Week One Under the Radar Waiver Wire Pick-Ups

Each week, we will break down three players who impressed him on Sunday and are worthy of a roster spot for your fantasy team.  The guys chosen will be owned in less than 50% of fantasy leagues.  With no games this week, let’s take a look at three players who sitting on your waiver wire with good match-ups as we enter week one of the NFL regular season .

1. Nate Burleson, WR, Seattle Seahawks – Burleson is returning from a torn ACL suffered in Week One of last year to an offense which has improved its passing game.  Matt Hasselbeck is 100 percent healthy and T.J. Houshmandzadeh is a solid possession receiver over the middle. 

All of that means Burleson, who is a terrific deep threat and had a touchdown before being injured last year, will not have to deal with any double teams and be open for a lot of deep balls.  Many of you may see this as a stretch, but he could reach double digit touchdowns in 2009.

2. Earl Bennett, WR, Chicago Bears – Everyone sees this guy as a fantasy sleeper, one who will be the biggest benefactor to the Bears adding Jay Cutler.  Both Bennett and Cutler played college ball together in Vanderbilt and connected quite a bit.  While Bennett is not a top flight receiver, who else do the Bears really have to throw to? 

Devin Hester may be the No. 1 but is more of a home run threat.  Bennett could see a lot of targets, which could mean a lot of catches and a solid amount of yards.  Why not take a flier on this guy who has a load of potential compared to someone with a low ceiling?  If you have the roster space, grab Earl Bennett. 

3. San Diego Chargers Defense – In just about every league each fantasy owner needs to start a defense and the fact that San Diego D/ST remains on the board in over 50 percent of Yahoo! leagues is amazing.

In most leagues owners usually only draft one D/ST and to see the Chargers not being one of the top 12 D/ST drafted on a regular basis is absurd San Diego was rated the best defense coming into the 2008 season before injuries and some bad luck led to a letdown but that all should change in 2009.

Considering the Chargers play in the AFC West and have six games against the Chiefs, Raiders, and Broncos (who will all struggle offensively), they should get back to dominant form. Plus they have match-ups against the Browns and Bengals who ranked in the bottom third on offense in ‘08. 

That’s eight games against below averages offenses and trust us when we say the San Diego defense will finish in the top five by season’s end—even if Shawn Merriman misses time for choking celebrity Tweeter Tila Tequila.

 

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2009 Fantasy Football “Will” and “Won’t” Predictions

So you’ve already drafted all 11 of your fantasy football teams for the new season, and you’re now just sitting on your hands figuring out what to do with all the spare time. Mock drafts have deemed themselves irrelevant, and yet you’re still doing two a day like a recovering alcoholic. What do you do?

You have the (un)fortunate task of watching the players that you drafted fall down by the wayside. Not to be pessimistic, but regrets are already being made as you see players you skipped over deciding to tear it up this preseason.

Good thing is: It doesn’t mean anything.

While the preseason can teach you a lot about position battles and how a new offense is being put together, it also does not mean that your studs will perish into fantasy football doom. Sit back, relax, and remember, it’s only five days away from the start of your fantasy football season.

Yes, players like Glen Coffee of the San Francisco 49ers and Chris Henry of the Cincinnati Bengals have definitely increased their value in the preseason. And while you may decide that Coffee is worth a late-round flier, please remember that he still has the likes of Frank Gore in front of him on the depth chart.

I, Bruno Boys Jacob, am going to provide Bruno Boys Nation with some of the more outrageous projections for this fantasy season. I do this so that if they actually come true, it makes me look like a genius. Enjoy!

 

2009 Fantasy Football “Will” Predictions

Aaron Rodgers will cement himself right next to Peyton Manning with 34 TDs and 4,400 passing yards.

Joe Flacco will up his fantasy football appeal, and pass for 3,800 yards and throw for 23 TDs.

Tyler Thigpen will have 25 total TDs and make the Matt Cassel signing pointless.

LeSean McCoy will have more fantasy points than Knowshon Moreno, Donald Brown and Chris “Beanie” Wells.

Kevin Smith and Marshawn Lynch will cement positions in the first round of 2010 fantasy drafts.

Steve Slaton will put up 2,000 total yards and 13 total TDs, making him a perennial top-three pick in 2010.

Donnie Avery will be a top-10 WR by years end with 1,200 total yards (200 rushing) and 10 total TDs.

Lance Moore will play an Anquan Boldin-type role in the Saints offense and put up 1,300 receiving yards.

Hakeem Nicks will easily outplay all rookie WRs to the tune of 800 receiving yards and six to eight TDs.

Zach Miller will be top four in TE receptions with 87, and top 900 receiving yards to go along with seven TDs.

Ryan Longwell will lead all Kickers in fantasy points with a whopping 150-plus points.

 

2009 Fantasy Football Won’t Predictions

Kurt Warner won’t stay healthy. (Just kidding, this projection is not outrageous at all.)

Ben Roethlisberger won’t be a top-20 fantasy football QB in 2010.

Jay Cutler won’t throw as many TDs as he does interceptions.

The man he was traded for, Kyle Orton, won’t last the entire season as the starter.

