Author: Sky

Sky Sperling has been a contributor since 2012 for Razzball Fantasy Baseball and Fantasy Football and formerly wrote under the name 'Oregon Nut Cups'. Don't ask. He's also a lover of fine beer, fine women and fine-toothed combs. You can follow him on twitter @Sky_Razzball and in your most sweetest of dreams.

Read some of Sky's 363 posts

The T-Rich Get Richer

by: Sky

The course of true love never did run smooth. Some famous person said that. I can’t remember who. Yes, I have google but I also have a time limit as I’m trying to get ready for work, take a shower – did you just picture me naked? – drink my coffee, feed the dog…well, you get the picture. I got shizz going on but I do my best to keep you abreast….hehe, abreast…of what’s going on in the fantasy world while keeping you cultured. It’s a tough task. You’re not the easiest of pupil and you know that. But I digress, as stated, it truly does never run smoothly. Speaking of not running smoothly, that pretty much defines Trent Richardson and his owner’s seasons to date, no doubt. Starting off the season as the main bell cow for a so-so offense, T-Rich didn’t really do much with his time there, averaging 3.4 ypc netting zero touchdowns. Then when he got traded to a better offense, the people rejoiced only to see his underlying stats actually get worse (3.0 ypc and only 1 reception in 3 games). To say it’s been difficult being a Trent owner would be an understatement while saying ‘Fruit Of the Looms’ would be an underpants statement. There’s no point in there, stop looking in my underpants. The point being is that, for all his warts so far, Trent should begin trending upward and the Chargers game will and should be his break out. So check in with his owners and see if they’re willing to move on from him at this point. Though I don’t predict he’ll be the top 5 RB I saw him to be entering the season, I still see a top 10 in there based on the offense alone and I’m sure they’ll work him into the passing game a bit more as the season wears on. In other buy/sell ideas for week 6 of the 2013 Fantasy Football season…

Please, blog, may I have some more?

The Human Geno Project

by: Sky

As a Jets fan, I can only imagine the magic, turbulent carpet ride it’s been this year. Start the year 1-0 with a nail-biter against the Bucs, then turn around and lose a similarly close game to the Pats. Follow that up with what looked like maybe a statement game against the Bills only to get trounced by the Titans in week 4. Maybe New York is just gonna have to kick back and enjoy this roller coaster ride. Either way, Geno Smith will be the person getting you set up. Are you buckled in? Is the bar secure? Ok, go! Geno finished the night with 199 passing yards for 3 TDs, and a win to go with zero INTs. The interceptions have been the biggest bugaboo so far with Geno as he came into the night with 8 INT but tonight he looked very comfortable in the pocket and was able to make his quick reads and get the ball out fast. He still needs to work on his general pocket awareness but given the Falcons’ general defensive rush problems, he didn’t have to worry about that as much tonight. If we’re talking fantasy relevance with Geno, I think we’re either talking late season or for keeper/dynasty leagues because he’s still not on my pick up radar at this point but in terms of relying on him, he’s slowly gaining my fantasy stream trust. In other 2013 Fantasy Football news…

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Romo-te Control

October 7, 2013 | 2013 Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Daily Notes | 152 Comments

by: Sky

Well, we knew there’d be plenty of fantasy points scored in this Broncos vs Cowboys game. We had all those superstars. You know, Manning, Orange Julius, Welker, DT, Decker, Dez…hrm, it feels like I’m missing someone. Who could possibly still be left to talk about that’s fantasy relevant in a game like this? Answer: well, quite a few guys really but in reality very few people have talked about the under the radar performance of Tony Romo so far this year. It’s understandable. He’s not wowing anyone with his stats. In fact, he was being outscored by Alex Smith in QB scoring rankings for fantasy heading into Sunday. But then Romo done lost his mind. Tony threw for 506 total yards on the day, going 25/35 for 5 touchdowns and a 2 point conversion. Yes, yes, he threw a soul-crushing INT late in the game but you don’t lose more or less points based on how frustrating an INT is. Looking back where certain QBs went in your draft vs Romo, you have to ask yourself, ‘why did I spend all that on a QB when this was still out there?’. In reality, QB is a deep position so it’s hard to get too mad when days like this happen but the reality is Romo has been a consistent scorer for his owners most of this year and there’s no reason to think it can’t keep up. Ok, not 500 yards keep up but being startable most weeks keep up is still valid. In other 2013 Fantasy Football news…

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Hoyer Donde Va?

