Fantasy Information: Why Terrell Owens Will Shine for the Buffalo Bills

It does not matter if you like Terrell Owens or you truly love to hate him, no one can deny he’s been one of the best receivers of his time. It seems almost every starting quarterback that has played with TO from Steve Young to Tony Romo has had success on the field with him.

For more than a decade now fantasy football owners have been able to rank TO’s quarterback in at least the top 15 quarterbacks at draft time.

This year could be Terrell’s most challenging season ever, as he has more ridding on not only his success, but his ability to be a good boy as well. If Owens can post another 1,100 yards receiving and double digit touchdowns he will go a long way towards getting a three-year contract, next offseason.

Challenges in Buffalo

If Owens is to have another great fantasy season this year, he needs Trent Edwards to live up to his talent and stay healthy. Trent is now entering his third season in the league and now has a very solid cast of players around him.

Edwards now has two solid running backs in Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson, as well as receivers Lee Evans and, obviously, TO. With these players, Trent has no excuses (other than injury) to not perform in 2009.

The one major downer for Edwards is that he lost his Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters (Eagles) via trade in the offseason. If the offensive line has problems in pass protection, then Trent could struggle to find his targets and the Bills will fall into last place in the AFC East.

 

Let’s Go TO

While the loss of Peters could give Edwards problems, he should find the end zone a lot more this season with a scoring stud in TO. Some may see this as possibly the end for Owens, but I see it different.

This should be the season that Owens shows us all again why he’s been such a great player on the football field. Of course, you will see times when he huffs on the side lines because he wants the pigskin.

One of the reasons the Cowboys supposedly let go of Owens was because Romo made bad decisions trying to force the ball to TO. The reason he forced it (according to Dallas) was because Terrell would whine for the ball all the time.

My feeling on this is that, if Romo is going to give into Terrell for “whining,” then he’s going to struggle the rest of his career. Point is, every receiver wants the ball and they all tell their QB they were open on every play. It is the quarterback’s job to do what is right in the end and make the smart decisions.

This year, I expect Owens to be the driving catalyst for an offense that is primed to be at least a top-12 offense in football.

With Terrell on the team defenses will have to leave Lee Evans out on man to man coverage with their second best corner. Evans should have a field day (especially down the field) with this kind of coverage all season.

Once defenses have to role back and stop the passing game, then you will see the Bills pound out the yards on the ground with Lynch and Jackson. This combo of pass and run should get stronger as the season moves along, as the Bills make a run towards the playoffs in 2009.

Fantasy Information on Terrell Owens

Look to grab Owens as a late No. 1 receiver for your team or an early No. 2 receiver. Most fantasy owners will be gun shy to draft Terrell now that his is in Buffalo with an unproven quarterback. Because of this, you should have a great opportunity to get Owens somewhere in the fourth or fifth round of most drafts.

Branden Albert Is Ready for the Pro Bowl

In last year’s draft, the Kansas City Chiefs moved up to the 15th pick in the first round and draft Virginia product Branden Albert. This was a move the Chiefs sorely needed to make as selecting this left tackle would help improve their bad offensive line.

Branden went on and started 15 games in his rookie season, as he missed one game due to an elbow injury. All in all, Albert had a very successful first season in the NFL. Sure, the Chiefs had their struggles early on, but as the season came along, Albert provided good protection for Tyler Thigpen to throw the football.

 

Upgrades in the Offseason

The Cardinals’ old offensive coordinator and new Chiefs head coach Todd Haley continued to revamp the O-line this offseason. By adding Mike Goff and Eric Ghiaciuc to the team, he has truly brought a strong veteran presence on board.

Guard Mike Goff comes over from the San Diego Chargers, where, for the last five seasons, he did not miss a start in the team in powder blue. He also played a full 16 games for the Bengals the season before he became a Charger.

Center Eric Ghiaciuc comes over from the Cincinnati Bengals, where he also did not miss a start last season.

Having these “healthy” vets on the team will help take pressure off of Brandon Albert and the rest of the offense, as the Chiefs look to compete once again.

