Ballin’ or Fallin’ – Pre Season Blitz II
Scott Henkel
This week has been somewhat quiet in the NFL fantasy football world. With the exception of the Raiders dropping JaMarcus Russell (which can’t be considered Earth shattering news) most teams seem to be in an evaluation period. But that doesn’t mean I can’t refine my preseason rankings with a few tweaks and one big time Ballin’ addition. I’m also adding a few names in no particular order at the end. Simply “guys I like”. Last week set the bar pretty high (Charles Rodgers high) so I expect nothing less in discussion this week so keep it up!
Quarterback
1. Aaron Rodgers
2. Phillip Rivers
3. Tom Brady
4. Drew Brees
5. Tony Romo
6. Matt Shaub (Solid discussion about him last week so I’m bumping him up)
7. Donovan McNabb
8. Peyton Manning
9. Matt Ryan
10. Matthew Stafford
GUYS I LIKE – Jay Cutler (alright he’s a douchenozzle of epic proportions but what I’m reading is all good news for him on the fantasy football front), Vince Young, Jason Campbell (big time risk reward but look at his numbers from last year, not too bad on a team that is arguable worse than the Raiders on offense)
Runningback
1. Adrian Peterson
2. Frank Gore
3. Chris Johnson
4. Maurice Jones-Drew
5. Ray Rice
6. Rashard Mendenhall
7. Michael Turner (He’s the big winner this week because he’s come back this season in great shape and I feel Ryan’s improved play will only augment The Burner’s production)
8. Ryan Matthews
9. Shonn Greene
10. DeAngelo Williams
GUYS I LIKE – LeSean McCoy (words out of camp show improved maturity and grasp of the game), Chris Wells (more ground game for sure from the Cards), Lendale White (he’ll sniff 1100 yards and 10+ TDs), Felix Jones (this year’s “Ray Rice Explosion Award” candidate)
Receiver
1. Larry Fitzgerald
2. Calvin Johnson
3. Sydney Rice
4. Andre Johnson (You all convinced me he was underbid last week)
5. DeSean Jackson
6. Randy Moss
7. Reggie Wayne
8. Brandon Marshall
9. Steve Smith CAR
10. Greg Jennings
GUYS I LIKE – Percy Harvin , Michael Crabtree (he should be much improved with a full camp and was the most talented WR in last year’s draft), Mike Wallace (not as much without Ben Roethlistard but he still should be a big part of the offense), Steve Smith NYG (he could very well be a one year wonder but looking at last season’s totals I have to give him the nod)
These aren’t your traditional rankings so I’m sure there will be some opinion. Feel free to opine in the comments section below, email me at airram98@hotmail.com, or start a thread in the forums. Whichever medium you choose do us all a favor; do your research and bring your A game. Bringing the weak sauce is cause to be mocked, tarred, feathered and banished to Cleveland.
9 Comments
7:51 pm on May 9th, 2010
I didn’t say this on the 1st draft of your rankings but I really like the Frank Gore ’step out on a limb” 2nd place ranking. Most (98%) have Peterson as the #2 overall but his line is getting older and the fumbles seem to be a real issue, not to mention the uncertainty of Favre.. I think the loss of Taylor helps Peterson’s stock but SanFran added two stud lineman and Gore should be healthier this year. As Crabtree settles in to his role and teams focus more on V Davis, Gore should see less 8 men fronts. They also have an easy schedule.
7:55 pm on May 9th, 2010
Whoa.. haha I looked right at Gore at #2 and started typing. Wow, looked right over AP as #1 and CJ moved to #3.
What I guess I should have said was ..
I agree with CJ not having the Turner syndrome but I have my questions about AP as well. I like Gore that high though.
8:03 pm on May 9th, 2010
Again I ask why not Kolb? He has incredible receivers, a great TE, a solid Running back and a good O-line. I think people will regret sleeping on this kid. He has been in this offense for three years. Has better accuracy than McNabb. Think Carson Palmer in his first year.
