Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

2010 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet Rankings

2010-08-25T06:30:26+00:00

The Bruno Boys Fantasy Football staff is pleased to announce the release of our 2010 Fantasy Football Draft Guide (click to download). The action packed Draft Guide has everything you need to get ready for your upcoming fantasy football draft. Some of the content includes….

— In-Depth Player Profiles For Over 270 Players

— Fantasy Football Consensus Cheat Sheet

— Cheat Sheet Rankings from NINE Staff Writers

— Fantasy Football PPR Cheat Sheet

— Fantasy Football IDP Cheat Sheet

— Fantasy Football Top 150 Rankings

— 12-Team Staff Mock Draft

.... And Much Much More!

DOWNLOAD NOW: 2010 Fantasy Football Draft Guide (click to download)

Make sure to check back throughout the preseason as we will continue to update our 2010 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets (click to download) in order to bring to you the latest information needed to dominate on draft day.

If you have any fantasy football questions you can contact us at

2010 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Kickers

2010-09-02T04:40:31+00:00

Kickers are not exactly highly sought after fantasy football players. Generally they are taken in the last rounds of the draft and are rarely on the same fantasy roster the entire season. Some managers even choose to stream kickers based on match-up, the idea being that point totals for kickers are based more often on the success of their offense than actual ability. No matter how you treat the position, it is a spot that needs to be filled and like in real life, can be the difference between being a champion or the first loser. Anyone who has ever won a match-up by less than three points can attest to the importance of even a few extra points to a success of the team as a whole. That means it’s crucial to have a quality kicker week in and week out even if you’re drafting the position in the last round.

Below are five kickers to target late who could have break out seasons and be that big contributor your fantasy football team needs to put it over the top. When reading about the 2010 Fantasy Football Sleeper Kickers selections, remember these three rules Bruno Boys uses to classify “sleepers”: 1) players who have a chance of outperforming their projection and player ranking; 2) players that should give you a nice return on your draft pick/auction price; 3) some sleepers are also undervalued, not all.

Dan Carpenter, K, Miami Dolphins – Carpenter is only entering his third NFL season, but has already proven himself to be one of the best in the business. He is coming off a strong Pro Bowl season in which he posted an 89-percent field goal percentage, good for fifth in the league for kickers with more than 20 attempts. This isn’t unprecedented for him, either. In 2008 he kicked at an 84-percent clip and went 40-40 on extra points, so we can assume the talent is real and that his 2009 Pro Bowl selection wasn’t a fluke. He also plays in Miami, where it’s 80 degrees and sunny 365 days a year. There might be rain from time to time; however, a passing seagull poses a bigger threat to his accuracy than the Florida weather ever will.

Now with the addition of Brandon Marshall and an emerging Chad Henne opening up the passing game, this offense is poised for a big season which can only mean bigger numbers for Carpenter. Count on him to maintain a field goal percentage in the 87-percent range and put around 30 pigskins through the uprights. We have him ranked as the 12th overall kicker which is exactly where he’s being taken in fantasy drafts, but those projected numbers would easily vault him to a top five spot and make him an easy sleeper choice.

Matt Bryant, K, Atlanta Falcons – After four years of quality work for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (including 32 field goals in 2008), Bryant inexplicably found himself out of a job entering the 2009 season. Lucky for him Jason Elam proved to be not nearly as effective in Atlanta as he was as a member of the Denver Broncos and was cut after 11 games. Bryant immediately took over in Atlanta and was a little shaky right out of the gate, going just 7-10 overall Atlanta’s last five games. The good news is that he was expected to enter 2010 training camp in a kicking battle with Steven Hauschka but that didn’t last. The Falcons cut Hauschka and rewarded Bryant the kicking job outright.

The eight-year pro boasted an 84.4-percent field goal rate during his time in Tampa so the talent is there. Now he is on a much better team that will surely put him in scoring range more often than the hapless Buccaneers. They also play in a dome which is always a huge plus for kickers, not that the weather in Tampa is traditionally a big issue. As a staff, we rank Bryant as the 21st overall kicker in our fantasy football cheat sheet rankings, a spot he can definitely surpass if he brings the consistent accuracy he had in Tampa with him to the Georgia Dome. Expect around 25 field goals, making him a great pick up off the waiver wire and another reason you should wait till the end of the draft to fill the kicker slot.

Ryan Succop, K, Kansas City Chiefs – Another young kicker to tout, Ryan Succop went 25-of-29 in his rookie season for Kansas City, hitting from all distances and proving his worth as a legitimate NFL kicker. There’s even more excitement to be garnered from his overall progression.Succop struggled early on, missing four field goals in 18 attempts. However, he proceeded to go a perfect 11-11 the last seven games of the season. This would suggest the rookie simply needed some time to get adjusted to kicking at the professional level with a unusual amount of pressure beating down on him every time he stepped up to the tee. The fact that he was clearly able to adjust and actually flourished once he became acclimated to the NFL is a major sign of positive things to come from the former South Carolina Gamecock.

The intangibles look decent as well, with an improving offense hoping to generate more chances for the second year Chief, and Arrowhead Stadium doesn’t really push his value in either direction.
We have him ranked as our No.16 fantasy football kicker in 2010, sandwiched between old timers Joe Nedney and Sebastian Janikowski, but like Bryant is being drafted outside of the top 20 which makes him a fantastic value. Another step forward similar to what the aforementioned Dan Carpenter did his second season and we could see a top ten year for the young Chief.

Dave Buehler, K, Dallas Cowboys – Fun fact about Buehler: he was one of the few people actually hurt in that training tent collapse, sustaining a concussion and needing three stitches to seal up a gash on his knee. Buehler was drafted in 2009 but remained behind Nick Folk and Shaun Suisham on the depth chart at different times over the course of the season. He was however in charge of kick offs, and that is where the Cowboys started to recognize they have something more than just a kickoff specilist. He finished his rookie season with 29 touchbacks, a Dallas franchise record and the most of any kicker in 2009; clearly the former USC Trojan has a leg.

What about his accuracy? In college he maintained a nearly 80-percent field goal average while proving to NFL scouts he has the leg to be called on from long distance. The early cause for concern with Buehler was that he struggled at the start of training camp, going just 33-of-38 during practice at the Alamo Dome. We all know that Jerry Jones doesn’t wait around for kickers to find their stroke, but luckily Buehler is a fast learner, turning it around with a three field goal game in the preseason opener against the Oakland Raiders. Recent reports have said his kicking lately has alleviated much of the concern. With Buehler locked into the starting gig in Big D, he has a prime opportunity to out play his consensus ranking of No.19 overall among kickers. Bear in mind though it’s a bit of a higher risk pick due to Jones’ propensity for impatience with his kickers. Still, if you want a kicker that could propel themselves into the upper echelon at his position, Buehler has the potential.

Shayne Graham, K, Baltimore Ravens – Shayne Graham is living proof how little job security kickers have. The nine-year pro spent the last seven seasons doing quality work for the Cincinnati Bengals. He converted 177-of-204 field goals over that time span, an 86.7-percent success rate. Then the 2009 playoffs arrived, and two missed field goals later Graham was out of a job. It was clearly a reactionary move on the Bengals’ part, as Graham is actually one of the most accurate field goal kickers in NFL history. His 85.27-percent conversion rate is actually good enough for fifth all time, something most people don’t know. Further lowering him on most fantasy football draft boards is the fact that he hasn’t actually won the job yet, currently competing against journeyman Billy Cundiff.

Graham’s historically reliable leg all but assures he will win the job and succeed with the Ravens. Also working in his favor is an improving Baltimore offense and the most kicker-friendly outdoor stadium in the league (84.6-percent success rate). With all these factors in mind, it’s clear Graham has the potential to vastly outperform his current rank of No.18 in our preseason kicker rankings. He almost has to; there are only three active players with a higher field goal percentage than him. All the Baltimore offense has to do is put him in kicking position, something Joe Flacco and company figure to do quite often this season. While other fantasy football owners take a kicker a round or two before the last one, feel confident about snagging Graham with your last pick.

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See More ‘10 SLEEPERS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | DEF (click to view)

See More ‘10 BUSTS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | DEF (click to view)

Cheat Sheet RANKINGS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | DEF

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GET YOUR COMMISH KIT DRAFT BOARD NOW

The Bruno Boys have once again teamed up with Commish Kit to sell their fantasy football draft boards. In fact, the 2009 draft boards are available for purchase and you can pick one up by clicking here… http://brunoboys.commishkitstore.com. Remember to spread the word and get your DRAFT KIT today!

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Also, don’t forget to head over to our Fantasy Football Message Board and sign-up for a FORUM account. By doing so you will be able to talk fantasy football all season long.

