Fantasy Sports Review

The Minnesota Vikings may have made a big splash in the offseason by acquiring defensive lineman Jared Allen from Kansas City, but the team’s biggest asset is on the offensive side of the ball. The Vikings are not only the top-rated offensive line in their conference and division, but they might very well be the best in the National Football League. With Adrian Peterson, an improving young quarterback in Tavaris Jackson and the addition of wide receiver Bernard Berrian, Minnesota is set to pillage and plunder opposing defensives. And without the big horses up front, none of that would be possible.

Minnesota Vikings (1st in NFC North, 1st in Conference)
As stated above, the combination of Bryant McKinnie, Steve Hutchinson and Matt Birk give the Vikings the best left side in the NFL. That shady free agent signing of Hutchinson with the poison pill added to the contract looks huge now.

LT Bryant McKinnie
LG Steve Hutchinson
C Matt Birk
RG Anthony Herrera
RT Ryan Cook

Green Bay Packers (2nd in NFC North, 4th in Conference)
A few years ago Brett Favre was going to retire because this line didn’t have enough talent to compete. Well, last year they dominated, giving Favre plenty of time to operation while opening holes for little-known running back Ryan Grant as he burst on the scene.

LT Chad Clifton
LG Junius Coston
C Scott Wells
RG Jason Spitz
RT Mark Tauscher

Chicago Bears (3rd in NFC North, 6th in Conference)
This is a gritty but aging group up front, but the addition of first-rounder Chris Williams (14th overall) should help ease the pain. Now if only they could find a quarterback, and a running back.

LT Chris Williams
LG Terrence Metcalf
C Olin Kreutz
RG Roberto Garza
RT John Tait

Detroit Lions (4th in NFC North, 14th in Conference)
This group looked good in the first half of 2007, but they faded badly down the stretch to ensure quarterback Jon Kitna’s promise of 10 wins went unfulfilled. The addition of first-round pick Gosder Cherilus (17th overall) should help.

LT Jeff Backus
LG Edwin Mulitalo
C Dominic Raiola
RG Stephen Peterman
RT Gosder Cherilus

Well we are almost home, just one more division left before we round out the series. But hey don’t let that stop you from becoming a regular Goat reader - which by the way is very easy - and almost effortless - for you to do because…

In case you didn’t know, subscribing to the Goat is at the all time low price of free. You can subscribe to The Fantasy Football Goat by email and have this stuff in your inbox seconds after I post it or you can subscribe in your feed reader or on your home page. Either way you get the info fast and easy. Don’t understand this whole subscribing thing? Check out this short video on RSS. Isn’t technology great?

If you are anything like me, you are starving for any football discussion that doesn’t include Brett Favre (please make it stop!). So, I figured I would give you an update on a little mock draft that some very football savvy bloggers and I have been participating in over the last week or so.

So far, not many surprises but round two is a pick away and there are usually a few head turners to be had. Check it out.

Oh, and before I forget, make sure you stop by each of these blogs and add them to your reader (or sign up for email updates). That way you will never, ever miss even a morsel of fantasy football information from now until you are counting your first place cash.

Here ya go:

1. Curveballs 4 Jesus: L. Tomlinson

2. Sean McCall: A. Peterson

3. Football Burrito: J. Addai

4. Pancake Blocks: S. Jackson

5. West Coast Nonsense: B. Westbrook

6. Bruno Boys: T. Brady

7. The Hazean: M. Barber

8. Football Jabber: F. Gore

9. Fantasy Football Fools: C. Portis

10. Fantasy Football Geek Blog: M. Lynch

11. Fantasy Football Goat: Larry Johnson

12. Fantasy Football Librarian: Randy Moss

I was all over Marshawn Lynch until Matt and Brandon over at FFGeeksBlog wisely picked him just before me (props to them) which led me to taking Larry Johnson.

I’m not crazy about taking him considering the laundry list of question marks surrounding his supporting staff: the line, the QB and experience in general. But he’s the best player on his team (equaling touches), an every down back (rare these days) and has a schedule filled with “projected” weak run d’s.

Add to that the fact that you gotta think he’ll be playing with a chip on his shoulder after a dismal 2007. I’ll take my chances.

Judging by Adrian Peterson’s ESPN.com average draft position (58.4), a lot of people didn’t expect the 2007 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year to accumulate 1300-plus rushing yards and 13 total touchdowns his rookie campaign. Similarly, Bills rookie running back Marshawn Lynch (39.9 average draft position) finished his rookie season with more than 1100 yards and 7 touchdowns.

