Gridiron Experts

During the regular season, Gridiron Experts will be bringing you a unique fantasy football article called Fantasy Coin Flip, pitting two solid options against each other to help you decide your fantasy starting lineup each week.

To properly prepare you (and ourselves) for the season, we’re starting this article off with a bang and helping you decide between certain players you might be having a hard time picking between in your fantasy football drafts.

Injury vs Age

Wes Welker, WR, Patriots vs. Terrell Owens, WR, Bengals

Can Terrell Owens still play at 36, in a new system, while sharing targets (and the spotlight) with Chad Ochocinco? Yes, he can, but that’s still a lot of variables fantasy owners need to consider.

And for Welker, can he make it back from a serious knee injury in time for Week One, just six months after sustaining it? This writer thinks so, although fantasy owners also have to keep in mind that, even if Welker returns, he may fall short of his usual production as he works his way back to 100%.

However, just a mere glance at both player’s recent production suggests that a Wes Welker at even 75% would be a better selection than a 100% Terrell Owens in a new offense.

I’m sure Owens will perform well and should definitely be an upgrade from the 2009 T.O., but Welker is riding three-straight 112+ reception seasons, and you simply can’t ignore the massive role he has in New England, regardless of his current status. …Continue reading Fantasy Coin Flip: NFL Draft Version

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

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)

As anyone who has ever participated in one knows, keeper league’s aren’t an exact science. The turnover rate among NFL players is such that you could place each of your top players onto an appropriately distributed pie chart, put on a blindfold and spin a wheel, because that’s about the highest success rate you’re going to achieve. In other words, if you have to keep more than three players, there’s a strong chance you’re going to regret someone. I’m not trying to be cynical about the league format – it isn’t much different than selecting from a communal pool of players, just on a smaller scale – but I can’t imagine anyone who kept Brandon Jacobs in 2009 was content with his performance, and I can’t imagine anyone who had Jacobs even considered dropping him.

That said, we can use history to make our best determinations about who will be advantageous and who will be a mistake. What warning signs exist? Are there any concerns that creep into your cerebral cortex when determining who to keep and who to let go? If you foresee a bad year ahead with a player, but can see a successful career afterwards, is it …Continue reading 5 Fantasy Football Keepers You Should Just Drop

It seems every year we are bombarded by more and more fantasy football websites, newsletters, television shows, and magazines. One of the favorite features in this abundance of stats and opinions is the “sleepers” section. Identifying a back-up, or fringe player who comes out of nowhere to become a fantasy star. It happens every year.

Unfortunately another annual tradition has become the “deep sleepers” list of players who never make an impact. Players who we read can help our team, but go on to be of no use to any fantasy owner, and are eventually released to the waiver wire.

Here’s some players, in no particular order, that are being called “sleepers”, who are more likely to end up being wasted draft picks:

• Byron Leftwich- QB-Pittsburgh- If he got benched for a terrible Tampa Bay team last year, he has no shot of unseating Ben Roethlisberger after his suspension. Leftwich might not even beat out Dennis Dixon to open the season.

• Correll Buckhalter- RB-Denver- Switching away from the zone blocking scheme for which the Broncos are known will not help Buckhalter. He doesn’t get goal line touches, and if starter Knowshon Moreno got hurt, Denver would likely abandon the running game for a quick pass offense, a lot like what was used in New England.

• Jerious Norwood- RB-Atlanta- Jason Snelling is clearly the hand cuff to have for Atlanta, should Micheal Turner get hurt. Norwood’s playing time as a 3rd down back could even be cut into by the bigger Snelling, who is a good receiver out of the back field.

• Leonard Weaver- RB- Philadelphia-  Got some short yardage work last year. Enter Mike Bell to take over those carries. Also look for LeSean McCoy to be more acclimated to his role, and catch more passes that went Weaver’s way last year.

• Jabar Gaffney- WR- Denver- Had 2 fantastic games to end the 2009 season …Continue reading Deep Sleepers Or Early Drops

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

The Forgotten Sleepers

Activity is fast and furious in the NFL off-season. From free agents and trades to the NFL draft, teams look to improve their roster though multiple ways. Sometimes with all this commotion going on we forget about some minor acquisitions that will or could have a big impact for the upcoming season. We all know about Julius Peppers going to the Bears or Thomas Jones to the Chiefs, but let’s look at 5 players you may have forgot joined new teams.

Mike Bell will be the spell back this season to LeSean McCoy, and as you all know in this day and age you need 2 capable running backs in the NFL. The wear and tear is typically too great for just one RB and Bell has proved to be a decent back-up when given the chance. Last season with the Saints he was able to muster 5 touchdowns while being the 3rd running back on the depth chart. Bell can run with some power and may see more carries around the goal line this year which could boosts his stats a bit. …Continue reading The Forgotten Sleepers

Steelers Receivers Moving Forward

You all know that I’m a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, there’s no hiding it. – at all.

That being said, I’m generally the first one to point out weak spots on the team and openly criticize players and coaches without a second thought.

Looking through the roster, it’s pretty much same story, different day.

Hines Ward is still there, already mentoring veterans and rookies alike. He’s already taken a great liking to second year man Mike Wallace, who is going to fill the shoes of Super Bowl hero, Santonio Holmes who’s now playing for the New York Jets.

I’ve said it all along, Mike Wallace can and will replace Holmes handily. Why? Because the two have what is essentially …Continue reading Steelers Receivers Moving Forward