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Thursday, August 14, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Ray Day! Ray Day! There's trouble in St. Petersburg
Rayday! Rayday! There’s trouble in St. Petersburg
One week ago, everything was perfect in St. Petersburg. The Rays were sole owners of the 2nd best record in baseball and the division race was in their control.
What a difference a week can make. The Rays now face some serious adversity during the last 6 weeks of the season.
Here are three major reasons to worry if you’re a Tampa Bay Rays fan.
1. Carl Crawford
Crawford will miss 6-to-8 weeks with a torn tendon band in his right middle finger. That means he’ll miss the rest of the regular season and, if he opts for surgery, the postseason as well. That is, of course, if the Rays make the postseason.
Crawford provided a lot of leadership to a very young baseball team. He was there when Tampa Bay was terrible. Oh wait, most of these guys were around last year. Well, Crawford was around when there were no signs of hope and his veteran presence will be greatly missed.
2. Evan Longoria
Longoria has provided Tampa Bay with exactly the spark plug that they needed when he was called up one month into the season. Longoria took a J.J. Putz offering on the wrist and the result is a fractured wrist. The Rays will not only miss an irreplaceable stick at the plate, but also a very solid defender at the hot corner. Crawford and Longoria have combined for 39 Doubles, 12 Triples, 30 HR, 125 Runs, 128 RBI and 32 SB. Those numbers aren’t easily replaced.
3. Their Schedule
Tampa Bay has 24 of their remaining 43 games on the road. They have 3 games at Texas, 3 at Chicago, 3 at New York and 3 at Boston. The home games aren’t going to be easy either. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pay a visit to Florida next week, followed by the Yankees, Red Sox and Twins next month. With only 10 games remaining against teams below .500, the Rays better make every win count.
One week ago, everything was perfect in St. Petersburg. The Rays were sole owners of the 2nd best record in baseball and the division race was in their control.
What a difference a week can make. The Rays now face some serious adversity during the last 6 weeks of the season.
Here are three major reasons to worry if you’re a Tampa Bay Rays fan.
1. Carl Crawford
Crawford will miss 6-to-8 weeks with a torn tendon band in his right middle finger. That means he’ll miss the rest of the regular season and, if he opts for surgery, the postseason as well. That is, of course, if the Rays make the postseason.
Crawford provided a lot of leadership to a very young baseball team. He was there when Tampa Bay was terrible. Oh wait, most of these guys were around last year. Well, Crawford was around when there were no signs of hope and his veteran presence will be greatly missed.
2. Evan Longoria
Longoria has provided Tampa Bay with exactly the spark plug that they needed when he was called up one month into the season. Longoria took a J.J. Putz offering on the wrist and the result is a fractured wrist. The Rays will not only miss an irreplaceable stick at the plate, but also a very solid defender at the hot corner. Crawford and Longoria have combined for 39 Doubles, 12 Triples, 30 HR, 125 Runs, 128 RBI and 32 SB. Those numbers aren’t easily replaced.
3. Their Schedule
Tampa Bay has 24 of their remaining 43 games on the road. They have 3 games at Texas, 3 at Chicago, 3 at New York and 3 at Boston. The home games aren’t going to be easy either. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pay a visit to Florida next week, followed by the Yankees, Red Sox and Twins next month. With only 10 games remaining against teams below .500, the Rays better make every win count.
Ray Day! Ray Day! There's trouble in St. Petersburg
Rayday! Rayday! There’s trouble in St. Petersburg
One week ago, everything was perfect in St. Petersburg. The Rays were sole owners of the 2nd best record in baseball and the division race was in their control.
What a difference a week can make. The Rays now face some serious adversity during the last 6 weeks of the season.
Here are three major reasons to worry if you’re a Tampa Bay Rays fan.
1. Carl Crawford
Crawford will miss 6-to-8 weeks with a torn tendon band in his right middle finger. That means he’ll miss the rest of the regular season and, if he opts for surgery, the postseason as well. That is, of course, if the Rays make the postseason.
Crawford provided a lot of leadership to a very young baseball team. He was there when Tampa Bay was terrible. Oh wait, most of these guys were around last year. Well, Crawford was around when there were no signs of hope and his veteran presence will be greatly missed.
2. Evan Longoria
Longoria has provided Tampa Bay with exactly the spark plug that they needed when he was called up one month into the season. Longoria took a J.J. Putz offering on the wrist and the result is a fractured wrist. The Rays will not only miss an irreplaceable stick at the plate, but also a very solid defender at the hot corner. Crawford and Longoria have combined for 39 Doubles, 12 Triples, 30 HR, 125 Runs, 128 RBI and 32 SB. Those numbers aren’t easily replaced.
3. Their Schedule
Tampa Bay has 24 of their remaining 43 games on the road. They have 3 games at Texas, 3 at Chicago, 3 at New York and 3 at Boston. The home games aren’t going to be easy either. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pay a visit to Florida next week, followed by the Yankees, Red Sox and Twins next month. With only 10 games remaining against teams below .500, the Rays better make every win count.
One week ago, everything was perfect in St. Petersburg. The Rays were sole owners of the 2nd best record in baseball and the division race was in their control.
What a difference a week can make. The Rays now face some serious adversity during the last 6 weeks of the season.
Here are three major reasons to worry if you’re a Tampa Bay Rays fan.
