Texans | T.J. Yates looking forward to taking the next step

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans QB T.J. Yates is looking forward to entering training camp and trying to take the next step. 'I'm looking forward to going into training camp, being able to take that next step,' Yates said. Our View: Yates is developing into a quality backup behind Matt Schaub. He's got the mobility and arm strength to keep plays alive with his feet while keeping his eyes downfield. Yates may get a chance to start someday but perhaps would have to leave Houston in order to get that opportunity.

Texans | Matt Schaub excited about the draft

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans QB Matt Schaub is excited about the teams draft, and especially WR DeAndre Hopkins. "I'm very excited about all the picks," Schaub said on Monday at Reliant Stadium. "Obviously, being an offensive guy, to get a weapon like DeAndre early in the draft, very excited to get him here and work with him and bring him along because he can really help us and add a dimension to our offensive game. Some of the linemen we've taken and all the other guys on the defensive side can really help us. Very pleased with how Coach (Gary) Kubiak and (general manager) Rick (Smith) and all the guys upstairs handled the draft for us."

NFL Draft Pick 1:27 - DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Houston Texans

Source: KFFL.com NFL

The Houston Texans added weaponry for Matt Schaub to help take some pressure off Andre Johnson.

NFL Draft Pick 1:27 - DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Houston Texans

Source: KFFL.com NFL

The Houston Texans added weaponry for Matt Schaub to help take some pressure off Andre Johnson.

Texans | DeAndre Hopkins selected 27th overall

Source: Footballguys.com

The Houston Texans selected Clemson WR DeAndre Hopkins with the 27th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Our View: Andre Johnson wanted someone else to play receiver with him and he got his wish. Hopkins is a great route runner with good hands who will help Matt Schaub regain his form. How much opportunity he will have to put up yards behind Johnson and Arian Foster is a big question mark and will keep his value down early in his career.

Texans | Owner thinks 2011 injury affected Matt Schaub in 2012

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans owner Bob McNair said he believes the foot injury QB Matt Schaub suffered during the 2011 season may have affected his play this season. 'I think that the injury he had did slow him down some,' McNair said. 'He was probably in the back of his mind a little concerned about reinjuring his foot, and we certainly didn't want to see that happen. He's gonna work hard in the offseason on improving his foot speed, and I think that will happen.'

Texans | Owner thinks criticism of Matt Schaub comes with position

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans owner Bob McNair said he believes the criticism QB Matt Schaub has received this offseason is because of the position he plays. 'When you win, he's the hero, 'he carried the team' and when we lose 'it's all his fault.' It's no different, look at what [Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco] has gone through in Baltimore. Up until the playoffs, the last few games there, everybody said, 'Joe Flacco couldn't get the job done, they have to get somebody in Baltimore.' Now, he's really been playing well and people are starting to say what a great player he is. Same thing will happen with Matt. He'll have to step up and perform on the big stage when the bright lights are on, and we'll all have to,' McNair said.

Matt Schaub - Schaub not worried about criticism

Source: The Huddle

Houston Texans QB Matt Schaub said he is aware he is being criticized for his play, but that it is not his nature to worry about that sort of thing. Schaub also said he believes he can still get the Texans to the Super Bowl. Schaub said they have all the right players, coaches, and systems to win.
Huddle Up: Schaub hasn't been getting it done fantasy-wise (ranking in a tie for 18th among QBs this past season) or in the postseason (1 career playoff win), so he can expect the doubts, scrutiny and criticism to continue until he can flip the perception on at least one front.

Texans | Matt Schaub thinks Texans can still get to the Superbowl

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans QB Matt Schaub thinks he can still get the Texans to the Superbowl. Schaub said they have all the right players, coaches, and systems to win.

Texans | Matt Schaub not worried about criticism

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans QB Matt Schaub said he is aware he is being criticized for his play, but that it is not his nature to worry about that sort of thing.

Texans | Coach confident in Matt Schaub

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said he has confidence in QB Matt Schaub and that he will be the team's starting quarterback next season.

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

Kubiak gives Matt Schaub vote of confidence - Matt Schaub | HOU

Source: Rotoworld Football

Texans coach Gary Kubiak gave Matt Schaub a vote of confidence at Monday's season-ending press conference.

Texans | Matt Schaub the likely starter in 2013

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans QB Matt Schaub is due to receive a fully-guaranteed base salary of $7.25 million in 2013. As a result, he will likely return as the team's starting quarterback. Furthermore, moving on from Schaub would result in $14 million in dead money, thanks to the unallocated portion of his $17.5 million signing bonus. Although the hit could be reduced to $3.5 million in 2013 with a post-June 1 designation for the release, the other $10.5 million would apply to the cap in 2014.

