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With tonight concluding the 2010 NFL pre-season, this will likely be our last update for fantasy tight ends before the season begins in one week (unless we are feeling overly ambitious). In other words, this will definitely be our last fantasy TE update before the start of the season.

Throughout the season, we will provide weekly rankings based on matchups, injuries, byes, etc. In addition, we will update our position rankings, in general terms, on a monthly basis to help you evaluate trade proposals and such.

For now, here are our top 20 fantasy tight ends entering the 2010 NFL season:

1. Antonio Gates, Chargers: Despite only ranking sixth among tight ends in targets (114), Gates led tight ends -- and set a career-high -- in receiving yards (1,157) in 2009. With Vincent Jackson out for three (or more) weeks, Gates should see more targets in 2010.

2. Dallas Clark, Colts: What's not to like? With a line of 100-1106-10, Clark ranked first in receptions, second in yards and third in touchdowns among tight ends.

3. Vernon Davis, 49ers: Davis finally broke out last year. So much so that last season (78-965-13) was essentially better than his two previous seasons combined (83-867-6).

4. Brent Celek, Eagles: Two of Celek's three 100-yard games came in the only two in which quarterback Kevin Kolb started. Perhaps that overstates the Kolb-Celek chemistry, but it's not hard to picture an improvement upon his breakout campaign (76-971-8).

5. Jason Witten, Cowboys: Witten had a "down" year of 94 passes for 1,030 yards (and only two touchdowns). Many tight ends (or wide receivers) would love to have a "down" year like that. I guarantee that Witten will have more than two touchdowns in 2010. Otherwise, I refund 110% of your cost for this advice. I'm confident; make that double your cost.

6. Jermichael Finley, Packers: In his final eight games (including the Packers' post-season game), Finley finished with 44 receptions for 575 yards and four touchdowns. Despite missing three games, Finley still finished in the top ten in receiving yards among TEs in his second season.

7. Tony Gonzalez, Falcons: Arguably the greatest tight end ever. Gonzalez had more targets (135) than any other tight end and finished with 83 receptions for 867 yards and six touchdowns in 2009.

8. Owen Daniels, Texans: In an injury-shortened half-season, Daniels caught 40 passes for 519 yards and five touchdowns. His pace (80-1038-10) would have ranked him fourth in receptions, third in yards and tied for third in TDs among tight ends.

9. Visanthe Shiancoe, Vikings: Shiancoe has never surpassed 596 yards in one season, but he has been a touchdown machine over the past two seasons (18 TDs).

10. Zach Miller, Raiders: Only seven TEs had more receiving yards than Miller (805) had in 2009. In his three seasons, his receptions (44 to 56 to 66) and yards (444 to 778 to 805) have increased every season.

Continue reading "(Updated) 2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends (TEs)" »

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 10:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

With teams getting ready for their pre-season finales tomorrow night, here are my (updated) Top 50 Fantasy WRs for 2010:

1. Andre Johnson, Texans: For me, this is (still) a no-brainer. Johnson, who was the third overall pick in 2003, has posted back-to-back 100-reception, 1,500-yard seasons.

2. Calvin Johnson, Lions: After a stellar sophomore campaign (78-1331-12) with Dan Orlovsky as his quarterback, MegaTron battled nagging injuries in 2009 and even missed two games. Provided he stays healthy, however, the sky is the limit in 2010 for this gifted athlete.

3. Randy Moss, Patriots: Moss has scored 47 touchdowns over the past three seasons, however, all five of his 100-yard games last year came in the first nine weeks of the season. Whether or not you questioned his motivation in the second-half last year, Moss is entering his contract year and is looking as good as ever.

4. Reggie Wayne, Colts: Only three players (two receivers) finished the season with at least 100 receptions, 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. If you own Wayne, hope for a few Colts' early-season losses so Wayne plays more than a half in your fantasy championship game.

5. Miles Austin, Cowboys: The list? Andre Johnson and Wes Welker. The topic? Receivers who had more yards than Austin in 2009. The biggest concern for Austin will be the competition for targets with Jason Witten, Dez Bryant, Roy Williams and the running game.

6.Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals: Over the past three seasons, Fitzgerald has caught a combined 293 passes for 3,932 yards and 35 touchdowns. With Kurt Warner retiring this off-season, however, the person (either Matt Leinart or Derek Anderson) getting him the ball is a huge downgrade.

7. Brandon Marshall, Dolphins: Marshall has had 100+ receptions and 1,100+ yards for three consecutive seasons. Marshall has a fat new contract and should be happy. Then again, he's a head case as his punting reinactment illustrated earlier in camp.

8. Roddy White, Falcons: Only Andre Johnson (171) had more targets than did White (165) in 2009. In the past three seasons, White has been consistent: 83, 88 and 85 receptions as well as 1,202, 1,382 and 1,153 yards, respectively. Even better, he set a career-high in TDs (11) in 2009.

9. DeSean Jackson, Eagles: Despite his size, Jackson is one of most explosive big-play receivers in the league. He ranked second in yards (18.5) per reception and first in the league in receptions of 40 yards or more (10).

10. Greg Jennings, Packers: From weeks 4-14, Jennings had only one 100-yard game. In his final four games (counting playoffs), Jennings had three 100-yard games.

Continue reading "(Updated) 2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers (WRs)" »

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 01:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Through three pre-season games, here are my (updated) Top 40 Fantasy RBs for 2010:

1. Chris Johnson, Titans: 2,006 yards. 11 straight 100-yard games. While those numbers would be nearly impossible to repeat, Johnson can take it to the house on any given play with his 4.24 speed. Plus, Johnson is now greedy (not hungry): "I graduated from hungry to greedy, and all I want is more.”

2. Adrian Peterson, Vikings: In three NFL seasons, Peterson has rushed for 1,300+ yards and 10+ touchdowns every year. His fumbling issues are well-documented, but he also had his best season as a receiver (43 receptions for 436) in 2009. And with Sidney Rice out for roughly half of this season, those receiving numbers should increase.

3. Ray Rice, Ravens: Rice led RBs in receptions (78) and receiving yards (702) in 2009. He was one of only two backs to have over 2000 yards from scrimmage.

4. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars: In his first season as the featured back, Pocket Hercules delivered with 1,391 rushing yards, 374 receiving yards on 53 receptions and 16 combined touchdowns. Although he denies he's had knee surgery, he has been shut down for the rest of the pre-season.

5. Michael Turner, Falcons: An ankle injury in week 10 essentially wiped out the rest of his season, but he was getting into a groove before the injury (428 rushing yards on 47 carries (9.1 YPC) and three touchdowns in 2 1/2 games). In his 27 games as a Falcon, Turner has rushed for more touchdowns (27) than he has receptions (11).

6. Frank Gore, 49ers: With two first-round picks in the 2010 NFL Draft, the 49ers drafted two offensive linemen (Trent Williams and Mike Iupati), which is obviously a benefit to Gore. In addition to rushing for over 1,000 yards in the past four years, he has also averaged 52 receptions per season during that span.

7. Steven Jackson, Rams: With the Rams' lack of offensive weapons to complement Jackson, opposing defenses know what is coming. Yet Jackson still finished second in the NFL in rushing in 2009 despite being hampered by back issues for the second half of the season.

8. Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers: Starting in week four, Mendenhall rushed for 1,068 yards and seven TDs in the final 13 games of the season. (That's a 1300-yard pace.) Fortunately, the rumors of a broken arm were false.

9. DeAngelo Williams, Panthers: Despite missing three games last year, Williams has rushed for 2,632 yards and scored 27 touchdowns (25 rushing and two receiving) in the past two seasons. His only drawback? Backfield mate Jonathan Stewart has rushed for close to 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns during that same span. Williams is in a contract year.

10. Shonn Greene, Jets: The Jets replaced one thirty-something back with another, but it's Greene's team now (even if LaDainian Tomlinson isn't aware of that). And with arguably the league's best line in front of him, Greene could have a monster season.

Speaking of Shonn Greene, he's one of the five players listed for our Week 1 Fantasy Football Contest.

Continue reading "(Updated) 2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs (RBs)" »

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 06:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

His campaigning worked.

When the Cowboys face the Dolphins in their pre-season finale, rookie wide receiver Dez Bryant will be on the field.

Tonight Bryant tweeted (via Todd Archer of the Dallas Morning News), "Back in action Thursday night!!!!!"

Bryant, who is recovering from a high-ankle sprain, said Saturday night of his route-running before the game that "everybody liked what they've seen and we're just moving forward."

According to Mock Draft Central, Bryant is currently the 33rd wide receiver drafted in fantasy drafts based on average draft position (ADP).

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 12:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Oakland Raiders running back Michael Bush will have surgery on his broken thumb Monday, but there is a "good chance" that he'll be ready to play in the team's season opener on September 12th, according to coach Tom Cable (via the Associated Press).

Bush, who broke his thumb in Saturday's pre-season game against the 49ers, likely won't need to play with a cast on his hand.

However, Dennis Georgatos of NFL FanHouse thinks playing Bush would be a mistake if he requires a cast.

Bush and Darren McFadden, the fourth overall pick in 2008, are set to share the workload in 2010.

McFadden, who has been a disappointment in his two NFL seasons, would get an opportunity to establish himself as the team's primary back if Bush is unable to return for Week 1.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 11:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

When the Donovan McNabb era begins in Washington on September 12th, coach Mike Shanahan isn't sure whether the team's signal-caller will be under center or holding a clipboard.

"I really don't know for sure," Shanahan said Sunday, per the Associated Press. "That's why it's day by day. We'll see how it goes."

McNabb, who sprained his ankle in the team's second pre-season game, hasn't practiced or played since then and he won't play in the team's final pre-season game on Thursday.

As a precaution, neither will Rex Grossman, the team's back-up quarterback.

The Redskins face five tough opponents in their first six weeks: Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia, Green Bay and Indianapolis. Those five teams combined for a 56-24 record in 2009. (They also play St. Louis in Week 3.)

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 10:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In back-to-back off-seasons, the Cincinnati Bengals have given a pair of free-agent wide receivers four-year contracts worth $28 million.

First, it was Laveranues Coles in 2009. Then, it was Antonio Bryant in 2010.

After the Bengals released Coles earlier this off-season, the veteran receiver signed with the New York Jets for his third stint with the team.

Today both Coles and Bryant were released (by the Jets and Bengals, respectively.)

"I think I'm done,'' Coles said, per Dave Hutchinson of the Newark Star-Ledger. "I don't want to become one of those journeyman football players. I don't need the money..."

"Unless someone gives me an offer I can't refuse, I think I'm done,'' said Coles. "I have my health and I'm thankful for that. I'll talk to the Jets if they call but right now I think I'm done."

The Bryant signing was a huge financial mistake by the Bengals, who paid Bryant nearly $8 million without him ever playing in a single game. In fact, he practiced only once due to the problems with his left knee.

In other words, Bryant received $46,511.63 per day during his 172 days as a Cincinnati Bengal.

Although Bryant is now an unrestricted free agent, who can sign with anybody, it would make sense for teams to wait for the health of Bryant's knee to improve.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 07:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, agents for Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson deny that the disgruntled receiver is seeking a five-year contract worth $50 million that includes $30 million of guaranteed money.

Naturally, those numbers would make clubs hesitant to pursue the receiver.

"There's no truth to the report that we asked for $50 million over five years and $30 million guaranteed," [agent Neil] Schwartz told Florio. "We only talked concepts with the Seahawks... No numbers were mentioned."

As it stands, Jackson will miss the first three games of the 2010 regular season due to a suspension. If he does not sign his tender as a restricted free agent by 6 p.m. ET on September 4th, he would be required to sit an additional three weeks.

Of course, if he's not traded, there's a good chance that he misses at least ten games since a player only needs to be on an NFL roster for six weeks to accrue a year of service toward free agency.

And appearing on NFL Network yesterday, Jackson said, "We're prepared for that," referring to the possibility of sitting out the entire 2010 season. "The union comes and talks to us about the lockout possibly next year and I've been financially smart."

Currently, Jackson is the 34th receiver (90th player) drafted in fantasy football drafts based on average draft positions (ADPs) from Mock Draft Central.

Jackson, who was the Chargers' second-round pick in 2005, posted career-highs in receptions (68), receiving yards (1,167) and touchdowns (nine) in 2009.

Based on talent, he's a top ten receiver. Therefore, he provides fantasy owners with the ultimate high-risk, high-reward proposition.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 02:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles left last night's pre-season game against the Philadelphia Eagles holding his right arm in the first half and did not return.

The team hasn't commented on the status of Charles' injury.

Before the off-season acquisition of Thomas Jones, many (including yours truly) expected a huge season for Charles, who rushed for nearly 1,000 yards in the second half of last season.

On the team's depth chart, however, Jones -- not Charles -- is listed as the first-team running back.

In a chat on Thursday, ESPN blogger Bill Williamson estimated that Charles will get "60 percent of the carries."

Charles rushed six times for 40 yards despite fumbling the ball on the team's first play from scrimmage.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 08:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In last night's pre-season game against the St. Louis Rams, Patriots running back Laurence Maroney, actress Betty White and I all finished with the same amount of rushing yards (zero).

We also tied for the same amount of rushing attempts (zero).

Per Jeff Howe of NESN.com, Patriots coach Bill Belichick was asked about Maroney not getting any touches.

"Yeah, we never had the ball," Belichick said.

In addition to Maroney, Fred Taylor, who rushed the ball well against the Falcons (11 carries for 54 yards), did not have any carries either.

The team's other three running backs -- BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk -- split their 11 carries.

As Howe points out, the Patriots may only keep four running backs on their 53-man roster. If so, Maroney could be on the outside looking in.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 06:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

There are rumors circulating that Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall broke his arm.

Meanwhile, NFL Network's Jason La Canfora has tweeted that those rumors "are not true."

In my updated fantasy football cheat sheet, Mendenhall is ranked ninth overall.

So, I may need to update my update. Or I may not.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 05:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

FYI: Today we have updated our fantasy football cheat sheet.

Want to see who is #1? Click here.

Want to see who is #48? Click here.

How about #119? Click here.

Ok, we'll stop with the cheap attempts to get you to click the link. If you click the link, we will be grateful. If you don't click the link, however, we will understand. But we want you to have the link. So here's the link.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 05:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The St. Louis Rams could possibly be without their No. 1 receiver for the entire 2010 season.

After diving for a pass in last night's pre-season game against the Patriots, Avery was carted off the field.

"Donnie probably has a significant knee injury," coach Steve Spagnuolo said, per Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "We'll know a little bit more after we get the tests (on Sunday). He was a little bit down, and rightfully so. Hopefully, it's not as bad as we think."

Prior to the Avery injury, the Rams' receiving corps was one of the league's weakest. And, naturally, without their best receiver, the unit will be even weaker.

Depending on the MRI results, however, it will provide an opportunity for guys like Laurent Robinson, who was off to a good start in 2009 before suffering his own season-ending injury, and rookie Mardy Gilyard as well as the rest of the Rams receivers to step up.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 06:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson, who was placed on the team's roster-exempt list, was suspended by the NFL for the first three regular-season games for the violating the league's personal-conduct policy.

So, in other words, the earliest that Jackson could be in uniform is Week 4.

Depending on what happens between now and September 4th at 6 p.m. ET, Jackson may be forced to sit out an additional three games even if he's traded or (much less likely) wants to play for the Chargers.

Per NFL Network's Jason La Canfora, the league's collective bargaining agreement states that "once a club has notified a player of its intention to place him on the roster exempt list, the player must remain on that list for three games following the date on which he actually reports to his club."

If he doesn't sign his tender by September 4th, Jackson won't be able to report until after their Week 3 matchup against the Seahawks. Then he would be required to sit out the games versus the Cardinals, Raiders and Rams if he's still a Charger.

There is the possiblity (or likelihood) that if Jackson isn't traded that he sits out for at least the first ten games.

In order to qualify for a year of accrued service toward free agency, a player needs to be on an active roster for a minimum of six games.

So, if he isn't traded, the three-game or six-game suspension is a moot point since I expect him to miss ten games and play the bare minimum to accrue a year of service.

If the Chargers trade Jackson, however, he will be able to play in Week 4 if he signs his tender before September 4th. Otherwise, he'll have to wait an additional three weeks.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 08:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

After collapsing at Thursday's practice due to a migraine attack, Vikings receiver Percy Harvin was released from the hospital and returned to the team's practice facility today.

While I'm not sure when Harvin will be ready to practice again, I certainly hope that he never suffers another migraine.

But it's nearly certain that he will.

During our fantasy football podcast on Wednesday night, I pointed out that Harvin is a player with a lot of talent that wouldn't find his way on to my fantasy roster.

And that is because a migraine can strike at any time.

If a player suffers a different type of injury (shoulder, knee, etc.), you expect that player to go through the rehabilitation process and eventually fully -- or almost fully -- recover. For all intents and purposes, the injury is behind a player in that situation after their rehab is complete.

With migraines, you never really "heal" from them.

So, let's say you set your lineup for Week 5, as an example, and it's one hour before game time (Jets vs Vikings on Monday night). What do you do if Harvin suffers a migraine before kickoff?

It's unlikely that you can replace him unless you drafted Bernard Berrian or another Viking as a potential "handcuff."

The Vikings have five games that start at 4 p.m. (or later) where a Harvin scratch could come back to haunt your fantasy team.

With Harvin being the 21st wide receiver drafted on average (according to MockDraftCentral.com), you're expecting strong production from him for 1 p.m. starts as well.

In other words, it makes more sense to let someone else assume the risk.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 03:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Taking another step in his rehabilitation process, Patriots receiver Wes Welker is playing in a real (sort of) NFL game tonight.

Of course, it was a pre-season game and it doesn't count. Sort of.

On the first offensive drive of the game, quarterback Tom Brady threw Welker three consecutive passes, two of which were caught.

Falcons defensive back Christopher Owens leveled him on the third attempt.

As pointed out by Ian Rappaport of the Boston Herald, whether Welker should be playing right now is subject to debate.

But Rappaport also notes that it's "a great indication" that Welker will be ready for Week 1 of the regular season.

