RB JAMAAL CHARLES, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Larry Johnson apologists need not read any further. But if, like me, you have trouble believing in LJ this year, Charles could be a guy to watch. The second-year pro is just another Johnson injury/suspension/meltdown away from being KC's feature back.
Charles averaged 5.3 yards a carry last season in limited duty. The one time KC did feature him in the backfield, he gave them an 18-carry, 106-yard effort against the Tampa Bay Bucs. Charles can also be used as a receiver - 27 receptions for 272 yards in '08 - in new coach Todd Haley's spread offense. For now he's a third-down back, but Charles has the potential to be much more and wouldn't be a bad pick as the last RB on your roster.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
8/30 Bust of the Day: Antonio Bryant
WR ANTONIO BRYANT, TAMPA BAY BUCS
Bryant was a pleasant surprise last year, finally delivering on his potential with a 83-catch, 1,248-yard, 7-TD season. But as good as he was for the Bucs last year, there's plenty of reason to dislike him this year.
Start with the torn meniscus in his knee, which has kept him sidelined for the preseason so far. Factor in the fact that he doesn't have much to work with at QB this year (Byron Leftwich has been named the Bucs' Week 1 starter), and also consider the well-traveled receiver's spotty track record, and that's enough for me to treat Bryant as a No. 3 fantasy WR this year instead of the No. 2 many have him pegged as.
Bryant was a pleasant surprise last year, finally delivering on his potential with a 83-catch, 1,248-yard, 7-TD season. But as good as he was for the Bucs last year, there's plenty of reason to dislike him this year.
Start with the torn meniscus in his knee, which has kept him sidelined for the preseason so far. Factor in the fact that he doesn't have much to work with at QB this year (Byron Leftwich has been named the Bucs' Week 1 starter), and also consider the well-traveled receiver's spotty track record, and that's enough for me to treat Bryant as a No. 3 fantasy WR this year instead of the No. 2 many have him pegged as.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
8/29 Sleeper of the Day: Ahmad Bradshaw
RB AHMAD BRADSHAW, NEW YORK GIANTS
Bradshaw brought the fire to the Giants' "Earth, Wind & Fire" running back trio of the past few years, providing a change of pace behind Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward. Now, with Ward in Tampa Bay, Bradhsaw should see an expanded role as Jacobs' primary backup.
The 5-foot-9, 198-pound Bradshaw is a violent and elusive runner with a low center of gravity and the speed to break off long runs. As No. 2 on New York's tailback depth chart, ahead of Danny Ware, Bradshaw is more than just a Jacobs handcuff - Ward rushed for more than 1,000 yards last year in the same capacity, and the Giants could be even more run-oriented in 2009 behind a veteran offensive line that returns intact and without Plaxico Burress as a receiving option. I have Bradshaw slotted 30th in my latest RB rankings, which makes him your top target as a No. 3 back and one of the top backups in the league.
Bradshaw brought the fire to the Giants' "Earth, Wind & Fire" running back trio of the past few years, providing a change of pace behind Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward. Now, with Ward in Tampa Bay, Bradhsaw should see an expanded role as Jacobs' primary backup.
The 5-foot-9, 198-pound Bradshaw is a violent and elusive runner with a low center of gravity and the speed to break off long runs. As No. 2 on New York's tailback depth chart, ahead of Danny Ware, Bradshaw is more than just a Jacobs handcuff - Ward rushed for more than 1,000 yards last year in the same capacity, and the Giants could be even more run-oriented in 2009 behind a veteran offensive line that returns intact and without Plaxico Burress as a receiving option. I have Bradshaw slotted 30th in my latest RB rankings, which makes him your top target as a No. 3 back and one of the top backups in the league.
Friday, August 28, 2009
8/28 Bust of the Day: DeAngelo Williams
RB DeANGELO WILLIAMS, CAROLINA PANTHERS
Can the unquestioned 2008 Fantasy MVP possibly be a bust in 2009? Depends on how you define bust ...
In my eyes, a bust is any player who doesn't live up to common expectations set for him, and by that criteria, Williams is bound to be one. The man scored 20 total TDs last year, after being an afterthought in most drafts and no better than a third RB on most teams to start the year. This season, he'll cost you a small fortune in an auction or a first-round pick in a regular draft. And if you're paying that kind of price, you're expecting Williams to come close to last year's numbers.
