Guest of the League
Acme Trading Incorporated Est. 2019
Dynasty $125 - FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1

Brett Favre seeks to re-ignite lawsuit against Shannon Sharpe

Tue Jul 9 9:59pm ET
Field Level Media

Brett Favre's legal team was back in court on Tuesday, according to multiple media reports, trying to convince the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans to reinstate the former quarterback's defamation lawsuit against Shannon Sharpe.

The case was dismissed by a federal judge in Jackson, Miss., in October.

The dispute involves comments Sharpe made on the Fox Sports show "Skip and Shannon: Undisputed" in September 2022. At the time, Favre was at the center of an alleged corruption scandal involving the state of Mississippi's welfare system.

Among his broadcast comments, Sharpe said Favre was "taking from the underserved," that he "stole money from people that really needed that money," and, "The problem that I have with this situation, you've got to be a sorry mofo to steal from the lowest of the low."

The lower court ruled that Sharpe's remarks were "rhetorical hyperbole" and "loose, figurative language." Favre's lawyers are arguing that the comments represent "actionable defamation."

Favre was never charged with a crime, but the state of Mississippi still has a lawsuit pending against him and others involved in the welfare scandal. State representatives maintain that he received more than $1 million for planned speaking engagements to which he was a no-show. He paid back that money but is being pursued for interest.

Sharpe has since left Fox Sports and now works for ESPN.

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

Top 3 Busts

Player Notes
Josh Jacobs Aug 11 10:20am CT
Josh Jacobs

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs recorded a rush attempt and a reception in the Packers' preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns. Jacobs and the starters only lasted three plays. The Packers offense scored on the third play from scrimmage on a 65-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Love to Dontayvion Wicks. Jacobs was on the field for all three plays. His lone rush attempt went for seven yards and his reception went for a loss of two yards. Jacobs ran a short route on the touchdown pass as an outlet for Love. As expected, it appears that Jacobs will be heavily involved in the offense. However, it remains to be seen if he will share time in the backfield with either MarShawn Lloyd or AJ Dillon. The answer to that question may not come until the regular season gets underway in September. Jacobs has a Yahoo! ADP of 34 and is a borderline RB1 heading into fantasy football drafts.

From RotoBaller

D.J. Moore Aug 11 10:10am CT
D.J. Moore

Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore played in his first game after signing a $110 million extension in Saturday's 33-6 preseason win against the Bills. Moore saw his first action with quarterback Caleb Williams and caught two of three targets for 27 yards, despite only playing the first two drives. Although many high-profile players like Moore often sit out preseason games, developing game chemistry with Williams is crucial for their success this season. Moore's next chance to suit up comes on Saturday at home against the Bengals.

From RotoBaller

Caleb Williams Aug 11 10:00am CT
Caleb Williams

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams played the first two drives in the team's 33-6 preseason win over the Bills. He completed four of seven passes for 95 yards and rushed once for 13 yards. Although his playing time was limited, Williams showcased his ability to throw accurately on the run and improvise effectively outside of the pocket. He targeted tight end Cole Kmet twice, resulting in one catch and one drop. Additionally, Williams connected with running back D'Andre Swift for a big gain and receiver D.J. Moore for his other two completions. His next opportunity to get more reps is Saturday at home against the Bengals.

From RotoBaller

D'Andre Swift Aug 11 10:00am CT
D'Andre Swift

Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift made his team debut on Saturday in their 33-6 preseason win over the Bills. Despite limited playing time, Swift rushed once for three yards and caught his only target for a 42-yard gain from quarterback Caleb Williams. After signing a $24 million contract to join Chicago from Philadelphia, Swift appears set for a featured role on an improving Bears offense. If his dynamic play in the first game is any indicator, Swift could see more receiving volume than usual. His next chance to get playing time comes on Saturday at home against the Bengals.

From RotoBaller

Dallin Holker Aug 11 9:10am CT
Dallin Holker

New Orleans Saints rookie tight end Dallin Holker caught all three targets for 24 yards in his NFL debut. The 24-year-old undrafted rookie has an opportunity to earn a roster spot with Juwan Johnson (foot) currently on the PUP list. Holker was the only Saints tight end aside from Michael Jacobson (one catch for four yards) to record a catch in the preseason win over Arizona. He will be an intriguing name to keep an eye on throughout the rest of the preseason as he competes with Johnson, Foster Moreau, Jacobson, and Kevin Rader for a roster spot.

