FSH: MY 2010 FANTASY WR'S

September 11th, 2010, Saturday

Ready to Make the Grab

Top Fantasy wide receivers:

Everyone already knows about both of the Johnson brothers, Andre and Calvin. Andre has been the giant the past two seasons in Houston leading the NFL in receiving yards with over 1,500 in each. In Detroit, Calvin enters his fourth season with 21 career touchdowns under his belt and a blossoming strong-armed quarterback ready to elevate “Megatron” to fantasy royalty.

As I review my top twenty for 2010, the most notable receivers on this list are Sidney Rice who I might have ranked higher had he not gone down for at least six weeks. Vincent Jackson is in a similar spot poised to sit out significant time, although at the time of this posting there are rumors suggesting he could land in Minnesota. If VJ gets traded to the Vikings, an early risky pick for fantasy owners could pay heavy dividends in the second half of the fantasy season.

I rate Terrell Owens higher than Ochocinco, simply because this preseason TO has been targeted more and looked more reliable as the possession type-receiver. Also his size has to make him a favorite in the Red Zone.

My Watch list…

In Indy, fantasy owners need to keep an eye on wide receiver Pierre Garcon. Garcon came on last season finishing strong in the post season with 21 receptions, including two for scores. With so many other weapons around him, he is one that is ready to breakout this season with a big year.

Very similar in Green Bay is third year wide out James Jones. Jones battled through injuries last season, but when healthy showed by play potential. With Jennings and Driver grabbing much well deserved attention, Jones could quietly blossom this season.

A third wide out that I will be watching closely is the Eagles second year receiver Jeremy Maclin. With DeSean Jackson grabbing the headlines with his big plays last season, defenses will be rolling their coverage in his direction often (but they better watch out). As a rookie last season, Maclin caught 56 passes for nearly 800 yards. The Eagles have enough weapons in the passing game for Maclin to see a lot of single coverage; could be a sleeper pick in 2010.

A last notable mention for what it’s worth is the Ram’s wide receiver Laurent Robinson. The Ram’s wide out started out looking very strong on a weak offense last season, before going down in the third game. He is healthy this season and rookie quarterback Sam Bradford looks more than capable to get him the ball. He may not be a top10 this season, but Robinson could be worth a flyer this season.

My 2010 top 25 Wide receivers

1. Andre Johnson, HOU

2. Calvin Johnson, DET

3. Randy Moss, NE

4. Larry Fitzgerald, ARI

5. Roddy White, ATL

6. Reggie Wayne, IND

7. Greg Jennings, GB

8. DeSean Jackson, PHI

9. Steve Smith, NYG

10. Wes Welker, NE

11. Miles Austin, DAL

12. Anquan Boldin, BAL

13. Steve Smith, CAR

14. Sidney Rice, Min

15. Marques Colston, NO

16. Brandon Marshall, MIA

17. Santana Moss, WAS

18. Donald Driver, GB

19. Mike Sims-Walker, JAX

20. Terrell Owens, CIN

21. Malcom Floyd, SD

22. Michael Crabtree, SF

23. Jabar Gaffney, DEN

24. Vincent Jackson, SD

25. Deion Branch, SEA

My 2010 Top 10 tight ends

1. Antonio Gates, SD

2. Owen Daniels, HOU

3. Dallas Clark, IND

4. Jason Witten, DAL

5. Jermichael Finley, GB

6. Vernon Davis, SF

7. Tony Gonzales, ATL

8. Brent Celek, PHI

9. Chris Cooley, WAS

10. Zach Miller, OAK

FSH: MY 2010 FANTASY RB'S

September 8th, 2010, Wednesday

Running with the wind

Top Fantasy Running Backs:

2009 was a record setting season for the Titan’s running back Chris Johnson, the class of the NFL runners. The speedster from East Carolina University shredded opposing defenses last season to the tune of 2,006 yards becoming just the sixth player in NFL history to do so. He was no secret a year ago, but fantasy owners can bet opposing defenses this season will be game planning to stop his attempt at a repeat.

Joining Johnson perched atop the fantasy list of running backs this season is the Vikings man among boys, running back Adrian Peterson. With another impressive NFL campaign (over 1,300 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns in 2009) under his belt, is there any reason to doubt that “All-Day” will be better in 2010? The word on the “fantasy street” Peterson could be utilized more in the passing game this season.

Rising to the top….

Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens…

In his second season the Raven’s running back Ray Rice started 15 games and catapulted his way to top of fantasy galore. Rice toted the rock 254 times in 2009 for over 1,300 yards and added another 702 yards receiving on 78 receptions. His eight touchdowns were nothing to scream about, but his overall production ranked him second in total yards only to Chris Johnson. With all the weapons added this offseason to the Raven’s offensive lineup, Rice should be set for an encore performance in 2010.

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars…

The Jaguars small ball of thunder, running back Maurice Jones-Drew started all 16 games a year ago turned in his biggest season in the NFL with over 1,760 yards of offense and 16 touchdowns. Mojo is a dynamic and versatile scat back with big play potential. Over the past two seasons he has recorded more than 50 receptions in each and has shown great toughness and durability missing just one game since arriving to the NFL four seasons ago.

Ready to breakaway…

The Jets running back Shonn Greene has stepped into the starting gig behind one of the league’s best offensive lines. In 2009 the Jets ran the ball over 500 times, so even with the arrival of a potential Hall-of-Famer (LaDanian Tomlinson) Greene should see plenty of action to be a highly productive fantasy option. The Jet’s starting running back won’t turn many heads in PPR leagues, but he should still be a solid number one running back option in most fantasy leagues running behind a line that produced 21 scores on the ground in 2009 .

