Fantasy Sports Review

With the 2008 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, it’s an exciting time for rookies who were lucky enough to land a job. On the flip side, it can be a nervous time for veterans, even established ones. Just last summer, Donovan McNabb dodged reports that his days were numbered after quarterback Kevin Kolb was drafted by the Eagles. McNabb, who was coming off an injury but yet was a proven performer, was all but run out of town by the media as trade rumors swirled. McNabb went on to put those doubters to rest as each week his performance improved along with his health. Moral to the story – if McNabb’s not safe after all he’s done for Philadelphia, than no one is sacred. The following players will be hearing footsteps this summer.

Willie Parker, Pittsburgh
The Steelers clearly missed The Bus last season, so even if Parker returns fully recovered from his leg injury, top pick Rashard Mendenhall should see plenty of action. The rookie clearly fits the Steelers smash-mouth approach to the game, as he should become more of the workhorse in this offense. Parker will get demoted to a situational, change-of-pace assignment. Fantasy impact: 5 (on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest)

Marion Barber, Dallas
You don’t take a running back with your top pick if you don’t think it’s a position need. Felix Jones is more than an ample replacement for the departed Julius Jones. His breakaway speed, as compared to Barber’s gritty, grind-out-the-yards style, should earn him lots of carries. If he becomes a home run threat, than there will be less goal line carries for the hard-chargin’ Barber. And with only one ball to go around, expect the fresh-legged Jones to get the bulk of the carries. Fastasy impact: 4

Justin Fargas, Oakland
Darren McFadden is a fast, powerful and exciting option that the Raiders haven’t had in quite some time in their backfield. Much like Jones in Dallas, McFadden offers too much potential to be brought along slowly. Expect to see Fargas in more obvious passing situations for his ability to pick up the blitz. Otherwise it should be McFadden left, McFadden right and McFadden up the middle. Fantasy impact: 4

Tatum Bell, Detroit Lions (Corey’s two cents)
Look out Tatum hear comes Kevin Smith. Who is Kevin Smith you say? Only the holder of the second highest rushing total for a season in NCAA history (2567 yards in 2007). If you are into karma - or just like to know useless sports facts - get this, who holds the all time single season rushing record? None other than Mr. Barry Sanders. Anyway, Mel Kiper has already gone on record as saying he thinks Kevin will be starting opening day AND some think Kevin’s style is perfect for the Lions zone blocking scheme. Fantasy Impact: 3.5

DeAngelo Williams, Carolina
For a team with obvious needs on defense to take a running back with its first round pick, it tells you the Panthers are serious about making changes in the backfield. So expect to see lots of Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart. Fantasy impact: 3

Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes and Nate Washington, Pittsburgh
I’m not sure who, but Limas Sweed should easily become one of Ben Roethlisberger’s favorite targets as the year progresses. So whether he supplants Ward, who might have lost a step, or one or both of Pittsburgh’s other young wide receivers, expect Sweed to play as big as his 6-foot-4 frame. Fantasy impact: 3

Kyle Boller, Baltimore
For a split second following the retirement of Steve McNair, it looked like Boller was going to get one more chance to prove he’s the man. Then came Joe Flacco, who Baltimore traded back and then up to get late in the first round. And it’s not just the drafting of a quarterback, but it’s the way they did it. Clearly the Ravens feel Flacco is their guy, so why delay the inevitable? Flacco should get thrown to the wolves because a good defense and a running game can take a young QB a long way. Fantasy impact: 2

Chris Baker, New York Jets
The New York Jets dismal offense should get a shot in the arm from speedy tight end Dustin Keller. The Purdue product should give either mediocre Jets quarterback a reliable target over the middle, and that might do wonders for this offensively challenged team. Fantasy impact: 2

Can you feel the tension build every time you’re deciding on who to put into your starting line-up? Me too my friend. That could only mean one thing; it is crunch time.

It’s that time of the year where the championship money is within your grasp and the yearlong bragging rights are on the line. Your fantasy football league playoffs are only a handful of weeks away and you need that extra little something that will put you over the top. Here are few suggestions for you.

Start’em if you got’em

Marshawn Lynch RB (BUF) - Everything you watched him do last week, expect to see it again because the Dolphin’s just plain stink against the run. In fact, the only team in the league that is worse than Miami in that category is the Broncos (more on them later). Lynch had his break out game last week and tasted success NFL style. Look for him to build on last weeks performance with 125+ yards and one touchdown rushing with 4 catches for 50 yard and a touchdown receiving.

