http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/2399 Recent articles about Rudi Johnson en-us It's that time of the year again folks. It's August, and that means fantasy football drafts will be in full swing starting this weekend! I bet alot of you reading this article will be drafting within the next 7-10 days, and we wish you the BEST of luck. With that being said, we want you to dominate your fantasy football draft in 2008, so Bruno Boys Fantasy Football writers Marc Caviglia, Chris Ziza and Larry Joseph give you their expert analysis on which players they are targeting heading into 2008.... Reggis Bush or Maurice Jones-Drew Chad Johnson or T.J. Houshmandzadeh Reggie Wayne or Randy Moss Jeremy Shockey or Kellen Winslow and more..... Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:52:48 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/301647 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/301647 At some point in your draft, you're going to say, "DAMN! I totally forgot about him." Being prepared prior to going into your draft is key, but you all ready know that. You're looking for something a little more. You want someone to point out clearly why you should take that key skilled position one round earlier than your competition so when you win it all, every thinks you're a genius. Look no further than these key skilled players that are flying under the radar in many "Expert" mock drafts. Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:31:10 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/299530 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/299530 In the next installment of fantasy football strategy, Foxsports.com fantasy writer John Juhasz examines multiple scenarios for whether it's best to draft a running back or wide receiver in the third round. Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:11:17 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/298384 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/298384 A list of the top 40 fantasy NFL running backs heading into the 2008 season. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:22:04 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295576 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295576 Should owners draft a wide receiver or a running back in the second round? John Juhasz analyzes the scenarios. I looked at both sides of the Tom Brady vs. a running back debate for the first round of a draft, and now I'll focus my attention on what to do in the next round. As I mentioned before, it's crucial you spend at least one of your first two picks on a running back. Yes, I realize all 32 NFL teams have "starters" you can choose from and two rounds of a standard draft only equals 24 picks. But more and more teams are beginning to utilize the two-back system without a clear-cut No. 1 back. If you wait around too long, you'll basically end up starting two half-RB1s at best every week. Lots of luck if you find yourself in that situation. If you didn't select a running back, then I'll assume you addressed your quarterback slot by choosing Tom Brady, Peyton Manning or Tony Romo since picking anyone else in the first round wouldn't make any sense. The good news is there are still plenty of teams who have a featured back that gets the lion's share of carries (and fantasy production). Let's find out where they are: Click below to read the rest of the article! Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:48:20 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295273 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295273 We've done the Big Dog RBs, Second Tier RBs, Third Tier RBs, and Fourth Tier RBs, now it's time to look at the next wave of RBs. We're getting your bench RBs and Bye Week plays. You can use these guys for trades or simply use them as insurance policies in case of injury. Selvin Young - Usually a Denver RB is as good as gold. I just can't quite trust any of them this year. Selvin had 960 total yards last year, but only 1 TD. Michael Pittman and Ryan Torain could steal touches from Young. Rudi Johnson/Kenny Watson - Early indications are that Rudi is back. He's in terrific shape and is hitting the holes hard. Problem is Kenny Watson easily outplayed him last year. I think this is going to be a true RBBC with them splittiing carries fairly equally (barring injury). Kenny Watson had over 1000 total yards and 7 TDs. Rudi had 600 and 4. You would think Rudi would be the short yardage back, but Watson will probably get plenty of work in the redzone because of his pass-catching ability. Jonathan Stewart - Since DeAngelo Williams hasn't lived up to the hype, I see the Oregon rookie stealing the show down in Carolina. He's a bruiser at 5?11?, 230 Lbs with good speed. He ran for 1722 yards for the Ducks last year, and should have a solid rookie showing. Matt Forté - Things looked real good for the Tulane rookie before Kevin Jones inked a deal with Da Bears. That said, I'm not sure KJ is healthy enough (or will remain healthy) to keep Forte from being a decent fantasy play. He ran for 2127 yards and 23 TDs in his Senior season. He's also capable of catching the ball out of the backfield. Kevin Smith - Another rookie that could make waves this year is Detroit's Kevin Smith. He doesn't have great speed, but he tore it up for UCF last year racking up 2567 yards and 29 TDs. If the Pro game isn't too fast for him, he could be a steady contributor. Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:25:14 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293771 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293771 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). Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:36:53 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292572 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292572 Irrefutable as to why Roethlisberger is better than Palmer. "The passing yardage can be thrown out the window. His 3000 yard advantage in yardage is nullified by the fact that he has had 600 more attempts than Ben. It's the Jon Kitna theorem: throw a lot, get a lot of yards. Not too hard to figure out. In fact, Roethlisberger wins the yardage argument by throwing for 8.12 yards per attempt compared to 7.31." Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:46:12 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291894 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291894 Last I checked, Rudi is only 28, yet everyone is talking about him as if he's poppin' Viagra on the plus side of 30. Let's take a good look at what happened to Rudi last season. First off, the O-line had it's problems. Second, the Bengals lost it's "stretch offensive" ability to an 8 game suspension of deep threat Henry. Third, Rudi was playing under-weight and trying a new juke-style of running. And finally, of course, Johnson was crippled with hamstring problems on top of it all. Four strikes and a shitty season. Oh well. But look at what's happened since then: Rudi has recovered 100% and has shown the ability to cut sharp in OTAs. He has put old his weight back on by both will and request of HC Marvin Lewis and reverted back to his punishing style...very effectively according to camp reports. Lewis drafted two of the top 8 fastest WRs from the '08 combine and has said it was to get back to spreading the field to open up those running lanes again. The O-line returns healthy. Chad Johnson is coming back. And...Lewis declares Rudi the solid starter going into '08 despite last seasons issues. Oh yeah, and did I mention he's only 28? Rudi Johnson is a draft day bargain for all intensive purposes. For his going draft spot or auction price, he's all about low risk and high reward this up-coming season. Don't be afraid to jump in on that little gamble. I already did and I have no sense of buyer's remorse so far, although that might be the Viagra talking.... Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:57:43 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/289997 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/289997 Over the last couple of weeks I've shared my Top 30 QB's for the 2008 season with you. Starting today, we move onto the next skilled position, running back. With many teams incorporating the two-back system, it may be tough for some Fantasy owners to distinguish which running back(s) to go with. No fear. By the time I reach the number one RB, you'll have all the information you'll need to make the right decision on Draft Day. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 07:48:53 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287195 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287195 Jeff and Greg flip the pigskin around for their first NFL mock fantasy draft, and not a moment too soon. With both of their baseball seasons careening into a dark chasm, the colicky couple need to be pacified, and fast. Neither of them have done a stitch of research for this draft, but they both believe that gives them a strategic advantage. Who the hell can predict anything in football? Not these two, but that's not going to stop them from trying. Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:03:39 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/285473 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/285473 The Chickster thinks RB Chris Perry could be on the outside looking in at the end of August. His sleeper at running back, undrafted free agent James Johnson, was almost a Chief. While DeDe Dorsey's hammy injury in minicamp points out the folly of predicting rosters in June, my money says that Rudi Johnson, Kenny Watson [...] Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:46:38 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/281397 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/281397 Here are some links for this beautiful Monday afternoon (at least where I am sitting). Additionally, as all of you know, the Dallas Cowboys are the Browns' first opponent in the upcoming 2008 season. There is also a good chance that the arrogance of "America's Team" makes you at least chuckle, especially after yet another disappointing showing by them in the playoffs. If that is the case, then here is the best news you will hear today: the Browns are 3-point favorites in that Week One match-up. Should be interesting leading up to the game. - First, the Browns were apparently interested in acquiring veteran receiver Eric Parker from the San Diego Chargers. Now, the team could be interested in the Jaguars' Matt Jones. This certainly raises some questions, as the Browns originally seemed solid at the receiver position. Perhaps Joe Jurevicius has more physical ailments than we could imagine and can contribute even less than that of a third receiver. I wouldn't be suprised if he gave the Browns the go-ahead to go shopping for yet another wide receiver, as he wasn't shy to originally inform them he was incapable of handling the duties of the #2 wide receiver. - Terry Pluto thinks the Browns should shop one of their tight ends or fullbacks in order to obtain a cornerback they so desperately need. - Is rookie linebacker Beau Bell going to be enough of a hard-nosed player for the Browns? Around the AFC North: - Running back Rudi Johnson - isn't it great Cincinnati is back to being the lovable Bungles? - has had an impressive off-season. Around the NFL: - Our blogger over at Black & Teal is certainly making an impression with The Landry Hat. Apparently, Dan can't seem to handle sarcasm directed at his 'Boys, which led to something similar to a childish fit of anger followed by a storm of angry Cowboys fans. Jeanne gets a smiley face next to her name in my book. And finally… - Wall-E and the future of sports (p.s. I NEED to see Wall-E, in the worst way). And while I am on the topic of movies, let me remind you to NEVER see "The Love Guru." That is, unless your only form of entertainment and satisfaction is found through wasting your money. In that case, just burn it at home. Mike Myers' comedy is currently dead and buried and, by the looks of it, I would hope to never see it resurrected. Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:15:04 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/281347 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/281347 A look at the 2008 Bengals Roster Tue, 17 Jun 2008 08:29:13 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/278795 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/278795 For a team that had aspirations of winning its division and making it to the playoffs, the 2007 season for the Cincinnati Bengals can only be described as a disappointment. The Bengals finished 8-8 overall and received uninspiring performances from Carson Palmer, Rudi Johnson and Chad Johnson, all of whom were expected to make big contributions. Make sure to read what Bruno Boys Fantasy Football staff writer Cory Steger has to say about the Cincinnati Bengals heading into the 2008 season by clicking below.... Sat, 14 Jun 2008 04:40:11 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/277909 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/277909