October 4, 2013 | 2013 Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Daily Notes | 247 Comments

by: Sky

I should’ve known it was black magic. Didn’t even need the woman to be involved. A Cleveland Browns passing offense that passes the eye test? Not possible they said. A QB that could withstand the pressure of playing behind a bad offensive line? ‘I’m incredulous’ said those who use the word ‘incredulous’ and actually know what it means. I blame Carlos Santana. Hey, there’s a catcher from the Indians named that so it’s apropos, people. But it happened for a couple of weeks that the Browns and their passing game was saved by their quarterback being – by both the stats test and the eye test – really not that bad. But of course it’s Cleveland and as we know, everything Browns eventually goes to Brown-town. Brian Hoyer left the Thursday Night Football game with a knee that couldn’t have been more shredded than the hillside of a snowboard instructor in Aspen. There’s nothing definitive as of this typing but for all intents and purposes, it didn’t look good at all and I wouldn’t be surprised if his season is over. I take partial blame as I’ve been snake-bitten with injuries this year and actually picked Hoyer up to stream this week in one of my leagues. Mea culpa. Moving forward, the skill position players are gonna have to learn what it means to go from good to bad and how to cope. The parts there are still good, but they lost a little luster for me tonight knowing it’s going to take a trade – unlikely – or a free agent pickup – possible? – to fix this mess. And just when I was about to say Cleveland Rocks…in other 2013 Fantasy Football news…

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Weekly Rankings: Rock, Paper, Knowshon

October 3, 2013 | 2013 Fantasy Football, Weekly Rankings | 359 Comments

by: Sky

Two straight weeks, two straight references to kid’s games and in particular the same one. Of course, my idea of Roshambo is this and apparently it’s spelled differently. Next week, I’ll vary it up and reference this all-time kids classic. Ok, enough links. That’s the lazy man’s way to humor. Or better put, my only way to humor. Prepare for boredom! It was an odd ranking week for me. I don’t feel I’m at odds with too many other ‘perts so I’m doing my best to highlight a few where I chose to get wit dis and they chose to get wit dat. First up, Knowshon Moreno. He’s about as hit and miss as they come and I’ve basically called him a low end RB1 the last two weeks. Was right one, wrong the other. If this is a Fibonacci sequence, he’s gonna finish the year with better stats than AP. Eh, yeah, it’s not a Fibonacci sequence then. In other differences, I’m seeing Gordon putting up a top 10 week at WR. I know, I know, it’s TNF but Cleveland has played too well at home for me not to get behind them at this point. Speaking of the Browns, they’re my #1 defense this week. Again because of how they play at home but moreso, because of TNF. Yes, I just contradicted myself within the span of just three sentences. Though this be madness yet there is…wait, no. There’s just madness. I also think this is the week the Chiefs storied start hits a bump in the road as apparently I really like the Titans at home a lot more than others. Olsen and Cook? Love the matchups and my rankings reflect that love. Oh and I’m sure someone will say ‘WOAH! Kenny Stills?’ out there. It’s a hunch on a deep league weekly play. I ranked Miles Austin and Darren McFadden like the two are playing. If they’re not, I’ll adjust accordingly but they both have good setups for the week which means their backups (T. Williams and R. Jennings) will wiggle up the ranks if they’re declared out. Oh and David Wilson. If this putrid season is gonna get started for him, it happens this week. He’s only my RB18 in standard but I have huge hopes for him given the matchup. And don’t ask why the Eagles defense isn’t ranked. If their first 4 games don’t give you a hint why, I don’t know if me explaining it would help any more. But enough of that. Let’s get this shin-dig shinning. Here’s the weekly ranks for week 5 of the 2013 Fantasy Football season…

