Gridiron Experts

Top 10 Fantasy Running Back Rankings

The best things come to those who wait. Gridiron Experts has posted our free fantasy draft board this week, but this article was one readers have been waiting for, as it shows exactly who likes what.

Some web sites and magazines like to slap together their ranking lists in the beginning of August, while we tend to watch most practices and or pre-season games before naming our top tens. I can tell you there were definitely different views on players a couple of weeks ago, some of which are nowhere to be seen now, or low on the board.

Rank	Mike Rodriguez	DC	Diesel	Matty The Bulldog
1.	Chris Johnson	Chris Johnson	Chris Johnson	Chris Johnson
2.	Adrian Peterson	Ray Rice	M.Jones-Drew	Adrian Peterson
3.	Frank Gore	Adrian Peterson	Ray Rice	Ray Rice
4.	Steven Jackson	Frank Gore	Adrian Peterson	M.Jones-Drew
5.	M.Jones-Drew	Steven Jackson	Michael Turner	Frank Gore
6.	Ray Rice	Cedric Benson	Frank Gore	Michael Turner
7.	Michael Turner	M.Jones-Drew	Steven Jackson	Cedric Benson
8.	Cedric Benson	Ryan Matthews	Ryan Matthews	Chris Wells
9.	Chris Wells	Michael Turner	DeAngelo Williams	Rashard Mendenhall
10.	Ryan Matthews	DeAngelo Williams	Cedric Benson	Steven Jackson

Mike Rodriguez: Frank Gore- The Fantasy RB Strength of Schedule is just one reason why I have Gore at the top of the food chain. The 49er’s beefed up their offensive line and have an underrated quarterback who can manage the game. The run first play calling will make Gore a safe reliable fantasy start all season. The X-factor for me is the 49er’s receiving core in 2010. Vernon Davis is a defensive focal point, but the wide-outs are arguably the fastest talent San Fran has seen in years. This will keep defenses honest, respecting all areas of attack.

Although I’m not a fan of offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye, I do believe another year with the same offensive system will improve all areas of the game. Gore is a beast and is ready to roll over the league.

DC: Ray Rice- The Ravens roster is loaded for a playoff push that will not rely on just their defensive unit. In fact, I think the offense may carry this team at times throughout the season. Ray Rice is an all-purpose player who could be involved in every scenario in 2010. This mini-tank can run over players. He has excellent hands with great smarts and vision. Rice …Continue reading Top 10 Fantasy Running Back Rankings

Top 10 Fantasy Quarterback Rankings

In a perfect world, the Gridiron Experts team of writers would come together with a top ten list that they could all agree upon. Unfortunately, everyone has a different view of this years rankings.

So here are a few of the writers thoughts on this years top 10 fantasy quarterbacks:

Rank	Mike Rodriguez	DC	Diesel	Matty The Bulldog
1.	Aaron Rodgers	Drew Brees	Aaron Rodgers	Aaron Rodgers
2.	Drew Bress	Matt Schaub	Drew Bress	Drew Bress
3.	Matt Schaub	Aaron Rodgers	Peyton Manning	Peyton Manning
4.	Peyton Manning	Peyton Manning	Phillip Rivers	Jay Cutler
5.	Tom Brady	Tom Brady	Tony Romo	Tom Brady
6.	Jay Cutler	Jay Cutler	Tom Brady	Matt Schaub
7.	Tony Romo	Kevin Kolb	Jay Cutler	Phillip Rivers
8.	Phillip Rivers	Matt Ryan	Kevin Kolb	Eli Manning
9.	Matt Ryan	Phillip Rivers	Carson Palmer	Matt Ryan
10.	Eli Manning	Tony Romo	Matt Schaub	Tony Romo

Mike Rodriguez- Matt Schaub: Throwing for 4770 passing yards and 29 TD’s is apparently not good enough to be high on everyone’s board in 2010. The Texans went 1-5 in their division and just missed the playoffs in ’09, so divisional rivalry games will be the focus this season. Schaub has grown into a legitimate gun-slinger and has one of the best wide receivers in the game. Believe it or not, the passing game will benefit from a tough schedule, always having to make plays and keeping the “Battle Red” competitive.

