Fantasy Football Rankings: Keeper League QBs

In a keeper or dynasty league, you have to balance youth with experience. Usually, in these kind of leagues, the strongest teams each year have a roster that includes veterans and some young budding talent. When it comes to grabbing your fantasy QB in a keeper league, this is wise to keep in mind. I’m not saying you should pass on Mark Sanchez or Matthew Stafford just because they are young, but for a starting QB, you’d be better suited with an experienced passer and, then, stash one of the youngsters on the bench for the future.  With in mind, I (Bruno Boys Dominic) provide you (Bruno Boys Nation) with my Top-30 Keeper League QBs.

1) Drew Brees (NO) – Age 30

It’s true, youth is a valuable thing in keeper leagues, but you don’t pass up a stud QB like Brees for it. He’ll produce for many more seasons to come.

2) Tom Brady (NE) – Age 32

Like fine wine, Brady should get even better with age. He’ll be a top three QB for at least another five years.

3) Aaron Rodgers (GB) – Age 25

For several seasons, this young gun studied behind Favre, and last year, he finally got his chance to show he belonged. He did more than that as he showed he was ready to be one of the elite. Add in that he has plenty of young talent to throw to, and he should be a stud for a while.

4) Matt Ryan (ATL) – Age 24

Some may disagree with Ryan here, but everything about his game screams superstar. Getting him now means you could have your QB position locked down for the next decade.

5) Peyton Manning (IND) – Age 33

Manning lovers will think it sacrilegious to see him at 5 but the truth is, his O-line is deteriorating and losing Dungy might hurt more than they’ll let on. He’s still at No. 5 though because well, he’s Peyton Manning.

6) Philip Rivers (SD) – Age 27

Not as young as you would think, but very tough and a very good QB on a dynamic offense. The only reason he is not rated higher here is because that dynamic offense is getting older and the running game steals a lot of TDs.

7) Matt Schaub (HOU) – Age 28

If injuries weren’t such a concern, he might be ranked higher because when healthy he’s as good as they come. The Texans are a young team on the brink of becoming a major force in the league. Oh, and did I mention he has Andre Johnson to throw the ball to for several years?

8) Jay Cutler (CHI) – Age 26

Say what you want about Cutler, he’s still got one of the best arms in the league and the potential to be a stud QB year in and year out. Greg Olsen and Matt Forte are only going to get better and as Chicago starts to build upon their other receivers, Cutler will have the weapons around him to put up big numbers on a consistent basis.

9) Tony Romo (DAL) – Age 29

TO is gone which could be a good thing. However, Romo needs to re-convince me and many other fantasy owners that he still belongs in the upper tier of QBs. With Witten in the end zone and the three headed monster of Barber, Jones and Choice running the ball, I expect to be completely convinced in no time.

10) Ben Rothlisberger (PIT) – Age 27

He’s really only had a year of stellar fantasy production, but you can’t argue with his end results. If the O-line can improve and his red zone weapons start to mature, Big Ben has shown he can put up big numbers in the past and that he can do it again. Concerns about Hines Ward retiring will be at play here, but I expect Limas Sweed to take over that role quite well.

11) Carson Palmer (CIN) – Age 29

A great QB when he’s not lying on his back in the Doctor’s office. Palmer has the potential to put up big stats, but he needs to last the entire season and put a spark back in the Bengal’s offense.

12) Donovan McNabb (PHI) – Age 33

With new weapons surrounding him and an improved offensive line, McNabb’s biggest knock is going to be whether or not he can play long enough to take advantage. He’s getting up there in age but still has the goods to put up big numbers. You may only get three to five more years of production, but he’ll still probably outshine some of your younger options. Vick is not a concern, yet.

13) Eli Manning (NYG) – Age 28

His interceptions will drive you mad, but each year, he looks even more composed in the pocket. Much of that is thanks to one of the league’s most dominant offensive lines and an incredible running game. Of course, the success of the running game is what takes away lots of his TDs. However, the Giants are eventually going to develop or find a replacement for Burress. And when they do, Manning could begin to gain some serious fantasy momentum.

14) Trent Edwards (BUF) – Age 25

A little risk involved with picking Edwards up, but hey, nothing’s a given in life. With TO in town, Edwards should definitely become a solid fantasy option in 2009. Plus, he’s young which is great if he continues to perform well. The bad news: TO always leaves. And, when he does, Edwards may need more players to compliment Lee Evans in order to truly break out.

15) Matt Hasselbeck (SEA) – Age 33

He’d be much higher if he were a spry 28 year old and back issues didn’t take him out last season. Still, when he’s on, he’s on. And now he’s got a number 1 receiver in T.J. Houshmanzadeh. Good for at least two to three more years.

16) Matt Cassel (KC) – Age 27

Plainly put, he’s got to prove that he’s the real deal and not a product of the Patriots successful system. Tony Gonzalez would have helped loads, but a talented Dwayne Bowe isn’t too shabby.

17) Kyle Orton (DEN) – Age 26

He doesn’t always make the right decisions on the field which makes him inconsistent at times, but Orton has all the tools to succeed. Plus, he’s never had a receiving duo like Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal nor the coaching of someone like McDaniels. Even if Marshall leaves after the season, Knowshon Moreno is there to catch balls in the backfield.

18) Kurt Warner (ARI) – Age 38

Where were you all those years Kurt? Let’s be clear, Warner is only a good pick up in your keeper league if you have another younger option at the position or you feel confident you can pick up a decent QB next year. In other words, he’s not long term. That being said, if he stays healthy, you’ll have a fantasy monster on your team in 2009.

