Your 2009 Fantasy Football Sleepers

It’s that time of year again, the sun is out, the grass is bright green, and it’s a wonderful time to play football…inside. Fantasy Football is up and running and everybody wants to know who to draft for their team.

Any big fantasy football fan knows who the big boys are. Adrian Peterson, Deangelo Williams, Drew Brees, the list goes on. What I’m about to dish out are some quality players that will slip through the cracks into the fourth or fifth round. First off is the QB position.

Really? Crowning the Vikings Already? Here We Go Again…

So here I find myself again (albeit much earlier in the season than last year) in disbelief over the instant crowning of the Minnesota Vikings as not only NFC North champs, but tops of the entire conference.  It’s a forgone conclusion, right?  I mean, we all know Favre is coming…and we remember what heights he brought the Jets to last year when everyone was foaming at the mouth to crown them.  Seriously?

I know, I know…you’ll say, “but the Vikings went to the playoffs last year!  They have Adrian Peterson!  They have a great defense (including two possibly suspended men with the same last name)!”

And you’re right.  Although I’m not quite as ready as some to call the Jets team of last year “much shorter on talent” simply based upon the fact that Brett played poorly there last year and we’re all excited about this year!  Doing that, to me, seems like what everyone is getting caught up in.

Lavernues Coles is a great receiver.  I’m not partial, I could care less about the guy, but I had him on my fantasy roster a few years straight and the guy simply produces.  Every single game is not a 100+ yard effort with a touchdown or two to accompany…but just because we want 40 points out of a guy in fantasy, let’s not loose our perception of what a great receiver is.

I guess you could put Bernard Berrian in the same class as Coles…sure, if you want to fine…it’s kinda close.

Thomas Jones and Leon Washington might not quite be Adrian Peterson (who is not God people, he’s just really good) and Chester Taylor…ok…I’ll give you that one.

The Jets’ defense was just not good last year, although they weren’t near the bottom by any stretch.  Though Minnesota beat the Jets in defensive team stats in a lot of categories, consider this:

The Jets forced the most fumbles last year in the league with 29 (Vikes had 22).  They tied for ninth in the league in interceptions with 14 (Minnesota had 12).  And their points per game (PPG) allowed was only 1.5 higher than the Vikings.

Sure they allowed more rushing, passing, and total yards per game than Minnesota.  They threw a league-high 23 interceptions, 22 of which were thrown by Favre!  If the opposition has the ball nearly 1.5 extra possession per game…your defensive stats are going to suffer.

Still they managed to get takeaways…more chances for their offense to right the ship.   But Favre “is who we thought he was” (to quote Denny Green) and slung the ball around all over the place, usually to the other team.

Guys, gals…my point here is that the Vikings are not a wildly different team than the Jets talent-wise, so let’s dispel that myth.  No, I’m not saying they’re the same team.  Yes I know coaching is different, playbooks are different, but can we stop saying that Minnesota is going to fix Favre…which is what we’re really saying if you look closely enough!

Based on Favre’s past performance, he will make risky throws no matter what or he just wouldn’t play the game anymore!  Do you think he wants to come back to play a game management role in a run-dominated offense?  What part of his career was that ever his role?  What visions are conjured up in your mind when thinking about Brett Favre?  Is it calmly handing the ball off and making short dump-off passes? 

Look, I love to watch the guy play.  When things go his way, it’s some of the best darn football in the world to see.  I hope fate smiles on him this year, but stop trying to justify a Super Bowl bid already, will ya?

Inside the Denver Broncos’ Roster: The Fullbacks

For all of those who thought Peyton Hillis was forgotten in our running backs segment, fear not—he essentially has his own briefing as the Broncos’ starting fullback.

Hillis broke onto the scene as a rookie in 2008 when he unexpectedly had to fill in at tailback for the Broncos due to a barrage of injuries. 

The seventh-round pick out of Arkansas did not disappoint.

Broncos fans knew he was something special when he converted on a key 4th-and-1 against the Cleveland Browns late in the game to keep the Broncos alive for their eventual victory.

Hillis scored five rushing touchdowns in a mere four starts and averaged five yards per carry on 68 touches, totaling 343 yards. The 6’2″, 250-pound beast also proved to be very valuable as a receiver, catching 14 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown.

In my humble opinion, Hillis is the most versatile player on the Denver Broncos, and I defy anyone to not be impressed by the kid’s YouTube heroics.

Sadly, Hillis’ stellar rookie campaign was cut short by a freak hamstring injury he suffered in a 24-17 victory over the rival Kansas City Chiefs, and many NFL analysts felt the Broncos were a more complete offense—a more dangerous offense—with Hillis behind the quarterback.