DC- Drew Brees: The Saints are loaded with weapons and have a much more reliable offensive line than the Packers or Texans, making an easy decision for Brees at one.

The Saints 3-headed running rotation lost Mike Bell for 2010, a minor transaction for the Saints that doesn’t really affect the ground game. Although when the replacement (Reggie Bush) is a better receiver than RB, I start to wonder just how many times the Saints are really going to be calling running plays this season. PT Cruiser will keep defenses honest, but the threat will always lie in the hands of Brees. …Continue reading Top 10 Fantasy Quarterback Rankings

Gridiron Experts Power Rankings AUG. 2nd

32. Buffalo Bills
CJ Spiller has all the tools to be a playmaker in this league, well except for an offensive line in front of him, a quarterback to take the pressure off, and well you see where I’m going with this. The Bills are going to need a franchise quarterback before they move on this list.
31.St. Louis Rams
The Rams, in theory, should be a better team this year, but it’s still up in the air and truly depends on how NFL ready Sam Bradford is by the start of the season. Steven Jackson has always been the Rams workhorse, and that won’t change this year, expect another grand out of him in 2010.
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are still rebuilding. This process can sometimes be long a frustrating, yet in the forseeable future they’ll find themselves on day on the outside looking in on any power rankings list. Every team must rebuild sooner or later but for this season ahead, the Buc’s will be leaning on too many young players and the inexperience will show.
29. Cleveland Browns
The Browns biggest flaw is their division, it’s just too hard to be competitive against perennial powerhouses like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. They did have a great draft and made some key off-season additions, with a revamped secondary expect them to move up this list in a year.
28. Detroit Lions
The Lions were the movers and shakers of the off-season, making some key additions. If only for the next few years, adding Jahvid Best to a backfield commandeered by Matt Stafford could be just what the Lions needed. Best will make plays and take some of the focus off of Calvin Johnson.
27. Oakland Raiders
For the first time in years, the Raiders impressed us all during the draft, adding a top-tier middle linebacker and shipping Kirk Morrison to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Not to mention ditching JaMarcus Russell in favor of Jason Campbell, an automatic upgrade. Although for now, they’re still on the outside looking in.
26.Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have revamped their coaching staff and drafted (and paid) a play making safety in Eric Berry. Dexter McCluster will give add that x-factor to the offense and give Jamaal Charles some relief at the running back spot. Matt Cassell will get one more chance to show that he’s worth the money they’re paying him.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are a team that can never seem to get it together when it truly counts, their first rounder is considered a huge reach by the entire NFL community and if he doesn’t pan out, Jags fans can happily say goodbye to Jack Del Rio. Maurice Jones-Drew will set the pace for the offense once more. …Continue reading NFL Power Rankings

Chargers Camp

Tired of Hearing About Jackson and McNeill? So is Norv Turner Annually, San Diego Union-Tribune Charger beat writer Kevin Acee sits down the Chargers’ head coach Norv Turner and discusses the outlook on training camp, the season to come, and some of the issues that surround the team at this time of year. So here’s some of what Turner had to say…ChargersGab

• Philip Rivers showed up to Chargers training camp sporting a new, aerodynamic ‘do- Chargers Blue-Pic

• Charger Training Camp Links- Chargers Blue

• Pictures of a cool, cloudy day at Chargers Park greeted the 42 rookies, young veterans and players returning from injury Monday as training camp began.-blogchargers.com

Eagles Camp

Andy Reid opened camp today with his first press conference of the new season and unfortunately spent the majority of it fielding questions about Michael Vick. Most of these questions were ones we already knew answers to, but they were asked anyway.  I’m sure more Vick stories will increase page views and make national news, but there’s about a billion things…link