 

Albert Takes It Up a Notch in Camp

The info out of Kansas City is that head coach Haley asked Albert to have his playing weight down to 305 pounds for this season. At that time, March Brandon was a massive 341 pounds and it looked like dropping that kind of weight would be a tall order.

But sure enough, as we start July and get ready for camp, reports are out that Brandon as already dropped the weight and is ready to go for ’09.

Not only has he dropped the weight but he is leading the team when it comes to running drills for O-linemen on the team.

This commitment in such a short time has to make the offensive line coaches Joe D’Alessandris and Bob Bicknell very proud. Seeing a young player not only have the talent but put the work in to back it up is every coach’s dream.

Fantasy Football Information on the Chiefs Offense

Right now Larry Johnson’s value is low because he’s had two very bad season in a row. But to be honest (outside of the off-field issues) one should have seen this coming. The Chiefs lost Will Shields and Willie Roaf to retirement and losing stars like that was going to make things tough for the offense.

When an offensive line can’t open holes, a running back has a tough time having success at any level. Things were no different for LJ, as he was not the same player for fantasy owners.

Now things are different and as long as LJ can keep his head on straight, he should find success this season.

As far as the passing game goes, I still want to see Matt Cassel show up for one more year before I say he’s for real. With the line much better, he will have every opportunity to show he can get it done. If he should falter, then Tyler Thigpen will take over and do well, just like last year.

Dwayne Bowe needs to show that he can have consistent success without soon to be hall of fame tight end Tony Gonzalez.

Look for Larry Johnson somewhere around the fourth to sixth round of your fantasy draft this season. He will still be a feature runner and there just aren’t too many of those around these days.

Matt Cassel is a backup fantasy quarterback this year and Dwayne Bowe is probably a decent No. 2 receiver for your fantasy squad in 2009.

Fantasy Information: Alex Barron and the Rams Offensive Line

In 2005, tackle Alex Barron was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the first round at the NFL draft. Since the Rams had a great left tackle in Orlando Pace, they moved Alex over to the right tackle position. In Alex’s four years on the team he has played that position every season.

For an offensive line that has had so many injury problems over the past three seasons, Barron has been a staple as he’s started all but one game in that time.

The Times Are a Changing

Former Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is now the head coach in St. Louis.

Obviously Spagnuolo is a very talented coach when it comes to the defensive side of the ball, so one has to believe the Rams will get better in that regard.

Al Saunders is going to stay as the offensive coordinator on the team and I believe that is a good thing. Just look at the quarterback Alex Smith with the 49ers, he’s been in the league five years and has had five different coordinators in that time.

Having Saunders around will allow the offense an opportunity to build on what they learned from him last season.

While I thought it was a timely move to release Orlando Pace, I was disappointed that they released veteran receiver Torry Holt.

With Holt gone the Rams are left with no one for defenses to respect in the passing game. Now they will have to rely on youngsters Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton.

The 2009 NFL Draft

In the draft St. Louis selected Baylor standout Jason Smith with the second overall pick. Smith stands in at an impressive 6’5 and 309 pound with good speed for a lineman. While he is a great replacement on the offensive line for Pace, he is not projected to be the left tackle.

That job is Alex Barron’s as Jason is slated to play right tackle this season. While Smith is a gifted pass protector, many analysts say he needs to still improve in the running game. However, there is also a wide belief that Jason will eventually take over as the left tackle on the team.

 

Alex Barron’s Time To Shine

As noted earlier, Barron is in line to start at left tackle for the Rams in 2009. This is Barron’s final year of his rookie contract that paid him $9.2 million (possible @11 million with incentives) altogether.

To say that Barron should be motivated to prove he can play at left tackle before he goes into free agency is a no-brainer. Alex is a true left tackle as he stands in at a large 6’7 and 315 pounds of man-killing flesh.

While I do believe Barron will have a good year, I just hope the Rams are not dumb enough to let this guy leave for free agency. I’m sure if they do not get a deal done with him this year, they will no doubt use their franchise tag on him in 2010.

The only problem with that is that Barron would get paid top-five money as a left tackle as opposed to a right tackle.

That is great news for Alex, but one has to ask if the Rams will try and list him as a right tackle when they franchise him.

