Fantasy Football Advice: Pro Sports Daily

2009 Fantasy outlooks: Minnesota Vikings

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July 1

CBSSports.com

"The Vikings' offseason was mild until word began to spread that they were interested in prying Brett Favre out of retirement. Speculation through May and June strongly suggests that Favre will indeed come back and suit up for Minnesota in 2009. Whether or not they'll be better off for it remains to be seen. Favre underwhelmed in his first "return" last season with the Jets, throwing for just 3,472 yards (lowest since 2003) with 22 touchdowns and a league-worst 22 interceptions. Worse yet, he was partially responsible for the Jets' late-season collapse when they finished 4-5 and out of the playoff picture. So why are the Vikings chasing him? Ultimately, it's so that they present a passing ..."

2009 Fantasy outlooks: Detroit Lions

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June 30

CBSSports.com

"The Lions made sweeping changes following their 0-16 season, complete with a tweaked uniform and logo. Jim Schwartz was hired to overhaul the squad, bringing in ex-Rams head coach Scott Linehan to run the offense and Gunther Cunningham to run the defense. The team barely looks the same on defense as the team used free agency and the waiver wire to make the majority of changes there. Phillip Buchanon, Anthony Henry, Eric King and rookie Louis Delmas are among the new names in the secondary with Julian Peterson and Larry Foote joining Ernie Sims at linebacker and Grady Jackson a big infusion at defensive tackle. There's still a question over where the pass rush will come from, but the unit ..."

2009 Fantasy outlooks: Kansas City Chiefs

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June 30

CBSSports.com

"The Chiefs are hoping past success can lead to future bounty. They brought in Scott Pioli to run the team after he helped Bill Belichick build a dynasty in New England. They hired Todd Haley as the head coach after his offense got Arizona to the Super Bowl. And they traded for quarterback Matt Cassel, who was a star as Tom Brady's replacement last year, and linebacker Mike Vrabel, who was a leader of the Patriots defense for years and also a good red-zone target. If they can shine in Kansas City like they did elsewhere, the Chiefs will be in line for a big season, and Fantasy owners will reap the benefits. The face of the franchise, Tony Gonzalez, is gone after being traded to Atlanta. But ..."

2009 Fantasy outlooks: Houston Texans

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June 30

CBSSports.com

"The Texans are the type of team Fantasy owners should be giddy about because they are loaded with stars and have the chance to take off this season. Matt Schaub is developing into an elite option and just needs to stay healthy for a full year. Steve Slaton turned in one of the best rookie seasons last year and will enter this year as a first-round pick in all leagues. Andre Johnson is arguably the No. 1 wide receiver in Fantasy Football. And when you add in Owen Daniels and Kevin Walter, there is a chance for the Texans to be a juggernaut on offense. Injuries, however, continue to plague this team. Schaub has yet to play a full season in his two years with the Texans. Slaton's top backup, ..."

2009 Fantasy outlooks: Miami Dolphins 2009 Fantasy outlooks: Miami Dolphins

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June 29

CBSSports.com

"The Dolphins went from 1-15 two years ago to winning the AFC East title last year. What will this year bring? Probably a let down -- for the team and for Fantasy owners. The Dolphins have a tougher schedule this season and no one will underestimate them any more, but they will remain competitive nonetheless. The defense should improve with the additions of safety Gibril Wilson, rookie defensive backs Vontae Davis and Sean Smith, CFL import Cameron Wake and the return of defensive end Jason Taylor. It's on offense where the questions remain. We know Ronnie Brown will be the focal point, and he should continue to improve in his second season following ACL surgery. He also gets the added ..."

2009 Fantasy outlooks: Washington Redskins 2009 Fantasy outlooks: Washington Redskins

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June 29

CBSSports.com

"The Redskins' offseason was highlighted by an economy-defying $100 million contract with $47 million guaranteed to defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, instantly upgrading the defensive line. That pales in comparison to the garish contract extension they gave cornerback DeAngelo Hall or the contract they gave offensive guard Derrick Dockery to return to the team. In fact, Haynesworth set NFL records for the largest signing bonus ever. That's a lot of cash. And it's a lot to live up to. The Redskins defense needs the help, though. Even though they finished eighth against the run last year and seventh against the pass, the team had the fourth-worst sack total in the NFL with 24. With ..."

2009 Fantasy outlooks: Jacksonville Jaguars

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June 29

CBSSports.com

"The Jaguars were expected to be a Super Bowl contender in 2008, but instead they turned into a dud. Injuries were a major factor, especially on defense, but Jacksonville looked lost. The Jaguars will try to get back on track, and they made some moves in a positive direction to make that happen. They tried to improve the offensive line by bringing in veteran tackle Tra Thomas and drafting rookies Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton. They added a proven talent at wide receiver in Torry Holt and brought in rookies Mike Thomas, Jarett Dillard and Tiquan Underwood to replace former busts in Matt Jones and Reggie Williams. Quarterback David Garrard even lost 20 pounds in an effort to be more mobile. ..."

Rotoprofessor's Top 10 Fantasy Football TE Rankings

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June 29

Lester's Legends

"1. Tony Gonzalez - Atlanta Falcons - Everyone can say what they want, but this guy is still the best in the game at his position. The move should not affect his value in the slightest, considering he should morph into the safety valve for Matt Ryan. 2. Jason Witten - Dallas Cowboys - With Terrell Owens now in Buffalo, Witten can finally become Tony Romo's go to guy. Roy Williams will get his fair share of catches as well, so don't expect him to suddenly jump to the 100-catch plateau. Still, look for him to see the ball often this season. 3. Antonio Gates - San Diego Chargers - He is no longer the main focus of the offense, but a huge threat all the same. He's a great red zone target ..."