Welker is being hugely undervalued (as noted in last night's podcast) in fantasy football drafts, where he is, on average, the 29th wide receiver selected, according to MockDraftCentral.com.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 08:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Per ESPN blogger Tim Graham (via Pro Football Talk), Dolphins running back Ricky Williams is looking (hoping) for a one-year contract extension through 2011.

"Ideally, right now, I would like to get a year extension with the Miami Dolphins, play this year and next year and then really focus on my schooling," Williams said.

Last year, Williams finished with 1,385 yards from scrimmage (1,121 rushing and 264 receiving) and scored 13 touchdowns (11 rushing and two receiving).

When backfield mate Ronnie Brown suffered a season-ending injury in Week 10, Williams went on a (figurative) tear rushing for 100+ yards in four of the next five weeks (counting that Week 10 match-up against the Buccaneers).

Not only did Williams play well when Brown was out, he played well in the weeks that Brown played too.

During those nine games, Williams had 751 yards from scrimmage and seven combined touchdowns.

In fantasy football, Brown (47th overall) is being drafted a couple of rounds higher than Williams (66th) based on average draft position (ADP) from MockDraftCentral.com.

Williams will earn a base salary this year of $4.35 million, according to Graham.

While he may not be a financial bargain as a 33-year-old running back, I think he's a much better fantasy bargain than Brown is.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 07:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

During his days as a Viking, Patriots receiver Randy Moss once said about a fine that it "ain't nothing but 10 grand. What's 10 grand to me?"

While Moss still isn't worried about fines, he is still motivated by "straight cash, homie."

Moss, who's having a great training camp (according to ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss), is in the final year of his four-year contract with New England.

As Reiss notes, Moss made some remarkable catches look easy during passing drills with the Falcons today. In addition, he's not skipping the "veteran" off days that he had skipped in the past and he's letting his actions speak louder than words (i.e., no interviews).

Last year, some questioned his motivation down the stretch. He had five 100-yard games in the first nine games; he had none in the last seven weeks.

This year, it will be difficult to question his motivation with a new contract on his mind.

That said, it will be nearly impossible for him to have a career year in his contract year considering he set an NFL single-season record with 23 receiving touchdowns in his first season with the club.

But if he comes anywhere close to his 2007 numbers (98-1493-23), he'll provide fantasy owners with a bargain as the third receiver drafted (based on average draft position from MockDraftCentral.com).

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 06:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

As you've likely heard by now, Vikings quarterback Brett Favre has flown from Mississippi to Minnesota with teammates Jared Allen, Steve Hutchinson and Ryan Longwell.

Coach Brad Childress will address the media tomorrow following the team's morning practice.

Not that back-up (again) quarterback Tarvaris Jackson cares.

"I really don't care," said Jackson (about his teammates lobbying for a Favre return), per Brian Murphy of the Pioneer Press. I felt like if my number's called, I'll be ready and I'll continue to work hard and get better. My teammates, that's their prerogative. I can't really control that so I'm just going to do my part."

Before the drama surrounding the (alleged) text messages that Favre sent to teammates in early-August, I had Favre ranked as my seventh-best fantasy quarterback for 2010.

This morning (before news of his trio of teammates flying to Mississippi), I released my updated rankings in which Favre was the 14th-ranked quarterback. A main reason for the drop was the uncertainty surrounding his return (to some extent, anyways, since I expected him to return for another season).

But the more I think about, I'm not going to bump Favre back up at this point.

With receivers Sidney Rice (hip) and Percy Harvin (migraines) not 100 percent in addition to Favre (ankle) himself, there are the injury concerns. In his 19 seasons, Favre has thrown for 4,000+ yards in back-to-back seasons only once (1998 and 1999).

It almost seems like Tennessee's Chris Johnson has a greater chance of repeating his 2,000-yard season as Favre does of putting up 4,000 yards again, especially as a 40-turning-41-year-old quarterback.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 09:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

With a full week of NFL pre-season games under out belt, here are my (updated) Top 25 Fantasy QBs for 2010:

1. Drew Brees, Saints: No quarterback has passed for more yards (9,457) or touchdowns (68) than Brees over the past two seasons. The only reason he had a four-year low of 4,388 passing yards last year was the Saints rested him in week 17 to get ready for their Super Bowl run.

2. Aaron Rodgers, Packers: Like Brees, Rodgers has thrown for 4,000+ yards in each of the past two seasons. Unlike Brees, Rodgers put up solid rushing stats (523 yards and nine touchdowns in the past two years).

3. Peyton Manning, Colts: In 12 NFL seasons, Manning has reached the 4,000-yard milestone ten times including the past four seasons. The two he missed: 3,739 (rookie season) and 3,747 (2005). Considering he's only been sacked 24 times in his past two seasons, he's about as safe of a pick as possible.

4. Tony Romo, Cowboys: Only Matt Schaub and Peyton Manning threw for more yards and only Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers threw fewer interceptions (among full-season starters) than Romo in 2009. And, for a change, Romo finished the season strong: 1,859 yards, 11 touchdowns and two interceptions in final six regular-season games.
5. Matt Schaub, Texans: Schaub led the NFL in passing yards (4,770) despite being without his stud tight end (Owen Daniels) for half of the year.

6. Tom Brady, Patriots: In his first full season back from the knee injury, Brady threw for nearly 4,400 yards and 28 touchdowns. The big question for 2010 is the status of Wes Welker's knee although his rehab has been going remarkably well.

7. Philip Rivers, Chargers: He's one of four QBs that have passed for 4,000 yards in each of the past two seasons and only Brees has thrown more TDs during that stretch. Without Vincent Jackson for three games (suspension) and possibly ten or more games (holdout), there's a good chance his fantasy production will fall short of his abilities.

8. Joe Flacco, Ravens: With new weapons in the passing game (free agents Anquan Boldin and Donte' Stallworth as well as rookies Ed Dickson, Dennis Pitta and David Reed) and improved health, Flacco should easily exceed his 2009 numbers of 3,613 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Enter our free 2010 Fantasy Football Contest by making your Week 1 entry here.

9. Jay Cutler, Bears: Without Martz, Cutler passed for 3,666 yards and 27 TDs despite a career-high in interceptions (26). If Martz can help Cutler reign in the turnovers, he could be in for a huge season. Either way, Cutler said of Martz: "He makes you want to come to work every day."

10. Eli Manning, Giants: With a core group of young receivers (Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, etc.), Eli set career highs in yards (4,021) and TDs (27) in 2009.

11. Donovan McNabb, Redskins: With a downgrade in weapons in the passing game, it will be difficult for McNabb to duplicate his 16-game pace (he missed two games) in 2009 of 4,060 yards and 25 TDs.

12. Kevin Kolb, Eagles: With weapons like DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Brent Celek, it wouldn't surprise me to see Kolb finish in the 10-12 range of fantasy quarterbacks (and even ahead of McNabb) in 2010 with the Eagles' pass-first offense.

13. Matt Ryan, Falcons: Despite his sophomore slump, partly due to injury (missed two games and most of another), Ryan has weapons such as Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez at his disposal and should be poised for a bounce-back year. And in 14 games, he still threw 22 touchdowns.

14. Brett Favre, Vikings: Regardless of whether Favre texted teammates or not, most expect him to return for another season. But it depends largely on the health of his ankle. And duplicating last year's phenominal success (4,202 yards, 33 TDs, 7 INTs) seems nearly impossible, especially with Percy Harvin battling migraines and Sidney Rice recovering from his hip injury.

15. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers: Only Brees and Schaub had more passing yards per game than Big Ben (288.5) in 2009. Although an announcement hasn't yet been made, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has said that Roethlisberger has exceeded what was expected of him so expect his suspension to be reduced to four (from six) games.

16. Matthew Stafford, Lions: The Lions added Nate Burleson, a big upgrade as their No. 2 receiver, via free agency and MegaTron is healthy again. Last year, Stafford led the NFL in pass attempts per game (37.7).

17. Chad Henne, Dolphins: The off-season addition of Brandon Marshall should help Henne continue to develop in his second season as a starter. In the second half of 2009, Henne threw for 1,888 yards but he also threw 11 interceptions and only eight touchdowns.

18. Carson Palmer, Bengals: Palmer threw for only 1,262 yards, seven TDs and six interceptions in the final eight games of 2010. Regardless of all the "Batman" & "Robin" nonsense, the Bengals are a run-first (and defensive-minded) team with a quarterback that has some question marks.

19. Jason Campbell, Raiders: Last year, Campbell posted career highs in passing yards (3,618) and TDs (20). It will be difficult to surpass those numbers in Oakland considering the lack of weapons in their passing game.

20. Alex Smith, 49ers: Although Smith played in only 11 games, his per-game stats equate to a pace of 3,418 yards and 26 touchdowns over a full 16-game season. Plus, the Niners have decent weapons in the passing game: Vernon Davis (one of the league's top three tight ends), Michael Crabtree (the top-rated receiver heading into last year's rookie class) and Frank Gore (who has averaged 52 receptions over the past four years).

21. David Garrard, Jaguars: Garrard has quietly been a steady fantasy producer over the past two seasons. As a back-up QB on your fantasy team, hope that your starter has his bye when Garrard is at home (over 2,000 yards and 12 TDs at home last year).

22. Vince Young, Titans: This is still a run-first team, but VY can make plays with his legs. During the Titans' 7-1 run from weeks 8 to 15, Young threw 10 touchdowns and only three interceptions.

23. Matt Cassel, Chiefs: Only three quarterbacks were sacked more times than Cassel (42), who will look to improve upon his 2009 numbers (2,924 yards and 16 touchdowns).

24. Mark Sanchez, Jets: Typical of rookie quarterbacks, Sanchez had an up-and-down season. In four games with 3+ interceptions, he threw two touchdowns and 15 interceptions. In his other 11 games, he threw 10 touchdowns and only five interceptions. The addition of Santonio Holmes, who will serve a four-game suspension to start the season, should help Sanchez make progress in his second season.

25. Matt Moore, Panthers: With Jake Delhomme out of the picture (and the threat of Jimmy Clausen taking over), Moore will get an opportunity to build on his 2009 success (61.6% completion, 8 TDs, 2 INTs). That said, how long is his leash? (Vote on our poll: Who will the Panthers' starting QB in week 17?)

Also, check out our other 2010 Fantasy Football rankings (which will be updated this week): Top 40 RBs | Top 50 WRs | Top 20 TEs

Follow us on Twitter (Twitter.com/EDSFootball) or on Facebook (Facebook.com/EDSFootball).

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 06:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In two consecutive off-seasons, the Bengals have given free-agent wide receivers four-year contracts worth $28 million.

Last year, it was Laveranues Coles. This year, it was Antonio Bryant.

The Bengals and Coles parted ways earlier this off-season. The same may happen with Bryant.

Bryant, who hasn't practiced since the first day of training camp, is dealing with a knee injury and may reach an injury settlement with the Bengals, according to NFL Network's Jason La Canfora.

So far, however, Bryant has already received $7.85 million from the Bengals in bonuses, per Pro Football Talk.

“I’m feeling better, but I really don’t have much to say,” Bryant said last week, per the team's website. “I’m just trying to be forgotten. It’s hard to forget $7 million. It will be worth it. As soon as I put my feet on the ground, it will be more than worth it.”

Not quite, Antonio.

So, which free-agent receiver will the Bengals sign to a four-year, $28 million contract next year? Will Javon Walker still be available?

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 10:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

When I was younger, I was driving a small Honda CRX when a full-size pickup truck "landed" on my hood, pushing my car back about 20 feet as my hood broke its rear axle.

One of the onlookers commented that I had "good karma" for being able to get out of the car (essentially) unscathed.

In a way, Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald got "good" news in a similar context.

In other words, it could have been worse.

Although Fitzgerald left last night's game with a knee injury, he expects to be ready for the season opener on September 12th against the St. Louis Rams. (See Cardinals 2010 schedule)

According to Darren Urban from the team's website, the MRI on Fitzgerald's knee revealed only an MCL sprain.

So, I wouldn't expect to see him on the field for any of the team's remaining pre-season games.

Unless, of course, that's what you consider a game against the Rams.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 07:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

When it comes to ranking fantasy football tight ends, the top two spots could be named 1(a) and 1(b).

Depending on your preferences, views, mood, team affiliation, etc., those two spots are occupied by Dallas Clark and Antonio Gates (in no particular order).

The third spot -- arguably 1(c) -- is occupied by San Francisco tight end Vernon Davis, who finally had his breakout season in 2009.

In today's pre-season game against the Colts, Davis left the game with a knee injury. (Meanwhile, Dallas Clark didn't play in the game after not being able to finish Friday's practice.)

According to Matt Maiocco on Twitter, the injury for Davis appears to be a knee "strain."

Maiocco tweeted, "Vernon Davis says his knee should be fine. 49ers say it's a strain. Exact details not known."

Davis, who was the Niners' first-round pick in 2006, led all tight ends in touchdowns (13) and finished fifth in receiving yards (965) last season.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 06:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

When the Buffalo Bills drafted running back C.J. Spiller with the ninth overall pick, many questioned the move in a different way than they questioned the team (the Jaguars) that made the next pick.

It's not that Spiller was a huge reach like Tyson Alualu was with the tenth overall pick.

Instead the Bills had/have a myriad of needs at many positions and running back wasn't one of them with a pair of 1,000-yard rushers on the roster.

Fred Jackson rushed for 1,062 yards last year and Marshawn Lynch rushed for 1,000+ yards in each of the two seasons prior to that.

How quickly things change.

Mark Gaughn of The Buffalo News reports that Jackson (broken hand) will miss four to six weeks and Lynch (sprained ankle) will miss three to four weeks.

In addition, Joique Bell and Chad Simpson have an improved shot of making the 53-man roster due to the timing of the injuries.

And Spiller, who was already getting reps with the first team, will have an opportunity to solidify his hold on the spot. In the pre-season opener, Spiller had four carries for 16 yards.

Spiller should move up a couple of spots in fantasy drafts, but the short-term nature of the injuries shouldn't dramatically change his draft position.

When Jackson is healthy again, he should figure into the backfield mix with a heavy dose of touches regardless of whether Spiller or Jackson starts.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 05:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you want Chargers rookie running back Ryan Mathews on your fantasy football team, it's going to cost you a high draft pick.

On average (via Mock Draft Central), Mathews is going in the middle of the second round ahead of experienced backs like Cedric Benson, Ryan Grant, Jamaal Charles and Pierre Thomas.

In his NFL debut last night, Mathews finished with 50 yards on nine carries after vomiting in the locker room before the game due to "nerves."

“It was crazy at first,” Mathews said, per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. “My adrenaline was going.”

Earlier in the off-season, Chargers coach Norv Turner said he expected Mathews to get in the ballpark of 250 carries. Only nine backs had more than that in 2009.

If last night's performance is a sign of things to come and he gets the touches Turner expects, Mathews is well worth the high pick.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 09:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In our fantasy football podcast primarily dedicated to the discussion of running backs, we talked about backs who were undervalued and overvalued.

One of the guys on my undervalued list was Houston RB Arian Foster; Ben Tate, his rookie teammate, made my overvalued list. According to MockDraftCentral.com, Tate and Foster are the 26th and 54th running backs selected in fantasy football drafts, respectively, based on average draft position.

In tonight's pre-season game between the Texans and Cardinals, Foster had a solid game (31 rushing yards on four carries).

Tate, who had been "up and down" during training camp, left tonight's game with a "lower leg injury," per John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (via Pro Football Talk).

And a healthy Steve Slaton picked up where he left off in 2009, i.e., with a fumble at the goalline.

Update: Per John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, it appears Tate's injury is a broken ankle and that he's out for the season.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 12:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Today wasn't Ryan Grant's day.

In Green Bay's pre-season match-up against the Browns, Grant had three carries for six yards.

He fumbled the ball away on his first carry and needed help off the field after his third carry, per the Associated Press.

Provided the injury is nothing serious, Grant is a guy worth targeting in fantasy drafts. He often gets overlooked, but he has posted back-to-back seasons with 1,200+ yards.

According to MockDraftCentral.com, Grant is the 13th running back and 21st player overall selected in fantasy drafts based on average draft position.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 11:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

We know, for certain, that Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson won't be on the field for the team's first three games as he serves his suspension for violating the league's Personal Conduct Policy.

In addition, it has seemed more likely than not that Jackson would skip an additional seven games due to his contract dispute with the team.

When he didn't sign his restricted free agent (RFA) tender by the June 15th deadline, the Chargers reduced their offer at their first eligible opportunity from over $3 million to under $600,000. It's safe to assume that move increased his level of frustration about not getting a long-term deal.

Yet in order to accrue an additional year of service toward free agency, Jackson needs to be on the roster for at least six games.

Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune (via Pro Football Talk) wrote in a mailbag column that "Vincent Jackson is not a part of the plan. I don't see them using the franchise [tag] on Jackson either. Not now. This has gotten ugly."

So, unless he's traded, which is unlikely based on general manager A.J. Smith's hardline stance, the most likely outcome is for Jackson to hold out for exactly ten games and then show up and go through the motions for six games.

Yet Acee wrote that "there is verrrrry little chance" that either Jackson or left tackle Marcus McNeil, who hasn't signed his RFA tender either, are "back this season."

When I updated my fantasy rankings, Jackson's spot on the list was based on him missing ten games with a smaller possibility of missing fewer games.

With the next update (coming soon), his ranking will be based on him missing ten games with the smaller possibility of missing the entire season.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 11:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Patriots receiver Wes Welker, a.k.a. The Slot Machine, has impressed everyone throughout his rehabilitation from knee surgery in February.

As pointed out in a column by Mike Silver of Yahoo! Sports, however, one of the motivating factors behind Wes Welker's diligent rehabilitation may have been the almighty dollar.

Welker has two years left on his five-year, $18.1 million contract and is due to earn $2 million in 2010.

“I think he’s crazy,” one friend who plays for another NFL team says of Welker (via Silver). “He wants a new deal, and the Patriots have [second-year wideout] Julian Edelman lined up as his replacement. If I were Wes, I wouldn’t even consider coming back until October.”

As expected, Welker deflected the topic of his contract.

“I’ve got two years left on my deal,” he says. “I’m just here to play ball. I just worry about doing my job and let everything else take care of itself. I want to be out here to help my team win. I want to be out here with the fellas. There’re only so many days you can sit inside and rehab. It gets kind of boring in there.”