Texans | Matt Schaub has difficulties in loss

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans QB Matt Schaub showed some glimpses of brilliance in the AFC Divisional Round playoff game loss against the New England Patriots Sunday, Jan. 13, but he did not resemble a championship caliber performer. For instance, on one panicked scramble, he simply dropped the ball. He also threw an ill-advised pass to no one which was picked off. Schaub finished 34-of-51 for 363 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Early Top 200 for the 2013 Fantasy Football Season

Source: Fantasy Football Xtreme by FFAdvantage

Here’s an early look at my Top 200 for the 2013 fantasy football season. There are a number of factors that will certainly be changing over the next several months so expect to see big changes. Use the comments section at the bottom of this article to tell me where you agree or disagree.

2013 Top 200

1. Adrian Peterson

2. Arian Foster

3. Calvin Johnson

4. CJ Spiller

5. Marshawn Lynch

6. Ray Rice

7. Jamaal Charles

8. Doug Martin

9. Aaron Rodgers

10. Tom Brady

11. AJ Green

12. LeSean McCoy

13. Trent Richardson

14. Drew Brees

15.

First Down: Cuts like a knife! Surgery clouds RGIII’s 2013 draft standing, keeper value

Source: Roto Arcade by Brad Evans

Overnight Tuesday while most of us were dreaming about trysts with Brent Musburger obsession Katherine Webb, nightmarish details leaked from Redskins HQ about the status of one of fantasy's most coveted players.

First reported by ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, Robert Griffin III, who turned the fantasy world on its collective ear posting the fifth-best per game output among quarterbacks,

2012 Divisional Playoff Rankings

Source: Fantasy Football Xtreme by Tavaner

Quarterbacks Peyton Manning (Den) Tom Brady (NE) Russell Wilson (Sea) Matt Ryan Matt Schaub (Hou) Colin Kaepernick Aaron Rodgers (GB) Joe Flacco Running Backs Marshawn Lynch (Sea) Knowshon Moreno (Den) Frank Gore (SF) Arian Foster (Hou) Ray Rice (Bal) Steven Ridley (NE) Michael Turner (Atl) Dujuan Harris (GB) Danny Woodhead (NE) Jacquizz Rodgers Bernard Pierce (Bal) Ben Tate (Hou) Ryan Grant (GB) Wide Receivers Demaryius Thomas (Den) Wes Welker (NE) Eric Decker (Den) Julio Jones (Atl) Michael Crabtree (SF) Andre Johnson (Hou) Roddy White (Atl) Randall Cobb (GB) Sidney Rice (Sea) Greg Jennings (GB) Anquann Boldin (Bal) Golden Tate (Sea) Brandon Stockley

Texans | Matt Schaub posts first playoff win

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans QB Matt Schaub made his first NFL playoff start in the AFC Wild Card game Saturday, Jan. 5, against the Cincinnati Bengals. He completed 29 of his 38 pass attempts for 262 yards and one interception which was returned for a touchdown.

Fantasy Football Rankings: DT - Week 18

Source: KFFL.com NFL

The feisty Bengals front seven should get after Matt Schaub.

2012 Playoff Rankings – Tavaner

Source: Fantasy Football Xtreme by Tavaner

The NFL Playoffs are now set after 17 grueling weeks of play! There are a ton of story lines to follow. Among the more intriguing are three rookie quarterbacks, one of whom is guaranteed to win a playoff game in their first year; a second year quarterback who took over in week ten; a Colt’s team who went from worst last year to a playoff team this year, riding an emotional high after the return of their head coach from a successful bout against leukemia; and a team that went from the favorite for a first round bye to the number three seed in a few short weeks.

These are the overall rankings for the playoffs. Some formats require you to choose from all the teams in the playoffs, others allow you to go week to week. These

2012 Wild Card Weekend – Tavaner

Source: Fantasy Football Xtreme by Tavaner

Quarterbacks Russell Wilson (SEA) Aaron Rodgers (GB) Robert Griffin III (WAS) Andrew Luck (IND) Joe Flacco (BAL) Andy Dalton (CIN) Matt Schaub (HOU) Christian Ponder (MIN) Running Backs Ray Rice (BAL) Adrian Peterson (MIN) Arian Foster (HOU) Marshawn Lynch (SEA) Alfred Morris (WAS) Benjarvus Green-Ellis (CIN) Vick Ballard (IND) DuJuan Harris (GB) Ben Tate (HOU) Ryan Grant (GB) Bernard Pierce (BAL) Brian Leonard (CIN) Wide Receivers Anquan Boldin (BAL) AJ Green (CIN) Andre Johnson (HOU) Greg Jennings (GB) Reggie Wayne (IND) Torrey Smith (BAL) T.Y. Hilton (IND) Jordy Nelson (GB) Sidney Rice (SEA) James Jones (GB) Pierre Garcon (WAS) Golden Tate (SEA) Marvin Jones

