Fantasy Impact: Is Malcom Floyd The Next Potential Sleeper?

With the exodus of the declining Chris Chambers, Malcom Floyd will make his debut as the Chargers’ starting WR opposite of the surging Vince Jackson this week vs. the Giants.

If you haven’t already picked him up, you better race to the waiver wire now.

In a season that has been inundated with breakout sleeper receivers such as Miles Austin and Austin Collie, to name a few,  Floyd has all the makings of becoming the next—and possibly the last—sensational sleeper receiver just waiting to be plucked from the waiver wire.

In 2008, we were graced with Floyd’s potential as a player we might, one day, consider adding to our rosters.

 Mostly used in situational downs though, Floyd was a guy who found favor from managers looking for a competent bye week fill, but nothing more. Still, Floyd was able to chime in for 27 catches, 465 yards, and four TDs in only 13 games in 2008.

This year, while still in situational play, Floyd has already contributed 11 catches for 251 yards, and one TD. That means, he was on pace for 26 catches, 574 yards, and three TDs which would’ve been par-for-the-course.

Not anymore.

Now, in 2009, the 6’5” towering receiver finally gets his chance to really contribute to his team’s success, which should be the fantasy ambrosia every middle ground manager is looking for. But as I said, Floyd has far more upside than most people think.

Let’s take a look.

Floyd is surrounded by four players that require more round the clock attention than your average infant, which means the 6’5” WR could simply be lost in the coverage shuffle—especially when facing weaker teams who will inevitably spend all their focus on Gates, Jackson, Tomlinson, and Sproles.

The Chargers are a very pass happy team as most know, and they are currently ranked 9th overall in Fantasy points at QB, and 11th overall in Fantasy points at WR—that’s with Chambers as a starter, not Floyd.

In addition, Malcom Floyd is averaging an absurd 24.6 yards a catch, and if he can do that in situational play, one can only imagine what he will do as a starter.

But as if that isn’t enough, keep in mind that Floyd has never averaged below 13 yards a catch; can anyone think of another non-starter receiver with that type of clout over 4.5 years?

Me either.

The Chargers face the Giants, Eagles, Broncos, Chiefs, Browns, Cowboys, Bengals, Titans, and Redskins; aside from the Eagles and possibly the Broncos, that’s a pretty favorable schedule for a WR.

As of this article, Floyd  has a 20 percent ownership in Yahoo leagues, and his overall ownership average in various leagues is not much higher. In Salary Cap leagues he is still a low end buy, and in keeper leagues, Floyd’s hold value has an unlimited ceiling.

You would be foolish not to pick him up, especially for those of you trying to figure out whom to drop Anthony Gonzalez for.

 

For complete WR Start-Sit Rankings in Week Nine and free Start -Sit advice visit my column here !

 

 

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Fantasy Football Advice: How to Handle the Second Half

At this point in the season, you’re inevitably one of three types of managers: The acclaimed mastermind who is sitting high atop his league basking in his glory, the proverbial middle child who isn’t out of the race yet, but has already had enough stress to raise his/her blood pressure a couple of notches, or you’re these guys .

But for those of you struggling to remain competitive, or those of you ready to call it quits, there are plenty of options for you to discover.

Let’s take a look.

 

The Middle Child Syndrome:

Tell me if this sounds familiar. Your start the season in surprisingly successful fashion, you trash the competition in your first three games, and you head into week four as confident as can be—then reality rears its ugly head.

You start losing games out of nowhere—and I’m not talking about losing because the other guy’s team was that much more talented—I’m talking about the types of games where you do all the research, you pick the best player matchups, you study the competition, but in the end the game you were absolutely supposed to win, turns out to be an embarrassing loss to some guy named CaptainAwesome26, who just happened to be winless before beating you by one point!

Then it begins.

Another loss, and then another before you wake up one morning and realize your all-impressive 3-0 start has just been relegated to mediocrity as you occupy fifth place at 3-4.

For the newbies out there, the next predictable move is to start hitting the panic button.

You stew over your team’s recent sub-par performance, and decide to devise a diabolical plan to do a complete overhaul of your team.

Don’t be that guy.

One of the biggest mistakes a manager makes is going into rebuild mode just because of a couple of losses without ever evaluating his team first, or analyzing the missed trends he should’ve been following.

