2009 Miami Dolphins: Five Things To Watch For

The Dolphins’ 2009 season is all about showing the league which team they truly are…the young, inexperienced 1-15 squad or the turn-around, jump-start 11-5 team from last year.

Let’s be honest, even the most positive Dolphins fan has to agree: They’re probably somewhere in between.

Chad Pennington still has what it takes to lead a team to the playoffs, so as long as the Wildcat retains some unpredictability, and that no-name defense steps up, they still have a shot at staying competitive.

Still, there are questions that need answering, for both the present and the future.

5. Can Anthony Fasano be an Elite Tight End?

That all depends on what you consider “elite”.

Is he going to stretch the field like Jason Witten, break a ton of tackles, or record several 100-yard games?

No. Anthony Fasano is a big, reliable target that can help move the chains and can be a factor in the redzone. But he’s not a guy that can do a lot with the ball, and he’s not an elite playmaker.

He’ll get over 40 catches and could score some touchdowns, but he’s never going to be Antonio Gates.

4. Can Ronnie Brown Stay Healthy?

I doubt it.

Ronnie Brown is definitely an elite back when on the field and fully healthy, and if he can stay on his feet, this growing offense could make him and absolute stud.

With 13 missed games due to injury in his career, Brown has work to do in order to convince his team that he can be counted on.

Brown did make it through a full season last year, however, and two full years removed from his knee injury could have him as strong and as confident as ever.

3. Can Ted Ginn Jr. Take the Next Step?

I believe he can, and I believe he will.

Ted Ginn Jr. was only so-so in his first season, but he showed good progress with a new coach, system, and quarterback.

If he had a quarterback with a bigger arm throwing to him, his value would be that much better, but Pennington is still good enough to help Ginn’s true ability shine.

After notching over 50 grabs and 700 yards in his second year, Ginn is poised for a huge season in the wide receiver’s historically lucky third year.

Over 80 catches and 1,000 yards isn’t unrealistic.

2. Will the “Wildcat” Formation Dominate Again?

With the addition of Pat White, it’s very possible that it will.

The Philadelphia Eagles may have one-upped the Dolphins by landing Michael Vick, but White brings a whole new dimension to the offense, and could take a lot of pressure off of Brown and Ricky Williams.

This offense is built around the running game and trick plays, keeping the defense on its toes, and then smashing them in the mouth with powerful inside running.

If White is all he’s cracked up to be, Miami could have a very interesting and successful offense.

1. How Will Pat White be Used?

In every way imaginable.

He’s a very athletic natural passer who has the speed and agility to play elite football at almost every offensive position.

He will obviously play some quarterback in certain packages, while also lining up with just Brown or Williams in the backfield, likely with some “direct snap” plays.

With great versatility and awareness, White should also be serviceable on return duties, while also spending some time working out of the slot at receiver.

White is a sensation in the open field, and with his solid passing ability, also poses a threat as a quarterback.

2009 Baltimore Ravens Schedule Analysis

The Ravens can be summed up with one word: defense.

Since they claimed their first and only Super Bowl title in the early 2000’s, the Ravens have been heavily regarded as one of the most feared and aggressive defenses.

However, with no Super Bowl appearances since their win in 2001, the Ravens have continuously looked lost on offense, while constantly leaving a good defense shipwrecked.

With the drafting of franchise quarterback Joe Flacco last year, though, Baltimore’s former offensive liabilities seem to be taking a turn for the better.

A healthy rush attack backing the young Flacco should keep things open enough on offense to allow the defense some flexibility.

The following are ten important games for the Ravens in 2009, along with some analysis dissecting their match-up ability with other contenders.

2009 New York Giants: Five Things To Watch For

Is Eli Manning overpaid? Uh, yeah.

Is he an elite quarterback? It’s arguable either way.

What isn’t arguably, however, is that this Giants team is built to last on both sides of the ball, and regardless of any “key” losses they’ve had, they should still contend for their division, at the very worst.

