The Weekly Bender: You Can Always Come Home
Fri Jul 5 6:00pm ET
By HOWARD BENDER
Fantasy Writer
There is nothing better than winning your fantasy football league. Whether you’re playing against your friends in a home league or gearing up to take down the $500,000 grand prize in The Fantasy Championship, that euphoric feeling hits you in such a way that sometimes words can’t even describe. But it takes work. It takes tenacity. You don’t just stumble into a championship. You earn it. And that starts with your research here in July. Scouting talent is a top priority for you right now and it’s not just about the NFL players on the field. It’s also about which fantasy analysts you choose to trust each season.
Back in 2011, the folks here at RealTime Fantasy Sports led the way in premier scouting. During a raucous after-party following the FSTA Conference (currently the FSGA) in San Francisco, two of RTSports’ finest made their way to the bar and struck up a conversation with the guy slinging drinks. As it turned out, he also happened to be an aspiring fantasy analyst, freelancing for a couple of sites and looking for more work.
The conversation was light and friendly but intensified when opinions on players and teams came into play. The Giants had just won the World Series and baseball talk was buzzing in the Bay Area. The Green Bay Packers were in mini-camp looking to defend their Super Bowl championship and as we witness every year, the football frenzy was already taking over. With every lager and IPA that hit the bar, the men of RTSports also received formidable opinions, spicy hot takes, boatloads of sarcasm and some pretty entertaining jokes. By the end of the evening, a business card was handed across the bar with a firm demand: “We need a fantasy article written every week with these thoughts, these opinions and this kind of attitude.” With smiles all around and firm handshakes given, “The Weekly Bender” was born.
Yes, all of this, just to re-introduce myself to the community here at RealTime Fantasy Sports. What’s going on, everyone? I am over-the-moon with excitement about being back. In some ways, I never left. Though I was soon offered a full-time position at Fantasy Alarm and the Weekly Bender came to a close, I have remained very active on this website. For years, I hosted the Mock Draft Army here on RTSports and provided fantasy owners an opportunity to mock draft alongside dedicated fantasy players and industry analysts from all over. I’ve hosted numerous best ball drafts here for my audience at SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio and until my return today, have been logging plenty of time turning a profit in the RTSports DFS Pick ‘Em contests.
Yes, I am still over at Fantasy Alarm and you can find all of my fantasy football player rankings, cheat sheets (coming this Monday, July 8), draft strategies and my coaching scheme breakdowns in our Fantasy Football Draft Guide. The community over there is spectacular and I am sure that some of you reading this right now may already be over there. But RTSports has always been a home for me and now that I am back, I cannot wait to jump in.
In addition to the Weekly Bender, an article dedicated to providing winning strategies and picks with a hefty serving of snark, I will also be joining Jeff Paur on his weekly podcast/livestream, sharing videos with DFS Pick ‘Em contest picks, hosting mock drafts to get everyone ready for the 2024 NFL season and even setting up some “Beat Howard Bender” contests so that we can not only play against each other but also give you the opportunity to serve some of that smack-talk back to me.
When Thomas Wolfe wrote “You Can’t Go Home Again,” he was referring to the way nostalgia has us viewing the past in an overly-positive light. For those of you who remember the original Weekly Bender, you know we don’t look back at those pieces with rose-colored glasses. We crushed the research together, we ruled the waiver wire together and we shared championships together. It all comes full circle today and if Wolfe was sitting with me here right now, I’d let him know that you truly can go home again.
Here's to a spectacular 2024 season!
Bender, out!
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- Young RBs drawing heavy NFL OPOY support
- Bengals QB Jake Browning sidelined by rib injury
- WR Marquise Brown (shoulder) to miss 4-6 weeks
- WR Brandon Aiyuk has offers from Steelers, 49ers
- Jaguars DE Arik Armstead activated from PUP list
- Raiders sign free agent QB Nathan Peterman
- Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy to have knee surgery
- Cowboys become first sports franchise to surpass $10B valuation
- Browns rookie Mike Hall Jr. arrested on domestic violence charge
- Dolphins release former Titans DT Teair Tart
- Giants RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (leg) carted off field
- Commanders sign WR Martavis Bryant after long absence
- Bills WR Chase Claypool (toe) placed on IR
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs, two other Lions sustain injuries
- Vikings hold rookie QB J.J. McCarthy (knee) out of practice
- Several teams inquire about Patriots' Matthew Judon
- NFL sets meetings with private equity groups
- Jaguars S Andrew Wingard (knee) likely to miss first few games of season
- Bills sign QB Ben DiNucci after Shane Buechele’s neck injury
- LB Haason Reddick requests trade from Jets
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The Paur Report
Dynasty | Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy has a torn meniscus and is out indefintely. Dynasty Analysis: McCarthy will reportedly undergo knee surgery to determine the damage. Should the meniscus just need to be trimmed, he could be back at some point this season. If the damage is more extensive, he's going to be lost for the entire season. This is a tough break for McCarthy and the Vikings who will now turn to Sam Darnold for the foreseeable future. The injury is likely going to drop McCarthy a few spots in late rookie drafts but his strong preseason performance should mitigate anything too drastic.