There will always be one, or two of those befuddling losses in any given season, but a total overhaul with a team built heavily on waiver guys will give you nothing more than a team that is only half as good as your original—after all, the majority of guys who are still left are there for a reason.

Following trends is one of the biggest keys to success. If you notice that one of your star running backs has been declining in total touches, yards, and receptions in an anemic offense—Marshawn Lynch anyone?—you make sure to keep him on the bench until a better, more consistent option comes your way. Consistency wins games.

Another fine way to consider breaking the shackles of mediocrity is to have as many facts as possible.

Injury reports after Friday, Sunday morning updates, and knowing your competition’s lineup as good as your own, all go towards helping you find the best possible player matchups—the name of the game.

If you read on a Thursday, that player X feels fine and is ready to go, make sure you check back the next day after 4 p.m. when the official injury list comes out; a lot can happen in 24 hours.

But what if you’re already out of the game, or facing certain elimination? Is it reason enough to quit and wait until next year?

To be honest, no!

Being out of the race doesn’t give you any reason to quit what-so-ever if you really want to compete in Fantasy Football every year, and eventually rise to the top.

Just like an NFL team who is already done for the year, being the guy in last place gives you a golden opportunity to study a bit more and take notes on players, which is solid ammunition for the next year.

Some of the most successful Fantasy Football managers all have a couple of things in common:

 

1. Good managers read blurbs on Fantasy sites; Great managers have a secret hidden room filled with more notebooks than the stationary isle at Target.

Inside those notebooks are pages upon pages of notes, stats, and other useful tidbits that keep them one step ahead very year.

Now, I am not saying to run out and dedicate your entire paycheck to the Mead corporation, but what I am saying is if you’re not competing, you can use that time to track players and gather notes for next year; the more you know, the better off you are.  

 

2. Good managers will play it safe; Great managers know the importance of rolling the dice.

How many of you turned out to be that guy who missed the bus on Mike Sims-Walker, Mike Bell, or Jeremy Maclin, and now have a waiver wire that has been picked clean.

Sims-Walker, Bell, and Maclin were all high risk investments that wound up being diamonds in the rough, and there were only a few select managers out there with a discerning eye who took a chance early; they’ve been reaping the benefits ever since.

Guys who took a chance on keeping Hakeem Nicks, after numerous sites strongly suggested dropping him earlier this season, are enjoying the payouts of a risky decision.

The point is, throughout a season there are going to be times where you have to make a gutsy call.

Whether it’s deciding to drop some dead weight, taking a chance on a rookie sensation, or considering a risky trade, always playing it safe will never amount to greatness.

Here’s one to try: If you’re having trouble getting points out of your TE go to your waiver wire and pick up Fred Davis of the Washington Redskins, or Joel Dreessen of the Houston Texans; two teams that love the TE. For more Fantasy information of Fred Davis click here.

 

Putting It All Together.

Riding the wave of success, utilizing consistent players, following trends, and taking advantage of a losing season to gain quality research, all go together like Bing and Christmas. But for those of you in your first year, putting all of this together may seem a bit overwhelming.

Just remember to refrain from hitting the panic button if you suddenly fall from grace, rather, make sure you’re starting the hottest players who have also been the most consistent.

Wave of Success + Consistency.

Also, make sure to remember to remember! There are a ton of players that get spotty starts due to injury—mostly—as well as other factors. Some of these players come up big for a very short period of time, then get put back on the shelf for some other schlep that doesn’t do squat, and here’s a great example.

Last year, Miles Austin had a limited role in the Cowboys’ offense, and was eventually relegated back to the bench and kick returns in favor of Patrick Crayton and Sam Hurd. His numbers for last year were 13 catches for 278 yards, and three TDs in seven games; this year he did that in one game against the Chiefs.

The point is, when Austin did play, he garnered some attention, and should’ve been stashed away in one of your notes cause if it was—and if you’re like me—you grabbed him early, and have been enjoying more of what you saw last year.

Following Trends + Quality Research.

Who knows, next year Austin Collie of the Colts may be the hottest trending WR just like Miles Austin…will you remember?

