It is about that time of year again where fantasy football takes over the world. I am beginning a weekly segment to help you win your league. Up first, AFC sleepers. I will give you a player on every AFC team that is either under the radar, or about to break out.
AFC East
The Miami Dolphins - Pat White. He is going to take carries and catches away from Ricky Williams as well and throw a few passes. I could see him getting 500 yards rushing, 300 yards receiving, and 5-7 td passes. Also a total of 3-5 tds on the ground or receiving. He is going to be in a lot of goal line situations.
The New England Patriots - Kevin Faulk. With Tom Brady back, this team is going to throw and throw some more. Faulk is the best receiving back they have, and he with split carries, getting his fair share.
The New York Jets - Leon Washington. He has been a good backup for a while, but with Thomas Jones whining, he should start and get most of the carries. Rex Ryan will run the ball alot, and Washington should be the benefictiary of that.
The Buffalo Bills - Derek Schouman. With Terrell Owens and Lee Evans on the outside, the middle of the field should be wide open, and that is where the tight end plays. He wont be spectacular, but 500 yards and 4-6 touchdowns is very reachable.
AFC North
The Baltimore Ravens - Ray Rice. When you think of the Ravens running game, Willis McGahee and LeRon MacLain come to mind. MacLain is now the fullback, and McGahee is in the doghouse. Rice will start and by the end of the year could be a top 12 running back. 1000 yards is probable, and 1200 is not out of the question.
The Cleveland Browns - Mike Furrey. Whomever starts at quarterback for the Browns will want to throw to somebody he can trust to catch it. Braylon Edwards showed last year he is not that guy. Furrey will catch everything thrown in his direction.
The Pittsburgh Steelers - Mewelde Moore. Willie Parker starts, and should be backed up by Rashard Mendenhall, but neither one of them stays healthy. Moore catches the ball out of the backfield, and is a good downhill runner, and most importantly, he stays healthy.
The Cincinnati Bengals - Chase Coffman. He will become Carson Palmer's security blanket. He is not fast, but he catches the ball. With T.J. Whose your daddy in Seattle, that leaves catches underneath.
AFC South
The Houston Texans - Defense. The Texans have improved every year on defense and this year they will finish in the top 10. The have sack guys and ball hawks. This defense is emerging quickly.
The Tennessee Titans - Justin Gage. Using his big frame, he is a red zone stud. He is able to position himself in the end zone and could score 8-10 touchdowns. He is a great number 2 receiver for your team.
The Indianapolis Colts - Donald Brown. The Colts are slowly losing faith in Joseph Addai, and if the preseason is any indication, Brown is ready to take over. He will begin the season as the third down back, but by mid season he could be starting.
The Jacksonville Jaguars - Torry Holt. He has the fantasy name, but he is no longer a number 1 option. With Maurice Jones-Drew getting most of the attention, Holt could catch 60 passes and surpass 800 yards, which would be good for a 2nd or 3rd receiver.
AFC West
The Oakland Raiders - Johnnie Lee Huggins. Not only has he established himself as a great return man, but I believe he will establish himself in the passing game. With the Raiders airing it out, there is going to be a lot of balls to be caught.
The San Diego Chargers - Darren Sproles. With L.T. starting to show some wear and tear, Sproles will get his fair share of carries in Norv Turner's offense. He is built alot like Jones-Drew and could start putting up similar numbers.
The Denver Broncos - Eddie Royal. With it evident that Brandon Marshall will either be in the doghouse or on another team, Royal is the clear number 1. Royal should get 80-90 catches and 1200 yards with 12 touchdowns.
The Kansas City Chiefs - Jamaal Charles. With Larry Johnson being iffy, Charles could become the starter sooner than later. With the injury to Matt Cassell, the Chiefs could run alot.
That has been my AFC sleepers. Next week, I will do the NFC sleepers.
Like always, if you like it, great. If not, thats ok too. Let me hear from you at jpconner9@yahoo.com. Talk to ya next week.
John Conner
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The Rangers are relevant
Here I am just thinking about how the Rangers lost a close game to Minnesota, and it got me thinking...it is August 19, 2009, and the Rangers are relevant.
