Monday Morning Rehab: Fantasy Football Injury Updates for Aug. 10

I expected more injury news with the start of training camps, but wow! I could barely keep up with the explosion on information coming out of NFL camps over the last seven days.

It started, mostly, on the defensive side of the ball. But the injury bug quickly spread over to the offensive side of the ball, affecting skill and non-skill players alike.

Of course it is the skill position injuries that brings fantasy owners here to the Monday Morning Rehab on The Hazean. The next few weeks will be crucial to fantasy owners as they prepare final drafts of cheat sheets.

Getting the latest injury news on players fantasy owners care most about—quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and tight ends—could make all the difference in the world for the 2009 fantasy football season.

So as the summer weeks dwindle to an end, keep it here for all the latest and sometimes not-so-greatest injury updates from around the league. Use this information to stay on top of fantasy leagues in 2009.

 

Donnie Avery [WR, Rams]

From FF Toolbox:

Avery’s MRI didn’t show a fracture, but even if it is a mid-foot sprain or something to that extent, those injuries have a tendency to linger. He may miss a couple of weeks, but this is something that Avery may feel all season long.

Yikes. Avery was flying relatively low in fantasy mock drafts despite being the new No. 1 in St. Louis. It seems fantasy owners had tempered expectations for the second year wide receiver after a relatively inconsistent, albeit promising at times, 2008 season.

Avery did have inherent value as the No. 1 receiver, however, making him a sexy mid-round pick. Now that may be out the window altogether. If this is an injury that lingers, it could severely damage his ability to perform as the team’s best receiver this year. Who steps up in the passing game now is anyone’s guess as none of the other Rams’ wide receivers appear draftable in standard fantasy formats.

 

Cornelius Ingram [TE, Eagles]

From ProFootballTalk:

The Eagles’ worst fears about rookie tight end Cornelius Ingram’s knee injury have been realized: The team announced Saturday that he has torn the ACL in his left knee.  Again.

So much for his decent rank among this year’s rookie tight ends.

Ingram’s second ACL injury to the same knee could be a death blow to his NFL career. Although he may see the field again next year, there is serious doubt now about his ability to remain healthy over the course of a productive NFL career.

While this is terrible news for the rookie out of Florida, those interested in seeing more of Brent Celek this year will get that wish granted. He burst onto the fantasy scene with a terrific postseason last year and should expand his role as Donovan McNabb’s new go-to tight end this season.

 

Hines Ward [WR, Steelers]

From RotoWorld:

The Steelers are limiting Ward’s practice reps after investing $22 million in him this offseason, but it has nothing to do with his shoulder or 2008 knee injury.

The old man’s body has passed out its share of licks over the course of Ward’s career, but also is starting to take some of its own. However, this limitation seems to be only precautionary.

Ward is as safe a fantasy pick as there is and has decent value in the late middle rounds. He makes for a decent WR3/4 in most redraft leagues.

 

Brian Westbrook [RB, Eagles]

From ProFootballTalk:

If Wednesday’s workout is any indication, Westbrook should be ready for the season, as original reports estimated.

Westbrook reportedly participated in football activities for the first time, not letting one intended pass drop to the ground.

Good news for Westbrook, whose average draft position may start to pick up again following these reports. He had been slipping into the second round—well into it, in some cases—in some recent mock drafts.

Conversely, this does a little bit of damage to the draft stock of LeSean McCoy. The rookie was picking up steam in recent weeks with the grim news surrounding Westbrook. Now, however, he may be no more than a late-round handcuff pick for Westbrook owners in redraft leagues.

As frustrating as Westbrook can be with all the injury news and updates and worry constantly cast upon his owners, he generally suits up for the Eagles on a weekly basis. Will that change this year? Those taking a chance on McCoy in the middle rounds certainly hope so.

 

Tarvaris Jackson [QB, Vikings]

From RotoWorld:

Vikings coach Brad Childress revealed that Tarvaris Jackson (MCL sprain) will don a knee brace when he returns to the practice field.

