Gridiron Experts

10 Best Bang For Buck NFL Rookies Of 09

If your favorite NFL team is holding a top 10 pick in this year’s draft (or any year for that matter) you know that a blue-chip elite rookie is going to be added to your team. Actually, any player in the first, second or even third round can make an immediate difference in the NFL, one of the reasons why the NFL draft is changing to a 3-day prime time event. Of coarse, as the draft progresses the odds of finding a rookie that can step onto the field in his first year is very unlikely. But every year someone gets overlooked due to being under sized, having poor speed or just strange luck, making these late round gems usually the talk of training camp.

Gridiron Experts has compiled 2009′s best bang for buck players that made a difference in their rookie year. The criteria is not based on potential, as that’s all anyone ever talks about. We are simply giving props to the guys who were expected to hold clipboards but ended up being huge factors on the field.

[10] CB- Captain Munnerlyn (Panthers 7th RD pick)

The Carolina Panthers didn’t get much production out of last years draft class. In fact, their last pick was arguably their best. 216th overall the Carolina Panthers picked a 5’8 190lb DB from South Carolina, I guess they figured if it didn’t work out he wouldn’t have a long trip home. Captain Munnerlyn started 4 games and made plays all season. This late round steal had 44 tackles and a force fumble for a team that some didn’t even think he’d make.

[9] RB- LaRod Stephens-Howling (Cardinals 7th RD pick )

LaRod had two NFL starts and played in all 16 games last year as a special teams stud, making plays all over field, including returning kick for a touchdown. LaRod Stephens-Howling was drafted 240th overall with countless running backs gone before him.

[8] LB- Brad Jones (Packers 7th RD pick)

Truthfully I knew little about this surprise linebacker that was drafted with the Packers last pick. He caught my eye mid-season and to my surprise, learned he went 218th overall. Brad Jones former Colorado LB was a three-year starter in a 3-4 scheme. You’d think having knowledge of a system that most of the NFL runs would up his ranking. Either way, his rookie season was excellent and should grow into a regular in Green Bay’s starting rotation. 26 tck’s 4 sacks

[7] WR- Louis Murphy (Raiders 4th RD pick)

Heyward-Bey who? Louis Murphy has the skills to become a star in this league. This 4th round pick will have to …Continue reading 10 Best Bang For Buck NFL Rookies Of 09

Bye Week Helpers For Week 4

Shaun Hill San Francisco 49er’s

NFL odds are not pretty for the St. Louis Rams this weekend. The 49er’s had their hearts broken last week by a guy named Brett Favre and will want a little revenge. Shaun Hill is looking for his third straight game against St. Louis with at least 2 touchdown passes in what looks to be a blood bath. The 49er’s are not looked at as a passing team, but when facing an opponent that allows an average of 255 yards per game you can’t overlook the match-up.

Derek Anderson, QB Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals game is one of the few NFL Week 4 match-ups that pits division rivals against each other, and it should be an interesting contest. On one hand, many people want to give the Bengals a lot of credit for toppling the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers over the last few weeks, but it might be premature to start hopping on the Bengals Super Bowl odds.

Derek Anderson will get the nod for Cleveland this week and given his track record against the Bengals, he’s worth a look if you are in dire need of a starting quarterback. …Continue reading Bye Week Helpers For Week 4

Fantasy Coin Flip

We’re entering our fourth week of tough battles. The Monday night game showcases the undefeated Vikings vs. the 2-1 Packers, another match on Sunday highlights the 3-0 Ravens and the 2-1 Patriots, and we could also see supposed Super Bowl contenders like Tennessee drop to 0-4. While the NFL has become increasingly more difficult to predict with the Denver Broncos 3-0 and the Cincinnati Bengals on the verge of being 3-1, thank God we have the fantasy realm to depend on.

Having trouble picking between Aaron Rodgers or Matt Schaub this week? How about Clinton Portis or Cedric Benson? Look no further. Instead of the usual Start/Sit piece, here’s a match-up between two guys, giving you some analysis and the heads-up on the best play in week four.

Aaron Rodgers VS. Matt Schaub

Rodgers is walking into Brett Favre territory, and no folks, he won’t be playing at Lambeau Field. Things have changed, and not necessarily for the better for Rodgers, as his offensive line is in shambles, and Green Bay is still having troubles running the ball.

