Hey, guys...I can almost feel the excitement in the air...Training camps will be opening soon all over NFL land, and we football fans can't wait. The fantasy football nation has already started drafts. My first draft will be July 24. I'm still looking to join about two more leagues. My draft strategies vary, depending on my draft position. I try to draft Running backs back to back; however, more often than not, I usually draft a wide receiver. So, here are my top 5 wide receivers. Once again, I don't rank them, I leave that to the professionals. These are the guys I want as my fantasy wide receivers.
Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans. Andre Johnson has been a fantasy diamond for the last couple of years. As Matt Schaub continues to grow as the Texans QB, he looks early and often for his favorite target Andre Johnson. Johnson led the league last year with 1569 receiving yards. He also racked up 9 touchdowns. Johnson had six games with over 100 yards including a season high 196 yards against the St. Louis Rams. Johnson also knows how to protect the ball with only one fumble last year. Although the New York Jets were able to neutralize him keeping Johnson to an anemic 35 yards, Johnson averages a little over 98 yards per game. He finished the season with 133.45 fantasy points last season a sound pick for starting WR.
Randy Moss of the New England Patriots. I'm not the biggest fan of Randy Moss, from that growth that appears on his face from time to time to his time with the Oakland Raiders to his corn pone accent that vexes me to no end. Yet, no one can deny the talent that Moss possesses, a talent that has been well tapped into by one Tom Brady. Over his last three years with the Patriots, Moss has accumulated over 3756 yards with the Patriots, including last season when he racked up 1264 yards and 13 touchdowns (tying him for first in the league). He still has great hands only fumbling the ball 2 times last year. Moss finished the fantasy season with 141.20 fantasy points, and although he is getting up there in age, and he will have to fight with Wes Welker for looks, he is a still a pretty sound #1 fantasy choice.
Miles Austin of the Dallas Cowboys. Although he has gained more fame recently for being the current NFL boyfriend of Kim Kardashian (gag), Miles Austin is a talented receiver who seemed to explode last year and show Roy Williams that Roy Williams is no #1 WR. How awesome was Austin? He only started 9 games last year, missed one game, and still gained 1320 yards averaging 82.5 yards per game. In addition to his yardage, Austin finished tied for second in the league with 11 receiving touchdowns. Not bad for the guy who was supposed to be Tony Romo's #2 WR. He finished the fantasy season with 131.80 points last year, so I don't think Mr. Austin will be on the board very long.
Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals. Fitzgerald has been one of the best WR in the league for the past 3 years racking up 3932 yards during that time. He also had Kurt Warner throwing to him during that time period. (Gonna miss you, Kurt!) He will be receiving passes from Matt Leinert (or Derek Anderson, if Leinert flops again). Fitzgerald gained 1092 yards last season averaging 68.25 yards per game. He also tied for first in the league with 13 receiving touchdowns. Fitzgerald finished the fantasy season with 132.60 fantasy points. Although I'm a little leery of Matt Leinert, I think he will rely on Fitzgerald a lot this season.
Sidney Rice of the Minnesota Vikings and DeSean Jackson of the Philadelphia Eagles. I couldn't pick between the two, so I'll give you the stats. Sidney Rice amassed 1312 yards and 8 touchdowns last season, while DeSean Jackson gained 1156 yards and 9 touchdowns. Rice finished the season with 113.60 fantasy points as Jackson finished the season with 132.05. While Sidney Rice may have ole man Favre throwing to him this year, there is no guarantee, because Favre is still waffling in Hattiesburg. Meanwhile, the Eagles traded Donovan McNabb to Washington, and Kevin Kolb will be tossing to Jackson. Regardless, I think both of these young men will be prime targets for their quarterbacks.
Other Top 10 Wide Recievers Wes Welker (New England Patriots), Reggie Wayne (Indianapolis Colts [if he doesn't hold out]), Vincent Jackson (San Diego Charger [He has to serve a 3 game suspension, plus he may hold out for an extended period]), Brandon Marshall (Miami Dolphins), Roddy White (Atlanta Falcons), Marques Colston (New Orleans Saints). I'm aware that I have given you more than 10, but you will need back up if VJ and Reggie Wayne aren't going to play.
