News: Titans DL Dave Ball had a productive afternoon in a Week 12 win over the Buccaneers. He provided the only two sacks of QB Josh Freeman, and he also made four tackles and forced and recovered a fumble.
Analysis: Though Ball had a terrific game in Week 12, his production has been sporadic. He is still a low-end DL option in IDP leagues.
News: Titans DE Dave Ball suffered a concussion during the Week 9 loss to the Bengals. Ball did not make a tackle in the game.
Analysis: Ball has recorded 18 tackles and a sack on the season for the Titans. We're not sure how serious the concussion he suffered is, but he's liable to be on the injury report heading into Week 10. Ball is a low-end option in IDP formats.
News: Titans DL Dave Ball totaled four solo tackles and one sack in Week 2 against the Ravens. He had two tackles for loss and two quarterback hits.
Analysis: Ball had a career-high seven sacks in 2010 and appears to be settling in as a reliable rush end for the Titans. He already has nine tackles through two games and appears well on his way to setting a new career high in tackles. For now, Ball is a decent low-end Fantasy start in IDP leagues.
News:The Tennessean reported Monday that the Titans re-signed defensive end Dave Ball. Terms of the one-year deal were not immediately disclosed. Ball had seven sacks last season despite missing five games with a concussion that landed him on the injured reserve. “It’s a major relief,” Ball said. “I thought my phone was broken for a while, it was like I was hearing crickets chirping outside my window.”
Analysis: Ball is expected to compete with Jacob Ford, Derrick Morgan and Jason Jones for the two starting defensive end spots in camp and through the preseason. He obviously is healthy enough for the team to sign him to a new deal, so he may be a sleeper DL candidate heading into the 2011 season. If Ball wins the starting job, as we expect, consider him to be a low-end option in IDP leagues worth a late-round pick.
News: The Titans placed DL Dave Ball on injured reserve Friday with a concussion. He also has a hip injury.
Analysis: Ball finishes 2010 with a career-high seven sacks. Still, he is more of a low-end Fantasy start when healthy, so not too many Fantasy owners will have to dump him in IDP formats.
News: Titans DL Dave Ball (hip) was ruled inactive for Week 14 against the Colts.
Analysis: Ball returned to the lineup in Week 13 after missing one game with a concussion, but he couldn't keep himself healthy enough to play in Week 14. Ball has a career-high seven sacks in 2010 and has been a great pass-rushing presence. Still, he is more of a low-end Fantasy start when healthy.
News: Titans DL Dave Ball (hip, concussion) is listed as questionable heading into the Week 14 game against the Colts. He sat out of Monday's practice but returned on Tuesday to see limited action before practicing in full on Wednesday.
Analysis: Ball is having a career season in 2010 as he has become a book-end rusher opposite Jason Babin, who has nine sacks. Ball is worth a look in deeper IDP Fantasy formats now that he's healthy again. Just to be sure he is good to go for Thursday, check back with us 90 minute's before kickoff.
News: Titans DL Dave Ball was able to tackle just two ball carriers in the Week 13 loss to the Jaguars. He missed last week's game with a concussion and was questionable heading into the matchup.
Analysis: Ball is having a career season in 2010 as he has become a book-end rusher opposite Jason Babin, who has nine sacks. Ball is worth a look in larger IDP Fantasy formats now that he's healthy again.
News: Titans DL Dave Ball (questionable, concussion) was not listed among the inactives for Week 13 vs. Jacksonville.
Analysis: Ball is having a career season in 2010 as he has become a book-end rusher opposite Jason Babin, who has nine sacks. Ball is worth a look in larger IDP Fantasy formats now that he's healthy again.
News: Titans DL Dave Ball (concussion) is listed as questionable for Week 13 against the Jaguars. Ball practiced in full Thursday and Friday after limited reps Wednesday. He missed his first game of the season Week 12.
Analysis: All signs point to Ball returning in Week 13. He is having a career season in 2010 as he has become a book-end rusher opposite Jason Babin, who has nine sacks. Ball might be worth a look in larger Fantasy formats, if he returns Week 13. Check back for inactives.
News: Tennessee defensive lineman Dave Ball (concussion) was inactive for Week 12 at Houston. Ball suffered the injury against Washington last week and could not practice leading up to the Week 12 game.