19) Joe Flacco (BAL) – Age 24

As a rookie, Flacco led his team to the playoffs. That’s impressive. His fantasy numbers, not so much. He might be ranked higher, but I think he’s got a few years before he can be considered a starting fantasy QB. Ray Rice should get better and better. And, eventually the Ravens will sign a true number one receiver, giving him plenty of weapons. So, if you have a spot to keep him, hold on and reap the rewards down the road.

20) Mark Sanchez (NYJ) – Age 22

Sometimes you have to go all in and nothing says gambling like taking a rookie QB. Sanchez was drafted to be the face and future of the Jets franchise. That means they’ll give him whatever he needs to succeed. And, that includes an elite wide out. It’s just a question of when.

21) Brett Favre (MIN) – Age 39
22) David Garrard (JAX) – Age 31
23) Brady Quinn (CLE) – Age 24
24) Matthew Stafford (DET) – Age 21
25) Michael Vick (PHI) – Age 29
26) Chad Henne (MIA) – Age 24
27) Shaun Hill (SF) – Age 29
28) Jake Delhomme (CAR) – Age 34
29) Jason Campbell (WAS) – Age 27
30) Matt Leinart (ARI) – Age 26

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*THIS ARTICLE WRITTEN BY BRUNO BOY DOMINIC BROWN. FOR MORE FANTASY FOOTBALL INSIGHT AND ADVICE, CLICK THE LINK BELOW!*

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Fantasy Football Impact: Pre-Season Injuries

Because this is football, injuries happen on a daily basis, which can make it somewhat harrowing for fantasy football owners who have already drafted their team, or are preparing to do so. To try and set the record somewhat straight, let’s examine the consequences of some current NFL injuries.

OT Walter Jones (Seattle Seahawks) – Arguably one of the most dominant offensive linemen ever to suit up, certainly one of the best in recent history, Jones just had a second operation on his knee in the last eight months. He may not be ready for Week 1 of the regular season, and his absence would have an impact on each of the team’s skill players. Most directly affected would be quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who depends on Jones to protect his blindside. Without him, Hasselbeck is far more exposed, and vulnerable to injury. Running back Julius Jones is also directly affected. Besides being efficient in pass protection, Walter Jones is also an outstanding run blocker, and someone who Shaun Alexander ran behind for years. Without Walter Jones, Julius, along with fellow back T.J. Duckett, will find that running the ball won’t be quite as easy.

WR Terrell Owens (Buffalo Bills) – While Owens’ toe sprain may actually turn out to be a good thing—letting the 35-year-old rest for the season instead of laboring away in training camp—it certainly hurts for the short term. Coming to a new team, Owens is still in the process of learning about the players around him and, specifically, gaining chemistry with quarterback Trent Edwards. This could mean it will take some time for the two to get on the same page, and possibly a slower start to the season for Owens.

OT Jamaal Brown (New Orleans Saints) – Brown is not quite at the level of an in-his-prime Walter Jones, but he’s still a very good left tackle. The former first-round pick was sent to Philadelphia to see a sports hernia specialist, and if that indeed is his malady and one that requires surgery, Brown would possibly miss the first quarter of the season. Make no mistake, Drew Brees, Marques Colston, Pierre Thomas and the rest would still put up worthy numbers, but it’s possible they would ebb a bit if the team changed their offense up a little in order to keep an extra blocker in to help whoever the new starting left tackle may be. Overall, the Saints are going to keep firing, but maybe on one less cylinder.

WR Donnie Avery (St. Louis Rams) – The second-year pro injured his foot not long ago, and could miss the beginning of the season. Playing in a new offense, and as the Rams’ No. 1 wideout, missing most of training camp is not a good sign for the Houston product. He has blazing speed, but needs to refine his route running capabilities, and all this missed time won’t be helpful. He’s still someone who is a legit WR3, with a chance to be more than that, but it depends on how quickly he gets back on the field.

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*THIS ARTICLE WRITTEN BY BRUNO BOY KYLE SMITH. FOR MORE FANTASY FOOTBALL INSIGHT AND ADVICE, CLICK THE LINK BELOW!*

BRUNO BOYS FANTASY FOOTBALL

Fantasy Football Draft Tips: Five Things to Do on Draft Day

We recently gave you advice on 5 Things NOT To Do on Draft Day, and to stay on the same theme, we felt it would be best to fill you in on “Five Things TO DO on Draft Day.”

As many of you know, being part of a fantasy football draft is like a job. You have to be on your A-game at all times, because you never know when someone in your league is going to throw a curve ball on the draft.

With this in mind we bring to you “Five Things to Do on Draft Day.”

 

1. Know your league’s point system

It is so unbelievably important to know your leagues point system.

You need to identify if you are in a league that uses traditional scoring or is a points per reception (PPR) league. Make sure that you know your leagues point system and that you have your players ranked accordingly.

This has such a profound effect on a player’s value and your team’s future that we can’t stress it enough.

If you are unsure of where to rank a certain player, simply read through the rest of our Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets for more insight.

 

2. Come prepared and organized to your league’s draft

There is nothing more comedic than someone sifting vigorously through pages, trying to compare three different players as the draft clock winds down to zero.

It is very easy to avoid this situation. First, make sure that you have the essentials in front of you, and that does not include beer and pretzels. Also have a copy of the Bruno Boys Webazine handy so that you can refer to for bye weeks as well as advice.

Other than that, bring a notebook—one that easily conceals so other owners can’t read your notes—a highlighter, and two pens, in case one runs out. This will allow you to take notes on players that you want to target in the next few rounds, and highlight or cross off what your opponents and you have already filled on their team.

 

3. Keep track of each owner’s roster

Just because we recommend that you write down your roster doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be keeping tabs on who the other owners in your league have drafted.

Make a sheet that allows you to write down the roster for every owner in your fantasy football league. This will help you determine if you should reach on a certain position or not.

