictable fumbles may have lost him the job, but he wasn't dominating when he held onto the ball. Here's hoping he gets another chance since I invested heavily in Slaton and Pierre Thomas this year.
 
By: Chris Liss
On: 11/2/2009 12:36:00 AM		 Slaton is a better back than Moats. There was some talk that Slaton's bulking up in the offseason cost him some quickness, but it didn't hamper his after-the-catch work in the passing game so I'm not buying it. He was producing as a first-round back (when you include receiving) except for the time he lost with the fumbles even with the low rush average. And the Bills are the worst rush defense in the league - those would have been his TDs and yards today.
 

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