Fantasy Impact: An Interview With Raiders’ CB Chris Johnson

Fantasy football has undoubtedly changed the landscape of professional football. Over the last few decades—particularly with the rise of the internet—these alterations have grown seemingly exponentially.

Millions of dollars and hours are spent on fantasy football, yet, as fans, we frequently have difficulties imagining how fantasy football affects the players. The superhero-like statuses that these men garner often make this task more difficult, as we sometimes get so caught up in the game that we fail to realize that, unlike most games, this one is based on reality.

Nowadays, most fans seem quick to judge and critique everything NFL players do, both on and off the field, yet very seldom do we see the same amount of praise. Many often respond to this fact by claiming that, as fans, they have a right to criticize and even boo their team’s favorite players.

Fantasy football, which has taken the level of fan involvement to an entirely unique level, has only perpetuated this notion.

But is this truly the case?

How do NFL players feel about fantasy football and the way it has altered fans’ involvement and attitudes?

For part three of my “Fantasy Impact” series, I spoke with Raiders’ cornerback Chris Johnson to answer this question and find out more about the rising star.

1. How familiar with fantasy football were you when you came into the NFL, and how familiar are you with it now?

When I first came to the league, I thought that fantasy football only involved the offensive players on the team. I know now that is not the case. I still don’t know a great deal about it, but I do now that it is extremely popular and seems to be gaining popularity every year. I think it would be interesting to see how it would affect fantasy football if all of the defensive positions/players were incorporated into it.

2. Do you personally play fantasy football?

I have never played, but I’m considering getting into it next year.

3. Do any guys on the team play fantasy football? What is the feeling of the team and players in the NFL in general regarding fantasy football?

I know that there are guys in the league that are playing. I’m not sure really sure about the guys on the team. I’m sure some of them are into it, but it’s not discussed in the locker room.

4. How do you think fantasy football has changed the game?

It has really given fans and spectators a chance to get more involved in the game, which, in my opinion, draws a larger audience and a more dedicated fan base.

5. Does the fame and notoriety that offensive players get, particularly from fantasy football, ever annoy you?

No, I understand the game. As cliché as it sounds, I’ve often been told that offense sells tickets, defense wins games, and I’m okay with that.

6. How does playing with perhaps the league’s best cornerback help you? What sort of things has Nnamdi taught you?

Playing opposite of a player like Nnamdi just helps me and makes me want to play that much harder and better because you know quarterbacks view him as one of the best. I want them to see us as a dangerous package.

7. Are you on Twitter? What do you think of players using Twitter? Did your coaches warn you against the dangers of using Twitter?

Yes, I am on Twitter. Fans can follow me on Twitter with the username ChrisJohnson_37. I don’t see anything wrong with players being active on Twitter as long as they are responsible about it. I have several teammates and fans that are on Twitter and I think it is really a positive thing for both team and self-promotion. Like Chad (Ochocinco): I follow Chad and that guy cracks me up, and he creates buzz for the Bengals and the NFL in general.

8. Do you prefer to play man coverage or drop into a zone? What is your favorite zone coverage to play?

I prefer man coverage to zone because I can focus in on covering my man and I know it is just the two of us out there. I like the one on one situation.

9. How many different sorts of coverages do you have to learn? How much preparation goes into getting ready for each opponent?

Wow, there are so many! On any given week I can put in 12-16 hours a day to get ready for each opponent.

10. Is it true that at Louisville ‘s Pro Day you ran a 4.18 second 40-yard dash? With such blazing speed, do you find it easier to squat on certain routes because you know you have the speed to recover?

Yes, I did. That was a really great running day for me. It’s really all about what the route is and how long it will take me to get where I need to be. Most of the time I can depend on my speed to get me where I need to be when I need to be there.

11. What was the first thing you purchased after signing your new 4-year deal?

My first purchase was a home for myself and my family right outside of the Dallas/Fort Worth area. It felt great to buy a place where I grew up. My family and I really feel at home there.

12. Do you have any pre-game rituals? What is your favorite pre-game meal?

I pray before every game. I don’t have a favorite meal: I’ll eat whatever is going to give me the energy to perform.

13. Other than football, what else do you enjoy doing?

I always enjoy being with my family, watching movies or TV. I also enjoy playing video games. Madden is my favorite right now.

14. Anything you want to let your fans know, fantasy football-related or not?

I just want to say thank you to all my fans. I am at a really great place in my career right now, I love this game and I have so much love for all of my fans. Thank you all for your loyalty and sticking with me! Now send your boy to the Pro Bowl!