Oft-injured RBs Brian Westbrook, Steven Jackson, and Frank Gore won’t miss any games the entire season.

Thomas Jones won’t be the best RB on the New York Jets due to 700 rushing yards and four TDs. (Leon Washington, anyone?)

LenDale White won’t score 10 TDs this season. However, he will take 10 shots of patron after the season because he realized he should have kept the weight on.

Terrell Owens and T.J. Houshmandzadeh won’t put up less than 1,100 yards and nine to 10 TDs apiece.

Braylon Edwards won’t lead the league in drops, and therefore will score 13 TDs this season.

Anthony Gonzalez won’t take one step in his progression, but he will take three steps: 1,200 yards and nine TDs.

Greg Olsen won’t be a top-10 TE like everyone hopes. Neither will Vernon Davis (like I hope).

Stephen Gostkowski won’t lead the league in fantasy football kicker points. This is why we don’t take Kickers before the last round!

 

TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE GO HERE…

2009 Fantasy Football Will & Won’t Predictions

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Fantasy Football Rankings: Keeper League WRs

Unlike running backs, wide receivers tend to have a much longer shelf life, which makes them very keeper friendly in the fantasy football world.

Getting 1-2 young elite wide outs on your roster can solidify your team’s strength year after year. While youth is always a great commodity in keepers, veteran wideouts are still extremely valuable. This is especially true since the receiver position is one of the hardest to learn, and most wide outs take two or three years to fully acclimate to the NFL game.

So, if you’re eyeing that shiny rookie wide out who is going to be the next great thing, it’s always good to snag some proven guys to balance out your roster. That being said, here are my (Bruno Boys Dominic) Top 30 keeper league WRs.

1. Larry Fitzgerald (ARI)—Age 25

Meet the new crown jewel of wide receivers. There is no questioning his talent, determination, or character. He’s a team guy, loves the game, and has put up double-digit TDs and over 1,400 yards for the past two seasons. The only thing that raises concern is whether or not Matt Leinart (or whomever Warner’s successor will be) can get him the ball.

The good news is, no matter who it ends up being, Fitzgerald should automatically make them better.

2. Andre Johnson (HOU)—Age 28

The only thing keeping him from the No. 1 spot is the fact that he is three years older than Fitzgerald, and has not caught as many TDs. The latter should soon change, though.

He’s on a young and talented offense, and has a QB with top five potential throwing him the ball. He’ll make a strong case for that number one spot by the end of the season.

3. Calvin Johnson (DET)—Age 23

Youth, outstanding talent, and a stellar character make Megatron one of the most attractive fantasy football receivers for a keeper league, or any league for that matter.

With a rookie as his QB, he’ll no doubt end up dropping on some people’s lists, but last season he hauled in 12 TDs and over 1,300 yards with Dan Orvlovsky throwing to him. All that was on an 0-16 team. Just imagine what he’ll do when the team gets better.

4. Greg Jennings (GB)—Age 25

When a young stud receiver has a young stud QB throwing him the ball, it’s a beautiful thing. Jennings has no doubt become Rodger’s favorite down-field target. He’s totaled over 2,000 yards and 21 TDs over the past two years. As QB Aaron Rodgers gets better, so will Jennings. Long-time receiver Donald Driver may still have enough gas in the tank to produce, but it’s Jennings’ turn, and everyone knows it.

5. Roddy White (ATL)—Age 27

White’s TD totals need to increase for him to truly belong here, but the Falcons’ superb running game and ball-control play calling from the coaches for a rookie QB can be blamed for that.

Last season, the coaches learned that Matt Ryan is the real deal, and Roddy is definitely his No. 1 guy. As the coaches let Ryan throw the ball more, White will be the one who benefits the most. The addition of Tony Gonzalez may take some scores away, but it will also create some space for this speedy receiver to make big plays.

6. Randy Moss (NE)—Age 32

If you’re building for the long-term future, Moss may not be your guy. If you’re looking for 3-5 years of elite production, that’s another story.

Plenty of risk does come with taking Moss. He’s older, making him more prone to injuries or his body slowing down. If the Patriots win the Super Bowl in the next year or two, he may call it quits and go out on top. However, you just can’t argue with 23 TDs. Anyone linking his production with Brady should note that Moss put up 11 TDs and 1,000 yards last year with the Pro Bowl QB on the sidelines.

7. Anquan Boldin (ARI)—Age 28

Boldin remains one of the toughest and most skilled wide outs in the league. He missed four games last year with (literally) a broken face and still came back to finish the season strong, totaling 11 TDs and over 1038 yards. No matter where he ends up next year, he’ll remain a great fantasy receiver. If he ends up playing under the right circumstances, he’ll reach elite status.

8. Brandon Marshall (DEN)—Age 25

Oh, if he only had a brain. Marshall is super talented and has all the characteristics of a top notch receiver.

Unfortunately, that includes the diva complex.

Marshall will definitely be on a new team either this year or the next, and if he lands in the right spot, could be a top five player for years and years. The problem is, he needs to show he can stay out of trouble on and off the field. Until he does that, his immaturity and bad decision making serve as a big red warning sign to owners.