Analysis: Ball had a sack last week against the Redskins but is now missing Week 12 with injury. He will hope to return Week 13 against Jacksonville. When healthy, Ball has low-end Fantasy appeal in IDP leagues.
News: Titans DL Dave Ball is listed as doubtful for the Week 12 game against the Texans due to a concussion. He missed practice all week with the issue.
Analysis: It certainly does not look good for Ball, but coach Jeff Fisher would not rule him out. We don't expect him to play on Sunday but if he does, we will let you know about an hour before kickoff when the inactives are announced. Either way, he should be benched in Fantasy play.
News: Titans DL Dave Ball notched his seventh sack of the season against Donovan McNabb and the Washington Redskins during the Week 11 loss. Ball got to McNabb and finished the game with four tackles.
Analysis: Ball doesn't make a whole lot of tackles. He had gone a few weeks without a sack but is back on the tracks after Week 11. Still, his lack of tackles keeps him more of a lower-end option in Fantasy IDP leagues.
News: Titans DL Dave Ball did not have his finest performance in Week 8 against the Chargers. He recorded just one tackle in the 33-25 loss.
Analysis: Ball has 20 tackles with six sacks through the first eight games but was held relatively quiet on Sunday. His stats speak for them self so Fantasy owners should not get down on him for one game. He remains an excellent Fantasy option in IDP leagues and should be considered as such for Week 10 against the Dolphins.
News: Titans DL Dave Ball picked up another sack in Week 7 against the Eagles. He was credited with three tackles in the game.
Analysis: Ball has six sacks in seven games, making him an excellent Fantasy option in IDP leagues for his ability to get to the quarterback. He doesn't do much, else, though.
News: Titans DL Dave Ball went over a career mark in Week 6 against the Jaguars. He recorded half a sack to give him five on the year, a new career high. Ball finished with two tackles in the 30-3 win.
Analysis: Ball should set career highs in almost every category this season and has become a viable option in most IDP formats. He has also defended three passes, which is rare for a linemen, and should remain active as a solid Fantasy DL for Week 7 against the Eagles.
News: Titans RB Javon Ringer, DB Nick Harper, LB David Thornton, DL Sen'Derrick Marks, DL Jevon Kearse and DL Dave Ball have all been listed as inactive for the team's Week 9 game against the 49ers.
Analysis: Ringer is the No. 3 RB behind Chris Johnson and LenDale White. He has minimal Fantasy value when healthy. The rest of these players also have little to no Fantasy value.
News: The Titans have announced the inactives for their Week 4 game at Jacksonville: WR Dominique Edison, DB Vincent Fuller, DB Cortland Finnegan, LB Stanford Keglar, WR Lavelle Hawkins, DL Jason Jones and DL Dave Ball.
Analysis: Finnegan is the only Fantasy-viable guy in this group, but was doubtful coming in and you should have already planned for his absence. The rest of these players can continue to be ignored in all formats.
News: The following Titans players are inactive for today's game at the Jets: P Craig Hentrich, LB Stanford Kegler, T/G Troy Kropog, TE Bo Scaife, WR Lavelle Hawkins, DT Sen'Derrick Marks and DE Dave Ball. Vince Young is the third quarterback.
Analysis: Scaife is the only one of the players the Titans have listed as inactive that has any Fantasy relevance. Vince Young is the team's third quarterback instead of the backup as he is battling an illness.
News: The Titans have listed QB Patrick Ramsey (third QB), DB Ryan Mouton, RB Chris Henry, WR Lavelle Hawkins, TE Jared Cook, DL Sen'Derrick Marks and DL Dave Ball as inactive for Week 1 at Pittsburgh.
Analysis: There are no real surprises here. It's disappointing to see the rookie Cook on the sidelines because of an ankle injury since Tennessee would love to work him into the tight end rotation early this season. Still, he is hardly a blip on the Fantasy radar. Make sure to keep these players reserved for Week 1.
News: Titans cornerback Nick Harper (groin), defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (knee), linebacker David Thornton (hip) and defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch (groin) are listed as probable for their Divisional Playoff game vs. Baltimore. The only injured Titans defender? Reserve defensive end Dave Ball (back) will be out.
