Yardbarker: Edgerrin James

Bruno Boys Q & A - Draft Day Advice (Pt. 1)

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:31:11 -0500

This Bruno Boys Q & A segment will focus on one thing and one thing only; and that is to get you as prepared as possible for your league 's draft. If you use this Q & A along with the Bruno Boys 2008 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets, message boards and everything else that the Bruno Boys have to offer, we have no doubt that your draft will be a winner. To read more, click below...

NFL Fantasy Draft Guide: Breaking Down the Backs 80s Sitcom Style

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:36:53 -0500

Fantasy football drafts are right around the corner, so who looks to be the hits and misses? This guide's a long read, but it's in-depth, and it channels the wayback machine for some who are older than they'd like to admit (or buy lots of old DVDs).

Whats the YARDS favorite fantasy football line up?

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:03:07 -0500

Whats your favorite fantasy football line up? Okay all you BARKERS in the YARD....This is your KEEPER League Team, You've been in this league for 4 years now... Needless to say, you can only keep 10 of your 20 players. You've won the Championship Game 3 of the last 4 years, so everyone is out to get your this year. So all you YARDBARKERS, you are the owners and can only keep 10 players from the team below who would you keep? And who does the YARD cut and why? Can the YARD put a competitive team together? Can you win it all? As teams of the league let their players go, we will ask the YARD what player they want to fill the positions players that the YARD cut. We will then post the updated team with the new player the YARD's team picked up. We will continue this until the YARD's team is complete. Here is the YARDBARKERS KEEPER TEAM: QB: Donovan McNabb, David Garrard and Trent Edwards RB: Adrian Peterson (both AP's - Minn and Chicago), Maurice Jones-Drew, Edgerrin James, Earnest Graham WR: Terrell Owens, Larry Fitzgerald, Dwayne Bowe , Bernard Berrian, Anthony Gonzalez, Amani Toomer TE: Kellen Winslow and Vernon Davis K: Mason Crosby and Josh Scobee D/ST: Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills

Fantasy Football Running Backs - Third Tier

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:34:08 -0500

We've done the Big Dog RBs and the Second Tier RBs, now it's time to look at the next wave of RBs. These are likely your #2 backs unless you opted to go QB or WR early (which isn't a bad idea). Willie Parker - Fast Willie piled on the yards last year (1316 to be exact), but didn't make many trips (2) to the endzone. I don't see Big Ben tossing as many TD passes next year so that number should go up. The problem I have with Willie is the drafting of Rashard Mendenhall. He scares me if I'm a Willie Parker owner. Jamal Lewis - Jamal had a terrific season (1552 total yards, 11 TDs) last year with Cleveland, but I just don't trust him to be my #1 RB. I expect their passing attack to take a step back next year, which will make it harder to run. Ryan Grant - Ryan Grant came in and answered Green Bay's prayers for some balance. Lost in the whole QB debate is whether or not Grant will be a fluke. If Rodgers struggles at QB, things could get difficult for Grant. I'd hate to pin my hopes on him. Maurice Jones-Drew/Fred Taylor - MJD gets the TDs. Fred Taylor gets the yards. Will the recipe be the same in Jacksonville next year? Most likely. They compliment each other so well. Unfortunately for fantasy owners it makes it difficult to rely on either one. Obviously I give MJD the edge because of his age and his ability to reach paydirt. Laurence Maroney - Did you see Maroney run in the playoffs? I'm sure the Patriot Coaches did. Heck, they probably even have video on it. Bad jokes aside, I see the Patriots running a more balanced attack next year. With the holes the passing game should open, Maroney should run wild. Ronnie Brown - Until he got hurt, Ronnie Brown was having one of the best years by any RB. Unfortunately he blew out his knee following an Interception (thanks Cleo Lemon) and will likely take a year or so to get back to form. Brandon Jacobs - Brandon Jacobs is a beast. He should have plenty of opportunity to score TDs. He needs to prove he can stay healthy. He'll likely have to share carries with some capable running mates. Edgerrin James - Edge had over 1400 total yards last year, but will turn the dreaded 30 next month. That usually doesn't go over very well for a Running Back. The Cards have two extraordinary WRs to keep defenses honest, but I'd be shocked if Edge replicates his 2007 campaign. Darren McFadden - This one is based on potential, but Run DMC sure seems to be this year's version of Adrian Peterson. I don't see him running for as many yards, or breaking any records, but I wouldn't be surprised in the least if he finished in top ten for RB fantasy scoring.