Whether he wants a contract or not, who could blame him if he does? But it seems that Welker is the kind-of guy that would be more motivated by all of the doubters than anything else.

The Patriots and Saints had a joint practice today and Saints defensive back Randall Gay said (via the Boston Herald),“It doesn’t look like he ever hurt his knee, I’ll tell you that.”

According to MockDraftCentral.com, Welker is the 30th receiver being drafted based on average draft position (ADP) in between Robert Meachem (ADP: 29th WR) and Braylon Edwards (ADP: 31st WR). There is no reason he should slip that far.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 11:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In 2009, Titans running back Chris Johnson was only 100 yards shy of breaking the single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards held by Eric Dickerson.

Not only does he want to break the record this year, he wants to annihilate it.

"Basically just come out here this year, another year, and try to get those 2,500 yards -- make all my fantasy owners proud," Johnson said, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Last year, he finished with 2,509 yards from scrimmage, which broke the single-season record held by Marshall Faulk.

But to rush for 2,500 yards in a season, Johnson would need 156.25 yards per game (as pointed out by Pro Football Talk).

Johnson went over 100 yards in 12 of his 16 games including his last 11 games; however, he had only two games with more than 156 rushing yards.

Although I think it's unlikely that he reaches 2,000 rushing yards (again), he's still worthy of the top overall pick in fantasy drafts.

So, in other words, as a Chris Johnson fantasy owner, you already make us proud, Chris.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 10:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

There are two important things to know about our new fantasy football contest for 2010: it's free and you can win some cold, hard cash.

The contest is relatively simple.

And it will take place in our forums. Here. So, bookmark this page. I mean, now.

Each week, we will pre-select five players (one QB, one RB, two WRs and one TE) from the Monday Night Football (MNF) matchup. (Note: Week 1 has two MNF matchups, which has become a Week 1 tradition in the NFL.)

Your goal?

To guess the number of total yards (passing, rushing and receiving) produced by those five pre-selected players.

Example: Let's say you guess 600 yards for the five players in Week 1 and they actually produce 655 yards. Your score is 55, which is the difference (655 - 600). Until you have a week where you score better (i.e., lower) than 55, your score will remain 55.

After the first 13 weeks of the regular season, the 12 participants with the best (i.e., lowest) one-week score will advance to the post-season.

The winner will be the individual that combines for the lowest three-week score during the playoffs (Weeks 14-16).

Top prize is $50, which can be doubled to $100. The 11 runner-ups win an Eat, Drink and Sleep Football t-shirt, which, quite frankly, is not much of a consolation prize. (See for yourself here.)

Did you bookmark this page yet? What are you waiting for? Ok, seriously, good luck to all entrants.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 08:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

New England Patriots running back Laurence Maroney had a decent season in 2009 finishing with 757 rushing yards (27th in the NFL) and nine rushing touchdowns (13th) despite his career-high four fumbles.

During a nine-game span (October 18th to December 20th), Maroney scored all nine of his touchdowns and rushed for 637 yards. In the other six games he played, Maroney rushed for only 120 yards and no touchdowns on 37 carries.

Heading into 2010, Maroney wants to be a more physical runner.

"I'm not trying to be on, what's that dance show they've got on TV? 'Dancing with the Stars?'" Maroney said, per Howard Ulman of the Associated Press. "I'm physical. Downhill."

In addition, his primary goal is to be more consistent.

"You can come out here and play one or two good games but you've got to be consistent throughout the whole year. So that's my main goal, just stay consistent."

With a running back by committee in place in New England, Maroney will compete with Sammy Morris, Fred Taylor, Kevin Faulk and BenJarvus Green-Ellis for touches.

Since it's a contract year for Maroney, he could be a late-round bargain for fantasy owners if he gets a consistent number of touches and runs with a physical style.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 10:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Giants running back Brandon Jacobs had a disappointing season in 2009.

In fact, his frustrations led to this bold statement one month into the season: “If I finish the season averaging (3.4 yards) a carry, I won’t play next year. I'll be done. That’s how much I believe in my ability.”

While he did average more than 3.4 yards per carry, he only finished with a 3.7 YPC average and 835 rushing yards on the season.

The culprit: his injured knee, the blocking, the play-calling?

According to Jacobs, it was his "fat."

“I had fat last year, over 9 percent,” Jacobs told Mike Garafolo of the Newark Star-Ledger yesterday. “This year, I’m under six.”

Meanwhile, coach Tom Coughlin says that Jacobs is "running well" and "looks fast" during camp.

But the same can be said for Ahmad Bradshaw, who has been getting more reps with the first team.

"Me and Brandon are roommates," Bradshaw said, per Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN New York. "And we talk everyday about how hungry we are and how excited we are."

According to MockDraftCentral.com, Jacobs is the 25th running back and 51st player selected based on his average draft position (ADP). Meanwhile, Bradshaw's current ADPs are 34th and 83rd, respectively.

While I expect Jacobs to have a bounce-back season, I wouldn't be surprised if Bradshaw gets close to an equal number of carries in 2010. From a value perspective, I like Bradshaw at an ADP of 83 over Jacobs at 51.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 07:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

When it comes to the Detroit Lions backfield, many have written off third-year running back Kevin Smith, who had major knee surgery in December.

Although first-round rookie Jahvid Best has been "as good as advertised" in camp and getting the first-team reps in practice, it may be premature to write off Smith, according to Tom Kowalski of MLive.com.

Kowalski describes Smith's hunger as "blood-thirsty hunger" and writes that his intensity has reached "an entirely different level." In addition, it's looking more likely that he will enter the season at 100 percent (or very close to it).

So, even if Best is the Lions running back to own in fantasy leagues, Smith may provide owners with much more value.

According to MockDraftCentral.com, Best is the 20th running back and 37th player drafted based on his average draft position (ADP). Meanwhile, 57 running backs and 200 players are being drafted before Smith.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 05:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

With top-flight rookies looking to get as much money as possible before beginning their (usually short-lived, non-guaranteed) careers, fans, players, agents, teams, etc. can get a little frustrated when a player holds out of training camp.

And with the immediacy of sites like Twitter, we can easily see that frustration manifest itself.

As one of the final 2 first-round holdouts (Seattle's Russell Okung is the other), Buffalo's C.J. Spiller is getting a little frustrated with people bugging him about his holdout.

Here's what Spiller tweeted: "Watching my favorite rocky 3 so if ppl keep talkin trash ab wats going on I’m get my rocky on wit sumbody. Go bills #21"

Social networking at its finest.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 06:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks hyperextended his knee at practice today and had an MRI this evening.

According to a source of Mike Garafolo of the Newark Star-Ledger, Nicks doesn't believe that he suffered a serious injury although the results of the MRI won't be known until Wednesday.

Garafolo points out that the same was true of Domenik Hixon, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury at the team's mini-camp in June.

In 14 games as a rookie, Nicks had 47 receptions for 790 yards and six touchdowns. In my fantasy football rankings, I ranked Nicks (20th) only three spots lower than teammate Steve Smith (17th).

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 11:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Philadelphia Eagles second-year receiver Jeremy Maclin left today's practice on a cart after suffering a hyperextended knee.

"Hyperextended my knee a little bit," Maclin said, per Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News. "Should be all right, though."

Maclin, the team's first-round pick in 2009, was right.

According to CSNPhilly.com's Derrick Gunn (via Pro Football Talk), Maclin only has a bone bruise and he didn't suffer any ligament damage to his meniscus.

While no timetable was set for Maclin's return, he could be out for several weeks.

Last year, Maclin finished with 55 receptions for 762 yards and four touchdowns in 15 games.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 10:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Although Ravens receiver Derrick Mason sprained his ankle at today's practice, he doesn't think it's a high-ankle sprain, per Jamison Hensley of the Baltimore Sun.

"Luckily, it’s not anything serious that’s going to keep me out a long period of time," said Mason (via Hensley). "It’s just stiff and sore. Not a lot of pain."

Mason also said he "just twisted it, that's all."

Despite his advanced age (teammate Donte' Stallworth called him "56 years old") for a receiver, Mason is a guy that is getting very little fantasy football love.

The upside of young receivers like San Francisco's Michael Crabtree and New York's Hakeem Nicks obviously isn't there with Mason. And with Anquan Boldin in town, he's unlikely to finish 13th in the NFL in targets like last year.

But he has posted three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in addition to eight in the past nine years and I think folks are overcorrecting for Mason's age and Boldin's presence.

According to Mock Draft Central, Mason is the 40th receiver off the boards based on average draft position. In our rankings (which will be updated soon), Mason was the 26th-ranked receiver.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 08:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

As you already know, today's sports talk and headlines were dominated by the news of a player that won't be on the football field in week one.

That's right, folks.

The Falcons will be without defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux, who was suspended for one game for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.

Instead of Babineaux, of course, it was another player. But if bad news for Babineaux could surface on any day, today was the perfect day for him.

The announcement of Babineaux's suspension comes on the same day that multiple reports claim that Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre has told teammates that he won't be back for the 2010 NFL season due to his ankle healing slower than expected.

Another guy that's happy to hear the Favre news is Washington's Albert Haynesworth, but ESPN's Jeff MacGregor was able to work in a Favre-related dig on (less) Fat Albert via Twitter: "Pacing back and forth as he decides retirement, Brett Favre accidentally completes Redskins conditioning test."

First of all, the news isn't coming directly from Favre. Secondly, if it did, I wouldn't believe him until I saw it with my own eyes. And I'm not talking week one. If he's not in the mix in November, then I'll believe it. And I'm certainly not the only one to take that stance.

For argument's sake, however, let's assume it's true and take a quick look at the impact of a Minnesota offense with Tarvaris Jackson (or Sage Rosenfels and not Brett Favre) under center.

Although Favre was the seventh-ranked quarterback in my fantasy rankings, Jackson is a low QB2, at best. In fact, the last time Jackson was a starting quarterback (December 2008), he played well. He had a QB rating of 115.4, threw for 185 yards per game, eight touchdowns and only one interception during a four-game span. But there are easily 15 quarterbacks that I'd trust more than Jackson, who has been largely inconsistent throughout the opportunities he's had.

The value of Adrian Peterson shouldn't change too much.

Without Favre, Peterson had 1,885 yards from scrimmage in 2008. Last year, Peterson had 1,819 yards from scrimmage with Favre. Even though Peterson's carries dropped from 363 to 314 with Favre, he was more involved in the passing game (21 to 43 receptions). Peterson was second on our fantasy running back rankings and that is exactly where he will remain with or without Favre.

The biggest (negative) impact is to Sidney Rice, who is battling a hip injury that led to plenty of concern before the Favre news. But Rice burst onto the scene last year in part due to the chemistry that he and Favre had. With health and quarterback concerns, Rice is someone that I will move down in the next fantasy rankings update.

In addition, I will knock Percy Harvin down a notch, but not as much as Rice. Harvin is a versatile player that had 135 rushing yards in addition to his 60 receptions. It wouldn't surprise me to see Harvin get a few more rushing attempts with Jackson as quarterback to help offset a few less targets.

Either way, I have the feeling we will be hearing more about a quarterback that wears No. 4? Or doesn't ... any more.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 07:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The San Diego Chargers have signed running back Ryan Mathews, their first-round pick, to a five-year deal worth $25.65 million, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The guaranteed portion of the contract is $15.08 million.

"We are excited to have Ryan here and ready to go," Chargers president Dean Spanos said, per the USA Today. "Aside from his outstanding talents on the field, he's a class young man and the kind of player we're proud to add to our team."

That said, it's unknown whether Mathews will participate in this afternoon's practice, which will be the team's first in full pads, since Mathews still has to take a physical, per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Earlier this off-season, head coach Norv Turner had said that he expects Mathews to get around 250 carries. In a league that has transitioned away from workhorse running backs, 250 carries would have ranked tenth in the NFL in 2009.

In our fantasy football rankings, Mathews is the 12th-ranked running back on our list.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 04:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In one of my dynasty leagues (16 of 22 players kept each season), my roster from last year included: Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner, San Diego wide receiver Vincent Jackson and Denver running back Knowshon Moreno.

Warner has since retired and Jackson will serve a three-game suspension to start the season, which could be followed up with a holdout over contract issues.

Today Moreno was carted off the practice field after he fell making a cut. Initially, his injury was feared to be an ACL injury.

According to Mike Klis of the Denver Post, however, the injury is to Moreno's right hamstring.

While Klis writes that Moreno "popped his pretty good," he also points out that "muscles typically heal quicker than ripped up knee ligaments."

On average, Moreno has been the 18th running back and 32nd player drafted, according to Mock Draft Central.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 03:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Two months ago, Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker surprised many by participating in an OTA practice.

Today Welker has been removed from the active/PUP list, passed a physical and will participate fully in the team's training camp practice this morning.

Per Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com, the Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio said of Welker: "He works hard, he's committed to football. ... Wes is a unique guy, there is no question about it. It's a tribute to him and his work ethic and competitiveness and toughness to get back on the field."

It continues to appear likely that Welker will be ready to go for the season opener.

When it comes to fantasy football, Welker is a player that others may shy away from drafting due to their concerns about his knee. And, of course, with his fearless and reckless style, a less-than-fully-healed knee poses a risk.

That said, he missed more than two full games plus the majority of another last year. Despite missing that time, he still led the NFL in receptions (123) and finished second in receiving yards (1,348). He may get off to a slow start in the first few games, but a slow start is better than no start.

And if he's in full stride by the end of the season (which I expect), he's a veritable bargain as the 35th receiver selected based on average draft position (ADP) from Mock Draft Central.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Denver has now signed all of the rookies in their 2010 draft class.

Per Lindsay Jones of the Denver Post, the Broncos have agreed to terms with wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, the first of their two first-round picks, on a five-year contract worth $12.155 million. According to Jones, the guaranteed amount is $9.35 million while the maximum amount could reach $15.5 million.

Despite missing the rookie practices during training camp, Thomas will report in time for the team's first practice with rookies and veterans (Sunday at 8:45 a.m.).

Thomas, who was the first receiver drafted, had 46 receptions for 1,154 yards (25.1 yards per catch) and eight touchdowns as a junior at Georgia Tech, which runs a flexbone option offense. In other words, it could take a bit of time for Thomas to become acclimated to a pro-style system.

That said, there are similarities between Thomas and Detroit's Calvin Johnson due to attending the same alma mater and their size/speed combinations. Thomas is 6-foot-3, 229 pounds and has run a sub-4.4 forty.

Here's our poll/forum thread on which rookie receiver will finish with more receiving yards: Thomas or Dez Bryant, who has since suffered a high-ankle sprain?

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 07:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

One of the biggest issues of the 2010 NFL off-season has been resolved. At least, temporarily.

Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson will earn more than the $550,000 he was scheduled to earn in 2010 as Johnson and the Titans have agreed to move up some escalators in his contract, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

According to ESPN, it is believed that Johnson will earn $2.5 million this season with no additional years added to his original five-year contract.

Johnson, who set the single-season NFL record for yards from scrimmage (2,509), became only the sixth player to rush for more than 2,000 yards and only Eric Dickerson and Edgerrin James have rushed for more yards in their first two seasons.

In most fantasy leagues, Johnson will be the first overall draft pick and he ranks first in our Top 150 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet rankings.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 11:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Beginning Monday morning, Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb will host what he has dubbed "Hell Week" in Arizona, per Rick Maese of The Washington Post.

With 11 days to go until the Redskins report for training camp on July 29th, McNabb will work with the team's receivers, tight ends and running backs in order to get a head start in their preparation for the upcoming season.

"I think it's important for the specialists on the offense to have that chemistry, to have that bond," McNabb says, "where they can trust me and I can trust them."

Redskins wide receiver Devin Thomas shares McNabb's sentiment.

Thomas said, "It's a great time to build that chemistry without the coaches being there. You just get a little of that extra bonding time to lead into training camp."

McNabb's trainer, Brett Fischer, says his Redskins' teammates are in for "an eye opener."

"I think it's an eye opener for them, comparing themselves with their quarterback, with how hard he's working out here. To me, it's him telling them, 'Hey, I'm taking this thing seriously to the next level. Let's go to the next level.'"

It's always beneficial when an offense puts in extra time to develop their chemistry and rapport on a voluntary basis like this. It's even more important when the team has a new quarterback.

McNabb, who is my 11th-ranked quarterback for fantasy football, threw for 3,553 yards and 22 touchdowns in 14 games last year.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 06:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you play fantasy football (and who doesn't?), Ravens running back Ray Rice isn't the first name that pops into your head when you think of underrated players. In fact, he's probably not the second, or third, or fiftieth.

That said, Rice is out to prove that last year wasn't a fluke.

“I still feel like I’m a guy that is underrated,” said Rice in a Monday-morning appearance on ESPN’s First Take, per Mike Duffy of the team's website. ”My plan is to go out there and prove it all over again, that this wasn’t just a one-year thing.”

Last year, only Tennessee's Chris Johnson (who set the NFL single-season record) had more yards from scrimmage than Rice, who finished with 2,041 total yards. In 2010, he's shooting for 2,042+.

“My personal goal is to do more than I did last year as far as total yards, but the overall goal is to win,” he said.

One of the players Rice expects to help open up opportunities for him is new receiver Anquan Boldin.

“He’s going to open up the offense for us, especially for me,” Rice said of Boldin. ”He’s a great blocker down the field, and that’s one of the things that breaks long runs. He can handle the corners and the safeties. Not only can he run and catch, but he can do it all.”

Rice is a consensus top-four pick in fantasy football drafts this year.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 10:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In his sophomore season, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco limped to the finish line with nagging injuries. The difference between his first half (2,044 yards, 12 TDs) and his second half (1,569 yards, nine TDs) illustrates that.

Even so, his full season numbers of 3,613 yards and 21 touchdowns were solid, especially on a run-first team that had Mark Clayton as their second-best option at wide receiver.

This off-season, the Ravens have been universally plauded for the additions they've made via trades (Anquan Boldin), free agency (Donte' Stallworth) and the NFL Draft (David Reed and tight ends Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta) to bolster the passing attack.

Meanwhile, Flacco has developed an instant chemistry and rapport with the new receivers, according to offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.