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

NFL Power Rankings Week 14: Colts Surpass Saints

 

1. Indianapolis Colts (12-0) How can I drop a 12-0 team from #1? Because they are being replaced by a team with the same record who dominated a Titans team that came into Indy on fire.

2. New Orleans Saints (12-0) Down seven with 100 seconds to play and the opposition kicking a 23-yard FG, the Saints obviously should no longer have a “0” in their record.

3. San Diego Chargers (9-3) San Diego, quietly, may be the league’s second-hottest team right now. Let’s see if they can overcome the Cowboys this week in a game that means more to Dallas than it does to San Diego.

4. Green Bay Packers (8-4) It wasn’t pretty last night versus Baltimore, but Green Bay got the win, and Aaron Rodgers may just be a top five NFL quarterback.

5. Minnesota Vikings (10-2) Just after I jump on the Vikings’ bandwagon, Favre has his first multi-pick game of the season. The key for this team will be how they respond this week against the Bengals.

6. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4) Philly looked dominant in Atlanta, with Vick scoring twice in his old home. This is probably the favorite to win the NFC East right now.

7. Arizona Cardinals (8-4) By beating Minnesota, this week’s matchup versus San Fran will not be for the division lead.

8. Cincinnati Bengals (9-3) Cincinnati escaped with a win against the Lions and now go to Minnesota for a tremendous non-conference test.

9. New York Giants (7-5) Just one game out of the division lead, the Giants hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over Dallas. This week’s contest against the Eagles is monumental, and with Dallas playing the Chargers, it could be for that division lead.

10. Dallas Cowboys (8-4) Dallas went from being in prime position to win the East to fighting for a playoff spot. They have SD, @NO, @WSH, and PHI on tap.

11. Denver Broncos (8-4) Playing in Kansas City is never easy for anyone, especially Denver. A 44-13 win on the heels of a dismantling of the Giants on Thanksgiving puts this team back in the hunt for a division championship.

12. New England Patriots (7-5) The Patriots have been uncharacteristically inconsistent this season. Luckily for them, they play in the AFC East.

13. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-5) After a horrid start, the Jags are now rolling, but have Miami, Indianapolis, and New England on tap. I might be disrespecting them putting them this low in my rankings.

14. Miami Dolphins (6-6) Miami is back in the WILD-card picture without using the WILDcat once on Sunday. Instead, they rode Henne, and he delivered with 335 yards and two scores.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6) Last week I predicted Pittsburgh will be a playoff team. At 6-6, I am standing by that. They really lucked out that Baltimore lost last night.

16. Tennessee Titans (5-7) The Titans still have an outside shot at the postseason, but they obviously have to go 4-0 from here on out.

17. Baltimore Ravens (6-6) The Ravens never got Ray Rice going against the Packers, and Flacco has really regressed since his stellar rookie campaign.

18. New York Jets (6-6) I actually disagree with Coach Ryan’s anger at Mark Sanchez’s dive. He was going for the first down on a third down play, and while it is obviously in a team’s best interest to protect their quarterback, that protection should not come at all costs.

19. Houston Texans (5-7) After losing in Jacksonville, the Texans are all but eliminated from the playoff hunt. This team is loaded with talent, so expect some coaching changes in the near future.

20. Atlanta Falcons (6-6) With Matt Ryan possibly out for the season, this team is finished. They over-achieved last year, and it is showing this season.

21. Chicago Bears (5-7) The Bears game against St. Louis was so irrelevant, I actually had to look up who they played before writing this blurb.

22. Seattle Seahawks (5-7) Two straight wins for Seattle means they are probably falling out of the race for the #1 QB in the 2010 draft.

23. San Francisco 49ers (5-7) San Fran really had a shot to make up some ground on Arizona this week, but their new spread-heavy attack could not get the job done in Seattle.

24. Oakland Raiders (4-8) Wow. The Raiders look like a totally different team with Bruce Gradkowski at quarterback. I never thought I’d say that (actually I did, but in a negative manner. Sunday’s win in Pittsburgh crippled the Steelers’ playoff chances.

25. Carolina Panthers (5-7) Coach Fox is unsure of who the team will start this week at quarterback, but in my opinion, they should see what they have with Matt Moore.

26. Buffalo Bills (4-8) The Bills lost perhaps the most boring professional football game I have ever witnessed.

27. Washington Redskins (3-9) What a heartbreaking defeat for Washington. Suisham is already gone, and Zorn is surely not far behind.