Need help with your fantasy football cheat sheets? We’ve got you covered….

2010 Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings

2010-09-01T22:20:42+00:00

What’s in store for 2010? Continue reading to find out where the signal callers at quarterback rank in our Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet Draft Guide.

::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2010::

TIER 1

1. Aaron Rodgers - Green Bay Packers (Bye: 10)

What’s not to love about Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers? In 2008, his first year as a starter, he threw for 4,038 yards with 28 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, notched a 63.6% completion percentage, and averaged 7.5 yards per attempt. Those are good numbers, but last season, he trended upwards in all those categories, throwing for 4,434 yards with 30 touchdowns, seven
interceptions, a 64.7% completion percentage, and an average yards per attempt of 8.2, despite playing behind a porous offensive line and with little semblance of a running game early on in the season. That’s what makes the 2010 outlook for Rodgers so bright.

Not only were both the play of the O-line and the ground game on the rise, the Packers also spent their first round pick on Iowa tackle Bryan Bulaga, a guy who easily could have gone in the top-10. Though he is currently listed behind tackles Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher on the depth chart, expect that to change at some point this year. At wide receiver, Rodgers has some great options. Both Greg Jennings and Donald Driver had 1,000-yard seasons last year. James Jones and Jordy Nelson are young guys emerging as potential playmakers, and tight end Jermichael Finley is one of the best young players in the league at his position. Combine that all together, and you could be looking at a 40-touchdown season.

2. Drew Brees - New Orleans Saints (Bye: 10)

New Orleans Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees had a phenomenal season last year. He threw for 4,388 yards with 34 touchdowns and 11 interceptions (down from 17 in 2008), and had career highs in completion percentage (70.6%), average yards per attempt (8.5) and quarterback rating (109.6). Oh yeah, there was also that whole winning the Super Bowl thing that Brees and the Saints did.

Brees and the Saints are well-equipped for another Super Bowl run this season. Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Lance Moore and Robert Meachem all return at wide receiver. Both Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas are back at running back, and tight end Jeremy Shockey returns as well. In fact, the only major move on offense was the trade of tackle Jamaal Brown to the Washington Redskins.

New Orleans is flexible enough that it should be able to adjust well without Brown. In fact, the hardest thing New Orleans faces this season is playing after winning a Super Bowl. Are the players
going to play with the same fire and work as hard as they did last year? Can they recapture last season’s magic and make it happen again? How will they handle having that target on their back?
Well, regardless of how well the Saints do, success for Brees is practically guaranteed. The guy is automatic and still getting better every year. A repeat of last season’s numbers looks like a
safe bet.

3. Peyton Manning - Indianapolis Colts (Bye: 7)

New head coach, offensive coordinator and a season-ending injury to the team’s second receiver? No problem for Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback Peyton Manning. Manning posted one of his best seasons in 2009, throwing for 4,500 yards with 33 touchdowns, 16 interceptions, a 68.8% completion percentage and an average yards per attempt of 7.9. This came despite losing No. 2 receiver Anthony Gonzalez to a season-ending injury in the first game of the season, leading Manning to having to break in two rookies at receiver and one at running back.

There’s little reason to doubt Manning posts another great set of numbers in 2010. Just look at his stats from year to year, and you see how consistent and good he has been over his career. Over the last seven seasons, Manning has averaged 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. That’s a great fantasy quarterback right there. But in addition to that, he is actually trending upwards in some statistical categories, such as completion percentage, yards per game and average yards per attempt. Combine that with a fantastic group of receivers that includes receivers Reggie Wayne, Gonzalez, Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon, tight end Dallas Clark and running backs Joseph Addai and Donald Brown, and this is a guy you want on your team.

TIER 2

4. Matt Schaub - Houston Texans (Bye: 7)
5. Tom Brady - New England Patriots (Bye: 5)
6. Tony Romo - Dallas Cowboys (Bye: 4)
7. Philip Rivers - San Diego Chargers (Bye: 10)

TIER 3

8. Brett Favre - Minnesota Vikings (Bye: 4)
9. Jay Cutler - Chica go Bears (Bye: 8)
10. Kevin Kolb - Philadelphia Eagles (Bye: 8)
11. Eli Manning - New York Giants (Bye: 8)
12. Joe Flacco - Baltimore Ravens (Bye: 8)
13. Matt Ryan - Atlanta Falcons (Bye: 8)

TIER 4

14. Donovan McNabb - Washington Redskins (Bye: 9)
15. Carson Palmer - Cincinnati Bengals (Bye: 6)
16. Ben Roethlisberger - Pittsburgh Steelers (Bye: 5)
17. Chad Henne - Miami Dolphins (Bye: 5)

TIER 5

18. Matt Cassel - Kansas City Chiefs (Bye: 4)
19. Alex Smith - San Francisco 49ers (Bye: 9)
20. Matthew Stafford - Detroit Lions (Bye: 7)
21. Vince Young - Tennessee Titans (Bye: 9)

TIER 6

22. David Garrard - Jacksonville Jaguars (Bye: 7)
23. Jason Campbell - Oakland Raiders (Bye: 10)
24. Mark Sanchez - New York Jets (Bye: 7)

TIER 7

25. Matt Hasselbeck -Seattle Seahawks (Bye: 5)
26. Derek Anderson - Arizona Cardinals (Bye: 6)
27. Kyle Orton - Denver Broncos (Bye: 9)
28. Matt Moore - Carolina Panthers (Bye: 6)

TIER 8

29. Josh Freeman - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Bye: 4)
30. Jake Delhomme - Cleveland Browns (Bye: 8)
31. Trent Edwards - Buffalo Bills (Bye: 6)
32. Sam Bradford - St. Louis Rams (Bye: 9)

TIER 9

33. Byron Leftwich - Pittsburgh Steelers (Bye: 5)
34. Michael Vick - Philadelphia Eagles (Bye: 8)
35. Dennis Dixon - Pittsburgh Steelers (Bye: 5)
36. Seneca Wallace - Cleveland Browns (Bye: 8)
37. Ryan Fitzpatrick - Buffalo Bills (Bye:6)
38. Charlie Whitehurst - Seattle Seahawks (Bye: 5)
39. Jimmy Clausen - Carolina Panthers (Bye: 6)
40. Brady Quinn - Denver Broncos (Bye: 9)

To see player profiles for all 40 QUARTERBACKS check out the rest of our 2010 FANTASY FOOTBALL QUARTERBACK RANKINGS by click here… FREE FANTASY FOOTBALL CHEAT SHEETS

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Cheat Sheet RANKINGS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | DEF

See More ‘10 SLEEPERS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | DEF (click to view)

See More ‘10 BUSTS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | DEF (click to view)

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Also, don’t forget to head over to our Fantasy Football Message Board and sign-up for a FORUM account. By doing so you will be able to talk fantasy football all season long.

Need help with your fantasy football cheat sheets? We’ve got you covered….

2010 Fantasy Football Busts: Tight Ends

2010-09-01T18:10:01+00:00

As much as fantasy football owners hope to find sleepers during the middle-to-late rounds of the draft, the ultimate success of your fantasy season can boil down to how well you avoid the busts - especially among those guys that you draft in the first five rounds. Just because a player makes the bust list, doesn’t necessarily mean you have to avoid him completely on draft day (though we’ll let you know who to avoid altogether). Some, not all busts are overvalued players, while the majority have seen their situations change (e.g., new team, new coaching staff, upgrade or downgrade of players around them, injuries, etc.) or are likely to have a hard time living up to expectations. Use our 2010 Fantasy Football Busts Tight Ends list as a guide to move some players down your draft board.

Jeremy Shockey, TE, New Orleans Saints – As mentioned in our tight end sleeper article, Shockey is now entering his ninth season in the NFL and has yet to play a full 16-game season. For such a big name, Shockey has also never had more than seven touchdowns and 900 yards receiving in a single season, so he has always been relatively overvalued. This season could prove to be the year that Shockey slips into obscurity because the Saints now have two tight ends, David Thomas and rookie Jimmy Graham, who can push aside the veteran.

Thomas proved to be a go-to target for quarterback Drew Brees at times last season, and he is expected to build on that in 2010. Graham comes from the Antonio Gates mold; a former basketball player/great athlete turned tight end. Graham is most likely too raw to make much of an impact this season, but just his presence on the team lowers Shockey’s value. If Shockey can even stay on the field all season, which he has never done his entire career, Thomas, Graham and the plethora of receiving options at Brees’ disposal will prove to be too much for Shockey to overcome. He’s listed 18th on our fantasy football consensus cheat sheet, but he will most likely slide below that this season.
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Todd Heap, TE, Baltimore Ravens – Heap is another prime example of a guy whose name causes him to be overvalued. The fact of the matter is that Heap is now entering his tenth year in the NFL, and without back-to-back two-touchdown performances in Week 15 and 16, Heap’s 2009 season is below average. His two previous seasons were also very disappointing, and with the Ravens drafting rookie tight end’s Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta, it seems the Heap era is all but done with in Baltimore.