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Hey Yo Mister White

October 2, 2013 | 2013 Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Buy/Sell | 359 Comments

by: Sky

You’ll notice a reoccurring theme on here. I really like the show Breaking Bad. That’s the first part of the theme. The second part of the theme is I don’t have cable so I’m always behind on everything. My wife and I are currently acquainting ourselves on the series as a new season finally came out on Netflix this Summer. We’re going back through seasons one through four – currently close to end of re-watching season two – so of COURSE I’m gonna make a BB reference as my header. How could I not? It’s like, I watch football, write football, comment back to football commenters and then watch an episode of BB. Some would say I’m missing out on life but I say to them a life without those things is missing out by itself. But more to the point, I can’t wait to see season four and I really, REALLY need you to keep the spoilers at a minimum in the comments. Wait, no, at a null…a nullimum? Yeah, don’t tell me shizz, m’kay? Thanks. But more to the really, real point, Mr. White. And to the really, real, specific point, Roddy White. He’s been terrible so far this year. But he’s played through it. Which has also been terrible based on the stats. Roddy’s currently on pace for 40 receptions, 336 yards and zero touchdowns and has not looked good doing it. But here’s the reality: he’s gonna get better. After getting targeted 9 times on Sunday vs the Patriots (more than doubling his previous season high of 4), I’m thinking White’s working his way back into the Roddy of old sooner rather than later. Plus, one of those targets came in the end zone late in the game for what could’ve been the game winner. Unfortunately, despite the big numbers Matty Ice had some pretty big misses on the night and that was one of them. High and away ain’t just a baseball term. As stated, Roddy’s still not quite there yet but after last night’s performance, I’m thinking he’s on the precipice of what people drafted him for. Just in time for you to swoop in and say, yo, gatorade me, B@#$%! to Mr. White owners. I still haven’t found a really good way to use that quote. Doesn’t matter, got it in anyway. In other buy/sell news for 2013 Fantasy Football…

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Sproles Patrol!

October 1, 2013 | 2013 Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Daily Notes | 232 Comments

by: Sky

I don’t know whether this reference dates me or obscures me. Probably both. I don’t care. When a man walks on stage with Steve Martin looks and belts it like he’s Michael McDonald, he’s hard to forget. Or hard to remember? You decide. I’m making reference to none other than Taylor Hicks. Did you buy an album? No, definitely not. Were you a part of the Soul Patrol fan club? Not even close. Did you even vote for him on American Idol? What’s American Idol? Did you watch the parody of him on SNL and it just stuck with you over the years? Bingo. I’m moved by music and by comedy. Taylor is both neither and both at the same time. SOUL PATROL! Look, I can’t help it if he’s one of the funniest artists to ever win American Idol. Don’t hold that against me. So what does this have to do with Darren Sproles, you ask? Eh, nothing really. But if you need a reason, how about ‘both are good in their own field but at the same time were never expected to amount to much based on their physical makeup?’. Woah. I just made sense in a lead paragraph comparing Hicks to Sproles. My life is complete. *Logs out*. In reality, Sproles left San Diego with a question of ‘what exactly is this guy’? He’s talented, sure. He’s also good at football but we keep calling him a running back. He’s not really that. Of course, when he moved to the Saints, the reality of who he could be was realized. Sproles topped 100 receiving yards on the night for the third time in his Saints career, going for 7/114/1 through the air and even adding a ground TD on 4 for 28. Sure, he chucked in a fumble – his first as a Saint – but it’s easily forgiven on this night. Sproles is the Saints’ slot receiver in disguise and by ‘disguise’ I mean ‘hey everyone, look in the flat! It’s Sproles! Who’s covering that guy?’. Don’t know how any NFL team could forget Sproles could catch the ball but the Dolphins did tonight. Though Darren has been relatively quiet so far, he’s on pace for 1108 receiving yards and 8 TDs for the season, not to mention 92 receptions. Sometimes, it’s not about being the best at what you do, it’s about finding your niche and sticking to it. Here’s to you Taylor Hicks. May your peppered mop forever live on. In other news from Monday Night for 2013 Fantasy Football…

Please, blog, may I have some more?