Jackson has resumed practicing with the Vikings and appears to be OK. So much for Brett Favre coming back anytime soon.

Or maybe not? I know most people are sick of Favre’ antics, but I want to see him behind center for the Vikings this year.

 

Jonathan Stewart [RB, Panthers]

From RotoWorld:

Despite being limited to once-a-day practicing, Jonathan Stewart (Achilles) has reportedly looked “very fast and quick” early in camp.

A few fantasy experts are expecting big things out of Stewart this year despite the emergence of DeAngelo Williams—finally—as a fantasy stud last season. The toe/foot injuries kept Stewart at bay during the first half of the 2008 season, which allowed Williams to stake his claim as the starter. And we all know what happened in the second half of the season.

This year, if Stewart can stay healthy through the preseason, he could start to chip away at some of Williams’ playing time. The Panthers did, after all, draft him in the first round a few years ago for a reason.

 

Braylon Edwards [WR, Browns]

From ProFootballTalk:

After a week on the non-football injury list with a mystery ailment that prompted some to think it was related to George Costanza’s involuntary arm spasms, receiver Braylon Edwards is back.

This never seemed too serious, even with Eric Mangini controlling all of the information leaking out of Browns camp.

Edwards should be good to go come the start of the season and this, a contract year, could be a big rebound year for him. Now if the Browns could decide on a starting quarterback for the 2009 season, things might start looking up for Edwards and the rest of the Browns.

 

Reggie Bush [RB, Saints]

From Nola.com:

New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush was held out of practice Monday morning after his surgically-repaired left knee became inflamed following Sunday’s two hour, 25 minute workout in pads.

There are daily updates regarding the status of Bush’s knee, which has become more popular in the last week than Bush’s former girlfriend Kim Kardashian.

It all appears to be status quo for Bush, however. The Saints are taking it easy with him in camp and making sure he gets plenty of treatment on the knee before, during and after practices. Missing a few of the practices here and there is how the Saints are going to treat the now-veteran Bush, and it is in their best interest to make sure he starts and finishes the 2009 season.

 

Mark Clayton [WR, Ravens]

From Adam Schefter on Twitter:

Ravens WR Mark Clayton has a bad hamstring expected to sideline him 4 to 6 weeks.

The Ravens have since indicated the Clayton could be ready for the start of the season. Missing a good deal of the preseason likely will not hurt his rank among the Ravens’ receivers, a relatively deplorable group, but does hurt any chance of Clayton being drafted in standard redraft leagues.

Touted as a sleeper just a few short weeks ago upon the then-retirement of Derrick Mason, Clayton is now back to his previous status of guy-with-a-lot-of-upside-who-annually-underwhelms. Mason returning to the fold was the first body blow to Clayton’s ascension and now this injury is the total knockout.

 

Ben Roethlisberger [QB, Steelers]

From ProFootballTalk:

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been misfiring on plenty of his passes in the early days of training camp.

He says that his arm simply isn’t as strong as it will be after he gets some more work.

More bad news out of Big Ben’s camp.

However, this sounds like standard fare for veteran quarterbacks with multiple Super Bowl rings. Remember Tom Brady appears on the Patriots’ injury report almost every week (if not every week) due to a tired arm. Ben is claiming the same deal here and this should not be of much concern to fantasy owners.

 

Antonio Gates [TE, Chargers]

From NFL GridIron Gab:

“It feels good, a long time coming for me,” Gates said at the Chargers’ training camp. “Just being out there and feeling good, being able to do the things I struggled with last year, it feels special to me and it feels like a special season for me.”

Good for Gates, who is ready to challenge Jason Witten again this fantasy draft season as the best fantasy football tight end prospect. He should have another great year with the Chargers, especially playing in the NFL’s weakest division.

 

Kurt Warner [QB, Cardinals]

From ProFootballTalk:

Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner underwent hip surgery during the offseason, and he has been complaining recently about the pain he is experiencing.