“Probably the most impressive thing Joe was able to do was adapt to Anquan, Donte’ and the two rookie tight ends as quickly as he did,” Cameron told Mike Duffy of the team's website. “You would have felt those four guys had been around each other for at least a couple of years, and they came right off the street. That always tells you something about a guy.”

In my updated fantasy rankings, Flacco ranks ninth on my list of fantasy quarterbacks and 64th overall in our top 150 cheat sheet.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 03:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Today Vikings wide receiver Sidney Rice was a no-show at the camp held at the University of Minnesota by Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald and former receiver Cris Carter, according to Chip Scoggins of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

And Carter was none too pleased about it as he said, "Sidney is not here so I guarantee he’s not getting no better today."

In turn, Drew Rosenhaus, Rice's agent, tweeted that Rice missed the camp due a lingering hip injury.

"Sidney does not anticipate that this injury will require surgery and he's hopeful that he will be fully healthy for the start of the season," Rosenhaus said in a second tweet (via Judd Zulgad of the Star-Tribune).

Rice told Scoggins over the phone, however, that "everything is alright. I'll be ready to go at camp."

"It's not bad," he said, per Scoggins. "Just being cautious with it. I can run. I'm jogging and sprinting. I'm just not doing a lot of cutting and different things like that. The doctors feel this is the best thing."

Last year, Rice finished with 83 receptions for 1,312 yards and eight touchdowns. In two post-season games, Rice had ten receptions for 184 yards and four touchdowns.

In our fantasy football rankings updated yesterday, Rice was the ninth receiver on our list.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 08:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The NFL pre-season gets underway a month from Thursday (Hall of Fame game between Cowboys and Bengals).

Over the next month, we will release our rankings keeper rankings, point-per-reception (PPR) rankings and our top 150 cheat sheets as well as in-depth player analysis and projections. For now, here is our updated list of the top 20 tight ends for fantasy football:

1. Antonio Gates, Chargers: Despite only ranking sixth among tight ends in targets (114), Gates led tight ends -- and set a career-high -- in receiving yards (1,157) in 2009. With the three-game suspension (and potential holdout beyond that) of Vincent Jackson, Gates should see more targets in 2010. Therefore, I swapped Gates and Dallas Clark in the updated rankings.

2. Dallas Clark, Colts: What's not to like? With a line of 100-1106-10, Clark ranked first in receptions, second in yards and third in touchdowns among tight ends.

3. Vernon Davis, 49ers: The wait is over. Davis finally broke out. Last year's numbers (78-965-13) were essentially better than his two previous seasons combined (83-867-6).

4. Brent Celek, Eagles: Two of Celek's three 100-yard games came in the only two in which Kevin Kolb started. It's hard to not picture an even better season than what he produced in his breakout campaign (76-971-8).

5. Jermichael Finley, Packers: In his final eight games (including the Packers' post-season game), Finley finished with 44 receptions for 575 yards and four touchdowns. Despite missing three games, Finley still finished in the top ten in receiving yards among TEs in his second (and breakout) season.

6. Jason Witten, Cowboys: Witten had a "down" year of 94 passes for 1,030 yards (and only two touchdowns). Many tight ends (or wide receivers) would love to have a "down" year like that. By drafting Dez Bryant in the first round, the Cowboys have another weapon competing for targets.

7. Owen Daniels, Texans: In an injury-shortened half-season, Daniels caught 40 passes for 519 yards and five touchdowns. His pace (80-1038-10) would have ranked him fourth in receptions, third in yards and tied for third in TDs among tight ends.

8. Kellen Winslow, Buccaneers: Considering the weakness of the Buccaneers' receiving corps, he's the only legitimate weapon in the Bucs' passing attack. Last year, Winslow ranked fourth among tight ends in targets (127).

9. Tony Gonzalez, Falcons: Arguably the greatest tight end ever. Gonzalez had more targets (135) than any other tight end and finished with 83 receptions for 867 yards and six touchdowns in 2009.

10. Visanthe Shiancoe, Vikings: Shiancoe has never surpassed 596 yards in one season, but he has been a touchdown machine over the past two seasons (18 TDs).

Continue reading "(Updated) 2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends (TEs)" »

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 06:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The NFL pre-season gets underway a month from Thursday (Hall of Fame game between Cowboys and Bengals).

Over the next month, we will release our rankings keeper rankings, point-per-reception (PPR) rankings and our top 150 cheat sheets as well as in-depth player analysis and projections. For now, here is our updated list of the top 50 wide receivers for fantasy football:

1. Andre Johnson, Texans: For me, this is (still) a no-brainer. Johnson, who was the third overall pick in 2003, has posted back-to-back 100-reception, 1,500-yard seasons.

2. Calvin Johnson, Lions: After a stellar sophomore campaign (78-1331-12), MegaTron battled nagging injuries in 2009 and even missed two games. Provided he stays healthy, the sky is the limit for this gifted athlete.

3. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals: Over the past three seasons, Fitzgerald has caught a combined 293 passes for 3,932 yards and 35 touchdowns. But it's an understatement to say Matt Leinart (or Derek Anderson) is a downgrade from Kurt Warner, who retired this off-season.

4. Randy Moss, Patriots: All five of his 100-yard games came in the first nine weeks and his attitude and motivation were questioned by some down the stretch. But he has scored 47 touchdowns over the past three seasons. It's hard to question that production.

5. Brandon Marshall, Dolphins: Marshall has had 100+ receptions and 1,100+ yards for three consecutive seasons. With a fat new contract, the random temper tantrum seems unlikely. For now.

6. Reggie Wayne, Colts: Only three players (two receivers) finished the season with at least 100 receptions, 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. If you own Wayne, hope for a few Colts' early-season losses so Wayne plays more than a half in your fantasy championship game.

7. Roddy White, Falcons: Only Andre Johnson (171) had more targets than did White (165) in 2009. In the past three seasons, White has been consistent: 83, 88 and 85 receptions as well as 1,202, 1,382 and 1,153 yards, respectively. Even better, he set a career-high in TDs (11) in 2009.

8. Miles Austin, Cowboys: The list? Andre Johnson and Wes Welker. The topic? Receivers who had more yards than Austin in 2009. The addition of rookie Dez Bryant, who was drafted by the Cowboys in the first round, will take away some targets for Austin in 2010. If it's any consolation (more so for Austin in real life than for you as his fantasy owner), his new girlfriend is Kim Kardashian.

9. Sidney Rice, Vikings: A waiver-wire pick-up for many last year, Rice had more receiving yards than all but three receivers in 2009. Assuming a Favre return, Rice should have another monster season in 2010.

10. DeSean Jackson, Eagles: Despite his size, Jackson is one of most explosive big-play receivers in the league. He ranked second in yards (18.5) per reception and first in the league in receptions of 40 yards or more (10).

Continue reading "(Updated) 2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers (WRs)" »

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 06:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The NFL pre-season gets underway a month from Thursday (Hall of Fame game between Cowboys and Bengals).

Over the next month, we will release our rankings keeper rankings, point-per-reception (PPR) rankings and our top 150 cheat sheets as well as in-depth player analysis and projections. For now, here is our updated list of the top 40 running backs for fantasy football:

1. Chris Johnson, Titans: 2,006 yards. 11 straight 100-yard games. While those numbers would be nearly impossible to repeat, Johnson can take it to the house on any given play with his 4.24 speed. The question is: Will he do so for his $550,000 salary? On a positive note, a compromise to the contract situation may be reached before the start of the season, per Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean.

2. Adrian Peterson, Vikings: In three NFL seasons, Peterson has rushed for 1,300+ yards and 10+ touchdowns every year. His fumbling issues are well-documented, but he also had his best season as a receiver (43 receptions for 436) in 2009.

3. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars: In his first season as the featured back, Pocket Hercules delivered with 1,391 rushing yards, 374 receiving yards on 53 receptions and 16 combined touchdowns. My only concern? MJD had two games with single-digit rushing attempts. What if that happens against Washington in week 16?

4. Ray Rice, Ravens: Rice led RBs in receptions (78) and receiving yards (702) in 2009. He was one of only two backs to have over 2000 yards from scrimmage.

5. Michael Turner, Falcons: An ankle injury in week 10 essentially wiped out the rest of his season, but he was getting into a groove before the injury (428 rushing yards on 47 carries (9.1 YPC) and three touchdowns in 2 1/2 games). In his 27 games as a Falcon, Turner has rushed for more touchdowns (27) than he has receptions (11).

(Note: although these rankings are not based on a point-per-reception scoring, I will release my PPR rankings within the next two weeks.)

6. Frank Gore, 49ers: With two first-round picks in the 2010 NFL Draft, the 49ers drafted two offensive linemen (Trent Williams and Mike Iupati), which is obviously a benefit to Gore. In addition to rushing for over 1,000 yards in the past four years, he has also averaged 52 receptions per season during that span.

7. Steven Jackson, Rams: With the Rams' lack of offensive weapons to complement Jackson, opposing defenses know what is coming. Yet Jackson still finished second in the NFL in rushing in 2009 despite being hampered by back issues for the second half of the season.

8. Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers: Starting in week four, Mendenhall rushed for 1,068 yards and seven TDs in the final 13 games of the season. (That's a 1300-yard pace.) With Fast Willie in D.C. now, a repeat (or even an improvement) of that pace seems likely.

9. Ryan Grant, Packers: As the runner for one of the league's best aerial assaults, Grant should continue to see a lot of seven-men fronts and open lanes to run. Only four RBs rushed for more yards (1,253) and TDs (11) than Grant in 2009.

10. DeAngelo Williams, Panthers: Despite missing three games last year, Williams has rushed for 2,632 yards and scored 27 touchdowns (25 rushing and two receiving) in the past two seasons. His only drawback? Backfield mate Jonathan Stewart has rushed for close to 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns during that same span.

Continue reading "(Updated) 2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs (RBs)" »

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 06:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The NFL pre-season gets underway a month from Thursday (Hall of Fame game between Cowboys and Bengals).

Over the next month, we will release our rankings keeper rankings, our top 150 cheat sheets as well as in-depth player analysis and projections. For now, here is our updated list of the top 25 quarterbacks for fantasy football:

1. Drew Brees, Saints: No QB has passed for more yards (9,457) or touchdowns (68) than Brees over the past two seasons. The only reason he had a four-year low of 4,388 passing yards last year was the Saints rested him in week 17 to get ready for their Super Bowl run.

2. Aaron Rodgers, Packers: With back-to-back 4,000-yard seasons under his belt, it wouldn't surprise me if Rodgers finished 2010 as the top-ranked fantasy passer partly due to his rushing numbers (316 yards and five touchdowns in 2009).

3. Peyton Manning, Colts: In 12 NFL seasons, Manning has reached the 4,000-yard milestone ten times including the past four seasons. The two he missed: 3,739 (rookie season) and 3,747 (2005). Considering he's only been sacked 24 times in his past two seasons, he's about as safe of a pick as possible.

4. Tom Brady, Patriots: Although Wes Welker may not be ready to go week one, he is "happy" about the progress of his rehab. And with Randy Moss, Julian Edelman, Torry Holt and a pair of pass-catching rookie tight ends (Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez), Brady should be in for a big year.

5. Tony Romo, Cowboys: Only Matt Schaub and Peyton Manning threw for more yards and only Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers threw fewer interceptions (among full-season starters) than Romo in 2009. With rookie Dez Bryant, who cornerback Mike Jenkins said will be a "big-time receiver" someday, joining an offense that includes Miles Austin, Jason Witten, Roy Williams and Felix Jones, Romo is poised for a monster season in 2010.
6. Matt Schaub, Texans: Schaub led the NFL in passing yards (4,770) despite being without his stud tight end (Owen Daniels) for half of the year.

7. Brett Favre, Vikings: The summer of mowing the lawn and throwing to high-schoolers has begun for Favre. While the 40-year-old QB may not be able duplicate last year's tremendous success (4,202 yards, 33 TDs, 7 INTs), it's realistic to expect something close to 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns with his supporting cast in Minnesota.

8. Philip Rivers, Chargers: He's one of four QBs that have passed for 4,000 yards in each of the past two seasons and only Brees has thrown more TDs during that stretch. With Vincent Jackson serving a three-game suspension and possibly holding out through the first ten games, Rivers' fantasy value takes a big hit (he was fourth in my late-May rankings).

9. Joe Flacco, Ravens: With new weapons in the passing game (free agents Anquan Boldin and Donte' Stallworth as well as rookies Ed Dickson, Dennis Pitta and David Reed), Flacco should easily exceed his 2009 numbers of 3,613 yards and 21 touchdowns.

10. Eli Manning, Giants: With a core group of young receivers (Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, etc.), Eli set career highs in yards (4,021) and TDs (27) in 2009.

Continue reading "(Updated) 2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks (QBs)" »

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 05:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Don't expect Greene to adjust his punishing style of running anytime soon.

As pointed out by Manish Mehta of the NY Daily News, Greene dismissed Mehta's scenarios of modifying his running style to preserve his body for the rigors of a full NFL season.

“We don’t run out of bounds,” Greene said. “I’ve been taught that all my life…. I don’t think that’s going to help the way I play by doing that. If I just go out and do what I do, everything else will take care of itself.”

That said, his running backs coach will "make him aware of" some potential adjustments to help "get him through 16 games.”

“You have to teach him when to avoid, when to go down and when not to take on three people just so he can get through a season,” running backs coach Anthony Lynn told Mehta. “That’s an education process.”

In my fantasy football rankings (to be updated on July 7th), Greene will be the 14th-ranked running back, which is a couple of spots higher than his previous ranking.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 11:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

San Francisco 49ers safety Dashon Goldson made a bold statement about the team's signal caller during a chat on NFL.com Thursday.

Goldson believes that Alex Smith, who was the first overall draft pick in 2005, will "be the most improved player in the NFL this year."

“Since the first day of OTAs, he’s been on the top of his game,” Goldson said (per NFL.com). “He’s taking it serious, and he knows we’ll go as far as he’ll take us. He’s improved big-time. I think he’ll be the most improved player in the NFL this year. We believe in him.”

Smith, who became the starter in week 7, threw for 2,350 yards, 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 11 games last year. He completed over 60 percent of his passes and only had a QB rating of less than 60 in two games (42.3 and 59.7).

Extrapolating his numbers over a 16-game pace, Smith would have thrown for 3,418 yards and 26 touchdowns.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 09:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Due to his two DUI arrests, San Diego Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson has been suspended by the NFL for three games, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Unless he gets a new deal from the Chargers (which seems about as likely as two Brazilian Victoria's Secret supermodels fighting over me), however, Jackson would have been sitting out those three games (Chiefs, Jaguars and Seahawks) in addition to seven more anyways.

In order to qualify for a year of service towards free agency, Jackson will need to sign his tender as a restricted free agent (or reach a long-term deal) before the team's final six games.

The Chargers will continue to shop Jackson, who set career-highs in receptions (68), yards (1,167) and touchdowns (nine) in 2009.

So far, the Seahawks, Redskins and Bears have been linked to having interest in Jackson although the Bears claim to not be interested.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 08:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

At his football camp for kids in New Jersey, Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson was asked today whether or not there has been any progress towards a new contract.

"There has been no progress so far," Jackson said, per Tyler Dunne of the Philadelphia Daily News (via Pro Football Talk). "I'm looking forward to just working with them and hopefully making something happen."

As Sheil Kapadia of Philly.com points out, Jackson is one of only three receivers to finish a season with 60+ receptions, 1,000+ yards and 18+ yards per reception during the past five seasons. In 2009, Jackson caught 63 passes for 1,167 yards (18.5 average).

The other two were Carolina's Steve Smith in 2008 and Terry Glenn in 2005.

According to Mock Draft Central, Jackson has been the ninth receiver (and 28th player) selected in fantasy football drafts based on his average draft position.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 09:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Tennessee Titans have had more than thier fair share of off-the-field issues this off-season: Chris Johnson's potential holdout, Vince Young's misdemeanor assault, Gerald McRath's suspension, Derrick Morgan's arrest, etc.

On the field, Titans receiver Kenny Britt has done some things that even I could have done this off-season. In other words, he had shown up out of shape and has been dropping too many passes.

"It has been horrible,'' Britt said, per Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. "I am disappointed in myself. I know I have to get better. They expect me to get better. And that's what I plan on doing.''

All of the dropped passes has earned him the nickname "Question Mark" from his teammates, according to Wyatt.

"We are going to go away here, and he still has some things to work on," [offensive coordinator Mike] Heimerdinger said. "I'll be very interested to see if he goes and works on them and stays in shape and does what he is supposed to do to get better, and get healthy for two-a-days. Or is he going to come in and we're going to have to start all over again like he did in the beginning at OTAs because he was out of shape? That is part of being a pro. We'll see how he handles himself, I guess.''

Britt, who was the Titans' first-round pick in 2009, led the team in receiving yards (701) as a rookie.

According to Mock Draft Central, Britt is the 41st receiver drafted on average in fantasy football drafts this summer.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 08:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Despite expectations of a one-game suspension for Jets receiver Braylon Edwards, Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com reports that Edwards won't be suspended under the league's personal-conduct policy for an incident that occurred in a Cleveland nightclub in October. Instead he'll likely receive a fine for one game check.

The incident from October involved a (135-pound) friend of LeBron James that accused Edwards of punching him at a Cleveland club.

At the time, LeBron James said (via the Cleveland Plain Dealer), "I've never crossed paths with Braylon before but it seems like there is a little jealously going on with Braylon and me and my friends."

Despite his potential, Edwards has essentially been a one-hit wonder (no pun intended). In his breakout season (2007), Edwards finished with 80 receptions for 1,289 and 16 touchdowns.

In his other four seasons combined, Edwards has 16 touchdowns. Plus, he has averaged only 737 yards per season during that four-year span.

Cimini also points out that the Jets likely won't pursue Laveranues Coles, who played for the Jets from 2000-2002 and 2005-2008. Coles was released by the Bengals this off-season.

Per Jenny Vrentas of the Newark Star-Ledger, Edwards said this month that he expects 2010 is "definitely going to be my best season."

It's hard to imagine Edwards having a better season than 2007 for a run-first team that has acquired Santonio Holmes, even if he will serve a four-game suspension to start the season. That said, he has the talent to do so.

