Gridiron Experts

5 Bold NFL Predictions for 2010 (Part 1)

Gridiron Experts team of writers is making some bold NFL predictions. Some are long shots that you may love, others are realistic guess’s that you’ll hate.

Chris Hall’s 5 Bold Predictions

5.The Texans make the playoffs.

I know, I know, the Texans have a studly fantasy offense with Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, and crew, but they have never, in their teams history, been to the playoffs. The team is way too good to keep losing close games, and I really think that the Kris Brown/Neil Rackers kicking rivalry will make for a few less blown game enders. There’s no reason that the Texans should’ve lost to the Colts and Titans in weeks 9 and 11.

4. Shonn Greene will go the way of Ronnie Brown.

I absolutely hate foretelling injuries to players, but I don’t think that Shonn Greene’s style of play translates into a full NFL season. He hurt his ribs last offseason and then in the playoffs, and is bound to hurt them again with his bruising style. Rex Ryan is already threatening to load him up with extra padding to prevent rib damage… sounds scary to me.

3. Steven Jackson will leave fantasy owners out of the playoffs.

Last time S-Jax topped 300 rushing attempts (’06-’07), he sputtered out the next season and ran for 1,002 yards and 5 TD’s. Last season he had 324 yards and had to have been demoralized by having 19 linebackers on him every play. I really don’t see the offense getting that much better this year with Sam Bradford, so once again he will be on everyones radar. Expect him to be tired… real tired. …Continue reading 5 Bold NFL Predictions for 2010 (Part 1)

Steven Jackson- Buy, Sell, or Pass?

There’s no denying the St. Louis Rams have one of the elite running backs in the league in Steven Jackson. He’s a rare blend of big, powerful, fast, and is an excellent receiver. Despite being virtually the entire Rams offense in 2009, Jackson showed incredible heart and toughness by continuing to carry the ball for a hopelessly overmatched team, and never complaining or showing frustration. Unfortunately for fantasy football fans, effort and heart are not measurable stats.

Coming out of Oregon State, Jackson was a highly coveted runner in the 2004 NFL draft. Dallas Cowboy fans were clamoring for the team to select him. It came as a surprise to many when the St. Louis Rams selected him in the first round despite the fact that they already had Marshall Faulk. Jackson split time with Faulk as a rookie, rushing for a 5.0 yards per carry, and convinced the Rams to hand him the starting running back job in 2005. They have never looked back.

In 2005 Jackson had the first of what would become 5 straight 1000 yards seasons. His fantastic 2006 season saw 2334 total yards from scrimmage, 16 touchdowns, and an amazing 90 receptions  in 16 games. That would be the first and only time he has managed to stay healthy …Continue reading Steven Jackson: Buy, Sell, or Pass?

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

The St.Louis Rams got their future at quarterback signed on Friday night. Sam Bradford has agreed to a six-year, $78 million contract that reportedly has $50 million guaranteed according to multiple reports. The deal has a max value of $86 million.

Last year, the Detroit Lions gave No. 1 overall pick Matthew Stafford a six-year deal that included $41.7 million in guaranteed money….Can anyone say “Lockout”. The rookie contacts are a major problem in the NFL and inflation is not the excuse.

Bradford threw for 4,721 yards and 50 TDs with just eight interceptions. The newest Ram also beat out fellow 2010 draft picks Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow to win the Heisman Trophy.

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)

The Brian Westbrook Fantasy Value Equation

Brian Westbrook has yet to sign with a team because he has not been satisfied with the offers coming his way. Washington’s offer was merely satisfactory for Westbrook although he believes that the Redskins “are a great fit for him, but it needs to make sense financially as well”.  The St. Louis Rams are allegedly still in contact with him, while the Denver Broncos via head coach Josh McDaniels have acknowledged that they are “softening” the pursuit for the former pro bowler. If and when Westbrook lines up for one of his alleged suitors will he have any worth to fantasy junkies, or will he just be another 30 plus over the hill running back wasting space on your roster.

One cannot choose to write off Westbrook’s last season simply as a player with injuries to now assume that he is healed. Concussions (like the one’s Westbrook are dealing with) are no …Continue reading The Brian Westbrook Fantasy Value Equation

Haynesworth Will Be At Training Camp

We all know the story, 100 million dollar man signs a “typically” Dan Snyder big money offseason deal….only to bite dust the following season. Haynesworth’s beef is the transition to a 3-4. Really? you make stupid money and could be apart of a very underrated up and coming defense and you’re mad about the defensive style? C’mon man, no guts no glory, suck it up.

Apparently the message has been sent, or at least the cameo will be made for paychecks.

“As I have previously said, I am continuing to prepare for the season individually and will report on time, in shape and ready to play football. Any issues I have with the club I will discuss privately and therefore do not plan to make any further public comments about this matter.” The hated DT Skin stated.

Rams re-sign Safety Atogwe

Safe-ty the best for last? -I think so, Oshiomogho Atogwe is one of the last defensive veteran free agents to sign that had any real value. Atogwe did not participate in any of the team’s offseason conditioning programs and has not attended any organized team activities in May or June, but was a must sign if the Rams wanted to have any sort of secondary in 2010. When I say the word veteran these days, it refers to a 29-year-old player that gets no credit as he was and is apart of a terrible growing Rams squad. Coach Steve Spagnuolo made a good push to get back his “veteran” safety leader.

Mike Vick: He Hate Me

Last year, Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez landed at No. 2, followed by Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, and Bills receiver Terrell Owens. But for back to back seasons Mike Vick, the wild-Eagle gadget play quarterback is the most hated sports figure. With a whopping 69%, the Jail-Bird who is trying to forget and move on finds himself the top of the list for Fobres mag.

Keep’em Drop’em Trade’em

Scenario: You’re in a 12 man 2 player keeper pool with strict trade rules. Your commissioner has put in a “one trade only” rule to avoid a summer headache of off-season trades. You have Chris Johnson and are not afraid of a hold-out and have made him a lock for one of your two keepers. You’re other options are: Tom Brady, Ryan Grant and Steven Jackson. All three players have had trade inquiries, all ranging around the same level of draft picks. Who would you Keep? Trade? Drop?