A Rivers Throws Through It

September 30, 2013 | 2013 Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Daily Notes | 169 Comments

by: Sky

You start the year trying to predict what a team will look like not just to start the year but over the course of it. You go off of hunches, intuition, previous year’s stats…you comb through a lot of data to try and assess just what a particular team will be able to do heading into the year. It’s never an exact science, of course, and so many factors can shape or hide a poor player or offense into something palatable. Entering into 2013, a major source of concern for the Chargers was an offensive line that was deemed one of – if not the – worst line for pass blocking and heading into 2013, there wasn’t much optimism surrounding it getting any better. Enter, stage left, Philip Rivers. A slow, pure pocket passer who had a hard time throwing the ball last year in no small part because he had a hard time staying on his feet long enough to do so. But the Chargers have made some adjustments to Rivers and his game this year and it’s allowing for some success. After his second 400 yard passing game of the year – he finished 35/42 for 402, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception – it’s clear that some of the passing game has changed for the better in San Diego. They’re using quick routes a lot more as well as dumping off to their backs in space more as well. He’s allowing his skill players to be the play makers and not relying on the deep outs as much. The VJax and DX deep route is nice but it’s not sustainable if you don’t have time to throw. After today’s game, Rivers is on pace for 4,796 passing yards and a 44:8 touchdown to interception ratio and the second most passing attempts (568) of his career. Given how erratic Mathews has played to date, I don’t see this passing trend going away. You always wonder ‘who’s going to be that near QB1 that goes undrafted or goes late a la Josh Freeman or Andy Dalton from 2012’ and you just might be seeing it. Given the schedule through week 9 (@Oak, Indy, @Jax, Bye, @Was), there’s no reason to think these Rivers can keep rolling. In other 2013 Fantasy Football news…

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Frankly My Dear, I Couldn’t Give A Gore

September 27, 2013 | 2013 Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Daily Notes | 231 Comments

by: Sky

I had the audacity…nay, the paucity (not really a good word to use here but it kinda works)…better yet the ignorancy (not a really real word at all) to go and rank Frank Gore 22nd overall amongst fantasy running backs this week in my Weekly Rankings. After finishing last week with a decent number and the complaining that he did in the days leading up to tonight, I should’ve known my ranking would come back to haunt me. Mike Wallace did it, I had been warned. Or was that the ghost of Gore from years past *faintly heard in the distance is Frank screeching I’m not dead yet!*. Whatever the culprit, Gore dropped upon his fantasy owners a much needed boost for his believers, carrying the load for 153 yards on the ground on 20 carries with a touchdown and a lone, measly you’re not gonna lose your week because of it fumble on the night. It was very much vintage Gore. And that’s why I still strongly encourage the sell. I used the word vintage for a reason, ya know. Look, tonight’s game aside, he’s brought you 47 yards a game and only one TD. Great for a flex but not so great if he’s one of your main backs you rely on from week to week. I would use this game and last week’s 82 rushing yards vs a very inferior rushing opponent as a springboard to bigger and better things in your league. As much as I love Gore, he’s just not the RB2 we were looking for. In other news for 2013 Fantasy Football…

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Weekly Rankings: Time To Play Romo-Shambo In San Diego

September 26, 2013 | 2013 Fantasy Football, Weekly Rankings | 329 Comments

by: Sky

What’s the most important rule to the game of Roshambo? Always go first. If you haven’t learned that one yet, talk with a friend about playing and ask to go second. You’ll learn quickly. Wanna know what else you can learn quickly? That the Chargers defense isn’t very good in the secondary. Wanna know how bad they’ve been? First off, they’ve given up the most passing yards to opposing teams this year with 1,022. Yes, they’re beating out the Eagles and the Redskins in that race to the bottom stat so far. Hard to believe, but they actually gave up a near 300 yard passing game to Jake Locker at 299. Locker has 572 total passing yards on the year including that game. You do the math and you’ll find the anomaly pretty quickly there. So for this reason and for A-Rod and Cam out on bye weeks, I have Tony Romo as my third best QB right behind Brees. I don’t see why he can’t treat his owners to his own 300 yard passing game and, say, 2 or 3 TDs. As they say in San Diego, ‘60% of the time, it works every time’ to which Jaywrong usually responds in Burgundese. Outside of Tony, I’m seeing the ‘you’re crazy’ markers next to my Tannehill and Dalton rankings via ECR. That also applies to my Moreno call but I think he’ll play better rock, paper, scissors this week I guess. Apparently my Chris Givens love never dies either and somehow Rod Streater is gonna blow up this week according to my rankings as well. And apparently I’m the only one who’s figured out that the SF defense hasn’t been good for a while now as I’ve moved them down to ‘take’um or leave’um’ territory down by the Texans. I don’t know what my kickers look like, you’ll have to tell me. I have 1,000 trained mice whom I have picking grains of rice out of a bag with names like ‘Walsh’ and ‘Hartley’ on them. It’s a complicated process but at least it’s a process! More time spent on them than other ‘perts, most likely, to say the least. But enough fluff, on with the show. Here’s your week 4 rankings for the 2013 Fantasy Football Season…

