Watt to Do, Watt to Do?

Source: Fantasy Sharks NFL

After a dominant 2012 season, Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt is the top Individual Defensive Player (IDP) pick this year. Fantasy Sharks IDP Senior Staff Writer Gary Davenport looks at Watt’s numbers relative to other IDPs (past and present), and lets you know whether he’s worth his hefty draft-day price tag.

TUESDAY

2 NEW ARTICLES ARE BELOW

Texans S Ed Reed had hip surgery last week

Source: Fantasy Football Toolbox

Houston Texans safety Ed Reed missed nearly half the season three years ago while he was recovering from hip surgery and just last week was forced to go under the knife again. Reed had an arthroscopic surgery to repair a small labral tear in his hip. The procedure is described as minor and Reed is expected to be ready for training camp. The 34-year-old will be tutoring new rookie safety D.J. Swearinger, a second round pick out of South Carolina. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Reed hasn't been much of an IDP option in recent years, but he can occasionally put up huge weeks in big play leagues since he is so productive once he intercepts a pass. Unless you're playing in a very deep IDP league, Reed shouldn't be on your radar and instead guys like J.J.

J.J. Watt played through elbow injury

Source: Draft Sharks

Texans DE J.J. Watt revealed that he played through an elbow injury during the entire 2012 season.  He dislocated the elbow in August and never got back to 100%.  “In the beginning, it definitely affected me,” Watt admitted. “All the ligaments in there were torn, they were all gone, so they had to have time to recover and regroup. So obviously, I wasn’t at full strength. The brace helped a lot, but it was more of a mental thing, getting over the thought process of knowing that it was injured and making sure that I could still have confidence in it. As the season went on, I got more and more confidence in it and obviously, it didn’t hinder me too much; I had some success out there. But (I’m) looking forward to a 100 percent

Texans | J.J. Watt played hurt

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans DE J.J. Watt (elbow) revealed that he played through the entire 2012 season with multiple torn ligaments in his left elbow. He dislocated the elbow in the first week of practices in August. He said his elbow now feels great and that he hopes not to have to wear a brace again. 'All the ligaments in there were torn, they were all gone, so they had to have time to recover and regroup,' Watt said.

Adrian Peterson captures 2012 MVP

Source: Draft Sharks

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson was named 2012 MVP.  He became the odds-on favorite to take home the crown when Minnesota clinched a playoff spot in Week 17.  AP pounded out 2,097 rushing yards -- 2nd-most in NFL history.  And he did it without the benefit of a legitimate passing game to back defenders off the line of scrimmage.  The Vikes finished 31st in pass offense.  They averaged 6.1 yards per pass attempt, while Peterson went for 6.0 yards per carry.  In short, he was the Vikings' offense.  Peterson also won Offensive Player of the Year.  Broncos QB Peyton Manning was shown some love and named Comeback Player of the Year.  Texans DE J.J. Watt, who led the league in sacks (20.5) and tackles-for-loss (22), won Defensive Player

J.J. Watt - J.J. Watt named Defensive POY

Source: The Huddle

Houston Texans DE J.J. Watt has won the 2012 Defensive Player of the Year.
Huddle Up: No surprise here; Watt was the clear choice for this award.

J.J. Watt gets AP Defensive Player of Year - J.J. Watt | HOU

Source: Rotoworld Football

J.J. Watt has been named the Associated Press' 2012 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Texans | J.J. Watt named Defensive POY

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans DE J.J. Watt has won the 2012 Defensive Player of the Year.

Texans | J.J. Watt has eventful Pro Bowl

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans DT J.J. Watt (hand) suffered a laceration to his left hand in the first quarter of the Pro Bowl Sunday, Jan. 27. He was able to continue playing, and he even lined up at wide receiver on the third play of the game, missing a pass from Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning.

Breakfast Table: Breakfast of Champions

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

For the last decade or so, Michael Salfino and Scott Pianowski have been putting together an email exchange centered around (but not limited to) the NFL. You might enjoy listening to them haggle. You might prefer a swift kick into the stomach. The Table isn't for everyone; we hope some of you enjoy it.

From: Michael Salfino
Date: Tue, Jan 15, 2013 at 12:22 AM
Subject: Breakfast of Champions
To: scott pianowski

That was one helluva interesting weekend of football. And now we get to do it all over again on Sunday, but just twice.

