Many of you heard about Fidelity Investments' employee Cameron Pettigrew who was fired from his job for playing fantasy football this season. The large investment firm has strict policies against playing fantasy sports and terminated Pettigrew's employment after intercepting instant messages he received about his team.

The 27-year old broker received plenty of attention and notierity within the fantasy sports indusrty after he was axed.  That has been parlayed into him getting a free trip to Miami for the Super Bowl.

The unusual firing made headlines, and the story attracted the attention of Dustin Ashby, commissioner of the World Championship of Fantasy Football league. That league paid for Pettigrew's promotional trip to Florida, and waived his $1,000 entry fee to the league's 2010 Main Event draft in Las Vegas.

Ashby wouldn't say whether the league had a ticket for Pettigrew to attend the Super Bowl game.

Fantasy Football fired for playing fantasy, cameron pettigrew

The Chicago Bears named former Rams’ head coach Mike Martz as their new offensive coordinator on Monday.  Known for his zany play-calling and aggressive passing, he could be just the boost that Jay Cutler needs to kick start his career and once again become fantasy relevant.

We all know about what he did during his days leading the “Greatest Show on Turf”, but what about his days since then as an offensive coordinator?

His most recent in San Francisco wasn’t the best, but the team wasn’t a great fit and once Mike Singletary took over it simply wasn’t a match.

However, before that he did have some impact in Detroit. He helped Jon Kitna pass for 4,000 yards in a season in both years he was there. Wide receiver Roy Williams enjoyed his best season as a pro, finishing with 1,310 yards, 7 TDs in 2006.  Running back Kevin Jones posted a career-high 61 catches and 520 receiving yards during the same season. Under Martz, even wide receivers Shaun McDonald and Mike Furrey showed up on the fantasy radar and haven’t since.

Chicago still lacks talent at wide receiver and I don’t know if there will ever be a great passing game in the Windy City late in the season due to the elements and that is never good come fantasy playoff time. Still, here’s my take on what it means from a fantasy standpoint:

--Jay Cutler: He will get back to throwing over 4,000 yards and will see an increase in passing touchdowns.  I still expect him to turn over the ball at a high rate, but the arrival of Martz definitely keeps him in the low-end range of QB1 heading into next season. His value goes up even more if the Bears are able to improve at receiver during the off-season.

--Matt Forte: Already solid in PPR formats, Forte will be a top 5 running back in league’s where you get points for receptions. Under Martz though I am not sure his rushing numbers will go up and his total touchdowns shouldn’t see much of an increase either.

--Greg Olsen: Tight ends have never been a big part of the Martz’ offense. Still, Olsen is the most-gifted target Cutler currently has so expect him to have a large role.

--Bears wideouts: Martz will get value out of them and will be able to utilize the blazing speed the group possesses. It will be interesting to see which receivers emerge on the depth chart, but rest assured at least one of them will. Figuring out which one may be tougher than you think though.

Fantasy Football fantasy advice, mike martz, chicago bears, jay cutler, matt forte, greg olsen

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Fantasy Football fantasy advice, fantasy football rankings, player rankings, cheat sheet, week 20

I have never been a fan of having my fantasy running back play for a bad NFL team.

It makes sense if you think about it. Bad teams typically are playing from behind and therefore rushing opportunities are generally limited.

History has certainly indicated that my concerns are validated. Entering this season only 19 running backs (19 percent) have finished as a top 10 fantasy runner while playing for a NFL team that finished below .500. Here's a year-by-year look at the precious few.

2008: Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars (5-11), 8th
2007: Willis McGahee, Ravens (5-11), 8th
2007: Frank Gore, 49ers (5-11), 9th
2006: Frank Gore, 49ers (7-9), 4th
2005: LaMont Jordan, Raiders (4-12 ), 8th
2004: Tiki Barber, Giants (6-10), 2nd
2004: Domanick Davis, Texans (7-9), 5th
2003: LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers (4-12), 3rd
2003: Fred Taylor, Jaguars (5-11), 8th
2002: Shaun Alexander, Seahawks (7-9), 5th
2001: Priest Homes, Chiefs (6-10), 2nd
2001: Corey Dillon, Bengals (6-10), 6th
2001: LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers (5-11), 7th
2001: Ricky Williams, Saints (7-9), 8th
2000: Fred Taylor, Jaguars (7-9), 6th
2000: Ricky Watters, Seahawks (6-10), 8th
2000: Charlie Garner, 49ers (6-10), 9th
1999: Charlie Garner, 49ers (4-12), 7th
1999: Duce Staley, Eagles (5-11), 10th

The 2009 season bucked the trend though as three of the top fantasy runners played for losing teams Maurice Jones-Drew, Ricky Williams and Steven Jackson. Throw in late-season heroics by Jammal Charles and Jerome Harrison and even more bad-team runners emerged as fantasy forces.