1. Carl Crawford
Crawford will miss 6-to-8 weeks with a torn tendon band in his right middle finger. That means he’ll miss the rest of the regular season and, if he opts for surgery, the postseason as well. That is, of course, if the Rays make the postseason.
Crawford provided a lot of leadership to a very young baseball team. He was there when Tampa Bay was terrible. Oh wait, most of these guys were around last year. Well, Crawford was around when there were no signs of hope and his veteran presence will be greatly missed.
2. Evan Longoria
Longoria has provided Tampa Bay with exactly the spark plug that they needed when he was called up one month into the season. Longoria took a J.J. Putz offering on the wrist and the result is a fractured wrist. The Rays will not only miss an irreplaceable stick at the plate, but also a very solid defender at the hot corner. Crawford and Longoria have combined for 39 Doubles, 12 Triples, 30 HR, 125 Runs, 128 RBI and 32 SB. Those numbers aren’t easily replaced.
3. Their Schedule
Tampa Bay has 24 of their remaining 43 games on the road. They have 3 games at Texas, 3 at Chicago, 3 at New York and 3 at Boston. The home games aren’t going to be easy either. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pay a visit to Florida next week, followed by the Yankees, Red Sox and Twins next month. With only 10 games remaining against teams below .500, the Rays better make every win count.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
NFL Training Camp News & Notes Part Deux
AFC EastNew England PatriotsTom Brady will probably sit out the first preseason game.
Buffalo BillsTrent Edwards continues to look good in camp and remains the #1 option.
New York JetsNew York has made a huge upgrade at the QB spot with the acquisition of Brett Favre. The Jets give up a 2009 conditional pick, which could go from a 4th rounder to a 1st rounder. Chad Pennington will be released and Kellen Clemens becomes the backup.
Miami DolphinsJosh McCown figures to be the favorite right now, but Chad Henne may have an outside shot if he continues to play well.
AFC NorthPittsburgh SteelersBig Ben has been battling a groin injury, but will start the first preseason game.
Baltimore RavensKyle Boller will start the first preseason game, but it remains to be seen who will start the season.
AFC SouthIndianapolis ColtsPeyton Manning’s rehab continues to go well.
Tennessee TitansVince Young still has his moments of looking like a rookie, but he’s apparently looked very good at times during camp.
AFC WestDenver BroncosThe Rocky Mountain News is reporting that Jay Cutler has returned to his normal playing weight.
Kansas City ChiefsDamon Huard has fallen to 3rd on the depth chart.
Oakland RaidersJaMarcus Russell is almost fully recovered from an elbow injury.
NFC EastWashington RedskinsCampbell looked good in his limited preseason action going 5-for-5 for 61 yards and a 20-yard TD pass.
NFC NorthGreen Bay PackersThe end of an era solidifies Aaron Rodgers’ hold on the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers can now concentrate on the upcoming season.
Minnesota VikingsThe Vikings will not be acquiring Brett Favre from Green Bay and it’s been reported that if the Jets traded Favre to Minnesota, it would costs the Jets three 1st round picks.
Chicago BearsWith Chad Pennington about to be released, the Bears could be looking to sign him to compete with Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton.
Detroit LionsMlive.com reports that Jon Kitna will move out of the pocket more often this season.
NFC SouthTampa Bay BuccaneersWith Tampa Bay failing to acquire Brett Favre, Jeff Garcia is almost a lock to start the season under center for the Bucs.
Atlanta FalconsThe three way QB race rages on and Matt Ryan has been impressive.
NFC WestArizona CardinalsMatt Leinart continues to hold onto the #1 spot, for now.
San Francisco 49ersJ.T. O’Sullivan will start the first preseason game with Alex Smith playing 2nd and Shaun Hill finishing up the game.
St. Louis RamsThe Post-Dispatch is reporting that Marc Bulger is looking “sharp” in camp.
www.passitdeep.com
www.letsgodeep.com
Buffalo BillsTrent Edwards continues to look good in camp and remains the #1 option.
New York JetsNew York has made a huge upgrade at the QB spot with the acquisition of Brett Favre. The Jets give up a 2009 conditional pick, which could go from a 4th rounder to a 1st rounder. Chad Pennington will be released and Kellen Clemens becomes the backup.
Miami DolphinsJosh McCown figures to be the favorite right now, but Chad Henne may have an outside shot if he continues to play well.
AFC NorthPittsburgh SteelersBig Ben has been battling a groin injury, but will start the first preseason game.
Baltimore RavensKyle Boller will start the first preseason game, but it remains to be seen who will start the season.
AFC SouthIndianapolis ColtsPeyton Manning’s rehab continues to go well.
Tennessee TitansVince Young still has his moments of looking like a rookie, but he’s apparently looked very good at times during camp.
AFC WestDenver BroncosThe Rocky Mountain News is reporting that Jay Cutler has returned to his normal playing weight.
Kansas City ChiefsDamon Huard has fallen to 3rd on the depth chart.
Oakland RaidersJaMarcus Russell is almost fully recovered from an elbow injury.
NFC EastWashington RedskinsCampbell looked good in his limited preseason action going 5-for-5 for 61 yards and a 20-yard TD pass.
NFC NorthGreen Bay PackersThe end of an era solidifies Aaron Rodgers’ hold on the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers can now concentrate on the upcoming season.
