Fantasy Football Advice

It’s May isn’t it? Something like four months until football starts?  But it’s never too early to see how the chips are falling, albeit really early chips.  Like when Erik Estrada wasn’t as famous.

I was hoping for some specific guys early on, and all my hopes were crushed.  The rankings this year are going to vary dramatically based on several position battles, free agent moves, rookies etc.  Which is par for the course, but it isn’t usually as dramatic in the first few rounds.  The top of the rankings are going to get shaken up more than a Bond Martini.

Here’s how my roster shaped up, in a 12-Team non-PPR Mock with industry guys like Scott Pianowski, Andy Behrens, Christopher Liss, and others:

QB – Aaron Rodgers

RB – Matt Forte

RB – Steven Jackson

WR – Marques Colston

WR – DeSean Jackson

WR – Torrey Smith

TE – Tony Gonzalez

FLEX – Reggie Bush

Bench – Malcolm Floyd

Bench – Mikel Leshoure

Bench – Anquan Boldin

Bench – Daniel Thomas

DEF – Detroit Lions

K – Robbie Gould

Here’s a recap of my thoughts on some of the picks:

1^st Pick – Aaron Rodgers (5^th Overall): Knowing Arian Foster was going first, I was hoping either Megatron, Ray Rice, or LeSean McCoy would end up falling to me, but all three were taken in that order.  I do not like MJD enough to take him 5^th, and while I hadn’t planned on going QB in the first round, I kind of got stuck with Rodgers.  He is easily the consensus #1 QB and should be the class at the position.  With QBs getting drafted higher than any draft in recent memory, I have no problem grabbing the best one and being able to forget about the position.

2^nd Pick – Matt Forte (20^th Overall): This was a pick I labored over immensely.  Forte has got all sorts of question marks with ending last year on an injury (albeit a minor one), new acquisition Michael Bush in town, and currently in a contract dispute that may end up in a trade.  I was crossing my fingers either Trent Richardson or DeMarco Murray would fall to me, but both went much earlier than I had anticipated (8^th and 13^th overall).  So I was stuck in a rut of wanting a RB, and took a shot on Forte’s upside.  He will be a focal point in whichever team he ends up with in both the rushing and passing attack, and if he does indeed stay with the Bears, the addition of Brandon Marshall should help spread the field and give Forte a bit more room.

5^th, 6^th, and 7^th Picks – Marques Colston, DeSean Jackson, & Torrey Smith (53^rd, 68^th, 77^th Overall):  I grouped my receiving corps together because I really, really like this group which I took consecutively after building my QB and backfield.  Colston is back with Brees and with the Saints defense losing playmakers due to the Bounty mess, the Saints should have to throw even more.  Jackson is a total upside play; the Eagles have committed to him, and a rebound season should be in store.  And I really, really, really (three really’s!) like Torrey Smith for 2012.  He and Flacco were really clicking during the second half and his sheer speed and athleticism are going to translate into some monstrous games.  After going fairly safe through the first five rounds, upside plays like Jackson and Smith are exactly what I wanted.  I would be happy with this receiving trio even in a 10-team league, so WR-depth appears early on to be quite plentiful.

12^th Pick – Tony Gonzalez (140^th Overall): I bring this pick up only to mention that Andy Behrens took Jacob Tamme the pick RIGHT BEFORE ME!  Thanks a lot, Behrens.  With Gonzalez still on the board, it wasn’t the end of the world, but you can read my thoughts on Tamme here.  Behrens commented he was thinking about taking Tamme earlier, so I think he’s slowly climbing up the draft boards.  I wouldn’t mind a middlish-round pick for Tamme, as he’s gaining some momentum.

Overall Thoughts: I was really bummed out with my first two picks… I really thought Calvin Johnson might land to me, and then take either T-Rich or Murray.  Forte is my biggest gaffe and question mark, but then looking at my team, I think it’s a very well rounded and an absolute contender, especially in a 12-teamer.  I went a little safer early on, but was able to get HUGE upside playmakers in Jackson and Smith.  I was also able to get handcuffs in Anquan Boldin and Daniel Thomas, which will alleviate some of the question marks behind Reggie Bush and Torrey Smith should they falter out of the gate.

What say you about this draft?