For example, if you are in a 10-team league and you are the only person who still needs a quarterback, this will help you realize that you can wait a few rounds and bulk up at other positions instead of grabbing the 10th-best quarterback option.

 

4. Know the bye weeks and keep track of injured players

Just admit it: You do not want to be the man drafting what you hope to be a building block of your team and end up being the laughing stock of the draft because you drafted the guy who got hurt during the preseason. Plus, wasting a valuable draft pick on an injured player can really hinder your chances of winning your leagues fantasy football championship.

As for bye weeks, don’t place so much emphasis on making sure your bye weeks are spread out if you are getting great value for you pick. After all, a loss is only a loss.

Look at it this way, if you have a few core players on a bye at the same time, that’s 16 potential weeks that all your guns play on the same day. This doesn’t mean to draft your team around one specific bye week, but never, ever pass on better talent to try and beat the bye week sorrows!

 

5. Have fun and relax

The draft is what we like to call a preseason football party, so instead of being uptight, just relax, be yourself, and most of all, have fun.

If you come to the draft prepared, be confident in your choices. And if you don’t get the guy that you were targeting, go to plan B!

In summary, no one ever drafts a team full of studs. Come prepared, stay in the right mind and body frame, know your league’s point system and rely on the Bruno Boys.

 

6. Keep the Bruno Boys Website Handy

OK, so we couldn’t include just five tips.

Nowadays, with rising gas prices, economy struggles, and your wife (or husband) nagging at you, it is hard to find great, affordable advice regarding fantasy football.

We offer things that you have to pay hefty prices to get at other sites. New articles are constantly added to the site, there is a free draft guide, player rankings, and an in-depth message board full of daily advice, and we have up-to-the-minute player news.

The Bruno Boys Fantasy Football staff offers a multitude of great experience, knowledge, and insight for nothing more than wanting to deliver you a division title and championship this year.

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*THIS ARTICLE WRITTEN BY BRUNO BOY MARC CAVIGLIA. FOR MORE FANTASY FOOTBALL INSIGHT AND ADVICE, CLICK THE LINK BELOW!*

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A Packer Fan’s Take on the Brett Favre Saga

Brett Favre is a Minnesota Viking.

Raise your hand if, 10 years ago, you ever thought there was even a remote possibility of that happening.

As you can probably imagine, Favre joining the Vikes was huge news here in Green Bay. It is still the talk of the town and passionate Packers fans are still trying to find ways to voice their anger, outrage, and disbelief.

It’s not that we didn’t see it coming. We knew once Brad Childress started courting Favre that if No. 4 could physically play, he most certainly would. That being said, the image of Brett Favre holding up a Minnesota Vikings jersey (A VIKINGS JERSEY!) with a smirk on his face caught us off guard and hit home more than most of us expected.

The ensuing train wreck of a press conference simply made matters worse.

When alluding to his return, Favre actually had the hubris to state, “I think it’s great for football. I can’t see how you wouldn’t think it would be.” A comment like that makes Bill Belichick look humble. Little did we know that Brett was just warming up. In a moment Packers fan will never forget, Brett actually had the gall to say, “If you’re true Packer fans, you’d understand.” That one statement almost made me put my fist through my widescreen.

For Brett to lecture Packer Nation and have the audacity to think he can determine or knows who is a true Packers fan and who is not is preposterous, and the absolute height of idiocy.

Brett hasn’t been in Green Bay in quite a while so he doesn’t understand that this whole incident is, indeed, showing us who the true Packers fans are. But certainly not in the way he wanted and tried to spin at Tuesday’s press conference.

Cheesehead Country has united and has cast away the imposters who were simply Brett Favre fans and not real Packers fans. These are the same morons who put all of the blame on Ted Thompson for Favre leaving and conveniently seem to disregard that Brett was the one who tearfully retired (that first time, remember?). People often forget the Favre/Thompson feud started in Thompson’s first year as General Manager when, with his very draft first pick as Packers GM, he selected a QB from California who plummeted on Draft Day from a top five pick to No. 24 overall.

Personally, I give Thompson a ton of credit for having the courage to draft a QB in the first round knowing full well it would irritate Favre. Thanks to Thompson’s bravery and foresight, Green Bay has an elite, top five QB signed through the 2014 season.

While we’re on the subject, you can quote the Packers’ and Jets’ records from 2008 all you want; Aaron Rodgers was the better QB last season, blowing Favre out of the water in pretty much every statistical category except INTs thrown.

Anyway, the Favre/Thompson feud worsened when Thompson didn’t sign Randy Moss like Favre had wanted and publicly pushed hard for. Then, the Packers organization made a quick and well-planned transition following Favre’s emotional “retirement” and subsequent un-retirement leading to Coach Mike McCarthy’s now famous line, “The football team has moved forward, the train has left the station.”

Translation: Ted Thompson, Mike McCarthy, and the Green Bay Packers were no longer going to be held hostage by Brett Favre like they had been in the previous five seasons. They no longer wanted an aging QB who put himself above the team and expected special treatment.

Favre’s revulsion of Thompson may actually come from the fact that the Packers’ GM was the first person to hold Brett accountable for his words, actions, and decisions. That’s definitely something Brett wasn’t used to and probably something he won’t have to worry about again.

So why is Brett back? Money? 25 million dollars is a lot of money, but his endorsement deals with Wrangler and Sears have him covered financially. If Tuesday’s press conference was any indication, Just For Men may soon be jumping into that mix as well.

Is he back to win a Super Bowl like he stressed at the press conference? Yeah, because that’s always a guarantee in Minnesota!

I’m sure when Brett arrived at their facilities and took one look at their trophy-less case, he was besieged with excitement over the winning tradition they have in the Twin Cities.