28. Kansas City Chiefs (3-9) The Chiefs did not start off their three-game home stand well, getting crushed by Denver. The Kansas City fans sure are loyal to this team though.

29. Detroit Lions (2-10) Like I said last week, three teams with a worse record than this?

30. Tampa Bay Bucs (1-11) The Bucs are one of the few terrible teams who probably would not take a quarterback early in next year’s draft.

31. Cleveland Browns (1-11) The Browns had a tremendous loss against San Diego, and that kind of effort moves them up a spot in my rankings.

32. St. Louis Rams (1-11) The Rams dropped behind a 1-11 team who lost. It really is too bad for Steven Jackson, who is one of the most under-appreciated talents in the league.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Fantasy Football Impact: Interview with Minnesota Vikings’ WR Bernard Berrian

Fantasy football has undoubtedly changed the landscape of professional football. Over the last few decades—particularly with the rise of the internet—these alterations have grown seemingly exponentially.

Millions of dollars and hours are spent on fantasy football, yet, as fans, we frequently have difficulties imagining how fantasy football affects the players. The superhero-like statuses that these men garner often make this task more difficult, as we sometimes get so caught up in the game that we fail to realize that, unlike most games, this one is based on reality.

Nowadays, most fans seem quick to judge and critique everything NFL players do, both on and off the field, yet very seldom do we see the same amount of praise. Many often respond to this fact by claiming that, as fans, they have a right to criticize and even boo their team’s favorite players.

Fantasy football, which has taken the level of fan involvement to an entirely unique level, has only perpetuated this notion.

But is this truly the case?

How do NFL players feel about fantasy football and the way it has altered fans’ involvement and attitudes?

For part two of my “Fantasy Impact” series, I spoke with Vikings’ WR Bernard Berrian to answer this question and find out more about the star receiver.

 

Bernard Berrian Interview

Q: How familiar with fantasy football were you when you came into the NFL, and how familiar are you with it now?

A: Fantasy football has been around for awhile now, but I think that it has really gained popularity with the growth of the Internet. I knew a little bit about it when I came to the league, but have become much more familiar with it over the past few years.

Q: Do you personally play fantasy football?

A: I don’t play, but a lot of my teammates and friends do. I think it’s a fun way to get more involved in the game, and get some friendly competition going. I might have to start playing next year.

Q: What is the feeling of the team and players in the NFL in general regarding the game?

A: Yeah, I know a lot of guys in the league who are playing. There are also guys who don’t play and don’t pay much attention to it. It’s really across the board within the league.

Q: How do you think fantasy football has changed the game? How many times do you hear fans yell “I have you on my fantasy team”?

A: Fantasy football has given fans a chance to get more involved in the game. I think it has increased fan participation and enthusiasm. It gives them a chance to become the “coach” and control the game, which is something that they wouldn’t traditionally have access to.

I hear fans say “I have you on my fantasy team” all the time! I think fans that are playing fantasy football are really connecting with players now as opposed to just being fans of teams.

Q: You are obviously on Twitter. What do you think of players using Twitter and do you feel it gives you a more direct way to touch base with your fans than going through the media? Did your coaches warn you against speaking out on Twitter?

A: Yes the coaches did address Twitter. My feeling on the subject is that we are all adults. I am 100 percent capable of knowing what is appropriate and what is inappropriate. Twitter is a great way to reach out to my fans. It has really increased players’ fan bases. People who weren’t necessarily fans or followers of certain players now are because they get a closer look into a player’s life, and get to know who that player really is like.

Q: You have struggled to stay healthy so far in 2009, but what sort of chemistry and success do you expect to have in the future with Brett Favre at the helm?

A: I think that, despite my injuries this year, Brett and I have had some great success and we will only get stronger as the season progresses.

Q: Do you have any pre-game rituals?

A: Absolutely! I must have two showers before the game. I also pray twice and I have to have my iPod.

Q: You were born in Spain. Can you speak any Spanish?

A: I actually left Spain when I was still very young, so what little Spanish I may have known has since left me. I’d love to learn the language though.

Q: You began your career in the NFL in a backup and special teams role. How did not immediately being in the spotlight prepare you for your current stardom?

A: I have always been about working hard to fulfill my role on the team, be it a large higher profile position, or as a backup. Every player is an important component to the success of the team. As the wider receiver for the Vikings, I approach my job with the same focus and intensity that I have always approached football, regardless of my position.

Q: How much time do players spend “working” i.e. practicing, watching film, working out, etc.?