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Fantasy Impact: James Jones In Position To Make Huge Strides in Week Eight

The halfway point is yawning on the fantasy horizon, and the time for searching for viable waiver wire pickups and plug and play guys is in full effect.

One of the biggest sleeper waiver names out there is Green Bay’s James Jones, who has recently been afforded the extra playing time that was otherwise usurped away from him by Jordy Nelson.

The Packers are at home against the Minnesota Vikings as they get ready to roll out the red carpet for Brett Favre’s “homecoming”, and the Packers are basically limping to the barn with a depleted receiving corp. Both Jermichael Finley and Jordy Nelson will be unable to go.

The Packers feel this situation to be big enough of a deal to entertain the notion of possibly calling up Jake Allen from the practice squad.

But for Jones, and those of you looking for a plug in WR this week, Jones is definitely the one player on waivers with the highest ceiling for sleeper value.

In his last two games, Jones has provided the Pack with a TD in each contest and he’s due to get even more targets in the future.

Considering the Vikings are struggling in coverage as of late, not to mention the absence of Antoine Winfield, Jones has a grand opportunity to provide sleeper points for you and your team.

The Packers are one of the best teams in the league at shutting down the running game, so the Vikings will have little usage for Adrian Peterson out of the backfield. That makes the Vikes’ passing game the key focus.

Rodgers already proved, on the road in Minnesota mind you, that he is more than capable of getting the job done versus the Vikings pass-happy attack and Jones will be the man over the middle the Packers need to attack the soft zone coverage the Vikings use.

With Donald Driver having an easier matchup against Benny Sapp and Greg Jennings basically chomping at the bit for more looks, it will be Jones who will be a clear X-factor for the Pack.

In PPR leagues he is the must start guy if you are hurting for a plug-in WR. With the added targets Jones is bound to get, PPR managers and Packers fans should enjoy Jones’ increased production.

In standard leagues, Jones is a risky venture.

Yes, Jones has scored twice in as many games for the Packers, but with Winfield out, Driver may become the No. 1 end zone threat.

But, if the Vikings can stop the long scoring attempts of the Packers, then Jones becomes a viable No. 1 target inside the 10 yard line.

If you are looking for a replacement WR to add for a week fill-in or you just need a guy to add to your roster, you would be wise to consider Jones.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

B/R’s Project 99: The Hearbeat Of Nitschke Lives On in Green Bay

The shouldering pathway that connects Dousman Street and Main Street— deep within the mystical town of Green Bay, Wisconsin— is named after a man who himself, shouldered a team that exemplified dominance, pride, work ethic, and respect.

On the other side of Oneida Street, across from the historic Lambeau Field, is the East Practice Field, also named after the same man who was just as passionate in practice, as he was feared on Sundays in real time play.

His name was Ray, “Wildman” Nitschke.

In an era that afforded the Packers an identity that was defined by offensive dominance, Ray Nitschke quietly led a team that was equally feared for its defensive prowess; something that is seldom discussed.

At 6’3”, 235 pounds the old linebacker/fullback out of Illinois was known for his physical and mental toughness. He was viewed as one of the most feared middle linebackers of his time—15 years to be exact.

Nitschke wasn’t the typical linebacker that opposing offenses would say: “Hey, keep an eye on that guy, he’s pretty good.” rather, they would say: “Ok, if you see that guy coming, get the hell out of his way!”

Nitschke was a man of a classic duel identity that would make most cases of Multiple Personality Disorder, seem like a traditional passing of mistaken identity.

The mild mannered and highly regarded family man, who would often be adorned with his famed thick dark rimmed glasses and dark suits— similar to the likes of a business man or lawyer— was replaced with a seething, foaming 235 pound freight train that was nearly unstoppable his entire career.

Len Dawson was quoted as saying: “When I approached the line and came face to face with Nitschke for the first time I thought, man this is the meanest looking guy I have ever seen.”

Bart Starr compared his duel personality to a “classic example of Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde.”

There is even an old story about a time when Nitschke was on the practice field one day, when a metal tower came crashing down on him, when Lombardi found out it was Nitschke who was the recipient of the nasty collapse, he was quoted as saying: “He’ll be fine, get back to work.”

As they say now-a-days, “They don’t make ‘um like Nitschke anymore.”