Do the Vikings have a good team this season? Yes. Are they headed for the Super Bowl? Highly unlikely. They don’t have much depth, Favre is only a minor upgrade at QB at this stage of his career, and the Chicago Bears and Packers have better squads than people are giving them credit for.

Is Brett back for the all time consecutive games played record? This is actually quite likely. Favre is one of the most egomaniacal players of recent memory and he’d love to add this record to his resume.

Is he back to try and stick it to Ted Thompson and the Packers? Regardless of what Brett says, this was a major consideration for him. Brett loathes Ted Thompson. It seems he still can’t believe the Packers GM declined to worship the Church of Favre. The chance to be probably the only QB in history to defeat all 32 NFL teams is a big deal for his ego, and he now has two shots to beat the Packers by playing in Minnesota.

I think it was probably a combination of factors that led to Favre’s return. He wants the Ironman record, he’s pompous enough to believe he’s the missing piece for a Vikings Super Bowl run, and he gets the opportunity to try and beat Ted Thompson and the Green Bay Packers.

I actually waited 24 hours to write this so I could give myself a chance to settle down. The press conference, in particular, really annoyed most of Packer Nation. I have tried to be as objective as possible, but I have to admit, it’s quite difficult to do so on this topic. We stuck up for Brett when he admitted his addiction to painkillers. When fans from rival teams were mocking us and saying that MVP stood for More Vicodin Please, we were right there vehemently defending Brett.

When Irv Favre passed away in 2003, the outpouring of support for Brett and his family from Packers fans was unbelievable. The very next year, when Deanna Favre’s cousin died in an ATV accident on Favre’s property, Green Bay fans were once again there for Favre and his family.

Eight days later, Deanna was diagnosed with breast cancer. When this happened, the spate of compassion and caring bestowed upon the Favre Family was inspirational and may never be equaled. Deanna Favre was able to raise millions of dollars for breast cancer research thanks to the help of Packer Nation.

To say we were emotionally invested in Brett Favre is the understatement of the year. Watching that press conference, seeing him with a Vikings jersey, was a backhand across the face. As one New York radio personality put it, “It’s like seeing Derek Jeter in a Red Sox jersey.” That’s the best analogy I’ve heard and, thankfully for professional sports, Jeter doesn’t have the ego, lack of class, or arrogance to do such a thing.

Favre used to be the face of the NFL, and now he’s the laughingstock of it. In the unlikely event that the Vikings do go all the way, a Super Bowl trophy will not and cannot restore honor, integrity, and/or class. Right now, those are the things Favre needs more than money, another record, or another Super Bowl ring.

Cheesehead Country will no longer reminisce over the days of Favre. The memories of completing his first pass to himself, the TD plunge against Atlanta, playing through major pain, and knowing where you were when the records were broken are now relegated to the trash bin of history. His transgressions now exceed his triumphs.

History will say that Brett Favre came back to play for the Minnesota Vikings for $25 million, and to be the missing link to a hopeful Vikings’ Super Bowl run. For Packers fans, Minnesota’s Super Bowl aspirations are at best delusional and the money was essentially 30 pieces of silver.

READ MORE CONTENT AT WWW.BRUNOBOYS.NET 

NFL News and Fantasy Football Notes

With the NFL season quickly approaching, many of us are studying for more than one draft right now. In fact, not only are we studying for more than one draft, many of us are preparing for more than one type of league. There are plenty of style of leagues to play now. Over the years fantasy players have added many new ways of tweaking the fantasy football game to make it more interesting. We started doing things like adding bonus points for long TDs and FGs, adding a flex position or a WR3, and some of us even have played in touchdown only leagues. Then, we added keeper leagues, dynasty leagues and the increasingly popular PPR (points per reception) leagues.

With three of my own drafts coming up in the next five days, I was thinking about something I have seen many people forget when preparing for a fantasy football draft. They know their stats and have a draft plan. They even remember to pay attention to bye weeks, but someone always forgets to check the injury report and will overvalue an injured player. So, with this week’s NFL News and Notes article we will take a look at players who are already banged up heading into Week 2 of the preseason.

Also, don’t forget to download the always updating 2009 Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets Webazine. It’s a free PDF download and will help you prepare for any type of league, so, really, what do you have to lose?

WR Brandon Marshall (Denver Broncos) – Hamstring

Brandon Marshall is dealing with a hamstring issue and is questionable for Week 2 of the preseason, but he will likely be ready for the start of the regular season. The bigger issue with Marshall is the fact that he is not happy being a Denver Bronco. He has already requested a new contract or a trade, and he hasn’t seemed happy since the Broncos got rid of head coach Mike Shanahan and traded quarterback Jay Cutler during the off-season.

It seemed like Marshall just caught a break, when he was acquitted on misdemeanor battery charges this week in Atlanta, This also meant he would not be hit with a NFL suspension, but somehow things have seemed to sour even more between Marshall and the Broncos new coaching staff.

Marshall is currently ranked as the No. 11 wide receiver in our cheat sheets, but there are risks with him this year. The hamstring should be ok, but if the relationship doesn’t get repaired between these two parties, Marshall’s numbers may suffer. He is already reportedly behind in new head coach Josh McDaniel’s system.

WR Terrell Owens (Buffalo Bills) – Toe

Owens sprained a toe during Buffalo’s first preseason game Aug. 9th against the Tennessee Titans and has missed almost every practice since then. Bills’ head coach Dick Jauron has already ruled Owens out until “sometime next week”, meaning he will miss the team’s second preseason game this week.

Owens is the 12th ranked wide receiver by the Bruno Boys. It doesn’t appear as if the toe injury will cause Owens to miss the start of the regular season. Continue to draft him as a low-end WR1 or WR2. If Owens is not ready to go for Week 3 of the preseason, then there may be cause for concern.

