We have reached the midway point of "FFDM," or what I have come to deem August as Fantasy Football Draft Month, with some of us have completing at least one draft, I am urging all of you hardcore footballers and casual players alike to do your homework! If you are currently a student in high school, college, post grad, technical school, etc, I apologize for the extra burden but to be successful in Fantasy Football, you must research as much as possible. Now I know all of us do not know when an injury is going to occur to a star player or even a 3rd string QB, but we must be prepared for any and all injuries and use our instincts when drafting(Madden curse anyone?) the best players for our teams. After 1 week of preseason games, the injuries popped up like your ex-girlfriend did the last 6 times you went out on the town. To avoid such situations, I implore you to check the latest injury ticker. And to avoid seeing your ex? Well, maybe you should try a different hangout, not the one you took her to every Sunday for the game. Just a thought.
Preseason Week 1 is in the books. The regular stars played like stars. Some backups shined and upped the ante on winning a roster spot. Others, not so much. One thing is for certain, it did seem many more injuries occured in this first preseason week than in years past, if my memory serves me correctly. Ben Tate, the Houston Texans' 2nd round draft pick this season, was lost for the season. Eli Manning, though not predicted to miss any games in the regular season, received 12 stitches in his head after Monday night's Giants victory to christen their new stadium. Uncertainty defintely seems to be the trend or better yet the word to describe the start of this season. Knowing what I know now, Eli Manning, Ben Tate, Stafon Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Fred Jackson, Marshawn Lynch, Torry Holt and Limas Sweed will be near the bottom of my radar. Larry Fitzgerald should be okay by the start of the season but when a Top Tier WR injures a knee, it's a cause for concern. Continue keeping your eye on his progress, should you want to draft him higher than the 4th round.
Before I wrap this up, I have assembled an UPDATED "Top 5" of each position in standard Fantasy Leagues(QB, RB, WR, TE, K, DEF). Feel free to consult this list come draft day.
TOP 5 QB's
Peyton Manning-Colts: Still the model QB.
Drew Brees-Saints: Throw 1st, answer questions later.
Aaron Rodgers-Packers: Gunslinger extraordinaire.
Philip Rivers-Chargers: Who will he be throwing to this year?
Tom Brady-Patriots: We all wonder if the knee will hold up.....again.
TOP 5 RB's
Chris Johnson-Titans: HIS nickname should be the "Freak."
Adrian Peterson-Vikings: All Day will have to run all game with the loss of Chester Taylor.
Maurice Jones-Drew-Jaguars: "Little Bruiser" will once again dominate the AFC South.
Steven Jackson-Rams: He IS the Rams offense.
DeAngelo Williams/Jonathan Stewart-Panthers: This combo was unstoppable last season, both averaging over 5.0 yards per carry.
Top 5 WR's
Andre Johnson-Texans: Schaub needs to throw his way more often in the red zone.
Larry Fitzgerald-Cardinals: Combo of size/speed makes him more dangerous each year.
Calvin Johnson-Lions: "Megatron" should have an outstanding year, pending Matthew Stafford's health.
Reggie Wayne-Colts: He has the best QB throwing his way each game.
Roddy White-Falcons: Continues to grow alongside Matt Ryan and establishing a positive rapport with him.
Top 5 TE's
Dallas Clark-Colts: Just like Reggie Wayne, his QB makes him better.
Jason Witten-Cowboys: Tough, physical and fights for yards. Always seems to be wide open.
Antonio Gates-Chargers: In the perfect offense for a guy who can block and catch.
Vernon Davis-49ers: Stepped up last year and has bigger expectations in 2010.
Brent Celek-Eagles: With McNabb gone, Eagles will look to Celek more often.
Top 5 K's
Nate Kaeding-Chargers: Kicks in warm weather and for a high-powered offense.
Rob Bironas-Titans: Big leg. Made 5 field goals of 50+ yards. Not to mention, accurate.
Ryan Longwell-Vikings: Gets a boost for kicking indoors half the season.
Mason Crosby-Packers: This kid has a strong and accurate leg. But Lambeau can be tricky in winter.
Stephen Gostkowski-Patriots: The Patriots score a bunch so G-Man kicks a lot.
Top 5 DEF
New York Jets- Have to mention Darrelle Revis. There. Did it. Now stop holding out.
Baltimore Ravens- Getting older before getting younger but these guys can still play.
Green Bay Packers- 30 INT's is a disgustingly good stat in the takeaway category.
Cincinnati Bengals- Who knew?
Minnesota Vikings- Those big run stoppers have no suspensions this season....so far.
Remember to check back each week to find these useful tips: Who to Start, Who to Bench, Sleeper Pick of the Week and my Game of the Week prediction for those who play in Pick 'Em leagues.
Coming soon: A way to add more followers!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
New! New! New! Read on(stay thirsty) my friends....
As I sit and reflect upon this year's Fantasy Football season, I want to remind everyone that my mind is refocused and I am committed to providing each and every one of you the very best prognosticating one can give. My distractions are limited this season, as I have regrouped and am determined above anything else!
And with that being said, let me retract a few things: First, Wes Welker has been removed from the Top 5 WR list due to his "questionable" return from injury. Every player on that list, in my previous post, has moved up one slot and Welker has been replaced by Roddy White of the Atlanta Falcons at #5.
Next, I would like to apologize to all the hockey die hards out there for my recent comments about how the season should not run into warm weather months. I was just concerned for the players because I don't want the ice to melt and the players' skates to get stuck in the floor. I can't see hockey players doing so well playing basketball. Also, the words 'summer' and 'ice hockey' just should not be in the same sentence. Ever.