But can he? Remember, Williams' stats were padded just a bit by two 4-TD games last year, plus two games in which he rushed for more than 170 yards. He also cracked the 100-yard mark only once in his first seven games last year - which makes his second-half production that much more remarkable.
The problem with Williams is his backup, Jonathan Stewart, who is better-suited for goal-line duty and who will be part of a clear timeshare as soon as his nagging Achilles' injury heals. The Panthers should again boast the most run-heavy offense in the league, which means there will be plenty of carries for both Williams and Stewart. But frankly, I feel like Williams got a little lucky last year, and I believe his stats are bound to level off a little bit as Stewart takes on more respnosibility. I wouldn't be shocked to see Williams' TD total get cut in half this year and his yardage total dip down toward the 1,200- to 1,300-yard range. Those are impressive numbers, no doubt, but there are several other backs capable of duplicating them while not surrendering that many carries to a backup.
I penciled in Williams at No. 8 on my RB rankings, which makes him a late first-round/early second-round choice. Taking him any higher may leave you a bit disappointed if he's simply good and not great in 2009.
Photo by The Associated Press
Can the unquestioned 2008 Fantasy MVP possibly be a bust in 2009? Depends on how you define bust ...
In my eyes, a bust is any player who doesn't live up to common expectations set for him, and by that criteria, Williams is bound to be one. The man scored 20 total TDs last year, after being an afterthought in most drafts and no better than a third RB on most teams to start the year. This season, he'll cost you a small fortune in an auction or a first-round pick in a regular draft. And if you're paying that kind of price, you're expecting Williams to come close to last year's numbers.
But can he? Remember, Williams' stats were padded just a bit by two 4-TD games last year, plus two games in which he rushed for more than 170 yards. He also cracked the 100-yard mark only once in his first seven games last year - which makes his second-half production that much more remarkable.
The problem with Williams is his backup, Jonathan Stewart, who is better-suited for goal-line duty and who will be part of a clear timeshare as soon as his nagging Achilles' injury heals. The Panthers should again boast the most run-heavy offense in the league, which means there will be plenty of carries for both Williams and Stewart. But frankly, I feel like Williams got a little lucky last year, and I believe his stats are bound to level off a little bit as Stewart takes on more respnosibility. I wouldn't be shocked to see Williams' TD total get cut in half this year and his yardage total dip down toward the 1,200- to 1,300-yard range. Those are impressive numbers, no doubt, but there are several other backs capable of duplicating them while not surrendering that many carries to a backup.
I penciled in Williams at No. 8 on my RB rankings, which makes him a late first-round/early second-round choice. Taking him any higher may leave you a bit disappointed if he's simply good and not great in 2009.
Photo by The Associated Press
Thursday, August 27, 2009
8/27 Sleeper of the Day: Kyle Orton
QB KYLE ORTON, DENVER BRONCOS
The preseason didn't begin well for Denver's new starter, who tossed three picks and was booed off the field in his first start of 2009. But he was much improved last weekend (18-for-26, 182 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) and still has the backing of first-year Broncos coach Josh McDaniels. A lot of that probably has to do with the fact that injury plagued backup Chris Simms is hurt again, and the other QBs on the roster are named Tom Brandstater and Ingle Martin. After the franchise alienated Jay Cutler and eventually traded him for Orton in the offseason, Denver doesn't have many other options anyway.
Orton may not be a marquee name, but it's worth nothing he scored more total TDs than Chad Pennington, Matt Ryan or David Garrard while playing much of 2008 on a bad ankle with the Bears. Now he gets a head coach known for making mediocre QBs into stars (see Matt Cassel), and is surrounded by much shinier toys (Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Tony Scheffler, Knowshon Moreno) and a better offensive line to play with.
I have Orton ranked 15th among QBs this year, which would make him an upper-tier backup in 10-team leagues. He does carry some risk, which is why I'd ideally pair him with a solid performer like Peyton Manning or Donovan McNabb. If he can limit his mistakes and the Broncos run the kind of high-octane, imaginative offense one would expect out of McDaniels, Orton could be a big surprise.
The preseason didn't begin well for Denver's new starter, who tossed three picks and was booed off the field in his first start of 2009. But he was much improved last weekend (18-for-26, 182 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) and still has the backing of first-year Broncos coach Josh McDaniels. A lot of that probably has to do with the fact that injury plagued backup Chris Simms is hurt again, and the other QBs on the roster are named Tom Brandstater and Ingle Martin. After the franchise alienated Jay Cutler and eventually traded him for Orton in the offseason, Denver doesn't have many other options anyway.