The Packers were blessed to be afforded man who embodied football at its rawest core; a man who’s on the field talent was often overshadowed by an equally talented offense led by Bart Starr. But if not for the physical, and often dominate, play of the defense which was led by Nitschke, things may have been vastly different.

Nitschke, in his career, recorded 25 total INTs; he recorded 20 fumble recoveries which is second only to Willie Davis— who bettered him by one. His 190 consecutive played games for the Packers, prior to retirement, is only out-done by Bart Starr and Brett Favre; company that any football player would be proud to share time with.

Nitschke was an 3 time consecutive All-Pro from 1964-66, he was named MVP in the 1962 championship game vs. the New York Giants in which he had a deflected pass that went for a TD and two fumble recoveries—one that set up the only TD in the 16-7 affair, and one that set up a Green Bay field goal.

IN Super bowl 1 he recorded 6 tackles and a sack, only to better his performance in Super bowl 2 with a team leading 9 tackles.

In the decade of the sixties, the Packers were touted as a team that gave up no more than 262 yards and 15 pts per game; in the playoffs they bettered that performance by allowing only 12 pts a game.

 Nitschke was at the forefront of that defense; a solid, old-time field general, that is unheralded in his craft to this day.

Nitschke is currently the only linebacker to be named to the NFL’s 50th and 75th Anniversary team and he was named to The Sporting News’ 100 Greatest Football Player list at 18.

All of these things exemplify not only the player, not only the man, but also the team.

 Nitschke’s integral contribution to the Packers organization, as well as the Packers’ history, is unmatched and forever enshrined in the depths of Green Bay’s lengthy and historic existence.

But for all of his on-field accomplishments, it was Nitschke who also led what could be conceived a double life of sorts.

On Sundays, it was Mr. Hyde who would don his tattered and beat up “hat”, he would shout the defensive commands in a haunting, and raspy projection, and he would hunt down the opposition in a full-on effort to “knock their block off” at any given chance.

The other six days of the week was dedicated to the good doctor.

The feared defensive menace was also the foundational rock his family leaned on, the single-minded one man wrecking machine was the insightful student and scholar of the craft, and the player who cared very little for the opposition’s heath was the man who was the thoughtful soft spoken individual that very few knew.

Ray Nitschke was indeed a man of numerous identities.

For Packers’ fans young and old, Nitschke is the household name synonymous with greatness; he is the ghostly icon that lives within every breeze that kisses the face of the residents of Green Bay Wisconsin, and he is the constant reminder to the young modern day talent that proudly adorns a Packers jersey what it means to be a great player.

Even in death, Nitschke lives.

In 1972 the face of the Green Bay Packers defense retired, only to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1978, and in 1998 the untimely loss of this iconic figure was felt worldwide like an earth quake of epic proportions.

When asked about a player—a man—who exemplifies the historic air of the Green Bay Packers, when asked about an individual whose heroics on and off-field actions still, to this day, set the bar far and wide, there is only one name that come to mind of this writer.

His name is Ray Nitschke!

Quotes taken from the following:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Nitschke
http://www.packers.com/team/players/nitschke_ray/

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

New York Giants’ Big Three Get Ready for Another Big Challenge vs. Arizona

If you’re like most Fantasy managers wondering which Giants receiver to start each week, you should at the very least take some solace that you’re not alone.

Since the first week of football, predicting the correct Giants receiver has been as easy as weathering the swirling winds in Giants Stadium in December.

But if you pay close attention to the Giants, and what they have been doing, there are ways to figure out who will be top dog each week.

Today’s game vs. the Cardinals is another huge test for the Giants defense as they take on a Cardinals team that can pass on any defense in the league with enormous success.

But this could also mean big things for owners of Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, and Hakeem Nicks.

 

Giants vs. Cardinals:

The Giants receivers average out at 5’11” / 190 pounds while the Cardinals corners average out at 6’1”/190, so there is no real advantage in size here.

 Mario Manningham will probably have to deal with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a young talented corner who already has two picks under his belt this year, while Steve Smith could wind up having to deal with Bryant McFadden who tips more balls than receivers catch on him.

So why are the Cardinals ranked 31^st against the pass? Well, they can’t stop the YAC, and their safeties have about as much talent as a Cleveland Browns receiver—ouch!