Dickson is another one of those young tight ends blessed with the build and the skills to become a big downfield threat. Pitta is of the same mold, only has better hands and is a bit of an older rookie at 25. Heap’s injury concerns still can’t be declared a thing of the past either. Heap missed ten games in 2004 and 2007, so don’t be surprised if injury strikes again at some point during the 2010 season. The bottom line is that with these two rookies mixed in with Heap, the tight end situation in Baltimore is one to avoid on at your fantasy football draft.
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Greg Olsen, TE, Chicago Bears – In 2009, Olsen turned in a top-10 fantasy football season in frustrating fashion. The sure handed tight end had seven weeks in which he had three catches or less with no touchdowns. In 2010, Olsen shouldn’t frustrate fantasy owners at the rate he did a year ago because he shouldn’t be drafted very high, if at all. Olsen is ranked 16th in our consensus cheat sheet, and he still is a great receiver, however, the fact that Mike Martz is now in Chicago means that there’s a chance Olsen becomes a total non-factor this season.

Martz has never produced a decent fantasy football tight end in all his years in the NFL, and he considers tight ends to be blockers first. The Rams signed Brandon Manumaleuna, who is a strictly blocking tight end, to a big contract in the offseason. Desmond Clark is also still in the fold, thought he shouldn’t make an impact, and the Bears have Richard Angulo and Kellen Davis rostered as well so there appears to be a log jam at tight end. Add on to that the emergence of a solid receiving core with Devin Aromashodu, Johnny Knox and Devin Hester, and unless Olsen gets traded he is in a situation to avoid this season.
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Visanthe Shiancoe, TE, Minnesota Vikings – Shiancoe spent his first four years in the NFL as a blocking tight end with the New York Giants; amassing just 35 catches and three touchdowns in those four years. Shiancoe went to the Vikings in 2007, and his receptions have increased every year since. After a decent 2008, he blew up last year with 11 touchdowns.

The problem is that he has never eclipsed 600 receiving yards in a season, and touchdowns are a stat that can vary greatly from year to year. He is ranked 11th in our tight end consensus rankings, and has the potential to be as good, if not slightly better than that. Unfortunately, since he won’t amass too many yards, his value lies mostly in his touchdowns, making him a very risky pick as a starter. Combine all those things with a possible Brett Favre letdown, and the injury to Sidney Rice allowing defenses to emphasize more on Shiancoe, and you shouldn’t be surprised if his numbers take a dip.
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Tony Gonzalez, TE, Atlanta Falcons – Gonzalez has been a fantasy football force at tight end since 1999. He has eight seasons of over 900 yards receiving and seven with more than five touchdowns. He left the Kansas City Chiefs for Atlanta in 2009, and had another solid season with 867 yards and six touchdowns. In 2010, Gonzo should still put up solid numbers, however he may not live up to his draft value.

Gonzalez did amass over 800 yards in 2009, but he had six games with four catches or less and didn’t manage one 100-yard game or one game with multiple touchdowns. Michael Turner returns from injury and the Falcons will lean on him heavily in the offense, which will take opportunities away from Gonzalez. While we say this every year, Gonzo is getting up there in age, and a decline should be expected for a tight end at age 34. We have Gonzalez ranked seventh in our tight end rankings, and he very well could be that good, but there’s also a chance he drops out of the top-10 for the first time in a very long time.

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See More ‘10 SLEEPERS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | DEF (click to view)

See More ‘10 BUSTS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | DEF (click to view)

Cheat Sheet RANKINGS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | DEF

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GET YOUR COMMISH KIT DRAFT BOARD NOW

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Also, don’t forget to head over to our Fantasy Football Message Board and sign-up for a FORUM account. By doing so you will be able to talk fantasy football all season long.

Need help with your fantasy football cheat sheets? We’ve got you covered….

2010 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Tight Ends

2010-09-01T06:15:46+00:00

The tight end position in fantasy football has always added a certain element of strategy to the game. Having a tight end spot reserved on rosters forces owners to stray from just worrying about running backs and wide receivers and deciding on whether or not they want to take a top-tier tight end, and when they want to draft their stud.

Many top tight ends can be considered WR2 options, but if you miss out on a stud, you can get stuck with a dud in your lineup all season. This year, more than any other years, the talent at tight end is rich. With job splits and injuries, however, many tight ends will emerge from the waiver wires and become solid pieces to fantasy lineups down the stretch. The following 2010 Fantasy Football Sleeper Tight Ends list is made up of both lesser names with loads of potential value, or mid-range players that have a chance to break into the top tier this season.

Tony Scheffler, TE, Detroit Lions – After two productive years as a member of the Denver Broncos (pushing 1,000 receiving yards before injury in 2008), Scheffler languished under Josh McDaniels in 2009. McDaniels follows the Mike Martz philosophy that tight ends should be great blockers first, so a good receiving tight end like Scheffler was bound to struggle in that situation. He’s now in Detroit with a blossoming quarterback, and he has an opportunity to regain his form and become a solid fantasy football tight end in 2010. He has shown no effects of injuries that kept him out of minicamp, and coach Jim Schwartz has said Scheffler is a key to keeping the pressure off of star wide receiver Calvin Johnson.

One thing hampering Scheffler’s value is the presence of fellow tight end Brandon Pettigrew. Pettigrew is young and has good hands, but is still recovering from a torn ACL which he suffered his rookie season. Also, Pettigrew is viewed as a good blocker who is most comfortable on short routes, so he doesn’t hold much big play value. If Scheffler can stay healthy, he could overcome Pettigrew, develop a nice rapport with Matthew Stafford and hold a ton of value in fantasy leagues. He is currently ranked 25th in our tight end rankings, and isn’t expected to go very early, if at all in many fantasy football drafts. Taking a chance on Scheffler late in your draft could prove to be very beneficial.
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David Thomas, TE, New Orleans Saints – Despite being listed behind Jeremy Shockey on the depth chart last season, Thomas managed 356 yards and a touchdown on just 35 catches. Shockey, who will be discussed more in our tight end busts article, is entering his ninth season in the NFL, and has still yet to play a full 16-game season. He is now 30 years old and on a steady decline, so the time is right for Thomas to take over.

He likely won’t be taken in many drafts, so Thomas is a guy to either target at the end of your fantasy football draft or monitor on the waiver wire very closely at the beginning of the season. If he shows signs of being targeted often by Drew Brees and your tight end spot has questions, then run out and get him. He showed last season that he definitely has a role in the best offense in the NFL, so consider Thomas a low risk option with unlimited potential that you’ll want to keep an eye on early in 2010.
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Jared Cook, TE, Tennessee Titans – There are reports that Cook’s work ethic came into question in 2009, and he was buried behind Bo Scaife and Alge Crumpler on the depth chart for most of his rookie season. Scaife is a decent receiver who was college teammates with Vince Young at Texas, so one would obviously look at Scaife as the tight end to take in Tennessee this season…but let’s take a deeper look into the situation.

First off, Cook is a freakish athlete. The 6-5, 246 pound Cook runs a 40 in the 4.4 range, so he is a big, fast target out of the tight end position. Crumpler is now a member of the New England Patriots, so Cook ascends to No.2 behind Scaife this season. As for Scaife, there are two stats that should make you weary of taking a chance with him. First, he has never scored more than two touchdowns in a season, and second, he has averaged more than 10 yards per catch just once in five seasons. If Cook can get his head on straight, he can eclipse Scaife on the depth chart and make a fantasy football impact as early as this season. If you are in a deep league and trying to find a tight end that could surprise, look no further than Cook.
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Zach Miller, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars – Miller made himself known in Week 17 last season with an eight-catch performance against the Cleveland Browns in which he found the end zone twice. After five years in the NFL, Marcedes Lewis has failed to show significant playmaking ability, so Miller may be able to push himself into the starting role for the Jaguars early in the season.

One thing to keep an eye on is Miller’s left foot, which kept him out of OTA’s and the beginning of training camp. Miller was practicing with no restrictions until he reaggravated the injury in the middle of August. If he can overcome this injury and get some more reps this preseason, there’s a chance he can take over the starting role. If not, then you’ll want to wait on taking him and monitor the situation. At the first sign of life from Miller, however, be sure to pounce on him. He has all the tools to make a big impact in 2010.
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Dustin Keller, TE, New York Jets – Last season, many fantasy football owners were high on Keller after his solid rookie year. Unfortunately, with a combination of the struggles of Mark Sanchez and the acquisition of Braylon Edwards, Keller’s looks diminished in the regular season. When the playoffs began, Keller suddenly reemerged and scored a touchdown in all three games, showing that he has a significant chance of becoming a top-tier tight end.

