Gridiron Experts

• Arrelious Benn – WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  Bucs second-round WR Arrelious Benn was relegated to special teams until the fourth quarter on Saturday night.

• Ahmad Bradshaw - RB, New York Giants
  Ahmad Bradshaw “is the feature back on the this team,” according to ESPN’s Matt Mosley.

• Jamaal Charles – RB, Kansas City Chiefs
  Chiefs coach Todd Haley suggested that Jamaal Charles was finally beginning to live up to his ambiguous buy lofty expectations after Saturday’s preseason game.

• Jermichael Finley – TE, Green Bay Packers
  Jermichael Finley caught four passes for 48 yards and a touchdown against the Seahawks in Saturday’s preseason game.

• Mike Williams – WR, Seattle Seahawks
  Mike Williams was the Seahawks’ No. 3 receiver in Saturday’s exhibition game against the Packers.

• Leon Washington - RB, Seattle Seahawks …Continue reading Fantasy News: Sunday Morning

VERSUS: STEVE SMITH VS STEVE SMITH

As many fantasy players know there are two Steve Smith’s in the NFL.  One plays for the New York Giants and the other plays for the Carolina Panthers.  Both are quick on their feet and display great hands.  However, over the past couple of seasons whenever a fantasy team owner would announce Steve Smith as their next selection it was generally assumed that the owner meant Steve Smith of the Carolina Panthers.  Later in the draft when someone was ready to draft Steve Smith of the Giants that owner might have said something along the lines of “I will take the other Steve Smith”.  This does not seem to be the case for this upcoming season as it is now going to be harder to distinguish which player is actually the “other” Steve Smith.  I expect both players to be selected prior to the end of the fourth round in any upcoming fantasy drafts.  However, which Steve Smith will be selected ahead of the other is now up for debate.  Steve Smith of the Giants is a much younger player and is coming off of a one hundred plus reception season.  On the other hand, Steve Smith of the Panthers is a seasoned veteran with a strong commitment to being highly productive.  To better understand the comparison between the two players I have provided a tale of the tape below.

As you can see from the stats above both players have the potential to have a significant fantasy impact in the coming season.  A closer look reveals that Smith of the Giants has not missed a game the past two seasons while Smith of the Panthers missed two games in 2008 due to suspension and then the final game of 2009 due to a broken arm.  This is the same arm he broke while playing flag football this past offseason, so bear in mind the possible injury risk when making a decision.  Judging from the overall numbers it is safe to say that both players will deliver around the same number of touchdowns this coming season along with a relatively close total yardage accumulation.  However, I do believe that Steve Smith of the Giants has the …Continue reading Fantasy Versus: Steve Smith Vs. Steve Smith

I wonder how many NFL players pick up the latest fantasy magazine or search for themselves online? Probably more than you think.

“Lets see, last year ESPN had me ranked in the mid-teens, now I’m in the 40′s?”, “This website just called me a Bust, and this other one used the word douchebag”. I imagine the NFL ego can handle the criticism of these comments, while lying around in their monster homes with an abundant pool of money, but I digress.

The sting of a bad fantasy season can torpedo a players’ value overnight. It’s rare someone goes out on a limb and says it was just an off-year, more likely the guy becomes the weird kid in high school that no one wants to sit next to at lunch. 

The phrase “what have you done for me lately” is something I can’t help but throw around whenever these names are used. So while you’re all ready to quickly throw these five players under the bus, I’m going to try to see the good in such terrible 2009 fantasy seasons.

5) QB Matt Hasselbeck

It seems Matt Hasselbeck peaked in 2008. The Seattle QB threw for 28 TD’s and a hair shy of 4000 yards that season, but hasn’t been the same since. Injuries have slowed this Chunky Soup spokesperson to a bowl of mush, and fantasy owners hate him for it.

The Seahawks new coaching staff have already found Hasselbeck’s eventual replacement, even if this year’s training camp proves that at 35 he can still lead the team. Gridiron Experts has Hasselbeck ranked 28th on the list of QB’s, one step up from Tebow, who’s not even starting. Regardless of age and surrounding talent, Hasselbeck is a confident quarterback who can sling the rock. He goes through his progressions like a pro, and can make big plays for big yardage.

When I put in my two cents for the rankings, I had him above the “Matt Moore’s” and “David Garrard’s” of the league, and can honestly say I’d draft him as my go-to bye week replacement. Late round QB’s tend to be dead weight on fantasy teams without injuries, but my prediction for Hasselbeck is a surprising bounce back year in the Pete Carrol offense.

4) RB Brandon Jacobs

Going from playing 13 games in 2008 (in which the 6’4″ RB ran for 100o+ yards and 15 TD’s) to playing more games and getting only a 3rd of the scores…what happened? Jacobs also had back to back seasons with 5.o yard per carry averages before 2009, when he dropped to only 3.7 yards per play.

Stats, stats, blah, blah; Brandon Jacobs (and the G-Men) played like crap last year. You know it, I know it, and the New York Giants know it. So why can’t he bounce back from an awful season?

His name is Ahmad Bradshaw.

Bradshaw will have every opportunity to steal carries this season, which is lowering Jacobs stock on everyone’s fantasy board. But at 5’9″  and under 200 lbs. Bradshaw will not hear his number called on first and goal. I see less carries for Jacobs in 2010, but actually view that as a good …Continue reading 5 NFL Players In Everyone’s Fantasy Doghouse

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

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)

It has become common to revel in the downfall of Terrell Owens, and with good understanding. He’s aging, insufferable on a personal and professional level, has a history of disrupting otherwise peaceful locker rooms, suffers from an alarming lack of self-awareness, and is seemingly just an all-round dickhead. As far as stereotypes are concerned, no one has ever fit one better than Terrell Owens does that of a wide receiver. Hell, the stereotype was basically modeled after him.

Yet since he’s one of the better receivers of his generation, teams have been willing to gamble large sums of money on his ability to stretch and maximize an ineffective passing game. For his many flaws, Terrell Owens has always been a reliable and productive receiver on the field (particularly in Philadelphia and San Francisco). Funny thing happened last season that just decimated his stock: He was cut by Dallas and they subsequently improved, while his age and reputation eventually caught up to him, leaving Terrell Owens without his usual bevy of suitors. As a result, he landed in Buffalo where his numbers dropped considerably, and his 2010 free agency stock has plummeted. In short, the same thing happened to Terrell Owens that happens to every receiver in Buffalo these days (Is anyone still waiting on Lee Evans to finally produce those big fantasy numbers?). …Continue reading The Terrell Owens Market

Michael Strahan Sacks McNabb
After laughing my ass off at the unexpected cameo from Donovan McNabb getting crushed for old-time sake, one has to wonder why D-Mac would even want to do this commercial? We all know Michael Strahan is flat broke from his ex-wife and would do anything for a buck, in fact I wouldn’t be surprised to see Strahan the next Sham-Wow guy, but McNabb has had a rough offseason and doesn’t need to be in the spotlight anymore than we’re already sick of seeing. Still McNabb has always had a good sense of humor, and as it turns out, his move to Washington may be setting him up with multiple deals: Sports Business Journal.com

I’m guessing this will be a series of ad’s involving the gap-toothed funny man.