My rankings (44th receiver) indicate that I'm not buying into that claim as much as most (30th receiver drafted, according to Mock Draft Central). However, I will bump up Edwards a bit in our next rankings update for next week.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 12:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Last year, the Bears ranked eighth in the NFL in passing attempts (35.2 per game) yet they ranked only 17th in passing yards (229.8 per game).

With Mike Martz now running their offense, most expect the Bears' passing attack to take some steps forward in 2010.

To help ease the transition, Bears receiver Devin Hester plans to work with the guy who flouished in Hester's role (the "Z" receiver) within Martz's offense from 1999 to 2005.

''We'll get on a field, watch some film and everything,'' Hester said after practice Wednesday, per Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times. ''I can't learn from anyone better.''

Of course, Hester is referring to Isaac Bruce, who retired this off-season after a 16-year career.

''I know Devin is craving and trying to become the best possible receiver he can be, and I know Isaac Bruce,'' [Bears coach Lovie] Smith said. ''He's one of the great ambassadors of the game, with a Hall of Fame type of career. Guys want to get better, and they want to talk to the best at the position. Of course, Isaac has had success in the position, and he knows it as well as anyone.''

Heading into the 2010 season, Hester will start opposite Johnny Knox based on the team's current depth chart.

Meanwhile, Devin Aromashodu is the top Bears receiver in my fantasy rankings and the first Bears receiver drafted, based on Mock Draft Central's average draft positions (ADPs). The ADPs for Aromashodu, Hester and Knox are 83rd overall (33rd receiver), 133rd (53rd) and 144th (55th), respectively.

(Vote on our poll: Which Bears WR will finish with the most productive fantasy season?)

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 10:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

When the Giants and Panthers face each other on September 12th to open the season, we may or may not see the battle of the Steve Smith's.

If the Carolina version does not play, it will be due to the injury he suffered yesterday.

Smith, who was playing in an adult flag football league championship game, broke his left arm and had surgery Sunday. That means, he'll likely miss all of training camp and his status for the season opener could be jeopardized, per Darin Gantt of the Herald Online.

“Steve has talked to me and feels terrible about it,” [Panthers GM Marty] Hurney said through a statement (via Gantt). “Now his focus is on the rehabilitating process and getting back as quickly as he can.”

Coincidentally, Smith broke the same arm against the Giants in week 16 of the 2009 season.

Nonetheless Derrick Fox, Smith's agent, expects him to "come back stronger, faster, meaner and more ready to play than before.”

Smith's receptions (65) and receiving yards (982) in 2009 were five-year lows. That said, Smith's numbers were considerably better with Matt Moore (instead of Jake Delhomme) under center.

With Moore as quarterback, Smith had 19 receptions for 378 yards and three touchdowns in four games. That's a 16-game pace of 76-1,512-12. While it would have been unlikely for him to maintain that pace over a full season, his production level increased quite a bit without Jake Delhomme pulling the offensive strings.

In my fantasy rankings for 2010, I rank Smith (Panthers) as the 16th-best fantasy wide receiver. By comparison, that's two spots better than the Giants' version of Smith.

At least, until the next update.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 11:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Many teams wouldn't give him a chance. The Bengals did.

According to Carlos Holmes of the Dayton Daily News, the Bengals are willing to negotiate a longer-term extension with running back Cedric Benson, who is entering the second year of his two-year contract.

In 2009, Benson had the best year of his career despite missing three games (all in the second half). He finished with 1,251 yards and six touchdowns on 301 carries, but he led the NFL in rushing for the majority of the first half of the season.

There are very few teams with a workhorse running back these days.

With the exception of the games he missed and the one in which he left early due to injury, Benson finished with 15+ carries in every game. And in half (six) of the games he finished (12), Benson had 27 carries or more.

But Benson, who was the fourth overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, is working hard on making this year better than last year.

“Cedric is a guy who wants to work hard and push the other guys,” [RB coach Jim] Anderson said, per Holmes. “He wants the other players to see that he’s a hard worker. I think that is indicative to how he plays the game. How you practice is how you play. If you want to play fast in the game you have to practice fast and play hard. Cedric is like a lot of runners and doesn’t want to leave yards out there on the field.”

Last year, Benson was a huge value before the season started and I loved his upside.

This year, Benson will be drafted in the first two rounds and he ranks in my top 10 running backs.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 07:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Philadelphia Eagles are about to begin the post-McNabb era with a quarterback that has started only two games in his career.

Fortunately for Kevin Kolb, however, he takes over an offense with a strong (and young) set of skill players: receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, tight end Brent Celek and running back LeSean McCoy.

Plus former Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski said this week on 97.5 The Ticket (via Sheil Kapadia of Moving The Chains), the team "almost" has "that little-kid enthusiasm" due in part to their youth.

"I've spoken to a number of players, a number of the coaches, and the one thing I sense that was probably missing over the last couple years is energy," Jaworski said. "There's almost that little-kid enthusiasm right now within the organization because of the changes they've made. When you get those young, enthusiastic players int he locker room, it's amazing how they raise the spirit, and even of Andy Reid and the coaching staff. And the feeling down at the Novacare Center is real positive now. They know they've got a young team. They know they're going to make mistakes, but as they grow together, this has the chance to be a real good football team down the road. I think that's the part that's exciting."

In my fantasy football rankings, I ranked McNabb as the tenth-best fantasy quarterback and Kolb as the 14th-best.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 10:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford believes the Rams offense, which averaged only 10.9 points per game in 2009, is making progress everyday.

"I think this offense has great potential, and I feel like we've gotten better every practice," Bradford said Thursday, per Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "One thing I can attest to is a great attitude. Everyone comes ready to work. When we go to meetings, everyone's positive. When we come on the field, everyone's excited to be here. I think there's a lot of talent, and I think we're going in the right direction."

While Bradford, who the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2010, has taken reps with the first-team offense, he's taken more reps with the second and third units than he has with the first.

It's unlikely that Bradford will begin the season as the starting quarterback as coach Steve Spagnuolo had previously suggested that the Rams would like to bring along Bradford similarly to the way they did (when he was in Philadelphia) with Donovan McNabb, who started around mid-season.

Regardless of which unit he's on to start the season, Bradford expects to have a deal done before training camp even though he's not concerning himself with the contract stuff.

"I haven't even talked to my agent (Tom Condon) about it," Bradford said. "I'm not concerned about it. That's why I hired an agent, and I think he's very good at what he does. I'm sure he and the Rams will come to an agreement before training camp. I expect to be here on time."

From a fantasy perspective, Bradford has little value in a non-keeper leagues or shallow leagues where owners start only one quarterback. Nonetheless he ranks as my top rookie QB for fantasy football.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 07:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson is one of only six NFL players to have rushed for over 2,000 yards while setting the NFL single-season record for yards from scrimmage (2,509).

But Johnson is upset (despite recently saying, “I like my team. I’m not mad,’’) about the Titans' reluctance to rework his contract and has threatened to hold out of training camp, which begins on July 31st.

Johnson, who was the team's first-round pick in 2008, has three years left on his five-year contract and he's due to earn only $550,000 in 2010.

“I can’t play for $550,000,’’ Johnson said, per Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. “The money that I am playing for, I am getting paid less than the starting 11 (on offense) and I’m one of the lowest paid starting running backs in the league.’’

“I think Chris is willing to take it as far as he needs to take it,” [former backfield mate LenDale] White said. “I can’t get inside his mind and say how long he’ll hold out, but obviously he is serious about this. This is his livelihood. He has to look out for himself. Believe me, he loves the Titans and the city of Nashville, but he is looking for his livelihood and his life. No one can be mad about that.’’

Johnson has clearly outplayed his contract. Yet the team hasn't budged, according to Wyatt.

In 31 career games over two NFL seasons, Johnson has 3,997 yards from scrimmage (3,234 rushing and 763 receiving) and he has scored 26 touchdowns.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 10:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The likelihood that the San Diego Chargers could start the season without wide receiver Vincent Jackson or left tackle Marcus McNeil has increased substantially over the past 24 hours.

Both players, who are restricted free agents (RFAs), have decided not to sign their one-year tender offers, per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Meanwhile, the team had notified both players that it intended to lower their tender offers on June 15th to 110 percent of their 2009 salary, which is allowed under the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

Most RFAs that were frustrated by their contract situations signed their tenders to avoid such a decrease.

Instead Jackson will earn $583,000 (not $3.268 million) and McNeil will earn $600,000 (not $3.168 million) if they play the full season.

As Acee points out, players need to be on the roster for six weeks to accrue a season, which could be important depending on the number of seasons needed to reach unrestricted free agent status under the next CBA. So, it's possible that the players will hold out through week 10 and return to make sure that they accrue a season of service.

Last year, Jackson had a career year finishing with 68 receptions for 1,167 and nine touchdowns.

Obviously, the fantasy value of Jackson will take a huge hit if he holds out. In addition, it will negatively impact the fantasy value of quarterback Phillip Rivers, but it should help the value of Malcom Floyd, who is the team's No. 2 receiver.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 06:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Today Saints running back Pierre Thomas signed his one-year tender as a restricted free agent, per the Associated Press.

"It's still our desire to work out a long-term deal because Pierre deserves security," [Thomas' agent Lamont] Smith said.

Thomas will earn $1.684 million in 2010 after earning $460,000 last year.

In his three-year career, Thomas has rushed for 1,670 yards and 16 touchdowns on 328 carries (5.1 yards per carry). In addition, he has caught 87 passes for 737 yards and six touchdowns during that span.

For the 2010 fantasy football season, Thomas is the 18th-best running back in our latest fantasy running back rankings.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 11:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Last off-season, the Cleveland Browns waged a quarterback competition between Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson.

As Quinn and D.A. find themselves in Denver and Arizona, respectively, the Browns will begin the 2010 season with a new signal-caller, whom most believe will be Jake Delhomme.

That said, Browns coach Eric Mangini plans for both Delhomme and Seneca Wallace to get an equal number of reps during training camp, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer.

"We're heading in that direction (with Delhomme as the starter), but we'll head into camp and see what happens,'' said Mangini (via the Plain-Dealer). "Jake has looked good, but Seneca's done a really nice job too. They'll both get work with the ones. It's good to have this situation.''

Delhomme, who was released by the Panthers this off-season, had a season that he'd like to forget in 2009 even though he was given a five-year extension last April.

Despite missing the final five games of the season, he threw a career-high 18 interceptions. Meanwhile, his QB rating (59.4), completion percentage (55.5%), passing yards per game (183.2) and touchdown passes (eight) where all lows during his seven-year stint as the Panthers' starting quarterback.

Unless you're in a deep fantasy league or one that starts two quarterbacks, neither Delhomme nor Wallace has much fantasy value regardless of which one emerges as the team's starter.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 05:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Green Bay Packers receiver Donald Driver, who had arthroscopic surgery on his knees in January, says that he feels "so good now," per Lori Nickel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

"The trainers said, 'You look 25 again,' " Driver said (via Nickel). "I had the scope because I want to play until I'm 40. I wanted to extend my career another five years."

Since Driver said he played with pain "for two, three years," he also said that he "should have done it years ago."

Driver, who is 35 years old, has had six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

Over the past three years, he's finished with 1,012 to 1,061 yards. Over the previous three seasons, he finished with 1,208 to 1,295 yards.

Although his knee(s) might have bothered him for three years, I wouldn't expect him to revert to the 1,200-yard level this year. That said, I wouldn't bet against a seventh-consecutive 1,000-yard season either.

In my 2010 fantasy football rankings, Driver ranks as the 25th receiver. Greg Jennings, his Packers' teammate, ranks 12th.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 12:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Today Cowboys receiver Miles Austin signed his one-year tender offer as a restricted free agent, per Todd Archer of the Dallas Morning News.

Unless Austin and the Cowboys work out a long-term deal, which is the goal of both parties, the team's No. 1 receiver (based on performance but not salary) will earn $3.168 million in 2010.

"It's not that big of a deal to me," Austin said. "It is what it is. I'm here to work, that's what I do. I'm not trying to lose any more money ... Hopefully something can work out. Obviously I love Dallas. Yeah, I'm excited for the season. I'm excited to play hard."

After his record-setting perfomance (250 yards) in week five against the Chiefs, Austin hasn't looked back.

"He is confident now," [coach Wade] Phillips said, according to Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "The only thing he lacked was confidence. Once you catch 80 something balls, you have that confidence. He is a star receiver. But he is not pompous. He is determined to keep doing better."

Despite catching only five passes for less than 100 yards in the first quarter of the season, Austin finished third in receiving yards (1,320) and tied for fourth in touchdowns (11) in the NFL last year.

Austin enters 2010 as a top-ten fantasy wide receiver although the addition of Dez Bryant to the offense hurts Austin's fantasy value some.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 11:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It wouldn't be difficult for Raiders receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, the first receiver and seventh-overall player drafted last year, to improve on his nine-reception rookie campaign.

Not only did Michael Crabtree produce more than DHB after Crabtree's holdout-shortened season, but Louis Murphy, Oakland's fourth-round pick in 2009, did as well.

And it wasn't even close.

Per Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News, DHB appears to have caught on (pun intended) to something.

"I've just been using my speed to my advantage," Heyward-Bey said, per Kawakami. "I can move the defense around the way I want to, and that's just by listening to Hue and to Coach (Sanjay) Lal about how to use my speed out there."

If Heyward-Bey can avoid the drops, he might be a fantasy bargain as he's currently the 76th receiver selected in fantasy drafts (on average), according to Mock Draft Central.

Meanwhile, team chemistry seems to be up from last season.

"Everybody's wanting to go out to eat, go over to San Fran, get some dinner, go to the movies or something," Heyward-Bey said. "It's more of a team this year.

"I don't know if that's because Jason came, but the teammates we have here all want to come together and be one."

Perhaps it's not the arrival of Jason. Maybe it's the departure of JaMarcus. More likely, it's both.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 08:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

More than a month away from training camp, Raiders coach Tom Cable has hinted that the offense could utilize a running back tandem that will split carries, according to Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune (via ESPN's Bill Williamson).

That goes against Cable's initial hopes that either Michael Bush and Darren McFadden would emerge to be the featured back.

“I think they’re both doing something exciting each day, whether it’s running the ball or pass protecting,” Cable said (via McDonald). “Each one of them has their own strength but they both show up every time we come out here. I actually think they’re both [No. 1s] and I think it’s a great deal we got going here.”

Bush said: “My motto is, 'you call it, I’ll haul it,’ so I don’t have a preference as long as I get the ball.”

Since being the fourth pick of the 2008 NFL Draft, McFadden has disappointed and underperformed Bush, who was the team's fourth-round pick in 2008.

In 31 career games, Bush has 218 rushes for 1,010 yards (4.6 yards per carry). Meanwhile, McFadden has 217 rushing attempts for 856 yards (3.9 YPC) in his 25-game young career.

While the running backs may split carries and McFadden might have the higher draft pedigree, I would draft Bush over McFadden in fantasy drafts (see RB ranks) if it came down to selecting one over the other.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 08:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Despite what the Oakland wide receivers might say, big things are not expected from the Raiders receiving corps.

According to MockDraftCentral.com, the first Raiders' receiver drafted is Chaz Schilens, who has an average draft position (ADP) of 135 as the 52nd receiver taken (on average). Darrius Heyward-Bey, the Raiders first-round pick last year, is the 66th receiver in drafts.

"I'm excited to be on this offense, I'll tell you that," Schilens said. "I think we're legit, and we're taking steps forward every day, not backward. Working on turnovers, working on big plays. The offense is great. I'm just looking forward to it, being out there."

Schilens, who missed half of the season last year after breaking his foot during training camp, returned to the practice field on Wednesday. He had off-season surgery on the foot and wasn't expected to return until training camp.

"It's been awhile for me," he said. "I just wanted to get back out here as soon as possible and start working back into it. I'm glad [the trainers] let me come back out here. It feels good, and I am just going to take it slow."

In his final game of the 2009 season, Schilens had eight catches for 99 yards against Baltimore. Over his final four games, he compiled 19 receptions for 220 yards and one touchdown.

Schilens, who is a big target (6-foot-4, 225 pounds), enters as the 2010 season as a legitimate sleeper pick.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 06:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

What receiver Michael Crabtree did in his holdout-shortened rookie season exceeded nearly everyone's expectations.

In 11 games, Crabtree finished with 48 receptions for 625 yards, which is a full-season pace of 70 receptions and 909 yards. Had he attended off-season workouts and training camp, he might have actually exceeded that pace as a rookie.

In either case, Crabtree led all 49ers' receivers in receiving yards. Only tight end Vernon Davis had more (965).

Per David White of the San Francisco Chronicle, Crabtree said yesterday that the off-season of learning the offense and playbook "can make me from good to great. All the great players know what they're doing. They know the whole playbook. I'm just trying to get to their point."

As one of his three "bold predictions for 2010," Gregg Rosenthal of RotoWorld wrote that "Crabtree will be a top-five receiver."

While top five for 2010 seems a little too "bold," I can see Crabtree finishing in the top 10. Currently, I rank him as the 22nd-best fantasy wide receiver.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 09:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown will miss the remainder of off-season workouts before training camp. Brown had a procedure to remove one of two screws from his foot on June 2nd.

"It was precautionary,'' Brown said, according to Jackson. "The doctor told me to take two weeks off.''

"We were going to get it taken out anyway," Brown said, per Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "There's no reason to wait and not get it taken out when I can start training and get back in shape for the [training] camp. I figured I participated in minicamp..."

Brown, who is a restricted free agent, has yet to sign his one-year tender as he would like to get a long-term deal.

"There's no animosity that I'm not signing,'' said Brown. "I'm showing that. I'm here.''

Considering Brown's track record of health (or lack thereof), Brown knows it's unlikely that he will get a long-term extension before completing a (close to) full season in 2010.

Through five seasons, Brown has averaged only 12 games per year.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 08:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The days of running back LaDainian Tomlinson not getting much pre-season work are over.

The Jets plan to use LT in the pre-season more than he's been used in the past, according to Manish Mehta of the NY Daily News.

Since 2001, Tomlinson has carried the ball 26 times during pre-season games. In fact, 12 of those came last season with the Chargers.