The two main reasons they might try this is because, for one they would pay him less, and for two they might end up playing him at right tackle in 2010. By that time Smith should be ready to take over as the left tackle and I’m sure they would rather have him (and his big contract) playing on the left as opposed to the right.

Paying The Money and Keeping The Line Intact

If the Rams want to go back to the playoffs in the years to come, they need a strong offensive line. While Barron’s situation (as shown above) could potentially get complicated, the Rams would be wise to give Barron a new contract this offseason.

With Barron and Smith on the team together, St. Louis could have one of the best bookend pairs in football for years to come.

Throw in stud free agent center Jason Brown from Baltimore and you have a line that could go from zero to hero in one season.

 

Fantasy Football Information For The Rams offense

While I do believe the Rams offense will find more success this season, they will be even better in 2010. Especially if Marc Bulger begins to trust his boys up front and stops being so gun shy.

Right now you can get all the Rams players at a low price in your fantasy draft this summer.

Steven Jackson should be available in most drafts in the second round (that is low for his talent). He should have a productive year now that he has a better line in front of him. The only thing I still need to see from Jackson, is he needs to stay healthy (missed four games each of the last two seasons).

Avery and kicker Josh Brown are the only other players on this team I can suggest drafting this year. Both players should be drafted towards the back end of your draft as they need to prove they can be consistent week to week.

Bulger and Burton are players you should keep an eye on for waiver wire pickups if the Rams start showing fantasy relevance as the season goes along.

LaDainian Tomlinson Is Ready to Prove His Doubters Wrong

This past week LaDainian Tomlinson turned the ripe old age of 30. Many fantasy football analysts will give you the common info that because LT has hit this landmark age he is practically “washed up.”

Just recently I wrote a column and did a show on blog talk radio on how a magazine that both my father and I like, had Steven Jackson ranked No. 5 and LT ranked No. 7. In that work, I questioned just how important a player’s age is, versus their performance on the field.

Tomlinson has not missed a regular season start since 2004 (he missed one game) and has been a solid, if not a fantastic fantasy option in every year of his career.

Sure he did wear down a bit in his rookie year but that was his first season in the NFL. It usually takes a guy a year to get used to the full 16-week schedule.

Now it is true that LT has broken down once he has gotten to the playoffs, but that does not really matter in fantasy football. Fantasy owners care more if the guy was health enough to start on a regular basis.

Yet now that Tomlinson has turned the magic 30, it looks as if fantasy experts are throwing his ability to play down the drain and warning everyone that LT is a risk.

 

The Guy Still Puts Up Numbers

While LT did not have a great season by his standards last year, he did post over 1,500 all purpose yards and 12 touchdowns. He also had another season with over 50 receptions (52) and again played all 16 games.

It’s true that LT is now heading into his ninth year in the league, but when you look at the team he’s on, one has to believe he should do well again.

 

Who Is Going To Take Carries Away From LT?

The Chargers drafted no one significant this spring to fill LT’s shoes. This means that Darren Sproles is still going to be the back-up runner in San Diego. While Sproles is a talented player, he is only a change of pace runner and special teams man.

By no stretch of the imagination should Sproles or any other runner get work over LT when the Chargers pound out goal-line touchdown opportunities.

 

Fantasy Information for LaDainian Tomlinson

Right now I still see LaDainian as a top-three runner in fantasy football. While he is behind Adrian Peterson and Michael Turner, I just don’t believe LT should go any lower then that.

The AFC west is clearly the weakest division in fantasy football against the run. Look for the Chargers to roll to a division title and for LT to have another solid year.

While I don’t believe Tomlinson is the same player he was four or five years ago, I do believe this guy is still a very solid producer. Their is no reason why LT should not have another season that gives you a chance to win a fantasy title in 2009.

 

Written By- Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com

Fantasy Information: Who will Quarterback the Cleveland Browns Offense?

The Cleveland Browns offense ended the season on a major low. In the last six games of the season they did not have one single touchdown as an offensive unit. While this output was a total disaster, one can only point to Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson’s injuries as part of the reason why.

