Football. That great American game. We love it. Every snap, handoff, tackle, deep pass, touchdown, sack, interception, pick 6, breakaway run, kickoff return and game winning field goal. The season may not last as long as baseball or even (gulp) NASCAR, but for the next 22 weeks, Americans will be gorilla glued to their televisions every Sunday(or Monday and occasional Thursday) watching their favorite team battle it out on the proverbial gridiron, perhaps some of us screaming at the inanimate tube(guilty), high-fiving our friends, or just sitting in silence listening to the non-biased commentators. Whatever your ritual, plenty of football will be seen by millions upon millions of fans and bandwagoneers alike.
Which brings me to Fantasy Football.
I have been an opponent to upwards of one hundred different teams in my day, winning my fair share of games but losing quite a bit in the first few seasons. The 1999-2000 NFL season was my first experience with Fantasy Football. I was a wet-behind-the-ears teenager in my first year of college and a total sports nut. I probably should have done more research back then for, if my memory serves me correctly, and it sometimes slips away in my old age, I won 3 games. Not a very good showing for someone who wanted to be a Fantasy Football guru. However, I perservered over the next few seasons, winning more games each season and finally in 2005, I won the league's Super Bowl. And, just like the Patriots in '03 and '04, the Broncos in '97 and '98 and the Cowboys in '92 and '93(see the pattern?), I won back-to-back championships. There have been other teams, i.e. Packers, Steelers and 49ers, who also have won back-to-back Super Bowls, but those first 3 were from my own recollection.
Since 1999-2000, Fantasy Football has grown exponentially in popularity. Certain years, I could not bribe enough friends to join a league with me. Now I have some chomping at the bit, inquiring about the upcoming Fantasy season in March!
As I continued to play Fantasy Football, I also became a more intelligent fan, learning more and more about the intricacies of the game(I also have to thank Madden '03-'08), the coaching aspect, the strategy involved during the 60 minutes of back and forth blocking, throwing, running, tackling and basically beating the bejesus out of each other.
Okay, no more about my Fantasy Football profile.
Being an avid researcher, I have a few tricks, tips and some overall advice for anyone willing to use it for this upcoming season. I will be posting every week with my so-called advice so make sure to either follow this blog or just keep an eye on Facebook for the new updates. Feel free to use anything in this blog to better your fantasy team or confidence pool this season. Just don't chastise me if I am wrong. No one makes the right picks every week. Ask the experts at ESPN.
QB Comeback Player: Carson Palmer, Cincinnati.
After missing most of the '08 season with a elbow injury, Palmer is due for another breakout year. He has a rejuvenated Chad(Johnson)Ochocinco, and the sure-handed Laveranues Coles to throw to. Not to mention, an always reliable Ben Utecht at the TE position. If Palmer can stay healthy, expect him to throw for 3,500-3,800 yards and 25 TD's. While those are not spectacular numbers, they are quite serviceable ones for someone who drafts QB's after their WR1 and RB1 positions have been filled. Play him.
Sleeper: Anthony Fasano, Miami
Atlanta vs. Miami in Atlanta. Tough game to pick if you are in any type of pick 'em league. However, both teams have explosive running games, decent defenses and above-average special teams. The winner of this game will be decided on who can throw the ball downfield better. Matt Ryan had a phenomenal rookie season, but expect many defenses to step it up against the Falcons this year. In Miami, Fasano can change a game. He has not posted huge numbers in his short career, but expect him to make some big catches and be a threat in the redzone.
Game of the Week: Philadelphia at Carolina
Carolina boasts one of the best running back duos in the game today. Philadelphia has been one of the stingiest defenses in recent years. With Jake Delhomme more of an afterthought and one aging receiver(Muhamed) and one that has not yet grasped the offense in his 3rd season(Jarrett), expect the Panthers to run run run and the Eagles defenses to stack the box to stop the run, forcing Delhomme to make plays with his arm.
Pick: Philadelphia
Disclaimer:
The writings in this blog are purely my thoughts and forecasts for the upcoming NFL season and for use in Fantasy Football purposes only. I have done enough research on everything football to make NASA engineers look like 4th graders getting ready for their spelling quiz yet that does not give me the right to be 100% correct on each piece of advice. Use at your own discretion but make sure to praise me if I'm right and you did not heed my advice. Enjoy!
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