Hillis is a rising star in this league, and I fully expect him to be a very valuable weapon on the Broncos’ offense this year thanks to his ability to run, catch, and block with the best of them. He has great size and great speed (runs a reported 4.58 second 40-yard dash) and plays the game with a chip on his shoulder.

As a rookie, Hillis outperformed his two Razorback teammates Darren McFadden (Raiders) and Felix Jones (Cowboys), who were both first-round draft picks.

Behind Hillis on the Broncos’ depth chart is converted linebacker Spencer Larsen, who is also a very versatile player. 

Like Hillis, Larsen does just about everything well, except for the fact that his natural position is middle linebacker instead of fullback. He is a great special teams player, and while he may seem like a teddy bear off the field, he is a ferocious hitter on it. 

With Hillis and Larsen paving the way for the Broncos’ deep crop of running backs, the running game figures to flourish once more for Denver.

 

Projected Starter: Peyton Hillis (Acquired via 2008 NFL Draft)

Projected 2009 Stats:  Car    Yds.    Avg.    TD     Rec.    Yds.     Avg.     TD

                                     80    400      5.0      7       30      300       10.0     3

I fully expect Hillis to get 90 percent of the carries inside the 10-yard line, and quite possibly 80 percent of Denver’s carries from inside the 20. He also figures to have quite a few receptions on play-action fakes and screen plays split out as a wide receiver and as a tight end. 

2008 FB Grade: A

2009 Roster Spots Filled by FB: 1/54 (Larsen will be included as LB)

2009 Roster Spots Filled Total: 8/54

Top 10 Difference Makers for the 2009 Giants

There are a lot of questions surrounding the 2009 Giants. Will the receivers step up and fill the void left by Plaxico Burress? How will the defense fare under new defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan? Will the Giants running game suffer from the unproven players in the passing game?

These are just a few of them, but what one factor will prove to be the most determining for Big Blue in 2009?

Aside from the much discussed struggles in the receiving corps, the Giants have many other questions throughout the team. Steve Spagnuolo is gone and former linebackers coach Bill Sheridan will have a lot to prove in his first season as defensive coordinator. With many of the same players and a few key off-season acquisitions on defense, Sheridan will be expected to keep the defense running at the same level Spagnuolo had them running at. But this big question mark doesn’t even make it into this top 10.

The additions of Chris Canty, Rocky Bernard, C.C. Brown and Michael Boley to the players who were already there gives Sheridan more than enough to work with on defense, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t any uncertainty on the defense.

Following a Super Bowl victory and an early loss in the playoffs last season after leading the NFC with a 12-4 record, expectations are as high as they have been in years for the New York Football Giants, yet, so is the uncertainty.

Head Coach Tom Coughlin will have to get his team to believe in the players they have. Yes, especially at receiver, but that shouldn’t be hard. As long as Coughlin realizes what are the most important factors to his team’s success then the 2009 Giants should continue to dominate. And here are ten things Coughlin and Giants fans should realize heading into the ’09 season.

Dominic Raiola Signs With Detroit Lions Through 2013

The Detroit Lions have signed center Dominic Raiola to a four-year extension today. 

Raiola, who would have been entering the final year of his contract, has been a starter on the Lions’ offensive line since his second year in the league.

Raiola is praised in the national media, yet often criticized by local fans. 

He is one of the few Matt Millen draft picks remaining on the team after the latest roster overhaul. 

The Lions’ center is considered extremely smart and competitive, however, his lack of production in run-blocking have many fans questioning the signing.

Offseason, On Air: Raider on the Radio

If Troy Aikman can do it so can you, Nnamdi Asomugha.

ESPN recently chauffeured Raiders CB Asomugah around the office for their ongoing project “Take Your Athlete to Work Day,” showing him the ropes of sports radio.

We’ve seen a lot of pro athletes find post-pro careers in the field of on-air talent. And unless he’s another Jay Bilas who constantly bashes his alma mater and sides with UNC, the Raiders could finally have a friend in mainstream media.

Asomugha is considered one of the league’s leading defenders, making 33 tackles this past season. But does he have what it takes to analyze the game?

Asomugha had this to say about his experience: “It was nerve-racking, but I could definitely see myself doing this for a long time after my playing days are over.”

Asomugha is still only 28 and his playing days are far from over. But I guess it’s never too early to think about the future, especially if you’re an athlete prone to injury and early retirement.

Raiders Shield on AirAsia

That’s right. On your next trip to Asia, take a flight on a Raiders-customized plane. AirAsia has just signed a RM1 million sponsorship deal with the Oakland Raiders, which will slap the Raiders’ shield on the tail of the plane.

Random!

AirAsia doesn’t even make flights to the US. The company now come under fire for not sponsoring local teams.