A: My typical daily routine consists of arriving at the facility at 7:45 a.m. I usually get treatment, practice, watch film, and lift weights. I tend to leave the facility around 5:00 p.m.

Q: What is your fastest ever 40 yard dash time?

A: My fastest 40 was 4.41 seconds.

Q: A lot of fans don’t understand players have a life other than playing football. What do you enjoy doing other than playing football?

A: I really enjoy traveling and I’d like to do a lot more of it in the future. Most people don’t know that I play the drums and I am learning how to play the piano. Whenever possible, I love spending time with my family.

Q: Anything you want to let your fans know, fantasy football-related or not?

A: I appreciate every one of you for taking the time to get to know me a little bit better. This is a special season for the Vikings and our fans. Thank you all very much.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

2009 NFL All-Comeback Team

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

NFL Power Rankings Week 13: Saints March to the Top

1. New Orleans Saints (11-0)

After a dominating performance last night, there is no doubt the Saints are playing the best football in the NFL.

 

2. Indianapolis Colts (11-0)

Sunday’s roller-coaster win over Houston showed Peyton Manning’s composure, but if Indy keeps trailing trailing heading into the fourth quarter, there is no way it finishes 16-0.

 

3. Minnesota Vikings (10-1)

Favre has made a believer out of me again, not because of his ability to strike up big plays, but because of his current willingness to avoid the disastrous ones.

 

4. San Diego Chargers (8-3)

There is obviously a huge dropoff from the top three teams in the NFL, but a healthy San Diego is rolling. It will need it in December when it faces Cincy, Dallas, and a resurgent Tennessee.

 

5. Dallas Cowboys (8-3)

I cannot remember so little hype in Dallas for a winning team. The key to this team’s success is the replacement of T.O. with the playmaking ability of Miles Austin.

 

6. Green Bay Packers (7-4)

A tough primetime schedule remains, but Green Bay is finally starting to live up to preseason expectations after coming off of its bye (beat Detroit).

 

7. New England Patriots (7-4)

With all of the new faces, this may be the worst defensive squad Bill Belichick has had in New England.

 

8. Cincinnati Bengals (8-3)

I am not quite sold on how Cincy’s defense will hold up late in the year, but after sweeping all three divisional opponents, the AFC North is all but locked up.

 

9. Philadelphia Eagles (7-4)

Just one game back of the division lead, Philly gets to travel to Dallas in Week 17 for what could be the game of the year.

 

10. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)

The defending champs are just one game over .500, but Dennis Dixon did an outstanding job on Sunday night in Baltimore. Pittsburgh will be a playoff team.

 

11. Arizona Cardinals (7-4)

The Cards are doing their best to avoid a Super Bowl hangover, but a lot of their success could be credited to the weakness of the NFC West. Matt Leinart did fine in Warner’s absence, but Arizona needs the old guy back to make any sort of run in the playoffs.

12. Tennessee Titans (5-6)

A 5-6 team at No. 12 in the rankings? You bet. Vince Young is now 5-0 this season and the Titans are not far from a wild-card spot. Plus, they have my MVP in Chris Johnson.

 

13. Baltimore Ravens (6-5)

Baltimore really was lucky that Ben Roethlisberger was hurt this week. The Ravens just don’t seem to have the look of a playoff football team, though Ray Rice is a beast.

 

14. Houston Texans (5-6)

After a heartbreaking loss to Tennessee on Monday night, the Texans collapsed at home against the Colts. They certainly have tons of talent, especially on defense (Amobi Okoye, Dunta Robinson, Brian Cushing, Mario Williams all first-rounders), but they have yet to figure out how to become winners.

15. New York Giants (6-5)

The one-loss combined record of Minnesota and New Orleans actually helps New York, as it means a 9-7 team could get into the playoffs. Sunday’s home contest against Dallas isn’t a must-win, but it is certainly close.

16. Atlanta Falcons (6-5)

Chris Redman did an excellent job filling in for Matt Ryan, and it looks as though he will need to do it again this week against Philly.

 

 

17. Denver Broncos (7-4)

Denver has won just one of its last five and will now be struggling just to make the postseason.

18. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-5)

I am really not even sure how Jacksonville is over .500, but the Jags could be the worst 6-5 team in league history.

 

19. San Francisco 49ers (5-6)

Alex Smith is obviously much more comfortable out of shotgun (what took so long?), and Week 14’s matchup with Arizona will incredibly be for the NFC West lead (if San Fran beats Seattle and Arizona loses to Minnesota).