This could be the opportunity to exploit for the G-men.

The Cardinals like bringing the extra pass rusher, usually Okeafor, which leaves a lot of ground for three linebackers to cover.  One of the weaknesses of the 3-4 scheme is if the defense becomes stretched sideline to sideline, there is a lot of room over the middle of the field, if the linebackers stay home or play the zones close, there is bound to be a huge whole to exploit deep.

The Cardinals will have to account for both Bradshaw and Jacobs coming out of the flats, and off the screens, while dealing with the Giants Big Three.

Mannigham can create huge matchup problems especially if the Giants deploy their TE along with everyone else, and he could be utilized within the zones. Smith on the other hand is much faster than Bryant McFadden and if Nicks and Manningham get going Smith is due for another big game.

Hakeem Nicks is the wild card.

If the Cardinals decide to try and show up again and seal off Mannigham and Smith, Nicks becomes possession option number three. The Cardinals can’t possibly cover all three at the same time with good results.

Fantasy Predictions:
Mario Manningham 4 catches for 80 yards and 1TD
Steve Smith 6 catches for 97 yards and 1 TD
Hakeem Nicks 4 catches for 62 yards

Brandon Jacobs 18 carries for 76 yards 1 catch for 13
Ahmad Bradshaw 10 carries for 56 yards 3 catches for 32 yards 1TD

For a complete breakdown of the Giants Offense and what to expect in the next three weeks regarding Fantasy check out this breakdown here !

 

Good Luck Everyone!

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

New York Giants’ Big Three Get Ready for Another Big Challenge vs. Arizona

If you’re like most Fantasy managers wondering which Giants receiver to start each week, you should at the very least take some solace that you’re not alone.

Since the first week of football, predicting the correct Giants receiver has been as easy as weathering the swirling winds in Giants Stadium in December.

But if you pay close attention to the Giants, and what they have been doing, there are ways to figure out who will be top dog each week.

Today’s game vs. the Cardinals is another huge test for the Giants defense as they take on a Cardinals team that can pass on any defense in the league with enormous success.

But this could also mean big things for owners of Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, and Hakeem Nicks.

 

Giants vs. Cardinals:

The Giants receivers average out at 5’11” / 190 pounds while the Cardinals corners average out at 6’1”/190, so there is no real advantage in size here.

 Mario Manningham will probably have to deal with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a young talented corner who already has two picks under his belt this year, while Steve Smith could wind up having to deal with Bryant McFadden who tips more balls than receivers catch on him.

So why are the Cardinals ranked 31^st against the pass? Well, they can’t stop the YAC, and their safeties have about as much talent as a Cleveland Browns receiver—ouch!

This could be the opportunity to exploit for the G-men.

The Cardinals like bringing the extra pass rusher, usually Okeafor, which leaves a lot of ground for three linebackers to cover.  One of the weaknesses of the 3-4 scheme is if the defense becomes stretched sideline to sideline, there is a lot of room over the middle of the field, if the linebackers stay home or play the zones close, there is bound to be a huge whole to exploit deep.

The Cardinals will have to account for both Bradshaw and Jacobs coming out of the flats, and off the screens, while dealing with the Giants Big Three.

Mannigham can create huge matchup problems especially if the Giants deploy their TE along with everyone else, and he could be utilized within the zones. Smith on the other hand is much faster than Bryant McFadden and if Nicks and Manningham get going Smith is due for another big game.

Hakeem Nicks is the wild card.

If the Cardinals decide to try and show up again and seal off Mannigham and Smith, Nicks becomes possession option number three. The Cardinals can’t possibly cover all three at the same time with good results.

Fantasy Predictions:
Mario Manningham 4 catches for 80 yards and 1TD
Steve Smith 6 catches for 97 yards and 1 TD
Hakeem Nicks 4 catches for 62 yards

Brandon Jacobs 18 carries for 76 yards 1 catch for 13
Ahmad Bradshaw 10 carries for 56 yards 3 catches for 32 yards 1TD

For a complete breakdown of the Giants Offense and what to expect in the next three weeks regarding Fantasy check out this breakdown here !

 

Good Luck Everyone!