Analysis: All four of the Titans' probable defenders are worth using in IDP Playoff Fantasy leagues.
News: The Titans listed the following players as inactive for Week 17 at Indianapolis: WR Justin Gage, CB Nick Harper, RB Chris Johnson, LB David Thornton, OL Kevin Mawae, DT Albert Haynesworth, DE Kyle Vanden Bosch, DE Dave Ball.
Analysis: The Titans are resting several of their regulars as they prepare for the playoffs. Harper, Thornton and Ball have no appeal in Fantasy, regardless of the situation.
News: Titans LB David Thornton (hip), DB Nick Harper (groin) and DE Dave Ball (back) will all be doubtful after not practicing Wednesday or Friday. Titans players had Christmas Day off.
Analysis: If you own one of these three players, bench them this week and go with another option. These are all lower-end options to begin with.
News: Meet Dave Ball, Jacob Ford, Jason Jones and William Hayes. Two rookies, a third playing in his first season and the other on his fourth NFL team. Their mission? Keep the Titans from missing DT Albert Haynesworth and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch the rest of the regular season. Haynesworth sprained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee at the end of last week's loss in Houston and will sit out the final two games. Vanden Bosch is out after having minor surgery to repair a groin injury, but both are expected back for the divisional round of the playoffs.
Analysis: None of these players are worth using in IDP leagues, but hopefully they can help the Titans DST remain stout for Week 16 against the Steelers.
News: In the Titans' 47-10 win over the Lions on Thanksgiving as part of Week 13 action, notable defenders from the game included: DE Dave Ball (two solo tackles, sack, interception, forced fumble), DE Kyle Vanden Bosch (two solo tackles, sack), DL Jacob Ford (tackle, sack, forced fumble), SS Michael Griffin (solo tackle, forced fumble) and DL Kevin Vickerson (solo tackle, sack). DT Albert Haynesworth had a solo tackle while LB Keith Bulluck had three solo hits.
Analysis: Of these defenders, the popular Titans choices include Haynesworth and Bulluck even though they didn't play well here. Vanden Bosch is also a quality option, and so if Griffin. But everyone else, including the hyper-productive Ball, isn't consistently posting stats and therefore shouldn't be considered in Fantasy play. The Titans host the Browns in Week 14.
News: In a 19-16 win at home over Green Bay, notable Titans defenders from Week 9 include: FS Chris Hope (five solo tackles, sack, interception), DL Jacob Ford (two solo tackles, two sacks, forced fumble), DL Dave Ball (four total tackles, sack), LB Stephen Tulloch (seven solo tackles), CB Nick Harper (six solo tackles) and DBs Michael Griffin and Cortland Finnegan (six total tackles). LB Keith Bulluck added five tackles and David Thornton had four solo tackles.
Analysis: Of these defenders, Griffin, Bulluck, Thornton, Hope and Finnegan are worth owning and starting in IDP league play. The Titans play at the Bears in Week 10.
News:The Sports Xchange notes that Jacob Ford is a question mark for this week's game after suffering a sternum injury against the Jaguars. Ford, the team's third defensive end, has not practiced all week. Dave Ball would move up in the rotation if Ford is out on Sunday against the Bengals.
Analysis: Ford may be a decent player down the road, but don't waste any time on him in Fantasy just yet. He has no Fantasy value when healthy, so continue to ignore him in IDP leagues. Ball would still be too far down the depth chart to consider in IDP leagues even with this news.
News: On Saturday, the Panthers released veteran OT Kenyatta Walker and waived the following players: DE Dave Ball, OL D'Anthony Batiste, QB Dalton Bell, WR Taye Biddle, LB Phillipe Gardent, DT Gary Gibson, OT Bobby Harris, FB Steven Jackson, FB Billy Latsko, CB Christian Morton, FS Cam Newton, LB Mickey Pimentel, OT Rueben Riley, RB Eric Shelton, CB Derrick Strait, TE Chad Upshaw, OT Theodoric Watson, DB C.J. Wilson and WR Kevin Youngblood.
Analysis: Shelton should resurface somewhere, possibly as a short-yardage/goal-line running back. Biddle is also someone who could show up on someone's WR depth chart. But ultimately, all of the above players should be considered unusable for Fantasy purposes until they find regular playing time with an NFL team.