A key to Keller’s success is the improvement of Sanchez, as well as the impact of Santonio Holmes. With Edwards, Holmes (who returns Week 5) and Jerricho Cotchery, many worry that Keller could become an afterthought in the Jets’ offense for the second straight season. Keller comes packed with all the talent necessary to be a great tight end for fantasy football teams, it just comes down to whether or not he’ll get the chance to show those tools. Keller is ranked 15th among tight ends in out 2010 fantasy football cheat sheet, but smart money says the Jets will recognize his importance in the offense, and he has a chance of becoming a top-10 fantasy tight end this season.

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See More ‘10 SLEEPERS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | DEF (click to view)

See More ‘10 BUSTS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | DEF (click to view)

Cheat Sheet RANKINGS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | DEF

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GET YOUR COMMISH KIT DRAFT BOARD NOW

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Also, don’t forget to head over to our Fantasy Football Message Board and sign-up for a FORUM account. By doing so you will be able to talk fantasy football all season long.

Need help with your fantasy football cheat sheets? We’ve got you covered….

Preseason Week 3 Game-By-Game Recap

2010-09-01T02:49:23+00:00

Missed one of the preseason games this past week? Don’t worry about it. Instead take a look at our Preseason Week 3 Game-By-Game Recap in which we breakdown some of the best and worst performances in the NFL. Also, use this article to get a gauge on how some of the position battles are shaping up around the league.

St. Louis Rams 36 at New England Patriots 35

- Sam Bradford finally put together a solid outing, finishing 15-for-22 for 189 yards with two touchdowns. He was only sacked once.

- Donnie Avery’s season is over. Scratch him off all of your cheat sheets.

- Last week it was Aaron Hernandez, this week it was Rob Gronkowski who was New England’s most effective tight end. Gronkowski caught two of Tom Brady’s three touchdown passes. Can you say TEBC?

- Randy Moss hauled in Brady’s other TD throw and looks to be ready for his big contract season

- The rest of the Patriots’ offense sputtered. Relax, it’s the preseason.

- Wes Welker had two catches for 41 yards. He’s back.

- If you’re in need of a very deep sleeper tight end, keep Michael Hoomanawanui in mind from the Rams. Bradford found him for two scores, and he’s looked solid thus far in the preseason. He led the Rams in receiving yards in this game with 53 (four catches).

Green Bay Packers 59 vs. Indianapolis Colts 24

- Green Bay’s defense continues to light up the scoreboards this preseason, led by Aaron Rodgers. Against the Colts, Rodgers threw three touchdowns and almost 200 yards before halftime.

- When you’re drafting your first-round pick, think about the fact that Rodgers has completed 77.4 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and no interceptions.

- Joseph Addai left the game early because of a concussion, but it isn’t believed to be serious.

- Peyton Manning had a good game himself, throwing for two scores and 214 yards with an interception.

- Green Bay’s defense has not been stellar up to this point, but the Packers have been using very elementary schemes.

- Jermichael Finley caught six passes for 85 yards and a touchdown.

- Reggie Wayne hauled in seven passes for 96 yards and a TD. The old man can still go.

- Pierre Garcon also scored a touchdown, but he had some drops as well. He looked as though he still wasn’t quite 100 percent yet, but I wouldn’t be worried when Week 1 comes around.

- Addai had seven carries for 60 yards. He’s still holding off Donald Brown.

- Greg Jennings and Dallas Clark didn’t play.

Atlanta Falcons 16 at Miami Dolphins 9

- Matt Ryan put together a better performance, but still not a good fantasy performance. He threw for 103 yards with a touchdown pass to Roddy White an interception (13-for-26).

- Ryan just missed White on a deep heave at the goaline.

- Michael Turner rushed 16 times. That’s a little extreme for a preseason game. He racked up 47 yards.

- Chad Henne went 10-for-22 for 123 yards with a pick, but his receivers dropped some passes, as well.

- Both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams were ineffective.

- Brandon Marshall had three catches for 51 yards.

Washington Redskins 16 at New York Jets 11

- LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 86 yards on 11 carries. LT still has some gas left and the Jets plan on using him a lot in 2010.

- Shonn Greene had 12 carries for 56 yards.

- Dustin Keller had five catches for 46 yards and a score. Nice sleeper alert here.

- Larry Johnson led Washington in rushing with 42 yards, but Clinton Portis is still far and away the top man in this backfield.

- Mark Sanchez finished 13-for-21 with a touchdown and an interception.

- Donovan McNabb was out for this game. Just pretend Rex Grossman wasn’t involved in this game because he won’t be involved in any fantasy leagues.

- Santana Moss led Washington in receiving with two catches for 42 yards.

Need help with your fantasy football cheat sheets? We’ve got you covered….

New Orleans Saints 36 vs. San Diego Chargers 21

- Chris Ivory had a nice night for the Saints, but he’s still not even a fantasy sleeper. There’s still a good chance he’ll make the final team. Pierre Thomas and/or Reggie
Bush need to get injured for him to play.

- Drew Brees was stellar as always, throwing for 240 yards and touchdown passes to Devery Henderson and Robert Meacham.

- Philip Rivers was solid, as well, connecting with Malcom Floyd for a score

- Antonio Gates racked up five catches for 66 yards,

- Bush caught seven passes for 70 yards. He’s still a great PPR RB.

- Ryan Matthews had his quietest game statistically of the preseason, and it was Jacob Hester busting through for a six-yard touchdown.

- Marques Colston recorded four receptions for 55 yards.

Philadelphia Eagles 20 at Kansas City Chiefs 17

- This wasn’t a great game for either first-team offense, which isn’t as alarming for Matt Cassel fantasy owners as it is for Kevin Kolb owners.

- Kolb was sacked four times, threw an interception, only garnered 103 yards in the air and completed 11 of his 25 passes.

- DeSean Jackson got injured again in this preseason, suffering a neck strain, but he’s believed to be back on the field soon.

- Jamaal Charles injured his left shoulder, but is also expected to be fine.

- Charles, who’s still technically contending with Thomas Jones for the top spot on the depth chart, fumbled on the Chiefs’ first play of the game. LeSean McCoy punched in a
touchdown run shortly after. Jones would score a TD of his own later in the game.

- Cassel only threw for 85 yards, but he hit Dwayne Bowe for a four-yard score.

Detroit Lions 35 vs. Cleveland Browns 27

- Keep Matthew Stafford on your radar. Against the Browns, Stafford finished 13-for-17 for 151 yards and a touchdown. He’s been one of the NFL’s most efficient quarterbacks in the preseason.

- Jahvid Best scooted for a 51-yard run, snagged a 10-yard pass, and then was pulled out of the game for some tightness. There’s nothing more you need to see, he’s legit.

- Everybody keeps waiting for Jake Delhomme to come crashing down, but he posted another strong outing, completing 20 of his 25 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown.

- Jerome Harrison had 11 carries for 34 yards. It’s really hard to have faith in Harrison’s fantasy value until we see what Montario Hardesty can do.

- He didn’t score a touchdown in this game, but Calvin Johnson still led his team in receiving with 42 yards.

- Josh Cribbs led all receivers with 47 yards receiving, but Mohamed Massaquoi should still be considered the top receiving threat for Cleveland at this time.

Buffalo Bills 35 vs. Cincinnati Bengals 20

- Two players in this game are quickly shooting up the fantasy ladder, Carson Palmer and C.J. Spiller. He scored twice and tallied 52 yards on the ground.

- Palmer finished 9-for-11 for 95 yards with two touchdowns, one to Jermaine Greshman and one to Chad Ochocinco. If you’re looking for a young breakout tight end and you miss
out on Jermichael Finley, keep Gresham on your radar.

- Who had the most receptions on the Bengals in this game? Not Terrell Owens, not Ochocinco. It was Jordan Shipley (five catches, 38 yards). I’m not saying draft Shipley; I’m
saying Palmer has many weapons to throw to this season.

- Cedric Benson rushed eight times for 50 yards. He’s in line for another strong season, unless Cincinnati decides they want Bernard Scott to get in on the action more.

- Trent Edwards put together a solid night, gaining 153 yards through the air, finishing 13-for-17 with a touchdown. You still shouldn’t target him as a bench player on your fantasy team.
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Jacksonville Jaguars 19 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 13

- No starting quarterback, no problem for Mike Williams. Tampa Bay’s backup quarterback Josh Johnson hit Williams for 53-yard reception, with Williams doing most of the work to get those yards. Williams finished with three catches for 83 yards.