Orton may not be a marquee name, but it's worth nothing he scored more total TDs than Chad Pennington, Matt Ryan or David Garrard while playing much of 2008 on a bad ankle with the Bears. Now he gets a head coach known for making mediocre QBs into stars (see Matt Cassel), and is surrounded by much shinier toys (Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Tony Scheffler, Knowshon Moreno) and a better offensive line to play with.
I have Orton ranked 15th among QBs this year, which would make him an upper-tier backup in 10-team leagues. He does carry some risk, which is why I'd ideally pair him with a solid performer like Peyton Manning or Donovan McNabb. If he can limit his mistakes and the Broncos run the kind of high-octane, imaginative offense one would expect out of McDaniels, Orton could be a big surprise.
8/27 Bust of the Day: Kurt Warner
QB KURT WARNER, ARIZONA CARDINALS
I know, I know. He threw for 30 TDs last year and he's got the league's best WR tandem in Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. He's a top-five fantasy QB according to most fantasy pundits. But not me.
I put Warner at No. 6, and here's why: He's 38 years old, he had offseason hip surgery, and he's tanked before, due to both injury and poor play. A recent report by ESPN’s John Clayton said Warner’s surgically repaired left hip “hurts only when he stands or walks.” So does my grandfather's, and I'm not picking him for my fantasy team.
I don't hate Warner. I think he could have another good year and help out your fantasy team. But I'm a little wary of spending a high pick on him - I've seen him go as high as the fourth round - when I might be able to wait another round and get a younger, healthier guy like Philip Rivers or Aaron Rodgers, both of whom I think will outperform everyone's favorite former grocery bagger. If that hip still bothers Warner this year, or he and the Cards suffer the same letdown as other recent Super Bowl runners-up, or Warner's deal with the devil simply runs out (again) and he reverts back to the same mistake-prone, aging QB who lost his job in St. Louis and New York - well, I don't really want my fantasy team's success hinging on that.
I know, I know. He threw for 30 TDs last year and he's got the league's best WR tandem in Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. He's a top-five fantasy QB according to most fantasy pundits. But not me.
I put Warner at No. 6, and here's why: He's 38 years old, he had offseason hip surgery, and he's tanked before, due to both injury and poor play. A recent report by ESPN’s John Clayton said Warner’s surgically repaired left hip “hurts only when he stands or walks.” So does my grandfather's, and I'm not picking him for my fantasy team.
I don't hate Warner. I think he could have another good year and help out your fantasy team. But I'm a little wary of spending a high pick on him - I've seen him go as high as the fourth round - when I might be able to wait another round and get a younger, healthier guy like Philip Rivers or Aaron Rodgers, both of whom I think will outperform everyone's favorite former grocery bagger. If that hip still bothers Warner this year, or he and the Cards suffer the same letdown as other recent Super Bowl runners-up, or Warner's deal with the devil simply runs out (again) and he reverts back to the same mistake-prone, aging QB who lost his job in St. Louis and New York - well, I don't really want my fantasy team's success hinging on that.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
8/26 Sleeper of the Day: Donald Brown
RB DONALD BROWN, COLTS
The Colts spent a first-round draft pick this year on Brown, an outstanding collegiate running back at Connecticut who led all of Division I in rushing last year. Brown is a versatile player who has drawn raves for his ability to block and catch passes out of the backfield, and he projects to be an every-down back at the NFL level.
Indy obviously brought in Brown to compete with the underwhelming Joseph Addai for a spot in the backfield, and though I expect this to be a timeshare situation, at least initially, I wouldn't be surprised to see Brown getting more touches per game than Addai by year's end. You can grab Brown as your No. 3 RB - and much later than Addai - and get some significant points out of him, particularly if Addai finds himself once again on the trainer's table this year.
The Colts spent a first-round draft pick this year on Brown, an outstanding collegiate running back at Connecticut who led all of Division I in rushing last year. Brown is a versatile player who has drawn raves for his ability to block and catch passes out of the backfield, and he projects to be an every-down back at the NFL level.
Indy obviously brought in Brown to compete with the underwhelming Joseph Addai for a spot in the backfield, and though I expect this to be a timeshare situation, at least initially, I wouldn't be surprised to see Brown getting more touches per game than Addai by year's end. You can grab Brown as your No. 3 RB - and much later than Addai - and get some significant points out of him, particularly if Addai finds himself once again on the trainer's table this year.
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