The downtown stadium proposal in Los Angeles cleared another hurdle this week, when Gov. Jerry Brown signed some document that freed up some regulation that I'm not educated enough to talk about, other than to say that we are getting really close.
Though talking about this gives me the same feeling I had in 2003 when I was telling my friends that Axl Rose was this close to releasing Chinese Democracy.
But I will say that this is the closest and most excited I have been about the NFL's possible return to the nation's No. 2 media market. And trust me, I have been clamoring for this since the moment the Rams folded in 1994. (Funny, too, that my NFL career with NFL Publishing started the same summer the league left Los Angeles.)
My wildest dream is that the St. Louis experiment officially will be called off, much like "According to Jim" was mercifully canceled, and the Los Angeles Rams kick off as early as 2012 in the Rose Bowl. My biggest fear is that the Chargers will return to Los Angeles. (And yes, there is a possibility that the Raiders could return to Los Angeles, but let's pretend that could never happen.)
The Chargers deserve to remain in San Diego. I don't know where the world got the notion that Qualcomm Stadium was bad for football, but nobody who has attended games there regularly believes that. Perhaps some sports writer who had to walk a few extra feet to the craft services table was a little put out, but the true fans find the Q a delight. From the tailgating, the ease of public transportation on the redline, to the Chargers girls, there is nothing more delightful than watching professional football in San Diego.
I just hope it remains that way.
With that out of the way, I am offering you my likes and dislikes for the coming fantasy week and more. That's right, Facebook won't give you a dislike button, but I certainly will. And this all will be presented to you in a random, meandering style, which has been glowingly referred to as "teenager on crack chic." Bolded names are my likes and dislikes.
Too many disclaimers? You always can check the rankings, but that is a terrible way to waste the final hours of your work week.
And without further ado ...
LeGarrette Blount has really scared me so far this season. He was disastrous in Week 1, and it looked worse in Week 2 when the Bucs fell behind 17-0. But he has put together two solid weeks. This week should be Blount's best yet. The Colts have allowed the 10th-most fantasy points this season, and Blount will be racking up points as the Bucs grind out a huge win. ...
Rex Grossman, you nuked my fantasy team last week, but this week's matchup against St. Louis is a pretty good one. St. Louis has allowed seven touchdown passes and made only one interception this year, to allow the fourth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. ...
Week 4 Start 'Em & Sit 'Em
Eli Manning as a must-start? Michael Fabiano thinks so in his latest edition of Start 'Em and Sit 'Em. **More ...**
St. Louis has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs, too. So yeah, it's Tim Hightower again. Anybody feeling that good about this one? ...
Do I have enough confidence in Ryan Fitzpatrick to start him even though his opponent, the Bengals, has allowed the seventh-fewest points to starting quarterbacks? That makes Matt Schaub a better start than Fitzpatrick, but I still would go with the Amish Rifle over Tony Romo, Ben Roethlisberger and Michael Vick. That's right, I have confidence in Fitzpatrick. ...
Season 6 of "Dexter" starts Sunday. Colin Hanks joins the cast this year, along with Edward James Olmos. Every year, I say the same thing, "How can Dexter get better?" but it still does. I am anxious to see the scenes between Michael C. Hall and his now-divorced wife, Jennifer Carpenter, who plays his sister. And she left him while he had cancer? Who does she think she is, John Lackey? ...
Hakeem Nicks has seen his targets, catches and yards decline in each game this season, and Mario Manningham is expected back this week. Wait, this is the like section, right? Yes, this is still the like section, but I like Nicks' matchup against the Cardinals, who have allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to receivers this season. Add Victor Cruz, though, just to be safe. ...
If you need some insurance with the Giants playing the 1 p.m. game (out here on the West Coast), you might want to add Denarius Moore or Eric Decker, who is available in 60 percent of leagues. ...
Maybe like is a pretty strong word for Eli Manning, but the Giants quarterback certainly has a great matchup against the Cardinals this week. Arizona has allowed nearly 19 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season. Eli is coming off a solid Week 3 against the Eagles. I like Eli ranked ahead of Tony Romo, Ben Roethlisberger, Cam Newton and Matt Ryan. ...
Well, you knew we were getting to this, but Wednesday night was the greatest sporting night in quite some time. Maybe ever. Personally, it was the best sports night since Scott Spiezio hit that three-run bomb in Game 6 of the 2002 World Series. ...
Great cover story on Boston, ESPN Magazine. Here's the thing: Nobody likes Boston. Now I find myself feeling like Bobby Heenan in the moments after Hulk Hogan turned heel and formed the nWo. I have been telling everybody for years, there is no reason to cheer for Boston sports, and I told you back then that the Sox winning the World Series in 2004 was a terrible idea. Do you believe me now? ...
I like Julio Jones to continue on from his breakout game against the Bucs in Week 3. Jones is a great play this week against the Seahawks, and I have him locked in as a solid WR 2. Jones has 21 targets this season; that number is going to increase. Compared to other No. 2 receivers, I like him more than Brandon Lloyd, Sidney Rice, Jordy Nelson, Percy Harvin and Plaxico Burress. ...