Yes, Ryan Grant came one yard shy of 100 against the Rams last week, but it took him 26 attempts, and oh yeah, it was against the Rams. Add all that “success” up, along with the Packers sketchy line play, and the Packers offense is no guarantee to be rolling on all cylinders against a Vikings defense that has yet to give up over 90 yards or 250 yards passing to a running back or quarterback. …Continue reading Fantasy Coin Flip

Preseason Fantasy Update

It’s hard to get a sense of how a fantasy player will produce in preseason football. All the real plays are tucked away for the regular season, so you have to be more intuitive when scouting for sleepers and ranking players. Watching a player run or read a defense is always something I look for. Here are my thoughts on a few standouts over the weekend:

Tom Brady- The Mike Vick signing definitely stole away from Brady’s excellent performance against the Eagles. Despite making one bad throw that was picked off, Brady looked very accurate. Brady’s value may take a week or two before people realize that he is back to his old self and move him up their draft boards.
Kevin Smith- We had written an article on Smith a couple of weeks back about his sleeper value in Detroit; seeing him in a brief appearance this weekend has backed up our prediction. Kevin Smith is a real RB threat and should not be knocked down due to being a stinky Lion.
Donald Brown- After a terrible start for the offensive line, Brown had 5 carries for 58 yards including a 38 yard scamper. It’s hard to gauge whether the Vikings starters would have allowed such a performance, but either way he was impressive in his debut.
Sage Rosenfels- The numbers weren’t huge, but a couple of his throws were bang on, including a few on the run. I saw a lot of Travis Jackson last year and in my opinion Rosenfels has the edge for the starting job. …Continue reading Preseason Fantasy Update

Fantasy (sleeper) Forecast Week 8

If you haven’t already figured it out, Gridiron Experts does not treat you (our readers) like a bunch of idiots, we are not going to tell you play the obvious starters that you had already planned to start. If you own Peyton Manning or Drew Brees, you don’t question their abilities, you just let them play. If you have Michael Turner or Clinton Portis, you start them regardless of their match ups. So it boils us when major sites over think their Fantasy Football projections. Yes, this week will be tough for Peyton as he is up against the Titans, and yes, Michael Turner is on the road against a tough run defense in Philly, but unless you have a dynasty team that is stacked with depth, you start them!

Every fantasy football owner has to make that coin flip decision from time to time, should I play “the bum who’s done nothing for me lately” or “Mr. one hit wonder”? We enjoy picking sleeper players, so why stop now? Here is Gridiron Experts Fantasy (sleeper) Forecast for Week 8

San Diego vs. New Orleans is a great game, too bad it’s being played in London…I mean, send ‘em the Seahawks and 49er’s! We think this game could be a shoot out, as both teams are on neutral ground and seem to mirror each other with their heavy offense/crappy defense style. If you need a WR, look for Malcolm Floyd to have a strong game with the injured C. Chambers still out. Also, TE Billy Miller is a great fill in if J. Shockey isn’t a go this Sunday.

What a difference one guy can make, Jim Haslett has the Rams looking like a new team. Although we highly doubt they can beat the Patriots, they should put up good fantasy numbers. WR Donnie Avery might be able to blast past that secondary with his crazy speed. Speaking of coaching changes, Mike Singletary is a great coach, and I think the 49er’s would love to play for him: “Time to lose the tie 49er’s”. Frank Gore should have good numbers, but I think Isaac Bruce will see the ball a lot more this week, as he was a big factor in the 49er’s only two wins.

Jason Campbell has a chance to do something besides hand the ball off this week. The Lions are terrible against the pass (wow, really?), so this should be a good play at QB with Portis banged up. Going hand in hand, Santana Moss is due for a highlight reel catch, and you know he’s pitching for a playaction bomb pass.

Gridiron Experts Sleepers as of AUG 12th

Most websites have their fantasy mocks all done and ready to go, which makes us laugh a little because there’s only been one week of preseason. Here at Gridiron Experts, we want to see a little more from training camps before we put ourselves out there. Expect team and tier fantasy boards in the next week or so, but until then here are 10 players that we’re watching; so should you, as they have “sleeper” written all over them.

[singlepic=279,65,60,,]   #10 Garrett Wolfe
I know I know, what about Matt Forte, but Wolfe has a great chance to be the wildcard in this running back committee. G.Wolfe is lightning quick, and could be more of a receiving threat on third downs and in screen plays like a Westbrook type player. If only Chicago could figure out how to use his skills.

[singlepic=299,60,60,,]   #9 Chris Perry
The Bengals drafted Chris Perry in the first round of the 2004 draft. Since then, his career has been plagued by injuries. C.Perry played well against the Packers, and is a player to watch in the high powered Bengals offense.

[singlepic=393,60,60,,]#8 James Hardy
Gridiron Experts had this guy pegged before the draft; James Hardy was a touchdown machine at Indiana. The Bills new 6’7″ WR will be a huge red zone target, and has a great chance of destroying people in fantasy football leagues.

[singlepic=274,60,60,,]#7 Ray Rice
Willis McGahee is banged up, and Rice has a great chance to win over the coaches.

…Continue reading Fantasy Football Sleepers