The lesson? While fantasy owners should be wary of rookie receivers and stay away from rookie quarterbacks, rookie running backs have become a worthwhile risk.

In the past four drafts, there have been 12 running backs taken in the first round–Lynch, Peterson, Reggie Bush, Laurence Maroney, DeAngelo Williams, Joseph Addai, Ronnie Brown, Cadillac Williams, Cedric Benson, Steven Jackson, Chris Perry and Kevin Jones. Excluding Perry (who only had two carries his rookie year), those backs averaged 862 yards and five touchdowns. When you take into account that Benson only had 272 rushing yards with no touchdowns and Bush spent much of his rookie season at wide receiver, those stats are even more impressive.

The message here is instead of considering the top rookie running backs in rounds three through five (where Peterson and Lynch were taken on average), for the most part these backs have been worthy of late first-round or second-round picks. Oh, and stay away from Cedric Benson.

Undoubtedly this means Darren McFadden will be, and should be, on of the top 10 to 15 running backs taken in next years’ fantasy drafts (What? Too early?). Consider yourself warned.

Well this is it, the last week of the fantasy football and NFL regular season. The last week always leaves you with a bittersweet feeling. On one hand it sucks since the season is over and there will be no more Sundays with a full slate of games. On the other hand we have the playoffs, you gotta love the play-offs.

Anyway, this week presents us with challenges unlike any other during the regular season. Who’s playing and who’s sitting. Who will be giving it their all and who will be on the bench resting in the second half.

Lets try to finish the season in style by finding that one last gem of a pick-up to surprise your opponent next week. Here we go. Oh, and before I forget, merry Christmas to you.

May be available now…
Najeh Davenport/Carey Davis RB (PIT) - It may be too late if you haven’t made a move yet but one of these guys may be decent next week. With a higher seed still on the line, which one gets the most playing time versus Baltimore may depend on the outcome of Monday nights Chargers/Broncos match-up.

Kenny Watson RB (CIN) - If Rudi is out again next week Kenny could be a good play against the Dolphins bad rush defense.

TJ Duckett RB (DET) - If you are desperate you could give TJ a look if Kevin Jones misses action. He takes on the Packers who will not be playing for anything and will be looking to stay healthy.

Dominic Rhodes RB (OAK) - Looks like he may be the guy in Oakland after Sundays 115 yard performance. Plays a San Diego team that may or may not be playing to win.

Adrian Peterson RB (CHI) - He will face the Saints lackluster defense this week.

Mike Anderson/Musa Smith RB (BAL) - McGahee suffered a rib injury of some sort and I don’t know a whole lot right now but one of these dudes could be worth something if you are desperate. They face the Steelers who may or may not be trying next week.

Kevin Curtis/Reggie Brown WR (PHI) - If you need a guy or two to replace a part-timer, these guys get Buffalo at home this week and should be able to score some points.

Seneca Wallace QB (SEA) - Atlanta sucks against the pass and Seneca could be playing a lot this week if Hasselbeck rests up for the playoffs. He has started before.

Chris Redman QB (ATL) - He has had 298 and 315 yards with touchdowns each in two of his last three starts. This week he plays the Seattle second stringers.

Cleo Lemon QB (MIA) - Could be a decent bet this week at home against the Bengals.

Luke McCown QB (TB) - Everything is set for them. The starters were pulled early last week so you have to think Luke will get the nod this week. He could be alright versus Carolina.

Keep an eye on…
Defense - Just some food for thought. There may be a few defenses that won’t play as well because starters will sitting BUT with all of the second stringers playing there could be a few other defense that could take advantage. Keep an eye on who starts and who doesn’t in the games this week.

A few that jump out at me are Washington, Tennessee and Detroit. Washington is playing for a play-off spot against a TO-less Dallas team that may be sitting others on offense. Tennessee won’t be getting Indy’s best effort. Detroit may be playing against a third string QB if Favre doesn’t play long.

Last chance to check out RotoHog.com because it is not too late to sign up, pick a great team for this week and win some of the great prizes (like 30 gig iPods). Best of all you get to see how fun it is to play, so when next year starts, you can hit the ground running and go for the big prize (this year it is $100,000…I’m 69 overall).

I just figured you might want to use your fantasy skills to win a little more before the season is over. See if you can outscore me this week. Sign up for RotoHog now!

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

As always I will be updating throughout the week if anyone jumps out at me. Also, I know many of you see things I don’t, feel free to throw down some of your thoughts below in the comments.