9. Marques Colston (NO)—Age 26

Under the Saint’s prolific passing game, Colston is virtually a lock for double-digit TDs every season. That is, if he can remain healthy.

After micro-fracture surgery, that’s a big if.

Still he has plenty of upside: he’s only 26, he’s QB Drew Brees’ first look on the field, and the Saints should be a powerful offense for the next several years. So, if all medical signs look good, there’s no reason he can’t put up huge numbers going forward.

10. Reggie Wayne (IND)—Age 30

Last year, he experienced a significant drop in TD totals, but that’s understandable considering the entire team suffered when Manning was banged up. Age is catching up to him, but history has shown us that if there is one thing a receiver wants to be, it’s Peyton Manning’s favorite target.

As long as the Colts can continue their success in the passing game, Wayne is good for another five years of solid production.

11. Steve Smith (CAR)—Age 30

Smith may be 30, but he’s good for at least another three to five seasons of spectacular fantasy production. He has put up over 1,000 yards for the last four seasons, and is the No. 1 guy for Jake Delhomme.

The only reasons he’s not higher in the keeper rankings are that his size makes him more vulnerable to injuries, and Carolina’s elite running combination of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart may continue to steal TDs from his stat column.

12. Braylon Edwards (CLE)—Age 26

Edwards may be remembered for dropping balls in a very disappointing 2008 season, but his 16 TDs in 2007 were no fluke. He’s on a bad team right now, and while it’s true he gets a case of the dropsies too often, so does Terrell Owens, one of the most highly-touted receivers out there.

Edwards is in a contract year; not only will he be playing for his next gig this season, but after it’s over, it’s not unlikely that he ends up somewhere that could spike his value big time (maybe perhaps, the boys in blue?). Regardless of where he ends up, he has the size, speed, and skills to be a top fantasy option.

13. Dwayne Bowe (KC)—Age 24

The loss of Tony Gonzalez may force more double teams, but it’s also going to give Bowe more opportunities to score. Last year, he brought in seven TDs and over 1,000 yards. If Cassell can prove he’s for real, Bowe could easily become the consistent double-digit TD guy you want on your team each season.

14. Vincent Jackson (SD)—Age 26

Despite last year, the run game has been the focal point of San Diego’s offense for awhile, and that may not change in the near future; however, Rivers is maturing into a fine QB, and Jackson is quickly becoming his go-to guy. He’s a huge threat in the red zone, and has the speed and size to go deep.

The Chargers’ offense is absolutely dynamic, so grabbing this guy before he becomes a legitimate stud would be wise.

15. T.J. Houshmandzadeh (SEA)—Age 32

The success of Houshmandzadeh relies heavily on the health of QB Matt Hasselbeck. Though, in all fairness, he could do a lot worse than back-up QB Seneca Wallace. The good news is Hasselbeck has looked phenomenal in preseason, and if he can keep it up, T.J. will be raking in the TDs. Temper your expectations in terms of longevity, and don’t expect more than three or four good years going forward.

16. Wes Welker (NE)—Age 28

His TDs dropped to a mere three in 2008, but with Brady back, he should return to his 2007 numbers (eight TDs). Welker has racked up over 100 receptions in the past 2 seasons, making him extremely valuable in PPR leagues. He’s a tough player who’s unafraid to take a hit in the middle in order to make the catch. Brady loves him for it, and more importantly, he loves throwing him the ball.

17. Chad Ocho Cinco (CIN)—Age 31

If you got fantasy points for flair, he’d be atop this list. Ocho Cinco is 31, but still a very talented receiver. He’ll have to prove that both his body and attitude can remain healthy and productive in 2009, but with Carson Palmer back, expect him to look Ocho’s way often. Three big questions remainm though: Can Palmer stay on the field?, can Cinco stay out of trouble?, and will losing Houshmandzadeh help or hinder his fantasy numbers?

18. Roy Williams (DAL)—Age 27

Williams has really underperformed considering he has all the tangibles to be a great wide receiver. With a year under his belt learning the Cowboys’ offense and developing chemistry with QB Tony Romo, Williams could flourish this year in Dallas and finally become the No. 1 we’ve been waiting for him to become. If that happens, he’ll instantly become an extremely valuable keeper.

19. DeSean Jackson (PHI)—Age 22

As a rookie he registered three TDs, 62 receptions, and almost reached 1,000 yards receiving. While that may not seem all that impressive, Jackson is still learning and has a few flaws in his game to correct. He’s blazing fast though, extremely talented, and plays on a powerful Eagles offense. New rookie wide out Jeremy Maclin is certainly a red flag, but Jackson has too much potential not be in this list.

20. Michael Crabtree (SF)—Age 21

Crabtree would’ve been higher in this list, if not for a hold out that is threatening to ruin his rookie season, if it hasn’t already.

He’s got tremendous upside. He’s a freakish athlete with great hands and a competitive nature; however, he was marked for having some character issues coming into the draft, and has done nothing to dispel those concerns.

In fact, he’s pretty much proclaimed a diva status without touching the field. So why even bother you ask? Like I said before, huge upside.