With the running back position in the NFL evolving and more teams using more players at the position, things are definitely changing on the fantasy landscape at running back. One constant factor with all five of the runners listed above is each of their teams didn't have a second option out of the backfield that was anything close to their skill level. It appears that more so than how good a team is isn't as important to how many chances a player gets to put up numbers. It will have an impact on my rankings as I work on my off-season cheat sheet (to be released next week).

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Fantasy Football fantasy advice, fantasy football rankings, player rankings, cheat sheet, week 19

QB Game Ball – Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay – 28/42 for 422 PaYd, 4 PaTD, 1 RuTD
Rodgers didn’t win the game, but he did turn out of the greatest passing performances in NFL history. He completed passes to nine different receivers and was seemingly unstoppable for most of the game.

QB Honorable Mention – Kurt Warner, Arizona – 29/33 for 379 PaYd, 5 PaTD (154.1 passer rating is the second highest in playoff history).

RB Game Ball – Ray Rice, Baltimore – 22 carries for 159 RuYd, 2 RuTD
Rice’s 83-yard touchdown scamper on the first play from scrimmage set the tone for the Ravens’ upset of the Patriots. Rice is emerging as a top three NFL running back entering 2010.

RB Honorable Mention – Cedric Benson, Cincinnati – 21 carries for 169 RuYd, 1 RuTD (set team single-game playoff rushing record in loss to the Jets)

WR Game Ball – Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia – 7 catches for 146 ReYd, 1 ReTD
Maclin’s 76-yard scoring catch from Michael Vick was one of the few positive offensive plays the Eagles made during Saturday’s loss to the Cowboys. The rookie finished strong and will be a factor next year.

WR Honorable Mention – Greg Jennings, Green Bay – 8 catches for 135 ReYd, 1 ReTD (the veteran made some amazing grabs in a game that featured more points scored than any game in NFL playoff history).

The Game-Used Sock Award – Tom Brady, New England – 23/42 for 154 PaYd, 2 PaTD, 3 INT, 1 fumble
Brady’s three first-quarter turnover doomed the Patriots as he fell for the first time ever as a starter in a home playoff game. The Patriots’ passing game never found a rhythm in the loss to Baltimore.

Stinky Sock Honorable Mention – Chad Ochocinco, Cincinnati – 2 catches for 28 ReYd, 0 TD (for the second straight week No. 85 disappeared on “Revis Island”).

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Fantasy Football fantasy advice, fantasy football rankings, player rankings, cheat sheet, week 18

It's back - Playoff Fantasy Football!

Just because your fantasy football season is over, doesn't mean you have to stop playing. Choose a team of 11 fantasy players each week. The catch is once you use a player you can't use them again. Pick carefully! The deadline to sign-up is Saturday, January 8.

Each entrant can choose any player for each week`s lineup from the list of NFL playoff team rosters, provided the player can be used only once during the full 4 weeks of the playoffs. Lineups are set each week before the games begin. Once a player is used, he cannot be started again for the rest of the NFL playoffs. A new lineup is set before each round of NFL playoffs.

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Here's some info that may help you for Week 17:

QUARTERBACKS
Drew Brees (coach decision) - Mark Brunell gets nod as Brees is rested
Tom Brady (hand) - probable; expected to play most of game vs. HOU
Phillip Rivers (coach decision) - will start, but turn it over to Billy Volek quickly
Ryan Fitzpatrick (ankle) - appears set to start vs. IND