Then again, they looked as if they were destined to repeat for much of last season, until they collapsed out of nowhere and called it a season in their first playoff game.

Will that happen again? In today’s NFL, the only answer I can think of is “if they’re lucky”.

They have a hard-nosed turned softy coach (just kidding) and an overpaid quarterback who isn’t nearly as good as the rest of the world thinks he is.

Are those problems? Not really. Read on to see what New York should be concerned about.

Fantasy Football Newsflash: Aug, 3rd, 2009

Plaxico Burress was indected by a New York gran jury on Monday, which will have him surrendering to authorities until he can post bail.

This news further displayed the likely possibility that Burress will have to sit out the 2009 season, and could potentially serve some jail time.

The District Attorney has been said to demand no less than on year, and has actually been pushing for 3-5.

To put it lightly, drafting Burress at the end of your rounds now seems like a complete waste of a roster spot.

Read on for other fantasy football related news:

Jay Cutler Versus Kyle Orton: Why Does Either Player Have to Be Bad?

Jay Cutler is overrated, and Kyle Orton is a system quarterback.

Or is it: Cutler is a wimpy cry baby, and Orton is a simple-minded game-manager?

How about none of those?

Why do either of these guys have to be regarded as fantasy (or real world) busts for 2009 just because they are switching teams?

Yes, they both have new offenses, new coaches, new cities, and new weapons.

But that doesn’t mean they aren’t good or can’t play at an elite level.

Even though both of these players have a hate-wagon following them to every city they go to, I beg of you to relax, sit back, and read an unbiased approach to both of their new situations.

Life is about change, people. Remember the song? “Change, change…will do you good.”

No?

Well, still, both of these guys are talented enough to make things happen in their first year in new colors, and I have evidence as to why I believe so.

 

Jay Cutler

Cutler took over for Jake Plummer midway through the season three years ago, and he showed enough to Mike Shanahan and Co. that they knew they had done the right thing.

Trouble is, they stopped at the quarterback, and never built a new defense.

John Lynch, anyone?

Cutler went on to form a bitter and exciting rivalry with Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers, routinely dominate the Oakland Raiders, and finally turn himself into a sure- fire Pro Bowler in 2008.

You don’t pass for 25 touchdowns and over 4,500 yards on a whim. The guy is talented.

He’s got a Brett Favre-moxie that you can’t teach, a rocket arm, and excellent mobility.

To anyone who doubts his ability to win, or his fading at times in clutch situations, I have some news for you.

The guy is 25-years-old.

He just started coming into his own last year. And while a change in scenery could potentially affect that growth, I believe he’s already reached a confidence and talent level too high to be knocked back down to where he was as a rookie.

In Chicago, he will find no Brandon Marshall’s, no Eddie Royal’s, and no Mike Shanahan.

But he still has weapons.

Devin Hester’s speed and explosiveness could make both players look like magicians in 2008, and Greg Olsen’s size and speed could make Tony Scheffler look like a baby Mark Chmura.

The point is, Cutler may not be quite as “great” as his Denver weapons and numbers made him out to be, but he also isn’t anywhere close to the wimpy, cry baby, drama king that the trade to Chicago made him out to be either.

He still knows how to play football, and he’s talented enough to make things happen with the few weapons that Chicago does have.

Oh, and this time around, he’ll actually have a supportive defense.

 

Kyle Orton

Orton is entering into a system that gave Matt Cassel the quickest quarterback makeover we’ve ever seen.

Cassel had no experience to speak of at any level, and he hadn’t started a football game since high school. We may find out fairly soon in Kansas City that, while the guy is talented, he is nowhere near as good as this system, Randy Moss, and Wes Welker made him out to be.

Do you see the common theme here? Nothing is what you think it is. At least, not when you’re discussing Cutler and Orton.

