Gridiron Experts

10 Fantasy Football Sleepers In 2010 (in no particular order)

Jabar Gaffney (WR Broncos)
Gaffney has been bounced around the league through most of his career; his patience has landed him in Denver, which is starting to look like home.

Gaffney has a great understanding of the offense and the experience to be the player that can pick up the in-game wrinkle on the spot. He will be overlooked by nearly everyone at your fantasy draft for a shiny new rookie. Their loss is your sleeper steal.

Anthony Gonzalez (WR Colts)
Before Gonzalez’s injury early last season, fantasy experts had him very high on their boards. Now recovering and fighting for a starting job, Gonzalez is underrated and available at a late round bargain price.

Chester Taylor (RB Bears)
This RB might take a few weeks to catch on in Chicago, yet his ability is unquestionable. Taylor is the type of player Mike Martz loves and will be used in all phases of the game. Late round gem with tons of upside.

Clinton Portis (RB Redskins)
Mike Shanahan, do I need to say anymore? The system has produce greatness out of garbage. Portis has secured the starting job and will be the focal point despite all the McNabb media. …Continue reading 10 Fantasy Football Sleepers In 2010

Gridiron Experts Fantasy Factor

• Demaryius Thomas – WR, Denver Broncos
  According to the Denver Post, there’s concern that Demaryius Thomas’ tests could show a stress fracture that would keep him out 3-4 months. Fantasy Factor- The Broncos are going to be looking at the team veterans to pull their weight the first half of the season. Some fantasy owners are “hands off” Bronco players, but the “Patriot” mentality will be enforced. There might be a sleeper to step up and earn some nice yardage, stay tuned.

• Antonio Bryant – WR, Cincinnati Bengals
  Antonio Bryant (knee) still hasn’t resumed practicing since the first day of training camp. Fantasy Factor- It seems that Bryant’s injury is worse than reports have indicated, apparently now the Bengals are on the verge of eating the signing bonus and cutting him loose. Link to article at PFT

• Sidney Rice - WR, Minnesota Vikings
  Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune is “hearing” that Sidney Rice will be on crutches for eight weeks following hip surgery. Fantasy Factor- Rice is not a fan favorite these days, why not get the surgery done earlier? This is bad news for the passing game, but great news for AP.

• Donovan McNabb – QB, Washington Redskins
  Though he’s likely done for the preseason, Donovan McNabb insists his ankle “absolutely” has improved since injuring it in last Saturday’s game. Fantasy Factor- McNabb is smart, he says the right things, but secretly he wants some other chump QB in for the next two nothing games while the offensive line works out the kinks. …Continue reading Gridiron Experts Fantasy Factor

Kyle Orton..fantasy savior?

There’s a secret in Denver: The Broncos have a quarterback that can help you win this year. No, it’s not Tim Tebow, it’s Kyle Orton. Orton quietly put up some decent number for the Broncos last year, and remains underrated and forgotten. He makes an excellent choice as a QB2 in 2010 fantasy football leagues.

Statistics

In 2009, his first year in Denver under Coach Josh McDaniels, Orton managed to throw 21 touchdowns versus only 12 interceptions, both career bests. He finished in the top 10 in the NFL passings stats for attempts, completions, lowest sack percentage and lowest interception percentage, and top 5 in avoiding turnovers. In his 16 starts, Orton had only 3 games where he didn’t throw for at least one touchdown. He also has improved in all major statistical categories each year as a starter.

Job security

Last week the Broncos extended Orton’s contract through the 2011 season with $9 million, $5 million of which is guaranteed money. This is a clear …Continue reading Kyle Orton Fantasy Football Savior?

Denver Broncos Receiving Core Fantasy Preview

Ever since Brandon Marshall left in a trade to the Miami Dolphins, fantasy owners have been faced with the impossible question; who will make a major impact at the receiver position in Denver?

Well, firstly, you have to discount all of those “Eddie Royal is going to be Wes Welker” rumors, because that’s the same type of talk we heard last season. And despite putting up very solid rookie numbers in 2008, Royal was a huge fantasy disappointment in 2009, posting just 37 receptions for under 400 yards and zero touchdowns.