11:57 pm on May 9th, 2010
Always enjoy your work. One question:
The only way Sidney Rice finishes where you have him is if Favre comes back. If Favre comes back, he should be in the top 10.
Just saying………
7:30 am on May 10th, 2010
Fitz may suffer a little without Kurt Warner.
Matt Schaub is as solid as they come, only thing thats hurts him is not much of a running game in Houston if that changes he could easily be in the top 5 QB’s
McNabb at best should be at the #10 hole in Washington without any WR’s worth a crap. (More like 12-15)
Payton at #7 after McNabb is a felony
IMO J.Flacco should have made your “Guys I Like” list
11:33 am on May 10th, 2010
I agree with Derringer. Manning has been so consistent the last 100 years that its hard to rank him that low. He should be top 3. Also the more I read about the Ravens the more I like Flacco. I believe the defense will be even better then last year which means the offense will be on the field a whole lot more. With the addition of Boldin, Stallworth and 2 good TEs he can only improve. I will not be suprise if he is a top 8 QB this season.
1:01 pm on May 10th, 2010
The common thought is that Fitz’s production goes down with Leinart and not Warner. I get that in the Cards system Warner floated just above the ground when he walked and distributed that grace accordingly to his WRs. And while I acknowledge guys like Breaston and Doucet will suffer for not having Father Time behind center I cannot concede that Fitz also suffers. Breaston and Doucet are just good enough not to be left alone and the backfield tandem of Wells/Hightower most certainly will keep defenses honest. Following that thought pattern it seems to reason to me that the best talent on the field will continually appear to be open. No question in my mind who the best talent on the field is for the Cards. Leinart sounds like he’s putting in the time this year and has certainly been in the system long enough to “get it”. All that swirled together leads me to believe that Fitz has a stellar year.
Shaub’s running game may have been fixed in the draft. Time will tell, though. My biggest concern with Houston is one of quality receivers. AJ is a manchild but who else will be there to draw coverage? Daniels is coming off a shredded knee so outside of a medical miracle the supporting cast is pedestrian.
McNabb over Manning seems like a felony only until you look at the situation further. One could make a solid argument that the supporting cast is considerably better for the Colts. Manning had the second best statistical output in his long career last year. So counting on that and projecting it forward is a bit misleading. His schedule is pretty rough next year so my concern with him is the he (while solid) will be over sold because of having such an outstanding year last year.
I too loves me some Flacco. Adding Quan and Stallworth for overall stud #1 WR and a deep threat and having Rice and Mason to toss the ball to short makes for a great mixture. Consider him added!
1:12 pm on May 10th, 2010
I’m assuming you’re asking, “If Favre stays put on his tractor this year does Rice still finish in the top ten?” My unequivocal answer is; depends. Like that firmness? Honestly it all depends on two potential outcomes. First, did Jackson absorb all he claims he did while holding the clipboard for #4? If he did his value is solid and Rice’s position is still top 10 in my opinion. Jackson has the tools physically but hasn’t had squat for a mentor to bring him along in the NFL. So if his mental game gets fixed you have to believe the production comes. Second, does RosenRosen take over instead? I think with his time in the system coupled with an already decent mental game from his time in Houston could keep the ball rolling for the Vikes in the air.
This all is pretty mute because we all know the Favre drama will end with him under center. If he doesn’t you must keep your eyes on the preseason to see if either of the two potential outcomes will come to pass. Great stuff guys!
1:18 pm on May 10th, 2010
I touched on Kolb previously but the gist of my hesitation comes in looking at Kolb’s body of work as a whole and not just focusing in on the two games. 885 yards, 4 TDs, and 7 picks in live games doesn’t give me a ton of hope for the guy. I agree on all fronts with your points about a stout supporting cast but until he proves he isn’t Billy Volek Part II I will pass on Kolb. Can’t think like a homer and win, Phic!