21. Eddie Royal (DEN) – Age 23
22. Anthony Gonzalez (IND) – Age 24
23. Donnie Avery (STL) – Age 25
24. Chris Henry (CIN) – Age 26
25. Percy Harvin (MIN) – Age 21
26. Lee Evans (BUF) – Age 28
27. Santonio Holmes (PIT) – Age 25
28. Antonio Bryant (TB) – Age 28
29. Jeremy Maclin (PHI) – Age 21
30. Hines Ward (PIT) – Age 32

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

BRUNO BOYS FANTASY FOOTBALL

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Fantasy Football Rookie Report: Tight Ends

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Fantasy Football ADP Watch: Falling Running Backs (9/4)

With the season now a week away, we know the Bruno Boys Nation is starving for knowledge and last-minute fantasy advice before their upcoming weekend drafts. Leading up to Week 1, I, Bruno Boys Ziza, will be tackling the weekly running back risers and fallers for ESPN live draft ADP (Average Draft Position).

This week, the top fallers happen to be Julius Jones (-13.2), Jonathan Stewart (-8.2), Shonn Greene (-7.9), Earnest Graham (-7.7), and Derrick Ward (-6.9). I will be breaking down these players and giving the reasoning of why I believe or don’t believe that the movement down the draft boards is justifiable.

1. Julius Jones (Seattle Seahawks)

This week, Julius Jones took a -13.2 ADP hit, mainly due to Edgerrin James joining the Seattle Seahawks recently. While Jones will probably never achieve half of what was expected out of him when he was younger with the Dallas Cowboys, he still will be the most productive running back on this team. Don’t be surprised, though, if throughout the year the Seahawks go to a more evenly-spread workload.

Take Jones no higher than a RB4. He’s not someone that you can rely on from week-to-week, and we all know consistency wins in fantasy football.

2. Jonathan Stewart (Carolina Panthers)

We’re approaching one week from the start of the regular season and Jonathan Stewart is still ailing, unable to right his leg injury. While Stewart claims that he will be ready for Week 1, leg injuries on running backs are not something to sneeze at.

While he remains a low-end RB2 or a high-end RB3, Stewart’s -8.2 ADP drop for ESPN drafts is very justifiable. What good is it to invest an early-round pick on a guy who is going to be on the injury report week-in and week-out?

3. Shonn Greene (New York Jets)

Shonn Greene’s rookie season looks to be one that will be spent behind both Thomas Jones and Leon Washington. That doesn’t mean that he is one that should be ignored; in fact, it should be completely the opposite. Despite his bruised ribs, Greene should start seeing a bit more game action as the season gets rolling, probably preparing for the departure of Jones down the road.

Also, with a rookie quarterback at the helm in Mark Sanchez, you can all but guarantee that the Jets will focus on their running game.

The -7.9 ADP should be thought of as a reaction to his injury, but from the Bruno Boys’ point of view, his ADP should be going in the opposite direction. Draft Greene towards the later rounds of your draft as a low-risk option who could be a fantasy factor by season’s end.

4. Earnest Graham (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

This week, Earnest Graham experienced a -7.7 dip in his weekly ADP, and for good reason—Cadillac Williams has reemerged as a solid threat to take some playing time from both Graham and Derrick Ward. With the lack of talent at the quarterback position, it’s easy to believe head coach Raheem Morris when he said that he is going to utilize all three of his running backs in a 2-2-1 backfield.

Graham still should see plenty of goal line opportunities, making him a solid low-end RB3, high-end RB4.

5. Derrick Ward (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

What applied to Earnest Graham applies to Derrick Ward, except that Ward is expected to be the most utilized back that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have. Even with three running backs getting time in the backfield, Ward remains a RB3.

His dip of -6.9 ADP is warranted, though, as with less carries comes less production. If you are in a PPR league, you can target Ward a round earlier as he should be the preferred back receiving the ball out of the backfield on passing downs.

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

BRUNO BOYS FANTASY FOOTBALL

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Fantasy Football Expert League: Round 7 Recap

It is time ladies and gentlemen of Bruno Boys Nation to introduce you to the fantasy draft that tops all fantasy drafts. Yes, folks, we’ve saved the best for last – the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Expert League Draft. We’ve searched the nation far and wide to gather the best fantasy football experts out there. After all, if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. These guys and gal don’t fool around, it’s strictly business, and with that in mind, we’re jumping right into the ROUND 7 results of the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Expert League Draft.

Below, check out to see how Round 7 played out in the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Expert League Draft which was played out at MyFantasyLeague.com. The scoring system is “standard” scoring and each team starts 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 K, 1 DEF.