Warner is lobbying for some extra time off much in the same way Big Ben is getting some these days. The really old man is just a few hits away from breaking apart entirely, so the Cardinals know that protecting him now is the best way to have a shot to reach the playoffs again this season.

Warner is a super-risky pick in fantasy leagues. He is going fantastically high in most drafts because of last season. But this is a guy who has shown a great deal of inconsistently down the back-half of his career and escaped injury last year for the first time in several seasons. He also avoided the turnover bug that had plagued him in previous stints with the 49ers and Giants.

Warner could regress to non-2008 form very, very quickly. He very well may be the most risky pick in fantasy drafts this year.

 

Harry Douglas [WR, Falcons]

From ProFootballTalk:

It’s always difficult to tell if a camp injury is serious right away, but the signs here aren’t great.

Douglas had to be helped by two people to get off the field and onto a cart.

Sad news for Douglas, and up-and-coming wide receiver prospect only dynasty owners could currently appreciate.

He was due to get plenty of action this preseason with Roddy White holding out, but now is an innocent bystander on the sideline. The injury may have facilitated the end to White’s hold out, however, which could be the only silver lining in this news.

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The MMR will continue to run every Monday morning as scheduled during the offseason. If you have an injury update or want an update on a certain player, please leave a note in the comments.

Thank you for reading the latest post from The Hazean. Please visit our website for more great fantasy content!

Daily Haze: Nothing Like Football for a Birthday Present

I want to thank the NFL for giving me an early birthday present last night. Bringing football back to my television on the eve of my birthday was a great way to kick off the week!

Anybody else watch the Hall of Fame Game last night? If your answer is no, tell me why the heck not?!

It was great to see football back on the tube last night. Even preseason football is better than most other sports and just another reminder that the real thing is only a month away.

There was some worthwhile fantasy information to take from last night’s game. Trent Edwards looked Terrell Owens’ way very early in the game, connecting with TO for a pair of nice gains. His fourth pass in the direction of Lee Evans sailed high and ended up in the arms of a Titans’ safety.

The take from this game: Owens and Edwards do appear to be developing a rapport, and it could be a productive one for at least Owens.

On the Tennessee side of the ball, some discouraging news for Chris Johnson. I would not panic, but Johnson had some trouble finding open lanes and was taken out of the game when the team got inside the 10-yard line. There has been plenty of chatter this offseason that he could supplant LenDale White as the goal-line running back, but I do not think that is in the cards after last night.

White, who scored a touchdown from inside the five, likely will keep his role as the short yardage back again this year. Johnson, meanwhile, continues to be drafted in the mid-to-late first round of fantasy drafts. That might be too high.

Here are today’s great reads:

• Those in point-per-reception (PPR) fantasy football leagues need to know the following pass-catching running backs. [Bruno Boys]
• Most fantasy owners grab a pair of running backs within the first three or found rounds of a fantasy drafts, waiting until the fifth round or later to find a No. 3 running back. [RotoProfessor]
• More running back information: Picking through some of the scrap pile running backs available in fantasy drafts. [Lester’s Legends]
• Some valuable beginner information for those interested in individual defensive player (IDP) leagues. [Sports Data Hub]
• Brent Celek is going to become a very popular name among fantasy sleeper tight ends in the next few weeks following the injury to teammate Cornelius Ingram. [FanHouse]

Got a pressing fantasy football question and need an answer now? Or just want to chat about all the recent developments in the sports’ world? Head over to The Hazean’s fantasy football forums for all that and more. Also remember to check out The Hazean’s fantasy rankings and mock draft database.

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Daily Haze

I’m steady “working for the weekend,” and the weekend is finally here.  This weekend in particular is special because Louisiana is having a “no sales” tax weekend.  Basically, a 4 percent discount on all goods purchased.  So I guess that means I’ll be spending my money in the next few days.