- Neither Cadillac Williams nor Derrick Ward mustered anything in the ground game, and Ward was recently cut from team.

- David Garrard completed 24 of his 31 passes for 211 yards with an interception.

- Mike Thomas led all receivers with five catches (30 yards).

- Rashard Jennings, Maurice Jones-Drew’s handcuff, caught four passes for 36 yards, but only gained nine yards on four carries.

Baltimore Ravens 24 vs. New York Giants 10

- Joe Flacco finally went whacko against the Giants, going 21-for-34 for 229 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

- Anquan Boldin caught one of those touchdowns and had four catches for 52 yards. The other touchdown went to Todd Heap, who totaled six catches for 69 yards.

- Ray Rice had four catches for 44 yards and five carries for 13 yards.

- Brandon Jacobs rushes six times for 41 yards to Ahmad Bradshaw’s seven carries for 22 yards. Bradshaw should still be expected to be the better fantasy option here, but both
have some serious injury risk.

- Victor Cruz was impressive once again, leading all receivers with 76 yards and a touchdown. There are still too many capable receivers on New York for him to stand out in the regular season.

- Eli Manning was a quiet 9-for-18 for 63 yards with an interception.

- Steve Smith posted four catches for 48 yards.

Houston Texans 23 vs. Dallas Cowboys 7

- Go ahead and keep bumping Arian Foster up on your cheat sheets. He trounced the Cowboys for 110 yards on the ground and a touchdown on 18 carries. He also caught four passes for 16
yards.

- Andre Johnson led all receivers in catches (7) and yards (79). Get used to that trend.

- Matt Schaub finished 18-for-29 for 183 yards with a touchdown to Jacoby Jones.

- Kevin Walter only had one catch for 17 yards, while Jones had five catches for 63 yards with the score.

- Nobody on Dallas’ first-team offense is doing much of anything right now, but remember, this is preseason football.

- Tony Romo went 13-for-18 for 146 yards with a pick.

- Miles Austin had 2 catches for 35 yards, while Roy Williams led Dallas in receiving with three catches for 39 yards. Again, this is the preseason.

Minnesota Vikings 24 vs. Seattle Seahawks 13

- Brett Favre threw two interceptions in his likely final real tune up before Week 1. Sidney Rice can’t come back soon enough for Favre fantasy owners.

- In defense of Favre, one of his picks went right through Bernard Berrians’ hands.

- Javon Walker caught a touchdown pass from Sage Rosenfels, but you shouldn’t look too much into that.

- Newly acquired Greg Camarillo posted four catches for 47 yards.

- Percy Harvin had two catches for 30 yards and survived two big hits.

- Matt Hasselbeck completed 9 of 17 passes for 126 yards. Forty-two of those yards came on a pass to Mike Williams. He’s not the Mike Williams with deep sleeper value, but
Seattle sure has passed his way a lot this preseason.

- Justin Forsett and Leon Washington each had six carries.

- Adrian Peterson finished with 11 carries for 37 yards and a score.

Need help with your fantasy football cheat sheets? We’ve got you covered….

Carolina Panthers 15 vs. Tennessee Titans 7

- Carolina’s first-team offense still has not scored a touchdown.

- The Panthers’ first-teamers played into the fourth quarter against Tennessee’s second-string defense and still could not find the endzone.

- In three preseason games, Chris Johnson has rushed 19 times for 39 yards.

- Matt Moore completed 18 of 33 passes for 190 yards. He still doesn’t have Steve Smith to throw to yet.

- Jimmy Clausen was 4-for-5 for 79 yards, including a 50-yard pass to his tight end

- DeAngelo Williams carried nine times for 13 yards. Like Smith, Jonathan Stewart also didn’t play.

- Kerry Collins posted a touchdown and 112 yards passing to Vince Young’s 48 yards and no touchdowns. Still, the job is Young’s.

Arizona Cardinals 14 at Chicago Bears 9

- If you’ve already drafted Matt Leinart, you should seriously consider dropping him or somebody else on your team for Derek Anderson. Anderson is currently listed as the team’s starter.

- Leinart had a solid outing in this game, finished 9-for-10 for 84 yards with a touchdown to Steve Breaston, but the fact remains there is a serious QB controversy going on here.

- Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher are both banged up on a defense that’s considered a low-end DEF1.

- Jay Cutler was picked off twice and sacked four times. He and his offensive line are clearly having issues. Cutler went 10-for-20 for 129 yards.

- There’s also still no clear-cut running back set in Arizona. Beanie Wells fumbled in the redzone, and Tim Hightower hasn’t done anything to lose his job.

- Wells and Hightower each had eight rushes. Wells rushed for 14 yards, while Hightower tallied 62.

- Stephen Williams had five receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown for Arizona.

San Francisco 49ers 28 at Oakland Raiders 24

- Michael Bush and Jason Campbell both suffered injuries in this game, but both are hopeful to be back by Week 1. There’s a little more optimism about Campbell than Bush.

- The Raiders did just fine without Campbell, as Bruce Gradkowski won the second-string job when he threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns.

- His touchdown passes went to Louis Murphy and Zach Miller. Everybody knows about Miller’s value, but with the fall of Chaz Schillens, Murphy now has very deep sleeper
value.

- David Carr led the Niners on a game-winning score, capped off by a goaline punch by Anthony Dixon. Carr will be San Francisco’s backup to the, so far, lackluster Alex
Smith. Still no QB controversy here though.

- To Smith’s credit, he threw a touchdown pass to Josh Morgan. Smith finished 9-for-15 for 113 yards.

- Frank Gore busted loose for a 49-yard rush. He only had two carries in the game.

- Darren McFadden had seven carries for nine yards.

Denver Broncos 34 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers 17

- It appears as though Byron Leftwich will be the Steelers’ quarterback until Ben Roethlisberger returns. Dennis Dixon didn’t help his case by throwing two interceptions in this game.

- Kyle Orton got shaken up when he tried to tackle James Harrison. Orton returned shortly in the next series, but his numbers reflected his getting knocked around. He finished
9-for-14 for 80 yards and a pick.

- Tim Tebow led Denver on a scoring drive, but stands no chance of taking Orton’s job. His fantasy value only stands in dynasty leagues.

- Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter have both still been absent for the entire preseason. There have been mixed opinions about when Moreno will return to action.

- Justin Fargas was recently cut by the Broncos.

- Rashard Mendenhall had five carries for 28 yards, and has had a pretty quiet preseason.

- Mike Wallace posted three catches for 59 yards.

2010 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Wide Receivers

2010-08-31T06:44:20+00:00

The parity in the NFL makes fantasy football statistics harder to predict than other fantasy sports such as basketball. In fantasy basketball, many players are consistent with their career averages regardless of the situation they’re playing in. Fantasy football couldn’t be more opposite. Consistent statistical seasons are hard to find over time from any position in fantasy football, but especially at wide receiver. Receivers are a fickle bunch and often have a great statistical year one year, followed by a horrible statistical year the next. So many factors affect whether they are successful, such as changing quarterbacks midseason or the rise of a unknown running back. Whatever it is, fantasy football owners are used to dealing with the surprises that make fantasy football so much fun to begin with. Here are seven wide receiver for the 2010 season that made our list of 2010 Fantasy Football Sleeper Wide Receivers.

Johnny Knox, WR, Chicago Bears – Knox had a solid rookie season in 2009, registering 45 receptions for 527 yards and five touchdowns. He was one of the few bright spots in Chicago’s somewhat dysfunctional offense. A fifth-round pick from Abilene-Christian College, Knox also excelled on special teams, averaging 29 yards per return. New offensive coordinator Mike Martz brings his pass-happy offensive playbook to the Bears this season. Martz is responsible for the St. Louis Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf” offense from 1999 to 2001 that made stars out of receivers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt. Knox compares favorably to these former Ram standouts. Martz was also successful in Detroit, turning the somewhat forgettable quarterback Jon Kitna into a 4000-yard passer.