Final stats: 61 and a TD rushing. 3 for 24 receiving.
Final thoughts: Looks like Miami came to play defense this week.

Justin Fargas RB (OAK) - This guy has been quietly getting it done the last few weeks and that should continue this week at home against Chicago. Believe it or not Oakland is 4th in the league at rushing the ball. Meanwhile, Da’ Bears are giving up 130 yards per game on the ground. I don’t see why Justin can’t post at least 100 and punch it in for a touchdown.

Final stats: 81 yards rushing, 5 catches for 23 receiving and zero touchdowns.
Final thoughts: Oakland had a hard time getting across the fifty. Must have been an ugly game to watch.

Sit’em if you’ve got em

Maurice Jones-Drew RB (JAC) - Unless you are desperate for a starter this week you better put him down against the Titans. They are playing lights-out by only allowing 66 yards per game on the ground. Add to that the fact that he is still splitting time with Fred Taylor and whoever else Jack decides to hand the ball to around the goalline and you have yourself a ticket to a low scoring week. Expect 40 yards and a big fat goose egg in the touchdown column.

Final stats: 101 and a TD rushing. 3 for 28 receiving.
Final thoughts: Had I known Haynesworth for Tennessee was going to be a late scratch, I might have look elsewhere for this pick.

Steve Smith WR (CAR) - Guess what Steve had the last time he faced the Falcons? One catch for 10 yards. Ouch! Besides that he really hasn’t been doing much of anything for a few weeks now and it is hard to imagine that he will do much better especially with the quarterback situation. Even if they play Vinnie and gloves will both likely be playing at less than 100%. And do you really want to put your playoff hopes in the hands of a third string QB if they can’t? I’ll let you answer that. As much as it hurts I think it is best to play it safe and sit the guy down until things get a little more stable for the Panthers. I doubt he gets much more than 4 catches for 45 yards and no touchdown.

Final stats: 5 for 61 receiving
Final thoughts: Sucks if you own Steve Smith right now.

Tom Brady QB (NE) - He is on a bye and I thought it would be interesting to see what his name looked like underneath the sit’em headline. He’s not on my team so I think it looks pretty damn good. In my lock of the week TB goes for zero yards, zero touchdowns and still gets mentioned at least once on every NFL pre and post game show.

Sleepers: don’t be surprised if…

…Priest Holmes RB (KC) relives a little of the glory days this week against the Broncos worst ranked rushing defense. He won’t get all of the snaps but I bet he gets a big enough chunk to make him a solid number two running back in most leagues. The guy is a warrior and has been proving people wrong constantly. There is no reason why he shouldn’t be able to muster at least 100 yards and two touchdowns. Yep, I said two.

Final stats: 65 yards and 0 TD’s rushing. 2 for 14 receiving.
Final thoughts: Missed this one but who woulda thunk it. Like Miami above the Broncos defense looking to climbing out of the rushing defense cellar with a solid performance.

…the Oakland Raiders Defense picks off Griese at least three times and returns one of them for a score. The Raiders have an excellent pass defense. They are fourth in defending the pass and are sixth in the league in picks (and we all know how well the Bears rockslingers protect the ball). Even if the Raiders don’t have the best rushing defense in the league, the Bears are 31st so it shouldn’t really matter. Raiders get 16 points allowed, 2 sacks, 3 int’s and a touchdown.

Final stats: 17 points allowed, 3 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 0 int’s and 0 touchdowns.
Final thoughts: They held the Bears to 3 points until 3:11 left in the game when they gave up a 59 yard reception and then rushing touchdown from a turnover inside their five yard line. I am surprised there weren’t any picks especially when Grossman made it in to the game.

As always, that is not all my friend. There are a few other stops you should make before finalizing your starting lineup.

First, make sure you stop by and see how the Fantasy Football Librarian can help you. Every week she posts all of the start’em sit’em articles, player ranking posts and waiver wire lists that she can find so that you don’t have to hunt for them yourself. Check her out and tell her the Goat says hi.

Second, you can get more in-depth NFL player projections throughout the week by checking out the Bruno Boys website over on MVN.com.

Third, be on the lookout for the weekly fantasy football start’em sit’em podcast I co-host with Marc Caviglia.