Fantasy Sports Review

One of the things I have enjoyed the most - as I have been going division to division offering up my early bird analysis - is reading your comments and hearing your assessment of the teams and divisions. You are educating me and helping me stay sharp. Just wanted to thank you for that.

For today’s post I am going to take on the division that is near and dear to my heart, the NFC North. Why is it near and dear you ask? Well my beloved Vikings are a part of this division.

I am going to look at this as objectively as possible BUT as you can imagine, it is almost impossible to write this without some sort of bias.

While on one hand I may overvalue my team in one category, on the other I am just as afraid of giving them to good of a grade and jinxing them. I am a bit superstitious when it comes to the Vikes to years and years of shattered expectations. They are usually better than expected or worse than expected. I will do my best but feel free to keep me honest.

With that out of the way lets do it. Here are my thoughts on the NFC - and in the words of ESPN’s Chris Berman - Norse;

2008 NFC North Final Standings:

1) Green Bay Packers

2) Minnesota Vikings

3) Chicago Bears

4) Detriot Lions

Thoughts:

Although it is tempting to go Minnesota now that Jared Allen is wearing purple, but I will stick with the Packers (hopefully I am wrong). Basically my choice for division winner comes down to the quarterback. Although it is hard to put all my chips on Aaron Rodgers it is even harder to put my chips on Tavaris Jackson. Both teams have top ten defenses, exceptional o-lines and top shelf play makers on offense.

The Bear offense is a huge question mark - and that’s being nice. The defense started to show some vulnerability because the offense stinks. That only leaves them with Devon Hester and unfortunately he can’t do it all.

I wanna put Detroit in the three spot but I’ve bet on them in the past and they just seem to find a way to blow it no matter how good they look on paper.

Fantasy Notes:

Can Aaron Rodgers pick up where Favre left off? All that we really know about Rodgers is what we saw in the Cowboys game last year. What he does in the pre-season will go a long way in determining where he - and his supporting cast - will go in a fantasy draft. Seeing as how it will be an unknown there could be some good value here.

The acquisition of DE Jared Allen easily makes the Vikings defense a top ten fantasy defense (hell, you could make a pretty case for top five). Teamed with two pro bowl tackles, the pressure this line should be able to create will create multiple opportunities to get sacks and create turnovers. I am betting they will command a pretty high draft position in your fantasy draft.

The Bears defense and Devon Hester are about the only stories here. Chicago’s offense is such a huge question mark it is hard to pin point any fantasy value. However, everyone will be flying way under the radar - for good reason - and in my 18 years of experience, these are the types of situations that usually harbor good value. Keep an eye on the draft, the remainder of free agency and training camp.

With Martz gone I get the feeling that Marinelli will take the offense into more of ball control style offense (if they can play defense… stay tuned). That will devalue Kitna and the receiving corps a bit but could provide an opportunity for a running back.

Kevin Jones is gone and Tatum Bell couldn’t seem to get it going. The Lions are rumored to be looking running back in the first round and could get one of the blue chippers. A young stud could make some noise here.

That’s it for the North. I’ll be back in a week or so with my thoughts on the NFC South. The draft will be complete at that point so it should be interesting to see how that impacts my selections. For the record I am thinking Saints BUT like I said, we’ll see how the draft pans out. See you next time.

If you are reading this post you are either getting ready for the first round of your fantasy football playoffs, are looking for that one players to help put you in the playoffs or you are in a no playoff league. Either way, congrats because you are still in it!

The good thing about fantasy football sleepers and waiver wire pick-up this time of year is that there isn’t much competition for them. You, my friend, get the pick of the litter because half your league either isn’t looking for anyone because they are out of it or some of the other teams in the playoffs may be satisfied to just roll with what they have. You shouldn’t be.

Look this list over and make sure you aren’t missing an upcoming match up that could give you an edge

May be available now…
Ladell Betts RB (WAS) - Portis injured his ankle against the Bills late in the game and didn’t return. The Redskins have a short week and play the Bears at home Thursday night. Not much time for Portis to recover. Betts would be a great start against a Bears defense that gives up a lot on the ground this year.

Chris Brown RB (TEN) - LenDale White suffered a shoulder injury and Brown finished the game with 46 yards and a TD. If White misses this week Brown should be a solid starting at home against a so-so Charger rush defense.

Fred Jackson RB (BUF) - He showed that he could carry the load if Lynch or Thomas miss any more time. If he gets another start next week he will be a great start against Miami.

Bryant Johnson WR (ARI) - Fitzgerald missed Sundays game and now Boldin looks like he is injured as well. Bryant is very good in relief and easily a solid number two or three receiver on any fantasy team if either of Fitz or Boldin are out. Versus Cleveland he had 6 for 56 and a TD. He should’ve had another TD but dropped it.

Amani Toomer WR (NYG) - With the injuries mounting, Burress seems to get less and less effective with each passing week. Toomer is getting more and more looks from Manning. Against the Bears he had 6 for 69 and a TD.

Roddy White WR (ATL) - Not sure if he would be available but if he is he could be worth a shot this week against the Saints. He has been surprisingly consistent this year despite the rotating QB’s. He went 10 for 146 and a TD versus the Rams. He play a bad Saints passing defense next Monday at home.

Justin Gage WR (TEN) - He posted 5 for 64 and a TD. Four solid weeks in a row means he could be considered for a WR3 spot this week against San Diego.

Dallas defense - Not only are they playing better and better each week but They get to play Detroit this week. I’m not sure they are going to be available this late but just in case.

Trent Edwards QB (BUF) - He could be worth a start in deeper leagues. He had 257 against the Skins. Next up, Miami.

Keep an eye on…
Luke McCown QB (TB) - Word on Garcia is all over the place. Reports on his injury vary greatly. If it is serious and he misses more time, McCown would a decent option in deeper leagues. He had a solid game against the Saints throwing for 313 and 2 TD. Tampa next three games are against Houston, Atlanta and San Fran. Very good match-ups!

Gus Freotte QB (STL) - Likes to throw interceptions but he does have some great players to get the ball to. He went for 311 yards and 2 TD’s against Atlanta. If Bulger can’t go again this week, he gets another start this week he will play against a soft Bengals defense.

Chris Redman/Byron Leftwich/Joey Harrington QB (ATL) - Deep league special. Who know who will play this week but whoever does should be able to have success against the Saints on Monday night (just ask Luke McCown).

Sage Rosenfels QB (HOU) - Schaub went down and he did alright. Keep an eye on the situation. He doesn’t have the greatest match-up this week in Tampa Bay but he does have a few good receivers to throw to.

Aaron Rodgers QB (GB) - It looks like Favre will start this week but at least keep an eye on the situation because you never know. Rodgers isn’t Favre but it is a pretty goo offense to be at the head of.

Notable performances…
Leon Washington RB (NYJ) - 10 carries for 68 yards, 2 TD’s and 2 catches for 35 yards.

Roydell Williams WR (TEN) - Decent performance against Houston with 5 for 74 and a TD.

Sidney Rice WR (MIN) - He has three touchdowns in his last four games. Quietly, Sidney and Tavaris are developing a connection in Minnesota.

A few other resources you should check out are Fantasy Football Librarians waiver wire report and the Bruno Boys week 14 waiver wire report.