Welcome to week 13 and this weeks fantasy football sleeper and waiver wire watch. I like to list more players than most other sites because I play in some deeper leagues and I need to look a little deeper.

This week I am changing things up a bit. I am adding a section called “Notable performances.” The section will note unlikely players who had good weeks but I don’t feel are worthy of a pick up quite yet. That is unless you are desperate. Lets get to it.

May be available now…
**UPDATE** Cecil Sapp RB (DEN) - Believe it or not, it appears that now the status of Andre Hall is in question this week. Mike Bell is another option but he fumbled last week and Shanahan doesn’t forgive to easily. Facing a great match-up against the Raiders this week whoever runs the ball for Denver will be a hot commodity. That said…Man, it is getting hard to keep up with the Denver backfield lately.

**UPDATE** Bobby Engram WR (SEA) - Looks like D.J. Hacket is hurting again and will miss a few weeks. Grab Engram if he is available.

**UPDATE** Fred Jackson RB (BUF) - Who? Turns out that Anthony Thomas’ status for this weeks game is in question. If he or Lynch can’t go, some guy named Fred Jackson should get the call. He had 10 carries for 65 yards last week.

Adrian Peterson RB (CHI) - Benson went down and it didn’t look to good. In my opinion there were many times that Peterson looked better than Benson the way it was. If Benson misses any time, Peterson is a hot pick-up and should be very useful down the stretch.

Andre Hall RB (DEN) - Hopefully you grabbed him last week when Young went down but if not you might want to now. This week 98 rushing, 2 for 69 receiving and a touchdown. Not bad. His value does depend on the status of Young and Henry but he at least makes a very solid handcuff.

Tony Scheffler TE (DEN) - Every week it seems he is being used more and more. This week 5 for 82 and a TD against the Bears. If you are not thrilled with the play of your tight end or have injury problems - aka Todd Heap owners - he is worth a roster spot.

Javon Walker WR (DEN) - He should return any week now. If someone dumped him he could be gold down the stretch.

Isaac Bruce WR (STL) - 6 catches for 63 yards and a touchdown. He has quietly been having a decent season. A solid spot starter as a WR3.

Anthony Thomas RB (BUF) - The A-Train is putting up decent stats and a few decent match-ups on the way if Lynch misses more and more time. A solid RB3 and a possible spot starter at RB2.

Keep an eye on…
**UPDATE** Heinz Field Turf (PIT) - Listening to Sirius NFL this morning I heard Randy Cross and Bob Pappa talking about the weather outlook for Pittsburgh this week. Not good when you are trying to repair trashed grass. Keep an eye on it if you have any Steelers or Bengals.

**UPDATE** Anyone With A Pulse RB (MIA) - I will update you when I have more info but be aware that all of the backs in Miami are hurt. Patrick Cobbs was in the game for awhile last night but the conditions were so bad it is hard to tell how effective he would be. Although it should be noted that he didn’t appear to block well and pick up blitzes which isn’t good.

**UPDATE** Greg Lewis WR (PHI) - Could he be Feeleys favorite target? Who knows foresure right now but keep an eye on him. 4 for 88 and 2 TD’s versus the Patriots.

A.J. Feeley QB (PHI) - He was able to hang with the Patriots and, minus throwing a pick for a touchdown, looked good doing it. If McNabb misses anymore time Feeley could be serviceable down the stretch.

Trent Dilfer QB (SF) - 256 yards, two touchdowns and no turnovers. Big day but I have to see more. Why didn’t they just throw Frank the damn ball weeks ago?

Justin Gage WR (TEN) - He’s been on the list three week in a row. This week he posts 4 catches 98 yards. He seems to be Vince’s favorite target and, if the defense keeps stinking like they have been, they will be playing from behind alot.

Gus Frerotte QB (STL) - He didn’t have a great day fantasy wise - and he pretty much lost the game for the Rams - but he does throw to guys like Tory Holt, Isaac Bruce and Stephen Jackson.

Notable performances…
Anthony Gonzalas WR (IND) - His value depends a great deal on the status of Harrison. Either way he showed us some things last Thursday with 6 catches for 105 yards.

Sidney Rice WR (MIN) - 3 for 82 and a touchdown. Most of the yards were on one play but this guy is gonna be good when he gets more experience and a quarterback.

A few other resources you should check out are Fantasy Football Librarians waiver wire report and the Bruno Boys week 13 waiver wire report.

As always I will be updating throughout the week if anyone jumps out at me. Also, I know many of you see things I don’t, feel free to throw down some of your thoughts below in the comments.