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The Fantasy Football Roundtable |
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Over the last month, a bunch of us Fantasy Addicts got together (over email) and decided to put together the Fantasy Football Roundtable. So far the response as been great, and last week, Bryan Fontaine hosted the Roundtable on his fine site, www.rookieblitz.com.
That Roundtable focused on draft prep, but now that we are finally ready to Kickoff the 2009 season, this week's Roundtable, and every one following, will help guide your fantasy teams to weekly success....depending on who you follow of course!
Kidding aside, no matter whose advice you choose to heed, we are all here to help. Enjoy this week's version of the Fantasy Football Roundtable:
This week- we divided an conquered, hopefully, in naming a Sleeper and a Bust from each position minus kickers. Let's face it; kickers are a crap-shoot, so we won't waste any time with those guys.
Week 1 Running Back Sleeper and Bust
Chet Gresham- www.razzball.com
Sleeper: Mike Bell – New Orleans Saints -- It may be too late to pick him up in your league with the news of Pierre Thomas being questionable for week one, but it isn't too late to put him in your starting lineup. You may have grabbed him just to keep the PT Cruiser owner from grabbing him, but check your flex position, how does that match-up look? Well, it probably isn't as good as Bell's! Even though the Saints are known for their passing attack they were also tied for fifth in the league in rushing TDs. So as long as Bell starts, get him in your lineup against the Lions "defense."
Bust: Knowshon Moreno – Denver Broncos: I am high on Moreno this year, but his week one is fraught with peril. First, even though he says he is ready, he also says he isn't 100%. Second, he has barely played in preseason. Third, the Bengals rush defense isn't nearly as bad as their orange and black colors make them seem. Fourth, Kyle Orton will be playing with a bum finger. Fifth, Buckhalter and Hillis could easily get the bulk of the carries. And that brings to close my power point presentation.
Week 1 Quarterback Sleeper and Bust
Sleeper: Shaun Hill – San Francisco 49ers I think that the 49ers are going to surprise a lot of people on Sunday when they open up with a win over the reigning NFC Champions. Hill’s yards-per-completion increased each week from 15-17 and if you look at his numbers, in six of the nine games that he played in 2008, his QB rating was 90+. WR Josh Morgan has become a very popular man in the Bay Area and TE Vernon Davis should play a huge role in new offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye’s offense. Arizona was in the bottom third of the league in pass defense last year and I expect Hill to lead San Francisco to a huge win to open the season.
Bust: Carson Palmer – Cincinnati Bengals While I feel that Palmer is in for a big year in 2009, I don’t think that his road to redemption will start in week one. Despite the fact that Denver was one of the worst pass defenses in the league last year, that won’t matter when Palmer takes his first game snaps since week one of the preseason. Missing the final three preseason games due to a bad ankle sprain might not mean much for some players, but for a guy like Palmer who missed 12 games last season, it just added more rust to his arm. Palmer will come around at some point this year, but don’t take a chance on him coming through for you this early.
Week 1 Wide Receiver Sleeper and Bust
Sleeper: Derrick Mason – Baltimore Ravens Granted Mason is not necessarily a sleeper, since his name is already a valuable one in fantasy. However, this week against the hapless Chiefs, Mason may be putting up top-12 WR numbers, which certainly makes him more valuable this week than his overall ADP. Look for Mason to catch at least 8 balls for close to if not over 100 yards, while finding pay-dirt at the very least one time. The Chiefs are just not good, and Baltimore will have a cakewalk here.
Bust: Antonio Bryant – Tampa Bay I am aware he had a fantastic year in 2008, but this is a new season and there is change in Tampa. Byron Leftwich is the teams starting QB, and that doesn’t tell me to run and start Bryant across the board in Week 1. Although he was a top-10 WR last season, his career numbers indicate that it could have been a fluke. Dallas has a nice defense, and with Leftwich’s slow throwing motion, coupled with Dallas’ pass-rush, Tampa’s air attack may very well be abysmal in Week 1. Stay away.
Week 1 Tight End Sleeper and Bust
Sleeper: Jermichael Finley – Green Bay Packers Run don’t walk to the waiver wire if you are feeling uncomfortable about your backup Tight End and grab Finley if he’s available. Finley exploded onto the scene this preseason with 2 Touchdowns versus the Cardinals and he’s earned the trust of QB Aaron Rodgers. Finley will work the middle of the field versus the Bears Cover 2 defense, and with the national spotlight looming Finley has an excellent chance of scoring a touchdown in this game.
Bust: Zach Miller – Oakland Raiders Nothing personal against Miller, but he’s going to be in for a rough match-up with the Chargers. Miller was drafted this summer as a starting TE; so many teams don’t have the luxury of sitting Miller down especially in the all important Week 1. The Chargers will harass Russell all night long, and with Chaz Schilens out you can be sure that Eric Weddle and company will know where Miller is on every play. If you have a better option, you may want to consider it this week. Don’t be surprised to see a stat line of less than 30 yards receiving for Miller.
Week 1 Team Defense Sleeper and Bust
Sleeper: New England- The term “sleeper” doesn’t apply nearly as well to defenses, because there are only so many worth using most of the time. The Patriots have been drafted on average as a fringe starting unit in fantasy leagues (seventh in RapidDraft ADP but generally later elsewhere), but I expect them to challenge for top honors in Week 1. Despite its struggles against the pass last year, New England allowed 10 total points in two meetings with the Bills. This week, it welcomes a Buffalo offense that just jettisoned its coordinator and left tackle and will be without its starting running back. On top of that, the Patriots’ defense should be stronger at corner and in the pass rush this season anyway. There’s shutout potential here.
Bust: N.Y. Jets- It’s going to be at least Week 3 before I feel comfortable with the Jets as a starting fantasy defense, and that’s only if they show some semblance of a rush without OLB Calvin Pace in these first two games. This week, the Jets will also have to go without starting left end and 2008 sack leader Shaun Ellis on the road against a Houston offense with plenty of talent. I want no part of this defense against the Texans or next week against the Patriots.
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