2009 Fantasy outlooks: New York Jets

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June 18

CBSSports.com

columnist Jamey Eisenberg

"The Jets might not be a great team, at least not yet, but they certainly are interesting almost every year. Last season, we had the Brett Favre saga, which dominated headlines throughout the year -- from his trade to his hot start and then watching him fizzle out. This year, we have Mark Sanchez posing for a magazine and new coach Rex Ryan engaging in a war of words with Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder. We also have the contract scenarios playing out with Thomas Jones and Leon Washington. All of this doesn't help on the field, but it does make for good fodder and things for us to talk about. If the Jets don't play well, the fans can take solace knowing their coach might win in a bar ..."

2009 Fantasy outlooks: San Francisco 49ers

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June 18

CBSSports.com

columnist Dave Richard

"The 49ers' fortunes turned around as soon as they named Mike Singletary their interim head coach last season. They finished the year 5-4 and gave up an average of just over 14 points per game in their last five outings. Singletary's presence immediately added intensity to the team, especially the defense, and the Niners made the Hall of Famer their head coach, not an interim, following their Week 17 win. So it fell on Singletary's shoulders to help repair this once-proud franchise. Though the Niners didn't make many splashes in free agency (wide receiver Brandon Jones and offensive tackle Marvel Smith were the only notable additions), they did fall into drafting Texas Tech wide receiver ..."

2009 Fantasy outlooks: Pittsburgh Steelers

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June 12

CBSSports.com

"The Steelers are the defending Super Bowl champions this year, and their team remains stout. They should be competitive again. The defense is intact, Ben Roethlisberger and the offense returns ready to go and they still play in a division they should win. But while Pittsburgh is a great team, the Steelers don't have many great Fantasy options. For the most part, when you look at Pittsburgh, you're looking for reserve options, because the players never post overwhelming stats. Sure, you'll get moments with Willie Parker here or Hines Ward there, but they never do enough on a consistent basis to guarantee a starting spot. It's a source of frustration given the success of the team. Take away ..."

2009 Fantasy outlooks: Tennessee Titans

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June 12

CBSSports.com

"Here's what we know and love about the Titans: They like to run the ball. And they do it well. We were concerned last year how LenDale White and Chris Johnson would split carries and still be successful, but it worked out better than anyone could have imagined. As a rookie, Johnson was tremendous and finished as a No. 1 Fantasy option with 251 carries for 1,228 yards and nine touchdowns. He also added 43 catches for 260 yards and a receiving touchdown. White, the bruising back, didn't fade away and finished as a No. 2 Fantasy running back with 200 carries for 773 yards and 15 touchdowns. Can they do it again? That's what Fantasy owners are counting on, since Johnson has emerged as a ..."

2009 Fantasy outlooks: St. Louis Rams

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June 12

CBSSports.com

"An awful 2-14 season in St. Louis prompted major changes for the Rams, who are armed with new schemes in all three facets of the game. New head coach Steve Spagnuolo has brought the aggressive blitzing style of defense from the Giants to St. Louis, and former Eagles quarterbacks coach Pat Shurmur will run a version of Andy Reid's West Coast offense. Tom McMahon will run the special teams. What this means is that the players left over from the Scott Linehan experiment all had to learn a new playbook, and some players took to it quicker than others. In many ways, it's like the team is full of rookies who all have to learn and adjust to the new system. But it all also represents a fresh ..."

2009 Fantasy outlooks: Cleveland Browns

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June 12

CBSSports.com

columnist Jamey Eisenberg

"Did the Browns do anything right in 2008? Derek Anderson struggled, Braylon Edwards dropped nearly everything, the offensive line couldn't open any holes and the defense seemed to get worse. It led to Romeo Crennel being fired, and the Browns appear to be rebuilding again, especially after trading standout tight end Kellen Winslow to Tampa Bay. But there could be some hope for Cleveland fans if a lot of things fall into place. Fantasy owners could also benefit from some players having rebound years and breakout performances. Sleeper ... Brian Robiskie, WR The Browns brought in Eric Mangini as the new head coach, and he has young talent with potential in Brady Quinn, Jerome Harrison, James ..."

Overlooked in fantasy football? A case for Martin Rucker

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June 8

KFFL.com

columnist Nicholas Minnix

"In fantasy football, tight end is deep. DEEP. According to Mock Draft Central, Owen Daniels (70 receptions, 862 yards, two TDs) is the eighth tight off the board, on average. Zach Miller (56 catches, 778 yards, 1 score), the 10th. Several tight ends who have performed in the past (Jeremy Shockey, Heath Miller) or have legit upside but also something to prove or other question marks (Dustin Keller, Kevin Boss, Brent Celek - love him, by the way) can be had as your low-end No. 1 or intriguing No. 2. On MDC's list of the top 22 tight ends drafted, however, you won't find the Cleveland Browns' Martin Rucker. You should. Rucker, a younger brother of former Panthers defensive end Mike and son of ..."

2009 Fantasy outlooks: New England Patriots

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June 5

CBSSports.com

"The last regular-season game Tom Brady lost as the starting quarterback for the Patriots was Dec. 10, 2006, a 21-0 defeat at Miami. Some of you weren't even playing Fantasy Football then. Brady and the Patriots went undefeated in 2007, and he won his lone start in 2008 against Kansas City in the season-opener, a span of 20 games. Of course, every New England fan remembers that Chiefs game because it's when Brady got hurt. He suffered a torn ACL and was lost for the season. Most Fantasy owners screeched in horror when he walked off the field because he was the No. 1 quarterback in every league and a first-round pick. The Patriots actually managed a successful season without Brady thanks to ..."

2009 Fantasy outlooks: Philadelphia Eagles

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June 5

CBSSports.com

"The Eagles came up just short of going to Super Bowl XLIII after a tumultuous season that saw them qualify for the playoffs by the skin of their teeth. Since their tough loss to the Cardinals in the NFC Championship, team leader and starting quarterback Donovan McNabb reportedly asked the team to upgrade the offense around him or else be prepared to hear new contract demands or trade him. The Eagles listened. Armed with two first-round draft picks, the team traded one to Buffalo for Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters, and gave him a new deal. They also signed offensive lineman Stacy Andrews, forging a much-improved O-line -- possibly the best in the NFL. They used their other first-round ..."