 

2009 Bruno Boys Expert League Draft – Round 7 Results

7.01   RapidDraft.com:  LenDale White (Ten)
7.02   Fantasy Football Librarian: Jerricho Cotchery (NYJ)
7.03   Fantasy Sharks: Donald Brown (Ind)
7.04   Fantasy Pros 911: Bernard Berrian (Min)
7.05   Athlon/Grogan Fantasy Football: Hines Ward (Pit)
7.06   Yahoo!: Greg Olsen (Chi)
7.07   Roto Wire: Chris Cooley (Was)
7.08   Roto World: Chris Wells (Ari)
7.09   FantasyFootball.com: Owen Daniels (Hou)
7.10   Owner’s Edge/Fan Ball: Devin Hester (Chi)

7.11   Bruno Boys Fantasy Football: Carson Palmer (Cin)

7.12   Fantasy Football Xtreme: LeSean McCoy (Phi)

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Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Pick:  “Oh, thank Heaven, for 7-11!” With the 11th pick of the 7th round (#83 overall), it’s finally time to take our first quarterback. Waiting until the 7th round to grab our signal caller means we have a lot of depth at the running back and wide receiver positions, but it, also, means we’ve missed out on the top tier guys. Still, there are plenty of arms with potential left, so we’re not too worried as we should be able to take two solid guys and play match-ups throughout the year. Leading our quarterback tandem will be Cincinnati Bengals’ quarterback, Carson Palmer. Palmer was a disappointment to many last season as he only appeared in 4 games prior to getting injured, but the man when healthy is phenomenal, going for at least 3,800 passing yards and 26 TDs in each season from 2005 to 2007. If he comes anywhere close to those numbers, we’ve gotten a steal.

Round 7 Notes: When you get to the middle rounds, you’ll notice owners in your draft have one of two preferences. Some will go safe and take veterans (i.e. Hines Ward) that they know will be solid but not spectacular, while others will try and take strike it big by taking young guys with potential (i.e. Donald Brown, Chris Wells, LeSean McCoy). There really is no right way to go; however, here’s a tip – if you’re early picks are reliable and stable, take a gamble, but if they have some question marks surrounding them, go safe.

Past Rounds RECAP:  1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14

 

NFL Preseason Report Card: Wide Receivers

Week 3 of the NFL preseason is in the books, and for most teams, its the all-important “dress rehearsal”  that showcases the starters for at least the first half of the season.

As such, we’ll go around last week’s games and take a peek at “the good, the bad, and the ugly” performers from the wide receiver position.

THE GOOD

Hakeem Nicks (New York Giants) – Nicks, the team’s first-round draft pick in April, dominated in the team’s contest against the New York Jets catching six passes for 144 yards while scoring two touchdowns. His 208 receiving yards this preseason are the third-most in the NFL.

Chris Henry (Cincinnati Bengals) – Speaking of leaders, no player this preseason has more than the three receiving touchdowns that Henry can claim, and he’s tied with Denver’s Eddie Royal for the most receptions with 13. He caught just two passes in the Bengals’ loss to the St. Louis Rams, but they went for 62 yards and a score. He’s found the end zone in every game this preseason.

Derrick Mason (Baltimore Ravens) – Proving his steadiness and value to Baltimore, Mason was on the receiving end of six passes for 71 yards in Baltimore’s preseason win over the Carolina Panthers.

Randy Moss (New England Patriots) – Now that Tom Brady’s back, so too are Moss’s forays into the end zone. He traversed there twice in New England’s win over the Washington Redskins, catching a total of six passes for 90 yards.

Jerheme Urban (Arizona Cardinals) – In a crazy 44-37 loss to the Green Bay Packers, Urban did his part, with six receptions for 103 yards. He’s in the top-20 in the league this preseason in receiving yards, though he has failed to cross the goal-line.

THE BAD

Domenik Hixon (New York Giants) – Hixon had one catch for only 10 yards in the Giants game against the New York Jets. He hasn’t exactly flourished with his opportunity so far this preseason. He has just four catches for 40 yards so far.

Devin Hester (Chicago Bears) – Hester had three catches in the Bears’ win over the Denver Broncos in an emotional game due to Jay Cutler’s return. Three receptions isn’t bad, but he gathered just 27 yards with those catches, and he’s averaged just 8.6 yards per reception for the preseason and doesn’t have a catch over 20 yards. With Hester’s speed and Cutler’s arm, that shouldn’t be the case.

Malcolm Kelly (Washington Redskins) – Though he’s had a solid preseason overall, Kelly didn’t show much in his team’s loss to the New England Patriots. The second-year pro caught just one pass and traveled 11 yards with it.

Anthony Gonzalez (Indianapolis Colts) – Losing to the Detroit Lions isn’t a big deal in the preseason, but it likely didn’t feel too good nonetheless. What also didn’t feel good, at least to Gonzalez, was the fact that he only hauled in two passes for a measly 17 yards while dropping another.

Bryant Johnson (Detroit Lions)– One catch for nine feet is what Johnson got. The only thing saving him from being on the “Ugly” list, is that the catch did go for a touchdown. Still, three yards?

TO SEE THE FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE…

NFL Preseason Report Card: Wide Receivers

::Article written by Bruno Boys Staff Member Kyle Smith::

Can Brandon Marshall Produce As a WR2 In Fantasy Football

We are one week away my fantasy football friends! Is anyone else excited about the start of the football season? Yes, that was a rhetorical question. We here at Bruno Boys Fantasy Football know that everyone is excited for the start of football, especially fantasy football.

We are one week away from the official start of the NFL season when the Pittsburgh Steelers start their Super Bowl title defense next Thursday when they host the Tennessee Titans.

With the NFL preseason and the fantasy football drafting season coming to an end, it’s time to start pondering our starting line-ups for Week 1 of the fantasy football season.