Submitted for your derision: Fantasy ranks for NFL playoff leagues

Source: Roto Arcade by Andy Behrens

Perhaps the dumbest thing a fantasy manager can possibly do is publish player ranks on a mainstream sports site on the morning of a draft. Definitely not recommended. Poor strategy, requiring a special combination of stupidity and hubris. Far from ideal.

Nonetheless, I'm doing it today. My first fantasy playoff draft is coming up in just a few short hours, and I'm publishing ranks in advance. (Again: Unwise). Obviously I'd prefer to post this thing much later in the afternoon, after the draft, but my schedule is pretty jammed. I've blocked off eight-and-a-half hours to watch the Big Ten get mauled across five bowl games. The conference requires my full attention. So let's just rank the NFL playoff field right

Submitted for your derision: Fantasy ranks for 2013 playoff leagues

Source: Roto Arcade by Andy Behrens

Perhaps the dumbest thing a fantasy manager can possibly do is publish up-to-date player ranks on a mainstream sports site on the morning of a draft. Not recommended. This requires a special combination of stupidity and hubris. Far from ideal.

Nonetheless, today you're getting my NFL playoff ranks just a few hours before my first postseason draft of 2013. I'd prefer to publish this thing much later in the afternoon, post-draft, but unfortunately my schedule is pretty jammed. I've blocked off most of the day to watch the Big Ten get mauled for eight-and-a-half hours, across five games. So let's just rank the field right now.

But first, a few details about league settings...

My upcoming draft is a

ReFo: Texans @ Colts, Week 17

Source: ProFootballFocus.com by Khaled Elsayed

Andrew Luck impresses, Matt Schaub looks lacking, and the Colts head to the playoffs with momentum on their side.

Texans | Matt Schaub struggles Week 17

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans QB Matt Schaub went 24-for-36 for 275 yards and two interceptions in Week 17 against the Indianapolis Colts.

Monday Brunch: Random nuggets and egg nog

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

It's Christmas Eve. I've got just two things on the docket today: get sauced on egg nog, and mumble "championship" every 15 minutes or so. It's going to be a good day.

And yes, I've got a brunch to prepare for you.

I generally find myself in a philosophical mood at the end of a fantasy season. Here are some snippets to digest as you look back and ahead as the elegant violence we just witnessed and enjoyed.

• Head to head is more fun. Total points is more fair. As Ron Washington might say, that's how roto go.

The skill of a fantasy team is scoring points, ostensibly so you can make the playoffs. The long run tells the fairest story. The short run, what happens to you in the playoffs, is the biggest luck of

Breakfast Table: Lame ducks, surging Seahawks

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: Wed, Dec 19, 2012 at 10:18 AM
Subject: Week 16 Breakfast
To: scott pianowski

Sorry to interrupt you from enjoying #QBsbetterthanSanchez trending on Twitter. (I would take Uncle Rico now, for sure. Even this far removed from 1982.) But it's time again to dish up this week's Breakfast.

We have coaching changes coming in many NFL

Week 16: Player Upgrades

Source: Fantasy Football Toolbox

These players' stock is rising. This week's picks include Sam Bradford, Matt Schaub, Darren McFadden, DeAngelo Williams, and Danny Amendola.

Week 16 – QB Rankings

Source: Fantasy-Info.com by Sean Douglas

Photo By: Tim Heitman / USA TODAY Sports

Judging by the first half of the season, it appeared Tony Romo and the Cowboys offense were going nowhere fast. The team had a losing record, one of the worst offensive lines in the league and outside of a couple solid performances, they couldn’t run the football if their lives depended on it.

The second half has turned out to be much more promising and in fact for those of you that were actually playing Romo, you’ve enjoyed a pretty good run down the stretch.

Over the past eight weeks Romo has at least 300-yards passing in six of those games and in two of those games he’s thrown for over 430-yards. Outside of his four interception game against the

Texans | Matt Schaub leads team to division title

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans QB Matt Schaub completed 23 of his 31 pass attempts for 261 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in the Week 15 game against the Indianapolis Colts, as his team clinched the AFC South Division title with a victory.

