http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/2042 Recent articles about Ahman Green en-us So how do we beat the RBBC conundrum? Knowledge! I know, I sound like a bad public service announcement but in fantasy football, knowledge really is power. And there's just not enough info out there on all the various committees. I applaud the few sites out there that have attacked the RBBC analysis...though I can't say I really blame the experts out there for not wanting to talk about them. But now it's time we face committees head on and do our best to take a gamble and figure out which guys might pull to the front of the committee battles. Trust me, some of those guys might even be a top 10 back by the time the season is over. With that being said, let's take a look at 3 under-discussed teams and their backfield situation heading into 2008: Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:40:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294709 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294709 The "running back by committee" strategy employed by numerous NFL teams will decrease the value of many prominent running backs. Ahman Green of the Texans is one example given here by The Scores Report Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:04:48 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294514 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294514 In this new top ten we look at sleeper candidates for the 2008 season. Our top ten sleepers are players that could breakout and most are also very safe bets to outperform their average draft position. Find out why Leon Washington is number one on our list and who else we believe will surprise in 2008. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:50:59 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291022 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291022 In exclusive interviews with various flies on the wall, The Frozen Tundra was able to piece together additional information to provide a background to determine how this trade developed. I have reconstructed the timeline of events based on those reports. March 1, 2008: Favre calls Ted Thompson to tell him he wants Randy Moss to be signed. "If not, I will know you are not trying to get me the personnel I need, and I'm not sure I want to stay in that situation," he declared. There are no reports out of flies in Green Bay, since at that time of the year it is still too cold and they are dormant. However, it is believed by one fly he could hear Thompson laugh in reply, "Are you serious?! Do you think we would take on that headache long-term just so you will maybe play another year or two? Even the fans wouldn't be on your side with this one–they hate him!" After that, the phone call abruptly March 4, 2008: After Moss re-signs with New England, Favre calls Thompson several times, always hanging up without speaking about ten seconds later. The last time he calls and says, "call me back and let me know what you will do to entice me to come back, or I'll have to retire by the end of the week." He then hangs up the phone. There are no return calls. March 6, 2008: Favre announces his retirement, and everyone publicly expresses sorrow that an era is coming to an end. It is reported by a fly in Kiln that Favre later tells his wife, "I know I heard cork pop in Thompson's office." April 26, 2008: Coach Mike McCarthy tells Thompson, "You better get me somebody else. Aaron is great and all, but he gets hurt at the drop of a feather. I need some insurance if I'm gonna be expected to win a title!" Thompson promptly drafts Brian Brohm. July 1, 2008: Favre contacts McCarthy, saying "Thompson won't return my calls. I'm sorry I made him mad by retiring, but I thought he needed to know I was serious when I threatened to quit. I didn't know he'd make me follow through on it. Will you talk to him?" McCarthy replied, "I'll see what I can do, Brett. You know I would like to have you under center, but your return would put us in a difficult place now. We've moved on, and sometimes you can't go back to the way things were." July 3, 2008: Brett has just seen a History Channel program on guerrilla warfare, and knowing ESPN will just die if they can't talk about Favre, he sends his mother and brother out to do his bidding. Both of them attempt to paint Brett as someone who has kept himself ready to help the Packers and the organization as not wanting the legend who won a championship for them anymore. July 4, 2008:After not hearing back from either McCarthy or Thompson, Favre is contacted by Roger Goodell, asking how his quest to return is going. "Ted won't return my calls," Brett says. Goodell says, "since you're the biggest star in the league, it's in our best interests to pay to have the call routed through New York. He'll have to answer it if he thinks it's the league office." Thompson does answer, but merely promises to call Brett back after he is done with his vacation. July 7, 2008: Thompson is done with his vacation. Brett stands by the phone, even saying at 8pm, "he just got back. He's probably got a lot of work to do, so he'll be there late." No call. July 10, 2008: Having still received no call and hearing Packers Vice President in charge of player personnel, Mark Murphy, say that as far as they know Favre is still retired and is not trying to return, he gets on the phone to his agent. "Pull out all the stops," he tells him. "What do you think it's going to look like if I make a public statement that you want to come back and they won't let you? Maybe they won't get all those sell-outs. Maybe no one's gonna buy your jersey