Gridiron Experts

During the regular season, Gridiron Experts will be bringing you a unique fantasy football article called Fantasy Coin Flip, pitting two solid options against each other to help you decide your fantasy starting lineup each week.

To properly prepare you (and ourselves) for the season, we’re starting this article off with a bang and helping you decide between certain players you might be having a hard time picking between in your fantasy football drafts.

Injury vs Age

Wes Welker, WR, Patriots vs. Terrell Owens, WR, Bengals

Can Terrell Owens still play at 36, in a new system, while sharing targets (and the spotlight) with Chad Ochocinco? Yes, he can, but that’s still a lot of variables fantasy owners need to consider.

And for Welker, can he make it back from a serious knee injury in time for Week One, just six months after sustaining it? This writer thinks so, although fantasy owners also have to keep in mind that, even if Welker returns, he may fall short of his usual production as he works his way back to 100%.

However, just a mere glance at both player’s recent production suggests that a Wes Welker at even 75% would be a better selection than a 100% Terrell Owens in a new offense.

I’m sure Owens will perform well and should definitely be an upgrade from the 2009 T.O., but Welker is riding three-straight 112+ reception seasons, and you simply can’t ignore the massive role he has in New England, regardless of his current status. …Continue reading Fantasy Coin Flip: NFL Draft Version

NFL News & Updates

• Steve Smith – WR, Carolina Panthers
  Panthers WR Steve Smith fractured his left arm playing flag football over the weekend and is in danger missing all of training camp. He had surgery on Sunday night and was expected to be ready in time for the Panthers’ regular-season opener. Panthers beat writer Darin Gantt expects Kenneth Moore to take Steve Smith’s (broken arm) place with the first-team offense in training camp.

• Vincent Jackson – WR, San Diego Chargers
  NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora speculates that the Seahawks could be interested if the Chargers put unsigned restricted free agent Vincent Jackson on the trade block.

• Wes Welker – WR, New England Patriots
  Beat writer Mike Reiss thinks that Wes Welker (ACL, shoulder surgeries) will open training camp on the PUP lists and stay there for at least the first six weeks of the regular season.

• Joshua Cribbs – WR, Cleveland Browns
  Josh Cribbs revealed on Twitter Monday that he intends to lose 13 pounds before the start of training camp.
• Steve Slaton – RB, Houston Texans …Continue reading NFL News & Updates