This year Martz gets to call plays for Jay Cutler, arguably his most talented quarterback yet. If Martz was able to bring out the best in Kitna, imagine what he should be able to do with the canon hanging off of Cutler’s right shoulder. The success of Johnny Knox and the rest of the Bears’ talented receivers this season hinges on Cutler and the offensive line getting their collective acts together. Knox’s blazing speed and ability to stretch the field fits right in with Martz’s offense where speed and timing are huge keys to success. If Martz uses Devin Hester in the slot much like how he used Az Hakim in all his successful Rams’ teams, then Knox should see less coverage, more space, and increased targets. Opportunity together with Knox’s abilities plus chemistry with Cutler that lasts through the season, could prove rewarding for owners who draft him as a WR4 or WR5 fantasy reserve, then watch as Knox posts WR2-type numbers in 2010.
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Nate Burleson, WR, Detroit Lions – Matthew Stafford’s newest weapon has a chance to thrive being on the opposite end of Calvin Johnson. In 13 games with Seattle last season, Burleson had 63 receptions for 812 yards and three touchdowns. Burleson was targeted 103 times even though the quarterback position was in flux most of the season because of Matt Hasselbeck’s injury issues. Burleson signed with Detroit in the offseason and now has Matthew Stafford, a young quarterback with a strong arm who is sure to target him for long bombs down the field. The Lions’ premier receiver Calvin Johnson should draw many double teams, and that along with the addition of tight end Tony Scheffler should leave Burleson with many open looks.

Burleson’s career has been impacted by injury issues including a torn ACL he suffered in 2008 that effectively ended his season. He appears to have recovered from that injury, and he should have a more explosive first step off the line and also be able run and cut more comfortably. Burleson’s move to Detroit reunites him with offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, with whom he had one of his best statistical seasons, compiling over 1000 yards and six scores in 2004 when both were with the Minnesota Vikings. If Burleson can stay healthy this season and if Matthew Stafford can take productive steps in his sophomore year, then Burleson could have similar statistics to his 2007 season where he recorded 694 yards and nine touchdowns.
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Malcom Floyd, WR and Legedu Naanee, WR, San Diego Chargers – Chargers’ star receiver Vincent Jackson has been suspended three games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy and could possibly be out for six additional games if he doesn’t sign his tender by September 4. Consequently, wide receivers Malcom Floyd and Legedu Naanee have really seen their fantasy football value increase since July. Floyd has similar physical characteristics to Jackson. They are both tall, well- built receivers with good hands. Floyd has proven ability to get downfield and make big plays. He was a really efficient receiver in 2009, registering 776 yards in only 45 receptions. His 17.2 yards per catch average positioned Floyd second highest among receivers with 45 catches or fewer. Imagine what Floyd could do with more targets in 2010.

While Floyd is certain to significantly increase his production as he steps into the role of the Chargers’ No.1 receiver, Legedu Naanee, the one-time quarterback and former fifth-round pick from Boise State might have the most to gain in Jackson’s absence. A gifted athlete with great speed, the versatile Naanee is expected to see increased playing time as the likely No. 2 starter and possession receiver opposite Floyd. He’ll look to build on his 2009 season in which he caught 24 balls for 242 yards and two touchdowns. Defenses are sure to key on stopping Floyd and elite tight end Antonio Gates, which should leave the fourth-year receiver many open looks.

San Diego had one of the better passing offenses last year, ranking fifth in passing yards (4,338) and fifth in touchdowns (29). The Chargers’ offensive line should give quarterback Philip Rivers plenty of time in the pocket to complete passes this season. Floyd heads into the 2010 season as a solid WR3 worth a mid-round pick. Smart fantasy football owners will use a late-round pick on Naanee. He has the upside to potentially work his way into a weekly flex play and a WR4/WR5 in 12-team leagues.
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Mohamed Massaquoi, WR, Cleveland Browns – As a rookie, Massaquoi was thrust into the No. 1 receiver role with the Browns after Braylon Edwards was traded to the New York Jets last season. Massaquoi ended the 2009 season with 34 receptions for 624 yards and three touchdowns, leading all Browns’ receivers. He registered 100-plus yard games against Detroit and Cincinnati in his first NFL season, however he put up mediocre numbers in the rest. Excluding the two big statistical games, Cleveland’s instability at the quarterback position did not help him either. The Browns passing attack was the worst in the league in 2009. In fact they were last in passing yards (2,076 yards), had the worst completion percentage (49.4), and were second to last in touchdowns (11).

Both Derek Anderson and Brady “the Mighty” Quinn are gone now and the addition of veteran signal-caller Jake Delhomme will hopefully bring some stability back to the quarterback position. If Delhomme can perform better than Anderson and Quinn did last year (which shouldn’t be hard) and find some of the former magic he had during his earlier Carolina years, the former Georgia Bulldog and Browns’ clear No.1 receiver should have no trouble outperforming his average draft position. Entering the 2010 season, Massaquoi is worth a roster spot as a WR5 or WR6 fantasy reserve with upside.
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Jabar Gaffney, WR and Eddie Royal, WR, Denver Broncos – The Broncos wide receiver situation has become murky with the trade of first-rate wide receiver Brandon Marshall to Miami in the offseason. Rookie wide receiver Demaryius Thomas is also banged up with nagging injuries that include complications from his surgically-repaired left foot. Eddie Royal and Jabar Gaffney enter the 2010 as the top fantasy receiving options for the Broncos. Gaffney had a solid 2009 season collecting 54 receptions for 732 yards and two scores. More than a fourth of his production came in his final game against Kansas City where Gaffney had14 receptions for 213 yards. Gaffney has excellent speed and good hands. He should see many short and quick passes from conservative quarterback Kyle Orton. Gaffney has the potential to be an excellent possession receiver for the Broncos, playing both split end and seeing slot work. He should also see many more targets in the red zone because of his ability to collect short passes and the touches inside the 20 that would have gone to Marshall will have to go somewhere. Gaffney makes a solid WR4/WR5 reserve with upside. If Denver can move the football, expect him to have some huge games.

Many fantasy football owners put stock in Royal in 2009 and failed to receive a return on their investment. The blame isn’t with Royal, rather with the Denver coaching staff that inexplicably chose to underuse the talented receiver as a decoy rather than as a target. Royal had 37 receptions for 345 yards and zero scores last season and only had one catch over 20 yards. Nearly a third of his receptions came in Week 5. That being said, Royal is just one season removed from a 980 yard, five touchdown rookie campaign, where he hauled in five catches over 20 yards. If Denver head coach Josh McDaniels wants to keep his job, he’d put Royal’s skill set and explosiveness to better use this season. Somebody has to be the recipient of Marshall’s targets and touches, and Royal has the skills to fill that roll. Given the opportunity, Royal could get his once promising career back on track and also return to fantasy relevance. Like Gaffney, he should prove to be a good value as a WR4/WR5, with a slight uptick in value in PPR leagues.
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Laurent Robinson, WR, St. Louis Rams – Fourth-year receiver Laurent Robinson started for the Rams in 2009 until he fractured his fibula in Week 3 and spent the rest of the season on injured reserve. At the time he went down, Robinson scored one touchdown and led the team in receptions with 13 for 167 yards, an average of 12.8 yards per catch. If he stays healthy, Robinson seems locked in as the Rams’ No. 1 receiver following Donnie Avery’s season ending knee injury in the third preseason game against the Patriots.

Robinson’s height and athleticism make him an ideal red zone target of strong-armed rookie quarterback Sam Bradford. He also has the speed to be a down field threat and has demonstrated big-play abilities. In his first NFL game, the former Falcon posted 114 yards, including a 74-yard catch for a touchdown. Robinson is the Rams’ best option at the receiver position and should see the majority of receiving targets in 2010.
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Lance Moore, WR, New Orleans Saints – In 2008 Moore had one of the most surprising seasons in recent fantasy football history, coming out of nowhere to produce 79 receptions for 928 yards and ten touchdowns. Many fantasy owners drafted Moore in 2009 expecting him to post stats similar to his 2008 production. Instead they were disappointed by the results as Moore put up a meager 153 yards and two touchdowns last season. He barely played because of injuries to his ankles, shoulder, and hamstring. Moore is back this year and appears to be completely healthy. His great speed and hands should make Moore a lethal target for Drew Brees in the slot this season, and he and Brees are using the preseason to build upon the rapport they shared in 2008.

The Saints’ prolific offense, orchestrated by head coach Sean Peyton, one of best offensive minds in football, is loaded with playmakers all over the field. The challenge to predicting Moore’s – or the fantasy value of any of the Saints’ wide receivers value outside of Marques Colston – is that the Saints spread the ball around and it’s hard to say who’ll be the “guy” on any given week. Moore enters the 2010 season in the final year of his rookie contract. While he might be extra motivated to perform well, Moore will need a little help to make a significant fantasy impact. Draft Moore as a WR5 in 12-team leagues. If injuries to Robert Meachem or Devery Henderson curtail their playing time, then Moore will be the likely beneficiary of additional targets.

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See More ‘10 SLEEPERS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | DEF (click to view)

See More ‘10 BUSTS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | DEF (click to view)

Cheat Sheet RANKINGS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | DEF

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IDP Sleepers & Busts: AFC East

2010-08-30T23:00:09+00:00

Hello and welcome to the fifth installment of an eight installment series breaking down all 32 NFL teams from the Individual Defensive Player (IDP) perspective. This series will be taking a look at each team’s respective defensive schemes and how those schemes affect the value of certain defensive players. We will also be discussing some varying levels of sleepers as well as some players to avoid, or better known as busts. This week’s installment will be covering the AFC East.