Orton tossed over 2,900 yards and 18 touchdowns with those average weapons everyone keeps talking about. But he is now walking into Cutler territory, where he has the luxury of having Marshall, Royal, and Scheffler at his disposal.

So, really, which is it?

Did those talented receivers make Cutler, or did Orton’s lack of talent make him? Or is it both?

I say neither.

Orton proved—on a bum ankle for the final four weeks—that he can manage games and is talented enough to put up solid numbers, despite not having polished weapons around him.

With a new cast of friends sharing the load on offense, Orton’s numbers could get halfway to where Cutler was last year.

And as far as that whole “system quarterback” label is concerned—so what?

If he is indeed a system quarterback, then that’s all the more reason to pull the trade that Josh McDaniels orchestrated to nab Orton—a guy who can clearly do what he’s told, when he’s told it, and do it well.

Denver won’t have the defensive support Orton had last year, at least, not immediately. But if McDaniels’ system is anything like Bill Belichick’s in New England, there should be some good results.

 

Fantasy Summary

If you’re looking to draft either of these guys as sleepers, good luck.

It’s becoming more and more obvious that both quarterbacks are getting very comfortable in their new environment, and with all of their respective offensive weapons healthy, there’s no reason to think they both can’t succeed.

Cutler has his defense backing him, as well as a fantastic weapon in Matt Forte, whom people tend to overlook when talking about Cutler’s supporting cast. And whether you like it or not, the guy is actually good.

Orton, on the other hand, is only going to play as bad as Marshall allows him to, and Eddie Royal is set to have huge numbers as the Wes Welker clone.

If those two receivers are putting up elite numbers, don’t you think Orton will reap some of those benefits?

 

Real World Summary

If we’re being realistic, it’s as simple as this:

Orton is good enough to help make the Denver offense go, but their offensive line is still aging, and their entire defense is, well, incomplete.

They are probably still a .500 team, but Orton is too smart and safe to have them lose more than nine games.

Cutler, on the other hand, has a good defense and special teams. And while some of his weapons aren’t necessarily elite or proven yet, the Bears have the athleticism and explosiveness needed to make that jump.

With Cutler’s arm guiding the way, the Bears could enter into the top 10 in the league offensively.

Even if they don’t, Cutler is still better than Orton, and Chicago won’t finish any worse than they did last year. That could equate to Cutler’s first “winning” season.

Vikes Quarterbacks Likely Won’t Pay Off, Hoping Brad Childress Kept His Receipt

First and foremost, regardless of any “No chance” quotes coming from Brad Childress, let’s all agree that this whole “Favre thing” isn’t quite dead yet.

There have been tiny birds chirping from tall trees about a possible Favre signing mid-way through August, rather than mid-season.

But biting on hearsay, a coach’s words that you can never trust, or even the word of the great one (Favre) is nothing short of letting yourself get knee deep in a wild goose chase.

No, instead, let’s drop the drama off at the pool, let it sit a while, and get back to what we know.

What is absolutely for certain in Minnesota, is that Childress and co. have one hell of a running back, a solid offensive line, an active special teams unit, and an aggressive defense.

But, again, we knew that.

That’s why they were dipping their fingers in the Brett Favre dip all off-season. Not necessarily because it tasted so good that they had to keep on dipping, but because the alternative, was, well, not so tasty.

But here the Vikings are, ready to go in training camp today, with Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels duking it out. Oh, and let’s not forget that not-so-coveted former USC quarterback, John David Booty.

He might just get to keep that number four jersey, after all.

But since we’re back to square one, are we honestly going to allow ourselves to believe that this is going to be a fair fight?

Let’s face it, people, Rosenfels was brought in for a reason.

No, he’s not overly athletic (or athletic at all), and probably isn’t the long-term answer (make that a definitely), but he’s a proven pocket passer with a good arm and has shown he can put up solid numbers.