Minnesota VikingsThe Vikings will not be acquiring Brett Favre from Green Bay and it’s been reported that if the Jets traded Favre to Minnesota, it would costs the Jets three 1st round picks.
Chicago BearsWith Chad Pennington about to be released, the Bears could be looking to sign him to compete with Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton.
Detroit LionsMlive.com reports that Jon Kitna will move out of the pocket more often this season.
NFC SouthTampa Bay BuccaneersWith Tampa Bay failing to acquire Brett Favre, Jeff Garcia is almost a lock to start the season under center for the Bucs.
Atlanta FalconsThe three way QB race rages on and Matt Ryan has been impressive.
NFC WestArizona CardinalsMatt Leinart continues to hold onto the #1 spot, for now.
San Francisco 49ersJ.T. O’Sullivan will start the first preseason game with Alex Smith playing 2nd and Shaun Hill finishing up the game.
St. Louis RamsThe Post-Dispatch is reporting that Marc Bulger is looking “sharp” in camp.
www.passitdeep.com
www.letsgodeep.com
An Inside Look At THe Arizona Cardinals Training Camp
Card’s Training Camp Rap Up by: The Grid Iron Girly
Well, first let me say my experience at Cardinal’s camp was anything but positive…I guess camp isn’t designed for 25 year old black women! I felt like a five year child who just had her bubble busted! But hey…that’s a topic for another blog.Let’s dish QB’s….
First, Matt Lienart is way taller than I expected! He and Kurt Warner are definitely fan favorites…although Matt’s fans tend to be under 15 and all girls! Both QB’s looked sharp during drills; I couldn’t pick a clear starter. Overall, I was VERY surprised by both QB’s level of play this past weekend at camp. During drills, you can clearly tell that each man is in it to win it…THIS IS NOT A GAME!
On a side note, Leinart took some rookie OUT during drills, knocked him straight in the eye with a stray ball….hilarity!
My Predicted Starter…..
BUT, since I’m required to predict the starter for the regular season…I put money on Leinart. I’m guessing he’s first on the depth chart (but, I warn…his name is written in soft #1, and not #2 pencil!) Guys one blunder and he’s out…Warner is thirsty, and that was VERY obvious this weekend.
In conclusion, I’m not typically Leinart’s greatest advocate, as I think he’s unfocused, but after seeing him in action (up close and personal might I add) I’m taking a brief ride on the Matt train…..plus you don’t pay a guy millions to ride the pine, right?!
WR’s….
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it twice….Larry Fitzgerald is NIIIIICE! Take IMMIEDIATE action to acquire him fantasy team holders. Making diving catches in camp…he’s sick with it folks, once again this is NOT a game!
In other WR news….Boldin CLEARLY has a chip on his shoulder. Boldin is typically a jovial light hearted player…but oh not these days. I don’t think I saw the guy crack a smile; tell a joke…a NOTHING people! He’s out of Zona in two years max! Other than his discontentment, I wouldn’t expect Boldin to make any iota of a splash in the preseason. He’s nursing what appears to be a chronic hamstring injury. But bet your bottom dollar that when the first regular season game starts there will be an unleashing of the beast. Boldin is clearly out to prove a point, he wants his millions and I bet he will give as a MILLION reasons why he deserves that CHA CHING day!
We got another battle folks, there is a HUGE question mark as to which WR will take dearly departed WR Bryant Johnson’s position. I personally, don’t think there is much to debate…second year player Steve Breaston is SWEET! I got $20 on Breaston but if Doucett gets healthy…well maybe I’ll pull a Florida and reconsider my vote!
In other Card’s news….if for some reason you care!
RB Marcel Shipp was cut….oh dear! He was a valuable character in the locker room and he will be missed…and no I’m not just saying that because he is absolutely gorgeous! The guy had heart…we Card’s fans wish you well Shipp!
Antrell Rolle’s MUCH overdue transition to Safety should be interesting…I wasn’t too impressed with his play during this past weekend’s camp scrimmage, but hey…he’s still learning the new roll (pun intended,) and it was only a scrimmage…so maybe there will be an unleashing of “beastness” later in the season.
Rookie, and first round draft pick, DRC actually looked…..well not mana-orexic, I kid I kid! Kid looked decent…he should be starting in these first preseason games….Card’s top veteran CB Rod Hood is out with an injury of some sort! So the preseason just might be interesting….And finally, there are OL woes…this should have an interesting impact on our QB conundrum…stay tuned fans!
ALL IN ALL CARD’S FANS…LET THE BATTLES (QB, WR, AND CB) BEGIN! Go Cards!
www.passitdeep.com
www.letsgodeep.com
Well, first let me say my experience at Cardinal’s camp was anything but positive…I guess camp isn’t designed for 25 year old black women! I felt like a five year child who just had her bubble busted! But hey…that’s a topic for another blog.Let’s dish QB’s….
First, Matt Lienart is way taller than I expected! He and Kurt Warner are definitely fan favorites…although Matt’s fans tend to be under 15 and all girls! Both QB’s looked sharp during drills; I couldn’t pick a clear starter. Overall, I was VERY surprised by both QB’s level of play this past weekend at camp. During drills, you can clearly tell that each man is in it to win it…THIS IS NOT A GAME!
On a side note, Leinart took some rookie OUT during drills, knocked him straight in the eye with a stray ball….hilarity!