Where are you, Larry Fitzgerald? No touchdowns in his last six home games, and 11 consecutive home games under 100 receiving yards. That changes this week against the Giants, who have allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to receivers this season. ...
Remember when the Patriots had a vaunted defense? Me, either. But you already know to start Darren McFadden against the Patriots defense, which has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to running backs this season...
Doppelganger: Joe Maddon and Barry from Storage Wars on A&E. And those units they are auctioning off are staged, right? Seems like every time Barry purchases one and starts rummaging, he's like, "Oh, look here's a blender, a garbage bag full of clothes, and look, the Mona Lisa."
OK, this will be the week that Chris Johnson gets it going. Honestly, you can cut and paste this line each week because there is no way Johnson will be stopped for the whole season. ...
The WWE has another pay-per-view this weekend? What gives? The main event is a Hell-in-a-Cell match between champion John Cena, Alberto Del Rio and CM Punk. The E already has ruined the HHH storyline, so why not put the strap on Del Rio? ...
Staying with the WWE, if you follow me on Twitter, we have #talkaboutit Fridays, and today's question -- greatest WWF tag teams? The Road Warriors and Hart Foundation were the runaway winners with the fans, but the correct answer was Edge and Christian. ...
Cedric Benson is climbing the boards in my re-Ranks. Is he a better start than Fred Jackson? Not ready to go that far. The Bengals have been tough on running backs, allowing the 12th-fewest points, but Jackson is a great option catching the ball out of the backfield. Benson should take advantage of the Bills' defense, which has allowed the 11th-most fantasy points. ...
I am all in with Ed Helms in "The Office." Great choice, anything else would have been a disaster. And James Spader has been a genius move, too. ...
I drafted a great receiving corps in our NFL Experts league, nabbing Dre Johnson, Miles Austin and Kenny Britt. Anybody would walk out of the draft feeling great about that. This week, I am starting Dre, David Nelson and Percy Harvin, all of whom I like this week. I nearly snuck Titus Young into the lineup, as I really like his matchup this week. I stuck with Harvin because the Chiefs' defense has struggled against the pass, and if Harvin cannot break out this week, then we are in a lot of trouble. ...
Coming correct, "Sons of Anarchy" is in its fourth season as some readers pointed out. My mistake. I thought seasons two and three actually were the first and second halves of one season. But this season is still awesome, right? ...
Randy McMichael is a good play if Antonio Gates cannot go -- and he probably won't. In fact, don't expect to see Gates until after the Chargers' bye week. McMichael faces the Dolphins this week, who have given up the most points to fantasy tight ends this year. ...
Greg Olsen also is a good start against the Bears, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points to tight ends. I don't know if Cam Newton is savvy enough, but tossing a few to Olsen against his former team would be a nice touch. I told one of our video preditors here at NFL.com, Claire Atkins, to start Olsen in her flex this week over guys like Victor Cruz, Johnny Knox and Dwayne Bowe. ...
Jermaine Gresham is another sneaky start this week, too. Both Fantasy Live host Matt "Money" Smith and I like him, and the Bills have allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to tight ends this season. ...
Still stick with Fred Davis as a low-end No. 1 tight end. Chris Cooley just doesn't seem to have it anymore. ...
Octoberfest! Seriously. Let me see if I got this straight: A month-long holiday where we just sit around drinking beer? I'm in. ...
The matchup isn't tantalizing, but Sidney Rice was targeted 10 times in Week 3, and no other Seahawks receiver has been targeted more than six times in any game this season. ...
Frank Gore was one of my strongest likes, going against the Eagles, who have allowed the most fantasy points this season. But then Gore started complaining about his injury. But on Friday, Jim Harbaugh said Gore was going to play. I hope, for your sake, that Gore has a great game so you can trade him. This guy is going to be a headache. ...
Just go ahead and add Kendall Hunter if you have the room. ...
Terry Francona is a class act, and a great baseball guy. Now that he has parted ways with the Red Sox, I am happy because he is way too good for that organization. He will land on his feet with another team and thrive. I would be happy to have him join the Angels staff, but he is going to manage again.
Seriously, two World Series championships for the Red Sox should have given him a lifetime pass from Boston fans. He is now gone less than five years after winning that second. ...
And another nod to Bill "Sudsy" Sudell for gathering these great factoids.
I certainly don't like that Ryan Mathews and Daniel Thomas are both facing injury issues for this weekend's games. I don't like this one bit. Keep an eye on Friday's injury report. ...
Michael Vick is expected to start this week, and I have always said that you start your fantasy studs when possible. But can you consider a guy who has less fantasy points than Kevin Kolb, Jason Campbell, Chad Henne and Joe Flacco a fantasy stud? And realize, the 49ers have allowed the 10th-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. ...
Add Jeremy Maclin to that list, too, as he was limited in practice Thursday. ...
Wait, there is an "American Pie" reunion? Did somebody hopefully forget to call Tara Reid? Oh, well. It will at least help Shannon Elizabeth remember what it was like to have a movie career. Who would have guessed that Alyson Hannigan would be the biggest star of that group? (Don't give me any lip about Mena Suvari, either.) ...