2010 Sleepers…

It’s not taking long for this year’s rookie class to make some noise in NFL backfields, already in Buffalo running back C.J. Spiller showed enough to get the starting nod in week one. He’ll be one to watch not only this weekend, but this season. Another running back drawing attention and worth keeping an eye on will be the Lion’s Jahvid Best. Like Spiller, Best won the starting gig this season with his strong play during the preseason. Neither offenses (Bills, Lions) are built quite like best in the league, but both backs should be featured quite a bit and could earn their way onto several fantasy rosters by midseason.

A third running back with Sleeper potential this season is the Bronco’s running back Knowshon Moreno. The 2^nd year back will start this season and if he can stay healthy he shouldn’t have any real competition in the backfield to steal any production. Moreno was a slight disappointment a year ago, but this season he should be featured quite a bit more and could have a big sophomore campaign.

These are just a few of the noteworthy backs for 2010. Here’s how my top 20 round out for the upcoming season.

My 2010 top 10 Running Backs

1. Chris Johnson, TEN

2. Adrian Peterson, MIN

3. Ray Rice, BAL

4. Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX

5. Frank Gore, SF

6. Shonn Greene, NYJ

7. Steven Jackson, STL

8. Michael Turner, ATL

9. Ryan Grant, GB

10. Rashard Mendenhall, PIT

11. DeAngelo Williams, CAR

12. Joseph Addai, IND

13. Pierre Thomas, NO

14. Knowshon Moreno, DEN

15. Clinton Portis, WAS

16. Cedric Benson, CIN

17. LeSean McCoy, PHI

18. Ryan Matthews, SD

19. Justin Forsett, SEA

20. Matt Forte, CHI

FSH: MY 2010 FANTASY QB'S

September 7th, 2010, Tuesday

Changing of the Guard

2010 Top Fantasy quarterbacks:

2010 could mark a changing in the guard when you talk about fantasy quarterbacks. For the past several season’s names like Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, and Tom Brady have been the main staple of fantasy quarterbacks in the league, but 2010 could mark the year where this elite group expands.

On the rise to Elite status

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers…

Since inheriting the mantle in Green Bay just over two years ago, quarterback Aaron Rodgers has steadily shown why number four in Lambeau is no longer. After consecutive seasons with over 4,000 yards passing and 28 or more touchdowns this will be Rodgers third full season as the starter under center for Green Bay. Rodgers will also have one of the league’s best receiving corps (Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones) returning for its’ third consecutive season. At only 6’2” the former Cal Bear stands tall in the pocket and delivers rocket passes on the money. Last season the Packer’s starting quarterback completed nearly 65%of his passes and threw 30 touchdowns. 2010 should be an even bigger year for Rodgers who now has a little veteran savvy and a solid foundation of experience to command one of the league’s top ranked offenses.

Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers…

With the LT Era over in San Diego, it’s time for the Bolts to fly. It really should come as no surprise since quarterback Philip Rivers has been steadily putting up fantasy numbers since he took the reins in 2006. Rivers has joined the 4,000 yard club in each of the past two seasons and his 62 touchdowns in that span rank him near the top. At 6’5” the Charger’s starting quarterback is the prototypical signal caller with a strong arm and with an all-pro tight end he’ll continue his rise to stardom. Perhaps River’s best fantasy value is his toughness and durability; Rivers has started in 64 straight regular season games.

Strong arms worth watching…

The Texan’s quarterback Matt Schaub and the Cowboy’s quarterback Tony Romo are a pair of Texas gunslingers fantasy owners will be keeping a close eye in 2010. Last season Schaub blossomed into a fantasy favorite passing for nearly 4,800 yards with 29 passing touchdowns while starting all 16 games. Romo passed for over 4,000 yards for the second time in three seasons and threw at least 26 touchdowns for his third straight season. Both return with their respective offenses pretty much intact from last season and fantasy owners are safe to expect similar numbers from each.

2010 Sleepers…

A couple of arms fantasy owners should be taking a closer look at this season are the Raven’s Joe Flacco, the Chiefs Matt Cassel, and the Bronco’s Kyle Orton.

Just by the numbers and added personnel it would be hard to argue that Flacco is due to have a good season. The Ravens are still ball control, but with his new weapons Flacco will easily improve his numbers from a year ago.

In Denver, the Broncos appear to be a team in the works and could have some struggles this season. Orton limits his mistakes and could find himself throwing the ball a lot more in the second half.

Matt Cassell had his struggles in 2009, but with a full year under his belt and a soft schedule down the stretch (week 15 & 16 against St. Louis and Tennessee) he could be a second half wonder.

A noteworthy mention is the Lion’s quarterback Matthew Stafford. The kid has looked sharp this preseason and with wide receiver Nate Burleson and tight end Tony Scheffler joining (Calvin Johnson) Megatron the passing game has received a huge off-season upgrade. Stafford is not a fantasy starter, but could be strong second half player in 2010.

My 2010 top 10 Quarterbacks

1. Aaron Rodgers, GB

2. Drew Brees, NO

3. Peyton Manning, IND

4. Tom Brady, NE

5. Matt Schaub, HOU

6. Philip Rivers, SD

7. Tony Romo, DAL

8. Donovan McNabb, PHI

9. Brett Favre, Min

10.Ben Roethlisberger, PIT