Fantasy Football Conundrums

8 11 2008

By Tom Peters

The GOP Conundrum

The GOP Conundrum

I need some help from my loyal readers out there. Many of you play fantasy football and you are very knowledgeable on my football topics. So here is my situation:

I am in a fantasy football league in which we only get points for touchdowns scored. The longer the TD, the more points you earn. The bye weeks this week are killing me and I’m having a hard time in deciding who to start. Please tell, who should I start in these situations:

QB: Eli Manning (v. Eagles) or Matt Ryan (v. Saints)

TE: Dallas Clark (v. Steelers) or Donald Lee (v. Vikings)

D/ST: Houston (v. Baltimore) or Minnesota (v. Green Bay)

Thank you for your help.


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NFL: Waiver Wire Wonders

16 10 2008

by Michael DeLuca

Fantasy Leagues are won and lost with waiver wire pick ups. Sure the draft is of importance, but picking up a stud rb or superstar wideout that would have been worthy of an early round pick can make all the difference in the world. For example, in 2007, Derek Anderson, Ryan Grant, Earnest Graham, and Roddy White were universally picked up off the waiver wire. In 2006, Marion Barber, Selvin Young, and Marques Colston led many teams to victory. So who are the waiver wire wonders for 2008? Here are your best options for week 7 of the NFL season: Read the rest of this entry »


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Fantasy Football: Waiver Wire Wonders

1 10 2008

by Michael DeLuca

Fantasy Leagues are won and lost with waiver wire pick ups.  Sure the draft is of importance, but picking up a stud rb or superstar wideout that would have been worthy of an early round pick can make all the difference in the world.  For example, in 2007, Derek Anderson, Ryan Grant, Earnest Graham, and Roddy White were universally picked up off the waiver wire.  In 2006, Marion Barber, Selvin Young, and Marques Colston led many teams to victory.  So who are the waiver wire wonders for 2008?  Here are your best options for week 5 of the NFL season:

QB-
Marc Bulger - Most likely an antsy owner dropped Bulger upon his demotion last week. He’s back as the starter and will remain so. Scoop him up and reap the benefits.  He’s got a bye this week, so even if you have a low waiver priority you might be able to sneak him through. Read the rest of this entry »


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Fantasy Football - Round by Round - Gems & Busts

23 08 2008

by Michael DeLuca

Getting ready for the big draft this weekend?  While many people will obsess over who their first round pick may be, I challange anyone to name me a single league which was won as a result of a first round pick.  No, often times it’s those sleepers, the value picks, that get the job done.  For example, last year Tom Brady, Adrian Peterson, and Randy Moss were universally drafted in rounds 3-5 last year, yet I’ll bet their names can be found on a large majority of 2007 fantasy league championship rosters.  What I’ve decided to do is put together a list of round by round gems and busts based on a ten team league, one gem and one bust per round.  I’ll be using the comprehensive ADP list we had published earlier.  Away we go… Read the rest of this entry »


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Ultimate ADP - Fantasy Football

19 08 2008

by Michael DeLuca

Each year I’m baffled that the avergae draft positions can vary so greatly from site to site.  With a sample size of 1000 plus drafts from each of the top sites, you would think there would be more consistency.  This year, I decided to create the Ultimate ADP, a spreadsheet that combines the results from the top 6 fantasy football adp sites; myfantasyleague.com, antsports.com, ESPN, Sportsline, FFCalculator, and FFToolbox.  Here are the results… Read the rest of this entry »


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Seattle Seahawks - Running Back Competition

9 08 2008

by Michael DeLuca

Last week I listed Julius Jones as a potential fantasy football bust, saying that Maurice Morris may eat into his carries.  Turns out, it may be the other way around.  In preseason week 1, Morris got the start and accumulated 62 yards on just six attempts, including a 21-yard jaunt.   Jones managed only 15 yards on four attempts.  The buzz out of camp has all surrounded Morris, who seems to be the favorite of head coach Mike Holmgrem.  The situation is certainly worth keeping an eye on.


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2008 All Sleeper Team

4 08 2008

Fantasy Championships are won with value picks in the middle to late rounds and the big question is always…who will be those late round gems?  Here’s a complete starting fantasy lineup.   I’ve taken into account that many leagues use a flex position.  All players are compared using their average draft positions.

Jay Cutler- QB, Denver Broncos - 20 touchdown passes and nearly 3,500 yards last year and still it seemed Cutler underachieved in his first full season as the Broncos starter.  He has a whole new slew of receivers including Keary Colbert, Eddie Royal, and Darrell Jackson.  Add them to the mix with Brandon Marshall and Brandon Stokley and you’ve a got a star studded receiving corps.  Ryan Clady of Boise State was drafted #12 overall in round 1 by the Broncos and has already earned the confidence of the coaches along with the starting left tackle job.  With a little more time in the pocket, Jay should be able to utilize his down-field passing strength and should easily break into the top 10 quarterback rankings this season.  He’s currently being drafted #81 overall and is the #11 Quarterback off the boards according to Antsports average draft positions.  Look for him to outperform both Marc Bulger and Matt Hasselbeck, who are both being taken ahead of him.

Thomas Jones- RB, New York Jets - Jones is undoubtedly the feature back for the New York Jets.  His 310 carries accounted for 3/4 of all rushing attempts for the team last year.  The departure of Pete Kendall left a gaping hole on the left side and the run game suffered all season long, while Jones accounted for just two touchdowns, one on the ground and one through the air.  After adding left guard Alan Faneca and picking up veteran FB Tony Richardson, all signs point to Jones bouncing back and having a very productive 2008 campaign.  Jones is being drafted #43 overall and #22 among running backs.  Michael Turner, Ronnie Brown, Earnest Graham, and Willie Parker are all being selected ahead of Jones, who could easily outperform them all.