The company has promised at least one landing in Oakland to show off it’s new plane to fans but other than, it will be a while until we see the planes making regular landings in the States.

Oakland has already signed a contract with Hawaii Airlines and have made the deal with AirAsia non-exclusive, so that sponsorship will stand.

Well, congrats Raider Nation. Looks like our piggy bank is overflowing so we can finally write up those expensive contracts and get some of this year’s major talent on the field.

2009 NFL Preview: AFC South

The AFC South is usually consistent with the end of season results.

The Colts, Titans, and Jaguars are the ones battling out for position while the Texans hang around as the bottom dweller.

But it’s a new season and it may bring some changes.

Could there be a change in role out in Houston this year? Can Maurice Jones Drew carry the Jacksonville offense? How will the Colts cope without their head coach? Will the Titans’ defense be as good without Haynesworth this season?

 

1. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts’ biggest obstacle adjusting to the new coaching staff as Tony Dungy’s calm approach will no longer grace the sideline.

Jim Caldwell is now calling the shots. Even though Caldwell has been with the team as an assistant for years, he was never a head coach until now.

Things have started out rough. Some players, particularly Peyton Manning, have been frustrated with the new staff.

Though I don’t expect the frustrations between the players and coaches to continue, it will be interesting to see how much they will miss Dungy.

The defense will most certainly miss Dungy. Seemingly plagued by injuries every year, the Colts defense, has always been able to create havoc in the backfield.

Caldwell is an offensive-minded coach. He played four years as defensive back in college but has not dealt with that side of the ball since. Dungy was defensive minded and knew how to use the amazing speed the Colts’ defense possessed.

Indianapolis did not really make any big moves in the off-season. They drafted Fili Moala, who is expected to progress into a force up the middle.

The Colts spent another draft choice on Jerrod Powers, who was a great cover corner in college.

Neither rookie is expected to produce a whole lot this year. Can the Colts’ D get better with virtually the same personnel as last year?

I expect the defense to take a bit of a drop with the absence of Dungy. The offense, with Manning back at the helm, will be one of the top units again.

Bottom line; the Colts have a lot of veterans who will adjust to new coaching and have more talent than the rest of the teams in their division.

 

2. Tennessee Titans

The Titans improved their offense with some key acquisitions this off-season. The signing of Nate Washington and the drafting of Kenny Brit and Jared Cook opens up the field for Collins.

These acquisitions weren’t superb, but they serve the purpose of improving the 27th ranked passing offense in the NFL.

Luckily for the Titans, the passing game doesn’t need to drastically improve due to the potent running game the offense is built around.

If the Titans ever want to get Vince Young on the field in a successful manner, they will have to continue to improve the offense. Young will probably not be running the huddle this season.

The loss of Albert Haynesworth is something the Titans will have to persevere. Tennessee’s defense won games for the team last season.They won 13 games despite being only 15th in points scored.

Haynesworth was a big reason for this success. His numbers were not the only dimension he brought to the defense and his ability to take on double teams and penetrate the backfield freed his teammates to make plays.

Keith Bullock can attest to the advantage of being able to roam free when a guy like Haynesworth is taking up blockers. The whole defense clicks better when a guy in the middle can penetrate and take down double teams.

Those abilities are getting Haynesworth his $100+ million contract.

The Titans did nothing to compensate on the defensive side of the ball for Haynesworth’s loss. The defense will be solid, but I expect the unit to take a hit.

Tennessee may be forced to score more in games in order to win. This leads me to believe they will lose a few extra games. Despite this, they will do enough on both sides of the ball to take second. 

 

3. Houston Texans

This team will finally move from the bottom position they have seen themselves in all too often. Though I have them third in the division, don’t be surprised if they make a competitive push for second and a wild card spot this season.

The offense, with a healthy Matt Schaub, could prove to be one of the the best offenses this season. They have elite weapons in every aspect of the offense. Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter, and Owen Daniels are great passing options, and Steve Slaton not only runs the ball but provides a receiving threat out of the backfield.

The offense is not what may hold the Texans back from their first playoff experience.

Houston’s defense is talented, but the unit is young and still developing. They have plenty of guys that rush the passer but still need help in the secondary and linebacker groups.

Cato June was a good signing to help bolster this spot. Draft choices Brian Cushing and and Connor Barwin will also help bolster a defense that ranked 17th in points allowed.

If the defense can realize it’s potential,  the Texans may have a chance to surprise people this season.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville will no longer have  Fred Taylor at running back for the first time in twelve years. However, Maurice Jones Drew is ready to take over as the premier back.

Jacksonville added Tory Holt to give David Garrard a passing option after cutting Matt Jones.

The Jaguars’ offensive line rebuilt and is looking strong after the team drafted Eugen Monroe and Eben Britton. Jacksonville’s offense may have the ability to click if Garrard can get the job done.