Week 15 consensus start/sit

Source: Fantasy Football Librarian by Fantasy Football Librarian

Welcome back to the Consensus Start/Sit list for Week 15! With this feature I read through all of the start/sit articles that I linked to earlier in the week and tally up which players I saw most often with a start or sit vote. Players are listed below in no particular order. Good luck!

QB
Start: Josh Freeman, Brandon Weeden, Matt Schaub
Sit: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tony Romo

RB
Start: Reggie Bush, C.J. Spiller, David Wilson, Knowshon Moreno, Darren McFadden, Shonn Greene
Sit: Vick Ballard, Beanie Wells, DeAngelo Williams, Michael Turner

WR
Start: Josh Gordon, Danario Alexander, Michael Crabtree
Sit: Brandon Lloyd, Larry Fitzgerald, Torrey Smith, Steve

NFL Skinny: Week 15 preview

Source: Roto Arcade by Brandon Funston

I was knocked out of my highest priority league last week because I made the wrong choice at QB between Andrew Luck and Colin Kaepernick. It was the second week in a row that I made the wrong choice, and it was the umpteenth reminder that I really hate not having one franchise QB that I simply never have to think about benching — there's maybe 6-7 of them, with Luck just missing that elite cut. At any rate, I still have a couple other dogs in the hunt among all my leagues, but as I pointed out with the Luck/Kaepernick example, one wrong move can provide a swift ending to the '12 season. Should I go with Brandon Weeden or Ben Roethlisberger? Steve Smith or Owen Daniels? You might be able to win a championship even if you don't make all

Texans | Matt Schaub getting plenty of protection

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans QB Matt Schaub has been afforded plenty of time to throw the ball this season. The Houston offensive line allows the second-fewest sacks per pass attempt in the NFL, and the offense has produced the fourth-most points in the NFL.

Texans | Matt Schaub disappears on MNF

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans QB Matt Schaub completed 19 of 32 pass attempts for 232 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in the Week 14 game against the New England Patriots Monday, Dec. 10. He left in the fourth quarter with a lopsided score, and backup QB T.J. Yates posted the team's second touchdown with a 1-yard plunge.

Week 15 – QB Rankings

Source: Fantasy-Info.com by Sean Douglas

Photo By: Geoff Burke / USA TODAY Sports

What an interesting story we have lined up in Baltimore as Joe Flacco’s long time offensive coordinator Cam Cameron was fired on Monday. The Ravens will place their bets (click here) on former Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell improving the offense in perhaps the biggest matchup in the NFL next week against the Broncos.

Because Ozzie Newsome (well respected around the league) is the general manager of the Ravens, I have to feel like he wouldn’t have made this move unless he knew both Caldwell and Flacco had a good working relationship. Caldwell

Week 14 – QB Rankings

Source: Fantasy-Info.com by Sean Douglas

Photo By: John Rieger / USA TODAY Sports

It’s been a tough season for fantasy owners who invested a high pick in Cam Newton. The second-year quarterback has struggled but based on his recent play it appears he’s ready to pull out his sophomore slump. Over the past two games Newton has 532-yards passing, five touchdown passes with zero interceptions to go with 130-yards on the ground and two rushing touchdowns.

Granted Newton has faced the Eagles and Chiefs while putting those numbers together and this week promises to give him a tougher matchup as Carolina heads back home to play the Falcons. Then again, perhaps not as one of Newton’s finer performances of the season came in Atlanta when he posted

Sunday Scene, Week 13: Russell Wilson shames the Bears

Source: Roto Arcade by Andy Behrens

If we asked you to evaluate two unnamed NFL quarterbacks based only on these stats...

Player A — 7.1 Y/A, 17 TDs, 16 INTs, 54.4% comp, 216 rush
Player B — 7.4 Y/A, 19 TDs, 8 INTs, 63.4% comp, 298 rush

...it's unlikely you'd conclude that Player A was better. You definitely wouldn't suggest that he was substantially better.

However, that's the way many still perceive the relative worth of Andrew Luck (Player A) and Russell Wilson (Player B).

Of course you might also argue that we can't reasonably evaluate QBs based on a few cherry-picked stats, omitting team context and win-loss record — and you'd be right. I'm not all that interested in making

Texans | Matt Schaub productive Week 13

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans QB Matt Schaub went 21-for-35 for 207 yards and two touchdowns against the Tennessee Titans in Week 13.

Schaub tosses 2 TDs as Texans cruise past TEN - Matt Schaub | HOU

Source: Rotoworld Football

Matt Schaub completed 21-of-35 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns in Houston's Week 13, 24-10 win over the Titans on Sunday.