20. Buffalo Bills (4-7)

The Bills are playing well under interim coach Perry Fewell, perhaps because quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is getting his playmakers the ball.

 

21. New York Jets (5-6)

The Jets are actually worse than a 5-6 team and are really lucky to still be in the playoff hunt after the honeymoon phase with their rookie quarterback has ended.

 

22. Miami Dolphins (5-6)

Chad Henne is the future for Miami at quarterback, but he will have to play more consistently in the future. It doesn’t help when your defense gives up 24 unanswered fourth-quarter points.

 

23. Chicago Bears (4-7)

Jay Cutler is supremely talented, but he is going to have to get much smarter in protecting the football for any team he is on to win.

 

24. Carolina Panthers (4-7)

After a small bright spot in the middle of the season, it has become apparent that Carolina just will not win anymore with Jake Delhomme at the helm.

 

25. Oakland Raiders (3-8)

They are only this high because they have a solid pass defense. Without Nnamdi Asomugha, this team would have one win at best.

 

26. Seattle Seahawks (4-7)

HUGE win over the Rams. Just kidding. It really meant nothing except a worse pick in the draft.

 

27. Washington Redskins (3-8)

Believe it or not, I am still a believer in Jason Campbell. Washington just doesn’t have the proper protection to allow him to be more aggressive.

 

28. Kansas City Chiefs (3-8)

Kansas City does play tough at home, where it has three straight contests ahead.

 

29. Detroit Lions (2-9)

Three teams with a worse record than this?

 

30. Tampa Bay Bucs (1-10)

How did this team beat Green Bay? The Bucs did look good in Atlanta on Sunday, though, and they have played better by leaps and bounds since Josh Freeman came into the lineup.

 

31. St. Louis Rams (1-10)

Luckily, the Rams will perhaps have a pick high enough to grab whichever quarterback they want to replace Bulger.

 

32. Cleveland Browns (1-10)

The Browns showed some signs of life two weeks ago against Detroit. They lost anyway, and now they are terrible again.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

The Spread Offense: The Future of the NFL and Fantasy Football

Variations of the spread offense, such as the pass-happy version the Patriots run or the Wildcat in Miami, are taking over the NFL. In this article, I will explain how the transition of NFL offenses to the spread will affect the game, providing six fairly bold predictions and detailing how these changes will alter the landscape of fantasy football in the future.

 

1. Within ten years, all NFL teams will be running some form of the spread as their base offense.

We’ve already seen this prediction become a reality for teams such as the Patriots and Saints. It’s no coincidence that these teams generally score the most points. Even teams that have traditionally been known as running teams, such as the Steelers and Ravens, have transitioned to a more spread-like attack in recent years.

A conversion to a spread offense, however, does not necessarily mean more passing. The Saints, surprisingly, have run the ball more effectively than anyone in 2009. A quick peak at college football can also yield great insight as to what the professional game will become in the near future. There are spread offenses that throw nearly every play (Texas Tech, Hawaii)as well as spread offenses that run the ball a ton (Florida).

But why would college football get it right before the NFL? First, there is no “right” offense to run. The NFL goes through cycles where offenses adapt and defenses counter, creating periods where sometimes big, strong players are in vogue and other times small, fast players are the norm.

Second, NFL coaches are on such a short leash that a complete shift in offensive philosophy would just take too much time to manifest itself in a winning team. A coach that leads a 5-11 team with a traditional offense is much more likely to stick around for another year than one who led the same team with an unconventional offense.

NFL owners, GMs, and fans just have not seen enough results from a spread attack to know it will work, and thus are hesitant to embrace change. Eventually, however, NFL offenses will slowly become more aggressive and spread offenses will become the norm.

Fantasy Impact: The consequences of this transition are already being seen in 2009— tons of offense being spread around to a variety of players. Gone are the days of stud running backs garnering 400 carries a season. Offenses contain so many different player personnel packages that no player is on the field all the time anymore.Nearly every team disperses the ball among a multitude of running backs and receivers, meaning most players are very specialized in what they do.

Fantasy football has adapted with reality, as many leagues have implemented more starters and flex positions to parallel what is happening in the league.

Ultimately, this transition will make the few workhorse running backs and highly-targeted receivers an even hotter commodity than they are now. This will make being at the top of drafts crucial, leading more and more leagues to adopt an auction style player selection process.

