Gridiron Experts

Preseason posturing

One week into the 2010 NFL preseason is in the history books. So what have we learned? Well history has taught us that it’s too early to get overly excited about a good, or poor performance.  We are, however, far enough along into the season that it is appropriate to start looking at players who value may be up, or down. Keeping your fantasy football draft list updated and accurate is the best way to stay ahead of the competition.

Value Up:

• Pierre Thomas/Reggie Bush RB New Orleans- Lynell Hamilton’s unfortunate season ending injury stand to benefit Thomas and Bush. If no other third runner emerges, Thomas and Bush stand to split the  remaining carries from a 3^rd and 4^th tailback spot that managed over 700 yards and 7 touchdowns last year. Don’t expect those kind of numbers, but as of now, Pierre and Reggie should both see their ADP rise.

• Arian Foster RB Houston- What looked to be a potentially crowded backfield cleared up in a hurry. 2^nd round pick Ben Tate is out for the year with a broken right ankle, and Steve Slaton surprised no one by fumbling on the goal line on lone short yardage attempt. Foster is now the featured runner on one of the NFL’s most potent offenses.

• C.J. Spiller RB Buffalo- The rookie is another runner who will benefit from injuries. Both Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson are expected to miss several weeks with injuries, opening the door for Spiller to get all first team reps in practice and in the remainder of the preseason. Buffalo’s inability to provide any threat of a passing game will assure plenty of opportunities.

• Jamal Charles RB Kansas City- While Thomas Jones is listed as the starter, he did nothing in the Chiefs game before leaving with a minor …Continue reading NFL Pre-season Posturing

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)

Daily Fantasy Football News

• Jonathan Stewart – RB, Carolina Panthers NFL.com’s Mike Lombardi reports that Jonathan Stewart (Achilles surgery) is back to 100 percent.
• Matt Cassel - QB, Kansas City Chiefs The Kansas City Star confirms that the Chiefs’ starting quarterback job is Matt Cassel’s “unequivocally.”
• Donovan McNabb – QB, Washington Redskins New Redskins’ QB Donovan McNabb will be joined by teammates for voluntary workouts at McNabb’s Phoenix home starting Monday.
• Jamaal Charles – RB, Kansas City Chiefs Jamaal Charles is expected to be the centerpiece of the Chiefs’ offense, according to beat writer Kent Babb.
• Reggie Wayne – WR, Indianapolis Colts Reggie Wayne doesn’t sound serious about a holdout even though he is angling for a new contract.
• Terrell Owens – WR, Buffalo Bills GM A.J. Smith virtually ruled out the possibility of the Chargers signing free agent Terrell Owens.
• Vince Young – QB, Tennessee Titans Vince Young had a “really, really good offseason” and is “primed for a big year,” according to Dan Pompei of the National Football Post.
• Cedric Benson – RB, Cincinnati Bengals Beat writer Joe Reedy reiterated that Cedric Benson appears unlikely to face punishment from the league for his recent assault charge. …Continue reading NFL Fantasy News: Impatiently Waiting!

NFL Quick Hits

• Dexter McCluster – RB, Kansas City Chiefs
  Dexter McCluster is expected to be utilized out wide, in the slot, at running back, in the return game and even Wildcat trigger man as a rookie.
• Clinton Portis – RB, Washington Redskins
  Although Clinton Portis is expected to enter training camp as the No. 1 tailback, coordinator Kyle Shanahan indicated that the Redskins coaches haven’t even talked about a depth chart.
• Ahmad Bradshaw - RB, New York Giants
  ESPN.com’s Matt Mosley believes Ahmad Bradshaw is “capable of being the best running back in the division” if he’s back to 100 percent this summer.
• Anthony Gonzalez - WR, Indianapolis Colts
  The Colts coaching staff has promised Anthony Gonzalez a shot to compete with Pierre Garcon for the starting job opposite Reggie Wayne this summer.
• Cortland Finnegan – CB, Tennessee Titans
  Titans CB Cortland Finnegan will train with Darrelle Revis this summer.
• A.J. Feeley – QB, St. Louis Rams
  Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo reiterated that A.J. Feeley is currently his starting …Continue reading NFL Quick Hits

AFC West 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 West.
Previous Articles: NFC EAST | AFC EAST | NFC SOUTH | AFC SOUTH | NFC WEST

*AFC West: Three out of the four teams in this division added talent that will have a chance to step onto the field and maybe make impacts in  fantasy football. The Raiders stuck to improving their defense but did acquire their new 2010 quarterback.