RUNNING BACKS
Steven Jackson (questionable) - looking unlikely that he goes
Brandon Jacobs (knee) - placed on season-ending I.R.
Ahmad Bradshaw (ankles) - gametime decision; will be limited even if he goes
Ricky Williams (shoulder) - will play; but likely to split carries
Chris Wells (groin) - injury doesn't appear serious; but he's a risky play
Juilus Jones (ribs) - looks to be good to go vs. TEN
Justin Fargas (knee) - listed as doubtful vs. BAL
Derrick Ward (knee/thigh) - gametime decision vs. ATL
Bernard Scott (turf toe) - set to return to action

WIDE RECEIVERS
Brandon Marshall (hamstring) - coaches decision, not injury will keep him on sidelines
Vincent Jackson (Achilles) - expected to be rested vs. WAS
Hines Ward (hamstring) - probable; should be good to go vs. MIA
Derric Mason (knee) - a game-time decision for 4:15 start
Eddie Royal (neck/head) - will not play in Week 17
Lance Moore (ankle) - has been ruled out for finale
Donnie Avery (thigh) - listed as probable vs. TEN

TIGHT ENDS
Tony Gonzalez (calf) - limited in FRI practice; questionable to face TB
Jeremy Shcokey (toe) - questionable with lingering injury
David Thomas (calf) did not make trip to CAR

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS
DB Ed Reed (hip) - expected to play vs. OAK
DB Darren Sharper (knee) - ruled out for Week 15

MORE LINKS
--GSI Cheat Sheet: Week 17
--NFL Weather Reports (Weather.com)
--Fantasy Points Allowed By Position
--Weekly Average Cheat Sheet
--Follow GSI on Twitter
--Become GSI fan on Facebook
--Latest Player News (Rotoworld.com)
--Hot Off Wire (KFFL.com)

Fantasy Football fantasy advice, fantasy links, gametime decisions, week 17

A must read from Rotoworld looking back at the waiver wire pickups of 2009...

The "Outhouse to the Penthouse" Award
Goes to … Vince Young! Written off for dead after his opening-game meltdown last season while Kerry Collins' garnered unwarranted MVP consideration, V.Y. rewarded owner Bud Adams' faith in bringing the 0-6 Titans to the brink of a Wild Card berth. Starting in Week 5, Young was a Waiver Wired mainstay throughout the second half of the season. He finished as a borderline Top-10 fantasy option over the final six weeks.

The "Billy Volek" Award
Goes to … Jerome Harrison! Also considered for the "Mangini, You're an Evil Penguin" Award. Thanks to head coach Eric Mangini's machinations, nobody saw Harrison's late-season breakout coming until it was too late. Harrison was alternately unused and injured at mid-season while a plodding Jamal Lewis carried the load. The fantasy playoff season brought a backfield quagmire with Josh Cribbs threatening to steal carries and Chris Jennings bypassing Harrison in Week 14. Ultimately, Harrison's 286-yard, three-touchdown monster performance in Week 15 went to waste. Don't let the door hit you on the way out, Mangini.

The "Waiver Wired MVP" Award
Goes to … Miles Austin! Thanks to Evan Silva's tireless efforts to promote him throughout the offseason, we chose Austin over Jeremy Maclin as our top waiver option in Week 6. With both receivers coming off breakout performances and Austin entering a bye-week, it wasn't necessarily the most popular choice. The Austin faithful were rewarded to the tune of a Top-3 finish at wide receiver despite being held to just five catches in the first four weeks of the season. Totaling 1,230 yards and 11 touchdowns, Austin battled Andre Johnson neck-and-neck for the most valuable fantasy receiver once he finally hit the starting lineup after dropping 250 yards and two touchdowns on the Chiefs in Week 5

The "It's About Friggin' Time" Award
Goes to … Vernon Davis! For all of Mike Martz's offensive genius, Vernon Davis stands as a black mark on his resume. The freakishly gifted tight end showed flashes of brilliance in his first two seasons before Martz turned his most explosive pass-catcher into a blocking specialist afterthought in 2008. New coordinator Jimmy Raye went out of his way to lavish praise on Davis all offseason, making it clear that the tight end would be the focal point of the Niners' passing attack. Undrafted in approximately 50 percent of fantasy leagues, Davis started slowly before blowing up for a 7-96-2 line in Week 3. Finally realizing his vast potential, he finished as the No. 2 fantasy tight end behind Dallas Clark.

COMPLETE ARTICLE

Fantasy Football fantasy advice, fantasy links, waiver wire, 2009 fantasy review

Here's the Week Seventeen Inside Out Promotions Cheat Sheet (last updated 12/31)...