Here are today’s great reads:

• Do you ever wonder who is losing steam on the draft boards, well check out these players who are consistently falling in the draft ranks since May.  Conversely, these guys are climbing the charts. [Fantasy Football Toolbox]
• Is Michael Crabtree willing to sit out the 2009 season and possibly be re-drafted in 2010?  I guess it depends on who you ask, his cousin/adviser or his agent.  I’m going to go with the agent on this one, and say he will sign this season.  [NFL Fanhouse]
• On opening day, who will the Lions trot out onto the field as their starting QB?  The No. 1 pick, Matthew Stafford is making a case for himself to take the helms on Week One.  [Yahoo Sports]
• G.I. Joe opens up this weekend.  That is all.  Have a great weekend!  [Youtube]

Got a pressing fantasy football question and need an answer now? Or just want to chat about all the recent developments in the sports’ world? Head over to The Hazean’s fantasy football forums for all that and more. Also remember to check out The Hazean’s fantasy rankings and mock draft database.

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Daily Haze: Best Fantasy Football Team Name Contest

Voting for July’s best fantasy football team name contest will commence last today. Make sure to check back for that later this afternoon.

Last month’s winner, for those interested, can be found here.

In other news, it seems the bulk of training camp injuries — the serious ones, at least — have been found on the defensive side of the ball. Certainly not a good thing for teams as a whole. Fantasy owners, however, probably are breathing a sigh of relief.

But there is plenty of camp and preseason to go before the real thing kicks off next month.

I doubt the offenses of the league will remain unscathed. Beanie Wells and Tarvaris Jackson were two of the bigger names to go down this week, but neither is considered an especially serious injury. And Jackson’s injury likely will not have much affect on fantasy owners because, well, he really is not draftable at this point anyway.

Keep crossing your fingers that the bigger offensive stars stay healthy through camps.

Here are today’s great reads:

• Making a case for Maurice Jones-Drew as a better No. 1 overall pick than Adrian Peterson. [Roto Arcade]
• The five worst starting running backs in the NFL, including my favorite real-life player Reggie Bush. [The Huddle]
• Ranking NFL defenses in terms of fantasy production is a difficult task, especially for a team like the Eagles which seems to be losing ground defensively just a few days into training camp. [Sports Data Hub]
• Vernon Davis, once considered the next best fantasy tight end prospect in the league, is now perennially a guy to avoid in fantasy drafts. Also on this list for this season: Dwayne Bowe. [Bruno Boys]
• With Beanie Wells already missing time due to injury, the big question in Arizona will be who receives the ever-important goal line carries. [Pancake Blocks]
• Five NFL players who dealt with injuries last season and are ready to set the fantasy world on fire in 2009. [National Football Post]

Got a pressing fantasy football question and need an answer now? Or just want to chat about all the recent developments in the sports world? Head over to The Hazean’s fantasy football forums for all that and more. Also remember to check out The Hazean’s fantasy rankings and mock draft database.

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Daily Haze: Football Weekends are Getting Closer

Another weekend out of town for yours truly means a delayed Monday Morning Rehab today. Expect it sometime after lunch.

I spend the weekend in the city of Louisville for an(other) ultimate frisbee tournament with the Cleveland men’s team. Got to see an old high school friend, old ultimate friends, and play some disc. Definitely a fun time and I enjoyed the city of Louisville thoroughly.

Now it’s back to the grind.

I am going to do my best to make the mundane work-week a little better this week. With training camps open and the first preseason game this weekend, things certainly are picking up steam in the football world. Some of you may already be drafting for your yearly competitive leagues.

There is plenty to get to this week, starting below with the great fantasy reads from this weekend.

Here are today’s great reads:

• Percy Harvin had a stellar college career in the SEC, but can he overcome his small size at the professional level to become a reliable fantasy football receiver? [NFL GridIron Gab]
• With veterans Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook at the helm, the Eagles could have one of the most potent fantasy football offenses in the league this year. [Sports Data Hub]
• Trent Edwards is the deepest of sleepers on every fantasy football owner’s cheat sheet this summer. He certainly has the weapons, now he just has to execute. [Bruno Boys]
• Yahoo! is delving into the world of individual defensive player rankings. Worth a look-see for those of you in IDP leagues. [Roto Arcade]

Got a pressing fantasy football question and need an answer now? Or just want to chat about all the recent developments in the sports world? Head over to The Hazean’s fantasy football forums for all that and more. Also remember to check out The Hazean’s fantasy rankings and mock draft database.

