Archive for August, 2012

Will McGahee Surpass Last Years Numbers?

Sunday, 26 August, 2012

notjustagame23@gmail.com

An obvious standout from Denver’s success last season could be attributed to the defense. While the offense struggled to produce points, the defense kept the game close each and every week.

Tim Tebow produced heroics would of never been if not for the defense. The way Tebow performed last minute was like a shot clock winding down in the NBA, he did it when least expected. Denver decided to move forward from last years weekly cinderella showcase, and try and advance with future hall of fame quarterback, Peyton Manning.

Instantly fantasy owners are reveling at the fact of a healthy Peyton Manning. John Elway and the Denver Broncos fans are as well. There is no denying the accuracy and knowledge that Manning has behind center. He reads defenses better than any quarterback in the NFL at the line of scrimmage. His audibling is an innate ability that few quarterbacks can do with such high frequency.

Expecting Manning to comeback and shine like his glory days in Indianapolis is unrealistic. He has not thrown a meaningful throw in the NFL since the Colts playoff loss to the New York Jets in January of 2011. It has been a roller coaster experience just for Manning to get full clearance to return to where he is at now.

Owners and the football world know though that the Broncos passing offense will produce more results than a year ago. The Tebow offense was catered to limitations and that led to an offset of designed runs, and heavy carries for Willis McGahee.

Just because Manning will add to the offense does not lessen McGahee’s value. McGahee seems like he has been in the NFL forever. Everyone remembers his blownout knee while in college at Miami. Many did not expect him to recover in the way he did. Quietly in the NFL, McGahee has been very consistent. With Buffalo and several years in Baltimore.

When signed by the Denver Broncos he figured to be at his last pitstop before fading out of the NFL, like what happens to most veterans. Instead the Tebow factor probably helped boost his career. Denver needed to run the football and did so with McGahee, Moreno and Lance Ball. When Moreno went down, McGahee became the focal point for the Broncos running game, and shined like a number one fantasy back.

Will this year be differentfor McGahee? At age 30 you are not supposed to have strong seasons. Do not discount McGahee for the reason alone. Throughout his career he is one of few backs that did not get overworked on a yearly basis.

The duel backfield that fantasy owners started to dread a few years ago, has been apart of McGahee’s entire career. The most carries he ever had was his second year in Buffalo at 325. His carries have never been alarming, so his legs are still fresh to handle a solid workload, even at age 30.

With an added dimension of passin to the Broncos offense that should open thins up even more for McGahee. He hits the hole hard and has solid vision to gain extra yards even after contact. Knowshown Moreno is coming off his knee injury so he will not be a threat this season to have a major impact. Rookie Ronnie Hillman will likely be the back to gain some carries in Denver’s offense.

That will not hurt McGahee. He will be the red zone back, and get 65-70% of Denver’s rushing touchdowns this season. He was eight yards away last year of having a career high in rushing yards. Fantasy owners were likely frustrated with the fact he only reached paydirt four times last season.

You can say his touchodwns were “Tebowized”.

He likely would of had at least double his touchdowns or near ten if it was not for Tebow’s eleven rushing touchdowns. McGahee is devalued right now in fantasy drafts going as a low number two fantasy back. For those that draft a quarterback and wide receiver high, and believe they may be in trouble with McGahee as their second back should not fret. Double digit touchdowns should be an easily achievable number for McGahee and a back to back 1,000 yard season.

Wilson’s Job Now?

Saturday, 25 August, 2012

 

By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

The decision of Pete Carroll to pursue to move forward with Russell Wilson versus giving their free agent signing Matt Flynn a chance, can be read in an article from a few days ago. At any rate, Friday, the Seahawks started Russell Wilson and Matt Flynn sat in street clothes. He was listed as out due to an injury, but who really knows the story behind the story.

The pressure was on Wilson to deliver on Friday and he did just that. Seattle blew out Kansas City and Wilson had a major part in that. He led multiple scoring drives and did every thing you would expect from a starter and more. The Arizona Cardinals sure wish they would of spent one of their picks on Wilson.

After two great games as a starter Matt Flynn got a mega contract from the Seattle Seahawks. Now after a preseason start, and a few good quarters against teams backups, it appears that the Seahawks are prepared to hand over the starting job to the rookie Wilson.

Seattle has not even parted ways with last years incumbent starter Tavaris Jackson. The move they are about to make for Flynn could backfire if the move was premature. Flynn is not a veteran of any sort, that can be moved in and out of the starting lineup without worry. He is still young and inexperienced. A move to the bench will definitely lower his confidence and probably get him to over think in all types of areas related to quarterback.