My Predicted Starter…..
BUT, since I’m required to predict the starter for the regular season…I put money on Leinart. I’m guessing he’s first on the depth chart (but, I warn…his name is written in soft #1, and not #2 pencil!) Guys one blunder and he’s out…Warner is thirsty, and that was VERY obvious this weekend.
In conclusion, I’m not typically Leinart’s greatest advocate, as I think he’s unfocused, but after seeing him in action (up close and personal might I add) I’m taking a brief ride on the Matt train…..plus you don’t pay a guy millions to ride the pine, right?!
WR’s….
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it twice….Larry Fitzgerald is NIIIIICE! Take IMMIEDIATE action to acquire him fantasy team holders. Making diving catches in camp…he’s sick with it folks, once again this is NOT a game!
In other WR news….Boldin CLEARLY has a chip on his shoulder. Boldin is typically a jovial light hearted player…but oh not these days. I don’t think I saw the guy crack a smile; tell a joke…a NOTHING people! He’s out of Zona in two years max! Other than his discontentment, I wouldn’t expect Boldin to make any iota of a splash in the preseason. He’s nursing what appears to be a chronic hamstring injury. But bet your bottom dollar that when the first regular season game starts there will be an unleashing of the beast. Boldin is clearly out to prove a point, he wants his millions and I bet he will give as a MILLION reasons why he deserves that CHA CHING day!
We got another battle folks, there is a HUGE question mark as to which WR will take dearly departed WR Bryant Johnson’s position. I personally, don’t think there is much to debate…second year player Steve Breaston is SWEET! I got $20 on Breaston but if Doucett gets healthy…well maybe I’ll pull a Florida and reconsider my vote!
In other Card’s news….if for some reason you care!
RB Marcel Shipp was cut….oh dear! He was a valuable character in the locker room and he will be missed…and no I’m not just saying that because he is absolutely gorgeous! The guy had heart…we Card’s fans wish you well Shipp!
Antrell Rolle’s MUCH overdue transition to Safety should be interesting…I wasn’t too impressed with his play during this past weekend’s camp scrimmage, but hey…he’s still learning the new roll (pun intended,) and it was only a scrimmage…so maybe there will be an unleashing of “beastness” later in the season.
Rookie, and first round draft pick, DRC actually looked…..well not mana-orexic, I kid I kid! Kid looked decent…he should be starting in these first preseason games….Card’s top veteran CB Rod Hood is out with an injury of some sort! So the preseason just might be interesting….And finally, there are OL woes…this should have an interesting impact on our QB conundrum…stay tuned fans!
ALL IN ALL CARD’S FANS…LET THE BATTLES (QB, WR, AND CB) BEGIN! Go Cards!
www.passitdeep.com
www.letsgodeep.com
20 Answers To 20 Fantasy Football Questions On Draft Day
1.Should Adrian Peterson be drafted before LaDainian Tomlinson?
George: As good as AP is, let’s not forget this is just his second season. LT is the cream of the crop when it comes to fantasy running backs. Not to mention, he doesn’t have to worry about Michael Turner taking away some of his carries, where as Chester Taylor will indeed take away carries from AP. The Chargers will also play a much easier schedule then Minnesota. LT at number one in a standard league is a no brainer to me.
Terry: Football is a young man’s game, and historically, running backs have their best years in their early to mid twenties. I’m not saying that LT is old, but Peterson has undeniable talent and is on his way up. Keep in mind that he totaled 1,341 rushing yards and missed two games with a knee injury. He returned in week 13, but he was clearly not 100% the rest of the season. He plays behind a great offensive line and the passing game now has a deep threat with the addtion of Bernard Berrian to keep defenses from stacking the box with safeties. If he plays in 16 games, 2,000 rushing yards is attainable. AP will have more yards and TDs than LT - draft him first.
2. Is Larry Johnson still a top 10 running back?
George: Hard to believe I’m going to say this, but I think the answer is no. In no particular order, the backs I would take ahead of Johnson are as follows: LT, AP, Addai, Westbrook, Jackson, Barber, Portis, Lynch, Grant, and Gore. I have Johnson in the next group with about three or four others. The Chiefs are a bad team with not much of a threat in the passing game, which will force Johnson to see a ton of eight man fronts. I also see KC being behind early and often, forcing them to pass the ball instead of running it.
Terry: I think that LJ sneaks into the top ten, just ahead of Grant. Yes, the Chiefs are a bad team, but they know where there strength is - running a smashmouth style, power rushing attack, mixed with a short passing game. I think that Tony Gonzalez and Dwayne Bowe will do enough to give LJ space to be effective. Ten TDs and 1,300 rushing yards is achievable, which will also make him a great value if you get him after the first ten running backs.
3.Will Derek Anderson repeat his breakout season or is he a one year wonder who may lose his starting job to Brady Quinn if his struggles?
George: I truly do believe in Derek Anderson, but anytime you have a young backup quarterback who was drafted in the first round, you know you don’t have much room for error. With that being said, Quinn is not having that good a camp, which should give Anderson some breathing room. Anderson holds on for the season.
Terry: Anderson’s emergence was real, and so was his excellent connection with his talented receiver, Braylon Edwards and TE Kellen Winslow. His TD total of 29 will be tough to repeat, as teams will no longer be surprised by his ability, but he should be picked at the top of the second tier of QBs. The job is his as long as his interceptions don’t get out of control, an area which was a problem last season. His 19 picks were tied for second most among NFL starters.