Razzball Nation!  The 2012 Fantasy Season is approaching!  It’s great to be back and never too early to start thinking about how to field your best squad.

What better way to start planning for your upcoming drafts than to think about sleepers.  And just like your friendly proctologist, I’m going to start with the Tight End.

Back in the day, it used to be, “Tight End, who gives a Fells?”  Then the position started going bonkers when Antonio Gates could play on both feet and Tony Gonzalez caused more carnage slam-dunking than Darryl Dawkins.

Entering 2011, the position had come full circle and died down yet again.  Gates was the prettiest girl of the bunch, but they all kinda blended together into one of those not-quite-ugliest but definitely not-one-of–the-hotter sororities.  Just have enough beers and you’ll take when you can get.  Then arose the power of the Gronk!  You like Gronk!  Gronk no take ugly sorority girl he take porn star!

With 2012 comes the year of the highly drafted #1 stud.  Gronkowski is currently getting drafted in the early second round according to Mock Draft Central, an ADP that I see rising and rising through more and more mock drafts.  Then there’s also Jimmy Graham going in the late second round.  Now, I don’t have a problem with either of those selections.  I think both will end up right around there in value, but I don’t think I’d ever get my Tight End that early.  There are just too many other skill players I’d want to draft.

After those two, it goes Gates, Witten, Hernandez, Finley, Davis, then Gonzalez, all taken rounds 5-9.  That’s 8 TEs taken before round 10, and if you’re in a 10-team league, TEs fly off the shelf like that Van Halen song: “Everybody wants some!  You want some too!”

But I’m holding out.  Who am I holding out for?  Mr. Jacob Tamme, who is flying so under-the-radar that you can wait until one of your final rounds to nab.  According to Mock Draft Central, Tamme is so undrafted he’s not even taken in the top 18 TEs and falls out of their reports and out of the top 196.  Where’s the love?

It’s pretty easy to forget just how dominant Tamme was in 2010.  After Dallas Clark went down on the IR, Tamme put together a line of 67 catches for 631 yards for 4 TDs.  Oh wait, that was in 10 games!  Sure, people argued, “he’s only a product of the system,” and “he was just a lucky pickup on the wire for teams down the stretch.”  Yada, yada.  Tamme proved he was a quality Tight End when he got his shot.  But last year, with Clark returning and Peyton Manning spending too much time with his head out of car windows, Tamme became a bigger afterthought than Larry Johnson.  He snagged only 19 catches all season while searching for playing time and an actual quarterback.

Then in the offseason, Tamme signed with the Broncos on a three-year deal following the signing of Peyton Manning.  Manning has recently said the additions of former teammates Tamme and free agent Brandon Stokley have eased his transition, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Peyton had a hand in bringing Tamme in.  Even though the Broncos have also brought in Joel Dreessen who has flashed some skills in Houston, I think Tamme is going to see a lot of work in the passing game.  First, consider Manning’s two wide receiver options:  Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker aren’t exactly the class of the league.   I think Decker has the bigger year, but that’s just a gut call and of no consequence to what I expect from Tamme.  Second, consider Manning’s limitations with both a probable limitation of arm strength and playing outdoors at Mile High vs. playing the majority of his career indoors.  I don’t think it’d surprise anyone to see a lot of check downs and a more West Coast-style of passing offense rather than the more aerial approach the Colts utilized in Manning’s heyday.

The only real concern I have with Tamme is John Fox has never fully incorporated Tight Ends in his passing game.  I’m a Panthers fan and watched almost every play in the John Fox era and if it’s not a run play it’s probably not a pass to the Tight End.  However, I think Manning’s input and whatever will cater to his capabilities will supersede Fox’s offensive mantra.   Don’t forget, Tamme’s huge 10 weeks in 2010 was the last time Peyton Manning was on the field, so his rapport with Tamme should still be there.

Especially in PPR leagues, I think Tamme is going to be a beast and a top-7 TE.  With a major downgrade in WRs from what he was working with in Indy, I expect Manning to look for Tamme early and often.  And with such a discount in price, why not load up on other position players and snag Tamme late?  That’s going to be my plan.