“With change comes different expectations,” offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer told Mehta. “LaDainian’s fighting for playing time. He’s got to earn the right. He wants to have the chance to start. So, he’s going to have to play… We can look forward to (him playing more in the preseason). Hopefully that will have something to do with him getting energized and getting off to a great start.”

“He’s in a situation now where -- yeah, he’s LaDainian Tomlinson - but he’s now a Jet,” Schottenheimer said. “He’s got to prove to us and to the rest of the guys that he’s still got to go and play. Now, will we play him as much as Joe McKnight (in the preseason)? Absolutely not. But he’s still going to have to play.”

Despite posting the ninth double-digit touchdown season of his nine-year career, Tomlinson posted back-to-back declining seasons (1,474 to 1,110 to 730 rushing yards) for the first time in his career and will turn 31 this month.

From a fantasy perspective, Tomlinson is an interesting guy with a bit of upside in a run-first offense with a great line, based on his average draft position (ADP). I have Tomlinson ranked as the 31st-best fantasy running back.

According to MockDraftCentral.com, Tomlinson is the 43rd running back off the boards (108 overall). As an example, the three running backs going right before LT (based on ADPs) are Washington's Clinton Portis, Oakland's Michael Bush and San Diego's Darren Sproles.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 07:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Minnesota Vikings open their three-day mandatory mini-camp on Friday and will conduct a total of four practices over the weekend. One player that is unlikely to attend is running back Adrian Peterson, per Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Saturday is "Adrian Peterson Day" (an event organized by his aunt) in Palestine, Texas and Peterson is scheduled to appear, of course.

Peterson, who hasn't attended the club's organized team activities (OTAs), likely won't travel for one practice on Sunday, according to Zulgad.

While Peterson will go first in some fantasy football drafts, he's likely to go second overall in most drafts behind Tennessee's Chris Johnson.

With the exception of his fumbling issues (16 over past two seasons), there is little to complain about Peterson's game. If you're nitpicking, you could say that down the stretch (i.e., during fantasy playoffs), he doesn't perform as strongly as he does during the start of the season.

In his career (more precisely, in two of his three seasons), Peterson has struggled to finish the season as strongly as he starts it. Through 13 games played in December, Peterson has averaged a monthly low of 73.4 yards per game (ypg) and 4.0 yards per carry (YPC). His second worst split is October, where he averages 95.1 ypg and 4.8 YPC.

(Debate who should be the top pick in fantasy drafts in our forums.)

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 07:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Yesterday the San Diego Chargers No. 2 receiver (Malcolm Floyd) signed his tender as a restricted free agent (RFA).

On June 15th, it's possible that the team's No. 1 receiver (Vincent Jackson) could see his RFA tender reduced from $3.268 million to $583,000, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune (via Pro Football Talk).

As teams can lower their tender offers to 110 percent of a player's 2009 salary, the Chargers will also lower left tackle Marcus McNeil's tender to $600,000 from $3.168 million, per Acee.

Florio of Pro Football Talk writes "don't be shocked if [Jackson] refuses to sign the tender and then sits out into the regular season, possibly until Week 10 and possibly for the entire year."

He believes that his value (for the 2011 season) wouldn't be drastically reduced considering how missing a year of college football didn't significantly impact the draft status of quarterback Sam Bradford and tight end Jermaine Gresham, who were both drafted in the first round with the first and 21st picks, respectively.

Jackson, the team's second-round pick in 2005, tied for ninth in the NFL -- and set a career-high -- in receiving yards (1,167) and scored nine touchdowns last year.

In our fantasy rankings, Jackson is 13th overall among receivers. He would have been ranked a few spots higher but the threat of league discipline for two DUI arrests and possible holdout impact his fantasy value.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 07:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

According to the team's website, Chargers wide receiver Malcolm Floyd signed his one-year tender as a restricted free agent today and rejoined the team for their organized team activities (OTAs).

“There wasn’t really any positive in missing any more time, especially on my part, because I’m in a different situation than the other guys,” he said. “I thought, ‘Why not?’ Just come in and get some reps with Philip (Rivers) and get things rolling.”

Floyd, who is a big target (6-foot-5, 225 pounds), emerged as the team's No. 2 receiver and will be a sleeper/breakout pick in many fantasy leagues.

In our wide receiver rankings for fantasy football, Floyd cracked the top 50 at No. 50.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 11:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Absent from today's organized team activities (OTAs) in Cleveland were a pair of running backs: Jerome Harrison and Peyton Hillis, per Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer.

Harrison, who has yet to sign his tender as a restricted free agent, participated in OTAs previously and is expected to show for the team's mandatory mini-camp that begins on June 10th.

Hillis, who was part of the deal that sent quarterback Brady Quinn to Denver, only has 81 career rushing attempts for 397 yards in 26 games. During a four-game stretch in 2008, however, Hillis had 57 of those carries for 305 yards and five touchdowns.

Meanwhile, rookie Montario Hardesty, who was drafted in the second round, could end up being the most worked of the trio as he has impressed the coaching staff from the start.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 09:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, who has won four NFL MVP awards, works as hard (if not harder) than any other player in the league.

One of the things that Manning does every off-season with quarterbacks coach Frank Reich is review every snap from the previous season including his performance, pre-snap reads and the performance of his teammates.

Head coach Jim Caldwell, who was Manning's quarterback coach when Tony Dungy was head coach, said of that process, per Mike Chapell of the Indianapolis Star, it takes "months, plural. It's a long process. It's a great exercise.''

"I don't think there is any limitation on him,'' Caldwell said. "He has such great presence of mind, such great will and determination that I think you will see him improve in almost every area.''

It didn't take long for Manning to review the playbook of new offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen and center Jeff Saturday joked that he tries to avoid Manning.

"I see he's got 14 little 'Post-Its' (notes on the playbook) on things he's going to ask questions about," Saturday said. "You try to duck your head and run past him because you know he's going to pull you over for 15 minutes and discuss something that he sees as an issue. That goes to why he is the player he is.''

For the 2010 fantasy football season, Manning ranks as my third-best fantasy quarterback behind Drew Brees (Saints) and Aaron Rodgers (Packers). When it comes time to make my pre-season prediction for the MVP award, however, Manning is my clear frontrunner.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 06:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Despite the potential for "sophomore slumps," quarterbacks should feel more comfortable in their second seasons compared with their rookie campaigns.

After having an entire season to learn the basics of the offense as well as the strengths and limitations of their receivers, there is the opportunity to really internalize the playbook and system as they prepare for their second season. In year one, it's a scramble to learn as much as possible in a short period of time, which limits the ability to fully understand the nuances and details within an offense.

Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, who was the fifth-overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, seems to poised to take a big step forward in 2010, according to Manish Mehta of the NY Daily News.

“It just feels more natural and I’m not scrambling when I get the play call like last year,” Sanchez said, per Mehta. “(In the past), I’d have to say it a couple times in my head before I’d get to the huddle and now I’m visualizing it. I see the concept. It’s to the point where (offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer) is barely starting to get the play call out of his mouth and I’m starting to walk away and he’s grabbing me to make sure I get the whole call, but I feel good about it. That’s the way I want it to be.”

“When we get up to the line and we’re making checks, I just feel more confident with the audible mechanics, route depth and now getting into fine details of where the receivers’ splits are supposed to be,” Sanchez said. “How deep is Cover Two vs. Cover Three are little nuances of our offense that are coming even more and more natural. I feel great about it. That’s the point. As the quarterback, you want to master it and make that offense your own. That’s what I’m in the process of doing.”

Sanchez hopes to work with the Jets' receivers by inviting them out to his home in southern California to further develop his chemistry and rapport with the receiving corps, which now includes Santonio Holmes, who is suspended for the first four games of the season.

As a rookie, Sanchez had four really bad games (two touchdowns, 15 interceptions). In addition, he only completed 45.9 percent of his 109 passes in those four games.

If you exclude that one-quarter of the season, however, Sanchez threw twice as many touchdowns (10) as interceptions (five). Or, in other words, Sanchez did not play "like a rookie" for the majority of his rookie season.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 12:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Bills will have an open practice at 3 p.m. today and it's unlikely that running back Marshawn Lynch will participate.

Lynch, who lifted at the team's facility on Wednesday and Thursday, hasn't yet practiced.

"He's trying to force their hand and I think you can make yourself a problem as a player that way by hanging around and say not doing anything or not really participating, so the fact he's not participating makes him a problem for the Bills,'' NFL.com reporter Vic Carrucci told WGRZ-TV's Ben Hayes.

That said, the Bills seem reluctant to trade Lynch, who lost his starting job to Fred Jackson last year. The Bills also made Clemson's C.J. Spiller the first running back drafted with the ninth-overall pick.

"He's the most talented running back in the National Football League," [safety Donte] Whitner said Friday, per the Associated Press. "We do need him. We do want him. Hopefully, he gets out here soon."

"Most talented" in the NFL? Really, Donte?

I can think of a running back or two (or thirty) that may have something to say about that.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 08:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Panthers wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett has been a disappointment, but he has a new-found dedication, per Ryan Wood of the Charlotte Observer.

Jarrett, who set the Pac 10 record for receiving touchdowns (41), has scored only one touchdown in his three seasons as a Panther.

"It's nobody's fault. I'm not pointing fingers at anybody," Jarrett said (via Wood). "I'll take full responsibility. There were a lot of things I had to learn coming in, and it's still a continue-to-learn process. You always have to be a student of the game."

One of the things that may have helped Jarrett, according to Wood, is new receivers coach Tyke Tolbert, who is less confrontational than Richard Williams, last year's receivers coach.

Either way, his teammates are noticing the change in Jarrett, who was selected in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft.

"I've definitely seen a change, and I think that's pretty unanimous throughout the team," Carolina and USC teammate Ryan Kalil said. "Dwayne's definitely grown a lot since he first got here. This league is all about opportunity. Everybody is talented. It just depends on who makes plays when your name is called."

Coincidentally, his maturity, dedication and development have arrived just in time for the final year of his rookie contract. Funny how that happens, isn't it?

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 01:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

For his third consecutive season, Atlanta Falcons receiver Roddy White finished with 80+ receptions and 1,100+ receiving yards.

One area in which he would like to improve is yards after the catch (YAC). White led the team with a YAC of 392 yards.

"We can do a lot more of that," White said, per D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "We are going to have to do a lot more of that. We have to break some more tackles, pick up some third downs and move the chains."

"YAC can just get us more possessions," White said. "That's our big thing because we want to be out there on the field as much as possible and try to eat the clock and score some more touchdowns."

Over the past three years, only four receivers (Andre Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Reggie Wayne and Randy Moss) have had more receiving yards than White.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 12:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Today the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reached a four-year agreement with rookie wide receiver Mike Williams, according to Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune. The deal is worth $3.15 million.

"I love this game, so I urged my agent, Hadley Engelhard, to reach an agreement quickly," Williams said in a statement issued by the team (via Cummings). "I am focused on the opportunity to contribute to the team and am very excited to be a Tampa Bay Buccaneer."

Williams missed a season at Syracuse due to academic suspension and also missed the final three games last year after he quit the team. But Daniel Jeremiah, who's now in the Eagles' scouting department, tweeted (after the Draft) that Williams was a "sleeper rookie of the year candidate."

It's off-the-field (or "in-school," as Williams calls it) issues that caused Williams to drop all the way to the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. If it weren't for those "in-school" issues, Williams might have been a first-round pick.

"I'm not a bad guy,'' Williams said shortly after being drafted in late April. "I didn't have off-the-field issues. I just had some in-school issues. ..."

In my rookie fantasy rankings, I ranked Williams as the fifth-best rookie fantasy wide receiver. Fellow rookie receiver and teammate Arrelious Benn is third on the list.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 04:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, who had neck surgery in March, says he feels "good" and he will have more time to hit the weights and watch film than he has had in the past several years.

"I feel good out there throwing, I feel good in my lifting, I feel like everything went according to plan," Manning said, per ESPN blogger Paul Kuharsky. "I'm very relieved of that and I no longer have to get the treatment that I was having to get for the past four years. Treatment was time as much as anything, manual traction trying to relieve some things. Three times a day about 25 minutes apiece just got to be tough, very time consuming."

One of the things that Manning is not worrying about is the potential for a Super Bowl hangover (where the losing team struggles and misses the playoffs the following season).

"I don't really get into the tendencies," Manning said. "I think it's all about how you handle it as a team. I think we've had another outstanding offseason. Come training camp time we expect everybody to be here."

Manning, who is in the final year of his contract, will likely become the league's highest-paid player between now and the start of the 2011 season (provided there is one).

With his contract being the priority to negotiate, some of the other players who have more than one year remaining on their deal, such as wide receiver Reggie Wayne and defensive end Robert Mathis, are skipping the mandatory mini-camp.

In this year's fantasy football rankings, I ranked Manning third in my fantasy quarterback rankings behind Drew Brees of New Orleans and Aaron Rodgers of Green Bay.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 03:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne plans to skip the team's mandatory mini-camp, which begins today, according to Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star.

Wayne, who has had more receptions (532) and yards (7,494) than any receiver since 2004, is unhappy about his contract situation. There are two years remaining on Wayne's six-year contract, which pay him less than $6 million per season.

"I will continue training diligently in Florida, as I have each offseason since my rookie year, to ensure that I am ready to play this season,'' Wayne said in his e-mail (via Chappell). "I hope that a fair resolution can be reached in the not-too-distant future that allows me to achieve my goal of playing my entire career with the Indianapolis Colts.''

In my fantasy football rankings, Wayne ranks as my fifth-best fantasy receiver behind Houston's Andre Johnson, Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald, Detroit's Calvin Johnson and New England's Randy Moss.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 06:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Although he's only done it once before (2007), Seahawks wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh hopes to do it again this year.

Per Clare Farnsworth of Seahawks.com, Houshmandzadeh expects to have a "minimum" of 100 receptions in 2010.

In an interview on Sirius Radio, Houshmandzadeh said (via Farnsworth), “I think 100 catches, to me, should be the minimum I get this year just because of the offense we’re in. I don’t feel like last year, I wasn’t a priority in the game plan and I was almost so much told that last year. ..."

In 2007, Houshmandzadeh set career highs in receptions (112), receiving yards (1,143) and touchdowns (12).

Despite his lofty goals he set for himself, a more realistic expectation for Houshmandzadeh in 2010 is in the ballpark of 85-900-5.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 10:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart, who was the team's first-round pick in 2006, has been a "bust" (at least, a mild one) so far in his relatively short career.

In fact, if you compare his numbers with those of ex-Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell, the career totals are remarkably similar.

Through 29 career games, Leinart has thrown for 3,893 yards, 14 touchdowns and 20 interceptions with a quarterback rating of 70.8. Meanwhile, Russell has thrown for 4,083 yards, 18 touchdowns and 23 interceptions with a quarterback rating of 65.2 through 31 career games.

That said, coach Ken Whisenhunt is singing the praises of Leinart, who is set to replace Kurt Warner as starter. At least, for now.

"It's obvious to me he's more comfortable with the whole process, not just throwing a pass or knowing where guys line up," Whisenhunt said on Tuesday, per Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic. "He understands the concepts of the plays and he has the ability to get us in and out of certain plays - all those things you see more assuredness from him. I am excited with what he has done in the OTAs (organized team activities) so far."

And if you ask Leinart himself, he'll tell you "I feel like I'm good."

"I'm just feeling good every time I'm coming out here," Leinart said. "My confidence is back. It's hard to explain. It's one of those things where I feel like I'm good and I got to just keep progressing. I just know it's coming to me a lot easier than it ever has."

The Cardinals brought in Derek Anderson to compete with Leinart and rumors exist (despite the team's denials) about the possibility of bringing in ex-Rams quarterback Marc Bulger.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 08:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

About three weeks ago, I wrote a post about how Patriots receiver Wes Welker was "happy" with the progress of rehabbing his surgically-repaired knee.

Today we get a better glimpse into why.

At the Patriots organized team activity (OTA) Wednesday, Welker suited up (with knee brace) for practice although he skipped the offense-versus-defense portion of practice for treatments.

Per Albert Breer of the Boston Globe, Welker "looked swift and agile during a cone drill, cutting and weaving in a "W" shape. ... Welker ran routes with his teammates, and you could see him running in-cuts and squirrel routes and slants. He rounded off his cuts and breaks, which is certainly to be expected, and dropped a ball or two, which is no reason for alarm in May."

As Breer pointed out, the likelihood of Welker landing on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list at the end of training camp has greatly decreased.

Not only did Welker impress the media, he impressed his teammates as well.

“It’s very impressive to me,” fellow receiver Randy Moss said, per the team's website. “I’m a big fan of Welker’s, well before he came here. Back when he was in Miami. I can’t wait to have him back on the [game] field, whenever that day comes. The sky’s the limit … we’ll see what happens.”

Although he missed two games last year, Welker still led the NFL in receptions (123) and finished second in receiving yards (1,348) behind Houston's Andre Johnson.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 07:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

With the addition of first-rounder Jahvid Best to the Detroit Lions' backfield, it's likely to relegate Kevin Smith to a secondary role.

Smith, who is currently recovering from a season-ending knee injury, was described as a "complete player" as the Lions' No. 2 back by Tom Kowalski of MLive.com.

Depending on how the other backs perform and Smith's recovery process, it's possible that Smith could land on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and ultimately miss the first six weeks of the regular season.

But Kowalski points to Smith's ability to run between the tackles, pass protect and receive out of the backfield that could make him an "ideal fit" as the team's back-up running back.

According to Mock Draft Central, Best currently has an average draft position (ADP) of 45.48 (21st RB) versus 173.16 (53rd RB) for Smith.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 07:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Per Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic, Cardinals running back Tim Hightower -- not Beanie Wells -- has been the No. 1 running back on the team's depth chart this off-season.

That said, coach Ken Whisenhunt is non-committal about his rotation for 2010.

"This is a whole new season," Whisenhunt said. "We've got a lot of time before we have to make any decisions with that. Both guys are good football players."

Although Hightower started every week, Wells led the team in rushing yards (793) and rushing attempts (176). Meanwhile, Hightower ranked third on the team in receptions (63) and fourth in receiving yards (428).

In our fantasy rankings, Wells was in the top 12 running backs while Hightower fell (just) outside of the top 40.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 12:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It is his physical running style that has earned Dallas Cowboys running Marion Barber the nickname "Marion the Barbarian."

