Archive for the 'Team Focus' Category

Overall Fantasy Impact: Above Average

Offensive Outlook: Fantasy players shouldn’t be asking the question, “Will Brett Favre return?” They should be asking, “Does it matter?”

The Packers were 2nd in yards and 4th in points last year, and if Aaron Rodgers takes over, he inherits the powerful running attack, bruising offensive line, and a deep and talented receiving corps.

Whoever is under center should be directing one of the league’s finest offenses, and that’s really all fantasy players need to know.

QUARTERBACKS: Favre had an amazing season in 2007, cutting back on the mistakes that had dogged him the previous few seasons.

He was among the league’s best in yards passing (4th) and TDs (tied for 6th), and he would be worthy of a Fantasy starting spot if he returns.

Rodgers is an unknown commodity, although he played well in a relief appearance against Dallas last year. After three years of watching the offense, he should be more than ready to go. But, since fantasy players have little to go on, anyone who drafts him would be wise to take another solid option at the position as insurance. Continue Reading »

Overall Fantasy Impact: Below Average

Offensive Outlook: How could a team that was in the Super Bowl two years ago be this hapless offensively?

The truth is that even in that 2006 run, the Bears were fueled by defense and special teams, while the offense just had to stay out of the way.

It’s likely the Bears will try that formula again, meaning that their Fantasy prospects are just this side of atrocious. Don’t expect much help at all here.

QUARTERBACKS: It’s almost not even worth it to debate the relative merits of Rex Grossman vs. Kyle Orton, because neither will be of any help to you fantasy-wise.

Grossman wasted any goodwill he had amassed during the Super Bowl season with an awful performance last year. Orton, replaced by Grossman late in the ‘05 campaign, might get the chance to prove that he’s improved since then.

Whoever wins the job should be no more than a 3rd fantasy quarterback; whoever doesn’t should remain in the free agent pool. Continue Reading »

Overall Fantasy Impact: Average

Offensive Outlook: Whenever a new coach enters the scene, all fantasy bets are off until it becomes clear how that coach prefers his offense to look. With Jim Zorn on board in Washington though, it seems a safe bet that the former gunslinging quarterback will open the offense up in contrast with Joe Gibbs’ conservative run-first approach.

The Redskins draft seemed to point in a more pass-happy direction, as the second round brought two receivers and a tight end as weapons for work-in-progress quarterback Jason Campbell. Whether Campbell can take advantage and how all this new firepower affects Clinton Portis, the offense’s usual focal point, are the two big questions for fantasy owners this season.

QUARTERBACKS: It’s hard to ignore the fact that Washington was 5-7 with Campbell at the helm and 4-0 down the stretch when he went down with an injury and veteran Todd Collins took over. While there may not be a controversy, any owner who takes Campbell should be prepared to feel a little uneasy when he has a rough outing. Add in the fact that he threw just 12 TD passes in 13 games last year, and you’re better off taking him as a back-up and then hoping that Zorn’s new offense brings out the best in him, thereby giving you excellent depth at the position. Continue Reading »

Overall Fantasy Impact: Average

Offensive Outlook: The Eagles had little trouble moving the ball last season, but getting it in the end zone was another matter entirely.

Lacking a bruising goal-line runner or a consistent possession receiver in the red zone, Philly finished 17th in the league in points despite a 6th-place finish in total offense.

There weren’t a lot of changes made on the offensive side of the ball in the offseason, so any improvement will have to come from within.

Outside of dynamic, muti-purpose runner Brian Westbrook, the Eagles could have a hard time filling up the fantasy stat sheet, especially in such a rugged division. Continue Reading »

Overall Fantasy Impact: Average

Coming off an improbable championship run last season, it will be tempting to fantasy owners to grab Giants players this draft day in the hope that their momentum will continue.

But can you trust their postseason success? Don’t forget that the offense was only mediocre in the regular season, ranking 16th in yards and 14th in points.

The other problem is that the Giants are very deep at the receiver and running back positions, which translates into success on the field and headaches for owners trying to determine who’s going to get the bulk of the playing time. So it’s conceivable that the first three rounds of your draft will pass without one member of the Super Bowl champs being selected. Continue Reading »

Overall Fantasy Impact: Above Average

Offensive Outlook: The Cowboys were by far and away the most explosive offense in the NFC last season, rolling for over 28 points a game.

The scary thing is that they could be even better this year, with explosive rookie Felix Jones replacing Julius Jones as the No. 2 running back.

The one concern is a lack of depth at wide receiver, especially with the Terry Glenn situation still unsettled. But no team in the league can match the balance that the Cowboys have at the four major Fantasy positions with Tony Romo, Marion Barber, Terrell Owens, and Jason Witten. Continue Reading »

Overall Fantasy Impact:  Above Average

Offensive Outlook:  Don’t be misled by the fact that the Chargers were only 20th in the league in offensive yardage last year.  The fact that they often jumped out to big early leads meant that the offense was able to dial it down early. 

With a full season of Chris Chambers, the Chargers should be able to mix the downfield passing attack they flashed in the playoffs with the LaDainian Tomlinson-led rushing attack and light up the weak defenses in the AFc West.

The main concerns are health-related. 

Quarterback Philip Rivers and LT are both coming off offseason surgery, although both should be ready for the start of the season. 

Without Michael Turner around, Tomlinson must be extra-sturdy this year.  And tight-end extraordinaire Antonio Gates is a question-mark to open the season healthy after February foot surgery.  No offense could withstand the loss of a talent like that without being affected. Continue Reading »

Overall Fantasy Impact: Average

Offensive Outlook: The Raiders are an extremely hard team to gauge entering the 2008 season.

So many newcomers are playing key roles on the offensive side of the ball that it’s hard to say who will be the productive fantasy players and who will be forgotten men.

One certainty is that the JaMarcus Russell era is beginning, and that’s cause for excitement for fantasy players hoping he’s the next dynamic quarterback to come down the pike. Throw in first-round running back Darren McFadden, and you can see why the Raiders will be fun to watch in ‘08.

QUARTERBACKS: The Raiders let Russell sit for most of his rookie season after he signed late. He got a chance to start the season finale and threw for 224 yards and a TD. That’s all you have to go on right now, so watch the preseason carefully. Russell likely will take his lumps this season, but his electric talent will shine through at times. He’s strictly fantasy back-up material to start the season, although he might be useful later in the season when he starts to get comfortable. Continue Reading »

Overall Fantasy Impact: Average

Offensive Outlook: The Chiefs are a bit of an odd case.

They’re coming off a year in which they finished 31st of 32 NFL teams in offensive yards and points, and yet they have two bona fide fantasy stars in Larry Johnson and Tony Gonzalez, and a legitimate up-and-comer in Dwayne Bowe.

Johnson’s season-ending injury in Week 6 obviously hurt them last year, and a full season of health should do wonders for the team’s offensive numbers.

But can this trio of standouts overcome a less-than-impressive quarterback situation and a very green offensive line? Continue Reading »

Overall Fantasy Impact: Average

Offensive Outlook: The Broncos had little trouble moving the ball last year, but scoring points was another matter entirely. Despite finishing 11th in the league in yards, they were only 21st in the league in points.

Denver is trying to rectify this problem this year by adding a trio of veteran receivers who had flamed out elsewhere. But big question marks still abound:

Can Selvin Young carry the load at running back?

Will Jay Cutler’s diabetes diagnosis be a problem?

And will off-the-field nonsense derail the promising career of Brandon Marshall? Continue Reading »