2012 Projection:  79 Catches  819 Yards  8 TDs

The Buffalo Bills showed respect to their 31 year old breakout from the 2011 season as they sign Fred Jackson to a 2 year $9 million dollar extension.  Why did I preface that with his age, you ask?  Cuz he’s a running back and he’s 31.  You need a better reason?  There’s talk that because his body didn’t take the wear and tear up to this point like other RBs did, he still has fresh legs.  I liked that story better the first time I heard it about Ricky Williams in 2009 when he was keeping limber with his ‘ayurvedic medicine’.  I hear it has the same holistic powers as what he was suspended from the league for when he retired in 2004.  That’s not to say Jackson won’t be successful this year but that his backup CJ Spiller performed well in his absence.  Knowing that RB lives are preciously short, there might be a bit more of a timeshare in store for Fred in 2012 than we’re willing to admit and it’s just as annoying as the one your Uncle Sal keeps asking you to buy in with him on off the coast of Maine.  Keep that in mind when you start a mockin and you don’t want us to come knockin.  In other news…

Robert Griffin III - One day into mini-training camp and Mike Shanahan is quoted with ‘He’s our starter, period’.  It was at first considered a bold move but then Shanahan pulled out the tape of Rex Grossman highlights he had been watching that morning prior to his statement and the media concurred.  PS, I’m gonna love me some RG3 in the rankings and I’m gonna hate me some Andrew Luck.  Feel free to throw tomatoes if you disagree.  I could use some extra vitamin C.

Joseph Addai - It’s looking like he’ll sign with the Patriots to wrestle with Danny Woodhead and Stevan Ridley for touches.  No word if ‘touches’ in that sentence means the ball or Tom Brady‘s beautfiul butt chin but in either situation, I’m not interested.  BenJarvus Green-Ellis had one successful season in 2010 and a lot of bupkis surrounding it.  Considering the Patriots started handing off to Aaron Hernandez – yes, their TE – near the end of the season, it’s safe to say I won’t add Addai…hrm, that sounded like a stuttering biblical name.

Terrell Suggs - Partially tore his Achilles tendon while playing basketball doing conditioning drills in Arizona.  Reports are saying he’ll miss the season.  Suggs disagrees.  A rock, paper, scissors contest between the two sides revealed we still don’t know, but it’s still going to hurt the Ravens defense this year and makes them hard to target as an automatic in your draft.

Bryan Anger -  He’s a punter and was taken in the 3rd round by Jacksonville in the draft.  You’ve heard it plenty of times but I just felt like chiming in to voice my encouragement for the move.  When Blaine Gabbert is your starting QB, it’s nice to have someone on your team that can move the ball 50 yards through the air.  The Jaguars are literally telling you not to draft Gabbert even in a 2 QB league.  This isn’t prevent defense, it’s declaring preemptive defeat.  Sad emoticon.

Greetings earthlings (who are also fantasy football players),  it is me, Sky.  You might remember me from such hits as ‘Deep League Thoughts’ and ‘Under the Greydar’ from the baseball side of things here at Razzball as Oregon Nut Cups.  If you don’t, it’s because you don’t read that part of the site and I strongly suggest you do;  Grey & Rudy really know their shizz.  But I understand, baseball isn’t your passion it’s football.  For you, that pigskin is the cat’s pajamas or meow or whatever you youngins say nowadays about cats (the cat’s nyan?).  While those guys are looking at April buys and sells, you’re the one who doesn’t leave his house for three days as you comb over the draft results for each respective team, trying to get a leg up on the coming season.  I know who you are because I’ve smelled you.  You do realize the draft happens at a certain time of day, right?  You CAN take intermittent showers.  Anywho, I’m here for you, fantasy gridiron warriors as will my writing posse so feel free to go bathe yourself.  Heck, we might even wash you down with a falafel like we’re Bill O’Reilly if you’re having a hard time reaching certain places.  We like you that much which is to say, a little too much at times.

As you read this, I’m sure you’ve come to realize the great and venerable Doc is riding into the tuberculosis sunset.  As a former reader of his content, I realize I have some big cowboy boots to fill and plan to do so in a way that only a person who would call themselves Oregon Nut Cups can.  There have been great stories about him here at Razzball over the years.  I once heard he consumed the English with fireballs from his eyes and bolts of lightning from his arse.  Not that that was useful in his ability to help your team win but I bring you this Braveheart quote so I can say that you have read with the Doc, NOW READ WITH ME!  Welcome to Fantasy Football 2012, y’all!

