Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Running Back Rankings

1. Adrian Peterson
2. Chris Johnson
3. Maurice Jones-Drew
4. Frank Gore
5. Ray Rice
6. Michael Turner
7. Steven Jackson
8. Ryan Grant
9. Shonn Green
10. Beanie Wells
11. Rashard Mendenhall
12. Jonathon Stewart
13. Jamaal Charles
14. DeAngelo Williams
15. LeSean McCoy
16. Matt Forte
17. Cedric Benson
18. Michael Bush
19. Ryan Matthews
20. Justin Forsett
21. Clinton Portis
22. Brandon Jacobs
23. Ben Tate
24. LaDainian Tomlinson
25. Pierre Thomas
26. Felix Jones
27. Jerome Harrison
28. Tashard Choice
29. Jahvid Best
30. Joseph Addai
31. CJ Spiller
32. Ronnie Brown
33. Ricky Williams
34. Darren McFadden
35. Tim Hightower
36. Steve Slaton
37. Reggie Bush
38. Marion Barber
39. Wilis McGahee
40. Correll Buckhalter
41. Anthony Dixon
42. Fred Jackson
43. Donald Brown
44. Darren Sproles
45. Montaio Hardesty
46. Ahmad Bradshaw
47. Toby Gerhart
48. Cadillac Williams
49. Chester Taylor
50. Kevin Smith

Running Back Rankings

Quarterback Rankings

1. Aaron Rodgers
2. Drew Brees
3. Payton Manning
4. Tom Brady
5. Joe Flacco
6. Matt Schaub
7. Phillip Rivers
8. Tony Romo
9. Matt Ryan
10. Kevin Kolb
11. Jay Cutler
12. Donavon McNabb
13. Chad Henne
14. Vince Young
15. Brett Favre
16. Carson Palmer
17. Matt Leinert
18. Matthew Stafford
19. Ben Roethlisberger
20. Sam Bradford
21. Alex Smith
22. Kyle Orton
23. Matt Cassell
24. Jason Campbell
25. Matt Hasselbeck
26. David Garrard
27. Mark Sanchez
28. Brady Quinn
29. Matt Moore
30. Josh Freeman

Quarterback Rankings

Fantasy Football Is Here!

It is time for you to dominate your fantasy league. With my help, you will do fine. Here is my Matthew Berry style Love/Hate list.

Guys I Love
Aaron Rodgers
Joe Flacco
Jay Cutler
Eli Manning
Kevin Kolb
Matt Ryan
Ben Roethlisberger- championships are won in week 16 or 17. Ben will be back by then.
Chad Henne
Carson Palmer
Matt Lienert
Jermichael Finley
Zach Miller
John Carlson
Frank Gore
Michael Turner
Shonn Green
Matt Forte
Felix Jones
Michael Bush
LT
Ben Tate
Steve Slaton
Tashard Choice
Roddy White
Greg Jennings
Michael Crabtree
Sidney Rice
Mike Wallace
Santana Moss
Early Doucet
Devin Aromashadu
Derrick Mason
Josh Morgan
Malcom Floyd
Arrelious Benn
Mike Williams
Devin Thomas
Jabar Gaffney
Darrius Hayward-Bey

Guys I Hate
Drew Brees
Matthew Stafford
Dallas Clark
Antonio Gates
Vernon Davis
Tony Gonzalez
Steven Jackson
Rashard Mendenhall
Ryan Matthews
Pierre Thomas
Joseph Addai Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaate him
Ronnie Brown/ Ricky Williams
Reggae Bush
All Browns, Patriots, Bills, and Redskin running backs
Reggie Wayne
Both Steve Smiths
Chad Ochocinco
Mike Sims-Walker
Dwayne Bowe
Vincent Jackson

Friday, February 19, 2010

AL Central Fantasy Sleepers

The AL Central underwent a lot of changes this off season, but there are still a bunch of guys that can help you in your fantasy draft if you draft them properly.

White Sox
Gavin Floyd/ John Danks SP I put these two together because they are very similar. They both had outstanding 2008's and sub-par 2009's. If you are the gambling type, there is no reason not to give them another shot. They are low in the rankings after the off year, but the talent is still there. I'm not a huge Danks fan, but Floyd has great talent and could be a big winner again if you regains command.
Gordon Beckham- 2B This is actually a warning as opposed to me telling you to draft him. I believe that everyone is prematurely drinking the Beckham koolade. He had a great impact last year after his recall. He hit 14 home runs, drove in 63 runs while hitting .270 in his first 103 major league games. However impressive these numbers are, I still feel he is vulnerable to a sophomore slump. He is currently a top 10 third basemen according to ESPN's rankings and will be even higher at second base once he acquires eligibility there, yet he is only 103 games into his career. I need to see a little more before I draft him in the first 10 rounds.