Garrard signed an extension that made him the man at the helm for the Jaguars for years to come.

However, he needs to prove he is worth the extension. Garrard has never thrown more than 15 touchdowns in a season but has always been a dual threat, willing to take off at any given time.

While the offense is on it’s way to being, rebuilt the defense is a different story.

The defense was ranked 24th in points allowed and the Jaguars’ front office did not make a serious signing or draft pick to improve that weakness. If the defense puts out the same kind of effort, the offense will have all the pressure.

Jacksonville’s offense may be improved, but it won’t be enough in a division that consists of high scoring offenses such. Jacksonville find itself as the bottom dweller this season.

The Cavs Have LeBron and Now Shaq, Can Brady Quinn Be the Face of the Browns?

Now that the news has broke that the Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to a deal with the Phoenix Suns that will bring future Hall of Fame center Shaquille O’Neal to the Cavs, the Cavs now have two big name faces of the franchise: LeBron James and now Shaq.

The Cleveland Indians have had center fielder Grady Sizemore as the face of their franchise for several years now, but what about that other professional team in Cleveland that makes fans crazier than any other Cleveland sport?

The Cleveland Browns.

Who is the Browns’ face of their franchise?

Since the Browns rose from the ashes like a Phoenix, there really hasn’t been a true face of the franchise.

Tim Couch was supposed to be, but that turned bad really fast.

Then Charlie Frye was supposed to be the guy, bad that went bad really fast, too.

Since Brady Quinn was drafted, he has kind of been the face of the franchise, but he has been a backup quarterback and that does not consist of truly being the face of a franchise.

So now Eric Mangini is having another quarterback competition to name the starter, but during Mangini’s press conferences he has already given hints as to which quarterback he wants to be his starter.

Offensive coordinator Brain Daboll also gave away a little too much information, regarding the quarterback competition by stating within the context of his own words that Quinn is his favorite to win the job, too.

It’s pretty obvious that the new offensive scheme is appearing to suit Quinn’s talents more so than Derek Anderson’s, but Mangini and Daboll might already have their mind made up and are just going through the proper steps to not disrespect Anderson.

Nevertheless, the Browns are in dire need of a face to define their team, and they haven’t had a true face since Bernie Kosar back in the 80s and early 90s.

Quinn is more than capable of carrying the franchise on his shoulders. He has the look, the personality, the charisma, and the attitude to do it.

Now he just needs to perform at the high level that all of Cleveland fans expect him to and help turn this team into a winner once again.

Or at the very least for beginners, beat the Steelers this year to end the excruciating losing streak.

Rodney Harrison: Brett Favre Is “Selfish”

Often voted NFL’s dirtiest player, the now retired Rodney Harrison is hitting hard in a new way.

Harrison sacked Brett Favre on The Dan Patrick Show Wednesday, calling the quarterback “selfish.”

“Each and every offseason bringing so much attention to himself. It’s just really a disappointment to hear that time and time again…If you’ve been in the league 13, 14, 15 years or so you know if you want to play. The circus shouldn’t have to go on for three to four years. It’s just a disappointment.”

Favre is expected to come out of retirement for the second straight season, this time to join the Minnesota Vikings. 

Last summer, the first time Favre came back, the “Favre saga” lasted for week after week. 

After 16 seasons in a Green Bay Packers uniform, Favre was traded to the New York Jets after deciding he wanted to come out of retirement. The Packers had already committed to young Aaron Rodgers and did not welcome Favre to come back and be the starter. Therefore, Green Bay was forced to trade the then-38-year-old to New York.

With the Jets in 2008, Favre threw for 3,472 yards with 22 touchdowns and 22 interceptions. He experienced shoulder soreness late in the year, but said it wasn’t affecting him. 

The Jets collapsed at the end of the season, missing the playoffs and Favre once again retired.

After the Jets released Favre from their roster, rumors swirled that he was considering returning. The only questions were: Do the Vikings want him? Will his shoulder be OK?

The first answer is yes. The second is still undecided.

Favre had shoulder surgery a few weeks ago, and has been throwing with minimal pain since.

Favre admitted on the HBO show, Joe Buck Live, that he was going to return if his shoulder was OK.

Reports lately say Favre and the Vikings have agreed to a deal in principle, so it’s only a matter of time now before it’s official.

Harrison is upset because he feels Favre is continuously putting attention on himself and it’s keeping attention away from other people who are doing good things.

“Then the media—they’re just so caught up and in love with Brett Favre…It’s ridiculous because a lot of guys are doing good, positive things in the National Football League and those keep things keep getting overlooked.”

The Favre circus continues another year. It can be annoying at times but it’s certainly entertaining!

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