Who's the next DeAngelo Williams?

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June 4

KFFL.com

"He scored 20 touchdowns, tops among running backs. His 94.7 rushing yards per game ranked third, behind only Adrian Peterson and Michael Turner. He did not fumble - not even once. And his 5.5 yards per carry, though meaningless in fantasy terms, was the stuff of pure dominance. It was a half-yard higher than any other running back with at least 200 carries. (Brandon Jacobs, at 5.0 ypc, was next.) Based purely on 2008 stats, DeAngelo Williams has every right to be the top-ranked fantasy RB entering 2009. Yet most experts are treating him like a one-year wonder. KFFL ranks him No. 11. Yahoo! ranks him No. 5. ESPN ranks him No. 8. Why isn't he in anyone's top three? Has everyone forgotten ..."

Ten players I love more than you

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June 3

Yahoo! Sports

"Last year, the Big Noise had an unrepeatable season of fearless forecasting. Tabbing undervalued commodities DeAngelo Williams, Steve Slaton and Eddie Royal, to name a few, as breakthrough players, he steered numerous owners in the right direction. What players are doing backstrokes in his pool of hyperbole in '09? Here are the Noise's 10 players that he loves more than you … Pierre Thomas - Lambasted for selecting the PT Cruiser before Tom Brady in Round 2 of our Y! Mock Draft in early May, the Noise's passions for Thomas are well-documented. Fifteen pounds bulkier, significantly stronger and hungry to show the organization there's no need to employ another inside power complement to ..."

Pure Fantasy: Breaking down the QBs

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May 30

San Antonio Express-News

"We kick off the Pure Fantasy NFL position rankings with a look at quarterbacks. Here are things to consider when you draft your QBs: SLEEPERS Trent Edwards, Bills: Terrell Owens has made previous QBs more valuable, and he'll do the same for Edwards. Not only will T.O. be a great target, but he'll free up Lee Evans. Carson Palmer, Bengals: He could also go under "Health Issues" below, as in, "If Palmer's elbow is OK, he has skill, Chad Ochocinco and Laveranues Coles." QUESTION MARKS Tony Romo, Cowboys: While Edwards gets the T.O. bump, Romo must adjust to life after Owens. He may be happier now, but expect his stats to suffer this season. Jay Cutler, Bears: He goes from a team that aired it ..."

2009 Fantasy outlooks: Cincinnati Bengals

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May 29

CBSSports.com

"The Bengals have been mired in mediocrity ever since former Steelers defensive lineman Kimo Von Oelhoffen fell into Carson Palmer's knee in the 2005 playoffs and ruined a potential Super Bowl run. They are still trying to recover as a franchise, and Palmer is again coming back from a significant injury. He hurt his elbow last season and was limited to four games. That left the Bengals in the hands of Ryan Fitzpatrick, which you can imagine is never a good thing. But with Palmer expected to make a full recovery, this team could be full of surprises. The Bengals upgraded their defense by drafting linebacker Rey Maualuga and bringing in defensive back Roy Williams, but this offense is what ..."

2009 Fantasy outlooks: Indianapolis Colts

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May 29

CBSSports.com

"Peyton Manning has a lot of new things to get used to this year. The Colts will have a slightly different look with coach Tony Dungy gone and offensive coordinator Tom Moore and offensive line coach Howard Mudd not in their same roles. They also replaced their defensive and special teams coordinators. Moore is the only offensive coordinator Manning has ever played for, and it's the first time since Manning's rookie season that the Colts have switched head coaches and both coordinators in the same year. Along with that, the Colts released wide receiver Marvin Harrison in a salary-cap move, and Harrison was always Manning's security blanket. It could be a lot for Manning to digest coming ..."

Bounce-Back Candidates

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May 28

SportsGrumblings.com

columnist John Georgopoulos

"There's an old fantasy football adage which stipulates the following: championships are never won in the first round; they can only be lost in the first round. I am a firm believer in this piece of ancient wisdom (believed to have been brought down from the mount by Moses)- last year, it wasn't the selection of Adrian Peterson in the first that brought you that elusive fantasy trophy, but rather DeAngelo Williams in the sixth. Heading into a draft, every fantasy owner has a list of players that he feels will have bounce-back seasons. Some of the players on the list are coming off an injury (see Jeremy Shockey), some have switched teams (see Derrick Ward) and still others will be playing in ..."

2009 Fantasy outlooks: Chicago Bears

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May 27

CBSSports.com

columnist Dave Richard

"The Bears made the biggest move of the offseason when they acquired quarterback Jay Cutler from the Broncos for a package including two first-round picks and 2008 starting quarterback Kyle Orton. Cutler, who was a Bears fan growing up in Indiana, immediately brings respectability to an offense that had been a one-trick pony for nearly the entire existence of the franchise. The Bears also took advantage of two salary-cap casualties by other teams, picking up future Hall of Fame left tackle Orlando Pace and right tackle Kevin Shaffer. Neither tackle is at the top of his game any longer, but the Bears are still in the process of grooming last year's first-round pick, tackle Chris Williams, ..."

2009 Fantasy outlooks: Denver Broncos

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May 27

CBSSports.com

columnist Jamey Eisenberg

"The Broncos will definitely have a different look this season with Mike Shanahan gone and Josh McDaniels the new head coach. McDaniels made a bold move by trading franchise quarterback Jay Cutler to Chicago when the two couldn't resolve their differences after Cutler found out he wasn't wanted by the new regime. Now, McDaniels will have to replace Cutler's production (4,526 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, 18 interceptions and two rushing touchdowns) with Kyle Orton, who came to Denver in the trade. The Broncos also have to work in rookie running back Knowshon Moreno, who was a surprise selection at No. 12 overall in the NFL Draft. And the team is changing to a 3-4 defensive scheme, so ..."

Around the league with Todd Heap, Shaun Alexander, Marshawn Lynch and others!