Twins
Nick Blackburn SP Over his last 7 starts, he went six plus in six games and gave up fewer than three in each of those starts. He is a low strikeout guy, but he will deliver wins and low peripherals. Definitely a guy worth taking late and holding on to to see if he develops into an ace.
Scott Baker SP He had poor stats for 2009 but he was dealing with injuries and was actually very good over the second half. I think that he has a similar value as he did going into last year but you can get him far later. Great value here with huge upside.
Joe Mauer C How can a second round guy be a sleeper? Because he should be a first round guy, thats how. He puts up great stats and considering position scarcity, I think he is going to be an enormous value. Plus, he will singlehandedly win you the average category or make up for a guy like Jack Cust or Mark Reynolds.
Also, Kevin Slowey and Francisco Liriano- I really like both of these guys to bounce back from injury in big ways. Liriano could put up fourth to fifth round value that you can grab late in the draft.

Indians
Grady Sizemore CF People seem to have forgotten exactly how good Grady is. After an injury-plagued 2009, people are dismissing him as a has-been. He is the 27th ranked player on ESPN. However, if you look at his 2008 and before, there is no reason to think he is done. In 2008, he hit 33 homers and swiped 38 bags. He also drove in 90 and scored 101 runs. He has scored as many as 134 runs in a season as well. He is still risky coming off injury, but if he gets back close to where he was, 27th overall is far too low.
Fausto Carmona SP Dont laugh. Yes, Fausto was wretched in 2009. He wasn't much better in 2008 if we're being completely honest. However, in 2007, he was very good. He posted 19 wins and stuck out 137. This is basically a lottery ticket pick, it he gets his form back, you look like a genius, if not, you're out a 25th round pick or less.

Tigers
Ryan Raburn UTL He will probably give you several different positions of eligibility and he will get enough at bats to make a difference for you this season. He hit .291 with 16 homers in limited duty last year. More regular at-bats should help those numbers.

Royals
Luke Hochevar SP Luke has unbelievable talent and has teased it for a while now. He got 25 starts last year and is penciled in as the number three in KC this year. If hes going to stick its going to be this year. Honestly I think he is a year away from a Greinke like explosion and perhaps we can expect pre-breakthrough Greinke like numbers, 13-10, ERA around 3.50, and 150 K's. Great value in the last round or undrafted.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

AL East Fantasy Sleepers

Its never too early to start thinking about the baseball draft. I looked at some of the AL East rosters looking for some sleepers, here are some potentials.
Baltimore:
Nolan Reimold OF I think there is a good chance that Reimold emerges this year as a legitimate power threat. He brings a solid average, .279 last year and his power is developing. I look for 25 HR's and 75 RBI's over the course of the year. A lot of value for a late round guy.
Nick Markakis OF Last year he was consensus second round pick and I think there is still some talent left in this guy. I think he still is a second rounder. He is going to slide this year, but I think he is going to explode in his post hype year.
Brian Matusz SP Top pitching prospect for the Orioles. There is a lot to like about this kid, he is tall and lanky and averaged almost 5 strikeouts per start in his first year in the bigs, great potential for improvement there.
BoSox
Daisuke Matsuzaka SP After pitching in only 12 games last year, I think there is a good chance that he bounces back this year. If you can get him late I think you should grab him. I would imagine he will be closer to his 2008 numbers of 18-3 with a 2.90 ERA than he would be to his stats from last year. This year's Chris Carpenter style lottery pick.
Clay Buchholz SP The much heralded prospect for the Sox finally arrived last year; this year he is here to stay. He is one of the most talented pitches in baseball and with an appropriate amount of innings this year, he could work his way towards ace status.
Toronto
Travis Snider OF Classic case of wanting to grab a guy before he explodes. He is penciled in to hold down right field for the Jays and will have every chance to show what he can do. Another middle to late round guy that you cannot count on, but if you are filling your bench, you might as well give this talented youngster a look.
Brandon Morrow SP Another very talented youngster for the Jays. He came over in the Halleday deal and has the potential to be an ace. He has been wildly inconsistent so far in his major league career but I think if he realizes his potential this year you could be looking at 15-9, 3.50, 170K's. You could do worse in the late rounds.
Tampa
Jeff Niemann SP Surrounded by such talents as Matt Garza and David Price, Niemann was overlooked lat year as was quietly the Rays best pitcher. There is nothing flashy about him, he just gets the job done. He lacked fantasy value last year with a low amount of strikeouts, but I think those will develop this year as he has another year of experience. He's not an ace, but you could certainly count of him to lower your ERA and WHIP.
Wade Davis SP In 6 starts at the end of the season, Davis was great. He recorded 2 wins, and ERA under 4 and a WHIP of 1.27. He figures to be the 5th starter this year and if he keeps his strong start up, I think he could be a top 20 pitcher. Definitely a guy you want.
Kelly Shoppach C He was aquired as a backup for Dioner Navarro but I have a feeling he is going to outhit Navarro and take the job. He only hit .214 last year, but his playing time was spotty. He hit .261 and had 21 bombs in 2008 so there still is hope for him. A great option if your looking for a backup catcher or are in a deep league.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Fantasy Thoughts continued