By seasons end, the Browns finished 31st in passing with a horrible 148.8 yards per game. They also finished the season third worst in scoring at 14.5 points per contest. These numbers were way down from their successful 2007 campaign, when they had 239.9 yard passing per game and scored 25.1 points a game.

Last summer it was widely believed that fantasy owners should stay away from the Browns as they might bust. Most analysts sited the reasons being that teams would be ready for Cleveland in ’08 and the Browns had the 7th hardest strength of schedule in football.

But no one could have honestly predicted this offensive juggernaut from ’07 would fall this hard.

Time for Change in Cleveland

This off-season the Browns fired head coach Romeo Crennel and hired then hired Eric Mangini. Eric had just been recently fired from the New York Jets after their meltdown in December, that cost them a trip to the playoffs.

While I still believe Mangini is a good coach, it remains to be scene if he has what it takes to turn this team around.

Eric definitely got off to a good start by signing Rob Ryan as his defensive coordinator. Oddly enough Rob’s brother was Mangini’s replacement as head coach in New York.

With these connections it is no wonder that the Browns traded out of the 5th pick to the Jets, for defensive players and extra picks in the draft. Because Eric coached the players he traded for, one must believe he knows what he is getting in return for the fifth pick.

Browns have a 34 year old rookie offensive coordinator

Mangini’s choice for offensive coordinator is probably going to be his make or break decision in his coaching staff. Brian Daboll worked with Eric as his quarterbacks coach in New York and was a defensive coach with Bill Belichick before that. Now he has bee given the keys to the offensive coordinator position in Cleveland.

“Both of them have been in early and out late. They’re working extremely hard. They’re competitive with one another. They’re learning the system the best they can. There’s some mistakes out there and some other days they’re doing really well. Right now it’s an open competition. The best player is going to win.” – Brian Daboll on his quarterbacks

While Daboll is inexperienced, I believe you will see him call a style of offense
that is similar to the Jets last season. This means they will probably attempt to run first and throw second.

Only problem with that philosophy is the Browns need to prove they can play shut down defense, to run this style consistently.

If they struggle and get behind, then they will be force to throw the football to come from behind.

Dereck Anderson and Brady Quinn

While Daboll will give all of us the usual, “it’s open competition at quarterback” routine all summer, one has to believe that it is Brady Quinn time in Cleveland.

This will be Brady’s third season on the team and I believe he can give them the juice they need in the offense. That juice will come from running a more up tempo style of offense and better leadership on the field.

While Derek Anderson did have a terrific ’07 campaign, at times he can seem a bit lethargic on the field. He just doesn’t seem to have that passion and fire, that players need to see from their leader.

Especially when times are tough, you need a captain that can kick a player (Braylon Edwards) in the butt when they deserve it.

To me Brady Quinn posses those attributes and has good skills as well. But until he is crowned as a starter on this team, no one is going to follow a guy that is riding the pine.

Right now the only reason I see the Brown not going with Quinn, is because it is trendy in the NFL to start a veteran over a youngster these days. Just look at the Titans or the Cardinals situations. These teams went with savoy veterans and it paid off big time.

Fantasy Information for the Browns Quarterbacks

At best either quarterback is only late round backup in most fantasy formates at your fantasy draft. But I do believe who ever becomes the starter should become more valuable, as the season moves along.

Written By- Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com

Fantasy Info: Can Santonio Holmes be a Consistent Fantasy Producer?

Last season I thought Santonio Holmes was primed for star dome in Pittsburgh. By the end of the super bowl, I suppose that prediction was an accurate one, as he won the MVP title in the big game.

While it is true that Santonio had a great game, some fantasy owners (like my Dad) would have rather seen him flop in that contest. To see a player you selected on your fantasy team, play great in the big game, while he cost you a playoff bid is a killer.

I can still hear my Dad saying, “you jerk, why couldn’t you of done that all season!”

Draft Day Elation

To understand why my father would say such things, one must go all the way back draft day in the summer of ’08.

When a fantasy owner selects any player in their top five overall picks, they look to those men as the leaders of their fantasy team. Not only are they leaders, but often times they are the most talented game breakers on your team.