From RotoBaller

Chris Olave Aug 11 9:10am CT
Chris Olave

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave drew four targets in Saturday's win over Arizona, but only caught one for 10 yards. Olave was the target of Derek Carr's first three pass attempts, indicating that he will be targeted early and often this season. With Rashid Shaheed (hamstring) sitting out, Olave was by far the most trusted receiver on the field with the starters for New Orleans. It remains unclear whether the third-year receiver will see any more preseason action prior to Week 1's matchup with the Carolina Panthers.

From RotoBaller

A.T. Perry Aug 11 9:00am CT
A.T. Perry

New Orleans Saints second-year receiver A.T. Perry impressed in Saturday night's preseason win over Arizona. Perry caught all four of his targets for a total of 85 yards, connecting with rookie Spencer Rattler for a 58-yard bomb for the night's longest play. The 24-year-old flashed as a deep threat last season and is currently competing for a starting role in the offense. He remains on the fantasy radar as a deep sleeper.

From RotoBaller

Spencer Rattler Aug 11 8:50am CT
Spencer Rattler

New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler strung together an impressive showing in Saturday's 16-14 preseason win over Arizona. Rattler was third in the pecking order behind Derek Carr and Jake Haener, but was able to play the entire second half. The rookie completed 9-of-17 passes for 70 yards while also rushing twice for eight yards and a touchdown. The game-winning drive was strung together in the game's final minute, which was capped off with a Charlie Smyth field goal. Rattler will continue to compete with Haener for the backup job.

From RotoBaller

Jamaal Williams Aug 11 8:50am CT
Jamaal Williams

New Orleans Saints veteran running back Jamaal Williams played early on, toting the ball six times for 20 yards on the ground. Following a disappointing 2023 campaign after leading the league in touchdowns in 2022, Williams is looking to mix into the backfield more in 2024. The 29-year-old is currently running behind Alvin Kamara with Kendre Miller (hamstring) on the shelf. He will likely see more preseason action in weeks to come.

From RotoBaller

Alvin Kamara Aug 11 8:50am CT
Alvin Kamara

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara drew the start in Saturday's 16-14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. The veteran running back did not see much action, carrying the ball twice for three yards before exiting the game. Kamara remains in line to see a significant workload in his age 29 season, especially with second-year running back Kendre Miller (hamstring) already hurt.

From RotoBaller

Derek Carr Aug 11 8:40am CT
Derek Carr

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr started on Saturday in the 16-14 preseason win over the Arizona Cardinals. Carr didn't have a great showing, completing 2-of-6 passes for 12 yards prior to being pulled for second-year quarterback Jake Haener. The 33-year-old is locked in as New Orleans' Week 1 starter and it is unclear if he will see any more preseason action prior to the season opener against Carolina.

From RotoBaller

Jake Haener Aug 11 8:40am CT
Jake Haener

New Orleans Saints second-year quarterback Jake Haener was the first quarterback off of the bench behind Derek Carr in Saturday's preseason victory. Haener had a cancerous spot removed on Monday and impressively returned to play the same week. The 25-year-old completed 9-of-13 passes for 107 yards, playing the entire first half aside from the first two drives. He led New Orleans to a 6-0 halftime lead, converting two field goal drives. The Fresno State product will continue to compete with rookie Spencer Rattler for the backup job.

From RotoBaller

Demarcus Robinson Aug 11 8:30am CT
Demarcus Robinson

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson is emerging as the team's No. 3 option behind Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. The veteran pass-catcher entered camp in a competition with Tutu Atwell for the WR3 role, but Robinson has been "emerging" as the better option so far. This isn't necessarily a surprise given that Robinson edged out Atwell in production at times last year. The 29-year-old put together a solid 2023 campaign, catching 26 passes for 371 yards and four touchdowns. His experience and expected volume could make him a worthwhile option in deeper fantasy leagues this year.

From RotoBaller

Zack Moss Aug 11 8:30am CT
Zack Moss

Cincinnati Bengals running back Zack Moss got sick on Friday night, which is why he wasn't involved in Saturday's preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, head coach Zac Taylor told Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic. Moss and Chase Brown are competing for touches in Cincinnati this season, so any sort of absence for Moss is less than ideal. With that said, he has impressed the coaching staff in camp and still has two more preseason games to showcase himself within the Bengals' offense. If Moss' performance with the Indianapolis Colts last season is any indication, he still has plenty of fuel left in the tank. Through 14 games (eight starts) with the Colts, he posted 794 rushing yards, 192 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns. He's an appealing high-end RB3 option in fantasy football this year.