A couple more things Ive been thinking of regarding next year's fantasy football season
Jermichael Finley is going to be a beast. Outside of Gates, Witten, and Clark, I'm not sure there is another Tight End I would draft in front of him.

Shonn Green is the future. If the Jets retain Thomas Jones, it will only be in a back up role, Green will get the majority of the carries for this run happy team; also as Mark Sanchez learns to pass more effectively, the run will come even easier.

Its Felix you want in Dallas. Its been a tough year for owners of Dallas running backs as they shuffle them through. I believe next year will be a lot better as far as that goes as Felix Jones separates himself from the pack. Thoughts of Marion Barber being an elite back are just absurd. Felix Jones is more well rounded as a back and has home run potential every time he touches the ball. He isn't a first round worthy back because of the potential time share but he is the best of the time share backs as of right now.

Beanie Wells is for real. This is a guy i really like going into next year as a potential break out candidate. He can run and catch and if he learns to pass block he will be a star.

Miles Austin is the real deal. Treat him as a number one receiver. Second round consideration.

Packers defense will be in demand next fall. They are young, fast, and talented. Grab them and don't worry about it.

Monday, January 4, 2010

More Fantasy Thoughts

So remember when DeAngelo Williams was the back you wanted from the Carolina backfield? Yeah those days are over. Stewart is not just good; he's great. With two backs and holes everywhere else, it makes sense for the Panthers to deal one. Either way, Stewart is a first rounder next year and DeAngelo could have value depending on where he ends up.
Jeremy Maclin could be next years DeSean Jackson. They are similar and neither are slowing down.
Justin Forsett was a midseason sleeper for next year with a string of big games. He is not anything special however moving forward, dont value him more that a straight time share back.
What to make of the Houston backfield? Foster? Slaton? Chris Breezy? My thinking here is if you can grab Foster late go for it, if not dont bother with any of them as they prefer to throw anyway.
San Francisco is going to be a more balanced team next year. They cant go from grind it out to air it out back to grind it out again. I think SF is a team on the rise and I really like everyone; especially Gore, Morgan, Crabtree, VD, and Alex Smith
Julian Edelman the next Wes Welker, maybe better, the problem is that he is on the same team as the first one, limiting his value. If he is moved, he has tremendous value.
I like Jabar Gaffney. Everyone is dismissing his performance as garbage numbers put up when Marshall was out. Well guess what, Marshall is not coming back to Denver; Gaffney will play all season without him. He showed he could be a number one in his absence, definitely a sleeper choice that could be a boom pick.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Fantasy Thoughts

Some early thoughts for 2010.
Devin Armashodu is going to be a 2010 stud. I look for him to have number one receiver value as he and Cutler continue to build chemistry.
Speaking of the bears,I really think Forte is going to bounce back next year. He got over 69 rushing yards in 4 of the last 5 and with an improved offense next year, he will start hitting paydirt more.
Michael Crabtree is going to be a beast next year.
Andre Johnson will not. He finished this year poorly and will be over valued next year. I look for Fitz and Roddy White to be the top WR's next year.
Guys coming off of injury are going to be the thing next year. There are some you want; Turner, Owen Daniels, and Brady Quinn and some you dont; Ronnie Brown, Kevin Smith, Steve Slaton.
Apparently the Browns can run the football. This makes Jerome Harrison a top pick in the fall and gives more value to BQ, Mo Massaqoui, and Chansi Stuckey as a stronger rushing game helps out your passing game.
Lastly, Jamaal Charles is for real, the late season burst he has exhibited is impressive. He has not disappointed since he got the job, I dont think he will next year either.
Ok thats all for now, more later.