4.Can Willie Parker triple his total of two rushing touchdowns from last season?
George: This will not be as easy as it sounds. Rookie first round running back Rashard Mendenhall is sure to get his share of carries, and most pundits believe he will be the goal line back, although the Steelers did state that Parker would also get the ball close to the goal line. My answer would be no. I think Mendenhall and Parker will pretty much split the number of touchdowns, and since the question was rushing touchdowns and not touchdowns I�m going to be on the negative side of this one.
Terry: Last season was a shock for fantasy owners who drafted Parker as one of the top running backs, based in part on is 13 rushing TDs in 2007. I don’t see him reaching 13 again, with the presence of Mendenhall as a power back to balance Parker’s speed. But just on the high number of carries he gets (his 321 were the highest in the AFC, despite missing the last game), he’ll find the end zone at least six times on the ground.
5.Should Donovan McNabb be drafted in the top fourth of the 32 starting quarterbacks?
George: Pretty easy one for me here - absolutely. I think Donovan could be in store for a big year. This is his second season back from major knee surgery, so his mobility should be much better. The Eagles have a limited window to compete and they will go for it this season. Plus, who would you take over him? P. Manning, Brady, Brees, Romo, Roethlisberger, and Palmer. After that your decision probably comes down to McNabb or QBs like Hasselbeck and Garrard, and maybe Bulger. McNabb is a safer bet to me.
Terry: I would not consider McNabb a safe bet at all, based on his penchant for injury. In addition, his stats were not overly impressive in the 14 games he started, totaling just 19 passing TDs, 0 rushing TDs and averaging only 237 passing yards per game. He also does not have a premier receiver to throw to, like many others in the top tier. In addition to the aforementinoed quarterbacks, I’d take Anderson, Favre and even Schaub before McNabb, leaving him outside the top eight.
6. Who’s more likely to register 2000 total yards from scrimage - Reggie Bush or Brian Westbrook?
George: I’ll go with Westbrook. Neither player is a lock to play all 16 games, but we know Bush is more of a receiving threat than a running one. That would eliminate him from this conversation. Plus the Saints are loaded with weapons; Marques Colston and Jeremy Shockey will need their share of touches, whereas Westbrook is the main man in Philly.
Terry: While the Saints will use Bush frequently as a pass catching threat, Westbrook has delivered both on the ground and in the air, averaging 2,010 yards from scrimmage each of the last two years. Steven Jackson and Frank Gore will also get close, but Westbrook is the king in this arena.
7.Is the Mike Martz offensive system going to help or hurt Frank Gore’s value?
George: In touchdown driven leagues I think it will hurt, while in yardage driven leagues I believe it will help. The 49ers are not loaded with many offensive weapons and are having a training camp battle at quarterback, so Martz is going to have to get the ball to Gore whether he wants to or not, but I don�t see the 49ers lighting up too many scoreboards.
Terry: Gore is a super talent and Martz will find a way to utilize him as the focal point of this offense. There have been some comparisons with Marshall Faulk, when he was putting up eye-popping stats with the Rams, but I don’t think Gore will meet those lofty expectations. However, he should be in double digits for total TDs and among the league leaders in touches and total yards.
8.Who should be drafted first (in standard scoring leagues) Maurice Jones-Drew or Fred Taylor?
George: Taylor is getting up there in age and has always been an injury risk. Don’t get me wrong - he’s a great back and I wouldn�t mind having him, but I like Jones-Drew more. He’s a beast to stop in short yardage situations and you just know he’s going to get the ball near the end zone.
Terry: Taylor has put together two excellent seasons in a row, averaging 78 yards rushing per game, starting 15 games in each of them. However, he has only reached the end zone on the ground five times in each of the last two seasons and is a non-factor in the passing game. While Jones-Drew may not compile as many yards on the ground (he averaged 55 yards per game the last two seasons), he has superior receiving skills and is a force near the goal line. Jones-Drew should be drafted first.
9.Which Jets player will benefit the most from the addition of Brett Favre - Laveranues Coles, Jerricho Cotchery or Thomas Jones?
George: Both Coles and Cotchery will both benefit greatly. Pennington was a consistent quarterback, but could only throw the ball 20 or so yards downfield. Clemens has a rifle for an arm but pretty much didn’t know where the ball was going. This made it pretty easy for the defense to defend the Jets. With Favre now at quarterback, defenses are forced to plan for the deep ball. Not only will this open up passing lanes for the Coles and Cotchery, but it will give them room to run after they catch the ball. Favre’s ability to spread the field will give the explosive Coles the most upside.Terry: The upgrades the Jets made to the offensive line made Jones a better proposition than last season, even before the Favre acquisition. Now with Favre forcing teams to spread the coverage on defense, it will give Jones more room to run out of the backfield. He is one of the top sleepers for this year and should have stats similiar to his 2005 season with the Bears, when he posted 1,335 yards and 9 TDs.