Rookie on the Rise: Dez Bryant of the Dallas Cowboys. Here's hoping that Dez Bryant lives up to all of the baggage he is bringing with him to Cowboys stadium. He has some big shoes to fill choosing to wear the #88 which belonged to Michael Irvin (why would you do that?). He was suspended for part of the 2009 season for improper contact with another former Cowboy Deion Sanders. His freshman season saw him gain 622 yards and 6 touchdowns in 12 games. In 2008, he had 1480 yards with 19 touchdowns. In 2009, he managed 323 yards and 4 touchdowns before his suspension which lowered his draft stock and Heisman contention. He also played special teams racking up a career total of 431 yards and 3 touchdowns in 22 Punt returns. He'll be playing behind Miles Austin, Roy Williams, and Patrick Clayton.
Fantasy Tip: Don't be a homer. Picking all players from your favorite team will lead to a problem on your team-the bye week, when they will all be on vacation together...
Until next time,"If you can accept losing, you can't win."Vince Lombardi
Happy Monday, everybody. Like most relationships, I have a love/hate relationship with Twitter. Last night, some people were dropping some knowledge that sort of irked me. It reminded me of a quote one young man dropped a few weeks ago. This young man who shall heretofore remain nameless made the following generalization that women who follow sports are either groupies or gay (I won't repeat what he actually said, because I find that term offensive). I took exception to this comment, because I am not a groupie or gay, and I love sports. Most of my blog is devoted to my love of sports.
As far back as I can remember, I've followed sports. My Grandmother introduced me to sports. She was hopelessly devoted to the New Orleans Saints and the San Francisco 49ers. My oldest cousins were mostly boys with whom I was not going to play "dollies." It was tackle football (mostly on gravel, no wonder my legs are jacked up), stinger baseball (which is played with a tennis ball, which is used basically to nail you as you round 1st, 2nd, 3rd or even if you are safe), and track (which often included one of them trying to trip you out of the starting gate). Even hide and seek turned into a contact sport. When it was over, it was into our grandmother's house to watch football (They liked mostly like the Cowboys, while I was a 49ers fan [converted to the Chiefs in the 90s]), basketball (They were and still are Lakers fans, while I supported and still support the Celtics), and wrestling (They [surprise] rooted for the bad guys, and I rooted for the babyfaces). Thursday nights, we went to junior high school football games, Friday nights high school football games. The reason I joined the band was because I couldn't play football, and this would get me into all the games for free. Two of my cousins were pretty good football players, one even played for Mississippi College. My uncle who is a workaholic, would always turn to me for information on any and all of his favorite players and teams. I was my family's walking talking version of ESPN.
When I was in 7th grade, I had a final growth spurt and shot up to 5' 4". My P.E. teacher thought it would be a good idea for me to join the basketball team, as I was one of the taller girls. She thought. I sucked. One, there was a reason I was in band. I had no coordination, and band was spent mostly in a chair. Two, the running. Like my favorite baseball player, David Justice, I wasn't that keen on all those damn laps. Three, I can't shoot a basket to save my life. To leave practice, we would have to shoot 10 free throws in a row. I would be the last girl there with only one or two baskets. I would shoot until she felt sorry for me. After two days, we both realized that this was a bad idea. *Shrug*
I grew up with Joe Montana and the catch, loved Dwight Clark, Jerry Rice, Roger Craig, Ronnie Lott, Brent Jones, Derrick Thomas, Neil Smith, Cornelius Bennett, Bruce Smith, Darryl Talley, Rod Woodson, hated Danny White, Tony Dorsett (I don't really hate him. He seems like a nice dude, but he wore the star), Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irving, John Elway, basically all things Denver, Dallas and Oakland. When I was younger, I wasn't looking at these guys going, "OMG, Becky, they are gorgeous." Mostly, because they weren't. I watched sports for the pure athleticism, for the head knocking, and the trash talking (which was the only reason I remotely like Shannon Sharpe). I loved it!