Before getting to the championship games and predictions, we should close the book on Week 19. Who is the biggest goat in Denver: John

Texans head coach still believes in QB Matt Schaub

Source: Fantasy Football Toolbox

Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak got out in front of any potential hand-wringing or offseason speculation by stating that quarterback Matt Schaub is their guy now and in the future. quot;I believe in Matt," Kubiak said. "He's the quarterback of our football team. I've got no doubt about him. Defensive leader J.J. Watt also praised Schaub after the divisional round loss to the New England Patriots. The nine-year vet completed 34 of 51 passes (66.7-percent) for 343 yards and added two TDs and one INT during Sunday's 41-28 loss. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Schaub isn't asked to win games for Houston. Everyone knows their backbone is a strong running game and stout run defense. In fact, Houston finished 11th in the NFL in passing yards per game

Texans | J.J. Watt unanimous All-Pro

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans DE J.J. Watt was a unanimous choice for The Associated Press All-Pro team announced Saturday, Jan. 12.

Breakfast Table: Slay the Favorite

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

For the last decade or so, Michael Salfino and Scott Pianowski have been putting together an email exchange centered around (but not limited to) the NFL. You might enjoy listening to them haggle. You might prefer a swift kick into the stomach. The Table isn't for everyone; we hope some of you enjoy it.

From: scott pianowski
Date: Wed, Jan 9, 2013 at 11:57 AM
Subject: divisional breakfast
To: Michael Salfino

There aren't many letdown weeks in the NFL season, but the Wild Card round would qualify. The first three games were boring and sloppy, and the fourth game became one big morality play. I have no intention of looking back. I have nothing new to add on these

Texans | Brooks Reed, J.J. Watt are a force

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans LB Brooks Reed and DT J.J. Watt each recorded a sack in the AFC Wild Card game against the Cincinnati Bengals Saturday, Jan. 5. Both players have 4.5 sacks in three career playoff games.

Breakfast Table: Field Turf of Dreams

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

For the last decade or so, Michael Salfino and Scott Pianowski have been putting together an email exchange centered around (but not limited to) the NFL. You might enjoy listening to them haggle. You might prefer a swift kick into the stomach. The Table isn't for everyone; we hope some of you enjoy it.

From: scott pianowski
Date: Wed, Jan 2, 2013 at 3:52 AM
Subject: something wild breakfast
To: Michael Salfino

So here we are, the playoffs. I'm excited for the tournament as a whole, but the Wild Card slate doesn't seem that interesting to me.

You'll really have to sell me on the AFC matchups, given that I can't imagine anyone other than Denver or New

Texans | J.J. Watt earns honor

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans DE J.J. Watt has been named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for December.

Championship Vinyl: A collection of Top-5 Lists

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

From a very early age I've always been a list-driven person. I probably checked out Phil Pepe's "The Sports Book of Lists" from my local library 8-10 times as a kid. And I loved the Top 5-driven theme of High Fidelity, a theme I'm going to shamelessly borrow in this exercise.

Keep in mind there's no preferred order with these Top 5 lists unless specifically noted, and also accept that this is one of the most subjective of undertakings. So you like different football players or music or movies than I do? It's all good. There's no problem. That's the fun of it, the disagreements.

Have a happy and safe New Year and we'll catch you on the

Texans | J.J. Watt comes up short

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans DT J.J. Watt managed four solo tackles in Week 17 against the Indianapolis Colts, but he did not record any sacks. He finishes the regular season with 20.5 sacks, two under the NFL single-season record.

49ers | Aldon Smith has favorable matchup

Source: Footballguys.com

San Francisco 49ers LB Aldon Smith has 19.5 sacks this season, second in the NFL behind Houston Texans DT J.J. Watt (20.5). Smith has a chance to beat or tie the single-season sack record of 22.5 held by former New York Giants DL Michael Strahan. Smith has two sacks in the first meeting with the Cardinals, and might be faced OT D'Anthony Batiste, who might be forced into the lineup with OT Nate Potter (ankle) nicked up.

Texans | J.J. Watt thinks he can win MVP

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans DL J.J. Watt believes he is still in the running for the league's Most Valuable Player award. 'Being a defensive player, I want a defensive player to win it, and I think I have as good a chance as any,' Watt said. 'And if I'm not even in the discussion, I think it's going to be tough for anybody to ever get into the discussion again. I would love to be a representative for defensive players.' Watt has 20.5 sacks this season, in addition to 15 passes defensed.