How many of you drafted Josh Freeman to be your QB1? What a bummer, and it won't improve this week against the Colts. I liked Freeman but avoided him because I went all-in on Blount in every league. ...
Leave Marques Colston on your bench this week, unless you are truly hurting for options. The Jaguars have allowed the fifth-fewest points to receivers this season, and having Colston back again muddles the already murky receiving situation for the Saints. The hierarchy of Saints receivers is as follows: Colston, Lance Moore, Devery Henderson, Bobby Meachem. ...
Many fantasy enthusiasts are contemplating putting Joe Flacco in their lineup after his huge game against St. Louis. Don't do that. Flacco is facing the Jets, who have given up the fewest points to fantasy quarterbacks this season. Keep him on your bench unless you are really hurting for a quarterback, meaning a guy like Mark Sanchez or Kevin Kolb. Oh, and if you added Torrey Smith this week, keep him on the bench as he will have his ticket punched for Revis Island. ...
Chad Ochocinco. ...
Nate Washington was a hot pickup this week, but the Browns have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to receivers this season. So don't expect Kenny Britt-like production. ...
Arian Foster is another guy that I dislike this week because I don't like to play running backs who are battling hamstring injuries. Listen to Gary Kubiak carefully because he says that Foster will play this week. Hopefully. Why so vague, Gary Kubiak? The Texans coach really dislikes your fantasy team. For those of you with better options -- Darren Sproles or Cedric Benson -- I would keep Foster on the bench. But then again, unless you have elite options, Foster is going to end up in your lineup. ...
Where do you separate fantasy stud against matchup? The 49ers have allowed the fewest fantasy points to running backs this season, but there is no way to sit LeSean McCoy. You would need some elite fantasy options. ...
New shows "Pan Am" and "Playboy Club" are trying way too hard. Hey look, I'm an airline stewardess -- and double agent. I almost started to wonder if "Pan Am" actually was a spoof. And what about "Terra Nova," or what I like to call, "Jurassic Park, the series." I liked it better the first time when they called it "Land of the Lost." WTS is this all about? Hey look, let's go back in time away from technology and cures for disease to all die of the plague. Is this for real? I mean, I have long wondered what I would do if I could go back in time to clear up some past transgressions, like Sam Beckett in "Quantum Leap." I have no intention of going back in time to see what it was like to dodge dinosaurs.
Though, I am curious to see if Sleestaks really existed. ...
What are the odds a member of the Red Sox still wins the MVP award? I figure the top three vote-getters will be Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin PEDroia, and Adrian Gonzalez, in that order. ...
Tony Romo is heroic, and I somewhat agree with Elliot Harrison, who says that he is a good quarterback, but I am not playing him against the Lions, who have allowed the third-fewest points to quarterbacks this season. Start Rex Grossman, Matt Ryan and Cam Newton over Romo. ...
Time for some of the Richard Grieco All-Stars: Felix Jones is only a flex player this week, too, despite a big game against the Redskins. The Lions' front four has been tough on running backs this season. ...
Shonn Greene is another member of the Richard Grieco All-Stars, and he is a low-end flex at best against the Ravens. Greene has scored only one touchdown in his last 13 road games. ...
Remember when you thought Knowshon Moreno was going to turn things around for you this year? Welcome to the Richard Grieco All-Stars. ...
If I was fantasy-booking "The Office," I would remove Pam from the show. She adds nothing now that she and Jim are a couple. You can have her return from time to time, but her storyline is done. ...
Dez Bryant did not practice Friday. Wonderful. ...
One thing to always be mindful of is that there are fantasy matchups that seem like they are good but could be deceivingly tougher than first thought. Matt Ryan against the Seahawks -- that seems like a tasty matchup, right? But the Seahawks are in the lower third of fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks. I would start Ryan Fitzpatrick, Cam Newton and Ben Roethlisberger ahead of him. ...
A group of Broncos fans funded a "Start Tim Tebow" billboard in Colorado. Think of how many kids Tebow could have circumcised with that money. ...
Everybody got swept up in the euphoria of Mike Williams North's return to the NFL and ignored the fact he had just two touchdowns last season and finished below 1,000 receiving yards. Now with Sidney Rice in the mix, Williams should not be in your starting lineup. ...
BenJarvus Green-Ellis has a great matchup this week against the Raiders, but will he be on the field long enough to take advantage of it? Green-Ellis was stuffed at the goal line against the Bills and eventually lost carries to Stevan Ridley. ...
Marcedes Lewis has a fantastic matchup against the Saints (fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends). But with that calf injury and Blaine Gabbert, Lewis should not see your starting lineup. He is not even in my top 24. ...
Remember when Michael Clayton had that awesome rookie season, then did nothing after that? That is all I can think of when I seeMike Williams South struggle.
For the record, you can submit your fantasy questions to NFL.com Fantasy Live, Michael Fabiano or me on Twitter. But realize, NFL.com Fantasy has 25,000 followers, and Fabiano has 34,000. Me? I have just 2,300. So your odds are better that I will answer a question, just based on the numbers. So hit me up on both via Twitter or via Facebook. Be sure to catch the latest on the Dave Dameshek Football Program.