I admit as I started Jr. High school, I started realizing how cute some athletes were. While my friends had Michael Jackson, Bon Jovi, New Edition, or NKOTB on their walls, on their binders and in their lockers, mine were covered with David Justice, Rod Woodson, Warren Moon, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and Derrick Thomas. When I started college, while the girls were watching 90210 and Melrose Place in our lobby, I was across the alley at the rec hall watching the Braves or the NFL with the guys, who were often at a loss for words at my ability to learn and spout off facts, or the fact that I would give them a hearty STFU without fear of retaliation. Most of my friends were athletes; most of my boyfriends were athletes. Not because, that's what I was looking for, it was with whom I was hanging out.
Now, I will fully admit the only reason I have remotely rooted for the San Diego Chargers is because of one Shawne Merriman. If he ever leaves the Chargers, I will go back to ignoring them, like I basically did before he came into the league. I almost did when they fired Marty Schottenheimer. I honestly rooted for the Saints, because they are considered our "hometeam" and Darren Sharper. Reggie Bush? Uh, no. "Sideline" Reggie is cute, but I can't really think of one thing I would like to hear him talk about. The gay aspect, I am not gay. I love men. So, why wouldn't I watch sports that have the finest specimen of the opposite sex. It's why I watch movies, too. That doesn't mean I want to jump the bones of every single guy on the screen. I love Don Cheadle the actor; it doesn't mean I want to be his baby momma. Add Forrest Whittaker and Morgan Freeman to that list.
I love 48 Hours, but I'm gonna keep it on the real. I pay more attention to the story when it's told by Troy Roberts rather than Peter Van Sant. Why do you have to degrade women? Let's keep it real. You boys watched Tomb Raider minamally for the action and maximally for Angelina Jolie and her boobs. You watched Transformers for the action and Megan Fox, clearly storyline was not important with that film. I'm the girl who was pissed that they added too much of the love story between Aragorn and Arwen in the Lord of the Rings.
I love fantasy football. I'm in a league with several of my former students, and I join a couple of other leagues every year. I'm not the best fantasy player, but I know enough to have won two championships, two second place finishes, three third place finishes, in addition to finishing last and next to last twice each. I don't look to find a husband in these leagues. My goal is to take them down. It makes me feel better for every bruise that my cousins gave me.
We don't call men groupies who solely watched Monster's Ball or Swordfish to see Halle Berry naked. We don't call men gay who watch soap operas (My favorite baseball player David Justice said he loved The Young and The Restless). So, why do you feel the need to generalize women who like sports as groupies, Stans, or gay? I am well aware that there are women who watch sports for those reasons, but most of us are genuine fans. I admit that I might be a Stan when it comes to Tony Gonzalez or Shawne Merriman, but give me one reason, I'm still a fan of the Chiefs if not for my love for the team...I'll wait...
I'm also not delusional. I know that I have a snowball's chance in my backyard of meeting, much less doing anything with any of these guys at any time. I'm a dumpy, fat chick who likes watching the best of the best knock the snot out of each other every Sunday, Monday, some Thursdays, and Saturdays, and if they happen to be a good looking dude, well that's all the better.
Until next time, "I feel like I'm the best, but you're not going to get me to say that."-Jerry Rice
Howdy do, everybody. Well, it's almost that time again. Training camps start to open in two weeks, and I begin searching for the right players to fill my fantasy rosters. I like most fantasy owners usually pick our starting running back first, because outside the quarterback, this will be the player that brings your team the most fantasy points. I don't rank players. I leave that to you. I am merely going to show you what I'm looking for in a fantasy running back. Yards and touchdowns. I don't care about carries because they don't get you points. Carries are important in the world outside of fantasy football, because that wear and tear will bring a quick downfall to a running backs career. So, if I'm picking in the top 5, these are the 5 running backs I'm aiming to anchor my fantasy team.
Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans. Chris Johnson is one fast brother. I love watching him outrun opposing teams. He lead all rushers last year with 2oo6 yards, with an additional 503 receiving yards for a total of 2509 all purpose yards. Remember, in fantasy, all yards count unless they are special teams. Johnson logged in 8 games last year with 130 or more yards, including a monster game against Jacksonville where he racked up 228 rushing and 11 receiving yards. Johnson was also the top fantasy point provider from last year with 321.75 fantasy points. He scored 14 touchdowns and only fumbled the football 3 times in 16 games. He's not perfect. He struggled against Pittsburgh Defense which held him to only 57 rushing yards and Indy who held him to a mere 34 yards in the first game and 113 in the second. As a part of the AFC South, he will face Indy twice this year, as well as, Pittsburgh, and Dallas. That said, I will have a snowballs chance on the equator of getting Johnson, but if by some fluke I get the first pick, I'm going with Johnson all the way.
Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings. Adrian had a bit of drop off last year in fantasy, mostly because of his attack of fumblitis. That said, Adrian still finished the season 4th in rushing with 1383 yards rushing and 436 yards receiving. Adrian only had 3 game last year where he rushed for over 100 yards. As I said earlier, Adrian has had a bout with the droppsies. He had 7 fumbles last year and lost 6 of them. This is not good in fantasy especially if fumbles are negative point in your league. In his defense, he has been spending the offseason working with a custom football filled with sand to improve his hands. I hope it works for his sake. That's the bad news. The good news is that Adrian lead all rushers with 18 touchdowns and finished the fantasy season with 268.70 points in second place behind Chris Johnson. Even with the fums, I would still make Adrian my first or second pick.
Maurice Jones-Drew of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones-Drew has been a darling in the fantasy world for the last couple of years, even drafting himself for his fantasy league. Yeah, I know what he did to Shawne Merriman a few years ago. I was watching the game. Shut up. Anyway, Jones-Drew has no trouble telling fantasy players to pick him. Jones-Drew finished 3rd in rushing last year with 1391 yards and with 374 yards receiving. Jones-Drew also scored 15 touchdowns last year. Jones-Drew only had 2 fumbles last year so he will hold onto the ball. Jones-Drew had five games of 100 or more yards rushing. Jones-Drew finished the Fantasy season with 253.80. Although I dislike him for obvious reasons, I'd have no problem with Jones-Drew as my fantasy rusher.
Frank Gore of the San Francisco 49ers. Frank Gore's numbers were down a bit from last year. He missed two games last season, but still managed 5 games of 100 or more rushing yards, including one game over 200. He finished the season with 1,120 yards rushing and 406 yards receiving. I truly believe if Gore is healthy those numbers will improve this year. Gore scored 10 touchdowns in 2009. He had a total of 210.30 fantasy points. Gore, if healthy, is a solid fantasy starters.
Thomas Jonesof the Kansas City Chiefs. I was relunctant to list Thomas Jones. He put up some pretty good numbers last year as a New York Jet. He was third in rushing yards with 1402 and another 48 receiving. Jones also tied for third in rushing touchdowns with 14. He only had 2 fumbles and finished in the fantasy standings with 227.10 points. The problem you ask? He'll be behind the line of my favorite team the Chiefs. Sigh. I don't see him putting up those numbers behind our line. Who knows he may surprise us all...
Other Top 10 Running Backs: Ray Rice (Baltimore Ravens), Steven Jackson (St. Louis Rams), Ryan Grant (Green Bay Packers), Pierre Thomas (New Orleans Saints), Michael Turner (Atlanta Falcons), and Jonathan Stewart (Carolina Panthers).
Rookie on the Rise: Ryan Mathews of the San Diego Chargers. He was the Chargers first round pick and is hoping to fill the very big shoes left behind by Ladanian Tomlinson. Last year at Fresno State, he rushed for 1808 yards averaging 150 yards per game with 19 touchdowns. Impressive. I don't expect those numbers in the NFL, but he just might be my sleeper for the year.