Texans | 16 probable

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans DT Shaun Cody (back), LB Tim Dobbins (shoulder), OT Derek Newton (knee), DE Antonio D. Smith (ankle), OG Wade Smith (knee, ribs), LB Connor Barwin (back, elbow0, FB Tyler Clutts (abdomen), DE Jared Crick (neck), RB Justin Forsett (knee), CB Johnathan Joseph (groin, quadriceps), S Eddie Pleasant (hamstring), S Glover Quin (hip), LB Darryl Sharpton (toe), RB Ben Tate (hamstring), DE J.J. Watt (chest) and QB T.J. Yates (elbow) are probable for Week 17. Dobbins, Newton and both Smiths were limited in practice Friday, Dec. 28, while the others practiced in full.

Texans | Eight limited

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans DT Shaun Cody (back), LB Tim Dobbins (shoulder), S Shiloh Keo (ankle), OT Derek Newton (knee), LB Brooks Reed (groin), DE Antonio D. Smith (ankle), OG Wade Smith (knee, ribs) and DE J.J. Watt (chest) were limited in practice Thursday, Dec. 27.

Fantasy Football Rankings: DL - Week 17

Source: KFFL.com NFL

Houston Texans DE J.J. Watt: In a tier of his own.

Muhammad Wilkerson - Muhammad Wilkerson will not practice

Source: The Huddle

New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan said DT Muhammad Wilkerson (concussion, knee) will not practice Wednesday, Dec. 26, because of a concussion and a knee injury.
Huddle Up: Wilkerson has been one of the best 3-4 defensive ends in the league, just behind DPOY candidate J.J. Watt and perennial monster Justin Smith in the minds of many. This is bad news for the Jets defense and great news for C.J. Spiller and the Bills offense.

Texans | J.J. Watt has chance at sack record

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans DT J.J. Watt picked up another sack in Week 16 against the Minnesota Vikings to give him 20.5 sacks for the season. He is within two of the NFL single-season record set by former New York Giants DL Michael Strahan in 2001. Watt is the ninth player in NFL history with at least 20 sacks in a season.

Mostly NFL Notes: Colin Kaepernick is here to stay

Source: Roto Arcade by Dalton Del Don

As an Arian Foster owner in numerous leagues, it was frustrating to see him not score in a game for just the second time all season, especially at home in such a favorable matchup, but he really piled on the yards late, finishing with 165 rushing, so it's tough to complain too much. In fact, his 6.1 YPC was by far the best of the year. He also had a 27-yard touchdown run called back due to a hold…Reggie Wayne picked a poor time to have his three lowest yardage totals of the season, which have occurred over the past three games, including a season-low 14 yards Sunday…Vick Ballard was highly impressive. He's an interesting keeper league commodity moving forward…Sunday marked

IDP Grade Recap: Week 15

Source: ProFootballFocus.com by Daniel Ciarrocchi

The IDP grade recap compares the fantasy points of the week’s top scoring IDP’s with their Pro Football Focus grades.   Defensive Linemen J.J. Watt, HOU (37 Fantasy Points, +7.7 PFF Grade): As noted on the PFF Twitter account recently, J.J. Watt is on pace to earn a grade of 100 for the season, and [...]

Texans | J.J. Watt goes off again

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans DT J.J. Watt finished the Week 15 game against the Indianapolis Colts with 10 tackles, three sacks, three tackles for loss and a forced fumble.

Texans | J.J. Watt continues to play at high level

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans DT J.J. Watt is in the discussion for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and his 16.5 sacks is second in the NFL, and first in the AFC. He is part of a defense which leads the NFL in third-down conversions at just 29.9 percent.

Texans | J.J. Watt credited with a sack

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans DE J.J. Watt was credited with an additional sack from the team's Week 13 game on a fourth-quarter fumble by Tennessee Titans QB Jake Locker that initially was scored as a 'team sack.'

Mostly NFL Notes: The year of the rookie quarterback

Source: Roto Arcade by Dalton Del Don

I've blamed Houston's run blocking mostly this year, but it's hard to defend Arian Foster when he gets 2.8 yards-per-touch against a Titans defense that has allowed the third most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. Of course, he once again helped fantasy owners by hitting pay dirt, but with Justin Forsett equaling his 14 carries and nearly doubling his yardage, the O-Line excuse becomes weaker. Foster has a legitimate shot at finishing as the No. 1 fantasy running back while getting fewer than 4.0 YPC AND having less than 150 receiving yards — a feat in which I'd be shocked if it wasn't the first time ever…Andre Johnson didn't see one target in the second

Texans | 15 practice in full

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans CB Alan Ball (foot), RB Tyler Clutts (hip), DE Jared Crick (neck), RB Justin Forsett (knee), WR Lestar Jean (knee), CB Brice McCain (knee, ribs), C Chris Myers (elbow), LB Jesse Nading (foot), WR DeVier Posey (knee, hamstring), S Glover Quin (shoulder), LB Darryl Sharpton (knee, hip, back), RB Ben Tate (hamstring), WR Kevin Walter (shoulder), DE J.J. Watt (illness) and QB T.J. Yates (shoulder) practiced in full Thursday, Nov. 29.