The New Orleans Saints received welcomed news on Tuesday when wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (hamstring) returned to practice. Shaheed had been dealing with hamstring tightness but was able to participate in practice with a red non-contact jersey. Shaheed is in line for a huge role in this offense in 2024. The speedster recorded 46 receptions for 719 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games in 2023. Most importantly, Shaheed displayed excellent chemistry with quarterback Derek Carr. Shaheed is being drafted outside of the top 100 players in fantasy drafts. As such, he is an excellent sleeper candidate at his current draft price. He should have plenty of time to ramp up before the regular season starts.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints wide receiver A.T. Perry (ankle) left Tuesday's practice with an ankle injury. The severity of Perry's injury is currently unknown but he did walk off the practice field under his own power. Perry is listed as the Saints' No. 3 wide receiver and is in line to see decent target volume. He recorded 12 receptions for 246 yards and four touchdowns in 2023. He also had a solid outing in the Saints' first preseason game with four receptions for 85 yards. Perry is a decent sleeper candidate in fantasy football due to his knack for finding the endzone. Fantasy managers should monitor the situation as it unfolds.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills DT DaQuan Jones (groin) participated in practice Tuesday, Aug. 13.
From TheHuddle
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (undisclosed) was not present at practice on Tuesday. After holding in for a contract extension for the first couple of weeks of training camp, Chase was noticeably absent for the first time on Tuesday. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor noted that the situation remains fluid. Chase is entering the fourth year of his rookie deal and would like to receive a contract extension in line with the top wide receivers in the league. After a season in which Chase recorded a career-high 100 receptions for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns, he certainly deserves it. Fantasy managers are hopeful that this situation will be resolved quickly so that Chase can get back on the field. The Bengals' offense is poised for a monster year with a healthy Joe Burrow.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent WR Tavon Austin (Bills) announced his retirement from professional football Tuesday, Aug. 13.
From TheHuddle
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (back) did not practice on Tuesday. Very little is known about the injury, but it is described as "back tightness". Kamara is in line for another large-volume season with the Saints. Jamaal Williams and Kendre Miller are in line for touches behind Kamara. However, when healthy, Kamara dominates the backfield touches for the Saints. Should this injury persist, then the Saints may be faced with the same inefficiencies they experienced from Williams and Miller when Kamara was suspended for the first three games of 2023. Fantasy managers should continue to check back to ensure that Kamara will not miss significant time.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (foot) is still in a walking boot. It was reported on August 1 that Herbert would wear a boot on his right foot for approximately two weeks while he recovers from a plantar fascia injury. Now that the two-week mark is almost upon us, fantasy managers will be eager to see Herbert walking under his own power again. Herbert is looking to bounce back after a down season in 2023. Injuries and poor team organization limited Herbert to 3,134 passing yards and 20 touchdowns in 13 games. The Chargers have revamped their wide receiver core and will need Herbert to perform at a high level to support the inexperienced pass catchers. Fantasy managers interested in rostering Herbert or any Chargers skill players should closely monitor this situation.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (ankle) was carted off the field at practice on Tuesday. Tracy was ultimately diagnosed with a low-ankle sprain which gives the Giants a sigh of relief. Tracy is currently listed as the Giants' No. 2 running back behind Devin Singletary. The fifth-round pick out of Purdue has been the talk of camp. Eric Gray is in line to see additional work as long as Tracy is out. Tracy has been a rising sleeper candidate and should be monitored moving forward.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Chiefs receiver Marquise Brown will miss 4-6 weeks with a dislocated sternoclavicular joint. Dynasty Analysis: In other words, he has a shoulder injury. Brown will likely miss the start of the season, unlocking the door for Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy to have expanded roles early in the year. This injury doesn't look like a long-term issue but it may be a little tougher for Brown to make an early impact should the youngsters prove ready to go on day one. Brown remains a hit or miss dynasty receiver who has a massive opportunity in Kansas City this season.