Shuffle Up and Pass: It’s good to be the Griffin

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

We're going to merge two features in the Shuffle Up today; first I'll run through how I rank the quarterbacks for the next four games (Weeks 13-16), and then we'll run through the Strength of Schedule for quarterbacks over that same period.

See the SOS Table for what it is - something to consider. Some will take it seriously, some will ignore it completely. I firmly believe in the importance of analyzing matchups, but it's a fluid thing, a constantly-changing landscape. And obviously the worth of a quarterback in a vacuum matters more than the matchup he faces. We're not looking for reasons to bench Aaron Rodgers, or hunting down reasons to trust Brady Quinn.

But first, the shuffle. Here's how I'd attack the QB

Over/Under: Will Cecil Shorts permanently silence skeptics?

Source: Roto Arcade by Brad Evans

Fantasy is a speculative game. Predict the future, and you look like a genius. Don't, and you're painfully human. Gazing into the crystal ball here's our view on 10 intriguing over/unders for Week 13.

Cecil Shorts, the No. 5 wideout in scoring since Week 8, receiving yards versus Buffalo 84.5

Dalton — OVER. The Bills' defense has played better of late, and they have allowed a modest 7.3 YPA on the year, but Shorts has emerged as Jacksonville's clear WR1, and Chad Henne has been a big upgrade at QB. I actually expect the Jags to be close in this game, but it may require a lot of pass attempts with such a bad RB situation.

Scott — UNDER. I hate saying this, I

Week 13 – QB Rankings

Source: Fantasy-Info.com by Sean Douglas

Photo By: Tim Heitman / US PRESSWIRE

Robert Griffin is one of the hottest players to own in fantasy leagues over the past two weeks. Through that time Griffin has 511 yards passing, eight touchdown passes in that time on only 43 pass attempts. If that wasn’t enough, Griffin’s abilities in the run game have also accounted for over 100 yards on the ground in that time.

The last time Griffin faced the Giants it was in New York as the rookie threw for 258 yards and two scores in what turned out to be a close game.

Just last season the Redskins swept the Giants, and while New York is coming off an impressive win against the Packers, I expect the Redskins to win this game. No matter what it should be

Flames: Bush push, RB to punch playoff tickets

Source: Roto Arcade by Brad Evans

Each week the Noise highlights 12-13 somewhat obscure, unobvious names who he believes are destined to torch the competition. To qualify, each player must be started in fewer than 60 percent of Yahoo! leagues. Speaking as an accountability advocate, I will post the results, whether genius or moronic, the following week using the scoring system shown here. If you're a member of TEAM HUEVOS, post your Week 13 Flames in the comments section below.

Matt Schaub, Hou, QB (34-percent started)
Matchup: at

Suh won't be suspended for Thanksgiving kick - Ndamukong Suh | DET

Source: Rotoworld Football

Lions DT Ndamukong Suh will not be suspended for his Thanksgiving kick of Matt Schaub.

Lions | Matt Schaub rips Ndamukong Suh

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans QB Matt Schaub said he wouldn't want a player like Detroit Lions DT Ndamukong Suh on his team. 'I wouldn't want a player who stands for what he stands for,' Schaub said.

Lions | Ndamukong Suh may be in trouble again

Source: Footballguys.com

Detroit Lions DT Ndamukong Suh may face disciplinary action after his foot landed in the midsection of Houston Texas QB Matt Schaub during the Week 12 game. On a first-quarter play, Suh was on the ground after being taken down by an offensive lineman when he extended his left foot and it landed below Schaub's belt.

Texans | Matt Schaub goes over 300 yards again

Source: Footballguys.com

Houston Texans QB Matt Schaub completed 29 of his 48 passes for 315 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the Week 12 game against the Detroit Lions Thursday, Nov. 22.

Week 12 – Start’em – Sit’em

Source: Fantasy-Info.com by Sean Douglas

Photo By: Dale Zanine / US PRESSWIRE

With LeSean McCoy working his way back from a concussion and Willis McGahee down with a knee injury, a pair of rookie running backs will receive a chance to start this week. Both Bryce Brown and Ronnie Hillman should be in fantasy lineups this week with favorable matchups.

Week 12 Standard Rankings – QB | RB |

The 2012 All-Thanks Team

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

I'm not here to give anyone a history lesson on Thanksgiving. I assume we all know it dates back to at least 1969, when Led Zeppelin released its second record. (Hat tip to you, lads. Give my regards to Gerrod Street.)

Today's assignment is thanks with a fantasy spin: who are the fake football players most worthy of a hearty Thursday salute? We've collected the Fantasy Staff and we're in a friendly, positive mood. Raise those glasses high and let's appreciate the gladiators who sacrifice their bodies for our pretend glory.

It's time