Jackson, on the other hand, finally showed spurts of decent play late last season, but then made everyone forget about his blissful play against the Detroit Lions, as he stunk it up in a playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

There are two doors Brad Childress can choose to open, and quite sadly, neither will lead to that possible Super Bowl run that Brett Favre was tempting the entire state of Minnesota with.

With Rosenfels, you have a guy who will make some plays and can manage games, but can also go all “helicopter” on you, and blow games at the last second.

Jackson, on the other hand, offers to versatility, athleticism, and potential.

But 2009 isn’t about potential. Or helicopters.

It’s about getting someone behind center who is competent enough to manage games, and good enough to win a few when called upon.

Call me crazy, but Childress had his guy last year, and he went by the name of Gus Frerotte.

But like Jackson before him, Childress gave up on Frerotte, went back to Jackson, and well, the rest is history.

So what does the crystal ball have in store for the Jackson vs. Rosenfels match-up?

It could very well be a tight race, and either winner could easily emerge as a serviceable quarterback that simply does what he needs to to help the Vikings win games, i.e., a Trent Dilfer.

That, or Childress could suck up his pride and turn to door number three.

Yes, friends, there is always a door number three.

He could take back his “no chance” remarks, give ol’ Brett another call in eight weeks (or less), and ride that 40-year old arm as far as it gets him.

After all, at this point, what does he really have to lose?

2009 Dallas Cowboys: Five Things to Watch

The Cowboys were supposed to be “America’s Team” again.

They were fresh off of an impressive 13-3 record and 2007 division title. They were Super Bowl contenders, and at the very least, playoff guarantees.

Well, one broken pinkie later, and all that 2007 created in Dallas was ruined.

Fast forward to the off-season, and the team has lost several starters from last year, including star receiver Terrell Owens, pass-rush specialist Greg Ellis, and safety Roy Williams.

The Cowboys have a lot of ground to make up, despite having a smart offensive plan and a slew of weapons.

Read on to see the top five issues facing the Cowboys as they prepare for August’s pre-season action.

2009 San Diego Chargers: Five Things to Watch For

After finishing off a late season run with a whipping of the Broncos, the Chargers eeked into the 2008 AFC Playoffs with an 8-8 record and a division title, despite battling injuries and inconsistency for much of the season.

While they couldn’t get past the eventual Super Bowl champions Steelers, they did have an impressive victory over the Colts, and showed true grit, despite missing several key players.

Still the Chargers remain a mix-bag of possibility and inconsistency. And while they’re immensely talented, their window for a Super Bowl run is beginning to close.

Fantasy Football: The Risky 50

No matter the player, team, or year, it’s bound to happen.

You draft an elite player, and he tears his knee up or breaks his leg, ending his season, and sending yours into a downward spiral.

This article is dedicated to those of you who endure the season when Terrell Davis tore his ACL, when Javon Walker and Ahman Green both went down in 2005, or when Tom Brady was lost for the season in week one last year.

It’s hard to believe, but there are 50 guys (at least) who are worth the risk, but still will keep us worried from week-to-week.

Check to see if your favorite player (or one on your team) makes the list, and whether or not you should start crossing your fingers and knocking on wood.

Players made this list due to health issues, suspensions, and/or lessened roles with their teams.

(List is in no particular order.)
———————————————————————————————————
Oh, and since you’re unable to create more than 50 slides, number 50 is Vernon Davis.

He has all the athleticism and speed in the world to develop, but his attitude and offense hold him back.

2009 Green Bay Packers Offensive Preview: Position-By-Position Breakdown

Life after Brett Favre wasn’t expected to be easy, regardless of “plans” Mike McCarthy and Ted Thompson may have had.

The truth is, they were lucky in 2007, as they avoided major injuries for the most part, and rolled to a 13-3 season behind their veteran quarterback.

However, despite Aaron Rodgers stepping up and playing Pro Bowl-caliber football, injuries and a slacking defense cost the Packers several games, having them inevitably miss the playoffs at 6-10.

Read on for short analysis on each relevant player heading into 2009.

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