 

2. Much like the OLB/DE 3-4 hybrid position, NFL offenses will see more and more RB/WR hybrid players.

Running backs with great receiving skills have been around for awhile (Marshall Faulk comes to mind as the ultimate RB/WR), but the game is seeing a shift from running backs who can catch the ball to true hybrid players. Reggie Bush and Percy Harvin are two current players whose games are predictive of what we will see in the near future.

In college, stars such as Ole Miss’s Dexter McCluster and Florida’s Jeffrey Demps are blurring the line between running back and wide receiver more than ever before.

The nature of most spread offenses is the reason for these sorts of players. Ironically, the various personnel packages and subsequent specialization that the spread has created has led to the importance of these do-it-all-players. The reason a great pass-catching tight end is so valuable, for example, is because of his versatility.

Tight ends that can block make defenses stay in their base personnel grouping, meaning the pass-catching ability of these players will be on display with a slower linebacker in coverage. Should the defense bring in nickel personnel and put an extra cornerback in the game, the tight end’s blocking ability becomes an extremely lucrative asset.

Much like the tight end position, these RB/WR hybrid players create matchup nightmares for defenses. A personnel package that contains a player or two whose running ability is as indefensible as his receiving ability gives the defense no hint as to a possible play call, thus creating the inability to make the proper personnel substitutions.

Fantasy Impact: The RB/WR hybrid position will actually create some real problems for fantasy football in the future. While Reggie Bush is mainly a running back (although that is debatable) and Percy Harvin is mainly a wide receiver, there will be a large group of players drafted in the next few years that truly are not more of one position than the they are the other.

Will these players be drafted as running backs of wide receivers? In which starting slot must they be placed? All fantasy leagues will have to alter their starting requirements to include at least one flex spot, and positional designations of these hybrid players will become an increasingly controversial issue in the future for fantasy owners.

 

3. The “Wildcat,” as one version of the spread, will flourish with better passers taking the snap.

In some ways, the Wildcat offense was already around when Michael Vick was in Atlanta. In that version of the offense, however, the snap-taker could throw the ball incredibly well. Before Ronnie Brown went down for the Dolphins, they had been running the Wildcat very effectively with a running back with limited passing skills. Imagine the efficiency of that offense with a player who could throw the ball like Michael Vick.

The reason that the Wildcat can be so effective is because the offense can use an extra blocker with the snap-taker running the football. No quarterback is needed to hand the ball off.

Offenses can also stay in base personnel if their regular passer is versatile enough to run. This will keep defenses off balance in both their personnel groupings and their play-calling. It is much less risky to blitz both cornerbacks with Ronnie Brown at “quarterback” that it would be to bring pressure with Vick taking the snap.

Pat White was the first player truly drafted to be a Wildcat “QB,” and there are more of them coming. Of course, Tim Tebow is the ultimate spread offense, Wildcat-type college quarterback, and, consequently, the ultimate question mark for NFL general managers. The range of opinions regarding Tebow’s skills varies greatly, with some scouts believing he deserves a high first-round grade and others giving him a fifth-round grade.

Only time will tell if these running quarterbacks and the Wildcat offense are just fads, but I believe that once the NFL embraces all variations of the spread, both will have their place in the league.

Fantasy Impact: Just as the RB/WR hybrid spot will create problems for fantasy leagues, so too will a QB/RB position, albeit not as soon. If a team like the Dolphins, who could potentially run Wildcat as their base offense, utilize a player like Michael Vick, the line between running back and quarterback could become hazy.

Even more hazardous to fantasy football’s future is the possibility of certain QB/RB hybrid players being such a focal point of offenses that they tilt the balance of relatively equal statistics. College football fantasy owners know this phenomenon well, as running quarterbacks like Tim Tebow and Central Michigan’s Dan LeFevour have an opportunity at scoring fantasy points on virtually every play.

Fantasy leagues will have to cross this bridge when they come to it, but the dispersing of stats that many spread offenses have created could be limited to receivers and running backs, with the future QB/RB hybrid spot becoming fantasy gold.

 

4. In much the same way that teams have utilized two or three running backs, the majority of NFL teams will regularly use two quarterbacks.

There is no doubt that one of the main reasons against using a running quarterback in the NFL is economical. The majority of signal-callers get paid so much money that franchises are just too invested in one player to let him get injured.

To overcome this conundrum, NFL teams will begin to use two quarterbacks. One may be more of a passer than a runner, and the other vice versa, but both will be versatile enough at both skills so that the defense cannot predict the play call simply from the personnel.