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The Eight Most Overvalued Fantasy Wide Receivers

Everyone wants to be known as a fantasy football genius. Especially at the end of a draft.

One of the defining qualities of true fantasy geniuses is the ability to find the right value in fantasy drafts and subsequent waiver wire expeditions. This certainly is both an art and a skill.

Too many fantasy football owners draft without knowledge of value. Instead, a quick glance over the roster to see what positions are missing or checking on the bye week conflicts is all the information the vast majority of owners need when making a selection.

Big no-no.

So much goes into taking the right players at the right spots. The skill part of the equation is doing the homework ahead of time. Study average draft positions on various mock draft websites. Vigilantly scour fantasy football rankings to see where players are being ranked, and keep checking as rankings are very fluid.

The art part of the equation comes on draft day. Most owners only have a minute or two to make the selection. Having all the numbers crunched and the research done ahead of time is crucial, but now is the time to construct the masterpiece. See the values in each pick, take the undervalued players at the right time and watch as other owners reach badly for overvalued players.

Starting today, The Hazean will run down some of the most overvalued players currently being taken in mock drafts. A few weeks ago, we ran through the most undervalued quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and non-starting wide receivers.

Remember that the draft is just the first part of the process of winning a fantasy football championship. A good draft can set an owner up nicely for the season. A bad one? Sucks, but owners can recover. Keep searching for the values, especially after the draft.

The average draft positions (ADP) for each of the players listed below were taken from two of the leading mock draft sites, Fantasy Football Calculator and Mock Draft Central. ADP current as of July 29, 2009.

 

Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs

2008 stats: 86 receptions, 1,022 yards, 7 touchdowns
Fantasy Football Calculator ADP: 29.9 (Round 3.06)
Mock Draft Central ADP: 28.78

He put up great numbers considering the anemic nature of the Chiefs offense last year, and did it with a smodge-podge of quarterbacks. When Tyler Thigpen is chucking the rock 30 times per game and you still are pulling down fat fantasy stat lines, your hype is sure to go through the roof.

And that is what Bowe’s stock has done. Now with a more competent—at least from the early returns—quarterback behind center, Bowe is expected to elevate last year’s numbers. But that will be hard to do with no Tony Gonzalez to keep pass defenses honest and hardly a semblance of a running game.

Bowe should have a good year for sure, but top-12 territory is a stretch.

 

Wes Welker, Patriots

2008 stats: 111 receptions, 1,165 yards, 3 touchdowns
Fantasy Football Calculator ADP: 31.8 (Round 3.08)
Mock Draft Central ADP: 31.05

Fantasy owners love them some Wes Welker. Which is fine and all, especially for points-per-receptions leagues.

But standard non-PPR leagues? Ehh, not so much.

To be fair, Welker does catch a lot of passes in a high-powered offense. Tom Brady is back, too, which certainly helps his value. But the Brady factor may be exaggerating Welker’s fantasy value just a tad.

 

Chad Johnson, Bengals

2008 stats: 53 receptions, 540 yards, 4 touchdowns
Fantasy Football Calculator ADP: 40.9 (Round 4.05)
Mock Draft Central ADP: 53.25

Many in the fantasy community are expecting a huge bounce-back season from Chad in 2009. But why?

First because Carson Palmer is back and healthy. Second, T.J. Houshmandzadeh is no longer there to steal targets and catches from Johnson. Neither of those reasons, however, are a guarantee that Johnson will be productive enough to warrant his current ADP.

Housh is gone, but the Bengals brought in Laveranues Coles to fill his shoes. Always undervalued, Coles will steal his share of targets even in the redzone. Chris Henry is generating a lot of buzz this offseason and will steal the deep looks. And the Bengals drafted a pass-catching tight end in Chase Coffman to help Palmer in the passing game.