So whether you are preparing for an upcoming draft or tossing around possible line-ups for Week 1, it’s time for us to take a look at the fantasy impact of this week’s news around the NFL.

Josh McDaniels says Broncos’ not shopping Marshall

Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels said Wednesday that the team is not currently shopping disgruntled wide receiver Brandon Marshall, dispelling reports of a possible trade to the New York Jets.

McDaniels went on to say that the team is looking forward to getting Marshall back on the field September 6, as the team prepares to take on the Cincinnati Bengals Week 1 of the regular season.

This appears to be good news for owners who have already drafted Marshall, but don’t get to excited yet. Sept. 6 is the first day that Marshall is eligible to return from a team mandated suspension for conduct detrimental to the team and just because the team is ready to welcome him back it does not mean that this situation is completely resolved.

It has been reported that Marshall is behind in learning the Broncos new offense and he is not a lock to start Week 1 of the regular season. Fantasy football owners may want to take a wait and see approach with Marshall. He has the talent to be an elite wide receiver, but he needs to get his head on straight.

Consider Marshall a low-end WR2; there are a lot of concerns with him heading into the regular season.

Terrell Owens expected to miss the Bills’ final preseason game

According to Buffalo Bills head coach Dick Jauron Wednesday, wide receiver Terrell Owens is expected to miss the team’s final preseason game tonight against the Detroit Lions. Owens has not played in a preseason game since the Bills’ first offensive series in the Hall of Fame game against the Tennessee Titans.

This is not a big concern at this point, as Owens has returned to practice and it appears he is on schedule to be ready for the start of the regular season. The Bills definitely need Owens on the field as they have struggled offensively during the preseason without the flamboyant wide receiver in their line-up.

Consider Owens a high-end WR2 heading into the regular season, as long as there aren’t any set-backs with his injured toe.

DeAngelo Williams Returns to practice Monday, Jonathan Stewart remains out

Carolina Panthers’ running back DeAngelo Williams returned to practice Monday after missing time last week with a sore knee and it appears the Panthers were just being cautious sitting him out of the team’s preseason game last week. Williams’ running mate Jonathan Stewart continues sit out with a sore Achilles tendon.

Williams is in line to start for Carolina Week 1 of the regular season and he is a must start RB1 in all formats. In his third NFL season he had the breakout year in 2008 many fantasy football owners have been waiting for since his rookie season.

Stewart is questionable for the start of the regular season; he is low-end RB2 when healthy. Keep on eye on this situation as the regular season approaches. Williams is ranked the No. 7 running back on the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets and he could see increased value if Stewart misses any time.

Knowshon Moreno returns to practice after missing time with knee injury

Denver Broncos rookie running back Knowshon Moreno returned to practice Tuesday after missing the Broncos’ last two preseason games with a sprained MCL suffered during the team’s first preseason game. He is not expected to play in the team’s final preseason game, but he could be ready to go for Denver’s Week 1 match-up with the Cincinnati Bengals.

This is good news for owners who have drafted Moreno. He may not be the Broncos’ No. 1 running back for Week 1, but it is likely only a matter of time. Consider Moreno as a RB3 at this time as Denver has a crowded backfield, but Moreno is the most talented running back on this roster and it will be hard to keep this kid off the field.

Matt Cassel suffers knee injury, questionable for start of the regular season

In a story of fate meets irony, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel suffered what is being reported as a sprained MCL in the team’s third preseason game. If it was fate that Tom Brady’s season ending knee injury in Week 1 of the 2008 NFL season allowed Matt Cassel the playing time to showcase his skills and earn him a multi-million dollar multi-year contract with the Chiefs, then it’s irony that a similar knee injury could cost him playing time this season.

The Chiefs have not officially listed Cassel’s injury on the injury report and they don’t have to until Wednesday before Week 1. At this point you should not expect Cassel to start Kansas City’s season opener against the Baltimore Ravens.

He has had an up-and- down preseason and should not be considered anything more then a QB2 even without the injury. The Chiefs are a rebuilding team with a new coaching staff and they will likely struggle offensively this season.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE…

Can Brandon Marshall Produce As a WR2 In Fantasy Football

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly: Preseason RBs (Week Three)

Week Three in the preseason is your best bet to get a good sneak peak at potential fantasy players, as the first string won’t see much action in Week Four. With that in mind, let’s take a look at this week’s “the good, the bad and the ugly” at the running back position.

The Good

Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) – Anybody out there who thinks Michael Turner or Matt Forte should be drafted ahead of Adrian Peterson got the response from AD on the first play of last Monday’s game against the Houston Texans as Peterson took off for a 75-yard touchdown run.

In standard scoring formats, I don’t think there should be any debate on whether or not AD is the first overall pick. He does come with a tiny bit of worry, mostly around the fact that he’s a little injury prone, but that shouldn’t stop you in the least from taking him if you have the first overall pick in your draft.

Leon Washington (New York Jets) – In the battle of the Meadowlands, it was Leon Washington from the New York Jets who outshined teammate Thomas Jones and counterpart Brandon Jacobs from the New York Giants. Washington scampered for 62 yards on nine carries.