10. Is drafting a running back with your first two picks still a good strategy?George: Fantasy football has generally been dominated by the running back position since the early 90’s. First it was Emmit Smith, then Marshall Faulk, then Shaun Alexander, and most recently LaDainian Tomlinson. They would dominate their leagues by scoring over 20 touchdowns and rushing for more than 1,500 yards. Nowadays however, most teams use a two back system, believing that no running back can take the pounding of rushing the ball 30+ times. Where in the past I was a big believer in grabbing RBs in the first two rounds, I no longer swear by this strategy. If Tom Brady or Peyton Manning fall into your lap late in the first round or early second round you certainly have to think about grabbing them. Teams are passing the ball more and more and as Ron Jaworski of ESPN states, “points come from the passing game”. There are quite a few QBs now who could throw for more than 30 touchdowns. Brady, P. Manning, Brees, and Romo are among those. Where there may only be one or two running backs who have a shot at 20.
Terry: This answer certainly depends on if you play in a league which rewards three, four or six points for quarterback touchdowns. But even in the leagues which do not reward six points, it is foolish to pass up on a top five QB to take a second RB, because there are so few of quarterbacks who offer every week consistency. Is there a very big difference between selecting Marshawn Lynch, who many believe will be a top ten RB over Jamal Lewis, who can be obtained a round or two later? Stastically, the answer is no. However, there is a huge difference in a QB like Drew Brees and someone like David Garrard or Jason Campbell, guys who you may end up with after all the better QB are gone in the first two to three rounds. Make sure to secure a top notch QB in one of the first two rounds.
George: As good as AP is, let’s not forget this is just his second season. LT is the cream of the crop when it comes to fantasy running backs. Not to mention, he doesn’t have to worry about Michael Turner taking away some of his carries, where as Chester Taylor will indeed take away carries from AP. The Chargers will also play a much easier schedule then Minnesota. LT at number one in a standard league is a no brainer to me.
Terry: Football is a young man’s game, and historically, running backs have their best years in their early to mid twenties. I’m not saying that LT is old, but Peterson has undeniable talent and is on his way up. Keep in mind that he totaled 1,341 rushing yards and missed two games with a knee injury. He returned in week 13, but he was clearly not 100% the rest of the season. He plays behind a great offensive line and the passing game now has a deep threat with the addtion of Bernard Berrian to keep defenses from stacking the box with safeties. If he plays in 16 games, 2,000 rushing yards is attainable. AP will have more yards and TDs than LT - draft him first.
2. Is Larry Johnson still a top 10 running back?
George: Hard to believe I’m going to say this, but I think the answer is no. In no particular order, the backs I would take ahead of Johnson are as follows: LT, AP, Addai, Westbrook, Jackson, Barber, Portis, Lynch, Grant, and Gore. I have Johnson in the next group with about three or four others. The Chiefs are a bad team with not much of a threat in the passing game, which will force Johnson to see a ton of eight man fronts. I also see KC being behind early and often, forcing them to pass the ball instead of running it.
Terry: I think that LJ sneaks into the top ten, just ahead of Grant. Yes, the Chiefs are a bad team, but they know where there strength is - running a smashmouth style, power rushing attack, mixed with a short passing game. I think that Tony Gonzalez and Dwayne Bowe will do enough to give LJ space to be effective. Ten TDs and 1,300 rushing yards is achievable, which will also make him a great value if you get him after the first ten running backs.
3.Will Derek Anderson repeat his breakout season or is he a one year wonder who may lose his starting job to Brady Quinn if his struggles?
George: I truly do believe in Derek Anderson, but anytime you have a young backup quarterback who was drafted in the first round, you know you don’t have much room for error. With that being said, Quinn is not having that good a camp, which should give Anderson some breathing room. Anderson holds on for the season.
Terry: Anderson’s emergence was real, and so was his excellent connection with his talented receiver, Braylon Edwards and TE Kellen Winslow. His TD total of 29 will be tough to repeat, as teams will no longer be surprised by his ability, but he should be picked at the top of the second tier of QBs. The job is his as long as his interceptions don’t get out of control, an area which was a problem last season. His 19 picks were tied for second most among NFL starters.
4.Can Willie Parker triple his total of two rushing touchdowns from last season?
George: This will not be as easy as it sounds. Rookie first round running back Rashard Mendenhall is sure to get his share of carries, and most pundits believe he will be the goal line back, although the Steelers did state that Parker would also get the ball close to the goal line. My answer would be no. I think Mendenhall and Parker will pretty much split the number of touchdowns, and since the question was rushing touchdowns and not touchdowns I�m going to be on the negative side of this one.
Terry: Last season was a shock for fantasy owners who drafted Parker as one of the top running backs, based in part on is 13 rushing TDs in 2007. I don’t see him reaching 13 again, with the presence of Mendenhall as a power back to balance Parker’s speed. But just on the high number of carries he gets (his 321 were the highest in the AFC, despite missing the last game), he’ll find the end zone at least six times on the ground.
5.Should Donovan McNabb be drafted in the top fourth of the 32 starting quarterbacks?
George: Pretty easy one for me here - absolutely. I think Donovan could be in store for a big year. This is his second season back from major knee surgery, so his mobility should be much better. The Eagles have a limited window to compete and they will go for it this season. Plus, who would you take over him? P. Manning, Brady, Brees, Romo, Roethlisberger, and Palmer. After that your decision probably comes down to McNabb or QBs like Hasselbeck and Garrard, and maybe Bulger. McNabb is a safer bet to me.