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May 25

KFFL.com

"As Memorial Day weekend wraps up, I hope you experienced family time in great weather. Despite the sad state our country is in, we still live in the greatest country in the world. Don't ever forget that. For those who have asked, sure the stories I talk about may be a week or two old, but that's the fun part of the offseason. Most stories will drag on for weeks, even months, percolating before concluding. It's a different pace from the fast-paced in-season stories. It's one that I enjoy, so let's get to what I've seen crossing my desk recently. HC Jim Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens, on TE Todd Heap: "He's not as far along as we all thought he would be…" I love Heap as he was the tight end who ..."

2009 Fantasy outlooks: Dallas Cowboys

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May 21

CBSSports.com

columnist Dave Richard

"It's a fresh start for the Cowboys following a disappointing 2008 season. The team will be playing its home games in a new stadium, and they'll be working without a certain outspoken receiver who was cut during the offseason. Creating team chemistry seemed to be a high priority for the Cowboys, as was improving their quarterback depth and defensive talent. What's not changing is the rest of the offensive unit. Tony Romo has been a victim of three straight late-season meltdowns and is poised to take over as the unquestioned leader of the offense in an effort to lead the 'Boys to a Super Bowl. Roy Williams was a mid-season acquisition for the Cowboys, and he disappointed in 2008. However, ..."

2009 Fantasy outlooks: Baltimore Ravens

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May 21

CBSSports.com

columnist Jamey Eisenberg

"The Ravens shocked the rest of the league and possibly themselves by making the playoffs last year with a rookie head coach and rookie quarterback. They did it with a strong running game and their usual prowess on defense, but those two spots could be in trouble this season. Baltimore bolstered its offensive line with free agent center Matt Birk and rookie tackle Michael Oher, but veteran Willie Anderson retired and standout fullback Lorenzo Neal is now in Oakland. Those two losses will be felt on offense, especially Neal. LeRon McClain, who turned into a stud last year running behind Neal, will move back to fullback. The Ravens still have Willis McGahee and Ray Rice, but McClain was a ..."

What to do with the No. 2 pick in your fantasy football draft?

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May 21

KFFL.com

columnist Bryce McRae

"Mock drafts are already well underway. The Minnesota Vikings' Adrian Peterson is seen as the consensus top pick in the majority of drafts. Questions abound, however, after the first pick. After Peterson, who is the pick? Is it the Chicago Bears' Matt Forte? The Atlanta Falcons' Michael Turner? The Jacksonville Jaguars' Maurice Jones-Drew? It is hard to argue against any of these players with the No. 2 pick; yet none of them makes as compelling a case to be taken this high as previous No. 2 picks. Regarding those three above (who I feel are the only ones worth taking this high), I rank them in the following order: Jones-Drew - Fred Taylor is plying his trade in New England, opening the door ..."

2009 Fantasy outlooks: Buffalo Bills

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May 19

CBSSports.com

columnist Jamey Eisenberg

"The Bills are hoping to turn the corner as a franchise and return to the playoffs, and they made one of the most controversial moves this offseason by bringing in Terrell Owens as a free agent. Owens should improve the offense just by his presence alone, but there are still two question marks on that side of the ball. The first is Trent Edwards, who has shown signs of being a good leader in his first two seasons but hasn't posted great stats. And the second is Marshawn Lynch, who will start the season by serving a three-game suspension. If Edwards can take his game to the next level and the Bills can manage with Fred Jackson and Dominic Rhodes replacing Lynch, Buffalo could be a contender ..."

2009 Fantasy outlooks: Arizona Cardinals

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May 13

CBSSports.com

columnist Dave Richard

"Proving that momentum is a huge key to winning in the postseason, the Cardinals gunned their way to Super Bowl XLIII thanks to a dynamic offense led by playmaker Larry Fitzgerald, quarterback Kurt Warner and a defense that rose to the occasion. Since then they lost offensive coordinator Todd Haley to the Chiefs, but that was the biggest loss they suffered. The Cardinals actually improved their offensive outlook with the addition of rookie Chris Wells, a physical rusher who should pair with Tim Hightower to be an effective complement to the potent pass attack. Additionally, the club opted to hang on to disgruntled wideout Anquan Boldin, retaining the best receiving corps in the NFL. Though ..."

The new value of some Fantasy veterans

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May 8

CBSSports.com

columnist Dave Richard

"Fans might consider the annual NFL Draft to be like Christmas, but NFL veterans likely look at it as the exact opposite. Their teams might not be giving them anything -- except possibly a pink slip. For nearly every rookie drafted, a veteran will be cut. Notable names like Chris Perry, Larry Foote and Edgerrin James have already been cast into the free-agent player pool following the 2009 draft, and more are sure to follow between now and August. It's not all bad for NFL veterans, though. The ones with job security, especially after the draft, actually benefit from having talent added to their side of the football. A new receiver or tight end is like a new toy for a quarterback. An ..."

Breakout/Undervalued Players For 2009

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May 5

FantasyGuru.com

"If you read my blog posts last year, I periodically posted sleepers/breakout/undervalued players throughout the season. Here's my initial list of breakout/undervalued players for 2009 which I'llagain as we get closer to the opening of training camps. Quarterback Matt Ryan/Atlanta Falcons - After posting a decent 17 TD passes as a rookie, the second-year pro will now have the best tight in the NFL to throw to this season. Lets face it, the missing factor for this offense was at the tight end position. Now with Tony Gonzalez in the fold, it will be very hard for defenses to key on any one facet of Atlanta's offense. Ryan should be a pretty good value for fantasy owners in the middle rounds ..."