I am at the point where I am more concerned about what the Rangers are doing over who the Cowboys are going to have as their 4th receiver, and 5th cornerback. Even though they lost, they are in the wild card race, and the way they have been playing, they are going to stay in the race.
This team is fun exciting, and it is only getting better. The players they are calling up like Borbon, and Feliz act like they are supposed to be here. They are not coming up as filler players, but are contributing. Even Kevin Richardson, a life long minor leaguer, got 2 hits and caught a great game in spot duty.
Now the team is getting sentimental and bring back Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez. Is this 1999, or 2009. Either way, this team plays hard, and regardless of what happens through the end of the year, this team brings something that the last 7 years have not...promise.
This team is going to be together for a while. They are growing and only getting stronger. The base is there with Michael Young and Ian Kinsler. Now you add Hamilton and Cruz and Borbon and eventually Chris Davis and Justin Smoak and the offense is set. But the amazing thing is the pitching.
You already have Millwood, Feldman, Hunter, Holland, Feliz, Fransisco, O'Day, and Wilson on the roster. Now if you hit on someone like Blake Beavan or Martin Perez, and maybe Matt Harrison gets healthy, your staff is set. You add a free agent or 2 and you are set.
All being said, it is late in August and the Rangers matter. Let's just see where it leads. All aboard. I will save some seats on the bandwagon.
John Conner
I am at the point where I am more concerned about what the Rangers are doing over who the Cowboys are going to have as their 4th receiver, and 5th cornerback. Even though they lost, they are in the wild card race, and the way they have been playing, they are going to stay in the race.
This team is fun exciting, and it is only getting better. The players they are calling up like Borbon, and Feliz act like they are supposed to be here. They are not coming up as filler players, but are contributing. Even Kevin Richardson, a life long minor leaguer, got 2 hits and caught a great game in spot duty.
Now the team is getting sentimental and bring back Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez. Is this 1999, or 2009. Either way, this team plays hard, and regardless of what happens through the end of the year, this team brings something that the last 7 years have not...promise.
This team is going to be together for a while. They are growing and only getting stronger. The base is there with Michael Young and Ian Kinsler. Now you add Hamilton and Cruz and Borbon and eventually Chris Davis and Justin Smoak and the offense is set. But the amazing thing is the pitching.
You already have Millwood, Feldman, Hunter, Holland, Feliz, Fransisco, O'Day, and Wilson on the roster. Now if you hit on someone like Blake Beavan or Martin Perez, and maybe Matt Harrison gets healthy, your staff is set. You add a free agent or 2 and you are set.
All being said, it is late in August and the Rangers matter. Let's just see where it leads. All aboard. I will save some seats on the bandwagon.
John Conner
Sunday, August 2, 2009
MLB Trade Deadline Winners/Losers
It has been a few days since the trade deadline has passed, and even though trades can and will be made in August(they must go through waivers), it is more difficult to do. So now that the trades have sunk in a little, I am ready to give my grades to 5 winners and 5 losers.
Lets start with the winners:
1. The Philadelphia Phillies: They added the top starting pitcher that got traded in Cliff Lee, and did not give up the entire farm to do so. That, along with the signing of Pedro Martinez, allows Philly to set up their rotation and bullpen however they like and to each individual match up.
2. The Boston Red Sox: They obtained a pure hitter in Victor Martinez that can play multiple positions. With Mike Lowell in and out of the lineup, Martinez can play first base, move Youklis to third, and give Lowell a day off. Also he can catch, and help keep Varitek sharp.
3. The St. Louis Cardinals: The Cardinals did most of their damage before the deadline, but nonetheless made an impact. Getting Matt Holliday and Mark DeRosa made this one of the better lineups in the National League.
4. The Texas Rangers: As much as I wanted the team to get Roy Halladay, I am glad that they did not give into the demands of Toronto. Their plan is to make their move in 2010 and they stuck to it.
5. The Detroit Tigers: Playing in a weak division, they added Jarrod Washburn to form a great trio for a playoff series. Putting Washburn in between Verlander and Edwin Jackson makes them very dangerous in a 5 game series.
Now for the teams that did not fair so good.
1. The New York Mets: They did nothing. They have an aging roster and holes to fill, and they did nothing. It is almost as if they are already looking for next year.