Arizona Cardinals Fantasy Depth Chart

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:01:14 -0500

There's no doubt that Larry Fitzgerald will be one of the first receivers drafted. See our draft tier ratings for the Cardinals offense in this fantasy depth chart summary

2008 Fantasy Running Back Rankings 11-20

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:16:34 -0500

The last time we all came together I broke down running backs 21-30. Today I'll shake and shimmy to bring you running backs 11-20. Unlike 21-30, this next class of running backs has star power. Many of these running backs will be features or RB2 in your league(s). If you're planning on winning your league this season, I'd make sure to select at least one of these running backs during your draft. Before we get to 11-20, let's recap running back 21-30:

PFW: NT Branch Looking Soft; James Looks in Great Shape

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:11:54 -0500

From: Pro Football Weekly Our sources in the desert tell us that second-year NT Alan Branch, who is being counted on to step up his game after a so-so rookie campaign, "looked a little doughy" in the team's minicamps and OTAs. On the other hand, we hear starting RB Edgerrin James couldn't have looked in better [...]

Fantasy NFL Nightmares to Avoid

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 07:18:11 -0500

With the NFL fantasy season rapidly approaching, Screaming Sports' Hugh Duckwall takes a look at nine potential nightmares. The saga of Brett Favre? That's trouble. Shaun Alexander? That's also trouble. And Chicago quarterbacks? Don't even think about it.

The Untouchables: Retired Numbers

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:33:34 -0500

As many of you may know, I hate the fact that Baltimore Colts numbers are retired. To be honest, I don't care about the Colts pre-1984. I do not consider them a part of Colts history. Currently, the Colts have 7 retired numbers, none of them are Indianapolis Colts. However, with the star power and the recent success, that is bound to change. In 10 years, these numbers will be hanging from the rafters of Lucas Oil Stadium. 4. Adam Vinatieri AND John Harbaugh: A dual number retirement is uncommon, but in this situation, it has to be done. Harbaugh is the best game-manager in Colts history. Vinatieri was the kicker for the Colts Super Bowl team, and he will finish his career out in Indy, presumably winning more championships. Vinatieri is a Hall of Famer, and John Harbaugh is a Colts great. Seeing Vinatieri's and Harbaugh's names under the number will look pretty cool. 18. Peyton Manning: Um, do I even have to explain this? Seeing anyone but Peyton wearing the number 18 for the Colts would make me physically sick. Like number 4 in Green Bay, 18 should be retired immediately after Peyton retires and becomes QB coach for the Colts. 32. Edgerrin James: I really hope Mike Hart changes his number. James is a Hall of Famer, and his number should be preserved. Edgerrin gained almost 10,000 yards on the ground as a member of the Colts. He is the greatest Colts running back in history, and Hart should wear a different number so Edgerrin can be the last player to wear 32 for the Colts. 63. Jeff Saturday: Saturday will make it to the Hall of Fame when his career is done. Comparing him to modern-era Hall of Fame centers, he matches up with the best of them. By the end of his career, Saturday will have been named to the All-Pro team more than 5 times, and that alone qualifies him for the Hall of Fame. Saturday is the premier center of this era, and he should be immortalized by his name and number hanging from the ceiling of Lucas Oil Stadium. 78. Tarik Glenn: Like 32, no rookie should take this number. Sadly, Mike Pollak is wearing 78. I hope after roster cuts, he will change to a different number so Glenn can be the last to have 78 on his back as a member of the Colts. Glenn was a major contributor to the dominant Colts of the 2000s, and without him, Super Bowl XLI might have been another Patriots Super Bowl. 78 should not be worn again. Period. 88. Marvin Harrison: Another obvious one. Harrison is a future Hall of Famer, and he is the greatest Colts receiver of all-time, Baltimore or Indianapolis. Harrison's career will undoubtably be cut short by his knee injuries, but that will not keep him from being a first-ballot Hall of Famer. 88 is another untouchable number. As you may notice, 21, 87, and 93 are missing. I believe that Sanders, Wayne, and Freeney all could be playing come 2018 barring injuries. I'm not going to predict on when they will retire. We'll just have to wait and see. If I am not certain that in 2018 they will be playing, I won't put them on this list. It's as simple as that. This is pretty random, but I thought this was a good time to say some info I got on Lucas Oil Stadium. 1) The Lube's stands can retract so soccer can fit on the field. As a soccer fan who desperately wants an MLS team in Indiana, this is great news. 2) Lucas Oil is not an outdoor stadium with the option of being indoors. Vice versa, actually. Lucas Oil will be used as a dome that can hold outdoor events, an employee of the team said.