News: The Jets inactives for Week 15 are RB Kevan Barlow, QB Kellen Clemens, RB Derrick Blaylock, RB James Hodgins, LB Anthony Schlegel, DL Rashad Moore and DL Dave Ball.
Analysis: Keep all these players reserved for Week 15. RB Leon Washington is expected to start at RB for the Jets with Cedric Houston the No. 2
News: The Jets listed QB Kellen Clemens, DB Gus Scott, RB Derrick Blaylock, BJ Askew, LB Cody Spencer, T Adrian Jones, DT CJ Mosely and DE Dave Ball as inactive for Week 12 vs. Houston.
Analysis: None of these players should be part of your Fantasy lineup until further notice.
News: Notable inactives for Week 11 include: Jets QB Kellen Clemens (No. 3 QB), RB Derrick Blaylock, FB B.J. Askew, LB Ryan Riddle, DT C.J. Mosley and DE Dave Ball. For the Bears, QB Kyle Orton (No. 3 QB), CB Dante Wesley, DB Derrick Strait, FB J.D. Runnels, LB Leon Joe, DT Alfonso Boone and DT Antonio Garay are inactive.
Analysis: If the player you're looking at is inactive, then don't use him in Week 11.
News: Notable Jets inactive for Week 8 at Cleveland include: QB Kellen Clemens (3rd QB), RB Derrick Blaylock, RB Cedric Houston, FB James Hodgins, LB Anthony Schlegel, TE Zachary Hilton and DE Dave Ball.
Analysis: Keep these players reserved for Fantasy purposes in Week 8.
News: Jets RB B.J. Askew (foot) and WR Tim Dwight (thigh) are listed as questionable, while DL Dave Ball (hand), LB Matt Chatham (foot), WR Brad Smith (thigh) and DL Kimo von Oelhoffen (knee) are listed as probable for Week 7 vs. Detroit.
Analysis: None of these players have much Fantasy value at this time. Keep them reserved for Fantasy purposes in Week 7.
News: Jets RB B.J. Askew (foot) and WR Tim Dwight (thigh) are listed as questionable, while DL Dave Ball (hand), LB Matt Chatham (foot), DL Bobby Hamilton (knee), FB James Hodgins (knee), DB Justin Miller (hip), DL Rashad Moore (personal), TE Sean Ryan (chest), WR Brad Smith (thigh), DB Eric Smith (knee) and DL Kimo von Oelhoffen (knee) are listed as probable for Week 6 vs. Miami.
Analysis: None of these players have much Fantasy value at this time. Keep them reserved for Fantasy purposes in Week 6.
News: As expected, Jets RB Cedric Houston (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against Jacksonville. Also inactive are RB James Hodgins, TE Zach Hilton, LB Anthony Schlegel, LB Ryan Riddle, DE Dave Ball and Kellen Clemens is the third QB.
Analysis: Houston was starting to play well and earn some extra carries, but now he should be reserved in all leagues until he returns to action. All the other players have no Fantasy value.
News: Jets DL Dave Ball (hand), LB Matt Chatham (foot), DL Bobby Hamilton (knee), FB James Hodgins (knee), CB Justin Miller (hip), WR Brad Smith (thigh), DB Eric Smith (knee) and DL Kimo von Oelhoffen (knee) are listed as probable for Week 5 at Jacksonville.
Analysis: Most of these guys are role players for the Jets or don't accumulate enough stats on a weekly basis to warrant Fantasy consideration.
News: Jets LB Matt Chatham (foot), DE Bobby Hamilton (knee), DT Kimo Von Oelhoffen (knee), DL Shaun Ellis (hip), DL Dave Ball (hand) and CB Drew Coleman (hnad) are listed as probable for Week 4 vs. Indianapolis.
Analysis: Most of these guys are role players for the Jets or don't accumulate enough stats on a weekly basis to warrant Fantasy consideration.
News: Jets DE Dave Ball (thigh) is listed as probable for Week 3 at Buffalo. He did practice on Wednesday.
Analysis: Ball has little to no Fantasy value.
News: According to the Union-Tribune, rookie defensive end Dave Ball was placed on injured reserve.
Analysis: Ball had surgery to repair a broken big toe. He has no Fantasy value.