Chris Johnson- RB, Tennessee Titans - Johnson has been one of the biggest stars of training camp and his role is already being defined much differently than originally anticipated.  “I am just looking at him as a tailback,” offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger said. “What we do outside of turning and handing him the ball is a bonus. He can do a lot of things, but I want to find out if we can turn and hand him the ball and how many times we can do that. I look at it different than all the ‘experts.’ I expect to see him out there on first and second down.”  Johnson is a speed demon and is a threat to take it to the house each time he touches the football.  Johnson is being selected #122 overall and 45th among running backs.  If you’re really considering taking the OTHER Adrian Peterson ahead of him, you should have your head examined! Read the rest of this entry »


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Avoid At All Costs - 2008 Fantasy Football Busts

1 08 2008

Every year there’s a number of players that frustrate fantasy owners to no end.  Here’ a list of some of the potential duds for the 2008 season…

1.  Wes Welker - Welker is certain to take a step back from his 112 receptions and 1,175 yards from the Patriot’s 2007 undefeated regular season.  After teams locked down New England’s passing attack in the postseason, the Patriots will make more of a dedicated effort to establish the running game this year.  In addition, the loss of Donte Stallworth should add extra pressure on Welker and he’ll be less likely to roam free in open space. 

2.  Julius Jones - Jones signed as a free agent with Seattle this off-season.  So did goal-line vulture TJ Duckett.  Mike Holmgrem has been raving about the off-season performance of Maurice Morris and has already hinted at a timeshare at the halfback position.

3.  Lendale White - Lendale White had a fairly productive season in 2007, rushing for 1,110 yards and 7 scores.  His yard per carry average was only 3.7 and White did seem to wear down as the season progressed.  The Titans, already loaded at the RB position, selected Chris Johnson with the #24 overall pick in the first round of this year’s draft.  There’s already talk he could be the feature back by the start of the regular season.

4.  Willie Parker - As if scoring just two touchdowns in 2007 wasn’t enough, the Steelers jettisoned Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca this off-season.  If you’re wonder what type of impact that may have on the Steelers running game, take a look at Shaun Alexander’s stats following Steve Hutchinson’s departure from Seattle.  Furthermore, Parker is coming off a broken leg and the Steelers.  Pittsburgh drafted RB Rashard Mendenhall in the first round of the draft this year and in addition to stealing a significant number of carries, Mendenhall may even get the goal line calls.

5.  Torry Holt - He’s getting old.  The offensive line stinks.  Isaac Bruce is no longer on the other side.  Sure he hasn’t had less than 81 catches and 1,100 yards since his rookie season, but Holt might not be 100 percent after having knee pain throughout most of the 2007 season and new offensive coordinator Al Saunders will certainly put more of a focus on the running game.


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Lendale White - The Backup?

30 07 2008
The Nashville Tennessean is reporting that Tennessee Titans first-round draft pick Chris Johnson is among the Titans top performers thus far in training camp.  In fact, he’s been so impressive that offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger was quoted as saying, “I am just looking at him as a tailback.  What we do outside of turning and handing him the ball is a bonus. He can do a lot of things, but I want to find out if we can turn and hand him the ball and how many times we can do that. I look at it different than all the ‘experts.’ I expect to see him out there on first and second down.” 
Johsnon ran for 1423 yards in his senior season at East Carolina on 236 carries, good for 6.0 yards per carry average.  He had 17 rushing touchdowns and 37 receptions for 528 yards (14.3 average) and six scores.  He was the fastest player at the scouting combine and in a shocking move the Titans selected him with the 24th pick in this years draft.  Many felt that Johnson should be a second rounder and that the Titans had many needs to fill, running back not being one of them.

FANTASY IMPACT - This is a huge development in fantasy circles, especially for those of you who may have considered Lendale White a keeper in dynasty leagues.  If Johnson is out there on first and second downs, that makes him the primary back.  There’s a long way to go until the regular season, but this development is certainly worth keeping an eye on.

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Fantasy Football Drafts - Round 1

23 07 2008

With training camps opening this week, it’s about that time to start thinking about your fantasy football drafts.  I’m going to focus on round one in particular and will share with you my thoughts on who I feel should be the top 12 picks. 
 

  1. Ladainian Tomlinson - Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson is the most consistent all around running back in the league.  It was a very difficult choice between him and Adrian Peterson, but Tomlinson and his overall track record won out.  He’s topped 1,500 total yards in each of his seven season in the NFL and has never suffered a serious injury.  Tomlinson has topped 18 touchdowns in each of the last four seasons, occasionally tossing one or two a year!  Peterson may be the sexy pick…but Tomlinson’s the best. 

    2.  

  2. Adrian Peterson - A timeshare with Chester Taylor and injury concerns scared many off from drafting AP in the first several rounds of drafts in 2007.  That won’t happen again in 2008.  Peterson quickly established himself as the premier player in the Vikings backfield and has worked countless hours this off-season to improve his receiving skills.  This means even more touches for Peterson, who has the talent to rush for over 2000 yards.  The Vikings line, in my opinion, is hands down the best in the NFL and if the Vikes can develop any type of passing game to keep opposing teams from playing eight in the box, Peterson could emerge as the league MVP.

    3. Read the rest of this entry »


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