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Packers Play Nice With Lions: Free Tylenol For All {Humor}

When the Packers roll out the red carpet for the much improved Detroit Lions—and I say much improved because any win over an 0-16 is a giant step forward—they will be offering the Detroit entourage small packets of free Tylenol next to the Gatorade to deal with the added headache they will inevitably deploy—Jordy Nelson and Jermichael Finley —on the helpless coverage the Lions are currently struggling with.

As quoted in Top Fantasy’s article: Week Six Start or Sit WR Rankings: Pass Happy Fever Coming Our Way? UPDATED! Both Donald Driver and Greg Jennings have been “long time Lions killers.” , and it couldn’t be any more truth.

But what isn’t mentioned is that Jordy Nelson has basically elevated to WR3 status and Jermichael Finley is finally coming into his own which presents a world of guff for Detroit.

Covering the downfield threat of Driver and Jennings is one thing, but with Nelson becoming a viable target over the middle, and Finley being seemingly always open, the Lions will undoubtedly have difficulty finding ways to account for four different receivers—not to mention Grant in the back field who can also catch; that’s five!

The Lions are licking their wounds defensively, and will have to rely on a makeshift 11 man D to try and slow the Packers heated passing attack; a feat that will prove to be as complicated as solving for X on an Algebra exam.

The Packers should have no trouble putting up points, and if they can contain Culpepper, and stop his happy feet from running amuck like he did against Pittsburgh, you can expect the Packers to have a blow out game this Sunday in route to a date with the evenly disastrous Browns the following week.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Put Up or Shut Time for The Packers: 1st Quarter Grades for the Offense

As the season continues we still seem to be engrossed in the whole Favre thing which is a load of crap to be honest. It’s time to put away the hankies, blow out the torches, and call off the lynch mobs; the guy is gone, and he plays for the Vikings, the story is old, it’s time to focus on this season with the team of today!

That goes for both the fans and the players.

The first marking period report card has about as much diversity as the U.N. with grades that the team can be proud of, and grades that they’d rather not mention; it’s time to put up or shut up Packers.

Let’s take a closer look.

The Offense:

There are five grades to look at here and we obviously want to start with Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers has been nothing short of stellar despite not wearing a number four, but if there is any doubt that this guy is the real deal, please feel free to limp to the table with your argument.

Rodgers has withstood a league high 20 sacks, and that’s with one less game than the majority. But despite this utterly embarrassing stat, Rodgers has done what any true leader does, and that’s, well, lead this team—period!

Has he won four games? No, kind of hard to do when ya give up 20 sacks, but what Rodgers has done is this:

77 for 127 which equate to a 60.3% completion rate racking up 1,098 yards, and six TDs with only one INT in only four games—that’s money!
QB Grade: A-

The second section is the WR department. The wideouts have done a good job of adjusting to the type of pressure Rodgers has had to face, but ultimately haven’t been spectacular.

When a WR has to adjust to a QB on the move, they must be certain they are going to be a reliable set of hands; something the WRs have sort of ”dropped the ball” on.

Still, they have been for the most part a group that can be counted on in the clutch—if this weren’t true Rodgers would have a lower completion rate and far less yards after four games.

They have had good separation at the line of scrimmage, and can get into the open field when needed. They have shown (when I say they, I mainly speak of Jennings and Driver) that there is no question that they are deceptively good, but their opportunities have been limited so far given what the Packers could be doing.

The TEs have also been a bright spot in the receiving aspect of the game, especially rookie Jermichael Finley.

The trouble with the TEs is the lack luster blocking on the outside when they are assigned to do so. They must get a better handle on holding the block, and not opening up the lanes or allowing guys to get around them, and, if guys come free they must make themselves more available as a check down option for Rodgers instead of just standing around with their empty hands on their hips.
WR/TE Grade C+

Our third look is the ground game, which has been serviceable but not all that it can be in my opinion. The Packers are averaging just fewer than 24 attempts a game which is a good amount, but they struggle to open up the gaps for Grant and company, and Grant himself needs a little fire under his you know what.