QB Carson Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals) – Ankle

Palmer sprained an ankle in the Bengals’ first preseason game and has been ruled out for the team’s second preseason game today (8/20). He is already coming off a year where an elbow injury caused him to have his worst statistical season of his career, as he only managed to play in four games.

Palmer is ranked No. 11 on our quarterback cheat sheets and many of us are expecting him to have a bounce back season in 2009. The Bengals will likely take their time bringing Palmer back from this ankle injury. There is no reason to rush a player of Palmer’s caliber who already knows the system. Continue to draft him as a low-end QB1, who has a chance to outplay his draft position.

WR Bernard Berrian (Minnesota Vikings) – Hamstring

Have you heard that Brett Favre is coming out of retirement? Well, if you don’t live under a rock, you likely know that Favre has signed a two-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings and he is expected to play this Friday in the team’s second preseason game. He might be missing one of his top new targets, as wide receiver Bernard Berrian is doubtful for the game with a hamstring issue.

Berrian averaged 20.1 yards per catch in 2008, with seven touchdowns. The sooner he can start practicing with Favre the better. With the upgrade at quarterback Berrian has a chance to be a sleeper as a low-end WR2 or WR3. He is currently ranked No. 25 in the Bruno Boys Wide Receiver Rankings.

WR Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions) – Thumb

Johnson could miss his second straight preseason game this week while he continues to recover from a thumb injury. He practiced Tuesday without a protective cast over his injured thumb and he ran in some of the team’s drills, but the quarterbacks were instructed not to pass to him.

Johnson had a big year for the 0-16 Lions in 2008, and he should be even better in 2009. The Lions should be much better at quarterback this season whether it’s rookie Matthew Stafford or veteran Daunte Culpepper at the helm. Johnson is entering his third NFL season and he should eclipse the 78 catches for 1,331 yards and 12 touchdowns he had last season. He is the No. 4 ranked wide receiver by the Bruno Boys and should be used as a WR1 in all formats.

WR Steve Smith (Carolina Panthers) – Shoulder

Panthers’ wide receiver Steve Smith is questionable for the team’s second preseason game with an injured shoulder he hurt earlier in training camp. Smith missed Carolina’s first preseason game against the New York Giants this past Monday night.

It appears that Smith should be ready to go for Week 1 of the regular season. He is currently ranked as the No. 6 wide receiver by the Bruno Boys. Barring any setback continue to draft Smith as a WR1. He is quarterback Jake Delhomme’s favorite target and that should not change in 2009.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE…

NFL News and Fantasy Football Notes

Fantasy Football ADP Watch: Rising Running Backs

Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Rounds Five To Seven Recap

Consisting of nine members of the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Staff, along with guest columnist, Ryan Hallam, from Fighting Chance Fantasy, the Bruno Boys Mock Draft was a 14-round affair based on a standard scoring league (Pass TDs 4 points, All Other TDs 6 points). Outside of having to field a starting line-up occupied by 1 QB, 2 RBs, 3 WRs, 1 TE, 1 K, and 1 D, owners were free to compile their rosters any way in which they pleased. All commentary after each pick is provided by the Bruno Boys staff member who made the pick. The draft was conducted over email and took place from July 13, 2009 to August 3, 2009.

ROUND 5 RESULTS

 

5.01: Dominic Brown—Joseph Addai (Ind) 

Yes he was one of last year’s biggest busts. Yes the Colts drafted Donald Brown in the offseason. But the truth is, Addai is only one season removed from scoring 15 TDs and going for over 1,000 total yards. And despite a questionable line up front, he’s still on one of the league’s most potent offenses.

 

5.02: Greg Warnock—Antonio Bryant (TB)

Bryant came alive in the second half of the year last season, finishing 8th overall with 1,248 receiving yards. He has the potential to once again be a WR1 and with what is left on the board, this is tremendous value for my team, who is craving a big time receiver. Bryant is the main target for whoever plays quarterback so I am not worried about the QB problem in Tampa Bay (Note: Bryant injured during preseason and could miss Tampa Bay’s opener).

 

5.03:  Ryan Hallam—Vincent Jackson (SD)

Philip Rivers finally found a consistent target in the second half of the season with Vincent Jackson.  He scored six TDs in the last 10 weeks of the season.  With no other serious threat at WR on the team, I believe that Jackson will improve on last year’s numbers.

 

5.04: Jimbo Jones—Aaron Rodgers (GB)

As much as I think Aaron Rodgers will have a great 2009 season, this is a little bit earlier than I wanted to take a QB, since Brees, Brady and Manning have already been taken. Looking at the rest of the RBs and WRs left available, I’ll take my chances to fill out my depth there in the next couple rounds. This gives me the Rodgers-Greg Jennings combo that should connect for many scores in 2009.

 

5.05: Cory Steger—Santonio Holmes (Pit)

After a great performance in the postseason last year Holmes is ready to break out and become the top receiving option in Pittsburgh. Holmes should enjoy career highs in receptions and yards, but his total touchdown may still be a concern. Nonetheless his explosiveness is too hard to ignore.

 

5.06: Kyle Smith—Tony Romo (Dal)

Romo played only 13 games last season but was still sixth in the league with 26 touchdown throws. Terrell Owens is gone, but that won’t preclude Romo from his second 30+ touchdown season.

 

5.07: Chris Ziza—Philip Rivers (SD)

The San Diego Chargers have an outstanding offense which is quarterbacked by Mr. Rivers himself. While he enjoyed his best season to date in 2008, I feel those numbers will fall short to what he puts up in 2009. I am thankful to have him as my starting QB.

