Well we’re two weeks into the NFL season and I already had the best week in our picks. For Week 2 I went 12-4 to take the top spot. Dan the Man and Mr. Fantasy where 11-5 while Schaumburg Stu went 10-6. Overall Schaumburg Stu and Dan the Man are tied at 22-9. I am a game behind at 21-10 while Mr. Fantasy is a couple of games out at 20-11. You can hear our picks for Week 3 on the Sunday morning edition of Sports Time Radio.
There where a couple of injuries on Week 2 that could affect your receiving stats for fantasy.
The Cleveland Browns lost what appeared to be the guy who was going to turn into their #1 receiver Corey Coleman with a broken hand. Coleman has been targeted 13 times in the first two weeks of the season. He has 6 receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown. The Browns placed Coleman on injured reserve; so if he’s to return this season the earliest it could be is November 19th (Week 11) when the Browns host the Jacksonville Jaquars.
If you’re in a deep fantasy league and you’re looking for a receiver to fill Coleman’s spot on your roster you may want to take a look at Rashad Higgins who could be the player who gets Coleman’s targets.
The Carolina Panthers also suffered a big loss in their passing game when tight end Greg Olsen was diagnosed with a broken foot and was placed on injured reserve. Olsen had just 3 receptions on 6 targets in the Panthers first two games, gaining 28 yards. While Olsen may have gotten off to a bit of a slow start to this season he has had three straight 1000 yard plus receiving seasons and that’s going to be difficult for Carolina to replace. Olsen had surgery on his foot yesterday and is eligible to come off of injured reserve November 26th. On the 26th the Panthers are on the road against the New York Jets.
Ed Dickson should be the player that takes over for Olsen as the starting tight end. Dickson hasn’t been a huge receiving threat since joining the Panthers, but back in 2011 he did catch 54 passes as a member of the Baltimore Ravens. Chris Manhertz is listed as the 3rd tight end for Carolina and he just 1 career catch. Carolina did activate fullback Alex Armah from the practice squad to fill Olsen’s roster spot. Armah may get some snaps as an H-back while Olsen is out.
The Miami Dolphins have t overcome quite a bit already this season and we’re just headed into Week 3. The Dolphins first game of the season was moved to Week 11 because hurricane Irma rolled through Florida. Miami took to the road and they brought along their families as well. The Dolphins then went out and out together a come from behind 19-17 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, but it wasn’t without some drama.
Miami’s starting outside linebacker Lawrence Timmons went AWOL before the game and did not play. Unbeknownst to the Dolphins Timmons left the team Saturday night.
The Dolphins announced yesterday that Timmons has been suspended indefinitely. While the length of Timmons suspension hasn’t been announced the collective bargaining agreement allows teams to suspend a player for up to four games for detrimental conduct, but that doesn’t mean that Timmons will be out four games. Timmons just joined the Dolphins this past off season signing a two year $10 million dollar deal with the team.
There have been reports that Timmons was dealing with a personal matter, but he was also scheduled to meet with a doctor on Monday. There doesn’t appear to be any type of injury involved here; so the doctors appointment looks to be for Timmons mental health.
With Timmons out last Sunday Chad Allen handled the outside linebacker duties against the Chargers, but look for Rey Maualuga to get some playing time there. Maualuga was signed a month ago after spending 8 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. The Dolphins also made a trade. Miami acquired linebacker Stephone Anthony fro the New Orleans Saints for a 2018 5th round draft pick. Anthony was 31st pick in the 2015 draft by the Saints, but he hasn’t played in the first two weeks of this season because of an ankle injury.
The Dolphins stay on the road for their Week 3 game as they take on the 0-2 New York Jets.
The Chicago Cubs got some good news as they try to close out the National League Central and defend their World Series title.
Jake Arrieta is schedule to make his first start on Thursday since lasting just 2 1/3rd innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 4th. This will give Arrieta the opportunity to get 3 starts in before the playoffs would start.
Thursday is game one of a four game series between the Cubs and the team that’s chasing them the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers are hosting this series, but just 11 days ago Milwaukee went into Wrigley Field and swept a three game series against the Cubs. The Cubs currently have a 3 1/2 game lead on the Brewers in the N.L. Central.
Arrieta is 14-9 this season with an E.R.A. of 3.48. Arrieta has started against the Brewers twice this season and he has gotten the win in both games. On April 9th Arrieta pitched 7 innings giving up just 3 runs as the Cubs got a 7-4 win. Then on May 21st Arrieta pitched 6 innings giving up just 1 run as the Cubs won that game 13-6.
You’d like to say that Arrieta’s return is more important that the result of the game, but since it’s against the team right behind the Cubs in the standings the result is just as important.
The St. Louis Cardinals are trying to hang around in the National League playoff race. St. Louis is 3rd in the N.L. Central, but they’re 6 games out of the division lead, but they are just 3 1/ games out of the second N.L. wild card spot.
The Cardinals may have received a little help as pitcher Adam Wainwright has been activated from the 10-day disabled list. Wainwright went on the disabled list August 18th with a right elbow impingement. Now even though Wainwright was winning games as a starter 12-5 with an E.R.A. of 5.12 in 23 starts this season the Cardinals are planning to use him out of the bullpen. Wainwright did make 61 appearances out of the bullpen back in 2006, but his last relief appearance was in 2015. Of course at this time of year you use your pitchers where you need them.
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