Terry: I would not consider McNabb a safe bet at all, based on his penchant for injury. In addition, his stats were not overly impressive in the 14 games he started, totaling just 19 passing TDs, 0 rushing TDs and averaging only 237 passing yards per game. He also does not have a premier receiver to throw to, like many others in the top tier. In addition to the aforementinoed quarterbacks, I’d take Anderson, Favre and even Schaub before McNabb, leaving him outside the top eight.
6. Who’s more likely to register 2000 total yards from scrimage - Reggie Bush or Brian Westbrook?
George: I’ll go with Westbrook. Neither player is a lock to play all 16 games, but we know Bush is more of a receiving threat than a running one. That would eliminate him from this conversation. Plus the Saints are loaded with weapons; Marques Colston and Jeremy Shockey will need their share of touches, whereas Westbrook is the main man in Philly.
Terry: While the Saints will use Bush frequently as a pass catching threat, Westbrook has delivered both on the ground and in the air, averaging 2,010 yards from scrimmage each of the last two years. Steven Jackson and Frank Gore will also get close, but Westbrook is the king in this arena.
7.Is the Mike Martz offensive system going to help or hurt Frank Gore’s value?
George: In touchdown driven leagues I think it will hurt, while in yardage driven leagues I believe it will help. The 49ers are not loaded with many offensive weapons and are having a training camp battle at quarterback, so Martz is going to have to get the ball to Gore whether he wants to or not, but I don�t see the 49ers lighting up too many scoreboards.
Terry: Gore is a super talent and Martz will find a way to utilize him as the focal point of this offense. There have been some comparisons with Marshall Faulk, when he was putting up eye-popping stats with the Rams, but I don’t think Gore will meet those lofty expectations. However, he should be in double digits for total TDs and among the league leaders in touches and total yards.
8.Who should be drafted first (in standard scoring leagues) Maurice Jones-Drew or Fred Taylor?
George: Taylor is getting up there in age and has always been an injury risk. Don’t get me wrong - he’s a great back and I wouldn�t mind having him, but I like Jones-Drew more. He’s a beast to stop in short yardage situations and you just know he’s going to get the ball near the end zone.
Terry: Taylor has put together two excellent seasons in a row, averaging 78 yards rushing per game, starting 15 games in each of them. However, he has only reached the end zone on the ground five times in each of the last two seasons and is a non-factor in the passing game. While Jones-Drew may not compile as many yards on the ground (he averaged 55 yards per game the last two seasons), he has superior receiving skills and is a force near the goal line. Jones-Drew should be drafted first.
9.Which Jets player will benefit the most from the addition of Brett Favre - Laveranues Coles, Jerricho Cotchery or Thomas Jones?
George: Both Coles and Cotchery will both benefit greatly. Pennington was a consistent quarterback, but could only throw the ball 20 or so yards downfield. Clemens has a rifle for an arm but pretty much didn’t know where the ball was going. This made it pretty easy for the defense to defend the Jets. With Favre now at quarterback, defenses are forced to plan for the deep ball. Not only will this open up passing lanes for the Coles and Cotchery, but it will give them room to run after they catch the ball. Favre’s ability to spread the field will give the explosive Coles the most upside.Terry: The upgrades the Jets made to the offensive line made Jones a better proposition than last season, even before the Favre acquisition. Now with Favre forcing teams to spread the coverage on defense, it will give Jones more room to run out of the backfield. He is one of the top sleepers for this year and should have stats similiar to his 2005 season with the Bears, when he posted 1,335 yards and 9 TDs.
10. Is drafting a running back with your first two picks still a good strategy?George: Fantasy football has generally been dominated by the running back position since the early 90’s. First it was Emmit Smith, then Marshall Faulk, then Shaun Alexander, and most recently LaDainian Tomlinson. They would dominate their leagues by scoring over 20 touchdowns and rushing for more than 1,500 yards. Nowadays however, most teams use a two back system, believing that no running back can take the pounding of rushing the ball 30+ times. Where in the past I was a big believer in grabbing RBs in the first two rounds, I no longer swear by this strategy. If Tom Brady or Peyton Manning fall into your lap late in the first round or early second round you certainly have to think about grabbing them. Teams are passing the ball more and more and as Ron Jaworski of ESPN states, “points come from the passing game”. There are quite a few QBs now who could throw for more than 30 touchdowns. Brady, P. Manning, Brees, and Romo are among those. Where there may only be one or two running backs who have a shot at 20.
Terry: This answer certainly depends on if you play in a league which rewards three, four or six points for quarterback touchdowns. But even in the leagues which do not reward six points, it is foolish to pass up on a top five QB to take a second RB, because there are so few of quarterbacks who offer every week consistency. Is there a very big difference between selecting Marshawn Lynch, who many believe will be a top ten RB over Jamal Lewis, who can be obtained a round or two later? Stastically, the answer is no. However, there is a huge difference in a QB like Drew Brees and someone like David Garrard or Jason Campbell, guys who you may end up with after all the better QB are gone in the first two to three rounds. Make sure to secure a top notch QB in one of the first two rounds.
How To Get To Boardwalk In Real Life
I wrote in a piece I posted on a different website about how Americans have become engulfed in their entertainment. I think with this Age of Technology you see more and more a shift in how people spend their time and spend their day. In a lot of ways it has been extremely beneficial for us as a society. Computers, cell phones, the internet and any mixture of those three phenomenon like Blackberries, text messaging and E-mail has made production a lot less time consuming. With this, people are able to build businesses and even industries around these extremely efficient business machines and methods. From there, you see your upper middle class and above incomes, known as your consuming class, have more money to consume, and have more disposable time to consume. With such a drastic change in the sociological structure of society evolving the way it has, you begin to see a shift in the way consumers use their time and their money.