IDP Grade Recap: Week 12

Source: ProFootballFocus.com by Daniel Ciarrocchi

The IDP grade recap compares the fantasy points of the week’s top scoring IDP’s with their Pro Football Focus grades.   Defensive Linemen J.J. Watt, HOU (23.5 Fantasy Points, +8.9 PFF Grade): It had been a while since J.J. Watt cracked PFF’s top weekly scorers list, but his Thanksgiving performance was impossible to ignore. The [...]

Defensive Player of the Year: High Wattage

Source: ProFootballFocus.com by Khaled Elsayed

It's a close race for Defensive Player of the Year, but Pro Football Focus analysts give J.J. Watt the edge over Von Miller with five weeks to play.

Texans | J.J. Watt breaks franchise record

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans DL J.J. Watt rolled up three sacks in the Week 12 game against the Detroit Lions. He now has 14.5 sacks this year, breaking the franchise single-season mark previously held by DL Mario Williams (14, 2007). Our View: Watt is one of the best in the game today. In addition to constant pressure on the QB, Watt is also very good at batting down passes at the line of scrimmage.

Watt An Assignment

Source: ProFootballFocus.com by Ben Stockwell

Most of the NFL world expected Texans ace J.J. Watt to terrorize the Chicago Bears and their much-maligned O-line. But it didn't happen. Ben Stockwell explains why.

Texans | Whitney Mercilus impressing

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans LB Whitney Mercilus has three sacks and two forced fumbles in his last two games and is third on the team in sacks behind DLs J.J. Watt (10.5) and Antonio D. Smith (four). 'Whitney's earned more (playing) time,' defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said, 'so we're going to play him more. If a guy's playing good, we've got to keep him in there.'

ReFo: Bills @ Texans, Week 9

Source: ProFootballFocus.com by John Maney

Mario Williams stepped up in his return to Houston, but J.J. Watt kept on churning with a sack, five QB hits and four run stops.

Mostly NFL Notes: Week 9 Recap

Source: Roto Arcade by deldon

Not only did Andrew Luck set an NFL rookie record with 433 passing yards (he had a career-high 273 by halftime, and this included T.Y. Hilton dropping a perfectly thrown would-be 40-yard TD), he did so while committing zero turnovers and against a Miami defense that entered having allowed just 6.8 YPA with an 8:8 TD:INT ratio. Maybe even more impressively, he took just one sack and got 9.0 YPA on a whopping 48 pass attempts. There's a pretty strong argument that two rookies are among the five most valuable commodities in the NFL right now. Luck's monstrous game was actually bittersweet for me, as while I started him in multiple other leagues, I benched him in my big money NFFC one, instead going with Ben Roethlisberger. My third

Mostly NFL Notes: Week 7 Recap

Source: Roto Arcade by deldon

While fantasy owners certainly won't complain about Chris Johnson's big game, there's no denying it could have been much bigger, as it was extremely frustrating to see him lose two goal-line touchdowns to Jamie Harper. Even when Johnson is producing, he's still somehow leaving fantasy owners feeling a bit disappointed, as it's just been that kind of year for him. Still, Johnson has now averaged 124.5 yards from scrimmage over the past four games, and it was nice to see him reach the end zone for the first time this season. Expect another big game at home against the Colts in Week 8…Ryan Fitzpatrick is somehow on pace to finish the season with 34 touchdown passes despite getting just 6.6 YPA. Since 2000, QBs with at least 15

Texans | J.J. Watt held in check

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans DT J.J. Watt was held without a sack for the first time this season in the Week 7 game against the Baltimore Ravens. He still leads the NFL with 9.5 sacks, a half-sack ahead of Green Bay Packers LB Clay Matthews. Our View: He still tipped a ball that resulted in a pick six, so Watt's presence was felt in this game.

Week 7 IDP – DL Rankings

Source: Fantasy-Info.com by Sean Douglas

Photo By: Jason O. Watson / US PRESSWIRE

Both Jeremy Mincey and Matt Shaughnessy have terrific matchups as the Jaguars and Raiders face off in Oakland this week. Both have had their ups and downs in their careers but we should put them in the lineup this week.

When playing, Shaughnessy has proven to be a DL1 option and we should expect that production going forward.