Beyond those expectations, nothing makes a fantasy caption more elated then when he has a young game breaking stud on his team. Visions of sugar plums and long touchdown scores go dancing through your head.

You may even conjure up a day, were you need that big play on Monday night to stomp your sons team in to the ground and that key player gets it done for you. Then you call up son and say, “well I guess I just was lucky today, but hang in there son you have a good team.”

Unfortunately for my dad that phone call never came, as Holmes put up a measly 821 yards and five touchdowns in his third season in the NFL. This was down from his 2007 totals of, 942 yards and eight touchdowns.

To add to the frustration Santonio also had a one game suspension for possession of marijuana. It’s decisions like this that make a fantasy owner wonder if that players mind is on having fun or finding success on the football field.

 

Turn The Page

This off-season prosecutors drop drug charges against Holmes for his incident last season. This is good news for Santonio as it basically insures he won’t be suspended this season again.

As far as where a fantasy drafter should select Holmes this season, I say look for him as soon as the fifth round. While this young star did have a down year a season ago, he did finish on a good note. Beyond that, it is not like Holmes was the only receiver to disappoint in the NFL last year, as it was a down season across the board for wide outs.

If you are looking for Holmes to be a consistent fantasy star, I believe you need to look else were. As long as Hines Ward is on the team it will always hurt No.10’s chances for consistent success.

The Steelers also lost two more offensive linemen this off-season. With those losses and Alan Fanica the season before, one has to wonder if Big Ben can stay healthy. If Rothlessburger goes down then expect the Steelers to be more conservative as an offense.

In the end Holmes is still a top 20 fantasy receiver, as he has just to much talent to go lower.

Who knows maybe this year if my Dad selects old Santonio, he will actually get to make that phone call and tell me how lucky he was. Then again I plan on having an unbeatable team so I suppose he will have to wait till next year to say those crushing words.

Happy Fathers Day Dad and I hope you have success in 2009.

Written By- Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com

Fantasy Info: Dolphins’ Receiver Devone Bess is Ready to Breakout

Devone Bess had a great college career playing for the Hawaii Warriors. In three years he never had a season under 89 catches, 1,150 yards and 12 touchdowns.

In spite of all his success in college, Bess somehow went un-drafted in the 2008 draft. This was mainly because the NFL has strong beliefs that college players don’t project well when they play in fun and gun offenses.

I personally have a problem with this thinking, if it means players like Bess drop all the way out of the draft, because of the system they are in.

Devone posted 293 receptions for 3,610 yards and 41 touchdowns in three years. I don’t care what system a receiver plays in, when a guy supports those numbers, he is sure as heck draft worthy!

Dolphins Sign Devone Bess

After the draft Devone signed as with the Miami Dolphins. This was another great move on Bill Parcels part as he got a steal of a signing in this kid.

No. 15 went on to have the second-best rookie season in Dolphins history for an un-drafted receiver. Posting 54 receptions for 554 yards and one touchdown. He even capped it all off with a nice 45 yard catch in the playoffs against the Ravens.

After Greg Camarillo went down with an ACL tear, Bess got to start the final six games of the regular season. In those games Bess only had one game under five catches (3 for 50 yards against the Raiders).

“He is no doubt ready to take it to another level,” Dolphins GM Jeff Irlands said of Bess

That stat shows me if Bess does in fact win a starting job this year, he will be a very active player in the Dolphins offense.

Devone Bess’s Fantasy Value in 2009

As it stands right now Bess has an excellent chance to be a starter opposite Ted Ginn Jr. With Greg Camarillo coming back from acl surgery late in the season, Devone should have a excellent chance for 85 receptions this season.

So where should one draft Bess in their fantasy draft?
At this point in time Devone is nothing more then a late round roll of the dice at your fantasy draft this summer.

Bess needs to show that he can find the end zone more then one time a year. He also needs to improve on his 10.4 yards per catch. I personally believe No. 15 will take another step to the fantasy relevant receivers come this season.

Look for Bess to total around five touchdowns and a 12.5 yards per catch, as the Dolphins will expand his role (more passes down the field) in their playbook.

Written By- Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com

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