Thomas Jones: 2008 Fantasy Sleeper

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:55:11 -0500

With an improved offensive line, and little backfield competition, Thomas Jones is due for a bounce back season.

Top 5 “Wish You Were Here” Former Colts

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:50:03 -0500

The Colts do not resign players unless they can be signed cheap or are absolutely indispensable. This policy has led to the Colts losing so many players that I lost count a long time ago. Here are the ones that I wish were still wearing blue. I took this idea from Stampede Blue, SB Nation's Colts blog. 5. Booger McFarland: Even though Anthony's nickname is one you would most likely hear from a five-year-old, he was one of my favorite players when he played with the Colts. Booger, like so many other players on this list, went down to a knee injury. The steep price we paid for Booger (a second round pick) was definitely worth it, as he was exactly what the team needed come playoff time: A big body at defensive tackle who could also rush the passer. His patella cost him his career. 4. Mike Doss: Doss was a great safety when he was healthy. Some people forget how well he played in 2006, the year he tore his ACL. Through six games and only four starts, Doss had 2 interceptions and 24 tackles. He tore his ACL, and Antoine Bethea stepped up. Doss is currently unemployed, as he was cut by the Vikings after last year. Even though he player for THE Ohio State University, I still have mad love for Mike Doss. 3. James Mungro: Giving some love to the "fullback". I put fullback in quotations because he was only a fullback by title. He was more of a goal line back, and he did a damn good job at it too. Mungro caught Peyton's 48th touchdown pass in 2004, and that was just one of many dump off touchdowns Mungro caught. In 2002, Mungro had EIGHT rushing touchdowns while only playing in nine games, and he had seven catches in 2004, three of them being for a touchdown. Hopefully Mike Hart can do the same, as that is why he was drafted in the first place. 2. Edgerrin James: The Edge is a future first ballot Hall of Famer, so how can you not want him back here? Edge was absolutely unbelievable pre-knee injury, and he recovered nicely from the injury. Sadly, the Colts couldn't retain him, as the Arizona Cardinals offered a ridiculous amount of money to him prior to the 2006 season. His departure brought in Joseph Addai, and the rest was history. I would love to see Edgerrin finish his career in Indy after his contract runs up in Arizona. A running back over 30 can't ask for too much money, and he would continue the trend of signing old Colts running backs. 1. Brandon Stokley: Stokley was my favorite player when he was on the Colts. He was unselfish, a good leader, and a good citizen. Stokley was the perfect slot receiver. He was fast and could turn short passes into touchdowns. The Broncos were forced to sign him as he was killing them with the Colts, especially in the playoffs. Stokley is remembered most for his 1000 yard, 10 touchdown season in 2004 and most of all, catching Peyton's 49th touchdown pass in that year. Note: As I was writing this, I realized that everyone of these players has had some sort of knee injury in their career. Knees have cost the Colts so much…

