Author: kroberts

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NFL General

Fantasy Position by Position: Running-Back Breakdown

Anyone can analyze the quarterback position, mostly because youre usually only looking at one guy under a microscope. But take a look at the Oakland Raiders backfield, even for a second, and you have to start to wonder: Who is the starter, the third down back, and will it even matter?

That’s what happens when you have a sure fire talent, a couple of injury riddled busts, and a collection of all around solid talent at the position.

It’s not really about DO you have the talent, it’s what you do with it.

So, in doing my best from digging too deep in the cookie jar and trying to pretend like the Pittsburgh Steelers’ signing of Mewelde Moore will actually shake your fantasy football world up, even a little bit, here is my perspective on each team’s running back issues, by player, as insignificant as they may be.

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Miami Dolphins

McCown deserves vote of confidence

Ever since Dan Marino retired, the Dolphins have been wading in mediocrity at the most important position in the game.  They went from the game manager Jay Fiedler, to Gus Frerotte, and then to has-beens like Dante Culpepper and Trent Green.  Now, in a muddled quarterback controversy, there are two young gunslingers, and one who hasn’t been given a fair shake since he entered the league in Josh McCown.

We already saw what John Beck brings to the table through five games and a measly 559 yards.  True, he was on the worst team in the league last year, and with very little weapons, but he simply did not perform like a guy should that is being called “the quarterback of the future”.

That’s why Bill Parcells signed McCown and drafted Henne, a Michigan product, like all other Michigan quarterback prospects-looks better than he probably is. Henne might have a shot at proving he’s the guy down the stretch, but realistically, it’d be nothing short of a large step back than to keep drafting quarterbacks and then switching them.  Parcells doesn’t want to leave it to the gods for two straight seasons like his competitor, the New York Jets, clearly plan on doing with Kellen Clemens and Chad Pennington.

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NFL General

Hall of Famer For Sale

Finally, we’re making some ground. After all of the speculation, the he said, she said quotes and misquotes, we finally know the truth.

Brett Favre wants back into the NFL, and the Packers don’t want him on their team.

While it doesn’t appear likely that either side will be changing their mind anytime soon, (Brett is set on returning, and the Packers are focused on Aaron Rodgers) now is the time to start focusing on where Favre will be playing next season.

The Green Bay Packers have emphatically stated they will not release Favre, in fear he could go to a rival and beat them twice a season. They probably would be reluctant to let him go to another NFC team, as well, in fear they could meet him in the playoffs.

So, what then? Trade him to Baltimore and possibly see him in the Super Bowl? Ted Thompson is truly in a lose-lose, here. If Brett is reinstated and rides the bench, chants of “we want brett” will be heard for all 8 home games. Aaron Rodgers won’t make it out of Green Bay alive.

Regardless of the actual outcome, what’s better than speculating just a little further in the epic story that has become “the retirement of Brett Favre”?

Here is a look at all of the 31 other teams Brett Favre is more likely to play for, and reasons why or why not it will actually happen:

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NFL General

Fantasy Position Breakdown: Quarterbacks

Fantasy football is upon us. Believe it or not, we are a mere month away from gearing up for a season full of jubilation and undoubtedly, tears of loss and regret. And before you can call yourself ready or boldly declare you’re going to steal your league’s championship this year, you’ve got to know where you stand on each position. More importantly, you’ve got to know where you stand on each player.

I’ll be breaking down each team’s star at each offensive position (QB/RB/WR/TE) and letting you know, if you don’t already know, on who to take, and who to definitely stay away from.

Where there is an up and coming young gunslinger like Jay Cutler, there resides a dream shattering disappointment in an Alex Smith. Any quarterback can go from progression to regression in a blink of an eye, so outside of the obvious top ten quarterbacks, one has to know exactly what separates the rest of the hopefuls.

Here is the complete breakdown of the 2008 starting quarterbacks for each team, as well as any quarterback battles heading into the pre-season:

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NFL General

2008 NFL Power Rankings: Season Preview

With the recent mumblings of Favre considering coming out of retirement, things are getting shaken up in Green Bay, and quite honestly, all around football.

If you’re a fantasy drafter holding an early draft, now you’re not sure whether to steal Rodgers or some of his teammates, and you’re also speculating on whether or not to nab Favre, as well.

Each year we have to look at each player and each team under a microscope. Which player is past his prime, just entering it, and who is going to carry his team to the next level.

If Brett Favre does in fact come back, then it will change the current look of the NFl completely. Well, at least it will change the fortunes of the Green Bay Packers.

Regardless, whatever he decides to do will no doubt have a domino affect in the NFC North, kicking the Vikings or Bears out of playoff contention, or if he stays retired, maybe ensuring them a wild card.

One thing is for sure, Favre and his rumor mill antics will keep us all (unless you’re a Lions fan) on the edge of our seats, awaiting his final verdict. And you thought we had it all figured out back in March…

The pre-season Power Rankings:

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NFL General

Bold Predictions

Seasons come and go in today’s sports world, as do predictions and opinions. I, for one have made my fair share of, well, incorrect predictions.

I said the Celtics’ big trades for Ray Allen and KG would not amount to a title, and only cripple their franchise down the road. And quite frankly, those things both could still very well happen.

