Stock Up: Week 12

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Jason Fitzgerald

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Every Monday during the season we will take a look back at three players who are entering important stages of their contract that may have helped their stock in upcoming negotiations with their play on Sunday. In addition we will also look at one player signed in the offseason to a new contract that exceeded all expectations and provided exceptional value to his team.

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Knowshon Moreno– Moreno ate up the Patriots last night rushing for 224 yards. He has been a beast all season, resembling nothing of the frustrating player that has suited up for Denver since 2009. Moreno gained more yards on the ground than Peyton Manning threw for in the air and he is averaging over 74 yards a game. He’s also added almost 350 yards receiving as well. Moreno’s contract will void this offseason making him an unrestricted free agent so his rebirth is coming at the perfect moment. He apparently was injured in the overtime and hopefully it is nothing serious but he has more than earned a new contract with his play in 2013.

Karlos Dansby– I have to imagine Dolphins fans are wondering where this player was in Miami because he has been a very good player and excellent fit inside the Cardinals defense. Dansby was signed to a low cost one year contract in Arizona this offseason and has far exceeded the contract this year with his play. On Sunday Dansby was credited with five solo tackles and had an interception that he returned for a touchdown. The touchdown broke the game wide open giving the Cardinals an insurmountable 21 point lead. He leads all linebackers this year in both unassisted tackled and passes broken up. Dansby isn’t a young man anymore but he has probably earned himself a two or three year contract based on his play with the Cardinals.

Brandon Marshall– On a day where little went right for Chicago, Marshall continued his dominant season with 10 catches for 117 yards, his 3rd 100 yard game in the last 4 games. Marshall has one year remaining on his contract after this season and with the Bears in a state of flux it is very likely that Marshall could see himself with a new contract either with Chicago or another team if he is traded in the offseason. Marshall has been a model citizen since leaving Miami and ranks second in the NFL in receptions and 9th in yards. His production is consistent year after year and shows no signs of going down. Most important he is one of the rare players in the NFL that seems QB proof in that the production remains constant regardless of who he plays with.

New Contract Player Of The Week

Ryan Fitzpatrick– I’ve always given Fitzpatrick a lot of grief for somehow tricking the Buffalo Bills into paying him as a true starting Quarterback off a few game hot streak despite years of being relegated to backup status. On Sunday, however, there was no doubt that Fitzpatrick played to the level of that contract, even if that contract does not exist anymore. Signed in the offseason as insurance for injury prone Jake Locker Fitzpatrick revived the Titans playoff chances with a 320 yard, two touchdown game that his team won in the final seconds on the road against the Raiders. You can not ask for more than that out of anyone.

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Stock Up: Week 11

Posted on November 18, 2013 by Jason Fitzgerald

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Jairus Byrd– Byrd fought all summer with the Bills over a new contract and then spent a good portion of the season injured while trade rumors swirled around him. He devastated the Jets yesterday in every phase of the game. Byrd picked up two interceptions off Jets QB Geno Smith, broke up a few more passes, and brought the young QB down on a safety blitz where Byrd went completely unnoticed by anyone wearing a green jersey. Byrd now has 3 interceptions in his last two games and is pretty much re-establishing himself as one of the best Safeties in the NFL. He may have to battle the Bills over the Franchise tag again, but he deserves a big contract.

Gerald McCoy– McCoy has established himself as the best Defensive Tackle in the NFL. He has one more season under contract to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but it’s an expensive season with a $13.19 million cap charge so the Bucs should look to reward him with a new deal. He had 3 sacks yesterday, all in the first half of the game, that completely set the tone for what became a blowout win against the Atlanta Falcons. McCoy has 6 sacks on the year and will set his career high in that category shortly. He is a building block player and he’ll be aiming for a contract that may surpass the deal Geno Atkins received from the Bengals.

Jon Beason– Beason has found new life since being traded from the Panthers to the Giants. In many ways he has been the leader of a defense that has played much better football the last few weeks and is seemingly always around the football. Beason had 6 tackles yesterday and was a key reason why the Giants held the Packers’ Eddie Lacy to just 1.9 yards per carry. Beason also intercepted a pass and is making waves on the Giants. Beason will be a free agent this season and seems like he would like to remain in New York. The team will have some cap room next season and could definitely be considering working on a deal to keep Beason, who was a forgotten man in Carolina, on the team.