The Dark Side: Fantasy Effect

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April 29

SportsGrumblings.com

columnist Tom Casale

"Before entering The Dark Side, please read the following disclaimer: If you… Are a politically correct liberal, think fat people have the right to wear whatever they want, honestly believe Sugar Ray Leonard beat Marvelous Marvin Hagler, refer to the ending of The Sopranos as "genius," think Jerry Jones knows what he's doing, have a problem with athletes taking steroids, like the show Kath and Kim, don't think Superbad is funny, are under the age of 20 and have three kids, have seen the movie Baby Mama, like the Irish, have a son who plays soccer, or think you know more about football than I do, get the hell out of here and don't ever come back. For the rest of the ignorant masses, you may ..."

Rating the rookies for Fantasy '09

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April 28

CBSSports.com

columnist Jamey Eisenberg

"Last year's NFL Draft produced several Fantasy stars, which doesn't always happen when you're talking about rookies. There was Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco at quarterback, Matt Forte, Chris Johnson and Steve Slaton at running back and DeSean Jackson and Eddie Royal at wide receiver. What will this year's class bring? Getting the right rookie could determine the fate of your Fantasy draft. And if you're talking about keeper leagues, you'll need a standout player to help your franchise for years to come. There were plenty of talented players in this year's draft, but did they end up in the right situation? Or did a good running back or wide receiver go to the wrong team, which could ruin his ..."

An early list of sleepers and busts for '09

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April 15

CBSSports.com

columnist Dave Richard

"They are the diamonds in the rough and the exploding cigars in every draft. They're the sleepers and busts Fantasy Football owners attempt to decode before they pick the players who will make up their teams. And this year, the names on the "bust" list are very recognizable, while the sleepers listed remain under the radar. Of course, that's the way it should be. There's plenty of time between now and the start of the 2009 season, but here's our early look at 10 players who you should either think about drafting or avoiding later this summer. Joseph Addai, RB, Indianapolis Fantasy owners can look back to two weeks of the 2008 season -- Week 3 vs. Jacksonville and Week 11 vs. Houston -- ..."

New address, new value for these names

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April 15

CBSSports.com

columnist Jamey Eisenberg

"Every year, free agents trade teams and players get traded to new homes. The moves can sometimes make a big impact in Fantasy leagues. Last season, Michael Turner went from LaDainian Tomlinson's backup in San Diego to the starter in Atlanta. He became a star and comes into this season as an elite Fantasy running back. Bernard Berrian improved in going from Chicago to Minnesota. Dominic Rhodes went back to his glory days with a return to Indianapolis from Oakland. Isaac Bruce found new life in going from St. Louis to San Francisco. Now, not every move is a successful one. Just ask Jerry Porter, Julius Jones and Javon Walker, who went from Fantasy starters with their previous teams to ..."

TE Keeper Overviews

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March 23

FantasyGuru.com

"It's time to cover the TEs for those of you in keeper leagues. For many in these leagues, you're not going to hold on to a TE, unless you have a high-end stud who is young, like Antonio Gates or Jason Witten - or unless you're able to keep a high number of players. Let's assume for now you can keep only a small number of players, like 2-3. If so, keeping Gates or Witten is a tough call. You have to consider your scoring, first of all, for example I'd view Witten as a VERY desirable in a PPR league. He may catch 100 balls this year if healthy with Terrell Owens gone. Gates is still a beast in a great spot, but I'd value a young quality back or a stud wideout over him. He hasn't exactly been ..."

McCulloughs Musings - Week 17

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March 23

SportsGrumblings.com

columnist Tim McCullough

"This has got to be the strangest damn football season ever. It is for me anyway. I cannot recall a more muddled playoff scenario, especially in the AFC. The Steelers, Titans, and Colts are all in the playoffs regardless of what happens this Sunday. The Jets, Patriots, Dolphins, Ravens, Chargers, and Broncos all have a chance at making the playoffs entering the final week of the regular season. The Broncos and Chargers play head to head with the winner moving on to the post-season, so they control their own destiny. Both teams are terrible and neither deserves a playoff berth, but because their division is so weak one of them gets in simply because they will win their division. That leaves ..."

Top Ten Quarterbacks for 2009

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March 12

Lester's Legends

"1. Drew Brees All he did was pass for 5069 yards and 34 TDs last year despite having his top wideout, Marques Colston, miss five games. In his three years with New Orleans Drew is averaging 4637 yards and 29 TDs. To put it into perspective, Peyton Manning has never thrown for 4600 yards in a season. 2. Peyton Manning Old reliable. He has never thrown less that 26 TD passes in a season. Only twice has his passing yardage dipped below the 4000 yard mark. You can pretty much pencil him in for 4200 yards and 28 TDs. Others may finish ahead of him, but the come at a higher risk. For example, in 2006 the top five QBs were Manning, Brees, Bulger, Palmer, and Kitna. In 2007 it was Brady, ..."

Top Ten Running Backs for 2009

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March 11

Lester's Legends

"1. Adrian Peterson - All Day led the league in rushing and scored double-digit TDs again. Sure, the loss of Matt Birk will hurt, but Peterson shouldn't miss a beat. He's looking to add some muscle mass this offseason without losing any speed. A bigger AP with the same speed and quickness. Scary. 2. Michael Turner - Burner Turner did not disappoint in his first shot as the feature back. He struggled early against good defenses, but scored in seven of his last eight games. As Matt Ryan progresses at QB, it will become more difficult to key in on Turner. 3. Matt Forte - I love Forte's versatility. As a rookie he had the third most receiving yards for a Running Back. Second if you ..."

Where will the T.O. show go?

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March 5

CBSSports.com

columnist Jamey Eisenberg

"Get your popcorn ready. The fun is just beginning for Terrell Owens. The Cowboys released Owens on Thursday, and now the 35-year-old wide receiver has to find a new home. Will there be a huge market for Owens, or has he become the Manny Ramirez of the NFL? We're banking on the latter, since Owens has already burned several bridges around the league. There's no chance he goes back to San Francisco and Philadelphia, his two previous stops before Dallas, because of what happened before he left those spots. You can also rule out Miami since Bill Parcells is in charge, and he wouldn't want "the player" he never wanted to begin with. The Vikings are out, too, since Brad Childress is the ..."