Even without Housh, Johnson is going to battle for targets with three capable pass catchers this season.

 

Antonio Bryant, Buccaneers

2008 stats: 83 receptions, 1,248 yards, 7 touchdowns
Fantasy Football Calculator ADP: 60.4 (Round 5.12)
Mock Draft Central ADP: 47.97

No more Jon Gruden. Jeff Garcia is gone too. All that is left for Antonio Bryant is a mediocre logjam at quarterback and question marks all over the Tampa Bay roster.

Add in the fact that Bryant has never been a highly productive or consistent fantasy threat and the risk is overwhelming taking Bryant as anything more than a WR3. Without another receiver to take the heat off Bryant, defenses will spend a little more energy keeping him in check.

Even the addition of Kellen Winslow cannot help Bryant’s value, as he figures to steal a lot of the attention of whomever becomes the Bucs starting quarterback.

 

Michael Crabtree, 49ers

2008 stats: N/A (Rookie)
Fantasy Football Calculator ADP: 81.5 (Round 7.09)
Mock Draft Central ADP: 93.33

Meet Michael Crabtree, ridiculously overrated as a fantasy wide receiver for this season.

Consider Calvin Johnson’s rookie season as a benchmark, albeit a very lofty one: 48 catches, 756 yards, 5 total touchdowns. Think Crabtree is coming even remotely close to those numbers in the Mike Singletary coached 49ers’ offense? Better think again.

The successes of DeSean Jackson and Eddie Royal last season are helping buoy Crabtree’s fantasy value.

But consider that neither of these guys were drafted in a majority of leagues last year because they were not considered to be ready for the NFL in terms of fantasy football. But both guys exploded onto the scene and became waiver wire gold because of situation—pass-happy offenses—more than talent.

Crabtree has uber-talent, but the situation in San Fran does not seem right for him to have a worthwhile fantasy season this year.

 

Domenik Hixon, Giants

2008 stats: 43 receptions, 596 yards, 2 touchdowns
Fantasy Football Calculator ADP: 114.0 (Round 10.06)
Mock Draft Central ADP: 106.36

A few decent games at the end of 2008 and suddenly Domenik Hixon is weaving his way through the collective subconscious of fantasy owners. But even with Plaxico Burress out of the way, Hixon is not even the No. 1 or 2 receiving option in the Giants’ offense.

Heck, he  may not even be No. 3 or 4 or 5 when it is all said and done. Steve Smith will assume the role of possession receiver in the Giants offense, garnering some of Manning’s most important targets.

The tight ends—Kevin Boss and Travis Beckum—will be options 2A and 2B. Ahmad Bradshaw and/or Danny Ware will assume the spot vacated by Derrick Ward as option 3 out of the backfield. After that, Hixon will need to fend off Sinorice Moss and rookies Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden for targets.

It is going to be difficult for Hixon to put up consistent fantasy football numbers in that log jam of a receiving corps. He reeks of Devery Henderson fame.

 

Plaxico Burress, Free agent

2008 stats: 35 receptions, 454 yards, 4 touchdowns
Fantasy Football Calculator ADP: 152.3 (Round 13.08)
Mock Draft Central ADP: 187.72

Why is he even being drafted at this point?

It is looking increasingly likely that Plax will miss all of 2009 due to legal issues and there is a good chance he will not be able to return for the 2010 season as well. Now that he appears well of the football radar, gambling fantasy owners hoping he would land somewhere like Chicago will likely stop drafting this guy. There is no reason to roster Burress in the foreseeable future.

 

Earl Bennett, Bears

2008 stats: 0 receptions, 0 yards, 0 touchdowns
Fantasy Football Calculator ADP: 147.8 (Round 13.04)
Mock Draft Central ADP: 200.86

How does a player go from zero catches last season to being drafted by fantasy owners the next?