Lastly, I want to remind all of you that August is the official Fantasy Draft Month! Most leagues conduct their Fantasy Football draft in the month of August(I have 3 drafts to attend) so make sure you are switching your thought process to draft strategy without the prospect of losing your job, for those of you blessed enough to have one in these rough days. If you are not currently employed, then you should have a one-up on almost all of us since you have more time to 'study(or read this blog).'
Let's talk draft strategy for a second here: If you are blessed with the #1 overall pick in your or any draft you are in, who will you take? Chris Johnson? Adrian Peterson? Maurice Jones-Drew? Comment below if you dare. Draft strategy is important in this day and age of Fantasy Football. Obviously we don't want to be drafting David Akers with the 1st overall pick or even in the 1st 14 rounds. Is drafting a QB with your 1st pick the way to go? In this, the year of the WR and TE, and with many of the NFL teams going to 2-back systems, we find ourselves with declining QB's(Favre potentially retiring today, Brady's health questions, Kurt Warner retired) and crowded backfields(Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams both broke 1,000 yds last season in Carolina). Another positon player had to step up and it will be a deep draft with the talent in the WR and TE pools.
All things considered, draft strategy is important to have a fighting chance in Fantasy Football. Each player, every year, gets wiser(or luckier) which means most of us need to try even harder and come up with the best strategy when drafting. Write it on a cocktail napkin while eyeing the beautiful blonde across the bar, knowing that you won't have the 'cojones' to walk over to her and ask her, flat out: Should I draft Adrian Peterson with my first pick or draft a Top Tier quarterback? If her reply has anything to do with money, walk away. It's not going to work out in your favor. If she explains to you the upside of drafting a Top Tier QB over a RB who has a case of the dropsies, or how Aaron Rodgers had the 2nd most fantasy points in the league last year(396.3) behind a guy who collected over 2,500 total yards(Chris Johnson-396.9), marry her on the spot. And then have her run your team. What have you got to lose?
Be sure to check out this site each and every week throughout the football season for tips, advice, wit and humor. I promise it will be much better to read this than to stare at the head of hair of a certain prognosticator on a certain sports television station.
Feel free to email me(btmfantasyfootball@yahoo.com) with any questions regarding anything Fantasy Football-related. Or, if you really want dating advice on what to say to that blonde you met in your local establishment, I will gladly respond but know that I will most likely tell all of my friends you asked for dating advice. If you want that type of advice, wait until I publish my book.
And with that being said, let me retract a few things: First, Wes Welker has been removed from the Top 5 WR list due to his "questionable" return from injury. Every player on that list, in my previous post, has moved up one slot and Welker has been replaced by Roddy White of the Atlanta Falcons at #5.
Next, I would like to apologize to all the hockey die hards out there for my recent comments about how the season should not run into warm weather months. I was just concerned for the players because I don't want the ice to melt and the players' skates to get stuck in the floor. I can't see hockey players doing so well playing basketball. Also, the words 'summer' and 'ice hockey' just should not be in the same sentence. Ever.
Lastly, I want to remind all of you that August is the official Fantasy Draft Month! Most leagues conduct their Fantasy Football draft in the month of August(I have 3 drafts to attend) so make sure you are switching your thought process to draft strategy without the prospect of losing your job, for those of you blessed enough to have one in these rough days. If you are not currently employed, then you should have a one-up on almost all of us since you have more time to 'study(or read this blog).'
Let's talk draft strategy for a second here: If you are blessed with the #1 overall pick in your or any draft you are in, who will you take? Chris Johnson? Adrian Peterson? Maurice Jones-Drew? Comment below if you dare. Draft strategy is important in this day and age of Fantasy Football. Obviously we don't want to be drafting David Akers with the 1st overall pick or even in the 1st 14 rounds. Is drafting a QB with your 1st pick the way to go? In this, the year of the WR and TE, and with many of the NFL teams going to 2-back systems, we find ourselves with declining QB's(Favre potentially retiring today, Brady's health questions, Kurt Warner retired) and crowded backfields(Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams both broke 1,000 yds last season in Carolina). Another positon player had to step up and it will be a deep draft with the talent in the WR and TE pools.
All things considered, draft strategy is important to have a fighting chance in Fantasy Football. Each player, every year, gets wiser(or luckier) which means most of us need to try even harder and come up with the best strategy when drafting. Write it on a cocktail napkin while eyeing the beautiful blonde across the bar, knowing that you won't have the 'cojones' to walk over to her and ask her, flat out: Should I draft Adrian Peterson with my first pick or draft a Top Tier quarterback? If her reply has anything to do with money, walk away. It's not going to work out in your favor. If she explains to you the upside of drafting a Top Tier QB over a RB who has a case of the dropsies, or how Aaron Rodgers had the 2nd most fantasy points in the league last year(396.3) behind a guy who collected over 2,500 total yards(Chris Johnson-396.9), marry her on the spot. And then have her run your team. What have you got to lose?
Be sure to check out this site each and every week throughout the football season for tips, advice, wit and humor. I promise it will be much better to read this than to stare at the head of hair of a certain prognosticator on a certain sports television station.
Feel free to email me(btmfantasyfootball@yahoo.com) with any questions regarding anything Fantasy Football-related. Or, if you really want dating advice on what to say to that blonde you met in your local establishment, I will gladly respond but know that I will most likely tell all of my friends you asked for dating advice. If you want that type of advice, wait until I publish my book.
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