http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/players/calvin_johnson/19288 Recent articles about Calvin Johnson en-us Growing up as a hometown fan of any Cleveland sports team is immensely difficult for anyone, let alone my generation. I have endured the likes of The Shot, The Drive, The Fumble, and most recently The Decision. There is reason and foundation for my favoritism of Michael Jordan exceeding the preference of my Cavaliers, and an even more prominent rationality for my infatuation with fantasy football football; the Cleveland Browns. Calling the Browns organization a fantasy wasteland since my earliest days – building up this devotion for the fantasy industry - would be an understatement. Lousy draft pick after another, untapped “potential” resulting in positional turnaround within a couple of years, and dreadfully embarrassing season after season grows tiresome. Welcome to my life, and that of any Clevelander with hometown pride who still cherishes and is passionate about our beloved Browns. Once again there is a new regime in town, a sense of hope that we pray is not false, and continue... Mon, 13 May 2013 02:53:06 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/4th_quarter_josh_gordon/13604036 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/4th_quarter_josh_gordon/13604036 4th Quarter: Josh Gordon http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/4th_quarter_josh_gordon/13604036 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/0/b0b5cb1555bcddb951d70ff2e39630bdd948fc0a/mini/6772230.jpg Roddy White: Are you crazy? I don’t care if he doesn’t practice all week or is reported to have a hard cast around his knee. He’s clearly going to play, if the last two weeks are any indication, and you have to treat this like we treated Calvin Johnson’s knee injury: they’re resting him so he’s ready to go come Sunday. However, there is one very LARGE caveat to the above-stated: the Falcons have nothing to play for, as they’re locked up the #1 seed already. So Coach Smith has a decision to make: Give White 2 weeks (including the round 1 bye) to get healthy or give White 2 weeks to get rusty. For that reason alone, make sure you check out the reports come Friday, but if you’re worried from an injury standpoint, expect him to be fine for this Sunday. Update: He sat out practice all week and is officially listed as Questionable. I find it very hard to believe that the Falcons would let White play after not practicing all week with nothing to play for. I’d look elsewhere. Anquan Boldin: Se Sat, 29 Dec 2012 20:02:40 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/fantasy_football_week_17_injury_update_t_richgronkmjd/12535738 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/fantasy_football_week_17_injury_update_t_richgronkmjd/12535738 Fantasy Football: Week 17 Injury Update (T-Rich/Gronk/MJD) http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/fantasy_football_week_17_injury_update_t_richgronkmjd/12535738 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/a/1a5cc86871c292a2824ac9799ea6f56c65079ef8/mini/Roddy_White_Portrait_4b77.jpg Veteran NFL referee Ed "Big Guns" Hochuli appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated this past month, likely becoming the first NFL official to grace the 'cursed' cover.Nobody in the history of humanity has ever uttered the "L" word regarding sports officials. Over the years, NFL officials have slowly but surely been gaining more recognition and fame. Growing up, the only official I ever "knew' was the legendary Red Cashion. That was because of Red's special way of announcing decisions to the crowd. Cashion especially got a great deal of joy letting the home team's fans know about decisions that benefited their club."FIRST DOOOWWWWWNNNN!" followed by an enthusiastic first down arm signal. In my memory, he's the only ref who could actually pump up a crowd. I loved this guy, he was awesome.Instant replay went completely away for many years. Then it came back in the form of "coach's challenges". Over the past cou... Sun, 18 Nov 2012 21:22:10 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/ed_hochuli_gives_the_cowboys_their_fifth_win_of_2012/12245386 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/ed_hochuli_gives_the_cowboys_their_fifth_win_of_2012/12245386 Ed Hochuli Gives The Cowboys Their Fifth Win Of 2012 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/ed_hochuli_gives_the_cowboys_their_fifth_win_of_2012/12245386 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Overreactions might be natural, but with so much yet to learn this season, they're also, by definition, irrational. No, Victor Cruz's three drops in Week 1 did not prove he was a one-hit wonder. But Chris Johnson's and Michael Turner's awful starts look a lot more like signs of swift and major declines on the horizon. The running back formerly known as CJ2K gets one more week to show something, while Turner is now just a glorified goal-line back likely worth no more than a flex each week. And as for Randall Cobb, whom I pumped up like he was the second coming of Victor Cruz only to feel the backlash on the almighty fantasy scoreboard, he still belongs on a roster in 100 percent of leagues but will require some patience. FLEX-PLAY PICKS 1. Brandon LaFell vs. New York Giants - Prince Amukamara (ankle) and Michael Coe (hamstring) are limited in practice this week and questionable for Thursday on the short turnaround. Non-primary receivers Mike Williams and Kevin Ogletree combined for 173 yards Thu, 20 Sep 2012 15:29:18 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/week_3_fantasy_flex_plays/11767078 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/week_3_fantasy_flex_plays/11767078 Week 3 fantasy flex plays http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/week_3_fantasy_flex_plays/11767078 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Houston doesn’t have any Fantasy stars, right????  They only have two of the most electrifying Offensive talents in the NFL when they are both healthy.  