Jones was able to hit pay dirt, but only totaled 16 yards rushing on 12 carries. Jacobs also scored a touchdown and had 24 yards rushing on six attempts. Jones had a tremendous 2008 season, but don’t expect a duplication of that in 2009. Washington should have a significant impact on this team.

Kevin Smith (Detroit Lions) – One of the most undervalued players you’ll see in your draft is Kevin Smith of the Detroit Lions. Don’t let the team he plays for fool you; the Lions have two legit fantasy players (everyone knows about Calvin Johnson).

In Week Three of the preseason against the Indianapolis Colts, Smith had 8 attempts for 50 yards and 4 catches for 33 yards. Granted, the Colts don’t have a great defense, but production is production. This guy is a definite RB2. He has no handcuff or RBBC attached to him, which is one of the main reasons why I think he has great fantasy value.

Chris Wells (Arizona Cardinals) – We all finally got our first look at Beanie Wells, and considering it was his NFL debut and he had been hurt, the rookie didn’t do too bad. Wells posted seven attempts for 46 yards, but he found the endzone twice. One of those scores came on a 20-yard rush. Before everybody jumps on the Wells bandwagon, Tim Hightower is still No. 1 on the depth chart for now.

It looks as though it’s still Hightower’s job, and I think you can expect a pretty even split in the carries, with a slight advantage to Hightower at the moment. It’s possible Wells could be the goal-line guy. Time will tell how this backfield works out, but I’d still lean a little more towards Wells than Hightower as the season progresses.

Cadillac Williams (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) – Here’s a guy who it appears has resurrected his career, and while he surely won’t be the feature back for Tampa Bay, what he has done is take a huge chunk out of Derrick Ward’s fantasy value. Last week against the Miami Dolphins, Williams posted 54 yards rushing on eight attempts. Not too shabby at all.

It very well could be a three-headed beast for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers now with Williams, Ward and Earnest Graham. What this means for fantasy owners is, Ward is still your best bet for RBs on this team, but he should be lowered on all cheat sheets.

Matt Forte (Chicago Bears) – Beanie Wells wasn’t the only running back to find the endzone twice in Week 3. Matt Forte ran for a score and was on the receiving end of a touchdown pass from Jay Cutler.

The yardage doesn’t look that great in this game for Forte, but the two touchdowns are a nice foreshadowing of what you can expect when the games start counting. Forte will remain the focal point of this offense, and now, he has a QB who will help spread the defenses and give him more room to spring loose.

The Bad

Chris Johnson (Tennessee Titans) – No real cause for alarm here, nothing’s happened in the preseason to cause Chris Johnson to drop in your fantasy rankings. It should be brought to light, however, that the sophomore back for the Tennessee Titans hasn’t exactly had a stellar preseason, averaging 13.5 yards per game.

In Week Three against the Cleveland Browns, he finished with 27 yards rushing on seven carries. That’s not great, but it could be worse. You should still draft him with confidence in the first round, but maybe just in case, don’t wait too long to fill out your depth at RB.

Frank Gore (San Francisco 49ers) – Frank Gore made his preseason debut against the Dallas Cowboys in Week Three. Considering he’s had trouble playing a full slate of games in recent years, it was probably smart of him to pass on the first two preseason games. His 2009 debut wasn’t sensational by any means, racking up 19 yards on five carries.

It’s fair to assume that the San Francisco 49ers just wanted Gore to see some real live action before the season starts. Still, it would have been a little encouraging to see him have one nice run in there.

Cedric Benson (Cincinnati Bengals) – Despite the fact the Cedric Benson’s performance last week was ugly, I left him in the “Bad” section because I don’t want to totally deter you away from a running back who should most likely get the vast majority of the carries for the Cincinnati Bengals. Last week against the St. Louis Rams, Benson tallied 17 yards rushing on five carries.

As I’ve said in these articles before, it’s hard to really judge an RB’s performance when he only gets the ball five times, but don’t expect this guy to go off in the regular season. The only real upside to having this guy on your team, as an RB3, is the fact that he has no handcuff nor is he part of an RBBC.

The Ugly

Clinton Portis (Washington Redskins) – Against the New England Patriots last week, Clinton Portis almost had fewer yards rushing than he did carries. He ended the game with eight yards on six touches. This isn’t Week One of the preseason, Week Three is the closest you’ll see to a real game, and that’s not encouraging for Portis’ fantasy owners.

Sure, the Washington Redskins probably want to keep him fresh since there’s already so much wear and tear on this guy, but the preseason numbers don’t look promising. Portis is one of the running backs that I would let somebody else take their chances with, if possible. There are a lot safer bets out there for your RBs.

Denver Broncos Backfield – Just do yourself a favor and stay away from the RBs on this team at all costs, even Knowshon Moreno. He’s recovering from an injury suffered in Week One of the preseason, so even if he does get picked late in your drafts, let that be someone else’s burden.

If nobody takes Moreno, keep an eye on him and see how he does. He could become a nice waiver wire pickup. Besides Moreno, nobody else from this backfield should be drafted on your fantasy team. Even with Mike Shanahan departing, this is still going to be the same merry-go-round backfield it has been in recent years.