On The Turning Away: Teams To Tank In 2008

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:50:02 -0500

Here are the five playoff teams that will miss the postseason this upcoming season. These are in no particular order. 1. Tennessee Titans: The Titans got in by sneaking past the Colts backups last year. They showed that they had no reason to be in the playoffs with a sad performance by the team against the San Diego Chargers. The Titans are lead by a ridiculously overrated QB in Vince Young and on defense, Albert Haynesworth, whose contract issues may have an effect on the team's morale if nothing happens in the next four weeks. The Titans have no wide receivers and too many overrated running backs. Their defense is great, but unless they can score points, this team is finishing 4th in the AFC South, 9th in the AFC. 2. Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers won the AFC North last year, but it wasn't too convincing. The Browns almost caught them at the end of the season, and the Steelers ended up bowing out in the first round of the playoffs to the Jags. The Steelers have the toughest schedule in the NFL, and the offensive line is just horrible. Instead of drafting a running back, how about they go after an offensive guard so Willie Parker can end the season in one piece? The Steelers will finish 2nd in the AFC North, 7th in the AFC. 3. Washington Redskins: The Skins made a nice run at the end of the season, playing for fallen teammate Sean Taylor, but that won't carry over to next year. Jason Campbell is a mediocre quarterback, and there is nothing special on the defensive side of the ball. Carlos Rodgers is recovering from a knee injury, and the secondary continues to lose its depth. The Skins will finish 4th in the NFC East, 10th in the NFC. 4. Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks run will come to an end next year. Somehow they won the West in 2007, but the Cardinals are just too good on offense now. If the Cards are smart and start Kurt Warner, the Cardinals could possibly get a bye in the NFC. That's how confident I am in Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, and Edgerrin James. The Seahawks do not have the firepower to keep up with the Cardinals' offense. Hasselbeck is a nice quarterback, but he has absolutely no targets at all. The wide receivers are aging. The running backs are overrated. The loud crowd at Quest can't save this team. The Seahawks will finish 2nd in the NFC West, 7th in the NFC. 5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: This is the most obvious one. The controversy with Jeff Garcia, the defense qualifying for the senior discount at Old Country Buffet, and the bad coaching from an overrated hothead in John Gruden will destroy this team. The Bucs can't depend on an old wide receiver in Joey Galloway as he is their only proven target on offense. This team will suffer a major collapse. No NFC South team has repeated as champions. That won't change with the New Orleans Saints winning this pathetic excuse of a conference. The Seahawks will finish 2nd in the NFC South, 12th in the NFC.

Top ten running backs with dreads

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 07:19:20 -0500

Among NFL players, dreads are a very popular hairstyle. Especially among running backs and defensive backs. So we thought it was a good idea to do a list of the top 10 running backs in the NFL with dreads. Here is the list. 1. Steven Jackson Rams 2. Marion Barber Cowboys 3. Marshawn Lynch Bills 4. Chris Johnson Titans 5.Laurence Maroney Patriots 6.Edgerrin James Cardinals 7.Jerious Norwood Falcons 8.Adrian Peterson Bears 9.Chris Henry Titans 10.Cedric Benson Bears

Whatifsports NFC West Preview - Seahawks Face Challenge from 49ers

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:25:46 -0500

Whatifsports looks at the NFC West, where the Seahawks will rely on their defense to win the division, but the fast-improving 49ers are right on their heels. The Cardinals, as always, have a lot of potential and need to stay healthy. The Rams will get a big year from rookie Chris Long, but have to deal with a tough schedule. Click below to read more, including team analysis, projected scores for each game, and fantasy numbers.

Top 10 Fantasy Football Running Backs

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:06:13 -0500

The Sports Muffin's Top 10 Fantasy Football Running Backs are listed below. We have also posted some additional Running Backs that may make your list, but not ours.

Top 10 Fantasy Football Running Backs

1. LaDainian Tomlinson
2. Adrian Peterson
3. Steven Jackson
4. Brian Westbrook
5. Joseph Addai
6. Frank Gore
7. Marion Barber III
8. Clinton Portis
9. Larry Johnson
10. Ryan Grant

Additional Running Backs:
Edgerrin JAmes
Jamal Lewis
Marshawn Lynch
Maurice Jones-Drew
Willis McGahee