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*All rankings are based off year-to-year leagues (yardage/TD combo, non-PPR format) 

COMPLETE RANKINGS

Fantasy Football fantasy advice, fantasy football rankings, player rankings, cheat sheet, week 17

The graph below indicates the fantasy points allowed by each team by position, ranked from 1 through 32. The higher the number means the better the match-up...

(from AskTheCommish.com): Scoring System Used - Passing Yards: 1 point per 30 yards; Rushing Yards: 1 point per 15 yards; Receiving Yards: 1 point per 15 yards; Passing TDs: 4 points per TD pass; Rushing TDs: 6 points per TD run; Receiving TDs: 6 points per TD reception; Interceptions: -2 points per interception; Fumbles: -2 points per fumble lost; Two Point Conversion: 2 points per pass, run, or reception; Field Goals Made: 3 points per field goal made; Field Goals Missed: -1 point per field goal missed; Extra Points: 1 point per extra point; Missed Extra Point: -1 point per missed extra point.

Fantasy Football y advice, fantasy points allowed, points allowed by position

QB Game Ball – Tom Brady, New England – 23/26 for 257 PaYd, 4 PaTD’s
Brady, who has been a bit of disappointment, stepped up in a big way in fantasy football’s biggest week.  He tossed four touchdowns to help the Pats wrap up the AFC East and many owners win a championship.

QB Honorable Mention – Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia – 20/35 for 322 PaYd, 3 PaTD, 1 INT (The veteran continues to produce big December numbers).

RB Game Ball – Jonathan Stewart, Carolina – 28 carries for 206 RuYd, 1 RuTD
Stewart enjoyed the greatest rushing effort in Panthers’ history and also had the best game ever versus the Giants at Giants Stadium in the last-ever Giants’ game at the venue.  If it were not for DeAngelo Williams’ presence in the backfield, Stewart would easily be a top-five fantasy runner.

RB Honorable Mention – Chris Johnson, Tennessee – 21 carries for 142 RuYd, RuTD; 3 catches for 37 ReYd (Johnson gives us yet another reminder that he is fantasy football’s top pick in 2010).

WR Game Ball – Roddy White, Atlanta – 8 catches for 139 ReYd, 2 ReTD
There were questions surrounding the Falcons down the stretch, but White proved to be worthy of his lineup consideration in Week 16 as he had his way with Buffalo’s subpar secondary. Despite a few rough patches, White delivered on his promise in 2009.

WR Honorable Mention – Wes Welker, New England – 13 catches for 138 yards (Welker continues to be as good as gold in PPR and yardage formats).

The Game-Used Sock Award – Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle – 19/37 for 198 PaYd, 1 PaTD, 4 INT, 1 fumble
Ouch! Hasselbeck turned the ball over five times in one of his worst performances of the season. What in the world happened to the Seahawks?  They have scored just 24 offensive points in three consecutive losses.

Stinky Sock Honorable Mention – Laurence Maroney, Patriots – 5 carries for 22 RuYd, fumble (An early goalline fumble, his fourth of season, kept the Pats’ RB on the bench)

Fantasy Football game balls, fantasy advice, week 16

A quick look at some of the key injuries suffered on Sunday...

QUARTERBACKS
No major injuries

RUNNING BACKS
Steven Jackson (back) - held out of Week 16's tilt vs. ARI
Brandon Jacobs (knee) - status unclear
Ricky Williams (shoulder) - did not return to game
Pierre Thomas (ribs) - knocked him out of game after 6 carries

WIDE RECEIVERS
Steve Smith (forearm) - Panthers' wideout breaks arm; season over

TIGHT ENDS
Tony Gonzalez (calf) - strained his calf and did not return
Marcedes Lewis (concussion) - suffered concussion in loss to NE

DEFENSIVE
Rey Maualuga (ankle) - broken ankle ends his season

MORE PLAYER NEWS (KFFL.com)

Fantasy Football, NFL nfl injuries, injury report, week 16

Join fantasy guru Dan Clasgens in his last LIVE chat of the season, Sunday morning at 11AM Eastern:

Which stud fantasy QB's can be counted on in Week 16? We answer this and more in the Fantasy Frenzy...

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Fantasy Football fantasy advice, live blog, fantasy frenzy, week 16