Mincey on the other hand, had a disappointing day against the Bears, but the Jaguars fell behind early and it put the Bears in a situation to run more high percentage plays, and unfortunately Mincey didn’t get it done in tackles. That can happen even to the best defensive linemen so consider it just a bad day and get him in the lineup

Analysis Notebook: Week 6

Source: ProFootballFocus.com by Sam Monson

I’m not sure you can overstate just how dominant Houston’s J.J. Watt is right now. He is on pace to sack the quarterback 29 times this season, and bat down 21 passes, as a 3-4 defensive end. Needless to say that is utterly unheard of, but I’m saying it anyway. Justin Smith has been the [...]

Breakfast Table: Alex Smith and Alex Rodriguez

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

For the last decade or so, Michael Salfino and Scott Pianowski have been putting together an email exchange centered around (but not limited to) the NFL. You might enjoy listening to them haggle. You might prefer a swift kick into the stomach. The Table isn't for everyone; we hope some of you enjoy it.

Let's talk football, let's talk handicapping, and let's talk a little baseball too. Game on.

From: Michael Salfino
Date: Wed, Oct 10, 2012 at 1:21 AM
Subject: Week Six Breakfast
To: scott pianowski

We're going to be more than a third of the way through the season after this week. So what do you think we've settled?

Are the Texans and Niners the teams to beat? What

3TFO: Packers @ Texans, Week 6

Source: ProFootballFocus.com by Cole Schultz

Key questions abound in this tantalizing matchup. Chief among them, can J.J. Watt and the Texans' D get to Aaron Rodgers before the Packers' QB can ignite his team.

Week 6 IDP – DL Rankings

Source: Fantasy-Info.com by Sean Douglas

Photo By: Thomas Campbell / US PRESSWIRE

This continues to be a frustrating season for defensive linemen that were considered elite on draft day. Over the years it’s been sound advice to go after one of the top options at this position as your first IDP selection because of the inconsistency at the position overall.

Grab a Jared Allen, Jason Pierre-Paul or Trent Cole and usually that means a no brainier to start weekly. Unfortunately that hasn’t been the case in 2012.

Cole and Jason Babin are struggling as the Eagles prefer to use a rotation on the line. Pierre-Paul was a super star last year and still is today, but unfortunately everyone team in the league knows that now and will continue to

Lames: Buccaneers sharpening swords for Chiefs, Charles

Source: Roto Arcade by Brad Evans

Each week the Noise highlights 10 bold names who he believes are destined to torpedo your team leave egg on his face. For those playing the Lames home edition, each player must be started in at least 50 percent of Yahoo! leagues to qualify. As an accountability advocate, results, whether genius or moronic, will post the following week using the scoring system shown here. If you're a member of TEAM HUEVOS, post your Week 5 Lames in the comments section below.

Tom Brady, NE, QB (95-percent started)
Matchup: at Sea
Tom Terrific?

Fantasy Football Rankings: DL - Week 6

Source: KFFL.com NFL

Is anyone in position to dethrone J.J. Watt as the top DL this year?

Texans LB Brian Cushing may have torn ACL

Source: Fantasy Football Toolbox

Houston Texans inside linebacker Brian Cushing may have torn his ACL on Monday night. Cushing was injured during a cut block from New York Jets offensive lineman Matt Slauson. quot;Hoping for the best right now," Cushing said. "Obviously, it could be everything with the knee or nothing in the knee. It's a knee injury, and we'll see." The former USC Trojan leads his team with 29 total tackles. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Cushing has been an IDP staple since entering the league. The fourth-year veteran would be replaced by Tim Dobbins and Mister Alexander would also see more playing time. Neither player is likely to have enough production to merit a roster spot in even the deepest IDP formats. The Texans will need IDP stud DE J.J. Watt to continue

Mostly NFL Notes: Reggie Wayne and luck

Source: Roto Arcade by deldon

Ryan Tannehill has got 9.8 YPA over the past two weeks with both games coming on the road. He's also taken a respectable 10 sacks over five games and has one of the weaker receiving groups in the league to throw to. Moreover, Jake Long has been a big disappointment so far. Tannehill's 2:6 TD:INT ratio isn't pretty, but there are plenty of other reasons for optimism, especially considering how raw he was entering the league. I didn't see that coming and certainly not so fast…Andy Dalton entered with an 8.8 YPA and eight touchdown passes over the first four games of the season, but Miami's defense held him to 5.4 YPA and a 1:2 TD:INT ratio. And the Dolphins' run D continues to dominate, allowing an NFL-low 2.7 YPC. This team is