BUFFALO BILLS

DEFENSIVE SCHEME: The Bills have moved away from Perry Fewell’s 4-3, cover-2 laden defensive scheme and in favor of the trendy 3-4 defensive scheme. Buffalo has the personnel to make an effective switch as ends Chris Kelsay and Aaron Maybin are good candidates for outside linebacker roles. Paul Posluszny is big enough to play in this type of scheme and Andra Davis has plenty of experience in the 3-4.

EVERY-DOWN LINEBACKERS: Paul Posluszny, Chris Kelsay

STONE COLD LOCK: Paul Posluszny is my 3rd ranked linebacker this season. You may think this is too high for a guy who’s only averaged 110 total tackles over the last two seasons, but there are valid reasons for this ranking. First, Posluszny missed four games last season and would have been a top 5 linebacker if not for the injury. Secondly, the Bills defense is going to be on the field perhaps more than any other defense in the league and Posluszny’s tackle opportunities should increase dramatically. As long as he can stay healthy, top 5 numbers for “Pos” are definitely within reach.

ON THE RISE: Safety George Wilson was a godsend to many IDP fantasy owners last season. Wilson didn’t start until the 3rd game of the regular season and still finished with an impressive 103 total tackles and 4 interceptions along with 2 sacks. Unfortunately, Wilson is stuck behind Donte Whitner and Jairus Byrd on the depth chart. The good news is that Byrd is going to be sidelined with an injury and may miss the first couple weeks of the season and Whitner is injury-prone himself. Wilson has a good chance to re-establish himself as a starting safety in Buffalo or at the very minimum rotate enough to be fantasy viable in deeper leagues. He’s a top 20 DB if he starts the whole season.

BUST POTENTIAL: Bryan Scott helped many IDP fantasy owners (including myself) reach the playoffs last season. But with the current plethora of talent at the safety position in Buffalo, Scott is unlikely to see much playing time. He’s currently not worth a roster spot in any leagues.

COMATOSE SLEEPER: Andra Davis finds himself with yet another NFL team this season. The NFL journeyman is a good fit for the Bills 3-4 defensive scheme and will start at SILB next to Paul Posluszny. Davis has been a consistent, solid tackler throughout his career and with the Bills likely to be on defense quite a bit this season, he should serve as a good bye-week filler and matchup-type IDP.

MIAMI DOLPHINS

DEFENSIVE SCHEME: The arrival of Mike Nolan in Miami means the Dolphins will be playing a more aggressive style of the 3-4 than they have played in previous years. They will also be moving away from the previously used 2-gap system imposed by Bill Parcells and going to the more commonly used 1-gap system.

EVERY-DOWN LINEBACKERS: Karlos Dansby, Cameron Wake, Channing Crowder, Koa Misi

STONE COLD LOCK: Big numbers should be expected out of Karlos Dansby this season. He is playing on a team and in a scheme that makes him a top 10 option this year at the linebacker position. Dansby will be stationed at the WILB position in defensive coordinator Mike Nolan’s 3-4 scheme. This is the same role that made fantasy football stars out of Patrick Willis, DJ Williams, and Donnie Edwards. Dansby has little competition for tackles within Miami’s front seven and should have a career year in 2010.

ON THE RISE: Second year player Cameron Wake is on the verge of having a breakout season. Wake showed flashes of dominance at times last season and now that he’s going to be receiving the majority of snaps at ROLB, he could very well have a double digit sack season. As with a lot of outside-rush linebackers in a 3-4 scheme, he won’t produce many tackles though. With this being said, keep a close eye on Wake mainly in big-play leagues.

BUST POTENTIAL: Randy Starks emergence as one of the top 3-4 defensive ends last season was one of IDP fantasy football’s best stories. But his move to nose tackle is a detrimental one for his fantasy value. Historically speaking, the nose tackle position is a fantasy blackhole and even though Starks production could be above average for the position, it’s highly unlikely that he will come close to reaching the numbers that he posted last season.

COMATOSE SLEEPER: In cornerback required leagues, Vontae Davis is a nice late-round selection. He came up with 4 interceptions in his rookie season and has been steadily improving his ball skills in the off-season. A leaky front seven should add in Davis’ tackle production.

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NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

DEFENSIVE SCHEME: Bill Belicheck runs the Fairbanks-Bullough 3-4 defensive system. This system is more similar to Bill Parcell’s 2-gap 3-4 than Mike Nolan’s 1-gap 3-4 and consequently the defensive lineman for New England are not usually fantasy worthy. On the other hand, it increases the value of the linebackers (Jerod Mayo and Brandon Spikes).

EVERY-DOWN LINEBACKERS: Jerod Mayo, Tully Banta-Cain

STONE COLD LOCK: Jerod Mayo is by far the most solid fantasy option on New England’s defense. He posted a 128 total tackles in his rookie season and was on pace for similar numbers last season if he wouldn’t have gotten hurt. There is some concern that Mayo’s numbers may dip a bit since he was seen playing the strong side at times this preseason with rookie Brandon Spikes playing the weak side. Mayo posting a team high 10 tackles in Thursday’s preseason game against the Rams should have squashed those concerns, however.

ON THE RISE: Patrick Chung could very well turn out to be the IDP sleeper of the season. He’s finally getting his shot at the starting strong safety position and is going to play a role very similar to that of former elite IDP Rodney Harrison. The Patriots will be bringing him up close to the line-of-scrimmage as an in-the-box safety and will use him to blitz the quarterback as well. Chung has DB1 upside and can usually be drafted as your DB3. Get him on your roster.

BUST POTENTIAL: Free safety Brandon Meriweather has had back-to-back top 20 fantasy seasons at his position. His reliance on big-play production sets him up for a potential bust year, however. Equally disconcerting is that the Patriots finally have a viable player in Patrick Chung at strong safety to take production away from Meriweather.

COMATOSE SLEEPER: Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes’ draft value suffered greatly after a dismal 40-time at the combine, but it looks like the Patriots got great value with Spikes when they drafted him at the end of the 2nd round. He’s played very will in preseason and is going to start at the SILB position next to Jerod Mayo. He was also seen playing some WILB at times during the preseason which increases his fantasy value as well. At this point, Spikes is only a two-down linebacker, however.

NEW YORK JETS

DEFENSIVE SCHEME: The Jets use a heavy dose of 46 looks along with variations of the 3-4 and 4-3 base defenses (multiple fronts). The aggressive play-calling of Rex Ryan has turned certain Jets IDPs (e.g. Davis Harris) into top fantasy producers. Expect more of the same this season.

EVERY-DOWN LINEBACKERS: Bart Scott, David Harris, Calvin Pace

STONE COLD LOCK: Similar to Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo, David Harris is the clear IDP to own on this defense. He flourished in Rex Ryan’s aggressive defensive scheme. The solo tackles numbers were a bit underwhelming for a top 10 linebacker (82); however, he more than made up for that with a whopping 45 assists and 5.5 sacks along with two interceptions. The big plays aren’t likely an aberration and Harris should continue top 10 production this season.

ON THE RISE: Rookie Kyle Wilson could see ample playing time sooner than most thought with Darrelle Revis currently holding out. If he starts, you can be assured that he will be tested early and often which means an above average amount of tackle and interception opportunities. As an added bonus in return yardage leagues, Wilson may assume some return duties as well.

BUST POTENTIAL: Cornerback Darelle Revis is perhaps the best cornerback in the NFL (along with Nnamdi Asomugha) and actually had a decent fantasy year last season due to his six interceptions and his ridiculous amount of pass deflections (31). However, with each passing day, it looks more and more likely that Revis will holdout the entire season and even if he does play, teams are going to throw away from him even more than they did last season. He’s certainly not worth selecting at his current positional draft spot of 9.

COMATOSE SLEEPER: Strong safety Jim Leonard should see an uptake in his fantasy production this season with Kerry Rhodes departing to Arizona. Leonard blitzed quite a bit last season as witnessed by his 2.5 sacks and should improve upon his 76 total tackles from last year. He has also been returning kicks and punts during the preseason. He’s not a guy that I would draft, but he’s worth keeping an eye on.

More IDP Sleepers & Busts (click to read)

NFC WEST | NFC SOUTH | NFC NORTH | NFC EAST

AFC EAST | AFC SOUTH | AFC NORTH | AFC EAST

If you have any further IDP questions feel free to shoot Ryan an email at or drop a line in our IDP Forums.

As always, for more great IDP information, visit the IDP Guru at www.idpguru.com.