This off-season, however, Barber has slimmed down.

According to running backs coach Skip Peete (via Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News), Barber has shed ten pounds from last season's playing weight and has regained some lost speed.

"He's leaner and looks quicker than he's been,'' Peete said today. "It's noticeable. I'm excited to see what he does when we get to camp.''

Barber, the team's fourth-round pick in 2005, had his lowest touchdown total (seven) since his rookie season. And in the post-season, Barber rushed 11 times for only 18 yards.

With rumors that Felix Jones could emerge as the Cowboys' back with the larger workload, I moved Jones (23rd) ahead of Barber (26th) on my fantasy football rankings update on May 24th. Depending on how the weight-loss impacts Barber's performance, that could change again.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 08:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Tampa Bay running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams played in only ten combined games over the 2007 and 2008 seasons, both of which were cut short due to knee injuries.

So, a first-ever 16-game season made Williams one of the "feel-good" stories of 2009.

"Team-wise, record-wise, it just wasn't a very good year overall,'' Williams said, per Rick Stroud of the St. Petersburg Times. "But individually, for me to go 16 games, for both knees to hold up just fine, once the season was over, it was like a sigh of relief, it was like I had really accomplished something. It made the two years, all the hard work I had put in worthwhile. I could sit down and actually kind of pat myself on the back.''

Now the focus for Williams isn't as much on getting and staying healthy as it is on making big strides.

"I am a goal guy and I think very highly of myself and my God-given ability with my will and determination,'' Williams said. "It's no longer me just trying to feel my way through it and rehabbing and trying to get back. I feel better now than I've ever felt. My goals are very high. I definitely want all those accolades -- the Pro Bowl, to be one of the top rushers in the [league] and I feel like that's coming in the near future.''

Last year, Williams finished with 211 carries for 823 yards and four touchdowns. He also caught 29 passes for 219 yards and three touchdowns.

While I don't expect a Pro Bowl season for Williams, there's a strong chance that he improves upon his 2009 numbers. Therefore, Williams ranks as the 28th running back in my fantasy rankings (which is an improvement over his previous ranking of 31st).

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 07:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Miami Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown hasn't yet signed his tender of $3.97 million as a restricted free agent (RFA). And while Brown hopes to get a long-term deal, the Dolphins could lower the offer if he doesn't sign by June 15th.

In either case, Brown is trying not to worry too much about a getting a long-term contract.

"I can't worry about it too much. I can't sign myself," said Brown, per Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "If I start to worry about it, is it going to change it? If I start to talk about it, is it going to change it? Is [my contract situation] going to become a positive or a negative?"

Brown, the second-overall pick in 2005, is returning from a Lisfranc injury that he says is 80-percent healed. In his five-year career, Brown has missed one-quarter of games played.

Through five seasons, Brown has rushed for 1,000 yards only once (1,008 yards in 2006).

So, regardless of whether the 'Fins sign him to a long-term deal or not, be careful not to overpay for Brown on your fantasy draft day.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 07:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

During an interview with Jorge Sedano on 790 The Ticket in Miami, Dolphins receiver Davone Bess witnessed an accident and cut the interview short.

Per Sedano's blog post on the Miami Herald, here's the account of the story from Bess:

"Man, it was crazy. I was on the phone with you & I saw the truck in front of me swerving. Then, he just flipped over 3 times.

That's when I stopped & went to see of he was O.K. I saw he got out of the truck and was walking and saw he was cool.

There were a lot of other people there too to make sure everything was ok."

In addition to Brian Hartline and Greg Camarillo, Bess is battling for the starting receiver spot opposite Brandon Marshall. Ultimately, I believe Bess will earn the role as the team's No. 2 receiver.

Therefore, he made my list of top 50 receivers for fantasy football.

Bess finished with three (or more) receptions in every game and led the team in receptions (76) and receiving yards (758) in 2009.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 07:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Last week, it was announced that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger would be allowed to rejoin the team to participate in off-season workouts. And today he did.

For the first time since April 20th, Roethlisberger, who is suspended for six (which can be reduced to four) games, took snaps with the first-team offense today.

Roethlisberger, who looked slimmer, "made several great throws rarely seen this offseason" at today's practice, according to ESPN blogger James Walker.

During the first four weeks of the season (2010 schedule), the Steelers face the Falcons, Titans, Buccaneers and Ravens.

Roethlisberger can't participate in team activities once his suspension begins, but the Steelers have a bye in week 5 allowing him two weeks to prepare for the Browns in week 6 (if his suspension is reduced to only four games).

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 07:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Free-agent running back Brian Westbrook could sign with a team in the not-so-distant future, according to Jason La Canfora of NFL Network.

However, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk "would be surprised" if he makes the 53-man final roster of whichever team he joins. Westbrook has visited with the Rams, Redskins and Broncos.

While contract expectations may have delayed Westbrook from signing thus far, Florio believes it's the concerns surrounding his health (and availability of younger -- presumably healthier -- backs) that is Westbrook's biggest obstacle to making a roster.

Westbrook, who suffered multiple concussions last season, was released by the Eagles in February.

At this stage of his career, it doesn't seem like it would make much sense for him to join a team like the Rams, who are in a rebuilding mode. At most, Westbrook will play another year or two and not be around to see the completion of a rebuilding project.

Washington makes little sense to me due to their crowded backfield (Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson and Willie Parker). Plus, that trio is getting up there in age (at least, by RB standards).

Meanwhile, SI's Peter King tweeted, "I don't expect Denver to sign Brian Westbrook."

Stay tuned...

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 06:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

According to Ian Rapport of the Boston Herald (via Pro Football Talk), Patriots receiver Randy Moss is in the market for a new agent to replace Tim DiPiero, his previous agent.

"To all the agents out there," Moss said, "I am a free man! I am looking for a new agent. I got this football thing under control, but going into my 13th year in the league, I'm still marketable. I'm looking for an agent that's going to get me out there with my marketing ability. I can shoot commercials. That's what I'm looking for right now -- that off-the-field money. I really wasn't into commercials, because I wanted to concentrate on one objective, being a better football player year-in and year-out. Now, late in my career, I'm still thinking I have some marketing opportunities out there. I need an agent or agency that's going to get out there and find those business deals off the field."

Moss, who is in the final year of his contract with the Patriots, also said that he's "not coming in to start any conflicts or be disgruntled."

In his three seasons with the Patriots, Moss has 250 receptions for 3,765 yards and 47 touchdowns in 48 games.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 08:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who had a minor hip procedure about a month ago, won't be able to practice with the team until training camp.

But coach Tony Sparano is still holding him accountable to learn the playbook, which Sparano says is "like 90 percent" similar to Denver's playbook.

Not only is receivers coach Karl Dorrell quizzing Marshall as plays are being run during practice, Marshall is getting some written tests as well.

"That's been me saying to Karl, 'Let's make sure that Brandon is being held accountable for this information just like everybody else is,''' Sparano said Sunday, per Michael Wallace of the Miami Herald. "Brandon knows that. So his way of being held accountable right now has to be from a test standpoint, and out there verbally right now.''

Marshall, who is now the league's highest-paid receiver, has recorded three consecutive seasons with 100+ receptions and 1,100+ yards.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 08:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Seattle Seahawks released LenDale White yesterday in a surprise move only one month after acquiring the tequila-free running back.

After he was released, news circulated that White was facing a four-game suspension for violating the league's drug policy even though the Seahawks knew about the looming suspension at the time of the trade. Therefore, it was his lack of commitment -- not the pending suspension -- that led to the release.

According to Allen Wilson of The Buffalo News, the Seahawks inquired about the availability of Bills running back Marshawn Lynch before the NFL Draft. However, the compensation (a second-round pick) was cost-prohibitive for the Seahawks, who ultimately acquired LenDale White and Leon Washington during draft weekend.

Since the Bills drafted C.J. Spiller with the ninth overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, Lynch is the third back on the team's depth chart behind Fred Jackson, who rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2009, and Spiller. Wilson believes Buffalo may (or, at least, should) lower their trade demands, which would help facilitate sending Lynch to Seattle (or somewhere else).

With Lynch's position on the depth chart in Buffalo relatively secure, an opportunity in Seattle might be enough to kickstart his career after sub-par and suspension-shortened season in 2009. The risk with Lynch, however, would be similar to White's: a lack of commitment.

Lynch, who was the Bills' first-round pick in 2007, only rushed for 34.6 yards per game and 3.8 yards per carry in 2009.

In each of his first two (of three) NFL seasons, however, Lynch rushed for over 1,000 yards. In those two seasons, Lynch had 2,635 combined yards from scrimmage.

If he joined the Seahawks backfield, he would have more 1,000-yard seasons (two) than the others (Justin Forsett, Julius Jones and Leon Washington) combined.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 05:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

Hopefully you didn't miss the LenDale White era in Seattle while you blinked.

After acquiring White in a draft-day trade with Tennessee, the Seattle Seahawks are going to release White.

In fact, the Seahawks site posted (and since removed) an article that you showed White was released, according to Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times. However, O'Neil has confirmed that White will be released.

"It became apparent at this time that LenDale was not ready to be a member of the Seattle Seahawks," [general manager John] Schneider said, per O'Neil. "It just did not appear to be the right fit at this point in our program. We wish LenDale all the best with his future."

This move clearly helps the fantasy value of running backs Justin Forsett and Leon Washington, who was also acquired via a trade during the NFL Draft weekend.

Since White lost 30 pounds by giving up the tequila before last season, it seems like LenDale's life (at least, football career) has gone straight downhill.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 04:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Cowboys receiver Patrick Crayton says that "you want to be wanted," but he's "not sure" if he is or isn't in Dallas.

Therefore, while appearing on the Ben and Skin Show on ESPN 103.3 Radio in Dallas, Crayton admitted that the Cowboys have been informed that he wants a release (via TIm McMahon of ESPNDallas.com).

He wants the release so that he has the opportunity to catch on with another team as quickly as possible. However, he believes that the Cowboys won't release him (at least yet), because he's viewed by them as "the insurance guy. And I think from now on that'll be my nickname. I'm insurance."

In 2009, Crayton was third on the team in receiving (622 yards) behind Miles Austin and Jason Witten.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 04:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Like last year, Giants receiver Ramses Barden is impressing the coaching staff during off-season workouts, per Dave Hutchinson of the Newark Star-Ledger.

“The old adage of your biggest improvement should come between year one and two is absolutely essential to this guy to understand, and he does,” wide receivers coach Sean Ryan said (via Hutchinson). “To me, he’s more comfortable.”

Barden, who was a third-round pick in 2009, played in only three games and had only one reception, which came in week 17, last year.

“We haven’t been through minicamp yet, we haven’t been through training camp,” Barden cautioned. “I plan on continuing to grow and to continue to prove myself as a valuable asset offensively and on special teams.”

Most likely, Barden is worth drafting as a flier in only the deepest of leagues. However, his size (6-foot-6, 229 pounds) and decent speed make him a worthwhile consideration in dynasty leagues.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 07:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Last season, Kevin Walter ranked second on the Houston Texans in receiving (611 yards). Although Walter missed the first two games of the season, he regressed and disappointed many fantasy owners that viewed him as a player poised for a breakout year.

In 2009, Walter averaged 43.6 receiving yards per game and scored only two touchdowns, both of which were three-year lows for him.

With Jacoby Jones impressing the coaching staff during the team's off-season team activities (OTAs), there's a chance that Walter could drop on the depth chart from the second to third receiver.

“He's pushing for more playing time on this football team,” [Texans coach Gary] Kubiak said (of Jones), per Jordan Godwin of the Houston Chronicle. “If the OTAs are any indication, he's doing a hell of a job.”

Jones, who was the team's third-round pick in 2007, led the team in yards per reception (16.2) and scored six touchdowns in 2009.

“We've all seen brilliant flashes as a player,” Kubiak said, “so if he gets that consistent mark, he has the ability to go up there and play with the best of them.”

Meanwhile, Jones attributes his development to becoming more mature.

“I started handling my business off the field, and it carried over onto the football field,” Jones said. “These days, I come in early and watch film and make sure I learn my playbook.”

Neither Walter nor Jones are in my top 50 fantasy wide receivers (although Andre Johnson is number one), but Jones, who is the 77th receiver off the board based on MockDraftCentral.com's report of average draft positions, will be a sleeper pick on many fantasy radars this year.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 06:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who is suspended for the first six games of the season, is now allowed to rejoin the team for off-season workouts starting on Tuesday.

Even though Roethlisberger has completed his behavioral evaluation sufficiently to return to the practice field, no decision has been made regarding a reduction (or increase, for that matter) in the length of his suspension.

"The commissioner will continue to monitor Roethlisberger's progress as he begins the next phase of his recommended plan and will meet with Roethlisberger again at the appropriate time," the league said, per ESPN. "There has been no decision on any modification to the length of Roethlisberger's suspension."

Based on the amount of snaps taken during the team's off-season practices, Byron Leftwich appears to lead the trio of Leftwich, Charlie Batch and Dennis Dixon in the race to become the starter while Big Ben is out.

"We look forward to having Ben re-join his teammates on the practice field," Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement, per Scott Brown of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

For the 2010 fantasy football season, Roethlisberger ranks 16th in my quarterback rankings (or seven spots lower than his pre-suspension ranking).

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 08:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

As a New York Jet, running back Leon Washington had his season cut short after suffering a compound fracture in his leg. The injury even threatened put his career in jeopardy.

As you can imagine, Washington, who was acquired by the Seahawks in exchange for a fifth-round pick, is eager to return to the field.

"I had no doubt, no doubt at all, that I could come back," Washington said, per Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times. "Once I got into that locker room and had a chance to talk with the doctors, I knew I'd have a chance to come back."

Although Washington didn't doubt his ability to return, he appreciates that the Seahawks took a chance on him.

"I feel like I owe these guys," Washington said of the Seahawks. "They knew what kind of football player I am, but they didn't know if I would be back healthy, so that shows they have confidence in me. I'm going to do everything I can to get back on the field and show them how thankful I am."

Washington is one of the most versatile backs, when healthy, in the NFL.

However, his fantasy value is tied to health and his role.

Justin Forsett can play the third-down-back role and LenDale White will likely get the short yardage and goalline work. At this point, Washington is outside of my top 40 fantasy running backs and I would rank White, who is also outside my top 40, ahead of Washington. (Forsett is just inside my top 40.)

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 07:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It's a good problem to have for the Carolina Panthers. But probably not as much from the perspective of running back Deangelo Williams. (Or, from Jonathan Stewart's perspective, either.)

Not only did the Panthers have one 1,100-yard rusher (Williams), they had two (Stewart).

Williams, who was the team's first-round pick in 2006, is entering the final year of his five-year contract and hasn't received an offer yet from the team for an extension.

"I'd love to be here," Williams said (via Charles Chandler of the Charlotte Observer). "But somebody has to show me that they want me to be here. It's not my choice, unfortunately."

Either way, Williams is being professional about his contract situation.

"I'm in no shape, form or fashion upset with anybody because I haven't gotten a new deal," Williams said yesterday. "I just know at the end of this fifth year, somebody's got to make some decisions."

Stewart, who was the team's first-round pick in 2008, led the team in rushing in 2009. When given the opportunity for a heavy workload as Williams missed games down the stretch, The Daily Show put up strong numbers. In the final three games of the season, Stewart had 440 yards on three touchdowns on 69 carries.

While NFL teams need two backs these days, both Williams and Stewart will command lucrative deals on their next contracts.

So, can the Panthers afford to pay both of them when the time comes? Or will they need to choose one over the other?

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 07:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Much speculation has surrounded the pecking order of the Dallas Cowboys running backs.

Who will start? Who will get the majority of the workload? Et cetera.

Regardless of which running back will be the starter or, more importantly, get the largest workload, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones likes what he's seeing from Marion Barber this off-season, per Todd Archer of the Dallas Morning News.

"I know this: He looks quicker," Jones said. "I think that is going to make him even more effective. He's just in great shape. He looks as good out here just in these initial practices as I've seen him look in his career. You could easily go from there and look at what his role might be, and it'd certainly be on par with anything he's done."

In my updated fantasy football rankings, I moved Felix Jones up a few spots and Barber down a spot as I expect Jones to ultimately be the guy who gets a greater share of the workload as the season progresses (if not from the start).

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 06:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The NFL's sixth 2,000-yard rusher, Tennessee's Chris Johnson, is unhappy about his contract and could be a training-camp holdout if something isn't done about it.

Titans head coach Jeff Fisher hopes to meet with Johnson, who is due to earn $550,000 in 2010, between now and the team's mini-camp in mid-June.

"I would assume there will probably be a sit-down meeting with both sides between now and then and we’ll see what happens,’’ Fisher said, per Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. “I think it makes sense to get everybody together and I think that’s what we’ll push for. There is no purpose, no set agenda right now. It makes sense to get together and try and sort things out. We clearly have an issue and we’re going to try and get it resolved. That’s really all I can say.’’

Johnson, the team's first-round pick in 2008, is scheduled to host a football camp during the same week of the Titans' mini-camp.

“He invited me to participate in his football camp but I told him I’d like for him to participate in mine,’’ Fisher joked.

As pointed out by ESPN's Paul Kuharsky, there are only two players -- Eric Dickerson (3,318) and Edgerrin James (3,262) -- in the history of the NFL that rushed for more yards in their first two seasons than has Chris Johnson (3,234).

In my fantasy football rankings, Johnson ranks first among running backs.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 10:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Players have made predictions. In fact, players in Detroit have made predictions. (See Kitna, Jon)

And those players were wrong.

So, Lions receiver Nate Burleson isn't making a guarantee or promise. Instead, he's making or stating a goal.

Burleson said, "I want to win eight games or more," per Terry Foster of the Detroit News.

"Now if we can have that mind-set, that at the end of the day when we take our jerseys off and look up at the scoreboard, regardless of the result, did they respect us? That means we had a chance to win the game. We were good."

Burleson, who says everyone is "tired of baby steps," could be poised for a big season. He missed two games in 2009, but he was on pace for a 1,000-yard season.

With MegaTron getting all of the defense's attention, Burleson should see (almost exclusively) single coverage.