Denver Broncos

Demaryius Thomas WR 6’3 230 lbs

Goodbye Brandon Marshall, hello rookie replacement. Demaryius Thomas is an explosive receiver with a very similar build and style to the ex-Bronco 100-reception-wonder. Although, Marshall’s numbers were so amazing that comparisons could start to haunt this poor kid who has to come in and fill a major role. There is no doubt that Thomas will be asked to step up early and should be awarded a starting spot by training camp.

Demaryius Thomas had a very impressive college resume that will carry him over into the NFL fluidly, but that lack of quarterback talent and surrounding cast will definitely be the anchor that holds this rookie back. Questions to the Broncos offensive line have people wondering if the running game will be as affective in 2010, also I not sure Kyle Orton will ever instill fear into the eyes of his opponents.

The Broncos started 6-0 last season before melting into a 8-8 club. Did the offensive formula  that worked so well to start just need time to be figured out? The second half of the season defensive coordinators could read McDaniels game plan like and open book, as points were hard to come by. Either the case, D. Thomas and his new breed of …Continue reading AFC West Fantasy Football Stock Market

AFC Fantasy Football Player Impact List

Among every NFL team there tends to be some player that every fantasy owner would like to have on their team.  In this article we are going to explore one player from each team who could potentially make an impact in the 2010 fantasy season.  This list includes players who may benefit from added touches, players that ended the 2009 season with a bang, had impact players join their team, or their teams have a need for someone to step up.  Each player’s name will be followed with a short description of why they were chosen for this list.  This article will concentrate on one player from every AFC team.  An article listing each of the NFC teams will soon follow.

New England – Julien Edelman, WR – Edelman gets a big uptick in his draft rankings if Wes Welker is out for any extended period of time.  Edelman filled in admirably for Welker in the playoffs and some reports have Welker missing the first 6-8 weeks of the season.

Buffalo – C.J. Spiller, RB – The Bills wasted no time getting their draft card with Spiller on the board at #9 overall.  Spiller may not get the majority of the carries early on, but there is a reason the Bills took him ahead of other needs.  Look for Spiller to make an impact at some point this season.

Miami – Chad Henne, QB – Without a big threat wide receiver last season Henne was able to do a half decent job.  Now with Brandon Marshall as his top target look for the Dolphins to open up the passing game, especially if Ronnie Brown is not fully healthy.

New York Jets – LaDainian Tomlinson, RB – Tomlinson was the consensus number one overall pick in fantasy drafts for many years.  Now as his production has draft off he is the #2 man behind starter Shonn Greene.  Even in this role Tomlinson should get opportunities to score.  After all he did have 12 TDs last year.

Baltimore – Joe Flacco, QB – Flacco had a productive fantasy season last year with over 3,600 yards and 21 TDs.  One would only expect these numbers to improve with new play …Continue reading AFC Fantasy Football Player Impact List

Safety First

The 2010 draft is one which pundits continuously called “the deepest” in years. Whether or not it truly is, only time will tell. However, in this depth I noticed something interesting, that astonishingly five safeties were taken within the first two rounds (a position not usually so highly coveted in the draft). Tennessee’s Eric Berry, Texas’ Earl Thomas, South Florida’s Nate Allen, Oregon’s T.J. Ward, and USC’s Taylor Mays all bring unique skill sets with them to the NFL. Let’s take a look at what these specific skills are.

Eric Berry 6’0″ 211 lbs. Kansas City Chiefs. Round 1, Pick 5

In Berry the Chiefs have found themselves an elite player. It’s hard to find one thing not to like about Berry, he hits with incredible force, is vicious, has fantastic coverage skills and terrific instincts, and simply is a flat out playmaker. Many critics say Berry …Continue reading Elite Draft Class: Safety First