This brings me to my question. Why do Americans, when given ample time and resources to choose from, insist on flipping the script on everything that used to be considered the “Norm” in entertainment? TV used to be dominated by situational comedies and shows that portrayed fantasy, shows that were based in fiction, shows that were sold on fiction and that adhered to rules not available to the outside, real world. Sports, on the other hand, were supposed to be a glass house depiction of real life. Well, what happened? Reality TV has taken over the country. Look at American Idol, the formerly iconic Survivor, Dancing with the Stars and even real-life fictional crime dramas CSI and Without a Trace. All of these shows are supposed to reflect reality, when they cross over into that fantasy realm, they are immediately discredited and become ridiculous. Shows like Inside Edition, TMZ and E! News has made celebrities actual lives more interesting and compelling than the characters they portray on the screen. The same effect has crossed over into sports. Look at the NFL. What has been the prevailing factor in expanding the NFL’s audience into this young era? The answer is fantasy. The most interesting part of actual real competition is fantasy. Take the Madden franchise for example. EA creates the most realistic representation of football you can find around. Hell, EA can use their engines to create projections of how a team’s season will play out compared to certain variables. And the craziest part? They’re accurate! The players have bought into this too. Players make no secret to the creators of Madden what they have been doing in their off-season in order too secure a higher agility rating in Madden 2009. With all the advances and all the Artificial Intelligence and all the data being plugged into these games, a Madden franchise can actually become a full time job. Some gamers, the elite players, actually use their Madden skills as a job, and make very nice livings.
The same goes with fantasy football. Now come on, has there ever been a more warped measure of football knowledge than success in your Fantasy Football league? Take the 11 all stars you drafted from a 32 team pool into an 8 team league, pay no attention to chemistry, development, coaching or line play, and then hope your players score the most touchdowns or have the most YAC. Nice work Mr. Parcells. Your team, the “Flying Banditos of Buzra”, just won its 3rd straight title in the “Forty Year Old Virgin” keeper league your friend the process server started 5 years ago on Yahoo.com. Can I interest you in running the Patriots?
Here’s my take. People that have more time, and more access to information, demand more involvement in the things they consume. However, they don’t want to actually learn about it. They just want to strip it down to its simplest standards and then enjoy it. Reality TV, Fantasy Football and Madden 2009 are like the 2008 version of Monopoly. Sure, you may think you’re a business man when you win it, but when you get out in the real world you best not bank on landing on Chance and having the card read, “Advance to Boardwalk.”
www.passitdeep.com
www.letsgodeep.cm
This brings me to my question. Why do Americans, when given ample time and resources to choose from, insist on flipping the script on everything that used to be considered the “Norm” in entertainment? TV used to be dominated by situational comedies and shows that portrayed fantasy, shows that were based in fiction, shows that were sold on fiction and that adhered to rules not available to the outside, real world. Sports, on the other hand, were supposed to be a glass house depiction of real life. Well, what happened? Reality TV has taken over the country. Look at American Idol, the formerly iconic Survivor, Dancing with the Stars and even real-life fictional crime dramas CSI and Without a Trace. All of these shows are supposed to reflect reality, when they cross over into that fantasy realm, they are immediately discredited and become ridiculous. Shows like Inside Edition, TMZ and E! News has made celebrities actual lives more interesting and compelling than the characters they portray on the screen. The same effect has crossed over into sports. Look at the NFL. What has been the prevailing factor in expanding the NFL’s audience into this young era? The answer is fantasy. The most interesting part of actual real competition is fantasy. Take the Madden franchise for example. EA creates the most realistic representation of football you can find around. Hell, EA can use their engines to create projections of how a team’s season will play out compared to certain variables. And the craziest part? They’re accurate! The players have bought into this too. Players make no secret to the creators of Madden what they have been doing in their off-season in order too secure a higher agility rating in Madden 2009. With all the advances and all the Artificial Intelligence and all the data being plugged into these games, a Madden franchise can actually become a full time job. Some gamers, the elite players, actually use their Madden skills as a job, and make very nice livings.
The same goes with fantasy football. Now come on, has there ever been a more warped measure of football knowledge than success in your Fantasy Football league? Take the 11 all stars you drafted from a 32 team pool into an 8 team league, pay no attention to chemistry, development, coaching or line play, and then hope your players score the most touchdowns or have the most YAC. Nice work Mr. Parcells. Your team, the “Flying Banditos of Buzra”, just won its 3rd straight title in the “Forty Year Old Virgin” keeper league your friend the process server started 5 years ago on Yahoo.com. Can I interest you in running the Patriots?
Here’s my take. People that have more time, and more access to information, demand more involvement in the things they consume. However, they don’t want to actually learn about it. They just want to strip it down to its simplest standards and then enjoy it. Reality TV, Fantasy Football and Madden 2009 are like the 2008 version of Monopoly. Sure, you may think you’re a business man when you win it, but when you get out in the real world you best not bank on landing on Chance and having the card read, “Advance to Boardwalk.”
www.passitdeep.com
www.letsgodeep.cm
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