 

5.08: Marc Caviglia—Reggie Bush (NO)

He has yet to put together a full season of success but there is little risk snagging him at the back-end of the fifth round. If Bush produces to his potential he should far out play his draft position. Plus he will enter the season as my backup running back.

 

5.09: Larry Joseph—Thomas Jones (NYJ)

There are some concerns about Leon Washington and rookie Shonn Greene stealing carries and TDs from Jones this year, but you can’t beat his value in the fifth round as a RB3. Jones was a stud last year when he had 290 carries for 1,312 yards and a career high 13 TDs.

5.10: Michael Whooley—LenDale White (TEN)

Derrick Ward and Knowshon Moreno were tempting here; however, White not only gives me value here (15 TDs in 2008), but he, also, is a great insurance policy for my squad should Chris Johnson, my number one pick, go down due to injury.

 

ROUND 6 RESULTS

6.01: Michael Whooley—Braylon Edwards (Cle)

Yes, Edwards was one of the bigger busts in 2008, but he’s worth a gamble here. The man will dominate targets in Cleveland with Kellen Winslow traded to Tampa Bay, and you have to remember, he did have 16 TDs just two seasons ago.

6:02: Larry Joseph—Jason Witten (Dal)

Witten had a bit of a down year in 2008 with 81 catches for 952 yards and four TDs. Not a bad down year for a TE, although I would expect more TDs from him this year. He is the Bruno Boys top ranked TE, and he (not Roy Williams) will likely be Tony Romo’s top target this season.

 

6:03: Marc Caviglia—Kurt Warner (Ari)

Warner grades out as our No. 5 fantasy QB entering 2009 and he should come close to repeating his 4,583 passing yard and 30 TD performance of 2008. With all of his receivers returning and an expected improvement in the running game, Warner should have no problem producing as a high level QB1.

 

6:04: Chris Ziza—Larry Johnson (KC)

The past few years have been horrid for Larry Johnson, but he still has the talent to produce behind what should be an improved Kansas City Chiefs offense. Now that the offense will be more focused around him, I see big things on the horizon. A solid RB3 that can play as a RB2 in the right match-up.

 

6:05: Kyle Smith—Anthony Gonzalez (IND)

Taking over the starting role opposite Reggie Wayne, Gonzalez has improved in each of his first two seasons. Now, he’ll have more opportunities than ever.

 

6:06: Cory Steger—Chad Ochocino (Cin) 

After all that’s gone on the past few seasons a lot of people forget just how good Chad Ochocinco is, and I expect him to start to return to that level this season with a healthy Carson Palmer at the helm.

 

6:07: Jimbo Jones—Hines Ward (Pit)

Despite Santonio Holmes’ strong postseason last year, it is Hines Ward who benefits the most in this offense. He should lead his team in receptions in 2009 and find the end-zone enough to make him a good WR3 on my team.

 

6:08: Ryan Hallam—Derrick Ward (TB)

With Jonathan Stewart as my No. 2 RB, I need another back that appears to be solid.  I worry about Ward’s ability to be the primary back, but he is likely the best guy left.  There are a few other guys who deserve carries in Tampa, but they brought in Ward for a reason and he will be the main man.

 

6:09: Greg Warnock—Antonio Gates (SD)

I need a WR2, but I can’t pass up the value here with Gates. He produces WR2 numbers, so why not grab him before the tight end run begins? I may be weak at WR, but I drafted value. I believe this gives me the second best QB, RB, and TE in fantasy football on my team.

 

6:10: Dominic Brown—Donovan McNabb (Phi)

Waiting on a QB worked out better than I expected. McNabb comes with a history of injuries but with an improved O-line and the addition of new weapons Jeremy Maclin and Lesean McCoy, he is poised for a huge season.

 

ROUND 7 RESULTS

 

7:01: Dominic Brown—Chris (Beanie) Wells (Ari)

Wells gives the Arizona Cardinals the one thing they need, a solid running game. And he gives my team a good core of running back depth. Even in a pass first offense, he’ll be utilized at the goal line a plenty. He’s 235 lbs and can run the 40 in 4.5. Translation, rookie of the year.

 

7.02: Greg Warnock—Santana Moss (Was)

Moss represents the best value at WR on the board at this pick. For a team looking for its WR2, I feel fortunate to be able to get him at this spot. I will have a problem in Week eight, when Moss and Bryant are both on a bye. But being extremely weak for one game isn’t terrible and is one of the many ways you can go about handling bye weeks..

 

7.03: Ryan Hallam—Jay Cutler (Chi)

OK, so he doesn’t have the weapons in Chicago he had in Denver, but he has a hell of a running game that should soften up the defense and he has one of the best arms in all of football.  Hopefully he can turn one of those stiffs into real receivers. 

 

7.04: Jimbo Jones—Tony Gonzalez (Atl)

While I think that this year there’s a lot of depth at tight end and you can wait to draft them, I couldn’t pass on Tony Gonzalez in the seventh round. He’s one of the top three elite tight ends heading into the season, and now on a much better offense.

 

7.05: Cory Steger—Knowshon Moreno (Den)

Needing to get some solid RBs to back up my starters I settled on Denver rookie Knowshon Moreno, who is a great runner and NFL ready. Not to mention the new coaching staff in Denver loves Moreno  (Moreno suffered an MCL sprain and could miss regular season action).

 

7.06: Kyle Smith—DeSean Jackson (PHI)

Jackson was last season’s top rookie wideout, and the unabashed No. 1 guy in Philly, even with a healthy Kevin Curtis. This is a player I could get third-round production out of, should he take a step forward in his second season in the league…

 

7.07: Chris Ziza—Willie Parker (Pit)

With a lot of people in this league having yet selected a RB3, I am going to grab my fourth in the draft by running with “Fast” Willie Parker. If he stays healthy, grabbing Parker in the later parts of the seventh round will be a huge steal as he has the talent to be a solid RB2 during most weeks. With LT, Jacobs, LJ and now Parker, I shouldn’t have any worries at this position.