*Fantasy Tip: Make sure that you are aware of the bye week of your players before you draft them. You only have a limited number of reserves, and if all of your starters are off on the same week, you can call that a loss.
Until next time "Football is easy if you're crazy as hell." ~Bo Jackson
**stats courtesy of NFL.com and FantasyFootballChallenge.com
Last month, several of the gentlemen that I follow on Twitter celebrated Sundress Month. We, the ladies, while we enjoy the comfort of a Sundress, it didn't really benefit us a whole lot. Also, many blogs devote themselves to the sexy "Wags" of the several different sports...That's good for them, but what about us? Are we chopped liver? So, training camp is still a few weeks away, and most people are occupied by the *snore* NBA free agency. So this is my gift to you girls. My top fantasy "Tight Ends." Pun definitely intended... I'm not going to rank them...I'll leave that to you... I just thought I'd share some eye candy :)
This is Devin Thomas...Devin Thomas is a Wide Receiver for the Washington Redskins. He is 6' 2" and weighs 215 pounds...He only had 25 receptions for 325 yards and 3 touchdowns last year so while he probably shouldn't be the 1 WR on your fantasy football team, he can always start for the home team :) Ladies, Mr. Devin Thomas.
Introducing Nick Barnett. Nick is an inside Linebacker for the Green Bay Packers. He is 6' 2" and weighs 236 pounds. He had 105 tackles and 4 sacks last year as part of the much improved Green Bay Defense... Nick Barnett...
Mr. Larry Fitzgerald. Larry is a Wide Receiver for the Arizona Cardinals. He is widely considered one of the best receivers in the game. He is 6' 3" and weighs 217 pounds. Last year, he had 97 receptions for 1092 and 13 touchdowns. Perfect fantasy player on the field, and not a bad looking guy off the field...Larry Fitzgerald...
Dustin Keller...Dustin Keller is a Tight End for the New York Jets. He is one of the up and coming young tight ends attempting to take the reins from Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates. Dustin is 6' 2" and weighs 248 pounds. Last season, he had 45 receptions for 522 yards and 2 touchdowns. He is one of Mark Sanchez's best weapons. Expect a lot this fantasy season from Mr. Dustin Keller...
Mr. Mark Sanchez...Mark is one of those up and coming NFL cuties. I'll overlook that he is from USC. Mark is the Quarterback for the New York Jets. He is 6' 2" and weights 225 pounds. He performed surprisingly well for a rookie taking over for that NFL Jalopy Brett Favre. Leading the Jets to the post season, he tossed 12 touchdowns (22 interceptions) and a total of 2,444 yards. He is a nice option to have a quarter back if you can't pick up your favorite QB for your fantasy team...
Mr. Pierre Thomas...Pierre Thomas is a running back for the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints. He is 5' 11" and weighs 215 pounds. A significantly stouter RB than teammate Reggie Bush, Pierre had 147 carries last year 743 yards and 6 touchdowns. Look for more from Pierre this year as the Saints look to defend their title. He may not be a fantasy football #1, but he is a reliable #2. Mr. Pierre Thomas...
Mr. Antonio Gates...Antonio Gates is a tight end for the San Deigo Chargers. He is widely considered one of the best tight ends in the league, although he is recovering from a rather significant foot injury. He is 6' 4" and weighs 260 pounds. Even with a bad foot, Gates had 79 receptions for 1, 157 yards and 8 touchdowns. Let's say that Mr. Gates is still a number one tight end, and he ain't a half bad player. Mr. Antonio Gates...
Since this is my blog, I saved my personal favorites for last...
Mr. Darren Sharper... D-Sharp is a safety for the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints with a penchant for trash talking while flashing those wonderful dimples. He is 6' 2" and weighs 210 pounds. He had 71 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and lead the league with 9 interceptions. He and the Saints defense are a solid choice for a fantasy defense. Mr. Darren Sharper...