In my receiver rankings for the 2010 fantasy season, I ranked Burleson as the 34th-best receiver.

That is much higher than his current average draft position (ADP) of 77th WR at MockDraftCentral.com or as the 48th WR selected in the one-man mock draft of ESPN's Christopher Harris.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 09:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Too often in the NFL, it's diva wide receivers making all the headlines. And usually for the wrong reasons.

But in the world of me-first athletes, Cowboys receiver Miles Austin is the anti-diva.

Austin splashed onto the scene with a record-setting performance (250 yards on 10 receptions) against the Chiefs last year and only Houston's Andre Johnson and New England's Wes Welker finished with more receiving yards on the season.

In other words, Larry Fitzgerald had less (than Austin). So did Brandon Marshall. And Randy Moss. And...well, you get the picture.

That said, Austin, who is due a big payday, isn't caught up in his contract and defers to Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and David Dunn, his agent, when asked about the topic.

"Jerry is the guy you need to speak to about that,'' Austin said, per David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. "I'm doing my part and that's working hard and trying to get better to help the team.''

And there is no threat of Austin's contract situation becoming a distraction when training camp or the season nears.

"No, not at all,'' Austin said. "I mean, like I said, I'm just in here to work. I'm going to let Dave Dunn deal with all that type of stuff. I'm just working to get better."

"To be honest with you, work is work,'' Austin said. "When I was an undrafted free agent, I think I got like $10,000 to get here, and I was working just as hard as I am now."

In the final 12 games of the 2009 regular season, Austin caught 76 passes for 1,239 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Despite singing Austin's praises, I knocked him down two spots to number 10 in yesterday's update of my fantasy football rankings for receivers due to the buzz surrounding rookie receiver Dez Bryant.

Posted by Kevin Hanson at 08:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Although we are more than two months away from the start of NFL training camps, we have already updated our initial fantasy football rankings from April 22nd.

Here are my (updated) Top 20 Fantasy TEs for 2010:

1. Dallas Clark, Colts (previous 1): What's not to like? With a line of 100-1106-10, Clark ranked first in receptions, second in yards and third in touchdowns among tight ends.

2. Antonio Gates, Chargers (previous 2): Not really the #2 fantasy TE; more like the 1(a). Gates led tight ends -- and set a career-high -- in receiving yards (1,157) in 2009.

3. Vernon Davis, 49ers (previous 3): The wait is over. Davis finally broke out. Last year's numbers (78-965-13) were essentially better than his two previous seasons combined (83-867-6).

4. Brent Celek, Eagles (previous 4): Two of Celek's three 100-yard games came in the only two in which Kevin Kolb started. It's hard to not picture an even better season than what he produced in his breakout campaign (76-971-8).

5. Owen Daniels, Texans (previous 6): In an injury-shortened half-season, Daniels caught 40 passes for 519 yards and five touchdowns. His pace (80-1038-10) would have ranked him fourth in receptions, third in yards and tied for third in TDs among tight ends.

6. Jason Witten, Cowboys (previous 5): Witten had a "down" year of 94 receptions for 1,030 yards (and only two touchdowns). Many tight ends (or wide receivers) would love to have a "down" year like that. By drafting Dez Bryant in the first round, the Cowboys have another weapon competing for targets.

7. Jermichael Finley, Packers (previous 7): In his final eight games (including the Packers' post-season game), Finley finished with 44 receptions for 575 yards and four touchdowns. Despite missing three games, Finley still finished in the top ten in receiving yards among TEs in his second (and breakout) season.

8. Kellen Winslow, Buccaneers (previous 8): He's a bozo, but he has talent. And considering the weakness of the Buccaneers' receiving corps, he's the only legitimate weapon in the Bucs' passing attack.

9. Tony Gonzalez, Falcons (previous 9): Arguably the greatest tight end ever. While Gonzalez is no longer the clear-cut top tight end in fantasy, he provides excellent value near the bottom of the top ten.

10. Visanthe Shiancoe, Vikings (previous 10): Shiancoe has never surpassed 596 yards in one season, but he has been a touchdown machine over the past two seasons (18 TDs).

11. Chris Cooley, Redskins (previous 11): Cooley missed nine games last year due to a broken ankle, but he had 83 receptions for 849 yards in his last full season (2008).

12. Zach Miller, Raiders (previous 13): Only seven TEs had more receiving yards than Miller (805) had in 2009. In his three seasons, his receptions (44 to 56 to 66) and yards (444 to 778 to 805) have increased every season. And Miller should benefit from having quarterback Jason Campbell, a huge upgrade over JaMarcus Russell.

13. Heath Miller, Steelers (previous 12): Miller set career highs in receptions (76) and receiving yards (789) in 2009. How much will Ben Roethlisberger's six-game suspension affect his production in 2010?

14. John Carlson, Seahawks (previous 15): Carlson has been respectable but not spectacular in his first two NFL seasons(55-627-5 and 51-574-7, respectively), but he enters 2010 with a four-game touchdown streak.

15. Greg Olsen, Bears (previous 14): Typically, tight ends don't flourish in a Mike Martz offense. Olsen posted solid season totals (60-612-8) but he had less than 10 yards in four games.

16. Dustin Keller, Jets (previous 16): I expected Keller to have a breakout season in 2009, but 2010 could be his year as he had a highly productive 2009 post-season (12-181-3 in three games).

17. Jeremy Shockey, Saints (previous 17): In 26 games over two seasons as a Saint, Shockey has only 98 combined receptions for 1,052 yards and three touchdowns. In the Saints' get-the-ball-to-the-open guy offense, his average of 40.3 and 40.6 yards per game over the past two seasons are the two lowest of his eight-year career.

18. Kevin Boss, Giants (previous 18): In the final three weeks of his season, Boss finished with 15 receptions for 176 yards and one touchdown. That was an average of 58.7 yards per game during that span. He had 391 yards in his first 12 games for an average of 32.6 ypg. Boss had ankle surgery last week, but he should be ready for training camp.

19. Brandon Pettigrew, Lions (previous 19): Before suffering a season-ending ACL injury in week 12, Pettigrew had 15 receptions for 165 yards and two touchowns in his previous three games. That said, the addition of Tony Scheffler somewhat dims Pettigrew's outlook for the 2010 season.

20. Jermaine Gresham, Bengals (previous unranked): Gresham significantly upgrades the Bengals at the tight end position. In my rookie rankings, I had Gresham a notch ahead of New England's Rob Gronkowski.

Also, check out our other 2010 Fantasy Football rankings: Top 25 QBs | Top 40 RBs | Top 50 WRs

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Posted by Kevin Hanson at 06:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Although we are more than two months away from the start of NFL training camps, we have already updated our initial fantasy football rankings from April 21st.

Here are my (updated) Top 50 Fantasy WRs for 2010:

1. Andre Johnson, Texans (previous 1): For me, this is (still) a no-brainer. Johnson, who was the third overall pick in 2003, has posted back-to-back 100-reception, 1,500-yard seasons.

2.Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals (previous 2): Over the past three seasons, Fitzgerald has caught a combined 293 passes for 3,932 yards and 35 touchdowns. But it's an understatement to say Matt Leinart (or Derek Anderson) is a downgrade from Kurt Warner, who retired this off-season.

3. Calvin Johnson, Lions (previous 5): After a stellar sophomore campaign (78-1331-12), MegaTron battled nagging injuries in 2009 and even missed two games. Johnson, who has worked out with QB Matthew Stafford four times per week since March, is optimistic about the team's offense in 2010.

4. Randy Moss, Patriots (previous 3): All five of his 100-yard games came in the first nine weeks and his attitude and motivation were questioned by some down the stretch. But he has scored 47 touchdowns over the past three seasons. It's hard to question that production.

5. Reggie Wayne, Colts (previous 6): Only three players (two receivers) finished the season with at least 100 receptions, 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. If you own Wayne, hope for a few Colts' early-season losses so Wayne plays more than a half in your fantasy championship game.

6. Brandon Marshall, Dolphins (previous 4): Marshall, who had hip surgery that will keep him out until training camp, has had 100+ receptions and 1,100+ yards for three consecutive seasons.

7. Roddy White, Falcons (previous 7): Only Andre Johnson (171) had more targets than did White (165) in 2009. In the past three seasons, White has been consistent: 83, 88 and 85 receptions as well as 1,202, 1,382 and 1,153 yards, respectively. Even better, he set a career-high in TDs (11) in 2009.

8. DeSean Jackson, Eagles (previous 9): Despite his size, Jackson is one of most explosive big-play receivers in the league. He ranked second in yards (18.5) per reception and first in the league in receptions of 40 yards or more (10).

9. Sidney Rice, Vikings (previous 10): A waiver-wire pick-up, Rice had more receiving yards than all but three receivers in 2009. Assuming a Favre return, which seems (even more) likely after Friday's ankle surgery, Rice should have another monster season in 2010.

10. Miles Austin, Cowboys (previous 8): The list? Andre Johnson and Wes Welker. The topic? Receivers who had more yards than Austin in 2009. The addition of rookie Dez Bryant, who was drafted by the Cowboys in the first round, will take away some targets for Austin in 2010.

11. Marques Colston, Saints (previous 11): Colston is the best receiver in the league's most explosive offense (31.9 points and 403.8 yards per game). Quarterback Drew Brees spreads the ball around, however, as Colston had less than five receptions in half of his games.

12. Greg Jennings, Packers (previous 12): From weeks 4-14, Jennings had only one 100-yard game. In his final four games (counting playoffs), Jennings had three 100-yard games.

13. Vincent Jackson, Chargers (previous 13): Jackson spent four days in jail this off-season after a second DUI arrest is likely facing a suspension by the league. In addition, Jackson, who is a restricted free agent, is currently not attending the team's voluntary workouts. That said, Jackson had his best season (68-1167-9) in 2009.

14. Anquan Boldin, Ravens (previous 14): The physical receiver should be a perfect fit into his new offense as he settles in as the Ravens' No. 1 receiver.

15. Chad Ochocinco, Bengals (previous 15): Ochocinco bounced back in 2009 with 72 receptions for 1,047 yards and nine touchdowns. However, quarterback Carson Palmer threw for only 1,262 yards, seven TDs and six interceptions in the final eight games of 2010. Ochocinco's splits: 1st half (44-639-5) vs 2nd half (28-408-4). Coincidence?

16. Steve Smith, Panthers (previous 16): With the exception of 2004 (played only one game), 2009 was the first season where Smith fell short of 1,000 yards since 2002. That said, he did play better with Matt Moore (not Jake Delhomme) under center.

17. Hines Ward, Steelers (previous 17): Ward, who said he will retire if he wins a third Super Bowl this year, had 95 receptions (tied for second-most in his career) and 1,167 (second-most) last season.

18. Steve Smith, Giants (previous 18): Smith finished fourth in the NFL in targets (157) in 2009 and set career highs in receptions (107), yards (1,220) and TDs (seven). Smith had four (or more) receptions 15 times and at least 40 yards receiving every week.

19. Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs (previous 25): The Chiefs' passing attack should improve with the addition of Charlie Weis as offensive coordinator. Despite a down (suspension-shortened) season, Bowe had 995 and 1,022 in his previous (first) two NFL seasons.

20. Derrick Mason, Ravens (previous 20): With Boldin in the mix, it's hard to envision Mason finishing 13th in the league in targets (like he did in 2009).

21. Mike Sims-Walker, Jaguars (previous 21): MSW's strong start (minus a missed game due to a missed curfew for a bootie call) was followed up with an equally weak ending to his second season. In his final six games, Sims-Walker had only 16 receptions for 175 yards and one touchdown (or 3.8 fantasy points per game during that stretch).

22. Michael Crabtree, 49ers (previous 23): Despite being the second receiver drafted in 2009, Crabtree led all rookies in receiving yards (56.8) per game. Plus, he had four (or more) receptions in nine of his 11 games played. Imagine if he had attended training camp and learned the whole offense.

23. Hakeem Nicks, Giants (previous 26): Of rookies, only Michael Crabtree (56.8 yards per game) averaged more receiving yards per game than Nicks (56.4 ypg). Only Austin Collie caught more TDs (seven). And only Mike Wallace had more 40-yard catches (six) than Nicks.

24. Wes Welker, Patriots (previous 24): Despite missing two games, Welker led the NFL in receptions (123) and finished second in receiving yards (1,348). Welker's 2010 fantasy value (and future position on this list) will largely be determined by how quickly and fully he returns from off-season ACL surgery. So far, Welker is "happy" with the progress of his rehab.

25. Donald Driver, Packers (previous 27): Although he just turned 35 in February, Driver had his sixth consecutive season with at least 70 receptions and 1,000 yards in 2009.

26. Santonio Holmes, Jets (previous 19): After a breakout campaign (79-1248-5) in 2009, Holmes will serve a four-game suspension in 2010 and moves to a run-first offense with a second-year (but developing) quarterback.

27. Steve Breaston, Cardinals (previous 22): One of the main reasons the Cards were willing to trade Boldin to Baltimore, Breaston has performed well as part of the high-flying Cardinals offense. That said, how high will it fly with Leinart at the helm.

28. Jeremy Maclin, Eagles (previous 30): After a solid rookie campaign (55-762-4), Maclin should continue to develop in 2010.

29. Percy Harvin, Vikings (previous 31): Assuming a return by Brett Favre, my only concern about Harvin is the migraine issues he has. Although he's a tough player, he was often a game-time decision. He led rookie receivers in receiving yards (790) and was tied for second in touchdowns (six).

30. Mike Wallace, Steelers (previous 29): Wallace, a big-play receiver who led the NFL in yards (19.4) per reception, will see an expanded role within the offense now that Santonio Holmes is now playing football in Jersey.

31. Pierre Garcon, Colts (previous 28): Garcon led NFL receivers with 21 post-season receptions for 251 yards and two touchdowns. Granted only the Colts, Jets and Saints played three playoff games, Garcon is poised for a strong 2010.

32. Kenny Britt, Titans (previous 32): Britt is a big (6-foot-3, 218 pounds), athletic receiver and should continue to improve in his second season.

33. Devin Aromashodu, Bears (previous 33): In the final five games of the season, Aromashodu ranked 15th in the NFL in targets (41). And he caught 22 passes for 282 yards and four touchdowns in the final four games of the season. With Mike Martz calling the plays, I expect big things from Aromashodu in 2010.

34. Nate Burleson, Lions (previous 34): As the Lions' No. 2 receiver across from MegaTron, Burleson will only see single coverage. In 13 games last year, he finished with 812 yards and 62.5 yards per game average would have projected to 1,000 yards flat over a 16-game season.

35. Robert Meachem, Saints (previous 36): Meachem needs to be more consistent, but the former first-round pick had a second-half split of 32-426-6. That said, he disappeared in the post-season (4-25-0).

36. Chris Chambers, Chiefs (previous 37): In the final eight games of the season, Chambers finished with 33 receptions for 538 yards and two touchdowns.

37. Davone Bess, Dolphins (previous 38): As the "anti-Lee Evans," Bess caught three (or more) passes in every game. Although he only scored two touchdowns, Bess finished with 76 receptions and 758 yards in his second season. The addition of Brandon Marshall should aid the development of Bess, who will get less attention from defenses.

38. Austin Collie, Colts (previous 42): Collie tied Minnesota rookie Percy Harvin for the lead among rookies in receptions (60) and no rookie receiver had more touchdowns (seven) than Collie.

39. Mario Manningham, Giants (previous 39): In two seasons, he's only played 21 total games. But Manningham had a nice second season (57-822-5).

40. Demaryius Thomas, Broncos (previous unranked): Due to his alma mater, size and athleticism, Thomas has been compared to Calvin Johnson. While that may be an unfair comparison, the first-receiver drafted should begin his NFL career as his team's No. 1 receiver.

41. Santana Moss, Redskins (previous 35): Although Jason Campbell played reasonably well last year, Moss should benefit from the upgrade at QB with Donovan McNabb under center even though he finished with 70 receptions for 902 yards in 2009. Being linked to the Anthony Galea-HGH scandal, however, could lead to a league-imposed suspension. If so, Moss would drop further in our rankings.

42. Dez Bryant, Cowboys (previous unranked): Although Roy Williams says there "ain't no such thing as me sitting on the bench," Bryant will be the team's second-most productive fantasy receiver. Even cornerback Mike Jenkins says that he will be a "big-time receiver" someday.

43. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Seahawks (previous 40): Although he finished with 79 receptions (tied for 13th in the NFL), Houshmandzadeh is a possession receiver that doesn't have much upside above his 2009 numbers (911 yards, three touchdowns).

44. Braylon Edwards, Jets (previous 41): With Santonio Holmes in New Jersey (for up to 12 games), the 2007 version (80-1289-16) of Edwards seems as likely as the 2007 version of Derek Anderson (3,787 yards and 29 TDs).

45. Early Doucet, Cardinals (previous 43): His two-game post-season (14-145-2) was close to his nine-game regular-season numbers (17-214-1). As the team's No. 3 WR in 2010, he should continue to build upon his post-season success.

45. Antonio Bryant, Bengals (previous 45): Injuries set back Bryant in 2009 (39-600-4 in 13 games) after a career-year (83-1,248-7) in 2008.

46. Jerricho Cotchery, Jets (previous 46): Cotchery was the favorite target of Mark Sanchez in 2009. That's likely to change when Santonio Holmes comes off suspension. In either case, Cotchery posted four-year lows in receptions (57) and yards (821) in 2009.

47. Roy Williams, Cowboys (previous 47): Despite his seven touchdowns, 68 receivers had more receptions and 55 receivers had more yards than Williams. Then again, he's shown us a 1,310-yard season (2006), too. There is a little bit of buzz around Williams in the Cowboys' off-season workouts, but I'm taking a wait-and-see approach.

48. Lee Evans, Bills (previous 44): In half of his games, Evans had two or less receptions. In half of his games, Evans had 35 yards or less. No thanks. You can have him.

50. Malcom Floyd, Chargers (previous 50): Floyd had his best game of the season in his last one (nine catches for 140 yards) and his second half (32 catches for 496 yards) was considerably better than his first half (13 catches for 280 yards).

Also, check out our other 2010 Fantasy Football rankings: Top 25 QBs | Top 40 RBs | Top 20 TEs

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Posted by Kevin Hanson at 06:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)