Thanks for reading and make sure to be on the lookout for the sixth installment of this series covering the AFC South which will be releasing on Friday, September 3, 2010.

2010 Fantasy Football Top 150 Rankings (8/30)

2010-08-30T20:35:13+00:00

Check out our 2010 Fantasy Football Top 150 Rankings based on standard scoring leagues (4 points for passing TDs, 6 points for all other TDs).

::RANKINGS AS OF 8/30/2010::

2010 Fantasy Football Top 150 Rankings

1. Chris Johnson, RB (TEN)
2. Adrian Peterson, RB (MIN)
3. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB (JAC)
4. Ray Rice, RB (BAL)
5. Michael Turner, RB (ATL)
6. Andre Johnson, WR (HOU)
7. Frank Gore, RB (SF)
8. Steven Jackson, RB (STL)
9. Aaron Rodgers, QB (GB)
10. Drew Brees, QB (NO)

11. Randy Moss, WR (NE)
12. Rashard Mendenhall, RB (PIT)
13. Larry Fitzgerald, WR (ARI)
14. Peyton Manning, QB (IND)
15. DeAngelo Williams, RB (CAR)
16. Ryan Grant, RB (GB)
17. Shonn Greene, RB (NYJ)
18. Ryan Mathews, RB (SD)
19. Reggie Wayne, WR (IND)
20. Calvin Johnson, WR (DET)

21. Roddy White, WR (ATL)
22. Cedric Benson, RB (CIN)
23. Knowshon Moreno, RB (DEN)
24. Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB (ARI)
25. Miles Austin, WR (DAL)
26. Brandon Marshall, WR (MIA)
27. Jamaal Charles, RB (KC)
28. DeSean Jackson, WR (PHI)
29. Jonathan Stewart, RB (CAR)
30. Matt Schaub, QB (HOU)

31. Marques Colston, WR (NO)
32. Joseph Addai, RB (IND)
33. Greg Jennings, WR (GB)
34. Tom Brady, QB (NE)
35. Anquan Boldin, WR (BAL)
36. LeSean McCoy, RB (PHI)
37. Pierre Thomas, RB (NO)
38. Philip Rivers, QB (SD)
39. Tony Romo, QB (DAL)
40. Steve Smith, WR (CAR)

41. Dallas Clark, TE (IND)
42. Steve Smith, WR (NYG)
43. Antonio Gates, TE (SD)
44. Ronnie Brown, RB (MIA)
45. Chad Ochocinco, WR (CIN)
46. Matt Forte, RB (CHI)
47. Felix Jones, RB (Dal)
48. Vernon Davis, TE (SF)
49. Jason Witten, TE (DAL)
50. Michael Crabteee, WR (SF)

Click “Next Page” to see No.51 to No.100

Need help with your fantasy football cheat sheets? We’ve got you covered….

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51. Jahvid Best, RB (DET)
52. Arian Foster, RB (HOU)
53. Hines Ward, WR (PIT)
54. Mike Sims-Walker, WR (JAC)
55. Hakeem Nicks, WR (NYG)
56. Dwayne Bowe, WR (KC)
57. Percy Harvin, WR (MIN)
58. Ricky Williams, RB (MIA)
59. Jermichael Finley, TE (GB)
60. Wes Welker, WR (NE)

61. CJ Spiller, RB (BUF)
62. Donald Driver, WR (GB)
63. Marion Barber, RB (DAL)
64. Brent Celek, TE (PHI)
65. Brett Favre, QB (MIN)
66. Brandon Jacobs, RB (NYG)
67. Cadillac Williams, RB (TB)
68. Pierre Garcon, WR (IND)
69. Jeremy Maclin, WR (PHI)
70. Ahmad Bradshaw, RB (NYG)

71. Clinton Portis, RB (WAS)
72. Justin Forsett, RB (SEA)
73. Tony Gonzalez, TE (ATL)
74. Mike Wallace, WR (PIT)
75. Jay Cutler, QB (CHI)
76. Jerome Harrison, RB (CLE)
77. Thomas Jones, RB (KC)
78. Reggie Bush, RB (NO)
79. Santana Moss, WR (WAS)
80. Robert Meachem, WR (NO)

81. TJ Houshmandzadeh, WR (SEA)
82. Michael Bush, RB (OAK)
83. Kevin Kolb, QB (PHI)
84. Malcom Floyd, WR (SD)
85. Johnny Knox, WR (CHI)
86. Eli Manning, QB (NYG)
87. Joe Flacco, QB (BAL)
88. Fred Jackson, RB (BUF)
89. Steve Breaston, WR (ARI)
90. Darren McFadden, RB (OAK)
91. Tim Hightower, RB (ARI)

92. Montario Hardesty, RB (CLE)
93. Derrick Mason, WR (BAL)
94. Matt Ryan, QB (ATL)
95. Owen Daniels, TE (HOU)
96. Kellen Winslow, TE (TB)
97. Chester Taylor, RB (CHI)
98. Santonio Holmes, WR (NYJ)
99. Lee Evans, WR (BUF)
100. Terrell Owens, WR (CIN)

Click “Next Page” to see No.101 to No.150

101. Donovan McNabb, QB (PHI)
102. Carson Palmer, QB (CIN)
103. Kenny Britt, WR (TEN)
104. Devin Aromashadu, WR (CHI)
105. Braylon Edwards, WR (NYJ)
106. Laurence Maroney, RB (NE)
107. Austin Collie, WR, (IND)
108. Dez Bryant, WR (DAL)
109. Chris Cooley, TE (WAS)
110. Visanthe Shiancoe, TE (MIN)

111. Zach Miller, TE (OAK)
112. Darren Sproles, RB (SD)
113. Donald Brown, RB (IND)
114. Bernard Berrian, WR (Min)
115. New York Jets D/ST
116. Jerricho Cotchery, WR (NYJ)
117. Chad Henne, QB (MIA)
118. Devin Hester, WR (CHI)
119. Kevin Smith, RB (DET)
120. Willis McGahee, RB (BAL)

121. Ben Roethlisberger, QB (PIT)
122. Chris Chambers, WR (KC)
123. Nate Burleson, WR (DET)
124. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST
125. Leon Washington, RB (SEA)
126. Kevin Walter, WR (HOU)
127. Heath Miller, TE (PIT)
128. John Carlson, TE (SEA)
129. Eddie Royal, WR (DEN)
130. Sidney Rice, WR (MIN) **HIP SURGERY, OUT UNTIL AT LEAST MIDSEASON**

131. Vincent Jackson, WR (SD) **SUSPENDED THREE GAMES, THREATENING HOLD OUT**
132. Toby Gerhart, RB (MIN)
133. Matt Cassel, QB (KC)
134. Alex Smith, QB (SF)
135. Dustin Keller, TE (NYJ)
136. Marshawn Lynch, RB (BUF)
137. Mario Manningham, WR (NYG)
138. Devery Henderson, WR (NO)
139. Steve Slaton, RB (HOU)
140. Jabar Gaffney, WR (DEN)

141. Correll Buckhalter, RB (DEN)
147. Mike Bell, RB (PHI)
143. Laurent Robinson, WR (STL)
144. Larry Johnson, RB (WAS)
145. Louis Murphy, WR (OAK)
146. Devin Thomas, WR (WAS)
147. Bernard Scott, RB (CIN)
148. Roy Williams, WR (DAL)
149. Tashard Choice, RB (SD)
150. Green Bay Packers D/ST

Need help with your fantasy football cheat sheets? We’ve got you covered….

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Need help with your fantasy football cheat sheets? We’ve got you covered….

8/29 - Bruno Boys Mailbag: Draft Day Advice

2010-08-29T20:37:38+00:00

We are once again going to be doing LIVE Q & A sessions on http://www.brunoboys.net throughout the 2010 season. In fact, we are committed to helping you win your fantasy match-up on a weekly basis and have decided to bring back our DAILY LIVE CHAT from Week 1 to Week 17. That is right Bruno Boys Nation, from September 6, 2010 until January 2, 2011 we will have a LIVE CHAT each and every day

In the meantime, let’s get started with our first Preseason LIVE CHAT of the 2010 season. Tonight at 9:00 PM EST Bruno Boys Matt will answer your fantasy football draft strategy questions. Also, if you are in an Auction league, make sure to ask Matt for his opinion, as he is our resident Auction Draft Guru. Here is more information about tonight’s LIVE Q & A.....

DATE: SUNDAY, AUGUST 29, 2010

TIME: 9:00 PM (EST) - 10:00 PM (EST)

Now, let’s jump right in and start asking the Bruno Boys staff your fantasy football draft day questions!

PRESEASON LIVE Q &A - AUGUST 29TH @ 9:00 PM EST