The AFC East has a dynasty on the fall, a team on the rise, and a trendy sleeper pick to make the postseason. The division should come down to the final weeks and should be 1 of the leagues closer battles. Here are my thoughts:
1. New England - This could be the last year for the Patriots as we know them as Tom Brady and Randy Moss enter the final years of their contracts. With a coach like Belichick the Patriots will always be in contention. They don't seem to be the heavy favorites they have been in the past and that might just be right where they want to be. I expect the defensive draft picks to play well and this team should be right around 11 wins and atop this division.
Fantasy stud - Tom Brady, QB. Right now, people are viewing him as the #4-6 QB depending upon the rankings and that is steal in my opinion.
Fantasy sleeper - Julian Edelman, WR. Even though he is playing in the preseason, Wes Welker's status could be up in the air and Edelman could develop into a similar type player.
Fantasy Lame - Any Patriot RB. They are the ultimate committee, cannot be trusted for consistent fantasy production.
2. Miami Dolphins - The Dolphins have quietly built a solid team in Miami. The innovative Wildcat took the league by storm a few seasons ago, but now they might have a more traditional look as WR Brandon Marshall gives the Fins a legitimate target. This team struggled with closing out games last year (see Colts and Saints games) but this year I feel like they might put it together - I see 10 wins and a playoff berth for this team.
Fantasy stud - Brandon Marshall, WR. He has been able to take over a game like very few wideouts can - he is almost a lock for 100+ catches and 10 TDs.
Fantasy sleeper - Brian Hartline, WR. While Marshall will get a majority of focus from opposing defenses, Hartline could find himself with room to move.
Fantasy Lame - I don't hate Chad Henne, but I am going to make him prove his worth before I endorse him.
3. New York Jets - All the expectations are on the Jets after a surprise run to AFC title game last year and a an off season where they seemingly added every big name free agent available. I like the team but I see flaws. QB Mark Sanchez seems to be getting praise for handing the ball off. More will be expected of him this year and I don't know if I believe in him. Braylon Edwards is supposed to be a pro bowl wideout, yet he still hasn't learned to catch the ball. LaDanian Tomlinson probably isn't an upgrade over Thomas Jones at this stage of his career. The defense looks solid but they are not the top unit without Revis. Bottom line, this team is good but not great and I think 8 wins is what I am going to give them.
Fantasy stud - Shonn Greene, RB. This team will pound the football and Greene will be the lead man even with LT in the backfield.
Fantasy sleeper - Santonio Holmes, WR. He will be the clear cut #1 option for Sanchez when he returns from suspension and you can get him at a bargain considering where he is going.
Fantasy lame - Edwards, WR. The guy has had the drops every since he got into the league, but because of a uniform change things are going to change? Unlikely.
4. Buffalo Bills - Things could get ugly in Buffalo. This team might be on the clock come next January. Play making rookie CJ Spiller is the lone bright spot on the offensive side of the ball. I see 2 games this team can possibly win. Not looking good.
Fantasy stud - CJ Spiller, RB. Go draft him, hell be a home run hitter.
Fantasy lame - anybody not named Spiller.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
AFC North Preview
I could not be any more excited for football season and what better way to do that than by breaking down each division. As football season approaches I will try and keep my updates more regular, at least 2 or 3 a week. Something else I am preparing for is fantasy football so with each team preview I will give you a fantasy stud (a player you want and need), a fantasy sleeper (a player you can target in the middle to late portion of your draft but has big potential), or a fantasy lame (you want to stay away from lames unless you, yourself, are lame).
But for now, I will start with a division near and dear to my heart, the AFC North. Each team has intriguing story lines as we look ahead at the 2010 season. Here they are in my predicted order of finish.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers - I know Big Ben is out for at least 4 games. I know they lost a big time playmaker in Santonio Holmes and the offensive line has question marks, but I believe in this defense. Injuries to star safety Troy Polamalu made the Steel Curtain defense breakable during 2009 and I dont see it breaking in 2010. I view this team as a 11-13 win football team.