Still, the Packers are averaging 99.5 yards a game with 399 total yards, and are currently ranked 22^nd overall in the NFL. There can be some major headway with the Lions and the Browns on deck in the next two weeks, and if the ground game can be a bit more intimidating, imagine what the passing game will be like then?
Ground Game: C+

 

Our final stop is literally the end of the line, and it is the Achilles heel of the offense.

The Offensive line has been—to say the least—embarrassing. They’ve looked confused, unsure, overwhelmed, and it has shown in their execution. To their credit, they have had a major change in blocking schemes from zone to man which is NOT an easy thing to accomplish, but still.

The Tackles have yet to play in unison with each other. If the right side fails, the left side comes through and vice-versa. They have not yet shown they can deal with the speed rushers of the league even if they have help.

They have also had huge problems opening up lanes for the ground game which makes them less of a threat, and allows opposing team to send that extra man that would otherwise stay home in in lieu of the play action.

Mark Tauscher returns, and I pray to Lombardi the Packers learned their lesson by cutting a sure thing. He should provide some leadership and support, but if the Packers don’t get things straight now, Rodgers will not last the season.
O-Line: D-
Overall Offensive Grade: C+

 

The Packers have had an entire week off to think about everything and fix some of their problems—a week in the NFL is a long time—so there should be no excuses when they come out of the gate to face Detroit.

If the Packers can put all of their focus on protection and winning there is no reason to think they can’t be among the best in the NFC.

Tomorrow, we will look at the defense’s report card, and see whether or not it should be hung on the fridge.

For a Fantasy Football outlook at Rodgers and Green Bay visit my column here.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

A Season To Remember for Vikings Fans: Will It Continue?

Brett Favre has beaten all 32 NFL teams. The Vikings are 5-0 for the first time since 2003. The defense still has yet to allow a single 100-yard rusher (that’s now 28 straight games, for those counting) not to mention a rushing touchdown this season.

The Vikes won their 400th franchise victory in Week Five, and Baltimore basically comes limping to the barn in an attempt to put a stop to the Vikings’ success.

And to think, it’s only Week Six.

Minnesota has very quietly been putting together one of its best seasons thus far that I can remember, not only with milestone after milestone being achieved, but taking care of business on both sides of the ball—a familiarity Vikings’ fans are not used to having.

For the Vikings and their fans, it has always been one or the other.

Whether it was a great rushing attack but horrible passing, great run defense but terrible coverage, all of the loose ends have come together in a nifty little package that has Vikings fans racing to the couch every Sunday and thinking deep postseason run or even—dare I say it—Super Bowl!

So here we are, near the halfway point, and on the horizon is the Baltimore Ravens—a team once known for their own dominant defense and currently known for their newfound offensive prowess, much like the Vikings; the similarity is eerie.

But there are a couple of key separations, aren’t there?

Not to take anything away from Joe Flacco, but he is no Favre. Not to take anything away from the Ravens’ backfield, but they aren’t the gruesome two-some of Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor—remember him, Baltimore?

Not to say the Ravens wide receivers are underproducing, but they surely aren’t up to the level of Sidney Rice, Bernard Berrian, and Visanthe Shiancoe.

But with all this said, the true mark of a Championship team is, well, quite frankly, to ignore such things. It is far easier to ride the wave of emotion that is synonymous with a 5-0 start; it is even easier to fall victim to overconfidence when you’re king of the NFC mountain (or, in this case, splitting a time share with New York and New Orleans).

Championship teams turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to such frivolities, and the Vikings would be wise to do the same, and I think they will.

This team looks different, it acts different, it plays with a purpose, and it plays well. The Vikings are beginning to show themselves —and, vicariously through themselves, their fans—that they have finally grown up, that they have maturated into a quality team bound for greatness this year and not “down the road.”

But it’s been a long time coming for Vikings fans.

Since 2003—even as far back as 1998, some would say—the Vikings organization, and its loyal fan base, has been waiting to see the ascent of a team superior to the previous ones that found their way into the postseason only to come up short.

Gone are the days of Leroy Hoard, Robert Smith, Cris Carter, Jake Reed, John Randal, Randal McDaniel, and Randal Cunningham; here are the days of new thanks to Adrian Peterson, Chester Taylor, Sidney Rice, Bernard Berrian, Ray Edwards, Jared Allen, and Brett Favre.

You decide which team is better, or just wait until the end of the season.