On The Record: Bowe happy about Cassel

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March 4

CBSSports.com

columnist Dave Richard

"It didn't take long for Dwayne Bowe to get acclimated to the NFL. In two seasons, he has 156 catches, 2,017 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. He improved from year one to year two across the board. And he's done all of this while the Chiefs have juggled quarterbacks. Those days are over as Kansas City traded for Matt Cassel, giving them their quarterback of the future to go with their wide receiver of the present and future. Appearing at the Moss Brothers' Dare to Dream Charity Event, Bowe talked about his new teammate and what it could mean for his stats. Over your first two NFL seasons, you've played with several different quarterbacks. How difficult does that make your job? Bowe: ..."

NFL Wide Receiver Notes

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March 2

Lester's Legends

"There was a trio of wideouts in the news today. The Good Instead of running on an injured foot, NFL Draft prospect Michael Crabtree has decided to have his surgery next week. He will have a screw inserted to repair a stress fracture in his left foot. Crabtree will have two or three months of rehab to get ready for the OTAs. It's hard to say at this point what effect his injury will have on his draft stock. Considering he is shorter than anticpated and more injured than anticipated, he could lose his grip on top wideout drafted. Regardless of his draft position, I think the young man is using good judgement nipping this problem in the bud. The Bad Tampa Bay signed Michael Clayton to a ..."

Free Agent Signings - Fantasy Perspective

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March 1

Lester's Legends

"The 49ers signed Wide Reciever Brandon Jones. He never quite lived up to his potential in Tennessee. Perhaps a change of scenery would do him good. He's not high on my list for WRs to target next year at this point. Tennessee wasn't exactly load at wideout, so this becomes an even bigger need for them. The Broncos signed Running Backs Correll Buckhalter and J.J. Arrington. It seems Josh McDaniels is sticking with the Patriots' mantra of stocking up on talented backs. Buckhalter could challenge for the feature tailback role and J.J. will likely be the third down back. McDaniels also signed Jabar Gaffney. He gives the Broncos a solid third WR to go along with Brandon Marshall and ..."

NFL QB Transactions - Fantasy Perspective

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March 1

Lester's Legends

"Kerry Collins re-signed with the Titans. It was a two-year deal. He was a solid leader for the Titans, but offers little in terms of fantasy value. This is good news for WR Justin Gage and TE Bo Scaife, with whom Kerry had a good rapport last year. Re-signing Chris Simms is now up in the air. Vince Young will have to wait for a second shot. Jon Kitna was traded to Dallas to be Tony Romo's backup. This is an upgrade for the Cowboys, and Kitna's day were clearly done in Detroit. This is a Win-Win. Little fantasy value out of Kitna, but Jason Witten, T.O., and Roy Williams have a little more security if Romo goes down again. Finally, New England sent Matt Cassel to the Chiefs for a ..."

Offseason Analysis: Tennessee Titans

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February 20

Lester's Legends

"The Titans are coming off an improbable 13-3 run, and even though they didn't reach the promise land, you have to classify their 2008 season as a smashing success. Jeff Fisher is easily one of the best Coaches in the league. Their top priority this offseason is to secure the services of Kerry Collins. He wants to return and the team wants him to return, but they will have to narrow the gap on their contract differences. Chris Simms is sort of twisting in the wind. If Collins returns, Simms will likely be the backup as Vince Young may not be ready mentally. If Collins doesn't return then Simms will likely be handed the starting gig. Either way the Unrestricted Free Agent will almost ..."

Offseason Analysis: Washington Redskins

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February 20

Lester's Legends

"Washington was a tale of two halves last year starting 6-2 and finishing 2-6. Not the most promising recipe for an 8-8 season. The good news is they have some nice pieces in place. Jason Campbell is in a contract year, which is usually a nice motivator. Clinton Portis had an amazing season, but he wore down near the end. They simply went to the well too often with CP. After 342 carries, I expect Portis to be somewhat of a disappointment next year. Ladell Betts has to get more touches. He'll be 30 next year so now is the time to start grooming another back. Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El were solid. Ideally Randle El would be the third WR and either Devin Thomas or Malcolm Kelly ..."

Offseason Analysis: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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February 20

Lester's Legends

"The Bucs collapsed last year costing Jon Gruden his job. His voice may have grown old with the players. Raheem Morris is a new voice, and by all accounts is respected by the team. Jeff Garcia will mostly likely not be back with the Bucs next year. Luke McCown was re-signed and will be given the opportunity to compete with Brian Griese to win the starting gig. Earnest Graham, Warrick Dunn, and Cadillac Williams (if he's healthy) form a nice RB trio, but they'd be wise to add a young runner. Antonio Bryant had a breakout year and is their top priority this offseason. They put the franchise tag on him, and will likely work out a long-term deal. Michael Clayton is also a Free Agent, ..."

Offseason Analysis: San Francisco 49ers

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February 19

Lester's Legends

"The 49ers actually played decent under Mike Singletary last year winning four of their last five games. Shaun Hill was 5-3 as the starter after going 2-0 last year. That's 7-3 with the Niners. Considering their track record in recent year, I'd say that's pretty impressive. Yet, Alex Smith could still challenge him for the starting position. I think Mike's a results guy and Hill will ultimately win the starting gig. Frank Gore looked good at times last year though he missed a couple of games. Backup DeShaun Foster is a Free Agent. He may be brought back, but they'd be better off getting some young legs in the draft to be the number 2. Isaac Bruce was solid last year, but Father Time ..."

Offseason Analysis: San Diego Chargers

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February 19

Lester's Legends

"The Chargers' Offseason has already been sullied by the A.J. Smith-LaDainian Tomlinson feud. Shawne Merriman played the voice of reason and told them to keep that garbage out of the papers. LT's situation is not resolved as is the biggest quesion facing the Chargers this offseason. At least they figured out what to do with Darren Sproles. They have to be regretting the decision to let Michael Turner walk. The slapped the franhise tag on Sproles? One area that isn't a question mark is their Quarterback play. The Chargers could work on locking up Philip Rivers long term, but he's signed through next year. Vincent Jackson is also signed through next year, but his recent DUI could ..."

