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Not So Obvious

May 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment

This week’s blog takes a look at a few players, some likely and others less so, who could break out as the top performer in their respective position this upcoming fantasy season:

QB: Tom Brady – Many experts are pegging Aaron Rodgers ahead of Brady as the #1 in the game’s most prolific position. Some may even select Drew Brees and Cam Newton higher than the two-time super bowl MVP. The Patriots look to be a powerhouse on the offensive side of the ball again in 2012, adding a deep threat in Brandon Lloyd and bringing Josh McDaniels back as the Offensive Coordinator. Couple that with the resigning of ultra-reliable Wes Welker and the emergence of Rob Gronkowski as one of the game’s premier TEs, and Brady could end up running away from the competition as the #1 QB this year.

RB: Ryan Mathews – He has only been in the league for two years, but despite not playing a full 16 games in either season, it feels like Mathews has gained the experience necessary to become an elite RB in any fantasy league. In the past, he was somewhat limited on carries, making his first 1,000 yard season very impressive. This year, Mike Tolbert has been shipped out, putting the spotlight directly on Mathews. Pair his natural talent with Robert Meachem, arguably the best run-blocking WR and the newly signed FB Le’Ron McClain, and the Chargers fans may be reminded of the kind of running game they enjoyed in the days of Ladanian Tomlinson’s tenure in southern California.

WR: Dez Bryant – While it is hard to imagine anyone leapfrogging Megatron as the #1 WR this year, Bryant, entering his third season, is primed to explode. While opponents facing Calvin Johnson now have adjusted and will be highly focused on containing him, Bryant, following his first full healthy offseason working closely with Tony Romo, enjoys the company of Miles Austin to distract defenses. He definitely has the complete skill set; if he puts it all together he could be the best WR contributor this year.

TE: Vernon Davis – The aforementioned Gronk and Jimmy Graham are the likely #1 and 2 in either order on paper, but VD is just as much a physical freak and will have a chance to really thrive this year.  Adapting well to Jim Harbaugh’s blue collar offense that elevates the role of the TE, Davis came on strong late in the year last season. Now, having future Hall of Famer Randy Moss and the dynamic Mario Manningham outside will allow plenty of room for Davis to work the middle, opening up the 49ers offense for big plays through the highly athletic TE.

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Don’t Forget About D

May 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Often overshadowed by the flashy play of RBs, WRs, and QBs racking up points every week is the Team Defense category that most fantasy formats include. In these types of leagues, having one of the better defenses is a definitive advantage; especially on occasions when a team produces a defensive gem, contributing significant points, it could be enough to turn a bad week into a victory.

A good defense gives an owner a sort of peace of mind. Some teams have gleaming defensive records over the past few seasons; ask fantasy owners who have rolled out the likes of the Green Bay Packers or the Baltimore Ravens against their opponents how important a reliable defense can be. Following this year’s draft and the developments of free agency so far, there may be some unlikely corps heading the pack in the 2012 season. Here are a few value plays for underrated defenses:

- The Denver Broncos were hugely inconsistent on the defensive side of the ball in 2011. They will rely on the adage that “the best defense is a good offense,” having signed Peyton Manning. Notwithstanding their other offseason moves, the Broncos D will get a boost in confidence from being backed by the future hall of fame QB that could translate to success.

- The Philadelphia Eagles quietly finished 2011 with the sixth highest fantasy-scoring defense despite their problems with winning games. The addition of DeMeco Ryans strengthens their linebacker corps, and a renewed energy surrounding a team with huge potential should help intimidate opposing offenses.

- The San Francisco 49ers ended the franchise’s best season in a few decades seventh overall in fantasy scoring defense. They are a smart play to repeat that success in 2012, simply because they are accomplishing a front office miracle in returning all 11 starters from last year’s unit. Adding Aldon Smith, who registered 14 sacks as a rookie, doesn’t hurt either.

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5 Rookies Who Could Make the Biggest Mid-Draft Impact

May 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

After the first, second, and third rounds of your fantasy draft have come and gone, and essential fantasy RBs (Arian Foster and Ray Rice), QBs (Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees), and WRs (Larry Fitzgerald and Calvin Johnson) are long off the board, it is time for the pivotal fourth, fifth, and sixth rounds. Starting to fill out your roster with second tier guys who will contribute serious value will mean the difference in depth that wins fantasy leagues year after year.

There are no shortage of quality players likely still available (Cam Newton, Victor Cruz, and Adrian Peterson will probably still be hanging around), but this is the time to consider taking a hard look at the incoming rookie class to find a potential fantasy diamond in the rough. Here are 5 of the newbies who may give their owners a competitive edge in this crucial stage of the draft:

1. RB Trent Richardson (CLE) – Richardson has the most obvious potential of rookies in this year’s fantasy leagues. He should get the large majority of the Browns’ touches, and has the talent to turn a high number of carries into a huge number of fantasy points.

2. QB Robert Griffin III (WAS) – RG3 commands a significant amount of fantasy interest, and for very good reason. He will be free in a new look Redskins offense to play his style, mostly outside the pocket, which means yardage and TDs from scrambles and carries in addition to his passing game.

3. RB Doug Martin (TB) – Martin should get a solid look in Tampa Bay, especially on third down situations; he has better hands and blocks better than LeGarrette Blount. He will have ample opportunity to contribute.

4. WR Michael Floyd (AZ) – He will have to deal with being Larry Fitzgerald’s teammate (Fitzgerald will probably be targeted upwards of 150 times this season), but Floyd has the size and the skill to be a quality receiver. He could be the biggest surprise contributor if defenses focus on Fitzgerald and leave him open.

5. WR Rueben Randle (NYG) – Randle joins a team of Super Bowl champs that will bring serious swagger to the field, and fits in nicely with a corps of receivers that lacks a true number 1. He will get plenty of looks from Eli Manning and will benefit from spread-out defenses trying to cover 3 or more quality wide outs at a time.

After the drafting is all done, the beginning of the season is always an exciting time. Look for a few rookies to quickly become breakout fantasy contributors who offer a big bang for your buck!

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What Do the Saints’ Suspensions Mean for the NFL’s 2012 Season?

May 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment

With Jonathan Vilma suspended for the entire 2012 season, the backlash from the Saints’ bounty program continues. In recent years, Drew Brees and other members of the Saints’ potent offense emerged as dependable fantasy plays, but it may be time to begin wondering what impact the absence of Coach Sean Payton and now one of the defensive and emotional leaders in Vilma will mean for the overall success of this team. The wheels seem to be coming off in New Orleans – off-field distractions and a difficult atmosphere in the locker room can wreak havoc on Sunday successes.

The scandal may have a wider impact on the entire NFL too. After the league promised to be more aggressive in player suspensions for illegal hits in 2011, many players have had to adapt their game to avoid supplemental discipline that can have severe costs for them and their teams. Suspensions due to on or off-field behavior can have a significant impact on a player’s approach to the game; intimidating defenses become slightly less so, and skilled offensive players have a little more breathing room. The effects of the Saints’ suspensions are as of yet unknown, but could influence matchup decisions come gametime.

The league is trying to be firm with its stance on inappropriate behavior that poisons the game of football, and this most recent suspension is the most striking to date. What do you think? Is Vilma’s suspension merited? What will be the consequences for the Saints and their opponents?

 

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