• Andy Reid defends “very nice person” Michael Vick- ProfootballTalk.com …Continue reading Training Camp News: Chargers Eagles, Ravens, Pat’s

Last year’s gamble, this year’s keeper

In most Keeper leagues the name of the game, is value. Owners generally are allowed to keep a player, or players, but must sacrifice a draft pick in order to do so. Typically, an owner loses the corresponding pick that the selected keeper was chosen. If you spent a 2009 2nd rounder on Drew Brees, and want to keep him for 2010, you forgo your 2nd round pick in this season’s draft.

That’s why value is so important to Keeper league owners. If an owner uses his picks wisely, or can turn a late round gamble, or throw away pick into a fantasy stud, the value for the next season is outstanding. Often a player that would go in the top 10 in a standard draft can be “protected” for a nominal draft pick, allowing your early picks to be used on building great depth.

Let’s take a look at some players that were late round picks last year, that would make great keepers for the 2010 season. Using the 2009 ADP stats from Myfantasyleague.com these players make for outstanding keeper candidates.

• 10. Steve Smith (WR NYG)- ADP 134- Should still lead the Giants in catches. Actually got a team leading 23 redzone looks for 5 TD’s last year. Brings added value to PPR leagues. Early 2010 ADP has him going 38th.

• 9. Pierre Garcon (WR IND)- ADP 242- Though not a conventional keeper, Garcon could be a good choice in a PPR format simply based on the fact that it would only cost the average owner a 20th round pick. He will continue to get a lot of looks in Indianapolis.

• 8. Jermichael Finley (TE GB)ADP 175/ Vernon Davis (te SF)ADP 155- Most owners would never consider keeping a tight end, but the numbers dictate that there’s plenty of value in it. Tight ends get more and more numbers every year, and these low costs could allow a fantasy owner to concentrate on more valuable …Continue reading Last Year’s Fantasy Gamble, This Year’s Keeper

Every year we head into training camp with our eye on key positions and rookies who could add that extra push. Nobody cares who steps up, as long as the job gets done and the weak links are filled. Focusing on fantasy football, we are going to overlook some of the less important roster spots, and instead fire off questions and predictions for each team in the eyes of the fantasy football fan.

Arizona Cardinals
Spotlight Is On: Matt Leinart- A former first round pick who lost his job and found a comfortable spot on the bench is all of a sudden getting his second chance. The NFL usually chews you up and spits you out, so for Leinart a do-over is a real gift. Frankly, we see more attention spent on the running game this season to relieve some of the pressure. Regardless, this second chance could be the last chance for number 7. Can the shoes be filled? Or is Matt about to trip?
Camp Sleeper: Steve Breaston
Star-Brewing: Chris Wells

Atlanta Falcons
What’s the Deal with Michael Turner? A power running back who was a yard shy of 1700 yards two seasons ago just fell off the map in 2009. A high ankle sprain left fantasy owners angry and kicking furniture over, with his vanilla type numbers. Is he back? Can we move him up the fantasy boards? What’s the deal?
Camp Sleeper: Harry Douglas

Baltimore Ravens
Is there Bonding Going on Here? The Anquan Boldin and Joe Flacco combo is one we’re all not sure of. Flacco has needed a player who can stretch the field for some time, as Mason is more of tough possession wide receiver. The running game is counting on some sort of passing attack, and so are keeper league owners of the recently traded Cardinal.
Camp Sleeper:  TE Ed Dickson
Take a Seat: Todd Heap

Buffalo Bills
So You Have 3 Running Backs…Really? Marshawn Lynch, Fred Jackson, and C.J. Spiller are apparently going to be used in a very creative offense that we can already predict to be a failure. There are a million questions with this team, but for now let’s just try to figure out who’s going to be the guy at RB. All the other fantasy options shouldn’t be a concern to you right now, or at all this season.
Camp Sleeper: Brain Brohm- our vote to win the $10 beauty contest.