With a late rise in Wilson, many people are going to suggest picking him as a late round fantasy sleeper. Lets hold off on that. His flashes have been glimpses in the preseason. Added up they are hardly over a full games worth of solid play. If named starter he is going to need to string together a couple of good games before fantasy consideration. In deeper leagues obviously you may want to make that move now, and make the cut later for a waiver wire pickup if it does not pan out.

Pete Carroll’s demeanor seems to have been on Wilson’s side from the get go. Once Wilson was drafted he hinted at a quarterback battle, which was confirmed upon training camp. During the preseason he has looked like a college coach when Wilson has delivered an unordinary play. By showing excitement with the rest of the sideline and his body language as a whole.

I’d hate to be in Matt Flynn’s shoes right now. If Wilson is the right guy, hopefully they will trade Flynn and let him have another shot elsewhere. There are plenty of teams that are still in need of a young starting quarterback.

Cardinals Rookie Having Rough Preseason

Friday, 24 August, 2012

 

By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

The preseason is mainly a gauge for the team to analyze depth and workout kinks on the offense and defensive side of the football. While holes filled in special teams and proper depth position is an annual routine, there is another area coaches are looking to develop. Drafted rookies usually get a high percentage of looks and opportunities. Confidence in the preseason from rookies often will carry over to the regular season.

Cardinals rookie wide receiver Michael Floyd is not necessarily lighting up the statistics. In the hall of fame game he caught one ball for fifteen yards, followed up by week one of the preseason with a catch for three yards, zero catches week two, and last night two catches for sixteen yards. Fellow rookies, Kendall Wright and Justin Blackmon on the other hand have had high success and look much more ready to have a fantasy impact out the gate.

Fantasy owners are having a hard enough time figuring out where to rank Larry Fitzgerald in standard drafts, and how much to bid on him in auction drafts. Fitz has put up statistics though throughout his career with Max Hall, Matt Leinart, and both Skelton and Kolb. His statistics actually jumped with Skelton over Kolb last season, but both will get him the football.

A bright side to the fact that Floyd has had dismal preseason numbers is a breakdown of the Cardinals embarrassing quarterback battle. Before Kolb’s performance last night, neither Skelton or Kolb had thrown over the mid 30’s for yardage in the preseason. That’s correct, and this is coming from two guys competing for a starting job. You might not find another team in the NFL that’s had these type of preseason performances just with their backup quarterbacks.

There were some good things pointed out by the ESPN crew on what the Cardinals can do to move forward with the offense. Kevin Kolb is use to the quick pace from when he was in Houston. When Arizona used the hurry up offense he seemed to have a better grasp of the offense, and the team as a whole responded better. It may be just what he needs to get out of the funk he is in.

The Cardinals are going to have to announce the starter here in the next three to five days. Skelton was the favorite going into week three’s preseason game, but Kolb did outperform him Thursday. This could be a hot potato affair which Cardinals fans have become accustomed to since the Kurt Warner days.

That spells trouble for rookie Michael Floyd. If the Cardinals have any success offensively it will likely come through the ground attack. Touchdowns thrown through the air will be gobbled up by Larry Fitzgerald. Expecting either Kolb or Skelton to throw over twenty touchdowns even with sixteen games as a starter would be exceeding expectations.

Those hoping for Floyd to be a rookie sleeper better look the other way at Kendall Wright and Justin Blackmon. Floyd will have the worst numbers of the three, and should not be on any fantasy roster this season. Larry Fitzgerald is the only one worth eyeing, unless Kevin Kolb shows back to back games like his three games in Philadelphia than. Rookies like Floyd may scatter and tease you with a game or two here and there. The inconsistencies and headaches of knowing when that will occur will drive an owner crazy. Spare yourself.

Carroll Close to Hot Seat

Wednesday, 22 August, 2012

By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

Seattle fans are as passionate as they come. Hardly televised on a national stage, but when they are the 12th man is truly showcased. No other team in the NFL can get the rise of their crowd as the Seahawks do. Maybe it’s because they lost an NBA team and don’t want any possible threat of an owner wanting to relocate.

In a different market though, you better believe fans would be much more vocal on decisions made under the eye of Pete Carroll. The latest moves at quarterback could cause enough destruction this season to force Carroll out.