 

7:08: Marc Caviglia—Dallas Clark (Ind)

Clark is the main RZ target for Peyton Manning and the loss of Marvin Harrison will only increase his role in the offense. He is the last of the elite TEs on the board and snagging him at the bottom half of round seven is ideal.

 

7.09: Larry Joseph—Bernard Berrian (Min)

Berrian finished 2008 with just 48 catches, but he totaled 964 yards for an outstanding 20.1 yards per catch with seven TD’s. He did this on a team whose primary offensive focus is running the ball and with less then stellar quarterback play. Berrian makes a nice high-end WR3, especially if Brett Favre ends up with the Vikings, which seems highly likely (Favre actually just signed a two year contract with Minnesota).

 

7.10: Michael Whooley—Lee Evans (Buf)

Many think T.O.‘s arrival to Buffalo diminishes Evans’ value. In fact, it does the opposite. For once, opposing defenses will be forced to pay attention to someone else in the Bills passing game, meaning Evans will find himself with plenty of opportunities against single coverage—perfect recipe for success for a deep ball threat.

FOR MORE FANTASY FOOTBALL INSIGHT AND ADVICE, CLICK THE LINK BELOW…

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Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Round 4 Recap

Bruno Boys Staff Mock Draft: Round 4 Recap

 

Consisting of nine members of the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Staff, along with guest columnist, Ryan Hallam, from Fighting Chance Fantasy, the Bruno Boys Mock Draft was a 14-round affair based on a standard scoring league (Pass TDs – 4 points, All Other TDs – 6 points). Outside of having to field a starting line-up occupied by 1 QB, 2 RBs, 3 WRs, 1 TE, 1 K, and 1 D, owners were free to compile their rosters any way in which they pleased. All commentary after each pick is provided by the Bruno Boys staff member who made the pick. The draft was conducted over email and took place from July 13, 2009 to August 3, 2009.

ROUND 4 RESULTS

4.01: Michael Whooley – Peyton Manning (Ind) – Manning in the fourth round, talk about value. Peyton has never thrown for less than 3,700 yards or 26 TDs in any season in his career and should avoid the slow start to the season he endured last year as he’s fully healthy this off-season.

4.02: Larry Joseph – Wes Welker (NE) – Welker has been extremely productive over the past two seasons. He has totaled 223 receptions over the two year span and this year Tom Brady will once again be passing the ball to him. So look for more than the three TD’s he had in ‘08. I am very happy with Welker as my WR2.

4.03: Marc Caviglia – Terrell Owens (Buf) – He might not be the T.O. of old, but snagging him as my WR2 in a start three wide out league will be a big boost for my receiving corps. The reception totals may lack but his presence in the red zone should lead to 10+ touchdowns, which is what you want out of your WR2, especially in a non-PPR league.

4.04: Chris Ziza – Brandon Marshall (Den) – With it being a start three wide receiver league, I wanted to have two that could produce solid numbers week in and week out, and that is what I got with Marshall. Granted he is a little banged up and is asking for a trade, but at this point, I feel his ceiling is worth the risk.

4.05: Kyle Smith – Dwayne Bowe (KC) – After suffering through a virtual clown college of quarterbacks over the past two seasons, Bowe finally gets to team up with a real one in Matt Cassel. And with Tony Gonzalez no longer in the picture, Bowe becomes Red Zone target number one.

4.06: Cory Steger – T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Sea) – The addition of Houshmandzadeh to Seattle will be a great one for quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who has needed a legitimate No. 1 receiver for a while now.

4.07: Jimbo Jones – Roy Williams (Dal) – Last year was last year, this year is this year. Roy Williams is the No. 1 WR on a pretty potent offense with a very capable quarterback. Terrell Owens is gone, making Williams Tony Romo’s first option among his receivers. I’ll take my chances with him as my WR2.

4.08: Ryan Hallam – Jonathan Stewart (Car) – I think we all seem to agree that DeAngelo Williams won’t repeat his 2008 numbers, and Stewart was impressive even with limited touches.  Stewart averaged an impressive 4.5 yards per carry and scored 10 times in 2008. I think his role will increase some in his second season, and he should be a great RB2.

4.09: Greg Warnock – Marshawn Lynch (Buf) – I know I have yet to pick a wide receiver, but you can never have enough running backs. Getting the most value in a fantasy draft will end up helping you in the long run. Lynch has first round talent and fell due to his suspension. Having him as my 3rd running back means I don’t have to worry about the position and can play the match-up game every week.

4.10: Dominic Brown – Darren McFadden (Oak) – I’m delighted McFadden was still available with this pick. Someone should dust off a seat in the top ten because there’s a good chance he’ll be sitting there by the end of the season. 
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Brett Favre: The Fantasy Factor

The saying goes, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!” Sadly, though, it stops there, leaving us in the dark as to who to blame for the majority of us believing that Brett Favre was actually going to stay retired this time around. Do we blame the grizzled vet for yet again playing us, or is our own naivety at fault? Either way, in the end, all that matters is that Favre is yet again unretired, this time joining the Minnesota Vikings.

The question, now, on the minds of all fantasy owners is how this impacts the world of fantasy football – beyond the obvious that Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels now become completely irrelevant.

Ultimately, the Favre factor is a positive one for all those worthy of fantasy consideration from the Vikings, and where better to start to see this, than with the consensus No. 1 pick for the 2009 fantasy season, running back, Adrian Peterson.