anymore." July 11, 2008: Mortensen gets a call from Brett's agent stating that Brett wants the team to release him. I want to thank the flies in Kiln, MS and Green Bay, WI for their contributions. There were also two flies in New York, NY, reporting from the draft and league office. In some cases, it took generations of flies meticulously passing on this information from generation to generation, as it was accumulated over the last four-plus months, which is over 30 fly lifetimes! On Tuesday, July 15, we will have new accounts as this story, originally broken on Bleacher Report, develops. Mon, 14 Jul 2008 07:06:52 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/290084 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/290084 From: Pro Football Weekly The way we hear it, the feeling is that Texans rookie RB Steve Slaton has an uphill battle to get significant carries as a rookie, given the presence of veterans Ahman Green, Chris Brown and Chris Taylor. Sun, 13 Jul 2008 15:21:04 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/289841 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/289841 The NFL announced Monday that Commissioner Roger Goodell, joined by New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and New York Giants defensive end Osi Mumenyiora, will soon leave on a seven-day, three-country summer USO tour led by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen. It will be the first time that the commissioner of a sports league visits U.S. troops overseas as part of a USO tour, according to the USO. At the request of Commissioner Goodell, Brees and Umenyiora will join the tour along with other participants invited by Admiral Mullen, including two members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. "It is a great honor to have been asked to join Admiral Mullen on this USO tour," said Commissioner Goodell.  "I anticipate that it will be a very humbling and memorable experience.  I am inspired by the many NFL representatives that, over the decades, have volunteered to visit our troops overseas and have talked about it being a life-changing experience.  I want to do my part and emphasize that the entire NFL appreciates and supports the work that our military does to protect our country." The NFL has partnered with the USO for more than 40 years. According to the NFL the league "was the first sports organization to send players to visit troops in Vietnam when future Pro Football Hall of Famers Wille Davis, Frank Gifford, Sam Huff and Johnny Unitas went there and to other parts of the Far East in 1966.  Earlier this year, three NFL players – defensive linemen Luis Castillo of San Diego , Tommie Harris of Chicago and Mike Rucker of Carolina – took a week-long NFL-USO tour to Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan to support the soldiers." For the two NFL players accompanying Commissioner Goodell, this will be their second time overseas this offseason on goodwill trips. Brees, the co-winner of the 2006 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award who has produced the first two 4,000-yard passing seasons in Saints history, visited Okinawa on a USO tour this spring.  While on those Pacific beaches, Brees talked by phone to his grandfather, who had landed as a U.S. Marine on those same beaches more than 60 years ago and participated in some of the heaviest fighting in World War II. Umenyiora, who led the Giants in sacks (13.0) last season while helping the club to its Super Bowl XLII title, joined four other NFL players – Ahman Green (Houston), Isreal Idondie (Chicago), Adewale Ogunleye (Chicago) and Amobi Okoye (Houston) -- this spring on a humanitarian mission to Nigeria to help set up college scholarships at 10 universities, distribute HIV testing kits to clinics, dig water wells in villages, and outfit a youth soccer team.  Source: National Football LeagueOTHER NEWS ACROSS THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK Linkin Park, MLB Properties Hook-up For 3rd Year - The Biz of Baseball Wrigley Field It Is: NHL Outdoor Classic in Chicago Jan. 1 - The Biz of Baseball Passing Gas? 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Using Olympics to Boost Interest - The Biz of Basketball TNT Lands Full Slate of Sponsors For "Wide Open Coverage" Telecasts - Maury Brown's Biz of Sports Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is contributor to Baseball Prospectus, and is available as a freelance writer.Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.  Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:13:37 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287240 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287240 With an improved offensive line, and little backfield competition, Thomas Jones is due for a bounce back season. Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:55:11 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/281167 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/281167 Looking back on the Houston Texans' season, it's hard to believe that this is a team that finished 8-8 overall. After all, free agent quarterback Matt Schaub missed the better part of six games, wide receiver Andre Johnson was out from week three to week 11 and free agent running back Ahman Green carried the ball 10 or more times in a game just four times. Instead, Sage Rosenfels threw 15 touchdowns to Schaub's nine, Ron Dayne led the team in rushing with 773 yards and six touchdowns on 194 carries and Kevin Walter led the team in receptions with 65. With their top three players at each position missing significant time, the Texans still managed to have a respectable season, at least by their standards. The benefit of those players being injured was it allowed other players to demonstrate their potential. Tight end Owen Daniels caught 63 passes for 768 yards and three touchdowns and running back Darius Walker had 264 yards and one touchdown on 58 carries. With some better offensive line play, and better luck when it comes to injuries, the Texans could become a pretty good offense. Make sure to read more of what Bruno Boys Fantasy Football staff writer Jesse Burkhart has to say about the Green Bay Packers and their fantasy football worthy players heading into the 2008 season by clicking the link... Thu, 19 Jun 2008 22:13:54 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/280184 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/280184 The last of our AFC division previews, the Colts are still the dominant force but the Jags figure to be in the playoff hunt again. We simulated every game and provide you with team analysis, projected scores and fantasy sleepers. Here's the Colts analysis, and click the link for game projections and the other teams. Indianapolis Colts (11-5) It may feel like it because they are always winning, but this is not the same team that the Colts keep running out there to win the division. Each season has some defections and each season the Colts find talent within their own limited player pool to step up and fill the void. 2008 is no different. This year, some of Peyton Manning's weapons from the past few seasons are gone or banged-up and a lot of the depth on defense moved on, yet there are several great talents ready to step up. The Colts average 29.1 points per game (#3 in the NFL) and allow 20.5 points (#8) against a schedule featuring nine games against 2007 playoff teams. Absolute Record: 15-1 Most Significant Newcomer: Mike Pollak, OL - This is probably the most difficult team to pick of any in the league. The Colts build their teams from the draft up and typically develop a player for a couple years before they try to count on him. For 2008, this is amplified by the fact that the Colts had no first round draft choice and no glaring needs or major free agent acquisitions. From the nine players drafted, Pollak, a second-round pick out of Arizona State looks like the most valuable to the team right now. He may be asked to start at guard immediately and eventually replace Jeff Saturday at center. Biggest Strength: Peyton Manning - The answer here is probably the same as with New England. The "system" or the brain trust between Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy runs this team and keeps everything running smoothly. Most Exploitable Weakness: Running game - Joseph Addai is a great talent and a fantastic fantasy performer, but the Colts were a slightly below average running team last year and Addai cannot be the only guy. The team brought back Dominic Rhodes and drafted Mike Hart, but neither projects to improve the team rushing average. Possible Fantasy Sleeper: Anthony Gonzalez, WR - Last year's first round pick had a promising rookie season. With Marvin Harrison aging, hurting and potentially in legal trouble, Gonzalez will get plenty of opportunities in 2008. Even if Harrison plays well all year, Gonzalez is a rich man's Brandon Stokely. The simulated season has him at 53 catches for 885 yards and six touchdowns. Closest Game: New England (Week 9) - We mentioned in the New England Patriots preview that this should be another classic. As it stands, it is the Colts only projected loss. Interestingly, with such a tough schedule, they are only heavily favored against a couple of teams. This leads to a much lower expected record than absolute record. Fantasy Notables (fantasy rank at position in parentheses): Peyton Manning (2) 4,260 yards, 32 TDs, 12 INTs; Joseph Addai (5) 1,718 total yards, 16 TDs; Reggie Wayne (4) 81 receptions, 1,307 yards, 9 TDs; Anthony Gonzalez (29) 53 receptions, 885 yards, 6 TDs; Marvin Harrison (42) 54 receptions, 737 yards, 5 TDs: Dallas Clark (8) 39 receptions, 560 yards, 5 TDs; Adam Vinatieri (3) 51/51 XPs, 29/33 FGs Sat, 14 Jun 2008 10:30:47 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/277956 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/277956 Let's have a look at how the player on each team with the highest average of carries per game stacked up against the average carries per game for the team. This will give us the average carries that each player lost per game. I think you may be surprised by how some of these guys rank... Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:41:59 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/277665 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/277665 Two running backs, Willie Parker and DeAngelo Williams, saw their fantasy stock drop on draft day. Meanwhile, Matt Schaub and Lee Evans watched their value rise. Fri, 09 May 2008 12:58:55 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265242 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265242 1. Tom Brady, Patriots (2000) 2. Joe Montana, 49ers (1979) 3. Steve Largent, Oilers (1976) 4. Shannon Sharpe, Broncos (1990) 5. Ken Houston, Oilers (1967) 6. Terrell, Davis, Broncos (1995) 7. Andre Reed, Bills (1985) 8. L.C. Greenwood, Steelers (1969) 9. Charles Haley, 49ers (1986) 10.Rodney Harrison, Chargers (1994) 11. Charlie Joiner, Oilers (1969) 12. Art Shell, Raiders (1968) 13. Dan Fouts, Chargers (1973) 14. Richard Dent, Bears (1983) 15. Zach Thomas, Dolphins (1996) 16. John Stallworth, Steelers (1974) 17. Rayfield Wright, Cowboys (1992) 18. Harry Carson, Giants (1976) 19. Dwight Clark, 49ers (1979) 