Gridiron Experts

NFL Fantasy News

• Larry Fitzgerald – WR, Arizona Cardinals
  Larry Fitzgerald confirmed Sunday that his MRI revealed only a sprain in his injured right knee. =This was a huge fantasy scare, and the remaining pre-season games will most likely be off limits for Fitzgerald.

• C.J. Spiller – RB, Buffalo Bills
  First-round pick C.J. Spiller is expected to get the “bulk of the workload” in Buffalo’s backfield for the rest of the preseason.

• Aaron Brown – RB, Detroit Lions
  Lions RB Aaron Brown reportedly “has the early lead” to be the team’s primary kickoff returner.

• Jason Campbell – QB, Oakland Raiders
  Campbell wasn’t very good in his first preseason game. The Raider’s passing game has also reportedly struggled badly on the practice field in training camp.

• Ben Tate - RB, Houston Texans
  The Houston Chronicle reports that Ben Tate will be placed on injured reserve after undergoing ankle surgery on Tuesday.

• Anthony Dixon – RB, San Francisco 49ers
  49ers rookie Anthony Dixon ran for 100 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries and caught three balls for 22 yards in the team’s preseason …Continue reading Monday’s NFL Fantasy News

Gridiron Experts continues to showcase our top ten lists, this time with the wide receivers. While there were more opinions with the Top 10 Fantasy Quarterback Rankings we do see the same handful of names in everyone’s receiver lists, but the interesting part is where they were ranked.

Mike Rodriguez: Calvin Johnson- Number two on my board will shock and awe a few readers, but it really shouldn’t. I looked at the most talented players, and then listed them based on their current age and surrounding talent. Sure Calvin Johnson’s on the Lions, but that’s a good thing in my opinion. Detroit has a very young, yet talented core on offense. The Lions will never be in a comfortable lead in 2010, so offense will be their best defense. I expect a return of his 2008 season’s worth in fantasy numbers.

DC: Anquan Boldin- I have a good feeling about Boldin in Baltimore. The Ravens have been desperate for a number one receiver, and Boldin has been wanting out of Arizona for some time now. Together the combination will be monstrous for the Ravens offense. With a powerful run game, opponents can no longer cheat up into the box to stuff the run. The play-action-pass or a straight up go-route will now be in heavy rotation in the play calling, so expect a different looking formula each week for the Ravens. Boldin is fearless across the middle and a magnet in the redzone. Flacco is very underrated and has a great arm, the transition should be wicked.

Diesel: Reggie Wayne- The Colts are always going to be putting up points. Wayne could be the safest pick on anybodies board, and Peyton …Continue reading Top 10 Fantasy Wide Receiver Rankings

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

NFL Fantasy RB Strength Of Schedule

Stats are always made to be broken. A sneaky run that goes for 60 yards after a long day of nothing but frustration happens all the time. Yet, a fantasy football strength of schedule list is a helpful tool to evaluate a players chances against a season’s worth of opponents. Many fantasy sites go about making such a spreadsheet by simply taking the top 10 toughest defenses, the 10 worst defenses, compare the results and hit the print button.

Gridiron Experts has gone beyond the cookie-cutter stats to analyze each game, giving what we think is a better prediction based on extended criteria.

If you think a new NFL week doesn’t come without lingering aches and pains from the week before, not to mention jet-lag, you’re dead wrong. Long road trips, teams off BYE weeks, and divisional match-ups are just a few of the factors we took into account when compiling this list. Other increments include: fantasy playoff match-ups, “overlook” games, and recent additions to a team’s defensive roster.

Here are our top 3 best and worst Running Back Strength of Schedule Teams in 2010

3 BEST RB Schedules

San Fransisco: A+

The 49er’s get three road games out of the way quickly to start the season. Early on, the tougher opponents like the Saints, Eagles and Broncos are all at home, which is a plus. Their bye week is comfortably placed in the middle of the season, and even the late 2-game road trip to Arizona and Green Bay isn’t as bad as it seems. The Packers themselves are off a tough 2 game road trip and shouldn’t be that fresh after just facing Adrian Peterson and Michael Turner. The icing on the cake is the fantasy playoff match-up. Depending on whether your league holds it’s Super Bowl in wk 16 or 17, the 49er’s face 3 out of 4 divisional opponents, which looks like gravy.

Even the road trip to San Diego in December is a gift with no snow or cold temperature. Throw in a few possible jackpot games against St. Louis (2), Carolina, Kansas City, and the cross-country trip the Bucs have to make, and Frank Gore has moved up our fantasy board.

Dallas Cowboys: A

The Coyboys don’t have a ton of easy rushing match-ups, but they don’t have any hard ones either. The second half of their NFL schedule is where we give all our high marks. Starting week 12 Dallas sees opponents that in essence are all the same type of build and chemistry. The Saints, Colts and Eagles style are all about getting that early lead, then blitzing you with their speedy pass rushers. The Cowboys have a great …Continue reading Fantasy RB Strength Of Schedule

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)

Fantasy defenses are generally an afterthought when you get into your draft. There’s generally some likely prized culprits that could be over-drafted but for the most part, depending on how the league is scored, your defense will typically be drafted amidst your backups at other positions. This logic is heeded by your typical fantasy football participant, and considering how undervalued defenses tend to be in fantasy, it’s a wise decision.

Depending on how deep your league is though, I think you can make an argument to hold off even longer on pulling the trigger with your defense. For the most part, a defense tends to be as productive as their opponents. Sure, it would be great to have the Jets lining up for you every Sunday, but they’re going to be playing at least four games against the Dolphins and Patriots, two of the more creative offenses in the league, not to mention the ongoing contract “negotiations” between  prized shutdown corner Darrell Revis (often regarded as the best defensive player in the league last season) and Jets management. In other words, with the perspective you’ll hold heading into your draft, would you rather have the Vikings defense facing the Packers or the Falcons defense against the Bucs?

There are questions surrounding everyone, especially when each “one” involves eleven individuals. While the Jets are likely to have a top three defense, their isn’t any guarantee of it. Why not put more faith in the weakness of a team’s schedule and compound it with the strength of the defense in question (which combined has a lot less variance), than …Continue reading Fantasy Football Strategy: Defenses In A Different Light

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

Beanie Wells Break Out Season

The one thing that drives me crazy, especially when talking about Beanie Wells is his history with injuries. This is football, not badminton, so if a guy gets hurt, don’t slap the caution sticker on him for life. Many players have recovered from injuries to bounce back and regain form…and Beanie is one of them.

This former Ohio State Buckeye really turned it on strong late last year, and had a solid role in the Cardinals playoff run, despite the lack of touches. Chris Wells averaged a very impressive 4.5 yards per carry for 793 yards and found the endzone 7 times in his rookie season.

This year, the Cardinals are a team in transition. Seeing players like Warner and Boldin leave may have people giving up on everything in the red uniform that isn’t named Fitzgerald, but while Arizona’s passing attack is changing gears, the running game is about to ref the engine, and burn rubber.

The Cardinals most underrated signing this off-season is Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca. This former Jet/Steelers has a resume of being apart of some of the best running teams over the last 10 years. The Cardinals were already fairly …Continue reading Chris Beanie Wells 2010 Break Out Fantasy Football Season