Carolina Panthers
Moore or Clausen to lead? After booting Delhomme to the curb, Matt Moore stepped in and looked very much the part…or at least that’s what he thought. The Panthers found a fallen gem in the draft and couldn’t help themselves with one of this years highest ranked QB rookies. Jimmy Clausen should do his best to overthrow Moore’s spot.
Gimme the Ball- DeAngelo Williams is in a contract year and will be pressing.
WR Numero dos- Our early guess is Brandon LaFell from LSU.

Chicago Bears
Who’s Cutler Going to Ask to the Big Dance? With a slew of average at best wide receivers, and a master-mind commander calling the plays from the sidelines, Jay Cutler is going to pick and choose his targets carefully. Who will best suit this new offense in Chicago? We will have eyes in training camp all summer.
So Who Does What? -After a breakout rookie season, Matt Forte now has an on the field roommate to share his carries. Chester Taylor wasn’t brought in to get coffee, so the percentage of carries will be watched carefully as well.
Sleeper Brewing In Martz’s System- Johnny Knox …Continue reading NFL Training Camp Fantasy Questions (All 32 Teams)

Fourth and goal, one yard line. The call comes in – they’re going for the win. Some fans cover their eyes, others loudly cheer knowing that moments like these define a season and separate the good teams from the great. The coach knows full well that if they get in, he’s a genius, a hero. But, if they fail to convert the short yardage situation into crucial points, he’s  a scapegoat for a media feeding frenzy.

Some coaches have an easier time making this decision because of the personnel that they possess in terms of running backs, fullbacks, and perhaps most importantly – offensive lines.

Let’s take a look at the top five running backs I’d want carrying the ball on the goal line.

5] LaDainian Tomlinson, New York Jets

A change of scenery could be just what the doctor ordered for the future Hall of Fame running back, and with what many hail as the best offensive line in the league, it will only make his job easier. The only issue is that teams know the Jets aren’t completely confident in Mark ‘The Sanchize’ …Continue reading All Day Long: 5 Of The Best Goal Line Running Backs Of 2010

AFC North Fantasy Football Stock Market
This series of articles focuses on how the new breed of talent from the NFL draft plans to affect overall fantasy football player value. Continuing with our stock market report, Gridiron Experts takes a look at the AFC North.

*AFC North: This division was one most people thought would load up on fantasy options, but most were obtained through trade or free agency. Cincinnati added a new target and is the focus of this article.

Cincinnati Bengals

Jermaine Gresham TE 6’6″ 261 lbs.

The Bengals passed over Dez Bryant to add their new starting tight end. Gresham is a nightmare for defenses to cover, and he’ll give Carson Palmer a new receiving option this season. The need for a WR just wasn’t as great as it was for a big target that can go across the middle, make a tough catch, and maybe even lay out a hit on the way down. OhcoCinco may be a great dancer, but his first reaction after the catch is to get out-of-bounds or get to the ground. The Bengals have now added some fearless size and muscle to the passing game, something that I have thought was really lacking on this team.

Gresham will also improve the run game. Some may question his blocking ability, but even as a rookie at 21 years old, he’ll be showing up to training camp as the biggest tight end on the roster, looking more like a tackle. Despite his big frame, Gresham’s speed is surprisingly deceptive and should catch a few defenders off guard.

Will Be Awarded: TE1
Stock Value: High to Very High- Carson Palmer has never really had the Tight End option that Gresham brings to the table.  Passing plays will seem less complicated in press man situations as most of what Palmer has had to throw to are smaller speedy wideouts. Gresham will increase fantasy stock across the board.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Adding the center piece

The Steelers have had a rocking off-season, to say the least. The Steelers even had to send one of their more reliable weapons Santonio Holmes packing as a message to the players. On draft day though, the meat and potatoes were served with smiles to the Steeler nation with the addition of …Continue reading AFC North Fantasy Football Stock Market