By having two, or even three, viable running quarterbacks, teams can make any playcall without hesitation, knowing that an injury to one of them would not set the team back incredibly far economically or from a personnel standpoint. Traditionally, an injured quarterback basically means the end of all Super Bowl hopes for a team, but with the implementation of a two-quarterback system that the spread will invoke, this is not the case.

Furthermore, we will see teams use both quarterbacks on the field at the same time. This will allow teams to become more aggressive in their play calling, using more throwbacks, reverses, and so on where these hybrid players can throw down field.

Imagine the Dolphins Wildcat system, for example, with Tim Tebow taking the snap (instead of Ronnie Brown) and Michael Vick running across on the read (instead of Ricky Williams). There is no doubt that Brown and Williams are incredibly talented runners, but neither holds the passing ability to truly keep defenses honest.

With two QB/RB players running that scheme, the options for an offense become seemingly endless just from one play. Tebow could keep it and run, keep it and pass, give it and have Vick run, give it and have Vick pass, give it and have Vick throwback, and so on.

Fantasy Impact: The initial prosperity that fantasy owners will see from the QB/RB hybrid position will begin to fade with the utilization of two-quarterback systems. Fantasy football will undoubtedly adapt to this system, probably in much the same way it has evolved to embrace two-running back offenses.

Again, more and more leagues will convert to an auction style draft, as holding a top pick will become increasingly valuable in the future. Eventually, however, the value of these hybrid players will decrease and, like all NFL trends, the cycle will repeat itself.

 

5. The pure pass-catching tight end will die out and be replaced by a more versatile hybrid player.

As I explained before, tight ends are so valuable to an offense because of their versatility. Defenses must stay in base personnel to account for the tight end’s ability to block, creating mismatches on the tight end when he goes out in a route.

More and more, however, NFL teams are drafting tight ends who simply cannot block well. This allows defenses to substitute nickel personnel when the tight end is in the game, knowing that he will not be able to block well enough for his offense to sustain a viable rushing attack.

The extra cornerback who is in the game can usually match up well with the tight end, who, although he has good receiving skills, is not as quick or talented as a pure wide receiver. Thus, the entire reason for using a tight end—to create a mismatch—is ruined.

Fantasy Impact: Eventually, fantasy leagues may not require a starting tight end at all, as most of the high-scoring tight ends figure to be replaced by the hybrid players I spoke about earlier.

The versatility that a true tight end brings will allow those players (Jason Witten, Tony Gonzalez, Heath Miller) to flourish, but the pure pass-catching tight end will become a thing of the past, meaning there may not be enough tight ends left to justify requiring a starter on each team. Instead, yet another flex position will take its place.

 

6. True man coverage will all but disappear.

The reason for the disappearance is two-fold. First, the NFL’s illegal contact rule has made man-to-man coverage nearly impossible. Even when teams appear to be in man coverage, the cornerback generally has safety help over the top.

Second, with the offenses transitioning to running quarterbacks, the risk of playing man coverage, or even 2-man under (man coverage underneath with two safeties deep), is just too great. With defenders back’s turned to the quarterback, it will just become too easy for the quarterback to scramble. This man-coverage-less defensive scheme was seen when Michael Vick was quarterbacking Atlanta.

This will lead team’s to use a zone blitz for the majority of their pressures. More and more teams will convert to a 3-4 to allow more athleticism on the field for these zone schemes to work.

Having a 350-pound defensive tackle drop into zone coverage may work once or twice a game because it can confuse a quarterback, but with the majority of blitzes becoming of the zone variety, defenses will need smaller, quicker players to combat how offenses will attack.

Fantasy Impact: There will be fewer and fewer opportunities for receivers to beat a corner deep, as a safety will just be there waiting for them, even in most blitzing situations. Thus, the speed of the X and Z receivers will decrease, with bigger, stronger receivers flourishing outside. Small, quick hybrid players will dominate the slot, as their speed can still be utilized against linebackers and in underneath zones.

We have already seen this begin to take place in the NFL, and the rushing ability of future NFL quarterbacks will alter defensive schemes, which will ultimately allow for the success of big, tall pass-catchers.

These predictions are certainly not immune to criticism. Feel free to leave feedback regarding anything with which you may agree, and anywhere you think I may have gone wrong.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Weighing the Advantages and Disadvantages of Point-Per-Reception Scoring

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Fantasy Football’s Impact: An Interview with Jets’ WR David Clowney

Fantasy football has undoubtedly changed the landscape of professional football.  Over the last few decades (and particularly with the rise of the internet), these alterations have grown seemingly exponentially. 