This year there are two members of the Offensive Line missing that were key components in allowing Arian Foster and Andre Johnson to consistently expose opposing Defenses.  Mike Brisiel and Eric Winston departed in this offseason and it remains to be seen if losing the right side of the Offensive Line will have a detrimental effect on the Houston Offense.  This year the Offensive Line has Left Tackle Duane Brown, Left Guard Wade Smith, Center Chris Myers, Right Guard Antoine Caldwell and Right Tackle Rashad Butler manning the trench positions. Left Tackle Duane Brown was drafted by the Texans in the 1st round of the 2008 NFL Draft.  He is the best blocker on the line.  In high school he weighed only 250 and was considered to be a Tight End, but he put on 70 pounds and is invaluable for Houston.  Durable and tough, he loves to pancake Defensive Linem Sun, 29 Jul 2012 11:02:17 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/offensive_line_fantasy_value_of_the_houston_texans/11324806 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/offensive_line_fantasy_value_of_the_houston_texans/11324806 Offensive Line Fantasy Value of the Houston Texans http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/offensive_line_fantasy_value_of_the_houston_texans/11324806 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Welcome to the top 20 that just keeps on giving. Seriously, folks, we have an embarrassment of riches here so if you don’t get a wide receiver in the first two rounds of your draft, don’t worry. Even if the passing game comes back to Earth a bit, the WRs you’ll have at your disposal this year won’t leave you feeling empty like you do after eating a fancy dinner where you can’t pronounce what’s on the menu. Excuse me Monsieur, I thought I ordered a full serving of Pate Chinois? Why can I still see 95% of my plate? That’s you at a French restaurant, frustrated and still hungry with a drive thru burger in your future. PS, they still expect 20% gratuity for that forkful of $30. Merci! But back to the subject, you should have an easy time putting together a solid WR corps without trying too hard with plenty of talent going out side the first two rounds. Now that we’ve covered over 150 words of filler, lets move on to the top 20 wide receivers for 2012 fantasy football. Projecti... Wed, 04 Jul 2012 03:15:46 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/top_20_wide_receivers_2012_fantasy_football/11150645 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/top_20_wide_receivers_2012_fantasy_football/11150645 Top 20 Wide Receivers, 2012 Fantasy Football http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/top_20_wide_receivers_2012_fantasy_football/11150645 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png 1. Calvin Johnson - aka Megatron led all WR's last year with 1,681 yards and 16 TD's. He is unstoppable and produces despite double and triple teams. What's scary is that 2011 was the first time Mathew Stafford played in all 16 games. What's more? All of Johnson's receiving stats have trended up over the last 3 years (2009, 2010 and 2011).  Receptions - 67, 77 and 96.  Yards - 984, 1,120 and 1681. TD's - 5, 12 and 16. 100 yard games - 3, 4 and 8. Could he possibly hit 2,000 yard and 20 TD's? The numbers, trend and QB suggest it is a possibility. 2. Larry Fitzgerald - Kurt Warner is not walking through those doors and hasn't since 2009 when Larry put up 13 TD's. Considering he only has 14 TD's over the last two years, he hasn't missed any games since 2007. With uninspiring QB play last year Fitz still managed to put up 1,411 yards and averaged 88 YD's per game with 8 total TD's. Hopefully Kolb comes back this year and is the quar Tue, 19 Jun 2012 14:23:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/top_10_fantasy_football_wrs_for_2012/11248870 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/top_10_fantasy_football_wrs_for_2012/11248870 Top 10 Fantasy Football WR's for 2012 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/top_10_fantasy_football_wrs_for_2012/11248870 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Winning your fantasy league starts with drafting the right Wide Receivers at the right price By: Mark Kaplan It is very important to maximize value during your fantasy draft. That’s why I think it is important to know guys that can contribute for fantasy squads that are good values during drafts. The wide receiver position is super deep with talent and there a lot of receivers that can put up big numbers. Here are some Wide Receivers that can be great fantasy assets that can be taken in the middle or late rounds of drafts. The Underrated Wide outs Quick Note- When I talk about Fantasy points, I’m going by ESPN Standard league scoring Steve Johnson, Buffalo Bills -People want to write his production off, but they forget how good this guy has been the past 2 seasons. He has had back to back seasons with over 1000 receiving Yards and 7 or more touchdowns. The only other WRs that can say that are Roddy White, Calvin Johnson, Mike Wallace, Hakeem Nicks, and Marques Colston. 4... Fri, 15 Jun 2012 12:22:37 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/fantasy_football_2012_5_underrated_and_overrated_wide_receivers/11020211 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/fantasy_football_2012_5_underrated_and_overrated_wide_receivers/11020211 Fantasy Football 2012: 5 Underrated and Overrated Wide Receivers http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/fantasy_football_2012_5_underrated_and_overrated_wide_receivers/11020211 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png 1. Calvin Johnson (Detroit) Calvin Johnson was insane last season in his first full season with an actual quarterback, catching 96 passes for 1681 yards and 16 touchdowns. He might not quite match those numbers this season, but with Stafford throwing him the ball, he remains the #1 fantasy receiver by a good margin, barring the curse of John Madden striking him down. Projection: 90 catches 1500 receiving yards 14 receiving touchdowns (234 pts standard/324 pts PPR) 2. Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona) Larry Fitzgerald had 80 catches for 1411 yards and 8 touchdowns last year with terrible quarterback play. I can’t guarantee his quarterback play will be any better, but Michael Floyd drawing away the bracket coverage opposite him will help him. Projection: 83 catches 1440 receiving yards 9 receiving touchdowns (198 pts standard/281 pts PPR) 3. Greg Jennings (Green Bay) Greg Jennings managed 67 catches for 949 yards and 9 touchdowns last year in 13 games, good for 82 catches for 1168 yards and ... Mon, 28 May 2012 21:21:07 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/top_30_fantasy_football_wide_receivers/10891286 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/top_30_fantasy_football_wide_receivers/10891286 Top 30 Fantasy Football Wide Receivers http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/top_30_fantasy_football_wide_receivers/10891286 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Start Em’ QB Matthew Stafford (DET) Projected 250 Passing yards 2 TD 0 INT Good quarterbacks have managed to shred San Diego’s defense and with Stafford having Calvin Johnson as a target you couldn’t ask for a safer play. Sit Em’ QB  Alex Smith (SF) Projected 200 Passing yards 0 TD 1 INT Alex Smith has struggled to get it in the end zone and throw for over 200 yards. He faces a reborn Seahawks defense that recently has been making life miserable for opposing quarterbacks. Not the strongest play for fantasy owners. Start Em’ RB Rashard Mendenhall (PIT) 110 Total yards 1 TD With Roethlisberger far from 100 percent, the Steelers should make it a strong priority to run the ball a lot next week. Mendehall and possibly even Isaac Redman should be solid plays. Sit Em’ RB Brandon Jacobs (NYG) 30 Total yards 0 TD Jacobs faces the worse possible defense to play against this week. The Jets’ strong interior d-line and fast linebackers should make his life miserable and your fantasy points tough to come Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:01:04 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/week_16_fantasy_football_start_em_sit_em/8875654 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/week_16_fantasy_football_start_em_sit_em/8875654 Week 16 Fantasy Football Start Em’ Sit Em’ http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/week_16_fantasy_football_start_em_sit_em/8875654 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Calvin Johnson blows past Champ Bailey for a 56-yard TD reception. A little showtime move there, slowing up at about the 4. Think it was taunting? No flag on the play, just a Broncos offsides penalty. Sun, 30 Oct 2011 18:16:45 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/johnson_beats_bailey_for_a_score/7755517 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/johnson_beats_bailey_for_a_score/7755517 Johnson beats Bailey for a score http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/johnson_beats_bailey_for_a_score/7755517 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Champ Bailey is back for the Broncos. Looks like he banged up his left leg while battling with Calvin Johnson during a play. You can Johnson is going to test him out. He just caught a 19-yard pass from Matt Stafford for a first down at the 8:10 mark. Sun, 30 Oct 2011 17:10:16 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/850_mark_of_2nd_qtr_bailey_returns/7754293 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/850_mark_of_2nd_qtr_bailey_returns/7754293 8:50 mark of 2nd qtr, Bailey returns http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/850_mark_of_2nd_qtr_bailey_returns/7754293 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/7/471ea1b633833f3605917437dd9f4d049b3185b3/mini/Denver_Broncos_Training_02f8.jpg Calvin Johnson played in his first Pro Bowl last year. On Sunday against the Broncos, he'll be facing two players with a combined' Pro Bowls who'll be trying to keep the ball out of his hands. Sat, 29 Oct 2011 01:00:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/broncos_will_pay_special_attention_to_lions_calvin_johnson/7723945 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/broncos_will_pay_special_attention_to_lions_calvin_johnson/7723945 Broncos will pay special attention to Lions' Calvin Johnson http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/broncos_will_pay_special_attention_to_lions_calvin_johnson/7723945 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png (Eds: With AP Photos.) Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey has watched Calvin Johnson's ascension to elite wide receiver status from afar. On Sunday, Bailey will get a firsthand look at the explosive Detroit receiver for the first time since a 2007 matchup when Johnson was a raw but talented rookie. ''Back then he was a young pup,'' Bailey said. ''He wasn't polished yet, but he's figured that thing out real fast. He has no issues now. He's using everything he has - size, strength, all his speed. You see all the different parts of his game coming out.'' Through the first seven games for Detroit (5-2), Johnson is the NFL leader with 10 touchdown catches while ranking third in the league in receptions (41) and fourth in yards receiving (689). The tall receiver has posed constant matchup problems for defensive backs and he has broken through coverage to four multiple touchdown games. ''They throw the ball up to him in the red area. They throw the ball up to Fri, 28 Oct 2011 03:54:41 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/broncos_bailey_set_for_matchup_against_johnson/7703350 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/broncos_bailey_set_for_matchup_against_johnson/7703350 Broncos' Bailey set for matchup against Johnson http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/broncos_bailey_set_for_matchup_against_johnson/7703350 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/7/471ea1b633833f3605917437dd9f4d049b3185b3/mini/Denver_Broncos_Training_02f8.jpg