New Contract Player Of The Week

Rashad Jennings– Jennings came over from the Jaguars this season and has been a terrific addition to the Oakland Raiders. Jennings ran for 150 yards yesterday in the win over the Houston Texans, his second 100 yard game in three weeks. He is doing things that Darren McFadden has never been able to do and should have replaced McFadden at this point even when McFadden is healthy. Jennings will be a free agent next season and there is no reason why the Raiders would not look to give him an upgraded contract to keep him as a Raider. It’s quite the turnaround for someone who garnered limited interest from teams around the league last season.

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Stock Up: Week 10

Posted on November 11, 2013November 11, 2013 by Jason Fitzgerald

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Robert Quinn– It was another dominating performance for Quinn as he made life miserable on Andrew Luck and the Colts. Quinn notched another two sacks bringing his total to 12 on the season with 6 games to go. Quinn will be eligible for an extension this offseason and the Rams general nature has been to lock up their talent sooner rather than later. St Louis has overspent on a number of players in recent years and that should all work in Quinn’s favor. The Rams do own his rights for the next two years but should be able to cash in if he keeps this level of play up.

Golden Tate– Entering the final year of his rookie contract Tate needed to have a quality season to find a decent contract somewhere. From a personal standpoint the stars aligned in his favor with Percy Harvin being injured before the season began and Sidney Rice being banged up most of the year before landing on season ending IR. He has made good with his chances and had a terrific 106 yard performance in the Seahawks wipeout of the Falcons on Sunday. Tate is on pace to shatter his previous career highs and has put up at least 75 yards in three of his last four games. He was considered a lame duck in Seattle but with their cap being tight and his growth as a player he may sneak himself into a nice second tier WR contract with Seattle.

Andre Brown– I don’t know how much this game really means in the grand scheme of things but it had to be such a personal triumph for Brown that I wanted to include him here. After another crushing injury the Giants rode Brown like an old school featured running back who led the team to the win against the Oakland Raiders. Brown, playing on his RFA contract, carried the ball 30 times for 115 yards and gave the Giants an offensive identity that they lacked all season. I can’t imagine that this was in the cards either, but following a fumble by Peyton Hillis and a costly turnover by Eli Manning the Giants lost confidence in those two and went to Brown to make sure the team did not lose the game off bad offensive mistakes.

New Contract Player Of The Week

Reggie Bush– Bush has pretty much the perfect fit for the Lions offense this season. When teams overcompensate for the pass Bush is right there to pick up big yards against the defense. He provides a steady safety valve in the passing game when the coverage is there down the field. Hes versatile enough to play every down if he has to. I never thought Bush would be this impressive but this is everything people assumed he would be in New Orleans years ago. Yesterday Bush went off for 105 yards on just 14 carries including close to 30 yards on the drive that really won the game for the Lions.

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Stock Up: Week 9

Posted on November 4, 2013November 4, 2013 by Jason Fitzgerald

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Chris Johnson– For one week CJ2K seemed to turn back the clock and look like the back everyone thought he would be when the Titans signed him to the $13.49 million dollar contract. Johnson ran for 150 yards and two scores and was actually a player that could be relied on for more than one big run. Johnson still has a lot of work cut out for him if he wants to stick in Tennessee next year- the team will save $4 million in cap room and $8 million in cash by releasing him– but he at least took one step to keeping his contract in place in 2014.

Riley Cooper– The Eagles receiver became a very controversial figure following some unfortunate remarks he made at a concert, but on the field he has had a career year in his walk season. Hes made the most out of the opportunity that was created by the injury to Jeremy Maclin and has more than doubles his per game output from last season. Riley’s 139 yard game was his second 120 plus yard game in the last 4 and he is now averaging 90 yards per game over that stretch. His improved stats have come directly as a result of Mike Vick being injured and if he continues to be a major target for the younger QB’s the Eagles will be rushing to keep him next season.