Offseason Analysis: Seattle Seahawks

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February 19

Lester's Legends

"The Seahawks didn't send Mike Holmgren off on a high note, and left the cupboards pretty bare for new Coach Jim Mora. I'm not sure how much Matt Hasselbeck has in the tank. The team seems committed to Hasselbeck so Seneca Wallace will be waiting in the wings for another injury. Julius Jones was decent, and will likely be the feature back next year, but he was somewhat of a disappointment. Maurice Morris probably won't be back, and T.J. Duckett will be a TD vulture. It doesn't look like Seattle will be fantasy friendly for RBs next year. The same can be said for the WRs. Bobby Engram is 36 and an Unrestricted Free Agent. He'll likely be back. Koren Robinson is in the same boat. As ..."

Offseason Analysis: St. Louis Rams

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February 19

Lester's Legends

"The Rams need a lot of work. That's to be expected when you go 2-14, losing your last ten to close the season. Marc Bulger isn't the answer at QB, but he'll be with the team in '09 because he'd be too costly on their cap to cut. I don't see them going QB with the second pick though because they would have over $100 earmarked to that position. A more likely scenario is they attempt the monumental task of replacing Orlando Pace with either Michael Oher or Andre Smith. Steven Jackson looked great down the stretch running for 517 yards and 4 TDs (3 rushing, 1 receiving) in the last five weeks. He needs to prove he can stay healthy though as he missed four games. Kenneth Darby and ..."

Fantasy forecast under center for NYJ

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February 18

CBSSports.com

columnist Jamey Eisenberg

"We're almost pretty sure that maybe Brett Favre has decided to retire. With him, nothing is certain, so don't be surprised in June if he starts talking about a comeback -- maybe. But we are certain the Jets would like these stats as Favre's replacement: 4,038 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, 13 interceptions and four rushing touchdowns. Fantasy owners would take those numbers in a heartbeat as well. That's what Aaron Rodgers did in 2008 in his first year as the starter for Green Bay, and he finished as a Top 5 Fantasy quarterback. This came after Favre retired the first time and was then traded to the Jets because the Packers were committed to Rodgers. We'll find out soon what direction ..."

Offseason Analysis: Pittsburgh Steelers

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February 18

Lester's Legends

"The Champs are in good shape. They are fine with Big Ben at QB, but Byron Leftwich will likely test the free agent waters in search of a place to start. Detroit may be a good fit as a stopgap before Matthew Stafford is ready to take over. Charlie Batch is also a free agent, but he'll likely return as the backup as the Steelers groom Dennis Dixon to take over that role. The Steelers should have a glut of RBs next year with Willie Parker, a healthy Rashard Mendenhall, Mewelde Moore, and Gary Russell. Hines Ward and Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes will be back to lead the wideouts. Nate Washington is a free agent and will likely move on for a chance to start. Limas Sweed will be given ..."

Offseason Analysis: Philadelphia Eagles

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February 18

Lester's Legends

"Jase Patrizio, one of my best friends and an Eagles fanatic, was kind enough to analyize the Eagles' Offseason plans for me. The surprising Birds made it to the NFC championship game and lost a heartbreaker to the Arizona Cardinals for a chance to win their first Super Bowl title. What is an Eagles season without controversy? As Big Reid would say, "I'm not gonna get into all that stuff." OFFENSE This offensive line could look a lot different come September. Long time Eagles OTs Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas are UFAs and the front office has proven time and time again that they will part ways with players who are in the twilight of their careers if they need to. With that said, the line ..."

Offseason Analysis: Oakland Raiders

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February 18

Lester's Legends

"Things sure have changed for the Raiders. Instead of being the team that everyone loves to hate, they are the team that everyone loves to hate on. They actually showed a little something at the end of the year winning their last last two games, including the game that eliminated Tampa Bay and sent Jon Gruden packing. JaMarcus Russell played decent considering the lack of weapons. Darren McFadden disappointed as a Rookie, but I expect him to make big strides in his second year. Justin Fargas had a solid year, but I expect him to yield carries to Run DMC. Michael Bush will likely be kept in the mix just because McFadden and Fargas are injury risks and his contract is minimal. Besides ..."

Offseason Analysis: New York Jets

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February 18

Lester's Legends

"Brett Favre has retired from the Jets. I know we've heard this before, but I think it's for good this time. So Kellen Clemens gets his shot. He has some solid weapons to work with. For starters, Thomas Jones is coming off his best NFL season to date. I know he's on the wrong side of 30, but there's still life in those legs. I expect Leon Washington to be even more involved in their Offense next year. When he touched the ball, generally good things happened. FB Tony Richardson probably won't return. The Jets have solid options in the passing game with WRs Laveranues Coles, Jerricho Cotchery, Chansi Stuckey and TE Dustin Keller. They upgraded their O-Line last year so that's not a ..."

Offseason Analysis: New York Giants

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February 17

Lester's Legends

"My good pal and Giant fanatic Joe Z. was kind enough to analyze the offseason plans for the New York Giants. "Most wondered at the time of the Plaxico Burress shooting whether or not the New York Giants would be able to focus and block out the immense distraction that the situation provided. In hindsight, the immense media scrutiny paled in comparison to actual loss of Burress on the field. Not only did Eli Manning lose his top target, but defenses were able to play an extra defender up in the box to target to stop the run game. With Burress's future being cloudy at best, coming up with a way to ease the pressure on the run game, as well as allow Steve Smith and Domenick Hixon to be ..."

