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

Fred Jackson Hurt

What do you do with 3 running backs in the NFL? the answer: wait for one to get hurt.

Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson suffered a hand injury in the first half of the Skins/Bills first pre-season game and will now miss up to a month.“Fred hurt his hand and we hope to be able to get him back for the first game,” said Chan Gailey. “We’re not sure.”

Ty Warren Done in 2010

New England Patroits Ty Warren is out for the 2010 season with a hip injury. Ty Warren knew that if played in 2010 with a labral tear in his hip, he wasn’t just risking performance, he was risking long-term mobility. Read More

Haynesworth is starting to like 3-4 defense

The big man wasn’t very popluar a couple weeks back, but on Friday night he lead the Skins on to the field and looked very much apart of the team. Of course, he is easing back into the depth chart and played with the second team defense against the Bills Friday night.

Haynesworth says he likes the defense now because he realizes the Redskins will allow him to rush the passer, “which is really important to me.” -Read more

WTF? Glen Coffee Retires

Second-year backup running back Glen Coffee was nowhere to be seen at Thursday afternoon’s practice, and was missing again on Friday morning.  Usually, that means an injury, but it turns out Coffee is bitter. ProFootballTalk.com leans in on reasons why (Link)

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

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

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

Late July brings a favorite tradition for many fantasy owners: NFL training camp. With camp comes the inevitable jockeying for starter spots, more playing time, or, in some cases, struggling to stay employed. Fantasy Football owners who know what players are winning these battles have a huge advantage come draft day. 2010 is no different, so here are some of the key training camp battles that fantasy owners need to be keeping an eye on.

• Houston Texans Running Back- It’s rare to have an open competition for a such a coveted spot on one of the NFL’s elite offenses. Houston’s failures in short yardage cost them dearly last year, and it is one of the team’s top priorities to resolve this year. 3 Headed Texan RB Monster Or Fantasy Sleeper Brewing?

• Oakland Raiders Running Back- Head Coach Tom Cable has stated before that he would prefer to use less of a committee approach, and rely on one back more. With the departure of Justin Fargas, the job is now an open competition for the speedy 2008 4th over-all pick, Darren McFadden, and the more bruising style of Michael Bush.

• Cleveland Browns Running Back- When the Browns finally gave Jerome Harrison a chance to be featured last year, he delivered in a huge way. His late season run delivered many Fantasy championships to owners savvy enough to have picked him up. Apparently he’ll have to fight to …Continue reading NFL Training Camp Fantasy Battles To Watch For