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Bears Cut Jeremiah Ratliff, Sign Ziggy Hood

NFL News
October 22, 2015

3:56pm: According to Adam Jahns of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter link), Ratliff was escorted out of Halas Hall on Wednesday, and had an animated exchange with GM Ryan Pace. Pace said in a statement today that the move was “in the best interest” of the team (Twitter link via Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune).

3:49pm: Having already traded two veteran defensive players since the 2015 season got underway, the Bears are making more changes on that side of the ball. According to Field Yates of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Chicago has released defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff.

Ratliff, 34, was suspended for three games to open the season for violating the league’s policy and program for substances of abuse. However, after being re-added to the roster, he resumed his starting duties for the Bears, playing more than half of the team’s snaps over the last two weeks.

A year ago, Ratliff racked up 37 tackles and 6.5 sacks in just 11 games, grading as the league’s sixth-best defensive tackle – according to Pro Football Focus – despite playing fewer snaps than any other DT in the top 10. However, between injuries and suspensions, he hasn’t played a full season since 2011, and new Bears head coach John Fox and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio may not have viewed him as an ideal fit for the club.

To replace Ratliff on the roster, the Bears have signed defensive tackle Ziggy Hood, the team announced today (via Twitter). Hood, who spent five years in Pittsburgh to begin his NFL career, was a Jaguar last season, appearing in all 16 games and recording 24 tackles to go along with a sack and a fumble recovery.

The Bears have now jettisoned Ratliff, Jared Allen, and Jonathan Bostic in recent weeks, and also released Tim Jennings just a couple weeks before the regular season began. All four players started at least half of Chicago’s games in 2014.

Gates, Allen miss practice again on Thursday

Fantasy Football, NFL News
October 22, 2015
InjuryKnee and hip injuries, respectively

Like Antonio Gates (knee), WR Keenan Allen (hip) missing second straight practice. Philip Rivers working without a couple favorite targets. (Michael Gehlken on Twitter)

Nerdy Football Analysis: Gates played 69 of 92 snaps last week and was in the Week 6 loss to the Packers until the end, so the Chargers are more than likely just playing it safe and giving him some rest. Allen is a bit more of a concern because he sat out the fourth quarter and overtime. Friday will be key for both players, but Allen’s owners have more to worry about here than Gates’. Steve Johnson might return from a two-week absence, although it is possibly Rivers’ top receivers versus Oakland could be Malcom Floyd and Dontrelle Inman.

Boldin a likely game-time decision for TNF

Fantasy Football, NFL News
October 22, 2015
InjuryHamstring injury

WR Anquan Boldin is battling a hamstring injury, and will work out pregame to gauge his status. But he’s pushing hard to play. (Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Nerdy Football Analysis: Boldin is coming off back-to-back 100-yard receiving games, but faces extreme odds in making it three in a row. First and foremonst, the 35-year-old totaled five catches for 41 scoreless yards in two games against Seattle last season. It seems unlikely that Boldin will fare much better this time around with a balky hamstring that he could potentially aggravate on a short week. Even if he does suit up, it is probably for the best that owners put him on the bench this week.

South Notes: Jags, Brooks, Saints, Mariota

NFL News
October 22, 2015

Through at least the 2020 season, EverBank Field will continue to host seven Jaguars regular season games annually, rather than eight, as we learned earlier today. With Jacksonville having extended its relationship with Wembley Stadium through 2020, with an option for five additional years, the Jags will play at least one home game per year overseas for the foreseeable future.

While that announcement wasn’t a surprise, it’s worth keeping an eye on the Jags’ schedule over the next few years to see if they spend even more time in the United Kingdom. The team is a good candidate to become the first to play two consecutive games in London — likely one as a home team and one as a road team. Additionally, once Tottenham’s new stadium opens in 2018, the Jags would look like a prime candidate to play games there as well, given owner Shad Khan’s fondness for the market.

Here’s more on Khan, the Jaguars, and some other teams from the NFL’s two South divisions:

  • While Khan is disappointed with the Jaguars‘ 1-5 record to open the 2015 season, he said today that he still has “a huge amount of confidence” in GM Dave Caldwell and head coach Gus Bradley, writes Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union.
  • Texans guard Brandon Brooks, who figures to be one of the more intriguing free agents at his position in 2016, was impressed by Marshal Yanda‘s new contract with the Ravens, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. “Not bad at all,” Brooks said. “He deserves it.” For his part, Brooks could end up seeking a similar deal this winter.
  • Drew Brees is 36, and it’s time for the Saints to face reality and think about the future of the position, writes Pat Yasinskas of WalterFootball.com. Although Brees is coming off his best game of the season against Atlanta, Yasinskas rightly notes that there have been some signs that the veteran signal-caller is slowing down. If the Saints finish near the bottom of the league this year, they may have a chance to draft California quarterback Jared Goff, and that’s a pick that Yasinskas endorses.
  • Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota didn’t take part in practice today, and head coach Ken Whisenhunt said that tomorrow’s practice will reveal a lot about the QB’s availability for Week 7 (Twitter links via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com). Reports on the severity of Mariota’s injury have varied, with some suggesting he could be sidelined for multiple weeks, while others have indicated he should play this weekend.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Daily Fantasy College Football Week 8: DraftKings Optimum Lineup, Matchup Guide

Fantasy Football
October 22, 2015

As we inexplicably speed past the halfway mark of the 2015 college football regular season, more and more standout players are forging their way into “stud” territory.