Fantasy Stud - Rashard Mendenhall, RB. He'll be a late 1st early 2nd round target, but I believe the Steelers will get back to the smash mouth running game we associate with them. Mendenhall has a chance to bust out of the gate early with some big numbers because he will likely be the person who produces in Big Ben's absence.
Fantasy Sleeper - Steelers D. This is 1 of the D's I am coveting. They will sack the QB, they will cause turnovers, they will go back to being a top defensive unit
Fantasy Lame - I think Ben Roethlisberger can have a nice season, but he misses at least 4 games and it will take time for him to gel with his WR. He is no longer a top 10 QB and should be considered a late round backup at best.
2. Baltimore Ravens - As long as Ray Lewis is in Baltimore, the Ravens will be known for defense. But this year, things might change as the Ravens have plenty of weapons on offense. Joe Flacco will need to continue to develop and he has the receivers around him. This team has Super Bowl expectations, and I think they have the formula to win in January but I am predicting 9-10 wins and a playoff berth for this team.
Fantasy Stud - Anquan Boldin, WR. I know Ray Rice gets all the love, but he has to share with 2 other RBs. I can see Boldin putting up numbers similar to his rookie season when he busted on the scene with 101 catches and 1300 receiving yards now that he doesnt have to share the ball with Larry Fitzgerald.
Fantasy Sleeper - Willis McGahee, RB. He scored 14 total TDs last year and everyone is in love with Ray Rice, I dont understand it.
Fantasy Lame - Ray Rice, RB. Look, hes going to have a fine season but I am not going to be the person who drafts him in the top 5. He has to share touches with Willis McGahee (a former 1st round pick making big $) and Leron McLain who can be a punishing runner himself.
3. Cleveland Browns - What, not dead last! Go ahead and leave your homer comments, but I think the players have bought in to what Mangini is selling and this team will surprise people. Things change so fast in the NFL, and I feel like the Browns will be able to be competitive in almost every one of there games. The defense should be improved seeing that they made a few significant additions in the off season to shore up the defense. I am predicting 6-8 wins for this 2010 Browns team.
Fantasy Stud - Jerome Harrison, RB. He finished strong last year and the team rewarded him by drafting a running back in the 2nd round. But fortunately for Harrison, Hardesty is injury prone and is already injured, likely out for all of preseason. Harrison will benefit from a solid offensive line and lack of a passing attack.
Fantasy Sleeper - Brian Robiskie, WR. Everyone is saying he has made great strides in the off season. He could be a worthy last pick addition if he is able to catch a few TD passes.
Fantasy Lame - Josh Cribbs, WR/RB/Wildcat QB/Punt Returner/Kick Return/Safety?. This do it all player has real value to a real football team. For your fantasy team, Cribbs has little upside unless your league counts return yardage.
4. Cincinnati Bengals - Somebody has to lose. I know they picked up T.O. But Im still not a fan of there passing offense. The Bengals won a lot of close games last year and could have easily had a double digit loss season instead of 10 wins. This year, I think luck balances out and the Bengals lose more than they win. Im giving this team 5-6 wins.
Fantasy Stud - I really dont want to call him a stud but there is nobody else I like besides Cedric Benson. He is a talented back, who runs hard, but is also injury prone. Invest at your own risk with him.
Fantasy Sleeper - Bernard Scott, RB. He is an exciting football player and if given an opportunity he could be an explosive fantasy player. Take a flyer on him you might be surprised.
Fantasy Lame - Carson Palmer, QB. He lost the ability to throw because he didnt want to have Tommy John surgery. If a QB cant get the ball down field, it will be difficult to produce big time numbers even with big name WR.