If there is one thing Brett Favre does, even as he nears the age of 40, it’s command respect from opposing defenses. 464 career TD passes will do that. That respect means opponents are not as willing to stack the box against teams with Favre under center, something Favre’s running backs have taken full advantage of, especially in recent years.

In 2007, it was Green Bay Packers’ running back, Ryan Grant, who was the beneficiary as he came out of no where to tally 956 rushing yards and 8 rushing scores, while averaging an astounding 5.1 ypc on the season. Thomas Jones of the New York Jets saw similar success last year while playing behind Favre, going for 1,312 rushing yards and a career-high 13 rushing TDs.

Thus, it only makes sense to assume that Peterson, who has averaged 1,550 rushing yards and 11 rushing TDs over the first two years of his career, improves on those numbers. After all, the upgrade from Jackson/Rosenfels to Favre is like going from SPAM to filet mignon.

Favre’s arrival also means good things for the Vikings’ pass catchers; however, perhaps not to the degree that many will assume. The Jets, with Favre at the helm, did post more passing yards than the Vikings last season, but the difference was just 299 yards, or 17.6 more passing yards per game. As for passing TDs, Favre and the Vikings both wound up with 22 on the season last year. The good news, though, is that Favre posted those numbers while in an offense that he was not familiar with. The offense he’ll be a part of in Minnesota is the same offense that he perfected in Green Bay. That distinction should lead Favre to a some what better season than he had in New York, which in turn will translate to better numbers for the likes of wide receivers Bernard Berrian, Sidney Rice, and Bobby Wade along with tight end, Visanthe Shiancoe.

In fact, Shiancoe probably sees the biggest jump in value among the Vikings’ pass catchers with Favre coming to town as Favre has always been privy to throwing to his tight ends – something that Bubba Franks, Donald Lee, and Dustin Keller can all attest to.

In the end, the Minnesota Vikings brought Favre in with the belief that he could make their football team better and in regards to fantasy value, he does just that.

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*THIS ARTICLE WRITTEN BY BRUNO BOY MIKE WHOOLEY. FOR MORE FANTASY FOOTBALL INSIGHT AND ADVICE, CLICK THE LINK BELOW!*

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Fantasy Football: Five Things NOT to Do on Draft Day

As fantasy football owners, we’re always looking for that golden nugget, that thing to DO on draft day that will lead us to fantasy gold; however, sometimes it’s just as important NOT to do something in order to achieve fantasy success. With that in mind, Bruno Boys Greg takes a look at five things NOT to do on draft day.

 

1. Do NOT draft a lot of guys from your favorite team

I know going into the season you may have high hopes for your hometown squad, leading you to think that I need to get my team’s guys so I can be happy when they do well in the season. 

First off, you could be paying a higher price to get guys from your favorite team. For example, if you love the New York Giants and have the second overall pick, it would be foolish of you to draft Brandon Jacobs there.

Sure, he will be a good fantasy player and there is a good chance he won’t be there at your next pick, but you won’t be getting good value for the second pick. Then, when you draft Eli Manning in the second round, you have definitely gotten terrible value, which will kill your season.

Another thing to remember when drafting a lot of guys from the same team is bye weeks and poor offensive weeks which will lead to instant loses in fantasy football. As such, you never want to put your whole season in the hands of one team, even if it is your favorite team.

 

2. Do NOT forget depth charts on draft day

There are a number of places you can find updated depth charts before your draft. Always have this handy when it gets to the later rounds. While here at the Bruno Boys we do not always recommend you taking the handcuff at a position (it really wastes a roster spot), you may find yourself in a league that has a lot of space on teams where you have the option to back up your best player.

Sure, there are some instances where almost everyone knows the backups (like LaDainian Tomlinson’s backup is Darren Sproles), but don’t be so sure you know the rest. 

Who will backup Frank Gore? How about Steve Slaton? You may say a certain guy will likely be your pick and are aware of his backup, but you never know who will fall on draft day and be available when you go on the clock. Taking an updated depth chart eases those tough questions.

 

3. Do NOT allow others to see your rankings

Here at the Bruno Boys we highly recommend you look at our rankings in our Preseason Webazine (which is 100 percent free and not to use a company line, one of the best rankings list out there), but we, also, suggest you make your own rankings.

However, be aware that others at your draft may ask to see where you rank a certain player or simply want to read what you have. NEVER share your information. In the world of fantasy football, information is key. If your opponent didn’t do their homework, then that is too bad for them and good news for you.

 

4. Do NOT allow the hecklers of your league to get under your skin

People may mock a pick of yours and call you names of any sort. Allow them to pass judgment, knowing you’ve done your homework and are the one drafting a superior team. I believe firmly in letting your team do your talking, because the loud mouths who think they are so smart generally finish in the bottom half of the standings.

As long as you do your homework and know where guys should be taken, you will always have the last laugh by having fun at their expense by seasons end.

 

5. Do NOT consume too much alcohol until the last guy is off the board

A fantasy football draft is a lot of fun and having some beers with your pals is part of the day (provided you are of the legal age limit).

However, you need to stay focused until the last pick goes through. While you want to make sure you grab the best guys at the top, a draft is really made in the middle to late rounds where you grab your sleeper picks.

If the alcohol has set in, you may want to draft a kicker four rounds before you are supposed to, while a guy like Knowshon Moreno is still on the board. Keeping a clear head from beginning to end will result in dominance of your league.  So pass on the shot of vodka in the 10th round and let your buddies do the beer bong, as long as you can stay focused on whose still on the board.

Once the last pick goes in, then have your fun!

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*THIS ARTICLE WRITTEN BY BRUNO BOY GREG WARNOCK. FOR MORE FANTASY FOOTBALL INSIGHT AND ADVICE, CLICK THE LINK BELOW.*

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