Mr. Shawne Merriman...He's my bad boy. I know, I know about all the outside stuff, but on the field is he often a force to be reckoned with. He finally returned last season, after missing all but one game of the 2008 season with a massive knee injury. Shawne is an outside linebacker for the San Diego Chargers. He is recovering from variety of ailments from last season. He had 36 tackles and 4 sacks last year. Not exactly a monster season (that means my Chiefs quarterback was upright for most of the season), but I expect great things this year out of the 6' 4", 265 pound Merriman. He'll be a free agent next year. Mr. Shawne Merriman...
Saving the best for last ;), Mr. Tony Gonzalez. As far as I'm concerned, Tony is the greatest tight end to ever grace the field. Last year, he started for the first time in a red jersey that wasn't Kansas City's. He is starting his second year as the TE for the Atlanta Falcons. I'm going to chalk up last season's fall off to playing with a new team, new quarterback, and Roddy White. Even in a down season, the 6' 5", 243 pound, Gonzalez had 83 receptions for 867 yards and 6 touchdowns. He'll be my starting tight end until he retires... Mr. Tony Gonzalez...
Okay, ladies I know these aren't all the cuties in the NFL, but hey, 10 ain't bad. These are just my faves. Who would you add to the list? Where are my Chiefs? Kansas City, I'm going to have to ask you guys work on that. 65 days until the 2010 NFL season kicks off in New Orleans! Until then, I hope you ladies enjoyed...See ya next time!
Happy Fourth of July Weekend, everybody! Man, it's been almost a month since I've made a post. Sorry, guys. No excuses. Well, I'm back, and in honor of the nation's birthday, I am going to celebrate with my own brand of fireworks-NFL Coaches Rants. There is nothing better than an angry NFL coach who is ready to ring the neck off of some reporters allegedly "dumb" question. Over the years, we have seen a ton of coaches slamming podiums, cursing reporters, cursing players, and generally blowing a gasket. Here are my top five coaching rants.
#5-Mike Singletary:"I WANT WINNERS!!!" When I was growing up, there was no scarier defender on the field than Mike Singletary. I had thousands of miles and a TV screen between us, and he STILL scared me. Fast forward to 2008, and Mike Singletary is a new coach with the San Francisco 49ers. In his first game, Singletary shocked everybody when he sent his star tight end Vernon Davis to the showers early with almost ten minutes left in the game. His speech that followed proved to be even more volatile.
#4-Jim Mora:"DIDDLY POO..." As a kid in Mississippi, I grew up with my local news coming from Louisiana, which meant we were privy to all of Jim Mora's tirades as Coach of the New Orleans Saints. Yes, there were many. I would have probably had Jim in all 5 slots, but I trying to be judicial. Now, I'll always be a Bill Walsh girl, but Jim Mora, I love you, man. The Saints didn't always win, but the fans were always entertained.
3-Herman Edwards:"YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!!!" I love Coach Edwards. I loved him as a Jets Coach. I loved him as a Chiefs coach. It was this speech that solidified my love for coach Herm and his diatribes. This speech took place after a New York Jets 2002 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Coach didn't appreciate the reporter's questioning his teams ability to win.
#2-Dennis Green:"CROWN THEIR A**ES!!" Picture it. Monday Night Football. October 16, 2006. Dennis Green and his Arizona Cardinals were resting on a 20 point lead against the Chicago Bears-a lead given up entirely by his offense. To say that Denny Green was unhappy would be an understatement.
#1-Jim Mora:"PLAYOFFS?!"Even non-football fans, have heard of this speech. That's the sign of a good rant. It transcends. Mora commented once that word is uttered to him probably more than any other. Mora had left the Saints and moved on to the Indianapolis Colts. He delievered this speech after a loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Well, that's my top 5. What's yours? You can't deny that these were some of the best rants ever. Hope you enjoyed them as much as I did. Have a happy and safe Fourth of July weekend! Don't Drink and Drive. Get a Designated Driver. Yeah, that means you NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHLer's. Hire a driver!!!!