Millions of dollars and hours are spent on fantasy football, yet, as fans, we frequently have difficulties imagining how fantasy football affects the players.  The superhero-like status that these men garner often makes this task more difficult, as we sometimes get so caught up in the game that we fail to realize that, unlike most games, this one is based on reality.  

Fantasy football, in many ways, is no different than a fantasy chefs, or bankers, or truck drivers league might be (other than the fact that no one would play the latter three).

Nowadays, most fans seem so quick to judge and critique everything NFL players do, both on and off the field, yet very seldom do we see the same amount of praise.  Many often respond to this fact by claiming that, as fans, they have a right to criticize and even boo their team’s favorite players, and fantasy football, which has taken the level of fan involvement to an entirely unique level, has only perpetuated this notion.  

But is this truly the case? 

How do NFL players feel about fantasy football and the way it has altered fans’ involvement and attitudes?

I spoke with Jets’ WR David Clowney to answer this question and find out more about the Queens, NY native.

Q:   How familiar with fantasy football were you when you came into the NFL, and how familiar are you with it now?

A:  I really had no idea about fantasy football before coming into the NFL.  Now I do know a little bit more, but really not that much, or as much as most fans might think.  I, along with the majority of NFL players, actually do not play fantasy football.

Q:   Do any guys on the team play fantasy football?  What is the feeling of the team and players in the NFL in general regarding the game?

A:   Yes, some guys do play and I have heard some guys talking about their fantasy team before.  The team is always hyped for the game.  We are always prepared and we just have to make everything happen on the field.  I do not think fans truly understand the amount of preparation we put into each and every game.

Q:   How do you think fantasy football has changed the game?  How many times do you hear fans yell “I have you on my fantasy team”?

A:   I don’t think fantasy football has changed the game too much, but I do think it has helped the fans get more involved.  They tell me on Twitter every day that they have me on their fantasy team and most fans yell from the stands “Make sure you give me some fantasy points today.”  I think that is kind of cool.

Q:   You are obviously on Twitter.  What do you think of players using Twitter and do you feel it gives you a more direct way to touch base with your fans than going through the media? 

A:   We are able to interact with fans very much through Twitter.  I personally do a Jets trivia contest on Twitter with the fans every Friday/Saturday.  It is also a good way to let friends and fans know about things you are doing.  For example, I am very involved with the community and putting together things with my Foundation, so when I had my Youth Football Camp in Florida and my NY Jets Bowling Event in New Jersey I was able to let a lot of fans know through Twitter, and both events had great turnouts.

Q:  Do you have any pre-game rituals?

A:   Yeah, I wear this orange shirt that I have had since high school.  I have worn it for every game.  I also listen to three songs that always get me hyped for the game.

Q:   You played basketball and ran track in high school in addition to playing football.  Which sport is your first love?

A:   Football has always been my first love.  Track came natural and basketball kept me busy when there wasn’t anything else to do.

Q:   How much time do players spend “working” i.e. practicing, watching film, working out, etc.?

A:   Again, fans do not realize how much work we put in, as we are at the facilities from 7am to 5pm every day.  We are in meetings, watching film, and outside practicing, and those times so not include the extra work each individual puts in every day as well.

Q:   What are your fastest ever 40-yard dash, 100-meter dash, and 200-meter dash times?

A:   My fastest 40 is 4.28, my fastest 100 is 10.40, and my fastest 200 is 21.2.

Q:   A lot of fans don’t understand players have a life other than playing football.  What do you enjoy doing other than playing football?

A:   Yeah they really don’t understand we do other things than football, but I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.  I like to play video games with my little brother and I really love movies.  I have my own Blockbuster at home.

Q:   What did you major in at Virginia Tech?

A:   It’s Residential Property Management (dealing with housing and real estate) and right now I’m getting my Masters in Criminal Justice at The College of Saint Elizabeth in New Jersey.

Q:   Anything you want to let your fans know, fantasy football-related or not?

A:  I love you. Stay faithful and keep riding with us. Oh yeah, and get yourself a Clowney No. 87 jersey.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

NFL Sport Channel Latest

• Just How Far Would You Go?
• Sorry Rex, But It Isn’t Happening
• Super Bowl Predictions: Five Stat-Free Reasons Why the Eagles Will Reach The Super Bowl
• Seahawks Attempt to Turn Corner With Heavy Pursuit of Pete Carroll
• Bill Cowher Unlikely to Coach in 2010