2. The Toronto Blue Jays: They were asking for a king's ransom to get Roy Halladay, and I understand that you tell your fans you kept a great pitcher, but then you trade Scott Rolen. It makes no sense. And if you trade Halladay in the offseason, you won't get near as much in return.
3. The Washington Nationals: Anther team that had players that could be moved and chose not to. They need to clear payroll to sign Steven Strasburg, and asked for way to much in return for players like Josh Willingham and John Lannan.
4. The Pittsburgh Pirates: Pittsburgh better be happy that they have the Steelers in the same city, because this team has become the Montreal Expos of the 2000's. Anyone who has any talent is traded before they become too expensive. It is almost like they are a farm team for the entire major leagues. It is very sad for this once proud franchise.
5. The Tampa Bay Rays: If you are going to keep up with the Yankees and Red Sox, you have to be ready to make a move. They talked of trading Scott Kazmir to the Rangers for a prospect, and then flipping the prospect to Cleveland for Cliff Lee. Doesn't make a lot of sense. This team has to cut payroll, so look for Kazmir and possibly Carl Crawford traded this offseason.
There were other teams that made some solid additions(Minnesota,LA Dodgers) and some other teams that you aren't sure what they were thinking ( Seattle, Oakland). But as always, it was fun to watch, and the races down the stretch should be fun.
Like always, if you agree, great. If not, that's ok too. Send an email to jpconner9@yahoo.com
Talk to you later.
John Conner
Lets start with the winners:
1. The Philadelphia Phillies: They added the top starting pitcher that got traded in Cliff Lee, and did not give up the entire farm to do so. That, along with the signing of Pedro Martinez, allows Philly to set up their rotation and bullpen however they like and to each individual match up.
2. The Boston Red Sox: They obtained a pure hitter in Victor Martinez that can play multiple positions. With Mike Lowell in and out of the lineup, Martinez can play first base, move Youklis to third, and give Lowell a day off. Also he can catch, and help keep Varitek sharp.
3. The St. Louis Cardinals: The Cardinals did most of their damage before the deadline, but nonetheless made an impact. Getting Matt Holliday and Mark DeRosa made this one of the better lineups in the National League.
4. The Texas Rangers: As much as I wanted the team to get Roy Halladay, I am glad that they did not give into the demands of Toronto. Their plan is to make their move in 2010 and they stuck to it.
5. The Detroit Tigers: Playing in a weak division, they added Jarrod Washburn to form a great trio for a playoff series. Putting Washburn in between Verlander and Edwin Jackson makes them very dangerous in a 5 game series.
Now for the teams that did not fair so good.
1. The New York Mets: They did nothing. They have an aging roster and holes to fill, and they did nothing. It is almost as if they are already looking for next year.
2. The Toronto Blue Jays: They were asking for a king's ransom to get Roy Halladay, and I understand that you tell your fans you kept a great pitcher, but then you trade Scott Rolen. It makes no sense. And if you trade Halladay in the offseason, you won't get near as much in return.
3. The Washington Nationals: Anther team that had players that could be moved and chose not to. They need to clear payroll to sign Steven Strasburg, and asked for way to much in return for players like Josh Willingham and John Lannan.
4. The Pittsburgh Pirates: Pittsburgh better be happy that they have the Steelers in the same city, because this team has become the Montreal Expos of the 2000's. Anyone who has any talent is traded before they become too expensive. It is almost like they are a farm team for the entire major leagues. It is very sad for this once proud franchise.
5. The Tampa Bay Rays: If you are going to keep up with the Yankees and Red Sox, you have to be ready to make a move. They talked of trading Scott Kazmir to the Rangers for a prospect, and then flipping the prospect to Cleveland for Cliff Lee. Doesn't make a lot of sense. This team has to cut payroll, so look for Kazmir and possibly Carl Crawford traded this offseason.
There were other teams that made some solid additions(Minnesota,LA Dodgers) and some other teams that you aren't sure what they were thinking ( Seattle, Oakland). But as always, it was fun to watch, and the races down the stretch should be fun.
Like always, if you agree, great. If not, that's ok too. Send an email to jpconner9@yahoo.com
Talk to you later.
John Conner
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