Jerricho Cotchery– Cotchery had a 3 TD game on Sunday and his second 90 plus yard game on the year. While the Steelers lost again he is on pace for his best season since 2007 and could get an opportunity to come back to Pittsburgh next year at a raise from his current $1.5 million a year annual contract. While Cotchery will by no means be an expensive player there are many people who likely thought he was finished when the Jets gave up on him in 2011 and the Steelers signed him for the minimum to compete for a job. With the Steelers salary cap problems likely leading to a departure for Emmanuel Sanders, Cotchery has a chance to lock in some good playing time in 2014.

New Contract Player Of The Week

Chris Ivory– There were a number of players who deserved consideration for this, but Ivory dominated his old team and was the offensive catalyst for the Jets in their upset win over the Saints. Ivory ran for 139 yards on 18 carries in a game where the Jets’ QB, Geno Smith, only attempted 19 passes and gained just 115 yards. Ivory had been a bit of a bust for the Jets since he came over in a trade. He’s battled injuries, something he has been saddled with his whole career, and been mediocre when he has been on the field, but on Sunday he was everything the Jets could have hope for.

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Stock Up: Week 8

Posted on October 28, 2013 by Jason Fitzgerald

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Lamarr Houston– The Raiders Defensive End is going to be one of the most sought after free agents on the market provided that he is not slapped with the Franchise tag, which would seem likely. Houston is one of those rare pass rushers in the NFL that can be just as effective against the run as he is sacking the QB. He finished Sundays game with 1 sack and 5 tackles, two of which were for a loss. He is one of the most well rounded players at the position. The Raiders salary cap situation is so unique that he could find himself getting an incredibly lucrative front loaded contract if this level of play persists. He can be a force for a long time on what is becoming a formidable defense.

Andy Dalton– I had pretty much thrown Dalton out for the rest of this season when it came to contract talks next year, but over the last three weeks he has shown improvements and I think we can at least discuss the possibility of an early extension for the Bengals QB. Dalton ripped the Jets apart for 325 yards and 5 touchdowns bringing his 3 week total to 1,034 yards with 11 Td’s to just 2 interceptions. Statistically that is an incredible pace and way into the upper echelon of QB play in the NFL. Sure he still may miss a few deep throws here and there, but the bottom line right now is nobody can say that the Bengals are winning in spite of Andy Dalton. As they look to lock up their young core talent Dalton may be in line for that extension after all.

Antrel Rolle– Rolle only has one more year remaining on his contract with the Giants and at a $9.25 million dollar cap charge he is either going to become a free agent or get extended. Rolle is the vocal leader of the Giants defense but put forth an effort where he was more than just vocal. Rolle began the day by intercepting the Eagles and helped set the tone for the Giants defense all day long. Rolle was all over the field with 4 tackles, a sack, and a pass broken up to go along with his interception. Rolle is set to earn $7.25 million if he is not cut next season. Big games like this one might give him the opportunity to earn that much money from the Giants or someone else.

New Contract Player Of The Week

Aaron Rodgers– Rodgers looked every bit the highest paid player in the NFL with his performance against the Vikings on Sunday night. Rodgers, despite his lack of receiving targets, sliced and diced his way through the Vikings defense with pinpoint accuracy. Some of the throws he made were incredibly difficult as he helped bring his team to a 41-17 point lead in the 4th quarter. This year has not been kind to the $20 million plus contract players except Rodgers, who is the only mega dollar player at the position who looks like he deserves the money and can justify the spending.

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Stock Up: Week 7

Posted on October 21, 2013October 21, 2013 by Jason Fitzgerald

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Jason Hatcher– The 31 year old Hatcher seems prepared to put an exclamation point on his seasons he heads into free agency and looks to land what will likely be the last meaningful contract of his career. He has already shattered his career high in sacks just 7 games into the season and has become one of the most disruptive interior lineman in the NFL. Hatcher was a monster against the overmatched Philadelphia Eagles, registering 9 pressures of which one was converted into a sack. He was credited with 3 tackles and 1 assist on the day. He has probably benefitted more than anyone on the team from the change in defensive philosophy and now has the body of work to interest all 32 teams in his services due to his versatility along the line. I’m not sure if Dallas can afford to keep him next year but his price tag is going to get higher and higher with each passing week.