Gambling as a head coach is reasonable, but Carroll keeps close ties to his past with former players. Seattle continues to have low talent on the offensive side of the football especially at wide receiver. For a couple of seasons Carroll rooted for the comeback of bust Mike Williams.

Williams started in 2010 when he had no business doing so. You could not of found another NFL team willing to take a shot at Williams, let alone have him with the first team. His season in 2010 was better than expected but his catches came mainly due to his size at 6’5. He had zero ability to separate from the defender, and just was not a receiver that should have been on the field.

This off-season Carroll brought in two veterans that have hit the tail ends of their careers, in Braylon Edwards and Terrell Owens. Owens could not even get phone calls from any teams for months on months. It’s a low risk investment sure, but why not sign the proper free agents or seek young talent in the NFL Draft?

Sidney Rice has not been the same since his breakout year with Brett Favre, and Golden Tate was a 50/50 talent as a second round pick. Their top receiver a year ago was undrafted rookie Doug Baldwin. The hot potato manuevering with Carroll has been all over the place with this team offensively. Carroll and his coaching staff need to come together with a plan and move forward properly.

What’s going on with the carousel at quarterback is just ridiculous. First the Seahawks brought in Tavaris Jackson for four million a year at a two year contract tenure. Not a bad move considering the Seahawks did not have much to work with a year ago after losing Matt Hasselbeck. Jackson was more of a knee jerk signing to ensure a starter post lockout.

Were I disagree with the treatment of Jackson is their denying him of an opportunity in preseason to prove himself. If you do not want him apart of the quarterback competition, trade or release him before hand. A player getting paid four million a year should not be sidelined during preseason games.

Short tenured contracts seems to be the way Seattle likes to go. Signing Matt Flynn to a three year 26 million dollar contract. Only ten million is guaranteed so the Seahawks would not be on the hook like say the Arizona Cardinals with Kevin Kolb. Money management with their quarterbacks is not the issue, it’s the handling of playing time.

Rookies just do not come in and start. Sure the last couple of seasons has bucked that trend, but the fact that Seattle wants to put in Russell Wilson to start a preseason game is stupefying. Flynn has not been stellar but deserves the opportunity to play based on the contract and research the Seahawks signed him on. All you’re doing is rattling the confidence and brewing controversy even if the team names Flynn starter after Wilson’s start Friday.

 

Wilson may be the eventual starter for the Seahawks, but Carroll is jumping the gun once again just like his quick free agent signings. This should not even of been a quarterback battle. When have you ever heard of a quarterback just signed for over eight million a year, having to deal with a quarterback controversy as soon as the NFL Draft was concluded?

Never Pete…..never.

Experimenting with signings such as LenDale White can’t happen anymore. Stick to certain players and build forward not backward.

Eagles Season Will Excel Based On Jackson

Tuesday, 21 August, 2012

 

By Zack Cimini

 

Arrogance and cockiness go hand in hand with the elite players in sports. Most can tone it down to keep the view of the audience oblivious to a players actions. Whether its yapping of the mouth to the opposing team, or basic body language. DeSean Jackson has never been one to tone down his talents.

He has high stepped the last ten yards of touchdowns, ran twenty yards sideways inside the five yard line on a punt return touchdown against the Giants, and flipped the football before the end zone against the Cowboys on Monday Night football. Those are just a few of Jackson’s antics that have been just a natural part of his on-the-field demeanor.

At points in a professional athletes career humbling times occur. Last year for the Eagles was an eye opener, as a team and an individual level for DeSean Jackson. Playing as a franchise tagged athlete, Jackson had the type of numbers that would make a team let the athlete walk away. The team seemed to fold as he did, and never had any type of consistency. Jackson has admitted he did not play at his highest levels a year ago. Based on the Eagles play he likely was not the only one.

The Eagles know and the NFL knows that Jackson is a gem of a talent. Still only 25, Jackson seems like he has been in the league much longer. He played in the latter last hooray for Donovan McNabb in which he first became the deep threat people know of today. Against the Cardinals in the 2009 NFC Championship, Jackson made one of the best catches for a touchdown in recent playoff memories.

He has been through the short lived Kevin Kolb era, and now entering his third season with Mike Vick.

Maturity seemed to start to hit Jackson as the Eagles season imploded last year, and he realized his future could be in jeopardy. His contract could have been much higher than what he received in the off-season. Only 18 million of it is guaranteed, which means Jackson is going to have to earn the rest of the mid 50 million dollar contract.