But, as I said before, there is something that is just different about this group of guys in comparison to any other team in the past.

Is it the magic of Favre at the helm? Is it the imposing and often unstoppable Adrian Peterson? Is it the unrelenting motor of the defensive line? Is it the record upon record being shattered as the season progresses?

No, it’s none of these things.

This team posses that one extra little factor that we as football fans just simply know exists. You don’t speak of it in definition, you probably can’t explain it, but you know it to be truth. It’s that little something extra you feel in your bones when you watch your team play week in and week out.

Peterson has been shut down, but he keeps on coming; Favre was sacked nine times in the first three games, but the O-line has seemingly fixed that; the defense has been soft in covering when blitzing, but has made up for it in the pass rush—no matter how many guys you have blocking, they still get to the quarterback.

But this will all be for naught if the Vikes can’t continue their newfound success.

The Vikings are on a path of change and enlightenment, one that shows what they are capable of doing with a little glimpse into what can be.

They have all the right weapons, they have all the proper ethic and technique, they have Pro Bowl players all over the place, and everything is wrapped up nicely in a little package with a little extra something inside that, in time, will be the deciding factor between a great team and greatness!

---

Check out Vikings Vindication for a full game preview of the upcoming Ravens matchup and show some love!

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Baby Steps Turn Into Leaps And Bounds for Vikings: Is A 5-0 Start Next?

Since Frazier arrived and overhauled the defense in ’06, it’s been nothing short of sheer success with two and half years of being rated number one against the run.

Since the arrival and cultivation of Adrian Peterson, the Vikings running game has turned from pretty good, to the top rushing attack in the NFC.

Since Brett Favre arrived, the Vikings total offense went from a one sided attack to team nobody wants to face.

A couple of years ago, most Vikings fans would’ve never imagined that their team would be one of the best in the NFC let alone the NFL, but here we are in 2009 and that reality is not only showing itself to be truth, but glaring back at the rest of the league as if to say” Oh yeah, we’re the real deal!”

On Sunday, the Vikings put a couple of monumental records on the line as they face a Rams team that is viewed as the worst or the worst, but this is precisely the type of situation that defines a team.

The Rams are 0-4 and the Vikings are 4-0 which lends itself to the “oh so common” NFL upset of the week.

Too often do we hear that familiar story—after the game, of course, right?—of a team that got too complacent and overly confident in themselves; so much that it blinded them from the actual task at hand—winning.

But the impending upset is worth more than most realize in that, a Vikings’ victory after the emotional roller coaster game last week vs. the Pack, and the physically demanding brawl with the 49ers two weeks ago, will solidify their status as an elite team in the NFL and prove to the naysayers that yes, this team has finally maturated into a series contender.

But it is that proverbial hump that most teams never prevail over, relegating them to years of mediocrity and speculation.

A victory over the Rams would do several things:

1. Stopping Steven Jackson would be nice, and it would prove the run D is legit; keeping Jackson under 100 rushing yards would extend an impressive 26-game streak of not allowing any one rusher over 100 yards to 27—an unprecedented achievement.

2. Beating the Rams would lift the Vikings to 5-0—the first 5-0 start since 2003—and again would prove to themselves, more importantly, that they are now a complete package with a solid D and an explosive O.

3. The victory would surely begin the process of separation from the rest of the competition, leaving only the Saints as a true test of their metal.

But all of this rests on whether or not the Vikings can actually achieve such great feats; this guys thinks it’s more of a possibility than ever before.

On Sunday, for Vikings’ fans, there is going to be a great deal of unrest combined with anticipation that will be nothing like they have ever experienced before.

When the day is through, there will be more Vikings’ fans sleeping with smiles on their faces than all the children in the world on Christmas Eve.

For a game preview and total Vikings coverage, visit my column Vikings Vindication.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

« Previous Page — Next Page »

NFL Sport Channel Latest

• Just How Far Would You Go?
• Sorry Rex, But It Isn’t Happening
• Super Bowl Predictions: Five Stat-Free Reasons Why the Eagles Will Reach The Super Bowl
• Seahawks Attempt to Turn Corner With Heavy Pursuit of Pete Carroll
• Bill Cowher Unlikely to Coach in 2010