Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

Normally when a team wins just two games in a season you don’t hear the word “improvement” used, but after posting the worst season in the history of the NFL in 2008 going 0-16 the Detroit Lions did improve in 2009. Sure they only had two wins the entire year and they still finished in last place of the NFC North, but Detroit fans do seem to have reason to be optimistic.

They had a solid draft in 2009 and there may be a light at the end of the dark tunnel that former general manager Matt Millen created. They appear to have found their quarterback of the future in Matthew Stafford. They also found a starting tight end in Brandon Pettigrew, a starting safety in Louis Delmas and a starting linebacker in DeAndre Levy. With what appears to be another solid draft this season and some solid moves in free agency the Lions appear poised to take another step forward in 2010.

KEY ADDITIONS

Nate Burleson (WR) – The addition of Nate Burleson will hopefully be the answer at the No. 2 wide receiver spot in Detroit. They signed Burleson to a five-year deal with the hopes of finally finding a compliment to Calvin Johnson. The former Seahawk and Viking has battled some injuries over the last couple seasons, but he did manage 63 reception for 812 yards with three touchdowns in 13 games last season for a Seahawks club that struggled offensively. When healthy Burleson has the potential to make big plays and take some pressure off of Johnson. He should also be a much needed improvement for the Lions in the return game. Draft Burleson as a WR4 in the middle-to-late rounds, but he could possible put up WR3 type numbers; especially with Johnson drawing most of the coverage.

Tony Scheffler (TE) – Lions fans were surprised when they traded linebacker Ernie Sims and received Tony Scheffler in return. The surprise wasn’t really that they traded Sims, since many people believe that he has underachieved in his career, but the surprise was that they traded for a tight end when they just spent a first round pick on Brandon Pettigrew just a season ago. Scheffler has decent hands and has caught at least 30 passes in each of his last three seasons. He is expected start opposite of Pettigrew in two tight end formations and he will serve as insurance if Pettigrew is not 100 percent healthy at the start of the year after offseason knee surgery. Scheffler will have more value early in the season if Pettigrew is not completely recovered, but when both tight ends are healthy they will likely cut into each others stats. Pettigrew is nothing more than a TE2 who should be available in the late rounds of fantasy drafts.

KEY DEPARTURES

Ernie Sims (LB) – Ernie Sims is yet another of Matt Millen’s first round draft picks that is no longer with the team. Sims was solid at linebacker in Detroit early in his career, but coaching, position and scheme changes mixed with a lack of talent has hurt Sims with the Lions over the last couple of seasons. A change of scenery could do him some good. He will likely lineup at weakside linebacker in Philly and could see an improvement in production immediately.

Larry Foote (LB) – Give Larry Foote credit for returning home to try and help his hometown team last season. Foote is a Detroit native who signed a one-year deal after being released from Pittsburgh following the 2008 season. He had 99 total tackles in 2009, which led the Lions, but after the season both sides decided to part ways. He re-signed with Pittsburgh where he has enjoyed much success in his career, including two Super Bowl titles. Foote is a solid run-stopper who will give the Steelers some much needed depth at linebacker, which incidentally is something the Lions don’t have much of after losing both Foote and Ernie Sims this offseason.

ROOKIE TO WATCH

Ndamukong Suh (DT) – The Lions reward for having just two wins in 2009 was the No. 2 overall in the NFL Draft and the chance to select the top player on most everyone’s draft board, Ndamukong Suh. As a member of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers last season Suh recorded 85 tackles (52 were solo), 12 sacks, 24 stops for a loss and he blocked three kicks. He came into the national spotlight with a huge Big 12 Title game against Texas, where he almost single handedly willed the Cornhuskers to victory. Suh is a disruptive force as a run stopper and should be a big part of a much improved defensive line that also added defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch via free agency and defensive tackle Corey Williams in a trade with the Cleveland Browns.

Jahvid Best (RB) – In a bold draft day trade Detroit moved up back into the first round to select the speedy University of California running back Javid Best the No. 30 overall pick. In three seasons for the Golden Bears Best had 364 carries for 2,668 yards with 29 touchdowns, while adding 62 receptions for 533 yards with another six touchdowns. He has breakaway speed and is a homerun threat every time he touches the ball. He is expected to fill in as the team’s starting running back if Kevin Smith is not available at the beginning of the season as he is recovering from major knee surgery. When Smith is healthy the two back are expected to share carries, which could limit both players fantasy production. Best should be considered a RB3 to start the year, but he could produce RB2 numbers with enough playing time. He also has plenty of value as an early-to-middle round pick in keeper leagues.

Need help organizing your fantasy draft? We’ve got you covered….

NFC WEST:  ARI  |  STL  |  SF  |  SEA

NFC SOUTH:  ATL  |  CAR  |  NO  |  TB

NFC NORTH:  CHI  |  DET  |  GB  |  MIN

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GET YOUR COMMISH KIT DRAFT BOARD NOW

The Bruno Boys have once again teamed up with Commish Kit to sell fantasy football draft boards. The 2010 draft boards are available for purchase and you can pick one up here… DRAFT BOARDS

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