Well, congratulations! You officially made it! I know what is on your mind, and we are almost there. While your World Cup fantasy team kept your mind occupied for a couple of weeks, you were still thinking about IT. Well, IT is almost here. That’s right, fantasy football is right around the corner! There were some big surprises last year. How about Chris Johnson simply dominating as if he was running on the Lions’ defense all year? The fact that Bret Favre cannot only still move around without orthopedic shoes but still be one of the top point-getters amongst all quarterbacks? In fact, the old gun-slinger (can we please come up with another nickname for him that I can print?) outscored some of the top pre-season ranked QBs such as Tom Brady, Phillip Rivers and Tony Romo. How can we not be impressed with Andre Johnson’s continuous climb to the top of the wide receiver food chain? Johnson caught 101 passes for 1,569 yards and nine TDs.
Let the rankings begin with the quarterbacks. Here is the first top-15 QBs list for 2010:
1. Drew Brees - New Orleans Saints
Brees has averaged 32 TDs per season and 295 yards per game over the past three seasons. Why wouldn’t he flirt with those numbers again?
2. Aaron Rodgers - Green Bay Packers
In two years of being the full-time starter, Rogers has averaged 29 TDs (and 4.5 rushing TDs) per season and 264.75 yards per game.
3. Peyton Manning - Indianapolis Colts
Manning is good at two things: inappropriate acts with Oreos and being consistent on the field. Whoever wants a QB who has averaged over 30 TDs the past three years, raise your glass of milk.
4. Tom Brady - New England Patriots
Throwing to a contract-year Randy Moss will benefit Brady and his owners. He will top last year’s numbers of 28 TDs and an average per game of 274.9 yards.
5. Matt Schaub - Houston Texans
All Houstonians are Texans, but not all Texans are Houstonians. Who really cares? Andre Johnson is really good, and Schaub throws to him. Add a full season of Owen Daniels as an option, and you have a top-five fantasy QB.
6. Tony Romo - Dallas Cowboys
Romo had a great year (26TDs and 280.2 yards per game) while having Roy Williams jog around the field. Now he has a potential stud in Dez Bryant passing Williams by.
7. Brett Favre - Minnesota Vikings
Even at 40 years old, Favre threw for 33 TDs, only seven INTs and averaged 262.6 yards passing per game last season. With Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin and Bernard Berrian to throw to, Favre should have another excellent fantasy year.
8. Phillip Rivers - San Diego Chargers
Rivers threw for 28 TDs last season, but losing Vincent Jackson for three games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy will hurt.
9. Kevin Kolb - Philadelphia Eagles
DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant, Brent Celek…options. Kolb has been waiting in the Eagles’ wing for his chance, and when Philly traded QB Donovan McNabb in the offseason, Kolb was given the keys to the offense.
10. Chad Henne - Miami Dolphins
Now with a little professional experience and a true number-one receiver in Brandon Marshall, look for Henne and the Dolphins to have a very nice season until they both leave to play for the Miami Heat.
11. Jay Cutler - Chicago Bears
With Mike Martz taking over as offensive coordinator, the Bears will be sure to pass more. Vander-bilt a TD machine and this is his year.
12. Joe Flacco - Baltimore Ravens
Flacco will build on last year’s play (21 TDs) with new weapon Anquan Boldin.
13. Eli Manning - New York Giants
Cooper’s little brother had a nice season last year with a career high 27 TDs and averaging 253.8 yards per game. The “Other Steve Smith” became the “Real Steve Smith” and gives Manning a solid target every down.
14. Donovan McNabb - Washington Redskins
New team and a new hunger. McNabb has lost a step but still threw for 22 TDs and rushed for two more last season.
15. Vince Young - Tennessee Titans
If Young can just keep it together mentally, he could be even higher on this list. But until he goes a season without some sort of personal issue, he will not crack the top ten.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Summer Bats Heat Up
The past month in fantasy baseball has delivered some interesting stats. Some hitters finally woke up, began producing and even beat out some of the game’s more consistent point-getters.
Outfielder Chris Young of the Arizona Diamond Backs showed off why he was once considered a top young prospect. Young hit only .261 but hit six homers and drove in 17 runs to go along with his seven stolen bases. These numbers produced more points than Matt Holiday of the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ shortstop, Rafael Furcal, brought back memories of when he was one of the best players at his position. Furcal hit .322 with four home runs, 18 RBI and even had four steals. Those numbers beat out Hanley Ramirez of the Florida Marlins.
Carlos Quentin, outfielder for the Chicago White Sox, was a major piece of the Sox’s rejuvenation. Q posted a .303 average with eight homers and 21 RBI. Those numbers were much better than those of the Dodgers’ Matt Kemp.
One of the bigger surprises of the past month was the Florida Marlins’ outfielder, Chris Coghlan. Batting a solid .302 with eight homers and 21 RBI, Coghlan produced more points than the Detroit Tigers’ Magglio Ordonez. Coghlan does have the advantage of having an emotionally rocking ballad penned and sang by Creed’s (yes, THAT Creed’s) front man, Scott Stapp, entitled “Marlins Will Soar” uplifting the team and every individual that can hear, including Billy the Marlin, every home pre-game. “Marlins Will Soar” may be the audio version of steroids or a song that will never be remembered.
One interesting line is that of Vernon Wells of the Toronto Blue Jays. After a torrid start, and having been a huge fantasy point-scorer, Wells has been a disappointment. Hitting just .193, with 13Ks and an awful .264 OBP, Vernon has many people asking: is Wells done?
Outfielder Chris Young of the Arizona Diamond Backs showed off why he was once considered a top young prospect. Young hit only .261 but hit six homers and drove in 17 runs to go along with his seven stolen bases. These numbers produced more points than Matt Holiday of the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ shortstop, Rafael Furcal, brought back memories of when he was one of the best players at his position. Furcal hit .322 with four home runs, 18 RBI and even had four steals. Those numbers beat out Hanley Ramirez of the Florida Marlins.
Carlos Quentin, outfielder for the Chicago White Sox, was a major piece of the Sox’s rejuvenation. Q posted a .303 average with eight homers and 21 RBI. Those numbers were much better than those of the Dodgers’ Matt Kemp.
One of the bigger surprises of the past month was the Florida Marlins’ outfielder, Chris Coghlan. Batting a solid .302 with eight homers and 21 RBI, Coghlan produced more points than the Detroit Tigers’ Magglio Ordonez. Coghlan does have the advantage of having an emotionally rocking ballad penned and sang by Creed’s (yes, THAT Creed’s) front man, Scott Stapp, entitled “Marlins Will Soar” uplifting the team and every individual that can hear, including Billy the Marlin, every home pre-game. “Marlins Will Soar” may be the audio version of steroids or a song that will never be remembered. One interesting line is that of Vernon Wells of the Toronto Blue Jays. After a torrid start, and having been a huge fantasy point-scorer, Wells has been a disappointment. Hitting just .193, with 13Ks and an awful .264 OBP, Vernon has many people asking: is Wells done?
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