New England Patriots TE Hunter Henry (undisclosed) did not participate in practice Tuesday, Aug. 13.
From TheHuddle
Free-agent RB John Kelly (Browns) signed with the Baltimore Ravens Tuesday, Aug. 13. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
From TheHuddle
New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara (back) only participated in walk-throughs due to back tightness on Tuesday, Aug. 13.
From TheHuddle
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown (shoulder) is expected to miss four to six weeks with the sternoclavicular injury he suffered in Saturday's preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Opening night for the Chiefs is three weeks from this Thursday night, with KC opening up at home versus the Baltimore Ravens and then facing the Cincinnati Bengals. This timeline likely means Brown won't be available for the regular-season opener in September, dropping his stock in fantasy drafts quite a bit this summer. Although star slot receiver Rashee Rice remains at risk of being suspended at some point this season, his appeal certainly increases with this development. Rookie first-rounder Xavier Worthy is now set to be quarterback Patrick Mahomes' primary deep threat to begin the year, with Justin Watson, Skyy Moore, and Mecole Hardman being in line for an uptick in snaps.
From RotoBaller
ESPN's Mike Clay believes that Denver Broncos running back Samaje Perine could become available before the regular season begins. Perine is currently a part of a crowded backfield in Denver alongside starter Javonte Williams and change-of-pace backs Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime. With an expiring contract and no obvious future with the Broncos, Perine is a potential cap casualty for this summer ahead of roster cuts in late August. The veteran power back did quietly make a big impact a year ago, however, turning in the second-most yards per touch (6.7) over 103 touches and most yards per route run (2.04) across 223 routes among qualifiers at his position, so he could be a valuable asset to another team needing backfield reinforcements.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars DT Arik Armstead (knee) was activated from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list on Tuesday, Aug. 13.
From TheHuddle
Green Bay Packers rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) went down in the team's preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns after just a lone carry this weekend, and there isn't a whole lot of clarity regarding a timeline for his hamstring injury. When asked about Lloyd's short-term health on Tuesday, head coach Matt LaFleur responded, "He will not be practicing." When asked about a long-term outlook on Lloyd, LaFleur reiterated, "He will not be practicing." The lack of transparency does dump some cold water on Lloyd's case as a late-round sleeper in fantasy drafts this summer. While there is optimism the third-round pick will be ready to go in time for the regular season, his absence means he's missing out on valuable reps in training camp and exhibition play, while also giving veteran AJ Dillon a chance to take a hold of the RB2 job behind workhorse starter Josh Jacobs.
From RotoBaller
ESPN's Mike Clay believes that Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert could become available before the regular season begins. Herbert is currently a part of a logjam in Chicago's backfield alongside starter D'Andre Swift and change-of-pace back Roschon Johnson. With an expiring contract and without a clear future with the Bears, Herbert is a trade candidate this offseason or at the deadline later in the year. The 26-year-old former Virginia Tech standout and sixth-round pick demonstrated a decent level of explosiveness over 152 touches in 2023, producing 4.9 yards per touch across 12 appearances. Even in the case of an injury to Swift, Herbert would likely be a part of a timeshare with Johnson as well as pass-catching specialist Travis Homer.
From RotoBaller
One day after linebacker Haason Reddick's wish to be traded became public, the New York Jets remain in lockstep regarding the matter. "I'm not gonna elaborate any more than (general manager) Joe (Douglas) did," head coach Robert Saleh said at training camp on Tuesday. "It is what it is. I'm going to focus on the guys who are here." Reddick is an unrestricted free agent in 2025 and is looking for a new deal with New York. The two-time Pro Bowler and former first-round pick is entering his age-30 season in 2024, but he remains an integral member of the Jets' vaunted defense. In 17 appearances last season, Reddick generated 11.5 sacks, 56 quarterback pressures, and 14 tackles for loss.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa told reporters on Tuesday at training camp that he hopes to play in Saturday's preseason game versus the visiting Washington Commanders at Hard Rock Stadium. After seeing no action in Friday's preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons, Tagovailoa wants to get some exhibition reps this weekend. If he's active on Saturday against Washington, he's unlikely to play more than a drive or two. The former No. 5 overall pick and first-time Pro Bowler in 2023 led the NFL with 4,624 passing yards a season ago, throwing a career-high 29 touchdowns in 17 appearances for the Dolphins. With little to no rushing upside but featuring a top-tier supporting cast in Miami, Tagovailoa is a low-end QB1 pick in fantasy drafts.
From RotoBaller