20. Seth Joyner, Eagles (1986) 21. Mark Clayton, Dolphins (1983) 22. Mike Webster, Steelers (1974) 23. Harold Carmichael, Eagles (1971) 24. Earnest Byner, Browns (1984) 25. John Taylor, 49ers (1986) 26. Clyde Simmons, Eagles (1979) 27. Hardy Nickerson, Steelers (1987) 28. Matt Hasselbeck, Packers (1998) 29. Jamal Anderson, Falcons (1994) 30. Karl Mecklenburg, Broncos (1983) 31. Bob Kuechenberg, Eagles (1969) 32. Mark Schlereth, Redskins (1989) 33. Hines Ward, Steelers (1998) 34. Mark Bavaro, Giants (1985) 35. Keenan McCardell, Redskins (1991) 36. Trent Green, Chargers (1993) 37. Greg Lloyd, Steelers (1987) 38. Marc Bulger, Saints (2000) 39. Tyrone Braxton, Broncos (1987) 40. Ahman Green, Seahawks (1998) 41. Larry Brown, Cowboys (1991) 42. Brian Sipe, Browns (1972) 43. La'Roi Glover, Raiders (1996) 44. Jesse Sapolu, 49ers (1983) 45. Leon Lett, Cowboys (1991) 46. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Bengals (2001) 47. Troy Brown, Patriots (1993) 48. Aaron Kampman, Packers (2002) 49. Joe Horn, Chiefs (1996) 50. Brian Westbrook, Eagles (2002 Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:23:51 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/242386 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/242386 in the nfl today the two back system is in full swing. its great cuz when sharring the load the legs and boddies of the runners stay fresh. the key to having a great runner is age and luck. look at adrian peterson this year, a rookie that was awesome! he had a great line that helped him explode but still he was spectacular. now, when runners get older they fall off. maybe over the hill in the nfl is 28. the best thing for nfl teams to do is gamble in the draft. get a young runner and make sure you have a good team around to help him prosper. save cap money on contracts cuz they havnt proven them selves yet, even though they are eager to. and once they do trade em' away like mike shannahan. their legs will be fresh and their stamina will be that of a 19 year old boy that got a chance with an older woman. if they can hold it together than they will chalk one up for the team. the down side is inexpierence. im talking knowledge about blocking scheems, holes, playbooks, and back field blocking. a vetern runner to help mentor is great cuz they can teach them these things or even do them when needed. the website attached is a list of the vetern runners out there. if they can agree to a back up roll and take a pay cut then they could play for my team. Sat, 23 Feb 2008 16:00:13 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/162585 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/162585 Michael Fabiano put together a good piece looking at running backs and age. "Throughout the history of the NFL, even the best backs have seen their numbers fall once they've reached their 29th and 30th birthdays. Eric Dickerson, Marshall Faulk, Eddie George, Franco Harris and O.J. Simpson are just a few of the names that found pro football life more difficult at an extended age, and their numbers showed that to be true." Good thing coaches have began going to the 2-back system. Not only do they get fresher legs in the 4th quarter, but careers may get extended. Fabiano looks at Fred Taylor, Ahman Green, Shaun Alexander, Travis Henry, Edgerrin James, Thomas Jones, LaMont Jordan, Deuce McAllister, Jamal Lewis and LaDainian Tomlinson. All backs that will be 29 years or older. Fri, 22 Feb 2008 23:31:53 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/162040 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/162040 Here it is, the top 10 list of people that should be cut/traded/beaten/your choice. You've seen the studs, here's everyone on the other side of that list. Honorable Mention: Phillip Rivers, JaMarcus Russell, Donovan McNabb, Warrick Dunn, Ladell Betts, Tatum Bell, Rod Smith, Ahman Green, Ron Dayne. 10. Ricky Williams - C'mon, the guy has Cheech and Chong for roommates. He has to go in at halftime because he has the munchies. 9. Brett Favre - I know you may be the greatest QB of all time, and you almost did the unbelieveable this season, but your time is up and if you really love your team now is the time to step down. 8. Julius Jones - You're just not as good as Marion Barber. 'Nuff said. 7. Donte Stallworth - You just dont belong on that team, buddy, but I think you know that now. 6. Cedric Benson - You were great in college, I know, but the longer your team thinks you will be good in the NFL the longer they will have to rely on their defense to scre more touchdowns than you. 5. Cadillac Williams - I'm sure you are making alot of money and you've only played a few games in your NFL career. I know, I know, you were really good, but there's just too much duct tape holding you together. 4. Matt Leinart - C'mon, you got beat out by Kurt Warner, I don't care if you were injured. 3. Shaun Alexander - Dude, stop clinging to the MVP thing 2 years ago. You can't hack it anymore. You had a hand injury, yet it somehow affected your running? Retire with dignity and let Mendenhall pick up the torch. 2. Daunte Culpepper - I don't even know if you still play but I would cut you anyways. 1. Emmit Smith - You have to be the worst announcer to walk the earth. You're worse than Dennis Miller was. You're worse than Joe Buck. All of you other teammates/coach are doing fine, but hey man, its just not for you. Please please please you have a better chance at playing again than giving insightful information and analysis. Thu, 24 Jan 2008 09:29:04 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/82210 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/82210