Willis McGahee (Baltimore Ravens) – Don’t let the touchdown Willis McGahee scored last week against the Carolina Panthers fool you. McGahee’s time as this team’s featured back is over. He finished that game with 16 yards rushing on 6 carries. The new main man in this backfield, Ray Rice, finished with 32 yards rushing on 10 carries, but he also had eight catches for 67 yards.

Rice’s stock is shooting up, while McGahee’s is plummeting. Consider Rice a strong RB3 on your squad, and consider calling a fantasy football ambulance if you have McGahee on your team. You can also consider this paragraph as putting Ray Rice in the “Good” section.

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

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Fantasy Football ADP Watch: Rising Running Backs (9/2)

With the season quickly approaching, Bruno Boys Nation is starving for knowledge and I, Bruno Boys Ziza, am here to oblige. Leading up to Week 1 I will be tackling the weekly running back risers and fallers for ESPN live draft ADP (Average Draft Position). This week we tackle Cadillac Williams (+28.1), James Davis (+21.4), Glen Coffee (+21.3), Edgerrin James (+14.3), Leon Washington (+11.1), Ray Rice (+10.4) and Chris “Beanie” Wells (+8.2). I will be breaking down these players and giving the reasoning of why I believe or don’t believe that the movement is justifiable.

1. Cadillac Williams (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) – With a rise of +28.1 in the ADP for ESPN drafts this week, there is no doubt that people are starting to take notice. Cadillac Williams made his preseason debut against the Miami Dolphins this week and was pretty successful, looking a lot like his old self. Remember though, things have changed since his rookie year in 2005. He is coming off of his second major knee surgery and will be splitting carries with Derrick Ward and Earnest Graham. Any way you look at it, Williams will be getting some touches thus making him a player that you may want to take a chance on late in standard scoring, deep drafts.

2. James Davis (Cleveland Browns) – With head coach Eric Mangini coming out and stating that he hopes all of the running backs come out and carve a role on this team, there is tons of excitement in the air about James Davis. He jumped up two rounds with a +21.4 in ADP this week and his main competition is the aging and underachieving Jamal Lewis. With Michael Lombardi of the National Football Post reporting that Lewis’ might be a roster casualty in Cleveland it means Davis’ has a legitimate shot of getting carries right out of the gate. And if the preseason success of Davis is any indication of what fantasy owners should expect throughout the season they have themselves a keeper for years to come. Davis has been that good!

3. Glen Coffee (San Francisco 49ers) – During the last few years, the concern in San Francisco has been who will be the man carrying the rock if Frank Gore goes down with injury. That problem seems to be waning a little as Glen Coffee has enjoyed a solid preseason so far in his rookie year. The +21.3 increase in ADP shows that fantasy owners are starting to take notice of his good vision, speed and ability to get the extra yard. While he remains no more than a handcuff for Frank Gore owners, he is still someone you will want to keep your eye on in case injury does beset Gore.

4. Edgerrin James (Seattle Seahawks) – While his prime is certainly passed him, Edgerrin James is giving it another go, this time in a Seattle Seahawks uniform. His main competition is Julius Jones; someone that certainly is not superior to James. Don’t be surprised if James starts to get more and more of an equal share in touches as he grows more accustomed to the organization. The +14.3 in the ADP this week isn’t really much to concern yourself with as the running back has a shot at a decent, but unspectacular season. Draft him no higher than your RB4, but know that James can win the job and carry the workload in Seattle you could get RB3 production out of Edge.

5. Leon Washington (New York Jets) – It is no surprise that Leon Washington is starting to really move up the charts, this week another +11.1 spots, being the 127.2 person off the draft boards. He will continue to split time with Thomas Jones and to a lesser extent Shonn Greene, but his extremely encouraging preseason has caught the eye of many fantasy football owners. Draft him no higher than your RB4, but know that in any given week he could produce as a RB2.

6. Ray Rice (Baltimore Ravens) – Being a major component of the three-headed monster for the Baltimore Ravens, Ray Rice is starting to distance himself some from his counterparts. While LeRon McClain and Willis McGahee are expected to still share the workload, and McGahee is being considered as a goal-line option, Rice has been by far the most impressive during the preseason. His +10.4ADP this week in all ESPN live drafts shows that his success is getting noticed. Rice starts the year as a RB3, but with Baltimore being a run first football team the upside is enough to where he is a RB3 that you should actually covet.

7. Chris Wells (Arizona Cardinals) – The good news is that Chris “Beanie” Wells scored two TD’s this past week. The bad news is that he still is no where near 100% according to the man himself. Having Tim Hightower in the backfield allows for Wells to get healthy without much urgency. It is pretty safe to say that until Wells ankle heals, he can not be relied upon heavily to be one of your main backs on your team. Pass on Wells unless you can get him as your low-end RB3 in 12-team leagues. The +8.2 rise in the ADP over the past week and his multiple TD game is an indicator that fantasy owners’ have hoped back on the “Beanie” bandwagon.

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*THIS ARTICLE WRITTEN BY BRUNO BOY CHRIS ZIZA. FOR MORE FANTASY FOOTBALL INFORMATION AND ADVICE, CLICK THE LINK BELOW.*

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