From RotoBaller

Jake Bates Aug 11 8:20am CT
Jake Bates

Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates "had a rotten day [on a Friday in early August], missing at least a half-dozen field goals," according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com, who attended training camp that day. (It bears mentioning that he converted his lone attempt in Week 1 of the preseason from 53 yards out.) Bates latched on with the Lions after an impressive run in the UFL, and while he's currently Detroit's only kicker, the team could look to bring in competition or a replacement. As Graziano writes, "It doesn't sound like this was a new problem, and you wonder if the Lions will end up looking elsewhere for their kicker before camp is out." Randy Bullock is the consensus top kicker available in free agency at the moment, but that could change as teams shake up their rosters over the next few weeks.

From RotoBaller

Tutu Atwell Aug 11 8:20am CT
Tutu Atwell

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell is losing ground on the competition for WR3, but even if he drops to fourth on the depth chart, the team still has a plan for him. "The Rams run enough 11 personnel that the fourth receiver should get a healthy run," writes Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. "Atwell's quickness and speed make him a unique matchup, and he can play all three receiver spots in the Rams' offense. So barring a great offer, the Rams would rather ride out his contract year with hopes that he maximizes his role." Atwell hasn't quite lived up to expectations in three years since the Rams drafted him with a second-round pick, but he did start to come on strong last year (39 catches, 483 yards, and three touchdowns) when Cooper Kupp missed time due to injury.

From RotoBaller

Taysom Hill Aug 11 8:10am CT
Taysom Hill

New Orleans Saints versatile playmaker Taysom Hill's role could look "slightly different" this season, according to Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. However, the team still expects to take advantage of his versatility. "Hill could play up to five positions fullback, running back, quarterback, tight end, and wide receiver," the two insiders wrote. "That doesn't mean he will play all five, but the Saints have those options available." Hill was an intriguing threat on offense once again last year, catching 33 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns, rushing for 401 yards and four touchdowns, and passing for 83 yards and a touchdown. His production often fluctuated on a week-to-week basis, but managers benefitted from his big-play ability. He remains an appealing fantasy option given his positional eligibility at tight end.

From RotoBaller

Jake Haener Aug 11 8:10am CT
Jake Haener

New Orleans Saints quarterbacks Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener (skin cancer) "are in a true battle for QB2," according to Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. While some teams say the role is up for grabs but have a clear favorite, that doesn't appear to be the case in New Orleans, where it truly is up for grabs between Rattler and Haener. "The key is, do we have a [QB2] or do we have two [QB3s]?" head coach Dennis Allen asked. "Two [QB3s] doesn't help you. So you want to see who steps up and earns the job. And that's what training camp is all about." In terms of the competition, Rattler has draft capital on his side; the Saints spent a fifth-round pick on him less than four months ago. Haener, meanwhile, has experience in the New Orleans system after spending all of 2023 in their organization. It's also worth noting that Haener, a fourth-round pick last year, recently underwent treatment for a rare form of skin cancer on his cheek, but it's not expected to impact his playing ability. This will be a fascinating positional battle to watch, though neither quarterback has much redraft appeal.

From RotoBaller

Dalvin Cook Aug 11 8:00am CT
Dalvin Cook

The Dallas Cowboys could have running backs Miles Sanders and Dalvin Cook on their short list of targets as the regular season gets closer, according to Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. The insiders note that the Cowboys are still evaluating their backfield, which is currently headlined by Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle, and have started monitoring a few external options in case they feel the need to make an addition. Sanders is one of those players, and there's also a connection with Cook, who previously expressed interest in playing for the Cowboys. The latter is currently a more feasible option than the former given that Sanders is still under contract with the Panthers, but there's been speculation that he could be on Carolina's roster bubble. If the Cowboys do make a move at running back, it would add another confusing element for fantasy managers to decipher. Elliott, Dowdle, and the addition would presumably all be thrust to the low-end RB3 range while we try to figure out each back's expected usage.

From RotoBaller

Jalen Tolbert Aug 11 8:00am CT
Jalen Tolbert

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert appears ready to have a big season, according to Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. "Tolbert looks the part of an NFL receiver now after a few early-career hiccups," they wrote. "[Dak] Prescott looks his way early and often in practice. Look for a big Year 3 for him." Tolbert appeared in all 17 games last season, making six starts along the way. He ultimately caught 22 passes for 268 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Now, the 25-year-old is competing for the No. 3 receiver role with Jalen Brooks, and it sounds like Tolbert might have the early advantage. Even if he's stuck playing behind CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks, Tolbert could display some fantasy relevance given that the Cowboys have a successful offense and are expected to throw the ball a lot. He's an intriguing end-of-draft option in deeper redraft leagues.

From RotoBaller