Linehan on Stafford: Doesn't Feel Like Coaching Rookie

Aug 04, 2009

Scott Linehan is entering his eighth season as an offensive coordinator or head coach in the National Football League and he's been around a lot of quarterbacks. Linehan, in his first season as the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator, knows how experienced and knowledgeable quarterbacks are supposed to act.

"I don't feel like I'm coaching or talking to a rookie when we work with him,'' Linehan said Tuesday about Matthew Stafford, the Lions' first-round draft pick. "That's not just talking and saying 'That's how it is because he's a No. 1 pick.' He has a very natural feel for the game and understands concepts, he can translate things he's done before to what he's doing now without a lot of repetition. He can go right to it and make that decision. He's pretty impressive that way.''

Stafford, the first overall pick in the draft, is in a battle with veteran quarterback Daunte Culpepper for the starting job.

Fantasy Impact:

today

Buccaneers WR Mike Evans practices for second straight day

Greg Auman

0 minutes ago

Cooler weather for Bucs practice today -- Wirfs and Evans practicing again. Still no Zyon McCollum, but Troy Hill and Greg Gaines were practicing today.

Related Players: Sterling Shepard, Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer

Fantasy Impact:

Fantastic news for fantasy managers hanging on to Mike Evans: he should be considered a WR1 option immediately.

yesterday

49ers TE George Kittle "good to go" for Week 12

KNBR

yesterday · 5:34 PM EST

“I will be playing on Sunday. Very excited, can’t pass up playing the Packers. I will be out there for sure.”

George Kittle says he’s good to go for Sunday

Related Players: Eric Saubert

Fantasy Impact:

Kittle returns to a great matchup against a Packers defense that ranks 26th in TE aFPA. He should be fired up as a high-end TE1 once again.

Bears RB D'Andre Swift misses Wednesday practice

Kevin Fishbain

yesterday · 1:29 PM EST

Per Bears head coach Matt Eberflus: Ryan Bates remains in the concussion protocol. Elijah Hicks (ankle) and D'Andre Swift (groin) won't practice.

Teven Jenkins will be limited.

Related Players: Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer

Fantasy Impact:

This is definitely a situation to keep an eye on, as Johnson would have a huge workload if Swift were to miss Week 12. Homer has three rush attempts and zero targets on the year.