Fantasy Demon

My hope is to seamlessly integrate this blog with Twitter so I don’t have to do this twice.  Plus, I’m here at work, drunk.

Thanks for starting by.  This site is to help chronicle my adventure in making a full-on fantasy football series of applications and services.  I plan to challenge Fanball someday soon, but for the time being I’m going to need to focus on sub modules and release in one at a time.

Today, this project officially starts, and the first module will be integrated news.  The plan is to pull fantasy football news from a variety of sources and combine them into one searchable list.  Once the backend is built, I will develop a web site, iphone app, and ipad app to get the word out.

According to the Seattle Times, LenDale White reported to Seahwaks minicamp at 218 pounds.

Our View: White, now reunited with his college coach Pete Carroll, weighed in at 250 lbs while at USC, so he’s really trimmed down. He’s apparently in excellent shape and said that he feels great, which is a good sign for Seattle’s backfield. White will be the short yardage guy in 2010 and should vulture plenty of TDs from Justin Forsett and Leon Washington.

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that second-round pick Chris Cook is taking reps at cornerback in minicamp.

Our View: Cook was projected to be a safety, where he holds some experience, by several NFL clubs, but the Vikes like him at cornerback. Expect him to see plenty of time there until Cedric Griffin recovers from ACL surgery.

According to the Oakland Tribune, the Raiders have re-signed cornerback Stanford Routt to a one-year, $3.268 million contract.

Our View: Routt, who will turn 27 before the season starts, has just five starts in the last two seasons and this seems like a lot of scratch to dole out for a nickel back. He doesn’t fare well against the pass or the run, but the Raiders obviously see something in him still.

The Oakland Tribune reports that the Raiders have waived fullback Oren O’Neal.

Our View: O’Neal struggled with injuries the past two seasons, and his status as a strong blocking FB had eroded. Don’t be surprised if he fails to latch on with someone else.

According to Danny O’Neil on Twitter, T.J. Houshmandzadeh underwent surgery last week to repair an athletic hernia.

Our View: The already declining receiver’s fantasy value takes another hit here. Hernia surgeries are fickle injuries and there’s no telling how long it will keep him out. Training camp is just three months away and this is a type of injury that tends to linger and has great potential to reoccur. With Deion Branch also out due to knee surgery, the Seahawks receiving core is suddenly thin. More weight will now fall on rookie Golden Tate.

The National Football Post reports that the 49ers plan to host cornerback William James on Monday.

Our View: The Niners didn’t wind up with any cornerbacks in the draft and still need help at the position, so they’ll give James a serious look. He’ll have a chance to fight for a roster spot.

According to the Oakland Tribune, runningback Michael Bennett worked out for the Raiders on Friday.

Our View: Bennett is a former first round pick, but will be 32 this summer and isn’t much of a pass-catching back. He’ll get some looks at the post-draft minicamp, but isn’t likely to be much of a fantasy factor.

According to MLive.com, Jahvid Best was used at runningback and wide receiver during the first day of minicamp.

Our View: The Lions are taking a creative approach with their first-round pick, and he took some reps in the slot on Friday. He has tons of upside, but has been riddled with concussion issues in the past so there is certainly some risk involved. He has a chance to be a fantasy factor right away though if he wins the starting RB job.