Offseason Analysis: New England Patriots

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February 17

Lester's Legends

"New England just missed the playoffs last year at 11-5 despite losing their franchise player Tom Brady early on Opening Day. Matt Cassel filled in admirably and received the franchise tag. The Pats may be holding onto Matt in case Brady is ready or they could be looking to deal him and made sure he wouldn't get away without compensation. I don't need to tell you the Patriots are pretty hush hush. Laurence Maroney should be back, but it remains to be seen if he can stay healthy. Sammy Morris will also be in the mix. At this point, Morris is probably the RB I'dfirst in a fantasy draft. LaMont Jordan is a free agent, and likely won't return. Kevin Faulk and BenJarvus Green-Ellis will ..."

Offseason Analysis: Minnesota Vikings

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February 17

Lester's Legends

"The Vikings have a major need to address at Quarterback. Tarvaris Jackson may evenutally turn into a decent QB, but this defense is aging, and their window is closing quickly. The Vikings are more than set at RB with Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor. Bernard Berrian was the deep threat they were looking for and Bobby Wade is a solid slot WR. Sidney Rice was a disappointment, but everyone was probably a year off in his development. He's a red zone threat with 8 of his 46 career receptions (17%) going for a TD. Visanthe Shiancoe had a breakout year at TE for the Purple. Blocking TE Jim Kleinsasser is an Unrestricted Free Agent, but I think they'll find a way to bring him back. The ..."

Offseason Analysis: Indianapolis Colts

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February 16

Lester's Legends

"After years of very little change the Colts will have to adjust to life after Dungy. If anybody is capable of handling a new Coach, it's Peyton Manning. He's still slinging the pigkin and the Offense won't change drastically. Joseph Addai will once again be the feature back. Dominic Rhodes is an Unrestricted Free Agent, but I suspect he'll be back. Reggie Wayne, Anthony Gonzalez, and Dallas Clark will once again be at Peyton's disposal. Marvin Harrison may not. Either way WR is probably a position that gets upgraded in the draft. Jeff Saturday most likely won't return either, but they should be covered as the team addressed that need in last year's draft. Kelvin Hayden is their key ..."

Offseason Analysis: Miami Dolphins

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February 16

Lester's Legends

"The Dolphins completed an amazing turnaround improving for 1-15 to 11-5 and an AFC East title. Chad Pennington got plenty of the credit, and deservingly so, for the turnaround. I can't help, but to be impressed with the way Ronnie Brown returned from his knee injury. Ricky Williams was a solid compliment, but I expect RB to take the lion's share of the carries with Ricky seeing less action in '09. Ted Ginn, Jr. made strides at WR last year, and I expect him to continue his progress as a third-year WR, which historically has been when wideout have had breakout seasons. Davone Bess will likely start opposite of Ginn, Jr. with Greg Camarillo serving as the third WR (assuming his knee ..."

Offseason Analysis: Kansas City Chiefs

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February 16

Lester's Legends

"The Chiefs are a nightmare. They are sort of a Wildcard with Scott Pioli as their GM. To say he plays his cards close to his vest is an understatement. They also brought in a new Coach in Todd Haley, who was very successful as Offensive Coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals. Tyler Thigpen looked decent at times, but it's hard to say if he'll keep his hold on that starting QB position. He showed great ability with his feet, but that may not fit into Haley's style. The big elephant in the room in Kansas City is Larry Johnson. They'll likely try to trade him, but his contract will prohibit that. If he cries loud enough he'll likely get cut. A first-time Coach doesn't need that ..."

Offseason Analysis: Jacksonville Jaguars

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February 16

Lester's Legends

"The Jags are coming off one of the most disappointing seasons in the NFL. They, along with the Cleveland Browns, were the chic pick to get to at least the AFC title game. Yet they finished at 5-11. For starters the Jaguars need improved health next year, especially on their Offensive Line. Their Left Tackle Khalif Barnes is an Unrestricted Free Agent. He played poorly last year, and won't likely return. There is a good chance Charles Spencer takes over. Center Brad Meester is also an UFA, but he may be in their plans. Assuming Fred Taylor gives them a hometown discount, he'll be back to compliment Maurice Jones-Drew. I'd like to see them work another RB in the mix so he's ready ..."

Offseason Analysis: Dallas Cowboys

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February 12

Lester's Legends

"The Cowboys are a circus and Jerry Jones is the Ring Leader. There are talks that the Cowboys could cut T.O., and I think that would be a wise move. Not only would it make life easier for Tony Romo, but T.O. just didn't deliver like he used to. He drops far too many balls. Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, and Miles Austin (assuming they sign him)give them enough weapons at WR, especially when you consider they have one of the game's best pass catching Tight End in Jason Witten. They have three capable backs in Marion Barber III, Tashard Choice, and Felix Jones. Their key defensive free agents are Zach Thomas, Kevin Burnett, and Tank Johnson. Of the three, Thomas would easily be missed ..."

Offseason Analysis: Denver Broncos

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February 12

Lester's Legends

"The Broncos shocked us by canning Mike Shanahan. Fantasy owners grew tired of his shanahanigans. Things may not change much on that front as Josh Daniels comes from Bill Belichick's family line, who are not always forthright on their injury report. They Broncos are set at QB with Jay Cutler, at WRs with Brandon Marsall, Eddie Royal, and Brandon Stokley, and a TE with Tony Scheffler and Daniel Graham. Where they need improvement as at RB. I think Shanahan the success he had at RB go to his head a bit, as he hasn't really had a dependable back since Mike Anderson in 2005. That is an area than is in dire need of attention. That, and their Defense. Nate Webster and Kenny Peterson are ..."

Offseason Analysis: Cleveland Browns

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February 12

Lester's Legends

"The Browns were almost everyone's darling last year before returning to hard times. The good news is they have some pieces in place. Brady Quinn looked good at QB before getting hurt. Derek Anderson is a capable QB, but they may look to move him. Jamal Lewis took a step back and will turn 30 this year. Jerome Harrison made some plays, but he can't handle a full load. The Brwons will likely look to pick up a back in the draft. Braylon Edwards needs to work on his drops. He has the ability, and if he can fix that problem he'll likely be one of the best fantasy values next year. Donte Stallworth did not pay off for the Browns next year. They need to bring in a WR via the draft or ..."