Bennett could not even sniff the field from the sidelines last season. And it is not like the Bears have a daunting dearth of talent at the wide receiver position. Yet here he is being taken as a flier late in most mock drafts.

Why, you ask? We all know the answer is Jay Cutler. The Commodore connection—both were teammates at Vanderbilt—has been restored and suddenly Bennett is on the fantasy radar.

Fantasy owners would be better served using the roster spot on another talent, perhaps some depth at running back, while keeping an eye on Bennett’s progress through the preseason. He is no more than waiver wire fodder at this point.

 

Thank you for reading the latest post from The Hazean. Please visit our website for more great fantasy content!

Sleeper Watch: Jerious Norwood

Stop me if you’ve heard this before.

Jerious Norwood is once again being heralded as the sleeper of the year. The same Jerious Norwood who has been the biggest tease to fantasy football owners the last few years.

He passes the eye test. He certainly has the numbers. The Falcons use him fairly often, despite never giving him the chance to be a starter. And he now plays on a much improved offense with a pocket passer in Matt Ryan.

So are fantasy owners really going to go down this road again?

It does not look like it based on early draft results.

Norwood is the 51st running back off fantasy boards according to mock draft results from the Fantasy Football Calculator. His average draft position of 133.6 makes him a 12th round draft pick in standard drafts.

Obviously there has been some love lost for this perennial sleeper.

Everyone and their mom knows that it is Michael Turner’s job to be the primary ball carrier in this offense. But for as good as Turner was rushing the football last year, he was equally deficient as a pass catcher. And that is where Norwood makes his living to stay relevant in the fantasy game.

Norwood has carved out his niche in this maturing offense. But the Falcons were poor defensively last season and there are some concerns this offseason that the defense has not improved enough. So if Atlanta gets behind in games and needs to throw the ball, Norwood will see plenty of action.

And then there is the elephant in the room. 376 carries. That is how many times Turner toted the rock last year, a number that carries a great deal of significance and fear among the fantasy football public.

Can Turner recover, physically and/or mentally, from such a demanding work load? Can he overcome the curse of 370 like few before him have been able to do?

If not, Norwood is the next in line and ready to step in and be a dynamic, multi-purpose option in the Falcons’ offense. Grabbing a guy with starting talent playing behind another guy with a statistical disadvantage this season in the 12th round of redraft fantasy football leagues sounds like the biggest bargain of the summer.

Then again, Norwood has been that guy before.

Thank you for reading the latest post from The Hazean. Please visit our web site for more great fantasy content!

Daily Haze: Michael Vick Is Back

Look, I am all about second chances. Most people deserve them. But does Michael Vick deserve a chance to play in the NFL?

He tortured and killed dogs for sport. He provided the money, the dogs, and the setting. He then lied about the whole thing to the commissioner’s face before getting busted by the Feds.

And I still think he deserves a second chance.

Vick is going to get that chance according to Commissioner Roger Goodell yesterday. He will be suspended from live game action the first five weeks of the regular season. He can participate in practices and play in the last two preseason games if a team chooses to sign him.

Not a bad deal for Vick, to be honest.

I really hope Vick turns this experience into something positive for the children who are fans of his and the NFL. I hope I see his face on TV doing pro-animal advertisements. I hope he never messes up again, so that these lessons that can be learned will not be lost.

Here are today’s great reads:

• Wow. That is the first thing that came to mind when I found this handy ideal bye week running back breakdown for fantasy owners. [FFToolbox]
• The Madden Curse continues to plague those players who grace the cover of the latest version. This year’s target: Larry Fitzgerald. [Roto Professor]
• Fantasy owners who want to win this season need to forget about the love they have for their favorite player or team on draft day. [FanHouse]
• Many in the past have utilized the QB-WR from the same team approach with mixed results, but the RB-WR from the same team combo may be the most beneficial. [Football Jabber]

Got a pressing fantasy football question and need an answer now? Or just want to chat about all the recent developments in the sports’ world?

