| NFL | |
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NFL Mock Draft 2009 Draft of 2009 Lacks Star Power NFL Draft 2009: Getting Started Super Bowl Well Worth Tuning In For
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| NBA | |
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Prospects On Center Stage NBA Preview 2008/09: Final Call
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An Early Summer Look At Fantasy Football By Ric Atkinson So the NFL draft has come and gone once again. A really big trade went down and some big free agent signings happened, as was to be expected. How does it all affect the world of fantasy football for the 2009 season? Well, I guess we’ll just have to take a look. Rookie’s that will matter next year in the Fantasy Football world: 1. OT Jason Smith, Rams He’s not a guy you can draft, but he does give a bump to the value of Steven Jackson and to a lesser extent to Marc Bulger. 2. OTs Eugene Monroe & Eben Britton, Jaguars Again not guys you can draft but these guys really give a nice bump to Maurice Jones-Drew’s value. The upgrade in the offensive line combined with the departure of Fred Taylor moves MJD to the top of the first round in everyone's draft. These guys also help the fantasy value of David Garrard, making him a solid fill-in week QB. 3. RB Chris "Beanie" Wells, Cardinals This guy has all the makings of a classic touchdown vulture. With his size, I look for him to get all the red zone carries for the Cardinals. I think he could be a big fantasy sleeper next season. There has been no word from the Cardinals but, seeing how Hightower did as the starter part of last season, I see Wells getting ample opportunity to carry the load. 4. WR Hakeem Nicks, Giants He wasn’t the best wide receiver in the draft, but with the Giants glaring need at WR, he is walking into a situation that should give him the chance to succeed early and often. 5. WR Michael Crabtree, 49ers If you’re in a keeper or dynasty leagues I think this is the best rookie in your draft. In two or three years he will be a game changer and one of the top WR in the NFL. The Trades that matter most in the Fantasy Football World: 1. QB Jay Cutler to the Bears, Kyle Orton (plus picks to the Broncos Cutler was a fantasy stud in Denver, but the Bears offense is a little more conservative. They want to hand the ball to Matt Forte, play good defense, and they lack consistent big time playmakers. All said, Cutler is still a starter-worthy fantasy quarterback but maybe no longer a top 5 QB. On the flip side, this boosts Orton's value if he wins the job. The Broncos have Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, and Tony Scheffler (for now) to make plays in the passing game. When the matchup is right, Orton should be a more than capable fill in. 2. TE Tony Gonzalez to the Falcons This trade bumps up the fantasy value of every Atlanta skill position player. Matt Ryan becomes a solid starting FF QB. It will be harder for pass defenses to key on Roddy White in the passing game, and Michael Turner picks up a very underrated blocking TE to run behind. Gonzo won’t be the number one option in the passing game any more like he was in Kansas City, but he will be playing in a more high powered offense so his fantasy potential should still make him at least the number three tight end in everyone's draft. Big Free Agent moves that matter most in the Fantasy Football world: 1. WR Terrell Owens to the Buffalo Bills One thing we know about TO is that he has a very limited shelf life with every team he’s played for. He had worn out his welcome in Dallas and the move should be good for him. One thing to keep in mind, in what was considered a down year for him last year he had over 1000 receiving yards and 10 TDs. In my mind, he’s a great #2 fantasy WR. If somehow he falls into the 5th round of your draft he’d be a heck of a value. 2. TJ Houshmandzadeh to the Seahawks I don’t like what this move does for TJ’s fantasy value. Traditionally, Matt Hasselbeck has always spread the ball around among his receivers and I don’t expect that to change. I will be surprised if Housh matches his fantasy numbers from last year. 3. Laveranues Coles to the Bengals Coles is a very good WR going to a pass happy offense in the Bengals. He should put up very solid fantasy numbers. He will make a great #3 fantasy. 4. Torry Holt to the Jaguars He’s getting up there in years, and he’s not what he once was, but he is still the best WR Jacksonville has had since Jimmy Smith. He will make an adequate #2 and a great #3 WR on any fantasy team. Speaking of Torry Holt, here’s a quick look at what 11 seasons in the NFL can do to a wide receiver fingers. Warning – this is not for the squeamish. Click Here That’s it for now, but I want to leave you with a great tool to improve you skills as a fantasy owner. If you want to practice your drafting skills, here’s a website that has petty much constant mock draft going on all the time. It’s a great way to try out some different draft tactics (picking an elite QB or WR early) and see how they may work out for you. Click Here May 12, 2009 |
| NCAA Football | |
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Be Careful What You Wish For
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| NCAA Basketball | |
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Jumpology: My Bracket Jumpology: Scouting The Heavyweights Jumpology: Reviewing The Bracket
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