National Football League

Mail-it-in Friday: Great, the Titans are even letting the British down

Published Oct. 9, 2014 3:53 p.m. ET

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Sid Saraf

We're back!

Welcome back to Mail-it-Friday, a weekly extravaganza where we answer your thoughts, concerns and pithy questions about the NFL and everything surrounding it. Today's mailbag has an international flair and even a strong fantasy element. So, I'm going to stop blathering and let you, dear readers, take center stage.

Remember, if you want your thoughts featured here, send an email to foxsportsnfl@gmail.com or tweet us at NFL on FOX using #FOXmailbag.

OK, let's get to work!

ACROSS THE POND

Greg wrote,

Why do (the Titans) always get me excited with so many up-and-comers who just don't live up to the hype(not even reach the summit in most cases) we don't even have a defence we can rely on anymore. I know we aren't a fashionable team but they were the ones who got this English man into watching the NFL(well, that and FOX sports coverage of course) and now it's my religion.

Thanks for reading.

Greg, thanks for the email. I read your message twice: the first time in my normal voice, the second time with Michael Caine's voice in my head. "Some men just want to watch the world buuurn . . . and why do the Titans suck?"

Is there something about putting on that Titans uniform that crushes the potential of every offensive player who puts it on? Maybe, because the white jersey/blue pants combination would make Tim Gunn wince. And he knows everything.

But I don't think that's it. Using Occam's Razor, you can boil down the Titans' offensive woes to their inconsistency at quarterback. When your best option at the position -- Jake Locker -- can't stay on the field for more than two games at a time, what do you have left? Clipboard Jesus and Zach Mettenberger? Not going to cut it.

So, Greg, how did you wind up becoming a Titans fan? Are they big in England? Why that team? I've asked the same questions of my fellow Americans who love the English Premier League. What made you like Chelsea, huh? And you, why are you such a Manchester City fan, eh? Because they're winning?! Faker!

So many questions, Greg . . . but props for your "defence" spelling!

RANDOM MUSINGS

James wrote,

Why have the officials called so many illegal hands-to-the-face penalties in the past 2 weeks?

Let me try and read the NFL referees' minds real fast:

Nope, that didn't work. My best guess is that with all the rules changes aimed at making the game safer, players don't have anywhere to put their hands anymore. Their game pants don't have pockets and you can't get anywhere close to a jersey without being flagged for holding, so that leaves the face as the last option.

But truth be told, this season has been ridiculous. None more so than Monday night, when I saw three Percy Harvin touchdowns called back on penalties. Three touchdowns that would have assuredly earned me a fantasy victory.

FOXSports.com published a story on Thursday that said NFL penalties are up more than two per game this season. That's so weak. If I wanted see laundry all over the field . . . I'd . . . I dunno, I'd do laundry, I guess. Whatever.

Ida wrote,

If you could play as cute as you are, you'd win every game!! Seriously, are you feeling well enough this weekend?

Wow, thanks for the compliment, Ida. That boost of self-esteem will really help get me through this mailbag. I knew my Mom was right ... I definitely am cute.

Skip Crane wrote,

Skip, I hope you play golf because with your name, you should be a fixture on the PGA Tour.

But on to your question, I'm going to do my best here.

Referees are considered to be part of the field of play, so it's not uncommon for a zebra to get in the way of the action:

Since that Jay Cutler pass was ruled incomplete, I'd say it would be well within the rules to "accidentally" knock a referee away from the ball. You'd have to do it subtly, though. I can't imagine any ref would be happy if you gave him a Brock Lesnar F5 to get at the ball.

San Diego Sports fan wrote,

Concerned with the Chargers losing top 3 RBs, Top 3 Center/Gaurds, 2 starting LBs and a starting Safety. I know we're winning, but . . .

But nothing, Mr. San Diego. At this point, the Chargers are on their 47th running back (btw, Branden Oliver is a beast) and have holes all over their roster. But guess what? The Chargers could throw out 21 backups and still win, as long as that 22nd man was him:

Philip Rivers. The man is on fire and can't be stopped, funny throwing motion and all. The Chargers are the Walking Dead of the NFL. You can't stop them, they grow and devour whatever is in front of them. Don't worry, they'll keep winning and winning.

FANTASY GOODNESS

OK, I'm no expert, but for some reason, we got a ton of fantasy lineup questions this week. So, I'm giving it the old junior college try.

Anthony wrote,

Dalton or Newton?

The attitude that people have about Andy Dalton stupifies me. Does everyone realize that the Red Rifle threw for more than 4,000 yards and 33 touchdowns last season?

Yet, in my big-money league (standard, 12 teams), Dalton went undrafted. In fact, I needed a bye-week replacement for Drew Brees and Dalton was still available on the waiver wire on Thursday. How does that happen?

The Bengals host Newton's Panthers on Sunday and even though Dalton will not have his best weapon -- A.J. Green -- available, I'm going with the redhead at home. And if I'm wrong, that's your fault for listening to me.

Brandon wrote,

Hakeem Nicks or Justin Forsett @ Flex? (Ppr)

Really? Those are your best options at flex?

Go with Forsett, but seriously . . . ewww.

Greg wrote,

Start or sit Eagles D/ST this week?

Well, Greg, let's break this down. After giving up 17 points in Week 1 against the Jaguars, the Eagles D has allowed 27, 34, 26 and 28 points in the ensuing weeks. They're also the 20th-ranked defense according to FOX Fantasy Football.

So, I guess the real question is: Why do you still own the Eagles defense? Ditch the birds and find yourself a proper unit. Even if you're in a 14-team league, it's not like anyone is hoarding defenses. There has to be a better option available.

Shohan wrote,

Hillman or Richardson? Benjamin or Welker?

Funny story about Ronnie Hillman. My colleague Ross Jones was out at the gyms in Los Angeles during the 2013 offseason, conducting interviews with NFL players who train in Southern California. He came back to the office real excited one day, all hyped up about Ronnie Hillman.

Here is Hillman's 2013 stat line: 55 carries for 218 yards. Ross is going to have all kinds of success in this business, but I'll always be able to to pick up the phone and give him a hard time about Ronnie Hillman.

As per your lineup question, I don't know. Your heart will tell you what's right. But, you might want to look and see if Broncos running back CJ Anderson is available on the waiver wire. There's a good chance he'll get some work this week.

Joy wrote,

When [Mark] Ingram is healthy enough to return, is he going to come back fired up and make NO a threat for the opponent?

Oh, he'll be all fired up. He'll be so fired up that he'll probably pull a hammy and be out for another three weeks. The only person you can trust in New Orleans right now is Drew Brees and even he threw three picks in Week 5. What is the world coming to?

OK, folks, we've done enough damage this week. See you next time!

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