Head over to The Hazean’s fantasy football forums for all that and more. Also remember to check out The Hazean’s fantasy rankings and mock draft database.

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Vote: The NFL’s Best Pre-Game Theme Song

I was driving in my car the other day listening to a local sports radio show when it happened.

The NFL on Fox pre-game theme song started playing from the speakers.  I had not heard a pre-game NFL theme song in a long time, and it was magical.

Immediately, I texted our fearless leader at The Hazean to describe the feeling.  Then I started to wonder which NFL pre-game theme song is the best.

This is where we need your help.  Vote in our latest poll and pick your favorite pre-game theme song of the NFL. These are current songs only and not the songs sung by Hank Williams Jr./Pink/Faith Hill. Orchestra-esque theme songs only.

Peep the candidates and pick your favorite after the jump!

Fox NFL Sunday pregame theme song

NBC Football Night in America pregame theme song

ESPN Monday Night Football pregame theme song

NFL on CBS pregame theme song

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post’s poll.

Thank you for reading the latest post from The Hazean. Please visit our website for more great fantasy content!

Five favorable Fantasy Playoff Schedules

Thinking down the line is pretty common in fantasy football. Owners all too often prepare in advance for NFL bye weeks, even though it may be better to ignore bye weeks during the course of a draft.

But thinking way, way down the line? That could be where fantasy championships are won.

Marc is doing just that for you guys today; talking teams with the best fantasy playoff schedules. Agree or disagree? Let’s hear it in the comments.

Everyone needs a leg up on the competition during their fantasy draft. I decided to take a look at the NFL schedule during the fantasy playoff schedule, weeks 14, 15 and 16.

The five teams with the best fantasy playoff schedules are seen below.

Arizona Cardinals
Week 14 @ San Francisco
Week 15 @ Detroit
Week 16 v. Rams

The Cardinals are already expected to be a top offensive club in 2009. After taking a look at their playoff schedule, it might be smart to value Cardinals players a little higher. The Cards are facing the 49ers, Lions and Rams during weeks 14, 15 and 16. Arizona should use this easier end-of-the-year schedule to make the playoffs and help fantasy teams in their playoffs.

Houston Texans
Week 14 v. Seahawks
Week 15 @ Rams
Week 16 @ Dolphins

The Texans are expected to be a surprise team in 2009 with upstarts Steve Slaton and Andre Johnson leading the way for the offense. The Texans also face the Seahawks and the Rams followed by the Dolphins during the fantasy playoffs. I obviously don’t expect much from the Seahawks or the Rams this season.

Kansas City Chiefs
Week 14 v. Buffalo
Week 15 v. Cleveland
Week 16 @ Cincinnati

The Chiefs have a young offense that could surprise people this season. The “Killer B’s” — Bills, Browns and Bengals — are as weak as ever. Kansas City’s playoff schedule seems ripe for a playoff run. If the Chiefs can gel as a team, their soft schedule could help your fantasy team when it matters most.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 14 @ Cleveland
Week 15 v. Green Bay
Week 16 v. Baltimore

The Steelers won the Super Bowl and are blessed with a rather easy fantasy playoff schedule. They start the schedule off with games against the Browns and Packers, two teams on which Pitt can put up big points. However, you might want to have a back-up plan for the championship game because Pitt plays against the Ravens in week 16. I expect the Steelers to be at the top again this season and playing for a first round bye, therefore the game against the Ravens should still mean a lot to the Steelers in week 16.

Tennessee Titans
Week 14 v. Rams
Week 15 v. Dolphins
Week 16 v. Chargers

The Titans have questions at quarterback, but their running game is expected to excel again in 2009. They will play the Rams, Dolphins and the Chargers during the course of the fantasy playoffs. I would recommend snatching up Titans running backs Chris Johnson and LenDale White early. If the Titans have any type of passing game to take pressure off the running backs, the offense could be hard to stop — especially during the three most-crucial weeks for fantasy owners.

Thank you for reading the latest post from The Hazean. Please visit our website for more great fantasy content!

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