Another Possible Winner in the TO to Buffalo Deal

by | Mar 10, 2009 | 2009 NFL Free Agency, Fantasy Football

Andy already threw out Miles Austin as one potential sleeper for 2009, with T.O. no longer causing headaches in Dallas.

Another player that could move up draft boards come August thanks to T.O. landing in Buffalo is Marshawn Lynch.  After bursting on the scene with 1,115 yards as a rookie in 2007, Lynch took a bit of a step back in 2008 with just 1,036 yards in 2008.  This was partially due to the emergence of Fred Jackson as a capable backup, and partially due to some injuries suffered–although Lynch appeared in 15 games.

Additionally, in 2008 he actually scored more touchdowns on the ground (8 vs 7), slightly improved his yards per carry numbers (4.1 from 4.0), and got himself more involved in the passing game (47 receptions for 300 yards and a TD, vs 18-184-0 in his rookie season).

While the Bills have been making some changes to the offensive line that could impact Lynch’s ability to find holes in 2009, the addition of Owens on the outside should help keep defenses a little more honest when it comes to moving a safety up in the box.

In fact, if James Hardy can show signs of improvement in his second season, Lynch could possibly even crack our 2009 draft board top 10.

Jaguar Jones-Drew’s stock just keeps rising

by | Mar 9, 2009 | 2009 NFL Free Agency, Fantasy Football

When I was short a running back late last season one of the guys I tried to acquire was Jacksonville’s Maurice Jones Drew.

The guy had a rough opening to the season, as he continued sharing time with 87-year-old Fred Taylor and the team’s offensive line fell victim to a ridiculous spate of injuries and mediocre play.

But as the season wore on, Jones-Drew got stronger and as he has done throughout his career, he continued to be a touchdown machine, scoring 15 in 2008 despite starting just one game and touching the gall just 212 times.

Jones-Drew was already likely to improve upon his numbers in 2009 just based on the likelihood that the offensive line would be more healthy (center Brad Meester missed time with a biceps injury and guards Vince Manuwai and Maurice Williams missed all but the season opener due to injuries and backup Richard Collier had his career ended by a gunshot wound shortly before the season started).

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Jettisoning Owens makes Austin possible Cowboys fantasy sleeper

by | Mar 9, 2009 | 2009 NFL Free Agency, Fantasy Football

I’ve been trying for a few days now to figure out the fantasy ramifications for Trent Edwards, Marshawn Lynch, Lee Evans and other Buffalo Bills now that they’ve picked up Terrell Owens. Sure, Roscoe Parrish and Josh Reed weren’t cutting it as number two wideouts, helping make Evans one of fantasy’s most frustrating potential stars.

But Owens’ history, admitted or not, of being a jagoff of a teammate makes me nervous that the youngster Edwards could get rattled and curl up in the fetal position on the 50 yard line.

Hopefully he’s stronger than that, but it leaves me with no idea yet how to look at the Buffalo Bills’ skill players heading into the middle of free agency. I’ll leave you with a link to ffchamps.com, where Anthony Maggio, whom we occasionally contact for insight and who also writes the blog Punting Baxter, wrote an extensive piece outlining his thoughts on Owens’ contributions.

One person in Dallas I think might be an overlooked beneficiary of Owens’ departure is little-known Miles Austin.

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Don’t go overboard with Ward’s fantasy expectations

by | Mar 4, 2009 | Fantasy Football

Derrick Ward signed with Tampa Bay Monday night, leaving the New York Giants and establishing himself as the most Buccaneers’ most likely top rushing option for 2009.

Many fantasy writers are understandably excited about the prospect of Ward adding to his carry numbers in 2009. And rightfully so – the guy broke the 1,000 yard mark as a backup in 2008 in just 182 carries.

I’m not here to rain on anyone’s parade. I too expect him to be a solid fantasy back in 2009. But I wouldn’t expect the reincarnation of Michael Turner.

There are four main reasons I don’t expect him to do so. The first is simple: 1,700 yard, 17 touchdown seasons just don’t come around that often.

After that, though, there are still a few reasons to think twice before making him a first or second round pick.

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2009 Fantasy football mock draft? Already? Heck yah!!

by | Dec 26, 2008 | Fantasy Football

Most fantasy football leagues wrapped up last week. Tony and I will soon provide for your viewing pleasure a wrap-up of the leagues we participated in this season.

In the meantime, it’s never too early to start planning for next year.

While these will obviously change based on the draft, free agency and our own whims, Tony and I each slapped together a top 10 list. We also asked Anthony Maggio, a veteran fantasy sports writer, to give his take as well.

Please feel free to share your own thoughts, either on our lists or on what you would have done differently.

Happy Holidays.
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PaperSports.com offers fantasy football prizes weekly

by | Oct 29, 2008 | Fantasy Football

In another example of how fantasy sports has exploded, Zoneblitz.com brings you PaperSports.com. When Rod Yancy approached Zoneblitz with information about PaperSports.com I was skeptical. He’s helped found a fantasy site that offers tournaments and prizes for drafting teams that in football compete for one week at a time. I play in five football leagues right now and it’s hard to keep up with that, much less try to participate in leagues that draft anew each week.

But we asked Yancy a few questions and as he explained the concept I began to see where a model like this might appeal to some people. Here’s a Q&A with Mr. Yancy that gives some of the rationale behind starting the site and explains more specifically how it works.

Zoneblitz: Can you describe your site, PaperSports.com, and the concept behind a short-season?”

Yancy: PaperSports games last one week for football and one day for basketball and baseball. There are several reasons why we think that the “short-season” fantasy sports format is compelling, I’ll mention a few.

First, PaperSports users can pick their fantasy team(s) and know whether they won their tournament(s) within a matter of days. This is more conducive to real money play, because you don’t have to wait a whole season to get paid if you are going to win.

Second, since games are so frequent, users can join tournaments 24/7, seven days a week. With season-long fantasy sites, if you miss the live-draft you are basically out of luck for the entire season. With short-season fantasy sports at most you are out a week. Last, users don’t have to follow the same fantasy team the whole season, so if something changes and they want to pick a new line-up, all they have to do is play a new tournament.

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