I also predicted the Packers would meet the Indianapolis Colts in the Super Bowl, with Green Bay prevailing, sending Favre off into the sunset with one last championship.

Obviously, the New York Giants ended that thought.

But what would sports be without competition on top of competition? That’s why we write about, argue about, and watch these games. That’s why fantasy sports is so compelling.

We get to compete without actually ever working for it. Some might say, however, that there is a lot of work that goes into it. And if it’s not work, it’s at least knowledge combined with intelligent guesses.

I know what you’re thinking. That’s what Vegas is for.

But I’m willing to let the dice roll, to be damned if I’m right or be damned if I’m wrong.

So, without further hesitance, here are my 25 bold predictions for the 2008 NFL season.

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NBA General

Still the King?

One off game. That’s all it was, right? Yeah, sure. Until game two rolled around and Lebron’s already suspect perimeter game was exposed for all the world to see.

Sure, he’s the most exciting player in the NBA, that is, if you haven’t already jumped on the Chris Paul bandwagon, but dear God, are we seriously going to overlook this?

Are we for real, in all our skeptical wisdom as fans and writers, going to look past a 19% shooting effort and 17 turnovers in two straight games? And not just any two games. We’re talking two straight games in the second round of the playoffs. You know, the series that, if you were to win it, you’re suddenly four wins away from the NBA Finals.

I mean, I hate to say it, but isn’t this kind of all sorts of hilarious? Bare with me folks, but I’m going to go out on a limb here. Despite what Stephen A. Smith (the A stands for something other than his parents intended) and others want you to believe, Lebron “King” James, is in full choke mode.

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Green Bay Packers

Magic Man

I’m sorry cheese heads, but the dream has died. For the second time in four seasons, the Packer Nation was teased with the idea of a “magical” season that seemingly could have no end. But that’s the trouble in having Brett Favre as your quarterback. While you’re never out of a game, you’re just as sure to have your heart ripped out in the final seconds by a coined Favre interception.

But let’s not hang our heads. The 2007 Green Bay Packers accomplished many things, let alone reached the conference championship game. Along the way to a 13-3 record, the Title Town natives escaped tough road game at Denver and Kansas City, beat one of the two teams in the AFC Championship, and won one of two against this year’s NFC representative in the Super Bowl. Granted, they couldn’t finish things up in the most crucial match-up of the season, but can you really blame them?

Well, actually, yes you can.

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NFL General

Final Power Rankings for the 2007 NFL Season

Is anyone shocked? I mean, even a little?

And I’m not talking about the Patriots and their unbelievable 16-0 season. Because, while many would never dare admit it, a lot of people never thought it would happen. They never thought it could happen. But it did.

But no, that’s not what I’m talking about.

Is anyone shocked that the top 4 teams have stayed the same for the entire season, that is, once they were all together up there?

Admit it, you thought the Packers were a fluke when they started 4-0 and lost to the Bears. You probably even still think that.

And no one really thought the Patriots would continue their hot streak. And the Colts? The defending champs marred by injuries. They were sure to collapse and miss the playoffs, like every former champion does. Well, most of them.

But now we can see there were no surprises. Not really. Not in the regular season. The Browns, one of the most exciting teams of the season, missed the playoffs, while the Buccaneers basically took the remaining 4 weeks off and coasted into the playoffs.

So what now?

Well, if you ask me, I’d say a hindered Owens and ineffective Romo will have the mighty Cowboys falling to the, you guessed it, Washington Redskins in the divisional playoff. Which can only mean Green Bay will get past the Giants, yet again, and then romp all over the Redskins on their way to the Super Bowl.

And, as if those won’t be enough surprises to last us all through next year, and help us ignore the dullness of the NBA, there’s more.

Yes, the undefeated Patriots will lose in the championship game to the Colts, and then we have a match-up that almost no one wants to see, but won’t be able to look away from. Green Bay versus Indianapolis.

But I won’t pick the winner just yet. Instead, take a look at how your team faired this season, and where they fall in the final edition of the 2007, and now 2008 NFL Power Rankings.

One more edition will be available upon the completion of the playoffs. So Until February, enjoy. Happy new year, everybody.

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NFL General

Week 17 NFL Power Rankings

What the hell is going on?

I mean, seriously. People actually expected the Dolphins to beat the Patriots? They actually thought the worst possible rendition of that 72′ team could end the possibility of this current Patriot team from going undefeated? You must be joking.

And what is with the Green Bay Packers? More importantly-Brett Favre. Have you ever seen him play that crappy in bad weather? And what about Jon Ryan? Talk about the punter’s day from hell.

And as if we hadn’t seen everything. We get a showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions, two teams who haven’t won in forever, and both are punting the ball back and forth, waiting for the other team to win the game. Congratulations, Matt Millen, you are one game closer to being average. And as for you, Jon Kitna, lay off predictions for a while.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t know how much more of this up and down season I can take. Teams like the Packers and Cowboys aren’t living up to expectations, Steve Smith is suddenly good again, Shaun Hill is the apparent future in San Fransisco, and the San Diego Chargers, at least for the now, are being considered a solid football team.

and the power rankings for the coming week 17…

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