Maybe watching greats just when he was a rookie like Randy Moss, Chad Johnson, and Terrell Owens struggle to find jobs suddenly and fade so quickly awoken him.

Media circles our stating Jackson seems like a new person, and much more focused. Philadelphia has one of the top defenses in the NFL, Mike Vick, and LeSean McCoy. The difference though will be with Jackson. Jackson’s open field speed and ability to get open just creates that extra dimension teams can’t stop.

The focus will always be on Vick because of his history and being the quarterback. In many rankings, Jackson can be found in the late teens and even early twenties. That is much too low for a player of Jackson’s caliber. I expect a breakout year from him, and to be a top ten fantasy receiver this season, and top five in a handful of weeks this year.

He never has been a top fantasy receiver, but has been one of the top open field and speed receivers in the NFL. Sooner or later that should lead to a breakout year, which will be this season.

8/20 Running Back Rankings

Tuesday, 21 August, 2012

 

By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

Two weeks are completed officially in the preseason. Fantasy drafts done before now were pretty much tune ups for the ones forthcoming. Throw your outdated fantasy magazine away, and keep coming here for weekly rankings and daily fantasy updates.

 

1. Arian Foster- A couple of seasons ago, Foster was undrafted in most leagues just as he was by NFL executives. Now he is at the top of the list for fantasy running backs.

2. Chris Johnson- One year as Johnson had last year is going to make too many fantasy owners shy away from drafting him above a couple other backs. He has looked like the Chris Johnson we have come to know. Resembling that Chris Johnson would push even Arian Foster off the top spot.

3. LeSean McCoy- McCoy is durable and a safe bet to continue thrashing opposing defenses. He is right up there with Ray Rice in terms of what he can do out of the backfield.

4. MJD- MJD needs to get himself back in the Jaguars team facility. I’m sure he is keeping himself in shape but holdouts have typically been detrimental to running backs. With an improved Gabbert, MJD should even be more of a threat.

5. Ray Rice- Look for Rice’s numbers to dip slightly. The Ravens defense is not as sharp as it’s been, which means the offense will throw the football more. It’s good for the long term protection of Rice, but not what fantasy owners want to hear.

6. DeMarco Murray- Since when has a third round pick stormed the NFL quite like Murray? He was a true surprise. Now at full speed, Murray should continue his destruction.

7. Darren McFadden- Health is a big question mark with McFadden or he could easily be right up there with Foster and Chris Johnson. Having not stayed healthy for an entire season yet, he has to remain a bottom first round pick.

8. Ryan Mathews- Mathews is the back now that people like to put the most uncertainty on. Why? He is a young back with fresh legs, that is coming off a solid year. Young backs with talent such as Mathews usually break in even higher following a year like Mathews had.

9. Michael Turner- Atlanta seems ready to not only take over the NFC South but erase the memory of their wild card loss to the New York Giants. With New Orleans hit with question marks, Atlanta has their foot on the gas to storm by. Turner does not have to be a weekly force with yardage. With the explosiveness of the Falcons offense he is a lock for double digit touchdowns.

10. Matt Forte- He now has his contract, which should have been restructured a few seasons ago. Forte does not seem like the type of back that would decline after getting a paycheck. He has been the Bears offense the last two seasons. Additions of Alshon Jeffries, Brandon Marshall, and Mike Bush should be more to the benefit of Forte than hurting his stats. The offense will be more in sync and lead to bigger plays for Forte.

11. Steven Jackson

12. Reggie Bush

13. Ahmad Bradshaw

14. Frank Gore

15. Adrian Peterson

16. Shonn Greene

17. Marshawn Lynch

18. Jamaal Charles

19. Isaac Redman

20. Donald Brown

21. Doug Martin

22. Ryan Williams

23. Fred Jackson

24. Trent Richardson

25. Jonathan Stewart

26. Darren Sproles

27. Beanie Wells

28. Willis McGahee

29. BenJarvus Green-Ellis

30. Mark Ingram

31. DeAngelo Williams

32. Roy Helu

33. Stevan Ridley

34. CJ Spiller

35. James Starks

36. Kevin Smith

37. LeGarrette Blount

38. Michael Bush

39. Cedric Benson

40. Peyton Hillis

41. Toby Gerhart

42. Keiland Williams

43. Rashad Jennings

44. Ben Tate

45. Daniel Thomas

46. Jason Snelling

47. Robert Turbin

48. David Wilson

49. Kendall Hunter

50. Taiwan Jones