But for now, I will start with a division near and dear to my heart, the AFC North. Each team has intriguing story lines as we look ahead at the 2010 season. Here they are in my predicted order of finish.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers - I know Big Ben is out for at least 4 games. I know they lost a big time playmaker in Santonio Holmes and the offensive line has question marks, but I believe in this defense. Injuries to star safety Troy Polamalu made the Steel Curtain defense breakable during 2009 and I dont see it breaking in 2010. I view this team as a 11-13 win football team.
Fantasy Stud - Rashard Mendenhall, RB. He'll be a late 1st early 2nd round target, but I believe the Steelers will get back to the smash mouth running game we associate with them. Mendenhall has a chance to bust out of the gate early with some big numbers because he will likely be the person who produces in Big Ben's absence.
Fantasy Sleeper - Steelers D. This is 1 of the D's I am coveting. They will sack the QB, they will cause turnovers, they will go back to being a top defensive unit
Fantasy Lame - I think Ben Roethlisberger can have a nice season, but he misses at least 4 games and it will take time for him to gel with his WR. He is no longer a top 10 QB and should be considered a late round backup at best.
2. Baltimore Ravens - As long as Ray Lewis is in Baltimore, the Ravens will be known for defense. But this year, things might change as the Ravens have plenty of weapons on offense. Joe Flacco will need to continue to develop and he has the receivers around him. This team has Super Bowl expectations, and I think they have the formula to win in January but I am predicting 9-10 wins and a playoff berth for this team.
Fantasy Stud - Anquan Boldin, WR. I know Ray Rice gets all the love, but he has to share with 2 other RBs. I can see Boldin putting up numbers similar to his rookie season when he busted on the scene with 101 catches and 1300 receiving yards now that he doesnt have to share the ball with Larry Fitzgerald.
Fantasy Sleeper - Willis McGahee, RB. He scored 14 total TDs last year and everyone is in love with Ray Rice, I dont understand it.
Fantasy Lame - Ray Rice, RB. Look, hes going to have a fine season but I am not going to be the person who drafts him in the top 5. He has to share touches with Willis McGahee (a former 1st round pick making big $) and Leron McLain who can be a punishing runner himself.
3. Cleveland Browns - What, not dead last! Go ahead and leave your homer comments, but I think the players have bought in to what Mangini is selling and this team will surprise people. Things change so fast in the NFL, and I feel like the Browns will be able to be competitive in almost every one of there games. The defense should be improved seeing that they made a few significant additions in the off season to shore up the defense. I am predicting 6-8 wins for this 2010 Browns team.
Fantasy Stud - Jerome Harrison, RB. He finished strong last year and the team rewarded him by drafting a running back in the 2nd round. But fortunately for Harrison, Hardesty is injury prone and is already injured, likely out for all of preseason. Harrison will benefit from a solid offensive line and lack of a passing attack.
Fantasy Sleeper - Brian Robiskie, WR. Everyone is saying he has made great strides in the off season. He could be a worthy last pick addition if he is able to catch a few TD passes.
Fantasy Lame - Josh Cribbs, WR/RB/Wildcat QB/Punt Returner/Kick Return/Safety?. This do it all player has real value to a real football team. For your fantasy team, Cribbs has little upside unless your league counts return yardage.
4. Cincinnati Bengals - Somebody has to lose. I know they picked up T.O. But Im still not a fan of there passing offense. The Bengals won a lot of close games last year and could have easily had a double digit loss season instead of 10 wins. This year, I think luck balances out and the Bengals lose more than they win. Im giving this team 5-6 wins.
Fantasy Stud - I really dont want to call him a stud but there is nobody else I like besides Cedric Benson. He is a talented back, who runs hard, but is also injury prone. Invest at your own risk with him.
Fantasy Sleeper - Bernard Scott, RB. He is an exciting football player and if given an opportunity he could be an explosive fantasy player. Take a flyer on him you might be surprised.
Fantasy Lame - Carson Palmer, QB. He lost the ability to throw because he didnt want to have Tommy John surgery. If a QB cant get the ball down field, it will be difficult to produce big time numbers even with big name WR.
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