Eric Decker– Decker is on pace for a 1400 yard season and was dominant for the Broncos even in a loss amassing 150 yards on the night. Decker has had at least 85 yards in 5 of his 7 games this season and has become a tremendous weapon in this passing offense. Even though there will always be a thought of “he does it with Manning” surrounding Decker he is taking the opportunity and running with it. The Broncos did not extend Decker this offseason and it was expected that with Wes Welker being signed that Decker might see his numbers drop. Instead he is leading the most productive group of receivers in the NFL . Whether he comes back to Denver or another team sees him as the perfect complimentary piece to an offense with a strong QB, such as the Colts or Falcons, he is increasing his value every week.

Devin Hester– Though it came against the Washington Redskins one can not diminish the impact that Hester can make in a return game. Hester has pretty much already set or is going to set every record in the category. Though Hester never developed as a wide receiver he is a rare player that will be able to find a home due to his returning ability. This marks his first touchdown since 2011 and gives him two 80+ yard returns on the season. These are important numbers, IMO, because it washes away any thought that Hester might not be worth worthy of a decent deal if his returns were not going to produce the monster plays of years past. Two big plays on the year should be more than enough for him to secure a new deal in 2014 when he becomes a free agent.

New Contract Player Of The Week

Matt Ryan– Ryan has been far from perfect since singing his monster contract extension this offseason, but on Sunday “Matty Ice” made his way back onto the field throwing for 273 yards on 77% passing despite a depleted WR corps. Ryan sliced apart the Tampa Bay secondary avoiding throwing at star CB Darrelle Revis and exposing every other player on that roster. Ryan is probably going to avoid scrutiny this season because of all the injuries but he needed a game like this one to get his team back on track and to hope to be able to make a push for the second wildcard spot. They need Ryan to play like a $20 million dollar QB if they are to make up the two games they are behind for that playoff spot.

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Stock Up: Week 6

Posted on October 14, 2013 by Jason Fitzgerald

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Tamba Hali– For the second time in the last three weeks Hali has made this list as he is absolutely wrecking games for the Chiefs defense. Yesterday he registered another 3.5 sacks to bring his total to 7.5 just six games into the season. He is arguably the most dominant pass rusher in the NFL right now and on pace to destroy his prior career best of 15 sacks. The Chiefs tight salary cap situation in the next few seasons is going to give Hali all the leverage in the world to get a new contract. Set to earn $8.5 million in cash with a $11.5 million dollar cap hit he is one of the few players on the team that can save the Chiefs money with a restructured deal. Off a season like this, though, he may have no reason to restructure and will push instead for a contract extension that will likely give him a nice pay raise while also helping the Chiefs cap situation.

Aqib Talib– Talib gambled this season by taking a one year contract with the Patriots when he realized how soft the cornerback market had become, but that gamble is paying off. Talib played superstar TE Jimmy Graham yesterday and held him to nothing, completely disrupting the rhythm and strategy of the Saints offense. Talib has had an incredibly productive season and is earning the important reputation of being a shutdown corner. Bill Belichick is not shy about putting Talib on the best each week and each week those players are being shut out. And its not as if these are poor receivers Talib is facing- they are some of the best in the NFL. Unfortunately Talib left the game with a hip injury but the reports are that it is not too serious to impact him moving forward.

Frank Gore– At 30 years old Gore just keeps trucking along as the steady force of the 49ers offense. Gore became the first player this season to gain more than 100 yards against a very stingy Arizona Cardinals defense and his 2nd 100 yard game of the year. Gore has shown no signs of slowing down and is right on his normal pace for the season. Going into the year I think some assumed Gore would take on less of a role with the emergence of Colin Kaepernick throwing the football but Gore is as important as ever. In 2014 he is scheduled to earn $3.3 million in base salary and up to $2.75 million in roster bonuses. I think it had been a foregone conclusion that he would have been released by San Francisco next season and leave that money on the table. Now the 49ers may have to consider a two year extensionto keep Gore at a cap friendly figure in 2014.

New Contract Player Of The Week

Matt Stafford– I often give Stafford a hard time but he was really great in the second half of yesterdays game and helped lead the Lions offense to a 2nd half wipeout of a very good Cleveland Browns defense. Stafford did not try to force the ball to his favorite targets. He found whomever was open against the Browns defense and went there rather than forcing the football which likely would have led to a different outcome. If the Lions get Stafford to consistently play like this they will have a good chance of representing their division in the playoffs.

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