Good day Razzballers! It’s with a heavy heart that I say this will be my last post for Razzball. Maybe that’s just those 5 Choco Tacos, but either way, my heart is weighted down. I’ve had a ton of fun here and would like to thank Mr. Grey for the opportunity. It truly has been a pleasure. And I’d also like to thank you guys and gals for reading and commenting. Unlike other sites the comments have always been cordial and helpful and I’ve made a lot of good friends.

I’ll still be writing about football, fake and real, but Ol’ Doc is retiring, and or dying of pneumonia. Ether way, as the worst announcer in all of sports would say, “He Gone!” So look for me in the fantasy football mines swinging away and bring me some water or a whiskey, I’ll still be drinking whiskey even with Mr. Holliday on holiday.

Razzball Football will still keep on kicking footballs long after I’m riding my horse into the sunset so stick around for the young guns to make you famous!

Peace and love and all that good stuff.

Chet

Click in this general area for the 2012 NFL Schedule Grid, and done.

Or click on the little pic below if that’s your bag.

I’ll be using these to put together some strength of schedule schtuff. I’ll have all kinds of disclaimers stamped on them, but hey, it’s all in good fun people!

Landing the perfect prospect on the perfect team… a match made in Fantasy Heaven.

Rules for the Fantasy Football Matchmaker:

1. Must have some basis in reality, i.e., the New York Giants are not drafting Trent Richardson.
2. “Reality” includes the selection of Offensive Linemen, Defensive Tackles, and 3-4 Defensive Ends.
3. Immediate fantasy appeal and opportunity.
4. Long term success rate.
5. Hitting the exact draft slot is a bonus, but not essential. If the Rams obtain my fantasy match at 2.07 instead of 2.01, fans will still rejoice.
6. In many cases, team positional needs should be regarded higher than any particular player.  If a team in need of a cornerback lands Alfonzo Dennard instead of Stephon Gilmore, we’ll still be happy.

April 26: 2012 NFL Draft: Round 1, 8pm ET

April 27: 2012 NFL Draft: Rounds 2-3, 7pm ET

April 28: 2012 NFL Draft: Rounds 4-7, 12pm ET

2.01    St. Louis Rams                       

Zach Brown, OLB

North Carolina

It seems like only yesterday that Steven Jackson was replacing Marshall Faulk. How time flies. The future back is a reasonable draft selection, but check out the chasm at outside linebacker. For fantasy purposes, an OLB could step right in a put up great stats as opposed to a RB that has to wait his turn. Brown is an explosive player that’s a perfect fit for the 4-3 defense.

2.02    Indianapolis Colts      

Coby Fleener, TE

Stanford

I can think of no better way to ease Andrew Luck into the NFL than by bringing in his buddy from Stanford. The Colts opted to let Dallas Clark and Jacob Tamme walk, so there’s an opening.

2.03    Minnesota Vikings

Mohamed Sanu, WR

Rutgers

I originally had a safety here, but Percy Harvin is always banged up and the rest of the receivers are junk. I think it’s a reach, but maybe the Vikings want to play it safe by landing a better receiving prospect now.

2.04    Tampa Bay Buccaneers

David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech or

Doug Martin, RB, Boise St

LeGarrette Blount owners breathed a sigh of relief when Trent Richardson was unable to land on the Bucs. However, he’s got company in round two. I know it’s a bummer for Blount owners, but look at it this way: my choices were the Bucs, Steven Jackson and the Rams, or Shonn Greene and the Jets. With reality in the mix, this is the best fantasy landing spot considering all the scenarios. Ideally, the third drafted back would be golden if he fell to the Bengals at 2.21, but it’s too far away.

2.05    Cleveland Browns

Vinny Curry, DE/SLB

Marshall

Cleveland has a need at both end and linebacker. Curry is a big boy, and is capable of flexing to either position.

2.06    Jacksonville Jaguars

Lavonte David, WLB/SS

Nebraska

We don’t want a rookie receiver going to Jacksonville. It’s a waste. David reminds me of Thomas Davis. Well, the Davis that was once healthy and a fantasy beast. IDP owners would prefer him to line up at weakside linebacker so Dawan Landry can keep his job.

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