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Shop Smart, Shop D Mart

September 25, 2013 | 2013 Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Buy/Sell | 314 Comments

by: Sky

Bruce Campbell has become one of those rare actors where people have simply asked him to play ‘Bruce Campbell’. Very few actors can pull this off and make a career out of it. Only other one that comes to mind right now is Christopher Walken. Can they play dramatic roles? Sure but even while Christopher Walken told you about 5 long years of your daddy wearing his watch up his ass, it was Walken telling you. You reach that stage of caricature only a few times with actors and Bruce Campbell is that guy. He plays the smug, badass hero. I mean, there’s a movie called ‘My Name Is Bruce‘, people. Yes, he plays a smug bad-ass like only Bruce Campbell can. Why all this talk of caricatures and playing yourself? Well, one, I’m quoting Army of Darkness for my title and any chance I get to talk about that movie, I make sure and take advantage of. Two, for all the things that Doug Martin has not been this year – superstar in the stats department – he’s still been the 12th best running back off the board in PPR leagues. Though he’s been minimally involved in the passing to date – only 4 receptions – he’s second in the NFL in rushing yardage. You could say he’s a caricature of a star running back because no one is taking him seriously. He’s just there, producing but not wowing anyone. Oh hey, there’s another 100 total yards of offense from Dougie Fresh. Psssh, big deal, seen that before. You see, he’s been productive but not blow you out of the water productive. Now I know there’s a lot of fears going around Tampa Bay right now. The team is considered on death’s door. But that hasn’t stopped them from keeping Martin involved as he leads the NFL in rushing attempts. As the pundits currently say, Martin’s gonna eat. I don’t even really know what that means but I understand it to be a positive. So check in and see if Martin owners are fed up with his solid but unspectacular performance to date. Then when he goes off at the end of the year you can say, ‘Hail to the King, Baby’. God I love that movie. And Bruce Campbell. In other buy/sell news for 2013 Fantasy Football…

Please, blog, may I have some more?

Manning Was Pey’ns-Takingly Accurate

September 24, 2013 | 2013 Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Daily Notes | 232 Comments

by: Sky

There are certain things in life you can’t predict. When the market will drop like it did in 2009, when the Middle East will find peace like it did in never, and when we will find out what Foxes say. If you can solve this mystery, Unca Scooge, you might rewrite history or so Ducktales taught us long ago. One thing that history has taught us and that we can predict is that as long as Peyton isn’t too old to throw the football, he’s gonna be a monster. After spending most of the night having as many incompletions as he did touchdowns, Peyton Manning finished with 3 touchdowns on 32/37 passing for 374 passing yards and his first turnover of the season on a sack/fumble combo. Sure, it wasn’t the night of ages like his 7 touchdowns to start the season but with this game in the books, Peyton is now on pace for 4496 passing yards, 64 passing touchdowns and ZERO int. I put that in caps so you didn’t miss it. Manning at 37 has the best receiving crew he’s ever had surrounding him his entire career and he’s taking full advantage at this point. I ranked him in the Matt Ryan tier behind guys like Russell Wilson, RG3 and Cam Newton. Don’t ask, I must’ve been reading too much into the read option. The ‘he can’t keep this pace’ argument isn’t valid. We know that and we’re not expecting it. But could he pass for 50 TDs this year? Very possible. This is a Bronco team on a mission and Peyton is leading the charge. In other 2013 Fantasy Football news…

Please, blog, may I have some more?