However, this could be a bounce-back year for Royal, as his main competition for looks in the offense (Marshall) is gone to another team, and outside of rookies Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker, he easily is the most talented receiver on the team. And with both rookies struggling to return from offseason foot injuries, he appears to have the leg-up on the competition. …Continue reading Denver Broncos Receiving Core Fantasy Preview

Tebow’s New Haircut

Mullet, crew cut, mohawk, braids, bald, buzzed, bowl cut, are all very common hair styles for the average male. But there is a new style, the Tim Tebow.

Many are familiar with Tim Tebow’s business like hair style, nicely trimmed and brushed up in the front. But now Tim Tebow is part of the Denver Broncos and is a pro football player, more importantly a rookie. Veteran players like to welcome the rookie players into the league by having a little fun and playing pranks. Typical pranks in the NFL include making the rookies carry a veterans pads after practice or pay the check for an expensive dinner, and then there is the common give the rookie a new haircut, which is exactly what happened to Tim Tebow.

Tebow’s new hair style is not a normal rookie haircut, where a veteran buzzes or shaves all the hair off. No, the Broncos took the haircut prank to a more funny level. Tebow’s teammate closely buzzed his hair into a circle like shape. They buzzed both sides of his head and a giant bald spot on top, but he still has the hair brushed up in front. Now, we just wait and see how long Tim Tebow will keep his new hair style.

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

Tebow signs contract with Denver

ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting via twitter that the deal is worth $33 million with $8.7 million guaranteed.

The signing of Tebow leaves only one Broncos rookie unsigned, wide receiver Demaryius Thomas. Given the Broncos current track record expect Thomas to be signed by either late tonight or sometime tomorrow during the day on Friday. Fox31’s Josina Anderson tweeted that …Broncotalk.net

Eagles Sign First Round Pick Brandon Graham

The Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to terms on a five year contract with first round pick Brandon Graham, a defensive end from Michigan.  ESPN’s Adam Schefter announced the news on Twitter, and the Eagles have posted it on their official website. Philadelphia selected Graham 13th overall in the 2010 draft after dealing its 24th overall pick….Insidetheiggles.com

Miami Dolphins sign 1st round pick Jared Odrick and 2nd rounder Koa Misi

According to Adam Schefter on Twitter, the Dolphins agreed to terms with first-round DL Jared Odrick on a five-year contract with a maximum value of just over $13 million, including $7.133 million guaranteed.

And Jeff Darlington reports on Twitter that the Dolphins have also agreed to terms with No. 40 overall pick OLB Koa Misi on a multi-year contract. This now makes three years with just one training camp holdout – and that lasted for about…Thephinsider.com

Important Fantasy Signing: Texans agree to deal with Ben Tate

A power back from Auburn, Tate posted highly impressive numbers at February’s Combine.   In addition to bench pressing 225 pounds 26 times, Tate posted the third-fastest forty time among tailbacks at 4.43. ….. ProFootballTalk.com

Tuesday Training Camp Notes

• 2nd Round Pick Signs- Nate Allen is a much anticipated rookie to enter Philadelphia Eagles camp. Dave Spadaro broke the news that the Eagles have agreed to terms on a four-year deal with the rookie safety Allen and will report to Lehigh tomorrow. Allen was the player selected with the pick that the Eagles received for Donovan McNabb. Allen is also expected to step in and help the Dawkins-departed safety spot.
• Atari Bigby signs his tender- Packers safety Atari Bigby will arrive to training camp on time to try to defend his starting strong safety job.-Profootballtalk
• 2nd Round Pick Signs- Broncos offensive lineman Zane Beadles (a second round pick from Utah) has signed a 4 yr contact and will be at camp soon
• More Bronco News: The Denver Broncos on Tuesday announced several transactions, including the signing of wide receiver Eric Decker, whom they selected in the third round (87th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft from the University of Minnesota. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed…Milehighreport.com
• Add 2 rookies to Bengals big news day- Former Longhorns: WR Jordan Shipley and linebacker Roderick Muckelroy signed contacts on Tuesday.
• Pat’s Also Snag a 2- Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes has agreed to terms. (link)
• McNabb Texting Kolb- “I try to inspire young players, to just continue to keep their head up, write goals for yourself that are attainable and for them to just have confidence in themselves. For me, it could’ve been easier for me to walk out the door and not said anything to anyone. But that’s not the type of person I am. I’m a guy who cares. I’ve text-messaged Kevin and…several of my former offensive linemen and the list goes. The thing about 11 years is [it's] something you can’t just forget.” Link & video:Redskins Insider