At this point in the year, the expected production level will likely match the result. There isn’t a lot of deviation at this point. When selecting a fantasy roster, the player’s opponent is arguably the biggest determiner as to whether you should select him.

As is the case with DraftKings, fantasy players are allowed two quarterbacks, two running backs, three receivers and two flex players. All nine players must equal no more than $50,000.

Optimum Lineup for Week 8

QB: Maxwell Smith (SDSU, $4,900), Brett Rypien (Boise State, $6,500)

RB: Zack Langer (Tulsa, $5,900), Stanley “Boom” Williams (Kentucky, $5,500)

WR: Jordan Payton (UCLA, $5,800), Laquon Treadwell (Ole Miss, $6,100), Demarcus Ayers (Houston, $6,200)

Flex: De’Runnya Wilson (Mississippi State, $5,500), Vic Enwere (Cal, $3,600)

Budget: $50,000

Used: $50,000

QB Analysis

A Kentucky transfer, Smith has been a breath of fresh air for the San Diego State offense.

The Aztecs are on a three-game winning streak, in large part due to Smith’s effectiveness as a passer. He doesn’t turn the ball over, as evidenced by throwing only two interceptions thus far.

In the last two weeks, he has completed more than 70 percent of his passes. With Utah State coming to town, one can expect the Aggies to put up plenty of points. As such, this could provide Smith with more opportunities in the passing game.

Rypien has been effective since taking over the starting job for the Broncos. On the year, he’s thrown seven touchdowns to only four interceptions. He’s also completing passes at a 63.6 percent clip.

This weekend, Boise State will host a struggling 1-6 Wyoming team. Rypien has already demonstrated the ability to feast on cupcakes this season (Virginia, Hawaii). There’s no reason why he can’t do the same to the Cowboys.

RB Analysis

Tulsa running back Zack Langer has rushed for at least one touchdown in every game this year. The bruising tailback has accrued 596 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season.

He won’t necessarily be a home run threat to break a long run, but he appears to be good for at least one score. Langer rushed for 161 yards and a touchdown earlier this year against Oklahoma.

Kentucky back Stanley “Boom” Williams is running to the tune of a 7.2 yards-per-carry average. In some respects, he’s the antithesis of Langer.

While he’s not going to be a grind-it-out type of running back, his slashing style works perfectly with the upstart Wildcats offense. Williams is at his best when he can utilize his speed in space. On the year, he’s rushed for 456 yards on only 63 carries.

He’s also coming off one of his better games of the season, running for 113 yards and two touchdowns versus Auburn.

WR Analysis

Treadwell’s money total is curiously low, considering he leads the SEC in catches (49) and receiving yards (654). He’s unquestionably Chad Kelly’s favorite target and more often than not impacts the game in a big way.

Against a sometimes-shaky Texas A&M team this weekend, Treadwell should accumulate big numbers. Don’t be surprised if this contest ends up being a shootout down in Oxford, Mississippi.

Like Treadwell, Payton is UCLA’s top receiver in both yards and receptions. Josh Rosen had his second-best game statistically last week versus Stanford and appears to be hitting his stride as a passer.

With Cal allowing a considerable amount of passing yards per contest, Payton could be in line for a big day.

Ayers and the explosive Houston offense are salivating at the thought of playing an 0-7 UCF team this weekend. The diminutive receiver (5’10”, 178 lbs) out of Texas is lightning-quick, has legitimate deep-threat speed and is without a doubt the most dynamic skill player on Houston’s roster.

Ayers has double the amount of catches (46) as the next-best statistical output on the roster. He should be good for at least one touchdown in this expected blowout.

Flex Analysis

Wilson has caught four touchdowns in the past four games, including two last week in the win over Louisiana Tech.

With his combination of size and speed, he’s a terror on any jump-ball scenario down the sidelines. Signal-caller Dak Prescott makes him an obvious focal point of the offense. Wilson leads the team in receiving yards (433) and touchdown catches (five).

Wilson’s smallish money total also makes him an attractive play this week.

Enwere is a big wild card this week. Cal is playing UCLA, which has been absolutely horrid against the run in 2015. The Bruins gave up 310 yards on the ground last week in the loss to Stanford.

Since the injury to Eddie Vanderdoes, Jim Mora’s team hasn’t displayed the ability to play even adequately against any sort of effective rushing attack.

The big back (6’1″, 230 lbs) out of Texas has been sharing time with Daniel Lasco. He has been injured for the majority of the year but will try to give it a go against the Bruins. If Lasco gets nicked in the game (which is a distinct possibility), Enwere would assume the role as the lead back. Regardless, he might be the goal-line option as a means to keep Lasco healthy.

Costing only $3,600, he could be a huge steal in Week 8 play.

Enter the DraftKings $1.25 M Play-Action contest this weekend. Use promo code Nerdy Football when you sign up.

Read more Fantasy Football news on NerdyFootball.com

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